The colonists, now over seven thousand strong, were crowded together in the Old South Meeting Hall. Their number had proved far too great for them to remain at Faneuil Hall, and they had been forced to relocate to the larger building. Eagerly now, they listened to the speeches calling for justice as they awaited the governor’s answer to their request that the tea be returned to England.
Out of sight of the main assembly, the selected group of patriot “Indians” waited patiently for the secret signal they knew would be given if it became necessary for them to take action this night. Their spirits were high even though they were well aware that violence might result if a confrontation with the redcoats occurred. It was time to take a stand against the abuses of the Crown, and they knew it.
Matthew and Ben, both in their Indian garb, were near the rear of the group when Matt caught sight of CC standing alone off to the side. The camouflage of her costume was so good that at first he wasn’t certain it was her. Hesitantly he left Ben’s side and maneuvered closer, breaking into a wide smile as he finally recognized her beneath the heavily applied soot and paint.
“CC!” Matthew made his way to her side.
“Hello, Matthew.” CC had known that he was to be involved and was not surprised to see him.
“I must say, my dear, that you make the best-looking warrior I’ve ever seen,” he told her in good humor as he noted her long braids and the single feather stuck in her headband.
“You’re looking rather savage yourself,” she returned with a tight laugh, the seriousness of what they were about to be involved in leaving her slightly on edge.
“Are you nervous?” Matt asked, hearing the tautness in her tone. Noah’s concern had somehow become his concern.
“Just a bit,” she replied honestly. “With so many warships in the harbor, you can’t help but wonder what will happen if we do make the attempt…”
“Perhaps you should stay behind…” He was hoping that he might be able to convince her to stay back where it was safe, but as soon as he uttered the words, he knew he’d made a mistake.
Fire flashing from the emerald depths of her eyes, she turned on him. “Matthew, I had thought you were different…that you understood. Don’t you realize how long and how hard I’ve fought for just this moment? I have to be a part of this!”
He was about to respond when a sudden hush fell over their group, and they caught sight of Sam Adams climbing atop a bench at the front of the hall. The crowd went silent as everyone waited breathlessly to hear his announcement.
“This meeting can do nothing more to save the country.”
Adams’s phrase was the signal they’d been waiting for, and the response was wild as the crowd poured forth from the hall, heading in the direction of Griffin’s Wharf and the three tea-laden British ships.
Captain Pitt assumed direction of the “Indians” and divided them into three distinct groups, each one being responsible for a different ship. Caught up in the excitement of the moment, there was no time for CC and Matthew to talk further as the eager disguised patriots started off toward the wharf.
Riding as quickly as conditions would permit, Noah raced over the narrow, winding, rainslick streets on the mount he’d gotten at the inn. The considerable amount of liquor he’d consumed had erased his usual stoic control over his emotions, and he was frantic to find CC. Noah’s thoughts were only of her sweetness and the possible danger she was facing. He knew he had to do something to protect her, if not from the troops, then from herself. When at last he rounded the corner and spied Faneuil Hall ahead, he was surprised to discover that it was deserted.
“Where’s the rally?” Noah called to a small group of men still lingering near the entrance as he sawed on the reins to bring his horse under better control.
“Moved to the Old South Meeting,” one returned.
“Thanks.” Putting his heels to the horse’s flanks and giving it full head, he was off again.
The light, chilling drizzle had ceased, and the moonlight, pale and bright, broke through the remaining low cloud cover as Noah finally reached his destination. The crowd was streaming out into the street, and it was only with great difficulty that he managed to keep his mount under control. Desperately searching for some sign of CC, he attempted to wind his way through the crush of bodies. His expression was thunderous as he scanned the huge crowd.
“The Indians…where are the Indians?” Noah knew he was taking a chance to ask.
“They’re up ahead,” someone shouted back.
With iron-handed control, Noah urged the horse forward, paying little heed to the people who were forced aside to make room for him to pass. His quest seemed endless as he fought his way through the crowd, his silver gaze combing the multitude for CC’s slender form. He moved ever onward, oblivious to anything but the driving need to find her. Griffin’s Wharf came into distant view, and the fear that he might not reach her in time filled him. It was then, just as his frustration reached its zenith, that he spotted the Indians emerging from a side street slightly ahead of him.
“CC!” He roared, kneeing his mount on at a more hurried pace.
