Chapter Ten
Darth grimaced as he struggled to put on his boots. He was forced to lean against the wall in the hallway outside his bedchamber to accomplish the task. The tussle between foot and boot aggravated his bad humor. Why would Arabella ask for clothes, when she could have easily asked for her virginity . . . or freedom? She was as intelligent, as she was beautiful, he concluded. She had not gambled too highly on the strength of his words, or his conviction to them. She asked for something small and reasonable, gambling she would receive it.
He was a fool for saying what he had, and further for allowing her the boon. It showed him clearly how much Arabella already affected him, his mind and his body. He'd never expected her to be as responsive as she was, and he could nearly fall onto his knees weeping over having a woman beneath his hands once again. The intense feelings frightened him. He wondered what lengths a man might be propelled to under his circumstances. That was why he left Arabella with the presumption that he was going to obtain her clothes. Which he would do, after a fashion, but really he'd left to gain sometime and perspective. Then he realized, with a slight lifting of his spirits that he did have the time with this woman of his, he had been so hungry that he'd nearly forgotten to savor. He was going to enjoy teaching Arabella more, slowly and thoroughly. The possibilities carried him down the staircase, veering right across the tiled entranceway to his office.
Just as Darth was sitting at his desk chair, Chicery entered the office and stood at the entrance performing a half bow. "Your, Lordship," Chicery stated on the rise. "Is there anything I can see to?"
Darth continued to settle at his desk and offered up an absently said, "Yes, send me a messenger from the stables I will have some missives to post shortly."
"As you wish, Sir." Chicery cleared his throat once, then again before Darth looked up at him.
"What is it, Chicery?"
"Your Lordship, might I bring to your attention that I have just recently discovered our own Mrs. Wellborn has a cousin in dire need of a position. And the Miss in question just happens to be a skilled lady's maid, Sir."
"Really, Chicery, and you thought this piece of gossip might interest me, I take it?"
Chicery ducked his chin downward, thinking he would not go so far as to advise his Lordship on any particulars, just lend him a direction, ever hopeful. "I always keep you apprised, Sir"
Darth grimaced, making himself appear more severe than was ever his intention. He would not state the obvious, but had he been so inclined to hire a lady's maid, the task would surely prove impossible. One look at him would have had the poor girl fainting. But not his Arabella.
"Thank-you, Chicery, for the information, I will certainly keep it in mind."
And then toss it out
, Darth thought. "I will be leaving for several hours, shortly. See that no one enters my bedchamber while I am away. Our guest is resting. That will be all for now."
"As you wish, my Lord," Chicery replied somewhat stiffly, as was his manner, before turning to leave the room.
Darth remained thoughtful, staring at the place where Chicery had stood. Chicery would be an inconvenience to have around at this time, perhaps he would be wise to send the little man on holiday. Arabella was securely locked upstairs in his bedchamber, yet Chicery was sure to notice and harangue him on the impropriety of it, forever more. He was the master here, yet Chicery seemed to have this baffling way of making him adjust his morals. He would have to consider it carefully, he decided as he turned his mind to his correspondence. He intended to find out what he could about the man, Victor Crom, and to that end he was posting his solicitor to the task. He was not a man for leaving loose ends, and he could not ignore the unspecific threat to Arabella. Victor Crom had, had a knife at the end, and he intended to find out why.
Thirty minutes later, Darth let his stallion, Raven, take the lead as they raced together across the grassy slopes east of Lee. His direction was to the small haven of Griswold, where he intended to fulfill his promise. Eventually the hills leveled outward into haloed fields. In the center of these stood Griswold, where he slowed Raven's pace to a trot as he neared the town, veering off to take a back alleyway that led him to the rear entrance to Grainier's Milliner Shop. He hoped the shop was without patrons at the moment as he moved to ring the back bell.
"Why, Lord Peregrine. It is so good to see you," Mrs. Grainier said as she stood at the opened back entryway. Darth had known Mrs. Grainier since he was a child and she had never passed a sideways glance at his disfigurement in all those years.
