by Eva Andrews
Running her hands up his chest, she grabbed his lapels and looked into his eyes, “Stop worrying, I will be okay. Besides, if they know who you are, they already know about me, you’ll keep me safe. I know it, and, I’m not a ball of fluff, I’m tough darling, have faith in me.” Leaning up on her toes, she kissed his lips and wound her arms around his neck.
She was right, if he had been followed, they, whoever they were, knew who she was. Her faith in him gave him a sense of accomplishment, everyday Genevieve grew stronger in his presence, and she was right, she was tougher than he gave her credit for.
Breaking their kiss, Luke reached into his breast pocket and procured a velvet box, “This is for you kitten, a gift for the announcement of our engagement,” opening the jewelry case, he saw her eyes grow wide as she looked upon a necklace that matched her ring.
“Oh Luke.” She whispered, running her trembling hands over the alluring necklace, he saw tears form in her lovely green eyes.
“Turn around my love, so I can put it on you.” He took delight in seeing the surprise in her eyes; he wanted her to lay the world at her feet. He wanted to give her everything she ever wanted, and dared to dream.
Kissing the nape of her neck he closed the clasp, “I love you Genevieve Elizabeth, forever, to eternity. You will be the keeper of my heart.”
Turning in his arms, Genevieve clasped his face with her hands and pressed their noses together as she whispered back, “and I will never let it go, for as I hold your heart, you hold mine. As each day passes I love you far deeper than I ever imagined possible. I love you Luke, I love you.”
Luke could hear the clattering of carriages and horses starting to arrive outside the garden; guests were starting to make their way to the townhouse, knowing he had to get her inside soon. They needed to be present for the greeting line.
“Remember, protecting my heart means protecting yourself Vieve. I know we haven’t talked about this, but please remember, your safety is the key to my existence. I need you to use your senses now, more than ever. If you feel like something is off, trust your instincts, that goes for tonight and every night here on out.”
Nodding, Genevieve held on to him tightly as he kissed the top of her head. Savoring one last peaceful moment with his beauty, he took a deep cleansing breath.
“Well my love, shall we go have my big brother tell all of London that we are off the market and getting married? I can’t wait to see the look on your suitors faces when they know you’re taken!” He joked as he walked them back towards the doors to the house.
The Ton was out in full force tonight. From old to fresh young faces, there wasn’t a person invited that didn’t show, The Duke and Duchess of Montrose were essentially the new royalty of the Ton. Carriages were lining up farther than the eye could see.
With only a select few at their wedding, London was happy to celebrate the belated wedding of their war hero duke, and his lovely bride.
Genevieve looked over the crowd of people, familiar faces speckled the crowd, the musicians were making their way to their instruments when Luke gently guided her over to the top of the stairs beside Gideon, Helena and his sister Amelia. She stood next to the Somerset family as if she was one of their own, Luke’s arm possessively positioned across the small of her back and resting on her hip, rather low. She could see the questioning eyes as the mass below them witnessed her position in a family so powerful.
The crowd quieted down as they saw the Duke of Montrose standing on top of the marble staircase, Gideon waited for the volume to lower before he addressed the guests, his beautiful blonde wife next to him. Gideon and Helena were the epitome of perfection, standing before their guests. Genevieve’s heart melted as she watched the two get lost in each other’s eyes for a moment.
Gideon linked hands with Helena and kissed her hand in front of the hundreds of guests below, “Friends and family, welcome to our home. Thank you for coming to celebrate our fist annual ball, as my lovely duchess has coined, The Montrose Rose Ball. My wife and I appreciate the kind words and congratulations on our marriage; over the past few months we’ve been inundated with your correspondence of well wishes, which we appreciate immensely.”
Smiling down over the crowd, Gideon slowly raised his gaze towards his brother and Genevieve, “However, tonight I ask you to celebrate a new announcement with me. It is with extreme pride and happiness that I announce the engagement of my little brother the Earl of Devonshire, he has finally captured the hand of the fair Genevieve St. George!”
