She stiffened at the sarcasm in his voice and turned to face him. He stood so close she could feel the heat of his body, look into his penetrating dark eyes. Even dressed in the simple garments of a servant, he looked big and strong, and more handsome than any other man of her acquaintance.

"What business is it of yours what time I returned?"

"Why, it's none of my business in the least," he said blandly, but disapproval formed a tight line around his lips. "It isn't my business where you go or when you return or whom you decide to kiss, though I would refrain from doing so in front of the windows if I were you. Might upset one of your other admirers."

Her temper inched up. "And if I were you, I would refrain from playing the role of Peeping Tom. It scarcely suits you, Caleb Tanner."

"You want to know what suits me?" His gaze raked her from head to foot. "Dragging you down in that nice clean pile of straw, tossing up your skirts, and doing what every other man you know wants to do—that is what would suit me. I shall, however, restrain from doing so, since I can hardly afford to lose my position."

Her face must have been scarlet. "You are rude and ill-mannered. I should have dismissed you for your insolence long ago." She glanced down at her breeches. "And if you haven't noticed, I am not wearing a skirt!"

Dark eyes slid over her hips and down her legs, and the edge of his mouth barely curved. "So I see. But if you're interested, I'm willing to make the adjustment. I find the notion of making love to a woman in breeches in some ways even more exciting."

For a heartbeat, she didn't move. Images of lying naked in the straw with Caleb Tanner floated round in her head. All of her suitors went out of their way to play the gallant, yet none of them could excite her with a single word, a single hot glance, the way Caleb could.

What would it be like if instead of Andrew or Jonathan, Caleb were her lover?

She let her gaze roam over his tall, broad-shouldered frame, the narrow hips, and long legs. Trying to gain control of the moment, she cast him the sort of seductive smile Vermillion would use on one of her admirers.

"If you're serious, perhaps I'll give it some thought. It might be amusing to consort in that fashion with a groom."

Those dark eyes glinted. "Make no mistake, Vermillion. The role you play for the others holds no appeal for me. The woman I want helps to birth kittens and rides like the wind. And I don't give a damn what she's wearing."

Then he bent his head and kissed her.

Oh, dear God! It was a searing, reckless, soul-stealing kiss and it set her on fire. She swayed toward him and her hands trembled as she reached up to grip his shoulders. They felt like steel beneath her fingers. He teased her lips apart and she felt the hot, damp slickness of his tongue. Caleb's arms came hard around her. He hauled her against his chest and deepened the kiss, claiming her mouth until she was utterly breathless. Then as suddenly as he had started, he stepped away.

Lee swayed unsteadily, reached out and gripped the top rail of the stall for support.

A corner of Caleb's mouth faintly lifted. "Shall I saddle your horse, Miss Durant?" Though his voice was cool, his eyes remained hot, filled with promises of the pleasure he could give her.

Lee swallowed, tried to calm the tremors coursing through her. "Yes… thank you. I believe I'm in need of a little fresh air."

One of his dark eyebrows went up. "Perhaps you would like some company. I could also saddle the—"

"No! I mean… no, I should rather go by myself, thank you." She tossed her head as Vermillion would have done, determined to put some distance between them. "The sun is shining and I need some time to myself." Careful not to look at Caleb, she walked out of the barn and into the cooling breeze, hoping it would sweep away the unsettling emotions his scorching kiss had stirred.

Knowing deep down even a North Sea storm could not succeed.


As Lee had feared, the ride through the fields gave her plenty of time to think, but she wound up feeling even more confused. Sitting in her bedchamber later that afternoon, she watched Jeannie fussing over the gowns spread out on the big four-poster bed and thought of Caleb and the way he made her feel. Even Andrew couldn't stir her to passion the way Caleb could.

"I think you should wear zee turquoise silk," Jeannie said in her thickly accented English. "It will bring out the color of your eyes." Jeannie Fontenelle was ten years older than Lee. During her years as lady's maid to the Countess of Essex, she had been married to a footman, but he had died of an influenza just months after the two were wed. Jeannie had been summarily dismissed, too tempting a morsel to dangle before the countess's roving-eyed husband.

For the last six years, Jeannie had worked for Aunt Gabby, the past two as Lee's personal maid. The relationship had turned into a friendship that Lee had come to cherish.

