Goodrich/ Sordid Secrets/ Chapter 30/ Page 1
Chapter Thirty
Suddenly a loud knock at the front door interrupted their decent. Nicolette’s legs and arms were wrapped around Colin’s body as they both were panting to catch their own breath. Their eyes connected and both widened in dismay.
“We won’t answer it,” Colin whispered as if the person could hear them all the way in the parlor. His heart skipping its previous drumming, Colinheld still to wait for another knock.
Though when the noise came again Nicolette jumped. “What if it’s important?”
Colin looked down at Nicolette and began to lose himself again in her. She was so beautiful. She was his. Oh, how she was all his. Pushing her dark tangled curls from her face, he kissed her cheeks, forehead and eyelids. He tried to speak in between kisses. “Nothing is important except for us tonight.”
He could not believe how the night had evolved. She was magnificent. She was surprising, unexpected and astonishing. Moreover, she had sinfully entrapped him this night. He never knew a woman could own him as such. Sure he had been with experience women. But this wasn’t about experience, since he knew that she had little after taking her innocence at Stonefield. Instead this was about how Nicolette truly and honestly wanted to discover him, own him and pleasure him. This was just about her feelings for him. An honest, vulnerable and passionate as those feelings were. Of course, he could not contain himself during her exploration, but he tried to hold out as long as possible. He never knew such a connection with someone was possible.
The knock only grew louder and more impatient while she pleaded. “You should answer it, darling. For without your staff here and the candles lit, the caller may grow suspicious.”
They bothlooked down and noticed that they were still indelicately intertwined. Nicolette released her grasp just as reluctantly as he did. Rolling from under him, Nicolette grabbed her still rain drenched dress off the floor and tossed the pillows back on the divan. Colin finally pushed off the floor and began to search for his trousers which she had flung into the corner. He didn’t care who was at the door because it was an indecent hour for callers. So Colin decided that he was only going to don the least amount of clothing as possible. Colin found his shirt on the way to the door which he pulled over his head just as he reached the foyer. He didn’t tie his shirt up or bother with his vest.
Nicolette decided to hide herself in the doorway between the parlor and study in order to spy on the intruder from any room. Colin shot back one last irritated look to her before he sharply turned to the door.
“Elliot! Surprised to see you.”
“Answering your own door, little brother?” The finely dressed man pushed past him and began to remove his coat and hat. He looked as if he had left either the theater or a lavish party being donned in a silver embroidered black coat with black trousers and a stark white shirt. “Well, you haven’t come by the house since your return from Dover.”
“I’ve been back in London less than two weeks.” Colin stated flatly.
Elliot paused upon seeing his brother’s clothes drenched and disheveled. He shot a puzzled look, but didn’t bother to ask. Uninvited, he moved directly into the study to pour them drinks. “Did the Rious case close well?”
Colin followed, but the sound of rustling skirts diverted his attention. He tried not to laugh upon seeing Nicolette’s shadow move in the room next door to continue listening without detection. “It was a success, as I’m sure father already knows.”
“Yes, he’s pleased.”
Colin finally ended the idle talking. “Why are you here Elliot?”
“To see how your trip was.” He handed Colin a snuffer.
This was obviously a lie. Elliot had never in his life cared to call on Colin for a simple check on his well being. Something else was afoot—as always. Deciding to play his brother’s game, Colin rattled off some meaningless details. “I spent a fine time with the Marquis’ family at KentonPark and with the Ballards at Stonefield. In the end, I was called away on business back to London.”
“And you’ve been well since your return?” Elliot’s voice strangely slanted.
“Why do you want to know?”
“I’m just curious to know how my brother spends his free time.”
The question was directed to an answer that Elliot obviously already knew. He was hunting for more information or a confession. What a snake. Colin was worn of playing this same scenario where Elliot guided Colin through a labyrinth of questions to only gain an answer he already knew. The only catch this time was that Colin really did care about what Elliot knew. In previous cases Colin cared not if Elliot knew of his tawdry affairs or social missteps. But this time, Nicolette was involved and Colin couldn’t have Elliot knowing about her, especially as she hid in the next room.
Studying Elliot’s inquiries, Colin paused before cautiously proceeding. “I told you, brother, I haven’t been to the house because I’ve been completely occupied by meetings with Rious.”
The elder Avenry narrowed his equally stark blue eyes as he took a sip of his liquor. He shifted the brandy in his mouth, before he finally swallowed, which allowed him time to plan his next bout. “It’s not sound for you to always be occupied without any diversion.”
Colin clanked his glass down on the sidebar. “Elliot, why are you here? Isn’t Celeste waiting for you? It’s late.”
“Of course she is.” He said with a snide ugly sarcasm.
