The Raider (Montgomery/Taggert 9)

Alex leaned back against the stones of the fireplace. “You’ve known all this time and not told anyone?”

“I told Jessica,” Nate said, skirting a direct answer.

Alex was looking at the boy with new respect. “So,” he said slowly, “you told her the Raider camped on Ghost Island?”

Nate’s dilemma showed in his eyes. “She was so sad. She wanted to see you before she married you.”

Alex was amazed that this boy could keep these characters straight and keep this information to himself. “All right, she shall see the Raider tonight. I want you to go home and see Eleanor, she’s worried about you. Tell her I’ve gone looking for Jessica.”

The boy nodded solemnly.

“And, Nate, don’t mention to Eleanor about Ghost Island.”

“Of course not,” he said with dignity. “If too many people know, you could be captured and killed.”

Alex found the idea of his life being in a nine-year-old’s hands a sobering thought. But Nate had only broken the trust for his beloved sister. “Go on, go home,” he said gently. “And, Nate, tell Eleanor to give you a piece of apple pie.” Alex smiled. “And a flagon of ale. If any man deserves a drink, you do.”

Nate grinned fit to crack his face in two. “Aye, aye, sir,” he said and went out into the rain.

* * *

“Jessie,” she heard him call. “Jessie.”

Jessica brushed her tears away and then began running, blindly, knowing only that she was running toward him. Her foot caught in a broken branch. She tugged at it frantically.

“No, Jessie, be careful,” she heard him say and then she was in his arms. He was kissing her hungrily, his lips all over her face and neck, while she just clutched at him, holding him to her, afraid to let him go. Her fingers dug into the flesh over his ribs.

“Jessie,” he said, his voice full of wonder and laughter. “Did you miss me?”

She was too glad to see him to mind his laughing at her. “I didn’t mean it. You are a successful Raider. You were magnificent when you delivered the handbills. You gave the people hope. You—”

He kissed her to silence, and when she was breathless, he knelt and unfastened her ankle, then lifted and carried her to the shack that sheltered his horse.

“Promise me you’ll not come here again.”

“How did you know I was here? Did Nate tell you?”

He put his fingertips to her lips. “Don’t you know that I watch you, that I see you wherever you go?”

“Then you’ve seen all the men? You know about the marriage? You must—”

He kissed her again as he began untying the laces of her dress. His long, lean fingers slipped under the edges of her scarf and slowly pulled it away. “Such beauty so lightly covered,” he murmured as he put his face against her breasts.

Jessica leaned back against the pile of hay, feeling his hands and lips on her flesh. He quickly unfastened the front of her dress, exposing her breasts to his touch, his hot hands running over her cool skin.

He lifted her in his arms to kiss her while he slid the dress off her shoulders, then removed her underwear until she was bare to the waist, exposed to his sight and touch.

Only this man did she trust, no one else in the world. Only here in this man’s arms did she feel safe, as if she could give control to someone else.

Her hands began touching his body, pulling at the silk shirt until she could feel his skin. He shed the piece of cloth easily, as if his natural state were one without clothing.

He laid her down on the hay and easily slipped the skirt over her smooth, round hips, his lips moving downward, following his hands, pausing to nip lightly at the soft curve of her buttocks. He kissed her knees, her calves, then the arch of her foot and when he returned to her lips, he wore no clothing except the black mask.

Jessica gasped at the feel of his skin against hers, his long legs rubbing against hers.

There was no pain when he entered her, only joyous passion. She was eager for him and she was willing to show it.

He laughed with pleasure at her exuberance and rolled with her until she was on top, smiling as he watched the pleasure and surprise on her face. He guided her for a few moments, then rolled again until she was underneath, but this time he lifted her legs about his waist, holding her bottom up as he plunged deeper and deeper.