Nicole Jordan (7 page)

“Yes…By my betrothed.”

“But not a true kiss, I imagine. A true kiss is more than a meeting of lips. It’s a mating…of mouth and tongue and breath…An intimate knowing.” His fingertips traced the line of her mouth. “I want to truly kiss you, angel.”

His delicate touch made her shiver. “I…You shouldn’t….”

His smile was soft, indulgent, tender. He had a beautiful mouth, especially when he smiled.

“In circumstances such as these,” he replied, “it is not improper for a man wooing his lady to claim a kiss. This is my sole opportunity to persuade you to become my bride. Perhaps the last time I will ever see you, ever touch you. Will you deny me my last chance to fulfill my father’s dying wish?”

“No,” she whispered, helpless to resist.

This time when he bent his head, she didn’t stiffen or pull back. She let him draw her into his arms, let him hold her as a lover would.

His kiss was like nothing she had ever experienced. His mouth was hot, wet, open against hers, bold and unexpectedly intimate. Her nostrils filled with his scent, her mouth with his brazen flavor, as shocking pleasure assaulted her senses….

Her wanton response dismayed her, yet to her surprise, he was the one who abruptly ended the kiss.

“Perhaps this was a mistake,” he said, his voice unsteady as he leaned his forehead against hers. “I thought I would have more control….”

Drawing a deep breath, he slowly drew away to capture her gaze. “No,” he said with more composure, “judging from your response, I wouldn’t say you feared me. You felt the same fire I did. The signs are all there. Your pulse has quickened, your skin is flushed….”

Her heart racing, Aurora stood mutely, torn between dismay and desire as he so perfectly described the sensations that were overwhelming her. She shouldn’t be feeling this way, experiencing these powerful, forbidden feelings for a stranger. Never had she had such a primal reaction to a man, a reaction no lady would acknowledge.

“And that is only the beginning, sweetheart. There is much more I could show you. Give me that right, Aurora.”

His eyes had darkened with sensuality and were as fathomless as midnight, Aurora saw. Captivated, she stared into them.

His voice dropped lower. “Your cousin believes he can secure a special license in time for us to wed tomorrow evening. I would consider myself the most fortunate of men if you would do me the honor of giving me your hand in marriage.”

Aurora shut her eyes, struggling to recover her dazed senses. Her mind was spinning, and she felt a similar chaos in her heart, a tumult of hope, fear, doubt. Did she dare consider his mad scheme? It was so very tempting, and yet undeniably daunting as well.

“You are my best hope, angel. My only hope. One night. Can you give me that?”

She swallowed thickly.

“Must…I answer this moment?” she said at last. “The decision you are asking me to make is a profoundly serious one. I need time to consider.”

“Of course.” His gaze held sympathy. “But however much I dislike pressing you, perhaps I should remind you that time is running short.”

“I know.” Her tone was bleak.

She stepped back, out of his embrace, and was unsurprised to discover how feeble her knees were. She didn’t need Mr. Sabine to remind her of the urgency. He was to hang tomorrow—unless she consented to become his bride. Then his execution would be delayed long enough for them to wed.

Her eyes were burning as she gazed up at him, her throat tight. So tight that she couldn’t manage another word.

Turning blindly, she made her way outside the cell, where she leaned weakly against the stone wall. A shudder passed through her as she thought of him dying—

“Aurora, are you unwell?” Percy’s concerned voice asked. She had forgotten entirely that he was awaiting her in the corridor.

Unable to speak, she shook her head.

“Come, we must get you out of this dungeon and find some fresh air.”

She was grateful when her cousin took her arm and led her along the dim passageway and up a narrow flight of steps. When she reached the open air, she drew a deep breath, trying to contain the turmoil of emotions that were tearing at her inside.

Percy waited patiently while she struggled to regain her composure. “So,” he said finally, “I take it Sabine proposed?”

“Yes.” Her voice held an edge of bleakness she couldn’t hide.

“And did you give him an answer?”

“Not yet. I couldn’t…not so quickly. I told him…I needed time to consider such a drastic step.”

