The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh (19 page)

Harry was still for several moments. The crackle of the fire filled the silence. “Jamison wouldn't have liked that.”

“Have you remembered something?” Sebastian asked.

Like pieces of a puzzle, the scenario started falling into place. “There was an Englishman in the Foreign Office working for the French. He was being paid in gold coins. I went over to find the courier and intercept him. When I delivered the payment to the gentleman, we'd have him.”

Harry rubbed his forehead as it all came back to him. “Everything was going well until the blow. The ship hit something, and all hell broke loose. I helped as much as I could before I was knocked overboard. The next thing I remember is being on the beach.”

He raised his head and stared at Anna. “I left you in charge of my smuggling gang?”

“Sebastian was gone. Who else could you trust?”

Harry rubbed his face again. He'd clearly almost walked in on his best friend and his sister making love, and they wanted to talk about the smuggling gang. Were they trying to divert his attention from what they were doing? He clenched his jaw. “I don't understand why we're discussing them now.”

Anna stamped her foot. “Because we've been approached about bringing in French spies. Sebastian . . .”

Harry interrupted. “She was always the only person who could call you that.”

Rutherford grinned. “She still is.”

“Will you listen?” Anna asked impatiently. “Sebastian was called back to find out if there were any spies trying to come in. We found out about each other accidentally, and now we're working together.”

Harry regarded Rutherford, who coughed.

“Working with her,” he said, “has always been easier than working against her. You have no idea how glad I am you're back.”

Anna looked from Harry to Sebastian. “Oh, no you don't. You're not cutting me out. Harry can take over the gang again after we catch the spies.”

Harry laughed, softly at first then with great gawps. “Lady Rutherford, smuggling gang leader. Anna, have you forgotten Rutherford is the magistrate?”

Anna dropped her jaw and turned to her intended. “You never said a word.”

“You might not have accepted me.”

Harry laughed even harder.

Rutherford scowled. “By the way, Harry, you want to know why we're here? She found your book.”

Wiping his eyes, another memory niggled. Harry quickly sobered, hoping he was wrong. “Which book?”

His friend raised a supercilious brow.

Damn
. So much for wishful thinking. “
That
book?”

“
Oh good God
.” Now he really didn't want to know what had been going on.

Rutherford listened as Anna slid almost silently through the connecting doors into the chamber she'd assigned to him. The one on the opposite side of a parlor from her room in the children's wing. She appeared almost ghostly in a long flowing night rail. Her dark chestnut curls trailed over her shoulders to her waist. His fingers tingled as he looked forward to spearing them through her long, silky hair again. She slowly drew her gown over her head and tossed it onto a chair. Rutherford threw the covers back to welcome her as she climbed in on her hands and knees, cat-like in her grace. She touched her lips to his.

“Take me again.” Her voice was soft, low, and sultry.

Rutherford groaned. He could be ten times as tired as he was now and still not be able to resist her. “How do you want it?” he breathed into her ear.

“Any way you choose.”

He lay on his side, turning her back to his chest, and entered her. She drew a breath, and he covered her mouth, remembering her lusty cries. “Sweetheart, we're not in the cottage. You'll have to be quiet.”

Anna nodded.

“Do you want me to remove my hand?”

She shook her head.

Rutherford plunged into her soft warmth, then bent her forward so he could go deeper. Her body became almost rigid before she gave herself over to the delight. Anna grabbed his hand and held it fast against her mouth when she screamed.

He took all she could give him before he fractured. He cupped one perfect breast and drew her closer to him.

“Sebastian, I'm so happy. Life is almost perfect now.”

He nuzzled her hair, breathing in the fresh scent of the sea. “Yes.”

Perfect, now that Harry wasn't trying to kill Rutherford, and he had his best friend back. He should feel guilty about keeping Anna here in his bed, but she
had
come to him.

Her voice interrupted his musings. “I wonder what the lady he met is like.”

Rutherford chuckled quietly. “I'm sure you'll find out sooner than he wants to tell you.”

He traced her lips with his thumb. She was smiling. Harry had no idea how formidable his little sister had become in his absence. “Good night, my love.”

Anna twisted to kiss him. “Good night. I love you.”

Rutherford awoke just before dawn to Anna rocking against him. He grew hard and slipped into her wet heat. Her sounds were soft and breathy and a low keening noise emitted from her as she came for him.

