Less Than a Gentleman (26 page)

She heard a rustling sound beside her and sneaked a peek. He was propped up on an elbow, looking at her. She closed her eyes again. Her skin tingled, just from the knowledge that he was studying her. Would he touch her? Caress her breasts like he had the other night? Take her nipples into his mouth?

Heat blossomed in her cheeks, then skittered down her chest and belly to her core, where it sizzled and made her squeeze her thighs together. He had touched her there before. God help her, she wanted it again.

She opened her eyes.

He smiled. “Do you know how beautiful you are? I could look at you for hours.”

Stop looking and start touching!
She licked her lips.

His gaze dropped to her mouth. “Caroline?”

“Yes.”

He leaned closer, studying her intently. “Yes?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

He touched her cheek as he leaned forward and kissed her once, twice, before pulling her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around him as he rolled onto his back, taking her with him.

He raked a hand into her hair. “Kiss me.”

She skimmed her fingers along his whiskers, then brushed her lips across them, enjoying the ticklish sensation. He turned his mouth to meet hers and kissed her so thoroughly, she was caught by surprise when his hand squeezed her bare rump.

She broke the kiss, gasping.

“Sit up.”

She did. He dragged the shirt up her body and over her head. Instinctively, she covered her breasts.

“Don’t.” He moved her hands away. “You’re beautiful.”

“Thomas—”

“Lie down.”

“You seem to be ordering me about.”

“I’m about to explode.”

Her gaze dropped to the bulge in his breeches. It was bigger than ever. “I suppose you’re feeling a bit rushed.”

He snorted. “I’ll manage. Meanwhile, allow me to rephrase my request. Will you please recline so I may kiss your breasts?”

“Oh. Well, if you put it that way.” She lay back.

Smiling, he brushed her hair away from her face. “You can give me orders, too.”

“Really?” She smoothed her hands up his arms to his shoulders, enjoying the bulge of his muscles. “I wouldn’t know what to say.”

“You can say kiss me.” He kissed her cheek. “Lick me.” He ran his tongue up the length of her neck.

She shuddered.

“Touch me.” He fondled her breasts. “Taste me.” He lapped at her nipple with his tongue.

“Yes.” She arched against him.

“Ravish me. Make me scream.” He sucked her nipple into his mouth.

“Oh, Thomas.” She raked her hands into his hair. “Yes. Do that. Make me scream.”

He lifted his head. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. I have a strange desire to . . . scream.”

He smiled as his hand smoothed over her belly. “It will require a full assault on your senses.”

Her heart raced. “Yes.”

“And a thorough ravishing of your entire body.”

Moisture pooled between her legs. “Yes.”

His hand slipped between her legs and he inhaled sharply. “Slick and sweet. I think you’re ready.”

“Get on with it!”

“Is that an order?” He pulled the sheet off her legs.

She squeezed her legs together. As much as she wanted to scream, she was still a bit shy about lying before him completely naked.

He smoothed a hand up her thigh. “You’re so beautiful.” Smiling, he leaned over and kissed the red curls at the juncture of her thighs.

She gasped. “Thomas! Surely, that’s not . . . allowed.”

With a grin, he stroked his fingers along her inner thighs. “I thought you wanted to scream.”

“I—I do.”

“Then let me touch you, and kiss you, and lick you.”

She gulped. Surely he didn’t mean to . . . She jolted when his fingers slipped between her legs. More moisture seeped from her.

His movements were shocking; his fingers bold. She clutched the quilt in her fists and shook her head. It was more than she could bear.

Her thighs fell open, and soon she was writhing along with his incessant fondling and rubbing. Her heart thundered in her ears. Good Lord, he hadn’t exaggerated. This was a full assault on her senses. A calculated attempt to drive her insane.

She gasped when he inserted a finger inside her. He had warned her about that, too. A thorough ravishing of her entire body. The man was relentless, and she loved it. She needed more. More. “Thomas, please.”

“Don’t scream yet.” He moved between her legs and lifted her knees, opening her entirely to his view.

“Is—is that entirely necessary?” Good Lord, he would know what she looked like better than she did.

He leaned over and kissed her swollen, wet flesh. She jerked in response. Was such a behavior allowed? Surely he had crossed the line. But all thoughts dissolved as he continued to taste her and stroke her. Explore and suckle her. An incredible rising tide gripped her and carried her up and up, then shattered all around her.

