Wild Heart (21 page)

He tackled the man to the ground, and the gun flew into a patch of ferns. The man slammed his fist into Akshay’s stomach. Leo’s friend grunted. Dear Lord, Akshay was half the size of the attacker.

Ella scampered through the ferns, pushing aside fronds and frantically searching for the gun. There it was, gleaming under a leaf. She wrapped her fingers around the cool metal and spun around.

The two men were a tangle of limbs, and she wasn’t sure where one began and one ended. Her arms jerked back and forth, trying to aim the pistol at the attacker.

“Akshay!” she yelled. “Move!” He lifted his head and, seeing the gun, tore himself from the man’s grasp. The man’s hood had fallen back, and a round face with dark eyes leered at her.

“Stay still, I mean it,” Ella said.

“Will you shoot me then?” The man laughed. “Cause I doubt it.”

Ella’s arms trembled, and a fine sweat broke out on her forehead. Would she kill a man?

“She might not,” Akshay replied, his melodic accent calm, “but I will. Hand me the gun, Ella.”

She pushed the pistol into his hands, and relief brought tears to her eyes. “You said they hired you. Who is ‘they’?” she demanded.

The man grinned and dived behind a tree. The gun went off, echoing through the woods.

“Damn,” Akshay snapped and bolted forward. “Stay where you are!” he called back to Ella.

She held her breath, trying to hear the men over her hammering heart. Branches snapped, birds squawked, and her heart hammered, making their muffled shouts indecipherable. Another gunshot split the air. Ella jumped, gasping.

Then silence.

“Akshay?” she whispered.

A sudden rustle of branches made her heart stop. She lifted her skirts, preparing to bolt. Akshay stepped from behind a tree, and the air she held came out in a great gasp.

“Are you well?” she asked, rushing to his side.

He was breathing heavily, and it took an anxious moment before he could respond. “Yes. But he got away. Obviously knew the area. I may have nicked him, not sure.”

She fell back against a tree, her knees weak. “Why is this happening to me again?”

She didn’t realize she said the words aloud until Akshay asked, “Again?”

She nodded, unable to speak. Trembling, she pushed away from the tree and stumbled from the woods. The fire when she was a child had been no accident. She’d seen the man, his eerie, glowing eyes as he leaned over her bed. She’d barely escaped, and she’d been too frightened to tell anyone of the truth. She wasn’t an idiot. She knew they must be connected.

Akshay didn’t say a word until they reached the road. “What did you mean, ‘again’?”

She took in his hard, dark eyes, his stern jaw, and knew he’d not rest until she responded. “Yesterday. A man…an angry servant…was in my bedchamber. He escaped out the window.”

Akshay didn’t respond to her words, merely helped her over a stone fence. “Let’s get you back to the estate.”

She didn’t know why they were going back to the estate, as if it were any safer than the road. Hadn’t he just heard her say she was attacked there too? She shook her head, fighting back the tears. He’d found her. The demon man had found her. She’d never be safe here, and worse, those she loved would be in danger.

“Where have you been?” Akshay demanded the moment Leo entered his bedchamber.

Leo paused at the door, surprise holding him immobile. “Having an extremely cordial conversation with my grandfather in which we talked about everything but my supposed madness.”

He shut the door and waited. Something had obviously happened. It wasn’t like Akshay to be so curt. He watched his friend pace the room like a caged animal.

“Two hours ago we were attacked.” He raked his hands through his hair and continued to pace. “Well, Ella was attacked, and thank the gods I was following her.”

Leo’s body grew numb, and he slowly lowered himself into a chair by the fireplace. “Explain.”

“She was walking back from her friend’s, that ill woman in the cottage. I was some distance behind her when a man with a mask over his face jumped from the woods and grabbed her from behind. She fought him, she did.” Akshay smiled, as if amused by her tenacity. But all too quickly, his smile fell. “Then he pulled out a pistol.”

Fear and anger mixed, flaring through Leo. He wrapped his fingers around the arms of the chair, mostly to keep himself from rushing from the room. “A pistol?”

