Handsome Devil

HANDSOME DEVIL

Donna McAteer

Handsome Devil by Donna McAteer

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HANDSOME DEVIL

Donna McAteer

© copyright November 2006, Donna McAteer Cover art by Jenny Dixon, copyright November 2006 ISBN 1-58608-989-7 New Concepts Publishing Lake Park, GA 31636 www.newconceptspublishing.com

This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and places are of the author’s imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.

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Chapter 1 London, 1827 Just a few centimeters more, thought Elizabeth, as she inched precariously along the huge branch outside her bedroom. Finally, swinging one dainty leg onto the ledge of the windowsill, she held on. She simply couldn’t be found in this position by any respectable member of the ton. As she gasped and strained to pull her own body weight into the well-lit room, she heard the orchestral entertainment for the evening beginning to serenade the partygoers. Hitting the floor with a resounding thud only served to unnerve her further, and she listened intently for any indication that someone had heard her unladylike arrival. Climbing up the gnarled branches of the enormous oak tree positioned advantageously outside her bedroom window had taken a fair amount of strength and endurance, not to mention balance. Luckily Bedford Street had been uninhabited for the most part, save an occasional passing phaeton. The gas lamps were rather liberally spread out on this section of the street, leaving her roaming undetected. Yet it had become necessary that she maintain her feminine façade during the day while she continued the relentless search for her brother on any given night that vital information became available. Crumpling to the finely carpeted floor in a heap of damp, wrinkled clothes, she wasted no time undressing as she hopped upon one leg and then the other in an effort to yank off the baggy pair of trousers that were many times too large for her medium stature. Next to be removed was the oversized shirt and coat that had shielded her gender from curious bystanders. Lastly was the voluminous hat which had kept her hair hidden, yet had thankfully not completely ruined her coif for the evening. The clothing had once belonged to her brother Aidan, but had been unused since his mysterious disappearance one year ago. His vanishing was the sole reason behind her clandestine, albeit dangerous, treks through the streets of London at very unconventional hours for a young woman. Her relentless search had even taken her back to the sight of his disappearance in Edinburgh, Scotland. But after a thorough investigation of the area, she had reluctantly returned to her family without any news to ease their loss. Shoving the wet clothing beneath her bed, she hastened to make herself presentable for the lavish festivities already in progress. She had not meant to be this delayed, but her meeting with two Bow Street Runners she’d befriended held some promise for her finding her missing sibling. She needed all the help she could rally and graciously accepted their generous information. Information that told her that Aidan had not been the only person to vanish during that time period. Information that also told her about a man at tonight’s affair that could possibly hold the key to vital clues regarding Aidan.

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Plopping her weary body upon the tufted cushion of her dressing table stool, she fussed with her hair as she gazed at the image that stared back from the looking glass. Large blue eyes fringed with long brown lashes stared back. Her skin was creamy and unmarred, thanks to her persistent use of bonnets during her time outdoors. Full, pouty lips were a characteristic inherited from her late mother, and she minded not in the least. Her mother’s death four years ago from consumption still caused her pain, for her passing left a huge void in her life. Her exhaustion from the daily obligations of running two manors and the stress of searching for Aidan were beginning to take their toll. It had been almost one year to the day that he’d vanished, and she was no closer to solving the mystery of his whereabouts now than the day it occurred. Tonight could prove to be a very special evening, one for which she must look her absolute best. The Runners had told her to make the acquaintance of a gentleman by the name of Lord Lucas Marston. It was rumored that he was in hot pursuit of a pair of men having something to do with mysterious murders occurring in Edinburgh. She would seize this opportunity to meet this man and learn what she could from him. She was determined to make a good first impression in order to capture his attention, for it was said that Lord Marston had a healthy appetite for comely women. As she swiveled on the stool to view the eveningwear laid out on her bed, a tiny tap echoed from her bedchamber door. “Elizabeth, are you quite ready to leave, my dear?” Aunt Penelope called softly as she waited in the hallway to accompany Elizabeth to the ball. Elizabeth pinned a few loose wisps of hair that had separated from her Grecian upsweep. The older woman had no idea that Elizabeth had spent nearly every spare moment of her time investigating Aidan’s disappearance and she was not about to tell her. “Why no, Aunt Penelope,” she returned sweetly. Opening the door, she stepped aside and greeted her with a welcoming smile. Then she returned to her mirror to finish the preparations for the evening. “Elizabeth, darling, you’re not even ready. Here, let me assist you with your things.” The soft-spoken woman had turned to pick-up the corset and hose off the bed. “I don’t know what it is you do with all your time, child,” scolded her aunt. Elizabeth said nothing, for she knew her chaperone would disapprove of her activities and was only concerned about the responsibilities that had been heaped upon her. She gratefully accepted the much needed assistance in lacing the corset, pulling on hose, and buttoning what seemed like a hundred tiny pearl buttons. Her aunt’s support had been a tremendous help to Elizabeth during the tumultuous occurrences of the past year. She was her father’s only sister and had agreed to accompany Elizabeth to London not only as a chaperone but to escape the dismal atmosphere that plagued Windmere Estates and Meadow Bay, the family’s two estates. Penelope made no secret of the fact that she could no longer tolerate watching her brother, Adam, drink and gamble the family into total ruination. As her aunt finished the task of buttoning, Elizabeth whirled around in front of the full-length mirror for a final inspection. The ice-blue satin dress, kid slippers, and silk petticoat certainly had transformed her into a presentable lady. “You look absolutely ravishing this evening, my dear. Why, there won’t be a

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gentleman here that will be able to keep his eyes off of you.” Elizabeth looked down at herself and thought that she had done a fair job of exuding the appearance of a well-bred, well-to-do lady, even if the truth was that her father’s gambling had all but ruined their lives. Tonight was more than a chance to search for a suitable husband to save her family’s nearly foreclosed properties. It was a chance to find out what had happened to her brother. Elizabeth carefully adjusted her low décolletage, hoping to seize the attention of the lord in question, yet not appear too loose in morals. She then smoothed the folds of her ice-blue satin gown as it clung sensuously to her curves, the tight Empire style accentuating the voluptuousness of her bust line. A fashionable diamond pendant adorned her graceful neck, while tiny diamond studs winked out from their setting upon her delicate lobes. These ornaments of the elite were the last vestiges of her mother’s glorious jewelry collection. She guarded them carefully, and they traveled with her at all times as a precaution against her father’s sudden need for gambling funds. Tonight she would wear them with pride and dignity as a reminder of a dying mother’s wish for her daughter’s fruitful future. Her auburn tresses had been tastefully pinned to her head, allowing a few waves of hair to cascade down her back. “Shall we go, Aunt Penelope?” she asked, as she smiled affectionately at her chaperone. As she prepared to exit the chamber, she grabbed her fragile fan as precaution to a ballroom’s overbearing heat. It would never do for a fresh young maiden to have perspiration marring her appearance. She snapped the fan closed and attached it to her wrist with the tiny strap. As the two women walked side-by-side down the candle-lit corridor, violin strains greeted them, singing out the sweet melody of a waltz. This evening’s ball was being hosted by relatives on her father’s side with whom Elizabeth was staying, which thankfully allowed her to make a more unannounced entrance by way of a side foyer staircase. Elizabeth had never enjoyed being the center of attention, despite her failure to prevent it from occurring. Several pairs of male eyes still managed to spy the pair and cast curious glances as the two descended arm-in-arm down the smaller stairway. Several suitors could be seen moving into position to intercept them, as she glided gracefully, being careful to watch her footing beneath the billowing satin skirt. Elizabeth cast a sideways glance at her aunt and marveled at the woman’s continued beauty. Her aunt still retained remnants of the grandeur and timeless loveliness of her younger years. Her posture remained regal and proud, her midnightblue gown adorning her still trim figure, despite the advancing years. Her silvery locks were tastefully pinned up into a tight chignon. A small matching headpiece was situated slightly askew, giving her a daring look. Three dainty, black ostrich feathers fluttered with each of her successive steps. As the two descended the smaller, winding staircase together, Elizabeth caught glimpses of the whirling dancers as they made their way around the huge dance floor. Colors blurred as the various hues of the ball gowns blended into one kaleidoscopic vision with each turn of the swirling partygoers. Intermittently the stark black of a man’s evening attire would interrupt the blending colors of the women’s dresses. She basked in

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the rush of feelings that overcame her. So busy had she been running two estates and probing every available source to find Aidan, she had neglected to allow herself the simple pleasures of being a fanciful young woman. “Oh, Aunt Penelope, is this not the most beautiful room you’ve ever seen?” She gazed about while attempting to keep her effervescence under control. “The most beautiful,” replied her aunt. Elizabeth walked around the dance area as she gazed at the finery displayed in this one room. Nearly all of the women dripped with expensive jewelry sparkling from around their necks and twinkling from their earlobes. Their fine ball gowns of satin, silk, and crepe reflected their enormous wealth, while the men looked no less resplendent in their fine evening attire, satin cravats, jeweled cufflinks, and cravat pins. The magnificent parquet floor was barely visible beneath the feet of the twirling dancers. Huge marble columns flanked the dance floor, giving way to a lower area that led to other various parts of the mansion. Enormous chandeliers hung majestically from focal points in the elaborate ballroom, casting light that reflected from the many pieces of crystal affixed to the fixtures. What could easily be thousands of candles illuminated the room, making Elizabeth sigh from the sheer beauty. She breathed in deeply at the huge vases holding vast assortments of lilies, roses, and lilacs. Elizabeth eyed the suave gentlemen that occupied the crowded ballroom, mentally grading each one as she glanced in their direction. Long ago she dreamed of marrying a handsome prince, but with the escalating family woes she had abandoned the idea of marriage for love and had instead resigned herself to a comfortable life with a reliable spouse. As long as the bridegroom was an honorable man and commanded enough wealth to aid her father, sister, and ailing home to sufficient comfort, love would have to be forfeited. It was a small sacrifice in order to help the family she loved. Turning her head, Elizabeth caught sight of her aunt as she gave a little wave, effectively letting Elizabeth know that she was still within a respectable distance. Her aunt’s attention was redirected to an approaching woman wearing a garishly red satin dress which fit her portly body poorly. The two became engrossed in an animated conversation, leaving Elizabeth to turn her attentions elsewhere. Turning to view the dance floor, she watched the swirling dancers as they passed. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed her aunt approaching arm-in-arm with a beaming gentleman. Elizabeth directed her attention to the man whose arm Aunt Penelope held. “Elizabeth, allow me to present Reginald Wainscoat.” She spoke rather loudly, in an effort to be heard over the orchestral music. Elizabeth smiled up at the young man with a welcoming grin. “Reginald, allow me to present to you, Elizabeth Forbes.” Backing away, she left the couple to their discussion. “Good evening, Ms. Forbes. I believe I am first on your dance card this evening,” he said in a velvety voice as he bent slightly at the waist while maintaining eye contact with her. “Good evening, Mr. Wainscoat, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Try as she might,

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she found it impossible to mask her inattentiveness as she gazed around the room. “Shall we?” he said, extending his arm towards her. She resisted, her mind occupied with her primary objective for the evening. “Excuse me, Mr. Wainscoat, but I must postpone our dance for a little while. It is vitally important that I meet with someone at this ball, and if you could just point him out, I’d be eternally grateful.” His smile faltered, and his hand returned to his side as his posture became stiff. “I am truly sorry. I have urgent business with Lord Marston, and if you would be so kind to point him out, I will leave you to your next dance partner.” “Lord Marston?” The shocked expression on his face told her that her rendezvous was less than acceptable. “Are you certain it is Lord Marston that you wish to speak with? You are, after all, a respectable young woman who must have gotten his name mistakenly.” His expression had progressed to one of actual disdain, and she now wondered what sort of man this Lord Marston truly was. “No, I believe I’m correct in saying that it is Lord Marston I need to converse with.” Scanning the room with his eyes, a curt nod of his head indicated the direction. “Thank you, sir. I would be honored to dance with you at a later time.” With that, she curtsied and turned in the direction he had indicated. **** As Elizabeth skirted the perimeter of the dance floor, her gaze caught a familiar face in the crowd. Elizabeth’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened as she recognized a woman she thought never to have to see again. She weaved back and forth, even stood on tiptoes, in an effort to confirm the illusion. Yet she couldn’t be certain if her suspicions were correct. She positioned herself to get a better view. Finally she stared across the floor at a curse from her past. Eileen Drummond stood alone amidst a throng of females, with no chaperone in plain sight. Her blonde curls flounced about her pale shoulders as she gazed in awe at each breathtaking man that came into view. But Eileen was not a ravishing beauty and had always had great trouble securing the attentions of the male population. It was also reputed that her dowry was meager, making the task of capturing a husband that much more difficult. Obviously, she had come to London as well to find a suitable mate. Years ago, in their hometown of Berwick, Eileen had fallen head over heels in love with John Selwyn, the heir to a powerful family. She let him know of her love at every chance and pursued him with a vengeance that bordered on obsession. Yet John shunned her affections for the attentions of Elizabeth. Eileen had vowed to ruin Elizabeth’s life someday. The remembered threat of retaliation gave Elizabeth a shiver of dread. Why was Eileen at this party? As she stared at Eileen across the busy dance floor, she saw her grab the arm of a passing servant and make a writing gesture with her hand. The servant merely nodded and beckoned for Eileen to follow. The two were swallowedup by the crush of partygoers and were gone. Glancing about, she resumed her quest for Lord Marston. Her heart leapt as her gaze fell upon a disarmingly handsome man at the end of the room. Lord Lucas Marston stood regally, eyeing the women that pranced about for his

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perusal. He was engrossed in a lively conversation with another gorgeous man who appeared to be discussing the ballroom occupants with Lord Marston. The lord’s handsome head followed first one and then another. Being a notorious rake and an alluring rogue, his attentions were sought only by women wishing a night in his bed. No self-respecting maiden would dare be caught in his presence, for fear of ruining her reputation. Yet he was the man who might finally answer questions that surrounded her brother’s disappearance. He was the informant with whom she must speak. Elizabeth was more than aware that close proximity alone could destroy a maiden’s reputation. Therefore, she would need to devise a way to meet with the scoundrel in a secretive location so as not to arouse any gossip. She was willing to risk her own reputation to finally have the answers she desired. **** Lucas stifled a yawn even as a bevy of curvaceous females sashayed past trying to attract him. He’d not really wanted to make an appearance at this soiree, but the 6th Duke of Ravenshire had been insistent that he be there. He’d just returned to London recently on a matter of grave personal importance, and the long journey had left him bone weary. His duties as a Member of Parliament had thankfully not called him as well. Yet as a courtesy to his friend, the duke, he had made an appearance. He was an eligible bachelor, and his motives for attending this affair had taken on a distinctly more serious note this evening. His title and status demanded he sire an heir, to pass down his heritage and secure the bloodlines of his family. His own reasons were much more grounded in that he wanted a wife to share in his life. For after years of keeping company with courtesans and available women, he found himself ready to make a commitment. Even though his affairs were not that numerous, his reputation as a full-fledged rogue made his appearance at these seasonal functions less than welcome. He was not the heathen the ton believed him to be. For he did no more than any other red-blooded male would in his occasional sampling of the enticements offered. All the same, a rake in the midst of a room full of young debs was not an acceptable combination. His status in the London society had brought with it an endless stream of succulent and willing females. Hardly a day went by when there wasn’t a desirous beauty offering up her body for his pleasure. He’d even received discreet notes from eager wives wishing a thrilling afternoon with him. Marriage between husband and wife very often resembled a business transaction more than a bond of love for the society of the ton. Even though it was perfectly acceptable to engage in extramarital affairs shielded in secrecy, Lucas abhorred infidelity. He objected strongly to sampling another man’s wife, for he certainly wouldn’t want his wife, if he had one, diddling with another man behind his back. Unattached women were a safer bet, since the absence of a jealous husband made the act much more enjoyable. One thing he staunchly avoided was virgins. His reputation usually helped them keep their distance, and it was primarily the experienced females who approached him with various propositions. Since he took no pleasure in the breaking of maidenheads, he avoided the unseasoned females making their debut into society. Yet this evening his plans had changed as he surveyed the selection of ladies. His

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own desires to wed were at the forefront tonight, and he sincerely hoped he would not be viewed as an infidel. He had unfairly been labeled a rake by the envious men of the ton for no other reason than his attraction to women of all ages. And it certainly did his reputation no good at all to be described as the most handsome man in all of England. “Lucas, my good man, are you bored out of your wits yet?” asked his friend Charles, jarring him from his thoughts. “Or are you seriously scrutinizing this gathering of delectably untouched morsels?” He stared questioningly into Lucas’ eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re ready to enter the marriage mart, my friend. You’d certainly break a lot of hearts if you suddenly became unavailable. “Don’t be absurd, Charles. No one cares what my marital status is.” His growl of displeasure served as a warning to his friend. “Besides, it’s high time I began my search for a mate.” Charles’s shocked expression was confirmation enough that he couldn’t believe his ears. “What do you say to taking in a fight tonight? It’ll take your mind off this ridiculous idea about finding a spouse. Thirteen Bond Street is just a block from here, and I hear Gentleman Jackson has a bout set with two newcomers to pugilism. Should be quite a bash. How about it?” he asked enthusiastically. “No, Charles, as tempting as that sounds, I believe I’ll remain here. You never know on which particular night I might meet my future wife,” he replied as he winked. His attention was riveted by a truly resplendent beauty in an ice-blue ball gown. He had never seen this particular female before, but she had certainly grabbed his attention. Yet as he watched, she disappeared into a throng of adoring males. He would make it his business to find out who she was, and if possible, have the duke arrange a meeting between them. Just the thought brought a smile to his lips and a flutter to his heart, not to mention a bulge to his trousers. The night might not be a total loss after all. He had been on the verge of accepting Charles’s offer, when a servant marched up to him, handing him a folded note. His eyes lowered to the offered parchment, and his curiosity overrode his better judgment. Probably nothing more than a bored aristocratic chit making another obscene proposition, he thought. He took the paper, unfolded and read it. His surprise at the contents must have been mirrored on his face, for his friend anxiously asked, “What the devil does it say, Lucas?” Without answering he folded the paper and stuffed it into his pocket. “I’m not quite sure what it is, Charles. But I mean to find out. This is an offer I just have to see for myself.” Nodding a farewell to his friend, he following the servant around the bustling activity on the dance floor to a more remote area. As he walked, he let his mind run rampant with illusions of a naked woman writhing on a huge bed as she waited for the coming ecstasy. He could feel himself harden as he mentally pictured her erect nipples jutting toward the ceiling while she moaned and twisted about in a frenzy of anticipation. The note had, after all, mentioned something about a seductive female wishing to play a fantasy game of sexual pleasure with him. Although he thought it rather odd to receive such a note at this particular soiree, who was he to disregard such an invitation? It certainly warranted looking into, for he wouldn’t want to pass up the sexual opportunity

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of a lifetime. The deafening crescendo of the orchestral music subsided as they made their way through a dimly-lit corridor leading to the quieter recesses of the huge mansion. Eventually the youth stopped before a huge oak door with an impressive brass handle. Swinging the portal open, he dutifully stood to one side as Lucas strode by into the room. As he entered, he realized he now stood in a study. Shelves lined nearly every wall. Candle sconces were sporadically located on various surfaces, giving the room a glowing quality. Lucas had to wonder if this display was all part of some alluring setup meant to prime him for the debauchery ahead. “My lord, if you would just wait here, the miss will be in shortly to speak with you,” said the soft-spoken servant as he shrank from the room, closing the door softly. As Lucas walked along the rows of bookshelves, he could hear branches lightly scraping the window. His fingers fanned the titles as he surveyed the impressive selection of literature his friend possessed. He was nearing the end of the bookcase when he heard the unmistakable click of the door latch as the study door opened slowly. But instead of an experienced seductress, a frightened and shivering female faced him with an expression of nervous trepidation contorting her features. Her pale skin appeared white and chalky in the minimal light. Her light blonde hair bounced with her movements as she attempted to flatten her back against the now closed study door. What the hell was this? This was no alluring temptress but a mortified virgin, and a very plain one at that. Yet he had been summoned to this room by a very suggestive note. He strode languorously towards her. Her expression of terror increased as she plastered her back against the door and stared up at him with huge, glassy eyes. “To what do I owe this most pleasurable surprise?” he crooned, staring down intently into her upturned face. She wilted right before him. Her knees were buckling, and her lips quivered as she attempted to open her mouth and speak, yet nothing came out. Obviously his reputation had preceded him, judging by the frightened look in her eyes. As a chivalrous gesture, he leaned down and picked up her hand with the intent of kissing her knuckles. But as he started to raise it to his lips, she snatched it away and moved sideways with the obvious intention of keeping a more safe distance between them. He decided to make a game of it with this indecisive female. Since she had the audacity to send him such a provocative note, he would have his fun with her. As she backed away, he advanced towards her until she had her back firmly against the bookcase. Placing a protective hand against his chest, she obviously sought to halt any further progression on his part. “I shall scream if you touch me, my lord.” He raised one brow and stood his ground. “My lord, you misunderstand my intentions,” she said breathlessly. He stared down and could not suppress a smile that caught him off-guard. “This is no joke, sir. I have a very interesting proposal to present,” she

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stammered, her chest heaving convulsively. “Please do enlighten me. You certainly got my attention with that promiscuous missive. But sending a titillating note and then threatening to scream is a cruel joke, miss.” He could almost hear her heart pounding frantically against her ribs. A bead of perspiration trickled down her temple as she sidled out of the range of his arms. She scampered to the other side of the room. Her curls swirled into her face as she spun her head around to keep her gaze on him. When she seemed certain he remained a safe distance from her, she made another attempt to speak. “Yes, I did send you that note, my lord. Because I have a most intriguing offer to make.” She heaved a sigh of relief and used the back of her gloved hand to wipe the sweat from her brow. Not at all ladylike, he surmised, yet quite entertaining all the same. “I’m sure you’ve noticed the flirtatious redhead who has been mingling among the male guests this evening, my lord.” She remained silent as if waiting for his response. He nodded as he crossed his arms over his chest. “Yes, how could I have missed her? She is the most stunning woman here tonight, present company excluded.” “My lord, she had me send you that note because she wishes to play a game, of sorts, with you. A sexual game of stalking, where you will take her and have your way with her.” He cocked his head to one side in serious thought. “Oh really? And why should I believe an obviously inexperienced lady, such as yourself, in such a vitally important matter,” he asked quietly. “After all, you yourself have risked your own reputation to deliver this very dangerous request. Are you not yourself an innocent, miss?” He was well aware of the implications for her of being caught in his presence, and he started to reconsider remaining in the same room with her. Yet his curiosity was piqued, and he decided to remain long enough to hear her offer, even though he had no intention of bedding any virgin. “She has made it known to me that she wishes to be pursued by you, my lord. I can bring a number of males from this very ball who can attest to the fact that she possesses quite competent skills.” “Why, pray tell, would a courtesan be in the company of debutantes and virgins? Women of her stature have their own particular places to gather for such matters,” he pointed out. He slowly advanced on her as he kept his eyes riveted to hers. He could feel a wicked grin beginning to form as he moved closer. Accordingly, she maneuvered herself to prevent any diminishing of the distance between their bodies. “She is not a courtesan, my lord, but a young girl who has gone astray. She wishes to keep her ruined virtue a secret until she has already wed a wealthy man. By the time he has discovered her situation, it will be too late.” His brows rose to mid-forehead as he tried to digest her story. “Yet from you, my lord, she desires only invigorating sex. No commitment is further required of you.” “What interest do you have in this female?” He stared down in disgust. “She desires you, my lord, and wishes to be handled dominantly by you rather

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than to give in easily.” She visibly gripped the wall behind her. At this point he was not even sure there was another woman involved in this charade. He was becoming tired of her little game and decided to demand proof. “Who are you and why should I believe you? After all, we are discussing a woman’s virtue here.” He considered tapping his toe to demonstrate his annoyance. “If you are incorrect in your overture, she will be paying the ultimate price.” “We have a friendly acquaintance, sir, and she has entrusted me with delivering this message to you,” she continued on stoically. She seemed to have gained some confidence as she stared up. Moving closer, he could see her blanch with intimidation. “Why would I pursue this one female when I have no shortage of females in my bed?” he asked softly. “She will pleasure you, I can assure you, my lord. Do you wish me to gather the men I mentioned as proof?” she asked innocently as her hand reached for the door handle. But his patience had run out. Straightening to his full height, he gazed down and answered her. “Very well, send her to me then. Who is this wanton, what is her name?” he demanded in a deep tone. He swore he heard her swallow loudly as she managed to croak out an audible reply. “Her name is Elizabeth Forbes, my lord, and all that is necessary is that you remain here to meet her. If you answer affirmatively, I will relay your message to her and she will be in directly to make your acquaintance.” More perspiration trickled down her face as she panted. “You may tell her that I will make her acquaintance now.” His voice was low and controlled. She expelled an audible sigh of relief and bowed and postured around the edge of the now open door. Her eyes remained glued to him as she retreated towards freedom. Leaning towards him and then pausing, she offered a tiny corked glass ampoule. His eyesight lowered as he surveyed the proffered item. “What is that?” he asked suspiciously. “A tiny bit of laudanum, my lord. She believes it will make the seduction so much more exciting if she is whisked away and surprised by your erotic nature.” He pinned her with an angry glare before straightening to his daunting height. The oddness of this elaborate plan had him shaking his head in doubt. “I will not take part in the drugging of any female, agreeable or not. If she truly wishes to partake in amorous pastimes with me, then she must do so willingly.” As the door closed softly behind her, he wondered what he had gotten himself into. This was a most unusual request, one that could turn out disastrously. **** Elizabeth had watched the servant reappear and head straight for the tall, sinfully handsome gentleman who she knew to be Lord Marston. The servant approached and bowed respectfully before handing the lord a folded note. He appeared rather amused as his sensuous lips lifted into a lop-sided grin. His dark head nodded as he spoke to the servant. After saying something to the blond gentleman, he followed the servant through

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the crowd and was gone from sight. Darn, she thought disgustedly, for she needed to speak to him in secrecy before leaving the ball. For all she knew, he was leaving early for an unforeseen commitment. She considered gathering her skirts and running after him in her panic yet remembered her aunt. She scanned the crowd for her yet could not find her. Frantically her mind raced with her harried thoughts. She was on the verge of charging after his lordship when a hand on her arm stopped her. “My apologies, Elizabeth. There is a gentleman who is really quite eager to make your acquaintance.” The whispered plea brought a moment of distress even before she had turned to view the blonde tugging on her sleeve, whose features brought back unpleasant memories. Elizabeth recognized her instantly. “If you would just follow me ... he awaits you in the study.” Elizabeth resisted the tugging and stared back in confusion. “Eileen Drummond, why would I follow you anywhere given our history? Besides, who is this gentleman, and why would he want to meet me in the study alone?” she asked. “I can go nowhere without my chaperone. It would be unseemly for me to be in the presence of a man without the proper escort.” “I am sorry, Elizabeth. I realize we’ve not had the best relationship, but our past is just that, our past. I am in London for the same reason as you, to find a husband. And as a favor to a friend at this ball, I’m simply introducing him to you.” Eileen’s expression certainly didn’t let on to any underhandedness. “I’ve taken the liberty of requesting your aunt’s presence for you. She is most probably already waiting with the gentleman as we speak.” Eileen fidgeted with her neckline while waiting for the reply. Elizabeth realized she needed to make her decision quickly, for Lord Marston had already left the room some moments ago. If he was leaving the ball, she needed to pursue him to his carriage before it was too late. “There is another gentleman I simply must speak with at once.” Elizabeth’s head turned towards the direction of Lord Marston’s departure. Eileen grabbed her arm more tightly now. “This will only take but a moment of your time, Elizabeth. I’m sure you won’t regret your decision.” The expression on Eileen’s face gave her a moment of concern, yet she ultimately relented. “Very well, if you are certain that Aunt Penelope is already present, I will follow you. But it had better take but a moment, for I really must speak with this gentleman.” With a curt nod of her head, she swept into the crowd. A quick survey of the area revealed that her aunt was nowhere in sight. Elizabeth snaked her way through the crowded room, following Eileen to the lesser traveled venues of the mansion. Occasionally, Eileen would turn her head as if assuring herself that Elizabeth followed. She found this behavior puzzling yet treaded along after her escort. Rustling skirts resounded in the corridor as it narrowed to a smaller width, the darkened halls lending a strange foreboding to the coming events. As they approached a huge oak doorway, Eileen tapped softly at the portal and thrust the door open. Standing

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aside, she allowed Elizabeth to pass by with a swish of satin skirts before the door slammed shut.

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Chapter 2 A tall, dark figure of a well-dressed man emerged, closing the only means of escape as he turned in her direction. Latching the study door, he dropped the key into his jacket pocket and folded his arms across his expansive chest. Leaning against the door, he gazed at her from beneath half-lowered lashes while a wickedly sinful smile graced his lips. “What is the meaning of this, sir?” she demanded. “And where is Aunt Penelope?” Without answering, he pushed away from the door and strode towards her with slow, powerful steps. He advanced with predatory steadiness until they stood face-toface. Her head tilted back in order to make eye contact with Lord Marston, whom she recognized from the ballroom. What a stroke of luck that she would be led directly to the man who might be able to answer her heart-wrenching questions. This man was dangerous, but she must do whatever was necessary to get information about Aidan. A roguish smile curved half of his sensuous mouth while his silvery eyes stared down meaningfully into her upturned ones. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Forbes. And may I say that this certainly is the most pleasurable proposition I’ve ever received.” His voice was husky as he lifted her dainty digits to his lips. A pleasant sensation shot up her arm and traveled through her entire body, lodging in her innermost core. She simply stared up in amazement. He was a most handsome man, one who obviously knew his own attributes judging by the twinkle in his eye and the devilish smile upon his lips. As he bent to kiss her outstretched hand, a dark lock of hair fell over one eye giving him a dangerously rakish look. She was aware of his notorious reputation from whispered gossip and considered her tenuous situation. She was alone with a known womanizer without the presence of her chaperone. If knowledge of this were to get out, her reputation would be ruined. She must obtain any information he possessed and leave the room as quickly as possible. Shocked into action by her reaction towards him, she removed her hand from his and attempted to back away while he slowly advanced until she had her back against the bookcase. Placing a hand upon his chest to maintain distance between them, she stared up into his generous features while she regained her faculties enough to begin her questions. She could feel the hard muscles of his broad chest, giving her a strange sensation and a tingling where her fingers touched him. She had not anticipated her unexpected attraction to him, yet she felt no fear of him, only curiosity for the feelings he elicited. But she must return to the party before anyone realized she had left. “My lord, I wish to discuss with you the murders in Edinburgh, Scotland.” Surprise registered on his face and he visibly tensed, yet he remained silent.

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“I have a personal interest in these murders, sir, and I need to know all that you know about them.” Still he uttered not a word but continued to stare down. The silence between them gave her time to assess him. He was darkly handsome with silver-gray eyes that penetrated her heart and shook her very soul. He possessed strong chiseled features and a straight nose that led to a very sensuous mouth. His tall, muscular body could not be concealed even under his black evening attire. His short dark hair curled slightly at his collar. A stubborn forelock fell over one eye, giving him a roguishly dangerous look. His fine, white silk cravat contrasted well with his slightly tanned skin. She stared up into his twinkling eyes, her heart beat quickening as her breathing deepened. She was aware that he was rumored to deflower innocents and bed females on a routine basis. Yet the knowledge only made her quiver with excitement as she considered the taboo circumstances. Rather than fear for her virginity, she became entranced by his powerful presence. “My lord, you have not answered me about the murders,” she said breathlessly. He cocked his dark head while he pondered her words. “Why would you believe that I would? Information usually comes with a price, beautiful lady. I have not told you mine yet.” Her mouth opened in surprise, for she was not sure she had heard him correctly. “Apparently you’ve changed your mind about our little game, and it is information that you now want. Did you really come here thinking I would divulge valuable information and not be compensated for it?” A tiny bead of perspiration trickled down between her breasts. “No, of course not, my lord. What manner of payment did you have in mind?” she asked hesitantly. Slowly his eyes traveled down to her thrusting cleavage where the low cut of her dress left little to the imagination. She could feel her nipples harden from his inspection. “How is it that you’ve come upon this very private knowledge, lovely lady?” He lifted her chin with his finger. “A very reliable source told me to speak with you if I wanted to know about the murders, my lord.” His face moved closer still. “What reliable source?” he whispered. “I cannot divulge my source, my lord.” Suddenly, she knew what payment he expected in return for the secret information. With her back pressed against the bookcase, he leaned over her and rested one hand against the shelf. She stared up into his eyes as he lifted his hand from her chin to brush his fingertips sensuously against her cheek. She tensed only momentarily as her eyes fluttered from the sensuous feel of his fingers. A sigh escaped her lips as she swirled deeper into a carnal and forbidden place. His fingertips did not stop at her cheek but slowly traveled down the length of her neck until they brushed the tops of her exposed breasts. She gasped from the sensation and splayed both palms against his chest in a half-hearted attempt to halt his movements. She did not, however, feel inclined to stop the wonderful sensations he created. On the contrary, she closed her eyes slowly in blissful surrender, allowing him to take advantage

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as he dipped his head to brush his lips sensuously against hers. Knowing she should resist him and end his provocative behavior, she wavered and ultimately gave no resistance at all. Instead, she tilted her head back, permitting him to kiss her more deeply. His hands moved to her waist, drawing her close to his aroused body. Their hips met, their bodies pressing closer together. She became lost in the sensual feel of his lips and hands and laced her arms around his neck. She knew she should put a stop to his advancements but instead opened her mouth wider in a carnal invitation. Boldly, he ground his pelvis against her belly, and the feel of his already engorged manhood shocked her into reality. Her body stiffened at the action, and he backed away slightly as if to calm her fears. She opened her eyes and met his gaze head on. Her hands remained atop his shoulders as she stared deeply into his eyes. Then he dipped his head to capture her mouth. She became lost in his tender, exciting kisses and the web of seduction he wove around her. She knew she should stop him, for the more time that passed, the more chance there was that her absence would be discovered. Rumors would spread, and her reputation would be damaged beyond repair. Disengaging her lips, she pushed away and stared up as his arms cradled her tenderly. His eyes sparkled but were now a deep gray as his gaze locked onto hers with vivid determination. Her lips parted as she panted, trying to gather the words necessary to end their interlude. Moisture clung to his lips from their shared kisses. She stared at his mouth, wanting nothing more than to continue the forbidden passion. “No. We cannot do this,” she frantically whispered. “Why not, my beauty?” he asked calmly, all the while attempting to gather her in his arms. “Why deny us both something that you know we both want very much?” His voice had taken on a seductively low tone. “I simply lost my head, my lord. We cannot continue this.” Bracing her hands against his chest, she pushed him away from her body. She could feel her breathing become more convulsive as he stared down at her exposed cleavage. She could feel her nipples harden and could imagine her areolas springing free from her convulsive breaths. Her breathing became more ragged as she succumbed to his hypnotic presence and his warm embrace. Obviously enticed by her lack of resistance, he slowly reached up with his hand and pulled down her bodice thereby setting free both breasts in bouncing liberation. Ingrained reaction caused one hand to rise to strike his face but was subdued without much effort. Seizing the opportunity, he reached up and took one nipple between his thumb and forefinger, tweaking it lightly. “Oh,” she gasped. Her body shuddered involuntarily, and she rested her forehead against his chin. The deliciously naughty sensation rendered her powerless to move. “No. Please,” she said weakly. She pushed against him in another half-hearted attempt to resist him. Her gesture obviously urged him on to become more aggressive and forceful. He slid his other hand from the small of her back into the thick tresses that now cascaded down her back. Roughly he pulled her head back, giving him open access to her parted

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lips. He stared into her eyes before his mouth descended demandingly upon her lips, and he ravaged her mouth with his probing tongue. Her hands rose to grip his lapels firmly, even though she knew she was probably now doomed, for he undoubtedly took her willingness to allow his advancements as a sign of submission. Her body melted against his as he toyed with her nipple and plundered the soft interior of her mouth with a demanding need. Her response seemed strange even to her, despite the fact that she had willingly became a puddle of hot liquid in his arms. She planted her palms firmly against his pectorals. Her eyes stared up into his downcast ones as she tried to control her breathing. Her breasts heaved, brushing her aroused nipples against his jacket. “Would you prefer a more private love nest then?” he asked softly, as though that would solve every problem in the world. “I am inexperienced in such matters, sir. I simply cannot give you what you want here in this study,” she said softly. A slow, playful smile formed upon his lips, and she had to wonder what his true intentions really were. “It is my understanding that your desire to get answers requires you to allow me certain liberties, beautiful temptress,” he replied. She stared up at him, confusion crinkling her brow. Memories of the feel of his lips upon hers and his hands as they caressed her tenderly flooded her, tempting her to continue. Yet inexperience slowed her. Never having been alone in the company of such an attractive man before--or any man for that matter--she was uncertain how to proceed. She knew she would be lost, for if she wanted his cooperation in this matter, she had to yield. Men with his tenaciousness and repute always got what they wanted from the women they chose. She knew she had no other option than to go along with his desires. “We must not, my lord.” The exposed skin of her naked breasts rose and fell with her emotions. Her nipples hardened as the chill of the evening air surrounded them. He smiled and cast his gaze down to her breasts. “Does it excite you to play hard to get, beauty? We can make a game out of this payment business, if you wish.” Her mouth dropped open in shock. Feeling her nipples intimately touching his evening jacket, she realized that her breasts remained fully exposed, and she attempted to stuff her ample bosom back into the snug confines of the overly tight gown. While tugging at the bodice in an attempt to bring it to its original position, she was firmly pressed against his chest. “You must realize that I am not the sort of woman to continue this kind of behavior in a study, sir?” she said firmly. With her body hard against his, he lowered his head until their lips were close. “Oh, come now, a woman of your ... experience … has no doubt developed her own methods of, shall we say, stimulation.” He breathed against her lips. Gasping, she sought to resist the invisible control he had over her. He believed her a sexually experienced woman. She was astonished at her response to this virtual stranger who had been fondling her as though they were man and wife. She had barely ever been kissed, let alone intimately touched and caressed as he had been doing. Yet to her utter shock she was not sickened by the action but drawn by his touch. However, she recognized her perilous situation and knew that her attraction to this handsome stranger

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would be a definite advantage if she wanted to uncover the secrets to Aidan’s disappearance. “Please, sir, we mustn’t continue here,” she whispered, even as their lips touched lightly. Her heart pounded against her ribs. She was fighting a losing battle with her reactions toward him. “Very well, then,” he said at last. Her hands still clung to his upper arms. He held her bare shoulders, all the while tenderly running the pads of his thumbs in tiny circles upon her sensitive skin. This simple act ignited her senses, making her tingle with want for more of his touch. She actually swayed against him and sighed. “You will tell me all that I want to know if I go with you, my lord?” She raised her face to his and noticed his devilish smile. He delicately released her and placed one protective arm across her shoulders as he guided her to a large wing-backed chair. “Come, sit and rest for a moment, miss,” he said softly. As she reclined in the big, cushiony chair, she rested against the plush headrest and closed her eyes. She reopened them just in time to watch him stride to a side table and pick up a snifter of brandy that had been previously placed there. Swirling the amber liquid around with a fluid motion of his hand, he returned to her side. She stared up at him as she watched him taste the amber fluid. He then offered the fiery drink to her. “I have never partaken in spirits, my lord. I do believe that it would be unseemly for me to do so at this moment.” “Only a sip or two. It will calm your nerves,” he assured softly. “And then we shall leave.” He smiled as he knelt down beside her chair. “Well, perhaps one sip, my lord.” She haltingly reached for the bulbous glass. Taking the snifter in both hands, she sipped a number of times daintily, cradling the glass in her hands. As she felt the liquid spread warmth through her veins, a welcoming calm overcame her. She sipped again and eventually felt her head dip as she became drowsy from the liquor. Moments passed, her breathing grew heavier. As her eyelids closed, she dreamed she had found an ally to help her find Aidan. Contentedly, she drifted deeper, and then her world went black.

