CHAPTER TWENTY
In the space of a day, Leopold’s usefulness to Mercy had gone from one extreme to another. This morning Mercy had been cold, aloof, and dismissive of his attempts to help. By evening, her drowsy, bedroom eyes had brought to mind a woman considering him for a night of pleasure. But then she’d asked him to carry her sleeping child to bed and that troubled him. Their procession up the grand staircase seemed horribly domestic.
He led Mercy along the hall, breathing in the scent of a certain sleepy small boy, and instead of turning down the hall to the family wing, he climbed to another level and stepped into a disused guest bedchamber. The room wasn’t too bad for one night, but it was cold and he was grateful he’d snuck up here earlier and stored some extra blankets. They might need them before the night was through. Leopold, however, intended to stand watch all night and had no need for a bed.
Edwin grumbled as Leopold set him on yet another strange bed and rolled onto his side. Instinctively, Leopold covered him with the sheets, retrieved extra blankets and tucked them around his body as he had seen Mercy do last night. When he turned, Mercy stood watching him. Yet this time her gaze had softened to one of pleasant warmth.
Leopold’s pulse pounded in response, and he fussed with the bedclothes before withdrawing Mercy’s satchel from under the bed. It held a nightgown, a comb, and a thick shawl. Thinking of those personal items helped to control his emotions. He was here to do a job—protect them—and not become emotionally attached to his charges. He couldn’t guard them if he was constantly battling his growing feelings for the pair.
Mercy stilled his fussing with a gentle touch and drew him away from the bed. She stood with moonlight spilling over her shoulders and fairly took his breath away. When she stepped into his arms, he didn’t protest. She looked him right in the eye as she brought his head down within her reach. Her lips brushed softly, teasing a man pushed beyond endurance. Leopold tightened his grip for a deeper, more satisfying kiss.
A soft moan erupted from her mouth and the sound thrilled him. But the boy was too near for comfort. Leopold moved them away from the bed toward a connecting door. The room was empty, lit only by moonlight from the open drapes but secure enough to engage in a little temptation without leaving the boy unprotected.
Mercy went willingly, her hands on his clothing, tugging and pulling until she exposed his skin. What Leopold wanted was Mercy—her skin beneath his lips, her taste on his tongue. He settled her to a low chair and dropped to his knees.
Mercy’s sigh was loud as he ran his hands up her legs, beneath her gown. He teased the material higher until the soft white of her thighs was exposed above her stockings. Her legs trembled under his hands and he dropped his head to press his lips against her warm skin. She sighed again as Leopold kissed higher. He tugged until her bottom rested on the edge of the chair, and then settled comfortable at her feet. He urged her legs apart.
Moonlight illuminated the dark patch of hair at the apex of her thighs. He gently combed his fingers through the strands until he touched dampness. He rested his head against her inner thigh while he probed deeper. She was wet, warm, and open for their pleasure. But he would only give her pleasure tonight. His could wait. He’d waited for years to pleasure a woman of her passion, but they did not have long tonight.
Leopold pressed his lips to her skin again and licked a path toward his fingers. Mercy shuddered when he reached her opening and he tasted her desire on his tongue. All his—just for this brief space of time allowed. Leopold lifted one of her legs over his shoulder as he kissed her. The soft moan above his head, the fingers tightening on his scalp made his cock swell for release from confinement.
He pushed into Mercy with one finger, feeling her depths grip him as he set his mouth to her tender skin. Mercy hissed and wriggled as he lapped at her nub. But she was open, pinned in place by his mouth and hands and didn’t fight him too hard for release. He curled his tongue over the hard bud and sucked gently while his finger moved in and out of her body. He loved her taste, loved the power of giving her pleasure, and the way she couldn’t hide how aroused she was.
All because of him.
He lifted his mouth when her moans grew too loud, startled that her release appeared imminent. He wouldn’t grant her mercy so soon. Not at least until he wished it. Leopold added another finger inside her as he looked up along her body. Her careless abandon, bedroom eyes, and parted lips inflamed him. He widened her legs further and carefully added another finger to her depths. The fit was tight, constricting. He loved that she would allow him this.
He dropped his head, painfully aroused by her responsiveness and lapped at her nub again. She breathed in rough pants as he moved his fingers, as he drew upon the tight nub to increase her pleasure. All of a sudden she stiffened, body clamping on his fingers, and sobbed. Leopold swiftly covered her mouth with his free hand, smiling that she’d made so much noise.
