Midnight (20 page)

Nick wanted to spread her legs and take with all the fire he felt inside, but knew he had to keep the pace slow. She was his wife, a virgin, and he wanted her to look forward to their love play in the years they’d be together, not cower because he’d not been considerate of her needs this first time. In truth, however, he was enjoying hearing her sighs, watching her arch to his hands and croon as he filled her breasts with his hands and took the peaks into his mouth again, and his manhood, hard as it had ever been, was looking forward to the spirited release, but until then, he wanted her wet and ready as any man would want his wife to be.

To make certain she was, he teased the heat between her thighs through the opening of her drawers until she rose greedily for more. The urge to place his lips there and worship boldly at the shrine was strong but he’d save that for another time. Lovemaking was an adventure, too, but better if new experiences were doled out a bit at a time.

Faith pleaded soundlessly for mercy from the scandalous play of his long fingers between her legs. She opened for him and then opened wider. The dew flowing from her, the kisses he stole from her lips all conspired to make her feel shameless but she didn’t care; she just didn’t want it to stop.

Through the fog she watched him pull back, and heat and embarrassment filled her as he slid her drawers down her legs and off. Then his fingers returned and with her legs spread wide as the Boston Harbor she couldn’t hold back the passion stacking up inside her like storm clouds converging in July. He slid a finger into the damp channel; her body exploded and she cried out as her hips rose from the bed in jubilation. The slow strokes that followed made her twist and call his name.

“What, darling? You want more . . .” Another finger went in filling the space, and she groaned and growled like a woman gone mad.

“This is what I’m going to do to you.” The fingers sliding in and out enticed her hips into an age-old rhythm that Faith had no idea she knew and when the crisis passed and he withdrew from her body, she protested weakly.

“There’ll be more.”

Breathing as if she’d run a race, she looked up at her magnificent man. It never occurred to her that this was what lovemaking entailed, and then he was teasing her to open once more for the next part of the adventure and all thoughts fled.

Nick was a big man, so he eased the head of his manhood into her damp tightness a bit at a time. Feeling her taking him in and stretching to accommodate his size felt so incredibly good it made him want to push his way home, her virginity be damned, but he was better than that, he told himself as he gritted his teeth and held himself back.

“This hurts,” she protested.

“Just hold on. It will get better. I promise.”

After a few tense moments, her body took in all that he had and he held again, pulsing and aching, while waiting for her to accustom herself to the feel of their joining. When he felt her relax a bit he began to stroke her slowly. It came to him that he hadn’t even come close to imagining how incredible making love to her would feel. Watching her begin to move beneath him with her nipples hard from his lips and her satin hips in his hands was far better than any dream.

He teased her invitingly to increase the pace, sliding himself in and out, bit by bit, and Faith’s pain was replaced by a glowing brilliance that rose not from his worshipping hands or seductive lips but from the hard, enticing promise between her thighs. Soon they were moving as one. Nick felt her response radiating over him in much the same way as the firelight flickered over her partial nakedness, and the sights and sounds of her pushed him to the brink. Seconds later she cried out her release, and feeling her sheath clutch him so tightly, he couldn’t hold back any longer. He’d been sensually toying with her for days and his own orgasm was rising and gathering steam. When it broke, the eruption threw his head back and possessively stroked her with all the fervor and passion he possessed. Sated, he rolled away and lay there pulsing.

They spent the remainder of the night enjoying their erotic adventure. Faith had no idea lovemaking could be done in so many explosive ways, but with Nick as her teacher, she became a very apt pupil. Finally they stripped the soiled sheets from the bed, and he pulled her close, covered with the quilts, and they slept.

The next morning, Faith awakened and found herself alone in the big four-poster. The sun was up and shining and her eyes widened when she saw the time on the clock on the wall. It was nine o’clock. She’d never been in bed so late, but rather than worry, she lay there and smiled. Nick had been right about their wedding night resulting in a late rising, and as her mind went back to last night, her smile broadened. What an experience. Her body felt sore but not in an angry way. There was also a bit of tenderness between her thighs and for good reason, she thought. She wondered where he was. Getting up, she quickly took care of her needs, dressed herself in one of the new day gowns, tied back her loose and all-over-her-head hair, and went downstairs to find Nicholas so she could give him a good morning kiss.

Chapter 20

W
hen Faith entered the kitchen, a man she didn’t know was cooking bacon on the grate. She stopped and stared.

“Morning,” he said, turning to her with a friendly smile. “You must be Faith.”

Wary, she nodded and asked, “Where’s Nick?”

“Out back. He’ll return in a moment. My name is Gaspar. Nick and I are old friends.” He was built like a mountain, had arms the size of logs, and his skin was African dark.

“Have a seat,” he invited. “Breakfast is almost ready.”

Confused, Faith complied but hoped Nick would soon show himself so she could get an explanation as to what this man being in the kitchen meant. She’d come downstairs expecting to share an intimate morning with her new husband but was instead greeted by a huge stranger with a gold hoop hanging from one lobe.

