The Cracksman's Kiss (4 page)

Chapter
Four

Kassie slid from the bed, snatched up her nightdress, and
padded barefoot to the window. Slipping the garment over her head, she peered into the darkness. There was no sign of the mysterious stranger. Was she dreaming? Pinching herself, she flinched and then frowned. No, she was definitely awake. She almost wished it was a dream, for dreams returned and had no guilt or consequences. She jumped when someone pounded on her door.

“Kassandra!” the earl bellowed from the other side.

She shut the window before answering, “Yes, my lord?” She scanned the room for any trace of the visitor.
If the earl demands entrance to my room will he know or suspect what happened?

“Did you hear anything within the house?”

With haste she crossed to the door hoping he would not demand entry. “No, my lord.”

“Be sure to keep your door locked.”

“Yes, my lord.” Kassie waited until his footsteps recede down the passageway before returning to the window. Pressing her face to the glass, she squinted into the dark, seeing nothing but shadows. Confused, she turned away and climbed back into bed. The subtle scent of the stranger’s cologne still lingered as she replayed the encounter over and over in her mind, struggling to convince herself she had not enjoyed the man’s caress.
I am sinful! What would my father say? I am supposed to be a pious and faithful daughter. I have shamed myself and my family. Why did the mysterious stranger sneak into my room? Did he sense my sinful longing and seek to take advantage of it?

The sun was painting the sky various shades of pink when sleep finally claimed her.

* * * *

“My lady?”

Kassie snuggled further into the bedclothes.

“My lady?”

She groaned, not wanting to emerge from her dreamy cocoon. “What is it?”

“You have overslept,” Sally said from the bedside.

Kassie sat up, her body achy and limp. She could have sworn she only just fell asleep.

Blinking, she looked out the window. The sun was already shining with promise in the midmorning sky.

“Are you feeling alright, my lady?”

She yawned. “I am a bit tired.”
And guilt-ridden, embarrassed…

“Shall I have your breakfast sent up and tell his lordship you are indisposed this morning?”

Kassie smiled. “Umm, that would be lovely, Sally, thank you.”

After the maid left, Kassie swung her legs over the side of the bed and slipped on her robe.
A tell-tale heat crept up her neck and flushed her cheeks when she recalled the events from the night before. Was she really visited in the night by a stranger who made love to her? The tingle between her legs made the question horribly redundant. Would her husband be able to tell she had lain with another man? A twinge of guilt rendered her in a panic.
The earl must never find out! He would surely cast me out, or worse…
The familiar thump of the earl’s cane in the hall alerted Kassie to his approach, and she hurried back to bed, scrambling under the covers before the door opened.

He crossed the room and fixed her with a stern stare. “Your maid tells me you are ill this morning.”

She lowered her gaze to the bed covers and plucked at a loose thread on the satin spread.

“Too much excitement last night,” the earl concluded. “I think I will cancel the trip to Bath. I would not want it to overexert you.”

“Oh, no. Please, my lord. I am only a little tired this morning, nothing to be worried about,” she hurried to reassure him, unwilling to forgo the much anticipated trip.

The earl contemplated her for a moment, his thin white brows bunching. “Very well, you will rest in bed today. Your maid can pack for you, and if you are refreshed by then, we shall leave the day after tomorrow.”

Kassie nodded. He gave her another careful look, and then left the room. She leaned back against the pillows, her stomach churning as she swallowed her guilt.

Sally entered a few minutes later with a breakf
ast tray which she set across Kassie’s lap. Upon lifting the silver lid she grinned. “Bernard was not around this morning so I took the opportunity to slip you a cup of chocolate.”

“Oh, Sally you are such a treasure.” Kassie picked up the steaming cup and
sipped the hot chocolate, savoring the rich flavor. Today was a special day in deed; whole day to herself with no silly schedule to adhere to and a cup of her favorite treat. She sobered when she recalled the reason for her reprieve.

“A trip is just the thing you need, my lady.” The maid chattered on, sorting through the wardrobe and packing it.

Kassie ignored her cheerful prattle as she sought to put a face to the stranger. Try as she might, she could conjure nothing beyond a shadowy form and a husky voice. An inkling of something familiar pricked her recollections.
Do I know the man? He seemed to know me or at least of me.

“…the commotion around here last night must have kept you up.”

