Her Gypsy Lord (Magic and Mayhem #1)
Page 10
“What if I don’t want it ruled?” She didn’t. She wanted to be swept away by his lips and his touch. To burn with the need that nearly engulfed her before.
Adam cradled her face in his hands and lowered his lips once more. This time he didn’t tease but pressed on. Charlotte grasped him to her, molding her mouth to his, opening to him, needing to be closer. The flame ignited, her skin heated, her breasts swelled, and her clothing became unbearably tight. She pushed the coat from his shoulders, then started pulling at the buttons on his waistcoat as he loosened the back of her gown. He pushed her away only long enough to slide the sleeves down her body, and soon she was standing in only her shift, with the silk pooled at her feet.He stepped back, keeping her at arm’s length as his blue eyes raked her from head to toe. His heated gaze nearly scorched her.
“So beautiful. So perfect.”
Adam ripped the shirt over his head and then yanked both boots from his feet before returning to her.
“I must see what you’ve hidden from me.”
Charlotte blinked up at him as her face heated. He didn’t really expect her to be completely unclothed outside of the bed, did he?
A slow smile came to his lips. “There is no need to be shy, Charlotte. Not now. Not ever.”
And then, he touched her. Lifting her breasts as if weighing them. Her nipples tightened as heat shot to her most private areas. A moment later Adam pulled her against him, lifting her higher, and his mouth captured one breast through her shift.
Charlotte let her head fall back as a moan escaped her throat.
Adam carried her to the bed and together they fell onto it, their bodies entwining, his lips everywhere, and her hands caressing his skin.
She didn’t know how or when, but soon all clothing was gone and he was upon her, pressing against her womanhood. She wanted this. She needed this now. Charlotte arched and drew his mouth to hers as he thrust. The pain was gone almost as soon as it began and then he moved, drawing back and then forward. An ache, a need, pressure, pleasure, spinning and building. His lips on hers, his hands on her breasts, her body lifting to meet his.
“Come with me, Charlotte,” he whispered against her mouth.
And with those words, the most extraordinary burst of pleasure exploded deep inside of her as Adam arched and groaned, filling her deeper than he had before. The bed shook at the intensity, and fragile items fell from the shelves, crashing to the floor.
Adam stilled and lifted his head.
Charlotte glimpsed at him. At first, she’d thought the pure, exquisite eruption from within had altered everything around them, but now that she was more aware, coming back to the present, and reality, she realized that the shaking was something else altogether, though she wasn’t sure quite what it was.
“The earth moved,” Adam laughed.
“What do you think happened?”
“I’d like to think it was forces beyond our understanding removing Lord Tyrell from your presence,” he said as he pulled away from her and went to the window. Pushing the curtain to the side he glanced out. “My family, they’re looking to Castle Keyvnor and the sea.”
Charlotte pulled herself from the bed, her legs shaky from what she’d just enjoyed with her husband, and wrapped a blanket around her before joining him to look out. Some of his family was pointing, others were rushing towards the sea. “Do you think we should find out what is going on?”
Adam pulled her close. “If there is an emergency, or we are needed, they will come for us.” Turning toward her, he hugged her close, then pulled the blanket away. “This is our night, and I’m not leaving this cottage until the light streaks the skies.”
The cloud of passion lifted, and Adam stared at the ceiling while rubbing his hand up and down Charlotte’s back. He’d meant to remain in control. To be gentle and loving. But twice now he’d failed. However, he wasn’t the only one who’d been ruled by passion. She’d torn at his trousers while kissing his chest, needing him to be in her as much as he needed to be there after he’d first undressed her. Her enthusiasm for his touch hadn’t lessened the second time he brought her to him.
Would it always be like this, or was it simply because it was their first night together? As invigorating and satisfying as this was, Adam did hope that in time they could enjoy each other, prolong the ending, giving and getting pleasure, lazy and slow.
Charlotte tilted her head back and smiled up at him. The only thing she wore was the putsi around her neck, which would remain until tomorrow, when they were surrounded. The last thing Adam wanted was for Charlotte to be attacked tonight, of all nights. He didn’t fancy fighting a ghost in the nude.
“I do love you, Charlotte Vail.”
“And I so love you.”
Chapter 20
The camp was quiet when she and Adam emerged from the cottage the following morning. A few people were about, but most everyone was still asleep even though the sun had risen hours ago. Not that Charlotte blamed them. They had celebrated long into the morning hours. She’d heard them.
Whatever had happened last night that caused the ground to shake must not have been so dire that it would cause the celebration to cease.
Adam took her hand in his as they started for this grandmother’s wagon. Charlotte should be tired as well, having not slept much herself, but instead, she was exhilarated and ready to start her life as Adam’s wife.
