Roswell Fanatics

~Part Eleven~

She had been feeling better since Max had yelled some sense into her. She knew in her heart that no one else had made it off that ship alive. Her mother couldn’t swim, she remembered, and her father would never have left her alone.

She was watching him work right now, studying him intently as he deliberated the papers on his desk. He didn’t even notice her, she was sure, but she didn’t care at the moment. Something had changed in their “relationship” when he had offered her his arms. Something that changed the way she viewed him.

She realized that he wasn’t a bad person. True, she considered slavery bad, but he wasn’t a harsh master. From what she had heard, the people who worked for him genuinely liked him. Those that had whip marks were men and women he had bought from the Harding plantation next door.

Apparently the Hardings were not nice people. In fact, the only person who had professed a hatred for Max was the stable boy Sean, and she had a feeling his dislike came from the fact that Max actually required the pudgy boy to work.

She was drawn from her thoughts by Max sitting back in his chair. She met his curious gaze and smiled. He gave her a small smile back and then sighed.

“What?” she asked.

“You’re distracting me,” he accused her.

“I’ve been as quiet as a mouse,” she replied cheekily. Max sighed again, and realized he couldn’t very well admit that her very presence was arousing him to embarrassing proportions.

“Be that as it may, Liz, I must ask you to leave.” She looked at him, surprised, and then her brown eyes clouded over with hurt.

“Fine,” she said shortly and then got up and stomped out of the room. He watched her go, aware that he had just put a cramp in their budding friendship. Why couldn’t he do anything right around that woman?

Liz stormed down the stairs to the front hall, needing to go for a ride or a walk or something. That man was so infuriating! One second he was letting her cry on his shoulder and the next he was ordering her around!

The door opened in front of her and she stood, stock still as a blond girl came bouncing in haughtily, in a blue riding dress. She spotted Liz and cracked her riding crop against her boot.

“You, there, girl.”

“Me?” Liz asked.

“Of course you,” she scoffed, tossing her blond curls and eyeing Liz with distaste. “Inform your master that Lady Tessa Harding has arrived and I wish to speak with him.” She began stripping off her gloves, not paying Liz any more attention.

Liz stared at this woman, a little upset at having been mistaken for a slave, and didn’t move. Lady Tessa finally glanced upward again and saw her standing there.

“I gave you an order girl,” she told her icily, “I expect it to be obeyed, or must I notify Lord Evans that you need to be taught obedience?”

Liz raised an eyebrow, hackles up. She did not like this woman. “I believe you will have to tell him,” she responded offhandedly, “And while you’re at it, you can tell him you’re here, because I will not.”

She turned around and began to walk back up the stairs. She was aware that Tessa was behind her, fuming and trying to gather up an insult. Liz smiled, but that faded when she heard Max pounding down the stairway. He came closer, eyes locked on hers, apologetic.

“Liz,” he started, “I’m sor-“

“Maxwell!” came a shriek from the bottom of the stairs. Max raised his gaze to see the woman and Liz turned around, glaring at her.

“Tessa?” he asked in surprise. Unwelcome surprise, Liz noted by the tone of his voice.

“Oh, Maxwell,” she said, batting her eyelashes, “This girl refused to comply with my orders, I want her whipped as punishment.” She raised her pointy chin and threw Liz a triumphant look. Liz rolled her eyes, which seemed to confuse the woman. But she rallied and looked pleadingly at Max again. “And I’d like to administer it.”

~Part Twelve~

Max stared at Tessa in shock, then looked at Liz, who was gazing at him, one eyebrow raised. “Um…Tessa, it doesn’t quite work like that.”

Liz growled low in her throat sent a glare at both of them, and started up the stairs again. “I’m going to my room. When you finally manage to grow a backbone, Mr. Evans, you can come apologize for your guest's rude behavior."

Max watched helplessly as she left him, her graceful form traveling up the staircase at an alarming speed. He knew he should be insulted that she had called him a coward, but she was right in this case. But Tessa was someone you had to handle delicately, otherwise there was the slight possibility she’d burn something down.

“I can’t believe you let her speak to you that way! And to me! She needs discipline, Maxwell. If you’re too squeamish I will buy her and handle it for you, but she is far too out of line for a slave-“

“Tessa, Elizabeth isn’t for sale,” he interrupted, “She’s not even a slave.”

“Not a-? What are you saying Maxwell, of course she’s a slave, just look at her!” She gestured imperiously to where Liz had disappeared, and then placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. “I demand an explanation!”

Max looked at the floor. He knew Liz was darker than most Englishmen, but he had a feeling she had some Middle East roots, and that was what tinted her skin, but she didn’t act like a slave. She was straight-backed and proud, well cultured and mannered (unless she was yelling at him), and he also suspected she came from a family of high station, not the daughter of a Lord, but perhaps a merchant…

“Elizabeth is a guest in my home while she is recuperating, and I have undertaken the task of finding out where her family is so that she may rejoin them.”

“Recuperating?”

“She is suffering from what Dr. Whitman calls amnesia, and cannot remember her past. I found her injured and wet and brought her here.”

