Lucy Lane and the Lieutenant (22 page)

Indeed, Lucy thought, what could she say? She wasn’t in any mood for a party, but Coral wouldn’t take no for an answer. With a sigh of resignation she nodded. Perhaps a party was just what she needed to take her mind off Nathan.

Chapter Eleven

T
he noise and chatter grew less as every one of the hundred or more guests—mostly theatrical folk—who crowded on to the stage turned in the direction of Lucy’s entrance. There had been much talk when she had disappeared from the London stage and reappeared so suddenly. Now curiosity was matched by envy from the ladies and open admiration from the gentlemen, as Lucy, swathed in a shimmer of crimson satin, the high waist successfully hiding any signs of her pregnancy, stood beside Coral. Her glowing chestnut hair was upswept in an in a delightful elaboration of soft curls.

‘How do I look?’ Lucy asked, feeling nervous amongst all these people, although why she should be she had no idea. Many of them were friends and acquaintances of long standing.

‘Absolutely stunning,’ Coral told her. ‘Not many women could carry off a gown that bold. You do it with flair, love, so make the most of it. See how pleased everyone is to see you. Enjoy yourself.’

A group of musicians in the pit in front of the stage played a lively country dance and people stepped back as couples took to the floor. There was a crush of people around Lucy and she found herself being vivacious and charming to a coterie of young gentlemen and a pack of journalists from Fleet Street all wanting to know where she had been hiding herself for the past three months.

Without committing herself she moved on, hearing voices telling her it was nice to have her back. She made herself smile back at them, but her heart wasn’t in it. She knew she should be pleased that they were glad to see her, yet she did not feel it. Her head ached and the taste of anger was in her mouth, though she could not have said who she was angry with. And yet the candlelit theatre filled her with an admiration which her pride forbade her to show. It was a long way from Portugal and the war.

She was only too aware of herself and the enormous power of her attraction over the men. After all those dangerous weeks in Portugal, coupled with the dreadful experience of killing a man and Nathan’s indifference to her, she emerged like some exotically beautiful butterfly, and stood up better than she had expected to the rigours of that night, determined that no one would ever guess at her condition or how unhappy she was.

* * *

Oblivious to everything that was going on around him, Nathan watched her from across the crowded stage as she smiled and laughed with a group of admiring swains, all vying for her attention. People gave him curious looks, but his mind was occupied with the proposal he intended to make to Lucy. A breathtaking vision in crimson, she was too exquisite to be flesh and blood—too regal and aloof to have ever let him touch her. He drew a long, strangled breath and realised he hadn’t been breathing as he watched her.

They had wanted each other from that first moment they had laid eyes on each other. She was passionate and courageous, quick to anger and forgive. She was serene and regal amongst her friends, jaunty and skilful with a pistol in her hands, passionate and sweet in his arms. She was all of that, and much more.

And he loved her.

As if she sensed his eyes on her, she turned and looked directly at him, their eyes meeting and locking.

Unable to understand what he was doing at the theatre, Lucy watched as a slow, lazy smile crept across his face and he started towards her. Suffused with trepidation and a familiar ache in her breast, she waited for him to reach her. He was taller than any other man present, with powerful shoulders and long, muscular legs. Instead of wearing the bright satin clothes the other men wore he was clad in raven black from head to foot, with the exception of his snowy shirt and neckcloth, which were so white they seemed to gleam against the stark black of his jacket and waistcoat.

Lucy had the thought that he was like a large, predatory hawk in the midst of a gathering of tame, colourful peacocks. Taking her hand, he raised it and touched her fingers with his lips, all the while holding her eyes captive.

‘Nathan! Forgive me if I appear surprised. I didn’t expect to see you here.’ The roguish smile he gave her made her heart somersault with incredulous joy.

‘No, of course you didn’t. I called at the house, hoping to see you. Your aunt told me where I could find you.’

‘I see. I—I didn’t expect to see you so soon’—
if at all
, she thought. ‘How is Katherine? Have you seen her since she moved into Londesborough House?’

Nathan nodded. Aware that they were attracting curious stares, he drew her into the shadows at the side of the stage. ‘She has settled in well—and Charles, too. What she will do eventually I have no idea. I content myself knowing they are both safe. The duke is taking her to the Londesborough ancestral home in Kent for some peace and quiet shortly. She would like you to call on her before she leaves London.’