Darth offered Mrs. Grainier the appropriate bow as she informed him the shop was empty at that moment, she knew his preferences well. With a little niece, who he adored, he'd used Mrs. Grainier's services on a number of occasions. "I will set out the sign that I have gone for the hour. Do you think that will be an appropriate amount of time, Lord Peregrine?"
"Yes, Madame. Quite adequate, thank you."
Darth stopped in the back of the shop as Mrs. Grainier went forward saying, "It is my pleasure to see you again, Sir. No need to thank me of course. You will notice the newest shipment of velvets there on the back wall."
Darth skipped the velvets Mrs. Grainier indicated. He knew that she'd assumed it might be something for Victoria, his niece, and he realized in that moment, how much he was going to enjoy dressing Arabella to his tastes. He decided on three dresses. The first one a blue linen with a high collar in the back and an open v-shaped neckline in the front. He had Mrs. Grainier remove the flounce of bows holding up one layer to show a deeper color underneath, he also had her take the ornate lace from around the top collar and cuffs.
"A woman should be the decoration," he stated to Mrs. Grainier's raised brow.
"Of course, my Lord, you are right," she said with a smile.
Darth had the other two garments similarly treated. One was a rich brown silk that would compliment Arabella's unique golden eyes and the other sturdier dove gray wool with a short jacket. He picked out undergarments, stockings, and two pair of shoes. He spent a little more time in the undergarments nearly despairing of finding what he needed, until he asked Mrs. Grainier if she carried any night frills for mistresses. This did the trick, and he had this particular piece of frippery package separately. Finding it difficult to hold back his smile of anticipation over what Arabella would make of the single article of clothing that he intended to present to her.
"Are you certain that a corset will not be necessary?" Mrs. Grainier inquired for the second or third time.
"The lady in question has a sufficiently slim waist already. I would not tie even the lowliest animal into one of those trappings," Darth declared, thereby effectively closing the subject.
Darth paid for his purchases and left through the rear door, tying the parcels off his saddle horn. Mounting Raven, he turned his mount back toward Lee and then gave a second thought to another idea. Bringing Raven about, he headed to the Inn of Griswold. Once there he entered the inn by the front door seeking out the proprietor, and ignoring the stares that he received from the common room patrons.
Twenty minutes later found him back on the road to Lee as he kept Raven to a trot, mirroring his own thoughts. What he'd learned at the inn had been very interesting. It seemed that Mr. Crom had left the inn without paying his tab and the inn keeper was very interested in finding him. When Darth had inquired how many had been in Mr. Crom's party, he was told that it was but the one man and a small boy. Darth had even gone so far as to describe Arabella by name and by looks, but this had produced no recollection on the inn keeper's part. The inn keeper told Darth that a satchel and a trunk had been left behind, which Darth promptly paid the outstanding fees on to acquire. The trunk would be delivered to Lee tomorrow by coach and the leather bound satchel now hung from his saddle horn. Darth was certain this must be the same satchel that Arabella had spoken of once, but he did not venture within its confines to see what was inside. The smell alone told him the satchel most likely held the herbs that she had remarked on.
He wondered why Crom would keep Arabella's presence a secret and who the devil was the small boy? The situation was very delicate and he knew the only place to discover the answers were from Arabella herself. He also realized that he did not want to know the answers now, especially if it could sway him in any direction of letting Arabella go. An action that would not, and could not happen.
"You
are
a scarred beast," he declared. "Act as you look, man. There is no room for decency in this gamble."
So with determination, Darth put aside his thoughts and guilt about the how and why's of Arabella, and he just lingered on the woman herself. A pastime that entertained his thoughts all the way back to Lee estate.
Chapter Eleven
Arabella stirred on the bed, she knew Darth was gone, yet still her breathing came erratic as she reached for the blindfold. She lifted it slowly, first seeing her naked breasts rising and falling, then seeing her nude body. Quickly she grasped an edge of the bed linen and pulled it over her body. She could see the place on the linen where Darth had torn a strip for the blindfold. She contemplated the blindfold as she lay still, nearly afraid to move.
