Storm on the Horizon Page 12

  Devon had taken all their time and energy from the night of that first day, and she missed Colton terribly. They had shared that small bunk and snuggled close together when they could, but frequently one or both had to be up with Devon, or Colton had his duties to attend to.

  He saw her when she was but a few feet away and put his hand out. She tucked her hand in his, and he pulled her close, her back to his front, and wrapped his arms around her. He pulled his cloak around her, cocooning her in the warmth of his body.

  “I’ve missed you,” she said as she rested her head against his chest.

  “I’ve missed you too. How is our patient?”

  “Better, actually. He is sleeping right now and drank a full cup of tea.”

  She felt and heard him sigh.

  “That’s a relief.”

  “I told him about us.” She looked up and back at him.

  Colton looked down at her. “You did? When?”

  “That first day, after...” She just smiled.

  “Odd, he never said a word to me.” Colton frowned.

  Olivia turned in his arms and wrapped hers around his waist. “Will we reach land tomorrow?”

  Colton nodded. “By midday for certain.”

  “Oh.”

  “You sound disappointed.”

  “I am. I was hoping to have more alone time with you, but we will only have tonight, and then I will have to return home on the morrow.”

  “But not for long. Soon you will be my wife, and you can demand all the alone time you want.” He smiled down at her.

  “Promise?” She ran her hands up his chest.

  “I promise.” Colton ran his hands down her back and over her bottom. He pulled her tightly against him so she could feel her effect on him.

  “And tonight?” She gave him a sultry smile.

  “How about right now?”

  She gasped. “Right here? How?”

  “Egads, Olivia, of course not right here.” Colton chuckled. “The night watchman has keen vision.”

  “Well, then?” She reversed the direction of her hands and boldly stroked him.

  He threw his head back and groaned.

  “At least wait until we reach the hall, you minx.”

  She giggled. Colton turned them and they walked, very casually, back to the stern of the ship. The watchman at the helm saluted Colton as Colton passed below him, and they entered the hall. Closing the hall door, he turned Olivia and pinned her against it.

  He held her gaze as he slowly pulled up her dress. She smiled at him, a hot smile, a knowing smile, a smile that said she was willing to do whatever he wanted.

  He pulled her away from the door and carried her to their small, shared cabin. Once inside and away from any interruptions or distractions, he lifted her skirts all the way to her waist. “Put your legs around me.” He lifted her and she did as he said. He growled with need. “Where are your undergarments?”

  She laughed huskily. “I haven’t been wearing them. In case we found a moment like this, I wanted to be ready.”

  “You undo me, Olivia.” He groaned. He reached for the buttons on his breeches and quickly undid them and released himself. He held her against the wall and slowly lowered her onto his hardness, her muscles flexing and releasing him alternatively as she slid down. Her breath shivered out of her as he slid home and she licked her lips.

  “This feels different.”

  “Does it hurt?”

  “No, it’s just...different.”

  He flexed his hips and a moan erupted from her. “I’ve dreamed of this, of taking you against a wall, you moaning my name in my ear.”

  She smiled. “Cooolton,” she moaned.

  “Oh God, yes, just like that.” He pumped faster. His breathing became ragged. His head swam with the vision of his dream, merging with the reality in his arms.

  Olivia could do nothing but cling to him. He felt wild in her arms, lost in her body, making her a slave to his desire. She arched her hips and back, creating that delicious friction that made her pulse pound and skin tingle. She buried her face in his neck, breathed in the scent that was his alone. He was pushing her to completion. She now knew what the frantic urge was that she felt low in her stomach, and how it built when he kept up a relentless rhythm as he was doing now. It overcame her, swallowed her like a wave in the surf, rolling her in pleasure, and making her feel weak and weightless. She screamed his name, and his mouth came crashing down on hers to silence it. He drank it in and then groaned his own release, finally slowing until he simply held her there. After a moment, he slid from her and her legs slipped off his hips. He still held her and Olivia was thankful. Without him, she might have just slipped to the floor, a boneless puddle of pleasure. He kissed her sweetly and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

  She didn’t know how long they stood there, kissing and loving, but she could feel the gentle rocking of the boat, and it almost felt as if they were dancing. It was another perfect romantic moment, one of many she would have with him.

