Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

M ichael was instantly overwhelmed with need for more. He tasted her mouth, throat, neck, earlobe, but it wasn't enough.

“I need you, Belle. I need all of you.”

She nodded eagerly. “But I don’t want to hurt you,” she said, breathlessly.

“It doesn’t have to hurt me.” It was hard to pull his mouth away from hers long enough to speak the words he needed to say. “Just try to avoid my left arm.”

She reached for the buttons of his shirt, but he shook his head. “You first, so I can enjoy the sight of your body while you help me with mine.”

She giggled, but quickly stripped out of her clothes. God she was beautiful. Her creamy skin was smooth and warm and her luscious breasts more than filled his palms. He bent and drew one of her swollen nipples into his mouth, teasing it with his tongue.

She gripped his shoulders and groaned his name. If he didn’t stop and get his bloody clothes off, he wasn’t going to make it long enough to even be inside of her. When did he become like a young lad again? It was pathetic. He had no control over himself when it came to Belle.

Michael’s left arm screamed in pain every time he moved it, and getting his clothes off took far too long. When Belle finally freed him from his trousers, she immediately wrapped her fingers around him.

“No, love, I won’t make it if you do that.” He gently pulled her hand away from him. “I need to be inside of you, but you’re going to have to take the reins this time. How do you feel about that?”

Her eyes widened and she nodded quickly. “Yes, just tell me what to do.”

Michael threw back the blankets and laid himself down on his back. “Climb on top of me,” he instructed.

Belle didn’t even hesitate. “Like this?” she asked as she straddled him.

“Yes.” His entire body trembled as she lowered herself down onto him, her heat completely engulfing him. Dear God. Would it always be this way with her? “Now, ride me like your life depends on it.”

He settled his right hand on her hip. After a few repetitions figuring out how best to move her body, she found her rhythm and rode him hard and fast, straight to the finish line.

Jesus.

She was a goddess. Her head thrown back in ecstasy, her breasts bouncing wildly. It was so hard to keep his left arm down and only be able to explore her glorious body with the right, but he did his best. Just as she shouted her pleasure, his orgasm crashed over him, so powerful it was almost painful as he spilled his seed inside of her.

“You, wife, are simply incredible.”

She smiled as she panted over the top of him. “I am. Aren’t I?”

He chuckled. With his good arm, he pulled her down on top of his chest. She tried to roll off, but he held her firm. “Stay.”

“I’ll crush you.”

He shook his head. “I love having your weight on top of me.”

For a long time, they lay in blissfully euphoric silence, Michael rubbing slow circles on Belle’s back. The only indication she was still awake was the occasional sigh or the tickle of her fingertips against his ribs.

“Michael?” Her voice was soft and tentative. “Are you planning to leave me?”

He reached down and pulled the blanket over them. “Not a chance. I’m staying right here in this bed, just as the doctor ordered, and you’re staying with me.”

“I won’t argue with that. I didn’t mean today, though.” To his great disappointment, her warm body slid off him. She sat up, cross-legged, in the middle of the bed, holding his hand in both of hers.

“When the house party is over, are you planning to return to London?”

He hadn’t given it a lot of thought, really. Of course, that had always been his intention. When he’d left for America, he’d planned to marry her and then spend most of his time in Raven Row, returning to Glenwood for visits. But he hadn’t planned on this… on her. He couldn’t imagine being apart from her like that now.

“I don’t know,” he said honestly.

“Well, I’ve been thinking. The day that we visited the Raven’s Den, I saw a whole other kind of contentment in you. You glowed with pride and happiness. I think that’s where you belong.”

Was she sending him away? The thought caused his heart to ache in the strangest way. “Are you unhappy with me?”

“No.” A look of utter confusion settled on her face.

“Why are you wanting to send me away then?”

“That’s not what I meant.” She shook the hand she was holding and rolled her eyes. “What I want is to go with you. I don’t want to be left behind again.”

“Come here.” He pulled her down so she was lying beside him, her luscious backside pressed against his hip. “Raven Row is not a very safe place for you, Belle.”

He felt her scowl against his arm. “Rosie lives there, and she seems to be just fine.”

“Rosie does have security and a few rules to keep her safe, like never venturing out alone. Perhaps we can figure out something similar.”

Belle rolled over to face him. “Really?” Her face was lit with happiness. How could he possibly say no?

“Are you sure that’s what you want? My townhouse isn’t nearly as comfortable as Glenwood. We’d have to share a bedroom.”

“And that’s a bad thing?” She raised her eyebrows, a teasing sparkle in her eyes.

He reached for her without thinking and winced as pain burned across his arm again.

“You’re supposed to be resting.”

“Well, pull that blanket back over us then.”

“I really should return to our guests, you know.”