“She’s probably just a run away from our plantation. Maxwell how could you let yourself be so deceived?” Tessa demanded.

He shook his head, “Her clothing was silk, Tessa, finely made silk. Of a Lady’s quality.” He let her think upon that for a moment, knowing that that, of anything, would convince her of Liz’s status.

Tessa was quiet, mulling things over. “Silk?”

“Silk,” he assured her.

She sighed, “When is dinner, Maxwell? I’m fair famished.”

He hid a smile behind a hand, knowing he had won. “Shortly. Proceed to the dining hall without me, Tessa, I must let Elizabeth know that we are about to sup.” She frowned, but waved him away and headed down the stairs.

Max waited until she was out of sight before running up the stairs to Liz’s room. He had to inform her to tread carefully around Tessa, if only because she was certifiably insane, and to please be more patient, and he had to apologize for before and now for how he handled Tessa in front of her. He knocked on the door, shaking his head. Sometimes he thought keeping her around was more trouble than she was worth.

~Part Thirteen~

The door opened and Liz peered at him, still miffed. “Is she gone?” she asked.

“No, actually, she’s in the dining room,” he told her.

She snorted. “That figures. A pretty face comes and you lose your spine-”

“Hey!” he interrupted, “My spine is still intact! And I didn’t lose it when you came did I?” She looked at him, surprised, had that been a compliment? Had he implied she was pretty? “And Tessa isn’t even pretty, she looks like a rodent. Her nose is all pinched and her eyes are too close together, and-”

“Wait a minute,” she raised her hand, forestalling further comment from him, “If you don’t like her, why did you let her in the house? Why did you let her speak to me like that?”

“Liz,” he sighed, and sat on the bed beside her. Her body slid down into the depression he had made until she was flush against him, her head on his knee. She blushed, but he made no move to get up, and she didn’t want to look ridiculous by trying to escape his presence. “You need to understand how things work around here.”

“Then explain it to me Max. Because I’ve been trying to figure it, but Maria’s too busy to help, and you only yell at me! Just…tell me, Max, talk to me.”

“The Hardings, Tessa’s family, have been our neighbors for generations. They’re harsh Liz,” he informed her, not precisely sure how to word what he was trying to say, “The way they treat their servants and slaves…it’s not something you want to have happen to you.”

“She can’t touch me,” Liz declared.

“She can if she tries, Liz. I can’t always be around to protect you, and Tessa is dangerous.”

“I could take her,” she muttered rebelliously, a hand unconsciously coming to rest near her face, stroking his knee. Max drew in a breath, afraid of what this closeness was going to do to his body

“She’s insane, Liz. I mean really a candidate for Bedlam.”

“Then why isn’t she locked up?”

“Her grandfather, Edward, is too powerful. He could destroy this place in an instant if he caught any sign that we’d tell someone crucial, and I can’t risk that, Liz. This isle is my family’s livelihood, and if I’m not here, they’re ruined socially in London, and all the people down there in that field will have ruined lives. The Hardings would treat them worse than cattle, Liz, and…”

“All right,” she said gently, “All right, I understand. I’m sorry I’ve been so troublesome.”

He shook his head and gently tucked some of her silky hair back behind her small ear. “I’m sorry I’ve been troublesome too. Now, will you come to dinner and make nice?”

“If I have to,” she replied haughtily.

He chuckled a little and got up, helping her once he was on his feet. “May I escort you to the dining room, Lady Elizabeth?” he asked, crooking his arm. She slipped her own through it and walked in step with him.

“I’d be honored Lord Maxwell,” she said, smiling and batting her eyelashes coquettishly. “Thank you.”

~Part Fourteen~

Dinner was mainly a quiet affair on Max and Liz’s part. Tessa however, chattered away gaily about everything to do in London society. She told them who was cuckolding who, who was the most titillating couple of the Season, all the scandals, and any and all gossip.

She would occasionally ask Liz a question about what she thought, sneaking sideways glances at Max all the while. It was obvious to him that she was trying to trip Liz up. Trying to find any shred of evidence she could use to convince him that Liz was playing a game with him.

Liz’s response, when first addressed, had been a cool, “I don’t believe in gossiping.”

“But, Liz,” Tessa had protested saccharinely, “How do you know you don’t believe in gossip when you don’t remember anything?”

Liz’s warm brown eyes had frosted over, and she sent a chilling glance in Tessa’s direction. “My name is Elizabeth, and I seem to have made it through the trauma with all my morals intact.”

Max looked covertly at Tessa, hiding his grin by bending over his food. His uninvited dinner guest had her mouth hanging open in a most unattractive manner. He exchanged a glance with Liz, who gave him a small smile and then gave her attention back to her plate.

After that Tessa didn’t bother talking to Liz, she just ignored the other woman’s presence and tried to engage Max in what she believed was interesting conversation.

“Lady Tessa,” Max said gently, “It appears to be getting late. Perhaps you should start home before darkness fall?”

