Catching A Rake (A Rake's Redemption Book 3)

by G. L. Snodgrass

  At last, the feeling slowly returned to her body. Her heart started beating again and a new sense of awareness made her feel as if her world had changed.

  “God, you are so special,” Bradford said as he stared into her eyes. She looked back, unable to think, unable to react. All she knew was that she wanted more. She wanted everything, now.

  Reaching for him, she pulled him at him, urging him to finish what he had started. To fill her with what she needed.

  Smiling, he positioned himself between her legs. His hardness resting against her very core. He hesitated for a moment and she thought surely her world would end if he did not hurry. Seeing the silent plea in her eyes. He positioned himself and slowly began to enter her.

  Oliva gasped at the sense of invasion. It was what she wanted, what she needed. But it seemed so strange. So frightening.

  He paused for a moment looking down at her, making sure she was ready for him to continue. She bit her lip and slowly nodded.

  Gently thrusting forward, he pushed through her maiden head. A sharp snip of pain flashed through her to be quickly followed by a sense of fulfillment. A sense of rightness. He halted for a moment. Once again allowing her body to adjust. Then he began to thrust into her, expanding her, stretching her beyond anything she could have imagined and the feeling was glorious. It felt so right. So perfect.

  He held himself above her, staring down at her with a look of tenderness that made her heart break. Then he closed his eyes and slowly withdrew before thrusting into her again.

  “Oh,” she moaned, surprised at this new feeling.

  He continued to thrust, his face tightening with concentration. Does he need to focus to bring it to a finish she? wondered. Then he shifted and thrust with a small twist and Olivia became lost again. Her eyelids closed as she sank into the feeling of Bradford thrusting into her over and over again.

  She once again felt that need for release building inside of her. More intense, more necessary.

  Every second brought her closer and closer until she felt Bradford thrust one last time and exploded inside of her. His shuddering, shivering climax sent her over the edge and once more waves of pleasure washed over her.

  More special this time, more perfect.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Lord Bradford woke to find himself draped around his new bride. A position he knew he could grow to enjoy. His arm around her waist, his leg over hers. Her sweet derriere nestled up next to him. It was heaven.

  No, he realized. He must not become enamored of his wife. He must remain in control or she would make his life a living hell.

  Slowly, he began to remove his arm. Determined to do so without waking her. The last thing he needed was a confrontation this early in the morning.

  His arm had almost worked its way free when Olivia whimpered in her sleep and caught his hand in hers. Holding it in place, refusing to let him leave her side.

  Bradford sighed internally. It could not be avoided. He must leave now or he would once again take her. Three times was enough. The poor woman would be sore and fatigued. No, he must make a clean departure.

  Gritting his teeth, he pulled his hand free and rolled out of bed.

  “Bradford?” Olivia said as she shifted in bed to find him already gone. The pout she shot him was priceless and almost enough to force him back to the bed. But no, he told himself, he must break free from her charms or he would be lost forever.

  “Where are you going?” she asked as her eyes traveled over his body, a secret smile tweaking the corners of her mouth.

  “I have many things to attend to if we are to leave for Basingstoke in two days.”

  Her brow furrowed. “Of course, I understand,” she said but he could tell by the flash of pain in her eyes that she was not happy about the matter.

  “Should I have them bring you a bath?” he asked.

  “Yes, please,” she said as she nodded while she sat up in bed, pulling the sheets around her in modesty. Now it was his turn to secretly smile. She had held no false modesty last night. The woman had been wanton and willing. Eager to learn. Eager to give and take pleasure. A true treasure, he realized as a sick fear filled him.

  “Tell me, Bradford,” she said with a deep frown. “What is your given name. Your first name?”

  He laughed as he slipped into a new coat. He would tie his own cravat. Today’s activities did not require anything formal.

  “Why?” he asked.

  “Because,” Olivia said. “It is the type of thing a wife should know.”

  Again, he laughed. “Oh, do you feel like a wife now?”

