“Do you know how good you smell, Ella?”
She was too weak to respond. His lips moved to her neck, and she sucked in her breath.
“You smell like lavender, rose, rain, and now the musky scent of sexual desire.”
Her eyes flew open. Surely she didn’t smell
that
way. She pushed his hands away from her waist.
“What is it?” He leaned back and looked into her eyes. Noting her discomfort, his lips quirked. “You’re embarrassed?”
“No,” she whispered, straightening her dress and inching away from him.
“Why are you embarrassed, my love?”
Heat rushed to her face at the endearment. “I’m not…I’m just…” She swallowed hard and met his eyes. “Can you really?”
“Really what?”
“Do I have a scent?”
His teeth gleamed in the dim light, and he leaned forward, his lips close to her ear. “It’s sweet and musky and you. Only you.” His warm tongue flicked along the shell of her ear. Ella groaned and sank into her seat. “I smelled it that first day we met.” His lips moved to her neck. “That day after the folly, I could smell you on my body, mixed with my own scent. I could smell myself on you. It made me want you all the more, Ella.”
His arm slipped around her waist, and he drew her onto his lap. The proof of his arousal pulsed hard against her thighs. She tried not to move as his lips found hers…. Dear Lord, she tried, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself from rocking with the rhythm of the carriage. The ache in the pit of her belly grew…almost unbearable.
“
Merda
, Ella. You’ll be the death of me.”
His hands found their way up her legs, her skirts crinkling as he bunched the material further…further until warm air whispered across her skin. Then his fingers brushed against her thighs, and her stomach jumped. Her surprise gave way to need. She whimpered, her arms tightening around his neck.
“Do you like that, Ella?” he asked.
“Yes,” she whispered.
“And this?” His fingers moved further up her thighs, hovering over the very heat that begged to be touched.
“Yes,” she groaned, her head falling back.
His fingers slipped between her folds, coaxing gently until her body trembled for release. Ella gasped for breath and in the air was the heady, musky scent of their intimacy. Oh God, he was right. She’d barely noticed in the folly.
The realization made the ache between her legs increase, and she squirmed against the sweet torment of his touch.
“Please Leo,” she whispered.
His lips pressed to her collarbone. Before she could agree, he jerked down the neckline of her dress, exposing her breasts to his gaze. His breath seared her skin right before his mouth covered a nipple. He sucked as his fingers stroked the folds between her legs, and she was sure she would die.
Deeper, his fingers pressed, urging her legs further apart. Ella clung to the man and whimpered, the only actions she was capable of at the moment.
“Come for me, Ella,” he said softly, lifting his mouth to hers.
When his tongue flicked over her lips and his finger pressed deep inside of her, pleasure exploded in her body…pulsing, pounding, sending white stars dancing behind her eyelids. And in that moment, there were no worries, no problems…there was only Leo.
Slowly, the pleasure receded, leaving Ella in a daze of buzzing satisfaction. She became aware of Leo’s harsh breathing against her neck, of his body tense and hard beside her. He’d rested his forehead on her shoulder, his heart slamming wildly against her chest.
The carriage slowed, and the sound of a bustling town seeped through the windows. Dear Lord, they’d arrived. She stumbled off his lap and onto the seat across from him. Her fingers shook as she buttoned her bodice, frantic to make herself presentable. Leo leaned back casually against his seat and watched her through hooded eyes. She could read nothing in his expression. Did he want her? Was he disgusted by her need?
The carriage stopped, and Leo flicked back a curtain. “We’ve arrived.”
Ella nodded, her face flaming as reality rushed in. What was wrong with her? Surely she’d gone mad. To let him touch her, to do those things to her in a
carriage
, for God’s sake. Her legs felt like melted wax, her body still tingling so she didn’t know if she floated, if she even dreamed.
The door opened, and Leo jumped outside. She couldn’t look at him, didn’t dare look at the footman who stood stoically by with the door held open. She slipped her hand into Leo’s, sinking into his body for support. When he started down the street, she followed meekly, knowing she could do nothing more than trust him. But even as she forced her mind to calm, she took in a deep breath and smelled that musky scent, clinging to her body, clinging to him. Horror made her stumble.