Darth's need to blindfold her was the key to his soul, she thought. She realized suddenly that Darth used the blindfold for her, so she would not have to see his scarred face. She'd been so entangled in riotous emotions before this to think clearly and truthfully Darth's scarring had faded in its importance to her. It was simply a part of him. Where the man he was, his strength, his power, and his masculinity overwhelmed her concentration. Yet he must believe that most women would find his appearance distasteful. In all honesty, many women would shudder, and the weaker ones might cower.
Yes, they would,
she conceded. She could not imagine what it must be like to live as Darth was surely forced to do. He had to be terribly isolated, conceivably haunted, and perhaps even afraid. Of course he would never admit it, or allow others to see it. Yet they had been intimate together, and words had come from him that would not have otherwise.
It was clear that Darth's intentions were to keep her as his slave, and it was also painfully clear that he intended to take her virginity. Arabella wondered why he waited. Did he not have her at his mercy? But it seemed to her that he wanted more from her. Another man in this position might just forcefully rape her. If she were honest, she would have said that she thought all men would. Yet her dark Lord portrayed himself as tormented as she felt.
Arabella wondered then, if she could use her understanding of Darth to somehow compel him to help her to rescue Nicholas? She had to get Nicholas away from Victor, she was so worried about him, and already an entire day had passed. Yet she did not believe that Victor would harm Nicholas, unless it would benefit him somehow. She wished desperately that she could tell Darth of her circumstances. Would he care or would he ignore it? She could not take the chance.
It was then she finally got up, slowly from the bed. She did not know where Darth had gone or how long he would be gone, but she could not rest naked on the bed just waiting for his return. When she found another shirt and put it on, she decided to check all the entrances to the room for possible means of escape. The windows were too high to climb out of and all the doors appeared to be locked. But when she returned to the clothing closet to check one more time, she found a small door at the very back, behind a rack of clothing. The door was a forgotten feature, it was dusty, but it opened easily, and she saw that it led into the adjoining chamber. This room was another bed chamber and when she checked the door, she found that it was unlocked.
Her heart fluttered in excitement as she stood there for long moments with her hand on a door knob that would open to her freedom. Did she dare? Or more importantly would it be wise? A man such as Darth, would not allow her escape easily, he would hunt her down if he had to. He believed that she was his property now, and she knew with inner certainty that he was fiercely possessive. It showed in the way that he moved and stroked her body with such power and command. He would hunt her to the ends of the earth, she had no doubt, and she did not have the power to match his. She realized in that moment that Darth was her only hope. He was the only one she knew in England, the only one who might help her, if she dared to tell him. Her hand shook as she released the knob, and then she returned to Darth's bedchamber.
Her only hope was to tame the scarred beast, if only she did not become consumed in his flames, before it was too late.
Arabella was not aware that Darth had returned, until she heard him grumbling. "It is freezing in here and you do not even have a cover." Then, she was completely hidden beneath the weight of a coverlet. When she sleepily pulled it down off her head, she saw Darth crouched in front of the fireplace stirring at the embers with a long poker.
"Do not get out from under that cover until this room warms up," he ordered without turning around.
The dark Lord had returned, Arabella thought, as she spied a package sitting on the wing chair across from where she lay on the settee. It was her clothing. She wondered how Darth could fit anything other than one dress, and a small one at that, in as small a package. She chided herself not to be greedy, this was charity on Darth's part, and she needed his charity desperately.
Darth work at the coals and soon had a comfortable blaze, satisfied it would warm the room quickly. He had been irritated to find his bedchamber so chilly, he had plans that he wanted to entertain immediately. He'd considered them on his ride back from Griswold. However, he would not have Arabella catching a chill, so now he must wait but not for long.
He stood, walking back to where Arabella reclined on the settee. He was pleased that she'd not moved as he'd requested. He also saw her curiosity over the package and as soon as the room was warm, he would reveal it to her. Bending, he searched for and found Arabella's feet beneath the coverlet, he lifted them so he could sit, and then he placed them in his lap. Arabella was uniquely docile.
"I am sorry about the fire, Darth. I must have fallen asleep." She looked innocent with only her head peaking above the covers.
"I was merely worried that you would catch chill anew, Arabella. It is fine now and the room will be warm soon." He picked up one of her feet underneath the coverlet and began to rub at its dainty arch. She did not startle from ticklishness, but her flaxen eyes grew large.
