A Daring Passion (43 page)

There was a moment of silence before Carlos slowly smiled. Damn the bastard. He clearly found it quite amusing that Raine was leading Philippe on such a merry chase.

“Ah.”

“You do not seem especially surprised,” Philippe said sardonically. He could not truly blame his friend for being pleased that he was being punished for his sins. It was no doubt a long-overdue punishment.

Carlos shrugged. “Raine is not like most women.”

“I am well aware of that.” Philippe settled deeper in the leather chair. “If she were like most women, then she would have committed murder for the opportunity to land a wealthy husband.”

“She might have been content to wed you for the sake of your wealth if you had not had the bad taste to make her fall in love with you.”

Philippe flinched. The thought of Raine loving him brought with it a confusion of emotions. Elation that he had managed to win her heart, and an agonizing realization that he had treated her with such a selfish lack of concern for her tender emotions that she might never forgive him.

Dark, biting pain clenched his heart before he was firmly thrusting aside his defeatist thoughts. No. It could not be too late. He would not allow it to be too late.

“Then obviously I must discover another means to tempt her to become my wife,” he said softly.

“And what would that be?”

“If she will not have my wealth, then perhaps she will have my heart.”

“Meu Deus.”
With a jerky motion, Carlos reached for the nearby brandy and drained the bottle in one large swallow.

Philippe could not halt a small laugh at his friend's astonishment. “My thoughts precisely.”

Carlos's dark features momentarily hardened. His own feelings for Raine were still raw enough for him to resent the thought of Philippe taking the woman as his bride. Then with an obvious effort, he forced a smile to his lips.

“I suppose I have nothing left to do but offer my congratulations.”

With an effort, Philippe pushed himself to his feet and held his hands toward the fire. As weary as his body might be, his mind was restless and anxious to complete his tasks in London. The sooner he was done, the sooner he could leave for Knightsbridge.

“Ah, if only it were that simple.”

“What do you mean?”

“I possess an uncomfortable feeling that Raine will not be as willing as you to believe my love for her.” He gave a shake of his head. “She has convinced herself that I consider her as no more than a possession that I intend to stow away on Madeira while I supposedly enjoy a string of mistresses around the world.”

“Was that not what you intended to do?” Carlos demanded.

Philippe sighed. “In truth, I gave little thought to the future beyond ensuring that Raine was irrevocably mine. I suppose I assumed that once she was my wife she would suddenly be content with whatever I was willing to offer her. It was not until she was gone that I accepted just what a bastard I had been.”

“Yes.”

With a short, humorless laugh, Philippe turned to meet Carlos's accusing gaze. “You cannot make me feel worse than I already do,
amigo.
I kidnapped her, seduced her and treated her as a meaningless courtesan that I intended to toss aside when I tired of her. The only thing she ever asked of me was that I open my heart to her, and it was the one thing I refused to offer. If there were justice in the world then I would no doubt be forced to spend the rest of my days alone, longing for the one woman I can never have.”

Carlos's stark expression faintly eased at Philippe's obvious pain. “I have noted that there is rarely justice in this world,” he said wryly.

“Thank God, because I have no intention of allowing Raine to slip away from me,” he said, his voice rough.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Carlos paced toward the heavy walnut desk. He perched on a corner as he regarded Philippe with a hint of curiosity.

“You still have not explained why you are in London rather than Knightsbridge.”

“First I must know what happened to Seurat.”

“Did you not receive my letter?”

Philippe gave an impatient wave of his hand. “Yes, I know that Seurat was forced to confess and that Jean-Pierre was released from prison, but where is Seurat now?”

Carlos's curiosity deepened as a faint smile played about his lips. “I requested that the king hold him captive until you could arrive and personally punish him for his sins against your family.”

“He is at Windsor?”

“No, I believe he is being held in the same prison cell that your brother so recently occupied. The king thought it a nice jest.”

“Good.” Philippe planted his hands on his hips. With any luck at all he would be on his way to Knightsbridge before luncheon tomorrow. “In the morning I want you to go to the prison and have Seurat brought here.”