As if knowing exactly what had shocked her so, Leo leaned close. “Do you smell it, Ella? My desire…your desire, mixed…in the air.”
Her lips parted on a gasp.
He leaned closer…so close his lips brushed against his ear. “This isn’t over, Ella.”
This isn’t over.
The words repeated again and again in his head as they strolled down the street.
Cazzarola
, why hadn’t he taken her in that carriage and shown her exactly how it could be? But even as he wondered, he knew the answer.
Because he respected her too much.
Ella looked up at him, her eyes innocent and guileless, and his guilt grew. What the hell was he doing here, with her?
She stepped closer to him as the street crowd grew, and the side of her soft breast pressed against his arm. Leo gritted his teeth and ignored the sweat that broke out on his forehead. It was too soon, much too soon to be this close to her after that carriage ride. He needed distance, miles and miles of distance, to recover.
Small stone cottages tucked tightly together lined either side of the road. He focused on the buildings, tearing his gaze from the woman beside him.
“Is that the place, then?” she whispered. Her wide eyes were trained on a two-story building in front of them.
“Yes, I suppose it is.” Thank the gods, it was almost over. Without hesitating, he knocked on the door.
There was the soft shuffle of feet, and then moments later the door opened. A tall, thin man stood before them, his eyes narrowed in obvious suspicion. He scratched the scruff on his face and twisted his mouth into a snarl. “What is it?”
“We’re looking for a man with last name of Convey,” Leo answered.
The man stiffened, and his gaze flicked nervously from Ella to Leo. “Blast and hell.” He stepped aside and nodded toward the interior of his house. “You’d better come in then.”
The room was small, crowded, and held only the basics one needed to survive.
“My name’s Crane. Have a seat,” the man said, with a nod toward a scratched and worn table. Leo pulled out a chair for Ella, rolling his eyes when she made pains to carefully smooth out her dress.
“Convey lived out back,” Crane said. “He did, for two years now. Quiet man, kept to himself. He’d been a few days late on his rent, so I went looking for him. He wasn’t there and hasn’t been since.”
Leo stood behind Ella, not bothering to sit. “When was the last time anyone saw him?”
The man shrugged. “Don’t know. I can take you to his place, if you want.”
Leo nodded. They followed the man out back to a building that was little more than a shed. With a nod, Crane left them alone. Taking in a deep breath, Leo tugged open the door. There was a distinct stench in the air…the smell of death…metallic blood…rotting bodies. Leo’s stomach churned, and he clenched his jaw to keep the bile from rising in his throat.
“Leo?” he heard and turned to see Ella. “Are you all right?”
He nodded.
She gently touched his arm. “What is it?”
“He’s dead.”
Ella shook her head, and her brows knit together. “How do you know?”
“I know. Come on.” He took her hand and led her into the room, leaving the door wide to allow a soft breeze to enter. “Look,” he said with a nod toward the far wall.
Ella released his hand and went to the wooden carving of an elephant standing on his hind legs. “What is it?”
“Indian god.”
Ella sucked in a breath. “Do you think Crane lies? Does he know more than he’s telling us?”
“I’m not sure.” Leo flipped open the lid to a small trunk. A variety of Indian artifacts lay nestled atop blankets. “There you go.”
Ella knelt beside him. “More Indian objects?”
He nodded. He wasn’t shocked. He should be, but for some reason, he wasn’t. He’d been right, so why didn’t he feel validated?
“He has to be a twin, Leo. He has to be guilty.”
“Yes, but without a body, it doesn’t matter much. We can’t prove he did it, and we can’t question him for information.”
Ella pulled the statues from the trunk, even shaking a few. “Nothing of use.” She stood and wiped her hand on her skirt. “Amazing, that he did so much, saw so much, and then ended up here with only a trunk full of objects to keep him company.”
“I doubt he’s seeing much of anything now.”
Ella started around the room. “There must be something…somewhere.” But the room was minimal, to say the least.
