Lyon thought that was an excellent plan. He immediately agreed and went in search of the servant.
As soon as he left the room, Jade turned to Caine. 'I can't stay with you. I understand that now. They'll kill you trying to get to me. I've tried not to like you, sir, but I've failed in that endeavor. It would upset me if you were hurt.'
She tried to leave after making that explanation but Caine wouldn't let her move. He tightened his hold around her and hauled her up close to his side. 'I have also tried not to like you,' he whispered. He
kissed the top of her head before continuing. 'But I've also failed in that endeavor. We seem to be stuck with each other, sweet.'
They stared at each other a long while. Jade broke the silence. 'Isn't it peculiar, Caine?'
'What's that?' he countered in a whisper to match hers.
'You've just lost your town house, we're both in terrible danger now, and all I want is for you to kiss
me. Isn't that peculiar?'
He shook his head. His hand moved to cup her chin. 'No,' he answered. 'I want to kiss you, too.'
'You do?' Her eyes widened. 'Well, isn't that the…'
'Damnedest thing?' he whispered as he leaned down.
'Yes,' she sighed against his mouth. 'It is the damnedest thing.'
His mouth took possession of hers then, ending their conversation. Jade immediately wrapped her arms around his neck. Caine nudged her mouth open by applying subtle pressure on her chin, and when she'd done as he wanted, his tongue swept inside.
He meant only to take a quick taste, but the kiss quickly got out of control. His mouth slanted over hers with hard insistence.
He couldn't get enough of her.
'For the love of… Caine, now isn't the time to…'
Lyon had made those half statements from the doorway, then strolled back over to his chair. Caine, he noticed, was reluctant to stop kissing Jade. She didn't have such reservations, however, and shoved herself away from her partner with amazing speed.
She was beet red when she glanced over at Lyon. Since he was grinning at her, she turned her attention
to her lap. She realized then that she was clutching Caine's hand against her bosom, and immediately tossed it aside.
'You forget yourself, sir,' she announced.
He decided not to remind her that she'd been the one to bring up the topic of kissing in the first place.
'I think it's high time we heard her explanation,' Lyon ordered. 'Jade?' he asked, though in a much
softer tone when he saw the startle his booming voice had caused. Lord, she was timid. 'Why don't
you tell us about the first fire?'
'I will try,' she answered, her gaze still downcast. 'But the memory still gives me the shivers. Please don't think me a weak woman.' She turned to look up at Caine. 'I'm really not weak at all.'
Lyon nodded. 'Then can we begin?' he asked.
'Jade, before you tell us about the fires, why don't you give us a little background?' Lyon asked.
'My father was the Earl of Wakerfields. Nathan, my brother, has that title now, along with numerous others, of course. Father died when I was eight years old. I remember he was on his way to London to see another man. I was in the garden when he came to say goodbye.'
'If you were so young, how can you remember?' Caine asked.
'Papa was very upset,' she answered. 'He frightened me and I think that must be the reason I remember it all so clearly. He kept pacing back and forth along the path with his hands clasped behind his back and he kept telling me that if anything happened to him, Nathan and I were to go to his friend, Harry. He was so insistent I pay attention to what he was telling me that he grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me.
I was more interested in the trinkets I wanted him to bring home for me.' Her voice took on a wistful quality when she added, 'I was very young.'
'You're still young,' Caine interjected.
'I don't feel young,' she admitted. She straightened her shoulders and continued. 'My mother died
when I was just an infant, so I don't have any memory of her.'
'What happened to your father?' Caine asked.
'He died in a carriage mishap.'
'He had a premonition, then?' Lyon asked.
'No; he had an enemy.'
'And you believe your father's enemy is now after you? Is that the reason for your fears?' Lyon asked.
She shook her head. 'No, no,' she blurted out. 'I saw someone murdered. The men who killed him did get a good look at me. The only reason I told you about my father was because you asked me to explain to you my… background. Yes, Lyon, that was your very word.'
'Sorry,' Lyon said again. 'I didn't mean to jump to conclusions.'
'What happened after your father died?' Caine asked. He was suddenly feeling immensely superior to his good friend, as Lyon now looked thoroughly confused and bewildered. It was nice to know he wasn't the only one muddled around Jade. Damned nice.
'After the burial service, Harry came to get us. When the summer was over, he sent Nathan back to school.