“Well, of course you do. I can only imagine what a difficult decision it must be for you—to defy your father and wed a stranger. Perhaps we should go home and discuss it with Jane.”

She gave him a forced smile. “Yes.”

Percy led her to the waiting carriage and handed her inside, then took his place beside her. Aurora sank back against the squabs and stared blindly out the window.

She shuddered to think how her father would react, the rages she would have to endure…Yet it wasn’t only withstanding her father’s inevitable explosion or marrying a stranger that made her decision so difficult.
She was being asked to wed a dead man.

Still, it was the thought of Nicholas Sabine dying that was breaking her heart.

Chapter Four

“So he has proposed a marriage of convenience to safeguard his illegitimate sister’s future?” Jane asked thoughtfully when she’d heard the tale.

The three of them were in the drawing room—Percy on the settee beside Jane, relating the particulars of Sabine’s proposal, while Aurora stood at the window, too restless to be seated.

“Yes,” Percy replied. “Except the girl isn’t considered illegitimate, nor is her illicit conception common knowledge. The affair was hushed up long ago.”

Jane pursed her lips in contemplation. “I can understand the advantages to Mr. Sabine’s sister, but how would Aurora benefit by marrying a pirate?”

Percy answered readily. “Financially the marriage could be quite attractive for Aurora, since he means to settle a large jointure on her. His mother and two sisters in Virginia will inherit part of his fortune, and his shipping empire will go to an American male cousin. But Nicholas hopes to provide for his half sister without his mother ever learning of the girl’s existence—or of his father’s infidelity. Nick proposes to leave a substantial sum to Aurora, a portion of which she will hold in trust for Miss Kendrick. And he would ask Aurora to assume the wardship. If she’s his wife, such arrangements would be unexceptional.”

“True,” Jane agreed, “but if he is hanged for piracy…Marriage under such a cloud would prove socially difficult for Aurora, if not impossible.”

“Her standing in society should shield her somewhat. And remember, Nick is not without noble family of his own. His cousin, the Earl of Wycliff, will be a formidable ally.”

“Yet she would return to England a widow, have you considered that?”

“Which could be a decided advantage. I’ve never liked the thought of her having to marry Halford. If Aurora is a widow, it wouldn’t be proper for her to wed until a decent interval had passed, and Halford would have to look elsewhere for a bride. Of course then she would not become a duchess, which
is
a drawback.”

Aurora didn’t care for the way they were discussing her future as if she weren’t present. “Am I to be given a say in the matter?” she asked.

Jane looked contrite. “Forgive me, dearest. I suppose we became carried away because we care so much. But Percy is right. You should give Mr. Sabine’s proposal serious consideration.”

“I thought you said he was dangerous,” Aurora replied, frankly surprised by Jane’s endorsement. “You called him a notorious adventurer, did you not?”

“Most certainly. Any man with his reputation would be dangerous to young,
single
ladies. But an offer of marriage changes the circumstances altogether. Matrimony can render even the worst sort of rakehell respectable. And this could very well be the answer to your dilemma, Aurora. I know how you dread having to wed Halford. As your husband he would be as controlling as your father, and you’ll find it repugnant, being forced to live under his domineering thumb and to bear his children.” Jane gave a delicate shudder. “Sabine is the lesser of two evils by far.”

Aurora managed the ghost of a smile. “That is hardly a glowing recommendation for a husband.”

“He isn’t an ideal choice, I grant you. But his wealth can compensate for a multitude of sins.”

“Do you realize how mercenary that sounds?”

“I am only being practical, Aurora. A generous jointure would allow you a vast measure of independence. You could not only escape your father’s demands that you marry, but you could set up your own household as well.”

“You would condone defying my father?” she asked skeptically, not quite believing Jane’s seditious counsel. “He will be incensed if I am unable to wed Halford as I agreed.”

Percy answered for his wife. “You were compelled to agree to your father’s choice under duress, Aurora. He would never have permitted you to accept our invitation here had you not promised to wed Halford when you returned to England. In any event, I would be more deserving of his wrath than you. I gave him my word that I would look after your welfare. I believe, however, that by championing your marriage to Sabine, I would be acting in your best interests. Just not in the manner your father expected.”

