Deception (19 page)

“I suppose we should see what we find in those boxes down in the archive.” He pressed his lips to her neck and rose from the bed. Once he’d pulled on his trousers, blouse, and roughly tied his cravat, he grabbed his jacket and excused himself.

Lillian arrived for work bright-eyed with glowing skin.

He couldn’t take his gaze away from her.

“Later today I’ll need to have a change of clothes.” She brushed the dust out of her skirts.

“I can have your things brought here, or we can return home for a few hours rest and a bath if you wish.”

She nodded but didn’t say which she preferred.

Once again they delved into dusty papers and notes.

Dorian pulled out a legal document. It was a contract. He skipped to the bottom, and his heart sped up. Shafton’s scribbled signature crossed the bottom, but there were three others as well.

“Lilly, look at this.” He turned the document so they could both read it at the same time.

“Contract of Intent to Keep Demons Away. What on earth?”

“I think our Lord Shafton had three other lords working with him when all of this began. Look at the signatures.”

“Ellsbury, Whitley, and Bluntwhistle. Do you know any of them?”

“I know Lord Ellsbury, but he is a young man. He cannot be more than five and twenty.”

“His father or grandfather may have been the signer. What about the other two?”

“I’ve heard of them, but I know nothing about them.”

“It says here they agreed to work together to put a stop to the invasion of demons into England and Scotland. I’m sure Belinda and Gabriel will know more about these men. Perhaps we should consider bringing them into this after all.”

He could understand her wanting to have her friends close. The earl and countess were formidable, but her term must be getting very close now. “Let’s ask Cullum what he knows first.”

“Dorian, you must be careful with Drake. He may know more than he says and has for some time. The contract he signed is ten years old.”

“Yes, but this one is dated sixteen years ago. It was buried in with these old documents. These three other lords did not sign Cullum’s contract, only Shafton was involved ten years ago.”

“We need to know who these three men were. It is obvious Ellsbury is dead, but how did he die and what happened to the other two?”

“All good questions, which I think we must investigate.”

“Where did this contract come from?”

Dorian pointed to the third of the eight crates. “It was that one.”

She knelt in front of the crate and sorted through papers and books.

He did the same.

She said, “Look at this letter. It’s dated a year before the contract.”

William,

I am pleased you have joined us. You complete our foursome on this great adventure.

We are on to something quite spectacular, and the winds of change are blowing. It is up to us to harness the power of the gateway and use it to crush the enemies of England. In the process, we will show the opponents to this cause how wrong they were. Nothing will stop us from rising to the very top.

Our king needs us even if he does not realize or accept the value of this discovery. When the truth is revealed, no one will deny such power is absolute.

The greatest adventure of our lives will lead to unforeseen glory for the four of us.

Sincerely,

David Clayton, Earl of Shafton.

Dorian had to calm his pounding heart. “This is not good. They mentioned a gateway. We need more information. Where was the gate, what did they do?”

“I do not know. There is no address in the note. But something is familiar to me.” She stared down at the faded writing on the old parchment. Her eyes narrowed, and she toyed with the frayed edge.

“What is it, Lilly?”

“Something in the book the monks wrote. I cannot remember exactly. I think we need to return to your house. Maybe if I looked through the book…”

They gathered up all the papers of interest they’d found so far and put them back in the crate. They loaded the crate into a carriage and headed for Dorian’s townhouse.

* * * *

“Stuart, have that crate brought into the front parlor.”

The butler waved a footman to the task. “Will there be anything else, my lord? Shall I have cook fix you something to eat?”

Lillian’s stomach rumbled. She laughed.

Dorian loved the sound. “It has been a while since we’ve eaten.”

“I will have a breakfast brought in to you shortly.”

“Thank you, Stuart. We will likely want to bathe in a few hours.”

“I will take care of it, sir.”

Lillian sprinted up the steps.

Stuart bowed and left through the door leading downstairs.

