Heart of Courage (17 page)

When she tugged on his hand, he didn't resist. For now she belonged to him and he meant to take what was his.

In the ruins of stone, he kissed her long and thoroughly, ran his hands inside her blouse to cup her breasts. They were as round and plump as ripe peaches, as smooth as the petals of a rose. He ached to taste them, to feel the pink crest tighten against his tongue.

He parted her blouse and set his mouth to a tempting mound, laved her nipples until they tightened into diamond-hard peaks, then unbuttoned the front of her breeches and eased them down over her hips.

Turning her back to him, he bent her over till her hands flattened on one of the lower stones.

“What are you…?”

“I will take you this way, as the wolf takes his mate.”

He nipped the side of her neck while his hands smoothed over the lovely white globes of her bottom, feeling a twinge of guilt at the pink mark left by his palm. He bent and pressed his mouth there, a series of soft butterfly kisses to tell her he was sorry, that from now on he would grant her the respect she deserved. Lindsey trembled beneath his touch and his body hardened to the point of pain.

“Please…” she whispered, her breath coming faster at his probing touch.

She was wet and ready. He eased himself inside her tight passage, pushed forward until he filled her completely, settled his hands around her waist and slowly began to move. Heat and need rolled through him, stronger than anything he had ever felt before. With each deep stroke, he claimed her, grew more certain she was meant to be his, and yet he knew it could not be.

Still, he took her with a need he seemed unable to control. Took her and took her, until he was blind to all but Lindsey, all but the feel of her slender body gloving him so sweetly, of her soft moans of pleasure, of the ripples of fulfillment coursing through her.

His own release came swift and hard, his muscles turning to steel, his seed spilling hotly inside her. He wondered if her potion would work and worry gripped him. She was too slight to bear a child he sired, too slender to carry his babe.

He prayed the potion would work and yet deep in his heart, he wanted nothing so much as to plant his seed and watch it grow, to know the child in her womb would be part of them both. It was wrong to feel that way when he could never be the man she needed.

He withdrew himself from the warmth of her body and she turned and went into his arms. After a time, he let her go. Silently waiting while she freshened herself, when she had finished, he helped her refasten her clothes.

“I have to go,” she said.

He nodded. “As do I.” He cupped her face in his hands. “Promise me you will be careful—with the horse and with Merrick.”

“I learned nothing when I was there yesterday. He seems a very unlikely murderer, but—”

“But it is something you cannot know for sure.”

She nodded. “Stephen is coming to the house party my aunt is giving. Perhaps we'll discover something of his activities while he is there.”

“I will keep my ears open. The men talk of him. I will see what they have to say.”

She turned away, walked over and collected her horse. “We could meet somewhere tonight.”

The temptation was nearly overwhelming. Thor shook his head. “We should not have done what we did here. The risks are too great.”

“I don't care.”

“I think you do.”

She glanced away, toyed with the horse's reins. “Leif and Krista will be here in a couple of days.”

“Good. Mayhap between the three of us, we can keep you out of trouble.” Turning her toward the horse, he caught hold of her waist and swung her up on the flat leather saddle. “Behave yourself, little fox.”

She grinned. “I promise not to do anything a wolf wouldn't do.”

Thor shook his head, fighting a smile as she rode away.

Horse and rider disappeared over the top of the hill and his smile slipped away. It was wrong, what they were doing. If they could not wed, he should leave her alone.

He told himself he would.

He just wished he could make himself believe it.

T
he cool October days slipped past. Rudy was becoming moody and bored, consoled only by the fact that next week the guests would begin to arrive for the house party Aunt Dee was giving. Delilah had a number of activities planned, everything from cards and afternoon outings, to a traveling theatrical group she had hired as entertainment and even a small soiree with a number of the neighbors invited.

The week would conclude with the Foxgrove Derby, a local event, an annual steeplechase people came from miles around to see.

“It should make quite a spectacular conclusion to our party, don't you think?” Aunt Dee said to Lindsey. “You know how men like to gamble. I thought this year we might enter a Renhurst horse and, of course, Lord Merrick will be racing.”

Merrick.
The man never strayed far from her thoughts. In the village she had quietly asked questions about him, but the locals seemed reluctant to speak of him. He was an important member of the community, his estate and horse breeding operation provided a number of people with jobs. They didn't wish to risk losing them.

Though frustrated by how little she had learned, Lindsey was enjoying her time in the country and especially the chance to ride. She had done so every morning, breathing in the cool, moist air, absorbing the pleasure of being out of doors, away from the noise and congestion of the city.

Each day as she rode out of the stable, she hoped to see Thor, but if he were somewhere about, he did not show himself. He had not made himself known since their heated encounter among the ancient stones.

Her stomach contracted at the memory of that morning, of his mouth on her breasts, of his hard length moving inside her. She couldn't help wishing he would come to her again, couldn't help wondering what other pleasures he might show her.