"I like the turquoise, as well," Lee agreed, not really caring what she wore to General Stevens's military ball she and her aunt would be attending with Colonel Wingate that night.

Lee flicked a glance at her maid. "I was wondering, Jeannie, if I could ask you something."

Jeannie stopped fussing with the gown. "Of course, chérie. What is it you wish to know?"

"There is a man I have met…"

Jeannie rolled her eyes. "A man? You meet legions of men every night, n'est-ce pas?"

"Yes, but this one is different. He has no wealth, no social position, nothing to recommend him, and yet I find him infinitely attractive. I wondered if… well, what you would think about taking such a man for a lover."

One of Jeannie's brown eyebrows shot up. "Your aunt Gabriella… you know she would not approve."

"I'm well aware of that. She wants me to choose a man of distinction, someone with money, perhaps even a title. She thinks that will make me happy."

"What do you think, chérie?"

"I don't really care about those things."

Jeannie reached over and squeezed her hand. "I believe in the end, you will 'ave to choose a man who can provide certain things for you, a man who moves among those with the same kind of wealth that you have been raised with. But you are young yet. Though your aunt has kept the secret well guarded, you are an innocent where men are concerned. If you want this man—if 'e can lead you into the world of passion that will be so big a part of your future, then I think you should 'ave 'im." Jeannie smiled. "Every woman deserves one man who can give 'er the dreams of 'er heart."

"Even if those dreams can't last?"

The older woman nodded. "Oui, chérie. Especially if those dreams cannot last."

Lee turned to stare out the window, her mind swollen with turbulent thoughts. "I shall think about it, Jeannie. My birthday is only a few weeks away. It is past time I began to make a life of my own. It seems the only way a woman my age is allowed to do that is either to marry or choose a man who will act as a protector. I've promised my aunt and I intend to keep my word. But perhaps between now and then, I can choose something for myself."

Jeannie smiled. "Do whatever it is your 'eart tells you. I lost my Robert, but for a time I loved him and 'e loved me. I would not trade the short time we 'ad together."

Lee thought of Caleb Tanner. Jacob would be returning soon and Caleb would be moving on.

Perhaps in a way, he would make the perfect lover.






8


« ^ »


"I am terribly sorry to disturb you, miss, but there is a Mrs. Hickam here to see you." Jones, the butler, stood perfectly erect, pale skin showing in the part through the middle of his hair.

"Thank you, Mr. Jones. I'll speak to her in here, if you please." Annie Hickam was here? Had the poor thing walked all the way from Buford Street? If she had, the matter must be important. Lee's heart kicked worriedly into gear.

Jones made an elegant bow, making the curls bob next to his ears. Departing the Cirrus Room, he returned a few minutes later with "Mrs." Annie Hickam in tow. She was staring upward as she walked in, awed by the chandeliers and the scene of cherub-filled clouds in a blue sky painted on the ceiling.

"Gor—ain't this bloomin' grand!" She spun herself around to look at the room from different angles, her simple brown skirt belling out around the scuffed brown shoes on her feet.

"Hello, Annie. It's good to see you." Lee greeted her with a smile and reached for her hand and for the first time Annie seemed to realize where she was.

"Afternoon, Miss," she said, looking a little embarrassed. "Thanks for lettin' me in."

"I'll admit I'm a little surprised you have traveled so far from the city. Is everything all right?"

Annie released a weary breath. "I don't know, Miss. That's why I come."

"Why don't we sit down and I'll have Mr. Jones bring us some tea."

Annie shook her head, self-consciously toying with the cuff on her plain white blouse. "Oh, no, Miss, I wouldn't want to be a bother."

"It's all right. I promise it's no trouble at all." She motioned to the butler, who still stood guard at the door, and he turned and disappeared down the hall. As soon as Jones slipped out of sight, Lee urged Annie over to one of the cream brocade sofas. The tall woman sank down wearily onto the seat.

"All right," Lee said. "Now tell me what has upset you enough to travel all the way across London."

"It's Mary, Miss. She's gone."

"Gone? What do you mean? Gone where?"

"That's just it. None of us has the slightest notion. The last time we seen her was three nights past. Mary went to bed like the rest of us. She was already in her room when I doused the lamp next to little Jilly's cradle. Next mornin', Mary wasn't there. We thought maybe she got up early and left to visit friends, but if she did, she never come back."