At the Earl's Convenience (15 page)

Before Selina could argue the point, he climbed onto the windowsill and was gone. A shout rose up, and she dragged back a corner of the curtain to peer down into the street. She stiffened at the sound of a pistol shot ricocheting through the air, to be followed in quick succession by two more.

“Giles!” She moaned and shivered with cold and fear as someone ran down the street. It was too dark to make out what was happening. Had Giles escaped over the rooftops? When she heard the pounding footfall of more men, she held her clenched fists to her mouth.

Then it was quiet.

Chapter Nineteen

Spring had come to Halcrow Hall. The trees in the park were in fresh green leaf and the air filled with the sweet sounds of birds nesting. Selina marveled at the miracle the changes had wrought to the gardens. The breeze carried the scent of lilacs, roses, and wisteria through the carriage window.

The windows of the old house gleamed in the sunlight, the ivy-covered walls trimmed as carefully as the sideburns of a dandy.

Frobisher, Joseph, and a new footman, Adam, waited to greet her.

Against Giles’ instructions, she’d waited in London for a sennight. She hadn’t dared consult Scovell. She was afraid of what he might tell her. At least Amelia and Rafe hadn’t contacted her again.

She felt drained, hollow, and lifeless. Halcrow Hall was resplendent, but the beautiful place meant nothing without Giles. Joseph helped her down from the carriage, and Selina went to greet Frobisher, aware that she must prepare herself for the uncertainty ahead.

Selina had been home for ten days. She wandered the rose garden cutting blooms and placing them in her basket. A horse’s hooves rang out on the gravel as a rider approached the house. Throwing down her basket and scattering roses, she fisted her gown and ran, her bonnet sailing off behind her.

In front of the house, Giles jumped down from his horse and threw the reins to Joseph.

“Giles!”
The breeze caught
Selina’s voice, but it was lost in the din of birdsong. Breathless, she skirted a stone wall.

Giles turned his head in her direction. She rushed toward him with her skirts gathered up around her knees.

He ran to meet her and swept her up, swinging her around.

She gazed up into his face, searching for signs of illness. Her breath caught. He looked well, his arms strong around her. “Oh, Giles, I was afraid I’d never see you again.”

He put her down and brushed a lock of hair away from her cheek, smiling. “Where is your hat?”

She laughed, threw her arms around his neck, and pressed her lips to his. His arms tightened, drawing her close.

“Oh, Lord, my love, have a care,” he said, laughing. “Aristocrats don’t show their spouses affection in public.”

“It’s good that I am not one,” she said, trailing a finger down his cheek. His face was leaner, but the tension was gone, and his blue eyes were filled with laughter.

“It is indeed. We’ll be the envy of the
ton
. Come upstairs. Or should we venture deeper into the garden? I fancy making love to you in the gazebo.”

“Now that would be scandalous, my lord. We now have a fleet of gardeners.”

“For another time, then.” His gaze held a promise, which thrilled her.

They walked arm in arm to the house where Frobisher waited, his lined face a wreath of smiles.

“Hallo old man,” Giles said.

“It’s good to see you, my lord.” Frobisher straightened his shoulders.

Giles stood in the middle of the polished Great Hall, scented with beeswax and lilac. “I wasn’t sure I’d ever see this again.”

Selina’s chin trembled, and her hand on his arm pulled him against her as they climbed the stairs together.

He gazed around at her bedchamber. “This was my mother’s room.”

“Yes. Do you mind?”

“I don’t fancy making love to you here,” he said, amused. “We’ll move into the green suite in the west wing. It has a better view of the lake.”

“I’ll give the order to prepare it.”

He caught her by the waist. “I find I don’t mind that much.” Giles spun her around and brought his mouth down on hers and, with an intake of breath, deepened the kiss.

At the knock on the door, Giles drew away frowning. “Who the devil is foolish enough to knock?”

“Hush.” Selina put a finger to his lips. “Come in.”

Alice stood in the doorway, rubbing one foot against the other. “Milady, Cook was wondering what his lordship wished for luncheon. And if you and his lordship planned to take your meal in the library as usual.”

“We’ll have the game pie, cold mutton, and salad. In the dining room, thank you, Alice.”

As the door closed, Giles grinned. “I suspect life at Halcrow will be run much like the army.”

“On its stomach?” She put her arms around his waist and laid her head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. “Shall we go down? I’ll have the green suite made ready, and I confess I can’t wait to hear what happened after you left me.”

He lifted her chin with his finger and gazed into her eyes. “We have a date after luncheon, then, my lady.” He pressed a brief kiss to her lips then reluctantly released her.

Selina had never taken a meal in the dining room. The lofty proportions intimidated her even now. The mahogany table was long enough for more than half a dozen people to sleep end to end, the fireplace breathtaking in both detail and scale. Gilt-framed paintings decorated the walls, and a massive crystal chandelier hung from the ornate green-and-gold painted ceiling.

The servants had laid a place at each end of the table. “I shan’t hear you from here.” She moved to sit beside him. “I’d prefer to eat in the library in future unless we have guests. Now. Tell me all.”

Giles’ blue eyes widened. “Selina, I cannot tell you
all
.”

“Then at least tell me what happened after you exited by my window.”

He shook his head. “I’ve told you more than I should. My work
must
remain secret.”

She examined her fork. “This silver needs a good clean.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You believe you can wheedle it out of me in the throes of passion?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Such is a woman’s power.”

He laughed. “We shall see who’s strongest then, shall we? I’ve been tortured by experts.”

“My poor love.” Her breath caught, and she reached out to take his hand and brought it to her lips.

“Don’t, sweetheart.” Giles groaned. “You’ll be the undoing of me.”