  Chapter 14

  Olivia watched from the shadows of the quarterdeck stairs as a crowd gathered around the dock. Crewmen greeted friends and family, and curious children stared in awe of the ship. Mr. Timms was summoning the carriage that Colton kept stabled nearby, and shortly, they would be on their way to the cottage Colton bought for himself as a bachelor. She heard the door open behind her, and when she turned around, she was surprised to see Devon standing there.

  “You shouldn’t be up.”

  “Hold your tongue, Livie. I need to stretch my legs.”

  Olivia rolled her eyes and prayed for patience. She watched him as his eyes looked over the crowd almost as if... “Looking for someone?”

  His eyes snapped to hers, and he glared. “Are mother and father expecting us?”

  “No, how could they?”

  He shrugged. “I’m not ready to go home. I don’t need pitying glances and tender reassurances. I just want to be alone.”

  “You don’t want to see Mama and Papa?” Olivia scoffed.

  “Isn’t that what I just said?”

  “Fine,” Olivia snapped at him. “I’ll return home and tell them you’re alive but unable to be seen because you’re an insufferable arse.”

  He actually smiled at her. “Well done, Livie.” He turned and hobbled back into the hall to his cabin, his feet shuffling, and one hand on the wall for support.

  Olivia shook her head as she turned back to the crowd. Colton came down the stairs from the quarterdeck and paused beside her. “Were you arguing with someone a moment ago?”

  “I’ll give you one guess,” she said in irritation.

  Colton only raised his brows and changed the subject. “Are you ready to go home?”

  “No.”

  Colton sighed. “Is the Brentton family known for their tempers?”

  Olivia turned to him and narrowed her eyes. He put his hands up and backed away.

  “Ah... I see the carriage is here. Time to gather your things, and we can be off.

  As they departed the dock in an enclosed carriage, Colton was not surprised to learn that Devon refused to go home. He directed his coachmen to his cottage, and within the hour, they were pulling up the drive.

  Olivia fiddled with her skirts impatiently as she waited to see the home she would soon call her own. She was not prepared for what she saw as the carriage rounded a bend. Across a lush green field, partially hidden behind ancient oaks, stood a house far grander than a cottage.

  Devon snorted. “This is your cottage?”

  Colton beamed. “Well, it’s charming like a cottage.”

  Olivia couldn’t tear her eyes from the window. It was certainly charming...and large. The windows sparkled like gems in the bright sun. The aged red brick added character and rose into the sky, confident against time and weather. Ivy had long ago conquered the front portico and was now groomed to be a living part of the exterior.

  “Ah, ivy. Now it’s a true cottage,” Devo
n said sarcastically.

  “Be quiet, Devon,” Olivia said defensively. She was in love with the house already, whatever it shall be called, and would be proud to call it her home.

  Colton just smiled at her.

  The carriage rolled to a stop and a footman appeared to open the door. Colton assisted Olivia down first, and then he and the footman assisted Devon inside the house and up to a room. Olivia hung back, following slowly while her eyes took in every corner and detail. By the time she made it to the landing of the first floor, Colton was returning to her.

  “Is everything all right?”

  “Oh, yes... I was just looking around.”

  He smiled. He looked rather pleased with himself. “I take it you like the house?”

  Olivia smiled warmly in return and nodded. She couldn’t believe she was so close to having her dream, the man that she loved. Being here in his house made it all feel so real.

  “We should be going. Word will spread that we’re back.”

