Savage Spring (12 page)

“Don’t forget to tell Molly,” he reminded her before sweeping out of the room.

She wanted to shout at him that if he wanted Molly he could tell her himself, but the door slammed behind him. Sitting down on the bed, Alexandria propped her head on her folded hands. It wasn’t her place to question Mr. Knight’s morals. If she knew what was good for her, she had better do as he asked or be tossed out into the street as he had threatened on several occasions.

It wasn’t until much later in the evening that Alexandria went to find Molly. She was halfway downstairs when the sound of the servant girl’s laughter reached her. Glancing down into the tap room, she saw the woman perched on a heavyset man’s lap while he fondled and caressed her openly. Setting her jaw stubbornly, Alexandria climbed back up the stairs. If Mr. Knight wanted a woman like Molly, then he would just have to do the asking himself. She had no intention of approaching that woman. Let him throw her out! She would just have to find a job of some kind. She could take care of herself; she didn’t need him!

Farley came in a short time later, and Alexandria told him Mr. Knight wanted them to share the room next door. The old man went to bed early, so Alexandria tiptoed into the room and saw him sleeping on the floor as he had the night before. She made her way to the bed, and curled up on it, lost in total misery. She didn’t know where she was going from here. Alexandria was afraid that the authorities would
be searching for her, and she knew she would have to be very careful not to get caught. With that thought in mind, she drifted into a troubled sleep.

Tag sat at the kitchen table and unwrapped the parcel that contained his mother’s jewels. Mrs. Green exclaimed over the valuable pieces that had been left in her care.

“I never knew what the packet contained, but Simon told me to protect it and never tell another living soul about you and your sister.”

He reached out his hand and squeezed hers. “I cannot thank you enough. If only there was some way to repay you for your kindness.”

“I need nothing but your thanks. I have come to feel that I know you and your sister, Joanna, from hearing about you from Simon. Is your sister well?”

“Yes, Joanna is happier than anyone I know. She has a good life.”

“Simon was always worried about her. He seemed to think she had lost some of her reasoning.”

Tag laughed, remembering how upset Simon had been when Joanna chose to stay with Windhawk. “I can assure you my sister has all of her faculties.” Then Tag became serious. “Did Simon leave me any message?”

“He was afraid to write anything down, so he told me what to relay to you. Your uncle is an invalid and is bedridden. I am told his speech is garbled, and one can hardly understand him.”

“If that is so, then who sent the two men who tried to kill me?”

“Humph, likely as not, it would be his wife. I hear tell Claudia Landon is a regular terror. Simon told me to warn you that she is the one to look out for, because she is vicious and cruel. Hers is the hand that runs your shipping company. She had employed a lawyer who is at her beck and call. Simon seemed to think that he must have drawn up papers falsifying your signature. Otherwise, she would never
have been allowed to have free reign over the James Import-Export Shipping.”

“What’s the name of her lawyer?”

“I’ve written it down on this piece of paper for you, as well as the location of his office. Simon thought it would be best for you to proceed slowly and allow no one to know your true identity for now.”

“What’s to stop me from going to my father’s old lawyer, Mr. Barker, for help?”

“You can’t. He’s dead. Simon said he died mysteriously in a fire that destroyed all his important papers. Simon told me your father’s will and all the documents relating to your inheritance were also destroyed. Simon went to the city registrar one day to find out if the will had been admitted for probate and found there was no such document. You can see this Claudia Landon covers herself very well.”

“Yes, apparently she does. This might be more difficult than I first anticipated.”

“What are your plans?”

“I think the best way to proceed will be to assume a false identity. I have been thinking about setting up a household and establishing myself as having just come over from England.”

“Have you money to do this?”

“Yes, money will not be a problem.”

“Allow me to help you. I think Simon would want that. You will need a housekeeper—I can fill that role. I believe you should have people around you that you can trust.”

He took her hand and squeezed it. “I would be very grateful if you would fill that role for me, Mrs. Green. Tomorrow I shall search for a house to rent. It will have to be something big and showy.”

Mrs. Green’s face brightened. “I know just such a house. The Carsons own it, and they have gone to Paris to live. You could make inquiries about their mansion.”

Tag nodded. “Tell me everything Simon found out about Claudia Landon, Mrs. Green.”

“I know what the gossips say, and it doesn’t bear repeating. She wears expensive gowns and jewels, attracting men like bees to a honeypot. Simon would get so angry, knowing that it was your money she was using to deck herself out in finery.”

Tag stood up. “I want to thank you for all your help. I will send word to you as soon as I find out about the Carson home. Are you sure you want to leave your present employment to work for me?”

She walked him to the door and took his hand. “I will feel like I am fulfilling a wish of Simon’s by helping you. He lived for the day you would return, so he could help you. If you will allow it, I will take his place.”