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Chapter 3 The veil of unconsciousness lifted, leaving Elizabeth floating to the surface of the dark abyss which had consumed her since she had sipped the brandy. Her first sensation was that of a silky feeling at her wrists and ankles. The sleek, luxurious feeling enveloped her entire body the more she swam out of her unforeseen sleep. She decided to move her arms but realized that she was loosely pinioned in one position by silk ties. Willing her eyes to open, she saw only cloudy, indiscernible objects. Softly shaking her head and blinking her eyes only minimally improved her vision. Bright light streamed in from an adjacent window, running long beams of the golden rays across the bed on which she now lay. Moving her hand to rub her eyes, she realized that her bonds were slack and almost detached as she worked her hand from the tie. As she did so, her eyes traveled up the length of the thick bedposts, taking a moment to marvel at the ornate carvings which snaked their way up the dark mahogany wood. Expertly crafted vines and stems with an occasional flower traversed the post in a serpentine manner. Elegant draperies embellished the tall, stately windows, hanging majestically from gilded curtain rods. They were fastened back gracefully by gold rope, tie-backs that allowed generous amounts of bright sunlight to stream into the tasteful room. The heavy mahogany furniture was strategically placed around the room’s perimeter. The room definitely had the feel of a man, a very masculine, virile man, like Lord Marston. There was no fragrance of flowers or remnants of feminine inhabitants. The dark burgundies and golds screamed male ownership, for no self-respecting female would be the least bit interested in such décor. The walls had been painted a dark green that gave an earthy and warm feeling to the bedchamber. Mahogany wood molding encased the large windows and trimmed every doorframe, ceiling to floor. She glanced down the length of her body to discover that she was covered with a large satin sheet from breasts to toes. She was, in fact, stark naked beneath the flimsy covering--and her arms were fastened to the bedpost by luxurious silk straps. Likewise, her ankles were loosely secured to the posts at the foot of the bed. She moved her wrist as her hand slipped out of the restraint. More disconcerting was the sudden realization that the entire evening had already gone by and morning had broken. Thoughts of her aunt’s distress over her disappearance flooded her mind, and she became anxious to remedy the situation. She heard the click of the door latch. Twisting her head to the side against the satin pillow, she watched with curiosity as Lord Marston entered the room clad in a burgundy velvet robe that touched the floor. His dark hair was neatly combed back as though he had been awake for some time. With one gallant turn he swept across the shining parquet floor, his footsteps becoming muffled as he reached the plush carpet, until he stood by the bedside.

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The memories of the previous evening deluged her consciousness, reviving the enticing feelings she had unexpectedly felt. Staring down at her with a lascivious gaze was the striking man from the preceding night. What did this debonair gentleman want with her tied to his bed like a lamb on a sacrificial alter? Would his method of payment involve some unusual tastes for lust? She stared back with uninhibited inquisitiveness as he slowly let his eyes run the length of her body as if to devour her on the spot. He lowered himself to sit on the edge of the bed, uttering not one word but staring intently into her eyes. His rakish smile told her that no good could come of this. “Good morning, my beauty,” he fairly crooned as he leaned over her, bringing their bodies even closer. “What has happened, and how did I get here, Lord Marston?” she demanded in a firm voice as her head sank further into the sumptuousness of the pillow in a fruitless maneuver to distance herself from him. In answer to her question he simply leaned farther over her, bringing his chest in contact with her nipples which were now protruding because of the sensual feel of the satin as it rubbed tantalizingly over her vulnerable breasts. His handsome face hovered so close that their breath mingled as he spoke to her. “You consumed a little too much of the brandy last evening. I hope your head is not pounding this morning. Nevertheless, whatever you wish, I can accommodate your every command, my lovely,” he murmured as his eyes twinkled with devilish intent. “I wish to have my answers, sir,” she countered, glaring back. “That was the deal, remember?” “Ah, yes, the answers. So you have changed your mind about our little game and now you want only answers, my lovely?” he asked seductively. “I do not know what you’re talking about, sir. What game? I believe that you must have me confused with someone else.” Her breasts rose and fell with her restlessness. She squirmed in an attempt to loosen more of her bonds but accomplished nothing more than sliding the satiny material lower and nearly exposing her bobbing breasts for his amusement. “No mistake, beauty. The blonde who led you to me said that you wished to be pursued rather than to submit easily. But we did make a deal, and I will answer your questions very soon.” A devilish smile curved the corners of his lips. “It matters not, in the next few days….” “Next few days?” she interrupted. “I cannot remain here for days. My Aunt Penelope will be beside herself. Why, she must, at this very moment, have the Bow Street Runners scouring London for me.” She lifted her chin defiantly. “If you’d tell me about the murders, I’d be on my way.” “Oh, I think not. You see, I have had a courier send a message to your lovely aunt, outlining the details of your disappearance. It seems that you were required to accompany your friend home last evening when she became suddenly ill at the ball. I’ve also had a note penned to your friend, asking her to corroborate your story should your aunt meet up with her. You also said that you would send frequent messages to keep her abreast of the situation. This way we can discuss the murders in detail and enjoy each

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other’s company at the same time.” “Very well. I shall stay until you’ve answered me to my satisfaction. But I see no need to lash me to your bed, sir.” “Your blonde accomplice said you were an experienced woman, willing to allow me my way with you. I thought that you’d be more enthused about our little adventure, Miss Forbes,” he softly said as he parted his plush robe, allowing his muscular chest to make contact with the thin barrier that separated their bodies. The dark mat of hair could not shroud the sharply defined chest muscles hidden just beneath. “She is not my accomplice, and I am anything but experienced, sir.” “Oh, I find that difficult to believe, given your reaction to my advances last night.” A sinister smile lifted his mouth, making Elizabeth wonder what Eileen had told him. “It seems sir, that you have the distinct advantage over me since I am in dire need of answers concerning my brother’s disappearance in Edinburgh.” From the crease in his forehead he appeared to be pondering her words. “I am at your service, beautiful lady--and I do mean service,” he added huskily as the wicked smile deepened. “I do so hope to hear my name from your luscious lips with ecstasy and total abandon.” His sweet breath radiated across her face and neck from their close proximity, all the while he kept his eyes trained on her face. “Each day we will have a new lesson, my beauty. Today’s lesson is in the art of appreciation for the heavenly feel of silk against the highly sensitive skin of a defenseless woman.” Elizabeth could feel her eyes widen as she watched his every move, anticipation and curiosity mixing to make her tremble. “Every day,” he said, “there will be a different lesson, until you have come to know me, and I have come to know you, and all inhibitions are gone.” Elizabeth remained silent as she watched for any movement on his part. Then he casually dipped down to touch his lips to hers in a most sensual manner. His lips barely made contact as they moved sensuously over hers, gliding as he suckled and nipped at them. He did not use his tongue this time, only maintained a pleasurable contact with her lips as he angled his head and invaded her. She opened her mouth temptingly and submitted willingly to his charm with unexpected pleasure. The tenderness of the kiss caught Elizabeth unaware, and she moaned softly against his lips and writhed against her bonds. What was it about this total stranger that he could elicit such devastating responses from her with very little effort? After all, she should be disgusted and outraged at the mere thought of his hands upon her body and his lips on hers, yet she was not. Instead, she yearned for more of him as she reveled in the gloriously forbidden feelings that surged through her virginal body. Her nipples became more pronounced, and they ached for his expert touch. A delicious wetness permeated her nether lips and moistened her thighs. Her body moved involuntarily, and she arched her back as she sought to press her willing body against his very masculine one. He grabbed the edge of the sheet with his hand and slowly slid the satiny material

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from her body in one fluid motion. Elizabeth’s eyes widened and she gasped as she realized that with one miniscule flick of his wrist the unsubstantial covering had been whisked aside, revealing her naked body. He leaned back, sitting upright to allow his hungry stare to devour every square inch of her straining nudity. “You will become quite accustomed to being naked before me all the time, my beauty,” he said with a growl. She ceased her twisting to stare pointedly into his eyes. “What do you mean, naked all the time?” she breathlessly asked as her breasts rose and fell. “Naked all the time, from morning until evening. When you sleep beside me you will be allowed to have a covering to keep you warm. As you did last night,” he whispered. “Last night .... What happened last night?” She couldn’t remember anything after the brandy. “We slept blissfully side by side, my lovely.” His smile was absolutely rakish. “Do not be alarmed lovely, we did nothing improper. I prefer to have my women awake and mindless with erotic passion when I make love to them.” He almost purred his answer, smiling at her hedonistically. **** Lucas raked his eyes over her lush and opulent form as she quivered from a combination of nervous tension and sexual excitement. She breathed haltingly, rhythmically moving her full breasts, driving her distended nipples towards the ceiling as they peaked above the rosy areolas of the tempting mounds. Her enticingly flat stomach sucked inwards with her taut nervousness. He had purposely left the restraints very loose so that she might actually free herself with very little effort. He used the silk more as a stimulant than a securing device. And she used this to her advantage as she bent the knee closest to him in an effort to shield her mons from his view. While her hands remained fisted against the sides of her head, she seemed to be rather enjoying his dallying more than she cared to admit. The soft skin of her arms wound its way to the enticing swell of her rounded bosom. As his eyes followed the curve of her ribs, a tiny waist emerged which evolved into a curvaceous hip. Her skin was paler than his, looking as though it had never seen the rays of the sun in its entire existence. Elizabeth’s skin was flawless and creamy, her form perfection, and he wondered how many other men had had this opportunity to marvel at her beauty. Putting that unsettling thought aside, he bent to pick-up the discarded sheet of satin. Sauntering to the foot of the bed, he leisurely slid the heavenly fabric along her feet and let it glide over the sensitized skin of her legs, stomach, breasts, and finally face. She gasped, and her eyes remained closed as her head fell to one side in what he supposed was blissful surrender. Her lush lips parted in abandon, and her radiant bronze tresses fanned out around her head like a solar-induced halo. He was fascinated by her hair and had an urge to plunge both hands deeply into the exquisite display to experience the texture firsthand. Straddling her waist, he leaned

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over and ran his fingers thoroughly through the fiery strands. He bent over to breathe in the fragrance of roses that emanated from her locks. She visibly relaxed as he luxuriated in the bountiful mane of thick, auburn hair that glided through his hands. He caressed from her scalp to the ends of her strands, until he was satisfied with the sensation. She stared up at him with a look of wonder in her eyes, even as her full lips parted with the sensual experience. He stood, picked up the fabric, and ran the silky torment along her raised arms and then across her chest, where it teased the sides of her sensitive breasts. She tossed her head wildly from side to side, moaning unabashedly. Standing to one side of the bed, Lucas held the corner of the sheet and swirled the elegant material around her breasts, concentrating on her already jutting nipples. She moaned loudly and writhed in a sexual frenzy, arching her back to bring her breasts closer to the stimulation. She licked her lips with frustration. At her passionate response to his games, he glided the lustrous material down her concave belly and stopped at the triangle of auburn hair nestled between her legs. She visibly clenched her thighs tighter together in a protective reaction to his dallying. Gently he grasped her knee and pulled it to the side, until she lay open for his enjoyment. Moist female dew glistened on her curls, and he had to restrain himself from driving his fingers deep into her until she screamed for release. He wanted to prolong her ecstatic misery while he continued his lesson with the satin. There would be time enough for actual touching and plunging when the lessons progressed. Although he wondered how long he would be able to restrain himself from mounting her forcefully and propelling his already engorged and throbbing shaft deeply into her welcoming heat. Even now he could feel himself springing to a massive erection that threatened to part his plush robe and reveal its swollen head. He had never been this stimulated from simply gazing upon a woman in the throes of sexual ecstasy. He composed himself and dangled the satin sheet between her nether lips and tantalized her most vulnerable spot. Elizabeth threw her head from one side to the other and her moans escalated, becoming more aroused from his stroking with the sensuous fabric that touched her inner thighs and stimulated her womanly parts. Her silken thighs fell open, giving him full access to her distended nub. It was begging to be stroked and fondled. He somehow resisted bringing her to fruition with his fingers, but he reached down and gently parted her lips even further for his final invasion. He swirled the silken torment around the hooded bud, and convulsive trembling shook her entire body. As her impending orgasm became apparent, he glided the material back up her belly to concentrate on her distended nipples. Elizabeth arched her back, and her avid moans and mewing sounds only urged him on with greater enthusiasm. He had to keep himself from dipping his head and suckling her beckoning nipples. He swirled and twirled the luxurious material around her tips, which were almost purple with erotic swelling, until her arching could bring her no further off the bed. He could not keep bringing her to point of orgasmic release and halting the process, so he decided to bring her the final gratification. He slid the silken torture back to where he now parted her lips to view the swollen nub of her woman’s center. He twisted and rotated the material around the distended bud. Her hips bucked involuntarily,

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and she threw back her head and yelled with ecstatic abandon. He felt a satisfied smile lift the corners of his mouth at the knowledge that he had so much control over such a responsive woman. She breathed heavily as she lay spent from his beautiful torture. “Enough for now, Elizabeth,” he whispered, as he stared down into her flushed face. Leaning down, he placed a chaste kiss upon her parted lips and released the silken straps before straightening to his full height. Taking the sheet, he flapped it open and covered her quivering body. Turning on his heel, he cast one last glance at his beautiful captive before leaving the room and softly closing the door behind him. As he headed for his study across the hall, his thoughts centered on the beauty whose body he wanted to explore. Oh yes, he thought, if she wants information about the Edinburgh murders, she will pay dearly for it.

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Chapter 4 Elizabeth’s dreams were happy and euphoric as she ascended from the fogginess of the dream state in which she had been floating. Her eyelids fluttered open to stare into the golden-hued bedchamber, now awash with the lengthening shadows of objects in the room as late afternoon changed into evening. She obviously had not been alone, for a candle sconce on the side table had been lit rather recently, judging from the height of the candle and the lack of candle drippings. She decided to take a moment to fully appreciate the beauty of the gilded rays of the waning daylight hours as they played off the richly painted walls and upholstered furniture. She thought of the pressing responsibilities that ruled her life on a daily basis. She’d had no say when she was forced to take over the reins of managing two estates at an age when puberty had just begun to blossom, her mother having finally perished from consumption some four years earlier. Their mansion in Berwick had started to fall into disrepair, and Elizabeth’s younger sister, Cassandra, sorely needed motherly guidance from a sister only three years her senior. She had always been a strong individual, fully able to run the household with authority and a no-nonsense attitude, and she made an earnest effort to keep her foolhardy father in line. Although many times Elizabeth had yearned for the strength and protective nature of her older brother Aidan. His disappearance one year earlier had been a great mystery to the family and to the authorities who still investigated his whereabouts. Consequently, Elizabeth had taken up residence with her rather wealthy relatives in London proper, while maintaining the pretense of her own financial stability, for the sake of capturing a husband. She wanted to find an English nobleman, hopefully one that had no prior knowledge of her hardships. A hurried marriage at Greta Green would most certainly foster suspicion, yet she wished to prevent an unwanted inspection of her dower lands, which were in as much disrepair as her father’s mansion. Her father’s title of Baron did entitle her to fraternize with men of a higher station, but her father had frittered away his pride along with his revenue and self-respect. The family had endured the blatant self-destruction of her father, who all but doomed the family to failure with his drunkenness and debauchery. So disinterested was he in the management of the properties that he had washed his hands of everything remotely connected with them, while he remained in a constant state of inebriation. Eventually his imbibing took its toll on the family finances, and Elizabeth was forced to keep only Windmere in operating form while Meadow Bay steadily deteriorated. The now pathetic manor at Meadow Bay, Elizabeth’s dower lands, had been a thriving piece of property before the neglect. No better was the main property which sat along the banks of the River Tweed, only two miles south, just outside the town of Berwick. The picturesque border town of Berwick had changed hands between England and Scotland thirteen times. Adorned with tiny red-roofed houses, pinkish grey

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buildings, and a fine bridge that spanned the Tweed River, it retained its quaintness even amidst the centuries of border disputes. That Berwick was right on the border of England and Scotland suited Elizabeth just fine, since she was a product of both countries. Her father’s lineage was upper-crust British, while her mother was a full-blooded Scot. The breathtaking vista of the surrounding countryside held many happy hours of memories for Elizabeth, and the dilapidated state of disrepair of both proud manors at Meadow Bay and Berwick pained her greatly. Sitting up in the bed, Elizabeth clutched the satin covering to her chin in a futile attempt at modesty. Sliding her legs towards the edge of the massive bed, she threw them over the side and lowered herself to the floor. Wrapping the sheet tightly around her body, she shuffled towards the heavy mahogany door. It was dusk. The shadows elongated, and the sparse candlelight overtook the natural sunlight that had very recently been pouring through the large windows that stretched from floor to ceiling. Gathering her courage, she tiptoed to the door and placed her ear against it. Hearing nothing, she silently opened the door until she could peek around the edge to view the hallway. Candle sconces festooned the hallway, the candlelight flickering with the invisible drafts of the corridor. Thankfully no movement ensued; the hallway was empty. Stealthily she crept with her back flattened against the wall. From somewhere farther down the hall, she heard a muffled conversation of male voices. Silently crossing the hall, she flattened against the wall that bordered the door. Lifting her head towards the muted conversation, she made every effort to make out some portion of the dialogue. “Och, Duncan, dinna be so hard on yourself, lad,” said the pleasant voice of a Scotsman in the next room. “’Tis no your fault that the scoundrels ran off before we could catch them.” “Aye, but I canna lose another person in the clan, let alone any other poor soul, to these sniveling cowards, Angus,” responded a second male voice, this one more baritone than the first. “I’ve been chasing Burke and Hare from Edinburgh to the streets of London and I willna be dissuaded from my mission.” “Verra well, Duncan, but you must take every precaution against putting yourself in danger. Remember that these two are the scum o’ the earth, living in sleazy lodgings somewhere in London. They alone are responsible for more grave robbing and bodysnatching then a body has a right to,” commented the first Scot. “The lure of money from the medical school at Edinburgh was just too great for them. I have come to believe that these two have taken to a new way of getting their bodies, namely murder. Their victims are no doubt the waifs and strays that frequent the streets while begging for food. They probably thought no one would ever miss any of the unfortunates they have disposed of recently. But they didna count on the fact that they would mistake decent lads and lassies for whores and bums. Their final mistake came when they murdered Nell MacDonough, a member of Clan MacGinnis. The bastards will pay for this.” His harsh tone indicated his anger. “I’ve been tailing the two since they departed Scotland, and I intend to keep following them until they return to Edinburgh. I

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canna afford to have them start their shenanigans here in London as well. That’s why I will be following Dr. Robert Knox of the School of Anatomy. I believe that he is benefiting from these body snatchers and their business. Word in Edinburgh is that they’ve named the gory duo the Resurrectionists.” “I wouldna even put it past them to kill a few students if they thought they could get away with it. As long as they produce bodies, they’ll get paid,” added the first Scot. Elizabeth’s head snapped up when she heard this last remark, the horror of the statement hitting much too close to home for her. Her brother Aidan had been a student at the University of Edinburgh one year ago when he suddenly and unexplainably vanished into thin air. Just the thought that her brother could have ended up on a coroner’s slab at the disposal of some lunatic doctor made her stomach heave and her heart pound. The implications were just too gruesome to fathom. The mere idea that this possibility could have transpired was enough to make her retch right there in the hallway. She clapped a hand over her mouth, even as it salivated and her stomach roiled. Stifling her undulating gut, she closed her eyes tightly and tried to relax as she listened to the conversation. Had her poor brother fallen into the clutches of these horrid murderers? If it was at all possible, she was going to eavesdrop on these gentlemen and if necessary follow them all the way back to Scotland. She had her mother’s family to turn to when she returned to the Highlands. Her ruined reputation would demand that she leave England as soon as she left her charming informant. The two conversing Scots had brought back pleasant memories of her time with her mother’s family, as she listened to their lilting brogue. That was until the reality of the gruesome body snatchers caught her unaware. She was now certain that Lord Marston knew much more than he was willing to share. “I must be leaving you, Angus. I have a date with a gorgeous woman, and I wouldna want to be keeping her waiting,” said the deeper-voiced Scot. At the telling sound of clinking glasses, she realized that the two might emerge from the room at any moment, having obviously finished their discussion. Gathering up handfuls of the satin sheet to hoist above her knees, she fairly sprinted across the hall to the relative security of the unoccupied bedroom. It was impossible to leave now, not with her newfound information. She needed to stay a bit longer than anticipated in order to launch a small investigation of her own once she had more time to pump his lordship for details. Once inside the room, she leaned against the closed door in an attempt to catch her breath. She was thankful that Lord Marston had not chosen that moment to saunter back to the bedroom. As she crossed the floor amidst the swishing of satin, she tried to imagine the relationship between the tall, good-looking, English lord and the two Scots. Her mind teemed with thoughts as she sat in the middle of bed. Hurriedly she laid back, covered her torso with the satin sheet, and waited to see if he would return soon. She had just settled into a relaxing position when she heard the rattle of the door handle and feigned sleep. She heard bare feet cross the parquet floor, pad on the carpet, and stop at the table beside the bed. Some sort of metal platter or plate rattled slightly as it was placed upon the table, and then it was quiet.

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After some moments the side of the bed dipped down with the weight of a man. Silence followed, and she waited for him to either speak or attempt to awaken her. Instead he leaned over and kissed her lips in the sweetest of kisses. She inhaled sharply as her body reacted to his nearness, and she reciprocated with a hot open-mouthed kiss. He obviously was pleasantly surprised by her response, for she could feel him smiling against her lips. “Good evening, my beauty,” he said in a silky voice. “I’m glad to see that you’re in an agreeable mood, for I have brought you some food. You must be famished.” He slowly reached down and pulled away the silky covering, leaving her completely nude. She was on the verge of covering herself with her hands when she remembered her mission. This time she did not gasp or cringe, but remained in a seductive pose meant to display her fortitude. “Good. I see that it no longer bothers you to remain in a state of undress before me. It is necessary for the things that we will be doing to each other.” He threw back the napkin and picked up a grape from the bunch. Holding it in front of her lips, he said, “Open up, my lovely, I have plenty for you to sample.” He reached for another piece of fruit. She wondered what he had for her. The man certainly had unusual tastes, judging by their present surroundings. Savoring the taste of the sweet grapes, she dutifully opened for the next morsel of food. This time she was given a small square of cheddar cheese, which went marvelously with the grapes. “Are you not hungry, my lord, or have you already eaten?” she inquired sweetly. His smile was devastating and she almost forgot her question when she looked up at him. “We shall share, my beauty,” he said. And with that, he popped a grape into his own mouth and turned to pick up more items from the tray. Turning back towards her, he positioned a ripe, juicy strawberry just above her lips and waited for her to lift her head off the pillow to grab it from his fingers. She grabbed his hand with hers to insure its position and as she did so she felt a tingling sensation from his warm skin. After she had taken the succulent fruit, she lifted up and playfully suckled his fingers until they were cleaned from the red juice of the strawberry. Her mischievousness must have pleased him, for he granted her with another of his heart stopping smiles. Elizabeth did not have to wonder why this man probably had females lining up for his talents. He was a charmer and extraordinarily handsome, with the manners of a nobleman. He alternated between her mouth and his until the platter was empty. Wiping his hands on the towel, he tossed it aside and stared down at her. His eyes were mesmerizing with their silvery depths and penetrating directness. The strangest feelings tightened her chest and made her stomach flutter, her nipples harden. She felt wetness between her legs, and she happily anticipated the touch of his lips and the feel of his hands upon her body. Instead, he simply stared down, giving her the most peculiar sensation. She let her eyes wander over his face and finally ended up locking gazes with him. Very slowly he dipped his head and kissed her tenderly upon the lips, while his chest remained suspended by his braced arms. She melted as he kissed her, and her lips became soft and yielding. She lifted her head in an effort to deepen the kiss, and slid her

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hands around him until she could stroke his back. After a lengthy and passionate kiss, he rose and slowly unbuttoned his shirt. He unfastened his cufflinks, placing them on the side table, and languorously removed his shirt as he tossed it to the floor. Her eyes drank in the sight of his beautiful torso. His muscles bunched and flexed as he turned to grab another item from the table. She could not keep from staring at his perfect physique. As he turned back towards her, her eyes wandered from his broad shoulders, to his rippling stomach muscles, and back to the prominent chest muscles which rose and fell with each successive breath he took. Her hypnosis ended as she caught sight of the glass goblet filled with a golden liquid that he dangled above her. Cocking her head to one side, her curiosity finally got the better of her. “What is that, my lord?” she asked. “Amber pleasure, my lady,” he responded huskily. “Actually, it’s honey, my sweet.” Leaning farther over her, he tipped the small decanter until the golden liquid poured lazily out of the bottle and trickled down her body. He started with her arms and continued on until he had covered her breasts, stomach and legs with the nectar. After kissing her passionately, he slowly trailed wet kisses along the column of her neck, sending shivers through her entire body. Her head instinctively bent back, granting him access to her throat and shoulders. He obliged by kissing her sensuously under the chin, along her jaw, and down her throat until he reached her breasts, where he began a meticulous routine of licking the amber sweetness off her body. She was submerged in sensations and moaned in satisfaction. It was not until he licked her breasts and nipples that she lost all composure and thrashed about, moaning uncontrollably. Her mind was awash with lust as he suckled her nipples, taking the entire areola in his mouth, and simultaneously fondled the other breast with his hand. At this point she could contain herself no longer and cried out. He slowly moved to lick one arm and then the other until both were clean, spending an inordinate amount of time at crucial areas such as her elbows and wrists. Slowing his progress, he licked delicately at the highly sensitive spots beneath her arms and the tender, yet highly erogenous, area at the sides of her breasts. She shuddered and almost convulsed. He returned to her breasts, kissing each peaking nipple on his way to her sensitive stomach. Elizabeth was almost mindless with frenzied passion as she felt him lick and kiss her stomach, swirling his tongue sensually in her naval until she writhed. She felt the trickle of warm juices flowing from her inner core and moistening her thighs and derriere. Traveling still lower, he licked his way down one creamy thigh, to her knee, and finally to her ankle. Transferring to the other leg, he started at her ankle and made his way upwards towards her most feminine place. She became embarrassed by her state of wetness and attempted to grab his head to halt his obvious target. “No, my lovely, you will enjoy this.” Undeterred by her contortions, he laved the golden hued sweetness from her nether lips. Spreading them with one hand, he concentrated on the hooded nub which already felt swollen and distended from his relentless fondling. He probed her creamy

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receptacle with his inquiring tongue, eagerly lapping at her feminine fluid. Elizabeth tossed her head from side to side, licking her lips in a passionate response to his toying. She gazed curiously at the dark head as it remained between her parted thighs. And then, as he lapped at her swollen nub, one large male finger was inserted into her woman’s orifice. It did not proceed very far, but swirled around the sensitive interior of her virginal cavity. She shuddered and gasped at the intrusion. Fear for her virginity held her still, yet the merciless licking at the bud of her erotic center caused her to bite her lip and wait for the imminent explosion of sensations. “Please, Lucas, please,” she weakly begged. “Please what, my sweet? Just tell me what you want, and I will happily comply,” he answered huskily. In truth, she had no idea what it was that she wanted. She only knew that this sweet torture had to end. She needed relief. Sliding his long body up hers, he lay partially over her with his male hardness securely pressed against her belly. He remained braced upon his elbows yet allowed his chest to press seductively onto her breasts. He lowered his face to within inches of hers and stared beguilingly into her eyes. As had happened before, a strange feeling made her heart flutter and her breath quicken. She parted her lips, panting with sexual excitement. Staring into his eyes intently, she thought she saw a softening of his expression as he gazed down at her. Perhaps she could save her virginity, after all. Although it probably didn’t matter since her reputation was ruined. With each successive encounter they were becoming increasingly more intimate and impassioned. She knew that if she did not tell him the truth, her virginity would very likely be forsaken and gone forever. Just as she was about to open her mouth and talk to him reasonably, he lowered his mouth to kiss her. His hard chest muscles pressed against her breasts, and he ground his rigid member against her, letting her know that he was fully ready. She was powerless to deny him, and she swirled in a heavenly cloud of euphoria. His hands reached above her head to clasp hers in a gentle display of power and possession. His head angled to one side as he deepened the already sensual kiss. They both breathed heavily and trembled from the onslaught of emotions and desire. Elizabeth felt him reach down and unfasten his breeches in what she surmised was the final preparation for his entry into her body. She broke the kiss, as fear and concern overrode her feelings. “What is it, beautiful Elizabeth? I thought you wanted me to dominate you? Your blonde friend told me you preferred to be taken with strength and force.” “You must listen to me, my lord. I am not who you think I am. Let us talk first, please,” she gently implored. “I do not know what Eileen told you, my lord, but I am not the experienced seductress you think I am. I neither asked for you to dominate me nor take me by force. In truth, I’ve never been taken at all.” His head slumped forward, and he pressed his forehead to hers, and very slowly he slid off of her. He handed her the satin sheet and waited until she had positioned herself against the headboard and securely gripped the covering up to her chin. He then positioned himself comfortably on the edge of the bed with one elbow

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resting nonchalantly atop the leg that lay lazily positioned upon the bed. Releasing a huge sigh, he waited. “You already know that my name is Elizabeth Forbes, my lord,” she said. He nodded. “I am from the small town of Berwick,” she said. “My father is of British heritage, while my mother was a Scot.” Oddly, she thought she noticed a slight narrowing of his eyes. She decided to divulge only enough information to ensure his cooperation. There was no need to disclose the embarrassing history of her drunken father and his blatant disregard for his two daughters and their inheritance. “My father thought it best that I stay in London for my coming-out into society. I am staying with relatives. Their mansion at Covent Gardens was where the ball was held last night. I came to London hoping to meet a man with enough income to run my family’s manors. But then my year long quest to find my missing brother overshadowed everything else. Aidan disappeared in Edinburgh one year ago. I beseech you to tell me all that you know of the mysterious murders, my lord.” He slowly nodded his head. Feeling that she was making some headway, she continued. “I am thoroughly confused by the events that took place last night, my lord. You seemed to have arranged the meeting between us, even before I could arrange it. I only just learned from the Bow Street runners that you were the very person I needed to seek out to give me precious information regarding my missing brother.” She stared hopefully at him, hoping to see some understanding in his eyes. “I only arrived in London a day or two before the ball. I’m quite sure this whole sexual fantasy idea is a big misunderstanding, my lord.” A look of skepticism crossed his face. “And what of the little blonde who approached me, my sweet? Did she seek you out of the crowded ballroom in order to arrange a clandestine meeting? A meeting truly arranged by you for the sole purpose of enticing me to pursue you in this naughty little game,” he snapped. Her jaw dropped, and she could feel her eyes widen as realization dawned on her that he thought she was fabricating her story. “I assure you, my lord, her intentions were nothing but dishonorable. She harbors resentment for a past event in Berwick. This is nothing more than her way of paying me back.” Elizabeth’s worst fears were now confirmed. The pieces of the puzzle finally fell into place. Burying her head in her hands, the events of years prior came flooding back, and the memories of Eileen Drummond’s threat to ruin her life. She obviously never forgot the pain and anguish of losing her love, John Selwyn. What better way to ruin a virgin’s reputation than to place her directly into the hands of London’s most infamous rake? Elizabeth had made it easy for her to deliver her retaliation by following her to the study, then allowing Lord Marston to take such liberties. A wicked smile lifted half of his well-formed mouth, and he chuckled almost imperceptibly. Then, the low rumble in his chest erupted into full-blown mirth, and he

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threw back his head in uproarious laughter. As he regained his composure, Elizabeth waited. “I see now that you have always been a siren of the rocks, a nymph of deception, and a temptress of men’s passionate natures,” he replied. “But it matters not. You have agreed to stay with me until I furnish you with information, did you not?” “Yes, my lord, I did.” Her head drooped, accidentally letting the sheet drop low enough to display her heaving bosom. His gaze dropped to her breasts, as he smiled at what he must have thought was an invitation to tease. Moving with panther-like speed, he pinned her against the headboard before she could voice any objection. With his lips but a breath away, he slowly angled his head for another one of his devastating kisses. She threw her arms around his neck and returned his kiss. His surprise was evident by the loud, throaty moan that vibrated through his chest as he crushed her between his body and the unyielding headboard. He finally disengaged their lips from the intimate yet almost oppressive kiss, but stayed nose to nose with her. His breathing was ragged and irregular, and he seemed to be trying to gain some control over his emotions before he spoke. “I will let you have some private time, Elizabeth. There is a quite thoroughly modern water closet at the other end of this room, equipped with a copper tub and bars of soap. A satin robe hangs on a hook on the back of the door. Feel free to use it. I have some needed paperwork that I must return to before we retire for bed.” Leaning towards her, he kissed her lightly on the lips before leaving the room. She thought about his last words, “Before we retire for bed.” She now knew that she had not convinced him of her innocence at all. But her innocence no longer mattered, for tonight she would get the information she had come for.

