The Tiger Within (2 page)

He was astonished. How could she possibly have known?

At his look of total astonishment she nodded and continued. “This is the reason for our reluctance to see you in recent years. We feared you would simply take her from us without giving her the choice. If your interests are less than honorable then you can leave immediately. I will not have my daughter become nothing more than one of your ladybirds to be discarded when it suits you. There will be no more midnight frolics in the gardens. She is a respectable young woman now, not a child. She had better remain so, unless you are prepared to cock up your toes,” she smiled at the last and used her best London accent, when her voice was usually completely void of distinction, as was his.

“You insult me, my Lady,” he turned to smile down at this fragile looking woman who dared to threaten him so sweetly. “My interests are indeed noble. As you know, it is rare for one of us to ever find our true mate. I have found mine. I knew this the day of her birth. You know it to be true. I have protected her and cared for her all of her life. You would not allow her to know me as I stand here now, but she knows my animal. I have stayed hidden for the last few years as you requested, but she will know me. She still wears my gifts. She has not forgotten me,” he said as a low rumble escaped his throat.

Lady Euston ignored the sound and said, “Have you awakened her?”

Henry took a deep breath and tried to calm himself before he spoke; “Only partially, last evening. I can not risk changing her in London. I beseech you to allow her to travel with me to my home. There are many of us there. It will be easier for her there with those who understand her.”

“They will not accept her,” she sighed and Henry felt her reluctance. “She isn’t fully of your kind. That is why we are here.”

“It is most unusual, my Lady, but her scent says she is. Our kind can only produce children with their mate. The only reason that you were able to is if you were of our blood, which you are not. I do not claim to understand any of it, but it is the way of it. Her scent is that of our kind. It has never been heard of, but by some power I do not understand fully, you are Lord Euston’s mate.”

“I am,” she said with assurance but no explanation. “Perhaps we are evolving,” she smiled serenely.

“Perhaps he wished it so desperately that he simply made it so, sitting with you now, I can understand why.” A small smile tilted her lips, telling him she knew more than she was willing to divulge. “Regardless, she is my mate. I must beg your approval to help her. It has been put off far too long as it is. We are in desperate need of females and children. There are so few who are allowed to find their mates before they are defiled and become unable to bare our children. She should have been brought to me for her own protection years ago. The only reason I did not take her was the uncertainty of her abilities.”

“We shall see.” As she said it she rose from her chair and moved to the door. “I will get my daughter. I will chaperone this visit and decide what is to be done afterward.” Then she smiled and added in a kinder tone, “I am sure everything will be done as it is meant to be done. Her father dotes on her. He will decide what is best for everyone involved. I will strive to aide him in any decisions he will make. Now, if you will excuse me, my Laird.” With that she left the room to get Amelia, giving instructions for tea to be brought for their visit.

“Of course.” Henry said to the closed door.

He sat, more nervous than he could ever remember being, and waited.

He’d never planned to marry. He had enjoyed a doxy from time to time, but women rarely held his attention and since the day of Lady Amelia’s birth he had simply lost all interest in women. This little chit had awakened him. He could feel his body responding to her as she drew closer. He shifted in his seat and tried to compose himself. He would not allow her to find him in this disgraceful state. He must control himself. He clenched his fists and tried to breathe through his agony. He felt the sharp prick of his claws in his palms told him he was quickly losing the battle.

Chapter Three

Amelia entered the room, wearing her favorite, light blue morning dress. With it she wore a simple jewel on a long gold chain, it was called a tiger’s eye and had been left for her years ago from a protector of whom she could no longer remember. The jewel wasn’t costly, but it had always made her feel comforted and safe. She wore it only when her feelings were in turmoil because she feared losing it. For some reason it was her most prized possession.

Mrs. Chambers had piled her silver blonde hair on her head and pinned it loosely. She had forgone head adornment, because her head still ached from her illness of last evening.

She was startled to find a highly agitated Laird Stewart pacing like a caged animal. Vague memories rushed through her mind with a force that made her stumble back against her mother.

“Are you well, daughter?” Her mother whispered with a knowing smile.

“Yes, Mother, it was only a misstep.” Amelia tried to smile and reassure her mother, but it was far from sincere. Lady Euston saw the awareness in her daughter’s eyes and she wanted desperately to leave them for a few moments to see where it led them. She also noticed her daughter’s choice of jewels and how she clutched it in her hand. She smiled to herself.

“Laird Stewart, may I present my daughter, Lady Amelia Talbot.” She paused and then continued as if she had settled a great matter in her mind. “I must ask you to excuse me for a moment while I check on our tea.” She said and turned to her daughter. “Amelia, you will be quite safe with Laird Stewart. I will return in a moment.” She turned and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Amelia was astonished that her mother had left her alone with this man she barely knew and it showed briefly in her eyes before she concealed it and smiled.

“Laird Stewart. How very kind of you to come around this afternoon. To what do I owe the honor of your company?” She said cheerfully, perhaps too cheerfully.

“Lady Amelia,” he said taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. He knew he was being presumptuous in assuming she would grant him permission to do so, but he was unable to restrain himself. “I admit I was alarmed by your departure last evening and was unable to stop my concerns for your health. I felt compelled to come along and see for myself that you are fully recovered. I can see, by your loveliness that you are.” He bent his head and kissed her hand a second time before releasing it.