Carlos sucked in a sharp breath. “You surely do not intend to hang the poor man in your drawing room?”

“Nothing so dramatic,” Philippe assured him.

“Then what do you intend to do with him?”

“I intend to release him.”

Carlos muttered a curse as he straightened to cross the room and stand directly before Philippe.

“Have you taken leave of your senses?” he demanded. “A few weeks in a damp cell will not have eased Seurat's crazed lust for revenge on your father. If anything he is no doubt even more anxious for blood.”

Philippe shrugged, his once-fierce need to exact payment from the pathetic creature overwhelmed by his need to prove to Raine that he could change.

“Perhaps, but I no longer intend to protect my father, or even my brother, from their own sins. I have far more important matters to attend to. From now on they shall have to fend for themselves.”

“And if Seurat decides to make
you
the focus of his retribution?”

A slow smile curved Philippe's lips. “He will not.”

“How can you be so certain?”

“Because he will know that his life is being spared solely because Raine pleaded his cause, and that she will soon be my wife.”

Carlos gave a slow shake of his head, regarding Philippe as if he had never truly seen him before. And, in truth, he hadn't, Philippe acknowledged. Until Raine had tumbled into his life, he had closely guarded himself from others. He was determined she would never be hurt by another even at the cost of his own happiness.

“This makes no sense,” Carlos growled. “You have devoted months, not to mention a near fortune, to capturing Seurat. Why would you simply release him?”

“Because it is what Raine desires,” he said simply. “And I intend to prove that from this day forward her happiness is all that I care about.”

F
OR ONCE
R
AINE BARELY
noticed the chilled breeze as she turned the cart onto the narrow path and urged her ancient horse to a pace just above a slow crawl.

When she had left her cottage earlier in the day, she had no notion of what to expect when she arrived at the local vicarage. Certainly the vicar had been encouraging when she had spoken with him about the possibility of holding classes for the girls. But she had no real notion of whether or not there would be any genuine interest from the villagers.

After all, many households needed their daughters to begin earning a wage when they were still very young. The girls might very well be forbidden from using an entire afternoon on something that would bring in no coin.

Much to her surprise, however, when she had walked into the vicarage she had discovered the drawing room nearly overwhelmed by the numerous children. Even more surprising, they had all been avidly eager to learn.

Her heart held a decided glow of warmth that battled the falling gloom of the late afternoon as she rattled down the road. She might not be about to alter the world, but at least she could make a difference in this small village.

For now, that was enough.

Lost in thoughts of the numerous supplies that she would need to order from London, Raine paid little heed to the shadows that lined the narrow path. Why should she? Since her father had given up his role as the Knave of Knightsbridge the roads were once again safe.

Or at least they should have been safe.

As she pondered how many slate boards and boxes of chalk she would need for the upcoming months, there was a rustle in the hedgerow that made her stiffen with the first flare of alarm. A tingle inched down her spine as she realized just how alone and isolated she was on the barren stretch of path.

Telling herself it was no more than a stray dog, or perhaps a grouse settling for the night, Raine futilely urged her poor horse to a faster pace. She was less than a mile from her cottage, she reassured herself. In just a few minutes she would be safely in the stables and…

A shriek of fear was wrenched from her throat as the hedges parted and a large stallion burst onto the road. On top of the saddle was a caped form that seemed terrifyingly huge in the fading light.

Raine's heart beat frantically against her chest as she wrenched the cart to a sudden halt. Oh, God. She had been a fool not to accept the vicar's offer to accompany her home.

Perhaps sensing her frozen fear, the man urged his large steed forward, his face nearly hidden behind a thick muffler.

“Stand and deliver,” he at last growled.

Raine's heart skipped and then plummeted to her stomach. Not in fear on this occasion. No. She recognized that voice.

“Philippe?” she rasped, her stunned astonishment turning to fury as he tugged down the muffler to reveal the painfully handsome features she had never thought to see again. “God Almighty, you nearly made my heart stop beating,” she said, her voice harsh.