She looked at him, blue eyes startled. “You are not going to invite me to stay the night?” she asked, sounding hurt.

“I’m afraid not. As you did not inform us of your arrival, we were unprepared and have no suitable accommodations ready for use,” he lied easily, willing his eyes to seem innocent. Liz was laughing at him, but she was hiding it well.

“I believe I shall also retire for the night,” she said, “Good-night Lord Evans, Lady Harding.” Max glared after her retreating figure. She had left him alone on purpose!

“Finally! I don’t like her Maxwell, I suggest you get rid of her as soon as possible.”

“Assuredly, Tessa,” he decided agreeing would be the best possible course of action, “But I believe it would be best to wait until her family is found.”

She rolled her blue eyes, “You are such a bleeding heart Maxwell.”

“A sorry affliction indeed,” he replied flippantly, though she didn’t seem to take note of his sarcasm. “Would you allow me to escort you to the edge of your property, Tessa?” he offered, hoping she’d agree and he could make sure she really was gone.

She simpered and giggled annoyingly. “A sunset ride!” she exclaimed, “How delightfully romantic of you Maxwell!” And she grabbed his arm before he could object, and dragged him through the entrance hall, out the door, and to the stables for their horses.

Liz watched all this bemusedly from her position at the top of the stairs. It was obvious Max didn’t care at all for this Tessa lady, but that she had a tendre for him. It was also obvious she was mentally unbalanced, her moods shifting too rapidly to make sense of her. She sighed, agreeing with Max on the point he had made earlier. She’d have to tread carefully around Tessa.

“I can’t believe he let her in the house.”

She turned to Maria, who had come up to sit beside her. “You don’t like her either?” she inquired.

“Lizzie, no one likes Tessa. Except maybe her grandfather, but he’s as crazy as she is. The whole family’s a bunch of rotten apples, bad blood. Luckily my mother didn’t get any, and therefore, neither did I.”

“What-?”

“Edward Harding, he’s my grandfather too.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. So, I received a letter from Michael, he hasn’t made any headway on your family.” She sounded pitying, but Liz just shook her head.

“I don’t think he will, Maria, I think they’re gone,” she commented sadly.

“Don’t say that, Lizzie, we’ll find them.”

“My mother couldn’t swim Maria. They’re dead.” She didn’t wait for an answer, just got up quickly and ran to her room, locking herself in. She threw herself on the bed, refusing to cry. “They’re dead,” she whispered to herself harshly, “Dead.”

~Part Fifteen~

The knock on her door roused her from a fitful slumber. “Come in,” she said groggily. The door opened and Max came in carrying an oil lamp. She smiled at him, “I see you survived.”

“Just barely,” he replied, grinning back, “She tried to convince me that it was too dark to attempt a return to my side of the island and that I just had to spend the night. I of course, assured her it was no trouble for me as Ebony knew the island better than any human ever good.”

“Bet she took that well.”

Max grin grew wider. “Tsk, tsk, Miss Elizabeth, ladies never bet, it’s most unbecoming.” He put the lamp down on the washstand and walked over to the bed lying down next to her.

Liz held her breath, knowing she should tell him to leave. It was compromising enough to have him in her room after dark, but in her bed… And if he could read her thoughts right now, he’d think she was a harlot.

She couldn’t help it though. She didn’t know what had happened exactly, what had triggered the transition between thinking he was an arrogant, harsh, slave-driving bastard, to the man she dreamt about at night.

And she did dream about him. About the way it would feel to have him kiss her, touch her, hold her…Her body got all hot and shivery just thinking about it. Her breathing picked up and she let her body slide towards him, reveling in the warmth he was giving off.

She hadn’t responded to his teasing, but he had kind of forgot about it. He had kind of forgot about everything he had wanted to talk to her about when the light had fallen on her.

He couldn’t deny the fact that he was attracted to her, but he had at least thought he could hide the way she aroused him from her. Luckily, by the time his mind had fully processed the sight of her ripe breasts pushing against the thin lawn of her nightgown, he had put the lamp down and was immersed in darkness.

Of course, laying down in her bed, with her in it, hadn’t been the most intelligent thing to do in the dark. He could hear her breathing, the rhythm becoming faster and more erratic, and he couldn’t help but wonder what she’d sound like if he made love to her right now.

Max shook his head, refusing to contemplate the intricacies of a relationship with Elizabeth. She would probably end up lecturing him all day on something minor he did if he did marry her-Wait…marry? Where had that come from?

“Shouldn’t you be sleeping after such a tiring confrontation?” she finally asked, her voice coming out all breathy and low.

“Probably, but I needed to talk to someone, and I couldn’t find Maria.”

“So I’m the second choice?” she questioned, feigning hurt, “I’m crushed.” She felt him shrug his shoulders. “What did you need to talk about?”

“I don’t know. I just wanted to talk.”

“You make no sense, you know that?”

“Maria’s told me that on several occasions, only she’s more vocal about it.” He winced, even though she couldn’t see it, remembering his sister’s sharp tongue on more than one occurrence.

