Rogue’s Kiss

Chapter Two - The Thief

The last time she had seen this man, he had pinned her against a wall. The weight of his body pressed against hers as she struggled. She’d been wearing a mask and a hood so that her hair and face were hidden. But he had seen her eyes, stared into them as he gripped her wrist with one hand and her waist with the other. She’d panted, her thoughts flickering through options. Her heart racing against her chest, thundering so hard that it hurt. He had stared into her gaze for a breathless moment, their faces inches apart. She could smell the scent of leather oil and fresh hay, and hear the uneven inhale of his breath.

Was this desire? Lilia had avoided relationships. It was hard enough earning a shield as a Lady Knight without ruining a reputation as a Noblewoman. She had no time for romance, for love or lust. Damn though. She squirmed beneath his grip and felt an unfamiliar pulse of heat throughout her body.

He had adjusted his grip to pull the mask from her face, and in that moment she had brought her knee up. She was a knight. She wasn’t helpless. Her knee had connected to his inner thigh and she had stamped her foot down hard against his shin.

Stunned, he had stumbled, releasing his grip for the briefest moment. It had been enough for her to flee. Across the room and out of the open window, into the night sky.

He’d slammed his hands against the wooden frame behind her. Peering down at the drop to the wild gardens below. It was a significant drop, but not impossible.

Lilia held her breath, pressing herself hard against the wall beside the window. Hidden by a thick twist of ivy, she knew that she would be lucky to escape notice. Her heart still pounded in her ears. So loud she was surprised he couldn’t hear it.

‘s**t!’ He growled.

‘A problem?’ She heard footsteps as a second man entered the room.

‘A thief.’ He slammed his hands once more against the window before retreating across the study she had raised. ‘They got away.’

‘That’s not like you George.’

‘No,’ she heard him sigh. George. It seemed like such a normal name.

‘What did he take?’ There was the sound of papers rustling, then a creak as the second man sat down in the office chair. Lilia could only assume that he was the Provost. The Lord responsible for investigating crime on behalf of the King.

‘She.’

‘She?’

‘Mmm…a woman. Small, to my shoulder really.’

‘And she got away?’

‘She must have training,’ another sigh.

‘This is a sorry business, George. I’ll be glad when it’s over.’

‘I couldn’t agree more.’

It was time to move, she started edging along the wall ready to drop into the shadows.

‘So long as no one at court discovers your involvement, we should continue with our arrangements.’

Lilia pressed her hand to the pocket in her cloak. The papers she had stolen from the Provosts office. The report of Graces’ death that they had refused to send her.

‘We had another request for the report into Lady Grace Denare’s death…’

‘From Lady Lanai?’ There was another rustling sound. Then a scraping noise as a desk drawer was opened.

‘It’s gone,’ the Provost almost sounded amused.

‘So we know now what was taken…where is Lady Lanai stationed at the moment?’

‘Away at the border to Knott.’

‘Too far for her to journey here..what do I tell her?’

Lilia almost smiled.

‘The truth, that the report is missing.’

‘Lady Lanai won’t like that…’

‘At least it will be the truth. We would never have been able to send it to her, either way.’

Lilia dropped down into the dark beneath the window. Her mouth set in a hard line. It had been the start of Spring when Grace was killed, now it was midsummer. With the stolen report stashed in her jacket she felt justified in her theft. Grace deserved answers, she deserved justice.

Now it was the start of the Autumn season at court and Lilia foundself staring at that man again. He was wearing a black jerkin and long dark trousers tucked into polished boots. His long hair was matched by rough stubble and he wore no obvious signs of wealth.

George, the Provost had called him. She found herself staring into his dark brown eyes and blinked. He was staring back, waiting for an answer.

The drum beat far behind her, and the dancers began a lively courtship dance. What had he asked her? Lilia wet dry lips and forced a smile.

‘I’m sorry,’ she admitted, and felt heat rising along her collarbone. ‘I didn’t hear your question.’ He had only seen her eyes, there was no reason to suspect he would recognise her.

‘Apologies my Lady, but is this your drink?’ He gestured to a tall glass of white wine that had been abandoned on the table.

Relieved, Lilia found she could breathe again, ‘I’m afraid not, I’ve not managed to collect a drink yet-‘ she turned to go, trying to dismiss herself but he smiled.

He had a wide, expressive face. A heavy brow over those warm deep eyes. His smile lifted all those features and her insides twisted as he extended a hand.

‘Then truly, that is a crime. Allow me to find refreshments for you?’

Her body betrayed her, she should decline. She should get away from this man, now. Before he even but instead she found herself reached out towards him. Maybe she was heady from the hot air in the ballroom?

He took her hand in his, rubbing his thumb over the backs of her knuckles as he raised them to his lips. Her eyes fixed on his mouth. Why was it so hard to breathe?

‘George Thade at your service my Lady,’ his voice whispered over her skin. ‘What would be your pleasure?’