Chapter Seventeen
Only a fool or a deceiver would claim he never lies.
Sprawled over the mattress in his bedchamber, Gerard stared at the ceiling. His words played in his mind. She’d trusted him tonight. She’d parted her lips for him and welcomed his kiss. She’d taken pleasure in his touch, dropping the barriers between them, surrendering to the bliss she found in his arms. She had trusted him with her body. With her passion. With her desire.
And yet, he’d deceived her. How long would it be before Evelyn realized that his presence here was not mere coincidence? Earlier, she’d voiced the possibility, and he’d dismissed the notion. Would she believe he’d made a fool of her?
Could she understand the duty that consumed him, the mission that took precedence over his desire?
He needed to protect her. By now, she’d likely cast aside any thought that she might be in danger. She believed herself safe in this place, a comfortable distance from Inverness.
Damned shame she was wrong. If she’d indeed witnessed the venomous Mrs. Smythe taking her exit, distance would not save her from the assassin. By all rights, he should be with her now, holding her while she slept in her chamber.
Thankfully, Houghton had done what he could to look out for the lass’s safety. He’d arranged for Gerard’s room to be directly beside hers. A light sleeper by nature, he would detect the sound of footsteps if an intruder approached. Harrison took his rest in a chamber across the corridor, another agent on the alert for impending danger—another potent defense. They would protect Evelyn against any danger that dared pursue her.
But could he protect her against his own desires, the hunger for her that ran roughshod over his common sense?
As the first rays of the new dawn streamed around the curtains, he pictured Evelyn. What he wouldn’t give to awaken with the lass at his side, sleepy-eyed and well-loved.
Loved.
The word echoed in his thoughts. Folding his arms behind his head, he tried to convince himself he had not misled her about his intentions.
This night had not been about love.
This night had been about passion. And need. And immersing her in pleasure that swept away the pain her eyes could not hide. If only for the moment.
Passion was not love. He had not lied.
Perhaps not with words.
He blew out a long breath, as if that would ease the tension in his gut. Hellfire, he could never have her. Not for more than stolen moments that would be etched forever in his soul.
She deserved more than he could give.
He could not lead Evelyn to believe he could offer her his heart.
After all, his heart had hardened long before he’d ever laid eyes on her.
“Have you made progress in determining what Lady Evelyn learned from Graham?”
Walking the grounds at Gerard’s side, Harrison set a brisk pace. His question had been clipped and terse. Did he suspect Gerard’s interest in Evelyn had become personal?
“Her accounting of the incident has been consistent. She’s revealed nothing new that would lead us to the assassin.”
“And the Dragon’s Eyes?” Harrison pressed. “She has not provided any further details on what Graham told her?”
Gerard sidestepped a mossy stone. “Nothing. If she knows anything, she’s decided to keep it from me.”
“As I told you when I returned from Inverness, Graham briefly regained consciousness. My understanding is that he was barely lucid. But he insisted he’d given her something for safekeeping…a bluidy dragon, if there’s any credence to what he’s said.”
“The man is out of his head. We cannae rely on the ramblings of a man in the throes of delirium.”
“‘The lass…the dragon…she will protect it.’ In Simon’s view, Graham was weak, yet momentarily coherent, when he uttered those words.”
“Bah.” Gerard waved away the notion. “The lass does not have the Dragon’s Eyes. If he’d given her the gems, she wouldnae have mentioned them to us. She would’ve pretended to know nothing and gone about her merry way.”
“If Graham knew Black sought the amulet, he would’ve hidden it.”
“Ye think he told her where it is?”
Harrison turned toward the house. “Not directly. But whatever he gave her is likely a clue to where he’s secured the talisman. Graham may not make it. Without that clue, all hope of recovering the Dragon’s Eyes is lost.”
“Whatever it is, Evelyn has no concept of its significance.”
“Unfortunately, we cannot say the same of Mrs. Smythe. She’ll do whatever is needed to obtain the object.” Harrison stared into the distance, his jaw hard with tension. “She’ll come after it. And then, she will silence Evelyn.”
Gerard tore a hand through his hair. Blast it, how does one find an object that cannot be identified and might not even exist? “I will locate the thing, whatever the hell it is. At least, I know where to begin the search.”
…
Evelyn tugged at the strings of her bonnet and retied the bow beneath her chin. Strolling along the banks of a rolling creek with Bonnie and Grace, a wispy breeze challenged the light cotton hat to stay on her head, all the while it made the summer heat more bearable. As they passed the beleaguered garden plot that appeared destined to bear the outline of her bum for years to come, she gave silent thanks that Catriona had been far too occupied with important matters regarding the upcoming nuptials to devote precious time to a midday excursion.
“I spotted that handsome driver up and about this morning.” Bonnie bubbled with excitement. “I caught his eye. I’m quite sure I did.”
