Whom Shall I Kiss... an Earl, a Marquess, or a Duke?

by Laura A. Barnes

  She needed to stop this mad desire engulfing them but couldn’t. Her scientific mind begged for knowledge, and she held no embarrassment of her own nakedness. She studied the anatomy of men and women and understood the sexual act. The woman inside her pleaded to have her desires fulfilled, and Sidney felt empowered by the admiration of his stare. His eyes portrayed his appreciation of her form, and that knowledge gave her the heady power of her own sexuality. This was no longer about research. This concerned matters of the heart.

  Wilde watched as Sidney debated with herself on their course of action. He realized at that moment she understood her power over him. Her midnight eyes grew darker as she reached to undo his cravat. He stood still as she undressed him. Her lips were swollen from biting her lips as she undid the tight buttons of his shirt. When her hands spread his shirt wide and her fingers caressed his chest, he moaned loudly. Her eyes widened, catching him in a stare as she realized the full impact of his desire. However, she was far from finished.

  A gleam appeared in her eyes, which only meant trouble for him. Trouble in the form of her hand as it glided across his hardness. When his moan turned into a groan, her eyes lit with satisfaction. Her hand wandered back and laid against his hardness for a moment as he closed his eyes at the immortal pleasure she gifted him. Sidney’s pleasant torture had only just begun. Her hand stroked him outside his trousers, and his pleasure grew firmer from her touch. He finally laid his hand across hers to halt her contact. If she were to continue, he could no longer fulfill their greatest need.

  He raised her hand to his lips while he kissed the fingers that caressed him into his frenzy desired state. His kisses lowered themselves again to her breasts and slid across her stomach as he knelt before her. His fingers drifted across her soft curls as he lowered her stockings. After her legs were bare, he stroked his fingers along the back of her knees and around to her thighs. He placed soft kisses to her legs until they parted for him. Softly he slid his finger across her core, her wetness coating the tip. He closed his eyes and moaned at her need. Slowly he guided his finger inside her, her warmth drawing him in deeper. His finger reached higher as he stroked her wetness. In and out his finger glided as he built her ache for him. He wanted her to crave him as badly as he ached. He wanted her need to be as soul deep as his was for her. When she tightened around his finger, he pulled out and rested his head against her core. He could feel her body tightly strung and heard the hitch in her breath as he brought her close to fulfillment. He placed a gentle kiss against her need.

  “Next time, I will bring you to a fevered need with my mouth. I will stroke your desires with my tongue as I savor your wetness,” he whispered as he slid his fingers inside her again.

  Sidney wanted to cry from the emotions crashing around inside her body. Her imagination gained new heights from those whispered words. She arched her body into his mouth, wanting him to show her now. Instead, he rose and took her mouth in his to assault her senses. Each kiss slowly dragged her under his spell. When he grabbed her hand, he lowered it to his hardness. While he kissed her, he managed to undo the placket of his trousers and kick them off into the pile of their discarded clothing. He wrapped her hand around his and guided her on how to stroke his desire. He whispered in her ear how her touch drove him mad and that he wished for her lips to follow her hand.

  Soon Wilde lifted Sidney into his arms and lay her amongst the silken sheets and pillows. He could wait no longer. Wilde needed her with a power out of his control. His hands slid to her thighs, where she opened for him in anticipation. Her eagerness became his undoing. He slid his hardness along her wetness as he guided himself inside her. When she lifted her hips to him, her fingers dug into his back, and he hesitated, not wishing to harm her. When she wrapped her legs around his hips and drove him deeper, he couldn’t stop. Her desire matched his as they dove into their passion. With each stroke, she wrapped her body around him to hold him closer. When he slowly pulled out and swiftly entered her again, she moaned for more. Their need, consumed by every touch and kiss, melted their bodies into one. When her wetness tightened around him, he released himself into her, drowning in her kiss.

