An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication www.ellorascave.com Anchor and Storm ISBN # 9781419910050 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Anchor and Storm Copyright© 2007 Kate Poole Edited by Helen Woodall. Cover art by Syneca. Electronic book Publication: April 2007 This book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310- 3502. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously. Content Advisory: S – ENSUOUS E – ROTIC X – TREME Ellora’s Cave Publishing offers three levels of Romantica™ reading entertainment: S (S-ensuous), E (E- rotic), and X (X-treme). The following material contains graphic sexual content meant for mature readers. This story has been rated E–rotic. S-ensuous love scenes are explicit and leave nothing to the imagination. E-rotic love scenes are explicit, leave nothing to the imagination, and are high in volume per the overall word count. E-rated titles might contain material that some readers find objectionable—in other words, almost anything goes, sexually. E-rated titles are the most graphic titles we carry in terms of both sexual language and descriptiveness in these works of literature. X-treme titles differ from E-rated titles only in plot premise and storyline execution. Stories designated with the letter X tend to contain difficult or controversial subject matter not for the faint of heart. A S NCHOR AND TORM Kate Poole Dedication To my editor, Helen Woodall, for taking a chance on me. To “The Naughty Little French Tarts”—Kathy, Kate, Chris, Janet and Lisa—for encouraging me and making me finally finish a manuscript. To Bonnie, my first fan. And last, but certainly not least, to Mom and Dad, who have always been there for me. Anchor and Storm Chapter One St. Andrews, Scotland, 1750 “So…what am I to do with you now, Emily?” Emily Sinclair found herself in the position she feared most—alone with her employer. Although he was not exceedingly tall, almost everyone Emily knew was taller than she and it seemed as if he towered over her. He was advancing toward her, backing her into a corner, and she knew that soon she would be trapped. “Sir,” she said, licking lips that had gone dry with fear. “I-I was just about to take the children their tea. Perhaps we could discuss this later, when Lady Stockdale can join us.” Emily knew what he wanted to discuss. His wife had badgered him until he agreed to send their children off to boarding schools. She had heard them arguing even from the upstairs room where she slept. Now they would have no further need for a governess. She dreaded the thought, but from the leer on Lord Stockdale’s face it seemed as though he had another position in mind for her. Emily’s blood ran cold in her veins when the double entendre of the word “position” occurred to her. By now he had her pinned in the corner, his foul breath washed over her and she tried to hold her own breath so she wouldn’t have to smell it. She turned her head away slightly but he pinched her chin between his thumb and forefinger, forcing her to face him. “My wife does not need to be concerned about this. ’Twill be an arrangement just between the two of us.” Emily knew it was futile, but she had to try. “Perhaps a family of your acquaintance, sir, might require the services of a governess. If you could give me a reference—” His snorting laugh cut her off but the humor never reached his eyes. They remained cold and black as a moonless night. “Come now, girl, you’re not that stupid. You know what I’m talking about. I’ve waited a long time for this. If you refuse, not only will I not give you a reference, I will sully your name from one end of the Lowlands to the other. And we both know ye canna go back to yer beloved Highlands, now can ye?” he added, deliberately mocking the brogue she used only in unguarded moments. His fingers left her chin and tangled in her hair as he leaned in closer. “Sir, please, I beg ye not to do this—” “Raymond.” The voice that came from behind Lord Stockdale’s back was deep and firm, the message clear without anything more being said. 5 Kate Poole Her captor froze then jumped back and turned toward the man who had spoken his name. “Why, Uncle Edgar, Mistress Sinclair and I were just discussing her future plans. I was just proposing—” “I’ve been standing here long enough to hear exactly what you were proposing. Mistress Sinclair, you may leave.” Emily squeezed past Lord Stockdale, her face burning with embarrassment even though she knew she had done nothing shameful. It was only that she hated having Lord Callander witness that scene. She didn’t think he would blame her but he was an earl after all and blood was thicker than water. But she felt they had become friends during his stay at his nephew’s home and she hated the thought that he might think ill of her. His eyes—normally a soft, warm brown—had burned black with anger. She prayed that anger was not directed at her as well as his nephew. She ran to the garden—her place of refuge, her place of peace—and began to pace. What was she going to do? She planned ways to run away but stopped when she realized she had nowhere to go and no one to run to. It was several more months before another hiring fair would be held in Stirling and although she had a very small amount of money saved up, it was not enough to last her until then. Besides, Lord Stockdale could easily catch up to her and bring her back…or worse. Gradually the tap, tap, tap of Lord Callander’s cane intruded on her thoughts. Until then it had not occurred to her to wonder how he had come up behind Lord Stockdale without either of them hearing him. She guessed that her employer had been too intent on her and she too intent on her fear. She took a deep breath and turned to face him. The bright sun highlighted the smattering