Sea of Desire (22 page)

Gone was the coy flirt. Blue eyes, which had
previously danced with laughter, now shone cold. Her mouth was a
tight line. No quick smiles for him. His own expression was
derisive. “One might ask the same of you, Merry,” he said, watching
her chin rise at his use of her pet name. If Franklin and half of
France could use it, then dammit, so could he.

“I’m a guest of Madame d’Abbeville.”

“As it happens, so am I.”

“I gathered as much. My question is, why have
you returned to Passy?” It was disconcerting.

“
I
summoned Captain Blackstone,
dear.”

“Why?” Merideth turned on Dr. Franklin. “No,
please.” Merideth held up her hand. “I apologize for questioning
you. It is none of my concern.”

“But it is mine. Why did you have me come
here?” Jared had certainly assumed there was some emergency when he
received the letter. But Franklin seemed unconcerned about anything
but enjoying himself with his friends. His next words confirmed
Jared’s conclusion. Instead of answering Jared’s inquiry, the older
man suggested Jared partner Lady Merideth in the next round.

“I’m afraid my old foe, Sir Gout, forces me
to sit and watch or I would do it myself,” Franklin said.

“I really am too fatigued to dance.” Opening
her fan with a flourish, Merideth swiped it through the
perfume-laden air.

“I’m quite sure Lady Merideth has her pick of
partners should she change her mind,” Jared said, causing Ben to
chuckle.

“She does, doesn’t she?” Franklin agreed.
“But come now, children.” He took them each by the arm, leading
them through the throng of people, toward the dancers. “Certainly
you won’t deny an old man’s wish.”

When he paused there didn’t seem to be
anything for Jared to do but offer his arm. She took it, albeit
reluctantly, and they joined the procession for
L’Escapade
.

They circled to the left four counts, then
back again, the tall, dark man and his golden partner. When they
met in the middle, Jared arched his brow.

“For a novice you dance very well.”

Merideth ignored the sarcasm-drenched
comment, twisting away from him as soon as the music allowed. When
they came together again it was Merideth who broke the silence.
“Why did Dr. Franklin summon you here?”

“I haven’t a clue.” He watched her brow
wrinkle in concentration. “Perhaps it has something to do with
you.”

“That hardly seems likely.”

They moved on, bowing to the next couple in
line, allemanding right. It was several minutes until they
sidestepped back to face each other.

“Why would you think Dr. Franklin brought you
here on my account?”

Jared shrugged. His gaze traveled down over
her gown. “The expense of keeping you?”

“The gown is borrowed.”

The dance brought them closer. “Perhaps he
resents your using his hospitality as a means of gathering state
secrets.”

His words were low, spoken in an intimate,
sensual tone, and for a moment Merideth didn’t comprehend his
meaning. The instant she did, she stopped, causing the lady to her
right to bump into her. Without a word Merideth turned and walked
from the dance floor.

“Insufferably rude man,” Merideth mumbled to
herself as she made her way through the crowd. When she spotted Dr.
Franklin, she tried to replace her scowl with a smile. His first
words to her showed she hadn’t succeeded.

“Are you well, my dear?”

“No, actually, I’ve a terrible headache.
Would you mind terribly if I returned to my room at the estate? I’d
send the carriage back for you.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“You’ll do no such thing. I can see how much
you’re enjoying yourself,
and
I also know that you’ve
planned a meeting with Monsieur Gerald later to discuss
politics.”

“I don’t feel right letting you go
alone.”

“Because of what happened in Paris?”

“ ‘Twas an accident. You said you were
sure.”

“Yes. Yes, I was sure,” Merideth said. “I
am
sure.” What else could it have been? It had simply been
so frightening to look up and see a team of horses bearing down on
her. To see the face of the woman driving the coach. She’d
obviously lost control, and Merideth had panicked, nearly freezing
in their path. If not for Dr. Franklin’s frantic yelling, she would
have been killed. As it was, she’d barely made it out of the
horses’ path before they bore down on the spot where she had stood.
The coach sped by. No one recognized the woman or the livery.

It had been a freak accident. But ever since
that day, Dr. Franklin had kept a close eye on her.

