Fields of Fire (27 page)

“Scream all you want, sweetness. I paid for this room,” Taylor said before he grinned at her. He carried a fresh candle in one hand and a package wrapped in brown paper.

“I’m so glad to see you. Did you see a fat man outside my door?” she asked, watching as he set the candle down on the same small table, tossed the package on the bed she had lain upon, and came to stand in front of her.

“Aye, and I told him in more colorful language than I’d use speaking to you—that if he didn’t want to see certain parts of his lower anatomy served on a platter to his dog, he’d better leave you the hell alone.”

His remark brought unladylike thoughts to mind, and she flushed. She placed her cold hands on her cheeks to cool her.

Taylor laughed and must have guessed what she was thinking for he said, “You have a dirty mind. I could have been referring to his toes.”

She did not deny that she had thought he was talking about the man’s sex, but defended herself. “Is it any wonder I think such thoughts, hanging around with the likes of you?”

“Ah, I love it when you compliment me.” He grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her soundly and released her before she could protest.

Instead of chastising him for the knee-weakening stolen kiss, she spoke in a serious tone, “The thought has crossed my mind that I’ll never be able to act like a lady again.”

His grey-blue eyes gazed deeply into her amber ones and in a similar serious tone, he replied, “You’ll always be a lady—but not in bed.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ll find out soon enough, sweetness.”

“I don’t like your answer.” She assumed a defiant stance with her hands on her hips.

“I think you will.” He smiled and placed his fingertips lightly over her mouth to prevent her protest. “Let it be. I’m tired. You’re tired, and we’re to meet Hug for supper before we can get some sleep. Open the package.” He motioned to the bed.

“For me? What is it?” Unable to hide her excitement, she tore at the wrappings until its contents were recognizable as a midnight blue gown, much like the one she currently wore.

He reached into his waistcoat pocket and handed her a matching face patch in the shape of a crescent.

“Oh, Captain, it will be such a treat to wear something different! Where did you find a gown at this hour?”

“At the same place I procured the one you’re wearing. I’ve carried this one with me all along, hoping it might please you after spending days in the green gown. Sorry, but the garment still must befit the character you’re playing. I know you must be longing to wear something more respect—”

This time, her fingertips softly touched his mouth to silence him. “You don’t need to explain.” She stood up on tip-toe to kiss his cheek. His arms instantly encircled her, and he turned his face so her lips met his mouth instead.

“Hm,” he murmured against her lips. “I should have given you this package a lot sooner.”

“Is a gift all it takes to receive your favors, Jalene?” came Hug’s voice from the entryway.

She and Taylor broke apart, and together they faced his indignant presence standing in the entryway. “Maybe next time you should close the door,” Hug said.

“It isn’t what you think,” she weakly lied.

“Oh, isn’t it? I was curious as to what was taking you both so long. Carry on.” He waved his hand at them in dismissal. “I’m going to bed.”

“Hug, please wait,” she pleaded from outside the door as he stormed down the passageway towards his room.

“Captain, I must go talk to him and explain about us,” she hurriedly said.

“Aye,” Taylor answered with a grim expression on his face, “and next you better explain about us to me.”

Chapter 18

Hug’s grey wig sat where it had been carelessly tossed on the wooden floor. The grey object lay partially hidden in the shadows along the wall. It looked like a giant cat about to lunge at her. That would be preferable to hurting Hug’s feelings, Jalene told herself. The damage was done, however, and he deserved an explanation.

“Hug, I need you sitting when I tell you this. Please put down the towel. You can remove the face powder afterwards.” She tugged on his arm, encouraging him to come sit next to her on the bed.

When he reluctantly complied, she took his hands in hers and stared up at him. If the situation hadn’t been so serious, she would have smiled at his half-powdered face and matted hair. “Taylor knows that women get bored with wearing the same clothes over and over,” she began her explanation, “so he gave me another gown. I was truly delighted and acted so, giving no thought to my actions except to say thanks.”

“Do you always kiss someone on the mouth as a way of thanking them?” Hug interrupted, pulling his hands from hers.

“Nay. I do not. I meant to kiss his cheek and well ... somehow my kiss landed on his mouth.” She didn’t want him any more angry with the captain than he already was.

She grabbed his hands again. “Do you truly think I would kiss anyone so easily?”

