by Eva Andrews
Giddy that he had found the ring she had tossed away in Ireland, Luke held out his hand and he helped her sit up on the edge of the bed. Taking her left hand he raised it to his lips and kissed her ring finger and slid the heavy ring back on her finger.
“We belong together Vieve, you are my sun and I am your moon.” Stating in his smooth velvet tenor.
Looking at her ring and back into his eyes, she whispered, “I love you,” as tears formed in her eyes.
Running a hand through her hair Luke pulled her close, “and I love you, so just marry me already woman.” He teased.
Genevieve reached down and slipped off his pants, “Gladly my love, now come show your future wife what she has to look forward to for the rest of her life…unless you’re too injured.” Smacking his bare ass she giggled as she scurried away on the other side of the bed, tossing her nightgown off in one smooth move.
“I will never turn you down…run little one, and I shall always find you!” He teased as he quickly ran to the other side of the bed and scooped her up over his good shoulder.
“Luke! Put me down!” Worried about this health she pinched his perfectly formed ass cheek as he walked her across the room.
Feeling his hand run up the back of her thigh, it sent shivers over her entire body. When the man touched her, she responded. Feeling him slowly slide her body down the front of him, he wrapped her legs around her waist. Feeling his hard cock at her entrance as they stood, she moaned as he sat down on the couch and slid into her with one graceful movement.
Genevieve let out a delightful gasp as he entered her, stretching her as he buried himself to the hilt. Their quick tryst at the ball last night had her wanting more, she needed him completely, her fiancé, her lover…her future husband. Even a bullet hole couldn’t stop him from making love to her.
Sunlight bounced off them as she straddled his thighs upon the couch. Urgent need brewed between them as he captured her mouth as they moved together.
“God you are so tight Vieve, I can’t get enough of you.” Reaching behind her he grasped her ass and brought her up and then let her slide back down onto his bulging cock.
Running her hands over his chest she nibbled at his lips, “Harder Luke, no holding back,” she pleaded. Naked except for her ring, she heard him growl as she spoke. She could tell he liked to be encouraged, and she wanted him to take her anyway he wanted. She wanted to be everything he needed, sex was new to her, and she had no idea what a man and woman could or would do for each other. She wanted him to teach her everything and more.
Feeling his hands ran up her legs and grasp her ass, squeezing he sucked on her nipple as she bobbed up and down upon his velvet shaft, her hips rolling against his movements.
Genevieve watched in awe as he lifted her up and slammed her back down time and time again as she rolled her hips into each thrust, she could feel her climax building. Trying to hold out for Luke, she screamed his name in ecstasy as he deepened his thrusts with his thick cock.
Tugging her black hair back so he could suck on her neck, Luke picked up the pace and savored every moment of watching his fiancée come undone on top of his dick. The pain in his shoulder was long forgotten the moment he sunk into her hot core. Watching her climax did him in every time, grabbing her hips he pounded and buried his face into her bouncing tits; losing himself in her, he screamed her name as he imploded inside her.
They crumpled together on the couch, sunlight washing over their naked bodies, both trying to catch their breath. Feeling her shiver he lifted her up, ignoring the pain in his shoulder he carried her over to their bed and tossed her in the soft blankets, quickly joining her under his covers.
“Can’t we just run off to Scotland and get married?” She questioned as she cuddled against him and entwined her limbs around his.
“If that is what your heart desires, I’ll call us a carriage right now my love.” Kissing her forehead he ran his hands across her back. He would give her anything she wanted, anything.
“What I want, and what we should do are two totally different things.”
“Agreed, so where does that leave us?” He asked as he toyed with a lock of her hair and absentmindedly rubbed her naked back.
Sighing deeply, “The announcement should go in the news soon, as your mission requires you here for a few more weeks we can wait till this business is over. Do you think Gideon and Helena would allow us to get married at Salthill?” She inquired sheepishly.
