To Catch a Countess

by Patricia Grasso

  Alexander passed her the teacup. Victoria took a sip and smiled, not bothering to argue about church services.

  And then Alexander recalled the duchess’s words to him. “Victoria never actually refuses to do anything. She agrees to whatever you want and then does what she wants.”

  “I’m leaving for my estate in Winchester directly after church,” Alexander said. “I’ll return by Thursday to escort you to the opera.”

  “I’ll miss you,” Victoria told him.

  “Will you?”

  “As your betrothed, missing you is my duty.”

  That made him smile. When she finished the tea and scone, Alexander lifted the tray off the bedside table. “I expect you dressed and downstairs in one hour.”

  An hour later, Alexander stood in the foyer with the others. Victoria hadn’t made her appearance yet, and he was becoming irritated.

  “She won’t come down,” the duke told him.

  “I have never seen Tory at any church service,” Rudolf remarked.

  Alexander looked toward the stairway as if he could will her to appear. “Victoria will attend today’s service even if I—here she is now.”

  Victoria had dressed in a high-waisted white gown, embroidered with pink roses at the hem and neckline. She carried a pink parasol and a white bonnet with pink ribbons.

  Alexander had never seen anything so lovely. She was the essence of innocence, yet there was an air of sensuality surrounding her.

  Everyone walked outside, their coaches in a line in the front courtyard. With Victoria holding his arm, Alexander glanced at Tinker and said, “I told you so.”

  “Many mishaps can happen between now and church services,” the majordomo reminded him.

  * * *

  Victoria was silent on the way to the village. She despised going to church but knew she was trapped. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe in God and certainly wanted to worship Him. Her inability to read the prayer book or hymns made her feel self-conscious and kept her away.

  Reaching the village church, Alexander climbed out of the coach first and then helped Victoria down. The family was standing in front of the church and exchanging pleasantries with the vicar.

  “Alex, I would like you to meet Vicar Small,” the duchess introduced them. “Lord Emerson is the Earl of Winchester and betrothed to my youngest niece, Victoria.”

  The two men shook hands. Victoria curtseyed to the vicar.

  “I didn’t realize there were three nieces,” Vicar Small said to the duchess, eliciting smothered chuckles from the prince and the marquess. “Has she been away?”

  “Victoria is a sickly child,” the duchess explained.

  “Well, miss, I am certainly glad you are feeling better today.”

  “The will of God has made me better.”

  Vicar Small turned to lead the way into church. Victoria smiled at Alexander and slipped her arm through his.

  ‘“God’s will had nothing to do with your presence,” Prince Rudolf whispered, leaning close to them. “Alex’s will prevailed.”

  The Duke and Duchess of Inverary led the way and marched down the aisle to the front of the church. They nodded to the villagers, most of whom did business with the duke, and sat in the first pew.

  Angelica and Robert, accompanied by six-year-old Colin, Robert’s nephew by his deceased brother, and six-year old Daisy, Robert’s and Angelica’s adopted daughter sat in the second pew. Their year-old twins were too young to attend services.

  Samantha and Rudolf claimed the third pew. Eleven-year-old Grant and nine-year-old Drake, their adopted sons, as well as Princess Zara, Rudolf’s daughter by his first wife, sat with them. Their six-month-old twins were also too young to attend services.

  Alexander and Victoria sat alone in the fourth pew. He passed her the prayer book as the vicar began the service. Opening to the first page, Victoria pretended to focus on the words.

  Alexander lifted the upside-down book out of her hands. He turned it around and passed it back to her. “Behave yourself.”

  “I forgot my spectacles,” she whispered.

  Victoria began to panic. First comes the prayer book and then comes the hymn book. If she stayed here, Alexander would realize she couldn’t read. Would he cancel their wedding? More likely, he would hire a tutor, but if she was unable to learn, he would hold her in contempt for the rest of their lives. He would think she’d tricked him into marriage. She couldn’t bear him knowing how stupid she was.

