Reaching up, he lifted Vermillion down from the gray and tied the stallion's reins to a tree a few feet away. "You've a house full of guests. There were so many candles blazing it looked like the place was on fire. I figured you'd be busy entertaining." Busy with Mondale or Nash or one of the other men who danced to her tune. He tried to keep the irritation out of his voice, but didn't quite succeed.

Lee seemed not to notice.

"I was there for a while." She sat down on a fallen log and Caleb sat down beside her. She looked beautiful tonight in her simple white lawn shirt and brown breeches. She had left her fiery hair unbound and the thick curls glowed like burning coals in the moonlight. The powder was gone from her face and he thought he caught the faint track of tears.

"What is it, Lee? Why did you come out here?"

She gazed off toward the low grass fluttering in the wind, forming patterns in the fields. "I don't know if I can go through with it, Caleb. I know I have to, but I don't know if I can."

His chest felt heavy. He knew exactly what she meant. He wasn't sure he could let her, even if it was what she wanted. "You're talking about the decision you're supposed to make the night of your birthday."

She nodded.

"Because of what happened between us last night?"

She looked up at him. A hint of kohl still outlined her eyes and they looked huge and blue-green in the moonlight. "In a way, I suppose. Until last night, I never understood what it would be like to make love... how much of yourself you give to a man. I never realized that every touch brands you, steals something from you. That when you take a man inside you, it's like... it's like giving him a piece of your soul."

She stared past him over the rolling hills and he thought how beautiful she was and how her words touched him.

"I don't suppose you would understand," she said, looking back at him. "I'm sure it's different for a man."

Was it different? In the past, he had bedded any number of women, all of them more than willing and almost none of them worth remembering. Some he paid for their trouble, nameless, faceless women he left behind in alehouses and far-off military encampments.

But what of the woman who sat beside him? Lee was different from the others he had known, a combination of innocence and sensuality that made him want her as he never had another. She was more independent than any woman he had ever met and at the same time helplessly trapped in a life she couldn't seem to escape. He thought of her day and night and wanted her endlessly. Just sitting so close had him hard and aching to be inside her.

Perhaps he had given Lee Durant a piece of his soul as well.

Caleb didn't much like the thought.

"What happened between us, Lee, it was special. Never doubt that."

She made no reply. Perhaps she didn't believe him. If he didn't come back, it was probably better that way.

"In less than two weeks," she said, "everything in my life is going to change."

On her nineteenth birthday. The thought squeezed something inside his chest. "Listen to me, Lee. There's no law, no commandment that says you have to choose a protector that night or any other. You don't need the money. You don't have to invite Mondale, or Nash, or anyone else into your bed. You don't have to become Vermillion. You could stay the way you are. You could just be Lee."

She raised her eyes to his and he could see regret reflected there. "I have to do it. It's the only way. My aunt loves her life, Caleb. She loves the parties and the endless attention. She's getting older. Her beauty is fading. I know how much it bothers her, how much she wants things to stay the same. If I become Vermillion, Aunt Gabriella can live on through me."

"You don't owe her that, Lee. No one owes anyone that much."

"You're wrong. I owe her everything. When my mother died, I was left completely alone. I was four years old when the lady who owned the cottage we lived in left me at the orphanage. She didn't know how terrible that place was-no one knew. They beat us, Caleb, for the slightest infraction. They locked us in the cellar with the rats if we did something wrong. There weren't enough blankets and not enough food. If Aunt Gabby hadn't come... if she hadn't taken me home with her, I would have died in that place, I know I would have. I loved her the moment she lifted me into her arms and she loved me. I would do anything for her, Caleb. Anything to see that she is happy."

"Tell her, Lee. Tell her the way you feel."

"How can I? I'm not even sure myself. Perhaps she is right, perhaps the freedom of a life like hers is worth whatever it costs."

He didn't believe it. Not for an instant. "You could have a husband, Lee, a family. That's something every woman wants. It isn't fair that you should have to give those things up."

Her eyes locked with his and there was something in them he had never seen before.

"Is that a proposal, Caleb? Are you asking me to marry you?"

His stomach instantly knotted. For several long moments he simply sat there. The thought of marriage had never entered his mind. She was Vermillion, a courtesan. But after last night, he, more than anyone, knew it wasn't the truth.

He cleared his throat, needing time, groping for something to say. "What kind of a life would you have with a man like me?" He knew she was thinking he meant as the wife of a groom, but he was thinking of a man dedicated to war, one who would soon be returning to Spain.

Her features shifted, seemed to close up. She tossed her head and a brittle little laugh came from her throat. "What sort of life, indeed. Not the sort I am used to, that is for certain. You're a groom. A groom doesn't ask his employer to marry him and even if he did, it would hardly be seemly to wed one of the servants."

A muscle tightened in his cheek, though why he should be angry eluded him. He wasn't proposing, and even if he were, Vermillion would never marry the groom he pretended to be. She wouldn't give up her luxurious way of life for a man so far beneath her.