She screamed. Wave upon wave pounded through her. Slowly she became aware of her ragged breaths. She opened her eyes and saw two Thomases peering down at her.

“I cannot see straight.” She rubbed her eyes.

He grinned and kissed her brow.

She pressed a hand to her racing heart. “I had no idea. I think I’ll like being married.”

“I know I will.” He pulled off his breeches and tossed them aside.

She gasped. Good Lord, he was huge. And so stiff. “You—you didn’t use some of Dottie’s ointment, did you? The one that promotes swelling?”

“What?”

She sat up. “I think you used too much.”

“Caroline, this is me.”

“How? I’ve never seen such mammoth proportions. ’Tis not natural.” She scooted away.

“How many fully aroused men have you seen?”

“Well, none, but you weren’t that big the other day.”

“I wasn’t this aroused. And I happen to have more than a small
prick.
Now can we proceed?”

She frowned at him and crossed her arms.

He pointed to the quilt. “Lie down.”

“You’re giving orders again.”

His voice started low with clenched teeth, but rose with increasing volume and frustration. “Please be so gracious as to recline for me, Miss Munro. I need inside you before I explode!”

“Now that’s reassuring! Unfortunately, I highly doubt you can get inside me. I could never accommodate such a huge— I would have to be the size of a bloody cavern!”

He laughed, then winced. “Don’t make me laugh right now.”

“I’m not trying to. I find nothing amusing about the prospect of being torn asunder.”

“I won’t hurt you. Well, it might hurt a little, but believe me, I’ll do my best to give you pleasure.”

She gave him a doubtful look. “Everyone knows only the man enjoys intercourse.”

“Where did you hear that?”

She shrugged. “I’m not really sure, but I’ve heard it said.”

“By unfortunate women with dullard husbands. Trust me, I’m going to give you pleasure.”

She gave his manhood a suspicious look.

“Trust me.” He pulled her closer. “You liked what I did before, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then you’ll like this.” He slid his hand to the back of her neck and kissed her. He explored her lips and mouth slowly and thoroughly. He caressed her back with butterfly strokes of his fingertips ’til she tingled all over. And wanted more.

He pushed her gently onto her back and lay beside her, his body pressed against her. His manhood strained against her belly, sending flutters to her woman’s core. With a moan, she raked her hands into his hair. He nuzzled her neck, scraping her slightly with his whiskers.

He caressed her breasts, then suckled them. Heat pooled between her thighs once more, and she found herself wanting him, wanting him to take her and fill the aching emptiness.

When he touched her core, the burst of sensation was so enticing, she opened her thighs. He moved between her legs and reached down to position himself against her.

She gulped.

“Wrap your legs around me.” He pressed against her.

She winced. “It hurts.”

“I’m sorry.” He entered her slowly, then stopped. A smile spread across his face. “You’re a virgin.”

She huffed. “Did you think I wasn’t?”

“I thought you were, of course, but I just now realized I would be the only man inside you. I really like that.”

She rolled her eyes. “Congratulations. Can we get this over with?”

“As you wish.” He plunged in.

“Aagh!” She hit his shoulder. “That hurt!”

“I’m sorry.”

Sure you are
. She gritted her teeth. She felt ripped in two, seared with heat, and stuffed like a sausage. Slowly, the burning pain seeped away, and still he lay over her, propped up on his elbows, not moving.

“Are you all right?” she asked.

“I’m fighting for control,” he whispered in a strained voice.

“Why? I’m not struggling with you.”

He shook his head. “Timing. Timing is everything.”

What on earth was he mumbling about? She patted his back. “It will be all right.” And hopefully, soon it would be over and done with.

He slowly pulled himself back ’til only the tip of his manhood teased her.

She sucked in a hissing breath. Suddenly, she no longer wished for him to finish quickly. Or even finish at all.

His eyes glimmered a steely blue. “I’m in control now.” He pushed back in.

“Oh, my.”

He continued, and Caroline realized he was correct. He was giving her pleasure. A great deal of pleasure, and this time it was even better, for the pleasure was shared.

She wrapped her arms around him. “Oh, Thomas. You have excellent timing.”