CC had stayed close to her group through the entire trek to the wharf, but when she heard someone call her name, she stopped to look back. The sight of a horseman charging her way through the mass of people paralyzed her with fear. Who knew she was here besides those directly involved? No one, she thought, unless her father had decided to check up on her story of being at Marianna’s house tonight for dinner. The knowledge that her hesitation had revealed her true identity sent her on a run back down the side street in hopes of eluding her unknown pursuer.
For one heart-stopping moment Noah lost sight of her, and he was forced to rein in near the intersection to search the crowd for her again. It was through sheer luck that he glanced back the way the Indians had come and saw her fleeing through the shadows of the narrow side street. Furious with CC for involving herself in something so potentially dangerous, he gave a vicious curse and wheeled his mount around. Leaving the excitement of the wharf behind, he galloped after her down the nearly deserted lane.
CC had hoped to escape the man who was following her, but the thundering of horse’s hooves coming in her direction made her realize that he was still behind her. Dread filled her. The blanket she’d worn was slowing her movements, so CC threw it off as she ran desperately on, blindly seeking refuge down another, more narrow, alleyway. Her ragged breath scalding her throat, her limbs quaking under the strain of her flight, she darted through the darkness.
Any other horseman might have had difficulty following her, but Noah was an experienced equestrian who’d spent many hours riding to the hounds in England. Compared to the chase given a fox across the open countryside, CC presented little challenge to him. Swooping down the alleyway, he charged up beside CC. Without slowing his pace, Noah leaned to the side and scooped her up with one arm, pinning her effectively against his side. Only then did he pull back on the reins and slow his horse’s breakneck pace. Panicked, CC fought with all her might against the steely strength that held her.
“Let me go!” Wriggling and kicking, she struggled to be free. When one of her kicks struck the horse the wrong way, causing him to move skittishly, she froze, thinking she was about to be thrown. In the tense moment, the strong arm about her waist tightened threateningly.
“I wouldn’t do that again if I were you, CC,” Noah growled in her ear. “I’m not all that familiar with this horse, and if he decides to bolt, we both might find ourselves in the mud.”
“Noah!” she exclaimed in fury and surprise as she finally recognized his voice. Quieting, she twisted partially around to look at him. “What are you doing?”
“Right now?” He raised one dark brow mockingly. “Well, right now, my dear, I’m rescuing you before you get yourself involved in something you might not be able to handle.”
His arrogant, self-assured words infuriated her. “How dare you? Just who do you think you are?” Her temper was seething.
Noah didn’t bother to reply as he grasped her more firmly and shifted her to sit in front of him. To hide her costume from any possible prying eyes, he pulled her close and wrapped his greatcoat around her. The feel of her slight weight resting against him filled Noah with an odd sense of tightness, and a small smile curved his mouth for just an instant before her next sharp words penetrated his liquor-induced haze.
“What do you think you’re doing? Let me down!” CC tried to push free of his grip.
“Shut up, CC,” he told her in an emotionless tone as he fought down the warm feelings that had stirred to life. He could tell by her outrage that it would do little good to try to explain his motives in coming for her. She hated him now, just as she always had, and he had no doubt that his behavior had only hardened her already firm resolve not to have anything to do with him.
“I will not!” She struggled against Noah’s overpowering strength with all her might and almost succeeded in getting herself dumped from the horse as it shifted nervously beneath them.
“CC!” He said her name threateningly through gritted teeth as he fought to keep his hold on her and to bring the horse under control.
Knowing that she could not break free, CC suddenly found herself panicking for a different reason as his hand slid familiarly about her midriff to pinion her protectively against his chest. Excitement, burning and breathless, streaked through her at his touch. It shocked her that her senses were responding so wantonly, for this was no sensual embrace. Noah was not trying to arouse her. CC was determined that he would not learn of her weakness, and she responded with false bravado.
“I don’t want to go anywhere with you, Kincade. If you don’t let me down this instant, I’ll scream!” she hissed as she glared up at him.
Warning Noah of her intent was CC’s biggest mistake, for he reacted quickly, clamping a hand over her mouth and stifling even the smallest of her objections.
“I am in no mood to listen to your viperish tongue,” he ground out as he guided the horse through the maze of streets, heading in the opposite direction of the wharf. “I’m getting us both out of here before the trouble starts.”
