Fear Familiar Bundle (98 page)

"I didn't mean to startle you," Mary said, entering the room and closing the door behind her. "I was wondering if you had any of that wonderful herb tea left?" She looked from Abby to Kevin, whose face was now stained a dull red. He hurriedly began to clean up the pieces of the broken glass.

"I'm afraid I've made a terrible mess," he said. "And it's one of the crystal pieces, too."

"Kevin." Abby said with a sigh. "You've a delicate touch with a horse, but you're an oaf with the dishes." She went to help him and swept the glass and custard into a paper towel. "I'm terribly sorry, Mary. That bowl was part of a set that belonged to William's great-great-grandmother. If there was any way to replace it, I would. But there isn't." She nervously went to get a cloth to clean the remainder of the mess.

"Well, the way I look at it, it's at least fifty percent my fault for blasting in here like that. I startled Kevin or he wouldn't have dropped the spoon. And dishes are bound to be broken. There's really no need for apologies. It was an accident."

Kevin eased back into his chair, and slowly the flush left his cheeks.

"The tea," Abby said. "Yes, I have some left. I'll bring it right up to you as soon as I brew it."

"Don't be silly. I can wait and take it up myself. I'm not a total invalid." Mary started to take a seat at the table with Kevin, but Abby hurried toward her.

"I'll bring it up to you, Mary. Please. That way you can have it nice and hot."

Mary hesitated. She suddenly realized that she might be interrupting a personal conversation. "Of course. That would be fine." She looked over at Kevin. "It won't be tomorrow, but I can promise I'll be back in the saddle soon."

"I'm sure that's so," Kevin said. Whenever he talked about the horses, he relaxed visibly. "The next time Chancey decides to take you for a ride, you'll be ready for her tricks."

"Indeed I will," Mary promised. "Indeed I will." She was chuckling as she left the kitchen. The only thing she could think about was a hot bath— and William. He'd been perfectly fine at dinner. He'd been charming and gentle and wonderful. Just like before. And he was coming to bring her dessert. She felt her heart lift higher than it had in weeks. Maybe things were going to get better at Mayfair. Maybe there would be an early November wedding yet in the ancient old hall of the castle.

As she turned to close the door to the kitchen, a black shadow flew by her feet and raced inside the door. Her smile quirked up on one corner. The black cat never missed an opportunity to ingratiate himself with Abby. He was no doubt already getting the best cut of meat and the most delicate morsels of fish. Familiar had a way of getting people to come around to his way of thinking. He was some kind of cat.

W
ILLIAM DIPPED
the spoon into the dish and lifted lush raspberries and cream to Mary's mouth. The tart, rich taste was sinful, and she allowed her body to slide another inch beneath the bubbles and hot water. Raspberries, her favorite thing in all the world. And William had had them prepared just for her.

William had surprised her in the bath— with two desserts and two glasses of brandy. The herb tea Abby had delivered, the hot water and the brandy were having a decided effect on her, not to mention the fact that every time she looked at William she felt a surge of desire. She was caught in a world where all of her senses were aroused, and she was loving every minute of it.

Perched on the side of the large tub, William held the spoon. "One more bite," he urged.

"Have some yourself," Mary said, laughing as she allowed him to feed her.

"In a moment, after you've finished yours." He held the brandy snifter for her to drink. "I'm having homemade custard. My favorite." He smiled. "Abby has indulged us both tonight."

"I feel wonderfully decadent." She met his gaze. "And a little afraid."

"Afraid of me?" His blue eyes were concerned.

"No." Mary shook her head, sending a few more of her curls into the bathwater. The red hair clung to the white skin of her shoulders, and William automatically reached out to touch them.

"I'm afraid of the future, and the step we're taking."

"Before I brought you to Mayfair, you weren't afraid. You would have married me in Edinburgh without any hesitation or fear."

William spoke the truth, and Mary couldn't deny it. To doubt their union would never have crossed her mind during the courtship in Edinburgh. There had been no time or room for doubt in the magical six months. But the month at Mayfair had taught her a lesson about the complexity of the man she intended to wed.