Instead, he was avoiding her. Thor wasn't the sort of man to carry on an affair with an unmarried young woman he could not wed. She was tempted to send him a note, invent some dire emergency in the hope he would come to her rescue, but she was afraid it would only make him angry. Still, she had a feeling he was often there at Renhurst, making certain she was safe.

It was the following week that the guests began to arrive. Most were people she had known would be coming. Others were unexpected.

Along with Colonel Langtree, Aunt Dee had invited the Marquess and Marchioness of Penrose, both her aunt's longtime friends. The Earl and Countess of Kittridge and their two daughters, Elizabeth and Sarah, were also on the guest list. Sarah had just turned eighteen. At one-and-twenty, Elizabeth had been in the marriage mart for several years but rumor was she enjoyed the young men's attention far too much to accept a proposal.

The second day of the week, Leif and Krista arrived.

“I am so glad you could come,” Lindsey said, stepping up to hug her friends.

“It took a bit of persuading,” Leif said. “This is the first time we've been away from our son. At least farther away than the other side of town.”

“I hope Brandon will be all right,” Krista said worriedly.

Leif leaned over and kissed her cheek. “He'll be fine, love. Mrs. McElroy is a genius with babies.”

Krista sighed. “I know you're right. I shall do my best to relax and enjoy myself.”

Coralee and her husband, Gray Forsythe, Earl of Tremaine, arrived that same day. “You look marvelous,” Lindsey said to Corrie. “I swear you are lovelier each time I see you.”

“Married life agrees with me.” She leaned over and whispered, “And I think I may be carrying Gray's child—though I cannot say for certain and I haven't told him yet.”

“All right, ladies—no secrets,” Gray said. He arched a sleek black eyebrow at his wife. “I thought you had learned your lesson.” His thick black hair, tied back with a ribbon, was hardly stylish, yet seemed to suit him perfectly, giving him the look of a pirate.

“I've learned, my darling, I promise.” But she grinned at Lindsey and Lindsey grinned back. “We need to talk,” Corrie mouthed.

Lindsey reluctantly agreed, certain her friend was concerned about Thor and the potion Samir had made for her.

Aunt Dee joined them and the group chatted amiably for a while. Lindsey found Gray to be intelligent and interesting, and he was incredibly handsome—and obviously in love and devoted to his wife.

Other guests arrived. Rudy had invited Tom Boggs and Edward Winslow, and the two young men showed up at Renhurst together. Lindsey had hoped her brother had finally outgrown his rich, spoiled, rakehell friends, but apparently he had not.

She thought of her brother and the viscount and wished she could discover who had sent her the notes. She vowed that she would find out, and the following day managed to break away for a ride to Merrick Park. Perhaps Thor had unearthed something useful. Finding out was as good an excuse as any for her to see him.

Mounted sidesaddle and dressed in a smart green velvet riding habit and a jaunty little matching green hat, she headed down the lane to the viscount's home, trying to decide how best to speak to Thor without giving away their relationship. As luck would have it, Stephen was on his way to the stables when she rode in.

He smiled at her as she pulled her tall bay mare to a halt in the gravel drive in front of his house.

“Why, Lindsey, what a nice surprise.” Sunlight shone on his thick blond hair, making it gleam like new gold, and she thought how handsome he was and how unlikely it was that a man with his money and charm would consort with prostitutes—let alone murder them.

“Good morning, my lord.”

He shook his head. “Stephen, please. We are friends too long for such formality.” The smile reappeared. “To what do I owe such a pleasant surprise?”

“I was out riding. I thought I would drop by, see how your trainer is doing with that marvelous black stallion.” After considering her options, she had decided to stay as close to the truth as possible. She did want to see the stallion and she particularly wanted to see his trainer.

“What a coincidence. That is exactly what I am about this morning.” He reached up and lifted her down from the sidesaddle, handing her horse's reins to the groom who rushed up to lend his assistance.

They walked down the brick pathway together, into the cool shadows of the barn and back out into the sunlight on the opposite side. She spotted Thor immediately, at work with the stallion in the ring. Another man stood some distance away, tall, barrel-chested and ruddy complexioned. She remembered he was Stephen's head trainer, a fellow named Burke.

“You've been at it almost two weeks,” Burke was saying to Thor. “Near as I can tell, the horse still can't be controlled.”

“It takes time.” Thor released the stallion from the rope round his neck, then headed for the gate leading into the ring.

As he walked past Burke, the man caught his arm. “Lord Merrick has been patient long enough.”

Thor straightened. “The horse was mistreated. It takes time to repair the damage.”

“And I say you are wasting his lordship's money.” Burke caught sight of Merrick just then, turned his attention in that direction, and for the first time Thor realized Lindsey was there.

His features tightened, then turned carefully bland.

