“Yes, perhaps?”
“Yes, I shall be your mistress.”
Warmth entered his gaze, those straight lips curved. It was not the smug smile she had expected but one of genuine pleasure. Lilly’s hands shook, her mind whirled. What had she done?
“You shall not regret it.” His soft gaze caressed her face, taking in her jaw line and lingering on her lips. “Shall we seal our deal with a kiss?”
Lilly nodded, her voice stolen by his proximity. More than anything she wanted his kiss. Was she so weak that she would do anything to experience that? It was pure madness!
But a madness of the most delicious kind it seemed, for it tangled deep inside her, made her belly swoop, her heart gallop like wild horses. That one warm finger on her skin made her feel more alive than anything she had previously experienced. None of her prior, albeit brief, encounters with the other sex could compare and he had not even laid his lips on hers yet.
He stared at her for a long moment—so long she feared he might have changed his mind. Now she was set on this course, she was determined to see it through. A short while as his mistress and she could continue on with her life with the knowledge of the truth about her father’s death, a nice amount of money and having saved her home.
That finger slid along her chin and eased into a stroke before circling her neck gently. The briefest flash of horror made her heart jar against her chest but he spoke softly, “Your neck is exquisite, Miss Claremont. I have long dreamed of kissing it.” A thumb came to rest upon the fluttering pulse point while his fingers skimmed her lips.
“Are you to kiss me or not?” she demanded but there was no strength to the words. He’d taken it all—perhaps he owned that too now.
“Patience, Miss Claremont,” he scolded lightly.
She let out a huff and watched him rise. He offered a hand and she took it. The marquess helped her to stand and brought her close to him with the simple pressure of his hand on hers. Lilly tilted her head to view him. Amber streaks lit the sky, darkness promised to swallow them soon enough. The illicit thrill that thundered through her made her toes curl into her shoes.
His gaze remained on her as his hand found her neck once more and slid around to cup the back of it. Lilly tentatively flattened her palms against the lapels of his jacket and nearly wrenched her hands away again at the feel of a hard body beneath them. He coaxed her closer, still commanding her with a mere hand. Their bodies didn’t touch—her hands upon him prevented it—but heat spilled into the gap between them, leaving her breathless.
Lord Hawksley lowered his head and she went on tiptoes to close the gap. “What sorcery have you cast upon me?” he said, the words skimming her face.
Before she responded, warm lips covered hers—soft with a hint of urgency. A tiny sound bubbled up inside her and she gripped his dinner jacket tighter. The evening breeze ruffled her skirts and curls, the sensation amplified as her skin pricked with the gentle movements of his mouth. The grip on her neck remained firm, leaving her no room to escape. Not that she even considered such an idea. A deep agonising ache opened up inside her and her need to quench it had her moving her lips in sync with his.
The kiss ended all too soon. Her breaths came in faltering gasps and she pressed an unsteady hand to her chest to control them. Lord Hawksley dropped his hand from her neck and took a decisive step back.
“I shall begin to make arrangements,” he informed her. His sudden aloofness made her frown. One minute he was speaking of her bewitching him and the next, it was as though he were dealing with a business matter. She supposed, in a way, keeping a mistress was close to running a business. Contracts were often made, negotiations took place. “At the end of the week, you shall come with me as my mistress.”
“Not to Hawksley Manor, surely?” She ignored his cold tone and the way it twisted her heart.
“No, I have a modest home in Oxfordshire. You will be very comfortable there.”
“Do I have any say in the matter?” One arched brow told her no. She folded her arms across her chest. “You may now own me, Lord Hawksley, but if you expect me to meekly do as I am told at every moment, I fear you shall be sorely disappointed.”
“I’m often disappointed with people, my dear Miss Claremont. You, however, could not, for I am predisposed to expect an argument at every turn from you.”
“Oh.”
Was she really that disagreeable? No, not normally. Something about the marquess brought out that side of her. In a strange way, it pleased her she would not have to hold her tongue. Even her mother had never let her run rampant with words.
“Have you changed your mind? You have not signed anything yet.”
“But we sealed our deal with a kiss remember?” She bit down on the inside of her cheek to prevent any more flippant words.
“I remember.” He smiled smugly. Lilly fought the urge to bring a hand across his face and remove that smile permanently.
Chapter Nine
Gaze fixed on the delicate bouquet of flowers hanging from the opposite wall of the carriage, Evan gritted his teeth as Miss Claremont’s bottom jostled against him with the rocking movement. The maid opposite had kept her gaze averted for the entire journey so far. He cursed that he could not have this time alone with Miss Claremont but appearances had to be maintained for Lady Stanley’s sake at the very least.
He stole a glance at the woman at his side. Hand curled tightly around the open window, shoulders stiff, she did not look one bit happy with her decision. She too barely looked at him. He supposed it would not be long until news of her status as his mistress spread, and she no doubt dreaded as much. How Lady Stanley would take to it, he didn’t know. As it was, he did not like pandering to the gossips.