Liz giggled, “I can just picture it…”

Maria smiled outside the door, shamelessly eavesdropping. She knew it was wrong for them to be together like they were, without a chaperone, but she didn’t have the heart to interrupt them. She had felt so bad earlier when Liz had ran out, it was good to hear her laugh again. And she knew Max was developing deep feelings towards their guest.

They were falling in love, she sing-songed in her head.

She’d leave them alone for now, she decided, they couldn’t get in too much trouble after all…Right?

~Part Sixteen~

He woke up bit by bit. Part of him was resisting being dragged away from the dream world and, more specifically, Liz as his dream wife, but the other part was eager, because it was perfectly aware that his dreamgirl was sleeping beside him.

Wait…what?

Fully conscious now, he froze, afraid to move as he became aware of the warm body pressed against him. Unfortunately, one part of his anatomy would not freeze over, and was growing increasingly in size.

This was unfortunate because it was painful to him, knowing he’d have no release, and because Liz’s thigh was pressed against it. She, undoubtedly, could feel his response quite plainly.

He was a little surprised at the position they were in. He hadn’t remembered falling asleep, and couldn’t recall crawling under the covers with her either. But somehow that was what had happened. She was snuggled up to his side, her arms wrapped around his chest, her head was nestled on his shoulder, and her left leg, which was bare to the top of her thigh, was caught between his legs.

Max eased himself away from her carefully, knowing that if he were to wake her up an incredibly embarrassing scene would commence and the whole household would believe her compromised. Which was something he did not need right now.

And he was also a little afraid she would reject him.

So he left, quietly tiptoeing to and out of her bedroom door, hoping not to wake her. “Maria!” he hissed in surprise as he tripped over his sister in the hallway. She jolted awake and glared at him. “What are you doing out here?” he demanded.

“What were you doing in there?" she retorted, smirking.

He flushed and shook his head, “That’s none of your concern.”

“Actually it is,” she said, “Liz is my responsibility, and I didn’t feel she should have a man in her room unchaperoned. So I took it upon myself to keep watch and not let you get all intimidating on her.”

“Maria, this is me we’re talking about,” he told her, eyebrow raised in disbelief.

She rolled her eyes and placed her hands on her hips. “I know Max, but you are still a member of the male species and you are in love with that woman,” she stated.

“I am…not,” he protested weakly, knowing it was a lie and knowing she would know that too.

“Go on Max, I’m gonna get her some breakfast, it’s nearly ten, and you have work to do.”

Ten! He sprinted to his study, leaving Maria to serve Liz breakfast and whatever else she did during the day. Maria watched her brother leave, and then laughingly headed to the kitchen, knowing Liz would wake up soon and no doubt be famished.

“Mmm…” She turned over, snuggling deeper into the covers on her bed. There was a subtle scent of cedar wood lingering on her pillow, and a warm imprint on her feather mattress.

She remembered that Max had come in late last night, and by every indication he had slept in her bed. With her. A blush crossed her face, which she hid, even from herself, by burrowing her head under Max’s pillow.

There was a sadness growing in her that he hadn’t stayed until she woke up, but he was probably embarrassed. He probably didn’t want her to get the wrong idea of how he felt about her.

“Hello?” a muffled voice called through the door. Liz started desperately attempting to fix her hair and garments.

“Come in, Maria.”

Her friend walked in, food heaped on a tray. “Thought we could have breakfast together.”

“Sounds great, “ she agreed, getting up and putting on a robe. Then she sat at the day table across from Maria and began to spread strawberry jam on a piece of toast.

“How do you feel about my brother?” Maria asked abruptly.

“What?” she gasped.

The other woman shrugged, “Well, it’s just that he’s in love with you, and I don’t want you to break his heart by not returning the sentiments.”

She was taken aback by Maria’s offhand tone. “You’ve got to be mistaken, Maria, Max has no feeling for me what so ever, at least, not those types of feelings…”

“So you do love him too?”

“Well, yes…I mean no, I mean, I don’t know. But it doesn’t matter Maria, because Max is not in love with me.” Maria didn’t respond, she merely smiled blandly and took a sip of her tea. “He’s not,” she repeated, but she didn’t sound very convincing, not even to herself.

He isn’t, she thought, is he?

~Part Seventeen~

“He’s got some new woman!” she ranted to her grandfather. Edward looked at her over the news his steward had brought, his blue-gray eyes curious.

“Are you talking about Maxwell, Tessa?”

“Of course!” she exclaimed, “She’s not even pretty. She looks like a slave Grandfather, how could he like her over me?”

“I have no idea Tessa,” he replied absently, frowning over the papers.

“Are you even listening to me?” she demanded.

“Yes, you want Maxwell, I will arrange for that to happen,” he consoled, not looking up.

“You will?” she asked. “Oh, thank you Grandfather!” she gushed. He was jarred abruptly by a tight hug, and he allowed her a moment of affection before drawing way.

“Enough of that nonsense,” he said gruffly, “I have business to attend to.”