He stilled his fingers when she twitched away and slowly withdrew them from her body. He pressed a quick kiss to her folds and then sat up.
Mercy’s leg slid from his shoulder with an inelegant thump. Her breath churned in and out.
Leopold, despite having blue balls, was quite proud of himself.
He rolled to his feet, ignored his own unfulfilled desires, and left Mercy to check that their activities had not disturbed the boy. Edwin still slept, so he pushed the door closed again and returned to Mercy.
Mercy tossed her head from side to side. “You astound me, Leopold.”
He grinned and tugged her gown over her knees. “How so, sweetheart?”
Mercy’s face broke into a huge grin at his endearment. “I have been led to believe that most men would take what they want first. You prove them all wrong. Why have you stopped, Leopold? Do you not want to feel as good as you made me feel?”
“Of course, I do.” Most men would hardly find themselves in this situation. He had to take particular care not to leave Mercy with her belly full. He would have to abstain to save her future embarrassment. “It’s just too great a risk.”
“Do you mean the danger coming to Romsey or the danger of wanting to stay here with me?”
He smiled at her and slid a lock of dark hair behind her ear. “Both. I cannot protect you like this. I will be more vigilant after tonight, I promise.”
Mercy stood and Leopold backed up two paces. She was delightfully disheveled, with her flushed cheeks and rumpled skirts. “You will protect us. I am sure of it. But remember that I am here for you, too. I may be a duchess, but I am not so selfish as to deny you pleasure. If you think it too dangerous tonight to continue, so be it. But I warn you that I will find a way to repay for every pleasure you bestow on me.”
Leopold shook his head.
Mercy settled her finger over his lips. “Shh, Leopold. Not tonight. But later you and I will have a long and very necessary chat. Now, I think I should retire so that you may be easy again.” She lifted onto the balls of her feet and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Goodnight, my dear sir.”
Mercy stepped back, turned, and disappeared from the room. His cock ached again from that simple affectionate kiss and he wished he could call her back. But the night was passing and he had family to protect. He eased open the door to the hall and listened for any sound. When none greeted him, he closed the door and slipped into the other room. Mercy had already changed into her nightgown and was just settling in next to her son, so he pulled the blankets higher up her chest, and pressed a kiss to her hair.
She snuggled down for sleep without a word and Leopold was profoundly grateful. He didn’t want to preempt the discussion she felt they needed because he feared she would ask him to stay with her forever. To his vexation, he didn’t know how he might answer anymore. Always in the past, his answer was certain: he would leave Romsey behind like a bad memory. Unfortunately, the good was now outweighing the bad.
He crossed to the window, stood concealed behind the drapes and peeked outside. Romsey Abbey’s grounds were lit as bright as day by the moonlight and Leopold was pleased. He could see the north drive and eastern fields as if it were early morning. If he moved to the next chamber, he would have an even greater view. But he was hesitant to move so far away from Mercy and Edwin.
There was a chance they might call for him during the night. Another foolish thought. They hardly needed him as it was.
Leopold straightened as a shadow moved across the grounds. The figure was human, dressed in a flapping coat and trousers, but without a hat covering their longish hair. His heart raced as the person avoided the main door and approached the abbey’s lower windows. The stranger tried window after window and Leopold strained to see them when they disappeared out of sight. Whoever it was seemed very determined to get inside the Abbey. It couldn’t be a servant; they’d have gone around to the servants’ entrance immediately and knocked. After a few tense moments, the shape came back into view, but this time the stranger scanned the upper floors where Leopold hid. Leopold ducked out of sight, fearing the moonlight might illuminate his location. He did not want the stranger to know they were observed.
But Leopold couldn’t hide forever, not when someone prowled the exterior of the building. He eased the drape back an inch, peering out on the grounds again. But the stranger was gone. No trace of them remained anywhere and although Leopold kept watch until the early morning sun lightened the horizon, he gained no further sightings. All he had gathered as to the stranger’s identity was that the person was fully grown, and determined. But at this distance, he couldn’t tell for certain whether the stranger was male or female.
~ * ~
Mercy roused herself from the worst sleep of her life. She had heard every movement, every soft breath that Leopold had taken during the night, or so it seemed. She rubbed at her eyes wearily and turned for her son. But Edwin was gone from the bed.