  Wilde drew her close to his heart and stroked her hair across his chest as their hearts slowed down. They were too lost in their passion to realize the depth of her ruination. He wanted to question her on her visit to Belle’s but didn’t want to break the spell. Their time was limited, but Belle would soon interrupt them. He needed Sidney to leave without getting caught. The hour grew late, and soon the house would fill with their fellow peers. He rolled her over and brushed the hair from her eyes. She met his gaze, eyes filled with an emotion he didn’t want her to feel.

  “Why did you come here?”

  “Curiosity on what draws your attention.”

  “It is not this place.”

  “Are you sure? You appear quite comfortable in these surroundings. Also, I heard of your good deed last night.”

  “You shouldn’t have been privy to that information. It is too vulgar for one of your station.”

  “Nonsense. It showed me that underneath your scoundrel charm, there resides a man of true character. You display a set of traits more pleasing than another suiter of mine.”

  “Sheffield is a selfish bastard.”

  “Mmm, I quite agree with you. However, he holds promises in other matters.”

  “What might those matters be?” Wilde growled.

  Sidney laughed. “You will soon discover.”

  “Sidney?”

  “So, did I fulfill your every fantasy? Madame Belle informed me of a gentleman’s wishes when he frequents her establishment.” Sidney ignored his question.

  “You misunderstand my relationship with Belle.”

  “How so? Have you visited this room before?”

  “Yes, but only as a friend. I have never partaken in a sexual relationship with Belle.”

  “But you have shared sexual encounters with the women she employs?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “Then I misunderstand nothing.”

  “I have not used those services since the night I met you.” Wilde became agitated at her nonchalant attitude toward their lovemaking, as if it were an experiment of sort.

  “So, the evening we met was your last attempt of a sexual release?”

  “Yes. No.”

  “Which is it? Yes or No?”

  Wilde breathed a rush of air in his frustration at the turn of their conversation. She mixed his words around.

  “After the Woodsworth Ball, I visited Belle’s. While sampling one of her girl’s charms, I kept picturing you, and I couldn’t stop thinking of your lips, so I left. To answer your question, yes, I came, but no, I didn’t finish.”

  Sidney stilled at this knowledge. Did she hold an impact on Wildeburg’s affections? Did his love flourish as hers did? He mentioned nothing concerning his emotions or a relationship after they made love. Was she another scandal for him? Would he disappear now that he finished the chase? Too many questions to wonder, and fear kept her from discovering the answers. While his lovemaking satisfied her curiosity, it also opened Wilde to cause her more heartache.

  “I didn’t finish because you had consumed my mind. The touch of your lips, the midnight blue of your eyes darkening at my touch, and the sighs you whisper when I am near. So, as to your question, have you fulfilled my fantasy? Yes, although in this short time, I have only created more.”

  Wilde slid his mouth across her cheek, his tongue burning a trail of fire down her neck as his hands caressed her breasts. Her silence unnerved him. He figured if he kept their desire burning, she would hold no doubts in her mind. When he heard her sigh, he knew he distracted her from her thoughts. As his mouth followed his hands to her breasts, a knock on the door interrupted them. He rested his head on her chest as he brought himself under control. Their time had come to an end.

  With a whispered word, he wrapped a sheet around his body and opened the door a crack. Belle waited o
n the other side with a disapproving frown upon her face. Their whispered argument discussed her displeasure. While Belle worked in the profession of sex, she believed in a young lady’s honor. His actions would have huge repercussions for her. He promised Belle he would prepare Sidney for a discreet departure. He closed the door and leaned against the panel, closing his eyes as he realized the full consequences of his heated desires. As he glanced to the bed, Sidney regarded him with questions in her eyes. He couldn’t answer the unspoken when he himself was just as confused.

  “Our time has come to part. The hour grows late, and you are sure to be missed. Belle has a carriage awaiting your departure.”

  “Wilde?”

  “Hurry, Lady Sophia and you must return home before you are ruined.”

  “Am I not already ruined?”

  “You know full well what I am implying.”

  “Mmm, yes I suppose I do.” Sidney rose from the bed to put herself back together.

