One Wicked Kiss

by Brower, Dawn

  “Set my trunk over here.” Callista pointed to a place on the floor. “and please ensure that my dear cousin’s belongings are found.”

  The man set the trunk where Callista indicated and exited the room. Callista went to the door and shut it with a soft click. “Now that we’re alone again,” she began. “I need you to distract Darcy. Edward and I need some time—alone.”

  “Darcy?” Who the hell was that? Edward must be Weston’s given name. That would mean… “You mean Lucas.”

  “Is that how the rascal introduced himself.” She chuckled lightly. “He must be even more smitten with you than I realized. “That’s not important though. Will you agree to spend some time with him and leave this room for me and Edward to use?”

  Natalia nibbled on her bottom lip. She shouldn’t be alone with Lucas. He was a temptation she didn’t need. “I need to change first…” What if her valise was missing? Everything she owned, besides what she currently wore, was inside of it.

  “Say no more,” she said. Callista went over to her trunk and pulled out a few things. One was a scarlet dress made of the finest silk. “I am willing to bet we have similar measurements.” She held up the dress. “I’ll even act as your lady’s maid. Come here and I’ll undo your laces. I have everything here for you to be dry and warm—and what the clothing doesn’t provide your Lucas gladly will.”

  Natalia swallowed hard. “I…”

  “Don’t think too hard darling,” Callista teased. “Darcy won’t do anything you don’t want him to. As far as the dress—consider it a gift. It is Christmastide after all and I’m feeling generous.”

  Natalia nodded and took off her drenched cloak then hung it on a hook. Then she went to Callista and turned her back. The countess—her cousin, worked fast in undoing the wet laces. Then helped her put on the dry items. All she had to do now was go to the room Weston was supposed to share with Lucas and convince him…of what she didn’t quite know. “Wish me luck,” she said to Callista. “I’ll send your Edward to you posthaste.”

  “You don’t need luck darling.” Callista’s lips tilted upward into a coy smile. “You have the Martin beauty and innocence. Use it to your advantage.”

  Callista had more self-assurance than Natalia would ever have. Maybe it was the benefit of having her mother raise her most of her life, or perhaps her father had actually loved her. Natalia didn’t know for sure, but she did understand one thing. She might be her cousin, but trusting her would not come easy, and she did wish to spend the evening with Lucas. He’d saved her when he could have left her at the side of the road to die. At the very least she wanted to thank him. If that meant keeping him company while Callista and Edward had privacy—she’d do it.

  Chapter 4

  A servant brought in their trunks, but Lucas couldn’t care less. He undid his cravat and left it hanging loose around his neck. His jacket and waistcoat had already been tossed on to a nearby chair. Edward had paced the room so many times now Lucas had lost count. His friend was driving him a bit mad. “Why don’t you go check on her if you’re that worried.”

  “She’ll let me know when it’s time to visit her room,” Edward replied cryptically. “She has her own way of doing things.”

  “Not sure I’m following you,” Lucas said. “But do as you wish.”

  “I usually do,” Edward quipped.

  Lucas wanted a glass of brandy or several. This was a brothel. There had to be somewhere in the place to find a bottle or two of his favorite liquor. He’d leave Edward in the room to stew. Somehow he doubted the duke would be alone for long either way. Lucas might have to find another place to sleep. He certainly didn’t want to interrupt the lovers in a passionate embrace.

  He headed to the door and pulled it open. The girl he rescued was on the other side with her hand raised as if she were about to knock. Lucas wished, not for the first time, that he knew her name. He wanted to refer to her as more than ‘that girl’ in his mind. It would be nice to use her given name in conversation. Lucas wanted to know much more than that about her. “Hello,” he greeted her for lack of anything else to say. She had on a bright red dress that made her skin nearly glow. Now that she was dry and her hair no longer a tangled mess—she was even lovelier than he recalled. “Did you require something?”

  “I do not,” she answered. “Callista asked me to come here and tell Edward to join her next door.”