“Elliot, I don’t understand why you treat her with such indifference. She’s your wife, not your mistress!” Colin snapped.
Such an accusation was a mistake. He knew it as it tumbled out of his mouth. Colin was defending not only someone who was connected to the Nobles, but also the institution of marriage – of loyalty. He knew Elliot would see right through it.
“Truly, Colin, don’t be so tedious or pious—it doesn’t suit you or your past affairs behind Tessa’s back. We both know my marriage is… only a duty. My job is to keep our family in order. Presently, you’re my concern in doing that, Colin.”
Turning towards the foyer to show his brother to the door, Colin declared sharply. “I think you should be concerned for your own affairs.”
“Not when your affairs are beginning to draw attention.” Elliot slanted a word of warning.
Colin halted in his step. Drawing his shoulders up, he felt as if he had been stabbed by his brother’s declaration. Elliot knew about their affair. Or was he just accusing Colin of foul deeds without merit as he tried to ferret out the true lady in question? Colin couldn’t turn to face his brother as Elliot continued his attack.
“Just keep in mind that you will always be an Avenry.”
“Not by choice.”
Harshly grabbing his brother’s arm, Elliot reminded with a dangerous tone. “Your duty lies in the family, Colin.”
“Are you finished?” He coldly shrugged his brother’s grasp.
“As long as we understand each other.”
Colin motioned towards the door. “Yes, Elliot.”
“Good, then I’ll see you in the morning for breakfast with father?”
“Of course, goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Colin.” Elliot closed the door behind himself.
Nicolette had moved to watch the end of the scene from the parlor to the corner of the side hallway, though she had retreated back into the shadows as he left. Elliot couldn’t know, for it simply wasn’t possible. Customarily she would shrug off his suspicion, but he insisted to the fact that Colin should remember he was an Avenry. She didn’t want Colin to know that his brother distressed her. She took a deep breath and lightly asked, “Who was at the door?”
“Don’t play games, Nic.” He narrowed his gaze at her question. “I have a feeling he was only here on behalf of my father. He said he was concerned about my business at Stonefield, but I know it was just a cover his true motive. He’s trying to discover with whom I stayed at Stonefield. Moreover, he was trying to discover who was in the house now. We’ll have to find you a new escape route.”
All she could do was nod her head in agreement. His voice was seething with hate. She had never seen him this angry.
“My father usually comments, I don’t want to clean up another one of your messes. Try to be more like your brother or you’ll be the end of this family.” Colin’s gaze fell to the floor in dejection as he sighed. “Nic… when does one begin to believe what everyone gossips about you?”
She crossed to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “When it’s true.”
“Thank you.” He smiled to her genuineness. “I needed to hear that, especially after speaking to my brother.”
She rolled up to her toes and scrunched her nose against his cheek. “Well I refuse to be one of your messes or any part of the hearsay. So, I think it would be good to set up a few rules—”
“Rules?”
“Not rules…understandings for us when we’re apart or together.”
His chestnut brow furrowed. “Now you’re truly making no sense.”
“For example, when we happen to attend the same function, then you are not allowed to notice me, let alone dance with me.” She twirled in the motion of a dance while explaining, her heavy rain soaked dress barely spinning about her.
Colin laughed at her attempt at a solo waltz, but instead looked as if he were intensely studying her shadows cast by the fireplace. His eyes seemed trapped by her movements. “Why not?”
“You and I both know I can’t control myself when I am in your arms.”
Nodding, he began to add to her orders. “All right then you are not allowed to laugh at my witticism.”
“I can do that,” she scoffed, as she took his hand to lead him into her dance, their shadows mingling on the wall.
“Can you?” he doubted.
“More than easily.” Once wrapped in his embrace, she lifted her face to his “Only if you can help yourself from commenting on my beauty to others.”
“Vain are we?”
“Not at all. I just know you. Which brings me to a very important fact to avoid suspicion, neither of us can say fair comments about each other’s families.”
They both paused, remembering that it would probably be the easiest for them, for they each detested the other’s family. Colin pursed his lips to keep from laughing. “I doubt either of us could find anything nice to say about the other’s family.”
“True,” she lightly laughed. Her smile faded as she thought how she hated setting boundaries for what they were feeling. Wasn’t this the time they were suppose to be exploring how real these feelings were instead of putting up barriers to ensure they would fail? “Being with you shall be harder than I intended.”
“But I think we’re worth the try,” he hinted, burying his face in her now dry hair and inhaling her scent.
Swaying to no music, Nicolette’s eyes fell upon the floor as she danced with Colin. She kept her body pressed to his, feeling his heart drumming as hard as hers. .She knew that though this night had incredibly amazing moments and horribly trying times, that the most difficult was yet to come. Between each of their families, each of their suited matches along with each of their temperaments, that this couldn’t last forever. But Nicolette was desperate to enjoy Colin while she could.
