by Wendy Vella
Grace gave herself up to his touch then, and the sensations he was creating inside her. Picking her up, he walked to the bed and pulled back the covers to lower her onto the sheet.
She watched as he ripped the shirt over his head and then lowered his breeches. His body was honed by muscle.
“Don’t be scared, Grace.”
“I’m not,” she whispered, running her eyes over him and coming to rest between his thighs. He was a beautiful man, fiercely aroused, and he wanted her. “Well, maybe a bit,” she whispered, remembering last night’s pain.
He lay down beside her and ran a hand over her body, his touch so light she sighed. It felt wonderful and she was soon tingling all over.
“Will you kiss me, Nick?”
“You ask much of me,” he teased.
His lips brushed hers as his hand touched her breast, stroking the skin and circling the aching nipple. It was heaven, and Grace could suddenly focus on nothing but the man who was creating this magic inside.
His lips moved to her chest, and then her breasts, licking the full curves and then taking a taut peak into his mouth.
“Oh, lord!” Grace cried. Her nails raked through his hair as he continued to caress her until her body arched in pleasure as the pressure inside her built.
“The pleasure has only just begun,” Nick said as he moved down her body, kissing and stroking her skin as he went.
Grace tensed when she felt his lips on her stomach.
“Don’t think, Grace, just feel.”
“But… dear lord,” she whispered as she felt his breath there, between her thighs. “Nick!” Grace cried as he licked her, his tongue sweeping the plump damp folds between her legs. He didn’t stop as her fingers gripped his hair, just plunged it inside her.
Grace fell back on the bed, fisting her hands in the sheets, as her heels dug into the bed. The sensations were exquisite. She moaned as he continued to take her to new heights, until she felt him stretch her, pushing his fingers inside. Then she thought no more, only felt, as her body shuddered.
“I need you now, Grace.” Nick’s body was suddenly blanketing hers, and then she felt him at her entrance, slowly pushing his way into her wet sheath. She tensed, and it was a bit tender, but soon that eased, and then he was deep inside her and Grace felt the delicious tension once again begin to build.
“Nick,” she whispered his name.
“You feel so good, Grace.” Bracing his hands on either side of her head, he looked down at her as he thrust in and out, his movements controlled and slow. “Tell me there is no pain.”
“No,” she whispered. One of her hands touched his face, mapping the contours of his cheeks and jaw. “There is no pain, only pleasure.”
Nick closed his eyes briefly, and then lowered himself to kiss her, his lips taking hers in a soft sensual dance that left her breathless. He thrust harder then, in and out until Grace felt the wonderful pressure inside her once more. She shuddered and then scaled the heights of pleasure with Nick following her seconds later.
He rolled to one side, taking her with him. Grace lay breathless with her nose pressed to his chest, one of his arms holding her close. It was lovely to be held this way, so close that she felt the thud of Nick’s heart against her body.
“Sleep now,” he whispered. “Tomorrow we will find Harry.”
“I shall return to my room,” Grace said, reluctant to leave him, yet knowing she should, as surely he had no wish to sleep with her in his bed.
“No,” was all he said, his arms pulling her in to his body. “Go to sleep, Grace.”
“But it is not right,” she persisted.
“Says who?”
“I—um.” Grace thought about that.
“Exactly, now hush and sleep, because I for one am tired.”
She didn’t fight him, because he was stronger and she wanted to stay here in his arms. Grace did not believe she would sleep though, as thoughts of Harry had returned now that she was no longer in the throes of passion. But surprisingly, she soon felt her eyelids flutter shut, and her last thought was for the man who held her. Everything had changed between them, but she wasn’t quite sure in what way, only that it had.
Chapter Eight
“I would like to walk in the gardens this morning, Vidal, if you will tell me how to get there, as I must take Nipper outside,” Grace said when she saw the butler coming toward her as she left her room with the little dog in her arms.
She had woken early, just as the sun began to rise, and slipped out of Nick’s bed, leaving him sleeping. Her eyes lingered on his large slumbering form before she made herself walk to her room.
“Of course; please follow me, my Lady.”
She followed Vidal’s straight back down two flights of stairs and thought of Harry. Had he spent a cold terrifying night whilst she lay in Nick’s arms? Guilt came thick and fast. Surely she should have been out there looking for him, doing something, anything, as he would for her were their positions reversed.
Nick had made her forget and that was wrong, as she owed Harry so much that she could never hope to repay him.
“The gardens are through there, my Lady.” Vidal indicated a set of French doors. “It is cold at such an early hour; should I fetch your coat?”
“No, thank you, Vidal, I have my shawl, and shall return shortly for breakfast.”
Yesterday’s rain had softened the ground and the gray skies threatened more, however Grace was sure she could take her walk before it did so. Putting Nipper down on the grass, she watched him lower his nose, then hurry off to the right. He would explore and she would think. She walked, enjoying the solitude while she tried to make sense of the turmoil inside her head. She was used to that; time to herself, even when living with Harry, sometimes they had not spoken for hours. Other days he’d gone out in the morning and not returned till evening, and Grace had enjoyed those times, happy with her own company.