And, in the light of day, she had a hard time believing any of this was real. Had she really met a beautiful man, fallen in love, and married in less than a week? She fingered the putsi around her neck. Had she not come for her fortune that first day, her parents may have already buried her instead.
A chill shot down her spine as the memories of being strangled flooded her mind.
The putsi had protected her, but had it made her fall in love too? Would this euphoria of being with Adam disappear once she returned the emerald? That was what she feared most. She hadn’t believed in magic when she arrived at Castle Keyvnor, but she certainly believed in it now. What if what tied them together was magic, a green stone that she must now hand over to his grandmother?
The older woman waited for them, a smile on her wrinkled face. “It is done.”
“I am now free?” Charlotte began to take the putsi from her neck.
“Leave it child. We were only assuming marriage and bedding would keep you safe.”
Her heart skipped a beat. The rushed wedding may not have been necessary? Not that she’d change anything that had happened since she had first glimpsed Adam chopping wood--other than near death--but Charlotte wasn’t certain how she felt about needing to wear this for the rest of her life.
“Remove it at Castle Keyvnor, near your family for your protection. It is where the baron wanders, where his strength may be. If he does not come after you when you remove it there, then you are safe.”
She let the pouch drop and nodded. “I’ll return it to you as soon as I know for certain that I am safe.”
The old woman grasped her hand. “No. Keep it.”
“You might have need for it?”
Her smile was kind, loving. “The emerald was fashioned for my daughter, then it worked for her son. I have no others who are in need of it, but one day, you will have daughters and sons of your own. It will show them their love as well.”
Daughters and sons? Of course she and Adam would have children. He did need an heir and a spare, but she really hadn’t given much thought to children.
“And, since my grandson’s passion for you is so strong, you will see your first born before a year has passed.”
“Is that her fortune, Puri daj? The one Charlotte came looking for?”
“No, Adam. Her fortune is you, and she is yours.”
Charlotte looked up into Adam’s blue eyes. He was her fortune and her future, and her fears this morning were for naught. He was her heart and her soul, and she didn’t need any stone to make it so.
Adam took a deep breath and escorted Charlotte i
nto Castle Keyvnor. They would not remain here as her things had already been delivered to Hollybrook Park, and as soon as the reading of the will was complete, her family would join them there until the wedding. It was the wedding that would be reported in the newspapers, if anyone bothered to ask. As far as Adam cared, he’d not set foot in London again, until it was absolutely necessary. He no longer had need to search for a wife.
Redgrave stepped into the foyer, his eyebrows raised in surprise. “You are still wearing that thing?” Then sent Adam a censuring look. “Did matters not proceed as planned?”
Was the man actually asking if Adam was not successful in bedding his wife? Had Charlotte not been standing there, Adam would have assured Redgrave that he’d done his duty, several times last night.
But as Redgrave was also Charlotte’s older brother, that might not be wise. “My grandmother thought it best to remove it here, where the threat originated, with others present in the event help was needed.
The light humor dropped from Redgrave’s lips and he sobered. “Of course. I’ll summon Michael.”
The brothers returned a short time later. Lord Michael had to be pulled from bed. His hair had not been combed, and his eyes were red from a night of celebration and too much wine. “Must we do this now?” he complained while rubbing his temple.
“Yes. I want it gone,” Charlotte nearly screeched and then grinned when Lord Michael winced.
“You’ve always had a cruel streak.” Lord Michael walked past Adam. “I should have warned you, but now it’s too late.”
“Enough,” she finally said and took a deep breath. “Let’s do this.”
The three of them surrounded her in the sitting room and Adam watched as she lifted the putsi from her neck, stretched out her arm, closed her eyes, and dropped it into his hand.
They waited.
Charlotte opened one eye. Then the other. Then looked around. Not even a slight breeze.
“Step back,” Adam said. Perhaps the putsi was still too close to her person.
They did. Still nothing.
He took another step back, putting distance between himself and his wife while he held tight to the talisman.
The air didn’t even stir.
“It really worked?” she asked in a whisper
Adam moved forward and pulled her into his arms. “It really worked.”
“I’m free,” she cried with happiness, and it was as if he could feel all tension leave her body, as it had a few times last night.
“That all depends on what you consider free. You are stuck with him now.” Lord Michael smirked.
“I’ll have you know that I’m very happy to be stuck with him.”
“And I couldn’t be happier to be stuck with her for the rest of my days.”