The crowd erupted with applause and shouts of congratulations; squeezing Luke’s hand for reassurance, she had never been the recipient of so many eyes in her life. Beside her she felt Luke pull her close and bestow the brightest smile she’d ever seen to the cheering crowd below. Smiling to match his joy, she allowed herself to let her emotions loose.
The crowd roared again for them. Watching his excitement was contagious, her smile mirrored Luke’s, and she felt like she was glowing from the inside out.
Shouting louder so he may be heard, Gideon announced to all, “Eat, drink and be merry my friends, please enjoy your night!” The moment he was done speaking, the musicians started directly into a waltz.
Kissing her temple, she heard Luke whisper as they descended the marble staircase, “I love you Genevieve, soon, the entire world will know you’re mine!”
Wrapping a strong arm around her waist, he pulled her closer as they neared the ballroom floor. Watching Helena and Gideon navigate the empty ballroom floor, everyone watched as the newly married Duke and Duchess of Montrose circled the ballroom floor alone, completely oblivious to the world around them. So lost in love, it was hard to not be envious of that.
Watching for a moment, she felt her handsome lover pull her out on the floor joining Gideon and Helena. Moments later, Amelia and Helena’s older brother Jasper joined them on the floor, followed by Hero and Alastair. All family or friends, the couples rotated in perfect unison for many measures before the other guests joined them on the floor. The scent of hundreds upon hundreds of roses lingered in the air as the guests moved with the music, the lights had been dimmed and the champagne flowed freely.
The night raged on until the early morning, dancing and drinking and happy merriment brought the Ton together. Genuinely respected and loved by the Ton, the Duke and Duchess of Montrose personally said goodbye to each guest as they left for the night.
Rambling home in a quiet carriage, Luke escorted Genevieve and her family back to their townhouse, it was more important now than ever to keep them guarded at all costs.
Lord Phillip carried a sleeping Annabelle to her room while Lady Selina followed drowsily behind, as Luke helped Genevieve through the doorway.
Waving a brief goodbye, Lady Selina blew them a kiss as she said, “Goodnight my loves, I’ll see you in the morning,” and with that, she disappeared into the darkened hallway.
Genevieve looked confused as she swung her gaze to her fiancé, “What does that mean?” She asked Luke who was grinning at her.
Chuckling and pulling her into his arms he explained, “Now that we are officially engaged, we are allowed more freedoms and, ah, choices if you will.”
Still not understanding, overly tired and in the middle of a yawn, “What do you mean?”
“Well my dear, your mother doesn’t care what we do, put simply, as long as we don’t get caught by gossip mongers, you and I can do whatever we damn well please.”
Running her hands over his muscular back, she closed the distance, “What are our options?” She enquired.
Looking down at the raven haired, green-eyed witch in his arms, all sorts of naughty thoughts ran though his wicked mind, settling on just one, he replied, “My house, your future house, my bed, your future bed. You are coming home with me witch, I’ll never sleep without you again, ever, I’ll have you home before sunrise,” pulling her hood up, he grabbed her hand and headed towards the back entrance of the house, his personal carriage was awaiting him
there.
Since the attack at the front of his house, Luke had installed many different fail-safe security measures around his home. It now stood like a veritable fortress. If anything were to happen, Genevieve could lock herself in his house and withstand an attack from a small army. His staff was trained and alert for any potential threat, he added several additional men to his staff to protect the perimeter of his house at all times.
By the time they arrived, Genevieve had fallen asleep in his arms. Carrying her from the carriage, he was met by the carriage by four of his men who escorted them inside until the door locked behind them.
With only a handful of hours left before sunrise, he knew his angel needed sleep. Laying her down on his soft bed, Luke slipped off her shoes and untied her cloak, slipping it out from under her as softly as possible. The emerald and diamond necklace twinkled in the candle light as he walked across the room to hang her cloak, pulling off his boots and tossing his jacket on the chair, Luke watched as his future slept on his bed.