“The accident is not why you...?”

“What?” Franklin lifted his brow.

“Never mind. ‘Tis silly.” She had almost
asked if Captain Blackstone had returned to watch out for her. But
that was ridiculous. He was the man accused of killing her father.
She sighed. “At any rate, I really do wish to return to the house.
And please.” She clasped his hand in hers. “Don’t trouble yourself.
I shall be fine.”

Allowing him no time to protest, Merideth
turned and swept through the crowd of people.

Jared watched her go and hesitated only a
moment before approaching Franklin. He’d been riding for hours, was
tired and in no mood to remain at this soiree. In no mood to remain
in Passy, for that matter. Franklin’s message had implied the need
for haste. Jared had complied, only to be repeatedly put off and
dragged to a ball.

And shown the error of his ways for having
brought Merideth Banistar to Passy. She’d obviously made out quite
nicely. Society seemed to adore her. Ben Franklin sang her praises.
And no one even suspected that she committed treason in exchange
for coin.

“Ah, there you are, my boy.” Ben hailed Jared
closer when he noticed him approach.

“Dr. Franklin,” Jared began. “I shall wait on
you in the morning, but, for now, I must take my leave.”

“Of course you must.” Franklin’s voice had
the edge of panic. “She’s off by herself.”

“Who?”

“Merry.”

The tone of that one word seemed to imply
that Jared should know what Dr. Franklin was talking about—which he
assuredly did not. “I’m sure Lady Merideth is fine.”

“No, no, you don’t understand. It’s not safe
for her. I’ve tried not to alarm her, but she mustn’t be alone.
Please, go after her. She took the carriage.”

Jared still didn’t understand, but, for
whatever reason, Franklin was concerned. Nay, more than
concerned—deeply worried. He gave Jared’s arm a push. “Go,” was all
he said.

Turning on his heel, Jared headed for the
ballroom doorway. As he moved, the tension inside him built, so
that by the time Jared reached the spiral staircase he was nearly
running. He took the stairs quickly, offhandedly excusing himself
when he pushed past a group of perfumed dandies taking the stairs
at their own leisurely pace.

The night air felt cool and inviting as Jared
burst through the door, startling the servant standing off to the
side on the giant portico. “Lady Merideth Banistar. Have you seen
her?” Jared asked as he scanned the curved drive.

The man merely shook his head, filtering fine
powder over his jacket.

“A mademoiselle. Beautiful. Did she—” Jared’s
eyes snagged on a coach just passing through the stone gates at the
foot of the drive. Without another word he took off at a run. His
boots kicked up gravel as he sped after the coach. It was perhaps
twenty-five rods away, but slowed to turn the corner onto the main
road. Jared caught up with the conveyance, just as it picked up
speed.

Grabbing onto the window, he swung himself
up, pulling open the door and throwing himself inside. He landed
with a thud on the leather seat and was immediately pummeled about
the face. Lifting his forearms, Jared warded off Merideth’s blows.
He pushed her back onto the opposite seat, covering her mouth when
she tried to scream.

“Be still. It’s me.”

It was dark in the carriage. She hadn’t lit
the lamp, but apparently she recognized his voice, because he felt
her body relax once he spoke. But the next moment she tensed,
clawing at his hand with her fingers. His body covered hers, but he
tentatively loosened his grip on her mouth.

“What are you doing?” she sputtered. “Have
you... have you lost your mind?” Her breath came in ragged gulps.
She had been so frightened her voice still quivered. And she wasn’t
certain she shouldn’t be frightened yet.

“Perhaps.” Jared too was short of breath from
his run, and lying as he was on top of her wasn’t helping. He
shifted, bringing his mouth on a level with hers. “As to what I
want, I imagine it is the same thing most of the male population of
Passy wants.”

“Get off me, you uncouth barbarian!”

“Ay, the lady prefers seduction by perfumed
dandies with powdered wigs and beauty patches. Or is it simply that
men such as that have secrets they are willing to share for a taste
of your delightful—”

Whack!

The slap was hard and unexpected and it
caught Jared square on his cheek, burning his flesh and causing him
to grab her hands. He pulled them above her head. His face was
close to hers and he could make out her large eyes, luminous in the
dim light, and her lips, open and inviting.