Akshay held up his hands. “She’s fine now. Nothing happened to her.”

Leo fell back against his chair, his heart thundering in his chest. “Who? Why?”

“He escaped,” Akshay admitted.

Leo slammed his fists onto the arms of his chair.
“Merda.”

Akshay paced the room, his hands clasped behind his neck. “The thing is, Leo, it wasn’t the first time she’s been attacked.”

He jumped to his feet. “What the hell does that mean?”

Akshay stopped and leaned against the fireplace. “Yesterday someone was in her room. Ransacked the place, according to the servants. But the man escaped out the bedroom window. Your grandfather is searching for the culprit, but feels it was a disgruntled servant.”

“Someone was in her bedroom? Why the hell didn’t my grandfather mention it to me?” Icy fear trailed down his spine. Ella could have been killed…
twice
and no one thought to tell him? He’d find the man, and when he did…“Where is she now?” Leo demanded.

“Her bedchamber, I suppose. I escorted her there almost two hours ago.”

Without another word, Leo left his room and made his way down the hall. It was time Ella answered some questions. He didn’t need to be a bloody genius to know that two attacks in two days wasn’t normal. Was it someone trying to get to him, or did Ella have her own sordid past? He knocked on her door. No answer.

Without bothering to knock again, he pushed the door wide and swept inside. The soft scent of roses reached out to him, encircling his body and heating his blood. Her scent. He clenched his jaw and scanned the area. She wasn’t here.

The door opened, and Leo spun around. A maid, startled by his appearance, stilled on the threshold, her brown eyes wide. Juggling the linens in her hands, she dropped into a deep curtsy.

“My lord,” she mumbled.

Leo waved a hand through the air, dismissing her show of manners. “Do you happen to know where Miss Finch is?”

“I am not sure, my lord.”

Leo brushed past her on his way out. Where the hell had she gone? She certainly shouldn’t be racing around the countryside with a madman on the loose.

“My lord,” the maid called out.

“What is it?” He turned, impatient to find Ella. The maid had deposited the linens on a chair and was wringing her hands together.

“Miss Finch asked me to give this to ye. She said tonight, but since yer here…”

She pulled an envelope from her apron pocket and handed it to him.

“Thank you,” Leo mumbled, making his way down the hall. Anxiety clawed its way into his throat, sucking the breath from his lungs. He knew whatever she had to say wouldn’t be good. Had she left? Returned to that Buckley woman?
Merda
, if she were hurt because of him…

“What is it?” Akshay asked when Leo entered his room.

Leo shook his head and sat in the chair. He inwardly cursed when he noticed the slight tremble of his fingers as he opened the letter. Unfolding the paper, he read.

He felt as if a boulder had just crushed his chest and he couldn’t seem to catch his breath. She’d left, most likely to walk into a lion’s den. What the hell was she thinking? Dear God, she was alone. Completely helpless.

“What happened?” Akshay demanded.

“Ella,” Leo got out and shoved the letter into Akshay’s hands. “She’s left. I assume to find Convey’s brother.”

“Dear God,” Akshay mumbled, slumping into the chair across from Leo. “What does she mean by not putting others in danger?”

Leo stood and started toward his wardrobe. “I haven’t a clue. You know how she is.”

“What was she thinking? What do we do?”

He pulled out his pistol and tucked it into his waistband. “Find her, before it’s too late.”

“This way, miss.” The innkeeper flicked Ella a glance, then blushed and quickly looked away.

Exhausted, she brushed off the man’s strange behavior and followed him up the narrow steps to the room she’d rented for the night. The light from his lantern flickered across the walls, making eerie shadows that seemed to leer at her, mocking her nerves. She thought away from the castle she’d feel more secure. Yet, she felt worse, and, sadly, she knew why. Leo wasn’t here.

She shook her head, trying to clear her insane thoughts, and imagined her bed. With her few coins, the room would be small, but hopefully clean. Her bag thumped against her leg, and her back ached something fierce from the bumpy carriage ride. She’d eaten the biscuit she’d managed to pack away, and that would have to tide her over until the morrow. She’d didn’t want to waste unnecessary money.

