Mouth parted in invitation, she glided her hands up his lapels. He lifted her face and brought his lips to her pliant ones. The instant their mouths touched, a flame exploded inside his chest. Lips slanted, he pulled her into a tighter embrace, reveling in the low moan she issued. Her arms slipped around his neck, her breasts soft and pillowy, driving him mad with want. The passion that sparked between them was surreal. He’d never experienced such need for a woman before. It was both frightening and exhilarating all at once.
Elizabeth glided her tongue along his lips, inviting him to deepen their kiss. He played his tongue along her seeking one, desire burned a path into his cock. What he wouldn’t give to sweep her into his arms and escape into his room. The one encounter in the carriage hadn’t been enough. He wanted more.
“Beg pardon,” an amused voice whispered from behind him. He released Elizabeth’s mouth and whipped his head around, all traces of passion gone. A large man stood on the other side of the trees.
He heard Elizabeth’s panicked intake of breath as she clutched at his jacket. “Who are you?” she said.
“It is all right. Henderson works with me. He is posing as my groom while in the country.”
She relaxed and stepped back, a flush marring her cheeks. Henderson had horrible timing. He released Elizabeth and motioned for Henderson to come closer.
“The carriage is ready out front and Gellman is waiting for us.” Henderson bowed to Elizabeth; his bold manner aggravating Langdon. Despite his intimidating frame, women flocked to the man. “I don’t believe we have been properly introduced. Mr. Henderson at your service.”
“A pleasure, Mr. Henderson.” She fluttered a hand to her hair and wrapped a strand around her finger. A nervous giggle escaped, adding to Langdon’s earlier irritation. “I must admit, you gave me quite a fright.”
“My humblest apologies.” He flashed a wicked grin, eying Elizabeth with a bit too much interest.
A few minutes before, she was kissing him, and now she was flirting with Henderson. Langdon fought the surge of jealousy over her obvious flustered state. Inhaling a resigned breath, he clasped her elbow. “I will meet you in front after I escort Mrs. Adare inside.”
Henderson flashed him a knowing look. “It was a pleasure, Mrs. Adare,” he said, and after offering another bow, he strode off, barely making a sound.
“Come, Mrs. Adare,” Langdon said, moving down the path.
“Mr. Henderson is very stealthy of foot. I never heard his approach. But then again, I was otherwise occupied.” She leaned into him, the action softening his earlier aggravation. After Maria, he swore he’d never act like a jealous lover, yet here he was, allowing history to repeat itself. The thought of any man, including Henderson, paying her court pricked his temper. Even more reason for him to solve this mystery. Every minute spent in her company drew him deeper into her spell.
“He is very good at what he does.” Cocky or not, he was a worthy man to have at his side in a fight.
The back door loomed close, and he slowed his steps. It was one thing to kiss her with the protection of the trees, but it would be foolish to indulge his desire in where anyone could come upon them. “I will leave you here. Will you be all right?”
“I will. I beg you be careful. The locals are a tight-lipped bunch and won’t take kindly to being asked too many questions.” Elizabeth clutched at his hands and squeezed, offering him a wavering smile before releasing him. She turned around, reaching for the door latch. Before she went inside, she glanced at him over her shoulder. “Good night.”
“Good night,” he said, torn between wishing to follow her inside or doing his duty.
She slipped inside and disappeared. He stared at the house for a long moment. A flash of movement from an upper window drew his eye. Someone was staring outside. They drew back before he could determine who it was. One of the servants, or her father perhaps.
He left the way he’d come, one thought in mind. Tomorrow, he’d have her to himself. Granted, they were on a reconnaissance mission, but any time alone with her was precious. The hold she had on him grew by the second. He was powerless to suppress the need to be in her company and that in itself was more dangerous than a dozen armed bootleggers.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“That’s the path leading to the smuggler’s cave.” Elizabeth brought the borrowed mount from a trot to a walk and pointed to a rocky trail surrounded by wiry seagrass. Angry grey waters could be seen in the distance. The weather seemed to be getting worse the closer they came to the coast which did not bode well for their search.
Langdon slowed his horse, Demon. The ground was rocky and uneven, making it a challenge for the horses to traverse. The powerful black stallion fell into step beside her gelding.
“Is there another path to the beach close by?” Langdon asked.