“You do realize he will not wish to endanger his position here by dallying with a guest,” Evelyn pointed out.
“Catriona knows I am drawn to the fellow. She’s no objection to a lass having a bit of a flirtation before she settles down with some staid laird.”
“I would not be so sure of that,” Evelyn said.
“She’s my cousin, not my guardian.” Bonnie flashed a playful scowl. “Of course, Cathy wouldn’t know how to have fun if it came up and bit her on her scrawny rump.”
“What do you know of Dr. MacMasters?” Grace asked in a soft, slight drawl.
Bonnie laughed. “Ye’re asking her about the wrong MacMasters, dear.”
Evelyn hiked her brows in mock indignation, then turned to Grace’s question. “Very little, other than what we’ve all been told. I gather he’s a well-respected physician.”
“He was quite charming after the…incident. I cannot say I’ve ever known a man to conduct himself so gallantly on my behalf.”
“If I’d known he would scoop a lass into his arms, I’d have changed places with ye,” Bonnie said. “He is a handsome one, isn’t he? I haven’t decided which brother I’d rather have come to my rescue.”
“It’s not like that, Bonnie.” Grace blew a perspiration-dampened strand of hair out of her face. “Actually, he’s rather reserved.”
“I’d say he’s dignified. Quite obviously a man of accomplishment.”
“Quite so,” Grace agreed, seeming pleased with Evelyn’s assessment. “But there’s something else—I do hope I haven’t managed to cause offense in some way. He scarcely spoke to me last night during dinner. And today, he seems to be avoiding me.”
“I hadn’t noticed. He’s likely weary. It has been a trying few days for all of us.”
“Truer words have seldom been spoken,” Bonnie agreed. “Still, perhaps I will twist my ankle in his presence. I’d love a few minutes in his arms.”
A bead of moisture trickled down Evelyn’s chest, directly between her breasts. The sensation tickled. “It is getting rather warm out here. If you don’t mind, I’d like to change into something a bit less cumbersome.”
Grace nodded sympathetically. “We need to freshen up as well. Back home, Mama made it clear that a lady is never to perspire. She may glisten, but only if she does so in a ladylike fashion.”
Evelyn stifled the urge to inquire as to how one glistens like a lady. At this point, if she did not shed her heavy blouse and splash some water from the wash basin on her chest, she’d be dripping with decidedly unladylike sweat.
The trio returned to the house, each heading to their own chamber. As Evelyn opened the door to her room and stepped inside, she froze.
She was not alone. The floor squeaked in the bathing chamber.
Pity she’d passed the maid in the corridor.
Perhaps another maid had come to clean the room. Still, caution was needed.
Tiptoeing closer, she noticed a shadow on the floor of the small area. A large shadow. Definitely not the maid. Not even a woman.
She should leave. Now.
As she backed away, she kept alert for a weapon she might employ against an intruder. She snatched up a silver candlestick. If the bastard who’d invaded her chamber tried to prevent her escape, he’d receive a sound cosh on the head for his troubles.
Assuming, of course, she had as much steel in her spine as she hoped.
“Are ye intending to clobber me with that thing?” Looking as if he was trying to scowl but couldn’t quite manage it, Gerard stepped from the side chamber.
She stood slack-jawed for a heartbeat, perhaps two. Devil take it, was the man trying to stir her fright?
“What are you doing…here?”
He came to her. “I thought I heard someone in here and came to investigate.”
On the surface, his answer was plausible enough, given the circumstances of the past three days. His expression was sincere, with no sign of duplicity.
So why was it that she didn’t entirely believe him?
What was it about his demeanor that made his explanation less than credible?
“If I’d come upon you in the bathing area, I may well have struck first and asked questions later.” Evelyn set the candlestick back in place on the side table. “Did it occur to you that you’d give the maid a tremendous fright if she happened to come in?”
He shook his head, reaching out to cup his hand against her cheek. “I didn’t give a damn. My only concern was you.”
His words should have warmed her heart. Instead, a low current of distrust simmered deep within her chest. Most peculiar.
She forced a wan little smile, even as her pulse sped ever so slightly. Not with desire. But with a sense of quiet alarm.
“And you are a true gentleman, are you not? A veritable knight in shining armor.” She didn’t try to hide her skeptical tone.
He faced her. His features were a bland mask. “Why else would I be in your chamber?”
Glancing toward the bedside table, she spied her grandmother’s wedding ring, a delicate gold band with a princess cut emerald and inlaid with small diamonds, lying precisely where she’d left it that morning. A low breath expelled from her lungs, her relief at the sight of the treasured heirloom nearly a tangible thing. If he were a thief, that would have been the most natural temptation for him to pilfer.
Unless he’d come after something else…
The man ye came upon…ye said he spoke of dragons…
Gerard’s inquiries echoed in her mind. He’d been rather curious about what the bookseller had told her. Why had the words of a delirious man been of interest to the Highlander?
