Embrace of the Enemy (Winds of Betrayal) (6 page)

“Marcus,” she protested. Her hands pushed against his chest. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I find that I must once more depart. And I have only one question for you Hannah. Are you going to be here on my return?” He drew her closer. “I wonder. I wonder if you will remember what it is like to have my arms around you as they are now. I wonder if you will dream of me while I’m gone.”

“Please release me, you arrogant man!” she pleaded. “Someone will see.”

“That’s no answer,” he whispered. She wanted to be able to jerk away and run…run far away from him, but she found herself helpless as he pushed her back against the wall of the house. “You’re a strange one, Hannah Corbett. Why are you really here?”

“I have told you, my grandmother,” she murmured,
finding it difficult to find her words. “Is that so hard to believe?”

He held her gently, but firmly. “I know what you told me, Hannah. How you wanted to leave before the invasion and would do so now. It’s just…I imagine if you really wanted to leave, you would do so. And now I find it hard to leave you. I can imagine all sorts of trouble you could find yourself in.”

“I don’t believe it’s your concern, Marcus. I wish you well in your journey.” Her tone held no trace of the emotion raging within her. She twisted, but his grip only tightened. He pulled her to him.

Her protests drowned as his lips came down hard upon hers. She could feel a fire within him as his mouth claimed hers. And then to her horror she found herself responding to him. Her hands, which once pushed against him, trying to resist, opened freely and she pulled him to her. Her body betrayed her mind, melting into his…his touch, his kiss. His mouth kissed her cheeks, her neck, and back up to her lips again.

She couldn’t breathe. Her chest heaving, she finally broke away. Ashamed she responded so; she found she had no words.
Oh what was she going to say that her body had so willfully denied with his touch.
He caressed her cheek again.

“You make it hard to leave, Hannah Corbett.” Lowering his head to hers, his lips touched hers delicately. He whispered against her lips, “This I promise you. I have restrained myself. If you are here upon my return, I will do so no more. I give you fair warning. I want you.”

He kissed her again, ravishing her mouth until she surrendered to the moment. He kissed her neck, her pulse and caressed down the front of her bodice. Shocked overwhelmed her when she felt his hand boldly cup her breast. Then abruptly, he stopped. “You made me almost lose my head, my love. Remember my words.”

He kissed her once more. Then without another word, he departed. She could do nothing but stare after him with an open mouth.

Finally, Hannah turned to discover Susanna standing in the garden in her night dress. She looked quite distressed.

“Oh, Hannah,” she cried. Her face was drawn and distraught. “I saw. I should have told you before.”

“Told me what?” Hannah asked, puzzled by her cousin’s reaction, trying desperately not to betray her emotions. Her cousin grabbed her hand.

“Come back to my room and we will talk,” she answered. Hannah shook her head.

“No, tell me now,” Hannah stubbornly refused.

Susanna hesitated momentarily. “Hannah, Marcus…” she sighed and breathed deeply. “Marcus is married.”

“Married?” Shock vibrated through her. Hannah heard herself ask. “Then why would he act in that manner? Why would no one tell me?”

Susanna looked at her. “Come we’ll talk.”

In a fog, Hannah followed Susanna back to her room and closed her door tightly. “Remember when I told you he had lived down the street. He lived here with his family, his wife and child. If I remember correctly she was with child when she left. I met her on a few occasions. Haughty, I feel she felt the colonies beneath her. For if I’m not mistaken, she’s a daughter of a duke of some sort. She bragged about returning to their estate in England, away from the wilds of the colonies. From what I gather he’s the second son to an earl himself.”

Hannah sat and listened to her cousin’s words. Comprehension of what her cousin said slowly sank in. “I appreciate your frankness, Cousin, but don’t concern yourself. He’s leaving and I assure you I’ll stay as far from him as possible upon his return if I’m still here. He’s playing with me.”