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Chapter 5 Lucas’s head swam with confusion regarding Elizabeth, and he was torn between the right decision and the decision he would rather make. Leaving the room at that moment was the right decision, for his resolve was slipping with each moment he spent with her. He was captivated by her beauty, attracted to her luscious body, and intrigued by her behavior. He had listened to her story about the blonde who had involved her in this situation as a means of retribution. Truthfully, he had had his doubts about the blonde from the onset, but the tempting game had made it too irresistible to turn down the proposition. He knew she desperately wanted information about the murders in Edinburgh, but he was not ready to reveal everything he knew just yet. He would give her the information in bits and pieces, thereby keeping her by his side until he tired of their game. He was also fairly certain that her brother had met with an unsavory demise at the hands of Dr. Knox, since most of the missing students disappeared around the same time. He needed to tactfully tell her of his probable death. Divulging such tragic news could cause her great heartache and pain. When he made his announcement of this news, their game would undoubtedly end. From the moment he had seen Elizabeth laughing and flirting in the ballroom, he had been fascinated by her looks and lively personality. She had been surrounded by every worthy male in attendance at the ball, and he wanted to have the sole attention of this striking woman all to himself. Consequently, he had been more than happy to accommodate this woman’s wishes to trade information for sexual pleasures. At this point he cared not whether she was a courtesan, a virgin, or a widow. All he knew was that he wanted her. She was bound to find out that his full name was actually Duncan Lucas Marston MacGinnis, and he was the chief and laird to a powerful clan in Scotland. His principle castle of Inveraray stood by the banks of the Awe, in the midst of the picturesque scenery of western Highlands, but Castle MacGinnis was his main base in the Lowlands of Scotland. Perched on a promontory between two burns, the castle retained its regal perch as a stronghold for the powerful Clan MacGinnis. Lucas used his name of Marston from his English earldom. His history with the English started when he had studied for the bar and entered the University of Edinburgh. After being called to the Scottish bar, he was elected a Member of Parliament for the county Eldin. While in the House of Lords he was granted an earldom in England, as well as already being the Seventh Earl of Findlake and the Fourth Earl of Seamore in his homeland of Scotland. He felt proud and humble to represent his fellow Scots as a champion of their rights. Although he took his position in Parliament very seriously, his first obligation had always been and would always be his clan. He chose to use his middle name of Lucas

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while in England, since it sounded distinctly more English and he could easily switch from his Scottish brogue to the lighter English accent on command, having spent an inordinate amount of time in both places. Although he kept his mansion in London for his English duties, he spent most of his time in the Highlands of Scotland governing the people of the Clan MacGinnis. He had only returned to London to follow the infamous duo of Burke and Hare and to guarantee the safety of anyone who had the great misfortune to cross their path in England or Scotland. He simply could not allow them to murder any more unsuspecting victims and have them wind up on the cold slab of Dr. Knox’s anatomy table. Closing the door to his spacious study, his mind had difficulty divorcing itself from thoughts of the curvaceous woman across the hall enough to concentrate on his work at hand. Her story did sound plausible, yet he had trouble envisioning such a vivacious woman as being an untried virgin. Her manners and flirtatious attitude more suggested a woman who had had some experience with men. Yet her genuine depth of emotion when she told the story about her brother had struck a nerve with him, for he needed to be truthful with her. Nonetheless, he was having too much fun to end it just yet. She had rekindled fires in him that he had thought had ceased to exist, and she had awakened emotions that he had not known he possessed. He thoroughly enjoyed the kisses they shared, and her response to him had done nothing but enflame his desires for her. If she really was a highly paid courtesan, then perhaps he would have to offer his entire inheritance to keep her by his side. Yet for the moment he would just enjoy her voluptuous body and keep her all to himself. Memories of her enthusiastic response still confused him, and he second-guessed his decision that she was indeed an innocent. After all, what virgin would writhe and contort, gyrate and moan when being handled and fondled as she had been? She would have been begging for release and cried for mercy if she was indeed an untouched maiden as she claimed. Oh, hell. He would simply keep her and continue as they were doing for the time being, since he could not come up with a rational decision. Yet, even as he sorted through the estate finances and signed required paperwork, his mind wandered to thoughts of the sensuous vixen across the hall, and he found himself rushing through necessary paperwork in an effort to return to her entrancing body. Bargaining with himself in an effort to accomplish some needed work, he reasoned that she deserved some time to herself. He envisioned her submerged to the neck in scented bath water in his copper tub. His expertise with women had long ago taught him that the fairer gender liked to be pampered and that they truly were more easily wooed when they were bathed and perfumed with tantalizing scents. He should leave her to her private bath time, since the outcome would definitely be to his advantage. Two hours later, after a concentrated effort to accomplish a small amount of work, he leaned against the back of his high-back, lion-footed chair and released a sigh of resignation over his inability to completely erase her from his thoughts. He smiled at the idea that a woman could actually be such a distraction from his duties, and he pledged to himself that he would sample this woman’s body, even if he had to divulge all the

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information about Knox and his henchmen. . In the past he had tired of women of the demimonde quite easily, for they rarely held his attention or interest for very long. If they were mediocre lovers, even less. His sexual drive at times seemed insatiable, his expectations too lofty. Never before had he found a woman who possessed all the qualities he sought. Either they were stupendous and tireless lovers in bed, or they had the brains and panache of a well-bred noblewoman, but never both, until now. Unless she was in actuality a trained courtesan who was simply acting out some strange playacting role as a complete innocent, she might be his ideal woman. But if she was indeed who she claimed to be, the implications were astounding. She truly would be the perfect woman rolled up into one beautiful package. Intelligent, gorgeous, sensitive, and sensual--the idea was just too staggering to consider. Lucas strode over to the sidebar and poured himself a generous glass of whiskey. Nothing on earth compared to the near perfection of the amber fire as it raced down his throat and warmed his entire chest. Clutching the crystal tumbler in his hand, he decided to pour another as suitable preparation for the worthy opponent that he would face just across the hall. He sauntered towards the door and slowly turned the richly engraved doorknob with eager anticipation of the coming pleasures. He wanted nothing more than to be pressed up to her sensuous body, caressing her beautiful breasts. The mere notion of the upcoming events brought his erection to astounding hardness. He made a small deviation on the way to his final destination, detouring to the kitchen via the back stairs to give himself time to deflate to a more manageable size. Descending the back stairway leading to the kitchen area, he smiled to himself at the prospect of delighting his stunningly beautiful guest with a sumptuous meal. In the kitchen Lucas found Martha, his rotund cook, cleaning up the dining area to her usual spotless perfection. “Ahem,” he softly said in a low, deep voice. Martha half-turned and broke into a radiant smile at the sight of her attractive employer. “Well, you handsome devil, what are you doing sneaking around the kitchen at this late hour?” she asked. The smile he returned could have melted a younger, weaker woman. But Martha was no spring chicken, and she had become accustomed to his killer smile, which accounted for the numerous times she had tried to elicit one whenever she was in his company. “I’ve come for a late night favor, dear friend,” he cajoled in a velvety tone. “Name it and it’s yours,” she returned as she stroked his cheek in an affectionate gesture. “My lady friend and….” “Ah, so there is a lady up there. But she’s stayed for more than one evening. What is the world coming to, my lord?” she joked. His smirk must have told her that he did not wish to elaborate on the topic of his house guest at this time, for she turned to start dinner. “Say no more your lordship. I will have an intimate dinner for two outside your

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chamber door within the hour,” she said as she started the preparations for the meal. “Thank you for doing this on such short notice, Martha.” He planted a respectful kiss upon her cheek, and then turned towards the stairs. “You are more than welcome,” she answered as she chopped. Smiling, he turned to leave the kitchen. This bit of information was probably killing the old busybody. Perhaps he had better start locking his chamber door in his absence. It would never do for the old woman to peek in and catch his poor guest as she sauntered around his bedchamber naked as the day she was born. Even if she was a lady who practiced the oldest profession on earth, being caught in that predicament could prove to be very embarrassing. Slowly mounting the back staircase, he simply could not stifle a smile. Why was he so damned happy all of the time? He had certainly not had any lack of female bodies in his bed while he made his home in London. His time in Scotland was a different story entirely, since the members of his clan and his immediate family members expected more out of their powerful chief. He was expected to perform with dignity and respectability while searching for his mate. It was understood that the chief of a powerful clan would have a few covert couplings, as was the norm for any healthy male, discreetly done. Yet, he would still need to search out and court a suitable maiden to become his wife. The marriage was then expected to yield an immediate bairn, preferably a boy, to inherit the responsibilities that he would someday pass on to his heir. The problem had been that he had not found a woman he wanted for his wife in either England or Scotland. Finally reaching the bedchamber door, he eagerly pushed open the massive oak door. The chamber was illuminated by dreamy candlelight, which cast a fanciful aura over the large room. But Elizabeth was not there. He strode into the center of the chamber, nostrils flaring, fists clenching and unclenching at his sides, until he noticed the almost imperceptible flutter of the feathery curtains as they moved in the breeze. The balcony. She must have left by way of the balcony railing. He burst out onto the balcony as rage made him lose his composure. Stopping dead in his tracks, he fell silent at the ethereal sight that greeted him. Seated with her back to him, was Elizabeth, auburn locks waving seductively in the wind, satin robe blowing about her, molding itself to her voluptuous body. She stared off pensively into the darkened landscape and had obviously not been disturbed by his unannounced arrival. Releasing a sigh of relief, he sauntered up behind her and could not resist the sudden urge to place his hands on her shoulders. He had actually thought that she had left him. Why had he become so distraught and frenzied with fear? He had never really cared before when his women left his side. In fact, he usually somewhat systematically booted them from his bed after sexual satiation had been achieved. Why should this female be any different from the rest? Why should he care whether she stayed or left? As his strong hands kneaded and caressed her delicate shoulders, her head fell back and a soft, enticing moan erupted from her throat. He felt drawn to her beautiful face, eyes closed, mouth relaxed and lips slightly parted, and he slowly bent to kiss the ruby lips that beckoned him. He kissed her deeply, tongue gently exploring the interior of her soft mouth,

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keeping his head angled for maximum insertion. She slowly reached up and grabbed his hair to pull him closer still to her uplifted face. The bold action delighted and urged him on further. Moving his hands from her silken shoulders, he slid them down inside the robe until they cupped her full breasts. They were round and firm and he took the pointed nipples between his fingers and gently rolled and pinched them. Her mouth opened even wider with muffled moans and mewing sounds. He knew that they had a full hour before the arrival of their meal, so he decided to use the time productively since he had her in a fiercely impassioned state. Breaking the kiss momentarily, he lifted her from the chair and sat down in the spot she had vacated. Her hooded eyes and dewy lips faced him only long enough for him to plop her upon his lap with her back facing his chest. She squirmed and tried in vain to turn towards him, obviously wanting to prolong their kisses and resume the intimate touching. He held her fast with one hand and unbuttoned his shirt with the other, exposing his entire chest. He then slid the satin robe off of her shoulders until it pooled around her hips. She remained calm and unconcerned that she now sat almost totally naked upon his lap. He pulled her until the creamy skin of her back contacted the muscles of his chest. Then he pulled her thighs apart until she straddled his legs and lay totally open to his pleasure. She tensed only initially when placed into this position, but then her body relaxed and her head actually fell back onto his shoulder. Her back arched, making her breasts and nipples jut even farther. He knew she must feel his bulging erection as she sat upon his lap, for his shaft was now painfully engorged and brimming with his seed as it waited patiently against the curve of her sweet buttocks. She sat perched upon his throbbing member, wide-open for his intimate fondling, with her breasts and nipples quivering for his touch. A passing breeze blew over them, making her already pebble-hard nipples even more prominent, and she shivered. She squirmed slightly as if willing him to get on with the game. Able to contain himself no longer, he brought his hands to her hips, where they traveled slowly up her sides, touching lightly upon the sides of her breasts, until they slid around to cup her breasts fully. Elizabeth gasped quietly and writhed as he held her nipples between his thumb and forefingers. Her head moved from side to side as she hissed through her teeth in an obvious state of carnal bliss. He continued the lascivious torture until her moans escalated in level and her body trembled with anticipation. Leaving one hand to fondle her breasts, he glided the other to her nether lips, where his fingers toyed between the slick folds of her mons. She was incredibly wet, her juices dripping profusely from between her legs. She made no move to shield her exposed sex from him, nor did she appear ashamed as she arched her back farther and farther in an effort to keep his fingers firmly clasped upon her nipples. He sensed that she was close to climaxing and would not prolong her torture any longer. He moved his fingers into her soft labia and relentlessly stroked her pleasure nub. Simultaneously he massaged and fondled both breasts with his other hand, until he had her gyrating and twisting in a frenzy of passion and on the precipice of orgasm. Then she pressed her face against his neck and let out a yell of exquisite release. Her body shuddered and convulsed as she spasmed. Eventually, she relaxed and turned sideways to snuggle against the warmth of his

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chest and the security of his arms. She tenderly kissed his neck with dewy lips, the sensation making him shiver with emotion. He pulled up the robe to cover her nakedness and cradled her in his embrace. They rocked and cuddled together, oblivious to time and surroundings. Neither spoke, but seemed content to maintain the peace and enjoy the quiet stillness of the night. They remained this way in silence, hearing only an occasional chirp of a cricket or an incidental breeze as it rustled the leaves of the trees that bordered the terrace. Lucas sat pensively with Elizabeth perched comfortably upon his lap, enveloped in his heat, and blissfully serene. It felt natural to have her in his arms, snuggled against his chest, with her arms latched around his neck as though they belonged there. They fit perfectly together. The tiny rap on his bedchamber door signaling the appearance of their food might have gone unnoticed if it had not been for the absolute silence. Effortlessly he rose, still supporting her in his arms, and strolled back through the fluttering draperies to the inviting and warm glow of the bedchamber. He made his way to a small round dining table, flanked by two delicate dining chairs. Here he deposited her with the utmost gentleness and care, upon one cushioned chair and then smiled at her before heading towards the door. **** Elizabeth gazed up at a breathtaking smile that made her heartbeat quicken and her breathing grow shallow. She watched in awe as he turned and walked with powerful strides towards the door. What on earth was happening to her? Only days ago she had been a distraught young woman with too many responsibilities to shoulder and a dismal future ahead of her in a loveless marriage. Now her whole life had changed into something indescribably wonderful. She had not wanted it to happen, but she was fairly certain that she was falling in love with him. Yet Elizabeth yearned to know Lucas in a more personal way. She wanted to know his friends and be involved with every aspect of his life. She wanted to know what he did for a living and wished to meet his family to learn his past. This about-face took her by surprise, for only a few days ago she had resigned herself to a marriage of convenience. Now she found that her heart ached for a more permanent relationship with this man. She knew in her heart that he would not be an easy man to capture, for he had a reputation of being a womanizer. She even doubted whether he would commit to one woman, he had had such freedom in his life. The feelings she was experiencing were dangerous, for she could easily be the one hurt in this relationship. Relationship--she didn’t even know if that was the appropriate term for what they shared. She knew she wanted to have a permanent relationship with Lucas, she just didn’t know how he felt about all of this. She knew very little about him. Lucas returned with a large tray laden with platters of food. After placing a large globed sconce on the table for light, he placed a platter in front of her. When the heavy silver lid was removed, Elizabeth’s mouth watered and her stomach growled from the

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delicious aromas. “Oh, Lucas, this looks wonderful. Your cook certainly has gone to a great deal of trouble at this late hour. I will have to make a point of thanking her tomorrow--with your permission, of course.” She stared across the table at the roguish smile that had become so familiar. His smile had the ability to make her heart dance with joy and have her trembling. She would trade anything to have these feelings forever. “Of course you can, Elizabeth.” He reached across the table to hold her hand. “But be forewarned, you are probably going to ruin my reputation as a heartless, callous, insensitive man.” He laughed. She returned his smile as she wondered what type of a reputation he had with his staff. “Martha will be ecstatic to finally meet an actual, in-the-flesh female companion of mine. They never really stay around long enough to meet any of my acquaintances.” She smiled back weakly, not knowing if that was a good thing or not. She would not put too much stock into the idea and just go along with the situation as it evolved. As it was, things had improved. She had only been shackled to his bed the very first day, after that she was free to roam wherever she pleased. He had even allowed her a measure of luxury by letting her have some time to herself for bathing and gardening. She watched as he sampled his meal with the polished table manners of royalty. When he looked up and caught her looking at him, he grinned before returning his attention to his food. Picking up her fork, she turned to the culinary work of art before her. If the food tasted half as good as it looked, this was going to be a real treat. She slid the first forkful into her mouth and savored it upon her tongue. The fowl was moist, flavorful, and different from anything she’d ever had before. “What is this marvelous meat, Lucas? And the vegetables are divine, wherever did she find such a recipe?” she asked while devouring the scrumptious morsels. “Ah, this would be my favorite dish, Elizabeth. It would appear that old Martha is trying to make a statement of her own.” He beamed at her. “The duck is cooked with olives, mushrooms, parsley, a bay leaf, and I think sprinkled with thyme and peppercorns. It is then basted in a delightful champagne sauce. She’s added a potato soufflé and parsnip with beans as an accompaniment. And, last but not least, a lemon pudding for dessert,” he said as he lifted yet another silver lid. The room fell silent as the two enjoyed the feast, neither one speaking, yet occasionally glancing up to acknowledge the other with a contented smile. Up until now, they had only been captor and captive to each other. Now they were sharing an intimate meal and precious time together that was usually reserved for lovers or close friends. Could it be that they were becoming one of the two? She picked up the napkin and dabbed daintily at the corners of her mouth. “Lucas, how did you come to possess such an enormous mansion, if you do not mind me asking?” She had seen the size of the domain as she had sat on the terrace. She now watched him closely for any sign that he felt annoyed by her questions. Instead he looked up to answer her. “Not at all,” he said quietly. “I am a member of Parliament. This house is simply a product of my good fortune, Elizabeth. I do retain a few other domiciles; however this is my primary residence in London.”

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Elizabeth leaned her elbows on the table, and rested her head on her hands. She kept her eyes glued to him as if she willed him to continue speaking. He was actually confiding in her about his personal life, so she remained silent, lest she interrupt him and he should stop. She decided to push her luck. “How is it that you remain unmarried, my lord?” she asked. He smiled, reassuring her that he was not offended. “I travel a great deal in my position and am therefore away from London quite often. It seems unfair to take a wife and not be a true husband to her. Quite truthfully, Elizabeth, I haven’t met the right woman yet,” he said softly. That one statement stabbed at her heart and caused her more pain than she could have imagined. She averted her gaze to her hands which were now folded in her lap. She sincerely hoped that her facial expression did not reveal her feelings. What a fool she had been to even dream of a man such as Lucas falling in love with her. He still considered her to be a paid courtesan or some silly young girl bargaining with her body to gain information. And her passionate response to his kisses and touches had done nothing to substantiate her claim of innocence. “What do you know of me other than what I’ve told you, Elizabeth?” His sudden question snapped her from her trance of depression and she raised her head to stare pointedly into his eyes. They sparkled a vibrant deep gray in the candlelight. He truly was the most handsome man she had ever seen in her entire life. Just looking at him across the table caused her heart to thump in her chest and ache with the knowledge that there could never be anything between them. “I heard the young maidens at the ball pointing and staring at you as they commented on how handsome and suave you are.” This last statement elicited an even broader smile from him as he listened. A row of perfect white teeth sparkled with his generous smile. “They also remarked on how they should all keep their distance if they wished to keep their reputations intact, my lord,” she added quietly. His smile faltered only slightly as he nodded. “Yes, well, I seem to have a propensity for beautiful, lustful women, as you well know, lovely Elizabeth.” His voice lowered and his eyes twinkled as he looked at her with no doubt impure thoughts. Disappointment gripped her at the realization that he thought of her only as his bed partner and nothing more. An almost tangible silence cloaked the room, and Elizabeth bowed her head forward in an effort to keep her overpowering disappointment from him. “What is it, Elizabeth? Have I said something to upset you?” he asked, as he leaned forward. “Nothing, my lord. I suppose I’m just tired,” she said. He pushed back from the table, walked behind her chair, and pulled it out as he offered his hand to her. The chivalrous gesture only pained her further as she reflected on the injustice of the situation. Why could she have not met this magnificent man under different circumstances? Why could she have not met him as the young debutante that she truly was? Maybe because she had been looking for a husband and some reliable

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information, while Lucas had only been looking for an invigorating bed mate. She looked up into his partially darkened features as she placed a tender hand upon his chest. His face registered his attentiveness, and his hands cupped her elbows gently. “How long will I be here before you tell me what I want to know, Lucas?” she whispered breathlessly. The question caught him off guard. He did not respond, but stared intently into her eyes. How much she wanted his answer to be forever, but she knew that it would be otherwise. She only wished she could lean up and capture his tender lips to silence him from telling her his real thoughts. “When we are through with our game, and I confide in you,” he answered softly, as he dipped his dark head to brush his lips sensually over hers. “Now we shall retire for the evening. Tomorrow is another day, my beautiful Elizabeth,” he whispered. Leading her to the bed, he slipped the robe from her shoulders and let it fall to her feet, leaving her completely naked. Taking her hand, he helped her into bed and pulled the satin covers over her bare body. He blew out the candle sconce upon the dining table and plunged them into relative darkness. Pale moonlight filtered through the sheer draperies, bathing the front part of the room in a gray that conjured up visions of a fairy princess amidst the finery of the prince’s bedchamber. Elizabeth listened to his booted footsteps as they made their way around to the other side of the bed. His statuesque figure passed by the window and then the rustle of clothing being shed was followed by the thud of two boots as they hit the parquet floor. Lucas’ weight caused the opposite side of the bed to dip as he joined her under the satin covers. Gently he turned her on her right side, laid his arm across her waist, and pulled her back against him. She could feel the heat of his skin and the hairs of his chest upon her back. His legs came up behind hers, and his warm breath radiated on her neck. “Good night, my beauty. Tomorrow I shall have you many times,” he murmured. If only ‘have’ meant as a wife, she thought as she drifted off into a troubled slumber.

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Chapter 6 Morning greeted Elizabeth with golden beams of sunshine that radiated through the huge windows and sheer drapes to slash across the bed. So bright was the light that it illuminated everything in the room and caused Elizabeth to shield her sleepy eyes from the onslaught of dazzling brilliance. Stretching like a contented feline, she turned her head to Lucas’ side of the bed only to be welcomed by an empty pillow and an indented mattress signaling his departure. She listened intently for the splashing of water or the hum of hushed voices, but heard nothing other than the breeze as it swept through the open terrace doors and fluttered the draperies. She put on her satin robe and made her way to the bedchamber door. She half expected it to be locked, preventing her departure, but to her delight the ornate door handle turned with ease. Poking her head out, she scanned the hall first one way and then the other. It was absent of any human occupants. After a moment of careful thought, Elizabeth stepped out into the hallway, intent on doing a little snooping. She stopped at the doorway where she had heard the two Scots discussing the murdering duo the past evening. She tapped softly, but got no response. Turning the huge doorknob, she quietly pushed until she could peer into the room. It was a large study, and as luck would have it, no one was about. Stepping inside, she scanned the room as she closed the door behind her. The room had a distinctly male feel to it, starting with the gigantic mahogany desk that was the centerpiece for the entire room. Before the desk sat two, leather wingback chairs. A leather couch sat against one wall, and bookshelves lined two sides of the room. Directly behind the massive desk were two rather large windows, outfitted with heavy burgundy brocade draperies. Most of the floor was covered with an expansive Persian rug of burgundy. Behind her, against the wall, sat a small mahogany bar, complete with a glass pitcher filled with a golden liquid and several tumblers. On the desk, documents were neatly stacked into several piles, and a quill pen sat in its receptacle. As much as she wanted to sift through the paperwork out of curiosity, she decided not to tempt fate. Lord knew she was already in enough trouble. She was about to leave when something caught her eye--a note from the authorities in Edinburgh alerting someone by the name of Lord MacGinnis to guard his clan well and beware of two intruders by the name of Burke and Hare who might possibly come to his castle looking for work. The people of his clan should be vigilant and beware of these two since they were murderers of many in Edinburgh. The authorities would offer a reward to anyone who turned them in. Elizabeth stared in disbelief at the missive, and then pushed it under the pile where it had been. She turned on her heel, and left the room as quietly as she had

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entered. Who was this Lord MacGinnis and what did he have to do with Lucas? Perhaps the two Scotsmen had brought the letter with them? Back in the hallway, she went past her bedchamber to investigate the other end of the hall. At the end she discovered a narrow staircase leading downward, twisting in a spiral fashion. Slowly she padded down the single flight of stairs in her bare feet, grasping the satin robe about her body. The further she descended, the more she could make out sounds of a kitchen below, as dishes and glasses clinked. The delicious aroma of fresh-baked bread and savory breakfast items rose to tantalize her grumbling stomach. She couldn’t imagine why she was so ravenous after devouring such a sumptuous meal with Lucas last night. Yet she was in fact extremely hungry. As she reached the bottom step, she had a sideways view of a rather stout woman who appeared to be clearing dishes from the table nearby. As she sensed someone in the room, her head whipped around to face Elizabeth, and a huge smile erupted and broadened into a full-fledged grin. Elizabeth returned the smile. “Good morning, miss,” said the jolly woman, and she winked at Elizabeth. Why she had been greeted with such polite respect? After all, she now stood before this woman in nothing more than a satin robe in the early morning hours. She would have expected her to greet her with anything but niceties in this shameful situation. “My name is Martha, and I’m the chief cook and servant around here.” Elizabeth decided to introduce herself using her real name, the consequences be damned. “I’m very happy to meet you, Martha. My name is Elizabeth Forbes, and you’ll have to excuse my appearance but I believe Lu ... his lordship has forgotten to leave me with some presentable clothing this morning.” “Not to worry, miss. I’m just thrilled to finally meet one of his lordship’s lady friends in the flesh. I’d started to worry about that handsome devil lately, I had. Seems he never keeps company with the same lady twice, and in my estimation, if a lady never meets the household staff, then she’s gone by daylight, never to return.” Elizabeth found herself having to stifle a giggle at this last comment. Interesting choice of words Martha had used. Handsome devil? She’d much prefer to call him a handsome angel, remembering the wonderful things he’d done to her and the feelings she now held for him. “You are quite a gorgeous young woman, if you don’t mind me saying so, miss,” Martha said. “Thank you very much,” she returned, as she could feel her face taking on a rosy blush. “Please sit at the table, Elizabeth, and I’ll put some food out for your choosing.” Elizabeth sat down and watched as the older woman whirled around the kitchen with speed and efficiency, and then placed the breakfast dishes on the table in front of Elizabeth. She was astounded at the enormous selection and the speed with which the food appeared. There was oatmeal and sweet cream, smoked herring, sausages, and three kinds of freshly baked bread, judging from the rising steam and the heavenly aroma. Next to these she placed butter, honey, orange marmalade, and jams made from raspberries, cherries, and apples. Finally, Martha placed a large platter of eggs Florentine

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in front of Elizabeth, as well as a freshly brewed pot of tea. “This all looks so marvelous, Martha. This can’t be for just me. Has his lordship eaten yet? Perhaps I should save him some, or better yet, wait for him.” Martha turned around and let go a huge belly laugh. “He should be getting a whiff of this any minute now, then the two of you can share breakfast together, just as you shared dinner,” she managed to say between guffaws. Elizabeth felt her face flush with pink at the thought that Martha knew she had spent the night in Lucas’ bedchamber. What must she think of her? Probably that she was just another courtesan spending the evening with her master. “That reminds me, Martha, I’ve been meaning to thank you for the truly superb meal you prepared for us on such short notice last night. It definitely was a culinary miracle. I’ve never tasted anything so wonderful!” Martha swiveled her head around so that she could speak, even as she continued her chores at the counter. “Unless I miss my mark, and I rarely do, you’ll be enjoying plenty of meals around here, young lovely!” remarked Martha with a smirk on her face. Shaking her head emphatically in a negative gesture, Elizabeth simply could not let the older woman believe that there was anything permanent going on between her and her master. “I believe that you may be mistaken this time, Martha.” She had lowered her voice in dismay. With a twinkle in her eye and a smile plastered on her chubby face, Martha uttered just two words. “We’ll see.” “Are you two having a lovely conversation?” The deep baritone voice brought shivers to Elizabeth’s entire body. Both women’s heads spun around towards the doorway. There, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his broad chest and one booted leg crossed over the other, stood a vision of masculine perfection. A mischievous smile played upon his mouth, his eyelids had a sleepy quality to them, and that stubborn forelock hung down to give him a dangerous yet alluring look. His white shirt hung open at the neck, giving both women a look at the sinewy chest. The tan riding breeches fit snugly enough to give the viewer a hint of the extraordinary endowment of this man. All in all, the sight of Lucas Marston left Elizabeth breathless and flustered. Her heart pounded and fluttered, and her breathing became fast and shallow. If Martha had not been there, Elizabeth would have picked up a napkin to fan herself. Lucas strode over and seated himself opposite Elizabeth, flapping open the napkin as he placed it upon his lap. He graciously spooned contents from various dishes onto his own plate. Elizabeth could not tear her eyes from his face, which displayed a slightly rosy hue from his early morning gallop. She let her eyes wander down to gaze upon his sensual lips as he slid food into his mouth and dabbed the corners of his mouth politely with the napkin. He raised his eyes to meet hers and smiled a warm dimpled smile, looking at her with tenderness. Her heart pounded furiously in her chest and she gasped at being caught in the act of ogling. My God, how could she have missed those beautiful dimples? The

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man was positively devastating with those dimples. She redirected her attention to her own plate before she made a fool out of herself, but she could not enjoy her meal knowing that Lucas sat just across from her. She could feel his eyes on her, but she would not embarrass herself further by looking at him. “Do you ride, Elizabeth?” His voice was low. “Excuse me?” she stammered. “Ride, do you ride horses?” he reiterated, smiling. “Why yes, my lord, I do ride. And quite competently I might add. Why do you ask?” “Good,” he announced. “We shall go for a ride after breakfast. The fresh air will do you some good.” Elizabeth stared blankly at him, not believing what she had heard. What was happening to their relationship? First she was tied to his bed for his sexual pleasures, then they had supped together quaintly, and now he wished to accompany her on a horseback ride. Her confusion was obviously plainly displayed on her face, because he said, “We don’t have to go riding, Elizabeth. I simply thought that it would be a nice deviation from our normal day.” That did it. She simply could not control the red that was no doubt washing over her face. My word, did Martha have any inkling as to what he had been doing to her for days on end? If she didn’t, she probably did now, considering his last statement. She dared a glance in Martha’s direction but the woman had left them completely alone. Meeting his gaze, she gathered her shaken nerves to answer him. “That would be lovely, my lord.” They finished their meal in silence. Only after they had both finished eating and placed their napkins upon the table did he push back his chair to come to her side. Cupping her elbow, he escorted her upstairs and dutifully stood to one side of the bedchamber door as he waited for her to enter. She hesitated momentarily, then opened the door and waited for him to follow. “No, my love. I shall wait in my study until you have finished dressing in the riding habit left on the bed.” That last endearment confused her thoroughly. My love was usually reserved for one’s lover, not one’s concubine. Nonetheless, she smiled sweetly as she lifted her eyes to meet his and held them shamelessly. His hand came up to tenderly caress her cheek as his dark head dipped, allowing his lips to capture hers in a delicately soft kiss that had her quivering. Angling his head, his kiss deepened as he moved his lips over hers. Her hands moved to his chest of their own volition, and she stepped into his embrace. “You taste so good, Elizabeth. I could kiss you all day,” he whispered against her lips. Panting, she realized that she cared not what happened. She had fallen deeply in love with this man. Lucas scooped her up into his arms and carried her into the bedchamber, kicking the huge door shut with his booted foot. Striding easily across the room, he placed her

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gently upon the bed and followed her down until his large frame was fully upon hers. Her satin robe had fluttered open, allowing his clothed body to touch fully her naked one. Her naked breasts, stomach, and hips rubbed sensually against his silk shirt, riding breeches, and boots. He continued his relentless attention to her mouth, as his powerful body kept her firmly pressed into the bed. His tongue ravished her mouth as he turned his head first one way and then the other. His hand softly caressed her shoulder, sending shivers up and down her body, and then stroked the sides of her neck and her throat, making her moan into his mouth. Her hands roamed his back, savoring the feeling of his muscles through the thin material of his shirt. His lips pulled away and he stared down. His breathing was ragged as he tried to compose himself. “We had best go for our ride, beautiful lady, or we will not see the light at all today.” Rolling off her, he threw the robe over her naked body, smiled seductively at her, and turned towards the door. As the door softly closed, Elizabeth lay completely still on the bed trying to figure out what was happening to her. Her heart and mind were in complete turmoil. She had gone from being a tethered courtesan to a tenderly handled lover. She much preferred his sweetness and attentiveness, yet her doubts about the future shook her to the core. Rising unsteadily, she noticed a riding habit of a daring scarlet in color, probably a very rare imported fabric, judging from her current surroundings. A black beaver hat with a wide rose ribbon adorned with two black plumes sat next to the habit. Looking further she discovered a white laced cravat, two fine tan leather gloves, a pair of hose, a stunning lace corset, and lastly a pair of black Spanish leather half-boots. A tiny tap on the door was a rather shy handmaiden who had been sent by Lucas to help her dress. As the maid helped her into the finery, she contemplated the reasoning behind Lucas’ latest round of strange behavior. His whole demeanor and attitude had seemed to change regarding her. She vowed not to linger too long on the reasons behind it, lest this dream might come to an end. When she was completely dressed, she walked over to the desk and penned her aunt yet another note. This would be her third letter of lies, yet somehow she felt no dishonesty at having to fib about her whereabouts. It would serve no purpose to divulge her situation or companion to her aunt. Folding the paper in half, she turned to the maid and asked for directions to the main foyer of the house. “Oui, mademoiselle, turn left when you leave these room. Then go down le grand staircase, monsieur will be waiting there for you.” She thanked the maid with a curtsy and a smile, and then headed in the indicated direction. “It ‘as been my pleasure, mademoiselle,” responded the petite female as she made a sweeping curtsy in return. “Comment vous appelez vous, s’il vous plait?” asked Elizabeth. “Je m’appelle Monique, mademoiselle,” responded the beaming maid. While walking down the hall towards the foyer, at the same place she had eavesdropped before, she heard the distinctive voices of the Scotsmen carrying on an animated conversation.

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“Duncan, we canna wait. We must make our move swiftly, sir,” voiced the quieter man. Elizabeth paused, her ear pressed against the door as she listened to the conversation unfolding on the other side of the door. They must be discussing matters that could aid her in her search for Aidan. Carefully glancing up and down the hallway, she decided that it was safe enough to stop and listen for a moment. “We must depart this verra eve, if we are to keep up with the bastards that murdered our kin,” declared the angry male voice. “I agree Angus, we canna waste time, yet I have not finished what I have started here,” said the deeper voiced Scot. Elizabeth placed both palms flat against the ornate door as she pressed her ear securely against the surface. She heard the telltale click of the door latch as it gave way, allowing the door to sweep open into the spacious room. Before she could catch her balance, Elizabeth found herself falling face first onto the Persian carpet, her hands instinctively cushioning her fall. Raising her eyes upwards, she was confronted by two pairs of boots. One pair she recognized as being Lucas’ black hessians. The other pair was attached to a rather hairy pair of legs, which upon further inspection led to a kilt. Elizabeth averted her eyes downward before she could get an eyeful of whatever lay beneath the mysterious Scotsman’s traditional garb. “Elizabeth, whatever are you doing here? We were supposed to meet in the foyer in a few minutes for our morning ride.” Lucas bent on one knee to assist her to her feet, before casting a suspicious glance at the only other occupant in the room. “Pardon me, my lord.” As she was helped to her feet, she stared from one man to the next in confusion. “I could have sworn that there was another voice in this room as I passed by, my lord.” Lucas’ eyes widened momentarily before he replied. “’Tis just Angus and me in here alone discussing very important business.” Turning towards the obviously flustered Scotsman, Lucas made a sweeping arm gesture towards Elizabeth. “Angus, allow me to introduce to you Miss Elizabeth Forbes of Berwick. Elizabeth, this is Angus MacKenzie of the Clan MacGinnis in Scotland. He is staying with me for a few days while we go over some pressing matters of mutual interest. And as you can see, he favors the forbidden Highland kilt, rather than trousers.” Elizabeth peered up into the ruddy face of the Scotsman who stood much taller than she, yet not at an equal height with the towering Lucas. His red hair displayed his heritage, as did the scruffy beard and mustache that adorned his weathered face. A crinkled complexion attested to the fact that this man had had a hard life. His smile widened as he offered her his calloused hand. “Pleased to make your acquaintance, lassie.” He bowed respectfully. “I’m simply trying to retain some sense of Scottish pride, is all lass. Between the Dress Act and the Disarming Act, there’s little identity left for us Scots now.” She clasped his hand in a return shake and smiled up sweetly into his genuine features. “That’s all right, Angus, I understand, I really do. My mother’s family is from Scotland, and I know the fierce pride of the Scots and what they hold dear.” She offered him a compassionate smile that seemed to soften him.

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“We’d better be on our way, Elizabeth. Angus and I can finish our discussion after we return from our ride.” He grasped her elbow and escorted her towards the door. As they departed the room, Elizabeth glanced up at Lucas and thought she caught a small wink directed at the Scotsman. “I’m pleased to have made your acquaintance, Angus,” Elizabeth said as she peered around the already closing door. “Likewise, lass.” The reply was muffled by the barrier between them. Arm in arm they walked down the long hallway that led to the foyer of the mansion. As they neared the end of the hall, her eyes widened at the sight before her. The foyer was twice the size of any room in either of her father’s houses. The stairway was magnificent as it spiraled to the bottom of the room. As she made her way down, she ventured a glance at Lucas, only to be caught in the act. The smile on his face suggested that he was quite pleased with what he saw in her expression. She returned his smile and tightened her hold on his arm. Together they walked out the main doorway into the dazzling sunlight of a perfect day. The crisp morning air displayed their breath and caused them to huddle closer together on their journey to the stable. The barn came into view, and the enormity and elegance of the building surprised Elizabeth. Her first thought was that Lucas’ horses lived much more lavishly than her own family did. Stealing a sideways glance at Lucas earned her another heart-stopping smile. The man was too good to be true, with his fabulous mansion, gigantic estate, and enormous stable. That didn’t even touch upon the fact that he was truly handsome with a pleasing temperament and the refined manners of the king of England. As they entered the slightly darkened interior, Elizabeth’s senses were assaulted by the familiar scent of sweet hay and the clean smell of horseflesh and liniment. Several horses nickered and snorted as they passed by many stalls, each with its own set of elaborate brass railings. As they neared the end of the stable, a man’s voice addressed Lucas, “I’m in Zeus’ stall, my lord.” Lucas peered over the side of the stall and smiled at the sight of a groom curry combing and brushing a magnificent black stallion. “Ah, I see that you have him ready for our second ride of the morning, Benson.” The man stopped his brushing to stare up at Lucas with a questioning expression upon his face. “Miss Forbes wishes to ride one of our better pieces of horseflesh this morning,” he said. Benson turned to Elizabeth, who could barely see over the top of the stall. He smiled and bent his head in a respectful gesture. “Pleased to meet you, miss. I believe that Willow would be the perfect mount for a petite lady like you,” Lucas turned her around and crossed the huge main aisle to the other side and peered inside, all the while keeping his arm secured affectionately around her waist. “She has quite a pleasant temperament and is a rather docile mount, Elizabeth,” he purred as he looked down suggestively into her upturned eyes.

