Sylvie Sommerfield - Noah's Woman (16 page)

"I have a feeling I'm outnumbered," Charity responded.

"Then make a diplomatic surrender and agree."

"All right. Beth, I won't be home for dinner." Or until tomorrow if I have any luck, she thought.

"Then let's go while I still have you in this mood," Noah said with mock seriousness.

Beth watched them leave, but then her smile faded and a look of worry replaced it. Charity was so con-

fident, yet Beth had the feeling that she was playing with fire.

Noah and Charity walked across the rolling green lawn toward the stable. He liked her free-moving stride, unlike the mincing steps of the ladies of the day. A quick and knowing glance told him that she had not hampered herself with rigid corsets. His imagination played havoc with him for an unrestrained moment. He knew from experience there was little between him and the graceful and luscious body that moved so easily beside him.

A groom had taken his horse when he had arrived and now it stood beside Charity's impatient mare.

His gelding pawed the ground and snorted, causing Noah to laugh. "Settle, you idiot," he said softly, "you're showing off. You don't have that good a memory."

Once he had helped Charity into the saddle, he mounted and they walked the horses toward the path that led away from Stafford Hall.

They rode side by side for several minutes before either spoke, and then suddenly both spoke at the same time and they ended in laughter.

"You first."

"I was just going to remark on how beautiful the view is from here," Charity said.

"You're right," Noah said, his eyes on her. "The view from where I am is remarkably beautiful." He watched her cheeks flush, and another random thought came to him. Charity Gilbert was not used to such personal compliments. Was it the compli-

ment that had made her blush or was it him? It pleased him to think it might be the latter.

Noah was cognizant of the age gap between them, and of the innocence she wore without realizing it. He fought the gnawing desire that was eating at him. He knew all the very logical reasons he should keep his hands off of her. One was the deadly business in which he was involved: another reason was all the years behind him filled with women like Anne. When he compared Charity to Anne it only made him more conscious of the wrongness of pursuing Charity . . . but he went on gazing at her because a part of him could not forget the renewal of an emotion he had thought long dead.

Sofia welcomed them with cups of tea and small cakes to refresh them after their ride.

They had barely sat down when a squeal of delight heralded the arrival of a small bundle that flung itself into Noah's arms.

Noah rose laughing, and again Charity was caught in a dilemma. This man, this devastatingly handsome man, was either a chameleon or he was the most devious human being alive. He hugged the child to him and laughed along with her.

Kathy followed her little bundle, laughing herself. She spoke to Charity while she watched the two.

"You'll have to forgive her, Charity. It seems Noah is the only other child she really likes to play with."

"I resent that," he said with a grin as he came to stand close to Charity's chair with Elizabeth still in his arms. "Charity, this is the most perfect child in the world. Elizabeth, I want you to meet a very special lady, Charity Gilbert."

Charity's eyes met a pair of curious ones the same magnetic blue as Noah's. Elizabeth seemed to be assessing her as piercingly as Noah had done.

"Hello, Elizabeth." Charity smiled and received a timid smile in return.

"Be careful"Noah smiled down at Charity"she's deceptive." Charity looked up at him with a suddenly shuttered look, and he fought the instinct to reach out and touch her. Again some misty grayness had come between them.

Later Charity was given a tour of the house by Kathy, who, she felt, actually wanted to get her alone for a while.

They walked together down the shady avenue between a double row of trees.

"Noah tells me you might come to London."

"I'm considering it."

"Charity . . . would you be angry if I asked you a personal question?"

"No, of course not."

"What do you know of life at court?"

"Nothing, I've never been."

"Then . . . it's for Noah that you plan on going?"

"That's part of the reason, his invitation. The rest is"she shrugged"because I want to see it for myself."

"Things are . . . different there, people are different."

"And Noah is different," Charity added softly.

"He has no choice. You don't understand."

