The Governess's Scandalous Marriage

by Helen Dickson

  As they talked and ate, Linnet was vaguely aware of Christian’s appreciative gaze on her face as she handed Alice a cup of lemonade. When the child had eaten and drunk her fill, Linnet picked some thin reeds growing by the side of the lake. Sitting beside Alice on the grass, she proceeded to show her how to plait them together. When Alice had become completely absorbed in her task, Linnet left her to it and returned to Christian, who was sitting with his back resting against a tree, one knee drawn up against his chest and his arm draped across it, completely relaxed.

  ‘I must spend more time with her,’ he said. ‘She’s a delightful child.’

  ‘Yes, she is—and a delight to teach. She’s intelligent and creative and never bored.’

  * * *

  When it was time to return to the house, after packing the picnic away, Linnet noticed that Alice’s eyelids were beginning to droop.

  ‘I think we have a tired little girl on our hands,’ she whispered to Christian. ‘She’s exhausted—although I usually put her down for a nap at this time.’

  ‘I’ll take her.’ Immediately Christian swung the child into his arms, settling her head in the crook of his neck.

  ‘You have a way with her,’ Linnet said as they headed for the house. She was carrying Pol and the little boat Christian had made for her. It would take pride of place in the nursery. ‘It’s good to see her so happy.’

  Reaching the house, Christian carried the still-sleeping child up to the nursery.

  ‘Shall I take her?’ Linnet asked, holding out her arms.

  ‘Allow me to put her to bed.’

  ‘Of course. She is your little girl, after all.’

  Momentarily their eyes met and then he looked away and carried Alice to her bed. He tenderly laid her on her bed and pulled the covers over her. Gazing down at her fragile features, for the first time he placed a kiss on her soft cheek, inhaling the sweet innocence of her.

  Linnet accompanied him out on to the landing. ‘Thank you for coming with us on our picnic. I don’t think you realise how much it has meant to Alice having you with her.’

  His expression was grave. ‘I do. It’s been a pleasure for me, too. Thank you for inviting me.’

  Linnet watching him go with a warm feeling glowing inside her, feeling that something worthwhile had been achieved.

  * * *

  The hour was late and, feeling restless and unable to sleep, and pulling her robe over her nightgown, Linnet left her room to go down to the kitchen to warm some milk. The house was quiet, and only the chimes of a distant clock tolling one o’clock broke the silence. She glanced about her, peering into shadows and dark recesses as she went down the stairs.

  * * *

  Christian was in the drawing room. After a hard day out of doors, he was enjoying some time alone before going to bed. The room was in semi-darkness. Having removed his jacket, he was seated before the dying fire with his legs stretched out in front of him. Glancing through the open door and into the hall, he was amazed to see Linnet move smoothly down the stairs, looking like a waif—flowing white in ribbons and lace.

  Immediately he was on his feet and moving quietly to the door. Linnet turned and gasped when he suddenly appeared in front of her. His bold brown eyes raked her quite openly.

  ‘Ah! Another night owl.’

  * * *

  His voice, as soft and smooth as the finest silk, stroked Linnet like a caress. She felt its impact even as she realised how intently he was studying her face. Her heart turned over, for despite his dishevelled appearance, with a heavy lock of hair dipping over his brow he looked remarkably impressive with his crumpled white shirt half-open to reveal the strong muscles of his neck. The memories of the times they had been alone together, the intimacies they had shared, and with them the emotions she had felt, the feelings she wanted so desperately to deny, swept over her and she knew that what she felt for him had not changed. It was still very much alive inside her. She was scandalised by the stirrings inside her that the mere sight of him commanded and she resented this hunger, this need, that held her captive to her emotions.

  She could not allow herself to continue in this way. The sooner she left Park House and put Christian Blakely behind her, the better it would be for her peace of mind.

  ‘Looking for me?’ Christian enquired.

  ‘Actually, I wasn’t,’ she replied. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you.’ She flushed, tightening her robe about her. ‘I couldn’t sleep so I thought I’d come and get myself some hot milk.’

  ‘How about a nice Madeira instead?’

  ‘Oh—I—I don’t usually...’

