The Cracksman's Kiss Page 9

  “As his sire I claim the task of naming him. I have always thought to name my first born Lucca after the town in Italy where I made my first archaeological dig.” He nodded as if pleased.

  “Does the name suit you, Kassandra?”

  “Kassie,” she corrected. “Yes, I like the name Lucca.”

  “Good, then Lucca it is.” He looked out the window until Kassie was done feeding Lucca. When she would have put the child to her shoulder to burp him Cohen reached over and took him. He put the baby to his own shoulder and gently patted his back. “We are almost at Newbury so you might want to take the opportunity to change your dress.”

  She gaped at him. “You expect me to change here? In the coach?”

  He shrugged, continuing to pat the baby’s back. “Where else are you going to change? I could have the coachman stop so you could dress in a snow bank.”

  “I cannot disrobe in front of you!”

  He shot her an annoyed look as the baby burped and gurgled. “I have made love to you and held a hot water bottle to your delightful breasts, Kassie. There is not much left for me to ogle,” he assured her with a bold grin.

  Kassie bit her lip and crossed her arms over her breasts to hold the loose top of her gown in place. “It is not decent, my lord, even my husband has not seen me unclothed.”

  “Cohen,” he corrected her, “and I am not your husband.”

  “We could stop at an inn in the next town. Surely they will have a room where I can change.”

  “We do not have time to stop at an inn if we are to make Bristol before sunset. We are simply going to get fresh horses.”

  She held her ground with stubborn determination. “Surely there is enough time for me to change whilst we wait for the horses to be switched.”

  The corner of his lip twitched, but his face remained blank. “The less attention we draw, the better. The earl will have men scouring all of London by now looking for you and believe me when I tell you, it will not take them long to pick up our trail.”

  Kassie recognized the truth in his words. “You admit Lucca is your son so what could the earl do if he caught us?”

  “I would not want to put you through the humiliation of a public inquiry, if in fact the earl lets it go that far, which I doubt. There is still the fact you are married to him. England does not look kindly on one who steals another man’s wife. You are his property, which by law he is entitled to do with as he sees fit.”

  “You did not steal me from him, you rescued me.” Her irritation began to grow. “Besides, the earl does not even want me.”

  “Call it what you will, Kassie, but the truth remains I took you from him the same as I took his Egyptian cat and his ancient tablet. He may not want you, but he does not want to lose you to the likes of me. He would kill us both first.”

  She gasped in horror. “Surely he would not resort murder, he would spend the rest of his days in prison.”

  Cohen shook his head with a grim look. “You are too naive. He would have us both killed in a heartbeat and make it look like an accident to cover his crime.”

  Kassie shuddered at the gruesome thought. “So what do we do? Spend the rest of our days running and hiding?”

  “I have left a number of false trails for the earl’s men to follow. By the time he realizes we are not in England we will be safely in France where I can deal with him on my own terms.”

  “Are you so sure he will know it was you who stole from him?”

  “It will not take him long to figure out I took his artifacts. He will know I have you.” Cohen laid the now sleeping baby on the bench beside him, and then looked out the window. “You have only a few minutes to change, Kassie.”

  Kassie rummaged through her sack for another chemise and dress. When she found what she was looking for she set the articles down on the bench beside her. Using her cloak for privacy she tried to shrug out of the soiled gown, but soon realized she needed to undo all of the buttons down the back in order to slip out of it. She looked up, frustrated, to see Cohen watching her with a bemused grin on his face.

  “Perhaps I can help.”

  She hesitated. She certainly did not trust him anymore than she trusted her own body’s response to his touch. Since she did not have a maid, the only options were to allow him to help her or tear her dress. The dress she might need, since there was only room for a couple in the sack.

  Giving him a warning look she slipped off her cloak. Clutching her sagging bodice, she turned her back to him. The seat springs creaked. She sucked in a deep breath as his fingertips brushed her bare skin, sending little shivers through her. He worked the last button free, and she quivered at his breath on the back of her neck. His lips brushed the sensitive spot between her shoulder blades. Before she could protest he returned to the opposite bench.