A moment later Nick entered via the back door and was accompanied by two more strange men. “Ah, you’re awake,” he said to her. “Good morning, sweetheart. I assume you’ve met Gaspar.”

She nodded but was still very confused.

“This is Dominic LeVeq, and Esteban da Silva. Gentlemen, my wife, Faith.”

“
Enchanté
,” the one named Dominic said. His voice held an accent that made her think him French.

“My pleasure,” da Silva added.

His voice sounded foreign to her ears as well, but being a country girl from Boston, Faith had no idea of his nationality. Both men were incredibly handsome, however, and were as tall and well built as Nick. Gaspar towered over them all, though. Their combined sizes and girth seemed to fill the large kitchen to the walls. Feeling quite small in comparison, Faith waited for an explanation.

“Breakfast is ready,” Gaspar announced.

The men all took seats while Gaspar brought the food to the table.

Dominic said to Nick, “She’s very beautiful. I see why you were doomed.”

Faith was embarrassed by his comment but had no idea what the last part meant so she looked to Nick for explanation.

He told her, “Pay them no mind. They are even less tamed than I.”

On the heels of that, Esteban asked her, “What does such a beautiful senorita see in a tick like Nick?”

Faith couldn’t stop her smile.

“Again, ignore them.” Nick chuckled over his coffee. “Especially him,” he said, indicating Esteban.

As they helped themselves to the eggs, potatoes, and bacon, Faith asked, “Are you visiting the city?”

“We are,” Dom said, “but the air here stinks with the scent of the British, so we’ll be going back to our ship later today.”

Faith found that surprising, “You came in by ship, but the blockade—”

“Is not a problem for men like us,” da Silva explained.

She looked over at Nick questioningly but he said nothing in response. She’d never heard of anyone successfully breaking the British blockade, and again she wondered who the men were. She also wanted to know how and where Nick had made their acquaintance, but thought it best to save her questions for later when she and her husband were alone. Why they’d come and what they’d been doing outside added to the mystery. However, as soon as breakfast was done, they prepared to leave.

She and Nick walked them to the front door, and Dominic bowed gallantly to her in parting. “It has been a pleasure meeting you, Faith.”

“For me as well.”

Gaspar nodded and Esteban bowed, too.

“Thank you, my friends,” Nicholas said.

“Let us know if you need anything else,” Dom said.

“I will. Godspeed.”

The three men climbed into a wagon parked out by the road. Esteban took the reins and the wagon rolled away. Nick and Faith stood on the porch until they disappeared from sight, and then reentered the house.

“Who are they?” Faith asked.

“Friends. They were members of the crew that saved me the night of the mutiny.”

“Ah, and they just stopped by for breakfast?”

He took her into his arms. “Good morning, Mrs. Grey.”

“Good morning, husband. I came downstairs to give you the first kiss of the day and found only Gaspar.”

“You didn’t give my kisses to him, did you?”

“No, and you didn’t answer my question.”

He gazed down into her eyes. Faith could see him thinking, so she prodded him a little. “Our adventure shouldn’t hold secrets, Nick.”

He nodded understandingly. “I asked them to bring in guns for the rebels.”

She went still. If the patrols found them, they’d both hang.

He said seriously, “They are needed if we are to prevail. I don’t want to live out our lives with England’s boot on our necks.”

“I knew you supported the rebels, but to bring in guns? Are your friends smugglers?”

“Among other things.”

She thought that over for a moment. “And you?”

He shrugged. “I’ve been known to dabble here and there.”

Her eyes went wide. “This truly is an adventure.”

He chuckled.

She backed out of his arms and surveyed him for a moment. “I have a secret to share as well.”

He raised a brow. “And it is?”

“You must promise me you won’t get angry and shout, or make me leave you.”

He looked perplexed. “What could you possibly say that would make me do that, Faith?”

“I’m Lady Midnight.”

His eyes widened and he stared, shocked. “That’s why I kept bumping into you in the middle of the night.”

She nodded. “And I am so sorry about Primus. I got word to him as quickly as I could. Please don’t be angry. I know you’ve been looking for her, but I truly don’t know who betrayed him.”

She watched him assess her for a silent few moments but couldn’t discern his mood.

“You play the crone well, Mrs. Grey.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, still unsure.

He held her eyes. “In truth, part of me does want to be angry because you knew I’d been searching high and low, but the smuggler in me is very impressed, Faith. It takes balls to do what you’ve been doing.”

“Balls?”

He chuckled. “I’ll explain later.” He held out his arms, “Come here, my lady.”

Faith went to him and let him hold her close. His arms tightened, and when he placed a reverent kiss on her brow, she basked in all that he was, and what he meant to her. She was glad she’d finally told him the truth.

“No more secrets between us,” he whispered.

She looked up through her tears and whispered in reply, “No more secrets.

He pulled her back against his heart and she never wanted him to let her go.

“Are you sore from last night?” he asked, looking down into her face.

“A bit.”

“We’ll let you recover today so it won’t get worse.”

The disappointment she showed in her face evoked his smile. “Liked your first night as a wife, did you?”

“Yes.”