"Kathy, I've only known your brother a few days. I'm much younger than he is, and I know sometimes

he looks at me as if I were a child. I also know he has more experience than I. But don't misunderstand, or misinterpret what I'm saying. I'm not afraid of your ugly court intrigues, your two-faced people, your liars, or the people who plot and destroy. I have my reasons for going and I intend to go."

"My, Noah was right. You are a stubborn one."

"You talked about me?"

"I tried to dissuade him from inviting you."

"Why?"

"I . . . I have my reasons. I love Noah, you know that. And Elizabeth worships him. But sometimes the people we love are forced to do things they normally wouldn't do, or act as friends to people they really detest. Necessity makes strange bedfellows. In London you will have to learn to judge people by different standards than you do now."

"Including Noah?"

Before Kathy could answer, both turned at the sound of his voice, much closer than they had thought him to be.

"Kat?" he said questioningly. If Charity hadn't known better, she'd have thought he had mayhem in mind. "I think Elizabeth needs some attention."

"Obviously," Kathy said dryly, "she's been in the hands of her uncle again. I'll take care of her right away." Ignoring his steady gaze, she brushed past him.

There was a long moment of silence before he spoke again.

"Are you hungry? I think lunch will be ready soon."

"Yes," Charity replied quietly, but she turned from him so that he could not see her face.

"Charity," he said softly, "look at me." Obediently she turned to look up at him. "Is something wrong?"

"No, of course not." Finally she found enough control to smile. It had troubled her to know that Noah was mixed up in something so dark and ominous that his own sister had chosen to warn her. She had begun to hope that Gregory might be mistaken about him.

They walked back to the house together, each aware that the other was caught up in deep thoughts.

Lunch was quiet and Charity made tentative friends with Elizabeth. She found her a remarkably bright little girl who held the promise of being even prettier than her mother. Charity was watchful, wracking her brain to find a way to have a convenient accident that would keep her at Whitebriar for the night. But nothing presented itself.

As the dinner hour came nearer she was becoming desperate, for she had located Noah's study and knew that if she had all night to search, she might be able to find what she was looking for. She wanted it done, and wanted to be away from Noah's penetrating gaze, his heart-melting smile, and his overpowering masculinity, which was playing havoc with her nerves.

The opportunity came with a severe shock. Defeated in her efforts, Charity had resolved that she would have to try again. Sofia wanted Charity to leave her horse in the stable and have Noah drive her home in the carriage. But the early evening sky was beautiful and Charity insisted the ride back would be pleasant.

The horses were brought around, warm good-byes were said, and invitations to come soon were offered.

They had ridden only a short distance when Charity's horse began to shy. It danced and pawed the ground. Noah could see that Charity was shaken.

''Charity, tighten your hold on the reins," he said firmly. But she had already begun to panic. She jerked the reins, the mare reared, and with a strangled cry Charity lost her hold completely. She could feel herself falling. She hit the ground with a solid thump and with enough force to stun her.

But even under these startling circumstances she recognized an opportunity when it was handed to her. She lay still and kept her eyes closed.

In seconds she felt Noah beside her, lifting her into his arms, cradling her against his chest.

"Charity!" His voice was shaking. "Charity, sweet Charity," he whispered. She remained still, enjoying the comfort of his strong arms.

Then she was being lifted, and her head rested against his shoulder as he carried her back to the house.

Chapter Eight

Charity warmed to her role by giving a soft moan as she felt Noah lay her gently on a bed. She felt the mattress shift when he sat down beside her and took one of her hands in his.

She could feel the presence of others and hear whispers which became clearer when they neared the bed.

"I've sent for the doctor," Sofia said, and Charity felt a touch of guilt when she heard the strain in her voice.

"And I've sent a servant to bring word to Stafford Hall," Kathy added.

"Thank you," Noah said, and Charity was shocked. His voice was not that of an unfeeling man. In fact, if she hadn't known better she'd have called it frightened. This supposition was hard to believe and it

made her open her eyes. She wanted to see his face.

