Uncaged (5 page)

~*~

             
Bruce was not completely surprised to see the tavern just as he had last seen it. His clan was a strong force in
London
, though many of his kind chose to move off elsewhere to live only as animals. He walked inside and sat down at the bar. He smiled when he saw her. She had not changed a bit he noticed as she filled a mug with ale.

             
“How ‘bout a drink, madame?”

             
The woman turned to face him, slapping the mug down on the counter, scattering the thick foam across the aged wood. “Bruce! My God! I never thought I’d see the likes of you again! I thought you were in
Africa
!”

             
Bruce leaned over the counter, planting a big kiss on her plump cheek. “Amelia, can we talk privately?”

             
“Aye, step into my office, love.”

             
Bruce followed the heavy set woman. The lantern caught the flash of her fiery red hair as she walked through the kitchen into a small corner office. He shut the door behind him.

             
“Where’s Bart?” Amanda struggled to catch her breath.

             
Bruce shrugged. “
I
haven’t seen him
since we separated. It‘s been years.”
             

             
Amelia nodded, folding her arms across her chest. “But that was your plan, right?”

             
“Aye.”

             
“Well what are you doing here, love? I never expected to see your face again. You said you’d never come back.”

             
“They caught me.”

             
“What?” Amelia covered her mouth with her hands.

             
“They trapped me and then drugged me. I woke up locked in a cage aboard a ship, headed home or what was once home.”

             
“Are you going back?”

             
He shrugged again. Nowadays he was sure of nothing.

             
“What’s gotten into you Bruce? You
detest living life as a man.
Were you unhappy in
Africa
?”

             
“It was pure bliss, for a while.”

             
“Go on,” Amelia urged, pulling up a chair. Bruce sat down across from her.

             
“I even met my mate.”

             
“A pure bred, just like you’d always wanted?”

             
“Yes. Oh, she was so lovely, Amelia. You would have loved her too.”

             
Amelia snorted. “I doubt she’d have gotten along with an old owl.”

             
“You know what I mean.”

             
“She must be sick over your capture!”

             
Bruce took a deep breath. “She’s dead. Been dead for five years.”

             
“Oh lord no!”

             
“A tribe killed her.”

             
“You got your revenge I suspect?”

             
“I did.” Bruce’s features darkened. He knew she could read his mind, remembering his old friend’s keen skills of perception. A natural instinct for any owl shiftie.

             
“Now, now dear. We don’t need to talk about it. Unless you need to, love. Do you need money? Food? You must be starved.”

             
“No, I’ve eaten. Actually I fared pretty well on the ship. I saw the key. Dumb blokes left it in plain sight. I shifted, managed to angle a broom just so and freed myself.”

             
Amelia slapped her knee. “Humans can be unbelievably careless.”

             
“I blended in rather well. Stole some clothes and started work as a shipmate. Over half the crew fell ill with scurvy and that vile coughing disease. Even the captain. I took over.”

             
“That a boy! I’m not surprised at all. Not in the least.”

             
“I need a safe place to keep this bag of money I
scuttled away from the captain.
” Bruce held the bag out. Amelia doubled over in laughter.

             
“You thief!”

             
“I found a little something else that he had under lock and key, too.”

             
Amelia gasped and leaned closer, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Pray tell!”

             
“His daughter, a lovely creature.”

             
Amelia frowned. “Bruce! You’re bedding a pure bred human?”

             
A wide grin covered his face. His crooked tooth c
aught on his full lip. “I am.
I’d forgotten the love of a good woman.”
             

             
“Probably because you’ve never experienced it. They’re all beasts!”

             
Bruce laughed. “She’s nothing of the sort. Funny, that’s what she called me when she refers to the lion that got away.”

             
“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll cut her loose.”

             
Bruce grunted. “Not a chance. I’ll bring her by. I’ll warrant you’ll be as smitten as I. She’s delightful in every way.”

             
Amelia sighed. “Ah, that’s why you’re stumped now. You don’t want to go back to
Africa
and leave her here.”

             
“You’d be right. I’m in love. I think I may even get used to being a man.”

             
“Have you had a fresh kill?”

             
“Of course not! Who was I to kill? A sailor? I was stuck on the bloody ocean.”

             
“You’ll need to feast soon. You’ll drain yourself.”

             
“I feel fine.”

             
“I can connect you to the right people and get you back on a ship headed home in a fortnight.”

             
Bruce shook his head. “Don’t bother. If I need to kill, I’ll go into the forest.”

             
“And live off bunnies? There aren’t many deer left in the outskirts. The clan has pretty much extinguished them in these parts.”

             
“Then I’ll go beyond
London
. I have the money to travel if need be. I do have another favor to ask of you.”

             
“Name it.”

             
“Do you have any connections to Parliament?”

             
“Aye. One, but a small one at that. Why?”

             
“I need a job.”

             
“In The House of Lords?”

             
“Aye. I told Wren I’m a solicitor.”

             
“Wren?”

