Nash's Niche (Behind Closed Doors) (10 page)

Chapter Fourteen

Nash waited until Felicity shut the door carefully behind her and locked it. Once he'd closed the stud books, he walked across to the hall entrance and turned his key.

The door opened to his touch, and as he suspected Melbrow, his major domo, stood there. However, it was not Lord Welland who accompanied Melbrow, but
His Lordship's wife. Nash blinked. His major domo was poker faced, and Judith Welland looked ready to faint. Nash wondered if there were any smelling salts in the house.

"Ahem, m'lord." Melbrow coughed in a theatrical manner. Really the man should be on the stage with Mr. Keane. Nash raised one eyebrow. Behind Lady Welland
, Melbrow's eyelid flicked downward for a brief second.

"Lady Welland would like a word M'lord. Mrs. Whittering will be happy to stand by for
propriety’s sake if you so desire?"

"Oh, please no." Judith Welland's tone was frantic. Nash was intrigued as to why she was standing in front of him and not her husband. "I just need to speak with
His Lordship. I'm married, so this is not an assignation. He is honorable, and I will not be much more than a few minutes."

Nash bowed. "Then we will be fine
, Melbrow. I will leave the door open for propriety’s sake, and you will retreat far enough so we are not overheard, and not so far that you wouldn't come running if the lady calls for assistance." He didn't wait to see Melbrow's reaction. Nash reckoned his major domo wasn't called Melbrow the highbrow eyebrow without a reason. With a smile Nash offered his arm to Judith.

"Shall we?"

Her lips trembled and her body shook as she let him lead her into the study. Nash mused that if he said 'boo' she would run.

"Why not sit on the chaise?" he said in a soft level voice. "And let me get you a drink. Port?"

Judith sat where he indicated, and shook her head. "I'm fine, My Lord."

Somehow he doubted that, but forbade to answer. Instead Nash pulled up a ladder
-back chair and sat facing her. "So, how may I help you?" She turned her reticule over and over in her hands and took several deep shuddering breaths. By the time the clock had moved on several minutes with its steady tick, Nash wondered if she was going to ever answer.

"Not me." she was silent again. "Stanley."

Her husband?

"You wish me to help your husband?" Nash was confused. He hoped Felicity was listening, and would be able to shed some light on the matter.

Judith shook her head. "I want to know where he is."

Now Nash was more confused than ever. Why did she suppose he would know that?

"I have no idea," he said honestly. "Why should I?"

Judith dropped her reticule. "You have to know." Her voice rose and Nash put out a hand to reassure her. She didn't even look at it. "He was coming to see you. He is determined you know more about my cousin's disappearance than you allow. And as she is betrothed to your brother, he felt sure you will assist him."  She gulped. "He shows his displeasure with me
, you know." It wasn't a question, it was said as a fact. "And he left saying you would tell him the truth if he had to whip it out of you. He's determined and strong. Please, if you know where Felicity is, don't tell him. The more I hear and see, the more I feel she is not for Peregrine. Somehow, Stanley thinks the marriage will be good for himself in some way. It frightens me."

As he looked at her wan face, Nash felt a stab of pity, even if his skin pricked with suspicion. Was she all above board, or was there an ulterior motive in her artful explanation? He wasn't sure, but determined to be as noncommittal as possible.

"I have no notion where your cousin is. As I explained to your husband, I have been away for several weeks, and didn't have the pleasure of meeting her when she stayed with you. I don't know where she is." It was almost the truth: he didn't actually know if she was in the cupboard and listening in. "And as I said, I have no idea where Welland is. He hadn't been near or by, for over a week." And then he'd been sent away with a flea in his ear. "I'm sorry my lady, I cannot help you."

She gave him a long considering look, and Nash was hard pressed not to squirm. He was inclined to agree with Felicity's assessment of Judith's intelligence—that there was more to the lady than she showed to the world.

"What makes you think that your husband wants your cousin to marry my brother for reasons other than their wellbeing?" he asked suddenly. She jumped.

"I beg your pardon?" Judith blinked and licked her lips in a nervous way. "What?"

"Your husband, your cousin, my brother," he said. "What is the connection?"

"I really don't know. Look
, My Lord, this is difficult. For a wife to accuse her husband of anything underhand is tantamount to treason. But all of a sudden I have silks and he has horses and money. For so many years our existence has been…" She hesitated. "Not quite hand to mouth, but a careful one. I have practiced economy and we lived quietly and well within our limited means. Now we are entertaining, and he talks of buying a house in London once more. I may not be the most aware person in this world, but even I can add up."

