He nodded cautiously, heat prickling his groin."I fantasize about standing naked in front of a man." Gemma's voice was low and melting as she continued, “I choose one to my liking. He took me to the podium, and performed any sex position I asked. Then I choose another person, and another person, until I am completely satisfied.” She pulled the hem of his shirt away from his trousers.Kai lifted it over his head and dropped the wet shirt on the floor. His boy was stiff and sore. Gemma looked at his naked upper body. She touched the dense hairs on his chest, which were darker than the brown hair on his head. A sound of praise escaped Gemma's throat. “He is mighty. I love it". Her fingers explored through the thick curls and caressed the warm skin beneath, and Kai instinctively took a step back. “If you want to make love, my dear sir, I am afraid you cannot avoid being touched. Please stand still."She reached for the top button of his trousers. "Now, tell me about your imagination."Ka
She was here. He knows that well. Kai watched the party's lively guests as they wandered through the gardens behind the Highland.His hand slid into the pocket of his coat, finding a small box containing Torcia Sette's portrait. Slowly, his thumb stroked the glossy surface of the enamel on the box as he continued to stare at the crowd.After two months of searching Torcia had brought him to Hampshire, a region of heather-carpeted hills, ancient hunting forests, and unbelievable marshes.The county to the west was quite developed, with twenty rich trading towns filled with wool, wood, dairy products, honey, and bacon. Among the famous properties ofHampshire, Highland is considered the most beautiful. The manor house and a private lake are located in the fertile Itchen valley. "Not a bad hideout," thought Kai wryly. If his suspicions were proven correct, Torcia would have found work in the house of the earl of Wessex, serving as his mother's maid.In the course of his hunt for Torcia,
She stiffened in his arms, her breathing became quick: "Let go of me". She said, looking into his arm. "What the hell are you doing?""She may have fallen.""I'm not. I was fine until he jumped at me and almost knocked me down...""Her heel got caught in the hem of her skirt."Carefully moving, she lifted her leg and realized that he was right. "Right". She spoke briefly.Having rescued people from every conceivable situation, Kai is used to receiving at least a superficial thank you."Do you intend to thank me for saving you?""I have perfect reflexes. I can save myself."Kai smiled incredulously, both annoyed and amused by her stubbornness. "If it weren't for me, you would have broken your petite neck.""I can assure you, sir, that the so-called rescue action just now was completely unnecessary. Either way, you obviously want to... thank you. Now please let go of your hand. out of me". Her voice showed no gratitude at all.Kai smiled smugly, seeing her fearless attitude, despite the
"I'm not," she admitted.They stopped at the door of the south tower, where the high-ranking servants, including her, lived. Streams of light streamed from the splendid windows, and streaked across the cobbled paths. Now Torcia saw that his hair was not black but brown. A shiny, dark brown, a mix of maple and mink colors. She wanted to touch his hair and feel it slide through her fingers. The closeness stirred her.Stepping back, she gave him a regretful smile. "Goodbye sir. And thank you for being such a pleasant escort.""Wait". He said, there was a plea in his voice. "May I see you again, Miss Ezra?""No, sir. I'm afraid all my time is occupied by the widowed countess."Those words didn't stop him—she saw it in his eyes."Miss Ezra...""Goodbye," she repeated warmly. "I hope you have a good day off, sir." She quickly left, well aware of his angry look.When Torcia reached her room, she locked the door and sighed. Since she had come to Highland, she had been regularly offered sugges
"Good morning," said Sir Sydney, a small smile on his lips. His hair was disheveled and his tie was loosely tied."I can't believe you're going out at this hour." She said happily."I never sleep past sunrise."Torcia nodded in the direction he was just enjoying."Are you going that route? I can't encourage it.""Why not?""That leads to muddy lakes and very deep marshes. One unlucky step, and you could sink in the mud, that's it, if you can't handle a whole bunch of spiders or snakes." She shook her head in a fake regret. "We've lost some lovely guests that way."He smiled lazily. "Shouldn't I ask you to recommend an alternative path?""If you go the other way, you'll come to a horse trail that leads to the main road. Following it will lead you to the park, through the open fence, and you'll find the trail leading you to the summit. From there he could see lakes, villages, forests, all spread out before his eyes... breathtaking scenery.""Is that where you're going?"She shook her he
Jerking his gaze away, Sydney gazed at the heather field with intense bewilderment, as if his thoughts were struggling to curl up against the emotional triggers."Let's make a wish". Torcia urged. "I'll throw a tongs down the well for you next time I come."Sir Sydney shook his head. When he spoke, his voice was strangely hoarse. "I don't know what to wish for".They remained silent, heading out of the mud and following the trail to a pedestrian bridge over a small stream. Across the stream, the wet grass was inviting, resplendent with patches of cute, waist-high yellow shrubs.“This way,” said Torcia, lifting her skirt above her knees as they stepped over the grass and heather, and approached the boundary of the fence. "Over the fence, is the path leading through the forest to the Highland." She pointed to the tall archway, too narrow to hold even one person through it at a time. Glancing at Sir Sydney, she comforted her when she noticed that he had regained his composure. "The only