The hedges were tall, making the gardens private. She found a pond and a small fountain, rows of flowers and several statues. It was pretty and peaceful, and Grace thought that when she was sure that Harry was home safe, she may spend some time out here, especially when she wanted solitude to read her books.
“Oh Harry, where are you?” Grace walked away from the house and down a slight hill, letting the cool air settle around her. Nipper would appear suddenly, before disappearing to explore another part of the gardens, his tail standing upright as he investigated the foreign terrain.
She let her thoughts drift to last night, to what she and Nick had shared. He would be that to her now; Nick, not my Lord, even if she called him the latter still to his face. Grace was not foolish enough to believe he felt anything for her, and that what they had shared was anything more than he had shared with other women, but to her… to her it had been magical. And that was what happened when the only experience you had with a man was with a tall handsome earl who had literally made her melt under his touch.
But perhaps he had felt something when he’d held her, because Grace had believed he would want her to return to her own bed, yet he had not, instead holding her pressed to his chest though the night.
“Grace?”
He was coming toward her, his large feet making tracks on the damp grass, and Grace thought it grossly unfair that he looked as he did with such little effort on his part. He was dressed immaculately once more, his hair curling over his collar. He looked as if someone should paint him so ladies could study the beauty of his face and form each and every day, while she…. Grace sighed, looking down at her dress. She was a mess. Her dress was yesterdays, her slippers worn, and hair still loose and uncombed. Lord, why had she too not taken time to tidy herself? Beth had been right when she’d inferred that Grace was a fashion disaster. Suddenly, for the first time in her life, she wanted to wear one of her new dresses and have her hair styled. She did not want to analyze why, only knew that today Grace was embarrassed to be seen as she was, when yesterday she had not cared.
&nb
sp; When Nick had opened his eyes and found Grace gone, he’d risen, washed, dressed, and gone to her rooms. He had no idea why he needed to see her, only that he did, and now. She was his wife, he reasoned, and distressed about her cousin, so it should be he, her husband, who comforted her.
She hadn’t been in her room though, and it had been Vidal who told him that Grace was outside walking about in the cool morning air with her dog.
She hadn’t seen him approach, but he’d seen her, and it was then that he realized Grace had begun to crumble the foundations he’d built his life on. Seeing her, walking about lost in thought in that old dress with a blue shawl around her shoulders, and her long golden hair trailing in tangles down her spine, he felt something move in his chest. How was that possible, when just a few days ago he’d felt nothing for her?
Last night she’d responded to him like no other. Her beautiful body had ignited so much passion inside him that he’d been mindless with need to take her once more.
And she’s my wife, Nick thought, feeling a smile growing on his face. He swallowed it as she looked up and saw him.
“My Lord.” She lowered her head and curtseyed as he approached, and he saw the uncertainty in her eyes. No doubt the color that filled her cheeks was because she too was remembering the intimate acts they had shared last night.
“Nick,” he said as he lifted her chin until their eyes met. “Why did you leave my bed?”
She was beautiful out here, surrounded by the colors of the garden. Her beauty was not in her clothes or the style of her hair, but in the delicate contours of her face framed by golden curls.
“I should not have stayed in your bed after… It is not right to do so, my Lord.”
“Who told you it is not right for a wife to share her husband’s bed after they have made love, or indeed through the night?”
She frowned as she thought about the answer to that question once more. “I had to bring Nipper outside also.”
Nick looked over her head, and saw a flash of white before it disappeared under a hedge.
“He seems happy out here exploring.”
“Yes. My cousin’s garden is not as big as this, so he has a lot of grass to inspect.”
Nick watched her face cloud as she mentioned her cousin.
“Have you any word on Harry, my Lord?”
“Nick,” he said, deciding not to pursue the question about her staying in his bed for now. But he would later, when she lay beneath him, because Grace was a passionate woman and he would be spending a great deal of time in bed with her, exploring that side of her nature. But she was also, like he, a person unused to sharing her feelings.
“Come, we will eat our morning meal, then see what news there is on your cousin. I shall have someone bring Nipper in when he has finished his business.”
He took her hand in his and led her back inside. She didn’t speak, just followed. Once in the breakfast parlor, he sat her in a chair and told Vidal to bring some tea.
“A letter has arrived, Lord Attwood.”
“Thank you, Vidal.” Nick took the missive from his butler.
“Who is Gallant?”
Nick looked at Grace as she spoke, but her eyes were on the letter in his hands.
“Forgive me for reading to whom your letter was addressed, but the word is written in large black letters and caught my eye,” she added.
“Marcus, one of the Lords of Night Street, gave us names when we were children,” he said.
“Names?”
“Nick names that only we would know to call each other. We use them when we are investigating.”
He watched her as she thought about what he’d said. “And he gave you Gallant?”
“Yes.”
“A very handsome name for a young boy.”
