A/N: The smut alarm is going off. Don't like, don't read. It's not M rated for nothing.


Lia POV

When I woke early the next morning, Archer was the first thing on my mind. Spade followed as a close second, and breakfast distantly in third. I rose, dressed in an elegantly decorated dark lavender gown, and made my way directly to Archer's room. The hallway around it was deserted, and I heard nothing inside.

I slowly pushed the door open. It was dark, but the air was clear. Archer lay still in his bed, eyes closed. I panicked for a second and felt for his pulse. It was there, very slightly. I sat next to the bed, watching the small rise and fall of his chest. Emma had changed the bandage at some point from when I'd seen him yesterday, but blood was still soaking slowly through the white cloth. He didn't wake, not through the half hour I sat with him. Finally, pangs of hunger jerked through me, and I left the room quietly in search of food.

When I arrived at the kitchen minutes later, Henry was standing over his stove, diligently stirring a sauce that smelled deliciously of butterscotch.

"Miss Lia, you're up early. Can I make you something?"

"Yes, thank you, Henry."

Henry left his stove, keeping a watchful eye on it, but began to cut off thin slices of bread and soak them in eggs. I walked over to the pot.

"Should I stir this?"

"Oh, please do, Miss Lia. I can't have it burning."

I took the spoon and watched Henry as he dropped the bread into a pan. It cooked, letting off a wonderful smell.

"What's that?"

"French toast, Miss Lia. Master Spade spoke of it the last time he returned from Scotland."

"Oh, in Whitechapel we call it Gypsy toast. I've never had it, though." I turned back to the pot of butterscotch.

A few minutes later, Henry had reclaimed his spoon and set a plate of food, dusted with sugar that looked like flour, in front of me. I ate it slowly, relishing the sweet and salty mix in the bread.

"Henry, I am so glad that Spade never let that hotel hire you. I think I could get used to this. It's heavenly, thank you."

He grinned. "My pleasure, Miss Lia. It pains me to see someone who has never had decent food before."

"Please, just call me Lia. I did grow up on the streets, you know."

He nodded and took the pot off the heat. He continued to beat it into another pot of cream and sugar.

"What are you making?"

"Butterscotch ice cream. It takes twelve hours to freeze."

"Another first," I mused. "Ice cream is something of a myth where I live." Henry chuckled slightly and took my plate to the sink. I got up happily. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome, Lia," he said, and I departed the kitchen in search of the stables. It was late morning when I finally found my way through the labyrinthine hallways and emerged into the light. The overcast sky cast a dull light over the ground.

I looked away when I saw the wall I had been against with Spade last night. I hadn't seen him at all today and wondered what he was doing.

I opened Orion's stable door. He bucked his muzzle against my hand and I scratched him absently, running my hands through his mane. I located his tack and saddled him, copying the way Spade had done it yesterday. Orion whinnied slightly when I led him out to the mounting block. I made it onto his back ungracefully, but I was up nonetheless.

I started him around at a walk, then made my way up to a slow canter. The smooth movement of Orion's muscles rippled under his red-brown coat, and once again, I could feel him straining for me to let him go faster, harder. A froth began to form over his neck and I bent closer, grasping the reins. My hair, unfastened, whipped over my back, and my dress became darker with the descending fog and sweat.

I slowed him back to a trot, then a walk, and dismounted. Narrowly avoiding collapsing on the ground in a purple heap, I walked Orion around the well-worn paddock a few times until the wetness had dried. He followed me back to the stable and stood patiently as I rubbed away the rest of the sweat and mud with an old blanket.

The sky was already darkening as I went back into the house. Hunger stabbed at me, but I knew that if Cook saw me like this in the kitchen, I'd get much worse than a scolding. I walked tiredly back up to my room and washed away the grime with a wet cloth. I re-plaited my hair and threw on a fresh dress.

My moss green skirts swishing around me, I exited my room and went to the dining room. Everyone was already assembled. Spade was absent as always, though it was disappointing all the same. I'd half expected him to come out during my ride, but his absence was worrying. What if he had chosen to be a stupid, honorable male and try to give me a life of my own? Or was he just avoiding me before he had made his choice?