“Of course they would, you know Helena will be ecstatic for you, for us. All of the Somerset family gets married at Salthill, it’s a tradition in my family. If you want to get married there, then, Salthill mansion is where it’ll be,” he declared with a smile.
“I should get home Luke, my family must already have found that I’m not home. We need to tell my parents, and you need to work on this case and get it solved so we can travel south to Salthill.”
“I’ll take you, we need to tell your parents about the shooter, the engagement, and your wedding plans. I need to meet with Gideon and Alastair later today, what ball was your family planning on attending tonight?”
“You’re joking surely?” She questioned as she looked up at him from his arms.
“About what?” He asked, equally confused he had only arrived back in town last night. He was not up to speed on the current event list of the week.
Sitting up she announced, “Tonight is Gideon and Helena’s first ball as husband and wife, did you forget?”
“Obviously. Well, what a perfect event to announce our engagement to all of London, Gideon and Helena will be honored to announce it for us tonight.”
Sitting up he jumped out of bed and pulled his future wife with him.
“Shall we get dressed and get you home? We’ve got quite a day and evening ahead of us love.”
The two gingerly dressed, Genevieve plaited her hair in a long row and threw it over her right shoulder. Looking somewhat decent, the dried blood blended into her gown, she watched as Luke dressed in his typical immaculate attire.
His movements were slower, yet still graceful. She could tell he was trying to hide his pain from her, but his face gave it away.
Luke called the carriage to the back so she could make an exit without being seen by gossip hungry eyes. The sun was fully up and watchful eyes were always lurking in the shadows. They made their way to her parent’s house when she snapped out of her daze and asked, “What are we going to tell my parents exactly?”
“I thought honesty would be the best, I respect your parents too much to lie, nor do we need to be ashamed by our actions Vieve,” holding her hand he squeezed and added, “We don’t need to tell them every vivid detail of course, trust me, I’ll handle it love.”
Feeling the carriage roll to a stop, she looked out to see they had arrived at her parent’s townhouse, Luke helped her out of the carriage hand in hand. Walking up the marble stairs the door was thrown wide open before they were at the door.
Her beautiful mother stood in the doorway and looked at her bloody dress and about fainted, “Genevieve, are you alright darling? I’ve been so worried!” Ushering them in out of the view of people on the streets, Lady Selina looked over her frantically and saw no cuts.
Hugging her mother she eased her worry, “It’s Luke’s blood mother, he was shot last night. I stitched up his shoulder. I am not harmed, he saved my life.”
Hearing the commotion in the foyer, her father ran out of his library to hear his eldest daughter’s statement. Lord Phillip looked at his daughter’s bloody dress and back to Luke, “What the hell happened Luke? Both of you, in my library now!” Pointing in the direction of his open door. Genevieve felt Luke squeeze her hand as he led her into her father’s library.
Before Lady Selina walked into the library she whispered to her angry husband, “On the off chance you didn’t notice darling, our daughter is wearing an engagement ring, be nice please.” Patting his arm she smiled at her husband as all the wind went out of his sail
s, and walked directly into his library with Luke and Genevieve.
Lord Phillip allowed himself a brief moment to collect his thoughts, although he was ecstatic his daughter was finally engaged, the thought of her being surrounded by danger and finding her bed empty this morning was even too much for him to accept. He shut the library door gently behind him as he entered, his gaze swept up to see his beautiful wife hugging both Luke and Genevieve.
Luke looked to her father, and nodded towards Genevieve, “Your daughter has finally agreed to be my wife, for good this time. It only took someone shooting me to realize she couldn’t live without me.”
Swatting at him playfully Genevieve laughed as she watched her father’s face warm as he joined them by the fire.
Shaking Luke’s hand, “Welcome to the family son, it’s about time she said yes,” directing his gaze to his blushing daughter. He knew the runaround she had given Luke in capturing her hand.
“Now will someone please explain to me why my daughter’s dress is covered in blood and how you got shot last night?” Phillip asked as he motioned for the group to sit by the fire as they discussed the events of last night.
