Angel in Black (25 page)

“God, little one, you shall drive me mad.” He pulled her nearer, brushed her lips with his, turned and left. He knew if he stayed one second longer, he would lose control.

Still fairly early, Blake left for the sanctuary of his favorite club. He did not think he could bear being in the same house with Katrina and did not trust he could stay away from her.

I
T WAS LATE WHEN
he finally made his way back to the townhouse, and everyone had long since retired. The house was dark and still. Blake walked up the staircase, his coat casually tossed over his shoulder. He undid his vest and unbuttoned his shirt to the waist. When he past Katrina’s door, he could not help but pause, the temptation to go in great. He stood there, indecisive, when soft sounds from within drifted to his ears. He eased the door open. Katrina struggled in her sleep and Blake realized she faced the horrors of a nightmare. Concerned, he entered the room and crossed to her bed.

Her golden hair lay tangled across the pillow; her blankets were kicked to the floor, revealing her thin nightgown, twisted in her sleep about her hips. Blake’s pulse quickened as he stroked her forehead and felt the moisture dampening the small tendrils of hair around her face.

“Katrina, little one … wake up. It’s only a dream. Wake up, Katrina.”

Blake tried to awaken her with a shake. She struggled, fighting him, still deep in sleep. Finally, she awakened; her eyes wide with fright. He pulled her into his arms, cradled her and smoothed the hair from her face as she trembled from the remembered terror.

“Shhh … it’s all right … there’s nothing to be frightened of anymore.”

His soft words comforted, lulled Katrina back to reality. Blake kissed her head, tender and sweet, his voice kind and reassuring. “Shhh … it’s all right.”

Total awareness was slow in coming; what happened and who held her finally dawning. Embarrassed, she pulled away and tried to cover her exposed legs. In her attempt to regain her modesty, the strap of her gown came loose and slid off one shoulder. Katrina fumbled with the ribbon in an attempt to retie it.

Blake put his hand over hers to stop her futile attempts at making a bow. “Never mind it.” He lifted Katrina’s delicate face with a finger so he could look into her eyes. Unable to resist, he pulled her to him and kissed her as he’d yearned to all day. He felt her shiver, his kiss demanding, causing her senses to come alive beneath his touch.

His arms tightened about her and Blake’s hand slid up her leg to caress her hip. Katrina moaned from his touch. He fell back on the bed, rolled her beneath him, her soft curves molded against his hard ones. He buried his head in her hair and his senses reeled from the sweet smell of roses, his passions driven to the brink.

Katrina felt her own desires overwhelm her, consuming the last fragments of reality. Desperate, she fought for control, her plea a slight whisper. “Please — Blake.”

He rolled away from her, reluctant, yet dismayed. “God help me, I fear I cannot control my need for you, little one. Please forgive me.” Blake’s voice shook as he fought to master his desire for her.

“I’m sorry.” Katrina felt so confused, so shaken and weak. She touched Blake’s cheek, and when he looked at her, he saw all in her face. It tore at his heart — she desired him but could not forget the pain he always inflicted.

With great tenderness, he kissed the palm of her hand. “Good night, Katrina.”

The door clicked shut and Katrina stared into the darkness. Loneliness filled her, strong and overbearing. Her lips still tingled from his kiss, and she fought to hold back the impulse to call after him.

T
HE NEXT DAY PROVED
sunny, bringing promised warmth to the streets of London. At breakfast Blake remained courteous, seeming to watch his every move around her. He asked if Katrina would like to go for a ride. He thought the fresh air might bring color to her cheeks.

Anxious for a day in the sun, she accepted and Blake escorted her to the waiting carriage. Katrina’s excitement and wonder grew as they toured the busy city. On her previous trips, she had seen little of the beauty London offered. Blake turned out to be an excellent tour guide — never before had she seen so much in a single day. They stopped for a light lunch at a most charming cafe, and she could not remember when she’d experienced a happier day.

Rebecca had been delighted to discover the two women were close to the same size. The young woman provided Katrina with a beautiful wardrobe, including the blue silk she had worn the night before. Any alterations needed were done quickly. Today Katrina wore a lovely caraco jacket and skirt of rose-colored silk damask with a delicate floral design. Chantilly lace spilled from her throat and sleeves and a becoming broad-brimmed hat trimmed in fresh flowers completed her outfit.