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“I can handle more than you think,” she shot back in good-natured retaliation. She found it difficult to tear her eyes away from his face. Benson unlatched Zeus’ stable door and led the huge beast to Lucas, who grabbed hold of the reins. Benson then went in to saddle her horse. In a few minutes, he was leading the graceful chestnut mare to the waiting mounting block. A sidesaddle sat astride the mare’s back, which gave Elizabeth a pang of jealousy at the thought that more than one lady had ridden with Lucas. She wondered if this was all part of his wooing process, or part of his practiced seduction of innocent females. Either way, she would be thankful for the time spent together. Her heart thumped excitedly at the thought of being alone with him without the confines of a bedroom or watchful eyes. She was free to be herself in front of him and perhaps learn even more about his mysterious life, of which she wanted so desperately to be a part. And perhaps she could get him to confide in her about the murderous duo he chased. She now knew that Lucas had a direct connection to the Scotsman and the investigation of the murders. As she neared the mounting block, she was forcibly grasped by the waist and hauled up against Lucas’ chest. She stared up wide-eyed into his determined gaze only a minute before he leaned down to kiss her passionately upon the lips. So caught off guard was she, that she had no time to reciprocate. The intense kiss ended abruptly, and she was lifted with ease into his powerful arms and placed upon the back of the waiting horse. She licked her lips, wanting to savor each gift she received from him, and watched with interest as he swung with very little effort into the saddle of his snorting steed. She would never tire of the fluid motion of his muscular body. “Ready?” he asked huskily. Elizabeth was more than ready. The more time she spent with him, the more her heart became irrevocably entangled with the love she felt for him. He guided his horse towards the stable door, and Elizabeth followed along until they were outside, where she moved alongside him. Her leg accidentally brushed against his, and her heart fluttered with excitement. He gave no indication that the contact had flustered him. Instead, he sat regally upon his horse, taking in the extraordinary beauty of the surrounding countryside. Elizabeth was awed by the breathtaking views of the rolling pastures and tree-lined countryside. Off in the distance, she could see grazing thoroughbreds. “Where did you purchase your horses, Lucas?” she asked above the clopping of horse hooves. “What makes you think I bought them, Elizabeth?” “Most people buy their horses from Tattersall’s Horse Auction, I’ve been told. If I’m mistaken, I’m very sorry.” “You’re quite right that most horse owners buy from Tattersall’s, but I’m not most owners. I have such fine horseflesh that buyers come to me for a sale,” he said with pride in his voice. “Shall we canter for awhile, Elizabeth? I have a picnic spot picked out if you’ll simply follow me.” Gathering the reins in his hands, he kicked the stallion into a rocking canter that brought instant dust clouds billowing behind his retreating figure. Elizabeth kicked the

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mare, and settled into the rocking motion of the thoroughbred’s gait. In no time at all she came up side by side with the black stallion and glanced at Lucas. The wind whipped his dark hair back, giving her a look at his profile. With effort she tore her gaze from his face to enjoy the countryside, which was now bathed in brilliant sunlight and covered by a blue azure sky. The early morning mist had burned away to allow the full glory of the breezy spring day. As the miles passed, Elizabeth wondered just how large Lucas’ land holdings actually were. Mile after mile of green pastures and railed horse fences held contentedly grazing horses. Lucas slowed his steed, and a small weed overgrown path appeared. He turned towards the path, beckoning for her to follow him. She followed behind, unable to see what preceded Lucas on the path. But eventually there materialized a shimmering pond surrounded by trees. Birds warbled and crickets chirped incessantly as Lucas stopped his mount in front of a huge willow tree, whose long branches blew gently in the cooling breeze. “This spot has great significance to me, Elizabeth,” he said in a husky voice. She hoped fervently that it was not the sight of the best sex of his life, for she simply could not bear to hear about any of his lovers. “Your horse was foaled right beneath this tree, hence the name Willow,” he said softly. Her relief was tangible as she expelled a huge breath that she had not even realized that she had been holding. He secured his horse and grabbed a leather pouch attached to his saddle, and then turned and strode towards her, never letting his eyes leave hers. Her heart pounded furiously in her chest, and her body reacted to his nearing presence. She placed her hands upon his broad shoulders, and he gently slid her from the animal’s back and held her close to his body for a few minutes before allowing her feet to finally touch the ground. His head dipped, but this time the kiss was seductive and very erotic. Her arms snaked around his neck, and her lips parted, allowing his tongue to probe the interior of her mouth. She could hear herself moaning as she pulled his head even further down, trying to initiate a deeper kiss. After long minutes of kissing, he lifted his head to look down into her eyes. Moisture clung to his lips, and his expression was one of pleasurable confusion. “I see you have finally accepted me, beautiful Elizabeth.” “More than you will ever know, Lucas,” she returned in a breathless whisper. His smile told her that he had probably misinterpreted her reply and did not fully understand the depth of her feelings for him. At some point before her departure she was going to have to confess her love for him. She simply could not walk out of his life forever without divulging her true feelings for him, whatever the outcome. He retrieved a blanket from the leather pouch, fanned it open, and laid it under the shade of the magnificent willow tree. Then he swept her up into his arms and carried her over to the blanket. Bending on one knee, he gently placed her upon her back, where she looked up into his eyes with open passion. Stretching out his body beside hers, he unbuttoned his shirt to expose that marvelous chest that left her breathless every time she

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saw it. He leaned over her and kissed her with tenderness. As he left her lips, now swollen from his repeated kisses, his lips followed the cords in her neck and remained there while his fingers unbuttoned her riding jacket with dexterity. She sighed and moaned as his hands parted the jacket, and he untied the satin ribbons that laced her corset together. Oddly enough, Elizabeth wished that she was entirely naked at this particular time. How strange to feel this way after all the times she had wished to be clothed instead of stark naked and open to his roaming hands. Right now she sincerely wished that she could shed her clothing with a snap of her fingers, for she was more than ready to have him make love to her fully. Lucas unlaced the corset ribbons and parted the material, exposing her breasts to the breezy air of the warm afternoon. Her nipples hardened, partly because of the breeze and partly because of her desire for his hands upon her body. His lips descended lovingly upon hers, and his fingers caressed and fondled her sensitive skin. She arched her back to encourage more attention to her throbbing nipples. He smiled against her lips and continued his relentless attention to her bosom. She grabbed fistfuls of his shirt in an attempt to bring him closer to her. He took her mouth in another demanding kiss while his free hand lovingly caressed her breasts. Elizabeth had no concern for her maidenhead at this point, for she was fully ready to surrender it and everything she possessed to Lucas. But even though she gyrated wildly in a blatant attempt to encourage him, he would go no further with his touching. It appeared that he only wished to tease and make her mindless with desire, and not to have her here under the shade of the willow tree. He withdrew slightly and peered down into her face, his own expression being one of genuine contentment. As his mouth descended to take her rosy bud into his mouth, he stroked her hair. After a few minutes of gasping breaths and pounding heartbeats, Elizabeth opened her eyes to look into the face of the man who had captured her heart. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him her feelings, but she decided that this was not the right time. Besides, she did not really know what his feelings were for her, and she did not want to ruin the magical aura that enveloped them. His fingers stroked her swollen tips as he moved up to tenderly kiss her lips, then he spoke in hushed tones. “Perhaps we should eat before the day gets away from us.” Buttoning her jacket, she wondered how she would be able to eat anything at all. He emptied the contents of the leather sack upon the blanket for them to divide. There was a loaf of crusty bread, several blocks of cheese, a bottle of dark red wine, and several varieties of fruit. He divided the bounty between them. “Martha has certainly outdone herself this time, don’t you agree, Elizabeth?” He glanced at her with a smile. “It would appear that she still has a message to get across to me and I’m starting to get it now,” he added. A mischievous smile brightened his face. A truly happy mood seemed to have gotten a hold of him. Elizabeth couldn’t help but smile back at his good-natured laughter. She was not certain what message Martha was sending him, but she hoped it was a favorable one for her.

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The two munched contentedly. And as the hours passed, the wine was consumed, and the two of them became more relaxed in each other’s company until they conversed freely. They stayed until the shadows grew long and dusk approached. Lucas remarked that they had spent the entire day together and should be returning to the mansion before darkness descended upon them fully. Regretfully, they gathered the picnic items, stuffed them into the leather pouch, and prepared to leave. Lucas unexpectedly grabbed Elizabeth and trapped her in his powerful embrace. He dipped his head to kiss her tenderly upon the lips. “Today has been unforgettably beautiful, Elizabeth. I hope it has been so for you as well,” he murmured. Releasing her, he gathered the pouch in one hand and her hand in the other and headed towards the fastened horses. Helping her into the sidesaddle, he turned to mount his own steed. Puzzlement rendered Elizabeth speechless, and if Lucas had turned around he no doubt would have been confronted by her gaping mouth and stunned expression. His every movement and gesture seemed to announce that he was courting her in the traditional sense of the word. From his gentlemanly manners to his respectful actions around her, everything confused her to the point of screaming. What was she to think about their relationship and their future together? Was she supposed to think of them as a courting couple? Or was this just a sweet diversion before more sexual games and the ultimate end to their connection? The ride back to the mansion flew by much too quickly for Elizabeth, since she did not want this glorious day to come to an end. Stolen glances and wishful thinking made the ride seem short, but soon the stable came into view. Lucas handed his animal’s reins to the groom and aided Elizabeth from the back of the mare. Gathering up her hand, he walked hand-in-hand back to the main house with Elizabeth in a great deal of turmoil. She was not sure how she was supposed to act in front of the staff. He seemed to not care who saw them walk together as though they were intimate lovers, or perhaps engaged to be married. Her head swam with uncertainty about where this would lead or when it would end. As they ascended the grand staircase, Lucas squeezed her hand affectionately and stopped in front of his bedchamber door without opening it. “We shall dine together this evening, lovely lady. I shall have Monique draw a hot bath for you and help you with this evening’s attire. Everything has already been selected. All you need to do is dress and prepare yourself for a marvelous evening.” He leaned down to place a soft kiss upon her lips. Smiling, he turned and retreated to his study, while she opened the door to the bedchamber but kept her focus riveted on his receding figure. When she entered the room, she was greeted by many flickering candles and sconces. The sound of running water sounded from farther in the chamber, signaling the fact that Monique prepared her bath. She hummed to herself as she undressed and slipped on the satin robe that had been laid across the bed. She snuggled in the rich fabric and wrapped her arms around her body, while her mind wandered to Lucas, who

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had made her dreams come true. Perhaps he had changed his mind about her and had reconsidered his original beliefs of her station in life. Maybe he was ready to accept her as the woman she actually was, a virgin who had fallen in love. Shaking her head to bring herself back to the present, she headed off towards the water closet for a relaxing bath. Monique smiled as she entered and helped her into the steaming water, fragrant with the aroma of roses. Leaning back, Elizabeth submerged herself up to the neck in warm, soothing water and let her mind run wild with thoughts of the man she had come to love so much that her heart ached.

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Chapter 7 Lucas strode to the sidebar and poured himself a stiff glass of whiskey. Nothing on earth could soothe him right now with his emotions in an uproar and his heart beating wildly. Yet soon he would depart for Scotland. How he missed the Highlands, the rolling hills and open pastures, the endless lochs, the craggy coastline being pummeled by crashing waves as picturesque castles loomed on their dramatic cliff-top settings. Or the eerie silence of the windswept moors on a foggy eve. And he couldn’t forget the lush forest trails or the spectacular waterfalls that cascaded amidst flowing heather. He longed to return to his homeland, for he was a Scot at heart and could not remain away from his people or his land for very long. The more he imbibed the more melancholy he became, until he decided that he needed some uplifting company to make him forget his present mood. Thoughts of Elizabeth floated into his mind, and he decided that he needed to see her gorgeous face and voluptuous body as soon as possible. Tossing the whiskey down his throat, he hurried to clean up, adjust his cravat, and put on his jacket. He had had his eveningwear brought to the study prior to his arrival from the afternoon ride with Elizabeth. He wished to allow her more time to herself; therefore he had virtually taken up residence in the study except for sleeping. He hadn’t wanted to be separated from Elizabeth during the nighttime and had therefore slipped into bed with her every night, an arrangement that had suited them both, since they had slept well while wrapped in each other’s embrace. His body hummed with his need to see Elizabeth. He had had enough whiskey to make him acutely aware that he was feeling emotions that he had never felt before, yet he was not inebriated from the drink. Warmth spread through his veins, and his body felt relaxed and ready for the evening. He took in one cleansing breath and then headed for the door. Just as his hand cupped the doorknob, a knock brought his attention back to the present. Swinging the door open, he faced his friend and clan member Angus. “Forgive me Duncan, but I felt that I should tell you right away that Burke and Hare are ready to make their move, sir. Our informants have spotted them preparing to leave the tavern where they’ve been staying.” Concern was clearly etched upon Angus’ face. Lucas’ body shook with a chill that ran up and down his spine. He grasped his upper arms in an effort to ward off the frosty feeling that had settled in his body. If these two were allowed to leave without being followed, who knew what dastardly evils they would commit? It could mean more deaths for anyone unfortunate enough to cross their path. “Come in, dear friend. We shall discuss this further.” His voice was laced with anxiety. Returning to the sidebar, he poured two more glasses of whiskey and offered one

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to his friend. Gratefully accepting the spirits, Angus threw it down his throat with much gusto. He hissed with pleasure. “Och, there’s nothing like a good stiff drink, is there, Duncan?” Angus now had a satisfied smile on his face. “When will we depart to follow the scoundrels?” “I’m not quite sure, Angus,” said Lucas, in pensive thought. “Och, ’tis the auburn-haired beauty, ’tis it not, Duncan? You’ve taken a fancy to her. The whole household is abuzz with talk, sir.” Lucas turned his back to Angus, for he was not yet ready to admit his attraction to the woman. Grasping one hand in the other behind his back, he began a slow, methodical round of pacing, all the while maintaining his silence. “She is a beauty, there’s no denying it! But ye must come with me now while we have a chance to stop the killing. You can return to your courting as soon as we’ve seen these three hanged! They must be stopped now, or there’s no telling how many others may lose their lives to these creatures of death! “ Lucas’ composure cracked abruptly, and his pacing stopped. He could not argue the fact that the murderous duo could inflict much damage if left to their own devices. He took in a huge breath, and then released it slowly. “Very well, Angus. I will dine with my lady guest, and then we shall go to the tavern that these two inhabit. We shall find out when they plan to leave and make our own plans accordingly.” Nodding his approval, Angus rose and strode to the sidebar. “Another for the road?” Angus raised his glass in a salutary gesture towards Lucas. “Of course, old friend, another.” Lucas smiled affectionately. Handing the glass to Angus, he waited patiently for a refill, downed the contents, then clapped Angus on the back and bade him good evening until they met later. As he sauntered down the hall, his mind raced with the horrendous possibilities if he and Angus didn’t put a stop to the senseless slaughter. As he contemplated his destination, he conjured up the image that Elizabeth would present as he entered the dining room. He had picked out her dress and returned her mother’s jewels. The very jewels that he had taken off her body the night he had brought her to his mansion, he now gave back to her this evening. She had told him the significance of the pieces. Descending the grand staircase, he moved towards the main dining room with long, determined strides as his mind reeled alternately between thoughts of her and thoughts of the murderous duo that had to be stopped. Grabbing the handles of the double doors, he swung them open and entered the room. Seated at the small, round dining table was Elizabeth in the midnight blue taffeta gown he had ordered for her. It fit her perfectly, hugging every voluptuous curve of her shapely body. As he walked slowly towards her she rose from her chair to greet him. A beautiful smile lifted her generous mouth, drawing his attention to her lips and tempting him to sample their sweetness. Not being able to resist their lure, he grasped her tiny waist and pulled her against him and then bent his head and kissed her full on the lips until he had had his fill. She sagged against him. His arms wound around her lithe body,

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and he slid his lips seductively over her mouth. A moan escaped as she melted against his body. When he finally disengaged their lips, Elizabeth appeared lost in the moment and had not yet opened her eyes to stare up into his. As he straightened to his full height, his gaze caught on the diamond necklace that twinkled from around her neck and the pendant nestled comfortably into the creamy cleavage. Small diamond studs twinkled on her delicate earlobes. Her luxurious auburn hair was swept up onto her head, with a few cascading curls falling forward alluringly upon one shoulder. He reluctantly released her to grasp her hands as they slid slowly down the front of his dinner jacket. He fought to keep his heart from beating out of his chest and to retain some semblance of gentlemanly manners. He wished only to have an elegant meal with his beautiful lady. His lady, when had he started to think of her in those terms? Probably since they had begun to spend so much time together. Even when he was not with her, she was not far from his thoughts. He had started to consider a future with her, and where she would fit in his life back in Scotland. She had said she had family in Scotland; that would make her adjustment minimal. Bending at the waist slowly, he kissed her hands and gazed into her sparkling blue eyes. Positioning himself behind her chair, he pulled it out slightly indicating that he wished for her to be seated and moved to the chair opposite her. “Would you like to dine now Elizabeth or would you rather talk for awhile?” She smiled back. “I would much rather converse, Lucas. But I fear there is not much left to discuss that we have not already spoken about, except the murders.” Cocking his head to one side, he narrowed his eyes at her. “Whatever do you mean? We’ve only known each other for nigh a week now. I’m sure there are volumes of topics we could engage ourselves in, Elizabeth.” “Ones that you would willingly participate in, my lord?” she asked with raised brows and a naughty smile upon her lips. His heart skipped a beat. Was she knowingly trying to tease him, or was she unaware of her seductive charms? For as he stared at the beautiful sight across the table, he had the overwhelming urge to grab and kiss her until she surrendered to him completely! The flickering candlelight cast an ethereal aura around her oval face, accentuating the delicate complexion of her face, shoulders, and breasts. When she blinked, the movement of her incredibly long lashes sent fluttering shadows across her cheeks. Her lush lips beckoned him to taste of their sweetness, yet he somehow resisted. His eyes traveled down the tendons of her graceful neck to the swell of her breasts that heaved deliciously with each breath. He really could sit here all evening and just stare at her magnificent breasts, so perfect and tempting were they. He wouldn’t even think about clearing off the table and throwing her upon it naked. Funny that he had had the very same idea the first time he had met her in the study. He realized that she had stopped talking and was smiling knowingly at him. “I gather from the way you stare at me that you are pleased with me this evening, my lord?” she asked softly. “More than pleased,” he murmured. As they lapsed into silence, Elizabeth’s

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breasts rose and fell with more intensity. “What do you wish to speak about?” he asked as he poured champagne into the two fluted wine glasses already on the table. “Where were you born?” she asked. Shaking his head slightly to clear his mind of impure thoughts, he finished pouring the wine before he spoke. “Inverawe, Scotland.” “Ah, so you finally admit it was you I heard in the study with Angus, wasn’t it?” she exclaimed. “I think you already know the answer to that, Elizabeth.” he replied softly. He meant to confide to her his heritage, but not the fact that he was a laird. The triumphant smile on Elizabeth’s face faded as she listened. “I was born in Scotland, and I’ve lived here in England a great deal. I am a representative of Scotland in the House of Lords and am therefore privy to the atrocities occurring in Edinburgh.” Finally, the topic was being broached. “Why did you not tell me this at the beginning? I heard you and Angus discussing the murder of students in Edinburgh; could Aidan have been one of them?” Her eagerness for the truth made her eyes widen with anxiety. “How much of that conversation did you actually hear, Elizabeth?” He locked gazes with her while waiting for her reply. “Oh, not much really,” she returned quickly. He really did not want her to know about the probability that her brother had been a victim of the killers. He didn’t want her to be involved in the grisly hunt at all. He also didn’t want her to know that he had been given a detailed list of the missing people and that they numbered up to fifteen already. He would stall the inevitable for tonight in order to enjoy their meal together. Then he would bid her good evening and sneak out with Angus for their investigative work. When the time was right to tell her, he would be there to comfort her. “I will tell you that the murderers are being sought by the authorities in Edinburgh, and they are on the verge of capturing them.” Her face lit up at this news. “I’m pleased to hear that, Lucas. But I must know if my brother was among those murdered by these men. You will be sure to let me know the minute you have any word on the victims?” “You will be the first to know,” he replied with a weak smile. “Now, what else would you like to know?” “Well, I already know why you are not married, but for the life of me I can’t understand how you’ve escaped some deserving woman,” she said with downcast eyes. He was truthfully rather pleased to hear her show some interest in his marital status. Although he was only starting to admit to more than a tremendous physical attraction to her, a small part of him wished that he could be more truthful. Part of him believed her story of being an innocent virgin who was offering her body for needed information, and part of him still believed her to be a paid courtesan. It was more convenient to believe her a highly paid paramour then to have to admit that he had made an incredible mistake and probably had permanently damaged her reputation. Once he and Angus were back on the trail of Burke and Hare, it would be up to

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Elizabeth to turn to the life she wanted to lead. But for some strange reason the thought of her returning to the life of a courtesan left a nagging feeling in his gut. He didn’t want to think of Elizabeth going to the beds of other men. Perhaps he should take her along with him as a permanent bed partner. That way he could ensure that he was her only lover. “Why are you not married yet, beautiful Elizabeth?” he asked. “I’ve already told you Lucas, but I doubt you’d believe me any more this time than you did the last time that I told you.” “Try me,” he returned. Taking in a huge breath, she exhaled with an exaggerated sigh. “My mother perished from consumption four years ago, and my father continued on a self-destructive pattern of drinking and gambling, which unfortunately led to our two properties’ almost total ruination. My younger sister Cassandra needed my guidance, so I became mother, daughter, and estate manager all at once. Our funds were falling dangerously low, so I came to London in search of a suitable husband. I had thought to marry any fine gentleman, even one I did not love. But that was before….” “Before what? What were you about to say, Elizabeth?” he persisted. She diverted her eyes to her empty plate and elegantly arranged place setting. He really was quite curious to hear what she was about to say. He could conjure up any number of endings to that statement, but he much preferred to hear the actual ending from her lips. “Before I met you,” she finished on a whisper. Quiet enveloped the entire room, save an occasional crackle from the adjacent fireplace logs. “Perhaps we had best have our meal now, Elizabeth, for I do have a pressing engagement with Angus later this evening.” Why had he felt it necessary to tell her that he would be with Angus later? Did he actually care if she thought he was with another woman later? Truthfully--yes. In all honesty he didn’t want her thinking the worst of him. Her recent revelation implied that she might also have some growing feelings for him. Did women of the evening have feelings for men they bedded? He had not thought so, but perhaps they occasionally fell in love with their bed partners. “Yes, Lucas, I believe we should eat our meal now,” she whispered, her head bent forward, her eyes not meeting his. Picking up a small bell from the table, he signaled the wait staff to begin the meal. Doors opened, and servants hustled to place several food trays upon the table. In a matter of minutes the entire meal had been placed before them and the line of servants left, bowing submissively from the room. “Would you like me to serve you now, Elizabeth?” he asked quietly. She nodded and he uncovered the silver plates. Braised veal chops with pepper and salt sat amongst a garnishing of mushrooms and thyme. Boiled potatoes and buttered carrots sprinkled with Chervil accompanied the meat selection. A basket with heaping piles of breads and rolls waited beside fresh butter and a selection of jams. Last but not least sat a platter of cherry tarts for dessert. Lucas and Elizabeth dined quietly. They were both in a rather pensive and somber mood. He was not really sure what to make of her last comment. Dare he hope

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that she was developing feelings for him other than lover and bed partner? Did he actually want her to feel more for him than a lover? The meal ended too soon, and Lucas felt compelled to get on with the pressing matter of finding Burke and Hare. Pushing back from the table, chair legs scraping, he regally walked behind Elizabeth and placed his hands upon her bare shoulders. Fire sizzled where his hands touched her creamy skin, and he fought the urge to run his hands down her front and slip them inside the low-cut gown until they cupped her generous breasts. He wanted to fondle her tempting nipples and make her squirm until she begged him to get on with his games. Yet even the simple touch of his hands upon her shoulders resulted in a satisfied sigh from Elizabeth. Her head fell back, and he bent to kiss her lips passionately before rising slowly. “I must leave, my dear. I have urgent business that I have already neglected in order to dine with you. If you tempt me further, I may not make it there at all.” Rising slowly, she placed her hand upon his outstretched arm, and they walked arm-in-arm up the winding staircase toward his bedchamber door. Once there, he opened the portal for her and ushered her inside. “I shall return later. As usual, you and I shall spend the remainder of the evening together.” Bowing, he left and strode across the hall to his study. Upon opening the door, he was not at all surprised to find Angus seated in the leather armchair partaking of a tumbler of whiskey. “Finally, Duncan. I thought not to see you at tall this evening, sir,” ventured a relaxed Angus. “You know me better than that, Angus.” Crossing the room as he spoke, he had already begun to shed his dinner jacket and was stripping out of his elegant trousers. He threw on a solid black shirt and pants. Stepping into black boots and tossing on a blackbrimmed hat, he turned to his accomplice. “Shall we be off, my friend?” He opened the door and stuck his head out far enough to scan both directions of the hallway. He did not want to have to explain himself to Elizabeth yet again. Seeing that the coast was clear, the two hustled down the back stairway and through a darkened kitchen exit. He grabbed a long black cape with a high collar on his way out the door and flung it over his shoulders. Angus had it on good authority that the heartless pair was staying at the Black Swan on Francis Street. Lucas found it disturbing that a heathen pair of derelicts could afford a comfortable inn like the Black Swan. Apparently murder was paying pretty well these days, judging from their accommodations. All the more reason to stop these two from continuing their present method of money making, thought Lucas disgustedly. The two men headed for Victoria Street. Cutting across Howick Place, they continued on to 23 Francis Street, until the welcoming lights of The Black Swann came into view. As they approached the tavern, Lucas scanned its exterior admiringly. The large front windows were cut glass, framed on the inside by cream-colored draperies. Pleasing gray arched woodwork framed the cut glass mahogany front doors as well as the

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generous windows. Gas lamps attached to the front of the building flickered with the chilly night breezes. An expertly lettered sign announced The Black Swan as a place of class and taste rather than one of the seedier establishments of London’s nightly drinking crowd. With the opening of the front door, muffled conversations became louder. Tantalizing smells of the inn’s dinner dishes filled their noses. If Lucas had not already eaten with Elizabeth, he might have been tempted by the succulent scents. Laughter, mostly male, wafted through the air as the conversations mixed with laughter. Clinking glasses and the occasional clatter of a plate resounded even above the conversations. Scanning the room, Lucas thought the inn had some rather fine features. There was hardwood flooring, wood paneled walls, and a beautiful fireplace. A mahogany bar wound its way from the door to the back of the restaurant. Ornate lamp holders gave the inhabitants enough light to consume their meal, yet enough shadowed area to conceal the more elusive occupants. Tables lined the paneled walls, where expensive mirrors gave the feeling of greater size. The décor was dark yet cozy and restful. Making his way to the bar, Lucas caught the eye of a passing bartender with the flash of two gold farthings. The man stopped dead in his tracks and stared pointedly at the shiny pieces of coinage. “Aye mate, what can I get you to relieve you of your money?” Genuine interest made his beady little eyes gleam. Lucas leaned further over the bar so as not to be heard by anyone surrounding him. “Information regarding two men from Edinburgh.” The man pinned him with a stare. “What ’tis it you’d like to know about ’em govner?” A skeptical expression had settled upon his pudgy features. The man was quite a bit shorter than either Lucas or Angus, and had to tip his oversized neck upwards as he spoke. A thick mustache covered most of his top lip, which had more hair than the top of his balding head. “I wish to know if they stay at this inn. And if so, which room?” said Lucas, as he eyed the man. The man did not readily offer any information, but instead stared at the coin lying comfortably in Lucas’ palm. Raising his gaze to meet Lucas’, he said, “Up the back stairs; third door on the right. But I don’t want no trouble govnor, this ’ere is a fine eating establishment.” His fat fingers had securely fastened around the two gold pieces, and he shoved them in his pocket. Lucas turned on his heel and was already heading for the stairs before the man could finish his warning. The speed with which he walked made the black cape fly behind his back like a tremendous batwing. Angus hurried to keep up with his laird. Several curious diners watched inquisitively as the two sped by. Lucas took the stairs two at a time, yet was amazingly quiet for a large man bounding up a set of wooden stairs. Upon reaching the landing, he stopped to survey the hallway. A fine carpet lined the entire extent and would thankfully muffle their footsteps. A few gas lamps created a dim light. Moving silently down the hall, they halted just short of the third door, and Lucas plastered his back to the hallway wall. Turning his head towards Angus, he pressed his lips with his forefinger, then turned and pressed his

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ear to the door. A muffled conversation was already in progress. “Och, William, we best be on our way back to Edinburgh. We’ve had no luck finding victims for Dr. Knox here in London. These people are too fancy for us and would be too easily missed if we killed ’em, don’t you think? We should have stayed in Edinburgh, between the students and the waifs we had a steady supply of bodies for the doctor,” finished the first man. Lucas gritted his teeth in anger and frustration at this casual remark from the coldblooded killer. “I ‘spose your right, but I’m glad we left when we did. I was sick of the scenery in Edinburgh all the same. As soon as we gather enough funds from the School of Anatomy, we can finally take our money and buy ourselves enough land back in Ulster to live like kings,” cackled the second man. The mention of Ulster certainly had Lucas’s attention. Now he knew that the murderers were not even Scottish citizens, but Irish immigrants. “We should never have come here looking for bodies. It ’twas foolish of us to think we could transport the bodies all the way from London to Edinburgh without any problems anyway,” said the first man. “Aye, I agree with you, William. Let’s go downstairs and have a few tankards o’ ale before retiring. If we’re lucky we can get drunk and sleep it off before we leave tomorrow,” answered the other. Before Lucas knew what was happening, heavy boots were pounding across the interior of the room toward the door. Lucas whirled around, brushing past Angus as he raced back down the corridor intent on getting out sight. As he reached the landing, he twisted his head around to locate a safe haven. A previously undetected darkened alcove caught his eye, and, grabbing Angus by the upper arm, he crammed into the tight space with his stunned accomplice. A heavy door slammed seconds later, followed by heavily booted feet that headed for the stairwell next to the alcove. The two pressed their backs against the wall and held their breath. As the pair walked by and descended the stairs, Lucas and Angus breathed a sigh of relief. When the stairway became quiet, the two made their way up the hall and stopped outside the door. Lucas was surprised to find the door unlocked. The two must not have anything of any value. With caution, Lucas opened the door and peered inside. The room was small but elegantly appointed and adequate for an overnight stay. Against the far wall sat a double bed, with wooden headboard against the wall. One small chest of drawers sat on the opposite side of the room. A lone night table sat beside the bed, with a single lighted candle. They entered the room and silently closed the door behind them. They thoroughly searched through drawers and clothing that hung indiscriminately over the back of a chair. A small wooden box that sat upon the chest of drawers caught Lucas’ attention. Opening the lid, he was astounded to find a rather impressive collection of jewelry. The pieces did not really reflect tremendous wealth, yet rather looked like jewelry that

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everyday folk would wear. There were several bracelets, earrings, and quite a few rings. As he sifted through the mound, an interesting ring caught his eye, and he picked it up to inspect it further. Turning it around in his fingers, he noticed that it had a rather curious looking insignia, much like a family crest upon its face. Angus whispered, “Och Duncan, I hear footsteps coming down the hall.” Lucas tossed the ring into his pocket and headed for the window. Throwing it open, he thrust his head past the curtains to survey their escape route. The footsteps moved closer, and Lucas’ heart thumped in his chest. Thankfully, a slanted roof would aid in the escape and prevent them having to jump to the ground. Silently he motioned for Angus to go first. As Angus’ trousers disappeared through the curtains, Lucas cast a quick glance around the room to assure himself that they had not disturbed anything. Slipping through the aperture, he reached up and quietly closed the window to its original position. The curtains fluttered from the inside, showing that someone had entered the room. Lowering himself onto the roof, he made his way cautiously across the slick slate shingles until he reached the edge of the roof. Jumping down to the secluded darkness of the alleyway, he leaned against the wall beside a huffing Angus. “Aye, that was too close for comfort,” he said in a breathy whisper. “I agree, old friend,” returned Lucas softly. “I think we can be relatively certain that these two are going to be on the move back to Edinburgh sometime tomorrow. We’d better head back to my estate and pack our things. Seems we’re going back home, Angus.” Nodding, Angus followed behind Lucas. The two made their way through the darkened alley and entered Francis Street, which was now heavily shrouded with a thick fog that had apparently moved in since they had been in the inn. The eerie mist swirled around them as they silently made their way back to Victoria Street and through the security of Lucas’ gates. **** As soon as the door had closed behind Elizabeth, she breathed a contented sigh and meandered over to the armoire where she somehow managed to undo the buttons and sashes that fastened her gown. Pulling the voluminous fabric over head, she placed it carefully away before discarding her hose and corset. After wrapping herself in the satiny robe, she sat at the dressing table and released her hair until it fell in waves about her shoulders and back. Picking up a brush, she sat in pensive thought as she brushed the thick mane of hair with loving care. Her mind naturally drifted to thoughts of Lucas. Dinner tonight had been the pinnacle of their time together. So attentive had Lucas been this evening she could almost swear that he thoroughly enjoyed her company. She didn’t know what was happening to her lately. For the longer she remained in his presence, the more confused she became. Confused yet in total agreement with the fact that she was now hopelessly in love with him. His recent change in attitude had drawn her towards him even more. She found herself far more interested in his life and more contented with the idea of staying with him forever, if that was his wish. Somehow she needed to broach the subject of women in

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his life, and his marital plans. Even though he professed to be unavailable for wedlock at the present time, she suspected that all he needed was the right woman. And she had every intention of being that right woman. She decided that if he were to commit to her she would sacrifice her virtue just to have him stay with her. She felt that their time together was somehow coming to an end, as she knew it would. Therefore she vowed to make the most of her precious time with Lucas. She would respond to his touch even more than she had in the past, if that was possible. She would snuggle closer to him at night while they slept side by side. And she would discuss all manner of topics with him to demonstrate her intellect. If he thought her nothing more than a beautiful mindless wench, she would have to change his mind about her before it was too late. The hour grew late and she finished brushing her hair. Turning back the covers, she shrugged the robe from her shoulders, and slipped under the sleek covers completely naked. The sensuous feeling caused goose bumps to rise on her skin. Snuggling on her side, she fell into a contented sleep. **** Lucas climbed the main staircase with Angus lumbering by his side. Silently they walked down the long hallway until Angus stopped at the study door, gave a farewell nod and stepped inside, probably for a nightcap before retiring. Lucas, on the other hand, headed directly for his bedchamber door with lightness in his step as he anticipated what lay ahead. Swinging open the heavy door, he stared into the dimness of the bedchamber. Several candles had burned down, leaving only one remaining on the tiny round dining table. One glance at the bedcovers told Lucas that Elizabeth had already retired for the evening. She had her back towards him, for he could see her gloriously bountiful hair radiating out on the pillow like a copper-hued halo. Her even breathing told him that she slept peacefully. Moving towards the armoire, he unbuttoned his shirt and trousers. As he kicked off his boots he was actually relieved that she would not observe his uncharacteristic outfit. He did not want to entertain her questions or heighten her suspicion about his nighttime rendezvous with Angus. After disrobing completely, he slipped beneath the covers behind Elizabeth. He positioned his body in spoon-fashion behind her lithe form and laced his arms around her body. A contented sigh escaped her lips, and her head rolled back to rest on his shoulder. “What a wonderful welcome, my beauty,” he whispered seductively into her ear. Turning her head, with eyes still closed, she offered him her mouth. He brushed his lips against hers in a leisurely kiss that was slow and teasing as he caressed her lips with attentiveness to every part of her mouth. The butterfly-light touch of his mouth upon hers made her lips soften and part willingly to his sweet assault. When his tongue licked the delicate corners she moaned with satisfaction and offered him her all. The kiss deepened and their tongues entwined in a sexual dance. She turned her head more fully towards him, and her hand came up to hold his head for their passion. He touched her sensitive neck with feather-lightness. She displayed her approval by letting her head fall back even farther. His fingers trailed tantalizingly slow and

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delicious strokes from her neck to her breasts. Her nipples were already protruding and pebble-hard. He toyed with both nipples as he massaged and fondled her breasts until he had her writhing. The passion of this woman far exceeded any he had ever had in the past. He had never been given this much enjoyment simply by pleasuring a woman. Elizabeth was so easy to arouse, and her euphoric response so genuine that he doubted her vow of virginity, yet could not accept the idea that she had had many men, either. He would erase all thoughts from his mind tonight, for she had given him free access to her body in exchange for information. Tonight he would simply enjoy the sensual woman in his arms. He gently turned Elizabeth onto her back. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him with total abandon. She moaned unashamedly and plunged her tongue into his mouth in an unmistakable invitation. He lay half atop her, so that his arousal was plainly evident against her hip, yet his upper body was fully upon her. Even though her breasts were pressed beneath his chest, she arched her back as though she yearned for even more closeness. She writhed beneath him, her hips gyrating in an erotic dance. He ground his groin against her hip, and he was fairly certain that she could feel his engorged manhood. His velvet tongue thrust in and out of her mouth in blatant imitation of the coming event. Slowly raising his head, he gazed down at the carnal sight before him. With her face bathed in the golden glow of the candle, eyes closed, lips parted and swollen yet moist from his kisses, Elizabeth was the picture of female bliss. Her hair was a dark auburn corona fanning out around her head, highlighted with strands of gold. Her breathing was deep and slow. Unable to resist the lure of her sweet lips any longer, he dipped his head and kissed them. Her mouth melted against his and became soft and pliable as she moved it gently against his. He moved his free hand slowly from the column of her neck, over the swell of her breast, gliding it over her belly, until it came to rest at the triangle of moistness between her legs. She inhaled sharply. Gently Lucas pushed her thighs apart slightly as he parted her nether lips. She was already wet with her juices and certainly didn’t need any preliminary fondling. Very softly he inserted one large finger into her moist passage. Elizabeth’s hips rose up off the bed as though she willed him to get on with the act. Her moans increased as she nipped at his mouth in a frustrated manner and raked his back with her nails. He needed no more encouragement, for he was on the verge of spending. Mounting her, he slipped between her creamy thighs and positioned his engorged head at the entrance to her womb. Her wetness flowed out and bathed his cock with warm, succulent fluid. He kissed her tenderly as he inserted his tongue into the depths of her mouth. He could feel her aroused nipples through the soft mat of hair on his chest, and he pressed down to pin her to the bed. She roped her arms around his neck and opened her legs wider, letting her moist heated invitation bathe his genitals. As he pushed the swollen head into her passage, he could feel her muscles contracting around his manhood, begging it to enter. Lifting his head slightly, he gazed into her heavily lidded eyes while he plunged to the hilt into her

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welcoming cavity. A tiny “yelp” escaped her lips, as Lucas realized, too late, that she was indeed a virgin. “Bloody Hell!” he rasped, as his jaw dropped and his eyes flew open in shock. Withdrawal was not possible with Elizabeth’s tight sheath enveloping his bulging cock. Her long, graceful legs were linked behind his thighs, and he was powerless to retreat. He did not want to forcibly disengage himself from her for fear that he would hurt her. She closed her eyes and began a rhythmic motion with her hips that milked his hard member. He could feel his resolve slipping and his climax building steadily. Damn, why had it been such a long time since he had had a woman? He was full and ready to burst, and badly in need of sexual release, but not with a virgin! Then his control snapped, defeated by the slow undulating motion of her tight, slick walls. A tremendous wave of sexual pleasure charged through his entire body, and he could hear himself roar as his cock discharged his load with great force. His eruption lasted for several minutes, and he was incapable of movement of any sort. Dropping his head beside hers on the pillow, his chest heaved for gulps of air and his heart thundered in his chest. Minutes passed, and Lucas slumped over the lithe body beneath him as he contemplated what he had just done. He was spent from their coupling, his chest movements slowing with each breath he took, yet he could not lift his head and stare into her eyes. Shame and guilt surged through him and he wondered what she was thinking. When their breathing finally returned to normalcy, he could avoid it no longer and raised his head. Elizabeth stared back with the wide-eyed innocence of a maiden. No expression of pain or rage was mirrored on her face, and she did not yell or scream at him. At a loss for useful words, he said the first thing that popped into his head. “You’d better utilize the water closet, Elizabeth, or you’ll be carrying my bairn before you know it,” he said softly, only then realizing that he had spoken like a Scot. Then rolling off of her gently, he lay on his back as he flung one arm over his eyes. He could feel the mattress sag ever so slightly with her light weight as she headed for the facilities. Closing the door softly, he could hear water running and breathed a sigh of relief that perhaps she would not conceive his child if she removed his seed. He did not want to saddle her with a child before he even knew what the future had in store for them both. He was disgusted with himself for thinking her to be an experienced woman. Whatever the outcome, he would stand by her. **** Elizabeth sank next to the ornate copper tub and leaned her forehead against the edge. She knew that Lucas was upset over their lovemaking. She had heard his anger at the moment of her loss of virginity, but she had no intention of removing his gift to her. She wanted nothing more than to be loved by him and she knew that the consequences of their mating could result in a child. She would not wash away the seed even though she knew that it was not fair to ensnare a man with a child that he did not want, but she did not care. So she let the water run, letting him believe that she had taken care of the situation. A light washing displayed a small amount of blood, which she knew was a

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common occurrence for a virgin. She stopped short of thoroughly cleaning herself, not wanting to remove Lucas’ lovemaking from her body. She would deal with the consequences later, should they arise. When enough time had passed, enough water had been splashed, she emerged from the room cloaked in the satin robe, her arms protectively wrapped around her slight frame. Lucas had not moved from the spot which he had assumed when she left the room. She fully expected him to vent his rage and throw her out of his home. Slipping under the covers, she snuggled into a secure human ball. She knew her time at his estate had come to an end, and she wished to cherish this one last night by his side. “Tomorrow I shall take you home, Elizabeth. Don’t worry; I have a carriage that has not yet had my crest painted upon the door. Your aunt will not question where you have been this week. And for what it is worth, I am sorry.” His voice was low and controlled, yet devoid of any expression. She despised the sudden coldness between them. Only moments before they had shared the ultimate closeness a couple could share, yet now he all but rejected her. She longed to hear him speak sweet phrases to her, longed to have him gaze into her eyes with longing, but everything had changed because of one tiny, thin membrane. Had he listened to her, none of this would have happened. But he had listened to Eileen; that paragon of jealousy, that woman of ruined dreams. Yet she had offered him anything he wanted in exchange for information about Aidan. She had no one to blame but herself. She snuggled into a tighter ball and willed herself to fall asleep. Morning would be bittersweet for Elizabeth.

