Read Online Delight and Desire by JOANNA MAITLAND - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: JOANNA MAITLAND
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days are long at this time of year, and the weather is set fair. I am only sorry that we shall have to use the services at Gretna rather than waiting for a minister of the kirk. But you shall have a proper wedding afterwards, I promise. In the kirk.’
Isobel straightened her shoulders. The mere thought of spending days with Robert in the confines of a post chaise had her insides heating and melting. She tried not to dwell on that. There would be a time for desire. Later. Especially if what she had seen in his eyes was love.
She forced herself to sit demurely at the desk. After a moment’s thought, Robert said, ‘We must turn you into a selfish, top-lofty young woman, I fear. It is the only way. Try this.’
Isobel wrote at his dictation. Annie, Pray tell my dear aunt that I beg her pardon for having left so abruptly, but I could not consent to marry a man so far beneath me, even to spare my papa. I shall stay with my friend Emma until Mr Craigie has withdrawn. Impress upon my dear aunt, pray, that my uncle must not come here after me. My kind hostess moves in the highest circles, but even she could not prevent the scandal that would result.
‘That will do, I think,’ he said. ‘And now you must write a covering note to Annie, so that—’
‘Wait, Robert. This will not do. My uncle will soon discover that I am not at Lady Manson’s house.’
Robert shook his head. ‘Oh, ye of little faith.’ He picked up a clean quill pen and the water carafe. ‘Watch.’ He deftly placed a tiny drop of water on the word ‘Emma’. The letters blurred and become quite illegible. To complete the deception, he dripped on other parts of the paper, too. ‘You wrote this in a mood of guilty resolution. Determined, but unable to hold back your tears.’
He pulled out a fresh sheet. ‘And now the note to Annie.’
Obediently Isobel wrote at his dictation, instructing the maid to do everything possible to put her uncle off the scent, and then to travel to Scotland, with Grant.
‘Two days’ start should be enough,’ Robert said firmly, pulling her to her feet and into his embrace.
She could trust him. He would save them both. She gazed up into his beloved face, hoping, longing to see some sign that he might one day feel more than mere desire when she was in his arms.
What she saw there took her breath away.
He stroked her hair back from her temple with a sure, possessive hand. ‘You will be safe very soon, under the protection of my name. As my most beloved wife.’
Her long sigh of delight was captured in his kiss, the kiss of a man who loves and is beloved in return.
Epilogue
The Times , London, July 1800:
Lately, Major Robert Anstruther to Miss Isobel Lang Ritchie.
‘What did your father mean, Robert? He said you had given him an ultimatum. And then he laughed. Is there some private joke between you?’ She snuggled more closely into the crook of Robert’s arm and slithered a hand over his naked stomach, ignoring his sharply indrawn breath.
He put his fingers over hers and held them still. ‘I cannot think when you do that, my love. If you want a coherent answer, you must behave.’ She sighed loudly. ‘Not for long, I promise.’ He dropped a kiss on the top of her ear. Neither of them spoke. They simply relaxed into each other’s embrace. They were married, and one flesh. Star-crossed no longer. Soon there would be another glorious joining. But that could wait a little while. Even waiting could be pleasurable.
He stroked her hair. ‘My father is not long for this world. He has had too many seizures. He confidently expects the next one to carry him off.’
‘Robert! You must not—’
‘No, love. There can be no pretending. He does not wish it. He says he is ready to meet his maker. He means to put an end to the Ritchie-Anstruther feud.’
She caught her breath. ‘Was it you who—?’
‘I urged him to it, I admit. In the face of death, he sees that it is futile, and condemns the grandchildren he
Isobel straightened her shoulders. The mere thought of spending days with Robert in the confines of a post chaise had her insides heating and melting. She tried not to dwell on that. There would be a time for desire. Later. Especially if what she had seen in his eyes was love.
She forced herself to sit demurely at the desk. After a moment’s thought, Robert said, ‘We must turn you into a selfish, top-lofty young woman, I fear. It is the only way. Try this.’
Isobel wrote at his dictation. Annie, Pray tell my dear aunt that I beg her pardon for having left so abruptly, but I could not consent to marry a man so far beneath me, even to spare my papa. I shall stay with my friend Emma until Mr Craigie has withdrawn. Impress upon my dear aunt, pray, that my uncle must not come here after me. My kind hostess moves in the highest circles, but even she could not prevent the scandal that would result.
‘That will do, I think,’ he said. ‘And now you must write a covering note to Annie, so that—’
‘Wait, Robert. This will not do. My uncle will soon discover that I am not at Lady Manson’s house.’
Robert shook his head. ‘Oh, ye of little faith.’ He picked up a clean quill pen and the water carafe. ‘Watch.’ He deftly placed a tiny drop of water on the word ‘Emma’. The letters blurred and become quite illegible. To complete the deception, he dripped on other parts of the paper, too. ‘You wrote this in a mood of guilty resolution. Determined, but unable to hold back your tears.’
He pulled out a fresh sheet. ‘And now the note to Annie.’
Obediently Isobel wrote at his dictation, instructing the maid to do everything possible to put her uncle off the scent, and then to travel to Scotland, with Grant.
‘Two days’ start should be enough,’ Robert said firmly, pulling her to her feet and into his embrace.
She could trust him. He would save them both. She gazed up into his beloved face, hoping, longing to see some sign that he might one day feel more than mere desire when she was in his arms.
What she saw there took her breath away.
He stroked her hair back from her temple with a sure, possessive hand. ‘You will be safe very soon, under the protection of my name. As my most beloved wife.’
Her long sigh of delight was captured in his kiss, the kiss of a man who loves and is beloved in return.
Epilogue
The Times , London, July 1800:
Lately, Major Robert Anstruther to Miss Isobel Lang Ritchie.
‘What did your father mean, Robert? He said you had given him an ultimatum. And then he laughed. Is there some private joke between you?’ She snuggled more closely into the crook of Robert’s arm and slithered a hand over his naked stomach, ignoring his sharply indrawn breath.
He put his fingers over hers and held them still. ‘I cannot think when you do that, my love. If you want a coherent answer, you must behave.’ She sighed loudly. ‘Not for long, I promise.’ He dropped a kiss on the top of her ear. Neither of them spoke. They simply relaxed into each other’s embrace. They were married, and one flesh. Star-crossed no longer. Soon there would be another glorious joining. But that could wait a little while. Even waiting could be pleasurable.
He stroked her hair. ‘My father is not long for this world. He has had too many seizures. He confidently expects the next one to carry him off.’
‘Robert! You must not—’
‘No, love. There can be no pretending. He does not wish it. He says he is ready to meet his maker. He means to put an end to the Ritchie-Anstruther feud.’
She caught her breath. ‘Was it you who—?’
‘I urged him to it, I admit. In the face of death, he sees that it is futile, and condemns the grandchildren he
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