“I can only imagine it is The Jackal’s henchman who shot me last night, the man who shot me is no longer living so I cannot question him,” Luke replied as he sat down next to her on the couch.
Her parents sat together in the seat across from them, patiently waiting to hear what had occurred last night, they trusted him enough to fully explain without jumping to conclusions.
“My investigation draws to a close, with that, comes desperation and murder attempts, unfortunately and fortunately, your daughter was with me when this happened. She saw to my bullet wound with expert skill, I have heard I have you to thank Lady Selina for her knowledge of treating wounds.” Luke offered.
“You sewed his wound shut Vieve? No sickness?” Her mother asked gently.
Groaning at her mother’s words, she knew Luke would not miss them. Quickly answering her worried mother, “No sickness, no fainting, there is something about Luke that puts me at ease, I never doubted myself once.”
Luke looked confused as he squeezed her hand and asked, “You never told me there was a possibility of you fainting Genevieve, or that you’d get sick, why didn’t you tell me?”
Her lips kicked up in a small smirk as she replied, “There is a considerable difference between touching a stranger’s skin and you, you know how my illness works. Treating wounded soldiers didn’t change it. Their nearness would make me sick or highly anxious. That is why I always watched my mother versus being able to do the work myself. With you, there was no doubt that I’d be able to handle your closeness.” Patting his arm she saw her parent’s faces light up with happiness.
“Would you like me to call a doctor or look at your wound to make sure it is well?” Lady Selina asked, clearly worried Vieve might not have done a good job.
Holding up a hand to stop her, “I am more than confident she stitched my shoulder quite sufficiently back together Lady Selina, but thank you for the offer,” looking at Lord Phillip he stated, “It is too late to get the announcement in the paper today, however it will be in tomorrow’s edition. Genevieve and I would like to publicly announce our engagement at Gideon and Helena’s ball tonight if that suits the both of you?”
“Oh what a wonderful idea! Genevieve, you’ll have to wear that new green lace gown that just arrived a few days ago love, you’ll look sensational tonight!” Her mother clapped her hands with giddiness.
“As much as I’d like to stay, I need to talk to Alastair and Gideon this morning regarding the events that occurred last night. I have yet to inform them I was shot outside my residence. I will be back this evening to help escort the family to my brother’s ball if that is acceptable with you Lord Phillip?” Luke questioned.
“Of course Luke, I’ll be interested in hearing the rest of the details tonight before we leave, Genevieve, why don’t you walk your future husband out while I talk with your mother?” Her father’s kind eyes lit up as he said the word husband.
Her mother added, “Oh and Vieve, maybe you should go take a lovely bath and change out of that dress my love, we’ve got a busy day ahead of us!” Nodding to her parents, they exited the library hand in hand as they closed the door behind them. Exhaling a deep breath as soon as they were in the hallway, Genevieve turned and threw her hands over his shoulders and held him tight, not saying a word.
Rubbing her back he whispered, “I love you Genevieve, I’ll see you tonight. I cannot wait for the world to know you’re finally mine.”
Genevieve picked her head up from his chest and kissed him, “I love you Luke, and please be careful today. Please make sure Helena is okay with our announcement, I do not want to take away from her first official ball as a duchess.” She requested.
Giving her a little smack on her rear, he laughed, “I think she’ll be over the moon kitten, you are her best friend, and you’ll be her new sister….did you forget that?”
Genevieve’s eyes widened with excitement, “Sisters? Oh Luke, I didn’t even think of that! How wonderful!”
“Now, as much as I’d like to spend the day with you, I need to go. How about you go tell your siblings of our engagement and take a bath as instructed, I’m sure Annabelle and Michael will want to hear your news.” Kissing her forehead, he gave her one last squeeze.
Chuckling softly, Genevieve thought of how excited Michael was going to be, he absolutely loved Luke, “I will, I’ll see you tonight my love.” She whispered.