"I suppose I was acting like I'd stumbled into a fairy tale in Edinburgh. Everything was perfect, so perfect that it was like some fairy godmother had written the script for me. I just accepted it because it was so wonderful. Mayfair has brought home to me the reality of what marriage to you will be like." She wasn't complaining, but she was no longer so naive. Mayfair and the life of Lady MacEachern would be difficult at times.

"And you've changed your mind?" William swallowed.

"No." She laughed and reached for his hand, trailing bubbles along the leg of his trousers. "I haven't changed my mind, at all. I intend to marry you, William. And if what you said tonight at the table is the truth, then I see no reason why we can't continue with our plan to marry the first of November."

"Mary!" He put the tray and glasses on the floor and slid to his knees beside the bath. "I love you so much. And I'm so sorry for what's happened here. I have no idea what came over me. I've been so selfish, and I wasn't even aware of what I was doing or why."

"I'm just glad it's over." She leaned forward, her breasts rising from the warm water and bubbles.

William's arms dipped into the hot bath, and he lifted her up into his arms.

"I'm dripping water all over your clothes," she said as she began to kiss his neck and cheek.

"I did feel something warm running down me," he teased. He kissed her forehead. "Are you sure, Mary?"

"I'm sure." She picked up a heavy towel off the counter as he carried her past. She might not be positive about the future, but she was certain that she had to have this time with William.

"What about your bruises?" he asked as he settled her in front of the fire burning in the hearth.

"What bruises?" Her hair fell around her shoulders, clinging in places to her wet skin. The firelight played across her body, emphasizing the creamy skin and lush curves.

"You are so lovely," William said as he took the towel and slowly began to dry her. He blotted her shoulders, her back, her arms and breasts and waist and legs. And each place he dried, his lips warmed her.

"William." Mary's voice was uneven. She placed her hands on his shoulders, and he slowly lifted his face. "I love you."

"And I you." He rose to his feet, and once again swept her up into his arms. "You're like a magic creature, Mary. So delicate and beautiful. I'm afraid I might hurt you."

"Hurt me?" She laughed softly. "Ah, William, you could break my heart, but you couldn't physically hurt me. That much I know about you." Even when Sophie had been terrified of him, Mary had felt no physical threat. He was frightening— but only because she did not understand what had happened to him.

"Even these past weeks, you haven't been afraid?"

"Not of physical abuse. But there were times I believed I didn't know you at all."

"Those times are over."

"Then you promise I won't lose you? Not to the past or Mayfair or your duties?"

"You won't, Mary. Not ever." He placed her gently on the bed and stood to remove his own clothes.

W
ELL
,
WELL
,
WELL
, the lovebirds have finally wound up in the same cage. And what a scene it must have been. This bathroom is a wreck. Water everywhere. Lace underthings strewn about. Brandy on the floor. And a crystal cup of untouched egg custard, one of my personal favorites.

Abby is a wonderful cook, and she's more than generous with the fish and meat, the cream and cheese, the gravies and butter. But she hasn't considered the fact that a well-traveled feline such as myself requires a taste of sweet at the end of the meal to satisfy the palate.

I doubt that Mary and William will mind if I help myself to this little delicacy. After all, it's going to ruin here on the floor. I remember my mother giving me the old lecture about the starving kitties in China. How many times did I hear her tell me to clean my bowl? I'm also protecting Abby's tender feelings. She made this custard especially for William. How would she feel if she saw it returned to the kitchen untouched? So, here goes.

Hey, this stuff is great! Dense, rich, creamy. Perfection. Well, that's an empty bowl. In the morning, I wonder if William will think he did this. Now, since my place in Mary's room is occupied, I think I'll wander around that spooky old turret room for a little while. I spent the entire afternoon in the stables, and I learned zip. But then, I am a stranger. It may take a few days for me to catch the drift of what's normal and what's not.

If the ghost of Slaytor is walking tonight, he should be up in the turret room at one time or another. Gee, I'm going to ghost watch. When I get back to Washington, Clotilde will never believe this.

