Underground Captive (22 page)
Read Underground Captive Online
Authors: Elisabeth-Cristine Analise
Underground Captive
149
him. Everyone, especially Charles, wanted to question Jared to find out what drove him to defend Nicki so heatedly, but no one dared. He looked downright dangerous.
"Charles, I overstepped my bounds," Edmond said carefully, making amends without actually apologizing. "Henri is right, of course. Why don't we get back to the matter at hand."
"Of course, Edmond," Charles agreed in unfriendly tones.
"If ye gentlemen will excuse me, I need some fresh air," Jared announced and quit the room.
Moments later, he stood on the front veranda, flexing his jaw, surveying the grounds, taking in as much as the overcast sky would allow. 'Twas cold tonight. A perfect night to seek the warmth of Nicki's arms.
Jared sighed. He needed to leave. Not only because of his ardent thoughts of Nicki, but 'twas still early enough to get to the cabin and arrive about the same time as Angus and Robert.
Nay, he would stay a little longer. His servants were capable of handling it. He wanted to assure himself that Falgout was off the premises and not a problem for Nicki. Jared didn't doubt that Charles could handle Edmond. But New Hope was definitely next on the Black Rider's agenda. Edmond Falgout held grudges. Jared would have to put other worries on his mind, so he’d forget any vengeance he planned against Nicki.
Jared had wanted a way to keep an eye on Nicki as he listened to the planters. So much for that. She left and he didn't know if she obeyed her father or not. If she'd left at first, she and Edmond wouldn't have had words.
Thinking of the way Nicki stood up to Falgout, a warmth stole around Jared’s heart. She had been mesmerizing in her anger. He leaned on the lacy banister, resting his elbows on the railing.
One of the entrance doors softly closed and he heard footsteps walking on the veranda. Abruptly, Jared moved from the railing, going behind one of the huge Doric columns. "Nicki, what the deuce are ye doing out here in breeches?" He walked over to stand in front of her, effectively blocking any escape she might think to make.
Releasing a startled cry, Nicki froze. "W-w-what are you doing out here, Jared?" she sputtered, shifting her weight from foot to foot. “I...I thought...I thought everyone was still in the parlor."
"'Tis obvious ye did, lass. But I see 'tis good that I'm not still in the parlor. Answer me, Nicki. Where are ye going at this hour of the night in men's attire?"
Nicki swallowed hard, her heart thumping in her chest. Lifting her chin, she boldly met his inquisitive gaze. "I was going to ride Nur. You see, I am so tense from
Monsieur
Falgout, I need to work off some of it to sleep tonight."
"In breeches? Why not yer riding habit?" he asked in a calm voice.
"Oh. Ummm...well, breeches are more comfortable," she blurted, her voice tremulous and fragile. "They allow me to sit a horse better."
Jared didn't answer. Gently, he took her by the hand and led her down the veranda toward the gazebo.
16
For more than one reason, Nicki should have protested when Jared led her up the wooden steps of the small structure. Every minute she spent with Jared, the farther out of reach the Black Rider would get. If her father found her with Jared, a confrontation would ensue. Non, she really shouldn't be out here.
She decided she'd give him a few minutes, then make her excuses and leave him and Crescent Wood before someone discovered her plans.
"Sweet Nicki." Jared smiled, looking down into her face, running his hands up and down her forearms. "Every time ye're in breeches, ye're heading for trouble. I have a feeling this time is no different."
Could she trust Jared with her intentions? Never! He'd try to stop her just as her father would, since no one knew how dangerous the Black Rider was.
"
Monsieur
, I don't know if I should be offended by your low opinion of me, or flattered by your worry. If, in fact, it is worry."
Jared laughed in a deep, warm way. "Aye, 'tis worry. I don't want any harm to befall ye. Not only is it dangerous for ye to be out alone but 'tis not good weather wise. The clouds are practically covering the moon. So if yer intentions were really to ride, I think ye'd better change yer mind because ye'll be drenched by the time ye make it back to Crescent Wood."
Nicki scoffed, a twinge of disappointment ripping through her. "Is that what you brought me to the gazebo for? To tell me what to do? You could have done that from the veranda."
Jared chuckled roguishly, taking her face between his hands. "What did ye think I brought ye here for?"
Nicki could have kicked him. Did he actually believe she was offering her charms to him? But why, if not for a kiss, had he brought her here? And she had to admit, she was sorry that a stolen kiss wasn't the reason.
His wide set gold-green eyes gazed with hunger into her own and her heart quickened its pace. She broke his hypnotic stare, afraid if she didn't, she would be privy to any requests he made of her.
Pulling away from him, her eyes poured over his broad shoulders, scrutinizing the length of him, from his slim waist to his form fitting breeches, covering the muscles on his long legs.
Her face heated, her imagination wreaking havoc. She turned to leave, not because of her father or the Black Rider, but because of the desire Jared stirred within her.