On an impulse, Tag leaned forward and kissed her wrinkled cheek. “I will indeed consider it a pleasure to have you, Mrs. Green.”

Her eyes were brimming with tears. “I shall serve you well, just as my Simon would have, had he lived, Mr. James.”

“I am going by the name of Falcon Knight for now, for the obvious reasons. I’ll be getting in touch,” Tag said, reaching for the doorknob.

“Oh, one other thing. Some of your father’s dockworkers told Simon that there was a stranger hanging about the shipyard asking questions about you and your sister. Simon didn’t seem to think he had any connection in any way to your uncle and Claudia.”

“Did he have any notion who the man was?”

“No, but Simon tried unsuccessfully to find the man. He was puzzled by the incident right up to his death.”

As Tag rode back down the hill, he had many things on which to reflect. The revenge and hatred he carried in his heart cried out to be satisfied, but he was smart enough to know he must proceed cautiously. There was more at stake here than revenge. He would have to outsmart Claudia and bring her tumbling down. Windhawk had taught him patience, but right now his patience was strained to the limit.

Alexandria stirred in her sleep, and her hand automatically went up to touch her mother’s cameo necklace which she had worn since her mother’s death. It had always given her comfort and made her feel closer to her mother. Alexandria came awake with a start! The necklace wasn’t there! She felt around in the bed, hoping it had come off in her sleep. When she didn’t find it there, she dropped to her knees and searched the floor, hoping she wouldn’t wake Farley. She became desperate when she couldn’t find the necklace. Alexandria tried to remember the last time she had seen it. Standing up and sinking down on the bed, she remembered removing it that morning just before she had taken a bath.

Suddenly, Alexandria knew she had to go to Falcon Knight’s room and search for her necklace. She couldn’t take a chance on his finding it in the morning. It might make him suspicious. She didn’t know what time it was or even if Mr. Knight had returned.

Not wanting to awaken Farley, she dared not dress. The old man had given her a long shirt to sleep in, and it covered most of her body, falling to well below her knees. She knew the hallway would be in darkness, and if she were in luck no one would see her.

All she knew was that she had to get her mother’s necklace back!

When Tag reached his room, he didn’t bother to light the lamp. Stripping off his clothing, he lay down on the bed, lost in thought. Lately, he hadn’t allowed himself to think about Morning Song and his daughter. Tonight, for some reason, the loneliness seemed to lie heavy on his heart. What was he doing in Philadelphia when all he really wanted to do was to return to the Blackfoot lands?

He could feel the restlessness stir from deep within his body. It had been a long time since he had been with a woman, and he felt an ache deep inside that needed fulfilling. He wondered if Alex had given Molly his message. Sitting up, he reached for the bottle of rum Farley had left on the night table. He hadn’t had much experience with strong spirits, since Windhawk didn’t like his braves to drink the white man’s liquor. Removing the cork, he took a deep drink and almost choked when the fiery liquid burned a path down his throat. Coughing, he tried to catch his breath. When the burning stopped, he took another deep drink, hoping it would help him through the lonely night. Suddenly he remembered Morning Song’s sweetness, and he knew he didn’t want to be with Molly.

After a few more deep swallows of the rum, Tag felt his head begin to swim. Lying down, he felt his whole body relax. He was tired and felt himself nodding off.

Alexandria clung to the darkened shadows in the hallway, thinking she should have dressed before she left her room. What would she do if someone were to come along and find her dressed only in the shirt? She considered returning to the room she shared with Farley, but decided it was important that she retrieve her cameo necklace.

She listened outside Falcon Knight’s door, not knowing whether to go in or not. She couldn’t tell if he had come in yet, but she hoped he hadn’t. Alexandria tried the door and opened it easily. She thought the hour might be somewhere around midnight, and she hoped that if he was in the room he would be asleep. As she strained her eyes in the darkness, Alexandria could see Mr. Knight’s outline on the bed.

She remembered placing the necklace on the bedside table, so she moved across the room quietly, hoping he wouldn’t awaken. The room was too dark to see the night table, and she reached out her hand, not wanting to bump into it.

Before she knew what was happening, Alexandria felt his
hand tighten on hers, and she was pulled forward to land on top of him.

She tried to struggle as his lips fastened on hers, but he gripped her about the waist, pulling her tighter against his body.

“You’re not Molly,” he growled against her lips. “Who are you?”

Alexandria tasted the liquor on his lips and feared he must be drunk. She dared not speak because she was afraid he would recognize her voice.