“Nay. It’s just that I told you I care for you, and seeing you with Taylor—I lost control.” He moved his hands to cover hers and pulled them to his chest. “I planned to wait until we found Donnegan to ask you this, but I must know now. When this is all over, I’d like to call on you.”

“Of course. I’d hoped we’d remain friends.” It was not what he meant, she knew, but she waited for him to continue.

“I’m talking about courting you properly.”

It was her turn to pull her hands away. “From the day we first met, I hoped you and I would become good friends. I truly am fond of you, but not in the way you want me to be.”

He drew her to him and kissed her with much fervor. She didn’t fight him, for she sensed he needed to prove to her that their relationship went beyond friendship. When the kiss ceased, and he released her, he said, “Tell me my kiss didn’t move you.”

“I’m sorry.”

Hug’s shoulders slumped, and the hopeful expression on his face faded. She might as well have taken a sharp knife and stabbed him in the heart. She placed her arm around the wide stretch of his broad back. “I care for you Hug, and I don’t want to lose your friendship. Have I ever done anything to encourage you to believe that I sought more than friendship?”

He sat quietly, allowing her to rub his back. Finally, he spoke up. “It’s Taylor. All the time you two have spent alone. I’m a fool. You prefer him, don’t you?”

Why hadn’t she anticipated this question? It was a logical deduction given the circumstances. She stood, and so she wouldn’t have to face him, she walked over to the wig, lifted it from the floor, and absently stroked the grey strands as if it were a fuzzy kitten. What were her feelings for the captain? Aye, she had to admit she cared for him, too, despite his suspicions of Blackwater Distillery and her brother, James. She tried to keep him and her growing attachment at a distance, but every time he touched her, she crumbled like fresh pastry. He made her come alive with feelings she’d never known before. But was it anything more?

“I take it your silence means you do.”

She heard Hug rise from behind her, but he didn’t approach her. She spun around. With his back to her, he stood before the washbowl removing the rest of the powder from his face. “I’ll not lie to you, Hug. I care for Taylor, too. Beyond that, I don’t know.”

“I understand.” His words were clipped, dismissing her.

“Hug ...”

“You need say nothing further. I’m not a dunce.” He swiftly turned on her, marched to the door, and held it open. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to go to bed.”

She walked through the entryway and whispered, “Good night. See you tomorrow.”

Tomorrow. It would not be the same, and neither would their friendship. A great feeling of loss swept over her. She headed down the passageway to her room, and Taylor. He’d left the door unlocked. She entered and secured it behind her.

“From the look on your face, I gather your talk with Hug didn’t go very well. What did you say to him?” Taylor lay sprawled on his bed with his arms folded behind a pillow under his head.

She flopped down on the other bed, across from him. “I told him the truth about us, and in doing so I’m afraid I lost his friendship.”

“He’ll get over it. What is the truth?”

She averted her eyes. “That I was merely expressing my thanks and in doing so got overly zealous.”

“That may be partially true, but you and I know there was more than gratitude in that kiss,” Taylor stated, in a serious tone. “If we’re going to speak about truth, let’s do so. I’ve tried not to touch you only to find myself wanting you more each time I do. You’ve denied that my advances have meant anything to you. But each time we kiss, your responses give me every indication they do. Gall it passion, call it curiosity, call it what you will—you can’t deny the physical attraction is there.”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Abruptly she stood and walked around to the other side of the bed.

He sat up and casually rested his arms on bent knees. “Admit it and we’ll drop the subject.”

Desperately wanting to change the topic, she conceded, “All right. I admit it, but that’s all. Can we go to bed now?”

A seductive smile appeared on his face, and his eyebrows rose in a mockingly hopeful expression.

“You know what I mean,” she exclaimed. She took off one shoe and threw it at him.

He dodged it. “Aye, that I do, sweetness.”

“Don’t stare at me like that,” she retorted, and tossed her other shoe at him.

He simply laughed and pushed himself off the bed. “I ordered some oat cakes and potted cheese sent up while you were gone. I’m afraid my hearty appetite overcame them. Are you hungry? Can I get you something else from downstairs?”

“Nay. I’m not hungry.”

At her words, he started to remove his breeches. She whirled away, as she cried, “What are you doing?”