‘I—I will—soon.’

‘The duke would also like to express his gratitude to you in person.’

‘But—there is no need. I have been paid generously for what I did.’

‘He would still like to meet you. Perhaps we could go together?’

He suggested it in a voice which made Lucy think he had already convinced himself that she would accept. Her heart was suddenly uplifted. ‘Yes, I would like that.’

‘Then that’s settled. Now, will you offer me some refreshment, or must I die of thirst?’

Lucy laughed and led him to a long trestle table laden with food and drink. ‘I would like to introduce you to my friend Coral. This party is to celebrate her friend’s success. He’s just had his first play accepted and everyone expects it to do well.’

Nathan smiled, a bit ill at ease, but he soon relaxed. Coral took him under her wing, all friendly warmth. Impressed by his title, Mr Portas was most engaging and chatted about the war in the Peninsula and things in general. Nathan seemed to enjoy himself, but Lucy noticed a certain reserve in his manner and suspected he found the theatre crowd all rather too exuberant and outgoing for his taste.

* * *

‘He’s charming—and devilishly handsome,’ Coral told her a while later after talking with him. ‘He’s also terribly well bred. I can hardly believe you were once betrothed to him.’

Lucy gazed at Nathan, still engaged in conversation with Mr Portas. ‘There are times when I can’t believe it myself. He’s changed—more serious than he used to be. I think I might have had something to do with that—and the war in Spain.’

‘I think he’s positively divine, love. That voice, those eyes of his—and that scar gives him an air of mystery. He’s wonderfully virile—despite that polite reserve.’

‘You’ve noticed,’ Lucy said, laughing softly at her friend’s outspoken exuberance.

‘So have you, love.’

Lucy sighed. ‘I am human, Coral. I have noticed.’

‘And?’

‘And—I don’t know, Coral. I have no idea why he sought me out tonight.’

‘Then don’t you think you should find out?’

With a wink and a smile Coral stepped away when Nathan came back to Lucy.

‘I like your friends,’ he said.

‘Yes. I’ve been blessed. Everyone has been wonderful, welcoming me back.’

‘I can see you’ve made quite a life for yourself.’

‘I’ve worked very hard.’

‘I admire that,’ he said quietly.

‘Why are you here, Nathan? Have you come to tell me you are going away again?’

A familiar heat flared in his groin. It shocked him to realise just how badly he still wanted her, to make love to her. Imagination only increased desire and heightened arousal. ‘That depends.’

‘On what?’

‘On you.’

There was a moment of silence. Lucy felt ill at ease, wondering what he meant by his remark. She smoothed a lock of hair away from her cheek and asked if he would like another glass of wine, but Nathan shook his head.

‘Can I drag you away from all your friends? I want to be alone with you.’

She looked up at him. ‘Why?’

‘Because what I have to say to you has to be said in private.’ When she looked away he reached up and cupped her chin, returning her attention to him. ‘You do want to be alone with me, don’t you, Lucy?’

‘Yes, but—’ She pulled free of his grasp and glanced around, as if trying to think how to put what she wanted to say. She was very vulnerable at that moment, remembering how hurt, disillusioned and lonely she had felt when he had stepped back from her in Portugal. It would be so easy to take comfort in what he offered, but she was afraid that that would merely lead to more pain, more disillusionment, far worse than what she had felt before.

‘You’re afraid,’ he said, reading her mind.

‘Yes,’ she admitted.

‘I would never hurt you, Lucy.’

‘Not intentionally,’ she said.

‘I want to give you the world.’

‘I don’t want the world,’ she told him. ‘I don’t want a title and riches. Those things are not important to me.’

‘You’re all that matters to me,’ he said.

She looked at him and wanted desperately to believe him. ‘I once told you that I loved you. Since you came back into my life and the time we have spent together, you must know that my feelings for you have not changed. Yet, you have not spoken to me about how you feel. I am confused, Nathan. I feel I do not know you any more.’

‘You know me better than you realise. No one knows me better than you. No one ever will.’

She started to speak, but he forestalled her. ‘Listen to me. Words can never be adequate to make you realise how much I desire you.’ He put his hands on her waist and drew her close. ‘I can say it with my body if you will let me.’

