by Alexa Silver
Through her years in town, Lexa had witnessed other young women—maidens, wives, and widows—slip off into gardens with practiced rakes who never lost the edge of manipulation from their faces. Lexa didn’t know if Val wanted her as badly as he seemed to, but his expression lacked artifice. He pressed his hand tight to her bottom, showing her how to circle her hips for maximum effect. She should stop this, her body hesitated against his until he gently but firmly set her moving against him again.
Lexa wrapped her arms around him, trying repeatedly to stop her hips from following where his hand led, but she couldn’t. She rolled her hips against him, quivering with a need she’d barely discovered before it had been taken from her a few months ago. She heard her breaths escape her lips in whispering gasps as shivers coursed over her flesh. Lexa knew she had but one chance to regain her sanity.
“Your Grace…”
“Val…”
“Val, then. We must stop.”
“Not yet. I wish my dance partner satisfied at the end our time together, even if I am not. Press harder against me, Lexa, and don’t just roll your hips. Thrust to and fro…press and release…”
Lexa gasped as her hips ignored her brain to follow his instructions. She thrust forcefully against him applying repeated pressure to her feminine folds, moisture gathering between her splayed legs.
“Good girl, now don’t stop.”
Val lifted her breast from the encasing silk of her neckline so she was exposed to the brisk night air of late spring. He lowered his head, sucking the taut nipple into his hot mouth. Lexa threw her head back, shuddering mindlessly against his hard body. She sobbed as her body was racked with waves of pleasure unlike anything she’d experienced in her entire life.
She clung to him, her fingers clenched in his hair as she shuddered in his embrace. He bit gently on her nipple while she clutched him, rocking her hips against him to prolong the pleasure she felt. She was going to die. Nothing else made sense.
He stroked her softly, slowly easing her down from the peak of pleasure she’d just experienced. Lexa panted in his arms. If Val hadn’t maintained his hold, she would have collapsed into a heap at his feet. Her eyes fluttered open, meeting his. He looked far too pleased with himself for her liking. Damn. What sort of wanton was she becoming to allow him such freedom of her person? What must he think of her?
“Ah, Lexa. You were born to dance.” He pressed a soft kiss to her open lips. “Thank you for allowing me to be your teacher tonight.”
“So now you’ll leave, never to return?” Lexa tensed. “Or worse, tell others what a fine dancer I am?”
He pressed a single finger over her lips. “No. I am a gentleman, not a tale bearer.”
“Then what?”
“It’s entirely up to you. You can decide never to dance with me again, though I hope you don’t. Or you can allow me to further our acquaintance and continue your dance instruction.”
“I would like to further our acquaintance, Val, but dancing should come later.”
He chuckled at her words. Lexa frowned, not understanding what he found funny. Val leaned close. “You just ‘came,’ my lady and I promise you, dancing will come later. And come… and come.”
Heat filled her cheeks and she was grateful the darkness hid her blush. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know you didn’t, but I did.”
“This is wrong. I’m not…” She shook her head, trying to find a phrase which didn’t sound like something from a penny dreadful.
“Do you think I don’t realize it? I’m not the sort of man who seduces lonely women, but you bring out the rake in me.”
“So it’s my fault?”
“No. I take full responsibility for my own behavior, but I want to tease you. Play with you.” He kissed her, easing her sensitive breast back inside her dress. She trembled, residual arousal flaring back to life as his fingers brushed her. Val’s black eyes were sincere, almost painfully so. “Lexa, I want to be the man who teaches you to dance.”
They stared into one another’s eyes. Lexa wanted to say yes, oh how she did. Should she trust him now? Tonight was the test. If she could take the leap, she could begin again. Should she leap?
“Yes.”
“Yes? But yes to what?” He asked. “Do you know what you agree to?”
“I want you to teach me to dance. Will you?”
“Immediately, if not sooner,” he growled. He grasped her hand and tugged her across the balcony and into the bright lights of the ballroom.