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Chapter 8 Morning dawned and the situation seemed as hopeless as it had the previous night. Elizabeth had slept little and thought too much. Lucas was not next to her when she finally roused from her fitful sleep. Rolling onto her back, she gazed up at the ornate ceiling with the frieze winding around the perimeter of the room. She thought of never seeing this room again in her lifetime, and sadness threatened to break her composure. She fought back tears that were on the brink of cascading down her cheeks. Rising, she walked aimlessly around the room as her mind sorted through the possible conversations she would share with her Aunt Penelope upon her arrival at the estate. Even though she had penned many messages to her aunt and to Emily, there would no doubt be a barrage of questions to answer. No self-respecting female simply vanished for a week and a half without good cause. She would need to corroborate her story with Emily, just in case her aunt should happen upon her in the shopping district one day soon. Hopefully that had not already occurred. She gazed out the window at the flowering gardens and expansive property. Elizabeth decided that she needed to vacate Lucas’ premises before she made a complete fool out of herself. As best she could, she slid into her chemise and wriggled into her day gown. She wanted nothing more than to be alone at this time. Monique’s help would surely have made this task much easier, but she did not wish to talk to anyone. As she slipped her feet into the bone colored slippers, she knew her time was growing short. She picked up the small brocade valise and placed it upon the bed. She needed nothing more to leave the estate, nothing but the day dress she now wore and her original ball gown. She wanted no reminders of their time together and no reminders of the man she loved beyond words. She smoothed the front of the cream-colored, muslin gown. The dress was quite unique in that it had a lace design that traversed diagonally down the front and was mimicked on the edge of the gown at the floor. It had a modified square neckline that gathered at the bust. Tiny pouf caps led to long straight sleeves of the almost transparent material. The gown was rather sheer, yet it was the most comfortable dress she had ever worn and she simply couldn’t bear to part with it. Besides, she would most certainly cause a commotion if she turned up in front of Aunt Penelope dressed in her ice-blue ball gown after a full week and a half had transpired. Sighing, her eyes scanned the room as if to memorize every feature and peculiarity. How could she have ever believed that there could be anything between her and Lucas? She grabbed the handle of the valise and headed for the door. She made one last sweeping turn as she surveyed the opulent surroundings, before she walked down the hall in a determined stride. Her skirts swished softly as she marched towards the end of her dreams. Longingly she glanced at the door to the study where she had heard the

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conversation about the murders in Edinburgh. She would find another way to confirm Aidan’s death. She had gotten the crucial evidence needed to finish the search. As she reached the top of the grand spiraling staircase, she was unable to see the bottom of the steps due to the tremendous curvature of the sweeping staircase, and glanced instead at the impressive wall adjacent the steps which held portraits of Lucas’ notable relatives. Were all of his relatives dressed in traditional Scottish garb or was it her imagination? She glanced at the regal men, all adorned in tartans. Strong, powerful men, each in their own way; a few having an eerie resemblance to the master of this house. Descending the winding staircase, she held her head high as she made her way towards the bottom and was quite utterly dumbfounded by the throng of staff that lined the foyer. Martha’s beaming face greeted her as she reached the bottom step, and Monique gave a tearful good-bye as she sniffled through an indiscernible French farewell. Several other servants made sweeping gestures, respectful bows, and deeply bent curtsies as she passed, stunning Elizabeth. “Take heart, miss, this is only a temporary set-back,” whispered Martha, as she gave Elizabeth an affectionate hug. As she exited through the grand entry, she stepped down and was faced with a line of servants and stable hands who wished also to display their respect. Confusion must have masked her face, for she did not know what to make of it. Her head inclined towards every person in line as their gazes locked in a very personal farewell. As she finally reached the elegant carriage, she handed her valise to the footman and grasped his hand to steady herself as she ascended the steps into the coach. She had not really expected Lucas to be among these loyal folks, yet she had prayed that she could say her final goodbye in person. Her heart ached with the need to see his face and embrace him one last time. Yet perhaps it was better this way. She had been spared the terrible pain of having to look into those beautiful silver-gray eyes while she yearned to be swept up into his arms. As she settled upon the plush velvet seat, she glanced out the carriage window and offered a smile and a wave to the now furiously waving crowd. The carriage lurched slightly as it moved around the circular drive, and as it did so her eyes caught a slight movement of a curtain in an upper room, but she didn’t get a good look at the viewer. Her neck strained to view the window, until the movement of the carriage made it impossible to continue. It was probably just an errant breeze that had ruffled the curtains, making her imagine that someone was there. Depression and uncertainty warred in her mind, and she found herself unable to enjoy the scenery of the affluent neighborhood. Her gaze slid from the tree-lined streets to her folded hands as they moved nervously in her lap. She mentally rehearsed what she would say to Aunt Penelope upon her return to the Duke of Ravenshire’s estate. Perhaps Emily had already approached Penelope and revealed the truth before she got her message. What if someone had seen her tipsy departure from the party in Lucas’ arms that evening and spread some rather unsavory gossip? Her reputation was already sodden, so she braced herself for the worst. Her stomach churned and her nerves frayed at the thought of the endless

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possibilities that awaited her. She had not really given it much thought since she had been happily immersed in her own little world while secluded at Lucas’ mansion. But now, with the reality of the situation upon her, Elizabeth shook with fear and confusion. The rhythmic clopping of the horse’s hooves soothed her only marginally as she recognized streets and considered the eventual confrontation with her aunt. As the carriage slowed to a stop, she raised her chin and gathered her courage. She could feel the sag of the driver’s weight as he exited the carriage and made his way to the side door. Stoically she waited for him to open the door. Thankfully, no one was there to greet her as she marched up the front walkway to the magnificent entryway of the palatial manor. The door swung open, releasing the cool air of the immense foyer from within. “Miss Forbes,” said Arthur the butler in a truly monotone welcome, indicative of a man too long at his job. Inclining his head slightly, he neither made eye contact nor offered his hand in genuine greeting. Elizabeth sashayed by with swishing skirts as she ignored his usual rude countenance. “Good day, Arthur. And what a lovely day it is,” she bubbled with dulcet sweetness. She often responded to him with enhanced pleasantries, simply because she knew it annoyed him. As she reached the center of the foyer, she was startled by footsteps and yelling that originated from beyond the doorway. Before she knew what was happening, her aunt had bolted around the corner and was darting across the marble floor headed directly for her. The two met in a crush of satin and muslin as her aunt laced her arms around the astounded girl. “Oh Elizabeth, my darling, where have you been?” squealed her aunt as she hugged her close. “Why, Aunt Penelope, you know very well I’ve been by Emily’s side,” mumbled Elizabeth, feeling the sting of the lie. “Well, I know that, my dear, but I’ve missed you just the same, sweetheart.” Elizabeth truly did feel loved as she was showered with kisses over her face, forehead, and neck. Her aunt had always held a special place in her heart and in fact had been more involved with her life in the last few years since her own mother had perished. Aunt Penelope escorted Elizabeth through the foyer arches to the parlor. “Tea, my dear?” she asked. She stood before the double-pedestal mahogany sideboard and had already begun to pour from the sterling silver teapot. She walked cautiously as she balanced two tiny china cups and saucers until she could hand one to Elizabeth. “I say, you’ve created quite a miniature scandal around here, my dear,” she said and returned to the sideboard to fetch a plate laden with little crustless sandwiches and an assortment of crumpets. Stunned by the statement, Elizabeth fumbled with the hot liquid and almost dropped the cup and saucer in her lap as she stared suspiciously at her aunt. “Whatever do you mean, scandal, Aunt Penelope?” she asked cautiously. Whirling around with the platter in tow, her aunt locked gazes with her. “You left quite a few young men heartbroken and distraught when you disappeared to tend to

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Emily, you know? In fact, the evening of the ball your dance card was completely filled.” Elizabeth quietly studied the finely crafted Royal Worcester cup as she raised it to her lips and sipped at the steaming tea. Attempting to maintain an air of ambivalence with regards to her sudden disappearance, she sipped as she glanced at her aunt over the rim of the cup. Her aunt, who had finally seated herself upon an elegantly tufted chair with extensively carved wooden arms, glanced back expectantly. Choosing her words carefully, she said, “Truthfully, I had not even given it a thought, so absorbed in Emily’s convalescing was I. I am sorry, of course, that I couldn’t have stayed and met a great many of the eligible bachelors present that evening.” The instant the untruth left her lips it left a bad taste in her mouth. Lying to her aunt all but made her gag. She no more wanted to meet eligible bachelors than she wanted to marry Reginald Wainscot. She had found the man of her dreams, and he had walked back out of her life as quickly as he had strolled in. “Why, Arthur just yesterday dispensed with the mountain of dying bouquets that festooned the entire parlor.” At this point her aunt eyed her hopefully while awaiting a response to her statement. “Flowers? I didn’t think I’d receive any flowers since I left the ball at such an early hour. I would have left Emily’s sooner had I thought there were going to be any suitors showing interest in me,” she fibbed. “Yes, well, I’m sure it couldn’t be helped, dear. I’m certain Emily will forever be grateful for your nursing her back to health. By the way, what was her problem, dear? I don’t believe you’ve mentioned it?” A sudden coughing fit ensued, Elizabeth having accidentally swallowed her tea down the wrong pipe as her mind raced. Meanwhile, her aunt deposited her own cup on a nearby table and raced to her side to pound on her back in an effort to help her breath. Waving her hand as if to signal surrender, she offered a weak smile as her coughing finally subsided. Clearing her throat and inhaling deeply, she could avoid the pointed question no longer. “She ... ah ... had an awful stomach ache, Aunt Penelope. She was vomiting all over an upstairs bedroom, that’s why I had to speed her down one of the back staircases. It’s no wonder no one saw me leave, I couldn’t let anyone see the poor girl in her sorry condition.” She punctuated her pitiful story with a mournful expression and downcast eyes. “Must have been something she ate earlier. Or perhaps it was one of those dreadful illnesses that comes on suddenly and renders one incapable of keeping one’s food down.” At this point Elizabeth had elicited a wide-eyed expression of concern, followed by a more melancholy look. She was quite certain at this point that she had her aunt convinced of Emily’s illness. “And the poor girl suffered thusly for an entire week, Elizabeth. My, my, if I had known of the seriousness of her illness, I would have sent Dr. Stearns to tend to her,” she returned, her eyes wide with genuine concern. “No, no, Aunt Penelope, I really don’t think the illness warranted Dr. Stearn’s attention. I was fully able to attend to all her needs ... really.” This untruth was

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beginning to turn into a gargantuan whopper, and Elizabeth wondered if she would ever be able to survive the repercussions of telling such a huge lie. “No harm done, Aunt Penelope, really! Oh, do let’s change the subject since Emily’s condition is truly ancient history.” The last thing she wanted was for her aunt to become fixated on the matter and follow through with an inquiry into Emily’s present state of health. “I’ve been giving it some thought, Aunt Penelope, and since I’ve already made a mess of my coming-out, I thought I might as well go and visit my mother’s family in Scotland.” The horror in her aunt’s expression told her this was not going to be an easy option. “Why ever would you choose to leave London right now, Elizabeth? I mean, there are literally hordes of available men just waiting for your return, even now,” she sputtered as she gestured wildly. “I simply feel that I’ve already alienated a good portion of the male population here. It might be better if I just left for a while,” she said in a subdued voice. “Besides, I’m feeling a little lonely for my mother. I thought that perhaps a trip to Scotland might do me some good. Please, Aunt Penelope, say you’ll come with me to Scotland. You know you want to!” she begged. The mere thought of facing Lucas brought an instant case of stomach cramps and sweaty palms. If they had parted on amiable terms, her attitude would be quite the opposite. If she thought for one moment that a single shred of hope remained that they might have a relationship, she would remain in London. But under the circumstances, the prudent thing to do was to leave the country. “Elizabeth, you know neither your present situation nor the family finances will improve while you run away to Scotland, dear. What do you hope to gain by doing this?” Lifting her eyes to meet her aunt’s, she longed to confide in the woman, yet could not. “I cannot abandon my search for answers to Aidan’s disappearance, Aunt Penelope.” There it was, the truth was finally out. Her aunt nodded knowingly, as if her concerns had finally been confirmed. “I thought as much, my dear. Why then did you drag me all the way to London when you really wanted to continue this quest of yours?” The compassion in her voice and the genuine concern in her eyes made Elizabeth tear up. Rushing over to her aunt, she folded her in her arms and hugged her closely. “I’m so sorry, Aunt Penelope. I need to end the mystery surrounding Aidan’s disappearance, or it will forever haunt me. Perhaps it is all for the best. Maybe my future husband is truly a Scot?” Even as she said this, despair threatened to crush her. For her love was a Scot and her lost virtue would almost certainly doom her to a life of solitude as an old maid. “I’m really quite tired, Aunt Penelope. I think I’ll go rest awhile before lunch. Somehow things will work out for us, Aunt Penelope. You’ll see.” Releasing her aunt, she turned and headed for the staircase. As she ascended, her mind digressed to reflect how much her life had changed in only a week and a half. In that short span of time she had fallen completely in love, lost her maidenhead, and taken herself out of the marriage mart. Magnificent works of art lined the hallways, some worthy of gallery notoriety.

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Yet riches and prestige no longer mattered to her. Her affairs of the heart had given her a lesson in the emotion of love. Her life would be forever changed by her association with Lord Lucas Marston. Flopping onto the bed, she wept as she buried her face in her folded arms. She had lost three of the most important people in her life recently. Her mother, Aidan, and now Lucas. The only way to stop the pain was to distance herself from Lucas and maintain her vigilant investigation into her brother’s possible murder. Both endeavors were going to take every once of fortitude she possessed, and more.

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Chapter 9 Pacing incessantly only served to heighten Lucas’ mounting frustration. His boots thudded rhythmically upon the heavily carpeted floor as he marched from one side of the room to the other. Why had he let her go? If only he had spoken to her civilly the morning after their lovemaking. Instead, he had remained quiet, leading her to believe she was unwanted, no doubt fostering her feelings of unworthiness and guilt. Nothing could be further from the truth. If he had not been such an ass, he would have professed his love for her as he had taken her that evening. Yet the shock of the situation prevented him from uttering anything even close to courteous. The reality of his stupidity in not believing her story only deepened his disgrace. He had allowed her to return to her aunt’s estate, knowing there was nothing he could do to alleviate her embarrassment short of proposing marriage. That option had crossed his mind, yet he had delayed it, fearing her immediate refusal. Dreading her departure, he had planted one of his trusted men on the outskirts of the mansion to alert him of any movement. As he stroked his chin in thought, an authoritative knock sounded at the door. “Enter,” he rasped. The door opened to reveal his Angus. “Good morn, Duncan. And what a fine morn ’tis,” said the usually jovial Scot. His expression visibly drooped as he looked into the melancholy face of his chieftain. “Not so fine, my friend. My beautiful house guest has left, and I’m in a rather foul mood, so beware,” he warned. “What brings you here at this early hour, Angus?” “Pack your things. Those two blackguards are leaving today, so we’d best get ready to follow.” His expression reflected his concern as he stood to face Lucas in a most serious manner. Yet Lucas did not make eye contact, instead bowing his head. “I am indeed sorry, my old friend, but I must decline. Although I do realize the importance of this situation, there exists another dilemma. I’ve ordered four of my best men to accompany you on your journey to follow Burke and Hare. I’m relatively certain they mean to return to Edinburgh to pick up where they left off. Since they’ve not produced any bodies while here in London, they must be running low on funds. They will no doubt be scouring the streets for prospective candidates as soon as they arrive. Stay a safe distance behind, but do not let them out of your sight, Angus. Once you have located their destination, send me a message with the location and I will arrive to aid in their arrest.” “And where, may I ask, will you be?” he inquired. Lucas finally raised his eyes to meet Angus’. “I will be following the bonny lass, my friend,” he responded. This admission brought a hefty smile to the ruddy-faced man. “Then I’ll no argue with you, Duncan,” said Angus, beaming broadly. Turning abruptly, he marched towards the door. “God be with you. I will send frequent messengers to communicate.” Nodding

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respectfully, he silently left, closing the door behind him. Lucas lamented the departure, but turned to pack his bags for his own destination. He had every confidence in the world in Angus. The two had been together for many years, and they trusted one another’s instincts. Turning towards his open valise, he stuffed the last of his belongings in before making his way to the door. Striding down the corridor, he gazed at the signs of his good fortune. Persian carpets, fine art work, expensive vases, all housed in an exorbitant mansion. Yet it all meant nothing without a woman by his side to share it with. Without an heir to inherit his title and worldly possessions, all was for naught. For years he had dallied with the idea of finding a marital partner. His political dealings had taken him from Scotland to England and back many times. These frequent trips made it possible to forgo any commitment and to continue his game of female sampling without permanent involvement. He now realized that the time had come to plan for a future, with Elizabeth being an integral part of it all. Flying down the grand staircase with his bag banging at his knee, he smiled widely as he looked up from the steps to find Martha there at the bottom to bid him farewell. Without missing a beat, he swung her up with one arm as he planted an unexpected kiss upon her lips. Her expression was one of complete surprise at the unforeseen show of affection. With gaping mouth and wide eyes, she hugged him closely as he said his good-byes. “Take care, you handsome devil,” she admonished. Letting her slide to the floor, he looked down at her as an amused grin broke free, he winked. “You knew all the time, didn’t you Martha,” he replied, still smiling down at her upturned face. “I always could recognize true love when I saw it,” she returned, smiling broadly. Finally letting her go, he turned to shake hands with several servants who lined the foyer. Then he strode across the yard to the stables. Benson already waited as he held the reins of Zeus, saddled and ready for his departure. The black stallion threw his head impatiently and snorted as Lucas secured his bag. Finally, he threw a leg over the animal’s back and tipped the brim of his hat towards Benson. With one kick to the beast’s sides, he was off in a cloud of dust as he raced towards the gates of his estate. The morning had materialized into a magnificent day, with a welcoming breeze and brilliant sunshine. Birds chirped loudly as they flitted from tree to tree in search of the perfect nesting site. Signs of spring were evident, with budding trees and flowering shrubs making the air fragrant. Glorious hues of pinks, reds, and whites did an undulating dance as the bushes swayed in the breeze. As he neared the duke’s property, his attention was caught by the frantic waving of Colin, one of his younger clansmen, as he made his position known amidst the denser brush. He had obviously picked the spot because of its vantage point overlooking the main gate. This would allow them to follow Elizabeth’s every move. “Good morn, sir,” Colin said. “I’ve been here since early this morn, and there’s been no movement yet,” he assured, as his head turned towards the mansion just beyond. “Good, I was hoping I hadn’t missed her departure. I really didn’t want to have to

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race after you. Nothing discreet about bounding up on this gigantic beast, is there?” Colin smiled at the reference to Lucas’ enormous, muscled horse. “No, certainly not, sir.” He swiveled in his saddle as he glanced towards the front steps. Two female figures moved down the front steps. Lucas recognized that one was Elizabeth. The two were then assisted into a lightweight chaise by the groom. After loading their trunks onto a platform at the back, he mounted the carriage and flapped the reins to start the team. As the retreating carriage moved down the lane, it left a rising cloud of dust, almost obscuring it from view. Lucas and Colin waited a few minutes before following the coach at a respectable distance. They chatted amiably, wishing to present a picture of two men simply out for a morning ride. It soon became evident that Elizabeth’s plan was to return to her hometown of Berwick, as the carriage careened in a northerly direction towards the outskirts of London. But the trailing pair soon found it necessary to fall back even further, due to the sparser crowds and dwindling structures. Eventually, as they passed through the countryside, the duo was forced to hide behind clumps of bushes and tree trunks in order to remain out of view. Lucas felt some satisfaction in the thought that he was protecting Elizabeth and her chaperone from any dangers. It was not uncommon to have highwaymen rob unsuspecting females of their valuables. One groom was not much protection from a band of masked robbers intent on thieving. He would safely guide Elizabeth to her home, and then he would return to Edinburgh to collaborate with Angus on the pair’s capture. The wretched Resurrectionists would rue the day they had crossed paths with Duncan Lucas Marston MacGinnis.

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Chapter 10 Angus and his men camped out, hidden from view but still able to watch the comings and goings of the Black Swan. They had staked out both the front and back doors in an effort not to miss the gruesome pair as they left for Edinburgh. Positioning themselves in the protective niches of the alley beside the inn, they waited. The men became fidgety, having lingered there for many hours with nothing to do but watch. Curious horsemen and grooms of passing carriages glanced suspiciously in their direction, while pedestrians simply gazed and then ignored them, as if denying their presence. The sun had risen slowly in the sky and was now almost at midpoint, directly above their heads. Unfortunately, this signaled to Angus that the filthy scoundrels had had too much to drink and were sleeping off their pounding headaches. He felt no pity for them and in fact wished them all the agony that was due them. But he too was becoming irritated by the inaction and seriously thought about knocking on their door. Just as he moved away from the wall of the alley, one of his men signaled some movement. “Psst!” The man at the rear of the inn signaled, pointing with his finger at the appearance of the duo. Four men moved into position at the rear of the hotel, and they waited to mount their horses and quietly follow their prey back to the hell from which they had come. The stable for the inn was directly behind, but Angus’ men had to wait until Burke and Hare had started their journey before they could mount their own animals and begin the pursuit. Angus watched carefully as he flattened his back against the wall and peered around the corner. Their preparations seemed to take forever. Obviously the prior evening’s drinking was still having its effect on the two. The men were slow to move, and the occasional weaving movements confirmed their obvious misery this morning. Finally they mounted their horses and trotted off in a northerly direction. When they were a safe distance away, Angus signaled his men to gather their satchels and mount their horses. Discretion would be key in following the dangerous duo. Lucas had given strict orders not to alert them that they were being followed. Angus and the men had been instructed to follow in a two goals--to ascertain their final destination, and to ensure the safety of anyone threatened by their presence. Lucas was determined to end the carnage created by the Resurrectionists, and he would stop at nothing to attain this.

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Chapter 11 Elizabeth glanced across the carriage interior at Aunt Penelope, her head bobbing as she dozed contentedly. Elizabeth turned to the passing landscape and sighed. She would forever have the memories of Lucas etched in her mind. Little would she have dreamt that she could actually attain her goal by stumbling into the study only to meet the most desirable man she ever laid eyes upon. Her heart was now captive to a man who did not desire a wife. And what if she were with child? The results of her hasty decision would not be revealed for many more months, time enough to plot a suitable course of action. She could no longer dwell on the past, but had to plan for a more realistic future. Only this time the plan would not include a husband. Her new plan would revolve around her mother’s sister, Anna, who had married a McEwan and settled at Castle Stryker, on an island called the Rock of Cormorants, in Scotland. Though the McEwans and neighboring clan of the MacGinnis were frequently in dispute, the castle was isolated enough for privacy. She desperately needed privacy and time for reflection. She wanted nothing more than to retreat to the concealment of the ancient castle to lick her wounds. Aunt Anna and Castle Stryker offered all this and more. Seclusion and a chance to map out a way to save Windemere and Meadow’s Bay, before they ended up on the auctioneer’s list. Her father’s eventual downfall did not concern Elizabeth. He’d made his own destiny, and she would not intervene in his rescue or demise. Perhaps her Aunt Anna could devise a plan to save one of the properties. Since Elizabeth would probably never wed, it mattered not if Meadow’s Bay was sold or kept. Her dower lands were already much deteriorated and were probably best sold at this point. As for her future, she would concentrate on Aidan’s disappearance and the recovery of Windemere for the sake of Cassandra. Thoughts of her younger sister invaded her plotting, for she had left the running of the two estates to her inexperienced sibling. She really ought to stop at Berwick for an update on the condition of the properties. Yet her own shame prevented her from doing that. Instead she would make a quick trip to Castle Stryker to sort out her thoughts, and then return home. Aiding Cassandra with her own destiny would make her life complete. Then if she was truly carrying Lucas’ child, she would deal with the consequences. As her attention drifted to the passing scenery, she noticed that the pastures of northern England now gave way to the fertile plains and hills of the lowlands of Scotland. Being close to the coastline, Elizabeth observed spring being heralded by the frantic trills of the sky larks as they soared into the sky announcing the end of winter. The scenery, also, had begun to change with the rising topography. Beautiful stone castles appeared atop their hilly perches as the coach entered the central lowlands of the Firth of Forth. She recognized familiar roads leading to Edinburgh. But this time she would

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circumvent the beautiful capitol city with its magnificent castle. Instead she would pass through Haddington, Musselburgh, Bonnyrigg, and Penicuic. Then around the outskirts of the grand city to slip through Linlithgow, where they would change the team of horses. They were going post chaise, where at certain recognized stations, the team would be exchanged for a fresh one. This made for much faster travel, since she and Penelope were eager to arrive in Scotland. Even though Edinburgh held some unpleasant associations for Elizabeth since the loss of Aidan, most of her memories of Scotland were filled with fondness and happiness. As a young girl she and her family had traveled frequently to Stryker Castle. Clan McEwan had always included her mother and her English family in the highland festivities. The Highland Games were always greeted with enthusiasm and excitement by the family. On St.Michaels’ Day, they would trek into Scotland to view the games, which very often included foot-racing, horse-racing, and wrestling, caber-tossing, tug-of-war, and dance demonstrations, which always delighted Elizabeth and Cassandra. Young girls dressed in traditional highland garb would dance the Highland fling as scores of onlookers admired their talents. But nothing made her heart sing like the sad, mournful drone of bagpipes. The bagpipe, more than any other part of the Scottish culture, affected her very soul. She would become mesmerized by the wailing and could literally sit for hours listening to the music. So beautiful and sad was it, possessing the ability to captivate. So immersed in her thoughts was Elizabeth, she hardly noticed the speed of the chaise diminishing as it entered civilization. Looking out of the window, she discovered the picturesque, but small, village of Linlithgow. Quaint stone houses lined the rutted dirt road as rosy-cheeked town dwellers went about their daily activities of sweeping sidewalks, hanging wash in the rousing highland breezes, and tending to deliveries. As the carriage came to a complete stop, Elizabeth gently grasped her aunt’s arm to wake her from slumber. The groggy-eyed woman slowly descended the chaise with help from the groomsman. Arm-in-arm the two women walked to the front door of the resident pub, The Olde Coach Inn. As they entered the inn, Elizabeth surveyed the darkened interior of the main room. Laughter and conversation surrounded them. A great number of tables were occupied by groups of men who drank liberally or ate from steaming platters. Most were content to grasp huge ale mugs that routinely slopped the contents, leaving the dark, amber liquid flowing onto the tables. Since Elizabeth found no other females present, she decided to avoid making eye contact with any of the imbibing males. A few heads turned in their direction as they maneuvered towards an unoccupied table. Maintaining discretion appeared to be the safest course of action. As Elizabeth looked down to adjust her skirts, she felt someone’s presence by her side. Looking up, she stared into the face of a short, bald man. His spectacles sat precariously at the tip of his nose, yet did not fall. He eyed the two females with curiosity, as if realizing they were outsiders. “What can I get for ye, lasses?” asked the man in a lilting brogue. Glancing around the room, she observed a common dish on many of the tables.

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“What is the specialty of the house?” she asked politely. “Ah, that would be Haggis, lassie.” A satisfied smirk appeared on his weathered features. “Then we shall have it, please.” The balding innkeeper nodded and turned to retrieve their meals. As soon as he had gone, Elizabeth made subdued conversation with Penelope in an effort to remain inconspicuous. Two women and a room full of drunken men were a dangerous combination. As she leaned her elbows on the table, she pressed towards her aunt as she spoke softly. It had not been very long that she did so, before a raspy voice abruptly interrupted them. “I’d like to hire ye, lass. What is your rate?” Startled by the rude inquiry and the implications behind it, she stared into her aunt’s widening eyes. This couldn’t be happening to her. The very thing she sought to avoid was coming to pass. Finally, after some minutes, she turned to regard the boorish brute, since he obviously had no plans to leave. “I am not for sale!” she stated emphatically. Unconcern registered initially on his face, until a wicked smile materialized. His appearance sickened her, with his matted, oily hair, dirty knitted sweater, and filthy pants. The man either possessed a very demanding occupation or practiced no personal hygiene whatsoever. His offensive odor sickened her even further. “Every woman has a price, lass,” he returned coldly. At this point, he planted his hands upon the table and leaned closer towards them. She could smell his foul breath as she felt her teeth gnash, and she grabbed a passing pewter tankard and dumped the contents over his head. Shock registered on his face as he sputtered uncontrollably, dark ale streaming down his face as he staggered backwards. Regaining his wits, he moved towards them until he loomed over her with hatred in his features and balled fists at his sides. The room erupted into thunderous laughter. His glassy eyes scanned the room as though he contemplated whether to direct his anger towards the inn’s occupants or her. He glowered down at her eyes, his own gleaming as they spewed vicious anger. Elizabeth shrank back and pushed away her chair, intending to head for the door. Someone grabbed him from behind and spun him around. From her angle, Elizabeth saw the Scotsman’s head snap back with tremendous force, his body following as it crashed upon their table. Splintering wood flew everywhere as the candle sconce clanged to the floor. As Elizabeth grabbed Penelope and backed away, she noticed her savior. An extremely tall, black-hooded figure towered over the supine body of the unconscious man. With his broad back facing them, she couldn’t see his face. Her eyes ran down his body in an attempt to glimpse her protector. Powerful legs stood slightly apart, black boots covering his calves and feet. His arms remained akimbo but had begun to relax. Before she could touch his arm and thank him, he strode towards the rear entrance of the inn. “Sir, please, I never got to properly….” Without slowing, he disappeared from view. Perhaps he hadn’t heard her over the low rumble of male voices which had become increasingly louder after the punch. She hurried through the throngs of men who now packed the inn to view the pummeling. As she opened the door and stood on the back steps, she heard nothing but

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retreating horse hooves. Who was this man and why had he left in such a hurry? She wanted desperately to thank him and learn his identity. Returning to the interior of the inn, the pub had come alive with the buzzing of excited male voices as they discussed the unexpected entertainment. Locating Aunt Penelope, Elizabeth ushered her from the inn before their attacker could regain consciousness. He most certainly would exact retribution. Thankfully, the new team was harnessed and ready. Without assistance the women clamored up the step and into the relative protection of the tiny chaise. As the carriage dipped, the startled groomsman turned to face them, his confusion evident. “You ladies finished with your meal already?” he asked confusedly. “Never mind that.” Elizabeth waved her hand, indicating that she wished to go. Shrugging his shoulders, he mounted the carriage and clucked to the horses as he flapped the reins. The light carriage lurched forward and made its way through the town to the quiet countryside beyond. Elizabeth rested her head against the padded seat and let out a sigh of relief. Penelope had been quiet up until this point, now she too wanted answers. “What, in heaven’s name, was that all about? And who was that tall stranger who came to our aid?” “I only wish I knew, Aunt Penelope,” she confided. “How lucky we were to have him appear when he did. I shudder to think what might have happened had he not come to our rescue!” A visible tremor shook the older woman’s body as she ran her hands up and down her arms. Obviously she had some of the same unsavory visions as Elizabeth. As Elizabeth watched, her aunt leaned down to retrieve a cloth napkin from her reticule. Unfurling it, she leaned towards Elizabeth to offer her its contents. A smile lightened her mood as she gratefully accepted the crusty bread and cheddar cheese. Her stomach grumbled loudly as she only then realized the depth of her hunger. “Luckily this old woman always travels with provisions,” said her aunt, a sly smile forming. Elizabeth munched contentedly as she gazed out onto the darkening landscape. Majestic mountains were silhouetted against the setting sun, creating an impressive scene. She let her mind wander to the exhilarating nights spent with Lucas. She missed his arms around her, his lips pressed seductively against hers. She wasn’t sure how she could go on without him; she only knew she had no choice. Since there would be a full moon this evening, she had asked the driver to drive through the night. He had agreed to continue on as long as the road was sufficiently visible for safe travel. She didn’t tell him of the incident at the inn. Instead, she had said only that they were eager to arrive in the highlands as quickly as possible. Hours passed and the rocking motion of the carriage lulled the two women into contented dreams. They had fallen asleep with their heads pressed together. Elizabeth had the sensation of falling, as her body became airborne in the tiny confines of the cramped chaise. Her eyes snapped open only to be confronted by the pitch black of the carriage interior. As the movement of the jolting carriage stopped abruptly, Elizabeth realized that she now lay atop her aunt. Groping blindly, she managed to assess her aunt’s condition, as she moved to lay by her side. The vehicle had come to rest on its side, keeping one door from opening, while

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the other door remained unattainably elusive, high above their heads. Even if they stood on tiptoes, they would not be able to exit the overturned carriage. Instead they listened for the driver to come to their rescue. Minutes passed and they heard nothing. “Hello,” called Elizabeth. She now feared that something had happened to the driver. She knew if he were injured, they would have no means of escape. She called, still trying to maintain some calm for her aunt’s sake. “Hello, James, are you all right?” Still nothing but silence. Looking skyward, she squinted as she tried to see anything but the stars that now blanketed the night sky. She realized the peril she had placed them in and regretted asking James to drive through the darkness. Elizabeth could hear the crunching of pebbles under heavy boots just outside the chaise. Panic gripped her at the thought of more unwelcome guests. She held her breath and craned her neck upwards in an effort to see. Unexpectedly, the carriage began to right itself. Elizabeth could feel herself sliding down the door until she now kneeled on the floor. She turned to make sure Penelope had not been injured in the unexpected episode. An abrupt bang and a jolt signaled the fact that the trunk had been placed on the platform at the rear. Elizabeth sat beside her aunt and attempted to see for herself that her aunt was well. Diminishing horse hooves could be heard. “I’m fine dear, really. Please, go and see if James is all right,” she admonished. Sliding across the seat, she opened the door and hopped out. There seated beside the carriage, holding his head in one hand, was James. The bright moonlight illuminated his slouched figure sufficiently for Elizabeth to see that the groom was conscious. Hurrying to his side, she knelt beside him and gripped his arm. “Are you all right, James? You scared us half to death, you know.” Slowly he raised his head and turned to look at her, his features indiscernible in the pale moonlight. “I’m fine, miss. Thank God for the two kind men who aided us in our crisis. If it had not been for them, I fear our luck would have run out.” “Of what gentlemen do you speak, James? I see no one.” Her head spun furiously as she searched for the accomplices. There was no one about. “There were two burly men who helped me when I got knocked on the head. They also picked up the carriage, miss. Do you honestly think I could have straightened the carriage all by myself and then picked up that heavy trunk?” “Describe the two men, if you can,” she urged eagerly. “Both were tall and muscular, from what I could see. The more aggressive one wore a long black hooded cape with tall black boots. His partner had red hair and a tartan draped over his shoulder. But we are in Scotland, miss. These men could have been anyone.” Shaking her head in disbelief, she wondered if one of them might actually be the same man who had saved her in the pub. Helping him to his feet, she steadied him by holding his forearm as he gathered his balance. “Do you think you can drive, or shall I have a go at it?” she asked. “I believe I will be fine once I get back into the seat,” he answered. Elizabeth helped him up onto the driver’s perch, making sure he was fully alert.

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Then she climbed into the carriage interior. She turned to her aunt, who stared inquisitively at her. “It seems our dark knight has returned to save us yet again, Aunt Penelope.” “You don’t mean the tall stranger from the inn, do you?” she asked excitedly. “I’m afraid that’s exactly who I’m referring to. This is no longer coincidental, Aunt Penelope. Someone is following us.” She turned to gaze at her aunt just as the carriage lurched into motion. “As alarming as it may seem, Elizabeth, obviously he means us no harm. On the contrary, he’s probably saved our lives.” Elizabeth was quite certain her aunt was correct in saying this, for she had no idea where they were on this lonely Scottish country road. Perhaps traveling by night had not been such a good idea after all. She would remain awake until they reached her aunt’s castle in Argyll sometime during the next morning. Meanwhile, she would daydream about the mystery man who had saved her life twice in one day. Perhaps he was in the market for a wife?

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Chapter 12 Elizabeth woke to bright sunlight streaming through the carriage windows. She had obviously slumped against the carriage side and drifted off to sleep. Aunt Penelope was still asleep with her head resting comfortably upon Elizabeth’s shoulder. Looking out the window, the ethereal scene stole her breath away. During the night they had obviously traveled farther north into the highlands where dramatic mountain ranges towered over crystal blue waterways. A misty haze hung over a landscape of rugged mountains and breathtaking glens. Gentle rolling hills transformed into scenic towering peaks that stretched toward the azure blue morning sky. Elizabeth marveled at seeing herds of wild goats grazing in the grasses. Passing an adjacent loch, a great winged bird circled high above. As she watched, it dove headfirst into the clear waters and reappeared with a huge fish secured in its beak. She watched as it flapped its tremendous wings and disappeared out of sight. Her attention was then captured by the bobbing white backsides of red deer as they scurried away from the carriage. Peering out the window, she saw red squirrels, a fox, and wildcats. Small mammals darted about as woodpeckers flitted from tree to tree in search of a pecking site, and wild berries festooned bushes. Elizabeth found the beauty and quiet of the scenery most calming. She couldn’t envision herself married to an English lord, residing in London, attending stuffy parties, and simply existing. Perhaps it was for the best that Lucas had rejected her, if that was where he spent most of his time. For this land was her real home. She would easily trade the glamorous lifestyle of a pampered English wife for a stroll through fields of heather. For the briefest moment her mind wandered to Lucas. His handsome good looks, fiery lovemaking, and genuine gusto for life would be difficult to replace. Yet she could not continually dwell on memories of him, for it was virtually impossible to have a life with the man. No doubt he was at this very moment bedding some unsavory wench in his massive bed. He had probably not given her a second thought after she had left his mansion a number of days ago. Better she put him out of her mind and got on with her life alone. The terrain became more mountainous and beautiful the farther west they traveled. Elizabeth was breathless at the sight of Stirling, Teith, and Inveraray, the castles perched magnificently over the surrounding landscape and lochs. Finally they passed through Oban, on the west coast of Scotland, and she knew it would not be long before they came upon Castle Stryker. The castle itself had a turbulent history, she knew after having heard it so many times before. Elizabeth was eager with anticipation to see her relatives and escape to the castle. The terrain had changed to that of flat wetlands as it traversed to the mouth of the Loch Laich on a rocky inlet. Looming in the background was the daunting presence of the Grampian mountain range.