They had agreed to feign some kind of an emergency that required Evan to return to Hawksley Manor at once. As it was on his way, he naturally offered to take Miss Claremont home. No one questioned the arrangement so he sent for one of his maids to accompany them and thus none suspected that their plans were to go instead to Oxfordshire where they would complete their agreement.
Whisky-like warmth coursed through his veins as he considered how they would complete it. He only hoped he found her more than willing once he had her in his bed. He didn’t doubt she suffered the same maddening attraction—her responses to him led him to believe as much—but with her rigid back and pinched expression, he feared the only response he might expect tonight would be indifference and annoyance.
“I have a contract ready for you to sign when we get there,” he murmured to her. “I had my lawyer in London draw it up and send it on.”
Miss Claremont peeked at the maid, who did a fine job of pretending they didn’t exist. If the young girl had not figured out their intention in going to the house in Oxfordshire, she would soon enough.
“How efficient of you.”
They had agreed on one year. One year of Miss Claremont as his. If that did not prove long enough to flush her from his system, nothing would. In return, he planned to provide amply for her and ensure she had enough money to live well for many years. It was, in his opinion, an extremely generous settlement.
The carriage drove through a quiet village signalling that they were only minutes away from the house. The stone cottages sat close together, leaving little room for more than one cart so he was thankful they did not come across any other vehicles and be further delayed.
“Not far now,” he commented. “You shall like the house, I believe.”
For some strange reason, it was important that she did. It was to be her home for the next year after all, but Rushbourne held a deep affection in his heart. Evan favoured spending time there over anywhere else.
When the sandy coloured building came in sight, Miss Claremont craned her neck to peer out at it, lending him the most delicious sight of an expanse of skin and delicate curls. His mouth grew dry when he realised he might be pressing his lips to that neck before long.
“It’s very beautiful,” she o
bserved.
“It is,” he replied, voice gruff. It took him a moment to realise she meant the house.
Rushbourne House was a sizeable house with columns framing the door and large windows. While small compared to Hawksley Manor, it boasted two drawing rooms and six bedrooms. Hardly comparable to the nearly one hundred rooms of the manor but Evan preferred the more intimate feel of this house.
Entering through the open iron gates, the carriage took them up the private road to the house. Stone crunched under the wheels and with that, his apprehension grew. If he took a moment to consider his decision to take on a mistress, would he regret it?
When they came to a stop, Evan climbed out first and Miss Claremont slipped a gloved hand into his. At the touch of her slender fingertips, he could only conclude he wouldn’t regret it one jot. Images of those fingers touching other parts of his body rocked him.
He greeted John, the stable hand, curtly, anxious to get Miss Claremont into the house and officially his before she changed her mind. Mrs Hargreaves, the house keeper, and the few maids lined up at the door, waiting for him. The ancient housekeeper would never approve of Miss Claremont, but he was confident Mrs Hargreaves had the ability to remain civil.
Leading Miss Claremont to the door, he felt her fingers tremble and gave them what he hoped was a reassuring squeeze as he introduced her to the staff. He paused in front of the elderly housekeeper, whose dark eyes betrayed very little.
“Have Miss Claremont’s personal effects been delivered?”
“Yes, my lord. On Tuesday. I have seen that they are packed away.”
“Thank you, Mrs Hargreaves.”
He had also made arrangements to have her belongings brought to the house while they finished up their visit at Oakholm. Not only would it provide Miss Claremont some comfort but it ensured the safety of her personal effects. Evan allowed himself a smug smile. He had thought of everything, he suspected.
Once inside the small entrance hall, he released her hand and turned to one of the maids. “Please take Miss Claremont to her room to freshen up, then show her to the east drawing room for refreshments.”
Miss Claremont bristled at his orders. Perhaps the woman had simply been on her own too long to accept him dictating her moves. However, she had no choice but to accept his demands. As his mistress, obedience would be expected. He watched her climb the stairs, her rear swaying under all that blue fabric and allowed himself a wry smile. Of all the women to ask to be his mistress, he had to ask the most argumentative and disobedient one he had ever met. He thought it unlikely she’d always obey him unquestionably but one could hope.
“There are several letters for you, my lord. I left them in the study,” Mrs Hargreaves told him.
“Ah, thank you. Bring them to the drawing room, will you? And some tea.” He strode into the drawing room and paused to peer out of the window at his favourite view. Here the fields stretched out in front of the house, dipping and rolling. Not far in the distance, a row of trees signalled the start of the woods and they lined the horizon gracefully.
Hands clasped behind his back, Evan strode over to the fireplace and waited. He rocked on his heels. Damnation, how long did it take a woman to freshen up? He glanced at the golden mantel clock and conceded he had been standing there only minutes. However, the fear she might change her mind plagued him. The sooner she signed the contract, the better.
Mrs Hargreaves entered with a tray of tea and his letters stacked on the side. She set them on the console table next to the window and Evan had to force himself not to race over and snatch the documents.
“Will there be anything else, my lord?”
“No, thank you. Miss Claremont shall likely want to meet with you to discuss the running of the household. You are to treat her as your mistress, Mrs Hargreaves. But it has been a tiring journey so I think it can wait until tomorrow.”
The grey-haired woman’s pinched face remained implacable. “Of course, my lord.”