Peeling off the remainder of his clothes, Luke padded across the wooden floor and easily removed the heavy necklace off her throat. With a few tugs and nimble fingers, he had her dress off in moments, true to her sprite nature; she wore hardly any underclothes, which always made him happy.
Pulling back the covers, he tucked her lovingly in as he slipped in behind her, gathering the slumbering lady in his arms, he joined her in sleep moments later.
Placing soft kisses up his inner thigh, she grinned to herself as she continued her slow deliberate kisses that would surely wake her lover. She had awoken with the rare opportunity to watch Luke sleep. Waking up temporarily saddened that she had fallen asleep last night and missed the chance to have her way with him, her attitude had changed when she saw he still slept.
Gently gliding her hands up his thighs she ran her hand over his growing cock when he pulled back the covers with a smile.
With a sensual rumble, “Good morning future wife.”
Smiling back at him, “Good morning future husband.” She whispered.
With a quick raise of her brow, and a hedonistic grin, Genevieve let Luke watch as she cradled his rock hard velvet shaft and ran her warm tongue up the center until she reached the tip.
She heard Luke suck in his breath as she ran her tongue around the rim of his massive cock; in the past she had heard her married friends and scullery maids talking about taking their man into their mouth.
Overly curious, this morning presented a perfect opportunity for her to see exactly what those ladies found so exciting, now she knew. She felt a rush of excitement as she took charge; being completely in control of Luke made her feel powerful.
She ran her tongue over the cap of his bulging cock and grasped the base as she enclosed her warm mouth upon it and sucked on the tip, she felt Luke’s strong hands sink into her unruly hair as she worked her mouth down his shaft.
“Jesus Vieve, that feels so good.” Luke admitted as he pushed aside her hair and watched.
Hearing his praise made her even more confident that what she was doing was right, he had told her long ago that nothing was off limits between them, feeling empowered. She sucked on his velvet cock and teased with her tongue as she ran her soft hands over his shaft, she could hear him moan her name in erotic pleasure.
Feeling him tugging on her hair, she looked up at him as he said, “Come here love.”
Crawling up his lap, both of them completely naked, the sun had yet to peak on the horizon, Genevieve ran the tips of her breasts over his rock hard chest as she kissed his neck just under his jaw, feeling his hands wind around her ass and bring her crashing into his body made her arch in his arms.
“I need you Luke.” She begged.
“Your wish is my command,” lifting her slightly, he ran the tip of his rock hard velvet cock against her entrance, “Jesus, Vieve, you are so wet for me, aren’t you minx?” He was torturing her, kissing her and grinding against her, yet refusing to enter her.
“Only for you Luke, only for you.” As she said the last word, Luke flexed his hips and slowly entered her, bobbing her up and down in an erotic pace.
Genevieve sat astride Luke’s strong hips and rolled her pelvis, arching back her long hair brushed his thighs as she moaned his name. “More Luke, I want more,” she begged as his hand ran up to her breast while his hips pulsed up and down, fully allowing her to control her depth.
Placing her hands on his thighs, she arched as he directed her hips, the feeling of having him inside her was like a drug, he stretched her to her limits as she rode him.
Wrapping an arm around her waist, Luke reversed their positions in seconds, spreading her thighs apart; he pulled her thighs up around his hips, wrapping her legs around his waist as he entered her again.
“Is this more kitten?” He asked as he slowly tilted his hips back and forth, reaching up he cupped her jaw as she arched her chest on the verge of oblivion.
“Oh my God, yes!”
Wave after wave of immense pleasure assaulted her, she could feel herself pulsing around Luke’s cock as he pulled in and out, looking up at her lover she whispered, “I love the feel of you inside me, I love you Luke, forever.”
Leaning down close to her, he swept her up in passionate kiss that enflamed her senses even higher as he pounded into her sweet honeypot, letting himself unload in her; his climax rocked them both into an ethereal plane.
Kissing her again, he whispered, “Woman, I love you more than you can ever realize.” Rolling over and pulling her into his arms, he kissed the side of her face as he held her in his arms. Through his window he could see the sun would be up shortly, groaning at the thought of returning her once again to her home, he took a deep breath and savored in the moment.