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Rising out of the inlet was a tiny island on which was situated the small but proud Castle Stryker. A small ridge of land connected the meager castle to surrounding land. Elizabeth knew rising tides would make it accessible only by boat. But this castle was the battle cry of the McEwans and they were proud of her. As the chaise made its way across the tiny land connection, Elizabeth admired the lofty peaks that were a vibrant green with the advent of spring. Hazy clouds skirted their tops and created an almost translucent veil of misty fog that had started to burn away with the brilliant sunshine. “Isn’t this breathtaking, Aunt Penelope?” asked Elizabeth. “Simply heavenly,” she replied in a dreamy tone, her voice drifting off as she turned to peer out the window at the magnificent view. The carriage then went up a small incline and stopped in front of a very long stone stairway that led to a doorway high above the ground. As if her Aunt Ann had been keeping vigil, the door swung open and she emerged to descend the stairs. Her voluminous skirts were bunched in her fists as she careened down the stairs at a dangerous speed. Elizabeth tried to get out of the carriage as quickly as possible if for no other reason than to prevent her aunt from breaking her neck. As her foot alighted on the ground, she felt herself being swung around and hugged tightly. “Oh, my beautiful Elizabeth. I’m so glad you’ve finally come for a visit!” her aunt said, unable to contain her enthusiasm. “You’re looking more like your gorgeous mother everyday.” Elizabeth had started to think so herself lately. For every time she gazed into a mirror, her mother’s reflection stared back. She had been a stunning woman and Elizabeth had no objections to the resemblance. “Penelope, I’m so glad you’ve come. Give me a hug.” “Ann, how wonderful it is to see you after all this time.” The two hugged as though it had been a lifetime since their last visit. As her aunts chatted, Elizabeth’s head tilted upward, and her eyes scanned the castle exterior. The fortress was a relatively square shape with a number of turrets and peaks on the top, above which fluttered the family crest upon the flag. She gathered her skirts to ascend the long stone steps which entered directly to the second story of the building. Windows were sparse, she realized, for fortification purposes. As she reached the top of the stairs, she glanced back to witness James struggling to unload the immense trunk. Her uncle grasped a handle and helped the frail driver perform the task. After the overturned carriage ordeal, Elizabeth wanted to keep her eye on the man, making sure he was all right. On entering the cold stone structure a feeling of warmth and familiarity overwhelmed Elizabeth. Childhood memories flooded back and her throat tightened as tears welled in her eyes. Candles illuminated the large foyer, making it glow with a welcoming radiance. The walls were hung with a tartan and a plethora of weaponry. A selection of swords adorned the wall as a reminder of the struggles of ancestors past and the turbulent times of the present. “Come inside for a hot cup of tea, Elizabeth. Or would ye lasses prefer a stiff shot of something stronger to warm your bones, huh?” “I believe we’d love a cup of hot tea, wouldn’t we, Aunt Penelope?” Her aunt

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nodded enthusiastically as she rubbed her arms briskly. “Come, follow me please,” her aunt said and led them into another room. This one was larger and Elizabeth knew this to be the den. A gargantuan fireplace blazed at the back of the room, a huge mantle gracing the structure. A number of comfortable chairs circled the heat creating a cozy enclave, while a tapestry rug covered the floor. Elizabeth settled herself on a chair and waited until the other two became relaxed. Then her aunt asked, “Tell me Elizabeth, have you found a husband yet, lass?” Elizabeth stopped short at the unexpected question. “Unfortunately not, Aunt Ann,” confessed a startled Elizabeth. She hadn’t wanted to start the conversation off with this topic, yet she now found she couldn’t avoid it. “Circumstances have prevented it, and I felt I could not continue the season right now.” “What circumstances?” “A sick friend caused me to lose precious days while I tended to her illness. But I have no regrets, really!” she interjected. “I’ve decided to postpone my search until the right man comes along.” In her mind she knew that had already occurred, but could say nothing. “And you think he’s here in the Highlands do you, lass?” she asked with a sly smile on her face This unexpected comment caused Elizabeth to falter, and she could feel her face turning a crimson red. “Why no, Aunt Ann, I don’t know where he might be. If you have any viable candidates, I’d be happy to consider them.” Her aunt’s expression turned pensive for a moment and then she beamed. “I have just the man for you lassie,” she triumphantly announced, her smile positively radiant as she turned to Aunt Penelope, who was beaming her smile of approval as well. Elizabeth hadn’t expected her aunt to already have selected a man. “Who is he?” she asked suspiciously. Her aunt looked askance and smiled knowingly. “Eager aren’t ye, fair Elizabeth? He’s a powerful man in these parts. He’s chief to a powerful clan as well. Apparently he’s never found the right woman either, Elizabeth, for he’s never married.” Elizabeth could not deny that she was intrigued by the description, yet could not put too much hope in this coincidental meeting. “Tell me a little bit about him, Aunt Ann, please.” “Well, he’s verra tall, dark, and brutally handsome,” she said as her face lit up with delight. “If he’s so tall, dark, handsome, and powerful, why then isn’t he married? There must be something terribly wrong with him! Does he have foul breath?” A sudden vision of her attacker at the pub materialized. “And a humped back maybe? Perhaps he’s only got one eye, like a Cyclops?” she joked, while crossing her arms over her chest, one eye closed. Her aunt scowled at her playful words. “There’s nothing wrong with Duncan. He’s a fine looking man who’s very busy with clan matters. Besides, I already told you, he’s just no found the right woman yet, lassie. “You’re forgetting one very important item, Aunt Ann,” returned Elizabeth. “And what would that be, Elizabeth?”

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“Perhaps he’s only looking for a Scottish wife?” Silence punctuated the room as the women turned to look at each other questioningly. Her aunt’s expression turned thoughtful. “Well, you’re half Scottish, lassie,” she parried, as she raised her chin defiantly in her defense. “While that may be true, Aunt Ann, I’ll bet your laird would prefer to wed a fullblooded Highland lass. Besides, perhaps we’re not even compatible.” She returned as she raised her own chin in a defiant move to mimic her aunt’s. “Nonetheless, I’ll agree to meet this Duncan of yours, Aunt Ann, out of simple curiosity.” Even before she had finished the sentence, her aunt had launched off the chair and was hugging her close. “You’ve made me so happy, Elizabeth. I know ya’ll never regret this,” she said as tears punctuated the touching moment. Elizabeth was left wondering what had caused such an emotional reaction from her aunt. Was this laird that desperately in need of a wife, or did her aunt think her so pitiful that she had to find her a husband? “Now then, let’s all go into the kitchen and raid the shelves, shall we?” The group rose in unison to follow their host in search of food. Elizabeth was left wondering what she had just gotten herself into.

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Chapter 13 The morning was brisk and bright with welcoming sunshine as Elizabeth descended the spiral stone stairway. She smiled to herself at the thought of being with her mother’s family in this beautiful place. Her body was well warmed by a voluminous peignoir of Cashmere. She gripped the shawl that encircled her shoulders as she tried to ward off the cold that permeated right to her bones. From the window, she glanced out at the twinkling waters that surrounded the castle. Bright light reflected off the loch, causing her to squint as she gazed at the dazzling countryside. Turning from the window, she made her way to the enormous fire which burned even now. Had someone lit it recently or had it remained ablaze from the previous evening? She heard no one about and wondered if everyone still slept. Kneeling in front of the fire, she picked up a poker to stoke the fire; her mind drifting to thoughts of Lucas and where he might be even now. Her dreams had not been free of him, since she had envisioned his presence all through the night. She had slept fitfully, alternating between dreaming of Lucas and openly thinking of him in her waking hours. She wondered how long it would be before her mind would release her from the constant memories of the man. She couldn’t even contemplate continuing for the rest of her life in such a way. Eventually, as the memories dulled, she would be able to continue her life unimpeded by the haunting thoughts of him. “Good morn, Elizabeth.” Her aunt’s soft voice sounded behind her. Elizabeth whipped around in surprise as she was brought back to the present. “Good morning, Aunt Ann. What a glorious morning it is too!” For as much as she was in turmoil about Lucas, she still had a love and appreciation for the wondrous Scottish countryside. She was determined to continue her life as if she’d never met him. As difficult a task as that presented, she had no alternative but to accomplish it. “Come, Elizabeth, let’s get some breakfast, so you can get dressed. You wouldna want to meet the MacGinnis laird dressed as ye are, would ye?” Elizabeth’s head snapped up and she pinned her aunt with a questioning glare. “What are you talking about, Aunt Ann?” Her aunt’s gentle smile reassured her but also confirmed that she had a plan in mind. “Come, come, no time to waste!” She clapped her hands in an authoritative fashion. Leading the way to the kitchen, she gazed over her shoulder as she smiled and winked at Elizabeth. A steaming breakfast had already been laid out and was awaiting them. Eggs, sausage, porridge, and hot bread were piled high. Elizabeth seated herself and waited for her aunt to pass around the selections. “Tell me, how was your stay in London? You didna stay verra long, child. Did something happen while you were there?”

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Elizabeth hadn’t expected such a pointed question and choked on a piece of egg she had placed in her mouth. Her aunt ran to her back and slapped her between the shoulder blades. “Are you all right, darling?” she asked anxiously. Elizabeth wiped her mouth slowly while she utilized the time to gather her thoughts. “Yes, yes, I’m quite all right, Aunt Ann, really,” she said. “As I told you, I nursed Emily back to health for days, which took me out of the marriage mart. Then there was something else; something I’ve told no one.” She was not at all sure she should confide in her aunt, but she needed to unburden herself of her feelings for Lucas. “I had started to develop feelings for a man in London, but it turns out it would not have worked out.” Her aunt’s eyes widened as her interest obviously grew. “Who is this man, Elizabeth? Why have you not mentioned him to anyone, child? Does your aunt Penelope know about this beau of yours?” “It is in the past now, Aunt Ann. I’m now very eager to meet your laird. It’s probably best that I wed a Scotsman anyway. He would probably be more willing to save our two properties that border Scotland. I seriously doubt an English lord would be so agreeable, Aunt Ann.” Her aunt slowly nodded. “That’s verra true, Elizabeth. But I think you’d better hurry, or he’ll be seeing ye in your night clothes, sweetheart,” her aunt said softly as she giggled. Elizabeth grabbed a sweet roll from the basket as she jumped up, running towards the stairs. She had no intention of meeting this man while in her nightclothes. She’d already ruined her chances with an English lord; she would not let a thing like improper dress ruin her chances with a Scottish laird. After changing into a dark blue wool dress, she grabbed a tartan that she’d found lying across the back of the chair. She’d thought the plaid matched her dress quite well, so she’d draped it around her shoulders as part of her ensemble. The plaid had larger checks with the colors of blue, black, and tan woven together. She thought it went marvelously with her outfit. Descending the stairs, she made her way towards the welcoming heat of the huge fireplace, which now blazed anew with the fresh logs that had been placed into it. She leaned forward and warmed her hands against the beckoning heat. As was usually the case, Elizabeth’s mind retreated into her own thoughts, which ultimately always ended with thoughts of Lucas. So engrossed in her own thoughts was she, she failed to hear her aunt answer the door and admit the awaited guess. “Elizabeth, my dear, come meet our guest, will ye? I’d like ye to meet Duncan MacGinnis, Elizabeth,” she announced with obvious pride in her voice. Turning her head from the blazing fire, Elizabeth was confronted by a hauntingly familiar face. Her heart leapt in her chest, a gasp of astonishment escaped. “Lucas,” she shrieked. Standing abruptly, she could feel herself staring across the room at the man who commanded her heart. Oddly enough, Lucas did not have an expression that she’d expected to see. Instead of shock and surprise, his face displayed a huge smile of satisfaction, as though

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he’d fully expected to see her here. As always, he was handsome, tall, masculine, and elegantly dressed in a shortcropped jacket, tall black boots, and black trousers. Elizabeth could feel the rapid acceleration of her heart as she stared at him. The sight of him took her breath away. “Och! Ye two know each other?” her aunt asked, somewhat confused by this unexpected introduction. She looked from one to the other as if waiting for an answer to her question. Elizabeth was at a loss for words and looked to Lucas for some reinforcement. He obviously found the situation quite amusing and was beaming from ear to ear. Not wanting her aunt’s suspicions aroused, Elizabeth’s mind raced to conjure up a plausible answer. “We met briefly in London, Aunt Ann. I never expected to see, uh, Lord MacGinnis, here in your home,” she responded quietly, trying to cover her shock. Lucas stepped forward and clasped her hands tenderly as he bent to kiss her knuckles seductively. Elizabeth tried to deny the riot of sensations that assaulted and aroused her. She could feel his touch to the very bottom of her toes. Her body shuddered as she gazed up into his eyes, feeling his emotions as he stared back intently. They shared an invisible link that neither of them could possibly deny. He had to be feeling the same strong and overpowering sensations she was. “I am pleased to see ye again, lass. My full name is Duncan Lucas Marston MacGinnis,” he murmured, as he straightened to his full height. Elizabeth could see from the corner of her eye that her aunt had a perplexed expression upon her face. “Did I hear ye call him Lucas, lass?” she asked. “How did ye know ’twas his middle name, lass?” she persisted. “I told you, Aunt Ann, we met briefly in London, didn’t we, my lord?” she said haltingly, as she faced him fully and smiled. His returning smile almost did her in, so devastating was it in its intensity. “Then I’ll leave the two of ye to visit,” her aunt said, as she excused herself and turned to leave the room. “I shall be just in the other room doing some needlepoint, should ye need me for anything.” Once she had disappeared around the corner, Lucas moved closer still. “Och, lass, I’ve missed ye so,” he purred, as he leaned towards her still holding her hand in his and drawing it to his chest. She attempted to free her hand, but he held it firmly. Her confusion must have been evident, for his face had a tender expression, his eyes clear and determined as he pinned her with his gaze. “We have much to talk about, you and I, lass.” He led her by the hand to one of the chairs by the blazing fire and waited for her to be seated. Sitting, she folded her hands in her lap and looked up, waiting for him to begin. She was very curious to hear what he had to say, for she was thoroughly undone by the events of the entire last week. Since she had met him her world had been turned completely upside down. And just when she thought she had to continue without him, he returned to complicate her life even further. Sitting next to her, he drew in a ragged breath and stared directly into her eyes. “What I am about to tell ye, lass, is the truth. First, I feel I must apologize for what

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occurred at my mansion. I had no knowledge of your virtue, lass. I was tricked into thinking ye were a young woman gone astray, by the conniving blonde. And was further confused by your agreement to give me whatever I wanted for information about your brother. I really didn’t need any excuses to take you along with me to my home. You gave me all the excuse I needed; only I felt as though I betrayed you, having not given you all the information sooner.” At this point, Elizabeth had opened her mouth to protest, but he held up a hand to silence her. “Please, allow me to finish first, lass. Then if ye wish to slap my face, feel free. Second, I am no just a rake in London out to rid every woman of her maidenhead, lass.” The bluntness of his statement caused Elizabeth to blush, and she averted her eyes momentarily at the realization that she had indeed thought that of him at first. “I have a great love of the female gender, Elizabeth, nothing more. I have never purposely rid any woman of her virtue; ye must believe that, Elizabeth! I found it so easy to believe the blonde because I wanted to meet ye so badly.” Elizabeth’s eyes widened at his admittance to wanting to meet her. She had been as equally surprised to come face to face with him in the library. For not only was he the man she needed to approach about vital information about Aidan, he had been the only man in the room to make her heart race. “I, like ye, have been looking for a marriage partner. It’s about time I marry, the clan needs it, and I need it!” An earnest expression creased his brow as his eyes lit up. “I don’t blame you. For even though I tried to explain to you that I was an innocent, I had also made an agreement with you to give you whatever you wanted in exchange for any word on Aidan.” “I should have listened to ye, lass,” he confided quietly. “And after we made love, I thought ye hated me and never wanted to see me again. So, I let ye go, as badly as I wanted to keep ye by my side, I let ye go, lass.” She could feel tears beginning to well in her eyes, so mixed were her emotions. The more she tried to control her feelings, the more the tears streamed down her face. Lucas rose to take her into his arms and rock her gently, speaking hushed words meant to sooth. She wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled against his chest as the torrent of tears fell uncontrollably. Still he said nothing; he simply held her close and caressed her softly while he kissed her hair. Time passed and the two embraced in silence, not needing words. Elizabeth eventually gathered her resolve and hiccupped as she regained her composure. “Ye look perfect, lass,” he whispered against her head. She tilted her head back and smiled up into his face. Lifting the tartan from her shoulders, he wiped her tear-stained face and gently kissed her lips as his finger cradled her chin and raised her face to his. Stretching up on her toes, she deposited a kiss squarely upon his lips. He bent his head to shorten the distance between their faces. “So it was you who saved us twice on this journey, wasn’t it Lucas?” she purred seductively against his lips. His smile against her lips was all the answer she needed.

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“I’m most grateful, Lucas. If it hadn’t been for you Penelope and I could have been seriously injured or even killed. “No thanks needed, beautiful lady.” He tenderly captured her lips in a sweet kiss. Straightening, he held her tenderly. “There is still more to be said, lass. But I want us to be utterly alone when I tell ye the rest.” Nodding slowly, she smiled up at him and hugged him tightly. “Go now, freshen-up, then we will ride to a very historic place where I will tell ye all that I know.” Elizabeth reluctantly tore herself away from Lucas, making her way toward the stairs. She could scarcely believe that he had actually appeared at her aunt’s house. Even more unbelievable was the fact that he missed her and wanted to have a relationship with her. Hurrying into her quarters, she washed her face and brushed her hair, trying to regain some semblance of dignity. She affectionately stroked the tartan that lay upon her shoulders, then hurried down the stairs after she had put on a pair of riding boots and grabbed a cape to cover her shoulders. As she rounded the corner, she half-expected to find him gone. But to her delight, he stood by the fire, smiling at her. As usual, his smile left her breathless and she found herself speechless and staring at him. She would never tire of his tall, broad physique and handsome face As she approached, he opened his arms invitingly and she stepped into his embrace. It felt so right being in his arms, and she vowed she would fight for the right to remain there forever. Gently taking her hand, he led her out into the brilliant morning. Lucas helped her mount one of the horses he had brought along. He looked back and smiled as he led the way across the land bridge. At this time of the morning the tide was not at its highest, but Elizabeth had to wonder if that would be the case when they returned. The wind was cold upon her face but the sunlight warm as she rode alongside Lucas. They cantered past land that had been cleared for the flocks of sheep. These flocks paid the rents for Castle Stryker. They passed through picturesque glens and past towering mountains of green. Slowing to a more sedate pace, Lucas talked of Scotland’s difficult history and their fight for independence. He told her how the King of England had invaded Scotland, hoping to force it to bend to English rule. He talked about how the two armies met at nearby Bannock Burn to engage in full battle. Elizabeth could feel the ghosts of Lucas’ heritage all around them; it was her own heritage as well. They rode along a burn to a place where a pool of water lay tranquil amidst clusters of heather. The serenity of the area relaxed her, taking her mind to another century. They rode past the ancient ruins of Inverness Castle, where time seemed to stand still. Riding into a nearby glen, they slowed their horses and dismounted. Lucas gathered the reins of the animals and tied them loosely to a nearby tree. Returning to her side, he put his arm around her waist and led her to a large stone that jutted above the grassy land where he picked her up and placed her gently atop the

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stone. “Six hundred years ago, this was a very violent place, Elizabeth,” he said quietly, as his head turned to search the surrounding landscape. “So much violence, so much history, yet I’m proud to be part of it all.” Keeping his hands upon her waist, he looked into her eyes. Gazing at a patch of thistle, he pointed. “Why do ye think such proud people as the Scots would pick such a humble weed as their endearing symbol of pride? Legend relates how a sleeping party of Scots warriors was almost set upon by an invading band of Vikings and was only saved when one of the attackers trod upon a wild thistle with his bare feet. His cries raised the alarm, and the roused Scots duly defeated the Danes. In gratitude, the plant became known as the Guardian Thistle and was adopted as the symbol of Scotland.” Elizabeth clapped her hands together and stared interestedly at the hundreds of thorny purple flowers that waved in the breeze. “What a beautiful tale Lucas.” The spark of fire in his eyes caused a ripple of desire to pass through her. His enthusiasm and her desire connected at that very moment as his eyes locked with hers and his arms came around her. She relinquished herself to him and leaned back against the huge rock, lifting her face to his. It seemed like it had been such a very long time since they had kissed--yet it had only been but a week. As his lips descended upon hers with urgency, she was swept away with the passion they shared. His mouth was hot and hungry, and she could feel his desire for her. She wanted him too, right here, right now, on this very spot. Gently he picked her up and placed her upon her back on the soft ground with the tartan beneath her. While not breaking the kiss, he managed to unfasten her dress and slip it off. She lay naked, as she had done so many times before, while she waited for him to disrobe. He stood in all his glory above her, as he opened his shirt and shed his clothes. His eyes penetrated her very being as he stared down from his height, as if to claim his possession. His massive erection sprang to life as he released it from its bondage. Their eyes met as he bent upon one knee, staring down at her. Then he descended upon her slowly until he laid his entire length atop her body. She whimpered softly as she submitted to his demanding kisses, as barbaric and primal as his ancestor’s. The cool air teased her sides as his warmth bathed her breasts and stomach. His hand caressed the side of her breast as he kissed her with a ravenous desire that flooded her senses. It was an exhilarating feeling to be crushed by this powerful man, who cared not that he made love to her right here in the open meadow. She willingly parted her legs, and their hips met in a reunion, his hard length pressing against her belly. Her hips moved of their own accord as she invited him to sample her sweetness. His lips slid seductively over hers as he pressed her body beneath his in a gentle display of mastery. She lifted her hips to ease his entry. She took his entire length, to the hilt, swallowing him with loving surrender. He moaned, the sound rumbling his entire chest, and his lips quivered with sexual excitement. At last, he was where she wanted him to be, in her, touching her, kissing her, and loving her forever.

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For a moment, he stopped kissing her, but kept his lips against hers in an invisible lover’s connection. Her arms were around him and she squeezed him tighter. They were one at this moment, their bodies merging into one being for all time. They moved together, pumping, gyrating, and grinding in unison. His kisses became more exhilarating as he covered her mouth and filled her totally. She felt stuffed and satiated by the feeling of his hard maleness within her. He teased her by almost withdrawing completely, until she arched her back, begging him to resume his lovemaking. Then he plunged his entire length into her, until their hips met in glorious abandon. He stared down at her with an intensity glowing in his slivery orbs. He ground and pounded, faster and faster, until she could feel herself spiraling out of control with her approaching orgasm. Then the spasms began. She shuddered and convulsed uncontrollably in his arms, swept away by the exquisite feelings. He climaxed at the same time, spewing his hot liquid into her welcoming body. They both lay exhausted and spent, his chest heaving rhythmically as his heart pounded against his ribs. He lifted his head to stare down into her eyes, as he whispered, “I love ye, Elizabeth.” She gasped, taken completely off guard by his admittance. “What are you saying, Lucas? That you want to be with me?” she whispered in confusion. “Yes, lass. I’m in love with ye, and have been since we met.” He slid off of her to remain tightly against her side as he stared down, waiting for her reply. “I love you too, Lucas. Or should I call you, Duncan?” He laughed loudly as he hugged her tightly. “Ye can call me whatever ye wish, lass, as long as ye call me.” She lovingly reached up and kissed him on the nose. He smiled back broadly. Grabbing his own tartan, he spread it over them as they snuggled together in a cocoon of love. She lay on her back and he remained over her, resting upon one elbow. He was fascinated, as before, with her hair. She had not tied it with anything, instead letting it fly freely as they rode through the brisk morning air. His eyes followed the auburn waves as they fanned out around her head. His lips parted slightly as he inspected the fiery strands with great interest. Reaching with one hand, he slid his fingers through her tresses, as his eyes followed the movement of his hand. Gazing up, she took the opportunity to search his face and watch his facial expressions. So handsome was he, she simply couldn’t believe that he was actually in love with her. The man of her dreams had come into her life and admitted his undying love for her. It was all too unreal to fathom. “Elizabeth, we must discuss the true reason for my being in London,” he said in a low tone. “I know that ye heard Angus and me discussing the murders in Edinburgh, lass. “My brother Aidan was a student at the University of Edinburgh a year ago, Lucas. I know he’s dead.” His expression confirmed her suspicions, as his lips pursed and he averted his eyes.

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“Tell me, Lucas, what you know of the student murders!” she wailed. “We’ve been following a ghastly pair by the name of Burke and Hare who make their wages by murdering innocent people. They work for a Dr. Robert Knox of the School of Anatomy in Edinburgh. It’s their job to bring him bodies for his dissections.” Fearing his next words and having to relive them, she covered her mouth in disgust. She sat upright, clasping the tartan about her body. Her thick locks fell forward, resting upon her shoulders and back. He sat up also, as his chest leaned supportively against her shoulder. “Continue, Lucas. What else do you know?” she whispered. “Burke and Hare have murdered many people, Elizabeth. But the last straw was when they murdered Nell MacDonough, a member of my clan. I thankfully had no Parliamentary duties to perform in London, which gave me more time to devote to following the killers.” He paused now as he grabbed her hand comfortingly. Their eyes met in mutual understanding and consolation. “Angus and I are intent on capturing the two scoundrels. We will no allow them to murder another soul, Elizabeth. I’ve sent Angus and a few of my best men to follow the bastards. Angus will report back to me when he has gathered information. He knows to send word to me at Castle MacGinnis in Clackmannan, not far from here.” “But you knew I’d be here? How did you know this Lucas, when I only made the decision very recently?” She stared directly into his eyes as she waited. “Because I knew you have family in Scotland and ye were from Berwick, lass,” he softly answered. “Angus and the men have strict orders to protect anyone who happens to cross paths with the murderers. They won’t let any harm come to good folks who have the unfortunate luck to meet them.” His expression was fierce. As he laced his fingers through hers and raised his hand up, shock and horror registered as she stared at the object on his finger. “Where did you get that ring, Lucas?” she asked him haltingly as bile rose in her throat. There on his ring finger was her brother Aidan’s family ring, the insignia of the crest in plain sight. “I found it in Burke and Hare’s hotel room, why?” He said, noticing her change in pallor and look of horror. “What is it, Elizabeth? Does this ring have some significance for ye, lass?” “It was Aidan’s,” she mumbled as she fought the urge to vomit. Lucas wrapped his arms protectively around her as he rocked her comfortingly. They remained this way until she had cried enough tears and calmed sufficiently. “What should we do next, Lucas? Shouldn’t we be on our way to Edinburgh? We should be there when your men apprehend these scoundrels, shouldn’t we, Lucas?” she implored, as she gripped his arm. His gray eyes searched hers, but he made no comment. Finally he sighed heavily and cupped her face tenderly with his hands. “No, beautiful Elizabeth, I think it’d be best if ye stayed here while I went ahead to Edinburgh with my men to do the dirty work,” he answered softly. She could feel her mouth drop open as she gasped in surprise. “You mean to leave me here, Lucas? How could you do such a thing when I have as much right as you

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to be there? My brother was killed by these butchers, and I won’t remain here while you follow them without me!” Trying to calm her, he stroked her hair lovingly and waited before he responded in a soothingly deep voice. “I just found ye and I canna lose ye, my love. It’d be best if ye stay safe and secure at Castle Stryker. When I’ve returned, lass, we can make plans for our future together.” Leaning down, he kissed her tenderly on the lips. The kiss was wonderful and his words reassuring, but her mind whirled with thoughts of his departure without her, and she wasn’t at all sure she wanted to be left behind.

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Chapter 14 Angus and the men had traveled amidst the dust clouds of the murderers for some two days and had begun wondering if the brainless duo even realized they were being followed. The past two days had dragged on as they followed closely yet discreetly behind the meandering twosome. They seemed unaware of the presence of the five burly men, as they passed a flask of drink back and forth incessantly between them. Raucous laughter filled the air more often than not, and they wandered along as if they had no particular place in the world to be. Angus’ hand inched its way towards his dirk, his hand gripping the familiar handle. How easy it would be to simply throw his weapon and sink it into the backs of these unsavory men. He and the men could very easily discard their bodies in a nearby glen, burying them with the surrounding rocks to mask the offending odor of their rotting flesh. But as tempting a thought as this presented, he knew he wouldn’t get away with the gruesome deed. Lucas would be livid at losing his chance to see the pair hang for their abominable acts. He had ordered Angus and his men to simply follow and assure the safety of anyone they came across. Angus made a conscious effort at conversation with the surrounding men to break up the monotony. Trying to take his mind off his dastardly thoughts of murder, he spoke in low tones with the men. He needed a distraction from his thoughts, to distance himself from his urge to dispose of the vermin that rode just ahead of them. Just the thought of Nell’s life being taken from her violently was enough to make him want to cause them a great deal of pain. Add to that the murder of countless other unfortunate people, innocent people who didn’t deserve to have their lives terminated prematurely. And then to be used as medical subjects, dissected and cut up without regard before observatories full of doctors. He couldn’t get his mind off the idea of stabbing these two and leaving them for the buzzards after what they had done to so many others. Approaching the village of Galashiels, Angus got an uneasy feeling. Gripping the reins a little tighter, he squeezed with his knees, urging his mount to pick up the speed. He wanted to be as close as possible to the killers should they make an unexpected move. As they entered the quaint town, the two took notice of the surroundings, their heads moving slowly from side to side as they chatted. Reining their mounts towards a small stone pub, they secured the animals and walked inside. “Seems like a fitting spot for them to stop. They’re more drunk than sober these days,” Angus spat, venom evident in his voice. “Well, I’ll be damned if we’re going to sit out here all night while they get snockered. Let’s go in the back door to keep from being noticed.” The men all nodded in unison and dismounted and secured the horses.

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As the five entered the dimly-lit tavern, they were careful to remain discreetly out of sight of the two ruffians. Allowing their eyes to adjust to the semi-darkness, the men wove their way to a table near the rear that could accommodate them all. Angus eyes scanned the room as he moved to sit with his men. The pub was a small, cozy room with walls of raw fieldstone. A winding bar occupied only one corner of the room, while the rest was taken up by sporadically placed tables and chairs. Candles occupied every table and graced a few walls, giving the room just enough light for the patrons to eat by. Muted conversations resounded from around the room, and occasional laughter punctuated the relative quiet. After they had ordered their ale and stew, the men quietly conversed, keeping their eyes trained on their prey. Angus did not partake in their discussion, however. He was engrossed in watching every movement the two made, no matter how subtle or insignificant. Time passed. The men ate, and still they talked lightheartedly amongst themselves. Angus, on the other hand, had not removed his eyes from the murderous pair. Even now, as he swallowed a mouthful of food and mechanically spooned up another, he noticed the whisperings of the two as their heads moved closer together and their fingers casually pointed. He followed the direction of their stares and was alarmed when he realized they were enthralled by a very attractive serving girl who smiled and laughed with her customers. His senses were heightened, and he could not tear his sight from the two criminals who had obviously taken a liking to the comely young maiden. The hour grew late and patrons began leaving. Still the five stayed at their appointed post and observed the two killers. Angus leaned down and blew out the candle, wishing to keep his group inconspicuous as they remained in the corner observing their victims. The tavern was nearly empty now, and the girl hung up her apron, smiled and waved at the tavern owner and headed for the rear door. The pair rose from their seats and followed her. Alarm bells were now clanging in Angus’ head as his heart pounded a furiously in his chest. He knew what was about to happen, and he couldn’t ignore his inner warning of danger as it urged him to leave the tavern. He bolted from his chair and the other men strode behind him towards the rear entrance. Five pairs of boots thudded menacingly on the wooden planks as they made their way toward the exit. The tavern owner and a few straggling patrons watched with huge glassy eyes. Flinging open the door, Angus and the men were confronted by heavy darkness. Only the light from the full moon illuminated the tiny streets of the village. Racing towards the main street, Angus’ head spun up and down the street in an attempt to locate the ill-fated girl before her life could be extinguished. He frantically scanned the vacant streets and was almost paralyzed with fear as his premonitions seemed to be coming true. Oppressive quiet greeted them, only the occasional bark of a faraway dog was audible. A bloodcurdling scream pierced the darkness. The men sprang into motion as they lunged towards the sound. Rounding the corner, they sprinted towards the offending yells. As they raced

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down the narrow alley, they were faced with a struggling girl, her arms pinned back. One of the killers held a broad bladed knife to her throat as he positioned himself in front of her hoisted skirt. His head spun towards Angus as surprise registered on his face. Dropping the knife, he bolted toward the darkened end of the alley as his accomplice simultaneously let the girl go and followed suit. Dirt and cinder flew as the two scrambled to escape the fast approaching assailants. The last man flung the poor girl into the path of the following men to inhibit their pursuit. She was helped from her knees and soothed by one of the men as Angus and the other three took chase. Careening around blind corners of the adjacent alleys, they pursued the killers persistently until they came upon a section of alley where nothing moved. Another alley intersected with this one. They had to make a decision quickly. They skidded to a halt and stood side-by-side, chests heaving from exertion, as they listened for a clue to the whereabouts of the murderers. The sound of their own heavy breathing was the only sound. Angus thought he sensed movement in a large grain bin that sat against the side of the building. Cautiously he tiptoed over to the structure and placed his hand on the edge of the top. Gazing at the other men, he nodded his head in a silent signal. With a lightening fast motion of his arm, he threw back the lid. “Yeow!” screamed a stray cat! A ball of fur flew up into Angus’ face, startling him. Then it launched itself off Angus’ shoulder, causing him to stagger back and gasp. As the stray skittered away into the darkness, the men listened to the exaggerated beats of their hearts. They regained their composure and quietly searched their surroundings. The criminals could not have gone far. In their state of inebriation they couldn’t possibly have outmaneuvered five sober men, could they? He grew more agitated every second that they could not find them. What if they had doubled back to get their horses and ride out of the village? Retracing their steps to the site of the attack, they found their man comforting the shaken girl, who was now standing with a tartan draped over her shoulders. “We’ve got to get to the horses, men. Take the girl home, and then meet us at the horses. If we are no there, then continue on to Edinburgh,” Angus commanded as he flew past in a full run. Racing towards the area where the murderers had tethered their animals, Angus’ heart sank as he slid to halt in front of the lone tree that had held the horse’s reins. They were gone. How could he have allowed this to happen? “We’ve got to go after them,” he urged. He swung onto his horse in one motion and kicked his mount into a run. The others dashed after him into the night. As they galloped past the outskirts of the tiny town and into the dark wilderness of the Scottish countryside, they wondered how they could have missed them. They rode low on the necks of their mounts, watching the ground carefully for objects that could injure the horses. After an hour had passed, they noticed clouds of dust ahead of them. They were just behind the murderers and would not lose them again. When they gained on the pair, they glimpsed the dark jackets and familiar horses of the Resurrectionists and knew that they had won.

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Chapter 15 Lucas rode quietly beside Elizabeth, both of them immersed in their own thoughts. They rode back past the ruins, past the towering mountains, past grazing sheep, and back over the land bridge that connected Castle Stryker to civilization. The tide had begun to rise and Lucas knew that he had to make his farewells brief if he had any hope of riding away from the castle. The water would be too cold and he would not subject his horse to the paralyzing temperatures of the loch. He needed to get back to Castle MacGinnis to prepare for his departure to Edinburgh. Tomorrow, bright and early, he would head back to join Angus and his other men as they plotted to ensnare the murderers. He did not fear missing Angus, for he knew the route that Angus would take if he were returning to Clackmannanshire. Yet, he was fairly certain that Angus would remain in Edinburgh awaiting his arrival. When he and Elizabeth reached the stone steps in front of Castle Stryker, Lucas jumped down to assist her. She graciously accepted his assistance, but he could see the faraway look in her eyes. He smiled back, trying to reassure her that all would be well. Even though he could no longer help her brother, he was determined to stop these two from murdering anyone else. “Let me take ye inside, Elizabeth, my love.” He placed his arm soothingly around her waist. “I will make ye comfortable, and then I must leave.” She glanced up into his face with glassy, emotionless eyes as she finally responded to him. “Take me with you to your castle, Lucas, please!” she pleaded, as tears welled in her already swollen eyes. “I want to be close to you when you leave for Edinburgh. That way when you return I will be there waiting for you.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly, resting her head on his chest as if needing his security. He gazed down at her auburn locks, hanging in dramatic waves to almost her waist. He stroked her hair silently as he considered her request. “Verra well then, Elizabeth. I will take ye with me to Castle MacGinnis to await my return.” Her only reaction was to squeeze his waist tighter and bury her face against his chest. Guiding her up the narrow steps, he ushered her inside and took her to her room. Closing the door, he retreated to the den in search of Elizabeth’s aunt. As he entered the cozy room, she rose from her chair, cradling her needlework in her hands. “What is it, my lord?” she inquired with concern. “I’ve spoken with Elizabeth, and I’m afraid I’ve upset her immeasurably,” he said as he lifted his hand to display Aidan’s ring. She gasped and grasped his hand, moving her face closer in order to survey the ring better. “Where did you get his ring?” she asked.