“But-”

“Tessa, do not worry, I will have it all taken care of. An invitation will be extended to Lord Evans and he will come. Now go, Tessa, you begin to grate on my nerves.” She dropped him a curtsey and rushed from the room, more than likely to torture some kittens.

He shook his head. True, he was appalled by some of her actions, but she was family, and he would not allow her to be locked away. It would cause unnecessary gossip and would reflect poorly on him.

But she was beginning to try his patience a little more each day. But once he married her off to Maxwell he wouldn’t have to deal with her. Plus, the alliance would gain him even more control over all goings on around island.

A slave was sent to deliver the message to the Evans plantation, telling Maxwell he was expected later that night and to be prepared to stay through the following day.

“I don’t believe this!” Max cried, throwing the envelope down on his desk. “What right does he have to demand my time?!”

“What is it?” Liz asked from her position behind his desk. She was sitting in his chair, lost in the vastness of it, and looking, to him, as if she belonged there.

“Edward has ‘invited’ me to his plantation for a day. I have to leave tonight.”

“Why don’t you just politely decline?” Liz asked, frowning as she picked up the brief note.

“You don’t ‘decline’ an invitation from Edward. I shall have to go, there is no help for it.” He sighed and poked his head out of his study door. “MARIA!” he bellowed.

“WHAT?” came his sister’s voice from below. He heard her come up the stairs and waited patiently. “What is it now, Max?”

“Can you pack me an overnight bag? I’ve been summoned to the Harding’s,” he finished sarcastically. Maria rolled her green eyes.

“Fine. When do you need it?”

“Fifteen minutes.”

She clucked her tongue and waved him away, heading for his room. Max turned back to Liz, who was rising from his chair. “I’m sorry Liz, I have to saddle Ebony. I’ll see you in a couple days.”

“I’ll see you off,” she offered and he smiled at her, happy to be in her company if only for a while longer.

“I’d like that,” he said quietly, proffering his hand. She took it, smiling shyly, and let him lead her to the stables. Sean was startled into action, and Maria was darting down to them when they were about to leave.

“We could stop at Alex’s,” Max suggested, wanting to prolong his absence from Edward’s. Liz nodded, her dark bun bobbing.

“I’d like that,” she told him, “I haven’t had an opportunity to thank him properly for taking care of me.”

Max felt a pang of jealousy. He had been the one to take care of her. But Alex was the doctor, and he had been the one to prescribe appropriate treatment. Plus, he was old. There was no reason to be envious of him.

He was pulled from his disturbing thoughts of resentment towards his friend by Liz nudging him. He looked over into her mischievous brown eyes. “What?”

“Race you!” And then she was gone, he spurred Ebony after Amber’s golden form. He quickly pulled abreast of her, mainly because she had a hard time galloping riding sidesaddle, and slowly began to get ahead. He spotted Alex’s cottage ahead.

But a rumble above turned his attention upward and the gray clouds that had been threatening all day began to rain. “Hurry!” he called back to Liz, not wanting her to get caught in the rain.

He looked back, and nearly reined Ebony back. Her face was completely white, her eyes wide and black in the face of the sudden storm, and he remembered that her parents were dead because of a storm. But she kept on, even though he could tell she was struggling to hold on to Amber’s reins.

Another crash of thunder sounded, and a bolt of lightning lit the sky, streaking down towards them. “Liz!” he warned, turning Ebony around to reach her.

The bolt hit the ground between them and everything seemed to move more slowly. He saw Amber rear in alarm and Liz slip from the saddle, her foot caught in the stirrup. “Max!” he heard her scream as Amber cantered forward, panicked.

He abruptly came back to himself, her scream echoing in his ears, and raced after her. Luckily Ebony was used to his master’s commands and was able to do as Max wished. He soon had Amber stopped and Liz in front of him, clinging to him as she gulped back tears of pain.

He led Amber to Alex’s and tethered the horses outside, in a small stable that was rarely used. “Alex!” he called as he carried Liz inside. “Alex help!”

Doctor Whitman entered immediately, throwing on a robe. He took one look at his visitors and took control. “Put her upstairs,” he ordered grimly, and grabbed his bag.

~Part Eighteen~

Liz shifted uncomfortably and glared down at her bandaged foot. A soft knock came at the door and she gasped, pulling the cotton sheets up tighter around her naked body. The door opened without her invitation, and Max poked his head in.

“Hi,” he whispered.

“Hi,” she replied, equally as quiet.

He entered the room and shut the door behind him, then paced over to the single window, staring for a long moment at the bright moon in the storm less sky. Then he turned to her, illuminated in that same patch of light.

He sucked in a breath and gazed at her. Her brown eyes were liquid pools, staring at him inquiringly, her long hair fell like a silky curtain around her bare shoulders. His breathing got shallower when he realized she was nude beneath the thin white sheet. He gulped loudly and walked over to her, sitting down beside her injured foot.

Liz watched him curiously as he placed a gentle hand on the wrapping. “You’re lucky it was only sprained,” he told her, voice strained and hoarse.