It was certain that Torcia had changed with the girl that Warren's parents, friends, and himself once knew. She had become accustomed to living in the moment, with no thought of the future. Understanding that she is being hunted, that her precious days of freedom are limited, will make her bitter and devoid of illusions.And until she still threw the tongs into the wishing well. A wish. A glimmer of hope, though faint... that struck his mind, as he believed his soul had long since left.He couldn't bring her to Warren. He must have her for himself. His hand gripped the painted wooden window frame, squeezing it hard for balance. On the other hand, he was puzzled by the intense surprise he had just discovered."Sydney". Lord Wessex's sound startled him.Kai was displeased when he realized that he had been so intently staring at Torcia that his habit of vigilance had disappeared. Keeping his face expressionless, he turned back to the earl.The Wessex ethos even seemed harsher and uncompr
She'd spent so many years learning properity in Doren, and still struggled so silently as Lady Wessex's servant, that she couldn't remember the last time she'd been able to. raise voice. Seizing the moment, she howled and squealed like brides-to-be around her in a crowd gathered on the lawn. From somewhere ahead, a shout of joy rang out in the crowd. The winner, a healthy red-haired girl, climbed atop her fiancée's broad shoulders, gleefully waving a bouquet of wildflowers. "I found it," she chirped. "I got him. He's mine."In cheers, the villagers surrounded the newly betrothed couple, while scattered disappointed virgins ran into the forest. A swarm of men rushed after him, ready to begin a night of hunting.Smiling, Torcia followed with a leisurely pace, with no desire to be the target of attention from over-aggressive amorous men. Within minutes, the party participants would pair up and she would sneak back to Highland. Pausing at the edge of the forest, she leaned against a sturd
"Very well done, ma'am," said Sir Grant. "Can I convince you to answer a few more questions?""Tomorrow" Kai said gruffly. "She's been through a lot today. She needs a break.""I feel very pleased to tell you all the relevant details," Torcia replied to Sir Grant. "If you will bring a doctor to take care of Lord Sydney's hand, as well as take care of our servant."The judge's blue eyes narrowed. "We'll send Dr. Linley right away.""I'll go find him." Sayer volunteered and quickly left the office."Wonderful," Morgan commented, his eyes returning to Kai. "And while we wait for Linley, sir, perhaps you could explain to me the circumstances that led to your wound... and why you look and smell like you've just wandered around. via Fleet Ditch."Much later, as they lay in bed in their home and talked for what seemed like an hour, Kai told Torcia of his thoughts in the moment of distress, when he thought he was going to die in the barn. there. As Torcia listened, she snuggled into his folde
Torcia didn't really regain her senses until she found herself being half-pulled and half-carried to Lord Warren's London home. Her head was smashed maliciously, and her throat ached as she struggled against his merciless grip. Somewhere beneath her fear and anger, she was acutely aware that Ellie had been released. Her sister was safe, and now all the boiling anger would pour down her head, which was what Lotiie had always known would happen, between her and the man who had dominated most of her life. her life. Although Lotiie was aware of several screams from nearby servants, none of them dared to stop them. They were all afraid of Warren, and they wouldn't lift a finger to get in the way of what he wanted to do. She had foreseen what he was going to do when he brought her here. His London home was the first to be investigated when it was discovered that she was missing. She was sure that he had taken her to another place where it would be difficult for anyone to find her.Warren dr
He stomped again, the destructive power of his foot sending a blinding explosion of pain through Kai's arm. Follard's shoe was once again raised for the boon shot."Daddy," Kai panted and grabbed Follard by the ankle, pulling hard.With a shrill scream, Follard tumbled off the beams, his body falling over two floors and landing with fatal force.Kai didn't dare look down. He focused his whole mind on climbing the beam. Unfortunately, his strength was drained, and his left hand was crippled. Writhing like a worm caught in a hook, he leaned forward helplessly from the fatal fall.Doubtful, he realized he was about to die.*****The paper trembled in Torcia's hand as she read it again.TorciaPlease save me. Mama says Lord Warren is coming to take me away. I didn't want to go anywhere with him, but Mom and Papa made me do. They locked me in my room until he arrived. I beg you not to let that happen, Torcia, because you are my only hope.My dear sisterEllieA boy from the village brought