Lindsey managed to keep her expression equally un-readable though her heart was beating too fast and her cheeks felt a little too warm.

“What's going on?” Stephen asked the two men.

“Nothing,” Burke said. “That's the problem—nothing is going on. That black devil is as mad as he was the day he arrived. It's clear that isn't going to change.”

“Mr. Draugr, have you anything to say in the horse's defense?”

“Saber is worth the time it will take to gentle him.”

“I don't think so,” Burke disagreed. “I don't think that stallion will ever be worth a fiddler's damn.” He turned to Merrick, a cunning smile curling his lips. “I've given the matter a good deal of thought. The Foxgrove Derby is coming up the end of the week. I say the stallion should run or be put down. It's time to face the facts and cut our losses.”

People came from all over to watch the annual steeplechase. Both locals and gentry participated, riding an array of livestock from saddle horses to Thoroughbreds. Stephen always entered one of his prize racers and he hadn't lost in years.

“Saber is not ready,” Thor said.

“That horse will never be ready,” argued Burke. “He'll never be more than the devil he is now.”

As if to prove the point, Saber caught the man's scent just then and charged the fence like a creature from hell. He reared up on his hind legs and let out an unearthly scream, his teeth bared and his ears flattened back against his skull. He stomped the ground, whirled and charged again, and for an instant, Lindsey thought he was coming over the fence.

“He does not like you,” Thor said to Burke.

“I don't give a bloody damn what he likes. That spawn of Satan ought to be destroyed.” He glanced up at Lindsey. “Sorry, miss, but that horse is going to wind up killing someone.”

Lindsey gave him a tight-lipped smile. “He seems to do all right with his trainer.”

Burke scoffed. “You think so? Then let the pair of them ride in the derby.”

“Burke has a point,” Stephen said to Thor. “You believe that horse can be managed. Exactly how certain are you?”

“In time, he will be all you wish him to be.”

“I've owned him for more than a year. He's already injured three trainers, including Mr. Burke, and I haven't been able to get anywhere near him without putting myself at risk. We can't even put him out to stud—he's too rough with the mares. As far as I can see, he's just as violent and out of control as he was when he arrived. I won't have that kind of animal on the premises. I agree with Mr. Burke. Either he races or his days are over.”

Thor flicked a glance at Lindsey. “If that is the choice, then he will race.” His jaw hardened. “But if he wins, he is mine.”

Burke burst out laughing. “You think that beast can win the derby? He'll have you on the ground before the first fence.”

“Mayhap you are right. If that is so then you have lost nothing.”

Stephen smiled coldly. “If you win, you want the horse. What do I get if he loses?”

Lindsey heard the sound of footfalls on the path. A familiar feminine voice spoke up from behind them.

“If the stallion loses,” Krista said, “Thor will forfeit two thousand pounds.”

Stephen's gaze sharpened on the beautiful blond woman standing next to her even taller blond husband, an impressive couple whose attractiveness rarely went unremarked.

“Make it three thousand and you have yourself a bet.”

Thor opened his mouth to protest, but Leif gave a faint shake of his head.

“The bargain is struck,” Krista said. “The stallion races—and if he wins, he belongs to Thor.”

Thor left the group, rounding the barn and striding off into the trees. He was furious at himself for speaking out as he had, and even more furious at his brother and sister-in-law for betting such an outrageous sum.
Three thousand pounds!
If he risked his own money it would be one thing. To risk Leif and Krista's money was unthinkable.

He had to win—or find a way to pay them back.

Which made him think of his A&H Railway stock. Even selling it would not be enough. Thor sighed as he sank down in the grass and leaned back against the trunk of a tree.

He could only imagine what Lindsey must be thinking. She knew he didn't have money enough to provide for a woman of her station, but he didn't want the fact thrown in her face.

He looked up just then, surprised to see her approaching, the skirt of her green velvet riding habit rustling around her long legs. He remembered those legs in snug men's riding breeches, remembered sliding them down over her hips then gripping her tiny waist and riding her to fulfillment.

His shaft thickened, went rock-hard. By the gods, the woman drove him mad with lust for her.

“You should not be here,” he said, rising to his feet, ignoring the hot burn of desire rushing through his blood. “What will Lord Merrick think?”

“He will think that you are Leif's brother, as he now knows, and therefore a friend. Your relationship was clear the moment Leif arrived, since the two of you are of an unusual height and build, and though you are dark where Leif is fair, you look a great deal like him.”

“What is my brother doing at Merrick Park?”

“Krista has known Lord Merrick for some time. As you just found out, Stephen likes to gamble. Apparently Leif met him during his gaming days. At any rate, since Leif and Krista were enjoying a carriage ride round the countryside, they decided to pay him a visit.”

“I suppose it no longer matters. I found nothing that would tie Merrick to the murders.”

“I never really believed he was involved.”