He liked to hear her say our guests. Perhaps she was starting to feel like less of an outsider. If anyone could help her with that, it was Rosie.

“Ash is taking care of all that and sending everyone home.”

She didn’t argue anymore and simply covered them with the blanket before throwing both her arm and leg over the top of him and pulling herself tightly against him. There was nothing better in the world than her warmth and softness against his skin.

When Michael joined Patrick and Ash a few hours later, he was surprised to see Giles still with them.

“What are you still doing here? I’m not likely to be a very good host. No more shooting contests or any other kind of sport for that matter.”

“I’m not leaving you here when there’s a deranged man out there. If he manages to kill you, this”—he gestured wildly with his arms—”all falls to me, and God knows I don’t want any part of that kind of responsibility.”

“Fair enough.” Michael didn’t blame him. Most days he wished he only had The Raven’s Den and didn’t have to also worry about the title, estates, tenants… God, he didn’t even like thinking about it all.

Michael poured himself a glass of barley water and sat down. Ash eyed every move he made. “Are you sure you should be up and about?”

“The pain is much less now after resting for a few hours.”

“And spending some time with your wife?” Patrick gave him a conspiratorial wink.

“That too.” Michael wasn’t going to give Patrick the satisfaction of thinking he’d embarrassed him.

“Don’t discourage him,” Giles said. “The sooner he has an heir, the sooner I become the spare.”

“Well,” Ash said, tapping his cane agitatedly against the floor. “Why don’t we discuss the shooting, so we can keep him alive long enough for that to happen.”

“Hear hear!” Patrick emptied his glass down his throat. “So, Michael, who did you annoy so much they want you dead?”

“I wish I knew. I still think it has to be some kind of accident. The only person I’ve upset recently would be my wife, and she didn’t do it.”

Ash shook his head. “I’m afraid it wasn’t an accident. While you were resting, the doctor was accosted on his way back to the village.”

Michael’s temper flared. “Is he hurt?”

“No.” Ash shook his head. “Just pushed to the ground and his medical bag was taken.”

“Was he able to give a description of his attacker?”

“Tall, thin man with dark hair.”

“Well that isn’t much to go on.” This was Michael’s estate, and he did not like feeling unsafe in his own home. “Although, if the doctor didn’t recognize him, that makes me think it’s someone from outside our village. Perhaps it’s someone who lost money at The Raven’s Den?”

Ash crossed to the table and picked up his drink. “I’ve sent for McKinnon and O’Connell. They should be on the first train tomorrow morning.”

Giles spoke up. “And what are we going to do in the meantime?”

“Nothing,” Ash answered. “If Michael really has no idea who it could be, then it’s best we just stay inside rather than wander around out there in the dark. We’ll start searching for the miscreant as soon as we have reinforcements and light.”

The four of them eventually joined Belle and Rosie and spent the remainder of the evening trying not to talk about the madman running amok on the estate, which was impossible, really. They inevitably circled back to speculation over and over again. Ultimately, they all eventually decided Michael should get more rest and went up to bed early.

“Why are we stopping here?” Belle asked when Michael stopped in front of her bedroom door.

He rubbed her shoulders gently. “Your body needs a rest. I’ve already been too rough with you.” He cupped her soft cheek with his palm.

Her pout tugged at his heartstrings, but he shook his head. Gathering her in his arms, he held her snugly. After a moment’s resistance she sighed, slipping her arms inside his jacket and around his back. He smiled against the top of her head before placing a gentle kiss there. He didn’t dare to give her a proper one. Lord knew he couldn’t be trusted not to change his mind and carry her to his bed.

“Goodnight, Belle.”

* * *

When Belle entered her chambers, Lizzie was just putting something away in the armoire.

“I wasn’t sure if I’d see you tonight,” she said.

Belle’s cheeks grew warm at the implication. “Michael thought it best,” she said with a shrug, not meeting Lizzie’s gaze.

Lizzie crossed the room and lifted her chin gently. “Are you alright?” Her eyes were filled with concern.

“Of course I am.” She shook Lizzie off, but she grabbed Belle’s shoulders.

“You didn’t sleep in your own bed last night, and I need to know that you’re well. That he didn’t hurt you terribly.”

“Lizzie!” Belle covered her burning cheeks with her hands. “He didn’t hurt me. If you must know, Michael has been nothing but kind, gentle, and wonderful.”

“Well, that’s good.” She finally let her go. “I’d rather not have to test his benevolence. And if he had hurt you…” Her words trailed off and she began helping Belle to undress.

It was sweet that she was so protective.

“Thank you, Lizzie.” Belle wrapped her arms around her. She didn’t say that often enough.