I ate ravenously, having missed lunch, and caught Henry's amused look as he brought out another course. I sent him a playful glare and he grinned. A second later, he disappeared back into the kitchen, carrying a heavy urn that had once been full of soup.

When the butterscotch ice cream came out, Henry sent me an exaggerated wink. I tried hard not to burst out giggling. His antics mixed with my own exhaustion were affecting my mentality. I accepted the bowl set in front of me and nearly moaned with delight when I tasted it. Licking every last drop from the spoon, I ignored the funny looks that Charlie and Sid were giving me.

It was a sad moment when I realized there was no more of the wonderful delicacy in my bowl. I sat in my chair, content, when I realized I was about to fall asleep and excused myself.

Emma was waiting for me in the hallway. "Miss Lia," she said quietly, "your brother is not doing well and I believe he just asked to see you. If you would come with me?"

I followed her, my happiness draining away. I went into the now-familiar room and clutched Archer's hand.

"Lia," he whispered hoarsely. I could barely make out his words. "I'm…glad…you're…here…" he trailed off and his hand went limp in mine. I stood up quickly and grabbed Emma's shoulder.

"Please," I asked quickly, "Is he still alive?"

She listened for a second. "Yes," she said quietly.

I walked out of the room and went up the stairs. I kept climbing past my own floor, and found myself on the widow's walk cut into the roof.

I leaned my elbows on the railing and held my head in my hands. The fog drifted slowly past, dampening the air and it was impossible to tell whether the moisture running over my face was tears or rain.

I felt someone behind me, arms circle my waist. I spun with a gasp and met Spade's eyes.

"Where have you been all day?" I asked accusingly.

"I was going to talk to you this morning, but you move too fast. I had a commitment in the city that came before I could find you."

"And what were you going to talk to me about?"

He moved closer. "I made my decision."

I wound my arms around his neck as he ran his lips over my cheeks, tasting the mixture of salt and rain on my skin. "And?" I whispered, my voice nearly quivering.

"I'm yours for the taking."

I reveled in his words and stood on tiptoe to bring my mouth to his. Spade lifted me to rest on the railing and he pressed against my knees. I parted them and he stepped forward, holding me flush against him. He kept one hand on my back and the other on my waist, and though I knew I was on a very narrow railing against a very far drop, I couldn't bring myself to care.

"Lia," he groaned against my mouth, "I feel I must tell you that butterscotch ice cream will now become a common item on our menu."

I moaned as his lips slid down my neck. "For what reason?"

He whispered against my skin, the cool air making me shiver. "I happened to glance into the dining room tonight. In no way will you ever torture me like that again."

"You're going to have to elaborate, Spade. I'm not getting it," I murmured, my voice low and husky.

His mouth slanted over mine again. "God, Lia," he said in between kisses, "That look that was on your face is something I should see only when we're alone in my room."

I gasped as his lips began a sensual battle with mine, his tongue exploring every plane of my mouth. I returned the effort and our tongues slid hotly against each other. I was panting when he released me. His mouth moved to my ear.

"And that tongue of yours, love, that was the real agony. Do you know how difficult it was to keep from running straight into the dining room and taking you straight on the table?"

"I'm glad you restrained yourself," I moaned, sliding my hands under his untucked shirt and over his rock-hard muscles. "That would have been quite embarrassing."

He stiffened as my thumbs flicked over his nipples. "That's it," he growled. "You're coming with me." He scooped me up sideways, an arm around my legs and another around my middle. I slung one arm over his shoulders and concentrated on getting his shirt off one-handed.

Luckily, we didn't meet anyone during our trip through the hallways. When we entered his spacious room, he set me down and I leaned against the wall, watching as he undid the last of his buttons and let the cloth float to the floor.

Spade POV

He had never wanted anyone as much as he wanted Lia. The red of her swollen lips and flushed cheeks contrasted beautifully with her green dress. Her tongue flicked out to lick her lips, and he forced himself to keep undoing the buttons of his shirt.

