"I can't take the chance of being seen. Not when my assignment is so close to home. The villagers would never trust me again if they knew of my involvement."
"That's why I don't understand why you agreed to do it."
"I don't get to pick and choose which assignments I take, Anna." His tone sounded blunt as a way to mask feeling guilt for his deceit. "Someone alerted Coombes of the plan to smuggle goods from here, and he instructed me to investigate."
"Isn't there a better way for you to earn a living?"
"I can't believe you're giving me advice in that regard."
She ignored his comment. "Who owns the land to the north of the monastery? You could farm— ow!"
Marcus grabbed her arm as she stumbled. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, yes." She sounded breathless, and he silently cursed for bringing her into the cave under such perilous conditions. "I'm fine."
"Perhaps we should leave, come back when — wait, there's something over here."
The toe of his boot hit a solid object, the thud alerting him to the chest. "Let go of my arm for a moment. I need to reach into my bag."
She obeyed his request, and he rummaged around in the leather satchel draped over his shoulder until he found what he was searching for. In the damp atmosphere, it took a minute or so to strike a light with the tinderbox.
"Hold this," he said handing her the candle. "I need to see what's inside the chest."
He raised the lid, the sound of creaking hinges echoing through the cavern, to find tea and tobacco stored inside custom-made linen bags to be worn underneath clothing. There were reams of silk thread and behind the chest he found four half ankers, each one capable of holding four gallons of spirits.
After making a note of all the items, he closed the lid.
"What will you do now?" Anna asked. He could hear the nervous edge in her tone coupled with a hint of excitement. The thrill accompanying their discovery had heightened his awareness and despite the salty air, the sweet smell of almonds flooded his senses.
"I'll send a message detailing the goods. Explain that they'll be leaving in a day or two." He glanced at Anna. The soft glow from the candle illuminated her face. He'd never met a woman whose inner beauty radiated brighter than any superficial charm. "We should leave."
He took her hand with the intention of leading her back to the entrance but now he had achieved his goal, his desire for her flamed anew.
"Why? Do you expect the men to return?"
"No." He turned to face her, stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers. She made no objection. The candle in her hand quivered, the flickering flame revealing a nervous edge. "Although, wait—" He stopped abruptly and scanned the cave. "I … I thought I heard something."
Her frantic gaze flew to the entrance, and he waited for her to turn to face him before blowing out the candle.
"What … what shall we do?" she panted.
"The only thing we can do." In the dark, he hoped she could not see his sinful grin. "Pretend to be lovers," he said as he pulled her closer and claimed her tempting lips.
Chapter 13
Anna could tell from his rich, seductive tone what he intended to do. Still, she'd had no time to protest, no time to plan how best to proceed. Not that she wanted to protest. She had thought of nothing other than his soft lips all night.
Marcus Danbury oozed masculine charm. The earthy scent of his skin, the way his lips curved into a seductive smile, and his strong muscular thighs, all posed an intoxicating combination. She wondered if she felt the potent thrum of passion more strongly because she had never desired a man before. Now, she understood what kept the randy lords of the ton up all night.
"I want you so badly." He practically growled the words as he sucked in a breath and pressed her back against the stone wall.
She panted, but excitement and anticipation prevented her from forming a single word.
As Marcus' mouth ravaged hers again, all rational thought left her. Lenard's men were not about to pounce on them.
They were alone in an isolated cave.
They were alone in the dark.