  So they were going to kick the girl out of the room. Lucas didn’t like that one bit. The young miss had been through an awful ordeal and almost died. She should be able to rest in comfort. He’d let her have this room since Edward was vacating it. “Please come in,” he offered. “Edward your lady needs you in the room next door.” Weston had stopped pacing long enough to stare out of the window across the room.

  “It’s about bloody time,” the duke muttered as he exited the room nearly knocking the girl over as he went past.

  “Forgive him,” Lucas offered. “Ever since he met the young widow he’s been obsessed with her.”

  “I didn’t realize her husband had died. She doesn’t seem particularly upset. How long ago did he pass on?”

  He hadn’t cared to ask the countess anything and Edward didn’t offer any details. Truthfully, it didn’t matter. Even if Lady Marin’s husband still lived he wouldn’t have asked questions. Lucas didn’t interfere with other people’s lives. They could make their own mistakes and choices. He had his own life to live and it came with more than enough difficulties for him to sort through each day. “I wouldn’t know,” he replied. “I’m not acquainted with the former Earl of Marin.” And he’d never presume to understand the inner workings of any couple’s relationship. Most ton marriages were arranged for money or continuation of the title. It was the reason his father kept pressuring him to marry and start a family, and Lucas didn’t have any plans to follow that particular dictate.

  She came into the room and walked over to the window that Weston had been looking out of. He was at a loss what to discuss with her. He’d never felt so awkward in his life. Where was his infamous charm when he needed it?

  “What about you?” She turned to face him. “Are you not a lord of some sort?”

  “I suppose I am.” He hadn’t wanted her to look at him as a part of the nobility. Lucas had wanted her to see him as a man first. “Officially, my title is the Earl of Darcy, but I’d still prefer it if you called me Lucas.” He took a step toward her. “Will you tell me your name now?”

  He hoped she would. If he could have one gift this Christmastide season he wanted to know her, and it could start with her name. “Lia,” she answered. “You may call me Lia.”

  “Nothing else?” He lifted a brow. “Do you not trust me?”

  She shook her head. “It has nothing to do with that my lord.” Lia stepped toward him. “I find it difficult to put my faith in anyone, but if there is one person in the world I can trust—I do believe it could be you.”

  Lucas took another step closer to her. He was drawn to her in ways he could never explain. Ever since he first saw her in the carriage he’d wanted to help her, and now he would claim her if she allowed it. He’d never understood why Edward was so drawn to Lady Marin, but now perhaps he might. Sometimes it just took finding the right woman to make things clearer. “I’m glad you consider me worth trusting.” He brushed his hand over her dark hair. “I would never hurt you.”

  “I do believe you.”

  “Come,” he said. “Let’s go downstairs. Aine said that they were going to have a soiree of some sort and tell tales. I’d be happy to spend the evening with you if you’ll allow it.”

  She nodded her head. “I’d like that.”

  They walked to the door and went down the stairs to head to the salon where the festivities were being held. The sound of laughter echoed back at them. How many people had been stranded by the blizzard? Suddenly, he didn’t really want to join everyone. At least not just yet. He wanted a few more moments alone with Lia. “I need a drink. Car
e to join me in finding one before we go into the salon?”

  “They might have refreshments already inside…”

  “True,” he agreed. “But not necessarily the ones I want. You can go ahead of me if that is what you wish.”

  She glanced toward the salon and back at him. “I think I’d rather stay with you. I don’t know anyone in there.”

  “You don’t really know me.” He smiled at her and tried his best to be charming. “I understand your apprehension.” Her eyes were filled with a mixture of kindness and fire, and a deep sadness he recognized in himself. Something had happened to make her so distrustful. Lucas wanted to protect her from anything that could ever harm her. “Follow me I have a feeling I know where I can find some good brandy.”

  “I don’t like any spirits,” she said evasively. “But I’ll still come with you.”