“Val,” she hissed. “Slow down. People are staring.”
“Let ‘em.” He continued to tug her in his wake weaving expertly through the throngs of people.
This was not proceeding as she’d planned. Somehow Val had taken the bit in his teeth and was running away with her. In spite of herself, Lexa enjoyed it. No, she reveled in it. He wanted her…badly…and she couldn’t keep the grin from her face as she triumphed in his desire. Unfortunately, the evening wasn’t quite over yet for a bird of paradise stalked them.
Somehow she had known this evening couldn’t go completely smoothly. Felt it in her bones. And she’d been right. Lexa hadn’t seen her at first, though how she missed the orange and red feathers of the costume she didn’t know. They were being stalked by Lady Elizabeth Hawkins, who now stood directly in their path. Lexa groaned.
“I know. I’ve been trying to avoid her, without luck. She’s giving chase.” Val growled over his shoulder.
If ever a costume was entirely appropriate, it was Elizabeth Hawkins dressed as a bird of paradise. The widow intended to mimic the bird, but she looked more like she belonged at a cotillion for the demimonde. Her lush large breasts rose from the tight bodice of her red and orange gown which forced her rouged nipples upward to peek teasingly through the lace decorating the gown’s neckline. The pretense at modesty captured the eye of every man in the room. Enticing him to search for a seductive glimpse each time Elizabeth breathed. Her dampened petticoats clung to her hips and limbs drawing more than a man’s eyes to her, and she knew it. Moreover, she carried off the look with an aplomb which Lexa envied.
As a general rule, Lexa didn’t begrudge or condemn widows who took lovers. Maybe if she had been more free herself, her lover would never have looked at another. It wasn’t taking lovers for which Lexa loathed Elizabeth. No. It was because Elizabeth had taken her lover. An unforgivable sin.
“Your Grace, what a pleasure to see you again. You’ve been missing from town of late. Rusticating?” Even her voice oozed sensuality. Elizabeth purred. What other woman could purr and not elicit laughter?
“I visited family in the country.”
“Before or after rumors of the actress reached them, I wonder?” Her tinkling laughter caused a pool of silence to form around them.
Val drew Lexa close to his side, straightening to his full height. At first she thought he’d let it pass then she saw his face. He was wearing his “Duke” face. Elizabeth should start running. Immediately. If not sooner. Val had been dangerous confronting Daniel, but he was deadly now.
“After.”
Lexa closed her eyes. She’d heard the rumors. She knew of the actress. The beautiful, golden haired, amber-eyed actress who was the toast of London. Yes, she knew of her. Just as her poor mother had known of the numerous actresses and widows her father had entertained over the years. Lexa tried to draw away from Val, but he wouldn’t let her.
“It would seem your little shepherdess is anxious to return to Mama’s side. All prim and ladylike. Still the little girl, my lady?”
“Better a girl than a crone, Lady Elizabeth.” Yes, that drew the woman’s dark flashing eyes.
“So the little lamb has teeth does she?”
“She does. You’d best remember it.” Lexa nodded, lifting her chin.
“Oh heavens.” Lexa winced when she heard her mother’s faint cry of dismay from across the room.
She’d never hear the end of being the center of attention in
a confrontation between a man and his mistress. Her mother was firmly of the opinion that mistresses were best ignored. Still, Lexa had no intention of quitting the field of battle. Elizabeth had taken every opportunity fate had granted her to make Lexa look doltish. Enough was enough. She opened her mouth to speak, but Val spoke first.
“I think this conversation is at an end.”
Elizabeth took two steps closer stopping just out of his reach. Her full breasts rose and fell as she turned all of her womanly wiles on Val. Lexa waited for him to lose himself in the Elizabeth’s poise. Her beauty. Her lustfulness.
“Why leave with an innocent shepherdess when you could experience an exotic bird of paradise?”