Luke directed her towards the stairs and gave her a little slap on her rump as she ascended the stairs, “Goodbye Vieve, I’ll see you later tonight.”
Chapter 16
Slamming his fist on his massive mahogany desk, Gideon, The Duke of Montrose was livid, “You were shot? Do you realize how close you came to dying? What of Genevieve, what if she would have been shot?”
Sitting in Gideon’s famous library, Luke watched his brother throw a tirade. Gideon was naturally protective of his family, even more so now that he returned from the war and settled down. He took his duties very seriously, and the thought of someone hunting Luke down on his own doorstep had the duke on edge.
Attempting to settle his brother down, “I’m well aware of what could have occurred Gideon, and I’ve been shot many times before. However, I’m alive and Genevieve is uninjured.”
Luke had come straight to his brother’s London townhouse to relay the information personally while they waited for Alastair to join them. He knew he was going to need the help of both Gideon and Alastair to wrap up this case; he needed more eyes on the ground and the experience they brought.
Gideon stood up from his desk and marched over to pour them a drink, as he poured he looked over his shoulder back at him, “Did you at least call a doctor and have him treat your wound?”
“No, surprisingly enough Genevieve proved herself to be quite talented at stitching me up, I haven’t looked at it yet as she wrapped it in clean bandages last night after I passed out. However the damn thing hasn’t bothered me all day.”
Taking his glass from his brother, he nodded in appreciation as Gideon walked back around the desk and slowly sat down.
Gideon ordered, “I’ll have a look,” tipping his chin up signaling for Luke to take off his coat and shirt so he could get a look at the wound first hand.
Tilting his head in annoyance, Luke countered, “Really Gideon? I’m not a child anymore, I’m seven and twenty. I’m fine.”
“For me, please. Let me see so I can rest easy knowing infection isn’t setting in,” Gideon requested, he knew Luke wouldn’t refuse.
Scowling with a long sigh, Luke stood up and shrugged his jacket off and tossed it over the chair, Luke knew how protective Gideon was. He also knew Gideon wouldn’t back down, regardless if he wanted to or not, he was going to have to show his big brother his bullet wound. Pulling his shirt over his head, he grimaced as he raised his injured shoulder, care
lessly tossing his shirt with his jacket he saw the bandages were intricately wrapped.
Fumbling with the tight bandages, Luke saw his older brother stand up and walk over to him. The two were the exact same height and stature, both tall and dark haired; the only difference was in their eye color. Gideon carried their father’s gray eyes, while Luke had their mother’s famous crystal blue eyes.
“Here, let me.” Gideon ordered as he easily removed the bandage off Luke’s shoulder; pulling it back slowly Gideon sucked in a deep breath as he eyed the wound before Luke saw it.
“Good God!” Was all Gideon could manage as he inspected the wound.
“What? What is wrong?” Worried, Luke asked as he swatted his brother’s hand away so he could see.
“Genevieve stitched this?” Gideon questioned, pulling off the rest of the bandage allowing Luke to finally see his own shoulder.
When Luke looked down he saw the most intricate stitching he’d ever witnessed, even battle-hardened doctors with years of experience didn’t close wounds this beautifully. A scare would remain, obviously, but it would be an elegant scar thanks to Vieve.
Running his hand over the delicate work his fiancée did, he smirked as he looked into his brother’s gray eyes, “This was her first attempt, damn she did a magnificent job!”
Looking over his wound meticulously, Gideon nodded with appreciation, “She has a talent, incredible talent indeed. Thank you for showing me Luke, it looks like it’ll heal perfectly, convey my thanks to her next time you see her please.”
“You can tell her tonight at your ball, that was the other thing I needed to talk to you about,” Luke said as Gideon wrapped his mangled shoulder up for him.
“What is that?” Gideon asked as he finished up and tossed him his shirt.
Shaking it out, Luke put it back on as Gideon walked over and grabbed the bottle of whiskey off the sideboard and brought it back over to his desk.