Leo went to the only other trunk in the room and shifted through articles of clothing. He stood, shaking his head. “Nothing.”
He started to turn, when he spotted a dark stain halfway under the bed. With eyes narrowed he knelt and touched the spot. Faded and scrubbed clean, but a slight shadow all the same.
“What is it?” Ella whispered.
“Blood, I believe. Although someone did a rather brilliant job at scrubbing it clean.”
Ella went pale. “Blimey, do you think Crane knows he’s dead?”
Leo frowned. “I don’t think so.” There’d been an honesty in the man’s eyes.
“Wait!” Ella raced across the room to the bed. Before Leo could question her odd behavior, she pulled something from underneath the mattress.
“What is it?”
“A necklace. It was barely visible.” She dangled the piece of jewelry in front of her. “A part of the chain just caught the light and…” Her voice trailed off, her lips parting on a gasp.
He followed her gaze to the quartz pendant hanging from the chain. A small god. “Same as yours.”
“Not exactly,” she whispered.
Not a disc, but a small man, very similar to the god on her pendant. The pendant her uncle had sent her. Which meant…
He lifted his gaze to her face. She was trembling, and he wanted so badly to hold her. He wanted to shake his head; he wanted to scream with the injustice of it all. Ella’s uncle couldn’t be guilty.
They stood there for some time, he wasn’t sure how long. Ella staring at the necklace, while he stared at Ella. No, her uncle couldn’t be guilty. He would not believe it.
“Come,” he said softly. “Let’s get something to eat and rest. We’ll leave early tomorrow.” He tucked the necklace into his pocket and led Ella outside.
“Find anything?” Crane asked as they entered his home.
Leo squeezed Ella’s hand, a demand for her to keep quiet. “No, unfortunately. Can you tell me what Convey looked like?”
The man frowned and leaned against the wall. “Well, about this high.” He held his hand to his shoulders. “Round man, gone to fat around his belly. Thinning brown hair, dark brown eyes. Large nose.”
Leo nodded. Sounded like the Convey he knew, but really he wasn’t surprised. “Please, if you hear anything, contact me.” Leo slipped the man a piece of paper. “It will be worth it.” On top of the paper he’d placed some coins. He knew he should question Crane further, but he could barely seem to care at the moment. Something had changed between he and Ella, and he didn’t like it one bit. “Thank you for your time.”
“Of course,” the man replied.
They stepped into the crisp, fresh morning air, and still Ella said nothing. He wanted to say something to her—anything—but didn’t know what. He didn’t know what to say…what to feel…what to do, and so he did nothing.
Leo’s gaze slipped from house to house as they made their way down the streets. In the distance mingled the soft roar of the ocean and fishmongers calling out their wares. Everything seemed so normal, but nothing was normal.
He glanced at Ella, her face pale, her lower lip trembling. He paused, taking her hand, intent on easing her worries when a sudden chill of unease made the fine hairs on his body stand on end. Someone watched them. He paused and surveyed the small crowds.
“What is it?” Ella asked.
There, in an alley between two tall buildings, stood a man in a dark coat. His long beard and hat blocked his face from view, but Leo could sense strength and youth. Who was he? Without thought, Leo bolted across the street. A carriage skidded to a halt in front of him. The driver cursed and pulled back on the reins. Leo darted around the vehicle to see the alley empty, the man gone.
“Leo,” Ella cried out, rushing to his side. “What is it?”
Leo’s heart raced in his chest, still feeling the man’s attention on them. Slowly, he turned, but saw nothing. He was out there, somewhere, watching them, waiting.
“Leo?” Ella tugged on his hand.
He turned, intending to tell her the truth. But one look into her wide, worried eyes and he knew he would lie. “It’s nothing. Come, let’s go.”
The gentle sway of the carriage and dim evening light lulled Ella into a dreamlike trance. Through the crack between the curtains, she watched the passing scenery with little interest. Even half asleep, her body buzzed from Leo’s presence. She knew he watched her from the shadows on the other side of the coach and couldn’t help but wonder what he thought. Did he despise her? Wish he’d never laid eyes upon her?