Her soft murmur wasn’t intended to be heard by any but the three of them, but in the silence which surrounded them, it was. Gasps of shock, or anticipation, could be heard popping like champagne corks. Val smiled down at Elizabeth. Oh dear. It was a cold, cold smile. Lexa almost felt sorry for the other woman.
“Why, you ask? Because this innocent shepherdess knows when to behave like a lady…and when not to. Something which you have yet to learn, apparently. Good evening, Lady Hawkins.” With that he gave her the cut direct and tugged Lexa away.
She looked over her shoulder as Elizabeth turned an unbecoming shade of puce which completely clashed with her costume. Like a stone falling into a pond, space began to clear around her and ripples flowed outward as slowly backs were turned in her direction. Oh my. The ultimate. Val had just destroyed Elizabeth with two simple sentences. Lexa could have warned her. She’d only been on the receiving end of his cutting tongue once but she never wanted to experience it again. An enraged Val was a thing best avoided.
Chapter 3
Lexa was silent as the carriage moved away from the ball. Val rubbed his hands over his eyes. He hated her silence. It felt like yet another accusation and he was tired of them. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, determined not to let her see his concern. She frowned but she didn’t look angry. More…thoughtful than anything. Finally, she turned to look at him.
“Well, that rather doused the mood, didn’t it?”
“A bit.” He turned to her, smiling slightly when a dimple appeared in her cheek. He adored her dimples.
“Should we try again another night then?”
He sighed, thankful he hadn’t destroyed his chances with her. Val cleared his throat to ease the lump of relief away. “Do you want to wait? Or would you rather I teach you to dance…tonight?”
A delicate flush of color rose in her cheeks and her hands twisted in her skirt, revealing her uncertainty. If he could just decide for her…decide for them both. But making decisions for her had brought them to this pass in the first place. Better to let her choose the path.
“I’d like you to teach me tonight.” Her soft words eased the knot in his gut. His silence brought her head up. “Is that all right?”
He smiled. “It’s more than all right. It’s bloody brilliant.”
She burst into delighted laughter. “I don’t think you’ve ever cursed within my hearing before.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, I like it. I’d rather you be yourself around me than who you think I want you to be.”
“Truly?”
“Yes, Val.”
“Where shall we begin?”
They slowed as they ran into a patch of traffic. She cocked her head. The light from the street lamps illuminated her red hair, making it shimmer like flame in the dim carriage.
“I really don’t know where to begin. I thought we’d rely on your expertise in this area.”
Val tensed. Was she alluding to the Hawkins bitch and the actress? He opened his mouth to retort, then the light shone on her again and he quickly closed his mouth. She was blushing. Thank God he hadn’t made the cutting quip he’d intended. He’d spoken in haste before and it had cost him dearly. Never again would he be so ruddy stupid.
Just then the carriage took a corner too sharply. Val clutched the strap to keep from sliding around, ready to poke his head out the window to castigate the driver when Lexa landed in his lap. Suddenly, taking a corner on two wheels was far less important than it had been. He held her close, absorbing her warmth and the soft scent which clung to her.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes.” She started to pull away, but he held tightly to her.
“I find having you in my lap very appealing.”
“I’m not too heavy?”
“No.”
Damn her father. And her mother. Both of them had done their best to make this beautiful woman question her appeal to men. He pulled her solidly onto his lap, dropping a light kiss on her bare shoulder. Smooth as silk. Soft as down. Her dress had been tormenting him all night as far too many men had enjoyed the creamy expanse of bosom exposed in her shepherdess costume.
“I like your costume. You more than answered my challenge.”
“You dared me to dress like a woman tonight, so I did. Still I suppose most men would prefer someone like Elizabeth. She’s very beautiful.”
Val tensed. Was she accusing him again? He waited. No more words followed and he realized she was waiting for him to deny the older woman’s appeal. How could Lexa think he would ever prefer that overripe bawd to her?
“So you agree then, she’s beautiful?”
“Lexa, I will grant Elizabeth exudes lechery and some men want a lascivious woman. But she holds no appeal for me. She never has and never will.”
