Duelling Fire Read online

  Sara was appalled, but Jude’s expression grew wry. ‘You’d better believe it,’ he said. ‘So I decided it was time I did something about it.’

  Sara frowned. ‘But you went off with Venetia—Oh!’ She broke off abruptly. ‘Poor Venetia! She’s crazy about you, you know.’

  ‘Not any more.’ Jude was phlegmatic. ‘I told her the truth. That was what Harriet was so het up about.’

  ‘Oh—oh, I see.’ Sara remembered Venetia’s tearful face with sudden comprehension. She also remembered how nice the other girl had been to her later. At least Venetia was no longer her enemy.

  ‘We’re wasting time,’ Jude said now, drawing her face towards him and rubbing his lips against hers. ‘Mmm, Sara, Sara—how am I going to sleep with you without loving you? Do you really think Laura would mind?’

  Sara was breathing very fast, but with trembling fingers she pushed him to arm’s length. ‘We—we could get a room,’ she ventured, and his lips curved into a lazy smile.

  ‘Oh, Miss Shelley, what are you saying!’ he teased, his eyes dancing, and the hot colour betrayed her once again.

  ‘I—I only thought—–’

  ‘I know what you thought,’ he declared, sobering. His mouth took on a sensual twist. ‘And believe me, I’d like nothing better. But if I’m going to convince your friends that my intentions are honourable, I guess I shouldn’t start by taking you to a hotel.’

  ‘Honourable!’ Sara sat back on her heels, hardly daring to believe what she was hearing, and Jude sat up and swung his legs to the floor.

  ‘What did you think?’ he demanded, taking both her unresisting hands in his and pressing them together. His eyes darkened. ‘Is it such a shock to you?’

  Sara nodded her head helplessly. ‘Well, yes—no! I mean, I never dreamed—–’

  ‘What did you never dream?’

  Sara bent her head. ‘You—you don’t have to do this, you know. Just—just because last night we—–’

  ‘Don’t you want to marry me?’ Jude’s voice was harsh suddenly, and she looked up at him in wide-eyed confusion.

  ‘I—I—–’

  ‘I thought you loved me!’ he muttered, his hands gripping hers so tightly now, she could feel all the blood draining out of them.

  ‘I—I did, I do!’ she protested fiercely. ‘But—but you never said—–’

  ‘Oh, God! That I loved you?’ Jude made a sound of anguish. ‘Dear heaven, I thought that was obvious. Didn’t I tell you so that morning in the library?’

  ‘Wh—what morning?’ Sara was tremulous.

  ‘The morning after Harriet’s accident,’ exclaimed Jude impatiently. ‘The morning I told you about her affair with—with my father.’

  ‘Well, you were right about my father writing to her,’ murmured Sara evasively. ‘He—he had cancer. Did you know?’

  ‘She told me,’ admitted Jude flatly. ‘Sara—–’

  Sara leaned towards him. ‘You—you said you—you cared what happened to me—–’

  ‘And didn’t that mean anything to you?’

  ‘Well, yes, but I thought you were only trying to—to hurt Harriet—–’

  ‘Oh, God! What that woman has to answer for!’ Jude’s arms slid round her, and he lifted her bodily on to his knees. ‘Hell,’ he buried his face in the silky softness of her hair, ‘why did you think I was so angry with you afterwards? I—I assumed—–’

  ‘—that Harriet had been right about me?’

  ‘Yes.’ He lifted his head, and his eyes were only inches from hers. ‘Until last night.’

  Sara quivered. ‘Why did you change your mind?’

  Jude shook his head. ‘I didn’t. At least not at first. I’m ashamed to say I eavesdropped on your goodnights with Rupert.’ He grimaced. ‘The things you and Harriet have made me do!’ He shook his head. ‘Anyway, I’d had a few drinks during the course of the evening, and when you came in and went straight upstairs, I guess I lost my head.’

  ‘I’m glad you did.’ Sara wound her arms around his neck.

  ‘So am I,’ he muttered fervently. ‘Although I have to admit I’ve had some pretty bad moments today—yesterday.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Why?’ He cast a brief look heavenward. ‘After you practically accused me of raping you!’

  ‘That—that was when I was silly—–’

  ‘And afterwards?’

  ‘Mmm.’ Sara lifted her shoulders in voluptuous reminiscence. ‘You know how it was.’

  ‘I know how it was,’ he agreed unsteadily. ‘You know I love you, don’t you? And I’ve learned not to use that word lightly.’

  ‘Jude …’ She drew his mouth to hers and caressed it urgently with her own. ‘Oh, darling, I’m so glad you came after me.’

  ‘Believe it or not, it was Janet who suggested it,’ he admitted ruefully. ‘I didn’t know what to do. When I got home and discovered what had happened, I half believed I was to blame—–’

  ‘Oh, Jude—–’

  ‘—but Janet seemed to think you were more upset over what Harriet had done.’