“I like a woman who doesn’t talk much,” he said, nibbling on her neck and sending shivers of delight coursing throughout her body. She knew she should say something, but her throat seemed to close off, and she couldn’t make a sound. When his hand went up to tangle in her hair, he pulled her head forward, and she felt his lips brush against hers. Alexandria’s body felt cold and hot at the same time. Her senses were being awakened for the first time by a man’s touch. Against her will, her lips parted as he probed her mouth with his tongue. She thought if he didn’t stop, she would swoon. Never had she imagined a man’s kiss could render her so helpless.

Alexandria felt him roll her over and push the shirt she was wearing up to her waist.

Now she felt panic! When she tried to push him away, he only laughed. “Don’t play games with me. Don’t you think I know why you came to my room? Molly couldn’t come herself, so she sent you.”

Alexandria shook her head, but he paid not the slightest heed. She was about to speak when she felt his hand move up her stomach to cup her breast.

“Your skin is so soft,” he breathed in her ear. “I have an ache deep inside that you can ease, my silent one.”

Alexandria was now incapable of speech. Where before she would have fought him, she now wanted nothing more than to soothe the ache he talked about.

“I need someone,” he whispered hotly against her ear. “Help me find a few hours of forgetfulness,” he said in an agonized voice. “I have loved but one woman in my life, and I will never love again. Help me get over the pain of losing her.”

Alexandria reached up and caught his face in her hands and guided his mouth down to hers, feeling his sadness in the depths of her heart. She would give him anything he asked. She now admitted to herself that she had been drawn to this man since the first moment she had seen him. In her innocence, she gave no thought to what was to follow. All she knew was that he needed her.

As his lips covered hers, she heard a groan escape his throat, and it touched off a mountain of feelings that rushed to the surface. She
loved
this man who had told her that he had once loved another and would never love again.

She was soft in his arms as he lifted her up and pulled the shirt over her head. When he pulled her back against him, naked flesh collided with naked flesh. A whimper escaped her lips when she felt his mouth move down her throat to tease the nipple of one breast, then move on to taste the other.

Tag was surprised to feel the overwhelming desire that ran through his body. Momentarily, he tried to deny that this strangely silent woman had reached deep inside him and touched his emotions. It was too dark to see her face, so he traced its outline with his lips. “So sweet, so lovely,” he breathed in her ear. “Have you come to torture me?”

Alexandria shook her head, and it invoked soft laughter from him. “Oh, I think you have. In your profession, you have been trained to please a man, have you not?” he whispered softly.

Alexandria felt a thrill go through her body at the knowledge that she was pleasing him. Not realizing what was to come next, she hoped he wouldn’t be disappointed when he discovered she was untested in lovemaking.

As he shifted his weight on top of her, she felt her body
sink into the soft feather mattress. When his swollen manhood touched the inside of her leg, she began squirming with a burning need that cried out to be fulfilled.

“You stir my blood, my silent one. Feel how you excite me,” he said, taking her hand and placing it on his swollen member. Alexandria heard him gasp as her hand gently grasped the throbbing flesh. Pulling her further beneath him, he thrust forward and entered her virgin body. Alexandria bit her lip to keep from crying out in pain.

“What the hell!” he said, pulling back. “Who are you? You have never been with a man before. You can’t be a friend of Molly’s.”

When she realized he was about to withdraw from her, Alexandria moved forward and pulled him toward her. Raising her head slightly, she found his lips and smothered the moan that issued from his mouth. After that, everything became a new plane of pleasure for Alexandria. She had entered a world of touching and feeling she hadn’t even known existed. The love she felt for this man she hardly knew seemed to be the driving force in her life. She would live to bring him pleasure. After having no one to care for in so long, she now had a purpose in life.

Alexandria kept her silence as he took her into a world of pleasure and sensuous feelings. His hands caressed her body while his lips bruised her mouth with savage kisses. His smooth, fluid motions reached deep inside her body and aroused her beyond her wildest dreams. Alexandria could now feel the tension mounting, and she knew they were on the brink of something new and even more exciting. As his lips covered hers, she thrust her hips against his and felt his body shudder. Whatever the unknown promise of fulfillment was, it had not been obtained. He kissed her deeply and clasped her tightly against him, and she felt him relax.

“Sweet, little innocent one, I have never felt this way before. You gave me pleasure as no other ever has…” Tag stopped himself just in time. He had been ready to admit that he had never felt such joy and fulfillment. This strangely
silent woman had aroused his body as Morning Song never had, and he felt in some way he had betrayed his dead wife. In spite of himself, he clasped the mysterious woman to him, brushing a stray curl from her face. He was trying not to think about what had just happened to him, but she excited him almost beyond belief.

Alexandria curled up in Falcon Knight’s arms, feeling a soft, warm feeling descending upon her. She was still puzzling over what had happened between the two of them, when her eyes drifted shut, and she fell into a peaceful sleep.

