Page 58 of The Pirate and the Pagan
“You’re not such a fine lady yet that you wouldn’t rather be running about in breeches, eh?”
She sighed. “I’ll never be a lady, but when I think about it, they must be very few and far between. The last thing the women of Charles’s court are is ladies!”
“The food smells good, let’s eat before they bring that bloody bathwater.”
She lifted the covers and made him sit down in a comfortable chair. “You have it, love, I’m not hungry.”
He looked at her sharply. “You’re so upset you can’t eat, can you?” he demanded.
“I’ll be all right.” Then she smiled to reassure him. “I’ll have a cup of wine.” She sipped it reflectively while Spider wolfed down the food. He’s missed too many meals in his life, she thought, and her resolve to get money hardened a little bit more. How ironic, she mused, that I gave Ruark nothing until he wanted everything … then I fell in love and gave him everything until he wanted nothing.
Spider soon polished off the food and hid himself once more beneath the bed, long before the servants brought the hot water. A maid brought a pile of Turkish towels, pulled out the slipper bath from its corner, and set the modesty screen about it, then a half-dozen footmen carried in huge copper jugs of hot water. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to help with your bath, Lady Helford?” asked the maid.
“Very sure, thank you. Good night,” she said firmly, and closed the door behind them. Spider leered. “I wouldn’t have minded her help.”
Summer, hands on her hips, demanded, “Why are men always so … male?”
“I don’t know, why is that?” he asked cockily.
She stood with unseeing eyes, staring out into the darkness to give him what privacy she could. Her mind was filled with images of another man. She could still feel the hardness of his mouth upon hers from this morning’s love play. She closed her eyes and willed herself to put his image from her.
After the bath they each took a candle up to the attics. The furnishings stored up there took their breath away. There were silken Persian carpets, brilliantly colored cushions and ottomans, lacquered cabinets, cane chairs and daybeds. The small attic windows opened into the roof by the widow’s walk and the tall chimneys of Helford Hall. Spider was pleased beyond measure. He threw a pile of brilliant cushions down to make himself a soft bed, and though he said nothing to his sister, the windows opening onto the roof would give him a way in and out without being detected.
Back in her chamber Summer was immensely relieved that at least her brother was safe and warm for one night. She would have whipped the young devil had she known that five minutes after she left, he was climbing down the thick vines which covered the stones of Helford Hall.
For Summer the night was endless. The things Ruark had said to her came back in minute detail. She could see the look in his eyes and the hard set of his mouth every time she closed her eyelids, but the unbearable part for her was being alone in the vast bed where so many intimate things had been done to her in such a few nights.
His scent lingered and her very skin remembered his touch. She felt she would starve if she never knew the security of his strong arms again. But the most painful thing she missed—and this brought a bright blush to her cheek even though she was alone— was the need to have him fill her. She ached unbearably for his long, thick manroot. She moaned softly as she remembered his shaft deep, deep within her. She was bereft.
She hugged her breasts tightly to still their ache, put her face into her pillow, and proceeded to drench it with heartrending tears.
The next morning when she quizzed Mr. Burke about her husband’s whereabouts, he told her that Lord Helford was away and wouldn’t return until the end of the week when his royal guest was expected.
In the afternoon Lady Arundell paid her a visit to coordinate plans for their visitors and she brought with her a list she had compiled of all the people they could expect There were more coming than Lady Arundell had first assumed and she was in a flap about how to entertain them all. “I have no problem with space; Pendennis Castle has chambers enough to sleep them all, and of course His Majesty will definitely wish to again occupy the ‘King’s Chamber’ in which he stayed over a dozen years ago before he escaped with his life to the Scilly Islands.”
“Well, that is most fortunate, for of course we only have a few guest chambers at Helford Hall. I will check with Mr. Burke to learn the exact number.”
“Oh, my dear, I’ll put them all up if only you will entertain them through the day and long evening hours. You know I don’t like to say things about anyone unless I can say something nice, but London people are not like us. I fear their appetites for ever new sensations and pleasures have jaded them for the simple, wholesome joys of country life.”
“Lord Helford is looking forward to having them, and it will only be for about three days, I believe. I get butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it—I’ve led such a quiet life here in the country,” Summer said politely.
Mr. Burke, her savior, served an elegant afternoon tea for Lady Helford and her guest, and instead of dispatching a footman to wait on them, he took it upon himself. After Lady Arundell had departed, Summer said to him, “I don’t know whatever I would do without you.”
He looked at the tea tray still laden with food. “I don’t believe you’ve eaten a thing. I’ll leave the tray and perhaps something will tempt you.”
“Mr. Burke, have you any idea what Ruark, I mean Lord Helford, will do to entertain his guests? I can’t seem to think straight.”
“You won’t need to consider the gentlemen at all. He’ll organize a hunt and probably he’ll take them salmon fishing in the Helford River. The King, I hear, particularly enjoys a spot of good fishing, but seldom gets the opportunity. I recall when Ruark was younger, old Lord Helford always organized horse races for his guests’ entertainment. Our stables have the finest blood stock in Cornwall. The first Lady Helford brought her horses with her from Ireland. I understand Londoners are mad for anything which gives an excuse for large wagers. You’ll only have to entertain the ladies for a couple of afternoons, for the evenings will be taken up with gambling. It’s become an English addiction.”
“I see,” she said without much enthusiasm. “It’s going to be very difficult to get through, Mr. Burke, now that Lord Helford and I are not even on speaking terms.”
“Lord Helford’s manners are impeccable, madame. Not by a word, a look, or a gesture will he betray that there is aught amiss in your personal lives. You may rely upon his finesse, my lady.”
She thought unhappily—what was it Buckingham had said about his own marriage?—we coexist, we do not coalesce or cohabit! She gave him a brittle smile. “Well, we are the height of fashion … with our very modern marriage.” Then she thought of Ruark’s promise to get the marriage annulled and she clenched her fists into little balls of resentment. Damn him to hell. I’ll show him! I’ll give his fine London friends such unique entertainment they’ll talk of it all season. I’ll make Helford regret putting me aside if it’s the last bloody thing I ever do!
The moment Mr. Burke’s back disappeared through the door she lifted the heavy tray of food and carried it upstairs. When Spider had relished every crumb, he wiped his mouth and said, “I’ve a bit of news.” Summer looked puzzled.
“His high-and-mighty magistrate certified there was no proof of unlawful importation or landing of foreign spirits and dismissed the case. The whole bloody lot of us got off scot-free!”