  “Most ladies do not care for brandy,” he offered. “A lot do like sherry though. Have you ever tried it?”

  She shook her head. “In my experience anything that can lead to someone becoming foxed or light headed ends badly.” Lia smiled softly. “I’d prefer not to have any if it’s all the same to you.”

  “Of course.” He looped his arm with hers and led her away from the salon. They walked down a hall until they reached another room. He pushed open the door and smiled. A library… Not a usual room for a brothel, but he was glad to find it. In the back of the room was a set of double doors leading outside and completely paned with glass. Sheer curtains hung over them. He led her over to the doors and pushed a curtain to the side. The snow continued to blow outside.

  “How long do you think the storm will last?”

  “No way of determining that,” he answered. “Are you in a hurry to leave?”

  She turned away from him not meeting his gaze. He had been afraid she might be running from something but he couldn’t help her if she didn’t trust him with the details. There had to be a way to make her more comfortable with telling him her secrets.

  “I’m sorry.” She turned away from him. “There’s only so much I can trust you with.”

  “What can you tell me?” he asked softly. “I promise whatever it is it’ll stay between the two of us.”

  She remained quiet for several moments. He wished there was a way to reassure her, but she was so skittish. Finally, Lia glanced up at him. “My father decided to betroth me to a man he does business with. I can’t marry him. So I ran away.”

  That explained a lot. “You don’t love him?” He didn’t like the idea of her being tied to another man. Lucas wanted her for himself. He wasn’t sure if it would be forever, but he liked the idea of spending the rest of his days unraveling the mystery of Lia.

  “I could never love a man as despicable as the comte. He’s an evil man.” She smiled, but her lips were wobbly. “He’d have left me to die on the side of the road. He probably wouldn’t have even stopped to see if anyone needed help. At his core he is a very selfish man.”

  Lucas hated him already. “As long as you’re here with me I’ll protect you. He won’t find you and even if he does I’ll make sure he can’t take you away.”

  “Thank you.” Lia’s voice was barely above a whisper. A tear fell down her cheek. “I am so glad to have met you.”

  Lucas wiped the tear from her cheek then leaned down and kissed the spot it had trailed down. It hurt him that she had to endure so much. A girl like her didn’t deserve to be treated with such disregard. He might come to regret it later, but he had to kiss her. He’d regret it if he didn’t... Lucas pressed his lips to hers and tasted her. Her lips were sweet and tasted like the most decadent dessert. She sighed and her lips parted giving him the opportunity to deepen the kiss. When he touched his tongue to hers he felt as if he finally found heaven and she became everything good in his world. For her he’d fight any demon that crossed their path, and if need be he’d lay down his life to protect hers.

  The kiss gave him a sense of purpose, of knowing, and in that moment with this hedonistic kiss he realized what he wanted—her. Lia needed him, and he did her in return. They could face the world together. No one would come between them. He’d see to it. Lucas lifted his head and met her gaze. “I think I’m falling in love with you.”

  Her lips tilted upward into a contented smile. “Is it possible to fall in love in a matter of mere hours…?”

  “Some say it’s possible to fall in love at first sight.” He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “I’ve been smitten since the moment I stopped to help you out of that carriage. Maybe even before I realized who I went to aid—something spoke to me earlier. I don’t know if it was fate or another higher being, but I do believe I was meant to find you tonight.”

  “It’s a wonderful sentiment,” she agreed. “Either way I’m glad it was you.”

  Lucas couldn’t be certain what his future would entail, but he did believe she would be by his side for all of it. His heart beat for her and he intended to spend the rest of his days becoming more acquainted with her. “I think we should go to the salon now and listen to these tales they are telling.” He kissed her forehead. “I don’t trust myself alone with you without plenty of chaperones.”

  She laughed lightly. “I like your kisses. But you’re right. We should go where all the guests are and join the festivities.”

  They headed to the salon in the midst of a tale of Christmas. All of the guests smiled as they listened, but Lucas only had eyes for his Lia. The rest of it didn’t matter. He was happy and hoped to always feel as blessed as he did in that moment.

