Damien's Destiny (8 page)

Debora had been unusually quiet the whole trip and during dinner was no exception. Damien knew she was consumed with worry for Rafe and he could do nothing yet to reassure her. He’d been granted no vision, at least none he wanted to share. He wasn’t too surprised when she refused dessert and excused herself go to her room. Nor did he object.

He kissed her cheek and whispered so low no one at the surrounding tables could hear him.

“I’ll do my best for Rafe tomorrow, my dear.”

She gave him a brief semblance of a smile and turn to leave. Damien conscientiously started to excuse himself to Toria and go with her but Debby waved him off with an attempt at a smile.

“Stay with Toria, Damien. She loves dessert almost as much as you do.”

He watched his sister go, powerless to do anything for her except send a slight sleep spell with her. Otherwise he knew she’d find little rest this night.

That he expected little relaxation himself didn’t bother him.

He sat down again at the table and found Toria looking at him, her big eyes worried.

“I don’t know your friend,” she said, “but I know well he couldn’t be in better hands than yours. I wish I could do something to help.”

The sincerity in her simple words touched his already susceptible heart.

He reached his hand across the table and she took it, snuggling her small fingers into his like a baby bird finding its nest. When she did not withdraw, Damien drew a deep breath, turning her palm upward and lifting it to his lips.

“Thank you, there’s nothing anyone can do right now. Maybe later.”

He murmured low to her as she let her hand rest in his for a long moment. Not long enough for him but after a length of time that caused a woman at the neighboring table to cock her eyebrows, she withdrew her fingers.

He was greatly encouraged she didn’t blush or seemed annoyed but looked at him with trust and a smile.

“Finish your ice cream, Toria,” he said gently. “And then tell me what you’d like to do. Walk a bit, perhaps? It’s late but this is a safe part of London.”

Again her brilliant smile lit up the room.

“I’d love to walk just a little, Damien,” she said, shoveling the last bit of ice cream into her mouth in a most unladylike fashion.

He grinned as he pulled back her chair.

“It’s still warm enough we can go without extra wraps. We’ll only walk a few blocks, as I don’t intend to take any chances with your safety by going far from this area. But I think we both need to stretch our legs a bit.”

As he escorted her from the dining room to the lobby he wondered what on heaven or earth he was doing. Walking alone on a dark and beautiful night, with the love of his life by his side. She might not know it but she was indeed in danger. And from the very man sworn to protect her.

When they’d gone a few blocks they reached a section of the pavement shadowed by tall buildings and relatively deserted, Toria suddenly turned to him.

“I must thank you properly, Damien. You’ve given my life new meaning. I feel safe with you as I never have before and I’m grateful.”

He tried to shut down his emotions but found himself overcome by his love for her. He grabbed her in his arms, running his hands down her luscious body and molding her to him.

“You’ve made a mistake, Toria. I’ll keep you safe from others but I’m not sure I can keep you safe from me.”

He framed her beloved face in his hands, his voice low and husky.

She looked up at him with a very female smile.

“I’m not sure I want complete safety from you, Damien.”

He groaned and swooped down, capturing her lips with his, exulting when he felt her instant and warm reaction as she tried to inch somehow closer to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, going with him even when he opened his lips and nudged hers slightly apart. She drew back quickly when his tongue invaded her softness and he withdrew. It was enough to know she was beginning to respond to him. At least for now. She still needed reassurance he’d not force her.

He ached from the pleasurable pain of the small taste he’d taken from the warm recesses of her mouth. Although he’d best go no further tonight. Well, hell, he could barely keep himself in control with even the little they’d done.

He raised his head, looking into her dazed eyes.

“You’ll always be safe with me, my love, in any way that truly matters.”

She backed away from him, just one step back although she was obviously shaken. Well content, he tucked her arm again in his and led her as they returned in silence to the hotel. They did not speak until he softly bade her sleep well and kissed her forehead as he left her at her room.

He was positive he’d someday win her body but it would not be an easy task. He wanted much more than just her body, even as he craved to possess her. He wanted her heart and her every thought. At least he’d made the barest beginning.

He groaned involuntarily. He’d manage little sleep tonight. Knowing she slept but one wall away, her beautiful body so close to him and so unreachable.

He refused to put a sleep spell on himself. He wasn’t quite that weak. Although he certainly could use a little more self control where Toria was concerned.

* * * * *

The interview with Lord Salisbury went well after Damien calmed his puzzlement.

“I don’t remember you making this appointment, Sinclair. My secretary must be overworked. However, I’m glad to see you. Tell me what you want of me and then we’ll discuss what I want of you.”

Damien found himself unwilling to let Salisbury’s secretary take the blame for his own machinations.

“When I called this morning I found one of your appointments had been cancelled and I asked I be inserted in his slot. Your man is extremely efficient and fortunately he agreed. I was simply lucky.”

He didn’t mention that Lord Blackwell’s carriage just happened to break down the evening before on his way to London to keep his engagement. Blackwell was understandably upset at such a mysterious happening keeping him from London an extra day. He’d better stop on his way out and make sure Blackwell was on the schedule for the next day.

Salisbury can be an engaging rascal when he wants
, Damien thought as the Prime Minister enthusiastically shook his hand.

“What I want is simple, my lord.” Damien saw no use in small talk with a man as busy as Salisbury. “The only son of the Duke of Essingdon, Marquis Chittenden, is being held prisoner by Lobengula. I fear for him. I’ve sent someone to collect him but I’d like to make sure no one has to go too far into Mashonaland to retrieve him. I don’t know what shape he’ll be in but we will want to get him out as quickly as possible.”

Lord Salisbury was not easily shocked but Damien could tell he found this news horrifying.