M
ARY AWOKE
, her body tense and aching. Beside her, William was fast asleep, his profile relaxed and happy in the still burning flames of the fire. Looking at the height of the flames, Mary realized that she'd been asleep only a few moments. What had awakened her?

She listened, hearing only the pop of the fire. Snuggling back beneath the covers beside William, she noted that she was still sore and bruised from her encounter with Shalimar, but she was getting better all the time. She smiled as she thought of the hot bath and the lovemaking with William. Perhaps she should recommend the combination as a cure for falls and other such injuries.

The noise came from the foot of the bed. She sat bolt upright, every nerve tingling with alarm. It was a hiss, like that of a large snake.

"William." She shook his shoulder and softly called his name. "William."

"What?"

"There's something in the room. A snake."

"A snake?" He was half asleep.

"Wake up." She touched his shoulder again. "Please."

The terror in her voice brought him completely awake. "I don't hear anything," he said, reassuring her.

"Listen."

He did, but there was nothing except the soft crackle of a log in the fire. "Mary— " The deep growl and the hiss that followed stopped him short.

"What is it?"

"I don't know." He eased back the covers. "But there's something in this room." Reaching over Mary, he snapped on the bedside lamp. Soft light flooded the room, but there was nothing to see.

William sat up and put his feet on the floor. Sharp claws tore into his bare legs.

"Holy— !" He pulled his legs up on the bed. Blood from three deep claw marks oozed down his right calf.

"What is it?" Mary asked, terrified.

"I think it's a cat."

"No, that couldn't be a cat." Mary felt her heart pounding. "No cat would deliberately attack like that." She thought suddenly of their black feline guest. "Do you think Familiar has cornered some strange cat in here?"

"There are some wild ones in the woods. People put them out, thinking they'll take care of themselves. But they can't. They turn feral, and they begin to starve. Sometimes they go mad with hunger." William's gaze roved over the firelit room for his clothes.

There was no sound at all from under the bed.

"Do you think Familiar's okay?"

"It seems to be only one cat," William said. He darted his hand to the floor and snagged his pants. Quickly he began to put them on.

"How do you think it got in?" Mary held the covers up to her neck.

William shook his head slowly. "I don't know, but a more important question is, what are we going to do? We can't stay here in bed like this."

"Can we catch it?" Mary was thinking ahead. "Maybe if we catch it, we can feed it and tame it back down." She felt her fear lessen. "It must be scared to death, William. And desperate."

"Aye, desperate." He had seen cats and dogs gone wild. He knew their prospects for survival were dim. Often they were so badly malnourished and consumed with parasites that not even the best medical attention could save them. But he had no intention of telling Mary. They would catch the cat and let the local veterinarian decide. "We have to capture it before Familiar decides that it's invading his territory."

"Who would put an animal out to starve?" Mary asked.

"I can't say for certain, but if I find out, I'm going to make sure they never do it again."

Mary heard the threat in his voice, and she didn't pursue it. If anything, she knew she'd help William. "Maybe we could get the sheet and wrap the cat in it when it starts to attack. Maybe we can catch it without hurting it."

"That's probably the smartest idea I've heard." William reached across the bed and touched her. "You know how much I love you. Instead of being upset or angry, you're concerned for a stray cat. You're not worried about getting clawed or bitten, you're worried about the animal."

"Somehow we'll survive. I'm not so certain about the cat, though." Mary had seen enough stray animals in Edinburgh to know the suffering they endured. "Shall we try?"

"It's our best shot."

Working together, they pulled the top sheet from the bed. "I'll jump down over there." William pointed to a place beside the fire. "When the cat comes after me, I'll drop my end of the sheet and you follow with yours, then I'll bundle it up."

"Right." Mary stood on the bed, both hands filled with fabric. William took his end and jumped as far from the bed as he could.

Before he'd even had a chance to regain his balance, they heard the sound of a furious growl, and a large black shape charged at him.

"Familiar!" Mary cried as she leapt to the floor and secured her end of the sheet.