The Earl's Stowaway. Krystina Daryl

      He heard her laugh when he pushed the chest away from the door, and it instigated his own laugh. "You won't attempt to run again, will you?" he joked.

      She shook her head, laughing harder.

      God! Her laugh was like music to his ears. He released the latch and opened the door, exposing his company from the previous night.

      "Hallo, lover," she cooed, reaching to cup his cheek. He stopped her hand before it could touch him and turned to the bed. Melanie had raised the cover over her face, exposing just her eyes.

      "I have gentle company, Kristal," he spoke firmly, turning back to her.

      Krystal darted her eyes to the cut on his chest. "Gentle?" She snorted.

      Christopher had neither the patience nor the need to explain. Besides, why would a whore be jealous? "Did you bring what I asked for?"

      Krystal pulled her hand down, her eyes staring daggers at Melanie. "Yes!" she barked.

      "Are they decent?" He raised his voice, drawing her attention. He felt defensive over Melanie, and that glare irked him.

      "Of course they are. I bought them this morning and placed the bill on your shipping company account."

      She stepped in, ushering in two other women carrying a trunk. They too glared at Melanie making her flinch. Christopher looked them over again, and chuckled. They were also from the brothel, and he had tapped them too. "Did Townson send all three of you?"

      "Yes, for your entertainment, but it seems you already have that," Krystal answered bitterly. "So you bought yourself some ass from the auction, after giving your friend such a stern warning!"

      Christopher growled, grabbing her arm and pulling her roughly towards him. "She is not a whore! And if you mention that you've seen her here and that I have her, I will sail you on one of my ships to the middle of the ocean and drop you in it!" He turned to the other two, "All of you! Am I clear?"

      "Yes, milord!" They bowed rushing out fearfully.

      He held onto Krystal. "Don't make the mistake of forgetting who I am again! Do not take my warning lightly. I do not make threats, just promises!"

      She nodded, pulling away. Christopher banged the door shut and Melanie jumped. He took a deep breath to relax before he spoke. "Forgive me..."

      "It's all right," she said cutting him off. She got off the bed and moved to him. "Thank you for defending me." Melanie placed a hand on his shoulder and reached up. He lowered his head to meet her lips. The kiss was soft, without demand but sensual.

      She pulled away and crouched down. "What's in the trunk?"

      He smiled at her excited tone. "Clothes fit for a Lady. I ordered them last night for you. I should have never asked Krystal to oversee their purchase, but I don't know many women in the port."

      "Just the whores," she remarked casually, shocking Christopher. She looked up at him and giggled. "You shouldn't be shocked; I know the type. My father was a loyal customer."

      She opened the trunk and gasped. "Christopher, there are so many and so beautiful! You shouldn't have done this! There is no way I can repay you!"

      He crouched down next to her and cupped her chin, gently turning her head to him, "A smile... and a kiss is enough."

      She leaned forward and pressed her lips gently against his. He kept the kiss short but sweet, he didn't want to risk losing control.

      "We only have an hour so prepare yourself quickly. I will ask for another room and get ready there." He stood up and reached for fresh clothing from his trunk. "One hour, angel."

      She smiled, waving at him as he closed the door. He stopped a maid when she quickly retreated from him. "Miss, send a bath to this room and another to the one next to it." She nodded, keeping her eyes down. "Is something the matter?"

      "You're naked," she whispered.

      Christopher looked down at his bare chest and laughed. "Forgive my indecency. And please hurry."

      He moved away from her, his mind debating the amount of time they had before Krystal ran her mouth. For some reason he wouldn't allow himself to question, he would never tolerate Melanie being taken from him.

      *****

      The journey to his home was a lot quieter than she had expected. Christopher was engrossed reading papers that she deduced, from the scowl on his face, were important. So she kept silent, watching the trees, farms and buildings pass by. She had never seen such sophistication around her. It felt like an entirely new world to her.

      Once in a while, her mind would drift off to that morning. She had never felt such desire... lust pumped through her body and lit a blazing fire between her legs. She wanted more, she wasn't sure what, but it felt like what her father looked like when he craved opium.

      She knew lying naked under him wasn't right, and yet, she'd never felt as wonderful or as minded as she did when she was.

      Never once had she confessed the hell her life had been to another human being. She found it easier to put up a pretense of happiness around their neighbors than risk her siblings hearing either words of useless pity or ridicule and snickers behind their backs when they attended church.

      But Christopher was not judging her. He had not only listened; he'd shared his own pain.

      Mayhap there is a greater purpose to this? She thought, glancing back at him. She watched his face harden and relax in intervals as he read through his documents. It was amazing how he could be gentle at one moment and become tense and unreachable the next.

      He had come to her defense against that Krystal, and it made her feel... significant.

      She wanted to feel that way always. He would make a great husband, she thought. He was not only kind but wealthy. He would have no problem providing for them, and she would feel comfortable having his children without the guilt of driving him into poverty.

      Why not? She got the feeling he hadn't stalled in finding a wife because he wasn't ready, he just hadn't fallen in love. He wanted a wife who would love him without reservation. She could do that. Love him enough to keep him happy.

      She would please him in every way she could... well, except in the bedchamber. He would have to take control, for she had no idea how to please a man in that sense.

      She blushed again, remembering the cries of her needy body sounding out of her mouth. How could she have gone from a feeling of terror at the thought of any man buying her for their use to a sense of such wanting at this man's touch? He'd made her feel things she'd never imagined and it was all very confusing.

      What she wondered the most was if he was pleased by the encounter? She wasn't foolish! She knew the only way for him to be satisfied was if he was inside her. But that would mean spilling her virgin's blood, and possibly his seed within her body.

      Would that have been such a bad thing? It could possibly have him agreeing to marriage, especially if he were an honorable man. But then again, she'd been auctioned as a whore and only the fact that she'd escaped had kept her from that fate. Shaking her head, she had to wonder why would anyone marry even an 'almost' whore?

      She wrapped her arms around her frame when her body trembled. The thought of being ruined by different men, at their pleasure, with no consideration of her made her stomach turn. She turned and stared back outside, trying to drown the voices of the men eager to simply use her body with no regards to her feelings.

      Hours later, once the couch stopped, she turned to Christopher, but he gave no indication he'd realized they weren't moving anymore. She peeked outside and gasped at the sight of the large home. How could one person live here? Suddenly, she wasn't so sure about her offer to be his maid and cook.

      The carriage door opened, drawing his attention. "Milord, welcome home," the man spoke softly, bowing his head.

      Christopher chuckled, looking at her. "I