He tried another avenue for he could see he would get no more down that road. “How do you know him?”
“I don’t…well not really. You know already that I was disguised as a lad and at the Mermaid Inn. It was to deliver a message to that blackguard.”
He could see she was distressed. She didn’t want to tell him even this much and in essence, she hadn’t told him very much more than he already surmised. “For your brother? You were there for your brother?”
Her eyes found her lap and she would not bring them to his face. He lifted her chin, “Star, don’t you realize…? Don’t you know you can trust me? Won’t you trust me?”
“I want to, but as I said, what you are asking…what you want to know, is not mine to tell. Don’t you men have a code of honor about keeping secrets and such?”
“Indeed, we do, but neither do we allow one another to be fed to the wolves and Star, you and your brother are in the act of having just that done. He isn’t equipped to see himself out of this and neither are you. I, however, can help.”
“Let me discuss this with Vern. When I tell him how Farley accosted me today and how you helped, he may want to confide in you himself.”
“Fair enough,” Sir Edward said on a sigh.
“You are so good,” Star returned.
“No, no I am not, or I would not be doing this,” he said and took her into his arms. He could control himself no longer. His mind had turned into fodder. His manhood throbbed for attention. His fingers itched to feel her flesh and his mouth watered for her kiss. His tongue found hers in an instant and heaven was at hand.
*
She wanted him with all her heart. Her mind told her she was diving into quicksand and her heart answered that he had hold of her and wouldn’t let go. She trusted him. She did. When he was near, touching her like this, all was well and would be forever right.
When his lips touched hers, she gave herself to him with a frenzy she had not realized she was capable of feeling. Her arms went around his neck and she pressed herself into him for more.
His delicious kiss grew into another and yet another and then his lips covered her neck and back up to her mouth. He whispered, “You taste so good love…so good…” and the sound and meaning of the words traveled through her body and made her yearn for things she had never experienced. She wanted it all and she wanted it with him, this man who filled her universe with bright hope and red hot passion.
She heard herself murmur his name and wondered at the sound of her voice, so low, so husky, someone else’s voice. She felt the buttons of her gown released, were those her fingers helping his? She saw him remove his shirt and marveled at his muscular form, his handsome face and his hungry expression. She found her thighs clenching with desire.
He opened the buttons of his pants and thought he was nearly as large as one of her studs for she had never seen a man naked like this before. Were they all hung like horses? No, she did not think so.
“Exquisite,” he said as he ran his hands over her body and cupped her breasts. She had known when he laid the horse blanket down, this would happen. She had known and eagerly awaited it.
His lips brushed one of her nipples, his tongue licked at it, his finger flicked it as his other hand moved over her belly and then his mouth was on hers again. He whispered words of praises scarcely audible as he took her fingers and led them to his manhood.
Excited beyond her expectations, she touched him, ran her fingers up and down its length. He moaned and wrapped her hand around it and said, “Oh love, love, your fingers feel so good…do you like it? Do you?”
“Yes,” she said breathlessly. “I do…I do…” and as she spoke she squeezed his manhood, thrilled by the feel of it in her hand. She stroked it, pulled on it as she experienced a driving sensation she had never thought possible before. She was wanton, a wanton woman, and it felt right, so completely right.
He moaned and came down beside her once more and took her lips between his teeth, nibbling hungrily before his tongue once more was inside her mouth teaching her what was to come.
“Edward…” she said his name, as his fingers found the cleft between her thighs and pressed hard. She jerked with pleasure. “Oh…yes…”
His finger worked its way inside and this time she was the one moaning. His free hand moved over her belly and then came to part her thighs as his kisses traveled over her and then he rubbed his cheek against her inner thigh, kissed it as his lips traveled higher and she arched.
Riveted by the ecstasy he aroused in her, every nerve ending was alive and sending messages to her brain. Messages that said ‘yes, more, yes’ and made her tense to his tongue, which lapped and licked her into a frenzy as his teeth gently nibbled. She was transported into pleasure, swept away with emotions that whispered his name and as he gently sought her wetness with his finger.
Her body jerked from his ministrations. She felt primal and wanted to cry out when all at once, her entire body exploded with sensation so great she did in fact scream out his name, “EDWARD.”
His moans incorporated sweet words of hunger, “Sweet Star…my own beauty…” he murmured huskily before he put himself between her thighs.
She could feel his rod there at her opening. She knew what was coming and trembled as she waited for it.
He whispered hoarsely, “Are you ready for this…are you sure…?”
“Yes, yes…want…” she answered, still trembling from the aftershocks of her climax.
He rubbed his cock at her cleft before pushing in just a bit. His voice was low, erotic sounding as he told her, “So tight, oh but sweetheart, so wet and tight…”
All she knew was that she had turned feral at his touch. She wanted everything he had to give in every single imaginable way. Then, as he rammed into her, she felt an immediate tearing and a sharp pain. It was over almost as soon as it occurred and he was rocking himself inside of her. She matched his movements and pumped against him for he had worked her into a frenzy of sexual need.