Their conversation paused as the servants entered with covered dishes. Frobisher hovered with the wine.

“Frobisher?” Giles said, gazing into Selina’s eyes.

“Yes, my lord?”

“Go away. We shall call you when we need you.”

“Very well, my lord.”

“Giles,” Selina said as the door closed. “I think you’ve hurt his feelings. He has been looking forward to you coming home.”

“I’ll make it up to him tomorrow. I’ll have him down in the cellar selecting wines for a house party.”

“A party? How delightful. Who shall we invite?”

“Friends I’ve seen little of for some time.” He drew a small cloth drawstring bag from his pocket. “I brought these from London. They might have been made for you.”

Selina took the bag from him and upended it into her hand. A sparkling emerald necklace wreathed in diamonds with matching earrings fell out. “Giles! They are breathtaking. What a way to carry them.”

“It was safer.”

“I must have a gown made to complement them.”

“Yes. But first, I look forward to seeing you naked with those around your pretty neck.” His heavy-eyed glance never failed to warm her to her toes.

“Giles!” Selina put her hands to her hot cheeks. He had never seen her unclothed in the cold light of day. “What if the servants hear such talk?”

“They’ll have to grow used to it.”

A footman brought in a dish of apple pie, an apricot tart, and a jug of cream.

“I can tell you, at least, that this sorry business I’ve dragged you into is at an end,” Giles said when the servant had gone.

Selina drew in a sharp breath. “For good?” She could hardly believe it.

He nodded. “Wellington has finally voiced his appreciation of the value of the intelligence dispatches we provided him. And he’s stated to all concerned that I was working solely for the British. When the war ends, he intends to acknowledge it. His letter mentioned something about consulting the Prince of Wales about a marquisate.”

“As it should be, for you are a hero,” Selina said passionately. “What about Lord Pemberton, Rafe, and Lady Rowntree?”

“Pem remains a staunch friend; in fact he wishes to apologize for being taken in by those two. I can count him as one of my loyal friends and hope he will attend our house party. Or a hunt ball perhaps? And it’s time we had your sister visit.”

Warmth radiated through her body at the realization that Giles wanted to settle into life here with her. But she was impatient to learn more. “In what way was Lord Pemberton taken in?” she asked impatiently. “You can surely tell me a little, Giles.”

He grinned while gently swirling the wine around his crystal glass. “Such an impatient woman I have married.” He took a sip. “Lady Amelia Rowntree, so called, and her bogus cousin were French spies. They inveigled their way into London society claiming Amelia was Phillip Rowntree’s wife. When news reached London that Phillip’s body had been found on his estate in Yorkshire with a bullet in his head, Amelia left England in a hurry. Rafe had been sent to kill me. He was shot that night.”

Selina gasped. “He was waiting outside for you when you left me?”

“He and two other men. They were all dispatched to Hades.” Giles reached across and squeezed her hand. You were associating with very dangerous people, my love.”

Selina shivered. Had Giles killed Rafe? She would never ask him. “I suspected there was something false about that pair, but…murderers!”

Giles kissed her hand. “Come, we have things to discuss upstairs.”

As they crossed the Great Hall, Mrs. Lark appeared. “The green suite has been made ready, my lady.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Lark,” Selina said.

“Please relay my compliments to Cook, Mrs. Lark,” Giles said. “The game pie was superb.”

They climbed the stairs laughing at an amusing childhood anecdote Giles related. His arm around her waist, she remembered their passionate night together in London. She’d relived every detail over the past few weeks. When she saw the intent in his gaze, heat spread through her body.

Selina hadn’t turned her attention to the green suite. The intricately carved, heavy walnut furniture didn’t appeal to her. Unattractive green damask decorated the windows and the four-poster bed. Green-and-brown patterned carpet covered the floor. However, the windows did have a splendid view of the lake.

“This was my father’s room.” With a pleased look around, Giles shut the door.

Tact would be required to suggest new furnishings, but not now. All she could think of was him.

A bottle of champagne and crystal glasses waited on a table, and an urn of lilacs decorated the mantel and perfumed the air.

“I have another present for you.” Giles opened his portmanteau and drew out a parcel. He handed it to Selina.

“But what is this?”

Opening it, she drew out an emerald silk gown. “Oh, Giles, it’s beautiful!” She held the elegant gown up against her before the cheval mirror. A narrow cream ribbon sash tied in a bow under the bust; the neckline was a low scoop, the dainty sleeves gathered into puffs with the same cream ribbon. “It’s the loveliest gown I ever saw.”

He ran a finger down her cheek. “I was passing a shop in Paris, and it was in the window. I trust it will fit you.”

“It will. Why didn’t you give it to me when you came home the first time?”

“I was so sick I forgot all about it.”

She smiled. “Shall I try it on?”

“Yes, but first the emeralds.” With a smoldering glance, Giles sat on the bed. “Will you disrobe for me?”

****

Selina giggled. She turned to allow him to untie the strings of her dress. He tamped down the rampant desire to pull her onto his lap, to take her fiercely, and claim her as his. But even as he considered it, Selina had spun gracefully away from him and shrugged out of her dress. The fabric pooled at her feet.

She slipped off her shoes. In her chemise, petticoats and corset, a foot on a chair, she slowly rolled a stocking down her slim leg. Giles gave a hoot of approval. She laughed, shed the other stocking, and, warming to the task, tossed it to him. Giles caught the length of silk without taking his gaze from her. The rest of her clothes followed, each piece given due attention, until she stood in her chemise.

Giles drew in a breath, the dark areolas of her nipples pressed against the thin cotton. He wanted to take them in his mouth. What was hidden was incredibly erotic. The dark “v” at the base of her stomach, the curve of her bottom. His pulled the chemise over her head, revealing her lovely body.