             
“The captain’s daughter.”

             
“Tell me you’re bloody lying, Bruce!”

~*~

             
It had been two days since Bruce had seen Wren. The mere sight of her grand home looming beyond the swirling dust was enough to tighten his breeches. He kicked the stallion in the side, urging him forward. Orange rays of first light hit the back of the home, streaming over the roof in bursts. Doves cooed in the branches overhead as Bruce guided the horse onto the red dirt road that led to the big house. He was surprised to see her sitting on the porch swing, waiting for him. He’d half expected to rouse the entire house, waking the servants first. Wren stood when he waved. The sight of her all fresh and pretty in a flowing, white dress stole his breath. Two days had been too long. Bruce stopped at the bottom of a flight of stairs where he swung off the horse and tied him to the post. Wren bounded down the steps and flung herself into his arms.

             
“Oh, Bruce! I’ve missed you terribly!”
             
Picking her off her feet, he twirled her around. “You are a sight! Let me look at you.”

             
Bruce pulled away to look down at her. She ran a shaky hand through his hair, noting the gleam and the shine. For the first time, both of them were squeaky clean. There hadn’t been much chance for a bath while on the ship, though Bruce had managed to deliver buckets of water to Wren’s quarters in order for her to clean up somewhat. Wren’s hair was tied back with an ivory ribbon, showing off the pale blue cameo tied around her neck w
ith a swathe of black velvet.
Bruce growled. Wren giggled and then he dove at her neck, planting warm kisses behind her ear.

             
“You smell good enough to eat, my love.”

             
Wren smiled as he wrapped both arms around her, pulling her to him. Bruce wore pale riding breeches and ebony riding boots. “And you are a sight to behold, sir. You’ll have even the grandest of duchesses half dazed out of their wits by your good looks alone.”

             
Bruce laughed out loud. He found her childhood excitement at
seeing him utterly adorable.
“Stop it! Dressed like this, you’ll have every gentleman in London
drooling.”

             
Wren sighed, her chest heaving as she pulled him to her for another kiss. “Your charm is enough to have all the ton falling for you.”

             
Bruce growled as he smiled down at her, stunned by her striking beauty, her flawless skin and bright blue eyes sparkling in the morning light. Wren smiled and then he kissed her fully on the mouth. His world stopped. Wren’s eyelids fluttered shut and she sighed into him as he pulled her tongue into his mouth, tasting her, reveling in her glorious fragrance as she pressed her body against his. Bruce felt the hardness beneath his starched breeches aching to get out and groaned. Wren’s full lips curved into a knowing smile beneath his probing mouth, making him harder.

             
“Wren, I have to have you, now,” he whispered.

             
“Let’s go upstairs. No one will disturb us. Father is quarantined in the farthest corner of the house.”

             
“The Captain isn’t any better?”

             
Wren shook her head. “He’s taken a turn for the worse.”

             
“Pity,” Bruce said with a thick bite of sarcasm in his voice. “You’re sure we’ll have privacy?”

             
“Quite sure, sir. I’ve prearranged it.”

             
Bruce grinned as he arched a brow. “You little vixen, you!”

             
Wren waggled her finger at him, motioning for him to follow. Bruce watched her curvy behind. Watched as the silky, ivory ribbon tied around her slender waist flitted over her rump as she climbed the stairs. He couldn’t resist, but before he did, he looked around to make sure no one else saw and then he swatted her behind with one large palm. Wren jumped and squealed. She turned around to scold him, but was silenced as he swept her off her feet and into his arms, pressing more kisses onto her heated lips. He climbed the stairs while kissing her, his boots echoing through the wide foray.

             
“Left or right?” he asked as he reached the landing.

             
“Left,” she responded breathless.

             
“Here?”

             
“No, two doors down.”

             
Bruce let out an exasperated sigh. Wren watched his face
as sexual frustration set in.
She could see it in the lines on his forehead and the beads of sweat that snaked through his light brown sideburns. The door was open a crack. Bruce kicked it in with a heavy boot, shutting it behind him with no measure of delicacy. He carried her to the bed, depositing her softly, kissing her once and then rolling her over, onto her belly. Wren giggled as he unleashed a growl.  He stood just long enough to unlace his riding breeches. Looking over her shoulder, she smiled at him. Bruce bent down to kiss the mole on the back of her left shoulder. She blinked as a lock of hair fell over one blue eye. She watched him expectantly, lying there with her fluffy skirts scattered about the coverlet. With both hands he raised her petticoat and pulled her to the edge of the bed. She hadn’t
bothered with undergarments.
Her tanned bottom was nestled beneath folds and folds of ruffles and lace. His prize lay in waiting, packaged and on display, ready for him to pluck up and take into his possession. He entered her from behind, swiftly. She gasped and clawed at the bed, burying her face in the plush quilts. He groaned as he dove into her again and again and then she began to make a noise akin to purring. She looked over her shoulder, her eyes smoldering with wanton desire.