Raising her chin with his fingertips, Colin lightly brushed her lips with his. “What are you thinking of my darling?”
“Nothing at all.”
“Liar.” He halted their dance, but held her fast in his arms. “Tell me, what has made your eyes cast over like a storm?”
She didn’t want to speak of their families any further this evening, but knew that she could think of nothing else until she had her say. “Colin, how have you dealt with business since you began to reside in my bed?”
He pushed back from her, bewildered by her question. “I’m not as my father, Nicolette. I can separate my business mind and my personal feelings.”
“Can you? Though to your father it’s all the same?”
“What thoughts are running through that pretty little head of yours?”
Crossing to the fireplace, she stared into the low burning embers, for she couldn’t bear to watch his face. Nicolette was afraid that she might see the dark answer she feared him to say. She couldn’t bear the thought that that he may be the same as the rest of his family. “Your father has always taken much pride in his sons. He is said to have taught you everything. If your father knows of us, as Elliot alludes to, why has he let us continue? It doesn’t quite make sense, Colin.”
He slipped behind her, trying to comfort her thoughts. “You’ve never spoken of business before, Nic. Why now?”
“I just find it hard to believe that Oliver would let his beloved son carry on a twisted affair with a Noble.” Escaping from his clasp, she moved the distance of the room between them. Nicolette couldn’t stand to be held by him while she still had too many unanswered questions. “Colin, are you sure that your father isn’t setting us up? More than that, is the entire Avenry family setting me up?”
“Are we back to this?” His slate eyes flew open at the accusation. “This round of accusations, Nic, are they your own or your brother’s plantings?”
She hadn’t meant to accuse him of any deceit, but the words seemed to topple from her lips. She closed her eyes wishing she could turn back the hands of the mantle clock and once again be dancing in his arms. Trying to take a breath, her thoughts were spinning in her mind. “Alexander is still ignorant of his darling sister’s torrid actions. Colin, I want to maintain my sincerity and openness with you, but I can’t remain in hiding without feeling certain that you are honorable in your pursuit. I have too many ideas that just don’t add up in my mind. Your father expects you to be loyal to the family before you are loyal to your heart. If he knows about us, then he will only allow us to continue if he suspects you having ulterior motives.”
“What motives, Nicolette? Unless you mean that I would deceive you?”
“I am a Noble afterall. It would only be natural for Oliver to expect his son to seduce the Noble daughter in order to take back what my father stole… with interest.”
“You don’t believe that, do you?” He looked wounded. As if her words were shooting another round of holes through him with each phrase. Impatient, Colin dashed forward and gathered her in his arms. “Nicolette, my heart led me to you without any expectation, including my father’s. You must believe me, darling.”
Silent, she tried to weigh her heart, which was so full of passion, against her mind, which was so full of distrust. Nicolette buried her face in his shirt and drew in the scent of him. Behind all of her misgivings and doubt, her mind also screamed that she belonged in his arms. Words suddenly broke unconsciously form her. “Do you ever feel that this affair is going to catch up with us?”
“Not yet.”
His answer was too steady and firm to give her any certainty. She continued to breathlessly question. “Everyday, you are with your family, who is hatching plans to destroy my family.”
“I may be with my family everyday, but instead I’m hatching plans to conquer you, Nicolette.”
She needed to hear those words and immediately she melted against his hard frame. Beneath his shirt, Nicolette could feel his heart beating rapidly. She wanted to be lost in him again just as they were but half an hour ago. Gathering all her might, Nicolette shoved Colin back, forcing him to topple to the couch. He was shocked by her sudden change and devilishly smiled upon seeing the wanton look in her eyes. Creeping gradually towards him, she slowly drawled her sentences to torture him with anticipation.
“I had wanted to tell you this earlier. But my body couldn’t wait. So I shall tell you now. I’ve been thinking about what I missed most about being parted from you this past week. At first, I thought it was your most obvious of your many attributes” She looked into his eyes.
“But then my fingers began to ache for your shoulders and chest.” Once meeting the distance between her and the sofa, she began to climb over him. Keeping all control, she leisurely began to tug his shirt back over his head, moving her hands along with her words. Her tiny fingers scratched at his shoulders and chest. “Especially the way your chest moved with every breath you took. But suddenly, my skin disagreed with my thoughts and told me that it was definitely your hands that I missed most. For when your hands touch my body…” Now lying across him, her tiny fingers crept down his arms until her hands could fill his. Nicolette could feel his breath shortening as he waited for her next move. “But my lips disagree with my skin for obvious reasons.”