She approached him when his torso was uncovered. He grasped her wrists, though, and kept them from touching him.

"Not yet, love," He whispered to her. "I haven't had my turn." Holding her wrists with one hand, he took the tie out of her damp hair with the other and unraveled the braid. He moved his hand to the laces at the back of her dress and slowly, leisurely untied them and began to loosen them.

"Spade," she moaned against his shoulder, pulling against his hands, "go faster. Please."

He continued to slip his fingers through the ribbons, and when they were slack, he didn't let the dress fall but splayed his hand over the hot skin of her back. She gasped and pressed against his fingers.

Spade slid his hand back through the laces and up her back to her shoulder. He let the dress fall from shoulders and down her hips.

She didn't blush, or attempt to cover her body. He looked at her face, his eyes lit up green, and she looked back unwaveringly.

"I'm used to men looking at my body, Spade. It hasn't been unfamiliar to me since I was eight."

"And I love you all the same."

Lia started at his words. He pulled her against him and kissed her deeply, running his hands over her curves. She had filled out somewhat over the few days of adequate food and the effects were staggering. She gasped when she felt his arousal against her abdomen and ground her hips against him.

Lia swallowed Spade's groan and he felt her hands slip down to the fastening of his trousers. They were undone in a flash and she slipped her hot hand into them. He had long ago sent his blood down and was more than ready for her. He nearly collapsed when her long fingers wrapped around his shaft, and pressed her against the wall. Her legs wrapped around his hips.

Spade moved one hand to her breast and wrapped the other through her hair. She gasped when his thumb brushed over her hardened nipple. With an effort, she pulled away from him.

"Why are we doing this here? There's a perfectly usable bed just a few feet away," she whispered.

Spade lifted her from the wall, feeling her legs tighten around his waist. She took the opportunity to shove his trousers from their perilous perch on his hips and he kicked them away. He set her on the bed and knelt over her. Her hands drifted over his chest and abdomen and he kissed her, moving from her mouth and down her neck.

His lips closed over her nipple and she whimpered quietly, digging her nails into his back. He laved the sensitive point and sucked it into his mouth, tasting the salt on her skin. She tasted like her scent, as if the pure essence of rain had been mixed with citrus.

He moved to the other breast and she arched against him. He kissed a path down her stomach and she froze when she realized what he was doing.

"Spade, you don't have to-"

He shushed her. "That doesn't mean I don't want to."

His fingers found her wet center in the next moment. She bucked against his hand, and he forced her midsection back to the mattress.

Lia POV

His fingers, oh god, what couldn't those fingers do? I moaned uncontrollably and grasped Spade's hair as one of his fingers pierced me, rubbing deep. His thumb rolled over my clit and I tightened my grip on him.

"Please, Spade," the words left my mouth before I could stop them. He withdrew his finger and raised his bright green eyes to mine as he slipped it into his mouth. I saw his tongue flicking the very last of my wetness from it.

"Delicious," he whispered gutturally, and brought his mouth back to mine in the next second. I could taste myself on his tongue and feel his shaft pressing against my core. He drew back and looked into my eyes.

His green irises were nearly blinding in the dark. "Are you sure?" he asked.

"God, Spade, yes."

I gasped when I felt Spade enter me. He only stopped when he filled me completely. Under my fingers, a slight tremble shook him in an effort to stay motionless.

I moved under him, eliciting a groan. "Spade, please."

He released his control and began to thrust roughly. I dug my fingernails into his back despite the glimpses of scars I'd seen, and hooked my ankles around his hips.

Heat built in me unbearably, both too much and not enough. Spade set faster pace, flashing stars in front of my eyes. He tilted his pelvis and I fell over the edge, crying out and gripping him. When I opened my eyes, he was there, watching with a lust in his expression that made me shiver.

Spade pulled from my wetness as the last tremors faded away. I had always thought that sex hurt, but this…how could anything feel this good?

"You didn't…" I trailed off breathily.