Lucy closed her eyes and something fluttered and softened within her. ‘Don’t, Nathan. Don’t.’

He pushed his advantage. ‘You desire me, too. I remember the night we spent in the cave.’ He pulled her closer just a little. ‘Have you forgotten that?’

‘I haven’t,’ she answered in a fierce whisper.

‘Nor have I. On the night of the storm, I saw you only in the dimness of the moonlight. When we make love again I am going to light all the candles I can find. I am going to see you while we make love,’ he promised, eager to see the perfect curves of her breasts and hips, to see the tapering length of her legs and the expression on her face as they came together. ‘Come with me now, Lucy, away from here. If you want me as much as I want you, spend the remainder of the night with me.’ He brushed the backs of his fingers over her flushed cheek. ‘I want you more than I have ever wanted anything in my life.’

Taking a deep, shuddering breath she looked into his eyes. ‘And you are certain of that, are you, Nathan?’

‘Yes.’

That was all she needed to hear. Time enough later to learn why he had changed his mind. Just now, she did not care. He was gazing at her and his face was shadowed. She stared at him in a charmed, relishing silence, then she nodded. ‘I’ll just say goodnight to Coral and get my cloak.’

He helped her into it and they went outside and climbed into his coach. Seated across from each other, they didn’t speak as they left the theatre behind. Moonlight brushed the stones on the road with pale silver and the buildings were a dim mass shrouded with velvety black shadows.

‘Where are we going?’ Lucy asked as they passed through London’s suburbs. ‘We appear to be heading out of town.’

‘Don’t worry. We’ll soon be there.’

* * *

When the carriage eventually passed through some tall gates and swayed gently along the curving drive bordered with wide sweeping lawns, Lucy recognised the large private residence immediately. An immense expanse of mullioned windows was aglow with lights.

‘Why, this is where you brought me when you taught me to ride.’ She leaned forward for a better look, straining her eyes in the darkness.

‘That’s right.’

‘I recall you telling me it belonged to a relative of yours.’

‘It did. My uncle. Unfortunately he did not enjoy the best of health and died while I was in Portugal. Wilmslow House and his estate now belongs to me—I am his heir, you see, Lucy.’

She stared at him with amazement. ‘Goodness! How very grand! Does a title go with it?’

‘Indeed it does. Welcome to my home,’ he said as the coach halted at the bottom of a wide flight of stone steps leading up to the carved-oak double doors.

Flinging them open, he drew Lucy inside. When the butler came he explained that he would not be needing anything further until morning. The butler departed, with only one quick glance at the hooded woman by his side.

‘Come with me.’ Taking her hand, Nathan led Lucy across the hall.

Together they ascended the curving marble staircase and he led her to a splendid suite of rooms decorated in subtle shades of green. He turned the key in the lock. At last, he thought, drawing in a deep breath, then letting it out slowly. At last they were alone.

Lucy pushed back the hood of her cloak and walked to the fire, holding her hands out to its warmth. Nathan studied her bathed in the soft light. He was reminded of the first moment he had ever seen her, for she looked much the same now as she had then—a little older, of course, a beautiful, mature and very desirable woman. Tonight, all he wanted was to show her what he felt when he looked at her. Arousal was coursing through his body and he longed to take her to bed, but the next few hours were not for him. They were for her.

Lucy was aware of him when he stood behind her. She turned, her breath catching a little as his gaze bored into her. She was aware of how warm and close the room had become and she let her cloak fall. He was still gazing at her, and his face was shadowed, for he’d turned away from the fireplace. She took a tentative step forwards.

‘Nathan.’

He came quickly to her, taking her into his arms. She rested her head against his shoulder. His arms were warm and strong, and she relaxed.

‘Lucy,’ he murmured and bent his head down. She raised her face. Their lips met and she caught her breath sharply. Then her mouth opened under the pressure of his. His tongue slid in, gently exploring. Sighing softly, she slipped her arms around his neck and pressed herself closer, feeling the nearness of him. He reached up with one hand to stroke her face, and the fleeting touch sent shivers down her spine.

Nathan looked at her. Her eyes were closed, but he kept his open, for he wanted to see every nuance of feeling he could pull out of her with his hands and his mouth. He slid his hands up into her hair, tangling his hands in the tresses, revelling in the feel of it, warm and satiny between his fingers.