‘Just because your lush lips and sparkling eyes were not in the top three of my favourite body parts does not mean that I do not appreciate them. Only slightly less than other more obvious endowments. I am also enamoured of your wicked roving hands, but again, they are lower down on the list.’
‘Your eyes are the top of my list.’
‘That is because you have not seen me unclothed yet.’
Frederica gasped in surprise. Choked and then coughed. Samuel’s conversation was dripping with innuendo.
‘The sun is starting to set,’ he said, glancing over his shoulder. ‘We have only another hour or two of light, we had best get back on the horses.’
They rode hard until they reached the city of Valenciennes and found a tiny inn. Samuel personally saw that the horses were rubbed down and fed, while Frederica retired to their small chamber. She took off her hat and let down her hair. She combed through it until Samuel arrived with a bottle of Burgundy and two glasses.
‘I was hoping you would need some assistance undressing.’
Frederica stiffened and her hazel eyes nearly popped out of her head.
Light-headed, Samuel roared with laughter. ‘Just with the buttons you cannot reach. I daresay we are both exhausted after the hard ride.’
For once his mirth did not offend her. Frederica admitted that she was very tired. Samuel expertly unbuttoned her plain dress and untied her corset. He did not kiss her shoulder this time, and Frederica felt keenly disappointed. They ate dinner together in a private parlour before returning to their room and climbing into the narrow bed. Frederica could feel his warm arm against hers. She felt his body twitch as he fell asleep. She lay there for a long time listening to his steady breathing and wondering if Samuel could grow to love her, as deeply as her father had her mother.
Chapter Twenty
They left the inn early the next morning and rode all day until they reached the town of Roye, and the day after that, they travelled until they reached the outskirts of Paris. Frederica felt bone-tired, but her eyes could not stop moving from one building to another. The old city at sunset was an architectural delight. Cut into perfect sections by the rivers. She wished that she could explore it more fully with Samuel. But that was impossible.
Samuel’s eyes did not stop moving either. He was looking for potential threats. Soldiers swarmed the streets with ladies on their arms. Every hotel and public house was filled. The French citizens who could afford to had come to the protection of Paris. For Napoleon had highly fortified the city.
They rode past a fashionable section of town with brightly painted buildings and gorgeous architecture. However, Samuel guided them to a quieter inn, far from the centre of town, where they spent the night. Frederica was becoming more accustomed to having another person in her bed. Samuel did not steal the sheets, but despite his denial, he did snore—a low monotonous drone. She tried to fall asleep but could not. She decided to touch him to see if he would stop snoring and placed her hand on his shoulder. He stirred, turned on his side towards her, and slung his left arm over her waist. Frederica held her breath, but he did not wake up. Exhaling, she closed her eyes and fell asleep with a smile on her lips.
Frederica woke up first, even though it was nearly midday, and mulled over a plan. She tapped Samuel on the shoulder and he moaned and turned over. He placed his pillow over his head. She laughed and began to tickle him.
‘I surrender,’ he said, turning over to look at her. He pulled her against his hard chest and kissed her passionately until they were breathless.
She loved kissing him and snuggling into the crook of his arm. ‘I have a plan, but I am sure you will disapprove of it.’
‘Well, I have surrendered.’
‘I think we should go to a pub tonight with lots of soldiers and partake of nasty tap drinks.’
Samuel sat up abruptly and shook his head. ‘I will not allow my wife—’
Frederica placed a finger on his lips. ‘You have surrendered, so you must listen to the entire plan. You and I will flirt and mingle and find out what we can. People are much more inclined to speak freely after a pint or two.’
‘It is still too dangerous.’
‘I will bring my pistol and my husband for protection.’
‘My presence might be a deterrent to the French officers,’ he said flatly.
‘We will never be far from each other.’
Samuel kissed her fingers one by one. ‘It is a good plan. If a man were to ask such searching questions, it might be noticed, but to a beautiful woman, no soldier can resist bragging of his consequence.’
‘I will need to purchase a suitable dress and make-up for my face.’
They ate a late repast and then explored several shops to find the necessary purchases. Samuel helped Frederica get ready. She only wore one petticoat and dampened her chemise and the gauzy white second-hand dress they purchased so they clung to her. She had never painted her face before and smudged the rouge on her cheeks. Washing it off with a towel, she tried again. She powdered her face white and painted her eyes. Looking in the mirror, she felt her heartbeat quicken at her reflection—her mother would be scandalised.
Samuel did not seem to mind at all.
‘Now where to put my pistol,’ Frederica said aloud, taking it out of her reticule in a short, jerky movement. She felt a bit jumpy and her nerves were on end.