Suddenly he pulled out of her and said almost harshly, “No…no…not yet…I want this to last.” He scooped her into a sitting position. She eyed him questioningly, for she was in heat, she wanted him inside of her, she wanted him in every imaginable way a woman could want a man. He turned her gently and set her on her hands and knees and whispered low and sweetly, “Your derriere is exquisite my love…you perfect little woman, you.”
She felt him rub his cock on her bottom and pumped backward against him wanting him to enter, wanting him to make her feel the way she just had.
He complied, slamming his cock deep inside and rocking her in an age old motion that brought her to a screaming climax. She shook and jerked this time with the aftershocks of her experience and he released a short laugh and said, “Now…my love, now…”
He pulled out once more and she felt cold from his withdrawal, and objected. He laughed again, “Here, Star…is this what you want, and he plunged himself back inside of her and his hands went around her to find her breasts and as he pounded into her and fondled and teased her nipples, he let out a long hard growl of pleasure as he let himself go.
He collapsed on the blanket and brought his arm around her to draw her close. He kissed her forehead, her nose, and her lips. He whispered words of admiration and satisfaction and she waited. She waited to hear him say he loved her, but that one word never escaped his lips.
Was she disappointed he had not said it, she asked herself? Not exactly. Why, she asked herself. Because, he damn well does love me and I am going to hear it from his lips…soon, very soon.
Chapter Sixteen
STAR WAS AWARE of him in a way she couldn’t explain, even to herself. He seemed to hold a key and that key opened a new and wonderful world for her.
He helped her dress, even as he stood naked in the sun and she saw his manhood, still hard and erect.
She smiled at him and he took her fingers to his lips and said, “Star, there are so many things I want to say to you,
but more importantly, I want to get you safely home.”
An answer to this was something she couldn’t seem to form either on her lips or in her mind. She never wanted him to leave her or be far from her, but that was what was happening.
She did the only thing she could. She smiled and he helped her with the buttons down the side of her gown, and set her to rights.
When she turned, he had on his breeches and was pulling on his boots and their eyes met and locked. Life now would be forever changed. She wondered what he was thinking for the expression on his face was inscrutable.
It didn’t take them long to ride the distance to Berkley after that and he created an atmosphere where she was not uncomfortable. He teased and challenged her to a race and then they took their fence flying, laughing and jesting about nonsense—all instigated by him.
She would be forever thankful for the manner in which he treated her after their lovemaking. If she had not won his heart, if he broke hers by leaving without giving her his, she would always remember this time with him and how perfect he had been in every imaginable way.
They dropped off her horse at Berkley stable. With her hand in his, he walked her front courtyard, where he tethered his horse to the hitching post. He took her elbow to lead her to her front door.
She opened the door and turned to him, hoping her smile told him how she felt, and asked, “Do you come in?”
“No, not now, love. I must return to Stamford…”
“Oh, perhaps you and Jules would like to join us for dinner?”
“Minx, my minx. Are you sure your brother will be up to it?”
“I am,” she said quite unsure.
“Then I shall extend your invitation to Jules. I, however, cannot, though it pains me for I would like nothing better. I have business in Hastings that may take a good part of the day and some of the evening.” He touched her cheek. “But…it pains me to say no, for I would enjoy dining with you.
She lowered her eyes, “You know, you don’t…owe…me anything…It was not your fault. It was what I wanted.”
He frowned, “Don’t talk like that, Star.” He bent and brushed her lips with his own. “You never stood a chance once I decided you were mine!”
A moment later, he had turned to walk the distance to his horse, and another moment took him hurriedly away.
*
Georgie knocked on Vern’s door and waited for him to call out a welcome before she opened it and stuck her head in. “Good morning, or is it nearly afternoon?” she said brightly.
He was up and standing by the window. He wore a maroon brocade dressing gown, cinched by a black silk belt. His fair hair fell about his head in the windswept fashion. When he turned to her, Georgie saw that his color had returned a bit and that he was looking much better.
He took his hand out of his pocket and went forward, reaching for hers as he said, “Georgie, love, do come in and have a cup of coffee with me.”
She smiled at him and went inside and as she had not opened the door widely enough gravity shut it. She didn’t give it a thought and went to take his hand amiably. “Oh Vern, you are looking well this morning.” She waved away at the coffee though, “I have already had a cup and will have another when Star returns.”
“Returns?” Vern interrupted. “Where has she gone?”
“Dilly tells me she went off on Butch for a ride, which is just as well, as I do want to have a private word with you, Vern.” She sat on a nearby chair and motioned for him to sit beside her.
He smiled and as he pulled up the chair closer to her he said, “Georgie…your hair with the sunlight shining through it—so lovely.”
“Stuff and nonsense, now stop Vern. I want to talk to you,” Georgie replied putting an end to any flirtation he might have had in mind. “You and I have been friends for a very long time and I have not wanted to pry, but I feel as your friend, I now must.”
“Don’t Georgie,” he said regarding the darkly woven rug at his feet.
“Yes, but Vern, it is drawing Star into something that is beyond her capacity to repair. So, whereas I may not be the one to meddle in your life, I must do so in regards to Star’s life.” Her tone was meant to indicate that she had quite made up her mind. “Now, if you please. Why did you come charging in at the Sefton Ball last night? I am not a fool and laudanum in the dosage you were taking would not have made you do so and you were not, I believe fevered and delirious.”