  He turned her toward the stairs and left the house. Olivia looked back as they drove away, and she promised herself she would be back as soon as possible. It was a half hour drive parallel to the coast before Olivia set eyes on the familiar landscape of her family home. Her heart beat heavily as they pulled into the drive, and she wondered what her mother and father would say when they set eyes on her. As the carriage pulled to a stop, familiar faces emerged but none were her parents.

  Colton stepped out first and handed Olivia down.

  “Why, Lady Olivia, we thought you disappeared into thin air.” The housekeeper put her hands on her hips and shook her head.

  Olivia smiled. Mrs. Belle had known her since the moment she was born and mothered her like a hen with a chick.

  “Afraid not, Mrs. Belle. I’ve just returned with my brother. He is recuperating at Captain Colton’s home.”

  Mrs. Belle gasped. “Is he... Is he injured?”

  “He suffers from excessive indulgence while traveling.” Olivia rolled her eyes.

  Mrs. Belle sighed in relief. “We’re happy you both are home, my dear. Your parents will be ecstatic once they return.”

  “They are not here?” Olivia said with dismay.

  “They should be back any day now. Your father had business in London.”

  Olivia looked back at Colton, and he smiled reassuringly. “Let’s go inside. I know I could use some of your biscuits and jam, Mrs. Belle.”

  Mrs. Belle beamed. “Anything that pleases you, Captain Colton. I am indebted to you for bringing home my two little chicks.”

  Colton chuckled and Olivia sighed in exasperation.

  They turned in surprise when the pounding of hooves hit the drive. It was Colton’s father, riding like the wind. He reined his horse in before reaching them and dismounted while still trying to catch his breath.

  “Father?” Colton said in alarm.

  “I came as soon as I heard you were back,” his father breathed heavily. “Is ought amiss? I told George I would keep an eye out for you. He should be back anytime, but—” He paused to draw a breath and noticed Olivia standing there. “Dear me, you’re looking lovelier than ever, Olivia. Are you feeling much improved?”

  Olivia and Colton shared a glance. “Very much so. And you?”

  “Superb, but I must ask, do you bring news of Devon?”

  “Indeed, Father, and I will tell you all about it on the way home.” He ushered his father toward his carriage. It seemed Olivia’s absence was covered by an illness. That wasn’t going to hold up for very long.

  He turned back to Olivia. “I’ll send word tonight.”

  She nodded. She was supremely confused, but she didn’t know what to say or do. What she did know, was that she wasn’t prepared for such an abrupt goodbye. Colton waved as the carriage rolled away with Mr. Darling’s horse tied to the back. Olivia turned to enter the house, and Mrs. Belle was waiting patiently for her.

  “I suppose I’ve been ill?” she asked Mrs. Belle.

  “Oh yes, terrible, terrible cold. But you’ve mended well.”

  Olivia humphed.

  “Do you need anything, dear?” Mr. Belle followed her up the stairs.

  Olivia didn’t even need to look where she was going. With her eyes on the floor, she knew the way to her room by the pattern on the carpet.

  “Dear?” Mrs. Belle called to her again.

  “Oh um... A bath would be divine.” Olivia snapped out of her doldrums. It was ridiculous to think that she could remain with Colton once they returned home. In time, she would never live apart from him again. She mollified herself with that thought.

  “I’ll see to it right away, dear. Would you like a tray sent up as well?”

  “Yes, please.” The thought of food prepared by Beauregard cheered her immensely. Olivia turned to Mrs. Belle as they arrived at her door. “It’s wonderful to be home.”

  Mrs. Belle patted her cheek fondly as she had so many times when Olivia was a little girl. “I hope you had a grand adventure, little Livie, but safe at home is where you belong.”

  Mrs. Belle left her at her door to order the bath. Olivia entered her room and sighed in contentment. She would never forget all that had occurred on Colton’s ship, but her room had never looked so inviting. She opened her wardrobe and admired all the fresh clean gowns. She never appreciated them more than she did right then. She pulled open a dresser drawer and took out a nightgown. It was soft and clean. She sighed in bliss.