His breath fanned her face and she waited,
the tension near unbearable. He was angry, angry as she. There was
no denying that. But there was something else, something primal and
erotic that bound them as tightly as the anger. Merideth could feel
the promise of passion racing through her body. She tried to fight
it, but the moment his lips touched hers it flared, and she could
do naught to stem the feelings that engulfed her.

Hard and aggressive, his mouth ravaged hers.
And she met him with equal desire and fervor. When he let loose her
hands she used them to clutch at his shoulders, so broad and firm
beneath the fine broadcloth. His mouth tore along her jaw, nipping
and wetting, then returned to her mouth. She met the thrust of his
tongue with her own... intimate interplay that made their blood
boil.

His whiskers abraded her soft skin, but she
cared not. He forged a trail under her chin, down the slender
column of her throat, and she writhed beneath him. With a swipe of
his hand her cape was gone, and his mouth feasted upon the flesh of
her chest. He followed the border of low-cut lace, then nudged
lower, biting the tip of her straining nipple through the heated
silk.

Merideth arched, grabbing handfuls of his
raven hair, pulling him closer. His body was hard, burning into
hers through the layers of ruffles and lace. And Merideth moaned.
The ache for him was nigh unbearable. Her legs spread in the tangle
of petticoats, but that didn’t assuage the gnawing hunger. She
didn’t know what would, until his hand grasped her.

There was no gentle exploration of her thighs
or the curve of her hip. His fingers delved straight for the moist
heated core of her passion. And oh, the splendor of it!

He prodded, touching, and like a flame to
powder she exploded. Her body bucked, shivering and trembling
uncontrollably. Her eyes drifted shut and her mouth went slack,
till his covered it, consuming her with a kiss full of carnal
delights.

She soared, then slowly, sensually floated
back to earth. She was spent, emotionally and physically. Her
lashes lifted and in the darkness she saw the flash of white
teeth... his grin. She couldn’t help responding in kind.

“You are full of surprises, Lady
Merideth.”

“I... I don’t understand. What happened?”

“Only a prelude,” Jared assured, then lowered
his mouth again for a probing kiss that proved him right. She
longed for more. He longed for the feel of her heat surrounding
him.

The sound of the shot caught them both off
guard. “What was that?”

Jared jerked up, then pushed her onto the
floor. She landed in a pile of lace and petticoats. The coach
slowed, then rolled to a stop. Jared could hear voices outside. The
driver, and someone else. A coarse, ill-bred voice that yelled for
the driver to get off the box.

Cursing the fact that he had left his pistols
at the Hôtel de Valentinois, Jared lifted the flap and peered out.
By the light of the lanterns mounted on the side of the carriage,
Jared could see that the road was surrounded by forest... the
perfect place for a highwayman.

“What is it? Who’s out there?”

Jared hushed Merideth, pushing her back when
she tried to climb up to see for herself.

“Come on out with ye, yer ladyship. I know
yer in there.”

The burly man who spoke stood close to the
coach, his pistol trained at the door. Jared couldn’t see any sign
of the driver. Or of the highwayman’s horse.

“Now, let’s don’t make this harder on ye.
Come on out.”

Jared could hear her ragged breathing... or
was it his own? At any rate, he reached down and squeezed her knee.
A gesture of hope? Or despair?

The handle jiggled.

“I’m through playin’ games, yer
Ladyship.”

The door opened. The highwayman stuck his gun
inside the coach and Merideth screamed. In the same instant, Jared
chopped his fist down hard over the assailant’s hand. The pistol
clattered to the coach floor, and the highwayman looked up at Jared
with a shocked expression. Then he turned and fled.

Jared leaped from the coach. It took him
little time to overtake the lumbering outlaw. Jared grabbed him
from behind as the man headed into the woods. He jerked him around,
knocking away the man’s hands when he tried to protect himself.

“What in the hell is going on here?” Jared
demanded. “What did you want with Lady Merideth?” When he didn’t
answer immediately, Jared shook the man like a rat terrier would
its prey.

“I ain’t got nothin’ against her meself. It
was him that hired me to kill her that does.”