Belong To Me (book 4) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (30 page)

Adam stopped. Four passageways stretched out before her. “As you can see,” Adam said, “there are many tunnels. Which part of the castle do you want to end up in?”

Holding her candle higher, she looked at the different paths. “Surprise me.”

“As you wish.”

He took hold of her hand and moved farther down the tunnel to his right. Charlotte stayed close to Adam’s side. The vast tunnels jutted this way and that like a labyrinth of uncertainties. She peered into the darkness of each one.

“And where does this one go?” she asked.

“To the library.”

They walked further into the impeding darkness, and another path broke off. “Where does this one go?” she asked again, noticing they were now walking at an uphill climb.

Her companion regarded her with amusement. “You’ll get to know them as well as I do before too long.”

“Adam? How can you possibly remember your way around?”

“I admit, I became lost on occasion, but you learn to memorize them.” He laughed. “When I found out about these secret passageways within the walls of the castle, I thought it was the most ridiculous thing in the world, but they have been quite helpful many times.”

“Yes, especially when England has such an unlawful commissioner,” she replied, quite jadedly.

“Well said, my dear.”

The candlelight flickered on his face and cast ghostly shadows on the walls. Her heartbeat sped. Their eyes locked in silence as she tried to read the meaning behind his long, intense gaze. He resumed their ascent, deeper into the bowels of the great fortress. He led and she followed quietly behind.

Finally, after what seemed like they’d been walking forever, they came to a stop. In front of them was a closed door.

“Here we are,” he said.

“Where are we?”

“You’ll see in a moment. Now close your eyes.”

She arched her eyebrow. “It is a surprise?”

“Yes, I suppose it is.”

“All right, I’ll close my eyes, but don’t lead me into any walls,” she joked.

He laughed and pulled her closer to his side as he opened the door. After they stepped in, he released her. The warmth of the room surrounded her.

“You can open your eyes now.”

When her lids fluttered open, they were standing in a bedchamber. She blinked, feeling lightheaded and momentarily blinded by the strong light. It was the grandest bedchamber she’d ever beheld. The enormous bed drew her immediate attention, decorated in dark blue and brown silk. It was large enough for royalty. The solid oak and large canopy was its crowning glory. Many pillows and blankets covered the mattress.

She stepped further into the room and gasped over the sight of the beautiful Persian rugs, Chippendale chairs and wooden cabinets, paintings and statues that probably came from Rome. Three very large windows surrounded the room, and the heavy hanging curtains looked very antique as if they had come right along with the castle. Candles were lit upon the mantel and about the tables, casting a calming glow about the room.

Everything in this room was romantic only because of the grandiose size and the decoration, but this was, indeed, a man’s room. Was this Adam’s bedchamber? It certainly smelled like him.

“Well, what do you think?” he asked.

“I think it’s the most astounding room I’ve ever seen.” She turned toward him. “Did the King himself stay here?”

He chuckled. “No. This was the bedchamber of the very first master. The first lord did most of the woodwork. Over the years, the pieces were either added or refurbished. The curtains are original, though.”

“I thought so.” She paused then asked, “So, who sleeps here now?”

He smiled and gave her a conspiratorial wink.
“The present lord of the castle.”

She responded with a quick smile, thinking he looked so good with that serene expression. Lately when she gazed upon him, she hardly realized there was a scar that dominated half of his face, and she rarely noticed the scarf around his hair. Sometimes she didn’t even realize he kept black leather gloves on his hands. She didn’t even hear his raspy voice any longer, or see his prominent limp.

“Adam? Why did you bring me to your room?” she asked in a small voice.

He moved closer until he stood in front of her.
“For two reasons.
The first is because I suspected you’d want to see this room. I know how you like reading a good mystery, and I happen to think this room was taken right out of a page in one of your favorite books.”

She nodded.

“And the second reason,” he said in a low, husky voice, circling his arms around her waist and pulling her slowly to him, “is because this is the only room in the castle where Ian won’t be.”

He looked at her and the double meaning of his words and long gaze was very obvious. Charlotte couldn’t stop her heart from accelerating. It always did whenever she was close to Adam. He was really a romantic man. She wished her husband were more like that. Adam had always been so very tender and gentle. She didn’t think Ian would ever be that way. Yet the wildness in Ian was exciting, too, just as the gentleness in Adam made her heart beat out of control...like now.

“I know you’re worried Ian might see us. Well, he won’t.”

His compelling eyes rendered her frozen and vulnerable. He wanted to seduce her, even if it was wrong, but being held so closely in his strong arms made her mind and body weak. She didn’t know if she had the strength to stop him. Her feelings were confusing. She was falling in love with Ian, so why did Adam’s presence also thrill her? She found it hard to remain sensible or coherent when she was this close to him.

“Adam—” She took a deep breath, trying to control the fast gushes of air coming out of her throat. “This is wrong.”

“I know.” His hand moved up and softly caressed the side of her face, slowly moving down to her neck. “But I need to know right now how you feel about me. I desperately need your affection.” His lips touched hers for a brief, tender kiss. “I cannot wait, Charlotte.” He kissed her longer this time, but then stopped. He looked deeply into her eyes. “What have you decided about your marriage?”

Heartrending tenderness filled his gaze. She hesitated, torn by such conflicting emotions. As his gloved hand was sending warmth through her face and neck, his lips were spreading it through the rest of her body with his sweet kiss. She held onto his shirt for support, afraid he might let her go and she’d fall to the floor because of her weakened knees. Her mind slipped into pleasure, leaving her no room to think logically.

He kissed her again. “I need you in my life, Charlotte.” He breathed against her lips.