Kassie blinked and focused her gaze on the maid folding a petticoat with care.
What is it she was saying about a commotion?
“What commotion?”

Sally placed the garment
in the bottom of a large trunk, then glanced at her and reached for some tissue. “A thief stole the earl’s Egyptian artifact late last night.”

“Really?” Kassie’s heart skipped a beat as she recalled the stranger telling her to be quiet or he might end up in Newgate. He had not been afraid of being caught in bed with her; he had been afraid of being caught stealing the earl’s artifact. The scoundrel could have at least had the decency to be repentant for his misdeed where she was concerned. Her face heated. “Did they catch the man responsible for the theft?”

The girl shook her head and placed paper between the folds of a delicate muslin dress. “No. No one seems to know who it was.”

Kassie’s thoughts flickered with the flames of the fire. Had she screamed, the household would have been alerted to the thief’s presence in her bedchamber. The earl lost his priceless treasure because of her. If he found out he would be furious. Kassie nibbled on a piece of toast from the tray. If the thief was caught, would he tell of her deception and infidelity? Her hands shook, and she tried to ignore the fear gripping her in icy fingers. “Do you think it might have been one of the earl’s guests who stole the artifact?” Kassie wondered out loud.

Sally glanced at her. “It could have been, but the earl seemed to think it was the work of a professional thief. No one saw him enter or leave the house.”

Bile rose in Kassie's stomach. Not only did she betray her husband, she did so with a professional thief. The man was probably very dangerous, and she had given herself to him like a common trollop. She closed her eyes and prayed God would forgive her for her terrible sins.
Perhaps God would punish her by denying her a babe. She might have to endure the earl’s disgusting attentions for years. Was it wrong to wish the earl’s touch had the same effect on her as the mysterious stranger’s? With a groan she pushed the breakfast tray off her lap and shrank under the covers.

Confusion addled her mind. It was wrong of her to lay with a man who was not her husband, but it felt so good
… Why did her husband’s touch repulse her when a complete stranger’s turned her inside out? She should be mortified by her behavior, but all she could think of was his lips brushing hers, how her body tingled at his slightest touch. Was she completely immoral?

“My lady?”

She poked her head out from under the covers. “Yes, Sally?”

The maid’s brows furrowed with concern. “Are you feeling alright?”

Kassie moaned and hid her face behind her hands. “Oh, Sally. I have done something terrible.” The mattress sagged as Sally perched on the edge of the bed.

“Whatever it is you have done, it cannot be so bad.”

“It is horrible, Sally. I am a truly terrible person.”

“You have a kind heart, my lady. I do not believe you could do anything bad.”

Kassie sobbed even harder. “Oh, Sally, I have done something unforgivable.”

Sally to
ok her hand and patted it. “We are friends, are we not?” When Kassie looked up and nodded through her tears the maid continued, “Then you can trust me to help you. Tell me what it is you have done you think is so terrible. I promise I will keep it a secret until I die.” She made an ‘X’ across her heart with her fingers.

Kassie wiped the tears from her face with her sleeve. “My husband will never forgive me for what I have done.”

“Then we shall never tell him,” Sally vowed.

Kassie sniffed. “I drank too much wine at dinner even though
I knew it would anger the earl. I was abed when I was awakened by a man in my room. At first I thought it was my husband, but then he touched me and made me feel things I never felt before. When I realized it was not my husband I should have screamed, but I did not because I did not want him to stop.” She began to cry again. “Do you not see Sally? I allowed the thief to steal more than my husband’s artifact, and I helped him escape. Lord Everton will surely cast me out or have me arrested. I betrayed him. I betrayed God and my father, too!”

Sally hugged her
. “No, his lordship will not cast you out, my lady, because we will not tell him.”

“What if the man is arrested and he tells my husband what I did?”

The corners of Sally’s brown eyes crinkled as she worried her lower lip between her teeth for a moment, and then she smiled. “I shall tell him the man is a liar. I was with you all night and did not see anyone come into your chamber.”

“You would do that for me?” Kassie wiped her tears on the corner of the bedspread.

“Of course, I would.” Sally smiled. “Now get some rest and do not fret. Soon we will be in Bath. I am so excited! I have never been outside of London.”

