The Tiger Within

The Tiger Within

Amanda Anderson

Copyright © 2012 by Amanda Anderson

All rights reserved, except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted material is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.

http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/

This book is a work of fiction and any similarities to persons living or dead is completely coincidental and not intended by the author.

ISBN-13: 978-1470136550

ISBM-10: 1470136554

I dedicate this book to all the wonderful ladies at the JUMC Preschool. Thank you for all of your support and encouragement. You are the best!

Prologue

The beast paced as he watched the beautiful women lying beside him. He’d known what she was the moment he’d laid eyes on her, the day she was born. His mate. Her scent reached out to him and he inhaled deeply. It was rich and spicy with the slightest hint of something he could not identify. The warmth that spread through his body only made him more sure that she was his.

She was the most magnificent creature he had ever seen. Her silver hair was spred about her as pale as the moon beams dancing on her skin. He closed his eyes. Her eyes rivaled the summer sky for brilliance. She was the one bright star in his life.

She was ready now. She was feeling the changes in her body. She would soon understand them. He would teach her the ways of their people. He would have to get around her father first, but there was no denying her awakening was near. Her father would sense it upon his return. The beast sighed, he would have to work fast before her father discovered his intentions. Others would smell her too and flock to her in hopes that they might win her and deny him an heir. She would have no other. He was her only mate. He’d watched the others sniff around her tonight until he thought he’d burst. He hadn’t marked her, but he’d left enough scent to warn the others. If any were fool enough to test him? He would kill them. If any were stupid enough to try to claim her? He would destroy their entire family. His kind only had one mate and she was his only chance at happiness. She was his only chance to help save his dying race. He would not fail.

She lay still naked and exhausted. They had explored one another thoroughly. He regretted having to take those memories from her, the freedom he had given her would only strengthen her for the trials she would soon face, but, he knew, it was for the best. He would keep them for her and return them when she was ready.

He nuzzled her breasts and ran his rough tongue across one pink tip. He then rubbed his body against hers. She arched toward him even in slumber. He allowed himself one final scent of her feminine heat. He nuzzled his nose into the crisp curls between her legs and inhaled deeply, savoring her sweetness. He would taste her soon, but not yet.

He leapt from her balcony and crouched low in the shadows of her garden as he watched her awaken, his amber-green eyes focusing through the darkness to take in her form. He could smell her confusion and her fear. He could also smell her hunger.

“Soon,” he thought. “Soon I will reveal everything to you, sweet Amelia, but not yet. I will wait a short while longer, but not forever my love. Prepare yourself for me,” and with that he slipped soundlessly away.

Chapter One

Lady Amelia Talbot shivers in the darkness. She pulled herself from sleep only to find that she was lying naked on the balcony of her bedroom in Talbot house. How had she gotten here and where were her clothes? She remembered dancing at the ball last evening at the house of Lord and Lady Mowbray. She remembered dancing with several gentlemen and later walking with the Scottish Laird, Henry Stewart, on the terrace. The rest was a blur. She recalled dancing with the other gentlemen and feeling ill at their touch and begging to be brought home. She knew she had arrived home even though she did not remember the ride. She vaguely recalled dressing for bed and opening the balcony doors, but the rest was completely gone. She had no memory of the night at all, only feelings. She remembered feeling free. She remembered the rush of air through her hair. She remembered heat. Her body shivered as she remembered the soul searing heat as it surrounded her and consumed her.

She stood on aching legs and made her way into her bedroom. Perhaps no one had seen her. As she stepped through the door she found her night dress. It was shredded. What could have happened? It made no sense at all.

She made her way to the large mirror that stood in her room. She was not the least bit missish as most girls were. She was fascinated with her body. She looked at her reflection carefully to make sure she was not injured. She looked no different. She lifted her long silver blonde hair and inspected her back, nothing unusual, other than the small dark stripe that bisected her back at the base of her spine, and even that was normal for her. She ran her hands along her own body and felt her muscles tighten. She was sore from exertion she did not recall. Her breasts felt heavy and appeared fuller. The rosy tips were rigid and erect. She felt as though she had not only awakened from sleep, but that she had awakened in an altogether different way as well, but the feeling was familiar somehow too.

Confused and utterly exhausted she fell into bed without dressing. She tossed for an hour before her exhausted mind drifted off in a fitful sleep. Sleep filled with dreams of wild animals chasing her, no not animals, only one, only him.

She was awakened by the sound of a bustling Mrs. Chambers, her abigail.

“Good heavens child, get out of bed. You need to eat a bit of something and get dressed. You have a gentleman caller who will be here in an hour.”

Amelia pulled the blankets closer around herself, knowing Mrs. Chambers disapproved of her sleeping unclothed. “It’s too early to accept visitors. I don’t wish to see anyone today.”

“No, ‘tis not too early. You my lady have slept the day clean away. You cannay send this one away either. Your mother is all in a dither.” She lowered her voice and spoke again. “Apparently your father does nay approve of this gentleman, but since he is away until this evening…” She trailed off with a shrug and began preparing Amelia’s clothing.