C
HAPTER
T
HIRTY

M
atthias jerked awake, mentally shoving aside the nightmare that had haunted him since childhood. Sitting up, he glanced to the side.

Caroline slumbered quietly beneath the blanket he had fetched for the two of them. Her fiery curls, gleaming in the morning light, spread upon the pillow like a halo. How would she react when he confessed his true identity? Would she be delighted with the wealth of Loblolly, or would she be as appalled as he was over the prospect of owning slaves?

He jumped to his feet and pulled on his breeches. Regardless of how Caroline felt, he needed to take her and her family to his uncle’s home, where they would be safe from Hickman. It might be difficult to move Virginia and her baby, but what choice did he have? Once it became public record that Matthias Murray Thomas had married Caroline Munro, the entire Munro family could be in danger.

He pumped fresh water into a pitcher. The best way to keep them safe would be to keep his false name, but then the wedding would be false. He couldn’t do that to Caroline. How angry would she be when he confessed?

With a sigh, he soaped up his face. She’d said she loved him. He had to believe it.

While he was shaving, she awoke. She sat up and glanced around.

“Good morning.” He wiped his face dry.

A blush colored her cheeks. “Good morning.” She quickly donned Jacob’s shirt.

“I thought we’d go see how your sister is faring.”

“I—I need to go to my room first and put on a proper dress.” She stood, tying the blanket about her waist like a skirt. “I look very strange. I hope no one sees me.”

“I think you look beautiful.” He touched her cheek. “I am honored to be your husband.”

Tears glimmered in her eyes. “I—I’m a little overwhelmed. I never knew it would be so . . .”

“Wonderful?”

“Frightening. I feel like I’ve lost my heart. If anything should happen to you—”

“Nothing will happen. I love you.” He kissed her quickly. “Now, we have a wedding to go to.”

She nodded, her eyes clouded with worry. “I hope so.”

After she ran to Jacob’s room to bundle up her dirty clothes and use the chamber pot, he led her outside and they ambled along the river.

He glanced at her, wondering why she was so quiet. Shouldn’t a bride be happier on her wedding day? “You’re not ashamed of making love to me, are you?”

“No, of course not. I’m grateful we had that time together.”

He reached for her hand. “Caroline, we have our whole lives together.”

Her eyes glinted with pain. “Yes, I know.”

That was it. His throat constricted with the realization. She was defining their “whole lives” as a limited number of days. He’d admitted he was a wanted man, and she thought he would end up hanging from a rope. How could he convince her she was wrong when she could be right?

And he wasn’t the only one in danger. If Hickman had any idea how involved she was with the partisans, he wouldn’t hesitate to hang her as a traitor.

Matthias tightened his grip on her hand. “Caroline. Whatever happens, always remember that I love you.”

Her eyes glimmered with unshed tears. “You feel it, too? That something dreadful will happen?”

“No. Nothing will happen. I won’t allow it.”

Her sad smile seemed to indicate that he was somewhat simplistic, but that she still loved him.

“I think I should take you and your family to North Carolina.”

Her eyes lit with hope. “Oh, yes! We could go to my parents’ home. ’Twould be the safest place for Ginny and the children.”

“Aye.” Matthias nodded. And the safest place for Caroline, too, although he would have to leave her there to rejoin the army.

He felt the horsemen coming first. The ground vibrated beneath his feet. He pulled Caroline behind the cover of trees, then peered through the branches and spotted green coats. Tarleton. And Greville was riding in the rear. They stopped in front of the house. “Come, I want to hear this.”

“Careful.” Caroline hurried alongside him. “Someone might see you.”

“Pugsley left yesterday, remember? Bertram is probably sound asleep, and the dragoons are staying on the front lawn.” Matthias dashed to the servants’ entrance with Caroline close behind him. They entered the secret passageway, and he eased open the peephole.

Tarleton strode across the library, his boots clunking on the wooden floor, then sounding muffled as he traversed the imported rug. “Your man Pugsley gave us a disturbing report. Five soldiers dead, an entire shipment destroyed.”

“Yes, sir.” Hickman stood at attention, his face pale. “It was most unfortunate.”

Tarleton stopped in front of the captain and looked him over. “Fortunate for the rebels, wouldn’t you say?”