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“Aidan’s murderers had it with them,” he responded grimly. “The poor dear! She must be beside herself. What can we do?” “She’s asked to return to Castle MacGinnis with me,” he said softly. “I’ve told her she could because I think it would be best if she were there when I return from Edinburgh. Elizabeth and I will wed when I return from this grisly task.” Sitting, he briefly told her the story of how they’d met in London, courted, and fell in love. He purposefully left out the more shocking aspects of their courtship. No one need ever know of them. He then told her how he had realized that Elizabeth and he were actually on the same quest, yet unaware of it until recently. As he was about to finish his story, he noticed Elizabeth standing in the doorway, her valise in hand. Rising, he strode across the room to place his arm across her shoulders. Her aunt crossed the room and hugged her lovingly before saying her goodbyes and pledging to take care of Penelope until Lucas’ return. She escorted them to the door and watched as they mounted their horses, waved fondly, and rode away.

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Chapter 16 Angus and his men followed the killers relentlessly as they traveled through the dark of night. The villains seemed intent on reaching Edinburgh, thinking they would be safe there. But Angus knew better, since he and his men would follow the murderers wherever they went. The distance was not great, but the nighttime travel made for a perilous journey. Dust clouds billowed back into their faces as they kept their eyes glued to the two black, caped figures hunched over the necks of their horses. Ordinarily the night would have been quiet, but tonight the air was filled with sounds of pounding hooves, the occasional clinking of dangling weaponry, and the rhythmic snorting the horses made as they exhaled frothy foam from around their bits. Angus had been given orders not to let these criminals out of his sight, and he planned to comply. He savored the triumphant feeling of having foiled their plan to rape and murder the serving girl back in Galashiels. He was all but certain that she would now be dead if they hadn’t intervened. He felt himself having to suppress the inclination to heave his dirk and bury it into the back of one of these undesirables. He didn’t really believe these two actually deserved a trial, considering the heinous crimes they had committed. Better they received the justice meted out by the individual clans involved. Perhaps he would like to see them drawn and quartered, or tortured until they pleaded for their lives, or better yet, buried alive. But he knew Duncan would never stand for this heathen method of justice. He was in the House of Lords, representing Scotland as a Member of Parliament, and he would tolerate nothing less than what the law allowed. So Angus swallowed his anger and hatred for the two and silently renewed his vow to carry out justice in the only manner allowed, watching them hang. A few hours passed and the horses were beginning to tire. Yet the two men pushed their mounts harder, maintaining a lead that prevented Angus and his men from overtaking them. Truthfully, Angus was content just to pursue them, for if they actually caught up to the misfits, he might be tempted to dispose of them. Better they just follow. Darkness shrouded the land. The air had grown chilly, and the horse’s breath was visible as they puffed out great clouds of white steam while struggling to keep up the blazing pace. Gazing upwards at the stars that blanketed the night sky, Angus noticed the twinkling lights of the imposing Edinburgh Castle as it sat perched high above the surrounding city. Pointing towards the tiny lights, he silently informed his men to be ready for a confrontation once they reached the city outskirts. As the road leading to the city twisted and curved in its approach, Angus urged his horse with his knees to keep close on their heels. He didn’t trust these two to simply stop and surrender to him and his men. They were criminals, and no doubt had a plan

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worked out in the event they were discovered. They were cold-blooded killers who had no conscience and would kill anyone who stood in the way of their freedom and wealth. Finally, the outlying buildings of the city became visible, and Angus tensed as he watched the two figures disappear down a side street. He wheeled his mount after the retreating figures. Keeping his eyes fixed on their backs, he hunched low over his animal’s neck to urge the exhausted horse to keep up with them. He knew they probably had knowledge of the city streets and therefore had a great advantage over him and his men. That fact became very apparent as they adeptly traversed through the narrow, dark streets as if they knew their eventual destination. Following along, they stayed as close as possible to their prey. They disappeared in a sharp right turn. The men managed to avoid a collision as they negotiated the turn with as much speed as they could handle, only to be faced with another dilemma. There before them stood the towering wrought-iron gates of the School of Anatomy. Ominous, dark, vine-covered, and frightening, they represented all that was hideous and wrong. Add to that the fact that the two figures had passed through unimpeded and the huge gates were now beginning to close. The four skidded to a halt before the looming bars, stopping just in time to avoid disaster. Clouds of steam flowed from the horses’ nostrils and rose from their overheated bodies as their chests heaved in an attempt to gather air. “Stop! Who goes there?” yelled one of the gatekeepers. His tall figure remained shrouded in the darkness. Only a few hanging gas lamps and the lights from the school illuminated him from behind, leaving his front blackened and obscure. Another guard stepped forward, displaying a huge sword that hung from his belt. “We’ve been following the two scoundrels who just passed through your gates. We wish to pass as well, for we have urgent business with them,” stated Angus in an authoritative voice. “No one passes through unless they belong here,” said the guard in throaty reply. Angus thought for a moment and then answered, “Aye, so they belong here, ye say?” The guard remained silent while he contemplated Angus’ words. “Ye do no belong here. Go before there is trouble.” The guard seemed to hiss his answer in a menacing tone. Angus knew there was no sense aggravating the sentry. He was steadfast in his duty and they weren’t going to get anywhere right now. He headed for the main parts of the city in search of Grassmarket, an area reputed to have lost an unusually large amount of people in the past year. He reasoned it would be the perfect place to begin investigating the School of Anatomy. They wandered down the darkened streets until they came upon the cheery lamps of the White Hart Inn. The inviting lights from within beckoned them to come inside and seek refuge. Not resisting the temptation of hearty ale and a place to put their heads, the four men found a stable and proceeded towards the inn. The White Hart Inn was a two-story building that had huge windows on the bottom floor comprised of many panes of glass, giving it the appearance of class and a happy environment. Dark wood encased the windows, and gas lamps hung from the

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façade. Laughter emanated from the interior, tempting the passersby to come inside and join the merriment. Angus and the men strode through the doors and headed directly for the bar. Depositing themselves upon the barstools, they scrutinized the inhabitants. After a few minutes, the bartender wandered over and smiled at the group of newcomers. “What’ll ye have, laddies?” he asked in a singsong. “Ale for all,” answered Angus, without even questioning his men. The barkeep nodded his head and turned to fill four tankards with the dark, foamy liquid. Bringing the containers back, he placed them in front of them, unconcerned that the contents had run over the top of the mugs. “That’ll be a shilling.” He extended his hand. Angus paid. “Where might I find the owner of this establishment?” he asked. The barkeep pinned him with a questioning glare. “And what would ye be needing the owner for?” he countered suspiciously. “We’ve come to investigate the murders in this city,” Angus answered. The man’s body tensed and he turned to gaze down the bar. “I’ll be getting him for ye then.” Walking down to the end of the bar, he tapped a man on the shoulder. Then leaning his head close to the man’s, he whispered something into his ear. The man looked up and stared at Angus. Nodding his head, he walked slowly down towards Angus and his men. “I’m Robert Dun, owner of this place. How can I help ye?” he asked respectfully. “It’s about the murders taking place in Edinburgh, sir.” Beckoning with his finger, the bar owner led the four men to a more private area. They followed him to a back room, where he closed the door and the men seated themselves around a table. “Now what’s this about murders?” Folding his hands atop the table, he waited. “We’ve been following two bastards from London, sir, and we’ve got it on good authority that they’ve been involved in a grisly business for the local school here in Edinburgh.” The owner stroked his chin for a moment before he responded. “What are their names, these two bastards?” he asked apprehensively. “William Burke and William Hare, sir,” answered Angus without faltering. “Mm, I know these two. They were staying here, but I threw them out. They had asked two guests, Mr. and Mrs. Grayson, to move elsewhere at their expense. I thought it an odd thing to do. But then they gave the lodgings to Mrs. Doherty, an immigrant from Ireland.” Angus thought of his and Lucas’ discovery that these two were immigrants from Ireland, and his suspicions were heightened. “Well, that next morning Mr. and Mrs. Grayson returned to investigate the circumstances and found Mrs. Doherty’s body under a straw mattress. They informed the authorities of the occurrence. That same day, another woman was found dead. Her name was Nell MacDonough, I believe.” Angus knew without a doubt that they were on the right track now. “Unfortunately, a number of students went missing at the same time as well. That

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was all I needed to hear. I threw them out and called the authorities.” But by this time Angus didn’t need to hear anymore either. “Thank ye for your time, sir. Do ye mind if we have a look around? We’re looking for all the evidence we can gather against these two before we turn them in.” “Not at all,” the owner said. “If I can be of any assistance, please let me know.” Bowing, the owner left the room, closing the door behind him. “What do ye make of that? This is definitely the site of the murders, considering Mrs. Doherty, Nell, and who knows how many students died here,” said Angus. He turned to the other three, shaking his head disgustedly. “Let’s get a room, have a few tankards of ale, and get a good night sleep. Tomorrow we’ll scour this hotel and the city for clues to the killings. We’ll leave the School of Anatomy for Duncan when he comes. We wouldn’t want to alert the scoundrels that we’re coming. Leaving the room, the men made their way back to bar where the last bit of pleasure awaited them, for they knew that their work was about to take a nasty turn.

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Chapter 17 Perched on a promontory between the Burn of Care and the Burn of Sorrow, high in Dollar Glen in Clackmannan, sat Castle MacGinnis. Gloom, as it was once called, was derived from the Gaelic “glom”, meaning chasm. For the castle property sloped down into a chasm, while a rim of towering hills surrounded the castle’s roost. As a stronghold, the castle had withstood assault, battle, and fire. Now, in the golden hue of the dusk, the majestic fortification reigned as a noble and formidable citadel. Elizabeth rode silently next to Lucas as her eyes scanned the huge fortress. She could well understand why the McGinnis’s held great power and wielded their superiority over the surrounding properties and clans. She glanced at her companion and wondered where they would live after they were wed. This castle was the principle domicile of the chief of the Clan MacGinnis, so it was only natural they would live here. And what of his duties in the House of Lords? Would he stay in Scotland after they were man and wife? Lucas asked, “What do ye think of our humble abode, Elizabeth?” “Tis anything but humble, my lord,” she answered, as she eyed the immense structure. “Tis grand and fitting for such a powerful clan as the MacGinnis’s.” His smile displayed his great pride. As they rode, he pointed out aspects of interest and different areas of the castle. Passing through the main portal, the sound of the horse’s hooves on the stone walkway reverberated off the ceiling, creating a deafening clatter. Elizabeth was prepared to cover her ears with her hands when they came out into a main courtyard within the walls. They moved on toward the main keep where Lucas dismounted his horse. Coming around to her horse, he helped Elizabeth off the animal’s back and wrapped his arms around her. Kissing her soundly on the mouth, he smiled contentedly as he finally allowed her to slide to the ground. Then taking her hand, he escorted her to the main steps and opened the massive double-doors, standing aside for her to enter. As if on queue, an attractive woman smiled welcomingly and extended both hands towards Elizabeth. “Och, who might this beauty be, Duncan, my love? Please tell me she’s more than a mere acquaintance, son.” Her eyes sparkled with genuine interest at Elizabeth. “Elizabeth, allow me to introduce my mother, Louisa Emma MacGinnis. Mother, this is Elizabeth Forbes, of Berwick.” He made a grand sweeping gesture as he formally introduced the two women to each other. “You’ll be happy to know that she is my fiancée,” he proudly stated. Ignoring her outstretched hand, Lucas’ mother moved towards Elizabeth and gave her a huge hug. “Och, I’m thrilled to meet ye, young beauty. Come, we must make

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ourselves acquainted with each other. After all, we’re family now,” she gleefully noted. As she grabbed Elizabeth’s hand and prepared to walk with her, a tall, imposing man entered the room. Elizabeth knew, from the resemblance, that this was Lucas’ brother, Conor. “Conor, come meet your brother’s fiancée, Elizabeth. Finally, one of you is going to produce a bairn and give me a grandchild,” she bubbled happily as she stopped in front of the striking man. “Pleased to meet ye, lass,” he said softly, as he bent his head forward. Elizabeth stared up into his eyes, trying to analyze the man in the few short moments she had been in his presence. He had a steely hardness about him that Lucas didn’t possess. Lucas had a commanding air about him, a presence that let you know you were dealing with a powerful man. Yet in getting to know him more closely, she had come to know the soft and tender Lucas as well. “I’m pleased to meet you, Conor. Lu ... Duncan has told me so much about you.” She would like to make a good first impression with Lucas’ brother, choosing not to tell him that they hadn’t spoken about his family all that much. She was quite certain she would have plenty of time to get acquainted with them now that she was to be Lucas’ wife. Lucas’ mother interceded and gently took Elizabeth’s arm to guide her towards the large den area, where a roaring fire warmed the enormous room. “Come, darling, let me show ye around, and then I’ll show ye your quarters.” Hugging her hand against her side, she led Elizabeth around the huge room and explained the various wall hangings and weapons upon the wall. Elizabeth gazed wide-eyed at the items she pointed to. “Quite a stunning lass, Duncan, where on earth did ye find such a woman?” came the Conor’s hushed question directly behind Lucas’ ear. “We became acquainted in London, Conor. Why? Are ye green with envy, little brother?” he shot back. A smile lit up Conor’s face as his eyes followed her around the room. “No, I’m just wondering where I can get myself a woman like that.” He laughed and slapped Lucas on the back good-naturedly. The two roared with laughter as they hugged each other and commented quietly on the new bride in the family. Meanwhile, Lucas’ mother ushered Elizabeth up the stairs and headed towards one of the many guest rooms in the spacious castle. As they walked down one of the corridors arm in arm, she happily bragged about the young laird and his accomplishments. She told Elizabeth how many a young maiden had tried to catch the elusive laird, only to be brokenhearted by his rejection. Lucas had told the truth about the fact that he had not yet found the right woman. She felt that fate had definitely intervened. Perhaps she would find Eileen Drummond and thank her for introducing her to the man of her dreams. Finally they stopped in front of a wooden door with a large, ancient-looking brass handle. Lucas’ mother opened the door and waited for Elizabeth to enter. She gazed around the comfortable chamber while she slowly spun in a circle. A large window allowed the golden rays of the waning day to enter, bathing it in a golden hue. A small fireplace glowed, crackling with freshly loaded logs. Against the opposite wall sat a

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rather large bed, a familiar tartan adorning it as the covering. A tall dresser sat against another wall, a pitcher of thistles graced the top and brightened the room. She smiled at the thought of the story Lucas had told her about the history of the thistle. “I see ye wear a tartan, lass?” asked Lucas’ mother softly. “We’ll have time enough time after dinner to talk about ye and your family. I’m most curious to learn about ye, lassie.” She smiled fondly at Elizabeth. “Now I’ll leave ye to rest for awhile. Ye look verra tired, lass.” “Yes, I guess I am rather exhausted, madam. Perhaps if I just laid down for a short nap, I’d feel rejuvenated.” Lucas’ mother nodded her head, smiled sweetly, and hugged Elizabeth before leaving her alone in the room. Walking towards the window, she peered outside to view the landscape. Her breath was caught as she scanned the breathtaking vista. A deep gorge dropped away from the foundation of the castle and the surrounding mountains were awash with light. Color splashed through the sky as dusk displayed her emerging beauty. Breathing a huge sigh of relief, she finally turned and walked towards the bed. She climbed up onto the top and snuggled into a ball atop the tartan. She drifted off as dreams of her prince charming filled her head. Yet, somewhere in the hollows of her mind, was the nagging feeling that something bad was about to happen. But this time, the pleasant thoughts won out and Elizabeth slept peacefully.

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Chapter 18 Angus and his men rose early the next morning, wanting to survey the hotel premises and spy on the grounds of the School of Anatomy. They needed to devise a unique way of gaining entry into the well-guarded fortification. They descended the stairs and were pleasantly greeted by the hotel owner who offered them breakfast and a tour of the White Hart Inn. He was sympathetic with their investigation and wanted to help any way possible. When they had finished eating, he led them to the room where Mrs. Doherty’s body had been found. The room was neat and tidy with no hint that a murder had occurred there. Of course, Mr. Dun had probably taken great pains to not let word out about the murder in his hotel. It would have done his business no good at all to be associated with the brutal killings. “Although the killings themselves were heinous and senseless, no blood was ever shed in the process,” he said, “because the killers have devised their own form of strangulation, in order not to damage the corpses. The authorities have inspected the bodies and have come to this conclusion. The school cannot openly accept murdered victims; therefore, the bodies have to look as though they died naturally.” Angus nodded his head knowingly. “But how does he lure them to their deaths?” he quietly asked. “I don’t think we’ll ever know that, since none of the victims have survived,” replied the owner. “We’ve only started to get an idea how many people are actually missing now, since their families are coming forward reporting them missing.” Angus shook his head from the horror of it all. He couldn’t imagine how many families had had their loved ones ripped out of their lives by these maniacs. It was too late for the ones already killed, but it was not too late to prevent any more. The rest of the day, Angus and the men scoured the city for clues to the murders, sometimes stopping passersby to talk to them about the missing citizens of Edinburgh. There was a general fear of venturing out after night had fallen. Angus couldn’t blame them, since no one had been arrested for the killings. Angus had also learned that the School of Anatomy was doing a brisk business and had attracted almost five hundred people to the now famous Dr. Knox anatomy classes. The graveyards were systematically being emptied of their occupants in order to provide more bodies for dissection. To guard against these occurrences, graveyards had erected higher walls, railings, and even watchtowers as added protection for the tenants. Angus and the men found this revolting and decided to see firsthand what was actually happening inside the famous School of Anatomy. During the afternoon they hired a wagon and a sway-backed nag. As darkness fell, the four men dressed in black capes and hoods to pose as new suppliers of the prized cadavers. Once they had gained entry to the school, they would search the grounds.

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They strategically placed dirks and knives into their sporrans and inside their boots. “Ready?” asked Angus in a low, serious tone. The men grabbed their capes and flung the hoods over their heads. “Aye,” they answered and headed for the stable where they had housed their horses. Two of the men were to portray the deceased cargo, while the other two would pose as drivers. “Come here James,” commanded Angus and dipped a rag into a pot of flour and dabbed it over his young clansman’s face. When he was through, he beckoned Neil forward and did the same to him. The two then climbed into the back of the wagon and were covered by their black capes from head to toe. They looked like two stiff bodies on their way to the tables of Dr. Knox. Two men sat straight-backed on the seat in the front. A light rain fell, giving the already tense situation, an added edge. An ominous mist surrounded the figures as they rumbled down the road towards the school. They had, all four, been in battle many times before, yet they had no idea what awaited them now. The clop of the horse’s hooves reverberated off the houses as they rolled down the desolate streets towards their destination. No moon or stars illuminated their route so overcast was the night. Only the occasional gas lamp offered glimpses of the dirt road and the narrow back streets of Edinburgh. Soon the hellish, vine-covered gates of the school materialized eerily out of the mist. As they approached, they were met by two ghoulish guards who stood menacingly on the other side of the bars. “Who goes there?” one asked. “We’ve come to bring the good doctor some specimens,” Angus replied confidently. Slowly, the huge gates creaked open in a groan, as if to warn any who entered to beware. The taller of the two sentries sauntered over to the side of the wagon, flapped back the covering, and stared into the face of the presumably dead man. He flung the cover back over the ashen face. “Pass through. And bring the bodies to the back entrance by the large tree,” he ordered, pointing in the general direction. “Thank ye,” responded Angus as he slapped the reins against the rump of the horse. The pathetic animal lurched forward. The two up front sat rigidly in the seat as they fought the urge to turn towards the guards, while the two in the rear remained motionless. When they reached the rear door, Angus jumped out of the wagon and opened the door cautiously. He poked his head around the corner of the door and surveyed the long hallway. It was a dismal stone hallway with a vaulted, arched ceiling that rose to a darkened nowhere. Looking down one direction, he could see that the gas lamps sporadically hung from the pitched ceilings only illuminated the area directly below them. This end of the hallway appeared to curve into another hallway. The medical school somewhat resembled a mausoleum with its cold stone walls and dark, dank interior. Looking in the other direction, Angus saw white swirling steam coming from an adjacent door. Angus and Donald hoisted James and Neil upon their shoulders and

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moved stealthily down the corridor. Trying to silence their footsteps as much as possible, they tiptoed towards the billowing steam. “Looks like the Devil’s own breath and smells like pure death,” whispered Angus to Donald and Neil. As they stood at the wide doorway, the cavernous room appeared uninhabited and they couldn’t resist the urge to have a look at the contents of the huge bubbling cauldron in the corner of room. When they came to the lip of the gigantic pot, they realized there were actually various body parts floating haplessly in the revolting swill. As the brew bubbled, numerous arms, legs, heads, and torsos surfaced, twisted, and submerged in a macabre dance. The stench of decaying flesh made the two men back away and head for the door. Gasping loudly, the four managed to inhale enough fresh air to allow them to maintain their composure without vomiting right there in the hallway. Continuing down the dismal passage, they came to another door. The frosted glass on the door proudly announced its title, “Morgue”. Turning the doorknob, Angus led them inside. Donald and Angus slid the two other clansmen off their shoulders and stared around the enormous room in silence. The room was lined with at least a hundred tables with sheets covering the human remains beneath. The room was literally an above-ground tomb, so many dead bodies were there. The four men fanned out, wandering slowly between the rows of metal gurneys, each holding someone’s family member. Eventually they pulled back the sheets to view the bodies beneath. “My God, these are young people,” said Angus, as his voice echoed from the other end of the chamber. “There couldna have been that many deaths of young people lately? I dinna ken of any plagues going around, did ye?” he asked in an astonished voice. The others shook their heads confusedly as they pulled the sheets from the faces of the deceased. “There’s something verra strange about all this, Angus,” chimed in Donald. Angus nodded as he moved to the far end of the room and was about to pull back a sheet when the cadaver’s hand fell from the gurney, making it appear that the person was still alive. Angus launched backwards and crashed into a wooden cupboard that held a large glass pitcher filled with a vile liquid. A tremendous crash reverberated throughout the room, and they knew that someone must have heard the noise. Gazing down, Angus thought he would lose everything in his stomach when he realized he was staring down at a pile of heads that had been tossed about the floor when the jar broke. The horrific sight had him gawking at the heads in amazement and disgust. Then he felt his mouth drop open and his eyes widen, as he recognized the face of one of heads. There on the floor, with a grotesque mask of death, lay the severed head of Nell MacDonough. Her mouth hung partially open, as if her scream had been stopped in midyell, her eyes glassy and lifeless as they bulged from their sockets. Backing away in disbelief and revulsion, Angus ran towards the corner and vomited violently as the others came over to witness the spectacle. The truth and proof of the grisly murders was plainly displayed on the floor, if only they could get out alive to tell the world. Hearing booted feet running down the echoing hall towards them, they knew they were about to face a new challenge. The

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thought of being one of these sad victims was the greatest motivation ever as they prepared for a life and death struggle.

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Chapter 19 Elizabeth opened one eye to the brilliant Scottish morning that burst through the window. She had every intention of convincing Lucas to take her with him to Edinburgh to hunt down the murderers. This was as much her fight as it was his, and she would not be dissuaded from going along. Her confidence was high as she dressed hurriedly in a day dress and piled her hair upon her head, before dashing down the stairs to speak to him. As she darted around the corner of the dining hall, she realized, too late, that she had arrived in an unladylike manner. She skidded to a halt as she stared at the diners, who stared back. There, seated at the breakfast table, was Lucas’ mother, Conor, and Lucas, all staring at her. “Why Elizabeth, come, sit and eat with us,” said Lucas in a soothing, calm voice. Smoothing her skirts, she smiled and moved to sit beside him. “Why the rush, my love?” he purred, as he turned to face her. She frantically devised a suitable answer. “I thought, perhaps, that I had missed your departure for Edinburgh, my lord.” His smile told her he approved of her devotion to him, for it nearly melted her on the spot. She returned his smile, unable to do much else, thinking he was the most handsome man she had ever seen with that errant piece of hair hanging down over one eye, a lop-sided grin curving his mouth. “When will you depart for Edinburgh, my lord?” she inquired quietly. He pinned her with steely gray eyes. “Why do ye bother yourself with that, my love?” he asked, still smiling sweetly at her. “I’d just like to know, since you have no plans to take me,” she countered. He blinked confusedly, his smile faltering only slightly. “Ye will know when I leave, my love,” he replied suggestively. She scanned the table to see if anyone else had heard his comment. Apparently they had, judging from the smirks upon their faces. “Tell us about yourself, Elizabeth,” said Lucas’ mother, apparently trying to interrupt the embarrassing moment. Elizabeth jumped on the opportunity as she turned to face the woman with a no doubt rosy complexion. “Lucas--you’ll forgive me if I call him the name by which I know him--Lucas and I met at a ball in London about a month ago. We attended a number of functions together, have gotten to know one another fairly well, and began courting.” She stole a glance in Lucas’ direction just in time to see the devilish grin emerge. She hoped no one else had seen it, for they would certainly wish to know the cause of his humor. She went on to tell them about her brother’s disappearance from Edinburgh University a year ago and her quest to find out what happened. She did not divulge the

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facts surrounding her father’s gambling and drinking problems, or the family’s dire straits because of that. She only told them about her mother’s untimely passing and that her sister, Cassandra, needed guidance. “And how, my beautiful friend, did ye manage to capture my son’s heart?” she asked pointedly, yet with a playful tone to it. Elizabeth’s mouth fell open in surprise and moments of pure silence passed. “Fate, madam. We were meant to be together,” she announced. Lucas’ mother beamed. “I think ye and I will get along wonderfully, Elizabeth, because I believe in fate, too.” She smiled approvingly at her new daughter-in-law. Lucas had been listening intently to the story about her missing brother and the remembrance of how they had met. “I’ve been considering how I will manage everything when I’m a married man. I’ve been thinking that Conor should take over the running of the mansion in London when he takes over my position in the House of Lords.” This last statement certainly had Conor’s attention as his fork clanged loudly on his plate and his head swung around to pointedly stare at his brother. “What are ye saying, Duncan? That I’m to take over your position in London?” he asked hesitantly. “I know how hard you’ve worked for that position and how much it all means to you. I canna imagine ye just handing it over to me.” Lucas smiled at his brother reassuringly. “It’s already been decided brother. I have enough to do with being chief to the MacGinnis clan and managing all the castles. I canna be everywhere at once. Besides, ye are almost finished with your studies in law. You’ll be able to move right into my position.” Conor’s mouth hung agape. “Thank ye, Duncan. Ye canna know what this means to me.” He extended his hand across the table. Instead of shaking his hand, Lucas stood and moved around the table to hug his brother soundly. The meal was finished and everyone excused themselves. Lucas turned to Elizabeth finally and placed his hands upon her shoulders lovingly. “Would ye like to tour the castle and the grounds, wife to be?” The unexpected endearment surprised her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck as she offered him her lips. He lowered his head and kissed her, for he could not resist the temptation she offered any longer. The kiss was passionate and hot, and he pulled her to his chest until her breasts were crushed against him. Elizabeth groaned and shivered as she submitted to his lustful kisses and the powerful grip of his arms around her. He slowly pulled back, hunger filling his eyes, and she reached for his hand to redirect his mind. “Come, show me this beautiful castle, Lucas. It is grand and timeless, and I want to see every square centimeter of it,” she said softly and grasped his hand tightly. He smiled down at her and winked as though he had uncovered her plan to divert him. Slowly they walked toward the stairwell hand in hand. “Lucas that was a wonderful thing you did for your brother. I could see the emotion in his face and hear it in his voice.” Lucas’ smile was gentle. “Elizabeth, it will benefit me as much as it will him. A

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clan needs a chief who can wield great responsibility. I canna do a competent job when there are so many things demanding my attention. My authority over my people, with all the time-honored duties and responsibilities, is quite enough for me to handle. Even with the help of my chief guard, Angus, I grow weary of all that I must accomplish.” His softened expression gave Elizabeth the impression that Angus held a great place in Lucas’ heart. “We are a proud clan, the MacGinnis’. We have castles in Dunstaffnage, Cawdor, near Inverness, and Inverary. I have quite enough to do in managing these fortresses. We can never forget the men we’ve lost in the battles we’ve fought to retain what is ours.” The immense pride radiating from his face was clue enough to the feelings this man held for his clan, his people, and his heritage. Slipping her arm through his, she clung to him. He looked down and smiled--and winked. Strolling arm-in-arm they wandered out onto the passage behind the parapet of the castle wall. It opened into a small courtyard which extended to the outer wall of the castle. Slowly they walked to the wall and gazed out over the landscape that unfolded before them. The view left Elizabeth speechless as she surveyed the scenery stretching far below and rising to precipitous peaks that flanked the castle. How could anyone take this dramatic beauty for granted? For even if she woke to this view for the rest of her life, she doubted she would ever tire of it. “What are ye thinking about, lovely Elizabeth?” asked Lucas softly. “I was just thinking how absolutely beautiful this country is, Lucas. Now I remember why I’ve always loved to come and stay in Scotland. Why I feel so at home here now.” He took her into his arms, and she became immersed in his heat, his presence, his body. She snuggled against his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. They talked for hours about every subject under the sun, until the sun itself had crossed the sky and was threatening to disappear behind the towering peaks that protected Castle MacGinnis. Shadows elongated and the sky took on the rosy hues of orange, yellow, and red. “Perhaps we should finish our tour and go down to the dining hall for dinner?” he finally said. She nodded and smiled as she clasped his arm. Together they walked through the ancient halls and historic towers of the castle, until it was time to retire to the dining hall. Rounding the corner, arm-in-arm, they looked as if they were already married, so comfortable were they in each other’s presence. “Och, so there ye are, son. And Elizabeth with ye, as I suspected,” his mother said as a wide smile lit up her face. She rose from her chair to plant a huge kiss upon Elizabeth and Lucas’ cheeks. The family sat down and feasted on roasted venison, boiled potatoes, vegetables, and warm bread. The tasty Scottish fare warmed Elizabeth’s insides as they talked enthusiastically of the upcoming wedding. She gazed around the table at the family members as they spoke exuberantly and enjoyed their meal. Oftentimes, one or more persons would talk at the same time, making the room busy with excited chatter. How contented Lucas was in his natural element, with his family and clan around

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him. She had thought him nothing more than a spoiled Lord of Parliament who preyed on innocent females. Now she knew differently. She knew now that he was a man with tremendous responsibilities and concerns for the people of two different countries. As the meal concluded, they bade everyone a goodnight and made their way towards the stairwell. As they walked, they snuggled and talked in hushed tones about their future together. As they reached the top of the steps, a sudden wave of nausea hit Elizabeth with a jolt, bringing her almost to her knees. She halted and sagged as her legs gave way beneath her. Lucas felt her slump and threw his arm around her waist for support. “What is it, Elizabeth? Are ye ill, darling?” he asked with concern. “No, no, Lucas, I believe I just ate too fast, that’s all. Nothing to concern yourself with, really.” Her mind raced to come up with a plausible reason for the sudden illness, but only one explanation kept coming to the forefront. She was indeed carrying Lucas’ child. The realization made her mouth drop open as she stared into space. “What is it, Elizabeth? Should I summons the doctor for ye, lassie?” he asked, grabbing her arm. She smiled and leaned towards him to kiss him squarely upon the lips. Her hands cradled his face as she kissed him deeply. Slowly she pulled away and remained but a breath away from his face “Take me with you, Lucas. I can help you find out what’s been going on in Edinburgh,” she whispered against his lips. “No, my love. I canna let ye be in harm’s way. Better ye stay here and wait for me.” “I love you Lucas, and I will love you forever. Don’t ever forget that, no matter what happens,” she whispered. With an uncertain smile, he stared down into her face. “I love ye too lass. We’ll be together forever. Now, let’s get ye into the room and ready for bed.” He lovingly ushered her into the room. As they reached the center of the bedchamber, he turned her towards him and wrapped his arms around her protectively. His sigh ruffled her hair. “My love, I will come to say my good-byes tomorrow before I leave for Edinburgh. I wouldna leave without saying goodbye to ye, lass,” he whispered into her hair and kissed her head. “I will feel so much better that ye are here protected by my family at Castle MacGinnis. And when I return, we will be married.” His arms laced tighter around her as his lips nestled into her hair. She turned her face upwards and he kissed her passionately as they cuddled together, as if anticipating what the future might bring. **** The next morning brought with it an abundance of rain and a black, stormy sky. Thunder rocked the old castle, and lightning streaked the sky in the distance. Lucas rose from his bed hours before dawn and packed a meager bag of clothes for the trip to Edinburgh. He did not anticipate having to be there for very long. Angus and his men had probably already cornered the culprits and were awaiting his arrival in order to go to the authorities.

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Leaving his room, he slung the bag over his shoulder and strode purposefully towards Elizabeth’s room. She probably slept still, and he had no intention of waking her. He would steal a kiss from those luscious lips and be on his way. And he would be back before she knew it. His hand grasped the old brass handle and it turned noiselessly. Slowly he opened the door wide enough to let a shard of light pierce the darkness as it made its way from the hallway through the pitch-black room. He crossed the room and stopped at the edge of the bed, trying to focus on its contents. His hand groped the bedcovers as his eyes adjusted to the darkness. His hand felt its way around the tartan on the bed. Flat surface greeted his hand wherever it roamed, and he became frantic. Running to the hallway, he grabbed a torch that illuminated the corridor and raced back into the bedchamber. To his horror, the bed was empty, the covers looking like they’d not been disturbed all night long. Elizabeth’s request rang fresh in his mind as he thought of the possible reasons for her disappearance. She had wanted to go with him to Edinburgh. She had gone ahead without him.

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Chapter 20 Booted feet raced towards the morgue, louder and louder. All Hell was breaking loose. The door was flung open and slammed against the wall behind it, shattering the glass in the window. “There they are!” roared one assailant. More men were pouring into the morgue around the corner and chasing after Neil and Robert. With a surge, the two young men leapt into action, running at top speed towards Angus, as did Donald. In rising panic, Angus’ eyes whirled around the room for some place to escape the barrage of men barreling down on them from the open door, scanning for any possible aid to their escape. On the floor, he saw the displaced heads scattered about. Without thinking, he grabbed the head nearest him and heaved it with all of his might towards the large window behind his back. The severed head spun as if in slow motion as it sailed through the air towards the window. Droplets of liquid and blood rained out as it spiraled and rotated. Angus shielded his face with his arm in protection against the putrid fluid that was spraying everywhere. Finally a sickening thud resounded as it finally hit the window. The glass gave way under the weight of the head and crashed, leaving a gaping hole where the window had been. “Follow me men! This way!” yelled Angus, and he flung himself through the hole and landed in the yard outside. The other three propelled themselves through the window after him. “Robert and Neil, ye two run towards the fence, and make sure your screaming and yelling draws the guards away from the gate, lads. Ye both are young and should make it over the fence easily. Go now and hurry,” he commanded. He bent to pick up the discarded head and tucked it underneath his arm. Donald and Angus raced towards the dilapidated wagon and the swayback horse. The animal whinnied and tossed its head as they neared the wagon. Leaping up onto the front seat, Angus slapped the reins against the horse’s rump. “Ya, ye old nag, ya!” He knew they had no other possible exit, as he directed the horse towards the still closed gates. He could see the two guards sprinting in the direction of the fence. They must have seen and heard Robert and Neil. His gaze followed the direction the guards took, and he was relieved to see the two young clansmen hurling themselves over the high, spiked fence. Angus muttered a silent prayer of thanks as he watched them slip into the darkness on the other side. But just as quickly, the two guards skidded to a halt and were now gazing and pointing in their direction. The wagon now approached the ominous gate, which still remained closed. Drawing back on the reins, Donald leaped from the still moving wagon to push open the gates. His efforts appeared strained as he struggled to push open one half of the iron

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enclosure. Angus could now see the two guards running in their direction. “Hurry Donald!” he yelled. The fire and hate in their eyes fueled his panic as he jumped from the wagon to help Donald. As he reached the gate, he leaned his entire body weight into pushing the gate open. They moved to the other half of the gate, straining and grunting. They now could hear the pounding footsteps of the two guards as they charged across the yard. One last effort and the gate swung slowly open. They dashed towards the wagon and jumped onto the seat, and Angus flailed the reins against the horse’s flanks, screaming at the top of his lungs. “Ya, ya!!!” The wagon lunged forward and careened through the gates just as the two men reached the portal. They gave chase but were lost in the dust of the retreating wagon. Eventually they pulled back and disappeared into the dark and mist of the Edinburgh night.

