Chapter 18

The moment Leah walked in the door of Harlan's Pall Mall residence, Hugh rose to his feet and walked over to put his hands on her shoulders. "You are a sight for sore eyes!" he proclaimed, but as his focus took in her gentleman's clothing, he lifted his brows. "I can sense a story here. I am intrigued."

Harlan snorted, but he didn't remark further on the quip. Instead, he said, "I need to pay a call on Wellington. I trust I can leave Leah in your capable hands."

Hugh offered a mock salute. "You can count on me, mon capitaine."

With a snort, Harlan turned to leave. "I'll be back as soon as I can," he murmured.

Once he was gone, Hugh demanded to know everything that had happened while she had been away as they enjoyed some coffee. She was weary from travel, but she was also too restless to sleep. Instead, she talked about her brother and his wife, and of course, Mr. Bernard. But it wasn't until she told him about Benjamin's accident and her decision to follow Harlan in disguise, that his mouth went slack.

"I knew you were courageous, but I never imagined you could bedevil Harlan so perfectly!" He laughed. "I daresay you are destined for one another."

Leah winced slightly. "I'm not so sure about that." She immediately regretted her choice of words, because he looked at her curiously. Clearing her throat, she decided to turn the topic to something a bit more comfortable for her peace of mind and spoke about how well Benjamin seemed to be recovering.

"If you ever decide to give up conspiracy, I'm sure you could find work as a physician somewhere."

She laughed. "I shouldn't like that much responsibility. A few stitches here and there are not difficult, considering my father ensured I was adept with a sewing needle. As much as I learned about the world, I still had to know what was expected of young ladies my age, including needlepoint and watercolors."

"You don't say?" Hugh rubbed the side of his jaw. "I don't suppose your father taught you anything about cards, did he?"

She crossed her arms. "Scopa, Birkie, or Piquet? Or perhaps something from Germany—"

He held up a hand. "You made your point, so you get to shuffle and deal." He withdrew a deck of cards from his inner pocket and handed them to her.

"You keep a full suit on you all the time?"

He shrugged. "Naturally. You never know when you might have to defeat your best friend's sweetheart."

"You can certainly try." She shuffled with expert precision, to the point she could tell he was starting to wonder if he'd made the right choice by challenging her.

It took three games before Hugh threw down his cards in disgust, although there was a glimmer of admiration on his face. "I shall have to persuade Harlan to let you loose in the gaming hells."

She shook her head. "I can't do that. I made a promise to my father that I would only play as he intended for me to do so, for the enjoyment of it."

"Such a shame," Hugh sighed. "I could have made a fortune."

She chuckled, and the door opened to admit Harlan. He glanced at the two of them. "You seem to be getting on well," he noted.

"Except for the fact that if we were playing cards for money, I would have been thoroughly fleeced," Hugh remarked with a false annoyance.

"It's not my fault that you aren't as good as you imagine yourself to be," she chimed in primly.

"Ouch," Hugh said with a mock wince as he rose to his feet. "On that note, I think it's time for me to retreat for the evening."

Leah noticed Harlan looked hard at his cohort. "But you are staying here."

"I was, yes," he returned evenly. "But I sent a message to Lucas asking to spare me some room at Mivart's. I had my things sent over this morning, knowing that you would be returning soon." He glanced at Leah. "I thought the two of you would need some time alone together to… chat." With a brief clearing of his throat, he headed out the door.

The moment the door shut; Leah could instantly feel her skin becoming warm. She couldn't believe that Hugh could desert her like this. She knew that he thought this was what they wanted, but considering the look of uncertainty on Harlan's face, she had the feeling he was just as uncertain as she was.

"I'll take the settee if you want the bed," he announced. "If it was good enough for Hugh, surely it will work for me."

"That's not necessary," she noted. "I'm sure there is plenty of room for both of us in the…er…. there." Lord, could she not even say the word bed? It's not as if she hadn't already been intimate with him. But for some reason, now that the threat had passed with Mr. Bernard and there was nothing holding them back but their own desires, things were abruptly awkward. Perhaps it was the things that hadn't yet been said—or the things they might be wanting to say but couldn't yet find the words to do so.

