Chapter Eight

“I see.” He saw the reluctance on Adrys’ part to discuss Najja and had no wish to get the man to thinking he had any interest in her. “I shall leave you to rest.”

“Thank you, Colin.”

He inclined his head and slid past the door. As he made his way down the stairs he thought over the information he’d just learned. Someone was out to kill Lord Adrys. Why, he didn’t know. Najja had for some reason left her home and come to England with the Adryses. Add into this someone hijacking his own shipments.

Pausing on the stairs, he headed down with a new destination in mind. Abel waited for him, coat in hand. The man had this uncanny way to anticipate his decisions.

“Your horse is waiting.”

With a grateful nod, he put on the coat and hat. Heading out the door, he tugged on his gloves as he went. Sure enough a groom stood with his gelding, Salvage. He swung easily into the saddle and was off with a touch of his heels to the glossy chestnut sides.

The brisk air was even colder than he’d believed. Steam rose from Salvage’s sides and expelled from his nostrils as they thundered along the road toward The Brown Goose, a tavern where he was going to meet a man who had contacts he could only wish to have. A new one, not seen in this area before--at least for a long time, he was going to send along on the next shipment. But this meeting was also for something else now.

He dismounted even before Salvage slid to a halt. A boy caught the reins and he said, “Walk him around, I’ll be back in ten minutes.”

“Yessir.”

The interior of The Brown Goose was dark, noisy, and rank. Most tables full of men already deep in their cups. Women served them with necklines low in hopes of an extra bit of money for themselves. Shaking his head, he spotted the man he sought. Wilkes. He sat in the back corner, an eye on the door. Heavy beard, unkempt hair, every inch of him showcased a hard life. Not the man he recalled from years before. And there was no one else he would trust to undertake such a thing.

He joined him at the table and ordered a tankard of ale. “Wilkes,” he said by way of greeting.

“Faulkner.”

“I need you to do something for me.” The large man downed a swallow of the swill and remained silent. “I need to know if you hear anything in regards to Lord Adrys.”

“You have interest in the viscount?”

“Sort of. Just say how long he has been gone intrigues me.”

Disbelief filled Wilkes’ face. “I heard there was a fire at Kittle Manor. Luckily no one perished.”

“Anything you hear, no matter how small, send a message.”

“Thinking of increasing your estate?”

He gave a wane smile. “Anything is possible.”

“I will keep an ear to the ground.”

“Good man.” He slid Wilkes the ignored drink and put enough money down to cover them both. “I will be attending the fair tonight if you hear anything today.”

“Right.”

There was nothing else. Wilkes returned to staring gloomily across the tavern. So he left, barely pausing to toss the young lad who’d held his horse a coin.

“Thank ye, sir,” he said with a cheery wave.

Colin nodded then urged Salvage onward. He headed toward the property line between his and Adrys’ estate. He slowed nearing the end of the copse of trees he rode through. From here the land sloped down slightly into a meadow, a long area bordered by trees on three sides and a lake on the other. Voices brought him more alert.

Feminine voices.

Jo and Najja.

Different emotions waged within him. Lust and desire being near the top. He reined in Salvage at the edge, remaining hidden and observed. Two horses stood grazing and running around were Jo and Najja. They ran kicking a round ball like object. Each trying to get it from the other.

Both of them had their hair down and looked totally at ease. He frowned at the realization they had no protection. Where were the men he’d assigned to watch them?

Determined to confront them, he nudged Salvage only to draw him up again when movement from the black stallion’s saddle grabbed his notice. By the time he returned his gaze to the women they were putting themselves back to rights. Again he peeked at the saddle only to find it empty. I am losing it.

He watched the women mount with ease, again something that would set them apart from most he knew from the upper crust of society, and turn toward him. Before they got to him he emerged from the shadows.

“Good afternoon, ladies.”

Both were flushed from their exertions and the cold. He nodded first to Jo then Najja. Her brown eyes sparkled and that familiar clench in his gut returned and hit him with incredible force.

“Mr. Faulkner, what a pleasant surprise,” Jo said with a cheeky grin. “Are you out for a ride just because or do you have a destination in mind?”

“Just because,” he replied keeping his gaze on the young Miss Adrys. “Might I join you?”

“We would love it. You have such a beautiful estate. The colors of autumn make it magnificent. I am surprised Mama has not been after me in saying you would make a good--”

“Jo!” Najja interjected.

The chit blushed. Rather adorable when she did so. “Oh…blast it. I am so sorry, Mr. Faulkner. I never can control my mouth.”

He didn’t point out polite young women didn’t say “blast” either. Colin chuckled and maneuvered his horse along Jo. “No reason to apologize, Miss Adrys.”

“Jo please. Miss Adrys seems so dreadfully proper and I would like to think of us as friends.” She directed her mare so he rode between the women. “Besides, titled or not my mother knows you are a very wealthy man. And if no nobleman will have me, be forewarned, Mr. Faulkner, you may just find yourself in her sights.”

He couldn’t believe her audacity. Women didn’t speak so frankly, at least none he knew. Instead of her frankness exasperating him, he found it refreshing. “Am I to assume then that I am not the kind of man you wish to be married to?” He could hear Najja muttering something he couldn’t understand.

“Please do not take offense. I have no desire to marry. I will declare myself a widow and travel the world, seeking adventure where I find it.”

“Well, when you put it like that,” he teased, casting a glance to his right where Najja rode. She gave him a small smile then looked away. It wasn’t much but it was enough for the moment. As they continued on he got thoroughly entertained by Jo. Even Najja joined in the conversation. Never before had he been in the presence of two ladies and enjoyed himself more.

Once the stable was in view, he asked, “Are you two up for attending a festival?”

“Yes!” Jo said immediately.

“Very well, I will have the carriage readied. We can go together this night.”

Jo rattled off something across him to Najja while he just watched his brown vixen. Those fools who said brown skin was unattractive didn’t have a clue what they spoke about. Just staring at Najja made him want to touch and caress her. There was no mistaking her for a debutante who despised the outdoors and whose skin was paler than most sick persons. Amazing how he had never really noticed that before.

Najja never flinched from his sharp stare. “See you tonight, Najja,” he said on a husky whisper.

“Mr. Faulkner.”

He hid his displeasure and dismounted before going to Najja. Hands placed at her waist, he lifted her down. As her intoxicating body slid by his, he whispered, “I much prefer it when you call me, Colin.” A slim tremor coursed through her.

“Until later, ladies,” he said with a bow before leaving them and getting back on his horse. He had to ride and calm down. Najja’s supple body was proving to be one hell of a distraction and temptation.