  She kept her back to him and reached for her cloak. After she pulled it shut and tied it she turned around. Cohen was sitting in his seat, watching her under half closed lids. She glared at him, then shrugged out of the dress, letting it fall to the floor. A little more wiggling and her chemise followed the dress. Still clutching the front of her cloak, she reached out and snatched up the clean chemise. Trying to keep the cloak closed and get the garment over her head and arms proved to be a challenge she was not prepared for.

  “Could you at least close your eyes?” she complained with undisguised bitterness.

  He gave her a mischievous grin. “It would be easier if you would let go of the cloak.”

  With a snort, she stood up in the swaying coach, and turned her back on him so she did not have to worry about the cloak staying closed. At that moment they hit a pothole in the road and she was flung backward. She landed face up across Cohen’s lap, her cloak gaping open to expose her nakedness underneath.

  Wrapping his arm around her to keep her from tumbling to the floor, he chuckled. “See?”

  When Kassie blushed and tried to scramble from his lap he held her in place. She watched, mesmerized by his brilliant green orbs as they traveled downward to take in her exposed flesh. His eyes darkened, and his tongue slid along his bottom lip to moisten it as he trailed the fingers of his free hand down her neck to cup a full breast. Before she could glean his intent he dipped his head and kissed her. Kassie moaned as his lips brushed hers light as a feather, then pressed more urgently against them. He nipped her bottom lip, and she opened for him. With a groan he deepened his kiss. Her heart began to pound in her ears, her body turning to mush as he touched his tongue to hers. Without warning he released her. Kassie blinked, realizing the coach had slowed.

  Cohen’s voice was husky and thick as he untied the laces on her cloak. “You better get dressed.”

  Kassie scrambled to her feet as he whipped off her cloak and held it in front of her. She shrugged into her chemise, snatched the dress from the bench and tossed it over her head. Good Lord! The man must think I am a harlot. Yanking the dress down, she shoved her arms into the sleeves, and looked out the window. The horses pulled up in front of a shabby livery stable.

  Cohen tossed her cloak onto the seat and motioned for her to turn around so he could fasten the row of tiny buttons down the back of the pale, mauve water silk gown. She turned her back to him.

  “Do you have any cloth to put in your bodice?”

  Kassie frowned at his familiarity. “I do not think any will fit.” She looked down at the material stretching tight across her chest. “I seem to have outgrown my clothes.”

  “I remember my sister having a similar problem after her first child was born.” Cohen chuckled as he finished with the buttons, and then gave her a gentle push toward her seat.

  She slipped her cloak back on and sat down.

  Cohen handed her the sleeping baby and added a couple pieces of coal to the brazier. When the coach came to a halt he opened the door without waiting for the coachman. “Wait here.” He climbed down and crossed the muddy stable yard to the barn.

  Kassie watched him, admiring the way he covered the
ground with long confident strides. He was always in control of the situation whereas she floundered in his presence. She supposed when one was born with money and a title they naturally acquired confidence. They could buy a solution to most any situation. Well, any dilemma except this one, it seemed.

  Cuddling her son she watched as their muddy, sweaty horses were lead away and another team of fresh prancing ones were hitched to the coach in their place. Cohen entered her field of vision, making his way across the yard, carrying two large baskets. When he reached the coach, the driver opened the door for him and he climbed in.

  The first basket he placed at Kassie’s feet. It was empty except for a fluffy blue blanket. “I thought Lucca would be safer in a basket,” he said at her questioning look, “that way we will not have to worry about him falling from the seat when you sleep.”

  “Good idea.” Kassie smiled and laid the baby inside.

  Cohen sat across from her and set the second basket down at his feet when the driver shut the coach door behind him. “I got something for us to eat.”

  Her stomach rumbled. “I am famished.”