  ‘I was.’ Sara was fervent. ‘I told her so this afternoon.’

  ‘Yes,’ Jude nodded. ‘I rang the hospital and spoke to her before I left. She didn’t actually give me her blessing, but she sounded—resigned.’

  Sara nodded her head. ‘She did advise me to tell you what I planned to do.’

  ‘Did she?’ Jude looked impressed. ‘Well, knowing how I felt about you, I guess that was pretty magnanimous of her.’

  ‘She knows?’

  ‘She knows,’ Jude confirmed dryly. ‘Why do you think she got my father to give that party? When she first brought you to Knight’s Ferry, she thought she could take her time about introducing Rupert to you and getting him interested. But she’s not stupid. She could see the way things were going between us and she was afraid I might spill the beans before she could make any headway.’

  ‘But if she said I wouldn’t look at you—–’

  ‘My weakness, I’m afraid,’ he said wryly. ‘I believed what she said, because I couldn’t believe you might choose me and not Rupert.’

  ‘Jude!’ Sara gazed at him reproachfully.

  ‘I know.’ He gave her a rueful smile. ‘But it’s true. I can’t give you the kind of life Rupert could give you. I mean, I have a little money of my own, but compared to him—–’

  ‘I’m not interested in him or his money,’ Sara declared vehemently. ‘I don’t care where we live or what we do, so long as we’re together. After living with my father all those years, I’m used to trying to make ends meet.’

  ‘Well, it won’t be as bad as that,’ remarked Jude whimsically. ‘My—my father has told me that when I want to get married, he’ll give me a house on the estate. I’m entitled to it,’ he added dryly. ‘All the estate workers are.’

  Sara sighed. ‘Will—will she mind very much, do you think? Us living so close.’

  Jude smiled. ‘You know, I suspect she’ll get over it sooner than you think. She’s not really so bad. My father did deceive her, after all.’

  Sara cradled his face between her palms. ‘You’re very forgiving.’

  ‘I can afford to be. I’ve got what I want,’ he replied steadily. ‘And now I suggest I move to another chair, and let you have the couch.’

  ‘No!’ Sara was fervent. ‘Don’t—don’t leave me! We can share the sofa—see?’ She scrambled off his knee and stretched herself against the back of the sofa. ‘There’s plenty of room for both of us. Jude—I want to feel your arms around me.’

  He looked a little strained, but he acquiesced, turning off the lamp before stretching out beside her, so that her back was against his chest. ‘And if your friend comes in and finds us?’ he asked, as she drew his arms around her, and Sara sighed.

  ‘We’re not doing anything wrong,’ she protested, nestling closer against him, unaware that Jude had closed his eyes against the unknowing temptation of her slim body.

  ‘Will your frie
nd be going to work in the morning?’ he asked, before her steady breathing told him she was asleep, and Sara shook her head.

  ‘No. Laura’s had ‘flu and at present she’s recuperating. The hospital won’t let her go back to work until she’s really fit.’

  ‘She’s a nurse?’ Jude sounded reflective.

  ‘Hmm. A Ward Sister.’ Sara was sleepy. ‘Why?’

  ‘Well, I just thought she might like to come and stay at Knight’s Ferry while we’re on our honeymoon,’ Jude replied, with forced detachment. ‘After all, Harriet will be needing a nurse when she comes home from hospital …’

  It was six weeks later when Jude and Sara drove home to Knight’s Ferry. Jude had left his car at the airport when they flew off to Hawaii for their honeymoon three weeks ago, and now, after a stopover in London to recover from the flight, they were returning to the house. True to his word, Lord Hadley had given Jude a house on the estate, but contrary to his expectations it was not an old house, but a brand new one, at present being built to Jude’s own specifications. Harriet had not been pleased about that. Knight’s Ferry would eventually be Jude’s, she said. What point was there in building another house? She had calmed down somewhat when Jude had pointed out that he hoped she would live for years and years, and that her grandchildren would need somewhere to stay if he and Sara had to go away. Now she was quite resigned to the marriage, and already planning her grandchildren’s future.

  ‘She may have a grandchild sooner than she thought,’ murmured Sara rather ruefully, sliding her arm through Jude’s sleeve and resting her head briefly on his shoulder.

  ‘Yes.’ Jude cast a searching look at her. ‘How do you feel? You looked so pale before lunch.’

  ‘Oh, I feel wonderful now,’ Sara assured him smilingly. ‘Maybe it was something I ate.’

  ‘And if it wasn’t?’ he probed huskily. ‘Do you mind?’

  ‘Do you?’

  ‘Me?’ Jude’s lazy eyes caressed her. ‘Oh, love, how can I mind if you’re having my baby, when we had so much pleasure putting it there.’

  ‘Jude!’ She pressed her fist into his ribs, and he grinned at her.

  ‘Isn’t it true?’ he asked, teasing her deliberately. ‘And me with the scars to prove it.’