Susanna gave her a quick nod, a half-fearful look in her eyes lingered. “Hannah, with what you’re doing, it would be for the best. I couldn’t bear if anything happened to you. I should have said something before because I’ve seen his fascination with you. I have heard that men in his position marry for position, but love…”

“No, don’t say that,” Hannah shook her head. “It’s not a fascination, Susanna. He’s trying to intimidate me. That is all. He knew of me before the raid. I don’t believe he feels I’m as helpless I pretend.” Hannah reached over and squeezed Susanna’s hand.

Susanna shook her head. “I hope you’re right. With your Gabriel leaving you, I couldn’t blame you if…:

Hannah stood. Her voice quivered. “Gabriel hasn’t abandoned me. Obviously, he was detained and couldn’t…” She paused for in truth she couldn’t understand why he had left her here. “I’ll take heed, I promise. I won’t trust anyone. Clearly, they all look down upon us. To play me so…as if I’m no better than a common whore. No, cousin. I won’t be treated such, not without reason.”

“Take care with that reason, Hannah,” Susanna answered.

* * * *

Hannah steamed over Marcus's behavior. She couldn’t stop thinking about it. How dare he! But in reality, should she had expected less? Hadn’t she a job to do? Wasn’t he a distraction? His departure alleviated a pressure she hadn't comprehended existed until he was no longer in the scene. Her inability to find and free Tepper, which had long been her most pressing problem since the occupation, disintegrated upon the reappearance of Lieutenant
Fletcher and his confirmation Tepper was being held at the Sugar House.

“Oh, Hannah,” Camilla exclaimed as she ran into
her grandmother's bedroom, quite flustered. “I know you have been in the most irritated mood lately, but I believe I have solved your problem and mine. I have run into Sergeant Wright. You must remember him at our last dinner party. Tall with the handsomest of eyes.”

Hannah placed her finger over her lips to quiet her cousin. Her
enthusiasm overflowed, but their grandmother had only moments before fallen asleep. Her grandmother hadn't been doing well as of late. Her energy level seemed to have diminished considerably. Hannah motioned for her cousin to follow her to the far corner of the room.

“Now, Camilla,” Hannah said softly. “What do you have planned?”

“Sergeant Wright wants to escort us to the Lewis's for their dinner party. He has a friend who desires to meet you, a Lieutenant Simon Fletcher. He said he met you here one morning. Is it not perfect? I've met him. Quite handsome, I might add. Not comparable to my Sergeant Wright, but quite presentable,” Camilla eagerly watched for Hannah's reaction.

Hannah winced. She had no desire to attend the
 Lewis's party and had planned to beg off with the health of her grandmother. She shook her head slightly.

“Oh, please,
Hannah,” Camilla pleaded. “Don't do this to me. Sergeant Wright works so hard down at the Sugar House.”

Hannah attention peaked upon the mention.
“Guarding the prisoners?”

“I believe that's what he said. Oh, please, Hannah. For me?” Her eyes implored her cousin. “I believe Lieutenant Fletcher is indeed infatuated with you.”

She stared at her cousin momentarily. “Of course, Camilla. For you.”

Camilla’s eyes lit up. Hannah could well see she thought she would have to beg and plead harder. Camilla hugged her and kissed her cheek. “We'll have the best of times. I have invited them over for tea this afternoon. He thought that there was something going on between you and Colonel Durham. I told him no. Even if Colonel Durham wasn't married, you would tell me something of that importance. He said he had been under the impression that Colonel Durham was keeping an eye on you.”
 

* * * *

Hannah sat across from her cousin, passing a cup of tea to Lieutenant Fletcher. She had taken care with her appearance finding a flattering rose silk gown. Lace decorated its sleeves, hem, and the low neckline. She could feel his eyes upon her in a most noticeable fashion. Her resolve to make such an impression upon the young officer had come after Camilla's comment.
An eye upon me
, she thought,
try to
!

“I don't know if you remember me from about a month ago,” Lieutenant Fletcher said as he accepted the cup. “But we met the morning after the occupation.”

“I do remember Lieutenant. I'm surprised I haven't seen you since,” she flashed a brilliant smile at him. “I had hoped to.”