  Her panic level rose. Victoria knew she needed a distraction. If she told him she felt dizzy, Alexander would know she was lying, but if she actually—

  Victoria dropped the prayer book and grabbed his arm. “Alex, help—” Relaxing every muscle in her body, Victoria fell into a swoon. She trusted him to catch her before she hit the floor.

  Victoria heard the exclamations of alarm as she went down. She almost smiled as Alexander caught her and lifted her into his arms.

  “I’ll help you,” Victoria heard Prince Rudolf say. A moment later, she was floating on air as Alexander carried her down the aisle. Victoria struggled against a bubble of laughter when she heard the vicar saying, “Let us pray for the quick recovery of His Grace’s niece.” And then she felt the fresh air as Alexander stepped outside the church.

  Moaning softly, Victoria opened her eyes and gazed into hazel eyes filled with concern. “I can stand,” she said. “I’ll be fine.”

  “I’m taking you home.” Alexander set her down but refused to release her. “I’ll climb inside,” he told the prince, “and you help her up to me.”

  When he turned his back, Victoria winked at Rudolf and mouthed the words, “Do not laugh.”

  “Help her up.” Alexander lifted her into the coach and settled her beside him.

  “I wouldn’t worry,” Rudolf told the earl. “With the congregation’s prayers, Tory will soon recover.”

  When they reached the mansion, Alexander climbed out first and then helped her down. Unexpectedly, he scooped her into his arms and carried her inside.

  Tinker opened the door. “I told you so.”

  Victoria feared he would realize her ploy. “Help me upstairs?”

  Putting his arm around her, Alexander helped her to her chamber. He closed and locked the door. Victoria decided she couldn’t have planned this any better. The Lord did move in wondrous ways.

  “Shall I bring you a pot of tea?” he asked.

  “Will you help me undress first?”

  Alexander inclined his head and sat beside her on the bed. He unfastened her gown, starting with the top button, slowly making his way from her neck to her waist. Parting the two sides, he ran one finger up her delicate backbone.

  Victoria sucked in her breath. A delicious chill shook her body, but where he touched her burned. Pushing the gown off her shoulders, Alexander lifted the heavy mane of fire off her neck. He touched her nape with his warm lips and blew lightly on her sensitive skin.

  “I like your lips on me,” she whispered.

  Alexander rose from the bed and offered his hand. “Stand, please.”

  Without hesitation, Victoria placed her hand in his and stood, her blue gaze never leaving his. She watched in fascination as he slid the gown down her body until it pooled at her feet.

  “Sit down,” Alexander ordered, his voice husky. When she did, he lifted the gown off the floor and raised it to his face. “Your scent lingers on it.”

  Alexander set the gown on a nearby chair and faced her. Victoria recognized the gleam in his eyes as he studied her from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. She wore only her chemise, garters, stockings, and shoes.

  Holding her gaze captive, Alexander removed his jacket and placed it on top of her gown. Then he removed his waistcoat and cravat and unbuttoned the neck of his white shirt.

  Victoria stared at him, her blue eyes enormous. She had the feeling she was about to get what she wanted. Only, the thought of it frightened her.

  “Are you feeling bett
er?” Alexander asked, placing his palm on her cheek.

  Victoria answered by turning her face to kiss the palm of his hand. Then she rubbed her cheek against it like a young female cat claiming her territory.

  Alexander knelt in front of her. He removed her right shoe, set it aside, and lifted her stockinged foot to kiss it.

  Victoria felt a surging panic when he reached for her left foot. She closed her eyes against his seeing the mark on the bottom of the shoe but relaxed when he lifted her foot to his lips.

  Opening her eyes, Victoria watched him slide his hands up her legs. Reaching the bottom edge of the chemise, he pushed the silk and lace garment up to reveal her thighs and then removed her lacy garter. He rolled her silk stocking down her leg slowly.

  Her breathing became shallow when he removed the stocking and kissed her foot again. He drew each of her toes into his mouth to suck gently upon it.

  Alexander slid his hands up her other leg. Without rushing, he rolled the silk stocking down and then sucked her toes.