  When the coach rattled forward Cohen opened the basket. He passed her a napkin on which he placed a still warm biscuit, a piece of cheese, and a thick slice of ham. Kassie made a sandwich and savored the simple but tasty fare. “It is not the fanciest meal, but it should tide us over for now.” With a smile he followed suit, making a sandwich for himself.

  When she finished eating he passed her a water skin. She pulled the cork and lifted it to her mouth, choking on the first mouthful when she realized it was wine instead of water. He grinned and passed her his handkerchief. The baby whimpered, and Cohen nudged the basket with his boot to set it rocking on its rounded bottom.

  Kassie wiped her mouth and handed the water skin back to him. “How is it you know so much about babies?”

  He made himself another sandwich before he answered her. “I have three younger sisters and an older one. Three of them are married with seven children between them. The youngest, Emily, has always been sickly so she never married. My sisters, myself, and my older brother all live together on a winery, our main estate Le Montennee, just outside of Marseilles. There are always babies around it seems.”

  “So you have spent a lot of time around your nieces and nephews then?”

  “Yes, the house is never quiet.” He smiled. “I like the noise and commotion, without it a house as large as ours would be like a giant crypt.”

  Kassie nodded in understanding. “I always felt the same way at the earl’s. Everything was always quiet—he hated noise. Makes me wonder why he even wanted children, besides needing an heir, that is. I suppose those of us who grow up in large families find the noise and energy familiar and comforting.”

  Cohen nodded and finished the last bite of his sandwich. He took a deep drink from the water skin and set it back in the basket at his feet. “How is it you have no baby experience since you have such a large family?”

  “As the oldest I helped my father and mother minister to the poor and the sick. Every day we walked or drove our little dog cart and handed out food and clothing to those in need. My mother often nursed the sick long into the night. My sister Beth looked after the little ones mostly.”

  Kassie fell silent. It appeared she had more in common with Cohen than she suspected. He was so easy to talk to. Unlike the earl who did not want to know anything about her, Cohen seemed interested in her. Perhaps she was wrong, and like her husband he was really only interested in her body, she thought, recalling his earlier kiss.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The setting sun was painting the sky with orange and pink hues when they drew up at the docks on the outskirts of Bristol. The small seaside town bustled with activity. Vendors loaded their carts and shopkeepers hurried from their stores, perhaps heading home for the night, she mused. She looked out the window on the other side of the coach. Various ships bobbed in silence on small open patches of water like the abandoned shells of memories.

  Cohen pointed out a large schooner anchored at the far end of the dock. “That is my ship, Discovery.” The coachman opened the door and Cohen tucked a blanket over the basket, holding the baby to keep out the draft. “Wait here.”

  Kassie watched him cross to the gangplank and speak to a young man in a uniform. The two men shook hands, and Cohen said something Kassie could not hear. The man answered and looked at the coach. The two men talked for a few more minutes. Cohen turned and made his way toward the coach, opened the door, and hoisted the basket from the floor. Holding out his hand, he helped her climb down, and led the way across the docks and up the gangplank.

  A large man in uniform greeted them, “Good evening, Comté Ashton.”

  “Good evening, Rennie,” Cohen responded, shaking the man’s hand. “Has my cabin been aired out?”

  “Oui, Comté.”

  “Good,” Cohen nodded. “Come Kassie, I will show you to my quarters where you may wait while I run a few errands.”

  Kassie followed as he strolled across the ship’s deck. They walked down a long passageway until they came to a set of double doors which a uniformed sailor stationed there opened for them. Cohen ushered her into the room ahead of him. She paused, wide eyed, on the threshold of a large parlor. The room was by far more elegant than the earl’s townhouse. A gold velvet settee and two matching chairs were arranged in the corner of the room by a fancy iron brazier glowing with live coals. A large dining table was set in the other corner with chairs for ten guests and above the table a large sparkling crystal chandelier hung. Thick red and gold Persian throw rugs covered the polished wooden floor. Kassie wandered over to a painting on the wall. The man in the portrait looked down on her with a regal smile.

