by Eva Andrews
Genevieve slid in next to him as she entered the group; Luke had felt her presence behind him and immediately made room for her as he continued to talk with Alastair.
Before Luke even had a chance to say hello, Alastair broke their conversation and whisked Vieve away for the next waltz. His irritation began to grow as he watched his best friend and his potential future wife walk away, arm in arm.
Heading towards the floor, Genevieve began to appreciate Alastair’s power, people moved out of his way, they kept their distance and were always polite. She enjoyed the personal space he created for her just by being around.
Guiding her into the beginning of the dance he complimented her, “You look incredible tonight Genevieve.”
“Thank you Your Grace,” having a bit of privacy on the ballroom floor she thought it’d be a good time to apologize, “I’m sorry I ruined the investigation last night. Had I known, I assure you I would have never went.” She knew Luke would have talked to him by now. She felt she owed him an apology as well. She knew how hard he worked in the War Office over the years, and he was her friend.
“What’s done is done, just trust Luke to see to spying from now on. He is our resident expert.” His tone told her he wasn’t mad, disappointed maybe, but not angry; Alastair was a gentleman to the core. He accepted her apology and put it in the past.
They passed many familiar faces while they waltzed, after getting her toes stepped on by Riverton; she enjoyed the duke’s expert dancing skills. He allowed her to woolgather as he flawlessly led her through their steps.
The group reconvened after the waltz was over and the men were in need of the drinks and the ladies wanted to stroll in the gardens. Grabbing drinks for all, the group walked outside.
The garden maze was famous, Amelia and Hero begged to try it out. Agreeing they paired up and entered the maze, the girls were delighted. The night sky was clear, and the moon lit up the gardens as they enjoyed the warm summer air together.
Genevieve allowed the younger girls and men to walk ahead of her; she walked slowly behind the group. With the others ahead of them in the dark maze, Luke pulled up beside her and put his warm hand on the small of her back and wrapped his arm around her hip. Giving her a little tug he brought her closer, it was the first time he’d been able to talk to her tonight, let alone touch her.
Leaning into her he whispered, “You look ravishing kitten, red makes you look like a sex goddess.”
Slightly turning her head so her lips were almost touching his jaw, “Is that so?” The sensuality in her tone surprised even her.
Feeling his fingers tighten around her hip, “I want to pull that dress from your body with my teeth kitten.”
She looked ahead and smiled, something inside her was screaming with victory, she never felt so alive before. Taking her hand likewise, she wrapped it around his trim waist. With no one behind them, they were free to do as they wished. The others had taken adjoining paths, they could hear the couples laugh and talk, but couldn’t see any of them.
Ever since their stolen kisses, she thought of nothing else, feeling extremely bold, “Maybe you should.” She whispered in the dark of the night.
She heard the quick intake of breath from her bold words. “Genevieve, you shouldn’t say such things to me, even I can’t resist such temptation.”
Her voice purred as she replied. “Then stop resisting Luke.”
Pulling her into a cozy dark nook, he pulled her into the shadows, running his hands over her hips and up her back as he pressed her into his hard body and lifted her up against him. He took her lips with a desire that made her wet. Never had anyone touched her so sensually, she wanted to rip his clothes off and taste every part of him.
Hearing others close Luke grabbed her hand and slid around the corner, “Jesus, what are you doing to me?” Running his other hand through his dark locks she stiffened at his words.
“What is wrong? Tell me or I can’t fix it.” He asked gently.
“I feel silly saying it Luke.” Blushing she tried tugging her hand out of his grasp.
“Out with it woman,” He teased, refusing to let go of her.
Without hesitation she blurted, “When you kiss me, I feel things I’ve never experienced before. It makes me have urges I’ve never felt, I like the way it feels, is that bad?”
“Genevieve Elizabeth St. George, nothing you feel with, or for me is bad, ever.”
“It is just so different than any other feeling I’ve experienced before, no one has made me feel that way when they kissed me,” she admitted quietly.