For the first time, Nash felt sorry for her. "I will ask around with discretion
if you would like me to," he said, as he picked his words carefully. "Perhaps my brother might…"

"No." she cut him off with a decisive slice of her hand in the air. "No," she said again, quieter the second time. "If
…well, if he is in trouble, I don't want to compound it. All I want to know is that my cousin is safe and happy, and somehow her disappearance is not down to Stanley. If all were well with her, I wouldn't tell my husband. I may not have a happy marriage, My Lord, but it is the one I am stuck with. As long as you can't help me, I'll take my leave." She curtsied and turned away toward the door.

"Wait." Another, determined voice commanded their attention.

Both Nash and Judith turned at the command.

"I'm well
. I'm happy. I'm not going to marry Peregrine. I'll stay hidden for as long as it takes, oh and my disappearance is of my own volition."

Nash groaned, even as Judith darted forward. "Felicity?"

"In the flesh," Felicity said, as the two women embraced. She looked imploringly over Judith's head at Nash, and mouthed, "What else could I do?"

Judith burst into tears, and Felicity stroked her back in a soothing gesture.

"Nash?" Felicity spoke in an undertone. "Can you bring tea and sandwiches for us? I think we all need to talk."

He was sure she was correct. "Lock the door behind me." He strode out, and down the stairs. Melbrow was hovering at the bottom, his face anxious.

"It's well. Our latest visitor is being comforted by our earlier one. Don't play the innocent, Melbrow; I know you all know about my lady. And that she will wed me, not my brother."

"Ah as you say
, My Lord, and please accept my felicitations."

Nash laughed
. Nothing ever seemed to faze Melbrow, something Nash was ever grateful for. "Thank you. May we have tea and sandwiches brought to the upstairs study for the ladies? And a jug of ale for me? I fear this may all take a while. If my brother and his companion return, can you send someone to warn me? I think we need to keep the knowledge of both our visitors to ourselves for the time being."

"I agree
, My Lord, and it will all be seen to immediately." Melbrow walked in the direction of the kitchens, and Nash made his way back up the stairs. Why did Melbrow always afford the salutation My Lord with so much emphasis it seemed he was speaking with capital letters? Nash had no idea.

To his relief, the door to the study had been locked, and he announced his presence before he unlocked it and went in. Felicity and Judith were sitting side by side on the long settee.

"Judith has seen a stranger around this area as well," Felicity announced as he shut the door behind them. "Several strangers in fact, and some have visited her house under the cover of darkness."

"One
seemed peculiar," Judith said in such a soft voice Nash had to strain to hear. "Somehow, he was all wrong. You need to understand: I was banished to my room early on any evening visitors were due. Oh, Stanley never said openly why, except it was for my own good. This night I'd detoured via my sewing room to pick up my tambour, and I hadn't had the chance to leave it before Stanley's visitor arrived. I peeked down the stairs, and saw him. Something about him was unusual, but I can't put my finger on what."

"That was how I felt when we visited the cottage
, Nash," Felicity reminded him. "Something not quite right. We've discussed this mystery man and we're sure it's one and the same person. What's wrong, we can't think."

Nash trusted women's intuition. "If you say something doesn't fit, I believe you." There was a knock on the door. "Refreshments. No need to move
, love, I've told Melbrow I know what you've all been up to. He seemed relieved." He walked to the door and opened it.

Instead of Melbrow carrying a tray, Abraham stood there carrying a
lady’s cloak.

"Peregrine is on his way, and Judith and Felicity need to hide."

Judith? That's something to think about.

Judith stood up, and Nash watched Felicity's mouth drop open as her cousin ran across the room and into Abraham's arms.

"Abraham, what shall we do?" Judith sounded frantic.

"Leave via the servant's stair?" Felicity suggested, and opened the bedchamber door. "And I shall retire to my cupboard."

Chapter Fifteen

Felicity watched with undisguised interest as Abraham put his arm around Judith. The look of relief, and what Felicity privately thought of as excessive mawkishness on her cousin's face gave her a lot to think about.

"Is the door locked?" she asked Abraham, who didn't seem bothered. With a mutter of exasperation, Felicity checked that both the entrance to the hall and the one to the study were secured. "The doors are locked. Hello? Anyone there?" she said in exasperation to her cousin.