“Don’t worry. As tempting as you are, this is not the night. Soon though. I promise you. Good night, sweet Jalene. Don’t forget to snuff out the candle.”

She watched the candle flicker on the bedside table. Taylor had prepared for sleep before her. Luck was on her side. Thus far, she’d managed to escape explaining the conspicuous need to have a candle burn all night.

She sighed. Dear Lord, the man both worried her and excited her with anticipation about their inevitable love-making. How soon was soon? She risked a glance over her shoulder at him. It was impossible to tell whether he was facing her or not, because he had the bed linens pulled over his head.

“I’ll be ready for you,” she whispered ever so softly to herself. “I’m not sure in which way, but I’ll be ready.” She quickly disrobed down to her undergarments and crawled into bed. The coolness of the sheets against her skin acted as a soothing balm and in seconds she was asleep.

* * * *

“Do you suspect her or not?” Hug asked Taylor and jumped down from the wagon to stand beside him.

“From what I’ve seen so far, she knows nothing of any illicit dealings. If her brother was involved in smuggling, I don’t think Jalene knew about it.” I hope to bloody hell anyway, he thought as he bent over at the waist to stretch his back and legs. They had pulled off to the side of the road in order for Jalene to see to nature’s call. This was Hug’s first attempt at initiating a conversation with him since they’d left Tweed’s at daybreak that morning.

“Did you bed her?”

Taylor jerked upright. “It’s none of your business, Hug.”

“You have, haven’t you?” Hug scratched at his wig and spread his hands in despair. “And, why not? You’ve only spent every night alone in the same room with her since we left Knights’ Head. Hell and damnation! She’s off limits to me, because we’re on assignment, but not to you.”

“Enough, Hug.” Taylor scrambled back atop the wagon. Hug was pushing for a fight to alleviate his hurt feelings, but Taylor wasn’t going to accommodate him.

“I’m not through talking to you,” Hug yelled up at Taylor, his hands clenched at his sides.

“When you’ve calmed down, we’ll talk.”

“You son of a bitch!” Hug waved his fist at him. “Come down here.”

“What’s all the shouting about? What’s going on?” Jalene asked, hurrying back from her off-road trip.

Hug turned around to face her. “Nothing. Just get back up in the wagon.”

Taylor watched her give an inquiring glance first to Hug and next to himself. But all Taylor did was shake his head, as a warning to her not to pursue it further.

Once Jalene was settled between Hug and him, he clicked his tongue and urged the horses to a start. Bloody hell, Taylor inwardly cursed. The tension remained thick between the three of them, as it had been all morning. The only time shades of the old Hug surfaced was when they stopped at the taverns. There, he played his character well. When they were on the road again, the silent treatment prevailed. Neither Jalene’s or his own attempts to draw Hug into conversation worked.

Taylor ruefully shook his head. The one time Hug did decide to speak out, it was only to quarrel. As long as it didn’t affect their work, he would let it be, he told himself.

Yet, he could not let it be. Hug was his friend, and he understood the man’s feelings of rejection. Bloody hell, everyone experienced rejection in some form or another at some time or another. But he hadn’t planned on Hug’s becoming lovesick over Jalene. Christ, if he had given the idea a moment’s thought, he never would have considered bringing the wench. That was the problem. He hadn’t expected anything like this, and he hadn’t expected to become as attracted to her himself. Damn it to hell. Who needed these additional complications? He knew they’d all have to come to terms with each other, but for the time being, he hoped that the tension between them would lessen, in light of their strategy for finding Donnegan.

After some twenty minutes of dismal contemplation, the scenery captured his attention. The shimmering green of the hilly countryside had changed, and the road was cutting through a woody area that Taylor guessed to be one-quarter to one-half a mile long. Almost as soon as they entered this tree-canopied stretch of road, the temperature changed. Taylor welcomed the cooler air and hoped it might be calming to his cohorts as well. He breathed in deeply and was reminded of the forest surrounding Knights’ Head. It seemed more like four months rather than four days since he’d been home. Worse yet, it would be even longer. As lucky as they had been peddling the whiskey—none of it brought them information on Donnegan. The man seemed to have been swallowed up by the earth. No one had seen him. Was he still in the north? What really were their chances of finding him? As Taylor pondered such questions, the booming shot of a firearm broke through the tranquility of the wood. Taylor slowed the horses to a stop off the road.