  ‘Drink? Now’s the time to start.’

  Christian stepped back and swept his arm inwards in a silent invitation for her to proceed. Linnet complied and Christian watched as she boldly crossed the room. He was fascinated by the play of firelight on her hair falling in loose waves down her spine. His breath caught in his throat as the outline of her lithe body was subtly betrayed through her flimsy night attire. He was quickly brought back to the present when she sat in front of the fire and looked at him.

  ‘Well?’ she asked. ‘You offered me a glass of Madeira. How long do I have to wait?’

  Grinning wickedly, he crossed to a sideboard and poured two glasses of Madeira. Handing one to her, he sat opposite, watching her closely, unable to believe his luck that he should find his heart’s desire wandering about the house in her night attire at the dead of night.

  Linnet sipped the amber liquid slowly, savouring the flavour, feeling its warmth flow through her.

  ‘Are you usually up this late?’ she asked.

  ‘Occasionally. I like some time to myself and my thoughts after a busy day.’

  ‘And I have to intrude. I apologise.’ She raised her glass and gulped down the Madeira, then put it on a small table beside her before getting to her feet. ‘I’ll leave you to your thoughts.’

  Christian’s long, lean body unfurled and he stood up. ‘What if I tell you that I don’t want you to leave?’

  There was a moment of silence. Both of them were rather ill at ease now, the implication of his last words all too clear.

  ‘Would you like another glass of wine?’

  She shook her head.

  Reaching out, he took her hand. ‘Don’t be in such a hurry to go. I can’t think of anything more pleasurable than whiling away the night hours with such charming company.’

  Reading the sudden glow in his eyes, Linnet felt a frisson of alarm. ‘I really think I must go.’

  ‘Must you?’ He didn’t want her to leave and was reluctant to let go of her hand. He was content to let his eyes dwell on the softness of her lovely face, to gaze into the depths of her eyes, to glory in the gentle sweep of her long dark lashes which dusted her cheeks.

  Almost without conscious thought of what he was doing, he moved his head closer to hers, overcome by a strong desire to draw her mouth to his and taste the sweetness of her quivering lips, which he did, succumbing to the impulse that had been tormenting him ever since she had entered the room. The moment he placed his mouth on hers Linnet parted her lips to receive the longed-for kiss, her heart soaring with happiness. He kissed her slowly and deliberately, and Linnet felt a melting sweetness flow through her bones and her heart pour into his, depriving her of strength.

  With a deep sigh Christian drew back and gave her a searching look, his gaze and his crooked smile drenching her in its sexuality.

  ‘There are times, Linnet Osborne, when you confound me,’ he murmured.

  Her cheeks aflame, Linnet drew a long, shuddering breath, her whole being bent on recovery. ‘We really shouldn’t be doing this. Someone might come in.’

  ‘No, they won’t. Everyone is in bed. We are entirely alone.’

  Christian wasn’t concerned that they might be interrupted—the servants were usually in bed
and left him alone at this hour and he was determined to use the time alone with Linnet to complete advantage.

  Linnet couldn’t have said when the exact moment occurred when she sensed a change in him, but she became aware that when he looked at her his eyes narrowed and the atmosphere seemed suddenly charged with subtle tension. It seemed a lifetime passed as they gazed at each other. In that lifetime each lived through a range of deep, tender emotions new to them both, exquisite emotions that neither of them could put into words.

  Linnet recognised her emotions were in danger of getting the better of her and she stepped away from him, away from the gentle touch of his finger on her cheek. Though sorely lacking experience in the realms of desire, instinct assured her the wanton yearnings gnawing away inside her were nothing less than cravings that Christian Blakely had elicited from her before. At that moment she wanted him to kiss her so badly, to taste all she had experienced before in his arms. She wanted to taste all he was offering now and was growing heady with anticipation, but, she asked herself, could she live with the pain afterwards?

  She suffered only a moment’s uncertainty. She would feel the pain when it was over and they parted anyway. But she didn’t want to go without feeling the passion first.