  Chapter 5

  The celebrations around the tree had been nice to witness and enjoy. The revelry between all the guests stranded because of the snow storm had been contagious. Lucas had been happy even before him and Lia joined them. While he liked the soiree that had been planned, he’d have been just as happy if it he’d been alone with Lia.

  “If you had one wish,” he turned to Lia and asked. “What would it be?”

  She smiled up at him. “There’s nothing I’d like more than to capture this moment and never let it go. I wish there was a way to preserve it.”

  Lucas had a similar wish, but this was only the beginning. He just needed to find a way for her to open up to him. She’s said very little to him about her past, her family, and why she’d left home. He doubted she’d agree to an impromptu marriage so soon after meeting him. It was rather preposterous he was considering it himself. They’d been acquainted less than a day. Yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were fated to be together. “That would be a novel idea,” he said to her. “To rewind time and relive it whenever the notion appealed to us. It would be wonderful to revisit some of our favorite memories at the snap of our fingers.”

  “We do have those memories inside here.” She tapped her head. “So we can go back from time to time, but I don’t think it’s the same. As time goes by those memories are altered or we don’t recall them in the same way as we believe.”

  “You sound as if you’re speaking from experience.” What memory was she talking about? What changed for her? Lucas wanted to know everything about her, but he also realized that they would need to take their time learning those details about each other. “What has you suddenly so melancholy?” Sadness nearly poured from her gaze. He wanted to erase it if he could.

  “It’s nothing,” she said. “As I said… Some things are worth remembering and I fear that this day will be lost to me one day. Let’s enjoy it while we can.”

  He lifted his hand and caressed her cheek. “Let’s go somewhere we can be alone.” If her desire was to hold on to this day and all it had in store for them—then he’d give her every moment of it he could. They would be able to make the best of the precious time they had together away from the crowd in the salon in front of them. He’d like to kiss her once more too if she’d allow it.

  “I’d like that,” Lia replied. “Where would we go? It’s too bad the storm is still raging. It would be lovely if we could walk
outside.”

  Lucas would rather not brave the snowstorm—or the freezing air. Truthfully, he hated the idea of taking a stroll in the bitter cold. He favored the warm air of spring or the sultry heat of summer. Even the cooler temperatures of fall would be preferable to winter weather. “Do you like snow or the cold?”

  “No,” she said. “But the nice thing about frigid temperatures is no one particularly enjoys them. We’re less likely to be interrupted.”

  “That’s true,” he agreed. “I’ve never considered that aspect of the colder weather.” Society as a rule tended to stay inside more during the winter than they did in the spring or summer. He suddenly saw the appeal of the chilly months. “Maybe once the storm recedes we can take advantage of it.”

  “That would be lovely,” she said and then lifted her lips up into a soft smile. “Now where are we going?”

  “We could return to the library,” he offered. “It was quiet earlier.”

  “It was,” she replied. “But it’s less likely to remain so as the soiree dies down. Some will go to their rooms. Others will look for their own private place to continue their revelry. I doubt we’ll be able to have it to ourselves for long. Though if you wish we can certainly take advantage of it until we’re overrun by Mrs. Klaus’s guests.”

  If the library, and the outdoors weren’t available there was only one place they could go to be alone—the room Lucas was supposed to be sharing with Edward. The duke was enclosed with Callista in the room she’d been assigned with Lia. So that left his room empty. Though the temptation of having her near a bed…might be too much for him. “We could go upstairs.”

  She nibbled on her lip and glanced away. “All right.” Her voice was timid and he was unsure if he should press her to go to his room. He didn’t want her to be uncomfortable.

  Lucas wound his arm with hers. “Are you sure?” Did she understand what he was asking? He would not take advantage of her, but being alone in that room—it could possibly destroy her reputation. All Lucas wanted to do was protect her. He’d been doing that since he pulled her from of the broken carriage.