Although she should fight for control, the more he kissed the weaker she became. Was this something she really wanted? Was she willing to risk her marriage now that it was going so well?

Charlotte’s resolve weakened. She needed Ian desperately to rescue her from this confounding dilemma, before she did something rash and emotional. In her head she had chosen Ian. So why couldn’t she convince her body of it?

Charlotte’s heart jolted and her pulse skittered. Suddenly, Ian’s handsome face flashed before her. He’d be crushed! What was she doing letting Adam hold her and kiss her? She had to stop this. Now!

Suddenly, a knock pounded at the door. Charlotte flew out of Adam’s arms and panicked. “Adam, I can’t be seen here,” she whispered.

“Go back through the secret doorway and stay there.” He led her to the bookcase, pulled on a book that opened the secret wall. “Stay right here.” He backed out of the tunnel and closed the wall.

Charlotte’s body trembled, and she wrapped her arms around her middle as her heart beat wildly. To think she’d almost been caught in another man’s arms—in his bedchamber, no less! She couldn’t let this happen again. There had to be some way to keep Adam from touching and kissing her into oblivion.

On the other side of the door, a rumble of voices filled the room. She stepped closer to the door and leaned her ear against the cold wood. It was easy to recognize Adam’s raspy voice, but when the person spoke, recognition hit, and her heart dropped to her feet. Ian! He was the person who’d interrupted a very intimate moment.

Guilt washed over her. Tears sprang to her eyes as she concentrated on the voices behind the wall. Although she couldn’t hear everything, she knew they were talking about her. From the way it sounded, Ian was worried because he couldn’t find her and Adam tried to reassure him.

The worry laced in Ian’s voice made her heart break, and another wave of shame poured upon her. What had she done? Ian didn’t deserve her treachery.

There was silence, and Charlotte guessed that Ian had left. Soon the wall opened and light poured into the tunnel. Adam stood before her looking as guilty as she felt.

“Ian is looking for you. It worried him when he couldn’t find you.”

She nodded and took a shaky breath. “Adam, I must go.”

“Yes…I know…”

They stood in silence for a few awkward moments then Charlotte made the move toward the door, but Adam stopped her and took hold of her hand. “Charlotte, forgive me. Please don’t think I was pushing you into doing something against your will.”

Hanging her head, she sighed heavily. “It wasn’t your fault, Adam. It’s mine.”

“How is it yours?”

She sneaked a peak at him and grinned sheepishly. “I can’t stop myself from wanting to be kissed by you. I know it’s wrong, but once I’m in your arms, I’m powerless to stop you.”

“Do you want me to stop?”

She sighed again and lowered her gaze in confusion mixed with shame. “The fact is we shouldn’t have even begun. I am married.”

He nodded. “I know.” His tone was apologetic. “But I can’t seem to keep my hands off you. I know it’s wrong. Regardless of what I think of my cousin, it’s wrong. I’ll try harder to keep myself from touching you. What mere mortal could resist your charms?” A melancholy frown flitted across his features.

She smiled. “Then I will keep myself from tempting you.”

A smile tugged at the corners of his frown. “Oh, my dear, you’ll never be able to accomplish that, no matter how hard you try.” He leaned over and kissed her again, but this time on the cheek. “Come. Let’s get you back to your husband.”

Chapter Sixteen

Ian stared at his food as he sat at the table. His fork, seemingly unbidden, moved his mashed potatoes in small circles. His eyes never left the plate. His chin rested in his cupped hand and, foregoing his manners, he leaned his elbows on the table. A feeling of doom had seeped deep into his bones and it twisted his stomach.

Time was running out. No matter how the case ended, it would probably signal the end of his marriage. Blackmailing her into staying with him was wrong, but just as he was powerless to resist her
charms,
he was also powerless to keep her with him if she chose to leave.

In the past hour, Charlotte had been distant and uncommonly silent. This bothered him more than he could handle. He’d convinced himself she was making plans for her return to home. She’d yet to confess her love for him or tell to whom her heart truly belonged. This could only mean one thing.

He lifted his gaze and looked across the table at her. She, too, picked at her food. His heart dropped. She looked absolutely miserable, just as he felt. It was nerve-wracking eating his meal without conversing, yet Ian knew it was his fault. He shouldn’t have played this game. The end of his married life loomed near, and he didn’t like the heavy ache in his chest when he thought about losing Charlotte.

The worried creased on her forehead, and the way she avoided looking at him let him know she had something on her mind. But he waited until she was ready to break her news to him.

Finally, she wiped her mouth with her linen napkin and cleared her throat. “I spoke with Jacqueline this afternoon, and you’ll not believe the idea she has for getting into Mr. Stout’s house.”

Although this bit of information disturbed him, Ian breathed a sigh of relief when she didn’t speak the words he’d feared. He shook his head and looked down at his plate. “What does she have planned?”

“She has figured a way to get both of us into Mr. Stout’s house, plus have you
look
through the commissioner’s house at the same time. Neither the commissioner or Mr. Stout will suspect a thing.”

Ian met her stare. Guilt laced her smile, twisting his gut. He could read people well. He’d been studying people’s expressions for most of his life. This fact made him positive she wasn’t in love with him. His heart ached at the realization.

“How?” he answered, without much feeling.

“She and Mr. Stout are giving a party at his house. Naturally, they’ll invite the commissioner and his men. While they’re there, she’ll slip sleeping powder in their drinks. Jacqueline assures me they’ll not remember a thing.”

Ian’s lips tugged into a grin. “Well, they’ll certainly be in dreamland.”

“Anyway, while they’re sleeping, Jacqueline and I will search through Mr. Stout’s house. And you’ll be across town searching the commissioner’s cottage.”