  As she dressed, she blocked her emotions from Wilde. His indifference toward her shattered her frame of mind. One moment he began to make love to her again, the next he ordered her to leave. All while offering no promises. She peeked beneath her lashes as she slid on her stockings, watching him pace back and forth across the room. He appeared agitated. Did he regret their lovemaking and wondered how to dissociate himself from her?

  “I am ready, but you can inform Belle her carriage will not be necessary. My coach is in the alleyway. Please inform my driver we are ready to leave,” Sidney told Wilde as she brushed the wrinkles from her skirts.

  Wilde strode to the door and informed Belle of Sidney’s request. His guilt weighed heavily on his mind. He realized he hurt her with his rush for her to leave. He either had to send her on her way, or he would lock the door and make love to her all night. Her ruination be damned. He slowly walked to her and stood mere inches from her. Their gazes clashed, and each asked questions from the other. When neither of them answered, they took a step closer.

  “As always, your charm has been most enlightening, Lord Wildeburg.”

  “Noah.”

  When she didn’t call him Noah, he brought her flush against his body. The questions disappeared from her eyes as desire darkened them. He swept his lips across hers, teasing them with small kisses. He wanted her to whisper his name from the very lips he kissed. When she still didn’t utter his one simple name, he took her mouth under his and kissed her passionately. He ravaged her mouth with his pent-up passion. Each stroke of his tongue demanded her need in return.

  Sidney held nothing back from their kiss. With each kiss of his lips to the stroke of his tongue, she responded with her desire. His actions confused her. He switched hot, then cold, then hot again. Sidney, lost in her own emotions, ceased to pay attention. She only responded to what she felt, and her body spun out of control. Her need for him consumed her. As quickly as he kissed her, he also pulled away. She didn’t want the kiss to end. She wanted to taste more of him.

  “Noah,” she moaned.

  A bittersweet laugh escaped him as he listened to his name on her lips. As he rested his forehead against hers, he struggled to breathe again. With another knock on the door, he knew she needed to return home. Timing was not on his side. There was much he needed to discuss with her, but now wasn’t the time nor the place. He brushed his lips across hers for one final kiss before he stepped away.

  “Noah?”

  “You must leave. Belle is waiting for you.”

  “Will I see you soon?” Sidney begged for his attention.

  “We shall see.”

  Sidney narrowed her eyes at his cryptic answer. Frustrated with his hot and cold attitude, she strode out of the room and found Belle wearing a concerned expression on her face. The woman glanced behind her to find Wildeburg with a devil may care attitude and a smile of smug satisfaction. Sidney turned at the same moment to witness their exchange and tears rushed to her eyes. She finally realized that she was only another notch in his bedpost. Belle wrapped her arms around her and guided Sidney toward the back door, where her carriage waited to take her home.

  “I am sorry, My Lady. If I had known, I would never have called for him.”

  “You are not at fault, Madame. I am a woman who makes my own decisions. As I told him, he was most enlightening, as usual. Thank you for granting me your time today.”

  Belle nodded her head as Sidney’s footman helped her into the carriage. Sophia sat tucked in the corner, lost in her own thoughts. As the carriage drove them home, neither lady discussed the events they experienced at Madame Bellerose’s brothel. Each activity, if known, would lead them to a ruination that their fathers’ statuses in the ton could not sweep under the rug.

  Chapter Twelve

  The next few days passed in a blur for Sidney. Her confused emotions conflicted with her research, and she lost interest in writing her thesis. She only needed the results from the upcoming ball to apply her final touches to the paper. However, her heart no longer cared about the results. She had not heard from Noah since their encounter at Madame Bellerose’s. No gifts, no midnight invasions into her bedroom, and no surprise visits at the park. Only his absence, which only made her think she was correct in her assumptions about his behavior. He was a charming scoundrel who played her false, just so he could whet his appetite. His part of her research helped support her claims. She wrote passionately on his section, for every word held her deepest emotions.