“Here you go.” The man didn’t look at her as he pushed the door wide.

“Thank you,” she said and slipped into the room, eager to get away from the odd man.

The innkeeper shut the door without a response, and Ella was alone, thrown into darkness.

“Well,” she huffed, dropping her bag to the floor with a thud. Apparently one had to be wealthy to get good service.

Moonlight pierced the lace curtains, and she could just make out the outline of a small table with a lantern atop. With her arms extended, she shuffled across the room. Her toe hit something hard and pain radiated up her foot.

“Blast it,” she snapped, hopping up and down toward the bed stand. Finally reaching the table, she grabbled with the flint and lit the lantern. Light chased away the shadows and brought the room into focus.

The first thing she noticed was the large four-poster bed with its velvet coverlet fit for a king. Stunned, she merely stood there while her gaze traveled the expansive room. A massive mahogany fireplace dominated the wall across from the bed, while a copper tub lay in the middle of a plush carpet. What in the world was she doing in a room this richly decorated?

A chill of unease snaked across her spine. The innkeeper’s flushed face flashed to mind. The way he’d avoided her gaze and quickly led her to a room before she’d even asked if he had one. Something wasn’t right.

Ella breathed deeply. A familiar scent invaded her senses—male and pine mixed with salty air. Her heart stopped in her chest. With the lantern held high, she slowly turned. The light flashed across a shadowed form in the corner of the room. Ella squealed and dropped the lantern. It bounced across the carpet, before the light went out throwing the room back into darkness. She dashed around the bed, using the object as a barrier.

“So glad you could make it,” Leo’s familiar voice pierced the darkness and sent waves of heated consciousness through her body.

“How’d you find me?” she whispered, wishing her limbs would stop trembling, wishing she had the courage to tell him to leave, and at the same time thanking God he was here.

Leo stood, and she stepped back, hitting the wall.

“Fran. She was afraid for you, traveling alone, and rightly so. That, and the carriage stops at the same inn every journey.”

She frowned. Fran had planned on telling Leo the entire time. She could curse Fran for her lack of good sense. Yet, the moment she’d realized Leo was in her room, she’d felt safe once more. She didn’t want to feel safe with him. She wanted to feel safe alone, because that’s what she’d be in the end…alone.

“Do you have any idea what could happen to a lone woman traveling across England?” His voice was soft. Too soft.

Ella swallowed hard and feigned a confidence she didn’t feel. “Of course I do. I was incredibly aware of my surroundings at all times.”

He started around the bed. “Really? So aware I was able wait for you in your room?”

She clasped her hands in front of her. “Well, yes, but it’s
you
.”

“And what if it wasn’t, Ella?”

He came closer, so close unease trickled down her spine.

“You…you bribed the innkeeper,” she exclaimed, trying to change the subject.

“Yes, very easily. Anyone could have. One would think that a person who had been attacked twice would be more cautious.”

“I had no other option!” she cried out.

“You could have told me,” he snapped. He was on the same side of the bed as she now.

“I couldn’t,” she whispered.

He paused. Silence descended. Could he hear her heart hammer in her chest?

“Because you don’t trust me?” he finally asked.

She didn’t respond. Did she trust him? Part of her did, and all she wanted to do was bury that part. She’d trusted so many and come out the worse for it. What if Leo wasn’t who he said he was?

“Very good, Ella,” he said softly. “Only a couple months at the estate and you’ve learned not to trust anyone.”

She wanted to shake her head, to deny his words; mostly she wanted to tell him about her past. But she found she couldn’t move, let alone speak. Leo was either evil and intent on murdering her, or he was exactly who he claimed to be and believed her uncle was a murderer. Either way, he obviously didn’t trust her. So instead, she held her breath, waiting…waiting. Damn him, was he angry? Worried? Why couldn’t she read the man?

Finally, he turned and started toward the door.

“Where…where are you going?”

“To have a drink. Go to sleep, Ella.” He left the room and slammed the door shut.