“Then why did you…?”
“You persist in believing a lie.”
She scrambled away from him, crossing her arms over her chest. Bloody hell. He’d destroyed the mood but he’d be damned if he didn’t challenge Lexa’s conviction that he’d bedded Elizabeth Hawkins.
“I never took her to my bed, dammit! Understand that now or there’s no hope in pursuing this.”
“You didn’t deny it before.”
“You wouldn’t let me get in a word when you found us together, Lexa. How could I possibly deny it?”
She leaned forward, staring at him. “I want to see your face. Your eyes.”
“What the devil for?”
“So I can see if you’re telling the truth. You’re a miserable liar at anything but cards.”
He chuckled. “You know me too well.”
“Do I?”
“I thought so. At least until you believed I’d ever take that doxy to my bed.”
“Most men find her pleasing.”
“I’m not most men.”
She sighed. “You’re right.”
The carriage slowed to a halt and he heard the footman dismount from the back to open the carriage door. Val climbed down, waiting to assist Lexa. He escorted her to the door.
“I didn’t realize you’d take me to Kendrick House.”
“Where did you think we were going?” She bit her lip, refusing to look up. “Where Lexa?”
“I thought you had a house for your mistress.” He stopped abruptly to look down at her bent head. What the hell was she thinking? He’d gotten rid of the place the day they were betrothed. “Now, I’ve made you angry. I’m sorry, Val.”
He sighed. “Come let’s go inside and be private.” What kind of man did she think he was and when had things gone so very wrong between them? He led her into the front hall, helping her to remove her cloak and mask.
His butler, Wenlock rushed forward, a rare smile gracing his starchy face as he took Lexa’s cloak and Val's domino. “Your Grace, it’s so pleasing to see you again. Should we fetch your baggage?”
Val winced as Lexa stiffened. He waited for her to say she wasn’t coming back, forcing himself to gaze at her face. She was so painfully lovely. A fine brow, full pouty lips, creamy complexion with the most delicate flush in her cheeks. Lexa was perfection in his eyes, yet she thought she was plain. Fat. Dowdy. Her parents had much to answer for.
To him she was everything he needed and the last three months without h
er had been hell. He’d missed waking beside her in the morning. He’d missed falling asleep with her in his arms. Their marriage may have had troubles, but it didn’t stop him loving her. The question was whether she felt the same.
*****
Lexa bit her lip and glanced up at Val. His face was frozen…uncertain. “Not tonight Wenlock, but perhaps soon. We’ll see, shall we?”
Wenlock’s face fell and he threw a look of reproach at Val before smoothing back his luxurious silver hair. “As you wish, Your Grace. We’re pleased to have you here.”
She patted his arm. “Thank you, Wenlock.”
“Her Grace will be staying the night. We’ll need breakfast in the morning.”
Wenlock unbent enough to smile happily. “Yes, Your Grace. I’ll tell cook, she’ll outdo herself, I’m sure.”
Val winked at Wenlock then set his hand against her low back to escort her across the imposing entry hall. The marble expanse had intimidated her so very much the first day Val brought her here as his bride. Heavens, it was six months ago now. Six months to the day. Had he considered it when he set up their assignation tonight?
She glanced up to meet his grave dark eyes. Knowledge was in them. Knowledge and memory. He’d chosen today on purpose. She looked down at her toes, blinking away tears. He must want their marriage to improve, but then he had heirs to think of. Mama told her that her first duty as Duchess was to provide Val a son. What a miserable wife she’d been. She couldn’t imagine why he even wanted her back.
“Stop thinking so hard, Lexa.”
He took her hand and led her up the wide stairs to the second floor. They turned to the left then left again to enter the family wing. The paneled walls were hung with portraits of the Dukes of Kendrick going back three generations and their predecessors the Earls of Hardcastle going back another four. It would have been frightening even if her family had the lineage of his, but they didn’t. Her mother was of the merchant class and it was her father who’d been granted the Earldom.