Luke asked in a coarse tone, “Who has been kissing you?”
“Luke, I’m three and twenty, I’ve been kissed before, thank you very much.” Jerking her hand out of his she started to walk away.
Walking up behind her he slid his arms around her waist and pulled her back against his chest, whispering into her ear he said, “Of course you’ve been kissed Vieve, I wasn’t implying no one would want you. Don’t you think I’ve seen the way men are looking at you tonight? Don’t you think every time you smile at another man or dance with another that it bothers me?”
Her back was plastered against his hard chest, his smell was making her weak in the knees again, “No one makes me feel the way you do Luke, how can I find a husband when the man who makes me come alive isn’t on my list?”
There, she said it. She needed to say it so she could sleep tonight, since he had seen the first list, he had already known he wasn’t on it. Again, she refused to place him on her new list, why? She wasn’t completely sure.
Slowly spinning her around to face him, he raised her hands and placed a kiss on both trembling hands, “Then put me on the list Vieve.”
Seeing Amelia and Alastair round the corner he took a step back and wrapped her arm around his and went to join them. There was no finishing their conversation here.
“There you two are, are you ready to head back?” Alastair asked them as they walked up.
“Show the way old boy.” Luke replied as he and Genevieve joined them at the corner. He noticed the look on her face just now when he asked to be placed on her ridiculous list. The woman melted him his hands, only his, yet the minx hadn’t thought to put him on the list. Silently, he wondered why.
The group reassembled on the patio and went back in together, the musicians were back from their break and the chords of a waltz began to play. Not even asking her permission or allowing anyone else to dance with his lady, Luke walked Genevieve directly to the dance floor, and in perfect unison they danced to the sensual waltz.
Luke could tell Genevieve was bothered by their previous conversation; in fact, he was a little out of sorts that he wasn’t even considered for her ridiculous husband list.
“Why wasn’t I on the list Vieve? Am I not good enough?” He asked, a little bit too bitterly. He probably should have waited until they were alone, but he wanted to know right now.
Furrowing her brow she said, “This isn’t about who is good enough Luke, it is about compatibility.”
“You are joking, surely?”
“Why is that hard to understand? I need a man who is quiet and gentle and likes the countryside.”
“What you think you want, and what you really need are quite different love.” He purred.
“What do you know of my needs Luke?” Growing angry she hissed at him.
“Hmm, let’s see. You want to be loved, you want to be cherished, and you need to be adored. You need fire and ice kitten. You need to feel secure and safe, as well as feel passion and love. You want a family, and you want a man you can trust with your heart and body. What I don’t understand is why you feel you could have those things with someone like the Egyptian bore, and not me. Why is he better than me?”
She looked into his eyes but refused to speak.
“You think you need a boring husband, a quiet life, and you couldn’t be more incorrect. I told you didn’t need a list days ago Vieve, I wasn’t joking.”
&nbs
p; “What does that mean?”
“When you dance with Riverton or any other man here, do you lean into him like you do with me? When you’ve been kissed, do they make you feel the way I do? Who’s presence can calm you? Why in the world would you try to find someone for your list, when you have a man holding you right now who wants to be the only name on your list, forever.”
“You want me?”
“Love, do you think I’d kiss you, touch you, pull you into darkened gardens like a love sick fool if I didn’t want you? Something changed Vieve, I don’t know when but it did. You make me feel needed. You make my blood boil with desire, I want nothing more to rip that gown off your body and make you mine tonight. I hate seeing any other man touch you, I want all of your smiles and attention, and I want all of your affection. You make me feel something I’ve never felt with another, and that is worth fighting for.”
As the musicians brought the dance to a close he held escorted her back to the side of the room where their group hovered when Genevieve nearly lost her balance. Feeling her tense up he looked beside her to see Lord Rossdale standing next to her. He was coming to claim Annabelle for their dance and had bumped into Genevieve by accident. If Lord Rossdale’s nearness was enough to make her vomit; his touch had her going into a full-blown panic attack.