  Victoria felt her stomach tighten into a knot of desire. She knew he was seducing her. She had no idea what changed his mind. She wanted him, wanted to savor the feelings he was creating, wanted whatever he could give her.

  Alexander sat beside her. “Do you want to lie down?”

  “Only with you,” she whispered.

  Alexander encircled her shoulders with his arm and drew her against his body. At the same time, he cupped her chin and ran his thumb across her lips. When she leaned into his stroking, he lowered his head, and his lips replaced his thumb.

  Victoria sighed at this contact. She pressed against him, offering herself. She was passionate but untouched and unawakened to the power of her own sensuality.

  Alexander groaned. He wanted what she offered—her body, her heart, her soul.

  Deepening the kiss, Alexander dropped the hand caressing her shoulder to the small of her back. Victoria entwined her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him, surrendering to his kiss, willing to follow where he would lead, yearning for his possession.

  Alexander moved a hand to the back of her head to hold her steady while he kissed her hungrily. Victoria met his kiss with equal hunger, melting into him. A primitive mating instinct pulsed through her awakening body, spurred her on, urged her to become one with him.

  When he caressed the crease of her lips with his tongue, Victoria opened her mouth for him, letting him ravage her sweetness. Alexander pushed her back on the bed and lay on top of her.

  For the first time in her young life, Victoria felt the weight of a man pressing her down. And she liked it. The world faded away, leaving only this man, her mate, the center of her universe.

  Alexander slid his lips to her cheek, her eyelids, her temples. He tongued her ears, making her shiver with the sensations. His lips drifted to her throat.

  Then Alexander knelt, his legs on either side of hers. Holding her gaze captive, he slid the straps of her chemise off her shoulders, down her arms, until the lacy edge of the delicate bodice perched on the edge of her nipples.

  Victoria reached up and drew the chemise down, baring her breasts for him. Alexander groaned, and cupping her breasts, he buried his face in the crevice between them, inhaling her enticing vanilla scent.

  “I love your nipples,” Alexander said, a hoarse edge to his voice.

  With those words, Alexander sucked upon one pink-tipped peak and then the other. Victoria arched her back into his kiss, holding his head against her breast.

  “Yes,” she moaned, the spot between her thighs throbbing, the folds of her flesh wet with desire.

  Alexander drew back and knelt again. With both hands, he peeled the chemise down and tossed it aside, baring her body to his smoldering gaze.

  “You’re sure?” he asked.

  Victoria held her arms out in answer. She wanted him in her body, her heart, her soul.

  Alexander stood to remove his shirt, his shoes, his trousers. He nearly laughed out loud when he noted his sweet betrothed kept her gaze above his waist. She suffered from a virgin’s fear of the unknown.

  “Don’t be frightened,” Alexander said, lying beside her, pulling her into his arms.

  “I’m worried, not frightened.”

  “Don’t worry.” He kissed her lingeringly, rekindling the fire, stealing her breath.

  Moving over her, Alexander used his legs to spread her thighs. He pressed his weight on top of her, accustoming her to spread her legs for him.

  “What worries you?” he asked, feeling her trembling.

  “It.”

  Alexander wanted to laugh. Instead, he kissed her and said in a soothing voice, “I promise it is nothing to worry about. It is part of me, not a monster intent on hurting you. You trust me, don’t you?”

  Victoria opened her eyes. “Yes, Alex, I trust you.”

  Alexander knelt between her legs but made no move to enter her body. He lifted her hands and kissed them, then turned them over and kissed her palms.

  Bending over her, Alexander kissed and licked her breasts. His tongue swirled around one alabaster globe, coming closer and closer to its center.

  When he touched its pink tip with his tongue, it hardened and rose into arousal. Victoria whimpered, the pleasure almost too much to bear.

  Alexander flicked his tongue back and forth, finally drawing her nipple between his lips, pulling, nipping, sucking. Releasing it, he blew on its wet tip.

  Dazed with desire, Victoria whispered, “Don’t stop . . . please.”