“I know,” she whispered, watching his hand as it made little circles on the brown skin surrounding the vivid white. She inhaled sharply as his hand slid further up. “Max…”

“Do you have any idea how scared I was?” he asked, looking at her. To her surprise there were tears shining in his beautiful eyes. She opened her mouth but he spoke again. “I thought…Lord, when you fell…I’ve never been so scared.”

“Max…” Her heart sped up at his words, at the fact that he was inching closer and closer to her.

“Ssh,” he ordered softly, placing a finger on her lips, “Please Liz, just this once, lets just pretend there’s nothing outside this room. No Tessa, no Edward, no plantation, or Maria, or bad memories. It’s just the two of us…you and me. And I’m in love with you.”

“Max-” But he cut her off again, this time with his lips. Her gasp was lost as his tongue entered her mouth.

He moaned deeply, lost in the warm sweetness of her. His hands took on a mind of their own and removed the sheets from her limp hands. She gave another gasp as his fingers ran lightly over the peaks of her breasts.

She should do something, she realized as he explored her body. She should be protesting his treatment of her. But right now she didn’t care that this was wrong in the eyes of society. It was like he said, just him and her. Max and Liz. And she loved him too.

Liz opened her mouth a little more and began to return his gestures tentatively. Her hands followed his lead and slowing began undoing the buttons of the simple white shirt he had borrowed from Alex while their clothes were drying.

She broke the kiss abruptly, attention now focused on the smooth muscles gliding under her soft caresses. His mouth traveled down her neck while she was occupied with this task, his body beginning to bear down on her, pressing her into the bed.

“Liz…” he groaned as her wandering hand found its way to his throbbing arousal. He deftly reached down and unfastened the breeches, allowing Liz full access to him. She gasped loudly yet again, brown eyes huge as she gazed down at him.

“Max, you’re…you’re not going to fit,” she stated, trying to wriggle out from beneath him.

“Liz,” he chuckled, using one hand to stay her movements. “I will fit, I promise.”

“How do you know?” she demanded, “You don’t. You’re too big. Get off.” He laughed louder at her imperious commands. “Stop laughing at me!” she exclaimed, irritation seeping into her voice. “You are such a-Ooh…ooh, Max, what are you…doing?” she panted.

Her body tensed as he slowly slid one finger into her core. “Just trust me love,” he coaxed, “Just open for me Liz, I’ll take care of the rest.”

Her hands spasmed on his shoulder, sharp nails digging into the skin, causing him a painful sense of pleasure. He eased another finger in her, creating a rhythm her body began to echo. He watched her face as she experienced her first taste of carnal knowledge, she moved against his hand with a fierce concentration, her expression making him want to bury him self inside of her.

He had never been with a virgin before. He hadn’t actually been with a lot of woman, he had had a mistress in London for a while, but when he moved permanently to the island, he hadn’t brought her along. She’d never made him feel the way the tiny woman beneath him did. And he was determined to make this enjoyable for both of them, so he had to take it slow.

Liz head shifted from side to side restlessly, seeking something she couldn’t name. “Max,” she begged, not knowing what was happening to her. He covered her mouth with his as his hand moved one last time, and her body left her control, shattering into thousands of tiny pieces…

He felt with satisfaction her climax as she quivered and shuddered beneath him, her cry lost against his lips. Max drew his hand from her welcoming heat and carefully replaced it with his arousal.

Honey was dripping from her core, and he meticulously coated himself in it before inserting himself into her wet heat. Her breath caught and she stared at him, wide-eyed, as her whole body went from a state of total relaxation to one of nervous anticipation. “Max!”

“Hush Liz,” he murmured, pushing further into the tightness of her channel. “It will be all right, just part your thighs a bit more, love… That’s it.”

She followed his instructions obligingly, but she wasn’t sure if she liked this part. He felt different than his fingers. She wanted to have that floating feeling again… “Are you sure this will work?” she inquired, grasping his shoulders as his lower body slid in and out of her.

“Positive,” he assured her. “Just hold me tighter, this will sting,” he warned as he surged upward, breaking her maidenhead. She cried out and pushed at him.

“Stop, this isn’t nice at all. Please get off now.”

He rested his head in the hollow between her shoulder and the bed and hid a smile. “I can’t Liz. Just wait a moment and don’t move.”

“Max!” she said, exasperated.

“Liz!” he mocked, lifting his head up and smiling down at her. She grew quiet as he peppered kisses over her face. When he had her suitably distracted he began to thrust again, gently.

When she became aware of his movements within her again, she was going to scold him, but them she realized it wasn’t that uncomfortable. It fact, the friction was really quite pleasant…

Liz felt the hum build up in her body again as Max’s thrusts became more frantic. Now she moved against him eagerly, wanting that feeling…She was just on the edge when Max let out a strangled cry, his last push sending over the brink and she let out her own shout of release.

When they had both come down off their highs, Max gradually detached him self from her tranquil body. He grabbed a cloth from the washstand and tenderly cleaned her. Blushing, she started to close her legs, but he gave her a gentle smile and pushed them back apart.