Nodding to Alastair to run a distraction, Luke nonchalantly started to walk away with Genevieve on his arm; he could tell her breathing wasn’t normal. Finding an exit for her, he squeezed her hand and said, “Hold on a few more seconds love.”
Finding a long corridor, they slipped out of view without anyone noticing, walking down the long hallway, he opened a door and pulled her inside. Letting go of her the moment he had them safely inside a locked room, he knew she needed a moment to herself.
Genevieve wrapped her arms around her waist, bending over she started to cry, “I can’t breathe Luke, help me!” She sounded tortured.
Walking up to her, he scooped her up into his arms and walked over to the velvet lounge chair and sat down, “Look at me kitten, focus on me, feel my touch. He can’t hurt you, I’ve got you.” He whispered, rubbing her back.
Holding her as she tried to calm her body and mind, he tucked her close against his chest; she fit perfectly in every way. The moonlight spilled into the room, casting a glow over her as they sat in the large room alone. The red silk contrasted against her ivory skin and dark hair. Her perfume surrounded them as he held her tight, seeing down her low-cut gown, he tried to regain control of the situation. Over the past few days they had covered much ground, especially tonight.
Luke knew they had been away for a while; he knew her parents would be worried. He also didn’t want someone to walk in and find them; he didn’t want her reputation to suffer. Although he had every intention of marrying her, he never wanted her hand forced. Getting engaged due to scandal was the last thing he wanted for them.
“We need to get back kitten, are you ready? We can find your parents and have them take you home.” He felt her nod and gave her one last hug before he shifted her and stood up.
She took a deep breath and linked arms with him, before he opened the door he heard her say, “Thank you for saving me, again.”
Tipping up her chin he gave her a slow emotional kiss that left her weak in the knees, holding onto him for support. She moaned as he ran his hands down her hips and grasped her ass.
Forcing himself to break their kiss, he reached for the door and said, “I’ll always be here to save you Vieve. Now, update your list, I’ll be over tomorrow morning to see it.”
Checking the corridor for people, he slipped out with her in tow and merged back into the crowds. Slowly winding their way to her parents, he handed her off to her father who immediately knew she had another attack the moment he laid eyes on her.
“Time to go home?” He asked gently, he noticed the concern in Luke’s eyes.
Nodding to her father, he exchanged a few quiet words with Luke off to the side while her mother collected Annabelle. Luke walked with the family out to the carriage line; helping Genevieve into the carriage he shook hands with her father and bid the ladies goodnight.
As he watched the carriage pull away he turned to find Alastair, they had work to do.
Chapter 6
Sitting in her favorite garden spot, the rare afternoon sun warmed her face as she read her novel. The warm morning sunshine felt like heaven against her skin, the birds chirped all around her as she soaked up the calm surroundings. Hearing her little brother Michael squeal with delight brought her out of her haze. Sitting down her book, she looked for the cause of his excitement, moments later Luke walked around the corner.
Pointing back towards the rose bushes he just passed, “I brought him some sweets from my cook, she over baked again, and I think he was digging in your mother’s roses again.” Smiling, he slowly walked up and sat down beside her. Not giving her any extra room, he leaned back in the garden seat and let the sun hit his face.
“No doubt burying hidden treasure again.” She muttered. Earlier this week she caught Michael burying her emerald earrings claiming they were his pirate treasure.
Absentmindedly he entwined his hand with hers as they sat together in the garden nook enjoying the warm afternoon, “Did you feel better once you got home last night?” Luke asked as his thumb caressed her hand.
“I did, I think Annabelle is catching on, she is extremely smart and observant.” Genevieve thought of the conversation she had with Annie last night, Genevieve still couldn’t bring herself to tell her sister Lord Rossdale triggered both attacks.