  She blushed furiously then stared at him and said, “Of course. Now, what is it? Not something strange I hope. Surely not Aubrey, or Zebedia.”

  He chuckled, pleased to learn she had retained her sense of humor.

  “No, James, My father’s name.”

  Olivia smiled softly then said, “James, yes, that makes sense. A good name.”

  He turned to leave then turned back to look at her, draped with a sheet, her bare shoulders exposed, her long legs hanging over the side of his bed. Her hair disheveled, her face flush with a night of making love. Yes, a true treasure.

  “I will not return until late this evening. If there is anything you need to accomplish before we leave town, I suggest doing it today. Tomorrow’s preparations and packing will fill the day.” He told her.

  She unconsciously gave him that little pout of hers. Something new from Olivia. He hadn’t believed the woman had it in her to pout. But she did it so well.

  A burning need to join her filled him. A strong desire to toss aside all of his obligations and return to partake once again of the heaven that he would find in her arms.

  No. That way lay ruination. Instead, he sighed heavily. “I will have them send up a bath,” he added as he gave her one last look, a quick smile and left. All the while, his soul fought with itself. Berating his idiocy for turning from such pleasure.

  As he drew away from the room, he slowly came to realize just how difficult his plan was going to be. The concept of making Olivia fall in love with him. Surrender herself to him was never going to be easy. But suddenly, he realized just how dangerous his course was to be.

  .o0o.

  Olivia felt a wave of sadness wash over her as she watched her husband leave. He hadn’t mentioned anything about their liaison. No indication as to whether he had enjoyed it. Nothing. Just a quick smile and a promise of a bath.

  Damn the man, damn him to hell. He hadn’t even stirred the fire for her.

  Wrapping the sheet around her she scurried across the cold floor to throw two logs onto the fire. What now? she wondered. What was expected of her?

  Gritting her teeth, she punched at the fire with the iron until it caught and burst into flames. Damn him, she thought again. Not one word. No sweet endearments, no compliments. Nothing. She felt used and put aside.

  Yet, wasn’t that what she had asked for? A simple liaison. A cold and distant relationship. Yet, now it felt wrong. She sighed heavily as she heard Mary stirring in the next room, probably preparing her bath. Once again, a wave of unhappiness washed over her as she realized what she had lost.

  Bradford had been so much more than she had expected. Tender, fierce, attentive to her needs yet commanding. So many things wrapped up in one very handsome package. The night had been a marvel. Yet, now the morning called and her real life must begin.

  Why had she made that silly condition that he would bed her only at her request? What a fool she had been. He had maneuvered her into a trap. It seemed impossible to imagine asking him to take her to his bed. Too humiliating. It would be admitting that she desired him. That she needed him. No, she could not give him such power. Besides, the shame would surely kill her.

  Taking a deep breath she poked her head into her room to ensure Mary was alone. Her maid looked up from the bath and flashed her a quick smile. Once she recognized that her mistress was not in distress, the smile grew even wider.


  “It is almost ready My Lady,” Mary said, “I had them warming the water for hours, I assumed you would want one.”

  Olivia returned the smile the best she could. Accept the wonderfulness of the night and accept that such nights would be few and far between because heaven could return to earth before she begged James Bradford to take her to his bed.

  Damn the man.

  .o0o.

  Bradford found Warwick at Brooks, residing at their normal table. The Lord looked up, surprised to see Bradford approaching.

  “I didn’t expect you today,” Lord Warwick said. “Your wife has finished with you already? I am surprised.” The strange look he shot Bradford made his stomach tighten into a firm clench. He really was worried about him.

  Bradford frowned as he slipped several banknotes across the table. “These are yours I believe.”

  Lord Warwick took the notes and smiled. “It is so much fun taking money from you and Nathanial. Knowing that you can afford it so easily does not diminish the pleasure one bit.”

  Bradford chuckled and signaled for a drink.

  “Really,” Warwick said. “I expected you to follow Nathanial’s example. We rarely see him here now that he is married. I was rather sure of myself that you would follow the same pattern.”