She caught his eye. Camilla giggled and sat back delighted with herself. The Lieutenant seemed pleased with her response also. “I was glad you accepted the invitation.”

“I had thought of not attending,” Hannah said, biting her lower lip. “You find me vain, but I feel I have nothing to wear, not with all this chaos around us. I'm afraid my favorite dress shop has closed. Pray, Camilla, what was the name of the owner?”

Susanna, who had sat quietly enduring the visit, choked on her tea. She coughed, having to place her cup down. Camilla asked concerned. “Sister, are you okay?”

“Yes, of course. Pay me no mind,” Susanna managed to utter. She didn't look over at Hannah. Hannah was certain she wouldn't have been able to keep a straight face.

Camilla turned back to Hannah. “You know, Hannah, I've been thinking of the same. It is a shame to lose such an important
 shop such as it was. I haven't heard anything about Mr. Tepper. I can't imagine he could be a Patriot supporter. He didn't seem so.”

“Tepper. Of course, now it comes back to me now. I haven't been here for that long, but he had a way with gowns. It's a shame. I don't know if he'll be returning. Whether he closed because of the havoc or left for good.” Hannah poured herself a cup and took a sip. She looked over questionably to the Lieutenant. “You don't think he could've been arrested? Oh, perish the thought. No, he couldn't have been I'm sure.”

“I wouldn't worry, Miss Corbett,” Lieutenant Fletcher said. “I will look into it for you ladies. It won't be a trouble.”

“Thank you so much, Lieutenant Fletcher—”

“Simon, please,” he interrupted.

“Simon, what a strong name,”
 Hannah added. “I do so want to hear of your home. I have heard so much about England.”

* * * *

Three days later, Lieutenant Fletcher dropped by unexpectedly. Hannah, taken by surprise, hurriedly adjusted her dress and her hair in the mirror. She rushed down the stairs, followed by Camilla. He sat within the sitting room, looking quite proud of himself.

“Good morning, Simon. What a pleasant surprise,”
 Hannah greeted him.

“It's my hope that I have another surprise that you will find pleasing,” he said, taking the back of her hand and kissed it. Hannah smiled. She saw it within his eyes. She had Tepper back.

* * * *

“I knew you had it within you.”

“I didn't do much, Tepper. Lieutenant Fletcher extended me a favor. He acted on his own accord having you paroled,” Hannah responded, although she had been ecstatic upon seeing him once more. She watched him read over the notes she had taken during their time apart.

“You've impressed me, child,” he said, sounding delighted. In the midst of defeat, he emerged from the ashes that were left. He pushed his spectacles upon his forehead. “Excellent. Detailed. If you have this kind of access, I believe you can obtain more.”

“What exactly do you want me to do?” She stood at the window and glanced back over at him questionably. “It was in truth a series of fortunate events that led you back here, Tepper.”

“Ah, but it's what you made of them, my dear,” he said as he crossed over behind his desk to a hidden compartment. “If you can get closer, get hold of written plans, attacks. Hannah, it could be yours for the taking. You have been accepted within their circle without question.”

“I'm not so sure about that,” Hannah stared back out the window.

“How can you not? Didn’t Lieutenant Fletcher drop you
 off a few minutes ago?” he shot back. “You will find there is much men will do to impress you.”

She swallowed hard.

He shook his head. “Don't feel guilty, my dear. Remember why you came here. Remember why we fight.”

She
 turned back to face him. “I'm afraid I don’t have the confidence you do. Colonel Durham has a manner about him. He has pressed me on more than one occasion why I'm still here. I don't think he believes me helpless. Camilla said that Sergeant Wright said he was keeping an eye on me. He has left at the present, but, Tepper, he makes me uncomfortable.”

“Hannah,” he said as walked over to her. He studied her for a moment. “You can't get anywhere without reaching for it. We have a job to do. This man stands in your way. He has his job, you have yours. The difference is you know what he does, he isn't sure about you. Play him if he's attentive. Use him. Don't back away.”