Chapter
Five

Kassie followed the earl up the gangplank of the monstrous ship. “Oh, look! What are those big grey animals over there? Have you ever seen such strange creatures?” She leaned over the railing and pointed with her fan.

The earl rapped the rail with his cane. “Control yourself, girl! At least hang onto the railing lest you fall overboard.”

Biting back her rebuttal she gripped
the railing, glancing at the choppy water below.

“Those are elephants.” A masculine voice from behind startled her. “They are part of Astley’s new show.” Kassie pivoted, keeping a hand on the rail. The comté was making his way up the gangplank.

He smiled. “Have you never seen one before?”

She smiled back before
cast her eyes downward for fear the earl would find fault with her for welcoming the comté in such a way. “No.”

“It is a pleasure to see you again, Lady Everton.” He took her hand, bowed, and placed a light kiss on the back of it.

Kassie was almost sorry her gloves were the recipient of his caress. He straightened with a delighted look, the skin around his eyes crinkling with good humor. It seemed the man was always smiling, as if he found the world and its inhabitants constantly amusing.

Tucking her hand in the crook
of his arm, he took her parasol and held it above her. He escorted her up the ramp to the main deck, nodding to the earl who stood waiting with a displeased look on his face. “Everton,” he acknowledged with a tip of his head.

“A
shton.” The earl frowned at Kassie before turning to his nemesis. “What are you doing here?”

He released Kassie’s hand, but continued to shade her with the parasol. “I am going to Bath to take in the waters, the same, I presume, as you.”

The earl merely grunted, taking Kassie’s hand. “Come along girl, we best settle in our stateroom before the ship sets sail.” Snubbing the comté he dragged her away with a bony grip.

When she peeked over her shoulder, Ashton tipped his hat and grinned. The sun’s rays highlighted his dark hair with light bluish streaks she never noticed before. His tanned skin left no doubt he was of robust health.
The comté is a picture of male perfection.
She glanced at the earl out of the corner of her eye.
Unlike my frail husband.

Sally was waiting in their stateroom. The sitting ro
om was large and furnished in elegant style. It contained a settee, two comfortable looking armchairs, a bookshelf full of leather bound volumes, and a small card table on which sat a box of chess pieces. A door on the left wall opened to reveal the earl’s bedroom. Kassie grimaced at the thought and followed Sally through a similar door on the right, leading to her own room. The bed hung on thick chains which swayed with the subtle rocking of the ship. The only other items in the room were a wardrobe in the corner, beside which an oriental dressing screen and a washstand were placed.

Enchanted, Kassie wandered over to one of the two small round windows and peered out the por
tholes to the wharf below. Well-dressed gentlemen mixed with the sailors and dock workers hurrying about their business. With reluctance, she turned away from the scene as the earl addressed her.

“Dinner is at seven. I will come to collect you then.”

As he twisted with his awkward gait to leave, Kassie placed her hand on his arm to stop him. “May I stand on deck and watch when we leave port?”

He scowled at her fingers resting on his finery. “It is much too dangerous for a girl to be wandering the deck alone. You will stay in your rooms unless you are with me. Is that clear?”

Kassie nodded and removed her hand. It was disappointing she would have as little freedom here as at home.

The earl left, the key scraping in the lock. She wandered back to the window as the ship shuddered and a whistle blew.
How dangerous could it be to watch as we sail from port on the deck if the earl is with me?
She clutched the window frame, bracing her feet as the ship began to move along the channels down the River Thames. The little porthole from which she viewed their departure restricted her enjoyment of the sights. She turned away in disappointment and meandered back to the sitting room, trailing her fingers along the smooth walls of the stateroom. Sally was seated in one of the chairs mending a silk stocking.

With a small pout Kassie
crossed the room and flopped into the chair opposite the maid.

“I thought being on a ship would be an exciting adventure, but there is nothing to do. The earl insisted he could not possibly endure a bouncing coach trip to Bath, but I fear it would have been more enjoyable than this.”

Sally looked up from her mending. “There are many books on the shelf. Perhaps one of them would interest you?”

Kassie shook her head. “Reading always makes me sleepy.” She slouched, resting her elbow on the arm of the chair with her chin cupped in her hand.

The maid smiled. “If you like I could teach you how to sew to pass the time.”

“Would you?” Kassie asked, her mood brightening at the idea of having something worthwhile to do.