“I thought so at the time,” Nick said as he opened the note and read the words. “I need to go and meet with the others, Grace, but the place I am to go is not somewhere I wish for you to be seen, will you stay here until I return?”
“I would rather come with you.”
“No, I do not want you there, so I would ask you to trust me to return to you as soon as I have news on Harry.”
“It will be hard to wait.”
“It will, but I must insist you stay here, Grace. Can you promise me that you will do that? There is obviously danger out there, and I did not speak of it last night, but it is our belief that you will be the next person these people come after, as you are the one who can translate these papers quickly. Criminals do not usually like to wait if there is another option.”
“And you believe Harry was taken to complete the work?”
“It is one theory,” Nick cautioned. But privately he, like his friends, believed it the right one.
“Then I shall do as you bid, and remain here until you return, but please do not be long.”
“I will send word if I cannot return soon.”
Nick and Grace ate in silence, and then he rose to leave, and Grace did the same. She followed him from the room and down to where Vidal waited with his hat and gloves.
“Please take care, Nick.”
Pulling on his gloves, he looked into her worried face.
“I have been doing this kind of investigating for a long time, Grace. I assure you I am safe.” He cupped her cheek. “Don’t worry.”
“But I will, unlike yesterday when I did not realize I should.”
He kissed her softly. “I think that makes sense, but we will delve into that statement later, for now I must leave.”
The London season was in full swing, but as the hour was still early the streets were not overly busy. Nick rode his horse past vendors setting up for the day and others on their way to a day’s employment. Walking into the Night Street premises a short while later, he found his friends seated around the table.
“This Mr. Zavorski is bad news, Nick,” Leo said around a yawn. “His name is actually Boleslav, and he’s involved in many underhand dealings with some of the criminal elements of London. One of our informants said he thinks the papers your wife was translating are actually instructions for a series of thefts here in London. Supposedly, Boleslav heard about them and then had his men steal them. He then went to Harrington and Grace for the translation.”
“However, before they could be completed, they were once again stolen,” Jacob added.
“So you think whoever took Harrington is the person who stole the copies, and therefore must be Russian, as they were partially translated,” Nick said, taking a chair.
“That’s our conclusion. Now we just need to narrow down the location in Moorgate.” Marcus reached for the teapot to refill his cup, before adding sugar.
“How is the countess, Nick?”
“She’s scared, Jacob. Harrington means a great deal to her, as he took her in after her parents died at a young age.”
“He can’t have been that old himself, surely?”
“No, he was obviously still a young man, therefore it was a pretty selfless act if you think about it,” Nick added. He’d thought a lot about this since Grace had told him what her cousin had done. “His life would have changed drastically with a young girl living in his household.”
Leo whistled softly. “I’m starting to think I may have misjudged both your wife and Harrington.”
“How so?” Nick questioned him.
“I found out yesterday that Harrington has money, he just doesn’t flaunt it.”
“You had him investigated, Leo?”
“You married his cousin, and I wanted to know what you were getting into.” Leo was unrepentant.
“And?”
“Harrington has money, but both he and his cousin lived a modest life.”
“You have to admit she is hardly an arbiter of fashion, Nick,” Marcus added. “It is easy to think they did not have much to fly with.”
“Her charm is that she has no side. Grace is just Grace; she wants nothing from anyone, least of all me,” Nick said softly, realizing tha
t what he’d said was true. She was unpretentious.
“Oh, so she is now charming. You’re certainly singing a different tune now.”
“Yes, Jacob.” Nick looked at his friends. “I am.”
Marcus sighed. “And I understand that now she is to hold our secrets, also.”
“She is,” Nick said. “And she will hold them close.”
Grace spent the morning meeting with the servants and discussing meals with Cook, hoping this would distract her from her cousin’s plight.
“Your maid wished me to inform you that your new purchases have arrived, my Lady.”
“Thank you, Vidal, and as we are finished here, I shall go and inspect them.” Leaving the housekeeper, Grace hurried to her rooms. At least if she was busy, she could keep the panic inside her at bay; but as soon as she stopped her fears for Harry and Nick compounded.
Opening the door to her rooms, she found Bessie with a wide smile on her face.
“Oh, my Lady, these are beautiful!” She held a dress up for Grace to inspect. “Would you like to put one on?”
Grace looked at the cream muslin dress. The bodice was fitted and the sleeves delicately puffed and pulled in with a cream satin ribbon, which also banded beneath the bodice. Small cream roses were embroidered all over the dress and the hem fell in soft folds to the floor. She had never longed to wear such a dress before, and felt shallow for doing so now, considering that Harry was still out there somewhere waiting to be rescued.
“Yes, thank you, Bessie.”
Looking in the mirror minutes later, Grace instantly saw the change in herself that the dress had created. She had not believed such a simple thing like a different piece of clothing could make her look… well, almost pretty.
“I shall brush your hair and put it in a simple style, my Lady.”
Grace let her maid do as she wished while she let her eyes roam around her room. Looking at the bed, she thought about what she and Nick had shared last night in his. Her feelings for him were growing every time she saw him, and that confused her.
