Part 17 (1/2)

He hated seeing her shy, worrying he had something to do with her reaction. Of course, he had something to do with it. He should have told her his intentions. Courting...well, he didn't know the steps to take. After all, he'd never truly courted his Julia. After encountering her, she'd asked him to meet her in secret. He'd thought her forward and loved it, but she had taken him on adventures through small villages, stealing bread and cheese along the way, sipping wine on the cuff, and all the while laughing. It was more than three months of dark adventures, running and chuckling uncontrollably at midnight, then Julia had taken him by the hand and shown him physical intimacy, actually teaching him exactly where to touch and how, like a schoolmarm would. But, heavens, the lessons were thrilling! They wed the fortnight after that first instruction.

Will would never forget how much fun he'd had with Julia, but all the while he'd worried he'd get caught, she'd get caught, or something untoward would happen. And it did. Just not when they were running wildly through the countryside. After they were married Will never stopped worrying.

Even now, standing with Erva, he thought of consequences. d.a.m.nation, he should have told her his intentions. He should have explained himself. No wonder the woman was shy with him now. But Will knew she was timid beyond not knowing what lay in his heart. She was such an odd dichotomy of strength and vulnerability, musical talent beyond compare and lack of a.s.suredness, intelligence yet not knowing how commanding she was. Well, if it took him the rest of his life, he'd show her her strengths and power.

”My darling,” he caught himself whispering, before clearing his throat. ”I'd like you to meet Private Gabriel Lukas.”

He turned to the Private, trying to sit up with the use of his good elbow.

The lady curtsied and rushed to the young soldier, helping him prop up more, then fluffing his pillow. ”It's such a pleasure to meet you, Private Lukas.”

For several beats the Private said nothing as the lady moved beside him, smiling down. His face was painted in red almost the same color as his hair. He kept swallowing and finally nodded. ”P-p-pleasure's all mine, my lady.”

She smiled widely. ”You wouldn't happen to be the same Private Lukas who knows how to shoot a rifled musket, would you?”

The young man blushed even more.

”He is one in the same,” Will answered.

Erva glanced at him, her smile s.h.i.+fting into something...wistful? Or was that pain that crossed her eyes. She blinked and stared at him for a heartbeat more, then turned back to the Private.

”Have you joined the Queen's Rangers then?”

Will's chest puffed with pride when his lady spoke so learnedly of his army.

Lukas shook his head. ”No, ma'am.”

But then it suddenly occurred to Will that he'd just sent a letter to Howe, wanting Lukas to be transferred to the Queen's Rangers upon recovery. He wrote the letter only a week ago. How would Erva know that?

Lord, could she be a spy after all.

He inhaled, thinking fast. If she were, then he'd convert. Lord, he never thought himself a turncoat, and as much as he prided himself on his English blood, he didn't believe in this war. He didn't support it. The only reason he'd been here...

Mayhap he could convert Erva?

But what the h.e.l.l was that odd gla.s.s box that lit up? A spy gadget? Or, perhaps, something more...magical?

It was time to get to the bottom of who she was. It was time to tell her his intentions that no matter what she told him, he wished to marry her. If she'd have him.

As Will and Dr. Goodfellow watched silently, Erva and Lukas chatted for a few minutes about rifled muskets, breach-loading rifles, and ammunition. She knew so much. More than any woman he'd met before. But then again, she'd said her father had been in the military. Perhaps her father had taught her all she knew. Perhaps someone else had.

Jealousy stung through his body like ice sliding down his back. This was new for him. Oh, he'd guarded Julia. He'd loved Julia, yes, but there hadn't been enough time or opportunity for this emotion.

Now, watching his golden beauty chuckle at something the Private said, he wanted to know about any man who might have loved her. No, that wasn't quite the truth of it. He wanted to know if she loved anyone else. At the same time, he didn't want to know. Afraid he'd try to seek out the man and smash in his jaw.