Sally shrugged. “Sure. Here, ‘tis easy.” She passed the needle and thick thread to Kassie.

“Let me show you a few of the simpler stitches.”

The afternoon flew by as Kassie concentrated on learning the new skill. Before she knew it, it was time to dress for dinner. She chose a deep blue velvet evening gown, and Sally pinned her hair up in her favorite cascade of curls. Satisfied her appearance was in order, she paced back and forth waiting for the earl. Finally the door to his bedchamber opened, and he hobbled in, dressed in formal dinner attire.

He gave her a once over and nodded his approval. “Well, then, let’s go girl. Mind you keep to one glass of wine tonight so you do not embarrass yourself like the last dinner party.”

Kassie bit her lip to hold back her retort. It would do no good to tell him she had not embarrassed herself; it would only make him surly. He might think to forbid her to leave her room for the remainder of the voyage. The earl exited the sitting room, and she followed in meek submission as he expected.

The dining room was as large as the earl’s she discovered. The massive oak table stretched from one end of the room to the other and was bolted to the floor.
The captain, a rather short, older man, rose from his seat at the head of the table and raised her hand to his lips. His salt and pepper beard tickled her fingers. “I am Captain Maxim Winters, and you must be the lovely Lady Everton.” He dropped her hand and gestured to a seat on his left. “I would be honored if you would sit beside me.”

She nodded and took her seat. The earl sat opposite her on the captain’s other side, passing her a warning scowl as the other guests began to file in. To her disappointment they all
seemed to be almost as old as the earl, except for Comté Ashton who took an empty seat a few chairs down and across the table.

The captain was polite
and attentive as course after course was brought out and consumed. Kassie was careful to keep her responses short and sedate. She glanced up at the earl a number of times during the meal and did not detect any annoyance toward her behavior. If she played the part of a demur lady perhaps the earl would be pleased enough to allow her some freedom on the ship.

An elderly lady seated across from Kassie addressed her, “Is this your first trip to Bath, my dear?”

“Yes, it is.” Kassie smiled. “The physician thought it might be good for my husband to take in the healing waters.”

The woman nodded. “How right he is. There is nothing better for what ails one.”

“I thought it might settle my young wife,” the earl interjected. “You know it is difficult for one so young and flighty to settle into her wifely duties.”

Kassie’s cheeks burned at the earl’s cutting remark. She looked down at her plate as the other gentlemen snickered.
Must the fault for all things lie with me?

“The young ladies these days are a little like young thoroughbreds,” another gentleman explained. “One must rein them in until they have a few miles on them, then they settle down to an acceptable pace.”

“Here, here,” said another. “I do not know how you do it, Everton, keeping a lovely young filly like yours happy and content.”

The earl affected a superior look. “A strict schedule does the trick. Keeping them busy and their minds on bearing babes is the secret.”

A chorus of chuckles pricked her anger.
Self-righteous cads!

As if sensing her discomfort the comté came to her rescue. “It has been my experience one as gentle and sweet natured as Lady Everton hardly needs reining in.”

Kassie gave him a small grateful smile.

Th
e comté dipped his head in acknowledgment. “I had the pleasure of dining at Lord Everton’s home. He is a lucky man, indeed, to have such a lovely young wife.”

“Speaking of wives, Lord Ashton, are you ever going to quit playing in the dirt and find yourself some lovely young thing to spend the rest of your days with?” the elderly lady across from Kassie peered at him through her looking glass.

Kassie struggled to hide her grin as the man blushed and pretended interest in a piece of potato on his plate. “Alas, Lady Wendell, I have yet to find an unwed lady who can hold a candle to the excitement of finding a rare artifact. Rest assured if there comes a day when such a fascinating lady captures my attention, she will definitely be worth pursuing.”

Everyone at the table tittered.

The earl stood with a sour look. “Lady Everton, if you please, it is time for us gentlemen to have our port and cigars. I will escort you back to your room.”

Kassie stood. “Goodnight, everyone.” She favored the comté with a bright smile, prepared to bear her husband’s scathing tongue for it, and followed the earl back to her room.

To her surprise, the earl refrained from chastising her as he opened the door to their stateroom. “I shall be late tonight so do not wait up. You may expect me to resume my nightly visits to your bed tomorrow evening at the usual time.” He ushered her inside the sitting room without waiting for her to answer and left, locking the door behind him.