CC was humiliated by his move, and her fury knew no bounds and she began to fight him again. Still, his superior strength prevailed and he held her immobile. Realizing that it was impossible to free herself, CC gave up her efforts.
As they continued to ride on into the night, CC tried to control the wild emotions that were plaguing her. She loved Noah. She wanted to relax comfortably against him and enjoy riding within the warm circle of his arms. She longed to press herself intimately against the solid heat of his chest and listen to the strong, reassuring beat of his heart. Romantically, CC realized that Noah had come for her, that he had swept her up on his steed and had carried her off…just like Anna had imagined all those weeks ago.
It was the thought of her maid that brought CC back to the present, and she found herself amazed by the direction of her thoughts. Mentally she berated herself for being ridiculous. She understood and had accepted that Noah didn’t really care about her. CC knew it would do no good for her to pretend otherwise. He desired her as he desired any woman, and being the virile man that he was, he would take her if the occasion presented itself. Beyond that, she was certain Noah harbored no deep-seated affection for her. When they had argued that night in the carriage after having made love, Noah had seemed quite relieved when she’d declared that she felt no attachment to him. CC could still remember his mocking response to her statement that she didn’t even like him, and even now the memory of his disdainful attitude hurt.
The few kisses they’d shared the night she’d taken him the payment from Graves had been nothing more than a momentary slip of willpower on her part. He had made the overture and she had not denied him. CC knew that she had no one to blame but herself for that encounter, and she was still thankful that Matthew had interrupted them in time. The only way she could save herself from another intimate encounter with him was to get away as quickly as she could. Holding herself rigid, she strove to keep herself aloof from Noah and from the feelings of desire that were surging through her.
When Noah felt CC stop struggling, he knew it was a partial surrender. He was used to her fighting him every inch of the way, and in his drunken haze, he felt inordinately pleased with himself that he had at least mastered her that much.
“If you promise not to scream, I’ll take my hand away,” he told her in a low voice. “Nod if you agree to be quiet.”
Quickly CC nodded, and she sighed in relief as he took his hand away from her mouth. “Where are you taking me?”
“Out of harm’s way,” Noah answered shortly, not really having an answer. He had not considered before where he would take her once he had her away from the scene. He had only known that he had to find her. Now, faced with the dilemma, he glanced about, trying to gauge their location. Finding that they were near the Green Dragon Inn, he headed in that direction. He felt relatively certain that it would be deserted now, for most of its patrons were probably involved in all the excitement at the wharf.
They rode on in strained silence to the inn. Noah guided the horse around to the stables at the back and halted near the stable door. As he had suspected, there was no one in attendance. Reluctantly releasing his hold on CC, Noah swung down from the saddle and quickly helped her to dismount. His hand at her waist, he aided her descent, her body sliding intimately against his as he lowered her to the ground.
The damp, sweet scent of hay and the cloaking darkness of the night poignantly brought to mind the last time they’d been here. Noah felt his blood quicken at the memory. He had not expected his reaction to the thought to be so powerful and so exciting, and he kept his gaze hooded as he looked down at her, his hands still possessively at her slim waist.
Even though he guarded his emotions from her, CC could feel the heat of his regard, and she knew she had to get away before she succumbed to her own desire for oneness with him. Her heart was pounding as she stared up at him. She wished frantically that he would release her, for the heat of their touch seemed to burn right through her clothing, stirring to life a brilliant wildfire of desire.
“I want to go,” CC insisted, trying to move away from him.
“No.” Refusing to free her, Noah tightened his grip, his fingers biting into the tender flesh.
“Why not?” she hissed in frustration.
“Because I don’t want you going back there and possibly endangering yourself. If violence should break out…” Noah’s gray-eyed gaze glittered dangerously at the thought of her being caught up in the mass confusion of a riot and of how helpless she would be to defend herself.
“Your brother’s there,” she challenged, “and you didn’t bother to rescue him!”
“Matthew’s a man,” Noah snapped. “He’s perfectly capable of taking care of himself if things happen to get out of hand.”
“And I’m not?”
“For God’s sake, CC. You’re a woman!”
“And just what is that supposed to mean?” CC argued. Though her temper was hot, she was suddenly, sickeningly weary of constantly battling the male prejudice of her father and John and Noah.
“It means exactly what you think it means.” Noah found himself growing furious with her again. “You’re a woman, so why don’t you take pride in the fact and act like one?”