Alarmed, she looked around wildly. The room was empty, but then voices drifted in from the connecting chamber. Leopold’s deep rumbling tones and Edwin’s piping queries. She drew her knees up under her chin to listen.
Edwin asked a lot of questions. Leopold never sounded like his next answer would be his last. He had much more patience than Mercy did at this hour of the morning. There was nothing harder than to give a satisfactory answer when you were half asleep in bed. If she had been lucky to have been blessed with more children, Edwin would not be as alone as he was now. She had only conceived once during her marriage. Edwin was destined to be an only child.
Perhaps if Leopold could be convinced to stay here at the abbey, and he managed to find Oliver, Rosemary, and Tobias, Edwin might have the benefit of cousins to play with one day. It wouldn’t be as good as having real siblings at his side though. She had always wanted him to have the kind of childhood she’d had.
As little Mercy Hunt, eldest girl in a family of four, life had been very sweet and uncomplicated. It was only when she had grown older and married that she’d discovered life did not always go according to plan.
Like discovering that your new lover was really an old one.
No matter how she tried to turn aside the idea, it had taken a firm hold in her mind. Leopold had deceived her, had shared her bed since arriving and had never said a word. Yet he had not attempted to impose on her either. That had been all Mercy’s doing. His obvious restraint, as Mercy had teased him, was the only impediment to their relationship progressing. Could he not want more from her than pleasure?
She wanted him very, very badly for so much more than that. So much more that she shocked herself with her sudden decision. She could marry him and give Edwin brothers and sisters to play with as soon as it could be done.
Edwin giggled.
Mercy lifted her head as he dropped into her lap.
Edwin bowled her over and planted wet kisses on her lips. “Mama, I woke up so early.”
“Did you now? And what did you do while I was sleeping?”
His gaze shot to Leopold. “We played I spy.” Edwin burrowed under the covers completely, playing under the sheets.
“Good morning, Your Grace.” Leopold’s smile was as warm as the deep chocolate of his eyes. “We didn’t want to disturb your rest too soon. I hope you don’t mind that I kept him occupied in the other room.”
Impulsively, she reached for his cravat and pulled him down until their faces were close. His eyes were red rimmed. “Good morning, Leopold. Did you get any sleep at all?”
His gaze darted to where Edwin hid beside her. “Some.”
Mercy shook her head. “I think you are a terrible liar, Leopold.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” He winked and tried to rise but Mercy kept hold.
She tugged until their lips connected and kissed him soundly.
He pulled back quickly. “Don’t.”
Edwin emerged from the bedding with a wide grin on his face. Leopold stared at him, but Edwin had not noticed the kiss. He was oblivious to anything but his games. Mercy ruffled Edwin’s hair as she climbed out of bed. Leopold backed away.
“He will have to grow used to such things, Leopold. My parents kissed each other in front of their children quite often. I could tell the mood of their marriage by the way they kissed. My parents never hid their affection and I shall do the same before Edwin.”
Leopold stepped back further. “We are not married, nor shall we ever be. All you will teach him is wickedness.”
Mercy pressed her lips together over a laugh. Poor Leopold really had no idea that she intended to keep him for the rest of his life. Strong emotions were impossible to contain, and Mercy had no intention of trying anymore. She would avoid scandal if at all possible, but she would have Leopold at her side for the rest of her life or die trying. Mercy prowled after him. “Is that what you think of me, as a wicked woman of low morals? I think the pair of us knows the truth of that.”
He shook his head. “You don’t know the first thing about me. I should never have come home.” He glanced at Edwin. “I will leave the minute the danger has passed.”
“You will not.” Mercy gathered up her robe, slipped it on, and belted it around her waist before she spoke again. “You still have to find your family. We both know your best chance of success is remaining here. With us. We are family too, or had you forgotten.”
Leopold swallowed. “I have not forgotten.”
But he still did not say directly that he had a closer acquaintance to Edwin than he was supposed to have. Would he never admit his part in that night?
Vexed, Mercy moved away from him to the window and stared out. Why would he not want to claim her son even privately as his own? Edwin was a good boy, healthy and sturdy, and so unlike her husband’s disposition that she felt incredibly stupid not to have realized that her midnight lover could have been Leopold.
She turned slowly, catching Leopold watching her son. His expression was open and the raw look he directed at the playing child made her heart clench. Perhaps he did want to claim her son, but was hesitant to do so. Under the circumstances, he might expect her to be angry about the deception.