His mouth curved up, but his smile held no warmth. "You're right. A man like me is only good enough for a tumble or two before it's time to move on to someone more suitable. Was that it, Vermillion? You needed some instruction before you sold yourself to Mondale or Nash?"

Color washed into her cheeks. "That isn't true."

"Isn't it?"

She leaped up from the log and whirled toward her horse, but Caleb stepped in front of her, blocking her escape.

"Get out of my way."

"Are you sure that's what you want? We've time for another quick tumble. Perhaps you'll learn something new that might prove useful."

She jerked her small hand free and drew back to slap him, but Caleb caught her wrist. "You managed that trick before. You don't want to do it again."

"Let me go." She struggled as he hauled her against him.

"I don't think you want that any more than I do."

She pressed her palms against his chest but she was half his size and she hadn't a prayer of dislodging him. Bending his head, he captured her mouth in a rough, demanding kiss, anger riding him hard. Lee fought him for a moment, but he just kept kissing her and slowly the kiss began to gentle. He kissed her the way he had last night and little by little her struggles slowly ceased. Her hands moved over his chest, up around his neck, and her fingers tangled in his hair.

Leaning into him, she kissed him back as wildly as he was kissing her. Caleb groaned. He was achingly hard, hungry for her, ready to take what she now wanted to give him.

Instead, she eased a little away. "I gave myself to you because it was you that I wanted, Caleb. I care nothing for Mondale or Nash, or anyone else-surely you know that by now. I can't bear the thought of them touching me, making love to me as you have. I can't imagine giving myself to another man the way I have given myself to you."

Caleb read the pain in her eyes and his chest constricted. Damn them. Damn them all to bloody hell He cursed her aunt and the others for what they were doing to her even as he cursed himself for what he had already done. Reaching out, he framed her face between his hands, settled his mouth over hers, and very softly kissed her. She tasted like expensive champagne and smelled like night-blooming flowers, and heat slid into his groin. His shaft lengthened, thickened, hardened till it was painful. His pulse ricocheted skyward and desire exploded in his blood.

They made love on the soft green grasses behind the trees. Spreading his shirt beneath them, he lay down on his back and settled her above him. At first she seemed surprised that they could make love in this way. He watched her teeth sink into her bottom lip as he lifted her a little and eased her down on his shaft, her body gloving him so perfectly he groaned. It didn't take her long to realize the power he had given her and soon she began to ride him, gently at first, then moving faster, taking him more deeply, absorbing the pleasure.

His own pleasure swelled with each of her movements. As she bent her head and kissed him, lifted herself then took him fully again, he palmed her bare breasts. Silky red hair teased his chest and he fought not to lose control.

They reached their peak together, her soft cry filling the night. A few minutes later, he rolled her onto her back and took her again, more gently this time, determined to make it good for her.

Afterward, spent and sated, they lay together in the grass, watching the moon drift by overhead. Tomorrow he would be leaving, but he could not tell her. He thought how much he had come to care for her, this innocent, free-spirited young woman, and wished that he could change things, wished there weren't so many secrets swirling around them.

It was essential that someone get inside the house.

Caleb prayed his plan would work and he could return.

And that Lee would forgive him if he did.

12.

Dear Lord, she had spent another night making love with him! It was late morning now. She had only been away from him a few hours and yet she longed to see him again. It was madness, insanity, but she could not seem to help herself.

Lee thought of Caleb and her growing feelings for him and nervously bit her lip. When a knock sounded at the door, she was grateful for the distraction.

"I am sorry to disturb you," Jeannie said, "but your aunt wishes to see you. She is worried that you are unwell."

Suffering a hint of madness, undoubtedly, but otherwise very well indeed. "Tell her I am fine. I had a bit of a headache last night, but it is gone this morning."

Instead of leaving, Jeannie stepped into the room and quietly closed the door. "You said that you would return last night, but you did not come back until early this morning. It is not safe for you to be out there by yourself."

And even less safe to be with Caleb. Lee glanced away. "I wasn't in any danger and even if I were, I can take care of myself."

One of Jeannie's brown eyebrows went up. "Ah, no-you were with 'im! Oh, cherie, do you know what you risk?"

"As I said, I can take care of myself."

"Are you certain of that?"

Was she certain? She had never been less certain of anything in her life. And yet she knew she was doing exactly what she wanted.

She reached over and caught her friend's hand. "Listen to me, Jeannie. There isn't much time left before my birthday. I want these last two weeks for myself."

Jeannie sighed. "It is my fault this 'as 'appened. I never should 'ave encouraged you. I do not know what I was thinking."

"No, Jeannie, you were right. I don't believe I shall ever feel this way about another man. I might never have understood what it is like to truly experience passion." And love. As much as she wished to deny it, she knew she was more than half in love with him.

"Be careful, cherie. You know this cannot continue. I do not wish to see you hurt."

But that was bound to happen and Lee knew it. Once she had chosen a protector, she would be leaving Parklands, bidding a last farewell to Caleb Tanner.