  In answer, Alexander sucked hard upon one nipple while his thumb and forefinger teased her other nipple. He kissed a burning trail from her breasts to her stomach and then buried his face in the fiery red curls at the juncture of her thighs.

  Inhaling her intoxicating scent, Alexander started to move lower but felt her stiffen. He reached for her sensitive nipples—squeezing their tips, rolling them between his fingers, making her squirm.

  “I want to savor every inch of your body,” Alexander said, his voice husky with need. “Don’t deny me. Please, Tory.”

  Victoria moaned and spread her legs wider. There was no mistaking her invitation.

  Alexander lowered his head and tongued the folds of flesh between her legs. She opened for him, surrendering her most intimate self, allowing him access to the center of her pleasure.

  When he tongued her swollen nub, Victoria arched her body, pressing herself against him. She cried out as pleasure surged through her.

  After the last spasm shook her body, Alexander slid his hand down her body to the spot where his tongue had been. Lower, his hand drifted, and then Victoria felt a burning sensation as he pushed one long finger inside her quivering body.

  Deeper and deeper, Alexander pushed his finger until he reached her virgin’s barrier. He caressed her wet, silken interior and then inserted a second finger.

  Victoria felt vulnerable, helpless to his desire. She never imagined this feeling of being filled. When he slipped his fingers out, she felt empty and moaned in disappointment.

  “Another moment, Tory,” Alexander soothed her, positioning himself between her thighs, sliding a pillow beneath her bottom to raise it. “Another moment and you will be mine. Completely. Forever. You want that, darling. Open your eyes and tell me you want me.”

  Victoria opened her eyes, glazed with desire. She could feel the wet head of his manhood poised to pierce.

  “I want you,” she said. “I want you deep in—”

  Alexander thrust forward. She whimpered when he broke through her maidenhead and slid to the mouth of her womb.

  Victoria felt vulnerable again, completely at his mercy, possessed. She hadn’t known it would be like this, had never imagined in her daydreaming—

  Alexander moved, slowly at first, and then increased his tempo. Victoria caught his rhythm and moved with him. He thrust deeper and deeper, pulling back and then thrusting to the hilt, their groins touching.

  “Alex,” she cried, spasms
shaking her body.

  Alexander groaned and shuddered, his seed flooding her. Wrapping her arms around him, Victoria felt him giving himself to her and knew that, in this moment, he was as vulnerable as she. Love for him swelled in her heart.

  Recovering first, Alexander rolled off her and pulled her with him. He wrapped her within the circle of his embrace.

  She snuggled against him. “Alex?”

  “I am not sorry we didn’t wait,” he told her, hearing the question in her voice.

  “Will we do this on our wedding night?”

  Alexander laughed out loud. ‘‘We can do this whenever you want.”

  “Today?”

  “Well, sweetheart, I need a few minutes to regain my strength.”

  “Why did you want to wait?” she asked.

  “Charles Emerson is not my father,” Alexander told her. “I don’t know who sired me. I suppose I am being overly sensitive about observing society’s proprieties.”

  Victoria looked as confused as she felt. “I don’t understand.”

  “I didn’t want the gossip mongers fueled by your giving birth early,” Alexander said. “Three weeks doesn’t signify, though.”

  Silence reigned in the chamber for several minutes.

  “Tory, if you ever need money, you have a bright future on stage at Drury Lane.”

  Victoria realized he knew her swoon had been feigned. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “You owe me one pound,” Alexander said, ignoring her denial. “Tinker and I wagered on your staying and praying at church. I lost.”

  “I don’t own any money,” Victoria said, looking up at him with a pert smile on her face.

  “People do not own money,” Alexander said. “I will need to take the proverbial pound of flesh.”

  “Proverbial pound—What is that?”

  “I will accept payment with your delicious body,” he told her.

  Victoria gave him a flirtatious smile. “You won’t get much for a pound.”

  Faster than she could blink an eye, Alexander had rolled her onto her back and loomed over her. He dipped his head, his mouth claiming hers. This time Alexander didn’t need to coax her. Victoria met him kiss for kiss, caress for caress, stroke for stroke.