Alexandria awoke and blinked her eyes. The room was shrouded in darkness, and she tried to remember where she was. She tested her lips with her fingers and found them to be swollen and sensitive to the touch—in fact, her whole body felt somehow different.

Suddenly she remembered what had taken place with Falcon Knight, and she sat up quickly. She must have fallen asleep because she was still in his room. Reaching out her hand, she discovered Falcon no longer lay beside her. Her gaze swept the room and she saw his dark, shadowy outline sitting in a chair near the window. Somehow, even from across the room, she could feel his troubled thoughts and wanted to reach out and bring him comfort.

Getting out of the bed, she walked hesitatingly toward him, not knowing how to approach him.

“I was wondering when you would wake up,” he said in a deep voice. Falcon reached out and took her hand and drew her down in front of him. “I think we should talk, don’t you?”

Alexandria nodded, knowing he couldn’t see her features, but he would be able to see the movement of her head.

“I don’t know who you are or what you are doing in my room. Had I known you were untouched, I would never have taken advantage of you. Understand me—I don’t feel guilty for what happened between us, since you are the one who came to me. Is that understood?”

Again Alexandria nodded. She knew that in spite of his statement, he was feeling guilty, and she wished she could put his mind at rest. For some reason he was troubled because he had been the first man to be with her. Alexandria wanted to reassure him that she didn’t blame him at all. Reaching out her hand, she placed it against his cheek.

When Tag felt her hand on him, he jerked away from her as if she had burned him with her touch. He grabbed her hand, gripping it tightly.

“Tonight you were introduced for the first time to a man’s body. Is your appetite such that you want to learn more about the lust that exists between a man and a woman?” His tone was harsh and accusing.

Alexandria shook her head, trying to pull her hand out of his grasp. Falcon had completely misunderstood her. She had only wanted to bring him some measure of comfort, because she knew he must be suffering from something that happened to him in the past.

Tag grabbed her by the waist and pulled her against his hard body. “If it’s lust you want, little no name, I can give it to you.”

His lips came down on hers, and he ground her mouth against his. Alexandria struggled with all her might, but still he held her fast. Suddenly Alexandria’s struggling ceased as his hand moved up her silken thigh and he heard the sigh coming from deep inside her throat.

Tag hadn’t meant to make love to her a second time, but the feel of her soft breasts pressing against his chest sent the blood pounding in his temples. He tried to think of Morning Song’s face, but all he could think of was this woman who had no face and no name. So far he hadn’t even heard the sound of her voice, and still his blood seemed to rise to the boiling point at her touch.

He stood up, still kissing her, lifted her into his arms, and carried her to the bed. He placed her down, following her onto the soft mattress.

She twined her silken arms about his neck and he felt like a man who had come upon an oasis after thirsting for water on an endless desert. She was reaching inside him and tapping emotions that he hadn’t even known existed. Even though she had never been with a man before him, she stirred his body to the boiling point.

Alexandria suppressed a deep moan as he thrust forward inside her. He guided her hips so they were moving in unison with his, stirring her to the depths of her being. As had happened the time before, she felt a deep yearning building up deep inside her, and she arched her hips up, seeking release from the unknown pressure.

She felt the tension mounting as Falcon drove deeply into her. She heard him groan and felt their bodies shudder simultaneously. Alexandria seemed to go limp beneath him, in awe of what had just happened to her.

He was sprinkling kisses over her face and murmuring softly. “Sweet, oh so sweet.”

Alexandria felt his fingers lace through her hair, and he drew her face up to his. When he lowered his head to taste her honeyed lips, she felt her heart swell inside her breast.

Tag kissed and caressed her, wondering what there was about this woman that had touched him so deeply. When he had made love to her, he had only sought a release. He had neither wanted nor expected to experience such a deep fulfillment. Suddenly he thought of Morning Song and jerked his head up. Somehow he felt the need to hurt this woman who had caused him to forget Morning Song twice tonight. He thought that in causing her shame, he would relieve some of the guilt he felt for desiring her.

“Did I satisfy your lust?” he asked in a harsh tone. “If you feel the urge again you can always come to me. We have hardly tapped the surface tonight. There are many things I could introduce you to,” he said insultingly.

Alexandria watched him move away from her and felt the sting of his words. She wanted to crawl off somewhere and
hide—she wanted to voice her anger by telling him that he, to, had felt the lust he seemed to condemn in her. Standing up on shaky legs, she did neither.

Tag fumbled in the dark to find his britches. Pulling out a roll of bills, he thrust them into her hand. “I don’t know the going rate, but this should cover it,” he said coldly.

Alexandria suddenly felt soiled and dirty. As the tears blinded her, she threw the money on the bed, scooped up the shirt she had been wearing, and pulled it about her while dashing to the door. She feared he would follow her, so she quickly ducked into the room she shared with the old man.