  Bradford scoffed. “Nathanial is in love with his wife. She controls his life. Mine is a marriage of convenience. Remember?”

  Warwick paused for a second as he examined his friend. Bradford felt uncomfortable under his friend’s perusal. Warwick started to say something, but changed his mind and shifted in his chair.

  “I have word of Lady Bradford’s kidnappers.”

  “Really,” Bradford said as he leaned forward. That was quick work.

  “Yes, we believe the leader has returned to London,” Lord Warwick told him. “One of Jocko’s contacts recognized the painting of the dead man and placed him with a John Cooper of Chelsea. He is known in the seamier parts of town.”

  Bradford’s heart jumped with anticipation. “Should I delay our departure? We are to Basingstoke the day after tomorrow.”

  Warwick shook his head. “No, it may take weeks to run down this man. Do not worry. Once we find him I will send you word. You can be back in a day. We won’t let him slip through our fingers. I promise.”

  Bradford nodded. He was glad, he realized. He wanted to get Olivia away from London. At least until these kidnappers had been dealt with. He had Evans hire extra footmen for the house and for the estate in Basingstoke. Once he had her there he would be able to relax, ensured of her safety.

  “I wondered if the man behind this might be Brookstone,” Bradford said, referring to the man who had tried to take Lady Alice. “I still can’t believe that the Lords let him live.”

  Warwick shook his head, “They were not so kind. His titles and lands were stripped and he has been exiled. For a man like Brookstone, there could be no worse punishment.”

  “Still,” Bradford said, desperate to find the perpetrator and deal with him.

  Warwick continued to shake his head. “No, he was the first I thought of as well. But I am informed that he is currently in Canada, working as an Inn Keeper. No, believe me. It is not Brookstone.

  Bradford sighed heavily. He had hoped his search would be easy. And this time, the Lords would not be given the chance to free Olivia’s attacker.

  “You know Bradford,” Warwick said as he tilted his head to study his friend, “something is different about you this morning.”

  Bradford swallowed hard and shrugged his shoulders. Nothing was different. Nothing had changed.

  Then Warwick smiled and slowly shook his head.

  “What?” Bradford demanded.

  Warwick grinned as he said, “It must be the love bite on your neck. It marks you as a newly married man.”

  Bradford’s hand shot to his neck. Olivia had been more amorous than he had anticipated. Fighting to hold back a blush, he finished his drink and got up to leave.

  “Be sure to get me word when you find our man. I will not have Nathanial or Jocko dealing with what is my responsibility.”

  “Of course,” Warwick said with a smile. “I wouldn’t dream of coming between you and your duty.”

  Bradford felt as if Warwick were talking about two different things but shifted it out of his mind. He had several more calls to make this day. Best he got on with it. The sooner he was done, the sooner he could return home to Olivia.

  The thought surprised him and sent a cold shiver down his spine. No. that way lay failure for sure. Putting aside the feeling building inside of him, he nodded to Warwick and left.

  If he had turned he knew he would see Warwick studying him with a knowing look. A look that said he saw more than Bradford would ever acknowledge.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Olivia welcomed her friend Amanda with a quick hug then asked Evans to send in some tea.

  Her friend stepped back from her hug and furrowed her brow as she studied her.

  “Are you all right?” Amanda asked.

  “Of course,” Olivia replied with a casual wave of her hand. “Why wouldn’t I be.”

  Amanda laughed. “It is the day after your wedding. The day after your wedding night. I honestly did not expect to hear from you so soon. Yet this morning, a note arrived saying you wished to see me. I must say, it is other than normal.”

  Olivia shrugged her shoulders. “We are going to Basingstoke the day after tomorrow and Bradford said if I needed to deal with anything I should do it today because tomorrow will be so busy. I am leaving town and wanted to see my best friend one last time before I left. That is all.”

  Amanda bit back a smile and slowly shook her head. “Olivia you really are the worst teller of tales.”