  Sidney wrote about Rory on how she predicted the outcome. She discussed his awareness of her as a woman but pointed toward his strengths. Their friendship held more importance than a mere misguided attraction. Rory showed his compassion toward her this week as he tagged along on her walks, without a single word being spoken. He was there for her in ways that mattered. He took notice of her sadness and offered his friendship. Sidney suffered through her guilt at deceiving him and using his friendship to prove a theory. She would offer her apologies when she concluded her experiment. For now, she took solace in their relationship.

  Sophia had been absent, which was probably why she had been leaning on Rory more. Sophia returned her missives, pleading outings with her mother as excuses. Sidney wondered at her claims but was too wrapped in her own sorrow to question them. Phee sent a note, promising to help her prepare for the Havelock Ball. All in all, Sidney behaved as a horrible friend this week and realized she needed to make amends to those close to her after the ball was over.

  Sidney wandered downstairs to her father’s study. She decided to immerse herself in his research to keep her mind off her own troubles. As she entered the room, she found her father in a deep conversation with Sheffield—the other suitor who was absent this week. When they noticed her, their conversation came to a halt. Her father’s eyes held disappointment in his stare, while Sheffield’s held victory. She realized they were discussing her. What information had Sheffield shared with her father that caused him to regard her in shame?

  “I will leave you two for a private moment. I thank you for your honorable intentions, Your Grace. You do my family a favor, and we will be forever in your debt. Sidney, please join me in the garden when you finish your talk with Sheffield.”

  “Yes, Papa.”

  The weight of apprehension settled on Sidney’s shoulders. She had upset her father in a way she never had before. What story did Sheffield weave to him? Why did she feel doomed to a life that wasn’t her choosing? When her stare settled on Sheffield, she recognized that her selfish actions from a few days ago caused Sheffield to claim her as his bride. Did Wildeburg brag of his conquest to her ruination? Was he here to wipe away his friend’s mistake?

  Sidney settled in a chair and folded her hands in her lap. She held her head high, with her chin raised in defiance. She wouldn’t allow this man, or any other man, to determine the course of her life. Even though Noah—no, Lord Wildeburg—discarded her after their exquisite lovemaking, she wouldn’t regret their time together. He taught her of passion and heartache, t
wo emotions that helped her understand her own vulnerability about love.

  Sheffield watched as Sidney Hartridge realized her own demise. While he should feel complete satisfaction in his victory, there was a part of him infuriated beyond belief. He had only won her hand out of the misguided antics of his friend, a friend who had disappeared this past week. When he finally located Wilde, he discovered him in a drunken stupor. Wilde rambled on how he took advantage of Lady Sidney and was unworthy of her. When he confided how much he loved her, and the details of her ruination, Sheffield realized the game swung his way. If he could approach her father before Wildeburg, then her hand would be his. He waited the last week for his friend to approach Lord Hartridge, but when Wilde didn’t appear, Sheffield moved in to claim his victory.

  Sheffield already knew of Sidney Hartridge’s downfall. He was at Belle’s when she appeared from Belle’s private chambers, her appearance in dishevel. Her hair hung unwound along her back, and her clothes were wrinkled beyond repair. The fullness of her lips portrayed a woman who had been kissed quite thoroughly. As Belle ushered Sidney to her carriage, he stood in the alcove and watched as Wildeburg sauntered out of the chamber. He strutted with the swagger of a man well satisfied. He kept his appearance hidden as Wilde left the brothel. When Belle reappeared, he questioned her, for her to spell out the mistake she made this afternoon. She called Wildeburg to her house after Lady Sidney arrived and mentioned his name. She hoped Wilde would remove the girl, but instead he made love to her, an action which could destroy her brothel if nobody offered for the girl’s hand. Sheffield promised her he would make right by Sidney Hartridge. It was the least he could do since he didn’t help her the previous evening. If he could secure Lady Sidney as a bride, then he could frequent Belle’s again, to catch a few more moments with the mystery woman he met.