She heard Simon enter but kept her eyes closed. He walked around the room, and she heard him remove his boots and clothing. She imagined him down to his breeches and remembered the wonderful feelings he had created in her last night. She could feel his hard, pulsing flesh beneath her hands as she’d stroked him and hear his hoarse cries as he’d found his release. Last night, they had been lovers; tonight they were strangers.
She felt him beside her, and then the brief brush of his fingers on the back of her hand had her looking up at him.
“Rest, Claire, everything will be alright.
“I’m so sorry Simon,” she whispered. He didn’t answer and she heard him settle on the floor, and in minutes the sound of his deep regular breathing told her he was asleep. Staring into the darkness, Claire was surprised to find her own eyes growing heavy, and her last thought was for Simon and what he had scarified for her this day.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
By the third day, Louis had realized neither Claire nor Simon meant him any harm and had unbent enough to talk a little. He had no brothers or sisters, and his mother had been an angel, and he missed the town he came from because there, he could fish every day.
“But you can fish here, too, Louis,” Simon said, his face softening when he addressed the child. With Claire, he was polite, yet there was now a distance between them and she missed him. She yearned for his arms around her, but most of all, she wanted her friend to return, the one who challenged her and made her laugh. She tried to talk to him, raise the subject of what was to be done, but he just shook his head and told her they would talk later, however they were to marry and she needed to accept that.
“We are stopping for the night at my estate, Claire, and tomorrow we will reach London, as it is a short drive.”
“Will your aunt and uncle be present?”
He nodded and then turned away to say something to Louis, and that, she guessed, was the end to the conversation. She became nervous when the carriage began to drive into Simon’s estate. The light was fading, but Claire could still see how vast it was; the grass edging the narrow roadway seemed to roll for many miles. Then the horses clattered over a stone bridge and swept into a circular driveway. “What will we tell them about Louis, Simon? Your aunt and uncle will need to know why he is with us and why I am alone with you.”
He looked at her briefly. “My aunt and uncle do not go out in society, Claire. Therefore, we will tell them the truth.”
“I don’t think we–”
“I have never lied to them, nor will I start now.”
Claire placed her hand on his arm as he prepared to open the carriage. “I am merely trying to protect Louis, Simon. There will be enough people throughout his life willing to hurt him. I have no wish for it to start now.”
“They are good people, Claire. You have my word he will be safe here.”
She nodded and then followed him from the carriage. She held out her arms to Louis and was surprised when he went into them willingly and settled his head on her shoulder. She often had this warm feeling inside her when she held Georgia; now she had Louis, she would have it more, as it would be she who cared for him from this day forwards.
“You are safe here with me and Simon, Louis,” she whispered as his two thin arms wrapped about her neck.
“Come,” Simon said, waving for her to follow him. She missed the feel of his hand wrapped around hers, but one look at his closed expression told her that was not likely to happen ever again.
She found strength in the small body in her arms as they walked up the stairs and into the huge entranceway.
“Good evening, Lord Kelkirk.”
“Good evening, Morgan. I fear we are about to trouble you and the staff. You see, I need three rooms prepared, with baths and meals, please.”
“No trouble at all, my lord.”
The floors were polished marble and the stairs huge and sweeping with banisters that shone. Paintings hung on the walls and statues stood in alcoves. It was the home of a man with substantial wealth, and whilst she had known Simon’s was a comfortable fortune, she had not known just how comfortable.
“Where are my aunt and uncle, Morgan?”
“In the conservatory, my lord.”
“Is he too heavy, Claire?”
Shaking her head in answer to Simon’s query, Claire followed him down a long hallway that branched to the left beneath the staircase. She saw more paintings and a glass-fronted cabinet filled with pretty little knickknacks before they reached a door Simon opened. After descending several steps, they arrived in the conservatory.
Tall, leafy plants and bright blooms filled the room, and the combined scents were wonderful. They walked down a white stone path, and Louis lifted his head as he heard the sound of water coming from a small indoor fountain up ahead. His eyes, like hers, moved from left to right as they studied each new sight. She wanted to ask Simon questions but was too nervous to do so. Claire heard the sound of voices and then saw two people sitting in comfortable chairs with a tray of tea on the table before them. At their backs, the soft sunlight of early evening streamed through the big windows.