Alone, Ella sank onto the bed, her knees too weak to hold her. He’d left her, and with his absence she felt the same fear once more.

Sunlight streamed into the room, giving the area a cheery glow that mocked her inner turmoil. The rays were warm on Ella’s skin, but the heat barely penetrated her chilled body. Exhaustion made her numb. She hated waiting, always had. But here she was, waiting for Leo. Would he come back for her? Or had he left? Surely, he hadn’t come all the way here only to reprimand her and then leave.

She sank onto the bed and fidgeted with the worn lace on the cuff of her sleeve. Underneath the fear, pure joy had rushed through her the moment she realized Leo stood in her room last night. She couldn’t deny the fact that she wanted him with her. Everything would be so much easier with his assistance. But it wasn’t only his assistance she desired…. No, it was his arms, strong and warm wrapped around her…his lips pressed to hers…his fingers skimming up her naked thighs.

A sudden knock on the door made her jump to her feet. “Come in,” she got out.

The door opened, and Leo strolled purposefully inside. No dark smudges marred the skin under his eyes. His shirt was pressed, his trousers clean and straight. “The door should be locked.”

She didn’t dare admit she’d left it unlocked in hopes that he’d come back. He hadn’t, although he looked well rested, indeed. Where had he slept last night? Her eyes narrowed, and her stomach twisted. Had he found sleep in another woman’s arms? Blast, once again she couldn’t read his emotions, and she didn’t have her necklace to offer comfort.

“Let’s go,” he snapped.

She tossed her jealous thoughts from her mind. “Where are we going?”

“You are going back to the estate.” He lifted her small bag from the floor.

She pulled her gloves over her hands, forcing herself to appear calm although her fingers shook. “Where are you going?”

He started toward the door, and she had no alternative but to follow. “I’m going to find Convey’s brother.”

“Without me?” she gasped.

He turned to face her. “Yes, without you.” There was a hardness in his eyes that should have kept her silent. Instead, she stepped closer to the man and put her hands on her hips.

“I uncovered the truth about Convey having a twin. I should be involved. It’s my uncle we’re discussing.”

“It’s my life,” he snapped. She silently praised herself when she didn’t flinch. With a sigh, he raked his hand through his hair. “It’s too dangerous.”

“It’s more dangerous sending me back to the estate,” she insisted, following him out into the hall. “As you know, I’ve been attacked there twice already.”

He parted his lips to argue when she interrupted. “There’s something I haven’t told you.”

He frowned. “Shocking.”

“The fire at the orphanage when I was a child…”

His brows drew together. “Yes?”

She wanted to tell him, but how could she? How could she explain that because of her, children had died? She looked away, focusing on a water stain that trailed down the plastered wall.

“It was on purpose?” he said softly.

She nodded, tears stinging her eyes.

“He was…after me.”

“Can you describe him?”

She shook her head. Other than those eerie glowing eyes, she couldn’t remember a thing. “We are connected, Leo, whether you wish to trust me or not. This involves the both of us.”

Leo rubbed his hand over his face, and she saw the weariness in his eyes. “Fine, but not a word.”

Ella bit her lower lip to keep from smiling. She jumped to the side as he tossed her bag back into the room. Without a glance her way, he started down the steps, and Ella scampered after him. She spotted the innkeeper wiping down a table in the far corner of the room. Seeing them, his face flushed, and he focused on his task. Ella tossed the man a glare as they moved into the courtyard. Blasted man had led her directly into Leo’s arms. Bloody couldn’t trust anyone anymore.

Then suddenly, they were at the carriage, and Leo’s hand was at her elbow. She swallowed hard, trying not to think about the way her body tingled at his touch. Damn men, Ella thought, they were constantly manipulating her. But she’d showed them. Aye, she had. She’d been the one to figure out where Convey’s brother lived.

“You can cease your smirking now,” Leo said as if he’d read her mind.

The curtains were drawn, and she could barely make out his features as he settled across from her, yet somehow he’d known where her thoughts led.