Either way, Leah decided that she wasn't going to stand there in silence any longer. It was starting to get late, and although she had no idea what she would be doing for supper, she decided that neither did she care if this was how it was going to be to spend the next few days in Harlan's company.

As if reading her mind, he asked, "I think I'll run out and find us something to eat. Do you have any requests?"

She thought about that for a moment. "A baguette would be nice. I daresay that is one thing I particularly miss from France."

"I will see what I can find. There are several good bakery shops around, which is why it's a good thing I don't frequent London any more than necessary." He offered a slightly tight smile. "I'll be back shortly."

When Harlan returned,he was surprised to find the welcome aroma of coffee. Not only that, but there was the scent of something heavenly in the air.

As he walked into the kitchen, it was a strange sensation to see a beautiful woman at the hearth, a makeshift apron tied about her waist. As her backside was exposed in a tantalizing curve from the trousers she still wore, Leah looked perfectly at home, and decidedly at ease. A tug pulled at his heartstrings as he remembered the vision of his mother standing in similar surroundings when he was a boy.

He resisted the urge to call out a warning that he was home. Instead, he walked over and set the few items in his arms on the counter. This gained her attention and she turned to look at the bounty he offered. Suddenly he was that child again, trying to gain his mother's notice and hoping he was deserving of her affection. "What's all this?" he asked.

"Dinner," she announced proudly. "I made use with what I could find, so it's not much more than the stew we had at the cottage."

"It was rather tasty," he murmured softly, and allowed the moment to drag out slightly, so she might understand he was talking about more than the fare she had prepared. Clearing his throat, he added, "As to what I found—" he held up a brown wrapped parcel. "There was a sad lack of baguettes, but I managed to procure us some scones and a bottle of wine."

She smiled. "The scones would be a much better choice with the stew anyway." Leah turned back to the hearth and hummed a slight tune as she continued to toil.

Harlan decided it was almost too easy, too… perfect to be in these harmonious surroundings with Leah. It was certainly more comfortable than their days at the cottage when he'd had to convince her he could be trusted.

Here, he could imagine a time when he might come up behind her without hesitation and wrap his arms around her and pull her close. Perhaps, on occasion, dinner would be spoiled because they were caught up with each other instead. He wouldn't mind if that were to happen in the least.

However, since he wasn't confident of where Leah stood on their association right now, something told him it would be best if he retained his distance and took things slow.

She turned back to him, but the unsettled look on her face made him wary. "I keep feeling as though I should write to Agnes and explain what happened with her brother."

Harlan scrubbed a hand down his face. "After the way you said you were treated there, I am surprised you would give them any more consideration than necessary."

"It's true that there is no love lost between my brother and I, but I shouldn't wish to harm Agnes any further should Mr. Bernard decide to retaliate on his own relation." She hugged herself. "She is meek and frail. She doesn't need any more upset in her life."

Harlan's jaw clenched, but he gave a sharp nod. "I will ensure that word is sent first thing tomorrow."

The warmth that swirled in her amber eyes after his statement was enough to make him feel like a storybook hero. "Thank you, Harlan."

When she turned around, Harlan closed his eyes momentarily. His cock was starting to respond to her presence, but he'd promised himself he wouldn't act on any sexual impulses. No matter how much he might suffer with the desire to reconnect with her on an intimate level, he would have an iron will.

When the stew was finished and he had poured the wine, they settled down to eat across from one another at the modest table. Immediately, Harlan was reminded of the time they'd spent in Gravesend in similar, modest circumstances. He realized they were some of the happiest of his life.

"You seem rather distracted."

He looked at Leah over the rim of his wine and gave a lopsided smile. "I was just thinking about how this reminds me of another scene not so long ago."

She laughed lightly. "I was thinking the same thing."

"Were you?" he chuckled.

"Indeed." She took a bite of her stew. Once she swallowed, she said, "You know, I've heard that great minds tend to think in a similar fashion."

"Yes, I have heard the same." He looked at her and allowed his focus to remain direct. "Do you think that is what is happening with us?"

She shifted slightly in her chair. "Honestly, I'm not entirely sure."

