Oh - do I need another recap for MrsEvadneCake?
Never mind - it can wait.
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They walked arm in arm from the garrison.
"Did you miss me?"
Norah looked up, startled out of her contemplation of the muscles of his forearm, then smirked slightly and lied through her teeth. "Have you been somewhere? I've been that busy I hardly noticed..."
"Sounds like I'd better remind you what you've been missing." He closed his hand tight around hers and picked up the pace - almost towing Norah in his wake. He wove through people on the street and recognised a narrow opening ahead. He grinned wickedly, teeth white against his caramel skin and lengthened his stride until Norah was almost running to keep up. As they drew level with the opening he pulled her into the alleyway and trapped her against the wall - arms either side of her.
"So... do you think my hands might be clean enough now?"
Norah took one of his hands in hers, turning it over and examining it closely, then lifted it to her mouth, kissing the palm then drawing a finger into her mouth - swirling her tongue around it and sucking on it." She grinned at his indrawn breath and watched his eyes darkening with desire. "I think they might pass for clean. Now what was it you said that I've been missing?"
She reached out to pull him close and he grasped her hands in his, using one hand to pin her wrists to the wall above her head "No touching... I think those were your rules?" He raised an eyebrow enquiringly and watched appreciatively as the material of her dress stretched tight across her breasts. She licked her lips, suddenly breathless as his lips nuzzled against her neck. "Does this feel familiar at all?"
"Yes..." Norah's breathed out, her reply barely audible as she found herself trembling in anticipation of his touch. His lips moved slowly down, tongue swirling at the base of her neck and her shoulder. He returned briefly to kiss her again, lips barely brushing hers and moved to the other side of her neck - sucking on her earlobe as his free hand moved across her body, tracing the outline of her curves, squeezing and stroking.
"Remember this?" His voice was thick with desire as he pressed against her, his body pinning her to the wall. His hand was beneath her skirts now and she whimpered slightly and gasped his name as his fingers explored. He nuzzled against her neck again, muttering in her ear, telling her what he wanted to do to her, what he was going to do. He pulled back and looked at her, eyes closed, biting her lips as she leant back against the wall, neck bared, every bit as desperate for him as he was for her. He could take her there and then... he suddenly grinned and stepped away from her, releasing her hands as she looked up at him, bewildered.
"Hmmm. I remember this - we're only two streets from your rooms." He held out his hand as she staggered slightly and blinked at him in disbelief "We can't have a respectable young lady such as yourself associating with a musketeer down a dark alley - think of your reputation! I shall escort you to your rooms..." He leaned in and whispered in her ear, describing again exactly what he was going to do to her when they got there. Then he pulled her forwards and cupped her face in his hands, kissing her deeply until they were both breathless, hearts racing.
They turned the corner onto Norah's street and he swore - someone was standing at her door - clearly waiting for her. The man smiled at Norah as his eyes flicked uncertainly to Porthos and the way his hand was wrapped around Norah's. "I said I'd let you know when I had the new samples in - I thought you might want to come and see them before I put them out tomorrow?"
Norah's mouth opened and shut as she tried to gather her thoughts - buying cloth was the last thing on her mind.
"She's busy" growled Porthos, irritated by the hopeful look in the man's eyes and starting to lose patience.
"Porthos!" Norah frowned at him. "I'm sorry Jacques, but he's right, this isn't a good time. Perhaps I can call by tomorrow?"
The man nodded and retreated, looking crestfallen. As he crossed the street he turned back to see them step inside together and shut the door - his shoulders drooped further.
Porthos kicked the door shut behind them and dropped the bar across it - he was, he realised, tired and hungry, and irked by what seemed to be an endless stream of men interrupting his time with Norah. He raised an eyebrow at her. "So, how many men have been queuing at your door while I was away?" Norah looked startled, her smile fading as she looked at him in bewilderment. "Martin, Jacques - anyone else I need to warn off?"
Norah's bewilderment turned to mild irritation and she responded sarcastically. "Oh loads, obviously. I'm quite the catch you know, and what with trying to keep up with my order book, seeing if Lady Bea's designs are actually practical, sourcing material... well - fending off all these men 'queuing at my door' is really tiresome..."
He shrugged and looked at the floor. "I just don't like the idea of them hanging around you when I'm not here."
Norah looked at him in disbelief. "I've known Martin for longer than I've known you; Jacques is a good supplier and he's reliable, so I'll thank you not be so rude to him."
"What did they want anyway?"
Norah glared at him, increasingly angry and hurt by his implied lack of trust. "Martin is worried sick about Kate, and Jacques is well aware of the ball and is fairly desperate to supply the cloth. And yes, he seems to like me as well. Which is good, because there are some people who won't consider ordering from me - or supplying at a sensible rate because of my 'loose morals'."
He looked up from the floorboards, startled. It had never occurred to him that their relationship might cause her any problems.
Norah was still glaring at him, furious that he seemed to be picking a fight and spoiling their reunion. As for their interlude in the alleyway - well he could forget that. "You know what? Just go back to the garrison. I've had a long day, I'm tired, and I can do without this sort of rubbish. If you have a problem with the fact I know other men, then that's your problem, not mine. Just go away until you're feeling more civil."
His expression turned to alarm and he took a step towards her "Nor - I didn't..."
"Just go!" She was on the verge of tears and wanted him gone before she started to cry. She'd been looking forward to him coming home, and now he stirred up this rubbish? He dared comment on her being friends with other men, when he carried the reputation that came with being a Musketeer? She bit back the question of how many brothels he'd been to while he'd been away - refused to sink to that level. Norah turned away and ran up the stairs, slamming the door behind her.