Noah watched her eyes slowly open and breathed a sigh of relief. He had never felt so shaken in his life, or so helpless as when he'd seen Charity thrown to the ground and lying as still as death. It had come to him like a forceful blow that Charity meant a great deal to him. In fact, he was able to admit, only to himself, that he was falling in love with her. He knew there wasn't anyone in his world who wouldn't be amused by that. The elusive Noah Morgan, caught by the sweet innocence of this young and guileless creature.

"Charity." Noah's worried gaze held hers. "Are you in any pain?"

"No, I . . . I think I'm all right."

"Lie still," he said. "You have no idea if you are hurt. The doctor will be here soon."

"Noah," she said weakly, "this is a terrible imposition. If you will just supply a carriage to take me home, I'm sure Beth will see to my care."

"You'll stay right where you are," he replied firmly. "The doctor will look you over, but we insist you stay here at least overnight."

"Child, it would be foolish to move about too soon," Sofia said. "I have seen such accidents lead to severe problems. You are more than welcome to spend the night. In fact, I must add my insistence to Noah's. I would feel terribly guilty if you moved too soon and some problem should arise."

"Mother's right," Kathy said. "You've received quite a blow. Such things are hard to judge. Please stay, Charity."

"You are all very kind," Charity replied.

But Noah wasn't thinking about kindness. His gaze had never left Charity, and he could not help thinking that the sight of Charity in his bed was a more than welcome one.

The doctor, an old friend of the family, came a short while later to confer with the entire family.

"You've been quite shaken," he said, "but I can discern no internal injuries. The blow on the head is the problem, and I don't think you should be up and about at least until tomorrow afternoon."

"Then that's settled," Noah said. "She stays right here. I'll see that she gets plenty of care."

The doctor's visit was concluded only minutes before the arrival of a worried and very frightened Beth, whose fears were immediately put to rest.

Beth intended to hover until she realized that Charity would be much happier if she returned home and left her to her plans.

Charity laughed in delight when Noah insisted they were all going to have desserts and wine in her room. The evening turned out to be fun, and Beth was the only one who paid attention to the fact that Noah seldom took his eyes from Charity.

Finally Beth insisted she must go. Sofia agreed that it was time for Charity to get some rest.

Charity was too tense and excited to do any such thing. She was surprised when she heard a knock on her door and Kathy entered. Over her arm she carried a nightgown.

"I thought you might need this."

"You're very kind, thank you."

"You're quite welcome. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Good night."

When Kathy left, Charity rose and picked up what turned out to be a beautiful lavender nightgown, sheer with thin lace straps. Over it went a peignoir of the same color. It was breathtaking.

When she put it on she felt beautiful. She brushed her hair and waited; she paced the floor and waited. She felt her tension growing and poured a glass of wine to calm herself . . . and waited.

She had no idea what the family's habits were or when Noah would retire for the night, so she would have to wait until quite late.

She also knew she was fighting her fear and her attraction to Noah. She needed to keep things in perspective, and she needed to see Noah Morgan not as a handsome and charming man, but as a subtle and villainous one who would manipulate other people's lives by blackmail.

It was two o'clock in the morning before she finally gathered her nerve, blew out the candles, and went to her door. She cracked it open and looked up and down the hall. The house was quiet.

She drew the door open, slipped into the hall, and closed the door softly behind her. Slowly she made her way down the hall toward the steps, crossing her fingers and hoping the floorboards didn't squeak.

Her luck held and she reached the top of the steps without a sound, then made her way slowly down. Even in the semidarkness, where the only light was the glow of the moon, Charity had no problem finding her way about. She had carefully memorized where

every room was. Now all she had to do was to get to the study and search it thoroughly. The packet had to be there; it had to.

The door to the study seemed a million miles away, but her bare feet were silent and she made her way swiftly toward it. Once inside she breathed a sigh of relief, then one of surprise. The fire in the fireplace was burning and two candles were lit. Obviously the servants had forgotten to extinguish them. She would do it before she left to make certain there were no problems for any of the maids. At least the fireplace was carefully screened.