Dorian watched her full skirts until she rounded the top of the steps and disappeared down the hallway. In the parlor, he took off his coat and rolled up his sleeves. With so much craziness in his life, Lillian’s presence still filled him with remarkable joy. Impossible that one person could transform his world so completely, but there it was.

Lillian entered the parlor, clutching the book she’d procured from Castle Brendaligh. They sat and she scoured the pages of the old book for whatever she remembered seeing.

Dorian continued looking through the papers for anything that might be a clue. He found several more pieces of correspondence between the four lords, but nothing jumped out at him.

“Here.” She dropped to her knees on the floor where he worked.

In the margin of the ancient Latin text, there was a small note written in Shafton’s hand.

We need a fourth man. Titled.

“What does this page say, Dorian?”

He translated the Latin. “Noble blood sets the stage. Noble blood feeds his rage.” He read on but most of it was nonsense. “Sacrifices must be made if our savior is to find his way. We take them from the streets and bring meaning to the meaningless. But to bring forth a king a royal line must pave the way.”

“Dear God. The monks worshipped the demons.” She sat back on her heels.

“It is a fair interpretation. Unfortunately, I have no idea what kind of monks these were or where they were located.”

“Do you think they meant to sacrifice his majesty?” Her eyes were wide and filled with bewilderment.

“It may have only been someone in line for the throne they required. I do not know.”

His stomach was so balled up from what they had learned, that when the food arrived, he had to force himself to take a few bites.

Lillian ate everything on her plate and took an abandoned piece of lamb from his plate as well.

“I’m inclined to contact Cullum and have Shafton brought down here. He knows much more than he has shared with The Company.” He pushed the plate of food away.

Lillian leaned back from her empty plate. “Cullum may already know all of this.”

“I do not believe that. Drake Cullum has dedicated the last ten years of his life to putting together a company of people who can defeat the demons and close off their realm from ours. Why would he keep all of this to himself?”

“I cannot say.” She wiped her hand across her forehead, pushing back escaped curls.

“Perhaps we need a break from all of this. I will have your bath heated, and you can rest a while. Two hours sleep is not enough. At least not for me.”

She smiled at him from across the low table. Tea had been brought with their meal, and she sipped before putting the cup and saucer down. “That sounds almost perfect.”

“Almost? What more do you need?” He contemplated the early hour and wondered what shops might be opened to purchase some bath scent or whatever else Lillian wanted.

“You, Dorian.”

His chest filled to capacity. “You need me?”

“I do.” A lovely blush crept up her neck and cheeks.

“You indicated only a few hours ago that our one day was over.”

“I am a fool. I’ve been thinking of how it felt when I saw that malleus’s hands around your throat. I could not save you. I had lost you.”

He stepped closer. “How did you feel?”

She looked at her hands wringing together. “I cannot recall feeling anyone’s loss more keenly.”

He swallowed down the lump in his throat. “I was beginning to think you might prefer a certain Scottish thief.”

She pursed her lips, shaking her head. “Do not be ridiculous.

“Is it? I have been told most women find Fletch quite charming.”

“He is not you, Dorian.”

Goose flesh prickled his arms and his heart clenched. “Thank you, Lilly.”

Offering his hand, he escorted Lillian to her door, then took what might have been the fastest bath of his life before pulling on a robe and rushing back down the hallway. He knocked on her bedroom door.

“Yes.”

Rose bath oils filled the warm, damp air. Her hair hung around her shoulders in wet curls. She let the thin chemise slide down her arms and puddle at her feet.

“Was that yes I may come in or yes to much more?”

“Yes.” She hadn’t bothered to draw the drapes. Sun streamed in, giving her an angelic glow, but her expression was wicked with desire.

He bolted the door, dropped his robe, and closed the distance between them in three steps.

“I thought you were tired.” He ran one finger along her jaw to her neck and down.

She tilted her head to give him better access. “I am, but not too tired.”

“I thought you did not trust me after our disagreement.”

“Has anyone ever told you you talk too much, Dorian?”