He tightened his hold on her, and they slept until a knock on the connecting door woke them.

“Miss, you'd best come out now.”

“I'll be right there, Lizzy.”

Rutherford rolled her over to face him. “I hope she's discreet.”

“She's Kev's sister. Kiss me, I have to go.”

“I'll explain later.” Anna touched her lips to his, and the desire to keep her almost overwhelmed him. She threw on her nightgown.

“I'll see you at breakfast.” Anna smiled and blew him a kiss.

Rutherford watched her close the door and sent a prayer of thanks for last night. He could hardly wait for the wedding. He wanted to spend the rest of his life waking up with her.

The door from the corridor opened, and Robertson entered his room. Rutherford would have to tell his valet to start knocking.

He met Anna in the breakfast room and took in the large amount of eggs, ham, and toast on her plate. “No kippers?”

“No, I don't like them.” Anna waved her fork to indicate he was to take the seat next to her.

He pointed at her plate. “Are you always this famished in the morning?”

She wrinkled her forehead a little. “I've always had a good appetite, though I'm not sure when I was last this ravenous.”

“If I have anything to say about it,” he said as he walked to the sideboard, “you'll be this hungry a great deal of the time.”

“What do you mean?”

He grinned. “I shall join you in a large breakfast. With men, it's not so noticeable.”

She drew her brows together.

“My love, it's from our activities.”

A smile dawned on her face. Anna was sipping tea when Harry joined them.

“Now that we're all here,” Rutherford said, “I'll tell you about the note I received from Jamison. He's sending down helpers as soon as we notify him of the date the shipment's arriving.”

Anna set down her cup. “We probably won't receive much advance warning.”

“No doubt you're correct.” Rutherford nodded. “I'll mention that to Jamison. It would be a shame if they don't get here in time to partake in the fun.”

“I'll stand watch, as usual,” Anna said. “With the two of you and the smugglers, I don't see any reason you cannot take them yourselves, if need be.”

“My love, I'd prefer you not be alone.” Hell, she'd better not be there at all. “There's the second man to think about, and we don't know what his roll is. He may decide to observe as well.”

Anna gazed at him for a long moment, worrying her plump bottom lip. Finally, she said, “I won't argue with you, Sebastian. Though, remember, they won't have advance notice of
where
the shipment is arriving. I'll have the signals given as before, just prior to our readiness to accept delivery.”

“I suggest Rutherford stay with you,” Harry said. “Except for Kev, the smugglers don't know he's involved, and it might be a good idea to keep it like that.”

“And it will get you back in with the gang,” Anna said thoughtfully. “Sebastian, what do you think?”

“I agree.” He grinned. “I'd rather keep watch over you than a smuggler. If anything were to happen . . .”

She patted his hand, and her eyes twinkled with excitement. “This is quite like old times, with the three of us together. What shall we do today?”

“I have to go back to the Priory and check on my sisters. With Mother away for a few days, they need to be reminded they're still being watched.”

“Didn't you ask her to come straight back?”

“I did, but she had a friend she wanted to visit in Town.”

“I'm supposed to meet with your housekeeper today,” Anna said.

“That's right. I'd forgotten. You can get to know my sisters better as well.”

“Where is Lady Rutherford?” Harry asked curiously.

“Gone to fetch a young lady. Some granddaughter of a duke. Do you want to come with us?”

Harry shook his head. “No, I'll visit with Papa for a while. How long do you think you'll be?”

“Most of the morning,” Anna said.

“Can you meet me at the cottage after luncheon?”

She smiled. “I think we can manage that.”

Rutherford raised a brow. “Carriage or horses?”

Anna gave him a chagrined look. “We'll ride over to the Priory. If need be, we can take your curricle.”

After she left, he turned to Harry. “Percy Blanchard has become something of a problem.”

Harry sipped his tea. “I remember Percy as somewhat of a man milliner. What did he do?”

Rutherford told him about Lady Blanchard's telling anyone who would listen that Anna had no choice but to marry Percy and of Percy's attempted assault on Anna at the cottage. “He was watching her. It's the only way he could have found her alone. Fortunately, she had sent a message to me before she left.”

Harry's face had hardened. “I don't know whether to be pleased about Anna's intrepidity, or find Blanchard and kill him.”

“I already gave him quite a beating,” Rutherford said. “You're welcome to do it as well.”

“Let's see what he does,” Harry replied. “Now that he knows she is marrying you, he might give it up.”