She had been. Yesterday.
Today, she wanted to build a bridge and create a new life. With Leopold smack dab in the middle of it. Filling her belly again and making this place come alive with the sound of many voices. With more Randall’s.
She crossed the room and slipped her hand into his.
His fingers tightened about hers. Strong, steady, sure. “Are you ready to depart, Your Grace?”
“Yes, Leopold.” She leaned against his shoulder. “We are ready to go when ever you wish it.”
His thumb caressed her knuckles. “May I carry Edwin? I’d like to move swiftly through the halls in case danger lurks.”
She squeezed his hand as a lump formed in her throat. “You never need ask that again.”
He released her hand and stepped up beside the bed. “Come along, Your Grace. You have a busy day ahead of you.”
Edwin rolled toward the end of the bed. “Will you take me riding today like you promised?”
Leopold lifted Edwin to his knees. “Not today, but I think I could convince Cook to whip up some pastries. Would you like to help him dust them?”
Edwin nodded briskly. “I should like that very much.”
He allowed Leopold to pick him up and carry him back to his room. A servant was waiting outside.
“All is quiet, Mr. Randall.”
Leopold nodded and then shifted Edwin in his arms. “Your Grace, may I present my valet to you. This is Colby. He will be keeping you company for a short time while, if your mother is agreeable. If you grow bored later, ask Colby to sing. He has a very fine voice.”
The valet scowled at his employer, but then smiled quickly for her son. Edwin threw himself at the valet and they disappeared inside her son’s chamber.
Leopold caught her elbow. “We need to talk.”
Hope soared in her breast. Had he been waiting until they could be alone before he would confess to their past encounter?
He harried her along to her bedchamber, but once inside he released her arm and rang the bell three times. Mercy sat on a chair with a thump. She didn’t need the butler to hear this confession. She only wanted truth spoken between them and then she would let the matter rest. “Well?”
“I’d rather say this only once. We will wait for Wilcox to arrive.”
Mercy frowned at him, but Leopold merely paced the chamber.
When the door finally opened, Leopold stalked toward Wilcox. “He was here last night, in the grounds, outside the windows of the abbey.”
Wilcox looked about them wildly. “Are you sure?”
“As sure as I can be without leaving the duchess’ side.” Leopold raked his fingers through his hair. “He was there one minute and gone the next. He could be hiding any bloody where. I’d hoped to catch a glimpse of his direction when he left but he was too quick.”
Wilcox wrung his hands. “What can we do?”
“We need to change places. Tonight, I want you at the duchess’ side. My valet will also be with you to help guard the boy.”
Mercy stood. She didn’t like the sound of this. “Where will you be?”
“I’m going hunting.”
Leopold dropped his hand to his coat pocket where Mercy knew a small weapon resided. She shook her head. “No. I won’t allow it. You put yourself in danger unnecessarily.”
“I will not sit quietly while he roams the grounds at will. I will not allow him to come any closer to you or Edwin. I will stop him tonight and that will be the end of it.”
Mercy covered her face with her hands. What he suggested was terrifyingly dangerous. He could be hurt himself. Left to die out on the grounds and she would never know until it was too late. Warm hands guided her into a chair and settled on her head.
“It is the only way to keep you both safe. Remain here with Wilcox and let me deal with the problem. I have my uses.”
Mercy lifted her head and stared at him through blurry eyes. “I need you.”
His fingertips caressed her jaw. “I’m sorry.”
She leaned into his touch and kissed his palm. “I will not sleep a wink while you are gone and will expect to see you first thing in the morning to prove you are safe.”
“As you wish, Your Grace.”
A door clicked closed.
Leopold sighed. “Now Wilcox knows for certain that we are involved.”
“I do not care, and you know it.”
Leopold sighed again, dug into his pocket, and held out his small pistol. “Keep this with you at all times. Fire only should it become absolutely necessary.” He moved toward the door. “Go about your day as usual, but stay within the abbey. We will all be watching over you and Edwin.”
When he hurried away, Mercy let her tears fall down her cheeks. Now she would worry about him the whole of the day, if he intended to keep a distance. She scrubbed at her cheeks and drew in a deep breath. She had to get through today, get through tonight, and then she would tie Leopold Randall to a chair if necessary and demand he fall in love with her before it was too late.
There simply was no other acceptable way to go on.