Page 44 of Return to Wildsyde

“Aye, ye did, and not for the first time,” he said, staring at her.

Luella swallowed and put up her chin. “Well, and what of it? I’m allowed to admire you, aren’t I? The other women were ogling you and made no bones about it. At least I was discreet. I beg your pardon if I made you uncomfortable, though. It won’t happen again.”

She turned on her heel, determined to get out of his company as quickly as she could and never look him in the eyes again, but a firm grasp upon her arm held her immobile.

“Dinnae go haring off in a temper fit. I was nae uncomfortable, I dinnae mind ye looking at me. I like it,” he added, the words a low growl that made her heart leap as his gaze fell to her mouth.

“Oh.” Luella’s heart was beating so hard she felt giddy with it. Would he kiss her after all?

He shook himself and let her go. Her heart plummeted. She knew he would never do so, not unless she made him.

“We’d best get back,” he said grimly, striding off at such a pace Luella had to run to catch him up.

“I do want you to kiss me,” she blurted out, almost running directly into the back of him as he ground to a halt.

“Then ye are a fool,” he said without turning.

Luella moved around in front of him, gazing up at his face cautiously, uncertain if he was angry or frustrated. His tone could have been either. Both.

“Why?”

“Because I’ll nae marry ye. I’ll not be caught again, nae matter the circumstances, nae matter what anyone says of either of us. So if ye want me, it’s all well and good, but there’s nothing on offer here. D’ye see?”

“Of course,” she said, having known that much, for she wasn’t the fool he accused her of being. “You’ll marry a lady, someone who can bring parties and society to Wildsyde like your mother did,” she said with a smile that sat uncomfortably on her face, feeling stiff and awkward.

“Aye. That’s it,” he agreed. “I dinnae mean to say that ye are nae a lady, Luella.”

“I know,” she said, sounding reasonably cheerful even though she had the unaccountable urge to cry. “Just not a proper lady, raised to the position. I never thought otherwise, I assure you.”

“Good,” he replied, letting out a breath. “Then ye ought to be sensible and go back to keeping your distance and…”

Luella flung herself at him before she could think better of it, pressing her mouth to his. For a moment his entire body was unyielding, as if she had tried to hug the castle walls, and then his arms came around her, tightening as his mouth softened, and she melted as he gave her what she had so explicitly demanded.

Luella had been kissed before. She was not entirely innocent. Jacob Tyler had seen to that, though thank heavens she had not been fool enough to give him everything. She had escaped the indignity of finding herself pregnant and abandoned, though he had married the ‘other woman.’ She had often wondered which one of them he would have honoured if they’d both ended the same way. But though she had been tempted with Jacob, the man she had intended to marry, his kisses had never felt like this.

Lyall’s arms were strong, his body fiercely hot and hard against hers. The delicious slide of his tongue was beguiling, inviting her to take more. He tasted of whisky and smelled of new wood, fresh air, and the musky scent of a working man. She was entirely intoxicated by him. His mouth was at once fierce and tender, taking what she offered and demanding more, but never overwhelming her with his greater size and force. Even foxed as he undoubtedly was, she did not feel uncertain of his intentions. If she said stop, he would. No, it was her own desires she feared, for she wanted him like she had wanted nothing in her life before and there was no place to take such desires. He might take her to bed, give her pleasure, but then what? He had made his intentions clear and unambiguous, she would be a fool to ignore the warning. She wanted him badly, more than she wished to admit even to herself, but did she really intend to ruin herself over him?

He drew back, staring down at her, perhaps sensing her hesitation as she considered where this was leading.

“Run along home, Luella,” he said, his voice full of smoke and heavy with desire. “Before I decide not to let ye leave.”

He let go of her and stepped back, and the loss of his heat made her shiver, leaving her bereft in some intangible way she had no way of explaining. She nodded, though, for she was not hell-bent on self-destruction. Not when there was Jack to consider.

She turned away and hurried back to the castle alone, feeling his eyes upon her until she knew she was out of sight.

Chapter 15

Father,

We have settled on the perfect location. I believe you will be pleased with the price I negotiated with the landowner on the Berwick side of the river. We are having far more difficulty with the owner of the Tweedmouth location, but I am determined to get the deal done.

―Excerpt of a letter to Mr Gabriel Knight, from his son, Mr Felix Knight.

14th June 1845, The Sons of Hades, Portman Square, London.

“Lyall sends his regrets, but Muir and I represent him, aye,” Hamilton said, sitting down around the long table as his brother pulled out a chair beside his.

Leo nodded his agreement and cast an eye around the room. Pip and Thorn, the Barrington brothers, were both here. Ashton Anson, looking about as grim as Leo had ever seen him, sat with Larkin on one side and Jules on the other. Conor poured out drinks as everyone got settled. Hart arrived last, looking irritated. He strode into the room, bringing with him the scent of greenery and the outdoors.