"Nicki, lass, come back here."
It wasn't a request; it was a whispered demand and it rooted her to the spot where she stood.
"Turn to me, bairn," he commanded softly.
the moonlight and she yearned to glide her fingers through the burnished copper mass. He swallowed hard as he lowered his head and slanted his lips over her mouth. Lifting herself, she locked her arms around his neck and molded her frame to his body. Her lips parted to receive his probing tongue, the pit of her stomach swirling wildly at his intimate exploration. Her tongue fencing with his, the passion of his kiss weakening her knees, pounding her heart, obliterating all awareness from her.
Jared groaned. Nicki's kiss was slow and sensuous. He didn't know when she took the lead, but she did, and the kiss went on and on. It seemed she was trying to devour him. Slowly, she ground her small body against his, keeping in rhythm with the cadence of their kiss. He wanted to bury himself deeply within her warmth and discover all of her secrets. His body trembled at the assault she waged upon his senses. She twined her fingers through his hair and still she ground against him. He wanted to bare her breasts and suckle each one. Lest he lose the last remnants of his self-control and answer the innocent invitation she extended and take her there he dare not.
Nicki wilted in his arms, smothering her face against his chest, trying to get hold of the sensations snaking through her. Against her shirt, her hardened nipples ached with desire and her private woman's place, moist and wet, quivered with need.
But, again, as on King George when she initiated the kiss with Jared, her behavior shamed her. From their first kiss, she'd responded to an honest emotion. The kiss that bared her emotions of first anger, then want. Ever since, she’d yearned for his embrace, ached to taste his lips on hers. She recalled her shameless behavior nestled in Jared's lap, as they rode King George through the Vieux Carre to her father's house on Rue Dauphine. And now this. What he must think of her.
She stepped away to apologize to him. "J-Jared, I didn't mean...I mean...I...I hope you don't think...harshly of me."
Noticing the familiar figure of Hugh running down the main path towards the house, Jared barely heard Nicki. He glanced down at Nicki and realized then that she'd spoken to him. He needed to get away from her, posthaste, but he didn't want to leave her. The tender feelings she evoked in him made him suddenly afraid that his attraction for Nicki was more than just an attraction.
"Nicki, get yerself back to the manor and go inside."
"Can't I stay out here with you a little longer?"
"Nay, my precious minx. I'll walk ye to yer door." God, if only he could have said aye to her question. 'Twould be a time he'd have his pleasure of her. He'd see to it. Ah, bloody hell! He'd never be able to only 'have his pleasure' with Nicki. He'd make love to her. But then he'd never be able to let her go.
Pressing heavily against his breeches, Jared's throbbing arousal hurt and he knew tonight he'd have to visit Judith, his favorite bordello girl. But he didn't have any doubt in his mind who he would think of as he drove himself into her.
Nicki gently held his hand as they went down the steps which led to the main pathway to the veranda.
Hugh had just reached the veranda, also. With his servant's appearance and condition, Jared didn't have to be told that something was awry. 'Twas apparent Hugh had run a long distance, judging by the short pants of his breath.
Still holding onto Jared's hand, Nicki stared wide-eyed at the stranger, who looked as if he would pass out at any moment. "May I help you,
Monsieur
?"
"No need to worry. " Jared released her hand. "'Tis one of my
servants."
She looked at both men with a penetrating, suspicious gaze. "What's wrong with him?"
Bloody hell! He was wasting time but he had to say something. "One of my servants is ill. I told Hugh to come here if they needed me." 'Twas a lame excuse even to his ears. With Nicki's intelligence, her next question would probably be where was the servant for Hugh to come to Crescent Wood without a horse or carriage. But, to his surprise and gratefulness, her only response was, “Oh."
However, he saw the wheels churning in the glint of her eyes.
"I have to bid ye goodnight, Nicki. Could ye go in and extend yer apologies to yer father?"
"
Oui
." Turning as if to go in, she heard Jared and the gasping man go down the steps. She opened and closed the door, hoping her ploy worked. Instead of going inside, she ducked behind a Doric column and waited to see what she'd discover.
Jared's servant went toward the stables while Jared waited on the bottom step.
A few minutes later, the man brought a magnificent, shiny, black horse to Jared. Nicki's hand flew to her mouth and she shut her eyes tightly to erase the image from her mind. Sagging weakly against the column, she didn't want to believe that Jared was the Black Rider. She opened her eyes in time to see Jared astride the handsome steed. Man and beast looked wondrous together.
Jared waited until the servant climbed into the saddle behind him before taking flight. It brought to mind what the slaves said. The Black Rider could handle a horse like no one else could.
Except Jared
, Nicki thought miserably.
Springing into action, she started down the steps. She wouldn't lose him and was glad she had the foresight to saddle Nur earlier. Thunder clapped in the sky and she released a frightened cry.