Aurora fell silent, thinking grimly of her stern, illustrious father. Not even Percy realized how violent the Duke of Eversley’s temper could be. For the most part, she had been a dutiful daughter; rightly or wrongly, she possessed a strong sense of family loyalty and obligation due her rank. But she would be crossing her father with a vengeance by making such a scandalous marriage.

Jane rose and went to her, putting a comforting arm around her waist. “Perhaps I’m callous to say so, Aurora, but it isn’t as if the union would be permanent. You could even look at it as if Sabine were merely lending you his name. Once you leave here, you will never see him again. You wouldn’t have to spend your life tied to a man you don’t love.”

Reminded that Nicholas Sabine was to lose his life, Aurora squeezed her eyes shut.

“I know how much you loved Geoffrey, my dear,” Jane murmured, apparently mistaking the reason for her despair. “But it will only compound your misery to be locked in a loveless marriage to Halford. You’ve had enough sorrow in your life.”

Aurora looked down at her clenched hands to hide her reflections. She had loved Geoffrey deeply, but not in the way Jane supposed. Theirs had been a comfortable alliance rather than a grand passion. Geoffrey had been a gentle soul and one of the kindest men she had ever known, with a sharp mind he preferred to engage in scholarly pursuits.

His quiet, complacent nature was what had made the prospect of marriage to him so appealing, Aurora knew. She had cherished him for his temperament as much as anything—because he was so completely unlike her father. He would never try to rule her or dictate her every action or fly into rages at the slightest provocation, as her father did. As Geoffrey’s wife, she would be free to live her own life, to control her own future. Indeed, Geoffrey was perfectly content to follow her lead in all matters, so long as he could keep his nose buried in his books. She had grieved at his death, but she’d loved him more like a brother than lover.

Her throat tightened with guilt and regret that she hadn’t felt a greater passion for him, but she banished the bittersweet ache his memory always engendered and swallowed past her dry throat.

“Mr. Sabine,” she said finally, “wants more than a marriage in name only. If we wed, he will insist on…on consummating our union, so no one can question its legitimacy.”

That gave Jane pause, while Percy looked grave. He made none of the objections Aurora expected, however.

“Your father would indeed be unable to challenge the marriage then,” Percy asserted. “And everyone knows Halford’s preference for schoolroom misses. He will undoubtedly give up his pursuit of you if you’re truly a widow and no longer a virgin bride.”

Aurora couldn’t help flushing at such plain speaking, even though she should be accustomed to it by now. The frank honesty and openness in the Osborne household was uncommon but admittedly refreshing compared to the stifling mores under which she’d been raised.

Seeing her discomfiture, Jane frowned at her husband, but then nodded slowly in agreement. “Mr. Sabine is injured, Aurora. He is not likely to be much of a husband to you. And you would only have to submit once. Furthermore…pray forgive me for being immodest, my dear, but I daresay Mr. Sabine has enough expertise to make the experience not…unpleasant for you.”

It was Percy’s turn to frown, but Jane forestalled his comment by asking him about the nuptial arrangements. “You can’t possibly allow your cousin to be married in that dismal prison, Percy,” she said emphatically.

“I doubt Nicholas would be allowed to leave the fortress, but the Brimstone chapel is quite adequate. The ceremony could be held there tomorrow evening, which would allow enough time to secure a special license and arrange for a solicitor to write out a new will.”

When Aurora remained silent, Percy went to stand before her and take her hand. “You know, my dear, you don’t have to accept Sabine’s proposal, or Halford’s either, for that matter. You are welcome to make your home with us for as long as you wish. You needn’t return to England.”

“Thank you, Percy,” Aurora said quietly. “But my life is there, with my family, my friends.”

“Well, don’t let us browbeat you into making a decision you will regret.”

She smiled briefly. “I won’t.” This was too important a matter to allow herself to be pressured even by her loving, well-meaning relatives. “I am profoundly grateful for your concern—grateful to you both,” she said, including Jane in her glance. “But will you forgive me if I say I need some time alone to consider?”