“I do act like a woman!” CC retorted, stung by his insinuation. But even as she protested, she was aware of the boy’s clothing she wore, the feathers in her hair, and the paint and soot smeared upon her face.
“When? What day? What hour? I must have missed it.” He was brutal in his angry assessment of her. Didn’t she realize what could happen to her?
“How dare you say such thing’s to me! And what business is it of yours anyway?”
“I dare because I believe in telling the truth,” Noah told her. Her words reminded him of the last time they’d argued over his interest in her business. It had been that night in the carriage…the night of their chance encounter. She’d been warm and willing then, if only for a short period of time.
“The truth as you see it!” CC countered quickly. Suddenly it no longer mattered to her that he didn’t want her involved in political intrigue. What did matter was that he thought her less than feminine, and she was devastated by his bluntness. How could he say such a thing, when he, of all people, knew the true depth of her womanhood? Self-doubt assailed her. Had her lovemaking been so terrible? Had her inexperience bored him? Did he really think her mannish?
Her fragile femininity, under attack now by his brusque outspokenness, urged her to prove him wrong, to show him just how mistaken he was. Just because she didn’t totally conform to the day’s standards for females didn’t mean that she was lacking in any way. She was a woman in all ways, and she was going to confirm it in Noah’s mind right now. Never again would he doubt her.
Determined, she put the hurt aside and concentrated on changing his mind and bringing him to his knees. So he thought her less than feminine, did he? He wouldn’t for long. A wicked gleam glinted in her emerald eyes. She knew enough about the tricks females employed to woo their men. Hadn’t she listened to Marianna, Margaret, and Caroline? And hadn’t she seen Eve Woodham in action at the various parties and balls? CC slanted him a steamy look from beneath half-lowered lashes.
“Noah…do you remember the last time we were here?” She made sure to add a sultry touch to her tone, and as she’d planned, her change of mood caught him by surprise.
“What? Yes, of course I do.” Noah grew wary, wondering at her purpose. He had expected her to keep arguing, not change the subject.
CC knew how effective it was to keep a man slightly confused from having used the same technique on her father numerous times. “Do you remember how untimely our interruption was?” She purred the question as she edged closer to him, leaning lightly against his chest.
Desire, sweet and hot, burst into flame deep within his vitals as she slowly lifted her arms and linked them behind his neck. Noah was not quite sure what CC was about, and he wasn’t going to ask. He remained unmoving.
CC moved fully against him then, wanting to tease him to action. “What would have happened, Noah, if we hadn’t been interrupted the first night? Did you want me as badly as I wanted you?” Her voice was a throaty whisper as she rose up on tiptoes to press her lips to his, and she felt him stiffen in surprise. CC wasn’t sure if it was the kiss or her words that had affected him, and she didn’t care. All she wanted was to prove to him that she was woman…all woman.
His last remaining shred of control shattered as her small tongue darted between his lips, seeking his in a deeply seductive kiss. A low groan escaped him as he gave in to his desires, his hands slipping from her waist to move restlessly across her hips and spine. His lips met hers time and again as CC aggressively sought his mouth. Past and present blended in his mind as she taunted him with her heady love, moving her lips in restless invitation against his.
Noah realized distractedly that CC was his heaven and his hell. She had caused him more worry and aggravation than any other woman in his entire life. She had involved herself in his business, declared her dislike for him more times than he could remember, and then made love to him with passionate abandon. He was obsessed with her…with the glory of her touch, the taste of her intoxicating kisses, and the unbelievable rapture that came with making love to her Nothing had ever affected him more deeply than being one with her. Noah longed to know that joy again, to be sheathed within the hot, silken core of her body.
The thought that one day he would have to leave her threatened, but he banished it from his thoughts. Suddenly there was no tomorrow, no revolution, and no Kincade Hall awaiting his reclamation. There was only the moment and CC, at last desiring him as much as he desired her.
When he had made the cruel remark to CC about her lack of womanhood, he had done it, not to hurt her, but in hopes of discouraging any more unorthodox behavior on her part. Tonight he had been running around Boston like a madman, trying to find her and save her from possible danger. Noah didn’t know precisely why he’d done it, he only knew that he had. He did not regret it, for, at moments like this when she was in his arms willingly, the drugging wine of her kisses was worth any price he had to pay.