of gray at his temples, in stark contrast to the midnight black waves of his hair. He was so handsome and looked so distinguished, it made Emily’s heart ache. She yearned to run her fingers through those thick waves. What must he think of me now? “Milord, I promise ye I did naught to encourage Lord Stockdale. I would ne’er do such a thing, were he married or not. I—” “Emily, Emily,” he said, coming closer to her. “Don’t fret, my dear. I know you did not encourage Raymond’s advances.” He leaned his cane against his leg and took both her hands in his. “Tsk, tsk, another skirt mussed.” “Pardon, sir?” “You have a way of wrinkling your skirt in your fists when you are upset or angry.” Emily glanced down and noted he was right. Two creased areas showed exactly where her hands had been bunching the material. “I never noticed that before. When did you?” He smiled. “I’ve been here long enough to see you do it several times, usually when Raymond is around. Has he treated you that way before?” Emily shook her head. “No, but he has looked at me the way a cat eyes a bird on a low branch.” 6 Anchor and Storm Lord Callander laughed but before he could respond, his nephew’s footman approached them. “Excuse me, milord.” “Yes?” “Mr. Weston says your trunks are packed and the coach should be ready to leave in half an hour, sir.” “Thank you, Robert.” As she watched the footman walk away, Emily felt as if her heart had dropped into her stomach. “Ye’re leaving?” she blurted, without giving Lord Callander the proper respect. “Yes, I’m afraid so. Sit down, Emily.” She wondered if she had gone pale and that was what prompted his invitation to sit. Still stunned by the news of his sudden departure, she said, “Of course, ye must be anxious to get back to yer estate and yer tenants.” “Well, I won’t be going home directly. I am planning to travel a bit before I return. It may be my last chance to do so.” “Oh don’t say that, milord,” she said, briefly laying her hand gently on his. But they both knew it was true. How much longer would he be able to get around well enough to travel? “Where will you go?” “Edinburgh, of course, London and France—Paris, Rouen perhaps.” “I shall miss you, milord.” “You don’t have to.” “Pardon?” “From what I saw and heard just now, it is clear you cannot stay here,” he said. “Come with me, Emily.” Emily laughed. “Oh I couldn’t do that,” she said. “I haven’t enough money to get myself to Edinburgh, much less Paris.” “I could pay your way. You could come as my companion.” She jumped up from the bench and faced him. “You offer me the same position your nephew did? Truly, I had thought better of you, Lord Callander.” Her anger loosened her tongue, again speaking to him as if she were his equal in status. “If I cannot find a position as a governess, I can be a housekeeper, or even a dairymaid—” “No, no,” he said, waving his hand back and forth. “I did not mean to imply that you should become my mistress. I simply enjoy your company. I have never had such interesting conversations with a woman before. In my experience, they only seem to want to talk about the latest fashions and the juicy gossip from court.” She stared down at him and shook her head. “Lord Callander, I—” “Please, Emily. Hear me out.” He took her hands and brought her back to sit beside him. “I have grown quite fond of you. I don’t want to lose you. I had hoped that, perhaps, you felt some affection for me as well.” 7 Kate Poole She looked down at their hands clasped in her lap. “I do,” she said softly. “Then know that there are no other conditions to my offer.” He paused then reached over and took her hand. “Besides, I must tell you this. It has been a long time since I have been with a woman…in that way. My infirmity sometimes makes it, uh, difficult for me to perform as a man should.” Emily felt her cheeks flush. “You’ve really no need to tell me such things, milord.” “But I do. I want you to feel safe with me. I want you to know that when I say you will be my companion, I mean just that.” “Still, people will suspect.” “Let them. What do we care? We shall know the truth.” She was silent for some time, thinking. What he was offering her was better than she could ever hope to have on her own. She had no prospects of a position and little of ever acquiring a husband or having children. She was consigned to a life of servitude. So why should it not be with a man she cared about, even if that man could never marry her? He was much more pleasant to be around than his nephew and he certainly smelled better. She loved the subtle hint of sandalwood oil she always smelled on him. Only an earl could afford such a rare and costly scent. And he was one of the most handsome men she had ever met, even though he was perhaps twice as old as she. If she hadn’t seen his canes or his wheeled chair, she would never have suspected there was anything wrong with his health. His mind was clear and sharp. He made her think and question things, which she had not done since she was tutored. So if he did decide to impose “other conditions” upon his offer, she knew she would not be averse to them. After all, mistresses oftentimes lived better than wives. And it would be no chore to be mistress to this man. “I should like to go with you,” she said. * * * * * “You’re not letting her go with him, are you, Raymond?” Her husband sighed. “What am I to do, Caroline? She is not indentured to me and we have no position for her now that you have decided the children must be sent away to school. Why I let you talk me into that I’ll never know.” “It’s the best thing for them. How will they ever make their mark in society if they do not receive a proper education?” “A proper education! Emily can give them a proper education.” “Yes, of course. Your precious Emily can do anything, can’t she?” He turned on her. “What are you implying, Caroline?” 