When Belle was tucked into bed and alone, her thoughts immediately returned to Michael. He had been kind, gentle, and wonderful, just as she’d said. Except when she’d demanded hard and fast. Warmth grew in her belly remembering how incredible that had been. But even tonight, his decision to make her sleep alone, had been a kindness. He was right, of course. She was sore from all their lovemaking and her body probably did need a break. He was also right that they wouldn’t have been able to manage that if they were in the same bed. In spite of the pain, she would still have begged him to make love to her again.

It wasn’t just the physical pleasure that made those times with him magical, although, that was marvelous. It was the care he took. Even when he was overcome by his own pleasure, he checked to make sure she was also enjoying everything. Just lying next to him, feeling the warmth of his skin pressed against hers, was positively blissful, and she never felt safer than when she was wrapped in his arms. She sighed a dreamy sigh.

Her heart fluttered inside her chest as a stark realization washed over her. She was falling in love with him. Oh, who was she kidding? She was long past falling. The first step down that path had happened the very first time she’d met him, even if she had been determined to hate him. When he’d said, “It’s my lord,” the deep edge in his voice and the command he’d radiated had caused her first experience of what she now recognized as desire. Heat pooled in her belly at the memory. Oh yes, it had definitely been desire. And back then, it had terrified her.

She had to get her mind onto something else or she’d never be able to sleep. If it weren’t for the fact that his body also needed time to heal, she might have simply marched into his room and climbed right into his bed.

Why had someone shot him? She had spent much of the evening speculating with Rosie, but they were still none the wiser. Did Michael really have no idea who it could be? Or was he keeping something from her? He had said there would be no secrets between them, but he had also kept their marriage contract a secret from her for her entire life. Could she really trust him? Belle’s mind continued to spin and spin until eventually exhaustion finally pushed her into oblivion.

When she woke, there were men’s voices coming from outside the window. She stretched and padded across the room, squinting through the bright sunshine as she pulled the curtains aside to peer out. Two extra men had apparently joined the group. Belle had seen the larger one at the Raven’s Den. It would seem they were taking this seriously enough to request extra security. Unfortunately, she couldn’t make out what they were saying, but Ash seemed to be giving instructions as he pointed in different directions. Presumably, they were starting a search. A search for a madman who seemingly wanted her husband dead. Well, she wasn’t about to sit back and let him just run off into danger, especially when he was supposed to be resting. Had he forgotten he’d already been shot? She threw on her wrapper and slippers and marched downstairs.

The chilly air easily penetrated the thin layers of clothing, and she folded her arms across her chest.

“Michael,” she said as she approached him. “You can’t mean to go off looking for a madman.”

He turned and his eyes traveled from her head to her toes and back again. “You must be freezing, Belle. Please go back inside.”

“No.” She was not going to be brushed off that easily.

“Excuse me for a moment, gentlemen,” he said with a sigh before ushering her away from the group.

Once they were out of earshot, he faced her. “This,” he said, waving his hand up and down beside her. “Is hardly appropriate attire for you to be traipsing about in the presence of an entire group of men.”

Perhaps he wasn’t wrong about that. “I was afraid if I took too long to dress, you’d be gone before I could stop you.”

He closed his eyes and took in a slow, deep breath. “Go back inside, Belle.”

She shook her head. “I’m not going in until you assure me you’re not going looking for someone who wants to harm you. You've already been shot, Michael.”

“Are you openly disobeying me?” He raised a challenging brow. “Do you need a spanking, Belle?”

She swallowed. One thing she had learned was that he was not bluffing, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t negotiate. “Will spanking me keep you from leaving?”

He chuckled dangerously. “Absolutely not. It will simply ensure that you are locked in your bedroom with a sore bottom while I’m gone.”

She shrugged her shoulders with a defeated sigh. She didn’t doubt the threat for a second. She had officially lost this argument.

His palm was warm as he pressed it gently against her cheek. “If, however, you do as you're told and go back inside without further argument, I might reward your good behavior this evening.” His tongue seared across her bottom lip before he briefly claimed her mouth.

Her insides were instantly warm and tingly, and she grudgingly acquiesced. “Yes, my lord.” Her voice was already slightly breathless.

The corners of his mouth ticked up and she was pretty sure she heard a soft growl rumble inside his chest. “Good girl.”

Her backside was met with a firm swat as she walked away from him. How could he so easily make her whole body hum with anticipation? Two little words and a smack to her bottom was all it took, and she was ready to beg him to take her any way he wanted. She would not be sleeping in her own bed tonight. That was for certain.

Once Belle was dressed and presentable, she went looking for Rosie. After all, with the men gone, it was just the two of them.

After not finding her anywhere else, she eventually went to her chambers and knocked softly. When Rosie opened the door, she was wearing her coat.

“I’m glad it’s you,” she said with a relieved sigh.

“Are you going somewhere?”