Then he lay back down beside her, taking her in his arms. She nestled closer to him, seeking out the intimacy she had discovered when they had become one. Max tightened his grip on the woman who had overwhelmed his soul, as she fell asleep. Nothing had ever felt as right as it had when he had been lost inside her.

His last coherent thought before he followed his lover into oblivion was that they had fit together perfectly.

She was his match.

~Part Nineteen~

Liz woke up warm and feeling fulfilled. Memories had haunted her dreams, wonderful memories of her mother and father, baking, swimming, sailing, laughing, playing…She had managed to find herself last night, Max had triggered something in her…Something that was content and loved.

She laughed suddenly as the thought occurred to her. She was Elizabeth Parker, and she was completely in love with Maxwell Evans.

She turned to him, to tell him of her latest discovery, and found her bed empty of another body.

“Max?”

A knock drew her attention to the door and Alex peeked his head in. She clutched the covers closer to her bare chest as he walked in with her dress. “I thought I heard you were up,” he said, laying the dress at the foot of her bed and patting her leg, “Let me see your foot.”

She moved her foot from beneath the sheets and he bent studiously to access her ankle. Clucking to himself he unwound it and poked and prodded, looking up at her face to see her reactions. Then he wound it back up and Liz finally found the courage and the words to ask what she wanted to know as discreetly as possible.

“Is Max awake yet?”

Alex looked up, surprised, “Up and away just after dawn. He said he had an appointment at the Hardings.”

“So he just left?” she demanded in disbelief.

“Well of course.” Alex looked at her as if she were a bit mad. “I’m surprised he didn’t leave last night after you were settled. One does not keep a man like Edward Harding waiting after all, not if he wants to keep what’s his.”

“What do you mean?” she inquired.

He gave her another look, “Never you mind Miss Liz, Max can handle it. He always does. But, if it makes you feel any better, I have strict instructions to see you home safe, and to make sure Maria puts you in bed and keeps you there.”

“That’s not necessary Dr. Whitman, I’m sure I can manage.” Another stern look was shot in her direction and she smiled, he reminded her of her father. “I promise Doctor, I’ll be all right, and I’m sure you have things to do today.”

“That’s true enough,” he told her, relenting, “But you will stay for breakfast, is that understood young lady?”

“Yes, sir.” She gave him a mock salute, like she had so often given her father in the past, and reached for her clothing. “I’ll be down in just a bit.”

Half an hour later Alex helped her into Amber’s saddle and sent her on her way. Liz rode at a steady trot until she reached Max’s home, at which she waited until Maria came barreling out to assist her down.

“Where have you been? Goodness, Lizzie, what happened?” The older woman continued to chatter away, supporting Liz as they limped their way to her bedroom.

“It’s just a sprain Maria, the doctor said it would be all right in a couple days.”

“And why didn’t my brother escort you home?” Her green eyes were flashing, “Unless you left him in the dust the rate you came galloping up…”

“He went to the Hardings.”

“You mean he just left you?” Maria demanded, “Of all the ridiculous things that man has done…”

“Alex said he was right to, that you don’t keep Edward Harding waiting.”

“True enough, I suppose,” Maria conceded, “But normally he’s a tad more considerate…” Her friend trailed off, staring at her with her head cocked to the side. “What happened last night Liz? Besides the storm and your ankle. Something happened, I can see it in your eyes.”

Liz looked away, unsure whether to confide last nights amazing events to her lover’s half sister. But she needed someone to talk to. “He made love to me,” she whispered.

“No,” Maria breathed, eyes wide, “He didn’t dare.”

Liz nodded earnestly, “He did. He told me he loved me and then he laid me down and…” she sighed, “It was odd at first, but so utterly wonderful too. I’ve never felt like that Maria.” She gazed dreamily off into the distance, reliving the incredible experience. “And when I woke up I remembered everything Maria, I know who I am now.” She smiled sleepily, feeling tuckered out over the exertion of the day. “Max set me free.”

Maria watched her young charge fall asleep and vowed to kill her brother quite painfully. How dare he take advantage of Liz’s innocence like that! It didn’t matter at the moment that she knew they loved one another, what mattered was that Max hadn’t done his wooing properly. No flowers or chocolates, no rides through the fields or whispers of devotion. She’d even wager he hadn’t asked her to marry him first. And he called himself a gentleman. Humph.

A few hours later she came bustling out of the kitchen when a ruckus drifted through the front door. “What in Heaven’s name is going on here?” she queried harshly.

Tessa Harding turned triumphant blue eyes on her, “None of your business, go back to work.” And then she continued to shout orders at scurrying servants. Maria was going to tell her off when she noticed Max, huddled miserably in a corner, and rushed over to him.

“Max, what is that woman doing in my household?” He looked at her, brown eyes filled with a supreme sadness. “Max you tell me what’s wrong this instant.”

“Don’t be too angry with me Maria, I didn’t have a choice.”

“A choice in what?”

He just shook his head. “Where’s Liz?”

“She was napping last I saw, by the way, I believe you said you didn’t need a chaperone.” She raised an eyebrow at him.

