Angelina (27 page)

The tip of pink tongue wet Mary’s lips when she gazed at the purse. When her voice assumed a businesslike tone, Elizabeth knew she’d won. “I’ll inspect the contents please, My Lady.” 

Loosening the purse strings, Elizabeth sent a cascade of gold coins across the scarred surface of the table. Eyes gleaming, Mary reached out her hand. Elizabeth stilled her wrist before she could pick up one of the coins.

“First, you’ll tell me the truth, Mary Mellor. After which, you’ll gather your belongings together and my carriage will convey you to the coaching inn. The villagers are gathering outside. I cannot vouch for your safety if they think you no longer enjoy the protection of the earl.”

Respect came into Mary’s eyes. “Will you let Frey know I’ve gone to London, and will stand by him, come what may?”

“I’ll make sure that message is conveyed to him” She released Mary’s wrist, allowing her to scoop the coins into the leather purse. When the purse was safely tied and secured in the pocket of her skirt, Mary smiled at her with a new confidence.

“It was like this, My Lady... “

Neither of them saw the back door of the cottage open a crack, nor the tall figure of William, who stood with his ear pressed against the opening. A few minutes later, William eased it shut and made his way across the back meadow to where his horse was tethered. Soon he was on his way, a disbelieving expression in his eyes.

   It had only been by chance he’d seen the Wrey carriage, as he usually by-passed the village. He’d been on his way back from selling his surplus horses at market in the neighbouring county. He’d resisted the urge to dispose of the black stallion, moving it to a secret location in the forest. It was too valuable an addition to the stud stock he intended to ship to America.

Had he stayed longer he’d have seen his stepmother take a burning brand from the stove and throw it into the middle of the bed Mary Mellor had shared with his father.

Two hours later, when Elizabeth arrived back at Wrey house, there was nothing left of the cottage but smoking ashes.

* * * *

Rafe had not expected to see Angelina at Ravenswood. Clad in a black riding habit, her cream silk shirt was a perfect contrast for the gleaming rope of hair streaming down her back.

She’d discarded her jacket and hat and was kneeling, trowel in hand, digging weeds from around the rose bushes. One of the Ravenswood hounds flopped on the ground beside her. Every now and again it gave a blissful sigh as she fondled its ear.

Rafe looked around for Elizabeth, but only saw Angelina’s horse munching at a patch of long grass.

Dismounting, he leaned against a tree trunk and watched her for a while. She was humming as she worked, and stopped now and again to brush away a troublesome insect or address a remark to the dog. Presently, she sat back on her heels and gave a sigh of satisfaction.

“There you are, ladies,” she said. “Though they’ll be back in a little while, those who seek to confine you are gone.” As she cupped a full-blown rose in her hands and drew its scented beauty towards her, Rafe crept quietly up behind her.

“Would you have your nose stung by a bee, fair Angelina,” he whispered in her ear.

The rose sprang from her hand, scattering its petals. She gave a small yelp of surprise and the dog growled at him before recognising him as master and looking sheepish.

A handful of ripe raspberries dropped from her skirt as she rounded on him, a hand pressed to her breast. “La, sir!” she scolded. “How you startled me. Could you not have warned me of your visit? “

He laughed. “Are you saying the master of Ravenswood must warn Angelina Wrey when he visits his own home?”

   She took the hands he offered, and rising gracefully to her feet gave him a teasing smile. “I’d quite forgotten you were the master of Ravenswood. You have my permission to visit any time you wish.”

“And you have permission to steal my raspberries any time you wish.” He smiled at the smear of juice across her face, then gazed at her earth-soiled hands, holding them fast when she tried to pull them away. “Your mama would not consider these the hands of a lady.”

“If you are going to bore me with a lecture I shall take my leave of you, Master of Ravenswood.” The glance slanted his way was bright with merriment. “It’s quite tedious to be continually reminded of my faults. That’s why I escaped from Wrey House today.”

Shock replaced the laughter in his eyes. “You came here unaccompanied?” 

“James is with me,” she assured him, and gazed around her. “His horse has headed for your vegetable garden, I think.” Observing his relieved expression she chuckled. “What would you have done had I been unchaperoned?”