“I’m not smirking.” Yet, her lips twitched all the same.

“You could have told me, Ella.”

Her mirth fled. He was still, but she could sense his energy nonetheless, ready to unleash at any moment.

She plucked at the lace on her cuff. “What did you tell your grandfather?”

He stretched his long legs so they pressed against hers. “Nothing.”

Ella ignored the comfort of his touch and focused on his face. “Nothing? You didn’t explain why you’d left?”

“Akshay will tell him, if he asks.”

She didn’t believe him in the least. They had no plans to keep his grandfather informed. It was obvious he didn’t trust his own kin, so why should he trust her? “What if he has a twin, Leo? What will you do?”

“Most likely kill him; is that what you wish to hear?”

She forced herself not to react to his statement. “No, you won’t.”

“You should have stayed home.”

“I’m safer with you.”

“Are you?”

She held his gaze even though she couldn’t make out his emotions. They hadn’t been alone in days. The silly thing was, she missed him.

“Do you trust me?” he asked her again.

Warmth settled around her chest, squeezing her heart, and suddenly she knew and she could no longer deny her feelings. “I do.”

He didn’t smile, he didn’t smirk, and she was left wondering how her words made him feel.

“Come here, Ella.”

She stiffened in surprise. “Where? What do you mean?”

He patted the seat next to him. “Here.”

His gaze burned into her, a predatory amber in the dim light of the carriage, and she couldn’t quite seem to catch her breath. He reeked of danger, yet mesmerized by the glint in his eyes, she crossed the small area to sit beside him. Why, she couldn’t say. Perhaps, she merely wanted to see what he’d do next.

And then he surprised her. Leo reached out and trailed his finger down the side of her face. A delicate touch that sent shivers over her skin. “In India hands are very important,” he said softly. To stress his point, his fingers trailed down her arms. Slowly, he pulled the white gloves from her fingers, one by one. When her hands were naked and exposed, he stroked the sensitive skin of her palm. That familiar ache grew in the pit of her belly, swirling, tightening, lower…lower.

“They paint beautiful, intricate designs over their hands.” His thumb stroked her wrist, melting her muscles, and she sank into the plush cushion of the seat.

“Akshay told me about the attacks. Were you injured?”

She shook her head, confused by the change in topic as much as she was confused by this touch. “Akshay was there just in time.” Her brows drew together. “How was he there in time?”

His thumb caressed the palm of her hand, muddling her mind further. She couldn’t seem to think when he touched her. One would assume Leo had some sort of strange powers.

“I asked him to keep an eye on you.”

She stiffened and jerked her hand away. “You had me followed? Why? Why did you want him to watch me?”

He met her gaze. “Because I care.”

I care
. Ella shook her head as sudden tears burned her eyes. She scooted back into the corner of the seat, as far away from him as possible. As if a foot or two would provide enough distance from the man and his contradictory emotions.

“You don’t. You said you didn’t care…about anything or anyone.”

His jaw clenched. “
Merda
, Ella, I’ve tried to forget you. I tried not to care.”

“Stop,” she whispered. “Please.”

She couldn’t stand hearing the words. Not when she loved him and not when he would eventually leave her. Yes, she loved him. She had for days now, and she feared her feelings would be her downfall.

He cupped the sides of her face. “I can’t stop, Ella.”

When he leaned toward her, as much as she wanted to, she didn’t protest. His lips captured hers, and she sighed. Suddenly nothing mattered. No silly problems, no silly emotions—only Leo.

She loved him.

She could be his…just once, before he left England…left her. His tongue swept inside her mouth, stroking, teasing. Heat shot through her body, pooling in that place between her legs…that place he’d touched so gently.

She’d had a taste of what could be, and now she feared she’d always want more…always want him. She slipped her hands up his chest and around his broad shoulders. Her fingers entwined in the long strands of silky hair. She tilted her head, deepening the kiss. A moan escaped his lips, and a thrill of excitement rushed through her body. He moved his mouth from her lips to her jawline, and the scruff on his face scratched against her sensitive skin.