"Did you have a pleasant ride?" Arabella ventured tentatively, wanting to turn Darth's attention to the package, but unsure how to broach the subject without angering him.
"Um, tis a beautiful day and Raven was eager for the run. Of course he always is."
Darth's eyes were closed as he continued to massage her foot, sending pleasurable murmurs up to her knees. "Raven? Is that your horse?"
"Stallion, Arabella, and yes, he is mine. Do you ride?"
Darth took her other foot up into his warm hand and Arabella realized his hands were nicely calloused. "No, Darth, I do not know how."
Darth eyes opened, gazing at her, and his hands never stopped their motion as he fondled her toes. To Arabella it was as if there were two separate conversations going on. One of voices and another with strong warm hands.
"Then, I shall teach you some day. It is a useful accomplishment. And now, I think that the room is warm enough. Would you like to see what I brought you?"
Arabella kept herself from jumping up, thinking it was wise not to make an abundant commotion over the clothing. Especially since Darth was so against it. "Yes," she answered as demure as she could. Taking her time as Darth swung her feet to the floor.
"Go and stand by the fire for me, Arabella."
It was dark and the only light in the room was the fire, so Arabella reasoned that Darth wanted her there so she could see more clearly what he had gotten her. Darth picked up the package and came to stand beside her in front of the fireplace. He set the package on the mantel.
"Close your eyes, Arabella, and do not open them until I tell you. If you do not obey me, I will not give you the clothes."
She wanted those clothes.
It was nearly becoming a judicious right in her mind, not unlike fighting for one's country. Arabella closed her eyes tight, counseling herself not to open them no matter what occurred. She would not lose the clothes by default. Darth's hands were at the buttons of the shirt she wore and she could feel his warm breath on her cheek.
"I want to put it on you, little dove, so keep still."
A rush of goose bumps feathered lightly over Arabella's skin. That meant Darth intended to bare her again and she had to keep her eyes close.
Oh,
but
she wanted those clothes. Darth began to peel back the shirt before she could think what to do. Clenching her eyes, Arabella told herself that Darth had seen her this way before. He did not just pull the shirt off her shoulders and down her arms. It was more akin to peeling. Very slowly.
Her breathing quickened as she felt the heat of Darth's body radiating against her skin, from where he stood so close in front of her. She cautioned herself to keep her eyes shut as she felt the shirt brush the back of her calves, and then pool at her feet.
"You are beautiful, Arabella." Darth's mouth brushed the hair over her ear as he spoke and his words gave her more goose bumps. She wanted to ask him if he really meant it. She never thought of herself as beautiful, although her mother had always said that she was. "Do not move now. I need to undo the package."
Darth looked down at Arabella in the firelight. She was a fire nymph with glowing skin and ripening curves. If his plan worked, he would have more command over her, and be rid of the damned clothing question for now. He imagined by the time he was ready to clothe Arabella regularly, he would think that state inciting for its novelty.
Never!
This was the only way he wished to see her, and he had ten years worth of yearning inside of him for the sight of a woman's flesh.
He wanted to be comfortable, so he walked to the chair and took off his shirt, boots and loosened the ties to his breeches. Then he returned to the mantel beside his golden and full-bodied nymph, who happened to have tautly budded nipples.
Christ
, he did not want to cover her up, even with the little piece of transparent fluff that he'd bought.
"Raise your arms, Arabella . . . that's right, high over your head." Darth commanded himself to his task, tearing his eyes away from Arabella's elevated bosom and the curly sable thatch between her thighs. Quickly, he slipped the piece of confection that he was calling clothing over her head. "Do not peek," he warned, and then he let it slide down over Arabella's exquisite body. The sheer silk garment only came to the middle of her thighs and on the high side at that.
Perfect
, he thought as he stepped back and realized the flimsy veil of clothing was very enticing, even though it really covered nothing at all. It must feel . . .
"Darth?" Arabella, questioned. Interrupting his thoughts. Her face showed her confusion as he stepped backward and said, "Open your eyes, little dove, and see the piece of clothing that I have brought you." Darth ran a hand through his thick hair, and then he retreated to the chair.