Blake wore a silk jacket of dark gold, bringing out the intense color of his eyes. Breeches of the same rich color clung snugly to his muscled legs, and brown leather boots gave him a trim, elegant look. Never one to wear a hat long, Blake let the wind tousle his hair. Katrina could not help but notice the looks cast their way everywhere they went.

By the time Blake and Katrina returned to the townhouse, she felt tired. She had slept little and went upstairs for a nap before dinner. She undressed and sat at the dressing table to pull the pins from her hair. She brushed the long tresses as her mind wandered through the day spent with Blake. With a long sigh, she stood, stretched and walked to the large, canopied bed. She crawled beneath the warm comforter and within minutes exhaustion conquered her.

Katrina slept sound, feeling refreshed when she finally opened her eyes. It was dark now and she knew it must be near dinnertime. She jumped from the bed and lit a lamp on the side table. She ran a brush through her hair and panicked when the clock in the hall chimed the hour. Why hadn’t she been awakened? She selected a simple, light woolen gown of pale gold from among those she’d been given and hurriedly put it on. There was no time to do anything with her hair, so she decided to leave it free.

Closing the door behind her, Katrina hurried down the hall. As she descended the stairs, Blake’s deep voice drifted to her, and she warmed at the sound. When she entered the room, Blake stopped midsentence, his concentration seemingly lost as he stared at her. In several long strides, he stood at her side, his eyes devouring her. Katrina saw Ryon, his amusement and pleasure as he watched apparent.

Blake excused himself soon after dinner, explaining he must attend to business. Katrina felt strangely empty after he left, though Ryon, Rebecca, and the babe were pleasant company. When she returned to her room, Mary, one of the servants, waited for her. A hot bath stood ready, and the young girl explained her reason for not helping her dress before dinner.

“Lady Rebecca said you might want t’ sleep through dinner, so I didna’ come earlier. I thought you might like your bath now, mum.”

Katrina smiled gratefully at the girl, still feeling awkward to have servants seeing to her needs. “Thank you, Mary. Perhaps it will relax me. I seem to be anxious. I think I slept overly long this afternoon. I’m afraid I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

“Well, miss, Lord Roberts has lots of books in his library. I’m sure you could find one you would enjoy readin’. I’ll see a fire’s set so you can go down after your bath, if you wish.”

“Yes, I think I’ll need something to help me sleep. Thank you.”

After removing her gown and undergarments, Katrina piled her hair on her head and pinned it in place. She sank into the fragrant water and felt the heat sooth the tension from her. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, allowed her mind to drift. Visions of Blake teased her, eyes filled with desire as a roguish smile played on his lips. Wide shoulders with strong arms and a bare chest, bronzed by the sun, took shape in her thoughts. The massive shoulders tapered down to a small, flat waist and long, well-muscled legs flexed when he moved. His whole being emanated the controlled power of a jungle cat. Yet, she knew him to be a gentle lover, a skilled lover, who made her feel like a whole woman. Blake was the man who could fill the emptiness in her.

Her eyes flew open when she realized where her thoughts had taken her. She blushed, despite being alone. “Damn,” she muttered. “Why can’t I keep you from my thoughts?”

She grabbed the bar of soap and scrubbed, determined to blot out the image of Blake branded into her mind. After rinsing, she dried herself with the soft towel Mary left and slipped into the silken nightgown and robe laid out for her. She still wasn’t sleepy, so she picked up a candle and made her way downstairs to the library.

A cozy fire burned in the grate, just as promised. The house remained quiet — everyone retired to their rooms. Katrina held the candle up and examined the fine volumes lining the shelves; she found it difficult to choose. Finally she settled on something and started to leave.

“Don’t go.” A low voice startled her. Blake stepped from the shadows into the light of the fire. “Don’t go, Katrina.”