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Chapter 21 She left in the middle of the night, believing it was definitely in her benefit to have the entire household in a deep sleep. She didn’t wish to defend her actions or justify her feelings. Although Lucas probably had some idea of how she was feeling, he had still chosen to leave her behind. Hours after the castle had become completely silent, she rose from her bed. She dressed in a set of Aidan’s clothes that she had brought with her. She needed to be disguised as a male traveler along the treacherous roads to Edinburgh. Tucking her hair beneath the hat and securing the belt around the baggy pants, she inhaled one giant shaky breath. As she glanced around the cozy bedchamber, she wondered if she’d ever see this room or castle again. She felt she had an obligation to her brother’s memory and to all who had died by the hands of the Resurrectionists. If she could get to Edinburgh before Lucas arrived, she could wait for him before she revealed her presence to him. Then, together they could expose the Resurrectionist’s plot to the authorities. Noiselessly she cracked open the door and peered down the hallway. The only sound she heard was the hiss of the torches, offering minimal lighting to the dark hallways. Leaving the room, she paused momentarily to listen, and then closed the door behind her. Tiptoeing down the carpeted hall, she held her cape over one arm until she could place it upon her shoulders. Down the stairs she padded, gazing around her to make sure no one was about. As she passed the large meeting room, she could hear the hissing and crackling of the dying embers in the unattended fireplace. Creeping to the main door, she paused to catch one last fleeting glance at the castle she had hoped to call home. She might never return to this place. She had taken note of the direction of the stables and distance from the castle and had also paid close attention to the horses in the stable. One in particular had captured her interest, Sir Lancelot. He was a leggy, chestnut gelding with a docile temperament. Lucas had pointed him out as the perfect mount for her since he was a gentle ride. She entered the voluminous stable and headed directly for his stall. The rustling of straw and a quiet nicker greeted her as she approached Lancelot. She grabbing a bridle and saddle and gently ran her hand along the satiny neck of the horse. His soft nicker and flexing neck told her he trusted her. She saddled and bridled the animal, before leading him to the stump she would use as a mounting tool. Flinging the cape around her shoulders, she stepped up onto the

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stump, and mounted. Quietly, she walked him over the bridge and through the gates of the castle. The guard must have slept, for no one stopped her from leaving the castle grounds. When she was a safe distance from the wall, she urged the horse into a trot. One hand rested protectively upon her stomach, and she wondered if the bouncing would harm the infant she carried. Since she posed as a male during her trip, she had chosen a conventional saddle rather than a sidesaddle, so she posted in time to the horse’s trotting, thereby lessening the bouncing she would endure. She needed to make time to Edinburgh, for if Lucas awakened and discovered her departure, he would be hell-bent on catching her. Hours passed and she had long since slowed Sir Lancelot to a brisk walk. The moon high above offered her sufficient light to show her the road to Edinburgh, yet she was careful to watch for holes and ruts in the road that could injure her horse. To her complete relief there had been no one on the road, for even though she looked like a male, she was not completely safe from the thieves of the roadways. Another hour came and went, and Elizabeth was weary of the ride. Just as she considered stopping for a while, the lights of Edinburgh Castle peeked through the trees. Positioned high above the city, they were the very first thing seen by a traveler. She entered the city and made her way towards the unmistakable lights of the School of Anatomy. She would not travel to the main gates of the gloomy place, but would instead take a side street and arrive alongside one darkened section of the great wrought-iron fence. It was her intention to tie the animal to the fence and wait until Lucas’ arrival in the morning. By that time he could not deny her assistance. Securing the reins to the bars, she wrapped her body in the tartan and hid behind a large clump of shrubbery. She would nap in the underbrush until daybreak. Bracing herself against the scrub, she gazed at the large structure that was the school. Torches blazed from their holders, creating large areas of lawn that were awash with light, alternating with areas that were blanketed in solid darkness. As she watched, the figure of a tall man dressed in a long black cape crossed the yard and entered a rear door. She stood abruptly, wondering if the man was Lucas. Her decision was swift as she dropped the tartan and began to search along the fence for an opening. She warred with herself, as to whether she should remain there in safety or follow Lucas. Her eagerness to follow won out when she noticed a sizable space between the brick post and one section of iron bars. Sucking in her breath, she squeezed through. As soon as she found herself on the other side, she wondered if it was a good idea. She knew Lucas would be angry with her when she caught up to him. Yet she had trekked alone to the school to aid him with the capture, she might as well take advantage and follow him now. Keeping to the shadowed areas, she crouched low in a huddled position to avoid any detection by the guards. The dewy grass moistened her feet, and the chilly air urged her to gather the dark cape around her body. As she stayed in the shadowed recesses of the structure, she found herself standing next to a solitary door near the back of the building. The same door she had seen Lucas disappear into. Her hand shook as she

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grasped the handle and slowly turned. Opening the door a small crack, she gripped the edge of the doorframe and peeked around the corner. A darkened, lonely hall greeted her, the few torches casting ghostly shadows along the corridor. There was no sign of Lucas or anyone else. Slowly, she closed the door behind her and stood motionless in the passageway. Time stood still as she remained fixated in a state of fear and trepidation. Her own halting breath echoed in the hallway. If she could only gather her courage long enough to find Lucas, everything would be all right. Hugging the cold, brick wall, fear took over as she trembled violently. The hairs on her body rose as she smelled the repugnant medicinal odors of a morgue. Bravery mixed with terror as she crept down the hall towards what appeared to be a door. She slithered silently with her back still pressed against the wall, until she reached the large arched doorway. Peering inside, her breath caught in her throat at the sight before her. The massive room appeared to be some type of auditorium or observatory, for in the center was some sort of table equipped with straps. Banks of seats rose from the floor and stretched to the height of the cavernous ceiling. Inching her way inside, she looked up at the high ceiling, where dim light filtered through windows situated in the highest recesses of the domed roof. As she stood with her head tilted back, a powerful arm laced around her waist, and a cloth was held tightly against her mouth and nose. Heart racing, she struggled against the iron grip that pinioned her arms to her sides. Her head thrashed from side to side in a futile effort to dislodge the cloth that burned her nose and mouth and robbed her of breath. She could hear her own muffled cry for help, as it was swallowed up by the cloth. An odd odor made her limbs tingle and her head pound. She was becoming lightheaded and realized the sensation was her impending unconsciousness. As the room spun and sounds echoed in her head, she struggled against her captor until she went limp and everything went completely black.

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Chapter 22 Panic and sheer terror gripped Lucas as he stared at the empty bed. Elizabeth could now be in terrible danger. His mind reeled with the horrific possibilities. He gripped the torch tightly. The thought of Elizabeth walking into the horror and butchery of Dr. Knox’s school had Lucas’ stomach churning and his teeth on edge as he spun around to leave her bedchamber. He raced down the stairs and charged out of the castle front doors towards the stables. He slowed his pace as he approached Zeus’ stall, not wanting to frighten the stallion. He gathered the bridle and saddle and as calmly as possible readied the huge animal. Attaching his satchel, he swung up onto the horse’s back and guided him towards the door of the stable. Once outside, he kicked Zeus into action, and they broke into a full gallop towards the direction of Edinburgh. Fear and concern overrode with each. Why had she left without him? Did she not know the risks she took? What insanity made her attempt this dangerous thing utterly alone? Yet, even as he asked himself, he already knew the answer. She had begged him to take her with him. She had said it was her right to be by his side to capture the murderers of her brother. He had denied her the right to be there at their capture. Yet he had only been thinking of her when he had wanted to leave her in the safety of Castle MacGinnis. Hunching down against the horse’s neck, he squeezed his knees as an encouragement to continue the blazing pace. Aidan’s ring tingled on his finger and urged him on. He knew she had an entire night’s start ahead of him, yet he stoically refused to consider the consequences of that. Rather, he decided to believe that he could easily catch up to her before she reached the outskirts of Edinburgh. He had to keep faith that he could reach her in time. Faith that the woman he loved would be unharmed when he reached Edinburgh, and that she would be waiting for him.

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Chapter 23 Angus and Donald had stopped the wagon long enough to pick up the two younger clansmen as they tore through the darkened streets of the city. Slapping the reins upon the horse’s rump, they rumbled through the deserted streets and alleyways as swiftly as possible. Taking a back street, they arrived at the stable and made haste unharnessing the nag as they pushed the wagon out of view. Then the four flew up a back flight of stairs that led to their rooms in the White Hart Inn. In Angus’ room, one small candle remained lit. Angus made his way to the solitary window and peeked out around the window coverings. No human movement was evident in the darkened streets below. The silence was punctuated only by the panting of the four men. “I think we’re safe for now, lads,” Angus whispered cautiously, as he peered around the curtains. “We’ll stay for a wee bit and rest. But with dawn approaching, we’d best be somewhere around the school to meet Lucas.” Taking in a huge breath, he plopped himself heavily upon a chair, and turned the head he was carrying so that it now faced upward. He gasped and his eyes widened. There staring back was the grotesque head of Nell MacDonough. “Well lass, we meet again,” he said softly. “Of all the heads I could have picked up, I picked yours. Funny thing that. Perhaps you were meant to help us capture the bastards that did this to ye, Nell?” He chuckled affectionately at the bloody body part cradled in his arms. The proof needed to stop the reign of death perpetuated by Dr. Knox lay securely in his lap.

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Chapter 24 Lucas maintained a brisk canter in an effort to arrive in Edinburgh as quickly as possible. The first vestiges of dawn streaked the eastern sky with colorful hues. The rainy darkness of predawn had thankfully not soaked him as he raced to follow Elizabeth. Invariably his mind wandered to Elizabeth and where she might be at this very moment. He prayed that she was all right and would remain safe until he could find her. Yet something deep inside told him that things were not good. The foreboding urged him to quicken his pace and arrive before too much more time elapsed. When he saw Edinburgh Castle upon its lofty precipice, his heart thudded with anticipation. With light breaking, he kicked his stallion into a gallop, as he wound his way through the city streets. The people were just now emerging from their homes to begin their daily chores, and they stared questioningly as he sped by on his thundering black horse. Endless streets and intersections passed, and his impatience became palpable. His nerves were on edge, for he could not shake the feeling that something horribly wrong was about to happen. There it stood in all its gruesome grandeur--the School of Anatomy. He pulled back on the reins to slow the beast, not sure of what to do next. As his horse pranced in the middle of the road, he pondered his next move. As if from nowhere, four figures slipped from the shadows at the side of the street and flanked him as he faced the gates of Hell. “Duncan, we must enter the school. We found Lancelot tied to the fence just down the street from here,” whispered Angus, his eyes glued to the guards. Not needing to hear anymore, the five proceeded on horseback directly towards the two ghoulish guards who peered through the gates. Their mouths were agape as they stared at the five horsemen who approached. They stopped just outside the gates in a formidable line of horse and black-caped figures. “Open these gates. We are coming through,” commanded Lucas, in his deep baritone voice. He could see the surprise on the faces of the guards, yet they made no move to open the gates. “I said, open these gates or we shall open them ourselves,” he warned in a booming voice. “No one passes through unless they have business here,” replied one guard. He stepped closer to the bars as if daring the group to proceed. Lucas was in no mood for games. He swung one leg over his horse to dismount and strode until he stood face to face with the steadfast guard. “This is your last chance. Open the gates or I shall,” he hissed. The stubborn guard had just started to shake his head, when Lucas’ hand moved with lightning speed to remove his dagger from his sporran. Before the guard could even think of moving, his fingers were neatly removed from his hand. Blood gushed from the

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severed digits and the guard wailed as he held the maimed hand with his other, trying to staunch the bleeding. The other guard was at his side, wrapping the bleeding hand with a cloth. Lucas took advantage of the hectic scene and pushed open both gates, nudging the guards back in the process. He knew the wound would not kill the man, but would buy him valuable time. Remounting, he kicked his horse into action and raced across the lawn with the four others following behind. As he galloped along, his eyes searched for a door other than the door they had entered previously. He settled on one near the recesses of the back part of the building. Dawn made it easy to see every opening in the structure, yet it also made certain their arrival would not be unannounced. As he skidded to a hasty stop before the lone door, something told he was in the right place. His fingers toyed with Aidan’s large ring as it rested on his finger. It was as if Aidan was trying to tell him something about his sister. He felt good about his choice and opened the door without another thought. The four others dropped the reins to their horses and followed him inside, leaving the door ajar. The dark, dank interior greeted them as their eyes adjusted to the dimly-lit corridor. Not even bothering to scrutinize the hallway for the presence of danger, the five turned towards the right and walked briskly towards a well-lit room. As they reached the doorway, they could see this room held racks of tools used to dissect and probe the cadavers. Stepping inside, they gazed around the room while they tried to decide their next move. “What have we here?” The ominous, low voice came from directly behind the group. Five heads whirled around simultaneously to face a veritable pack of men staring back. The group held a variety of weapons ranging from swords to small daggers. The pack moved slowly into the room, circling around the five Scots, leaving them no route of escape. The men bunched together until they stood in a tightly knit group with their backs facing, each left to deal with a portion of the encompassing horde. They were surrounded, outnumbered and trapped. Lucas stared into the faces of their enemies and wondered if there was any way they could get out of this alive.

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Chapter 25 A sensation of extreme cold pressed the entire length of Elizabeth’s back, legs, and the back of her head. She was lying on a very hard, cold surface and she couldn’t move her legs or arms. She appeared to be strapped tightly with leather straps, that were painful and compromising her circulation. Unlike the pleasant experience of awakening in loose silken bondage with Lucas’ sexual tenderness, this horrible dream was clearly a reality from which she wished she could awaken. As she surfaced out of her unconscious stupor, she realized the surface was that of a hard, metal table. As her eyelids fluttered slightly in an attempt to open, she also realized that her mouth was bound with a gag. Bright light illuminated the room, and dark figures stood around her in a semi-circle. “Ah, our test subject has regained consciousness, gentlemen,” came a hard voice toward her right elbow. Turning her head slightly, she made a great effort to clear her vision as she squinted up at the looming figure of a man. “So glad you’re finally coming around, even if it is not for much longer,” he said with amusement in his voice. The quiet rumblings of men’s subdued laughter surrounded her everywhere. Panic engulfed her at his ominous tone, and she thrashed about and mumbled against the gag. His words had sent a surge of fear through her entire body, for she knew he was Dr. Knox, and what was about to happen to her. “I’m sorry we meet under such difficult circumstances, Ms. Forbes, but I cannot allow you to live after what you’ve witnessed here. Besides, I’ve been aware for some time that you’ve been snooping around Edinburgh, apparently in search of your brother. Pity he was one of my prior victims, but I really have no control over who my specimens are, you see. I do nothing more than utilize the bodies brought to me.” He bent slowly towards her and his voice now whispered against her ear, as she could feel his breath next to her face. “Do not be concerned, for you shall feel nothing as your life slips away.” Her eyes shot towards him and she could feel them widen. Complete terror gripped Elizabeth, and she could feel herself begin to tremble uncontrollable at his words. For all she knew Lucas might not have even discovered her absence, and by the time he did, it would be too late. She decided that now might be a good time to pray for some celestial intervention. “My colleagues and I prefer not to dissect moving subjects though. It makes the study so much more difficult.” He straightened to his standing height and walked slowly around the perimeter of the table as he talked. “We prefer them perfectly immobile and alive, if possible.” The mounting alarm made her heart thunder in her chest and her body perspire

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profusely. Her vision was now clear, and her eyes widened further with dread and terror as they followed him around the room. She attempted to speak but her muffled pleas were of little help. Her eyes darted to an adjacent table laden with torturous utensils and tools lined-up in preparation for use. Her eyes flitted back to his face, looming over her with a frightening expression of lunacy. “Two English physician friends of mine, of the Beddoe’s Pneumatic Institute, have enlightened me in the use of ether. A very amazing gas, ether. It renders one unconscious. You recently experienced it firsthand, Ms. Forbes. It comes in handy at times like this, when my work involves a live subject. Normally I don’t require it, since my victims are already deceased.” Elizabeth struggled against her bonds and tossed her head from side to side. She didn’t want to die like this. She had so much more to accomplish in her life. Ironically, she had now accomplished one of her more gruesome goals--she had found her brother’s killer. And now he would be her killer also, unless someone came to help her. Her mind wandered to Lucas, her love for him, her desire to be his wife, and his child within her womb. As if reading her mind, the doctor addressed the men flanking the table. “The added bonus in this arrangement is that we will get to experience the dissection of not one, but two, humans in the same procedure. You see, Ms. Forbes, I happen to know that you are with child.” Her gaze flew up and she pinned him with a wide-eyed stare. “Ah yes, I noticed the subtle movement of your hand to your abdomen just as you were losing consciousness. Women invariably perform this instinctive movement as an innate protective mechanism to the unborn fetus. It’s a shame that you will never get to experience the wonders of motherhood, but it’s a marvelous opportunity for us to view the unborn fetus up close.” Waves of nausea washed over Elizabeth as she struggled to keep from vomiting against her gag. She could no longer compose herself as she imagined her fate and that of her child. Her and Lucas’ child, a child he would never know about. Tears trickled down her cheeks, and she silently sobbed behind the muffled mouthpiece. “I know it’s upsetting, Ms. Forbes, but think of the good you’ll be doing for the advancement of science. I plan to write journals on the subject of unborn fetuses. I’ve even acquired a talented artist who will illustrate our findings. So you see, all is not for naught.” He smiled wickedly and cracked his knuckles as if preparing to perform some delicate procedure. “As one last act of human compassion, I will allow you to speak some last words.” Reaching around her head, he unfastened the gag on her mouth. Furiously, Elizabeth licked her lips in an attempt to moisten her mouth. “How could you be so cruel?” she croaked dryly. “I’ve done nothing to you, and neither has my child.” She pinned him with a gaze full of hate. “All in the name of science, Ms. Forbes,” he answered, a sinister smile curving his mouth. “Have you nothing more to say then, Ms. Forbes?” Then nodding, he grabbed the gag and started to refasten it. Elizabeth turned her head and sank her teeth into his hand. His roar was

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tremendous and prolonged as he attempted to remove his hand from between her clamped teeth. But wanting to cause him as much pain as she could, she bit down even harder. He yelled at the top of his lungs, and his other hand pushed against her jaw. Forcing her mouth open, he glared at her with murderous intent. His eyes were wide and menacing, his chest heaved, and his lips were a tight, thin line of fury. She shrank back in fear. “A very stupid thing to do, Ms. Forbes, for your fate will remain unchanged,” he hissed viciously. As he moved towards her, someone grabbed the sides of her head and held firmly. With one final act of defiance, Elizabeth took a deep breath and screamed as loud as she could, and was instantly silenced. The doctor turned towards the table of instruments to retrieve a scalpel. Elizabeth’s terror was renewed. Hers eyes went wide and glassy as she watched him move to her chest and begin to pluck off the buttons of Aidan’s shirt. They shot in different directions as each one was cut cleanly off with the sharp tool. When he was finished with the buttons, he parted the shirt, exposing her full breasts for all to see. Her chest heaved and her breasts bobbed as they were displayed to the circle of men. “What a shame to do away with such beauty,” he rasped coldly, as he caressed one naked breast. “A pity I couldn’t have sampled your lovely body before your death.” Lightly he pinched her nipple. “But the time has come for our class to commence, so I must refrain. Goodbye, Ms. Forbes.” He grabbed a white cloth from the table and dumped the contents from an adjacent bottle onto it. When he pressed it to her nose, she recognized the distinctive odor of ether. She attempted to toss her head to dislodge the cloth, but someone held her head still. Powerless to do anything, she let her mind wander to her only love, the love of her life, and the father of her unborn child. As she swirled into a black abyss, her last thoughts were of her love for Lucas.

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Chapter 26 The heavy pounding traveled down the hall, growing closer and closer with each second. A stomping, crashing sound echoed in the corridor as it moved towards the door. The source of the noise was definitely large and weighty and agitated. A gigantic black blur appeared in the doorway, blocking any exit. Rampaging into the room, the huge black horse, with eyes ablaze, loudly snorted his wrath and annoyance. Zeus’s thick neck curved and straightened as he threw his head about in a tantrum of anger, alternating between a deep whinny and agitated snorting as he pranced towards the amazed men who had begun to cower back in terror. He reared in a threatening pose meant to intimidate everyone within arm’s length. He pawed the air and screamed menacingly as the men scattered. Muscles rippling, black coat shining, nostrils flaring, he was the picture of rage and violence. He stomped his way to Lucas’ side. Grabbing his bridle, Lucas spoke soothingly to him, praising his heroism. He and his men were safe for the moment because of this brave horse. Out of the corner of his eye, Lucas saw one of the enemy raising his knife to stab Zeus. With lightening precision, one powerful hind leg propelled to the rear, driving the assailant through the air and into the wall with a sickening thud. The others rushed to gather around the injured man. Lucas knew time was of the essence because of the two screams he had heard. One was of a man, violent and painful. The second was a woman in panic, a woman that sounded exactly like Elizabeth. “We must follow the sounds of the screams, lads,” he commanded in a booming voice. Handing the reins to Angus, Lucas ran down the hall. Aidan’s ring again tingled against the skin of his finger and urged him to move more quickly. The situation was dire, and he would need to hurry to save his woman. Pumping his arms, he ran down the dimly-lit hall towards the sounds of peril, while the others followed, their boots echoing in the hallway behind. He came to another doorway, skidded to a halt, and stared into the room at a huge amphitheatre. The brightly-lit room caused him to squint as he eyed the occupants, who stared backed confusedly. Black-coated men surrounded a metal examining table, the object of their attention obscured. Lucas stepped closer to the table, his heart thudding in his chest as he considered the possibilities. “Who are you, and what is the meaning of this, sir?” yelled the annoyed voice of the central figure. Lucas continued towards the table. The circle of men parted like the Red Sea, and he gasped at the sight of Elizabeth, shirt agape, breasts and abdomen bared as the lunatic with a knife hovered over her, his instrument poised. She lay immobile, yet he could see

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that she still breathed. Rage caused Lucas to snarl with disgust, his chest heaving in agitation. He pinned the psychotic doctor with a hateful gaze as he moved to release Elizabeth. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” roared the man with the instrument, his eyes ablaze with fierce rage. He moved to grab Lucas’ arm, and Zeus charged into the middle of the room, metal horseshoes pounding the stone floor. He reared as he pawed the air, making his displeasure evident. Deep, throaty, equine screams, along with his formidable black body, gave him the appearance of belonging to Satan himself. His eyes rolled, displaying the whites, as his eerie, threatening cries caused most of the group to bolt out the back of the observatory. The man with the scalpel stood his ground and confronted Lucas. “I don’t know who you are, but my men should be here at any moment and we shall put an end to this interruption.” He stood nose-to-chin with Lucas. “I’m afraid your little business is over doctor,” replied Lucas calmly. Angus and the men moved forward to grab the doctor’s arms and pin them to his sides. Lucas reached down to cover Elizabeth’s breasts with the folds of the shirt. He then grabbed the scalpel out of the doctor’s hand and cut the leather straps from her wrists and ankles, and removed the gag. Bending, he gently scooped her into his arms and gazed down at the woman who had come to mean everything to him. “You’re safe now, my love,” he whispered to her. So beautiful was she in her repose. Long lashes lay against pale cheeks, plump pink lips parted ever so slightly; creamy breasts rose and fell as they peeked out from the parted shirt. He shuddered to think what would have happened if he and his men had not arrived in time. Rounding the corner, Lucas stopped with Elizabeth in his arms, and was confronted by the group of men at the other end of the hall. En masse they walked towards him and his men. “What’ll we do now, lad?” asked Angus from his side. Lucas was still pondering the solution when the answer stomped by, the weight fairly shaking the floor as Zeus screamed a warning to the approaching crowd. The animal stood tall, snorting, and yelling as if he dared them to proceed. The group obviously hadn’t forgotten what had happened to their partner. They backed away to reveal the door leading to escape, still hanging open after Zeus’ entry. Lucas walked towards the door. Zeus remained positioned to protect them against a change in attitude by the group. Lucas and his men stepped outside, moved to their horses, and mounted. Angus carefully took Elizabeth from Lucas’ arms and waited for him to mount Zeus. Then he tenderly lifted her motionless body until Lucas could cradle her in his lap. “Let’s leave this hellish place,” he rasped. The men gathered their reins and followed him towards the gates. Looking ahead, Lucas could see that no one manned the enclosure. He didn’t question their good fortune as he urged his horse across the lawn and out of the compound. The group thundered through the dusty streets, until they came to the White Hart Inn. After they secured the horses for the evening, they hurried inside and up the stairs. Lucas crossed the room in long strides and tenderly placed Elizabeth upon the

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bed. She was still limp and unresponsive, her small body pale and vulnerable. He covered her with a blanket and turned to speak to his men. Lucas paced slowly. “We’ve no proof, men,” he uttered finally. “If they don’t believe Elizabeth, then what are we to do? They’ll do dissections and experiments on anyone they choose.” He crossed his arms over his chest in disgust. A slow smile formed upon Angus’ lips and he seemed to have gone daft at a most inopportune time. Lucas opened his mouth to protest, as Angus picked up a clothcovered object. Lucas stared at it confusedly as his hands dropped to his sides. “What in God’s name is that?” asked Lucas huskily. Instead of answering, Angus laid the object at the foot of the bed and unwrapped it. Lucas moved closer to the thing to get a good look at it. He was staring into the grotesque features of Nell MacDonough. “Where the hell did ye get her from?” he whispered with incredulity. He leaned down as though not convinced at what he looked. “She’s our proof, Duncan,” Angus responded with smugness. Lucas slowly turned his head to look into the face of his guard, and then he smiled. “We shall have to take her to Edinburgh Castle for the authorities to prosecute the bastards though. They will no be able to ignore proof as powerful as this.” Just then, the small movement of Elizabeth’s foot alerted them that she had finally regained consciousness. Lucas moved to sit beside her. He gently picked up her hand and waited for her to awaken fully. She moaned softly and rolled her head from one side to the other. She stretched her muscles and then stopped abruptly. Very slowly, her eyelids raised and she moved her eyes from one side to the other as if trying to assess whether she was in the afterlife or not. When her gaze landed on Lucas’ face, her eyes widened and she gasped loudly. “Wha, where am I? Am I dreaming Lucas or did I die and wish to see you?” she cried in disbelief as she sat up and threw her arms around his neck. Before he could answer, she was sobbing against his neck and hugging him tightly. Her crying racked her body and she shook with emotion. He said nothing, but held her in his embrace, comforting her. Silently, the other men crept out of the room, leaving the two lovers alone.

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Chapter 27 Three weeks had passed since the ordeal at the School of Anatomy in Edinburgh. Lucas returned with Elizabeth to Castle MacGinnis for complete rest and recuperation. She had been through a terrible tribulation and needed time to relax, time to forget what had happened. Though Lucas doubted she would ever fully erase the horrendous memories, he would remain by her side helping her to forget for eternity. He relished the thought of being her husband and helping her accept the love he offered. In the three weeks she had been convalescing, he’d been hard at work planning a wedding, a wedding that had been too long in coming for the young chief of the MacGinnis Clan. A wedding that never would have happened, had it not been for an insecure female bent on revenge and Elizabeth’s own desire to follow her brother. Walking to a wooden cabinet that housed the liquor, he poured himself a generous glass of whiskey. As he raised the glass to his lips, he heard footsteps entering the room. “So you’ve taken to drinking already, Duncan?” He pinned Angus with an assessing look as he cocked his head in his direction. “No, I’d be partaking in some fine spirits to distract my member.” Lucas winked at Angus and smiled. “Och, spoken like a true newlywed, sir.” Angus moved into the room and threw his arms around Lucas. The two hugged and pounded each other on the back as they laughed uproariously. After offering a tumbler to Angus, Lucas motioned towards two chairs. Tossing down the fiery fluid, Angus winced, then pinned Lucas with a serious glare. “How is Elizabeth, sir? She went through quite an ordeal. I was hoping she could put it all behind her for the wedding.” Then standing, he took Lucas’ glass, strode towards the cabinet and refilled the glasses as he listened. “She seems to be handling it well, Angus. I’ve no left her side for verra long. I couldna bear to leave her alone. My mother has been helping her prepare for the wedding, and she’s been in good spirits.” “Glad to hear that. I thought you should know that those bastards Burke and Hare got what’s due them. After they were hanged, their bodies were donated to the School of Anatomy to be used in research. They were dissected and studied, just like their victims.” His obvious bitterness and distain for the pair punctuated his statement. Lucas nodded his head in approval. “And Dr. Knox won’t be practicing medicine anymore.” “A fitting end to a worthy group,” Lucas spat. “Come, Angus, we have a wedding to attend. We canna let the bitterness we feel for these men tarnish this wonderful day.” Grasping the shoulder of his faithful companion, they walked off together.

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Chapter 28 O my luve’s like a red, red rose, That’s newly sprung in June, My luve’s like the melodie That’s sweetly play’d in tune. As fair art thou, my bonnie lass, So deep in luve am I, And I will luve thee still, my dear, Till a’ the seas gang dry. ‘A Red, Red Rose’- Robert Burns, 1794

Lucas walked beside Angus as he tugged at the lapels of his black velvet jacket, straightened the collar of his white dress shirt, and patted his formal sporran. “Ye look verra regal, sir. She willna be able to take her eyes off of ye, she won’t,” Angus said, as he glanced sideways at his chief. Lucas glared back as if not quite believing his faithful guard’s words. He felt a small smile curve his lips, for he knew that his anxiety was completely unfounded. There was nothing that could spoil this perfect day. As the two strode together out of the main keep and across the covered drawbridge, Lucas’ mind wandered to the special woman he would wed today. He thought about the very first time he laid eyes on Elizabeth. How captivated he was and how powerless to look away he had been. How obsessive he had been in watching her every move and wanting to meet her. The irony of their meeting brought yet an even wider smile to his face, as he remembered her lithe, curvaceous body in his arms as he whisked her, asleep, out the back door and into his waiting carriage. “What has ye smiling so broadly, Duncan?” asked Angus, smiling goodnaturedly. “I’m just thinking back to the way we met, Angus. How hopelessly in love I was with her even from the verra beginning.” Yet truthfully, it had been so much more than just her beauty that had captivated and ensnared him. He had a profound respect for her relentless search for her brother Aidan. Her love for him had never let her give up on the hope that she would find out what had happened. Her love for her entire family was a commendable trait. She had been prepared to forfeit a marriage of love for a commitment with a stranger simply to help her struggling family.

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Little did they both know that they had been fated to meet and fall completely in love. Each of them had been searching for exactly what the other offered. A light breeze blew as the two men started down the slight decline towards a small plateau that lay nestled between the lush green mountains. Waves of lavender heather undulated and pulsated in unison, creating one giant rippling sea of floral. Puffy white clouds skimmed the tops of the bright green mountains as they rose majestically towards the sky. Lucas strode around a clump of bushes, and the plateau came into view. An arched arbor crested the plateau and upon it were fastened blossoms of heather. A patch of thistle peeked out from behind the arbor, as if to assert its rightful place in the happy event. But it was not the flowers that had Lucas’ attention, but the bride who smiled at him so beguilingly. His heart thudded in his chest as he returned her smile and moved to stand by her side. He couldn’t stop gazing at her beautiful face. Their eyes met, and he could feel her love for him as he stared into their depths. He wanted so badly to take her into his arms and kiss her passionately, but he somehow resisted. Instead, he grasped her hand and turned to face the clergyman. Only then did he realize that he had walked right past a crowd of wedding guests who were smiling back with pride and joy at the happy couple. Even his faithful savior stood obediently to the side with James as he thrashed his massive black head about in a silent gesture of contentment. Yet he had seen nothing but the woman of his dreams. The long, white gown cascaded to the ground, the flowing skirt tapering to a long trail of silken material. The gown dipped enticingly off her shoulders to reveal creamy skin that he couldn’t wait to touch. The front allowed just a crease of tempting cleavage to show, as a hint of the sensual globes that lay beneath threatened to spill forth from the dress. His heart pounded in his chest with anticipation as he stared down lovingly into her eyes. A circlet of woven flowers graced her head, and her long, auburn hair had been left free to trail down her back and blow in the breeze. Long sleeves covered her arms, protecting them against the chilly breeze of the early Scottish springtime. The clergyman cleared his throat as if to break the trance that held the two lovers. “We will begin today with the ritual of handfasting. Please extend your hands to me, Duncan and Elizabeth.” The two offered their hands as the clergyman brought out a strip of a tartan that was to be used for the handfasting. The ancient Celtic ritual symbolized the binding of the couple together forever. As he wound Lucas’ hand to Elizabeth’s, he recited, in Gaelic, a Celtic marriage passage and blessed the couple with love and prosperity. “Ye will now recite your marriage vows,” said the minister. He nodded in Lucas’ direction. “In perfect love and perfect trust I commit myself to her in joy and adversity, in wholeness and brokenness, in peace and in turmoil, living with her faithfully, all our days. May God give me the strength to keep these vows.” The clergyman nodded, and then turned toward Elizabeth who then spoke the very same words. When she had finished, they turned toward each other and grasped hands. A final Celtic prayer was delivered and the ceremony was concluded.

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“Ye may kiss your bride, Duncan,” said the minister finally. Lucas stared down into her face. Her lips invited him; her eyes gleamed with happiness; her expression told him she was utterly content. Pulling her bound hand behind her back, he placed his other hand behind her head and bent his head to capture her lips in a blazing kiss of possessiveness and love. She melted against him and returned his kiss enthusiastically, throwing her free hand around his neck to pull him down towards her. The entwined lovers were oblivious to their wedding guests as they kissed and remained securely bound in each other’s embrace. “Ahem, sir. Perhaps we should move to the hall where the food awaits?” interjected the minister. A thunderous roar erupted from the crowd. Clapping and cheering arose, whistling pierced the air and shouts of joy punctuated the still afternoon serenity. Zeus sidestepped in a dance of enthusiastic energy. Remembering they were not alone, Lucas and Elizabeth held each other as their lips parted ever so slightly. Their eyes met and their emotions were no doubt felt by all present. “I could spend all day and night just kissing you,” he whispered against her lips. As they gazed at one another, her eyes slowly looked downward until he could see nothing but her long lashes against her milky skin. Her fingers had grasped Aidan’s ring and she was staring up into his eyes. “He’s with us today, Lucas. I can feel him, can’t you?” she whispered back, as a single tear rolled down her cheek. “Yes, my love. He’s here with us most certainly,” he replied quietly. He knew, without a doubt, that if it had not been for Aidan and the ring, Elizabeth might very well be dead. It had been the ring that had kept him steadfast in his pursuit and direction as he stormed forth to rescue her. And even though he had never gotten a chance to meet Aidan, he felt he knew him in some small way. Finally, the pair turned to face the still cheering crowd. The mournful drone of several bagpipes started up, playing a familiar Scottish tune. Elizabeth was frantically waving and blowing kisses at Martha, Aunt Ann, and Aunt Penelope, who stood in the first row. Tears were streaming down both cheeks as she smiled back happily. Lucas thought back to each of the women’s contributions to their marriage and smiled to himself. Aunt Penelope had been Elizabeth’s constant companion and had been privy to her innermost thoughts. Aunt Ann was instrumental in introducing them, for she could not know that they had already met, yet she instinctively knew they were right for each other. And Martha’s comments and predictions were downright spooky, he thought as he chuckled inwardly to himself thinking that she had been completely correct the entire time. He owed each woman a debt of gratitude, one which he would probably never be able to repay. Zeus would get a huge bag of oats each night for the rest of his life for his bravery and devotion. He had the rest of his life to thank each one of them properly.

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Chapter 29 Seven months later The invitations had gone out, the announcement plans made. Aunt Penelope and Aunt Agnes had meticulously handwritten each and every note themselves. The lavish, palatial mansion would once again host a party like no other. The 6th Duke of Ravenshire and his wife would proudly announce the marriage of their niece, Elizabeth Forbes, to her longtime suitor. Rumors were rampant among the London snobs as to whom the man was. The ton was devouring the intriguing gossip regarding a very interesting participant of the spring coming out, for all wondered what had happened to the beautiful, yet elusive, Elizabeth Forbes. She had vanished from the party, never to be seen again. Many a young man had waited for her return to make good her dance card commitment. Yet she had disappeared after a mysterious errand with a pale blonde female. Talk had circulated that the female had been an acquaintance of Ms. Forbes’s, and she had vanished directly after being seen with her. Rumors swirled with abundance, making the information even more enticing. Carriages arrived, handsome couples entered the magnificent mansion, and the atmosphere sizzled with the excitement of the upcoming announcement. The wealthiest and most influential people were in attendance to witness the ceremony. Champagne flowed, the orchestra played, and lovers danced as they waited, with growing anticipation, for the latest bit of news. Yet there was one such participant who was not from an affluent family, nor was she born into an impressive bloodline. Her name was Eileen Drummond, and she came out of pure curiosity--and a personally engraved invitation. Although she might have thought it odd that she should receive such an invite, she nonetheless was in attendance. She mingled among the rich and prosperous, probably still hoping to catch the eye of a good-looking young gent who had been born into money. Word was that her luck had not been good, even with the elimination of her arch rival, Elizabeth Forbes, some months ago. This undoubtedly confused her, for she probably thought that Elizabeth’s downfall would have guaranteed her success. Yet it had not happened. Elizabeth stared down at her from the height of the second-story balcony. As Eileen glanced around the room at the handsome and available men with renewed hope, Elizabeth vowed to ensure that she would have a disastrous evening, for the upcoming announcement was aimed at her more than anyone. As Eileen was about to move towards a particularly comely gentleman, a deep, rich bell sounded, signaling the announcement by the duke and his wife. “Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen,” said the attendant. “I wish to bring your attention to our honored hosts for this evening, The Duke and Duchess of Ravenshire.”

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Applause resounded as the pair bowed and acknowledged the crowd. Elizabeth looped her arm through Lucas’ and they moved to the head of the stairs for the formal presentation. She held on tightly, for her condition was tenuous, at best. Her feet were no longer visible to her, and movement had become cumbersome. “And now, without further ado, allow me to introduce to you our esteemed guests, Lady Elizabeth and her husband, Lord Duncan Lucas Marston MacGinnis.” Thunderous applause arose, and hoots and whistles pierced the air. Elizabeth kept her head high as she grasped the arm of her dashingly handsome husband, attired in fashionable black evening attire. His dark hair had been smoothed back neatly. As she glanced sideways, she felt her heart skip a beat at his devilish, lopsided grin. He winked back, causing her to smile broadly and falter slightly. He clutched her elbow, insuring her safety. As they slowly descended the elegant stairway, Elizabeth managed to locate Eileen amongst the crowd of upturned faces. Her attention was riveted to the glamorous couple as they made their way down the main staircase. The couple deviated from a straight path to curve towards the side toward Eileen, whose face was becoming paler and paler, the closer they came. Her jaw now hung in a most unattractive way, as she stared back through glassy eyes. “Eileen, my goodness, what brings you here to my wedding announcement?” asked Elizabeth sweetly, as they came into earshot. “And, as you can plainly see, our baby’s announcement as well,” she added with syrupy sweetness, gazing up lovingly towards Lucas. Eileen’s teeth gnashed as she stared back at Elizabeth with a hateful glare. Elizabeth decided to pile on insult to injury at this point, and she pushed out her rotund belly and stroked it lovingly. “The heir to the MacGinnis throne is due any day now. Isn’t that exciting?” Eileen had, at this point, turned a shade of green, or some similar putrid color. “You remember, Lord Marston, don’t you Eileen?” She presented Lucas to the visibly livid woman. Eileen could barely make eye-contact with Lucas. “I most certainly do remember you, my lord,” croaked Eileen, her eyes avoiding his as they scanned the crowd, as if to see who listened to this embarrassing conversation. She was more than aware that a good portion of the room had their eyes riveted to the action taking place. She seemed to be on the verge of some kind of breakdown, as her eyes flitted around the room and her hands twisted nervously together. Yet Elizabeth couldn’t resist delivering the final blow with devastating precision. “You know Eileen, I’ve thought of you often. I’d even thought of thanking you for introducing me to the man of my dreams. He is the love of my life, you know. I couldn’t have wished for more.” At this point Eileen’s face relaxed minimally from the tense mask of hatred that had been plastered upon it. Elizabeth had every intention of finishing her off, but a sudden change of heart made her rethink her bitterness. “But then I think of how you changed my life forever, and I have nothing but gratitude.” Smiling, she grabbed Lucas’ arm, snuggled against his

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side, and looked up into his features. “Come, my love. Let us mingle for awhile. Then you, I, and Aidan must leave so you may rest,” murmured Lucas. “What if this is not Aidan I carry now, husband?” she asked seductively. Pinning her with a lustful gaze, he answered, “Then I believe we will have to keep trying until we get it right.” Bending, he kissed her passionately, for their kiss left no doubt in anyone’s mind that their blazing love was forever and beyond.

The End