HELD CAPTIVE BY A ROGUE

Chapter Sixteen

It was just before dawn when Christopher and Jeffrey rode out of the stable yard, with the morning dew still on the ground and a cold crispness in the air. They had planned on going hunting this morning since Jeffrey's last excursion had been so successful.

"Chris, I've been meaning to talk to you about something for quite some time now," Jeffrey blurted out, not knowing how to broach the subject with his older brother.

"Well, what seems to be bothering you?" Christopher replied, pulling Thor to a much slower pace.

"I don't want to stay at Crestwood Hall any longer. I want to go back to London."

"No. It's too dangerous. Not until we find out who's trying to kill you."

"Christopher, that could take years maybe. I don't want to sit around here waiting month after month. I want to get on with my life. I want to go to London," he implored.

Christopher could understand his brother's needs but it still kept coming back to the dangers of the situation. "I'm sorry Jeff, but you can't leave at this time. Think about it for a moment, you would not only be in danger yourself but you would be placing everyone around you in danger too. Can't you see that?"

"I guess you're right. You're always right," he said, dejectedly.

Christopher felt sorry for his brother while they rode along in complete silence for the next several miles. Each lost in their own thoughts. He couldn't blame Jeffrey for wanting to get on with his life for his own life had changed drastically since his marriage to Kathryn. Thoughts of her came to mind as he remembered how shocked he had been that morning when he woke up and found Kathryn curled up, sound asleep next to him in his bed. What could have prompted her to join him there, he wondered. He could still feel her warm body pressed up against his, with her arm slung leisurely across his chest and her head laying ever so gently on his chest. It was a peaceful moment for him while he laid there, watching her sleep until he heard the twins stir from the other room, wanting to be fed soon. Kathryn woke with a start when she'd heard the babies and also appeared disoriented when she had first glanced at him from beneath her dark lashes. He had greeted her good morning in a husky voice and held her tight against him, not wanting to let her go yet. Their eyes lingered for a moment before his lips came down on her half-parted mouth, kissing her deeply. He could feel his arousal grow having her full-length pressed against him, with only the thin, silk night gown between them. His hand moved slowly upward from her hip, making its way to the black satin strap that laid over her shoulder. Sliding it down, his lips formed a path across the swell of her breasts that were now exposed to his warm, passionate mouth causing a moan of pleasure to escape from Kathryn. His manhood found the softness between her thighs and entered her with slow, deliberate thrusts until their passion drove them to a wild frenzy before they reached their ultimate goal. The twins now had begun to cry, demanding their mother's immediate attention so he regrettably turned Kathryn loose to let her give them their much needed breakfast.

A shot rang out bringing Christopher out of his thoughts abruptly and saw his brother slump over his saddle with blood oozing from his shoulder. Two more shots followed and hit their mark, causing blood to streak down Jeffrey's now distraught face and leg. Drawing his pistols out while dismounting, Christopher fired in the direction of where the shots had come from and instantly heard a shriek of pain, knowing he had hit one of the attackers. Before he could reach the area, he heard the sound of a horse's hooves galloping away at a fast pace and could only get one more shot off at the now distant rider who had made his getaway. Seeing the man he had shot lying on the ground grasping his chest, Christopher kicked his weapon out of reach, making sure it was safe to go see to his brother and quickly raced over to him.