“So did I. You were the most passionate and beautiful bride any man could ask for.”

Faith felt her feelings for him swell her heart. She wondered if what she was feeling was love. What she did know was that she wanted to wake up with him every morning for the rest of her life. She was enjoying what they were trying to build together and she wanted it to endure. “Thanks for a wonderful wedding night, Nick.”

“You’re welcome.

In the days that followed, when they weren’t making love, Faith settled into managing her beautiful new home and Nick drilled with his fellows and went to secret meetings with the Sons. Now that the calendar had turned to mid April, the citizens of Boston were certain it wouldn’t be long before Gage sent his troops out to crush the rebellion once and for all, so everyone waited and prepared. One of the directives from the colonial leaders was to keep a sharp eye on the road, especially after sunset, because the soldiers were more likely to move under the cover of darkness.

That night, Faith joined Nicholas on the porch where he was keeping watch. “Here’s your coffee,” she said, handing him the cup. “I still don’t understand how you drink this foul brew.”

“You are such a Tory,” he teased.

She tossed back, “I’m a rebel Tory, Mr. Smuggler.”

The weapons brought in by LeVeq and his crewmen were now in the hands of Prince Hall and Colonel Middleton’s regiment, the Bucks of America. The debate as to whether men of color would be allowed to fight continued to swirl, but Nick and the others planned to add their numbers whether they were given approval or not.

“It’s a nice night,” she said, hooking her arm into his and looking up at the stars twinkling in the cloudless black sky. There was a chill in the air but she had on a cloak.

“That it is.” He looked up at the sky and asked, “Do you know the names of the stars?”

“Just the dippers.”

“The Iroquois call the big one
Nya-gwaheh
.”

“Which means?”

“The Great Bear.”

She listened as he told her the legend. It began with four hunters who were also brothers tracking a large bear that was terrorizing the Iroquois villages. One of the brothers was lazy and always wanting to stop and eat, and his antics during the story made her smile. In the end, the lazy brother finally killed the bear, but when it slowly came back to life the four braves realized that they’d tracked the bear so far that they and their dog were up in the sky. Nick finished the tale by saying, “The square bowl of the Big Dipper is the Great Bear. The brothers and the dog are the handle.”

Faith found the story fascinating.

He added, “During autumn when the Big Dipper turns upside down, it means the lazy hunter has killed the bear, but in the spring when it’s upright, the bear rises and the hunt begins all over again.”

Faith smiled. “I like that. I’ll see the dipper in a whole new way now.”

“Good.”

He leaned over and kissed her passionately, whispering, “Do you know what the Iroquois call a husband and wife who make love outside in weather like this?”

She grinned, “No, what?”

“Cold.”

She laughed.

“Come on let’s go inside.”

They went in and he made love to her on the pelts by the bedroom fire until they were both nice and warm.

The next morning while they were having breakfast, Arte came over bearing news from the Sons. “The leaders want everyone to report to Concord to help with the final preparations.”

“When?”

“As soon as you can. I’m leaving this afternoon. Can you join us?”

“Yes. How long will we be needed?”

“As long as necessary, I was told.” He then gave Nick directions to the Concord farm being used as the headquarters and added, “Bring any hand tools that you have. We’ll be pounding out bayonets and the like.”

Nick nodded approvingly. “I’ll ride over this afternoon as well. Thank you.”

Arte offered up his good-byes and hurried back to his home.

Nick spent the rest of the morning packing the clothing he thought he’d need and added some of the hand tools in the shed. As the time neared for him to go, they shared a quick lunch and Faith made sandwiches for him to carry along.

He had everything he planned to take with him in the parlor when they heard a knock at the door.

“Who could that be?” Faith wondered aloud.

Nicholas had no idea, but he left her and went to see. To his surprise, it was Stuart Kingston. The two men eyed each other silently until Kingston said finally, “I’m here to speak with my daughter.”

The last thing Nick wanted was a serpent in the Eden he and Faith had made. “I’ll see what she says.”

From the hostility Nick saw on Kingston’s face, it was clear the man didn’t like being kept waiting, but Nick ignored it. Leaving him standing on the porch, Nick walked back into the parlor. “It’s your father,” he announced. “He says he’d like to see you.”

“Whatever for?”

Nick shrugged and asked, “Should I invite him in?”

Faith didn’t want to talk to him because she sensed no good would come out of it, but she said resignedly, “Let’s see what he’s after.”

“Are you certain?”

“No, but have him come in anyway. Maybe afterwards he will get on with his life and we can get on with ours.”

“All right.”

When the two men returned, she slowly got to her feet. “Good afternoon, Father.”

He offered her a terse nod of greeting, but as his eyes strayed around the room and he took in the large portrait of Adeline hanging above the fireplace, he stilled. As Faith watched him she saw myriad emotions cross his face: surprise, sadness, anger, and then resolve. His accusatory eyes swung to Nicholas for a moment and held, before he turned his back on the portrait and trained his attention Faith’s way. “I’m here to take you home.”

She sighed audibly before asking, “Why?”

“Because this is not your home.”