  Her maid knocked and entered, beaming at her with friendly welcome. “Are you glad to be back home?”

  “Yes and no,” Olivia replied honestly. Anita had been a trusted confidant for years. She confided many of her secrets to her, including her love for Colton.

  Anita scanned her garb and frowned. “I noticed you only took three of your dresses.”

  She shivered repulsively.

  “Aye—I mean, yes. Space was limited.” Olivia giggled.

  “I’m dying to hear what you have to say for yourself, you know,” Anita chided.

  “There is a lot to tell, but first I need to undress. I’ve worn this dress for three days now.”

  Anita hurried to untie the back and help Olivia into her dressing gown. She picked up the dress by two fingers. “I’ll just put this over here for now.

  The tub arrived, followed by a train of footmen with pails of hot water. It wasn’t long before Olivia was soaking in sudsy water, and Anita was trying to brush out the tangles in her hair.

  “I’ve been waiting very patiently, you know,” Anita reminded her.

  Olivia smiled. “Well, I don’t know where to begin.”

  “At very beginning, if you please.”

  “I hid in Devon’s trunk to get on Colton’s ship, and he was not happy when he found me.”

  Anita dropped the brush.

  Chapter 15

  Olivia was lying on her bed enjoying the creamy pea soup that Beauregard knew was her favorite. She was paging through a novel, looking for where she had left off before embarking on her foolish plan. She smiled. That foolish plan had been entirely worth it. She heard a shout and then running. She jumped off the bed and ran to her door. The running was getting closer and when she opened her door, she was surprised to see her father running down the hall toward her, her mother not far behind. She froze where she stood, having never seen either of her parents move so quickly. Her father stopped before her and put his hands on his knees. He was breathing hard, and his face was rather red.

  “Father, are you all right?”

  He held up one hand and took a few more breaths.

  “Olivia!” Her mother overtook her in a suffocating hug.

  Olivia was speechless. They acted as if she had been resurrected from the dead.

  “I left a note,” she said through her mother’s falling hair.

  Her father had yet to catch his breath, so instead he just glared at her.

  “A note!” Her mother pushed back and held her by her shoulders. “You thoug
ht a note would suffice? What is going on in that head of yours, Olivia? I nearly fainted when we discovered you were gone.” She pulled Olivia into a tight hug again. “You foolish wretched girl.”

  Her father finally stood and pulled Olivia from her mother’s arms. “Are you all right?” he asked.

  “Yes, I—”

  He crushed her against him. He hadn’t hugged her like this since the time she had fallen down the stairs when she was little.

  He finally let her go, and then nudged her into her room. He pointed at her bed. “Sit.”

  Her mother followed them in and closed the door. She dabbed at her eyes and took a chair by the window.

  “You may now attempt to explain yourself. Where have you been?” her father said sternly.

  Olivia took a deep breath and braced herself. She had gone over this conversation in her head, but it was much more terrifying facing her father in real life.

  “I snuck aboard Colton’s ship to help find Devon.”

  Her father clenched his jaw and closed his eyes. Olivia recognized it as his technique for remaining calm. She waited until he opened his eyes before continuing. She told them about how upset Colton had been, and that he would have taken her back if he could have. Her parents shared a glance, and Olivia would have given her left arm to know what it meant. Her parents often had discussions through single glances, and it was infuriating.

  She left out any mention of what happened between her and Colton and ended with her helping retrieve Devon and returning home. There were obvious holes in the story, but she couldn’t help it.

  “You should see to Devon, dear. I’ll stay with Olivia.”

  “Devon is not here,” Olivia said before her father could take a step.

  “What? But you brought him home?”

  “He chose to stay at Colton’s. He prefers not to be disturbed at this time. He expressly asked me to tell you...not to see him just yet.” She winced at the obvious pain in their faces.