“So Mother has decided to go against Father’s wishes?” Amelia asked wearing a scandalized expression they both knew was feigned. “That seems drastic, even for Mother. Who is he? And why such a fuss over him?”

“He is Laird of Stewart clan and a very powerful man here in London as well. Henry Stewart, you danced with him last evening, and you must look your best. It would be a good match for you, youngling,” she said and smiled at Amelia. “He would be a man worthy of ye, lass, if there is such a man.”

Amelia had turned pale at the mention of his name. She felt that heat sizzle over her skin again and she almost moaned at the sensation. She was able to hold back all but the smallest sigh, but it was enough. Her maid was giving her peculiar looks so she decided to get up and do as she was told. As soon as the bed clothes fell away she was met with the disapproving stare of her lady’s maid.

“You should not sleep without your night dress, my Lady. I cannay understand why no one in this house can see the perils of such behavior. Your own father says ‘e cannay see the harm in it. God’s bones child!” She said flinging her arms out from her sides. “I will wager not another lass in London sleeps in naught but her skin!”

Amelia ignored the, now familiar, lecture and pulled on her dressing gown. She sat down to her breakfast not knowing what she ate. Why did that man make her feel so odd? She felt as if she knew him. She was so familiar. Perhaps it was only the ambiance of last evening. She would see him today only to test out her theory. If he still made her feel odd after their encounter today, then she would refuse to see him again.

With her mind made up, she finished her breakfast and began the endless tortures of getting dressed and allowing Mrs. Chambers to arrange her hair.

Chapter Two

Laird Henry Stewart approached the door of Talbot House and it was swung open before he was able to knock. He smiled to himself when he was shown into the front salon and announced to Lady Richard Talbot, Countess of Euston. She was behind the ready acceptance of his calling card this morning. She understood his need, somehow more so than her husband. She was completely human although it was different than any he’d encountered before. Her scent was human, he was sure of it, but it was so close to that of his kind others might mistake it. Her scent was mingled with that of her husband, but he sensed nothing but human blood flowed through her veins, though something else was there, subtle but there. He could never place the scent. There were rumors, of course, of a blessing upon her family, but no facts were known. He wondered though.

Lady Euston looked up, when the door opened to find Laird Henry Stewart staring at her with an odd look on his face. She had seen it many times before. For some peculiar reason his kind never understood her. She found it gave her an edge. “Laird Stewart, would you please stop sniffing me and have a seat.”

“I am dreadfully sorry, Lady Euston,” he said with a twinkle in his amber-green eyes. “I find your scent most refreshing.” He gave her his best beguiling smile. She was a shrewd woman and extremely out spoken and bold, if rumors could be believed. She was not a blue stocking though, she was highly respected for her wisdom and fortitude, but she cared little for politics. Her focus was on the well being of those she loved and she loved her daughter and she had once highly respected him as well. She cared little for his titles or money, so he knew it would be an insult to act as though they were important. She wanted to see those close to her as happy in life as she was. She insisted upon complete honesty. He found her company freeing in a society full of double talk and subterfuge. He would enjoy this visit a great deal.

“I know why you are here,” Lady Euston went on without preamble. “I wish to speak with you about this in detail before I will permit you to see my daughter again,” she said as she took her seat and invited him to do the same.

“Of course, what would you like to know?” He said as he carefully studied her. She was a fragile looking woman, but he knew she held an inner strength matching his own. She practically glowed with an ethereal beauty unmatched in any other woman, except perhaps her daughter. He could feel her affecting him and knew she would discern immediately if he tried to be less that truthful. It was another aspect of the lady that confused him. She was human and should have no power over his mind, but he always felt it in her presence. It was a warm assurance of trust that made those around her desire to be honest with her. He frowned as he thought. She broke into his thoughts suddenly before he could discern further the qualities that intrigued him.

“Is she like you?” She watched him closely.

He felt her encouraging him to remain completely honest and he tried to gather his now scattered thoughts.

She looked into his amber-green eyes and found honesty. She could see the signs of his breeding in his countenance. His cheek bones were high, nose strait with slightly flared nostrils that spoke of his highland ancestors. His handsome jaw had a sharp, almost squared angle making him appear stern while the smile that continually played on his wide mouth made it known he was quick to smile. His hair was very black with an odd sheen that shown golden orange in the light. He had a small streak of white at each temple that she knew would move to the back of his ear when he changed. He was in his mid thirties, she would guess, although she knew him to be much older. It was hard to discern in their kind because they tended to live longer than regular humans. She turned her attention back to his words.

“We soon shall see for sure, but I am almost certain she is,” he said as he stood and began to pace the room.

“What then?” She impaled him with a narrow eyed expression. “I will not have her dishonored. She is
the
most sought after young lady of the season so far. There have been several offers for her this morning alone. I fear her father may be over run when he returns,” she said with pride. “I have allowed your attentions over the years, but things have shifted now, have they not?”