"Believe me, love, I've more plans for you. Don't worry about me."

He penetrated me again with a long, swift stroke. He continued to stretch me, his thick shaft causing an excruciating pleasure that had me once again on the edge of release.

Spade leaned down and took my lips in his again. Our tongues tangled, and he caught my moan before it could escape. I pressed harder against him and he increased the pace again, hot and passionate.

I clutched at him, desperate for the taste of blissful oblivion I'd felt before, lost in the feel of him pounding in and out of me.

"Fuck…Spade…"

He groaned and buried his face against my neck. His fangs nipped lightly at my skin, his hot tongue immediately smoothing over the twin scratches. He repeated the action, the slight pain causing me to move harder against him.

Spade's hands roamed over my body as he thrust into me, skimming and stroking over every inch of my flesh. His rough skin stimulated the nerves, and I arched further into him, gliding my own hands about his body. The muscles shifted just under the skin, a practical caress to my fingers.

Every stroke from him brought me a step closer to the edge of climax. His movements became more erratic, losing their rhythmic cadence. A last, deep thrust had me tumbling into a powerful release, over the cliff of the oblivious unknown. He moaned wildly, a hot, passionate sound that was like a wind blowing through my freefall, buffeting the storm of sensation and sensuality and making it that much more erotic.

I felt him shuddering his orgasm over me, and just before his arms gave out and he dropped downward, he rolled over, pulling me flush against his chest.

Spade POV

Spade woke early, loving the warm presence in his bed. Lia was beautiful in sleep, her bare body drawn against him, their legs entangled. Her dark blonde hair was a tangled halo spread out along his pillow. He worked his fingers gently through her wild locks, and she nestled closer to his chest.

Lia's dark brown eyes opened. She trailed her fingers along his skin, then reached her arms above her head and stretched. Spade enjoyed the luscious sight of her body, her full, dark pink mouth parted slightly.

"Good morning," he said, a wry smile tugging at his lips, "Sleep well?"

"Better than I have in ages. That was amazing, Spade."

"For me as well. And feel free to continue stretching like that; the view is wonderful."

She blushed and drew her arms back in. "What time is it?"

"'Round eight."

"I should check on Archer."

Spade sighed. Reality was coming back, and where last night had been a reprieve from the harsh life they led, all holidays you took had to end eventually.

He rose from bed and opened his wardrobe. He began to dress, taking pleasure in the sight of Lia slipping on her frock from last night.

"This'll work until I get to my room. Really, if anyone sees me, what'll they think?"

"They won't. I doubt any of your family or the servants took notice of your clothing yesterday. The household staff is used to ladies wearing several dresses a day."

"Are they now?" Lia looked at him questioningly, pausing in the lacing of her gown.

"Damn, Lia, that's not what I meant."

"I'm sure it's not." A playful, mischievous light danced in her eyes.

Spade came up behind her and placed his lips where her neck met her shoulder. "You're the only one for me," He growled.

He encountered the open scratches where he'd nipped her. He made to cut open his thumb and heal them, but her hand shot up and stopped him.

"I'm yours, Spade, and people should know when I want them to."

He kissed her at these words and walked her backwards until she hit the wall. She pulled away, though, and he gazed longingly at her lips.

"I've got to get dressed and see Archer. Off with you."

Lia slipped out the door and Spade waited a few minutes before following her. He could hear her dressing in a fresh gown upstairs. He couldn't follow her, though, and needed to go fix some business with Crispin, who was arriving in two days to take Lia for training.

Lia POV

I had one simply decorated dress left, a dark silver silk that was cool and slippery against my fingers. I dressed quickly, meaning to visit Archer before I ate.

I rushed through the hallways with my hands hastily fixing my hair as I walked. When I emerged from a corridor, though, Emma was waiting for me, wringing her hands.

"Emma? What is it?"

"Miss Lia. I regret it, but I must inform you of this."

Shivers ran down my back. "Inform me of what?"

"Your brother passed away this morning. We're holding a small private funeral at the edge of the woods today at sundown."

I collapsed.