“Noah…I didn’t want that first night to end as it did.” CC whispered his name in between kisses, teasing him with memories of that first passionate encounter they’d shared there in the barn. “Noah…please…”
Hungrily, she rose up and kissed him full and flaming on the mouth again as she slipped her hands beneath his greatcoat to begin unbuttoning his shirt. The buttons disposed of, she spread the material wide and caressed the bared strength of his chest, running her fingers on the flesh there and teasing his flat male nipples until he drew a sharp breath at the unexpected sensation.
“CC.” Her name was a husky groan as the need to taste of her pleasure ignited to full-blown passion. Without conscious thought, he tightened his arms around her, relishing the sensation of having her crushed so tightly to him.
“Touch me, Noah. Know that I’m woman, as I know you’re man.” As she said it, she let her hands trail lower to trace the outline of his surging manhood through his breeches.
He tensed in sensual agony at her touch, his desire urging him to take her then, quickly and strongly. CC felt his reaction and smiled to herself. So he thought she was not feminine, did he? The realization that her one simple touch could stir him so completely filled her wtih a great sense of her womanly power, and she was determined to exploit it to its fullest. She broke off the embrace, despite Noah’s initial reluctance to end the kiss, and took his hand.
“Let’s go inside, shall we?” There was nothing subtle about her invitation, and when she led the way into the empty, shadowed darkness of the stable, he followed without protest. CC glanced quickly about to make certain they were completely alone and then guided him to a pile of fresh hay. Feeling sure that they would not be interrupted, she dropped his hand and began to brazenly unbutton her own shirt.
Noah stood, enthralled, watching her disrobe. Never in his wildest imaginings had he expected such of CC. He found himself totally mesmerized by her movements as she shrugged the baggy boy’s shirt off her shoulders and tossed it thoughtlessly aside. Suddenly CC was standing before him nude from the waist up, and his gaze riveted on the pale, creamy perfection of her breasts. He remembered how sensitive the pink-tipped mounds were, and he longed to caress their fullness, to weigh their softness in his palms and tease the rosy crests to peaks of excitement.
CC noted the direction of his heated regard, and she gave a small, languid stretch, running her hands up her rib cage to cup her breasts enticingly. All else faded into oblivion as Noah stared in fascination at her alluring posture. No mistress before her had ever done anything so completely erotic, and Noah was captivated as he watched her. Only when her hands moved lower again did he manage to tear his gaze away from her breasts.
CC knew that she was in control of the situation, and she gloried in her mastery. Loosening her breeches, she let them slide slowly, enticingly down over her rounded hips. When at last she stood before Noah completely nude, she lifted her eyes to his and read there in his devouring gaze all she wanted, and needed, to know. He desired her.
“You look like an Indian maiden,” Noah managed hoarsely.
CC gave a husky laugh and asked lightly. “Not an Indian warrior?”
“Never an Indian warrior,” he swore as he took the last step that separated them and swept her into his embrace. “You’re woman, CC. All woman. And you’re mine.”
He said the last most fiercely, and CC was both stunned and thrilled by the declaration. When his mouth claimed hers in a deep exchange, she melted against him. Her body was on fire with the need to know him again, and she felt bereft when Noah released her briefly to remove his greatcoat. He spread the garment out on the pile of fresh hay and then lifted her into his arms to lay her upon it. CC found the sensation of her nakedness next to his still-clothed form highly erotic. He seemed so strong, so masculine… She wanted to remain in his arms forever.
“Love me, Noah. Please, love me.” For the first time, she voiced her own needs.
Noah’s gaze was dark with passion as he moved slightly away to undress, and he regretted the time it took him to shed his clothing. CC watched hungrily as he stripped off his shirt. She longed to run her hands over his hard-muscled back and shoulders. The rest of his clothes soon followed, and her gaze was eagerly upon him…the slim line of his hips, the long, straight power of his legs, and the surging proof of his desire for her.
“Noah…” CC breathed his name as she lifted her arms to him in invitation.
He didn’t speak but went into her arms without hesitation, clasping her slim, silken softness to his hard male frame. CC gasped at the sensation as his lean strength seemed to brand her with its searing heat.
Everywhere they touched they were different. Where she was smooth, he was hair-roughened; where he was muscle, firm and powerful, she was soft and yielding. Yet, even as they were not alike, they complemented each other. His every masculine angle seemed to fit perfectly to her tempting feminine curves.