8 Anchor and Storm “You care more about her than your own children.” And Caroline would be damned if she was the only one in her circle whose children were educated at home. “Otherwise, why would you be so resistant to sending them away?” “You know why,” he shouted, then quickly lowered his voice, no doubt in fear that the servants, or worse yet his uncle, should hear. “You know we cannot afford it.” “Did you ask him for the money?” “Yes, he agreed to advance me some against my inheritance, but we must be frugal with it. I don’t think we’ll get much more out of him anytime soon.” “We’ll get nothing more out of him if she gives him a son.” “Ha!” he exclaimed. “My uncle would sooner fly to the moon than fuck a commoner. And besides, even if he did lower himself, a bastard cannot inherit. I am the heir and shall remain the only heir. Raymond Cavendish, Earl of Callander, has a much nicer ring to it than Viscount Stockdale, don’t you think?” “What if he decides to marry her?” He shook his head. “Don’t worry. He won’t. He’s come this far in his life without the slightest inclination to marry, why should he do so now? I often wonder if he isn’t more inclined to buggery.” “If that is the case, then why is he taking her with him?” she persisted. “I don’t know, Caroline. And I do not want to discuss this any further. You’ve gotten your wish, now leave it be.” Afraid that she had pushed him too far, she said, “You’re right, my love. I’m sorry.” The words tasted bitter on her tongue. The love between them had faded long ago, if it had ever been there in the first place. “Besides, you’ve seen how his health has declined since the last time we saw him.” She moved close to him and dropped her hand to his waist. In spite of how she now loathed touching him, she unbuttoned the flap of his breeches and slipped her hand inside. “Surely we won’t have too long to wait, don’t you think?” She knew it didn’t matter to her husband whose hands were inside his pants. And from the moans and gasps he gave as she worked his hardened flesh, she also knew that, at the moment, he was incapable of thought…and that was just how she wanted him. * * * * * Edgar Armstrong, the Earl of Callander, was a happy man. It was such an unusual state in which to find himself that it took some time for him to recognize the feeling. As a younger, healthy man, he took his pleasure with women as he could find it and they certainly were not the type of women he would want as his countess. He had thought he had all the time in the world to find a wife, produce an heir and enjoy his dotage. Then he began to notice the weakness in his legs and his world changed. Of course he tried to deny it at first, but finally the day came when he had to resort to using canes for 9 Kate Poole support. He started searching in earnest for a wife but soon gave up. Each woman he had considered looked at him in one of two ways—either with pity in her eyes, which he could not abide, or with a gleam in her eyes, which told him she was mentally calculating how long she would have to tolerate him before he died and left her a wealthy widow. He had resigned himself to a lonely life, plagued by increasing debility and ending in a lonely death, with no son to carry on his line. The thought of his sniveling, spendthrift nephew inheriting the title made him cringe but he saw no other alternative. He would keep his promise to Emily and make no demands upon her. If he was to be truthful with himself he knew the reason was not that he had no desire for her, quite the contrary. He simply did not want her to be disappointed by his prowess—or lack thereof—or worse yet, repulsed by his weakening body. He believed she saw past his canes to the man he still was in his mind and in his heart and he had no wish to make her think otherwise. Still, he could not help but wonder…could he…would she? For her part, Emily seemed to want nothing more than to be with him, but he needed to know that for sure. The proof he sought came as they started their journey south. In Edinburgh, he bought her an entirely new wardrobe. “Why are you doing this, milord? I have no place to wear such finery.” “Oh yes, you do. If you are to accompany me to dinners and balls and concerts and parties, you do.” “But I won’t be going with you,” she protested. “Yes, you will,” he said, giving her a sly smile. And after some persuasion, she did. He was pleased to see that his impression of her had not been wrong. She was born to move in the upper echelons of society. She may have been a Highland lass, but she was quite well-educated and could hold her own on almost any topic. She carried herself with more poise and grace than many of the noble ladies whose parties they attended. At just such a dinner party in the home of Lady Stair, Emily was surrounded by merchants, wealthy squires and every rank of nobility. It was the perfect place for her to snare a “protector”, one more able-bodied than himself, or even a husband, but she did not seem at all interested. She would not allow herself to be separated from his side, even though quite a few of the men tried. He always arranged for her to stay in the room next to his and most of them had connecting doors. If that raised the eyebrows of their hosts and hostesses in each of the castles or estates where they lodged, it seemed to him that Emily chose to ignore it. After each dinner party, concert or soirée, they would go to their respective chambers and get ready for bed. As soon as he was settled into bed by Weston, his manservant, she would come into his room and they would laugh together at the antics of the gentry or discuss the merits of Mr. Handel’s latest composition. Then he would kiss her softly on the cheek and she would retire to her own room. 10