This was greeted with instant acclaim.
Nicholas laughed and said, “Francis, you devil!”
But he walked around the table to where Eleanor sat and dropped elegantly onto one knee.He took a small silver knife from his pocket.“I’m afraid it’s clean.Doubtless I can find a rusty old one such as I inflicted upon you if you so wish.”
His eyes held hers.The handsome marquess could have stripped naked at that moment without distracting her attention.She wanted to tell Nicholas to stop the nonsense altogether but knew it was better to let it go forward.She willingly agreed to him using the clean knife.
He recited in dramatic style.“I, Nicholas Edward Martin Delaney, do hereby pledge myself to the service of this Company of Rogues; to defend each and every one, individually and as a group, from all malicious injury, and to never cease in my endeavor to bring horrible vengeance to any who might injure one of my fellows.If I should be forsworn, or if I should again reveal to any person the secrets of this Company, may I be boiled in oil, devoured by worms, or inflicted with other torments too horrible to mention.”
Then, very slowly, with his eyes on Eleanor, he pushed the point of the knife into the palm of his hand until the blood spurted.She could not help her hand moving out in a gesture to stop him.
He rose smoothly and held up his hand.
“Gentlemen, are you satisfied?”
They chorused their approval.
“And is my wife now a member of the Company of Rogues entitled to its protection?”
Again they shouted agreement.
He pressed the wound with a napkin.When he removed it she saw the bleeding had already stopped.He held out the wounded hand to Eleanor and drew her to her feet and away from the table.
“I once promised to protect you,” he said softly as they walked down the room.“I have been a little slow in taking up my duties.”
“I sometimes would imagine you, a knight in armor, carrying me away to a magic castle.In a way, I suppose that dream has come true.”
He led her out into the empty hall and closed the door on the renewed conviviality.“You have a forgiving nature, Eleanor, which gives me cause to hope.Do you mind very much that I am sending you to bed?If I can sober those rascals enough, I have some very dull business to conduct.”
More business.But his business was his mistress, wasn’t it?Eleanor started to wonder whether events had truly spun out of his control or whether it had all been planned.
“No, of course I don’t mind leaving,” she said.“I would have left earlier if you wished.I’m sorry about that business with the knife,” she added, watching him.“I should have been able to think of a better solution.”
“It worked out very well, in fact,” he said calmly, confirming her suspicions.“Summoned up the old days nicely.”He raised her right hand and planted a warm kiss upon the old scar.It was the first time he had done anything so casually intimate, so lover-like, and she felt a frisson of response pass through her body.
“This has always been a social gathering,” he continued against her palm, warm breath fluttering over her skin, “but now I want to put the company to use once more.Not least in providing you with a bevy of escorts for the many occasions when I am otherwise occupied.”
Madame Therese, she thought with a stab of pain that effectively blocked any pleasure his attentions brought.
He did not notice and continued, playing absently with her fingers.“You will be the most envied woman in England.”
She kept her tone cool, hoping the mists of wine in her brain were not distorting her performance.“Most hated, you mean.Even I know there are three of the most eligible bachelors in England in that room.I will have my eyes scratched out.”
“Not if you make judicious introductions,” he said with a smile.“I must go back.”
He kissed the fingers of her right hand, each one separately and lingeringly.All Eleanor’s wine-relaxed senses responded.
“I will sleep in the dressing room tonight,” he said.“I will be late to bed and have to be off early in the morning.I travel to Hampshire.I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but I’ll be back before that damned family dinner.When is it?Friday?Call on any of these fellows, especially Middlethorpe, if you have need.”
Again he had sobered her.He was leaving.“I am not completely helpless, you know,” she said sharply, pulling her hand from his.
He touched her cheek gently with a finger.“Indulge me in my role as knight-errant, Eleanor.I have over ten years of neglect to make up for.”
He placed the finger beneath her chin and kissed her lips.She could tell it was supposed to be a formal salute, but then his arms came around her and hers went of their own volition up to his shoulders, and it became a much more serious affair.They had never kissed in this manner before.
She felt wonderfully encompassed by his arms.Her fingers moved into his soft hair, delighting in the warm silkiness.Her lips were soft against his firmer ones, moving sensuously in response to him.The rich taste of port mingled with the taste that was his alone.Her tongue was shyly beginning to join his in exploration when he pulled back and looked searchingly at her as if he would say something of importance.
With his hands cradling her face he even started with, “I wish…” but then he sighed and let her go.“It’s late, Eleanor.You must be very tired.Good night, my dear.Sleep well.”