Judith looked at her. "Sorry?"

Felicity shook her head in amusement. "Never mind. If Abraham needs to get you home, I suggest you take the
servants’ stair now, and turn away from the kitchen when you reach the bottom. The way is straightforward, and Abe knows these woods better than I."

"Will you be all right?" Judith sounded worried. "Oh I know what you've told me, but as Peregrine is on his way, what if he finds you here? He might challenge Nash to a duel or kidnap you or," her voice lowered. "Force himself on you."

What?
"Judith, love, contrary to what people have tried to demand of me, I have never had an understanding with Peregrine. He has never even indicated he'd like to take advantage of me."

"I should hope not. The Brigstocks' would never sully their name with such untoward behavior." Judith sounded shocked. Felicity bit back her grin. Not all of them.

"Well, whatever, you need to go. And later you can both tell me what's going on between you."

"Ah Flissy, nothing yet." Abraham used her childhood nickname. "But one day? I can only but hope." He opened the door to the bathing chamber. "Come on love, we best get going before you're missed. It's dark but we need to take care." With a smile he ushered Judith out.

"We'll talk as soon as we can," Judith whispered as she left.

Felicity leant on the door as she shut it behind them. She was exhausted and she wanted to think over what had happened, listen in to what transpired in the study, and take a nap. All at once.

The grandfather clock in the hall chimed the hour, and she was dismayed to see how much time had passed. Would it be safe to wriggle into the cupboard now, or might she alert anyone next door to the fact there was something bigger than a mouse moving about? Nash had reassured her the walls were thick, and no noise was usually heard from one room to the next. It was only by some quirk or anther that by standing in the cupboard you could hear what was said in the study. Nash thought that one time perhaps there had been an entrance at that point between the two rooms, but Felicity wasn't prepared to take any chances. Still, she needed to know what was happening.

She tiptoe
d toward the cupboard and let herself inside. In reality it was more of a secret hidey-hole, no more than two foot deep and three foot wide. It was as well she had no fear of confined spaces, as it was a snug fit once the door was pulled to.

"Fire, why…?"
That was Nash's voice. Then all she heard was a mutter in a different voice, followed by, "guns."

Guns? Who had guns and why
? She hardly dare breathe as she listened. Who were they after?

Then yet another voice. "Female… Ah…"

Why couldn't they speak clearly? Surely they weren't saying it was a female with a gun? Nash's diction was perfect, probably so she could hear what he said. Felicity cursed the fact she'd missed the beginning of whatever conversations were happening.

The next sentence she heard with stunning clarity and knew at once who spoke.



"The traitor is a female?" It was undoubtedly Peregrine who spoke. His clipped,correct diction rang out, even through wall and plaster. "What makes you think so?
"



One of the earlier voices answered him, one Felicity thought belonged to Harry, the other
Gretton brother.

"A female from Derbyshire, one who attended an excellent female academy no doubt, but yes. One who plays a part in society, as she claims to have met me, and upper class as well, as she was quite derogatory about my methods of fighting.
"

There was silence for a few moments, and then a few more words, as if spoken on reflection, and much softer. She thought that once more she didn't hear the beginning of the sentence. "…Myself…kicking her in the ballocks wasn't going to be a viable strategy."

The voice faded again but Felicity didn't try to hear any
more. She needed Nash and fast, but the only problem was how. With as much care as she had crept into the tiny room, Felicity let herself out and went to sit in the chair she had adopted as her own. Big, comfy and set at an angle so she could see out, and no one see her.

Down below she could see toward the stables and the kennels. There was no sign of life. Felicity was certain Nash would be with her once he got rid of his visitors, and that those visitors would need to go toward the stables. Therefore she'd have time to put her plans into actions. She'd be ready for him.

Apart from anything else, Felicity decided she owed Nash a surprise orgasm—or two. Felicity grinned to herself and rummaged inside a drawer until she found what she wanted. Then she settled down to wait.

She'd hardly opened the latest novel from the pen of Miss Jane Austen before the door from the study was flung open and Nash strode in.

The door banged shut behind him with such a resounding thud Felicity flinched. Nash turned in her direction and stopped mid stride.

"You're here?"