His green eyes glinted with an indecipherable emotion as he moved forward. “Oddly, you have the same effect on my heart,
meu amor.
”

Her hands tightened on the reins, making the poor beast toss her head in protest. Bloody hell. She could not think, she could barely breathe, as she struggled to accept that Philippe was not some figment of a nightmare.

“What are you doing in Knightsbridge?”

“You are not a fool.” His lips twisted as he studied her pale face with a hungry gaze. “You know precisely what I am doing in Knightsbridge.”

Wounded pride came to her rescue as she gave a tilt of her chin. Just weeks ago this man had tossed her off his estate like a bit of rubbish. She would not fall beneath his potent spell again.

“Actually, I cannot imagine. You made it clear when you commanded me to leave Madeira that you were done with me.” She forced a stiff smile to her lips. “Is there another maiden in the village you have come to kidnap?”

Philippe lifted his brows in mild surprise. “Surely you cannot be angry with me,
querida?
It was you that refused my offer of marriage, and you that demanded to be returned to your father's care. It is rather unfair of you to punish me for obeying your commands.”

“I am not attempting to punish you,” she snapped. “I simply do not believe we have anything further to say to each other.”

“We shall see about that.”

His bland tone gave her no warning of his intentions, and it was not until he had leaned forward to snatch her from the cart that she realized her danger.

“Philippe, stop this at once,” she squawked, finding herself settled on the saddle in front of Philippe with his arm wrapped tightly around her before she could even begin to struggle.

“No,” he retorted, urging his horse to turn about and head down the narrow path.

Raine clutched at his arm, fiercely aware of the hard strength of his body and the scent of his skin that cloaked about her with a tangible force.

Dear heavens. Even after he had shattered her heart, she still responded to him with a searing awareness that was making her heart pound and her blood race with excitement.

Blast the irritating man.

She might be furious with him, but a part of her still trembled with joy at his unexpected arrival.

“You cannot leave my horse in the middle of the road,” she charged, desperate to distract herself from her treacherous reaction.

“That nag will not stray far.” Philippe urged his mount to a faster pace. “I will send Swann back to collect her, although it would be kinder to cut her reins and let the poor beast free.”

“Kinder for me, as well,” she muttered.

He leaned down until his lips brushed her ear. “And what is that cryptic remark supposed to mean?”

Her breath caught as she closed her eyes against the heat spreading through her body.

“It means that you devote a great deal of time to carrying me off to one place or another. Usually without my consent.”

“If I were ever so foolish as to await your consent,
meu amor,
then I would never be able to carry you off.” His arm tightened about her, his fingers tantalizingly close to the curve of her breast. “An appalling thought that does not bear contemplating.”

Instinctively, she attempted to twist away from the seductive touch. “Philippe.”

“Do not squirm, Raine.” His voice was suddenly thick with his own need. “Not unless you deliberately wish to torment me.”

“The notion has some appeal.”

He chuckled softly, but he made no response as they crossed the yard of her father's cottage and within a few minutes entered the shadows of the stable. The horse had barely come to a halt when Philippe was leaping to the floor and crossing to speak with the elderly groom who was absently whittling in a corner.

Raine narrowed her eyes in suspicion as Philippe spoke briefly to the servant, who promptly strolled from the stable, shutting the door behind him.

Her suspicion only deepened when Philippe returned to the horse and easily plucked her from the saddle. With a deliberate motion, he slid her body down his own before she was back on her feet.

Raine swallowed a groan of pleasure as she forced herself to step away from his lingering touch and glared into the face that had haunted her nights since her return to England.

“What are you doing?”

Philippe shrugged as he casually tossed aside his hat and gloves. “It is warm enough in here to keep us from freezing and we at least have a measure of privacy.”

Raine shivered in fear. The stables suddenly seemed small and dark and far too intimate with the sweet smell of hay in the air. Dear God, she did not want to be alone with this man. Not when her body was already aching to be crushed in his arms.

“I do not want privacy. I want you to return to Madeira and leave me in peace.”

His hooded gaze regarded her in the shrouded darkness. “Is that what you have found here, peace?”