“My stomach is not feeling well this morning, and I desperately need some fresh air. But please don’t tell Patrick. He’s a bit overly protective of me and won’t be happy that I’ve left the house while he’s away.”

“Only if you promise not to tell Michael either. I’ll get my coat.”

It was nice to be out of the house for a bit, even if it was cold. They wandered out near the trees. The leaves had mostly fallen, but not long since, so their vibrant colors carpeted the ground still.

“The leaves here are different from what I used to find in Virginia.”

“Really?” Rosie bent and picked up a couple of small red leaves. “Tell me about what it was like.”

“Well, a lot of the leaves were bigger there, and the trees were so tall. It was warmer than it is here, even in winter. But there were some not so beautiful things, as well. Parts of the landscape there are still scarred with battlefields and trenches.”

“I’ve never left England. You’re so lucky to have seen other parts of the world.”

Belle had never thought of it that way before. Perhaps she was.

“Oh, look how bright this one is!” Rosie ran a few feet away to grab a leaf off the ground. It started a sort of game between them, each of them trying to find the brightest or the biggest or the most interesting shape.

Laughter and running and fresh air. It felt so good. She hadn’t realized she’d been missing it until now. She suddenly saw movement out of the corner of her eye and whipped around. Isaac was standing some distance away, his finger over his lips. But how could that possibly be? How was he here?

He shook his head and pressed his finger over his lips again. He must have known how much she wanted to run to him. Her heart kicked inside her chest. He held up something small and white so she could see it, and then slipped it into a crevice or something on the tree beside him. He pointed to her, and then to the thing he’d hidden, and then he sprinted away through the trees.

No. Where was he going? Why was he running away? But then she realized… tall and thin with dark hair… he was the man they were looking for. She gasped.

“Are you alright?”

Her thoughts had been so caught up in Isaac, she’d forgotten Rosie was even there. “I thought I saw a snake, but it was just a stick,” she said quickly.

Rosie giggled. “We don’t have very many snakes here. Especially this time of year.”

Belle shrugged. “Another thing that’s different from Virginia, I guess.”

“I think perhaps we should head back inside. I’d hate to still be out here when the men come home.”

Before Rosie was close enough to see, Belle pulled her gloves off and dropped one on the ground, stuffing the other one half in her pocket.

“You’re right. We should go inside.”

When nearly back to the house, she pulled her one glove from her pocket and made a show of not being able to find the other one.

“Oh drat, I must have dropped one. Go on in. I’ll be right behind you.” Without giving Rosie a chance to argue, she turned and ran back to the trees. When it was clear Rosie wasn’t following, she hurried to the tree where she’d seen Isaac. She grabbed what turned out to be a folded piece of paper from a crack in the tree bark and quickly stuffed it into her pocket. Then she turned back to the house and picked up her glove on the way.

She held it up as she approached the house where Rosie was still waiting. “I guess I got so carried away looking for leaves, I didn’t even notice when it fell.”

“I’m glad you were able to find it.” But then Rosie gestured with her chin toward the edge of the trees in the other direction. Belle turned to look, afraid it might be Isaac, but it was one of the giants who had come to help with the search.

“I think we may have just been caught by the burlies.”

Belle laughed. “The burlies?”

“That’s what I call them. All the giant men they have working for them. It seems like every week there’s a new one I don’t recognize.”

Belle laughed even harder. “I will always think of them as the burlies from now on.”

Rosie laughed with her, but then she sighed. “We’re going to be in trouble, you know.”

“Do you think they’ll tell our husbands?”

Rosie nodded. “Undoubtedly. The men who work for our husbands are exceedingly loyal to them.”

“Well, hopefully they didn’t see us out there in the trees, and we can just say we stepped out the door for a few minutes for fresh air. No harm done if we were together and just beside the house, right?”

“We can try, but I expect I’ll be getting a lecture, anyway.” Rosie giggled and pulled the door open.

Rosie may be getting a lecture, but Belle would undoubtedly be getting a spanking if Michael knew she’d been out in the trees while he was away.

When she was finally alone in her room, she pulled out the paper from Isaac and unfolded it. There was just one line scrawled across it.

Meet me at the cottage across the bridge.

What bridge? She hadn’t spent much time out on the property, but it must not be too far if he expected her to know where to go. And presumably it was in the direction he’d run. She folded the paper back up. Tomorrow, she’d find a way to sneak out and go looking for this cottage and bridge. She didn’t understand what Isaac was doing here and needed answers.

The door to her room opened and she hastily stuffed the folded paper into her waistband to hide it.

Belle returned Lizzie’s smile as she came into the room.

“It’s nice to see you smiling again,” she said. “I hope it means this marriage is turning out to be less terrible than you had imagined it would be.”

Belle raised her brow. “Are you trying to say I told you so, Lizzie?”

She laughed softly. “Perhaps.”