  “His Majesty, the Emperor of France, gifted me with this ship,” Cohen explained. “I was very honored, not many Englishmen are so well respected by the French monarchy.”

  She frowned in puzzlement. “You are English? Comté is a French title, so I thought you were French.”

  He nodded. “Most make that mistake. I am English born, but a titled French citizen as well.”

  “How is that possible?”

  “Many French titles are not inherited, but bestowed upon those who earn them. My father was a poor English cloth merchant. I sailed to France and earned a title by service to the emperor along with some wealth. After, I sent for my family and brought them to live in France. I have no noble blood, which is one of the reasons the earl dislikes me.”

  “Oh,” was all Kassie could think of to say. Cohen was as common as she. Perhaps it was why she liked him so much from the start.

  “Come, my bedchamber is this way.” He gestured to an open door to the left of the dining table.

  Kassie followed him and stopped on the threshold. A huge bed took up most of the space in the room. It was larger by far than the bed she occupied at the earl’s. It was covered with red satin and dotted with matching pillows. Did Cohen expect her to sleep with him? She swallowed.

  He seemed not to notice her discomfort. “I will have one of Rennie’s men bring you a bath.”

  Kassie nodded and Cohen left. Once the door closed behind him she went to the wardrobe to hang up her few gowns. When she opened the doors, Cohen’s familiar spicy sent drifted out. His expensive tailored clothes hung in neat rows. Did he intend to share the room with her or would he move his attire elsewhere? She pushed them closer together and hung her garments in the cleared space.

  The baby began to fuss in the other room, and Kassie hurried to pick him up before his fussing turned to wailing. The baby sucked on his fist, making loud slurping noises. She set him back in the basket and reached behind her neck to undo the buttons of her dress so she could feed him. She managed the first two buttons, but could not reach the ones between her shoulder blades. Picking up the baby again she went to the door. When she opened it and looked out into the corridor, the sailor she had seen earlier was still stationed by the door, the comt�
� was nowhere in sight.

  “Do you know where Comté Ashton is?”

  The man looked at her. “Pardon Mademoiselle?”

  “The comté?” She tried again, realizing he did not speak English.

  The man shook his head and said something in French Kassie did not understand. She shut the door. Now what was she going to do? There was no way she could undo the buttons down the back of her dress to nurse Lucca without assistance, and there was no way she wanted to ask a stranger to help her. She put the baby to her shoulder and patted his back, trying to calm him.

  Two men entered the room carrying a brass tub large enough to sit in. They set it down in front of the fire and left, returning with buckets of hot water. Kassie tried to ask them if they knew where the comté was, but neither of them spoke English. The baby began to get more upset, his whimpers turning into fitful wails.

  Kassie was near tears when Cohen finally entered the parlor almost an hour later.

  He looked surprised to see her pacing the room, trying to calm the screaming baby. “Why do you not feed him?”

  Kassie glared at him. “I could not get my gown undone because the buttons are down the back and I cannot reach them!”

  He shut the door behind him and put the packages he carried on the table.

  “You left me here alone … and no one speaks English … and I could not ask anyone for help,” Kassie rambled, tears spilling down her cheeks. She swiped them any. Why am I crying? I am angry, not sad. Perhaps I am simply overtired.

  Cohen turned her around and made quick work of the buttons and then peered over her shoulder as she lowered the baby to her breast. When the baby was suckling and content he led her to the settee to sit down. “I am sorry. I did not stop to think you might need me while I was gone.” He crossed to the table and opened the packages “I could not find a wet nurse in the village, but I did find you some pheasant blouses that lace up in the front. I also purchased a few skirts to go with them. I have some bolts of material in the ship’s hold you may use if there is anything you need I have neglected to purchase. You did mention you sew.” He pivoted and held up a padded chemise. “I also bought one of these,” he gave her a sheepish grin. “One of the seamstresses recently had a child and said she uses one of these with pieces of cotton in the breast panels to, ah, absorb any leakage.”