* * *
ALSO BY JANE CHARLES
* * *
Historical Romances
The Wiggons’ School for Elegant Young Ladies Series
To Walk in the Sun
Ghosts from the Past
* * *
The Tenacious Trents
Compromised for Christmas (novella)
A Misguided Lord
A Perfect Gentleman
A Lass for Christmas (novella)
A Reluctant Rake
Lady Revealed
Lady Disguised (novella)
Lady Concealed
A Tenacious Trents Wedding (novella)
Lady Admired
* * *
Tenacious Trent Connected Novellas
Landing a Laird
Devil in Her Dreams
* * *
Muses
Her Muse, Lord Patrick (novella)
Her Muse, His Magic (novella)
Her Muse, Her David
Her Muse, His Grace
* * *
A Gentleman’s Guide to Once Upon a Time Series
His Impetuous Debutante
His Contrary Bride
His (Not so) Sensible Miss
His Christmas Match
* * *
The Spirited Storms
Christmas Spirits
Ruined by A Lady (Evading the Duke anthology)
Weathering Captain Storm
Lady Hannah’s Holiday (coming soon)
* * *
To Love a Governess Series
Sacked – Regency Short
Handfasted – Regency Novella
Ruined – Regency Short
* * *
Contemporary
* * *
Baxter Boys
Rattled: Rattled #1 (Baxter Boys Series ~ Rattled)
Still Rattled: Rattled #2 (Baxter Boys Series ~ Rattled)
The Rattle Box: Rattled #3 (Baxter Boys Series ~ Rattled)
* * *
Baxter Academy
Valentine Wishes: The Legacy #1 (Baxter Academy Series ~ The Legacy)
Colors of You: The Academy #1 (Baxter Academy Series ~ The Academy)
Shadows of Memories: The Academy # 2 (Baxter Academy Series ~ The Academy)
Casting Doubt: The Academy # 3 (Baxter Academy Series ~ The Academy)
Between the Lines: The Academy #4 (Baxter Academy Series ~ The Academy)
* * *
About Jane
* * *
Jane Charles is a USA Today Bestselling author who has lived in the Midwest her entire life. As a child she would more likely be found outside with a baseball than a book in her hand. In fact, Jane hated reading until she was sixteen. Out of boredom on a long road trip she borrowed her older sister’s historical romance and fell in love. Eventually she penned one of the many stories that were always in her head and discovered her passion for writing. Jane is an author of both historical and contemporary and blames being a Gemini on why she can’t pick one over the other.
About Jane Charles
Jane Charles is a USA Today Bestselling Author and has lived in the Midwest her entire life. As a child she would more likely be found outside with a baseball than a book in her hand. In fact, Jane hated reading until she was sixteen. Out of boredom on a long road trip she borrowed her older sister's historical romance and fell in love with reading. She long ago lost count of how many novels she has read over the years and her love for them never died. Along with romance she has a passion for history and the two soon combined when she penned her first historical romance, and she has been writing since with the loving support from her husband, three children and three cats. She writes both historical (set in the Regency period) and Coming of Age contemporary.
Connect With Jane
@JaneACharles
JaneCharlesAuthor
www.janecharlesauthor.com
Also by Jane Charles
The Tenacious Trents
Compromised For Christmas
Landing a Laird
A Misguided Lord
A Perfect Gentlemen
Devil in Her Dreams
A Lass For Christmas
A Reluctant Rake
Lady Revealed
Lady Disguised
Lady Concealed
A Tenacious Trent’s Wedding
Lady Admired
The Spirited Storms
Christmas Spirits
Ruined by a Lady
Weathering Captain Storm
Lady Hannah’s Holiday
Wiggon’s School For Elegant Young Ladies
To Walk in the Sun
Ghosts From the Past
A Gentleman’s Guide to Once Upon a Time
His Impetuous Debutante
His Contrary Bride
His Not So Sensible Miss
His Christmas Match
Muses
Her Muse, Lord Patrick
Her Muse, Her Magic
Her Muse, Her David
Her Muse, His Grace
* * *
To Love a Governess
Sacked
Hand fasted
Ruined
* * *
CONTEMPORARY
Ba
xter Boys
Rattled: Rattled #1 (Baxter Boys Series ~ Rattled)
Still Rattled: Rattled #2 (Baxter Boys Series ~ Rattled)
The Rattle Box: Rattled #3 (Baxter Boys Series ~ Rattled)
* * *
Baxter Academy
Valentine Wishes: The Legacy #1 (Baxter Academy Series ~ The Legacy)
Colors of You: The Academy #1 (Baxter Academy Series ~ The Academy)
Shadows of Memory: The Academy #2 (Baxter Academy Series ~ The Academy)
Casting Doubt: The Academy #3 (Baxter Academy Series ~ The Academy)
Between the Lines: The Academy #4 (Baxter Academy Series ~ The Academy)