The housekeeper left in a swish of grey skirts. If she seemed surprised by him taking a mistress, she didn’t reveal it. Mrs Hargreaves was a frosty kind but Evan appreciated her thoroughness and her ability to stay out of his business. Few could say the same for their staff. And while he had never shown interest in having a mistress before, she’d served his father who no doubt had many women waiting around for him. Whether his father beat them as he beat his wife, he did not know.
The door opened again and this time it was Miss Claremont. Her skin looked dewy as though she had dampened it with a wet cloth and she had changed into another blue affair, this time lighter in shade with some frilly type detailing down either side of the buttons. It drew his attention to her breasts and made him long to pop each one of those buttons open.
She stared at him as if he was about to devour her—which was rather close to what he was imagining—and he recalled his manners. Dipping his head, he motioned to the blue padded chair by the window. It occurred to him she rather matched the room. Even her pale skin and light brown hair made her look at home in the room as she sat. With the afternoon sun streaming around her shoulders, he thought it was almost as if someone had designed the blue and silver colour scheme especially for her.
“I trust you are not too tired,” he commented, aware he had returned to staring at her.
“I am very well, thank you.”
“And the bedroom is to your liking.”
“It is pleasant indeed.”
He swallowed and strode over to the console table at her side. He made quick work of leafing through the letters and finding the one from his lawyer. He tore it open, scanned the writing and nodded with approval before handing it over.
“The contract,” he explained. “I think you shall find it satisfactory.”
Miss Claremont stared at the paper but he didn’t think she read it. Several moments passed with only the ticking clock for company. He squeezed his hands behind his back again and tried not to look like an eager young whelp desperate to have his first taste of a woman. Devil take it, it was not as if he were some wet-behind-the-ears virgin. He had bedded many a fine beauty but never before had his heart hammered at the mere thought of taking their hand or pressing a gentle kiss to their wrists.
He saw her take a deep breath and begin to scan the contract. Once finished, she lifted her head and nodded marginally. “It looks more than satisfactory.”
“Good.”
“And the provision for children? You will claim them, am I correct?”
“Yes. Though I hope it shall not come to that. We can discuss these matters later but there are several things you can do to prevent conception.”
“I see.”
Colour sat high in her cheeks, and Evan cursed inwardly. She had no knowledge of these matters, clearly, though her kiss led him to believe she was not wholly inexperienced. But, damn it, he had never taken a woman’s innocence before and it had never appealed to him either. He preferred his women experienced. The enormity of what she was giving him, and the journey they were about to embark on hit him. For her, it would change her life irrevocably. He only hoped the monetary compensation more than made up for it.
And as for him? He would try his best to ensure Miss Claremont’s only role in his life was for the odd moment of pleasure. He had no wish for his life to change. In a year’s time he would either look into taking a wife—one who ideally had little interest in spending time with him, therefore not risking his temper—or he would give up the idea entirely.
“You can sign it here.” He motioned to the writing desk next to the fireplace.
“Of course.” Slowly, she stood. He noted the contract shake a little in her hands. When she sat and lifted the pen out of the inkpot, he held his breath. “Just here?” she queried, pointing to the spot at the bottom of the contract.
“Yes.”
As though she were fighting the very act, she carefully and shakily signed her name. Once the ink had dried—and while they both stared at her signat
ure for some time—she handed it back to him. “There. All done.” She stood, lifted her chin and eyed him boldly. All signs of nervousness had vanished. “I am all yours now, Lord Hawksley. Whatever shall you do with me?”
“I have a great deal in mind,” he said in a low voice, her words twisting deep inside him and sending desire straight to his manhood.
She had little idea what her flippant words did to him. But instead of indulging in the need to strip her bare and take her then and there, he coaxed her close with a hand to her neck so she had to stare up at him. And stare she did. Miss Claremont did not look away, did not flutter her lashes or show any hint of fear. Oh, how he admired her courage.
“First, we shall seal our deal with a kiss,” he murmured.
“I thought we already did that, my lord.”
Evan ignored her comment. “And you can cease with this ‘my lord’ business. I am Evan and you are... Lilly.” He relished the sound of her name on his tongue, savoured it as if it were a delicious pastry.
“Evan,” she breathed.
“Lilly,” he responded and with a groan claimed her mouth, well and truly sealing their deal.
Chapter Ten
Hands to her arms, she rubbed them up and down in an attempt to ward off the chill. Lilly gulped. Was she really going to go through with this? She had thought little about giving herself to a man. Lord Hawksley—Evan—was the first man to have summoned any real interest in... in sex. With no marriage prospects, she envisaged spending the rest of her life a virgin and after a few fumbling kisses with some village boys when she was younger, she felt it no great loss.
But now she was to give herself to the man who’d effectively bought her. What would her mother have said? She suspected she might have supported the move. Above all else, Mother thrived on passion. Her passion had driven her to sacrifice everything for her father. Lilly didn’t think she was capable of the emotion. She had spent too long watching her every move, aware of being judged at every turn.
Still, she knew the mechanics well enough. Hopefully she could put in a satisfying performance for Evan and he would be pleased with their deal.
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