His mouth sought hers in a heated exchange as his hands began a restless exploration of her most secret pleasure points. CC was not about to let him take complete control of their lovemaking, though. Aggressively, she sought to please him. Remembering Noah’s excited reaction to her earlier caress, she reached between them to fondle him boldly, stroking his throbbing hardness with knowing intent.
“Ah, CC…” Noah shuddered as she caressed him, and fearful that he might embarrass himself if he let her continue, he reached down to grasp her wrist and move her hand away. “Enough…I want to love you, sweet.”
“Yes…oh, yes.”
CC was ready for him-she had been almost since the beginning. She parted her thighs to his questing touch, knowing the joy his caress could bring and wanting to experience that joy again. She shuddered in ecstasy as his hand explored her pleasure point with a knowing rhythm, bringing her close, ever so close, yet denying her that last thrilling release.
“Noah…please…I need you now…” she begged, pulling him closer.
Noah understood her desperation, for his own desires were running wild as he felt the wet heat of her need. Positioning himself between her legs, he sought her womanly delights, moving slowly forward until he was buried within the silken heart of her. Her velvet flesh held him tightly, and the sensation almost sent his desire spiraling completely out of control.
Noah wanted to wait, to enjoy the feeling of just being a part of her, but CC’s own passion would not be denied. Knowingly, she moved her hips against his, urging him to begin, and he could no longer hold back. He thrust within her avidly as he continued to caress and kiss her. CC clasped him to her heart, wrapping her legs about his driving hips and holding him ever closer. His hands were everywhere, cupping, molding, teasing, and she grew mindlessly enraptured. She was his, body and soul.
“Noah…oh, love…I need you so…” CC cried as ecstasy of her excitement peaked in a blaze of throbbing desire.
CC tensed exquisitely as the waves of rapture pulsed through her. Moments later, when she felt Noah shudder in his own ultimate pleasure, she held him close, feeling triumphant in knowing that she had been able to satisfy him as completely as he’d satisfied her.
They lay together in peaceful serenity, savoring the bliss of their closeness. What had begun as a taunting seduction on CC’s part had ended in enchantment for both of them. Noah had never known lovemaking so beautiful, so giving, and he wanted to cling to the preciousness of the moment, to capture it and save it forever.
Slowly Noah raised up above her, and bracing himself on his forearms, he stared down at her. How could it be that this woman had such a hold on his emotions? He didn’t understand it, and right now he didn’t even want to think about it.
“CC…” he said softly, “you feel so perfect to me…”
“Oh, Noah…” She blushed at his description and looped her arms about his neck to pull him down for a sweet, gentle kiss. “You feel good to me, too.”
His lips left hers to explore the sensitive flesh of her throat, and CC felt shivers of delight course through her.
“You know, we could stay like this all night…” he murmured. Moving even lower, he caught the taut crest of one breast gently between his teeth and nipped at it in a pain-pleasure caress that left her clutching weakly at his shoulders.
“Noah…don’t…oh, Noah…” CC threw her head back, arching her breasts to him, wanting more even as she was frightened by her abandoned response to his sensual punishment.
What slight pain there had been turned to ecstasy as he drew the tender bud into his mouth and sucked gently.
“There’s nothing I want more than to hold you and please you…” he swore against the soft flesh of her breast.
His lips and tongue were doing such marvelous things to her that she began to move restlessly beneath him. He stoked the glowing embers of her need to life again, creating a whirlpool of desire that swept her up in its power. CC hadn’t meant to say it, had never wanted to reveal the truth of her need for him, but in a moment of mindless delight, she cried out to him, “Please, Noah…don’t ever leave me…”
Noah stiffened at her words, and though he wanted to promise that he would stay with her forever, he knew it would be a lie. No matter how much he wanted her, no matter how much he craved the ecstasy of her lovemaking, he could not stay. Everything that was important to him was in England, and that was where he belonged.
When the heights of her ecstasy had passed, CC lay sobbing in his arms. His mastering of her senses had been complete, and she felt weak and well loved.
“Oh, Noah.” Gazing up at him, she sighed, the love she felt for him shining in the emerald depths of her eyes. “Being with you is so wonderful, I wish we never had to part.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible, my dear.” His tone was almost aloof as he shifted away from her.
The moment of true intimacy was shattered by his coolness, and CC stiffened, suddenly wary of him.
“You don’t want me?” she challenged.