He eyed her appraisingly and she wagged a finger to add, “That’s right, you decide if you think me fool enough to believe a farradiddle.”
He eyed her and sighed heavily, “I won’t try and bamboozle you, ‘ole girl. I was under the misguided impression that a robbery was afoot. Something I remembered.”
She frowned, “You said you would not try to bamboozle me. So, shall we try again?”
“I was at the Mermaid Inn some nights ago and overheard some brutes…then it hit me last evening that it was the Sefton Ball they were talking about.”
“Oh Vern, I do wish you would tell me the truth. The lie is there, on your face, in your eyes…how can you?”
He shrugged and looked away from her. “As it happens, nothing of the sort occurred so I was wrong. End of a bad tale.”
Georgie went to him then and sympathetically put a hand to the wide black silk lapel of his gown. He put his hand over hers and both sighed together.
*
Jules gave his big hunter over to Jeffries with a wink and a coin before he made his way to the Berkley’s front door.
Dilly greeted him shyly and bobbed a curtsy. “Why Mr. Stamford, how nice.” She stepped aside and added, “His lordship is still abovestairs having his coffee. Ye can join him there and I’ll bring up another cup, I will.”
“Thank you, Dilly, but is Miss Star about?”
Dilly smiled and shook her head, “She is out having a late morning ride, she is. No doubt she’ll be back by the time ye finish yer cup of coffee with his lordship.”
Jules smiled and thanked her, saying that he knew the way. At the stairs he stopped, turned and asked Dilly who had already started down the hall to the kitchen, “I say, Dilly is Miss Madison riding with Miss Star?”
“No, no she is up, but truth is I don’t know which direction she took this morning. Do ye wish me to fetch her to ye?”
“No, no, don’t bother her. I’ll just go visit with his lordship, then.”
A moment later he was opening Vern’s door a wide crack and received quite a jolt at what he witnessed. What he believed he saw was a private moment of a great deal of affection at the least and a modicum of passion. His merry mood faded and transgressed into doubt as he stammered, “Oh, I am sorry…I seem to be intruding.” He started backward feeling for no apparent reason, but quite betrayed. “Please do excuse me.”
Vern laughed and waved him inside. Georgie felt her cheeks grow hot for it was evident to her just what Jules was thinking.
Vern called out as Jules stood there frozen, “Come in Jules. Come on, don’t be a bottle-head…in with you.”
Jules was convinced that he had disturbed a tête á tête between lovers. He felt ridiculously sick inside. Why this should so disturb him he could not say. He couldn’t think and as he stepped inside was only able to manage a half smile toward his lordship.
He turned to Georgie and said curtly, “Good morning, Georgina.”
His coolness brought her eyebrow up and she gave him an arched look. He wondered at it and as she glared at him, he wondered some more before she said, “Ah, since when have I slipped from Georgie to Georgina?”
“I…er…did not wish to…take a liberty…”
“You could not take what I would not allow,” Georgie said, her eyes twinkling.
Vern laughed out loud and Georgie frowned at him as Jules said, “Allow me to start over. Good morning, Georgie.”
“Is it?” she returned her eyes twinkling.
He was surprised into a short laugh, “Isn’t it?”
&
nbsp; Vern laughed at both of them, but they ignored him as Georgie continued, “Why should it be after the night we spent?” She started for the door.
“Georgie…don’t go…” Vern called. “What the devil is wrong?”
“I am going to go down and see if your sister has returned, as I should like a few words with her before I return home.”
Jules watched her go and he was suddenly aware of an empty feeling. What the hell was wrong with him? He asked himself.
*
The afternoon sun arrived through a maze of wispy clouds, sure and warm. The breeze spun a summer magic of scent and sound as brother and sister strolled near their roses and attempted to make sense of the problem they faced.
Star linked her arm through his and said, “Vern, I have something to tell you.” She looked up at his dear face and sighed.
“That…” he said mockingly. “Sounds deuced serious.”
“It is, very,” she professed, frowning up at him. “Earlier…just before lunch I went out for a ride. Farley intercepted me and made some horrible threats.”
Vern stopped dead and turned to look down at her, “What? Farley bothered you?” He shook his head, “I will kill him…” He looked at her, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“I couldn’t, not with both Georgie and Jules there, could I?” They had just walked the two down to the stables and waved them off. “Vern, he must have been lying in wait for me…waiting to follow and get me alone.”
Vern did a spin in place and raked his head with both hands. “I will kill him, but slowly…very slowly.”
“Stop, Vern, do hush. I had my ladies pistol and meant to do just that if he laid a hand on me, but I didn’t have to.”
“What do you mean? Damn the scoundrel to hell. I’ll have his skin before I take out his insides and feed them to the buzzards.”
“While I should like to help you do just that, allow me to tell you all of it.”
“Yes, yes…sorry sis, go on.”
“Sir Edward happened upon us and sent him off like a mewling baby,” she smiled at the memory of how her Edward had handled the blackguard.”
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