He laughed. “On more than one occasion.”

He covered her mouth with his and pulled her soft skin against his. His shaft settled at the top of her thighs. Her firm, round breasts crushed warmly to his chest.

He grabbed her backside and lifted her.

She wrapped long legs around his hips and pulled up until the head of his cock prodded her wet center.

The bed was too far. His need was too great. With only two steps to the wall, he pressed her back against the damask wall covering and drove deep inside. “So wet, Lilly. You feel wonderful.”

She moaned something that sounded like his name and more words wrapped into one unintelligible syllable. Her fingers dug into his shoulders.

He kissed her ear and neck and reveled in the warm scent that was uniquely Lilly.

She arched her back and gripped him with her legs while pressing her arms against his shoulders. She lifted herself up and down as he moved in and out, deepening their connection with every thrust.

Her nails dug into his back, the pain adding to his pleasure. She threw back her head and screamed as her channel clutched at him.

It was torture, but he stilled and let her pleasure ebb before he carried her to the bed and lowered them both to the mattress.

Still inside her, he stilled until her body relaxed around his shaft. She was silky with arousal, and he slid out before plunging deep. He rolled, moving her to the top, and she rose up on her knees, riding him until they were both slick with sweat.

With every rise and fall, a cry escaped her stunning lips. His body tightened, and he fought to hold on. He swirled his fingers around her bud until she screamed his name and her core convulsed, pushing him to his final ecstasy.

She collapsed on top of him.

Her hair shrouded him from the light until she leaned up, her elbows on his chest.

Her smile was brighter than the sunshine streaming in.

“Tell me you do not see how perfect we are together? Make me the happiest man in the world and marry me, Lilly.”

She touched his cheek and rolled away. “I see we are compatible in many ways, but I cannot marry you, Dorian. I do not believe you can be happy with the daughter of a seamstress.”

He started to speak.

She placed her fingers over his lips. “Nor do I believe I will ever find happiness with a nobleman. It is all too reminiscent of my youth, Dorian. None of it is your fault, but it is how I feel.”

“Then this is just an outlet for your frustration? I mean nothing to you?” His anger bubbled to the surface, and he bolted off the bed.

“No. Not only that. We have become very good friends. I hope we always will be. Please do not be angry because I cannot see a romantic future for us. I’m only being realistic. You and I are from different worlds.”

“I care nothing about anyone outside of you and me. My mother likes you. Brice respects you. I do not need anything else from society. Frankly, my family’s approval is nice, but it would not sway my opinion. I want you as my wife.”

“You say that now, but someday this war with the demons will be over, and if we live, what then? How will you feel when the Lord Marquis de Montalembert is no longer welcome in the parlors of London and Edinburg because he married a servant?”

“Oh, Lilly, you think so little of me.” The knot in his chest tightened and he turned away from her. Donning his robe, he walked to the door, then reached for the bolt. “I do not believe that could happen, since if we still carried a title, you would be the Marchioness de Montalembert. A title for which there are no longer any lands, I might add. My family has only what we have purchased and earned with monies my father managed to bring out of France. Even if I never received another invitation, having you by my side would be more than enough. I do not care if your name is Blunt, Dellacourt, or any other pseudonym you might choose. It only matters that it should be Lambert.”

Her mouth opened, but a knock on the door silenced her.

Dorian opened the door.

Stuart stood in the hall with his normally stoic expression. “My apologies for the intrusion. I have an urgent message for you, my lord. It was delivered by a boy from the street, but it has the seal of The Company. I did not think it should wait.”

Dorian tried to brush away the tightness and anger consuming him. She had rejected his proposal. He should have known better. Overwhelmed by what they shared in bed, he brought up marriage too soon.
Dammit.
With a brisk nod, he took the note and closed the door. No reason for the servants to know there was trouble between Lillian and him.

Black wax depicting the winged lion holding a sword sealed the envelope. He broke it. “We are ordered to Holyrood. Help has not arrived to guard the place yet, and we are needed.”