“Of course I want you,” Noah replied quickly, his gaze raking with scalding intent over her slender, supple form. He knew that it would be senseless to try to deny it after the passion they’d just shared.
“Then I don’t understand,” she frowned, trying to figure out exactly what he meant.
Noah suddenly realized that the rest of his life seemed empty without CC, and he knew he couldn’t possibly leave her when it came time for him to sail. He wanted her. He needed her. Noah thought of what a beautiful Lady Kincade she would make and how she would grace Kincade Hall, and he knew then that he wanted her to be his wife. CC would be perfect at his side. She was gorgeous, far more attractive than any of the women about the ton. She would do the Kincade name justice, and her father’s reputation would put her in good stead with his peers, colonial or not.
“CC, you know that I’ll be going back to England in the spring.” He met her gaze seriously. “Marry me and return with me.”
CC stared at him for a long moment in speechless disbelief. He had just proposed. It was what she had dreamed of, and yet, even as he had offered her marriage, he had made no mention of loving her. She had seen marriages undertaken without love, and they had seemed torturous for all parties involved. As much as she loved him, she knew it would be useless.
“No, Noah, I can’t.” It broke her heart to refuse.
Her refusal stunned him. He had never proposed to a woman before, and he had never expected her to turn him down. Anger surged through him.
“Why not? Is it this damned cause you’re so involved in? Walk away and leave it! As Lady Kincade, you would take London by storm…” he offered, not imagining the real reason for her rejection.
“Noah…” She spoke his name miserably as she waited for him to say the words that would win her heart and her undying love, but they never came.
“I could give you everything you’ve ever wanted…” Noah went on, thinking that the promise of riches would win her.
“I have everything I’ve ever wanted, thank you!” CC grew livid. He was making her sound just like a kept woman!
“But, CC, I could take care of you and protect you…” He was, after all, Lord Kincade, Noah thought with more than a little pomposity.
Her fury knew no bounds! So he wanted to take care of her and protect her, did he? He was just like John, only worse! John at least had professed to love her! Noah had told her only that he wanted her, nothing more. No doubt he wanted her only to be an ornament for him to put on display…to grace his life, to decorate his hall, and to warm his bed. He wanted her to become a mindless, simpering nothing, just like all the other aristocrats she’d ever met, and she wouldn’t do it.
“I don’t need you or anyone else to take care of me!” CC was seething as she moved jerkily away, standing up and beginning to pull on her clothing.
Her abrupt anger startled him and he stared at her in confusion, trying to understand her reaction to his words. “It’s certain that you need someone to take care of you!”
CC regarded him sadly. His command of her senses had been total. His possession of her body had been powerful and exciting. Still, for all the wonder of having shared the delights of loving him, there had been no meeting of their hearts. It had only been their bodies that had touched, and CC found, to her despair, that she could not separate the two. What touched her physically also touched her emotionally. If she loved with her body, she also loved with her mind.
Noah, she understood painfully, made no such distinction. While their passionate mating had only succeeded in deepening what she already felt for him, it had only been another sexual encounter for him. She had thrown herself at him, and he had taken what she offered. The thought thoroughly distressed her, and she knew she had to get away from him.
“Since it’s obvious that you hold such a low opinion of me, I see no reason for us to have any further contact,” she told him coldly as she quickly tugged on her breeches. “From now on, stay completely away from me.”
Noah, still dumbstruck by her manner, could only stare at her in mute surprise. Mistaking his silence as threatening, CC wheeled about to glare at him.
“I mean it, Noah. I don’t ever want to speak with you or see you again if we can avoid it; do you understand? Whatever it was we shared, and I hesitate to call what happened between us a love affair, it’s over… You’ve always known how I felt about you. Why did you think I’d changed?”
“I didn’t know that it was normal for a woman to make love to a man she despises.” Noah’s gaze turned steely as he regarded her.
“As I said a long time ago, what happens between us defies explanation. That’s precisely why I want you to stay away from me.”
“Believe me, my dear Miss Demorest, it will be my pleasure to avoid your chaotic company.”
CC slipped into her shirt and quickly buttoned it as Noah began pulling on his own breeches. He was still only partially dressed when she started from the stable.
“CC…where are you going?”
Her gaze glittered in furious defiance. “I told you before, Kincade, I don’t need or want your protection!”
With that she disappeared out of the building and into the chill of the December night.