Annabelle's Courtship

“Aye. ’Tis no secret you have no common sense where your cause is concerned.”

“I am not lacking in common sense.”

Suddenly Ian was furious again. “Not lacking in common sense?” He fairly roared the question. She involuntarily capped her gloved hand over his mouth.

“Hush. Do you wish to bring attention to our private discussion, Ian?” He pulled her hand from his mouth, but not before kissing it. The sensations that shot through her palm and up her arm made it difficult to make sense of his next words.

“I followed that blighter down to the stews before I lost him. Have you gone to meet him there? I have been tormented with images of your broken body floating in the Thames ever since this afternoon. How can you bloody well say that you have common sense?”

It struck her that Ian’s fury was fueled by concern and that gave her hope. Perhaps he would come to care for her as she cared for him. “I have not met him anywhere but Gunther’s”

Ian did not look as if he believed her.

“I give you my word.”

He nodded. “You will not meet him again.”

She bristled at the dictatorial statement. “I cannot promise that.”

“Aye. You will promise, or I will be forced to bring the matter to your brother’s attention.”

She gripped Ian’s arms and tried to shake him. The man was immovable. “You will not tell Robert anything. Promise me.”

“Promise me you will not meet the blighter again.”

“I can’t, Ian. You must believe me. If I could, I would.” Remembering Diana’s stricken face, she knew that she could not cease helping her friend. “Did you say you followed him?”

Ian nodded.

“But you lost him near the stews?”

“Aye.”

She chewed on her lower lip, lost in thought. Someone from the stews must know Thorn. There had to be a way of tracking him. Then perhaps they could find his lodging and search it for the remaining letters. The wicked man had only brought one to their meeting. He insisted on selling them one at a time. Poor Diana had grown nearly hysterical at the implication of a long and drawn out ordeal. She was terrified that Thorn would decide to make the letters public out of spite. Annabelle had tried to convince Diana that Thorn wanted money too much to risk losing his golden goose through any foolish action like making the letters or their contents public.

Ian had reversed the position of their arms and now he rubbed hers up and down in a soothing motion. “What is it, Belle? I am beginning to think there is more to this business than you throwing your money away on some sharp’s scheme.” She looked up into his face and was nearly undone by the concern she saw there. If only she could tell him, but she had promised Diana. She could not break her word.

Besides, her plan to find Thorn’s lodging was a sound one and soon the whole business would be over. She lifted her hand and caressed her finger along Ian’s jaw. “Everything will be fine.”

In a bold move that surprised herself as much as him, she stepped forward and softly kissed his lips. When she would have backed away, he reached out and caught her to him.

His mouth moved over hers in a sensual dance. The feelings she had experienced in the carriage came flooding back. Her knees turned to jelly.

He continued to kiss her with hungry passion. She sighed and parted her lips. His tongue swept her mouth. She felt as if her body was on fire. Of their own volition, her hands sought his broad back and the column of his neck. She restlessly rubbed her body against his, needing more of this incredible feeling. He groaned and ran his hands down her back, cupping her bottom and pulling her against his male hardness. Feelings exploded inside of Annabelle like firecrackers on Boxing Day. She moaned, pressing her body against his.

She felt him shift and realized that he had moved them further into the shrubbery.

The feeling of his hands caressing her breast through the thin silk of her gown took her breath away.

The knowledge that his kiss could affect her so easily terrified her. The fact that they were in a public place did not seem to affect her desire, or her body’s response to Ian’s touch. She tried to pull away.

“We must stop.” He ignored her and continued to kiss her down the side of her throat. “Please, Ian, someone will see.”

His instant withdrawal left her feeling bereft and confused. Her cheeks heated and she tried to cool them by touching her gloved hands to them. Ian’s mouth was set in a grim line. If only he would smile at her, she wouldn’t feel like such a wonton hussy. Had her forwardness disgusted him? Her heart beat a rapid rhythm, both from passion and from shame. She had no control.

“I’m sorry, Ian. I don’t know what came over me.” She realized that she had whispered the words, but it was hard to speak past the obstruction in her throat.

He reached his hand out and gently brushed her forehead. “’Tis nothing to be sorry for.”

“You’re angry with me.” She hated the weakness in her voice.

He groaned and pulled her toward him until her face rested against his waistcoat.

“I’m not angry, Belle.”

“You’re glowering at me.”

His harsh laugh surprised her. He thought this was amusing? She tried to pull away from him, but his arms had become like steel bands around her. He rubbed her back with one of his hands. “Hush.”

His caress was soothing and she relaxed against him. It felt so good to be held by him. She wished they could stay this way forever.

“It is not an easy thing for a gentleman to stop such a pleasurable pastime.” She heard the strain in his voice. He was a gentleman. He had not taken advantage of her in the carriage and he had been willing to stop now. Admiration for his strength and character welled up in Annabelle.

“I’m truly sorry, Ian.” At her words, he stiffened.

Pulling away from her, he spoke. “Why are you sorry, lass? You canna tell me you didna like it.”

She felt herself blushing again. “Yes, I liked it, but I shouldn’t have kissed you. It wasn’t ladylike.”

His laughter caught her unawares.

“I don’t know what you find amusing about this situation. No lady wishes to be caught behaving like a Cyprian.” She did not think it necessary to mention that she had been far more wanton in his carriage.

“Dinna worry, Belle. A Cyprian has a lot more experience and would have offered me more than her mouth.”

His words caught her on the raw. She would have struck him, but for the amusement still lurking in his eyes. “Ian, do you think to tease me?”

“Aye, Belle, I do.” He laughed aloud when she said a word that ladies never say.

Thinking a little of his own medicine wouldn’t be amiss, she said, “I see that I’ll need to gain more experience before I can truly shame myself with brazenness. One illicit evening in your carriage is not nearly enough.” His laughter died and his face took on a chilling quality. “Dinna try it, Belle. I’m not known for my even temper.”

She should be frightened by his intensity, but she wasn’t. His possessive tone exhilarated her. Still, he needn’t think she was so easily cowed. She did not agree with his demand.

“Oh there you two are. Annabelle, your aunt is looking for you. She is ready to go home.” Annabelle jumped away from Ian at the sound of Ceddy’s voice.

She turned to follow Ceddy to her aunt, but Ian pulled her back. “This conversation is not over, Belle.”

She did not reply. There was nothing to say.

The others joined them and she bid Ceddy and Vivian farewell before following her aunt to the carriage. Ian insisted on escorting her outside. He held her back in the shadows while Lady Beauford, Robert and Diana made haste to get in the carriage. A chilly wind had begun to blow and the fog clung damply to Annabelle’s dress.

“I must go.” She tried to disengage her arm from Ian’s grip.

“In a moment.”

He could not mean to finish their conversation now. The

man was stubborn, but this was ridiculous. She turned her head to tell him so. Ian claimed Annabelle’s lips in a short, passionate kiss that totally took her breath away. This was no tentative and gentle exploration, but the staking of a claim.

She sighed. “Good night, Ian.”

“Good night, Belle. I meant what I said. Your passion belongs to me now.” His voice did not encourage disagreement. She merely smiled. He pulled her forward and gave her another kiss that left her breathless. “Remember what I said.” When Ian was finished he led her to the carriage. He made short work of helping her in. Grasping her waist as he held her hand firmly, he lifted her until she had ducked her head into the interior and her satin-clad feet were firmly planted on the floor of the carriage.