“Yes, sir.” Hickman cleared his throat. “Would you care for some refreshment, sir?”

Tarleton whirled about and slammed a fist on the desk. “I would care for an explanation! What the hell are you doing here that the last two shipments were sabotaged?”

“I . . . I had nothing to do—”

“Nothing! Now there’s the truth of the matter. You do
nothing
here, do you, Captain? You spend your time in this house drinking the fine wine and bedding the women.”

“It is the fault of the partisans, sir. They’re all around us, but hide in the swamp like a pack of cowards.”

“And you haven’t captured any of them?” Tarleton’s eyes flashed with anger. “I have to wonder why you’re so poorly motivated.”

“I’m working on it, sir. I have a plan in motion as we speak. Soon I will have one of the traitors in my grasp.”

“
One?
” Tarleton cocked an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “I have a better plan, one that could eliminate a large group of rebel sympathizers all at once.” He marched to a window and gazed out onto the front lawn. “I’ve received reports that the people of Kingstree have been supplying the partisans with food. This afternoon, my men are attacking the village.”

Matthias flinched, and not just because Caroline’s fingers dug into his arm. He noted her stricken face, then refocused on the scene in the library.

Even Hickman looked a bit surprised. “You mean to kill the townspeople, the women and children?”

“Does it offend you?” Tarleton glanced over his shoulder. “ ’Tis a simple matter, Captain. Whoever helps the traitors is then a traitor also.”

“Yes, sir.”

Tarleton sauntered toward him. “Consider all those rebellious little children, eager to grow up and shoot at us. Why not nip the problem in the bud?”

“Excellent thinking, sir.”

“And when we’re done, I’ll send someone here to pick up that
one
traitor you have promised to deliver.”

Hickman nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Tarleton strode toward the door. “Let’s hope that one traitor isn’t you.”

So Tarleton suspected Hickman of sabotaging the supply barges himself. Matthias had a glimpse of Hickman’s pale face before shutting the peephole door.

“We have to do something,” Caroline whispered as they hurried to the china room. “We cannot allow that butcher to massacre women and children.”

“I’ll ride straight to Snow’s Island,” Matthias said. “We’ll evacuate the people of Kingstree.”

“Is there time?”

“There should be. Tarleton said the plan was to attack this afternoon. Caroline, this will delay our wedding.”

She shook her head impatiently. “Don’t worry about that. There are innocent people to save.”

“As soon as the townspeople are safe, I’ll return for you and your family. Pack your things and be ready. We will marry tonight.”

She grabbed his coat in her fists. “Be careful.”

He covered her hands with his own. “I’ll be fine.”

Her eyes gleamed with tears as she stepped back from him. “Good-bye, Thomas. I love you.”

“I love you, too. And this is
not
good-bye.” He planted a kiss on her worried brow, then hurried to the stables.

Jacob was there, unsaddling a horse. “You’re going somewhere?”

“Aye.” Matthias took Jacob’s saddle and hefted it on the back of a fresh horse. “Tarleton is attacking Kingstree this afternoon. I’m going to Snow’s Island so we can evacuate the people.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“I prefer you to stay here. The women might need you.”

Jacob frowned. “You’re expecting a skirmish with the British. You think I don’t know how to fight.”

“I trust you to protect the women and children. As soon as I return, I’m taking them all to my uncle. Caroline and I will be married.”

Jacob raised his eyebrows. “Did you tell her who you are?”

“Not yet, but it won’t matter.” He hoped.

Jacob snorted. “Right. So am I invited to the wedding?”

Matthias shrugged one shoulder and led his horse out. “I suppose. If you want.” He mounted the horse, aware that Jacob was glaring at him. Damn, he was giving the man his freedom, what else did he want?

E
zra Hickman’s hands shook so badly he spilled brandy on his white breeches. Damnation. He raised the half-full glass to his mouth and downed the contents. Nothing. No soothing comfort to his fears. He ripped his cravat loose as cold sweat dripped down his neck. How could he prove he was loyal?

His only hope would be to capture a partisan who could take the blame. He needed to deliver Matthias Murray Thomas, and fast.

Ezra dashed up the stairs to Jane Thomas’s room. The silly woman should be desperate enough to talk now. He fumbled in his coat pocket for the key to the door. There was no sound from within. Was she already dead? This was her third day of confinement.