“Yes, I have,” she said, thinking of the eager girls she had just left.

“Your father said that you had spent the day at the vicarage with your students.”

Her eyes widened in horror. “You spoke with my father?”

“Our meeting was long overdue.” Something that might have been regret clouded the perfect features. “I owed your father my deepest apologies, as well as the assurance that I would make sure your future was properly secure.”

So that was it, she thought as she abruptly turned away to hide her hurt expression. He was here out of a sense of guilt.

“You have already secured my future. Or do you not recall the three thousand pounds you requested your servant offer me before having me escorted off your estate?”

There was a long pause, as if she had managed to strike a nerve, then she heard him heave a deep sigh.

“That was ill-done.”

“Why?” She gave a faint shrug, relieved when her voice came out cool and dismissive. “It is the method that most gentlemen use to rid themselves of unwanted mistresses.”

“Damn you,” he growled, his hands landing on her shoulders to turn her to meet his burning gaze.

“What?”

“Do you wish to know why I sent you away?”

“It was obvious that you had tired of me. Just as I warned you would.”

“I will never tire of you.” His hands shifted to cup her face in his hands. “There has not been a moment that you have not haunted my thoughts.”

Her heart slammed against her ribs. “Rubbish.”

The lean, heartbreakingly handsome features twisted with anguish. “My God, Raine, there is not a room in my house that is not filled with your delicate scent, or where I cannot recall the sound of your voice. And my garden…” He slowly shook his head. “It is now no more than a bleak reminder of all I have lost. You are branded on my heart. And that is why I was forced to send you away.”

Her knees went weak as his soft words slammed into her with ruthless force. He seemed so…sincere. As if he truly was in pain.

Was it possible that Philippe really had missed her? That he regretted allowing her to leave? Had he come to…

No, oh, no, Raine Wimbourne.
She could not be so gullible. Philippe could never give her what she needed. And she could not endure being hurt again.

“Is that supposed to make sense?” she demanded.

He smiled wryly. “When does a gentleman in love ever make sense?”

“My God. No, Philippe.” With an agonized gasp she jerked from his touch and headed toward the door.

He caught her within a handful of steps, his arms wrapping about her waist as he buried his face in her neck.

“Do not run from me, Raine, I beg of you.”

Tears filled her eyes as she gave a frantic shake of her head. “I cannot do this.”

“Please,
meu amor,
you claimed that I had no need for another in my life, but you are wrong, just as I have been wrong for so long. I thought that being alone made me strong, but that was only an excuse.” He shifted his head to press his cheek against hers. “I was quite simply a coward.”

Raine was forced to grasp the lapels of his coat to keep from sinking to the ground. “You were afraid of me? Ridiculous.”

“I was afraid to allow you into my heart.” He made a sound deep in his throat. “No, that is not true. I had no choice about whether or not you entered my heart. You charged in without invitation. What I feared was acknowledging just how much you had become a part of my life. That was why I was so desperate to convince myself that you were no more than a passing fancy.”

The memory of his extravagant gifts returned with a sharp pain. “Your mistress,” she said in flat tones.

“Yes. A mistress does not break a gentleman's heart. Or so I believed until you.” He grimaced. “But even as I was attempting to deceive myself, a part of me knew the truth. Why else was I frantic to find you after you disappeared from London? Why else did I force you to travel with me to Paris? Why else did I spend every moment attempting to bind you to me so tightly that you could never escape? Either I am truly a madman, or I already knew that you were the one woman who was destined to be my future.”

Raine's eyes filled with tears. “Pretty words, but that does not alter the reason I left you, Philippe.”

“I know,
meu amor.
You asked nothing more of me than to accept that I need you. And I am here to tell you that I do. I need you so desperately that I will do anything.” Without warning Philippe slowly kneeled before her, his darkened gaze never leaving her face. “Even get down on my knees if that is what you desire, to prove I am empty and lost without you.”

“What are you doing?” she breathed in surprise. Never in her life had she expected to see Philippe Gautier on his knees. Not for any reason.