She nodded. "Of course, where else would I be? Ah, Nash…" he grabbed her arms and pulled her to her feet. The contents of her lap fell unheeded onto the carpet. The book fell open its pages fluttered as they settled. Felicity glanced down. Miss Austen shouldn't be treated so roughly. Nash's fingers tightened on her shoulders.

"You really are here." His voice held a wealth of satisfaction.

"I am, and oh Nash you wouldn't believe what I've re… Hmmph." Her lips were covered with his and she lost all coherent thought as he thrust his tongue into her mouth and mimicked just how he thrust his cock into her, mouth or otherwise. Felicity returned his attention with gusto. She fumbled with his breeches, and did her best to move them downward over his cock. It wasn't cooperative, as it stretched the knit to the limit.

Nash pulled his mouth back. "No time, we need to talk." Even so he moved his fingers under the neckline of her bodice and tweaked one hard nipple.

"Not fair." Felicity nipped his ear and let her teeth sink hard enough to show she meant her words. "I want you now."

"Later." He held her hands together in his, and lifted them high into the air. "Later
, I promise. But first we must talk."

Felicity had never been one to practice her feminine wiles on a man, indeed she wasn't sure she even had any, but she decided needs must.

Think sad thoughts. How I would feel if the man with the gun had killed Nash?
That thought was enough to make her feel moisture gather at the corner of her eyes, and she blinked rapidly. It was silly, and so not the way she normally behaved, Felicity decided she couldn't continue in that vein. She tried to bring her hands down to wipe her eye.

Nash looked down at her. "Oh love, don't cry." He looked over her shoulder toward where the tiny carriage clock sat on the mantle and ticked off the minutes. He grinned so suddenly, and so wickedly that Felicity was startled.

"Well now." He spoke in a long, slow drawl. "Have you heard of the concept of a fast ride?"

She had, the stable lads often bandied it about as an expression for what she had so heard called a fast fuck. "Yes of course, I may be female, but I use my ears, and I'm not one who minces her words, as you well know. Do we have time for that?"

She held her breath, and the ticking of the clock echoed the noise of her heartbeat in her mind.

"We have tim
e," he confirmed.

"Good." Felicity backed toward the bed, and as she hoped, Nash neither let go of her nor lowered her hands but walked pace to pace with her. Once she felt the edge of the bed beneath her knees, Felicity let her body go limp and tumble
d back onto the coverlet. As Nash leaned over her to follow, she twisted and tugged. The unexpected movement left him sprawling face down beside her. His hold on her hands loosened, and Felicity giggled as she pulled them away. Before he had time to react, she fished out the scarves she'd hidden earlier and tied his hands behind his back.

"Can you roll over?"

He lifted his head and stared at her over his shoulder. "I can, but why should I?"

"Well, if you want me to be able
to reach the parts of you that I want to, you need to give me access."

Nash raised an eyebrow. 

Damn him, he knows what that look does to me. Makes me want to lie back and let him take charge.

"If I don't?"

Even though the look in his eye showed Felicity he was teasing, she strove to keep her temper. Damn it if they only had a short time, she wanted to touch him, to do things to him, to make him hot and ready to come.

"Then I’ll leave you to stew and service myself instead." She put her
hand over her mouth in shock. Had she really said that?

He winked.
"That is almost an incentive not to do as you ask. However, this time, as I am inquisitive to see what ideas you have I'll do as you ask." He rolled over so fast that Felicity hardly saw the move. "I'm all yours."

She licked her lips. Where to start? His cock moved under the material of his breeches, and Felicity decided it needed attention. She lifted Nash's pantaloons from his waist, and drew them carefully over his prick. As it sprung free from its
confines, she gave into temptation and licked the head, catching the drops of liquid that gathered there on her tongue and swallowing. Nash groaned. "Let me return the favor, please love, let me taste you.”

"Later
. This is for me to do and you to enjoy. Believe me Nash, I'm wet already, just at the thought of how I make you feel. Let me show you what I can do? Please, if we have time?" She bent her head to suck the tip of his cock once more and then sat back on her knees to decide what to do next.

"How to make me come well within our timescale," he said hoarsely. "That feeling is as nigh on perfection as anything I have experienced—since the last time we coupled."

"And how long was that?"

Felicity whipped her head round. The man standing in the doorway from the study had the look of an avenging devil.

"Am I to take it you are no longer affianced to me? Or is this part of some strange pre-marital ritual I know nothing about?"