They sat in silence for a while, each of them enjoying the stew, both of their inner thoughts appearing to be miles away. In the end, Harlan's fist clenched his spoon with white knuckles. He hated this pretense. He wanted to know what she was feeling, but there was that unspoken rule somewhere about why one couldn't just ask a person directly to expose their inner emotions.

"Should we discuss what I'm supposed to do at the palace?"

Harlan couldn't stand being this close to her and not touching her—holding her…

Kissingher.

He shoved back his chair. "I will be speaking with Wellington tomorrow. I should know more after our meeting."

She slowly rose to her feet as well. "Might I be able to attend?"

He looked at her for a moment. "I will see what I can arrange." He turned away. "I should retire—"

"Harlan, wait."

He didn't want to be subjected to more of the same torture, but he slowly spun back around to face her. She moved to stand in front of him. "I feel like we need to talk, but you're shutting me out for some reason."

He didn't think, only acted. He reached out and grasped her hand and placed it over the front of his trousers where his cock was starting to harden. At the feel of her delicate fingers on his manhood, he quickly swelled to a full erection. "This is why I can't be around you right now," he returned harshly. "I can't think straight, and I don't know if you want to do the same. Do you understand?"

"Yes," she breathed. Rubbing her hand slowly along his length, she said, "I want you, Harlan. I don't care what happens after tonight, but I can't be here with you and not feel you inside of me again—"

With a harsh sound, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bedchamber.

Leah's heartwas racing so hard as she reclined on the bed that she could hardly catch her breath because of it. When Harlan divested himself of his clothes, she heard the sound of stitches popping as he tossed each garment to the floor. Once his trousers were gone, Leah's eyes widened slightly at the proud girth of his member. He had been careful to express a care for her maidenly sensibilities before, but now, she was offered a full view of his attributes.

"Magnificent," she said in awe, as she reached out and ran her hand lightly along the shaft. "Smooth, yet, hard at the same time."

He wrapped her hand around him, showing her a gentle, but steady rhythm to caress him. He groaned, and she enjoyed the fact that she was pleasing him. The rounded tip looked so intriguing, that she wondered how it might feel inside her mouth. Would it be as tantalizing as when he'd pushed into her core? "Would it be wrong to ask if I could… taste you?"

His breathing hitched and she was afraid she'd insulted him. She started to pull her hand away, but he caught her wrist and said, "I would be honored if you would."

She licked her lips and slid off the bed. Lowering to her knees so that he was the perfect height to consume, she opened her mouth and looked at Harlan as her tongue darted out and licked that enticing tip first. Harlan hissed, but he kept his focus on her. There was something terribly erotic about the way he was watching her pleasure him. It made her heart pound even harder.

Sliding him inside her mouth ever so slowly, she closed her eyes, remembering how he'd felt when he'd slid inside of her body. Pressing her lips around him, she withdrew, but not so far as to release him, and then continued the same rhythm that she'd started with her hand.

It didn't take long before she looked up and saw Harlan's mouth was open, his chest rising and falling with every labored breath. He reached out and gently grasped the back of her head, digging his fingers into her hair as she continued to torment him so sweetly.

Finally, with a shuddered breath, he moved her away from him. "Now it's my turn to drive you mad."

The dark promise sent a delicious chill up her spine as he urged her to stand. Taking both sides of the men's shirt that she still wore, he easily rent it down the middle. Her trousers were next. He ripped the buttons from the flap and sent them flying about the room as he pushed the wasted material down her hips until they pooled at her feet.

This time he was the one on his knees before her. She started to move her hands to cover her mound, but he caught her wrist. "Don't be ashamed of your body, Leah. You are perfect."

Self-conscious, but still a bit breathless from the intimacy of the moment, she said, "I'm not so sure about that."

His nostrils flared slightly. "I am." With that, he leaned forward and set his mouth on her.

From the first flick of his wicked tongue along her sensitive cleft, she didn't care about anything else but the pleasure. The insecurities vanished and she was focused on the exquisite sensations that he was sending through her. She didn't know whether she was hot or cold. Her legs tensed, but at the same time, she wondered if they would support her weight as they started to tremble.