  Sara collapsed in giggles, but Jude had sobered, his eyes intent. ‘Seriously, Sara, how do you feel about this? Have I been selfish? Do you wish we’d—well, taken some precautions?’

  ‘I wouldn’t have let you,’ she declared fervently, sliding one arm around his neck and stroking the hair at his nape. ‘Besides, I suspect if I am pregnant, the damage was done before we left for Hawaii.’

  Jude gave her a rueful glance. ‘And you don’t mind?’

  ‘Mind?’ Sara raised her arms above her head, stretching luxuriously. ‘Darling, I want your baby. It’s part of you.’ She turned to look at him. ‘I love you, Jude. I don’t know how I existed so long without you.’

  ‘You shouldn’t say things like that when we’re on a motorway, travelling at seventy miles an hour, and I can’t do anything about it,’ Jude reproved her urgently. ‘But when we get home —–’

  ‘We’ll see how Laura has been coping,’ declared Sara provocatively, smoothing her dress decorously over her knees, and meeting his frustration with wide laughing eyes.

  Confirmation of Sara’s pregnancy seemed certain a week later after several mornings of sickness. But awakening on Saturday morning, to the delightful awareness of her husband’s warm body still close beside hers in the wide bed, Sara was surprised to find Janet standing at the bedside, carrying a tray of tea and biscuits.

  ‘Why, that’s very kind of you, Janet,’ she smiled, pulling herself up on the pillows and making sure to keep the thin sheet over her nakedness. ‘But—lately—–’

  ‘I know,’ Janet set the tray down on the bedside table as Jude stirred beside her. ‘Ye’ve nae been stomaching your coffee. I’ve heard ye in the bathroom when I’ve been making the beds, and I’ve brought ye some tea and biscuits to put things right.’

  ‘Oh, well. I—I don’t know—–’

  Sara didn’t ever feel sick until she got out of bed, and she was loath to increase the chances of her nausea, but Janet was determined.

  ‘Try it, lassie,’ she averred, making no move to leave her, and Jude opened his eyes enquiringly, as Sara obediently munched on a plain digestive.

  ‘What time is it?’ he groaned, reaching for his watch, but Janet forestalled him.

  ‘It’s after nine o’clock,’ she declared firmly. ‘And yon lassie’s no putting a foot out of this bed until she’s eaten these biscuits and drunk this tea.’

  ‘Isn’t she?’ Jude viewed his wife with lazy adoring eyes. ‘Well, I have no objections.’ His mouth brushed Sara’s smooth shoulder. ‘Do you?’

  Sara could feel her senses stirring in spite of Janet’s severe presence, but she ate the biscuits and drank the tea, even though Jude refused the cup provided for him.

  ‘Very guid.’ Janet was satisfied when Sara was finished and picked up the tray. ‘Ye’ll have nae more trouble with this babby. Does Miss Ferrars know yet?’

  Jude pushed himself into an upright position. ‘No, she doesn’t,’ he said flatly. ‘How did you find out?’

  ‘Och, when a lassie starts bringing up her breakfast, and her not married three months, ye don’t have to look far for the reason.’

  Jude grimaced. ‘I suppose you blame me.’

  ‘Och, no.’ For the first time Sara could remember Janet chuckled. ‘She’s a fine lassie. She’ll hae no trouble. But don’t you be pestering her, mind. She’s got to rest.’

  Jude grinned. ‘Thank you, Janet.’

  ‘Och, I’m leaving.’ The old housekeeper made for the door. ‘Ye’ll be all right, missie. I’ll see ye in a little bit.’

  With the door closed behind her, Jude cast a thoughtful look at his wife and then got abruptly out of bed, walking across to the windows. Sara, surprised at his sudden detachment, followed him.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ she asked, sliding her arms around him from behind, and pressing herself against him. ‘Come back to bed.’

  Jude bent his head. ‘What Janet said—about you needing to rest—now that we seem to be sure—–’

  Sara pressed her lips against his shoulder blade. ‘Don’t be silly! Janet may have some good ideas—come to think of it, she has, I don’t feel sick at all—but she’s old-fashioned. And besides,’ her hands strayed down over his flat stomach, ‘if you think my condition means more to me than you do, you couldn’t be more mistaken.’

  Jude turned to her then, his eyes warm and gentle and disturbingly intent. ‘Honey, I don’t want to hurt you—–’

  ‘Then take me back to bed,’ she breathed, her hands warm behind him, and with a groan of protest he acceded.

  ‘I love you so much,’ he muttered, after the urgency of their passion had been satiated. ‘I can’t leave you alone …’

  ‘Just go on loving me,’ murmured Sara huskily, and Jude answered: ‘For the rest of my life …’

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  IMPRINT: Sexy

  ISBN: 9781488743016

  TITLE: DUELLING FIRE

  First Australian Publication 2014

  Copyright © 2014 Anne Mather

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or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher, Harlequin Mills & Boon®, Level 4, 132 Arthur Street, North Sydney, N.S.W., Australia 2060.

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