She didn’t dare interrupt the silence for fear of what their conversation would bring. He’d said little since their search for Convey’s brother. Last night, much to her dismay, he’d escorted her to her room, and disappeared into his. This morning he’d arrived early to start their trip back to the castle. All day, they’d been in this blasted carriage with barely a word spoken and not one of his emotions revealed.
Most likely he cursed her and her family. After all, the necklace was further proof of her uncle’s guilt. Guilt. Just the word made her stomach churn. In her heart, she knew her uncle wasn’t guilty. Yet, she couldn’t deny the slight sense of unease that tapped at the corners of her mind. Damn Leo, for obviously his suspicion was influencing her own beliefs.
How could she have fallen so hard for him? How could she let him touch her that way, do those things to her, when he thought her own family guilty of murder? The sad part was deep down inside, she didn’t regret her actions. She’d had more adventures in her short time with Leo than she’d had her entire life. Who would have thought she’d swim in her shift, she’d pose nude for a portrait…she’d feel those wonderful, achy sensations when he touched her? She’d changed, and she could taste freedom…so close. But now…now he hated her. Thought her family guilty of murdering his. The suspicion was obvious in the coldness of his eyes.
The Leo she had come to know vanished the moment she’d uncovered the necklace. How she wished she hadn’t pulled it free from the bed.
“Company, my lord,” the footman called from his perch on the back of the carriage.
Ella instantly became alert, sitting up and blinking Leo into focus. He leaned against the seat, his legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles, looking completely unconcerned. Having grown up in India, perhaps he didn’t realize the direness of the situation. She, on the other hand, felt close to fainting. Her heart raced in her chest, and fear tasted bitter on her tongue. How many stories had she heard of the dangers of highwaymen? They’d been romantic stories as a child, but as an adult, she knew the truth.
“Who is it?” she whispered.
“I’m not sure, but I could make a rather educated guess,” he replied dryly.
“Coming up fast behind us, my lord,” the coachman called out from the front.
“Try to outrun them, Thomas.”
The carriage jerked forward, throwing Ella back against the seat.
“Are you all right?” Leo asked, flicking a glance at her as he slowly uncrossed his legs and reached for his jacket on the seat next to him. He’d been like this since they’d discovered the necklace…so quiet, reserved, cold.
Ella nodded; it was all she could manage. Dear God, she should have never left the castle. They’d die, and it would be her fault.
“Good, if you’re all right, then you can handle this.” He tossed her a small pistol.
Ella fumbled with the weapon, before grasping it tightly with fingers that trembled. “What…what am I supposed to do with a gun?”
He pulled aside a curtain and peeked out the window. “Use it, if the need arises.”
“Highwaymen?” she asked.
His jaw clenched. “If you wish to think so, then yes.”
He thought this was Henry’s doing. She sighed and sank into the seat. “Not again. This can’t be happening again.”
His gaze, hard and intense, swung to her, and the anger she saw in those glowing amber orbs frightened her. “What do you have, Ella? What do they want?”
She shook her head. “Nothing. The man who broke into my room asked about a map, but I swear I have no map.”
Leo’s eyes widened, and any color quickly drained from his face. When he should have been preparing to battle highwaymen, he instead sank back against the seat. She’d never seen him so ill at ease, and his shock frightened her.
“Leo, what—”
“The men,” he said softly. “That night my parents were murdered, the men who killed them wanted a map.”
Ella stumbled across the small aisle to sit next to him. “A map for what?”
Leo shook his head as if to break the spell of that awful day. “I don’t know.”
They were being chased, most likely by highwaymen who would see them dead. Yet, for some reason, this conversation, here, now, seemed more important. “And you believe my uncle was one of the men who turned on your parents? You believe he may have wanted this map?”
He raked his hair back, the confusion apparent in his gaze. “I have no idea.” He clasped her shoulders in a tight grip. “Think, Ella. Do you have anything of his, anything?”
She shook her head. “Just the necklace.”
Leo released his hold and gazed out the window.
Did he believe her? She took her lip between her teeth and sunk against the seat. The man in her room had wanted a map, but he’d been holding…a book. Her uncle’s book. “And the journal.”