"He didn't," Sayer said cheerfully. "He wants me to interrogate his old associates and send him a message. I'd rather go and arrest Follard in person."Kai couldn't help but laugh at that, knowing exactly how Morgan's reaction would be to the news. "If you succeed, Morgan will skin you for such a damn stupid show.""Yes...and then he'll kiss my bony ass for getting a fugitive back. And I'll be on the front page of the Times, with dozens of women begging for my attention."Kai's smile turned grim. "It's not as interesting as you think," he informs his friend."No? Well, I want to try anyway." Sayer raised an eyebrow expectantly. "Are you participating?"Kai nodded with a sigh. "Where do you want to start looking?""It is said that Follard was seen in the slum between Hanging Ax Alley and Dead Man's Lane. It was like an anthill with holes in the walls and interlaced tunnels -""Yes, I know the place." Kai kept his face impassive, though he was aware of a cold distaste curling up in his
The contours of his body changed, sagging in a kind of wretched patience. He leaned one shoulder against the wall, part of his face bent away from her, his gaze fixed on some distant spot on the floor."I was sent to prison because I was responsible for the death of a man. I was fourteen years old. I joined a gang of road robbers, and an old man died when we robbed the carriage. Soon after, the whole gang was tried and convicted. He was too embarrassed to tell anyone who he was - he simply called himself John Sidney. Four of the group were arrested. hanged quickly, but because he was young, the judge gave him a lighter sentence. Ten months on the Scarborough.""Sir Ross is the judge who sentenced you," Torcia whispered, remembering what Sophia had told her.A bitter smile squeezed his mouth. "None of us expected that one day you would become brothers-in-law." He slumped more heavily against the wall. "As soon as he set foot on the ship, he knew he wouldn't live a month there. A quick
"Yes," Torcia muttered, letting him take her hand. Sir Ross examined his bruised wrist with a frown. His face was hidden, and his gray eyes were so kind and worried that Torcia wondered how she could have ever thought of him as aloof. She remembered his compassion for women and children she had heard about—a highlight of his career as a judge, Sophia had told her.Sir Ross' mouth curled up in a gentle and reassuring smile. "This won't happen again - I can promise you that.""Great party," Kai sarcastically. "Can you tell us who the hell put Lord Warren on the guest list?""Kai," Torcia conciliated, "it's all right, I'm sure sir Ross doesn't—""Absolutely not okay," sir Ross protested quietly. "I'm in charge of this party, and I bow my head to your forgiveness, Torcia. Lord Warren is certainly not on the guest list I've approved, but I'll find out how. he won the invitation." His brow furrowed as he continued."Lord Warren's behavior tonight is absurd and reprehensible...it demonstrate
Samantha's face hardened with understanding. "They won't be mad at you forever, dear." She spoke with a realism that offered more consolation than sympathy. "If your husband is only half as rich as rumors reveal, the Sette family will end up being more than happy to announce him as son-in-law."The three talked for a while longer, eager to get to know each other again and planning to contact each other soon. Torcia didn't notice the passage of time until she heard the band start playing a recently popular waltz called. "Spring Flowers," a tune that immediately ignites the eager crowd to pair up to begin spinning through the room. Wondering if Kai would remember to dance the first waltz with her, Torcia decided to look for him across the room. Apologizing to her two friends, she walked along the downstairs balcony corridors, separated from the dance floor by carved wooden railings and pink and blue rose bushes. A few couples were engrossed in private stories, somewhat obscured by the d
“Something pale yellow, I think,” Sophia said grimly, sitting among the many fabrics spread out as if a rainbow had exploded in the room."Yellow," Torcia repeated, biting her lower lip. "I don't think it will flatter my skin tone."Since this was at least the tenth suggestion that Torcia had rejected, Sophia sighed and shook her head with a smile. She had specially used the room behind the tailor shop on Oxford Street to order Torcia's wedding dress."I'm sorry, Torcia said sincerely. "I don't mean to be difficult. You obviously have very little experience with these things." She was never allowed to choose the style or color of her dresses herself.At Lord Warren's orders, she always wore virtuous styles in colors. Unfortunately now it's hard to picture myself in vibrant colors like blue, or yellow, and, god help her, pink, and the thought of exposing most of my upper chest. The public was so terrified that she cringe at the stylish illustrations in the book Sophia held out to her.S
He smiled at that, bringing her fingers to his mouth. "I would like anyone but Warren as a husband - I've made that pretty clear."Torcia smiled, discreetly thinking that by marrying Kai, she had ended up with a husband far from her expectations. "What will you do tomorrow?" she asked, recalling this morning's confrontation with Sir Ross. She was sure that Kai would give up his post on Bow Street without a word of protest.Letting go of her hand, Kai frowned. "I'm going to visit Morgan.""Do you think he will side with you against Sir Ross?""There's no chance. But at least I'll have the satisfaction of telling Morgan what a rotten traitor he is."Torcia reached forward to touch the lapel of his robe. "Have you considered the possibility that those two are doing what they think is best for you? Could it be in your own interest to reinstate the title?""How can that be? God, I'm going to live in a cage painted with vermilion and gold.""I'll be in there with you."He stared at her, see