This morning their engagement announcement would be in front of every pair of eyes that read the paper, he just couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going to happen to her.
In his head, he tried to argue that he was being paranoid, but something nagged at him, something that didn’t want to be silenced. Within the next few days, the missive regarding the shipment of jewels would be here, his objective was to find the exact location of the treasure and stage a substantial trap for Rossdale, and the Jackal and his men.
With so much riding on the line, Luke felt a new found anxiety creep upon him.
Squeezing Vieve, he rolled off the bed and walked towards his wardrobe to dress for the day, he had to return her soon; the sun would be up momentarily. Looking over his shoulder he saw her snuggle into the bed as she watched him.
“Is everything okay Luke? You look worried.” Propping herself up on her elbow, Genevieve’s question was spot on. He had obviously not guarded his face well; the last thing he wanted was for her to worry.
Shaking his head while he started to pull on clothes, “Nothing to worry over sweetheart, my mind has been running for days, feels impossible to shut off, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“Do I have to go home?” He heard her ask, followed by a sigh.
Getting dressed, he chuckled, “For the moment yes, stop pouting…I did give you the option to run off to Scotland with me, several times I believe.” Finishing up trying his cravat with tremendous precision and quickness, he checked his image in the mirror.
Turning towards his fiancée, he scooped up her dress from the floor he shook it a few times trying to fluff out the wrinkles, “You won’t need to be alone long love, my work today will be short, I’ll be back over by lunch. Now, let’s get you dressed and home before we are caught.” He grinned and pulled back her warm covers quickly.
Shrieking she rolled out of the comfortable bed and stood before him completely naked. “Then you dress me, My Lord.”
Shooting up a dark eyebrow, “As you wish my lady fair, as you wish,” kneeling in front of her he opened the gown so she could step inside.
Smiling at his playfulness, Genevieve quickly stepped into the dress as Luke shimmied it up and over
her hips and slowly over her tender breasts. She gathered her long soft curls to the side of her neck as he spun her around, and with great care, laced her green lace gown securely closed.
With her back to him, Luke took the opportunity to kiss her neck as he wrapped a hand around her hips and his other hand on her breast as he stood behind her. “Mine.” He declared in a raspy tone that made her want to climb right back in bed with him.
Smiling to herself, she slightly rolled her ass against his groin and agreed, “Yours.”
Arriving back at her parents’ home took less than ten minutes, quickly gaining access through the back garden door, after passing several security footmen he’d hired, Luke escorted her back to her bedroom. The sounds of household staff could be heard down in the kitchen as they started their day.
Briskly walking up the back stairs, Genevieve and Luke walked hand in hand down the padded carpet. Walking behind Luke as he opened her door, the man stopped dead in his tracks, causing Genevieve to walk directly into his back.
“Ophhhh, Luke, what are you doing?” She hissed behind him, as she stood barred from her room by his solid frame.
He didn’t answer; he walked directly over to her canopied bed and plucked a letter up from her pillow, and turned back to her slowly.
Watching him, she asked, “Is that addressed to me?” As she shut her door behind her and walked over to him, she could see a battle raging behind his eyes.
“Yes, may I please read it first?” He asked calmly.
Extending her hand out, she answered, “I’ll read it first.”
“Vieve, please, let me read it first, I beg of you. Please.”
Something in his eyes made her cave, he asked of so little, how could she deny him this, he just wanted to protect her. She knew she’d have to grow used to the idea of an overprotective husband, for it was born in his blood. He protected what he loved.
Crossing her arms, she sat down on the edge of her bed. “Read it.”
The morning sun had finally crested over the townhomes; pure golden light was spilling across her room as she watched him open the letter. Watching his face, she could tell something was desperately wrong, his jaw clenched in anger, she watched his eyes follow line after line. Her heart began to pound as fear crept in, what had happened? What had Luke so visibly upset? She watched him close his eyes as he tucked the letter into his breast pocket.