He jerked his gaze to her. “A journal?”
“He sent it the same time he sent the necklace. But it’s in another language—Hindi, I suppose. I’ve never understood a word of it.”
“My lord,” the driver called out. “They are gaining on us.”
“Keep driving Thomas, Eddie, and I will hold them off.”
“There’s four of them, two on each side,” Eddie called out, and she could hear the tremble in his voice.
“Shouldn’t Eddie climb inside, somewhere safer?” she asked.
“At this speed, he’d likely fall off and kill himself.” Leo pushed aside the curtain. “Eddie, can you make it inside?”
“I—I don’t think so, my lord.”
“Right then, take the men on the left,” Leo demanded. “Ella, get down on the floor. Now!”
Ella slipped from the seat and huddled on the floor. A blast rang out, and her heart jumped into her throat. The carriage veered. She struggled to maintain her balance. Another blast sounded, and Ella heard the distinct rip as the bullet tore through the top of the coach. She couldn’t stop the gasp from escaping her lips.
“Leo, please, get down,” she cried out, but he ignored her. With his jacket off and his sleeves rolled up, he pushed himself out of the open door and fired.
“Got one,” Leo called out with a wicked grin on his face. “Eddie, how do you fare?”
“I believe Eddie’s fainted, my lord,” the driver squeaked. “He’s slumped over in his seat and not moving, as far as I can tell.”
Ella sucked in her breath.
“I’ll handle it, just keep driving,” Leo snapped.
“Yes, my lord.”
She could hear the driver call out to the horses, urging them faster. But the carriage didn’t seem to move any quicker, and at the edges of her mind she could feel the dear beasts struggling to run, their fear palpable—tangy and metallic. They were exhausted and would not travel much further.
“Give me your pistol,” Leo demanded.
Ella tossed him the weapon. “Please, let me help.”
“No, stay down.” He pushed open the door once again, slipped his foot through a handle, and like a bloody acrobat, leaned outside and aimed both weapons. The blasts produced thin trails of smoke, but there was no look of glee on his face this time. “He’s down. Only two left on the right.”
Over the thunder of horses’ hooves, a succession of return fire rang out. Ella heard the driver grunt, and the carriage veered to the side.
“Thomas?” Leo called out.
No answer.
Ella’s lungs seemed to collapse in her chest, leaving her gasping for air. Outside the window, a man on horseback appeared. She scampered to the far corner of the carriage and called out, “Leo!”
Leo spun around and pulled the trigger. The blast left her ears ringing. The attacker swayed on his horse, then fell to the side, disappearing from view.
The carriage swerved across the road, and a branch scraped against the side with a screech that lifted the fine hairs on her body.
“Ella,” Leo snapped. “Take the pistol. I have to climb out and control the coach—it’s our only chance. When you see that last man come near, shoot him.” He pressed the gun into her hands and rushed to the door.
“Leo!”
He didn’t wait for her response, but climbed out and disappeared from sight. Her breath stilled within her, panic closing her throat. He would be killed! She looked down at the gun in her trembling hands. Dear God, she needed to concentrate on controlling the animals, not worry about Leo’s safety.
Movement near the window caught her attention, and for a moment she froze, forgetting to breathe. A dark-haired man galloped beside them. She had to shoot him. She couldn’t.
He lifted his arm and pointed a gun directly above the coach, where Leo struggled with the frightened horses. Fear pulsed through her. She jumped onto the seat and aimed the pistol at the man. Either she’d shoot him or he’d shoot Leo.
She squeezed her eyes shut and pulled the trigger. The blast threw her back, making her hands tingle with numbness. It took a moment for her to realize she’d actually shot a man. Only too soon, awareness buzzed through her, and she scrambled frantically across the seat to peer out the window, searching for the stranger. He was on the ground, moving. At least she hadn’t killed him. With a sigh of relief, she fell back against the cushions.
“Thank God.”