“Kept you captive.” He gently wiped the red smear from her face with his handkerchief, exposing the light gold dusting of freckles. “There,” he said with a smile. “That looks more like my angel. Where is your brother?”

“The last time I saw him he was in your library with his nose firmly stuck between the pages of a book about horse bloodlines.” She screwed up her face. “Now I’ve told you, I suppose you’ll join him.”

“There’s not enough room in one book for the noses of both James and myself.” He raised her dirty hand to his lips. “I shall enjoy your company instead. After I show you the rest of the garden we’ll flush James out and take some refreshment together.”

“What if James looks for me?”

“He deserves a fright for not guarding you carefully enough.”

“Oh, I daresay James would consider me safe enough with you.” Her slanted glance contained curiosity. “But then, he knows you well, so perhaps he would not.”

He chuckled, but would not be drawn as they took a path shaded with sweet smelling wisteria arches. “Perhaps not,” he said agreeably. “But then again, James might not consider me safe with you.”

Her eyes rounded in astonishment. “How do I present danger to anyone.”

He made her the recipient of an amused glance. “Don’t play the innocent with me, Angel. I’ve heard you’ve already broken the hearts of two men.”

“Oh them.” Barely disguised laughter filled her voice. “One has too much to say for himself, the other nothing at all.” Her voice took on the teasing note he knew so well. “Since it’s you who has the reputation of heart-breaker, I’m sure you’ll survive a few short minutes in my company and emerge unscathed.” 

“The reputation is totally unjustified.” Leading her towards a walled garden he pushed open a door, standing aside to allow her to enter. “I’ve made it a rule not to trifle with the affections of young ladies, nor lead them to have expectations I cannot fulfil.”

“Yet many at the ball sighed when you approached, and their mamas did likewise.”

He drew her on to a seat under the drooping branches of a willow tree and gazed at her. “These things are part of the ritual. A good mama needs to find a husband for her daughter, and men need wives to bear them children.”

“Then why are you not married?”

Had anyone else asked him that question Rafe would have considered it impertinent, but her expression was so trusting and guileless, he forgave it. “I’d like nothing more than to marry and have children. Unfortunately, I have nothing to offer a woman except a home, which is falling about my ears. I could not even guarantee to put food on the table.”

“But if you married Caroline Pallister...?”

“You’ve been listening to gossip,” he chided and offered her a rueful grin. “I admit I’ve considered taking Lady Caroline to wife, but my fortunes seem to have improved a little of late. However, if they take a turn for the worst...” He shrugged. “Perhaps I’m too proud. Ravenswood is badly in need of restoration and I’m sure Lady Caroline would make an excellent wife, but...”

“Not for the Master of Ravenswood.” She slanted her head to one side, holding him in a steady regard. “Perhaps I’ll marry you, Rafe. You’re not proud with me, and I have wealth enough to restore Ravenswood.”

“Are you proposing to me, Angelina?” Amusement surged like a river through his veins. He was about to throw back his head and laugh when he saw the gravity of her sweet face. The laughter was strangled in his throat, replaced by a lump when she said earnestly.

“Although Lady Caroline is a worthy person I think you’d be unhappy wed to her.”

 “And you wish to save me from unhappiness, my sweet?”

The enormity of her impulsive proposal began to dawn on her, for colour crept under her skin and she lowered her eyes to her lap. “Your happiness means much to me, Rafe. I daresay you think me a foolish child, which of course I am.” Her hands covered her face as she whispered in anguish. “If you laugh at me I shall die a thousand deaths.”

Rafe had an urge to reach out and comfort her, but something stopped him. He’d not noticed any behaviour in Angelina that suggested she nurtured romantic feelings towards him, on the contrary. She seemed to be unaffected, affectionate, and unawakened. Her innocence and honesty endeared her to him. She was fair of face and figure, intelligent, accomplished, and wealthy. She’d be a perfect wife for him.

A frown creased his brow. He’d be doing Angelina an injustice if he wed her. He liked her too much to take advantage of her wealth.

Catching the gleam of her eyes through her fingers, he realised she was observing his reaction. He tried a smile. “It’s highly unusual for a man to receive a marriage proposal. I’m at a loss of how to answer.”