“Blake, I didn’t see you. I couldn’t sleep and —” her words faded, so she held up the book in her hand, strangely tongue-tied. Finally, she mumbled, “I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

“On the contrary, little one, you are always a delight to see and I don’t think it’s possible for you to disturb me. Except — in a different way.”

His voice grew deep and sensuous, the tone sending shivers over her. When Katrina met his golden gaze she saw the fire in them and understood his meaning clearly. She stood mesmerized, unable to look away, unable to move.

“I’m sorry you cannot sleep.” Blake continued to watch her.

She finally glanced away, nervous, uncertain what to do. “I didn’t mean to sleep so long this afternoon; now I find sleep evades me.”

Silence filled the room and Blake walked over to her, each step deliberate and slow. Standing before her, he lifted her chin to look up at him. “You are so beautiful. Do you know what torture it is to have you so close — and yet so far?”

Nervous, she licked her lips; an innocent gesture she could not know caused a sudden tightening in Blake’s gut. He turned away, unable to gaze at her any longer, but the scent of her filled the air, making it impossible to ignore her presence.

Katrina turned him to face her. “Don’t be angry with me, Blake.” Confusion clouded her face and it was clear she misunderstood his actions.

Blake closed his eyes a second, to gather his strength and still his overwhelming passion. When he opened them again, he read the myriad of emotions on her face. “I’m not angry, little one, but I must know one thing. Does the desire still burn in you as it does in me?”

“Yes,” whispered Katrina honestly.

The relief and joy rushed in, destroying all caution he may have had. “God, I’ve been a fool. Can you ever forgive my —”

Katrina put her hand up and touched Blake’s lips, silencing him. “Please — say no more; it doesn’t matter now. I could not sleep last night after you left. I felt an emptiness I do not understand, and desire only you can quench. Blake, in my heart, there is love … inside me, there is an aching need … in my mind, there is still pain … but tonight, it does not matter.”

Blake’s hand slipped behind Katrina’s neck and he kissed her, devouring the sweetness she offered, igniting the embers into a fire. His lips moved from hers, down the curve of her neck to her silky shoulder, and back to her supple mouth.

Katrina clung to him as the last of her doubts fled and only a tremendous longing remained. Blake’s hands caressed the delightful contour of her back, slid lower to the softness of her hips. Gently, he lifted her closer and she could feel his manhood hard against her. A moan of pleasure escaped as a delightful madness shot through her. Blake took her into his arms and carried her up the stairs, the book forgotten upon the floor where it fell.

Once in her room, he laid her on the bed and started to undress. Katrina’s watched his every move, her eyes dark with yearning, unembarrassed at the sight of him naked before her. He removed her gown, kissing each inch of her flesh as he exposed it to his eyes and lips. His tongue tormented her, sending wave after wave of sensation sweeping through her, lips burning a trail everywhere they touched. Loving and tender, Blake took Katrina to a place where only the tremendous need to have him fill her existed, to drive deep within her moist center and bring her ultimate ecstasy. Katrina’s hips rose in the rhythm of lovers and together they spiraled and shattered in splendid rapture. After, entwined in each other’s arms, they slept.

W
HEN
K
ATRINA WOKE THE
next morning, she found the place where Blake slept empty. For a brief sleep-muddled moment, she wondered if it had been a dream, but the imprint of his head still creased the pillow and when she moved, the slight soreness reminded her she had been ardently loved. Content, she stretched and got up from the bed, the rug warm beneath her feet. The room was cast in darkness; the heavy drapes kept the light from the room. She crossed to the large windows and pushed them aside to allow the bright morning sun to enter. When she turned, she froze in mid-motion, her mouth falling open in surprise. Red roses filled the entire room.

She gasped in delight. How had they gotten there? Had she really slept so soundly she did not hear anything? Walking from one bouquet to another, Katrina examined each one, amazed at the perfection of the delicate blossoms. When she reached her dressing table, she found nestled among the flowers a familiar, worn leather pouch. With trembling fingers, she picked it up, treasuring the feel of it. Katrina dumped the contents into her palm, her throat tightened at the sight of her sapphire-and-diamond jewelry. A small note fell out, and she unfolded the paper carefully, uncertain of the emotions inside of her. It read simply: “Forgive me.”