The entire way home in the carriage Annabelle talked nonstop about Rossdale. If Genevieve’s intuition was off, she didn’t want to jeopardize her sister’s chance of finding true love. If Rossdale were truly the man for Annie, she would have to find a way to be around him, for Annabelle’s sake.
“I had a meeting with your father this morning, I told him about how your recent attacks are triggered by Lord Rossdale. I felt he needed to know the cause of his daughters upset, I think he’s a little upset you didn’t tell him yourself.”
“Oh Luke! You told him? How upset is he?” Trying to gauge her father’s attitude, she knew she should have shared the information with him. Letting go of his hand she began to rub her temples.
“He is upset that a suitor of your sister’s is making you physically sick, he knows that isn’t normal. I shared with him some of my concerns regarding Rossdale. He admitted to making inquiries on him as well, your father is very apt.”
“Annabelle is taken with Rossdale, she is convinced he is going to ask for her hand.” Crossing her arms she sat back and closed her eyes.
“First, he needs your father’s permission, and right now I’m positive until the mystery surrounding his missing past and why he makes you panic is solved, your father will not be agreeing to anything.”
“Good, I’d hate to see Annabelle get hurt. Would you like to go for a walk?” She asked, smoothing out her skirts she stood up and waited for him.
“I can’t stay kitten, duty calls. You can walk me to the door.” He held out his hand and entwined their fingers. Pulling her to him he tipped up her chin and looked into her eyes, “Do you have your new list yet?”
“Yes, I rewrote it this morning after breakfast.” She answered sweetly.
“May I see it?”
“I don’t think that is a good idea.” She started to back away from him; she didn’t want to fight with him again. She knew her new list would upset him.
“Very funny Vieve, let me see it.” No longer joking, Luke speculated why she was hiding it.
“No.” Swatting him away, she backed up and crossed her arms.
“Fine.” Turning, he walked back over to the seat they just occupied and picked up her novel, looking back at her he saw he struck gold, her face was flushed and she was walking towards him.
He knew her well enough to know she always used her lists as bookmarks, plucking it out of the old
novel; he pocketed it and tossed the book back on the table.
“How dare you! You give that back now!” Beyond frustrated Genevieve, “What gives you the right?” She nearly screamed.
Sweeping her off her feet he pinned her against the wall of ivy and ran his hand up her thigh feeling her bare skin he wrapped one of her legs around his hip and pressed against her, capturing her tender lips in an earth-shattering kiss. Within seconds she was responding back, her hands ran through his dark hair, a moan escaped her lips as he squeezed her ass.
Hearing a door open and close, he sat her down and regained control of his senses, “That gives me the right Vieve, I’ll see you tonight.” His words were raw with emotion as he turned and left her leaning against the ivy trellis nearly panting.
Genevieve didn’t see Luke for almost a week; he was nowhere to be found. She badgered Alastair all week until he told her Luke was on a short mission following a lead regarding Rossdale.
A little offended that he didn’t tell her of his departure himself, she accepted Alastair’s explanation easily. The first few days of him being gone were odd, she managed just fine, but the spark in her seemed to be missing. It was obviously clear she was missing Luke, a little too much.
Turning her focus to her list of potential husbands, she quickly realized that with Luke out of town, she could focus narrowing down her new list without his interference. Although he may have taken the list with him, she knew it by heart.
Her new list comprised of men she enjoyed being around, those who made her feel somewhat at ease were the only ones considered. Although Luke was adamant he was the only one for her, she wasn’t thoroughly convinced.
Over the week she honed in on the men who were currently in town who made her list: Alastair, The Duke of Blackstone; Joseph, The Earl of Glennclose; William, The Earl of Westshire and of course, there was Luke, The Earl of Devonshire who was on a mission for the War Office.
Her parents were pleased to see she was seriously considering finding a husband this season, although they didn’t want her to rush, they did want her to be happy. With both of their daughters now fully engaged with the Ton, their nights were quickly being booked and their days just as busy.