Then again, perhaps Caleb would be the first to leave.

An uneasy feeling settled over her. There was something in his manner last night as he bade her farewell. She wasn't sure what it was but even now the uneasy feeling remained.

It stayed with her all through the morning, and after a light breakfast of cocoa and biscuits with her aunt, she headed straight for the stable.

"Good day ta ye, Miss Lee." Arlie shuffled toward her down the corridor in the middle of the barn, his spine bent but a smile on his wrinkled face.

"Good morning, Arlie." She glanced around for Caleb, but didn't see him.

" 'E's gone, Miss. Took off sometime afore dawn. Left ye this note, 'e did. Found it on a nail in front of Grand Coeur's stall." Arlie dragged a folded piece of paper from the pocket of his breeches and held it out to her.

Her heart was thundering. She could hear the pounding in her ears. Reaching out, she took the note and broke the drop of candle wax he had used for a seal.

Lee, A problem has arisen and I am called away. Jacob will be returning to resume his duties on the morrow. Perhaps we shall meet again.

Your servant, Caleb Tanner Her heart beat painfully as she read the note again, searching for some hidden meaning, some small word that told her what they had shared had meant something to him, that leaving her wasn't what he wished to do. But there was nothing of comfort in the message.

She surveyed his parting words, Your servant, Caleb Tanner. No man had ever been less of a servant and of course Caleb knew it. It was the sort of closing a gentleman might use, but Caleb wasn't a gentleman.

Or was he?

There had always been things about him that simply did not fit. His speech was that of an educated man, his manners those of the upper classes-along with his arrogance. Perhaps he was a highborn man, fallen heavily into debt and running to avoid debtors' prison. Perhaps he had done something worse. Whoever he was, she had cared for him greatly and now he was gone, casting her aside as if she had meant nothing to him at all, leaving only a brief note of farewell.

Lee's heart filled with a weighty despair. She had tried so hard not to love him, but part of her was deeply in love and that part would never forgive him. She told herself it was better this way, better he was gone and she could go on with the life laid out for her.

Crumbling the note in her hand, she swallowed past the tight knot in her throat and ignored the sting of tears. Caleb was gone. That part of her life was over.

Vermillion tossed the paper into the waste bin and vowed not to think of Caleb Tanner again.

The afternoon slipped past and the hour grew late. The moon slid away, disappearing behind a cover of dense black clouds that boded rain. A heavy mist hung over the earth, dampening the long black woolen cloak draped over the woman's shoulders. Beneath the hood, her hair was damp, and fine strands clung to the nape of her slender neck.

She didn't like being out on a night like this. As she walked the narrow path toward the village, every shadow seemed a villainous creature ready to spring out of the darkness, and the damp, spongy ground distorted the sounds in the inky night.

It didn't matter. She had to see him. He would expect her to have something for him by now and she didn't want to fail him.

They were meeting at their usual place in the village, a small attic room above the Red Boar Inn. They never spoke at the house. It was too dangerous, he said, people might see them. It didn't matter. She didn't mind slipping away, even on a night like this. Not for him. And here she didn't have to share him.

He was waiting as she climbed the outside stairs along a shadowy wall protected by dense gray-green ivy. Standing in the darkness lit only by a single tallow candle, he was as attractive as he had been the first time she had seen him, more so with each passing year. His eyes ran over her, surveying her from head to foot, and she smiled at the gleam of interest that appeared in his eyes.

"You look extremely fetching tonight, my sweet."

She blushed and smiled, pleased that he seemed to approve of the new blue muslin gown she'd had made with the money he had given her the last time they were together.

He eased back the hood of her cloak, then pulled the drawstring and removed the wet garment, draped it over the back of a wooden chair.

"The gown suits you. It brings out the color of your eyes." The room was small and stark, with only a slatted bed and nightstand, a dresser with a chipped basin and pitcher, and the lone wooden chair. Perhaps that was the reason his elegant figure seemed such a powerful force.

"I 'ave learned something," she said with her soft French accent. "It may be important. I knew you would wish to 'ear it as soon as it could be arranged."

He moved closer, till she could smell a hint of brandy on his breath and his expensive cologne. "I thought perhaps you had simply missed me." His hands were encased in butter soft kidskin. He tugged on the end of each finger, slowly removing the gloves, then he tossed them onto the seat of the chair. "I was hoping you might wish to continue where we left off the last time we were here."

The last time they were there. A little thrill went through her. She hadn't forgotten. She never forgot the brief hours she'd spent with him. "I always wish to be with you. It 'as been far too long since we are together."

He reached up and stroked her cheek and her insides trembled. All he had to do was look at her and she melted a little inside. His hand encircled the nape of her neck, drew her toward him. He reached out, cupped one of her breasts, squeezed it, gently at first, then harder, just to the point of pleasure-pain.

She sucked in a breath, unconsciously tried to draw away, but he pulled her back and his touch turned gentle. He stroked her nipple through the bodice of her gown and pleasure washed over her again.

"What have you brought me?"