She gasped when his hands cupped her backside, his fingers firmly grasping and holding her even more close to his mouth. She felt wanton for glancing down at him, to see his head between her thighs, but at the same time, the image was so erotic, so… enticing that she could feel something tighten within her. She recalled the same energy coiling within her the last time they had been together.

She couldn't tear her eyes away from him. "Harlan…"

He made a sound deep in his throat, and the combination of the vibration and the relentless movements of his tongue quickly had her eyes falling closed as shudders of ecstasy wracked her body.

He held her as she flew to the heavens and beyond before landing softly back in his arms. When her eyes opened, she was surprised to find that she was lying back on the bed, his impressive cock poised at her entrance.

His focus was on her, and as their eyes locked, he pushed deeply inside of her.

Glorious.

Leah wound her legs around his thighs, her arms wound around his shoulders as he pumped his hips. The slick joining soon caused a friction that had her heart pounding anew. She wasn't certain she could enjoy anything more than the wonder she'd just experienced, but she was learning that Harlan was a masterful lover, skilled in the carnal arts.

Faster, harder, soon it became too much to bear and as Leah's body coiled and tightened with her second release, Harlan groaned and nipped lightly at the curve of her shoulder, finally giving a shout and a final thrust before he became still.

He collapsed on top of her, but Leah basked in the joy of his weight. He didn't smother her or crush her. He just made her feel safe and comforted. She had never felt quite so whole in her entire life, like she had truly found where she belonged.

She sighed, feeling languid and slightly dizzy as he lifted his head to give her a light kiss on the lips. "How are you feeling?"

She smiled and said in a sleepy tone. "Divine."

He chuckled huskily. "I do like the sound of that." He gave her another kiss and then moved off of her.

He gathered her ruined shirt and wiped away the remnants of their lovemaking. "I shall have to get you something else to wear," he noted.

She propped her head up on her elbow and allowed her eyes to gain their fill of his muscular form. "I would say that is a pity, but I should probably wear something proper to meet the queen," she said dryly.

He lifted a coy brow. "Naturally. Although I suppose we could get you into the palace under the guise of a page boy—"

She grabbed her pillow and smacked him playfully with it. "I shall not agree to that!" She fell back against the bed and threw her arms out wide in a dramatic fashion. "Trousers might have been fine for a time, but I expect to be adorned in jewels and satins at the expense of the Home Office, since I will be acting as one of their agents."

Harlan offered her a crooked grin, and with his brown hair in disarray, his hands placed on narrow hips and his manhood on full, unabashed display, he said, "I will personally ensure you are outfitted by the finest modistes on Bond Street."

"How gracious of you," she noted in a teasing mein. "Although I doubt it will be as fashionable as Paris gowns, I'm sure I can readjust to staid, London fashion."

That got his attention. He nearly pounced on her, pinning her arms neatly above her head as he crouched above her. "I certainly hope that you are referring to clothing and nothing else. At least, I should hope that you aren't daring to claim that all English are staid by comparison. If so, I shall have to take high offense to that."

He bent down and captured one of her nipples between his neat even teeth. Then he took it into his mouth and sucked hard. Her hips jerked and she gasped as a rush of heat slid across her skin.

She decided to play his game. "I wouldn't dream of accusing you of being staid, Mr. Mathis. You were a highwayman, after all. The romantic sort of bandit like Dick Turpin, knowing full well how to charm and ravish women to steal their belongings." She lifted a brow. "Among other things."

"Ah, so I've stolen your virtue, have I?" He lifted a brow. "I believe you are incorrect on that score, for I vividly recall you offering it to me freely. And quite eagerly, in fact."

She lifted her chin in a haughty manner. "You, sir, are no gentleman."

The hooded look in his gaze caused her breath to freeze momentarily in her chest, before the flames of passion flared to life. "If you were hoping for a duke, I shall have to disappoint you. I'm far too ruthless for a distinguished title." He leaned forward to whisper in her ear. "But I promise that I will ravish you like a true highwayman."

Leah lifted her hips and teased his cock, which was already starting to swell with renewed vigor. "I certainly hope so."