Post by Meomi on Jul 7, 2012 21:29:57 GMT -7
A WICKED PROPOSITION
..::Chapter 15::..
Catherine: You would ask that of me? What manner of a friend are you, Captain Van Ryker? It is beneath your contempt what you ask for your silence.
Nicholas: Come now, don't pretend to care for him, Catherine. We both know differently. I would think one day in my bed is a small price to pay. We both know what he will do if he discovers you conspire against him. He will toss you out on your pretty little ass and you will get nothing.
Catherine: You are loathsome!
Nicholas: No more loathsome than you are, love, just a tad more honest.
Catherine: I cannot do it!
Nicholas: Come now, had I not stopped what began in the gardens, you would have let me then. This maidenly protest is unnecessary. I am not Gabriel. I see you for what you are, love.
Catherine: I come to you one day, and no more. Then you will leave me alone?
Nicholas: Tomorrow, you will come to my residence. You have my word he will never know of it.
Catherine: I will know!
Nicholas: Such a conscience, love? It's a bit late for one, don't you think?
Catherine: Fine, I will meet your terms. I hope you conscience is intact, Captain. You are no friend to him.
The coach stopped in front of Iverleigh's house.
Nicholas: Until tomorrow then.
Tieghan joined Nicholas after Catherine returned home.
Tieghan: Must we continue to chase Iverleigh's mistress? You confronted her. Can we go?
Nicholas grinned at his friend's words, knowing Tieghan thought this mission was beneath them both.
Nicholas: Where is the "We" in this? I did not see you giving chase at all. You followed in the carriage, not quite the same thing.
Tieghan: I saw her face, Nick. She was afraid when she left the barrister's office. She ran away like the very devil himself was on her heels.
Nicholas: I am paying her off now. It is done. Whatever she was doing for Thornton and Lady Iverleigh is over.
Tieghan: She is Gabriel's problem, Nicholas, stay out of it. You play with fire here, and you know it.
Nicholas: I would like her to be my problem.
Tieghan: That is obvious. Do not say I did not warn you. Forget about her, Nicholas. She is not for you.
Nicholas: She is not for him either.
Tieghan: Is she worth your friendship with Gabriel, Nick? Lord Iverleigh has been like a brother to you all these years. You owe him far more than you can ever repay him. Think on that before you give into what I see in your face. The damned wench isn't worth your friend!
Nicholas consoled himself knowing after tomorrow, he could put her out of his mind once and for all.
Catherine entered the study upon her return without knocking.
Gabriel: Did you enjoy your shopping? I trust your mood has improved.
Catherine: My mood has improved considerably. I found myself missing you. Surely you can take time away from such dreary interests, my lord?
Gabriel froze as he met her blue eyes. All thoughts of his account books were forgotten. He pulled her to him and kissed her slowly.
Catherine stared up at the ceiling and tears filled her eyes. She realized bitterly she was no better than what Nicholas had called her. Catherine needed to finish this and be gone. Something pulled at her. She resisted even trying to reason why Sullivan was operating the firm under Edward's identity. It was glaringly obvious Edward was dead, as she feared. Should Sullivan have seen her in his offices, and realized she knew his secret, what then? Catherine was entangled in something far more than she realized. Lilly was involved as well. She could not ignore the feeling Gabriel might be in some sort of danger now. Catherine would do what she could to protect him. She could also no longer ignore the feelings inside her for this handsome nobleman. She had fallen in love with him. Tomorrow she would betray her own heart to keep Nicholas's silence. Soon after, she would leave Gabriel and never again know the passion that existed between them.
Myron Chumley was eager to question Thornton's former housekeeper and made short work of finding her residence. The old woman was now ill and infirm now and her daughter cared for her. Aida O'Flaherty's feverish eyes stared back at him in confusion as he started questioning her about her former employer.
Aida: Edward Thornton died over two years ago, sir. Mister Sullivan handled everything. I closed up the house. His offices and funeral arrangements were left to his assistant. Surely you are mistaken? Edward Thornton was sixty-eight years of age, sir. He was bedridden nearly a year before his death. He could not be in the present employ of the Earl of Iverleigh. You must be mistaken.
Myron: Where might I find this assistant of Edward Thornton's, Mrs O'Flaherty?
Aida: Thomas Sullivan left over a year ago. He needed to meet with Lord Dunleavy's heirs to finalize the arrangements, and then took post in London. You may wish to speak to the land agent at Dunleavy Hall. A sad affair, all that. Three children left alone without a farthing.
Chumley wasted little time in gaining directions to Dunleavy Hall when he left O'Flaherty home. His instincts told him Sullivan was posing as his former emplyer in London.
Catherine arrived at Nicholas's residence. Her face was paled and she appeared troubled. She avoided his eyes as he joined her in the entry way.
Nicholas: I have had the cook prepare a lunch for us.
Catherine: I did not come here to dine with you! Can we not just get on with it?
Nicholas: Very well, as you wish. Come then, let us get it over with, as you say.
Catherine allowed him to lead her upstairs to his room.
Nicholas: You can relax, we both know you have done this before.
She turned angry eyes upon his insolent words.
Catherine: Forgive me if I do not look forward to being used so vilely by you, Captain Van Ryker.
Nicholas: Does Gabriel's opinion of you really mean so much to you, love?
Catherine: Why don't you ask me of my opinion about you, Captain?
Nicholas: You could have told him the truth and avoided this.
Catherine: You seem so sure you know all there is to know!
Nicholas: I know you work with Thornton and Gabriel's wife to stall his petition. That is enough. The rest I can only guess at. Clarice gave you access to Gabriel. She was promised funds from Lady Iverleigh to do so, the same as you.
Catherine remained silent.
Nicholas: You do not try to even deny it!
Catherine: What would be the point to it now? You saw me send the Countess the notes. You saw me leave Edward's office. You know why I was there, Captain. Does it help assuage your guilt in blackmailing me into your bed?
Nicholas: We both know you are not immune to me, Catherine. You getting caught just gave me the means to bring you here. You lie to yourself. I see you for the lying scheming little tart that you are, Catherine. I do not turn away from you in disgust, as he would. I still want you. What happens here is what you want, but won't admit. If it makes you feel better thinking yourself coerced, then so be it.
Catherine wanted to deny his words, but knew he was right. What happened in the gardens between them had awakened something primal inside of her. It had tortured her ever since, his awakening her darkest desires. She leaned into him, drawn into his strong, comforting arms. Nicholas kissed her hungrily. She was kissing him back, all inhibitions gone.
Nicholas: I see you for who you are, and I do not turn away from you, Catherine.
Nicholas gazed at her perfect beauty in awe, his paws aching to touch her. She was perfection and stole his breath.
Nicholas: I have thought of nothing but this moment since I first saw you.
Catherine trembled before him, her eyes filling with tears.
Catherine: What we do here is wrong! Gabriel is your friend.
Nicholas: What we do now is between us, Catherine. You want me as much as I want you. You have lied so much, you no longer know the truth yourself.
Nicholas's paws and mouth took over her will. His lips found and adored her ear, kissing her neck, and her shoulders.
To be continued...
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