  His face lowered slowly to hers and his lips captured hers, taking possession, searching, demanding, consuming the delicate sweetness in a delicious assault. His kiss was slow and evocative, his tongue invading her mouth in a rhythm suggestive of something more erotic. When he finally raised his head he held her at arm’s length, doing a slow sweep of her body.

  Linnet laughed softly. ‘Hasn’t anyone told you that it’s rude to stare.’

  ‘Frequently, but tonight I have something worthwhile to look at. You, my love, have far too many clothes on.’

  ‘As you do, my lord.’

  ‘Then I suggest we do something about it.’

  Pressing her back to lie full length on the chaise longue, her head supported by soft cushions, he left off kissing her.

  ‘Dear Lord, Linnet, see what you do to me. You want this,’ he said, ‘say it.’

  His voice was low with a husky rasp and his eyes held hers captive, gleaming in the dim light. The effect of his warmly intimate expression made Linnet’s heart turn over. She knew she should say no, that she mustn’t stay, but his potent virility was acting like a drug on her senses, the tug of his voice, his eyes too strong for her to resist. Sensations of unexpected pleasure washed over her, making her want to stay, making it impossible for her to leave. She realised it was no longer possible to put a stop to what she had so dangerously begun when she had entered the room—and did she want to? she asked herself. The answer was clear—no, she didn’t and what she felt had nothing to do with what was right or wrong. At that moment she wanted so badly for her life to be different, to be daring—perhaps even a bit shocking—to taste all that she had missed. This was what she had been wanting from that first time he had kissed her, she was not going to risk losing this opportunity to finally feel like a woman. Just once, she promised, sliding her hands over his chest, revelling in the exhilarating experience.

  What was happening to her? Linnet had never felt like this, but she recognised the feeling. It was happiness, a feeling she had not felt in a long time, and never with such warmth, such intensity. Christian touched her lips with his own.

  ‘I think the answer is yes,’ he murmured.

  ‘Yes. I want the same thing you do.’

  ‘Then I think we should continue this conversation in more comfortable surroundings, don’t you, Linnet? Come. Let us retire to the bedroom, where neither conscience nor servants will intrude.’

  * * *

  Linnet took little notice of the magnificence of the bedroom with its many exquisite objects and works of art, of tasteful furniture, and thick carpets into which her feet sank. The only thing she was conscious of was the huge bed, waiting—and the man she was to share it with in such a short time.

  Slowly Christian moved towards her, towering over her, his physical presence rendering her weak.

  ‘This,’ he said, glorying in the tender passion in her eyes, feeling the heat flame in his belly as he drew aside the curtain of her hair and placed a kiss in the warm, sweet-scented hollow of her throat, ‘is the moment I’ve been thinking of ever since I first saw you.’

  As his lips trailed over her flesh, with a gasp of exquisite pleasure she threw her head back and closed her eyes. ‘I cannot believe I am letting you do this,’ she breathed softly. ‘I am heading for something I cannot possibly know how to handle.’

  ‘Then I will teach you,’ he replied softly, seductively.

  Linnet shivered as the delightful sensations were renewed when he began kissing her once more. Lost in the stormy kiss, she was not at first aware when his fingers began to pull at the belt securing her robe, but when she realised what he was doing a wave of panic swept over her. Pulling away slightly, she opened her eyes, warmth flaring in the pit of her stomach at his scorching look.

  ‘What are you doing?’

  Seeing the apprehension in her eyes, her uncertainty, Christian smiled slowly. ‘What do you think I’m doing? I don’t want to make love to you with your clothes on.’

  Linnet’s lips trembled into a smile. ‘I usually disrobe myself, but if you insist...’

  ‘I do,’ he murmured. ‘Someone has to remove your clothes and, when the need arises, I make a perfect lady’s maid.’

  He began to disrobe her, eager to view her perfect body unfettered by clothes. His fingers fumbled with the fastenings on her robe, slipping it from her shoulders when he succeeded in releasing them. Her thin white nightdress, trimmed with fine lace which clung to the perfect orbs of her breasts, received the same attention and when it lay in a pool at her feet she heard his quick intake of breath as her body was revealed to him, his eyes fastening hungrily on her naked beauty. Her skin was white and cream and gloriously lovely, and he was bewitched, helpless to temptation.