He ventured into the quiet room. “Mrs. Thomas?”

Rays of sunshine shot through the gaps on the boarded window and balcony door, casting fractured beams of light to fall across the large four-poster. A huddled form lay under the blankets, still and lifeless.

“Mrs. Thomas, wake up. It is time to talk.” He pulled back the blankets.
Pillows.

He yanked the blankets off the bed. It was empty.

“Mrs. Thomas!” He scanned the room.

Sunlight sparkled off shards of broken glass by the balcony door. The glass crunched under his boots as he knelt down to investigate the hole in the door. Certainly not large enough for an escape. He spotted a crock on the floor. He picked it up, uncorked it, and sniffed. Cider. Someone had been passing her food. Someone in this house.

“Damnation!” He hurtled the crock against a wall. It crashed, leaving a dripping stain of cider.

Was the woman hiding? He peered under the bed and found a large wooden circle. Then he noted the scattering of dust on the rug. Sawdust.

He looked up. “No!” The hole in the ceiling led to the third floor. Jane Thomas had made her escape right under his nose. “No, dammit, no!”

Tarleton would string him up from the nearest tree and laugh as he struggled for his last breath. The incompetent Loyalist who couldn’t even control an old woman!

Ezra charged up the stairs to the third floor and flung open the doors ’til he found the room where she’d escaped. The bastards had left their saws and rope behind.

“Hell and damnation!” Blood pounded in his ears. He picked up an old lopsided chair and smashed it against the wall. Who had done this? Had Matthias himself sneaked into the house to rescue his mother? There were two saws here and the crock of cider below. Whoever this villain was, he had accomplices.

The other women in this house. Damn them, damn them all. No wench was going to send him to the gallows.

In the hallway, he caught a glimpse of skirts. “Halt!”

The woman turned.

He charged toward her. “Agatha? What are you doing here?”

She edged toward the stairs, her face pale. “I—I heard strange noises. Are you breaking furniture?”

“Jane Thomas has escaped.”

Agatha’s eyes widened. “How did she manage that?”

“I mean to find out. What do you know of it?”

“Nothing! I—I should go now and finish packing. I just spoke to Bertram. He agreed to take me as far as Fort Watson.”

He stiffened. “You’re not leaving. We have plans, remember? We’re taking over Loblolly.”

Agatha eased closer to the stairs. “I want to leave. ’Tis too dangerous here. I’ll feel safer in Charles Town amongst the British.”

“You don’t think I can protect you, do you?” Ezra balled his fists. “You think I’m a failure!”

Her bottom lip trembled. “Please, don’t hurt me. Let me go.”

“Fine, then, bitch! Go on and desert me when I need you.”

She gasped and scurried down the stairs.

Ezra drew in a long, shaky breath. His plans were crumbling around him, but he wouldn’t go down without a fight. He marched toward the nursery and flung open the door.

Caroline Munro started. The little girl seated next to her on the bed grabbed a pillow to hide her face. The boy jumped from his bed and eased toward his aunt.

“Was there something you wanted, Captain?” Miss Munro rose to her feet.

“What do you know of Jane Thomas?”

Miss Munro raised her chin. “I know you are slowly starving her to death.”

“Indeed?” He stepped into the room. “And you wouldn’t be the one passing her food through the balcony door?”

“I know nothing about that.”

“You’re a liar. I know you helped Jane Thomas escape.”

She blinked with surprise. “Escape? Jane is gone?”

He ground his teeth at her lame excuse for acting. “I know you helped them. That makes you a traitor. Do you know what happens to traitors, miss?”

“It wasn’t her!” Edward blurted out. “It was the ghost.”

Ezra snorted. “A ghost wouldn’t need a saw to pass through a ceiling.”

Miss Munro smoothed back her hair as if unconcerned, but her pale face indicated otherwise. “When do you believe this escape took place?”

“I would say yesterday while my men and I were occupied with the explosion.”

“The children and I were in the kitchen. My sister gave birth yesterday and I was there helping her. You may ask Dottie or Betsy. They can confirm it.”

“They lie as poorly as you do, Miss Munro. Trust me, I will prove my loyalty to the crown, and if I have to string up a pack of women and children to do it, then I will.”