He didn’t smile. “I wish I had had one last night, maybe then this wouldn’t be such a mess.”

“Max,” she whispered, pale, and looked back over at Tessa, “Tell me honestly what’s going on, and why she’s here.”

“Well Miss Nosy,” Tessa put in, hands on her hips, obviously having heard Maria’s last comment, “As Maxwell’s fiancée, I have a right to be here.”

Maria’s jaw dropped, but before she could blow up a distressed gasp came from the top of the stairs. Everyone’s eyes turned to the brown-haired girl, who had been woken by the commotion, as her wide eyes filled with tears and she spun, blindly heading for her room.

“Liz,” Max said inaudibly to all but Maria. He started as his beloved tripped on her hurt ankle, heading for the staircase, but his sister stayed him.

“I’ll go, she won’t want to see you.” Green eyes conveyed the message that they would talk later, and that he’s be sorry afterwards. But he didn’t much care if Maria threatened his life, because his heart was already breaking at the betrayal he’d seen in her eyes.

Curse that Edward Harding, curse him to the most fiery depths of Hell.

~Part Twenty~

Humiliated, Liz scrambled up from the floor. She wiped viciously at her watering eyes, hating herself for being so weak. She got her bearings slowly, testing her wait on her foot, but refused to look back down at them. Standing straight she kept her eyes on her bedroom door and began to hobble toward it, trying to keep as much of her dignity intact as possible.

“Liz!” The soft shout made her walk faster, but she could hear Maria’s footsteps behind her, light and quick.

The door, she told herself, just get to the door. She couldn’t talk now, not even to Maria. She needed to not think, she needed to cry and sleep and forget. God, how she needed to forget!

“Liz!”

But she shut the door, sobbing as she collapsed against it. “Let me be Maria,” she pleaded.

“But Liz,” she said, voice muffled through the door, “You need to talk-”

“No, I don’t,” she countered, not letting her friend finish her sentence, “Just go away Maria, what I need is to be alone.”

Maria rested her head on the inert door and felt tears rise to her own eyes as she listened to Liz’s movements on the other side. So slow and broken. She could hear the hushed crying too, and it was breaking her heart…

Straightening abruptly, she collected her wits and stormed off, fire coursing through her veins. Max had better have a good, no a very, very plausible, explanation for this or he’d never live to see his wedding day!

“Max!” she bellowed, peering over the railing to the lower level where Tessa was still standing. Disdainful blue eyes looked up at her.

“He went to his study to conduct some business, do not disturb him.”

Rolling green eyes she pushed away from the banister and mocked Tess all the way to her half-brother’s study. She pushed open the door with no warning and swept down on him.

Max started and looked up alarmed, but then he relaxed and gestured for her to shut the door. “I thought you were her,” he informed Maria, relief coloring his voice.

“Which her?” she responded, and Max did not like her tone.

“Tessa.”

“Oh,” she said, coming to sit primly in the chair before his desk, which Liz so often occupied these days. Max felt a pang, wondering if she’d ever be able to forgive him. "That her."

“How’s Liz?” he asked, ignoring her sarcasm.

“How do you think she is?” Maria demanded, but at Max’s pained expression, she softened, “I don’t know, she wouldn’t talk to me.”

He groaned and scrubbed his face with his hands. “Everything’s gotten so muddled, Maria. One minute I’m watching her sleep, and the next…” He shrugged, feeling lost in his head.

“The next you’re engaged to someone you don’t even like.”

“Exactly.”

“What happened Max?” she asked, “You love Liz. I can see it, have seen it, for weeks and weeks now. Why all of a sudden this thing with Tessa?” She knew he had to have a good explanation, he never did anything without one. But she just couldn’t imagine what was so gargantuan, that he’d hurt the one person that meant more to him than anything.

“He threatened her,” Max said, staring blindly at the wall behind her. His fist clenched unconsciously. “He dared to threaten her!” The fist crashed down on the desk, the impact making Maria jump. She hoped he hadn’t broken his hand.

“What, Max?” she inquired, slightly irritated, “You’re going to have to elaborate on that.”

His attention swam back into focus and his lovely eyes bled helplessness. “Edward, he threatened Liz’s life.”

Her jaw dropped for the second time in an hour and she shook her head. “Oh, I knew he was scum, but to stoop that low…”

“I couldn’t think of what to do Maria. I just froze and I kept seeing her…dead,” his voice was no more than a whisper, “I couldn’t think of any other way to protect her besides what he offered…Liz for Tessa…”

“Oh Lord, Max.” Maria went around and hugged her little brother. They sat in silence for a while, Max crying in her arms. “But what about sending her to London,” Maria suggested, trying to come up with some way to get him out of the arrangement.

“No,” he shook his head, “That’s worse than here. You know how powerful he is, and all those assassins for hire…She wouldn’t have a chance there.”

“Well,” she said briskly, “I’ll think of something, don’t you worry.” Nodding decisively she got up to finish her daily chores. She’d come up with something foolproof, and then Max and Liz could be happy and Edward and Tessa would be out of the picture.