“I wish I could be as sure as you,” Rutherford said as he poured more tea. “Tell me about the lady you met?”

Harry gave a bark of laughter. “What is it about betrothed men that makes all of you want to help your fellows follow the same path?”

Rutherford sobered. “Is it too soon for you?”

“It's not so much that as I want to know who I am first.” Harry ran a hand over his face. “Until then, I'm not in a position to offer marriage again.”

Anna glided back into the room. “You two look serious. What are you discussing?”

Rutherford stood and put his arm around her. She was his now, and he didn't care who saw him. “Marriage. Harry, we'll see you in a few hours.”

Harry bussed Anna on the cheek. “I used to tell you to be good.”

“You can still tell me to be good.” Anna reached up to return his kiss. “I'll see you soon.”

“Wait,” he said. “It just occurred to me that in two weeks I'll lose you.”

Anna glanced at the ceiling. “Harry, I'll be right down the road, and you'll have Sebastian as a brother.”

“We'll keep a room for you,” Rutherford teased.

“That's a promise I'll make sure you'll keep,” Harry retorted.

Rutherford caught up to Anna in the corridor leading to the side door and hooked his arm around her waist. “I love you.”

Anna stopped. “And I you. More than I ever knew. It's a different feeling than I thought it would be.”

He bent his head and kissed her. “I know what you mean. This has been very much of a revelation.”

Anna tilted her head. “I wonder if Harry is really interested in the lady he met.”

“Match-making already?”

“I just want him to be happy.”

Rutherford touched his lips tenderly to hers. “As do I. I want our children to play together.”

She placed her hands on his cheeks and opened her mouth to his questing tongue. “That's what I want as well.”

Lifting his head, he scoffed. “What you are going to do is scandalize the servants.”

 

Wistfully, Harry watched his sister and Rutherford leave the room and wondered if he could have the partnership they had. He thought of Emma. Whether she'd like it here, living with his mother and father, or if they'd have to buy a property nearby. His father had other estates, but now that Harry had found his family again, he wanted to be close to them.

In taking up the threads of his life, Harry realized he'd changed, yet how much was as yet unknown. Whether this was his personality, or if he was now a combination of the man he'd been for the past two years and the man he was before his memory loss, or . . .
Damn
.

There was the problem of his parents as well. The troubles they were having, because of him, had begun to gnaw. Had he been selfish in accepting the last mission?

“I'd have thought Anna and Rutherford would be down.”

His father's statement brought Harry out of his reverie. He grinned. “They've been and gone to check on Rutherford's sisters. Lady Rutherford is in London for a few days.”

“You know,” Papa said as he took a plate, “I would never say anything to Anna or Rutherford, but I am concerned about how Lady Rutherford will get along with your sister.”

Harry sipped his tea. “I've always thought it strange how she and Mama never got along. Whereas you and old Lord Rutherford were great friends, as are Rutherford and I.” Harry shook his head. “Anna's become a strong woman, and, in Rutherford, she'll have a husband who supports her. She'll be fine.”

Harry's father took a seat. “She's not much like your mother.”

“No. Huntley said she was like me. I didn't understand it at the time, but now I do.”

“She is very like your grandmamma,” Lillian said from the doorway. “It's a shame Mama died before you could know her well. Both of you take after her. Anna is lucky to have found her match.” Lillian took a plate and nodded toward Papa. “Your father told me to leave Anna alone and she'd bring it about.”

Harry laughed lightly. “She does seem to get what she wants.”

“I will say that for her.” Lillian raised her brows in a question. “Harry, dear, what do
you
want?”

“Right now,” he replied, “I want to get to know myself. Part of me is still in a fog.” He paused. “Then I want what Anna and Rutherford have.”

“Would you consider standing for Parliament in the next election?” his father asked. “I don't really want to go back, and the man who took my place is not well thought of. I'd like to keep the seat in the family.”

Harry cocked his head and stared at the wall. It would give him an occupation beyond the estate, and he'd always been interested in politics. “Yes, I'd like to stand, if the party will have me. Will you try to hide my memory loss?”

“No. You just have to show it's affected nothing else,” his father said firmly. “It would be better if you marry. You cannot be considered for any senior positions without a wife.”

“I see,” Harry mused. “If all goes well, I just may be able to accommodate you.”

He wondered how long it would take before he saw Emma again.