The horses veered to the left and tossed Ella to the side of the coach. She could hear Leo speaking to the animals, attempting to calm their frantic pace, but she knew his words fell on deaf ears. A crack rent the air, and a sudden thump threw her to the floor. Her head banged against the door, and pain shot through her skull. Groaning, she rubbed the tender spot.
“The axle broke,” Leo shouted. “Hold on, Ella.”
“Oh, dear God,” she muttered.
Could she possibly control the horses? She could barely control one. But she had to do something and fast. Pushing herself off the ground, she sank onto the seat and braced herself in the corner of the carriage. As comfortable as she could possibly get, she closed her eyes.
The horses’ fear sliced through her, mixed with her own and made her body tremble. Quickly, she found the front two of the four horses and focused on them. Ella sucked in a deep breath and slowly released the air. Reaching out, she merged her mind with theirs, felt their hearts race in her chest, felt the earth hard beneath their hooves.
“It’s all right, my beauties,” she whispered. The pounding in her head worsened, but she pushed the discomfort aside. “Relax,” she said, over and over. She felt the twitch of the animals’ ears as they took in her words and understood their meaning. She calmed her own body, relaxing the muscles from her feet, to her face.
With a deep breath in, she poured her thoughts, her energy into the beasts. In the very core of her being, the heat formed, growing, swirling, burning. Sweat broke out on her forehead. She’d never used her powers on more than one animal at a time or on animals that large. Finally, she felt the horses relent and almost cried out with relief.
They neighed as the carriage rolled to a stop, and the sound was like a choir of angels singing. She heard Leo jump to the ground, and still she didn’t move. Then he appeared in the doorway, looking strong and sure, and even in her exhausted state, her heart lurched.
“Are you all right?” he asked, jerking open the door.
She nodded, too tired to move. Any energy she’d had was sucked from her and placed into those animals.
“Ella?” Leo jumped into the carriage, his brows drawn together. “You don’t look well.” He pressed the side of his hand to her face. “You’re freezing and trembling.” He scooped her into his arms, and he felt so bloody good, so warm, so wonderful that she wanted to cry. He carried her outside, but the fresh air did little to restore her strength.
“Ella?” He knelt along the side of the road, cradling her in his lap. “Ella, what happened?”
“I shot a man.”
He grinned and smoothed the hair from her face. “Is that all?”
She cuddled further against him, breathing in his scent. “It’s enough.”
“It if helps, I don’t think you killed him, which is why we need to leave now. Who knows how many will follow?”
“What about Thomas and Eddie?”
His smile fell, his face wavering out of focus in her exhausted state. “They’re fine. Thomas has a flesh wound. They’re heading west to throw the men off.”
She was too tired to truly contemplate his words. She could see he’d unhitched the horses and wondered how long she’d been in the carriage after he’d stopped. Had she fainted?
“They took two mounts; we’ll take the other two.”
Cradling her to his chest, he stood. One of the horses neighed softly, and she knew he recognized her now as a friend. Leo settled her upon the mount, and, too weak to grip the saddle, she started to slip toward the ground. He jumped up behind her and wrapped his arms tightly around her waist. Finally safe, she closed her eyes and relaxed into his muscled body. Then the world went black.
She slept. For three hours now he’d maneuvered the horse through the woods, not sure where the hell he traveled. Not once had Ella stirred. It was not only odd; it was rather frightening. An hour ago he’d called out her name only to have her mumble something indecipherable before falling back into a deep sleep.
He sighed as he reached a dirt path. He had no bloody idea where he was. He didn’t know the area, and the woods were a blur of dark shadows. A fine drizzle misted his face, and he cursed. He didn’t know what was wrong with Ella, but being damp would not bolster her health. Taking the path would mean they would be easier to spot if they were still being followed, but it was chance he had to take. He nudged the mount onto the trail.
The attacks were becoming more persistent. Since he’d returned home there’d been small episodes. A saddle not tightened properly. Once a poisonous mushroom had found its way into his food. He’d spent all night vomiting, but had made it through unscathed. They were things that could be easily overlooked, but not now that Ella was involved. Who was her uncle, and how was he linked to his parents? More importantly, was her uncle linked to Henry?