  Olivia slumped in her seat. “That’s what Bradford said.”

  “What happened? Really, are you all right? Did he hurt you?”

  “Who Bradford,” Olivia exclaimed. “Never, no.”

  “Then what?” Amanda said. “I know you, Olivia, you wouldn’t have sent for me if it wasn’t something you couldn’t deal with. And I have always found those things to be very few. So, what is the problem?”

  Olivia studied her hands and slowly shook her head. Suddenly she couldn’t look her friend in the face.

  “Tell me, Olivia. Was it … Was the experience so shocking.”

  Olivia remained quiet for a moment as she tried to organize in her own mind exactly what bothered her. Bradford had done nothing wrong. No, far from it. Yet still, she was troubled.

  Amanda sighed slightly. “Tell me, Olivia. Remember, I will never marry. So, I am living vicariously through you. What happened?”

  Studying her hands, Olivia looked up at her friend and smiled. “What where you and Lord Warwick discussing so intently at our wedding feast?”

  A small hint of pink flashed across Amanda’s cheeks as she shrugged. “Nothing important. Double entry bookkeeping if you must know.”

  Olivia laughed. “Oh Amanda, that is so you. One of the most eligible bachelors in England. And you are discussing bookkeeping.”

  “He asked,” she replied defensively. “And his supposed eligibility is in serious question. I don’t know if I like the idea of an English Lord having such intimate contacts with smugglers. You don’t know what I learned during your … absence… The man is intimately familiar with the less than honorable smugglers up and down the English coast.”

  Fighting to stop herself from laughing, Olivia gently shook her head. “Think about it, Amanda. Why would an English Lord, a good friend of the Regent, a trusted advisor to the Prime Minister, during a time of war? Why would such a man be in close contact with smugglers? What could he possibly desire to introduce or remove from our nearest enemy?”

  Amanda’s mouth dropped open as the realization sank in. “Spies? He deals with spies? Spies working for our government, I hope?”

  Olivia smiled reassuringly. “I believe so. Also, I know of at least one time that he slip
ped into France himself to retrieve information. I know this because Nathanial and Jocko helped him. They won’t tell me, but I can put two and two together.”

  “But he would have been hung if he had been caught,” Amanda said with disbelief.

  “Or worse,” Olivia replied.

  Amanda’s face slowly turned white as the ramifications became real to her. Everything she had thought about the man was wrong. Olivia gave her time to adjust to this new reality.

  Amanda continued to study her lap for a long moment then she looked up and smiled slightly. “Very good Olivia. You changed the subject. We haven’t dealt with your problem. And I refuse to leave until you tell me everything about last night. Was it really terrible?”

  Olivia laughed, “No, unfortunately, it was not. It would be easier if it were.”

  “Then what?” Amanda asked with exasperation.

  “I don’t know how I can explain,” Olivia said.

  Amanda simply raised an eyebrow as she waited for her friend to continue.

  Olivia sighed heavily. Perhaps by expressing her feelings, she could determine what was bothering her so much about the evening with Bradford.

  “It was wonderful. More wonderful than I could ever have known.”

  Amanda rocked back in her chair, surprised. “And that is a problem because?”

  Olivia swallowed, “Because, I foolishly made demands. Demands before I realized what I was dealing with.”

  “And they were?” Amanda asked, her eyes big with expectation.

  Olivia sighed. “I demanded that all future … liaisons only occur when I request them. That I would be in charge of when and where.”

  Amanda’s lips pursed as she took in her friend's statement. “Very well. Again, that is a problem why? I thought you preferred to be in control. Doesn’t this fit with your desires?”

  Olivia fought to hold back a tear that was forming at the corner of her eye. “Don’t you see,” she said in frustration. Amanda shook her head, obviously lost.

  Olivia looked down as she said the words that she had been terrified to say. “Don’t you see. I can’t ask him to my bed. I would be admitting that I need him. That I want his attention. Don’t you see, it will mean that he has won.”