“And what is the Duke doing to rescue his son?”

Damien’s smile was bitter. “Nothing, my lord, but I am. My man is on his way to the Cape even now. I’m just hoping to ease my friend’s way once he arrives.”

Lord Salisbury was still visibly shaken. “My god, man. His only son and Essingdon is doing nothing?”

“I am taking care of the matter, my lord. I would indeed appreciate your cooperation, however. I plan to send a yacht to Beira. Rafe is being held somewhere in the southeast of Mashonaland. I’d like Lobengula’s men to transfer him to a spot opposite Portuguese Beira. There’s a break in the mountains there and it’s the nearest way to reach him. Rhodes will have to make Lobengula want to cooperate, although I’m going to send a large ransom to sweeten the pot for Lobengula.”

Salisbury locked his fingers together and regarded Damien.

“I think there is much here I don’t know. Fortunately our government’s recent ultimatum to Portugal to cease activities and withdraw from that area should help.”

Damien didn’t change expression. He certainly couldn’t tell the prime minister of England he’d seen the location clearly in his prophetic mind. Right now no one had complete control over the area, although as usual the British seemed to be coming out on top.

Lord Salisbury almost smiled.

“Nor perhaps do I not want to know all the details. However, the heir of Essingdon cannot be permitted to be treated as an ordinary hostage. I’ll see to Lobengula transporting him as close as possible to the border of Mashonaland and that the Portuguese understand they must help. Does Cecil Rhodes know of this?”

Damien didn’t want to delve into that question. Cecil Rhodes might very well not appreciate Rafe’s interference.

“I’m not cognizant of Lord Rhodes’ intelligence, my lord. I’m only concerned with my friend. A man I treasure. This is a serious matter. Please know Marquis Chittenden means a lot to me and I’d be more than grateful to you for your help.”

Salisbury smiled. The smile of a predator who thought he’d won.

He was not at all averse to having this enigmatic earl in his debt.

Salisbury rose and held out his hand.

“You have my assurance, Sinclair. And I’d be obliged if you call in at the War Ministry before heading back to your estate. I understand there are interesting developments you might want to know about.”

Damien merely nodded. Let Salisbury think he’d won a point. Damien had reasons of his own for checking in at the ministry.

He wanted to return soon to his women. Debora was taking Rafe’s capture harder than he’d expected. Would she appreciate another day in London? Perhaps distraction would help just a little. So many interesting museums and sights and a brief holiday might benefit them all.

The more he thought about it the better he liked the idea. Perhaps Debby would retire early tonight too and he could find a way to further his raging desire for Toria. He craved her as he’d not dreamed a man could yearn for a woman. Not just her body but her smallest thought. At this point his objective seemed far away. He might definitely be a raving idiot by the time he won her.

Not that he doubted he would be the winner. She was definitely destined for him. If he only managed to survive the unconscious torment Toria heaped on him.

He’d call at the War Ministry and then tell the girls he’d decided to take another day of this unexpected vacation. Unless they seriously objected.

* * * * *

Toria was ecstatic with the idea, Debora less so.

Damien spoke softly to his sister.

“Jason won’t even be to the Suez Canal by now. He will send us a wireless message as soon as he can, probably while he’s waiting for passage there. Then we won’t hear from him again until he reaches Beira. We’ve set up a schedule, fearing too frequent messages might attract attention. There is no need to hurry home, my dear.”

Debby gave him an agonized glance but didn’t object to another day away from home.

Damien knew from keeping track of Toria’s years at Miss Carpenter’s School for young ladies she’d been twice to London. She’d seen the usual attractions, Westminster Abbey, Parliament, the British Museum, the royal residences. Still he thought they could go to the British Museum once again. Exhibits there were sure to have changed since she visited two years ago.

The Polynesian exhibit from the London Missionary Society was on loan and reportedly fascinating. The ladies would never have seen anything like these amazing objects, nor had he.

It proved an inspiration, as the strange objects of worship and daily life of Polynesia intrigued them all. Some of the carved wooden figures were wrapped in bark cloth, while others featured strange pearly shells. No one commented on the several statues with shapes suggesting the male phallus—an impossibly large male phallus. Damien wondered if his charges even recognized the sexual prowess they portrayed.

He thought not and felt vastly relieved. Toria didn’t need to be frightened any more. Seemingly she was not affected at all. She simply didn’t recognize the rather lewd significance of some of the idols. He felt her not unduly haunted then by her one horrible experience. Although she was definitely tainted.

But then he’d always known she was an innocent at heart.

As he hoped, Debby left the dining room to retire early. Toria looked at him with pleading eyes.

“Oh please, Damien, can we walk again a little? I enjoyed it so last night.”

To his delight she blushed a deep shade of rose as she evidently remembered exactly what they’d done on their walk.

She looked down at the table.

“I mean, London is so lovely at night. And the fresh air of the evening was delightful.”

Damien’s grin was one of a sexually aroused man, eager to repeat the previous night’s experience. And go further if he could.

“The walk was indeed delightful, my dear. Why shouldn’t we enjoy it just as much tonight?”

The restaurant suddenly seemed stifling, as he threw down some money on the table without even calling for the bill and took her elbow. From the way the waiter hurried over and then bowed in gratitude he’d left enough.

He was still smiling as they walked from the dining room to the lobby and then out into the cooler night air. London always seemed to have a slightly smoky smell but tonight the scent was less pronounced. Gas lights in the center of town kept the streets safe and the big Charing Cross Square was filled with pedestrians even at this time of evening. The air itself seemed charged. Every sound was a poignant reminder they were walking the streets of one of the biggest cities in the western world.