Yes, it was time for answers.

”My lady,” he said when both the Private and Erva had quieted. ”Several officers and I are expected for tea at Lady Anne's-the usual quest of money or men for the cause. Poor woman. Thus, I'm sure the lady would greatly desire your company. I hate to leave the Private-”

”Well, the Private's had enough activity for one day, General,” Dr. Goodfellow said.

Private Lukas's eyes had darkened with small half moons under them. But he stared at Erva in wide-eyed wonder all the same. Will didn't blame the Private. He'd done the same many a time.

Erva took the one healthy hand of the Private's. Giving it a squeeze, she said, ”I hope to see you again, Private. And I hope you recover very soon. Perhaps in nine days. Or sooner.” She gave Will a mischievous grin then as if she knew something.

Well, it was time to find out.

In the carriage Will wanted to confront Erva, ask her if she were a spy, ask about the device that lit up and played music. He wanted to know so much, but instead he only turned to her. The suns.h.i.+ne painted her pale delicate features into an exquisite sight, making him unable to speak.

Just to act.

He reached for her, pulling her close, feeling the softness of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s meet his chest. Instantly her hands were on his shoulders, not pulling back, but at first to brace herself, then she wrapped her fingers into fists, gripping his own red uniform and drew him closer.

No words were uttered. Only the mutual, magical attraction was paid heed.

Softly he bent for a quick kiss. Her breath caught, and he kissed her again. This time he settled onto her soft lips, savoring the feel of them pressed against his own, the sweet taste of her. She licked at his bottom lip, and he opened for her, letting her tongue invade his mouth, his mind, and his on-fire body. He pulled her even nearer, slowly letting one hand trace the curve of her waist, then the roundness of one of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. She sighed and pried her lips from his, head tilting up, eyelids fluttering shut. He kissed down her creamy neck as his thumb rolled over her nipple, feeling it p.r.i.c.k into a tight nub.

Lord, he loved this, loved her body, loved her.

And he was utterly turning this moment of what should have been confessions into something more carnal.

Achingly he returned his hands to her waist and tried his d.a.m.nedest to stop kissing her. Still, the pale skin of her neck beckoned, and he sucked a small mouthful, but then finally relented to telling her, ”G.o.d, I know it's only been a few hours, but I missed you.”

”I missed you.” Her voice was wispy.

”Did you sleep well, my darling?” He suckled another section of her throat.

”No. I should have stayed with you, slept with you.”

He bit her, feeling the twist of satisfaction and an odd sensation of...anger. Again, he admitted he was a tad put off by her rus.h.i.+ng away from him. But he knew why she had. Oh, there were so many reasons why a woman might run from him, but he'd never told her what lay in his heart.

”I agree,” he said. ”Tonight you're going to sleep with me.” Lord, he sounded unbearably demanding. But the truth was, he was desperate for her. He couldn't figure out the right words to convey if she slept on her own again, he wondered if his heart would shrivel and dry until it was nothing but dust. It was utterly melodramatic of him to think such, but that didn't stop him from feeling it.

She pulled away enough to glance into his eyes. The skin around her mouth and down her neck blushed from his kiss. He'd been too rough with her again, and he chided himself for it.

”I-I want-” she began.

He cut her off, knowing it was time to act like a man. ”I must apologize for never stating earlier...and with being a lady I know you need to know...I keep bungling things.”

”Being a lady?”

”Yes, my intentions, of course, are to marry you. Being a lady, I should have said something sooner. Forgive my rashness.”

She blinked several times, and it was then Will realized he'd left the carriage's curtains up. Well, New York's folks would positively had a show, if they had looked in. Lord, he was making a mess of things.

He pulled down the curtains, making the carriage instantly darker and somehow gloomy.

He settled beside Erva again, trying to take her waist in his hands, something he delighted in since her thin warm body under his hands sparked such feelings into his own. But she seemed to be a world away now.