Was it possible Gerard knew about the peculiar card, with its image of a monstrous creature that looked to be the stuff of nightmares? The bookseller had implored her to protect the card. Did the scrap of paper possess a value she had not fathomed? Had the old man foreseen that someone would come looking for it?
Someone who would follow her from Inverness in his quest to possess it?
Nonsense. She dismissed the questions that nagged at her. She was allowing her imagination to run wild.
Still, she could not explain away the instinctive wariness that had reared its head, and rather inconveniently at that. The night before, his passion had chipped away at the shield she’d erected around herself. For so very long, she’d taken no chances, taken no risks that might further wound her. She’d vigilantly protected that most vulnerable part of her.
And now, gazing into Gerard’s eyes, she remembered why.
She’d nearly let down her guard. Amazing, really, how quickly she could put the defenses back into place.
Quietly, he closed the door behind him, effectively blocking entry and exit. Her pulse accelerated, and she swallowed against the sudden tension in her throat.
Despite his size and strength, she felt no fear. Instinct insisted he would not harm her—not with violence, in any case.
“Something is wrong,” he said in a low, calm rasp. “What is it?”
She shook her head, perhaps a bit too briskly. “You should not be here. Not now—in the light of day, with all the servants…and Lady Houghton…roaming about.”
He closed the distance between them. “I wouldnae do anything to harm ye. Do ye ken?”
“Yes,” she said truthfully. “I suppose it’s just that since the first time I saw you…you seem to be popping up wherever I’ve been.”
“Ye dinnae believe it’s fate, lass?”
His nearness sent a little thrill through her. He stood a full head taller than her, his broad, muscular shoulders and arms exuding power he held on loose reins. His husky rasp and the look in his eyes seemed potent weapons against her defenses.
If only she could attribute his presence in her life to the whims…or wisdom…of fate.
Sadly, she knew better. The dull throb in her heart served as silent testimony to how naive she’d been. She should not have let down her guard with this man. Or any other, for that matter. It should not signify that his touch was heavenly, nor that his mouth hitched appealingly when he smiled. Not one whit.
Something had drawn him to her. Something other than the undeniable physical attraction that took her breath away.
She reached up, weaving a hand through his sable hair. The strands curled around her fingers, silky against her skin. What she wouldn’t give to simply enjoy the pleasure of this man’s touch without her blasted heart getting involved.
“Fate has brought us together?” She summoned strength she didn’t think she still possessed. “Absolutely not.”
His thumb grazed her mouth, the slightly roughened skin ever so pleasant against her sensitive bottom lip. Emotion blazed in his eyes, passion melded with a fierce protectiveness she desperately wanted to believe was genuine. “Ye will never have cause to fear me. Someday, ye will look back on this moment and know I meant what I said. I will protect ye. No matter the danger. I will keep ye safe.”
Evelyn went to the window, drinking in the faint perfume of the meadows and gardens surrounding the house. Filling her senses with the aroma of flowers and country air, she struggled to clear her head. It was all too much. She hadn’t expected any of this. She hadn’t wanted this. Never could she have envisioned the impact the simple act of ducking into the bookseller’s shop would have on her life.
She was drawn to Gerard MacMasters. What was it about the man that left her breathless with wanting? And yet, on an elemental level, utterly terrified?
She did not fear Gerard. He’d meant every word when he vowed to keep her safe. But he’d made her vulnerable. Again. When she looked at him, she knew it was no longer just a game between them, a casual flirtation without price or consequence. No, it was a hunger that went bone deep.
He felt it, too. She’d seen that awareness in his eyes. His interest in her extended beyond the carnal. A casual roll in the hay was one thing. But the things she wanted and needed from Gerard…well, that was an entirely different story.
Her desire was madness.
Devil take it, she didn’t even trust the man. Not entirely.
Padding quietly to the door, she secured the latch. She couldn’t risk being interrupted by a nosy chamber maid or a bold Scot. Kneeling by the bed, she opened her satchel. Sliding her fingers over the heavy velveteen lining, she located the hidden pocket at the bottom of the case and retrieved the dragon card.
The image with its penetrating eyes stirred a fresh wave of apprehension. Turning the card over, she studied the back. An intricate mesh of scrolls and diamonds and symbols she did not readily recognize stood out against a pale red background. Some of the patterns had been embossed in the paper card. But others had been hand-drawn—rather recently, given the darkness of the black ink. What did they mean?
Was this the prize Gerard had been searching for?
Why—why this card? Why had the old man given it to her, of all people, for safekeeping?
Whatever its meaning…whatever his reasons…she had to protect the card. Carefully, she stashed it back in its hiding place. Until she left this house, it would remain safely tucked away. Out of Gerard’s possession. And out of the sight of anyone who might come after it.
The injured man had placed his faith in her. She would do her damnedest to justify it.