“You’ve already given me an answer.” Lowering her hands, she gazed at him with a shamed expression in her eyes. “I deserve your derision. I’ve been much too forward, and presumptuous.”

“You deserve only my thanks.” Rising to his feet Rafe, pulled her from the bench and tenderly stroked a finger the length of her cheek.

For a moment she closed her eyes and turned her face against his caress. He saw the woman in her then. His breath caught in his throat as his brain registered the delicate, sensual beauty of the face that rose from the creamy column of her throat. Her perfectly curved lips and the tendrils of gold hair grazing against her skin were exquisite, her eyes with their sweep of dark lashes arrestingly lovely. For the first time, he saw her as a desirable woman. “I’m unworthy of you, Angelina,” he murmured.

“I know.” She gave him a cruel, cat-like smile. “You need not patronise me, Rafe. I’m aware you have a preference for married women. Perhaps I should marry Nicholas Snelling and take you for a lover, as Rosabelle intends to do when she marries the Marquis.”

Stunned, he dropped his hand and stared at her. Her eyes were wide, and cold with anger, yet her lips trembled as if she was about to weep. She turned, picked up the folds of her skirt and started to run.

“Wait.” He realised she lashed out at him from humiliation rather than anger. He was astounded she’d heard whispers of his private life - even more astounded that Rosabelle should make such an outrageous suggestion to her. 

   Catching her up in no more than half a dozen strides he brought her to a halt. She didn’t struggled when he turned her to face him, but her stillness spoke of a deeply felt hurt. His heart went out to her and he chose his words carefully. “I value your company and friendship beyond measure, Angelina.” Gazing at the dilapidated house, he shrugged. “I’d watch Ravenswood crumble to dust rather than lose your respect by marrying you for your fortune.”

“My fortune is but poor excuse, Rafe, since I did not earn it. Were we to wed it would simply be passed on to any children we might have.”

He searched her face. Despite her obvious embarrassment, she held his gaze in a way that made him ashamed. His answer had hidden the real reason for his refusal, and she deserved only honesty.

“Pride forbids me from accepting a proposal from a woman. You’ve taken me aback, Angelina. Will you forgive me for being so clumsy?”

She attempted a laugh, but it had a forlorn sound to it. “Only if you forgive my stupidity for putting you in such an awkward position.”  

He grinned a little. “Now you’re wounding my feelings, Angel. I was flattered by your regard.”

She did not smile. “You must allow me to apologise. I made unfair accusations which I wish to withdraw.”

He was uncomfortably aware her accusations had bordered on the truth. “We’ll consider them withdrawn and forgotten.” 

A glimmer of a smile touched her lips. “Then we’re friends again.”

“We’ve never been anything less.” He had meant to kiss her cheek, but his lips slid round to her mouth. Its quivering fullness was sweet, tasting of the raspberries she’d eaten. Her lips parted a little and his hands scanned her small waist and pulled her against him.

She gave a small gasp as his tongue flickered into the dewy sweetness of her mouth. Well aware he’d not enjoyed a woman for some time, Rafe allowed the kiss to develop into a longer one.

Angelina’s limbs seemed to melt. Her mind told her she should not be allowing this, but the sensations chasing through her body were entirely new, and unexpectedly pleasurable. One minute she seemed to be tingling and alive, the next she was without coherent will or thought.

   She became aware of the silky material of her blouse, of its coolness against her skin when the breeze sent it against her body. The swell of her breasts seemed softer and fuller when pressed against the warm body of Rafe. They throbbed with an awareness of wild joy. His strength emphasised her softness and femininity. She was alive to him, her body was sweetly troubled by him, awakened to feelings she hadn’t known exist.

The diagrams in the medical books she’d read suddenly took on a new meaning. All this knowledge from one kiss, she mused. Like Eve and the apple. But that was the original sin! Panicking a little, she slid her hands against his chest, pushing him away.

 For a moment they stared at each other, both a little surprised by what had occurred between them.

Rafe’s eyes hooded over. “I’d better take you back to your brother,” he said quietly. “He’ll be wondering where you are.” Without another word, he took her hand in his and led her back towards the house.

* * * *

Elizabeth did not waste any time. Her husband was still in his study, and although he’d left instructions not to be disturbed, she’d determined to risk his ire and charge him with what she’d learned.