Amelia blushed. “Yes, as you can see I am quite recovered,” she said although her head was spinning and her stomach threatened to give up her breakfast. “Shall we sit for a while, my Laird?”

“I would delight in a visit with you and I would be exceedingly glad if you would call me Henry.” He said leading a visibly shaken Amelia to the small sofa where he proceeded to sit beside her and take her hand. He noticed her clutching her necklace and felt hope swell up in his chest.

In her current state, Amelia did not even think to scold him for his boldness. She struggled to take in enough air. She was beginning to panic. Her bodice seemed to be shrinking. Her skin began to itch and tingle. She turned as the door opened and her mother bustled in. Her mother met her panicked gaze and Amelia saw resignation there.

“Mother,” she choked.

“In a moment daughter.” She motioned for the maid to leave the tea. When the young maid had left the room Lady Euston turned her icy gaze to Henry. “I thought you preferred to wait.” She said as she examined her daughter. “This will not do. What have you done to her?”

“I apologize. I did not realize that my actions would affect her this way,” as he said it he rose to leave, but before he did he turned to Amelia. He looked down into her fear filled, crystal blue eyes and watched with fascination as they changed. One moment they were normal human eyes and the next they were that of an animal. Her dark lashes only made the blue of her eyes seem more endless and memorizing. Seeing this he was unable to leave her. Instead he forgot conformity and dropped to his knees in front of her and took her hands.

“Amelia,” he breathed. “Calm yourself my love. All will be well.” He then turned to her worried mother. “Please, leave us. I swear I will not harm her in any way, but I must help her.”

After only a brief pause she nodded and left them alone again.

As soon as the door closed Amelia’s vision blurred and began to dim. She felt her self being lifted and laid on the sofa. Then she felt warm hands move to her bodice. It was soon loosened enough for her to breathe, but her eyes remained closed. She kept them tightly shut, in part to see what would happen next and in part because, for the first time, she was unsure of her appeal. She lost all thought when she felt his warm hands caress the upper swell of her breasts through the fabric of her chemise. She couldn’t hold back the gasp that escaped her when his moist lips explored her throat. His rough tongue traced her slender column and a memory flashed in her mind. He had done the same last evening on the terrace. His rich desire filled voice broke into her thoughts.

“Yes, my Amelia. You enjoy this do you not?”

Silence

“I will have your answer my love, or I will be forced to stop.” As he said it he touched her breast with a firmer touch that had her arching her back and pushing her breast more firmly into his hand.

Her moan seemed to echo in the room. The only other sounds were that of their harsh breathing. His hand found the hem of her skirts and tugged it up. He caressed her ankle and ran his hand up to her knee.

“What are you doing, my Laird?” Amelia choked out. “Do you seek to ruin me?” She had regained her senses enough to know that was what was happening. Tears began to leak from her still closed eyes.

At her softly spoken words he stilled. Why had he allowed himself to go so far? He did not wish to dishonor her. He’d meant only to loosen her bodice and to stroke his tongue along the smooth column of her neck, to calm her. “I beg your forgiveness Lady Amelia. I simply lost my head.” He began to set her clothes to right and she opened her eyes to finally meet his.

Chapter Four

When Amelia looked into the eyes of Henry Stewart she was at a loss. She knew she should be outraged at his boldness, but her body still tingled from his touch as if some one had set her a flame. She was shocked to realize that she wanted nothing more than the touch of his hands on her flesh. She felt ashamed at her wantonness, but he lifted her chin and smiled down at her. She could see the emotions swirling in his eyes. He left them open to her. She saw desire, naturally, but there was also real concern.

When she finally spoke her voice was breathless and throaty. “I think this should remain between us, My Laird. I fear for your safety if it should get out.”

Her teasing tone relieved some of his torment as the sultry quality heightened his desires. “You are most gracious and beloved, my Lady. I think I will send for your mother. She was most concerned when she departed.”

“I cannot understand why she would leave me here in obvious distress.”

Henry looked down into her glowing eyes and smiled. “She knows that I would never allow harm to come to you.” At her puzzled expression he patted her cool hand. “All will be explained to you shortly. Know this. Even though you have only known me for a brief time, I have known you a while longer and I believe with all that I am that you are meant to be my most beloved treasure. I will do every thing in my power to convince you of this. In being so, however, you may be in danger from those who will wish to keep us apart. I will ask that you listen to your heart in all things,” he grasped her chin gently and tipped her face up to his gaze. “There are those, with whom you have been acquainted with that will now want only to take you to their bed and in doing so render me heirless, by making you barren. I beg you to remain as conscientious as always in your manner and fortitude.”

Amelia stared at him in utter confusion and complete embarrassment. “I do not understand.”

“I know,” he said aloud and then added in his mind so only she could understand, “you will.”

She covered her mouth with hands that trembled. “How did you do that? I heard your voice in my mind, no it wasn’t exactly that, but it was if you forced me to think it and I feel an overwhelming need to believe it.”

“Yes, others will try to do the same thing. It will be more difficult and often not as clear, but they will try to convince you to lay with them. They will try to convince your mind to allow their touch. Only your heart will tell you the truth. No one can change the needs of the heart and your heart wants the love of only one. I hope to convince you that I am that one. I believe it with everything I am. I have believed it since the day you were born and I held you in my arms.”

He sat beside her again and took her, now cold, hands in his. “My beloved Amelia, there are many things I wish to tell you; although I am not sure you are ready to hear them…”