  ‘Truly, my love, I have never seen such perfection.’

  ‘I am flattered that you think so. You are handsome, too, my lord, with few imperfections if any.’

  Then it was his turn. Linnet was more than happy to assist. When his shirt was removed she drew back, somewhat in awe of her handsome lover with almost adoring reverence. She stroked the muscles of his chest, following her hands with her lips, tentative at first, as if she’d had time to reconsider what she was doing, but as she felt the heat of him, she seemed to relax a little and began placing tantalising, featherlight kisses on his warm flesh. Christian watched her, amazed by her gentle passion.

  Stripping off the rest of his clothes, Linnet caught her breath at the marvellous perfection of the powerful body displayed before her eyes—so earthy, so vital and strong. His arms came around her and he lifted her up, and with exquisite tenderness he kissed the soft flesh of her breasts, her shoulders, her neck. She tasted faintly of her own perfume and he was suddenly hungry for an even more intimate taste of her.

  As passion flared between them, suddenly they were on the bed, although she could not remember how they came to be there, with his mouth moving lingeringly over hers, unable to stifle a gasp when his lips left hers and took possession of her breast. She would never have suspected that the feel of a man’s lips on such a secret part of her body could create such incredible pleasure. As he stretched out beside her he knew he would need patience to wait for her to reach fulfilment. A woman was supposed to be terrified of the experience which lay ahead of her, terrified because she was ignorant of what it entailed, but told to endure it because gentlemen liked it. Even though he burned to possess her, he would be gentle with her. He didn’t want to risk alienating her from his bed. Placing his arm about her waist, he drew her against his taut, tightly muscled length, touching her hair with his lips.

  ‘I want you to relax. There will be a drifting of the se
nses, soft kisses, an initiation in the art of love, moving towards a climax that will please us both,’ he murmured.

  Linnet pressed closer, warming her shivering body against the satin of his bare skin. Fingers caressed her spine, moving lower to the roundness of her buttocks, her thighs. Linnet sighed, her trembling hands reaching to hold him. The scent of his flesh filled her with a heated glory of wanting, with desire.

  She stirred restlessly beneath his tender assault. The way his hands moulded to the roundness of her body was making her feverish. Then his lips joined his hands, capturing the aroused peaks of her breasts, his tongue flicking and pulling at her, nipping softly, tasting her. He was determined that she would feel pleasure, not to satisfy himself until he knew she was satisfied, as well.

  He moved his hand slowly up her inner thigh. To his delight and amazement, Linnet’s hips slowly began to writhe sensually, pressing, arching herself closer, as if an unknown force was compelling her as he continued touching her here, caressing and kissing her there, so that no part of her escaped. Her trembling innocence was incredibly erotic—he longed to bring her to ecstasy.

  She gasped with shock, shocked to her ladylike core. She had no idea how to respond to his scandalous attentions. She lay there, open to him. He was stirring such sensations in her. She tried to draw away from him, but Christian moved his hands beneath her in a relentless grasp and he began to raise her hips to make her more accommodating. They came together almost instantly. Now there was no gentleness in him, nor in her, and when she wrapped her legs about him, she moved her hips beneath him.

  ‘Try to be still,’ he murmured, his voice deep and soft and utterly determined.

  ‘I’m all right. Truly—please—don’t stop now.’

  She gasped as he renewed his wicked assault, but she was powerless beneath his experienced hands and could only let her head fall back in helpless abandon. Just as it had been at Woodside Hall in the gardens that night, and again on her first night at Park House, she felt herself being drawn into the same hypnotic spell that had trapped her then. As Christian moved inside her, she felt something wild and primitive growing, something so wonderful that her consciousness receded as she unwittingly drove him to unparalleled agonies of desire, and just as she thought she must cry out, ask him to stop, the sheer pleasure at being with him took her over. Their need for each other overwhelmed them and Linnet’s body, released at last from its long-held virginity, became insatiable for him. Her mind and all her anxieties seemed to dissolve so that she was aware of him and only him as he controlled all her senses. She seemed to be hurtling through space where there was no past, no future, no responsibilities, only this moment.