How the Lady Charmed the Marquess

by Laura A. Barnes

  When Sinclair had stormed away, he rode like the devil to his estate. He surprised his mother when he demanded his grandmother’s ring. Her surprise didn’t last long, before she became excited that he had finally chosen a bride. Sinclair followed his mother to her bedroom, while she searched for the ring. She kept talking about weddings, the church, and when a perfect time would be for the ceremony. Then she started talking about babies. How she longed to be a grandmother.

  Sinclair stood there calling himself all sorts of a fool. In his state of desire, he thought of nothing but making Charlie his. He failed to protect her. Charlotte might carry his baby now. He sat on the edge of his mother’s bed while she rambled on, the impact of his actions hitting him. In that moment, every emotion he held for Charlotte consumed him. But it was the love he realized he held for her forever that settled him. He smiled at his mother's fantasies about babies. Sinclair couldn’t wait to see Charlie grow with their child. She would be a wonderful and caring mother. Little wonders who would have their mother’s sense of adventure.

  Then his mother handed him the ring, squeezing his hand around it and asked, “Is it Charlie?” Sinclair heard the hope in his mother’s voice. His mother loved Charlie as much as he did. His mother accepted Charlie for Charlie. Not as Charlotte, but as Charlie. Sinclair wanted to answer yes, but didn’t. Charlie would be the first to learn of his intentions before anyone else.

  “It is a secret for now. I want the lady I have chosen to be the first to know. But understand that I love her with all my heart and you will too.”

  His mother kissed his cheek. “If you love her, then I will too.”

  Sinclair left, with all intentions to return to the house party. However, his stable master cornered him with a problem. A repair they were making to the stables needed an extra hand to finish. Sinclair labored the rest of the afternoon trying to raise a new wall on the stables. By the time he had returned, he only had enough time to bathe and change his clothes for dinner. Sinclair ran out of time to steal a few precious moments with Charlie. Hopefully, after dinner he would have a chance.

  Now he waited for her to join the rest of the party in the drawing room. Charlie and Evelyn were the last to arrive. Everyone was waiting for them before they proceeded to the dining room. His need to see Charlie kept him focused on the entryway. When she finally appeared, his heart stopped. Evelyn and Charlie appeared at the same time with their arms locked together. However, Charlotte was the only lady who captured Sinclair’s attention.

  She looked lovely with ribbons holding her hair in a flattering design. Charlie wore a lovely pale blue creation, with a pink chiffon ribbon tied around her middle. A shy smile lit her face and her eyes flittered around the room until they landed on him. Her smile grew wider. Jasper’s heart started again at her smile. He reached up to pat his pocket over his heart to make sure the ring was secure, not realizing the gesture until after he did it. But the pink blush spreading across Charlotte’s cheek was worth it. Jasper took a step, wanting to go to her.

  Gray’s hand grabbed his shoulder. “We shall see which bastard goes to her, then we will know who ruined her.”

  Before Sinclair could shake Gray’s hold, Worthington approached the two ladies. Only he couldn’t tell them apart. Sinclair looked more closely and saw the similarities. Both of them had their hair styled the same, even down to the exact color of ribbon. While Charlie’s dress was a pale blue, Evelyn wore a similar creation in a pale green. Evelyn’s ribbon around her waist matched Charlotte’s. Both of them wore matching pearl necklaces and ear bobs. Which would only be in Sinclair’s favor.

  “I thought it was him. And to think I called him my friend,” Gray muttered.

  Sinclair let Gray believe Worthington was the gentleman who ruined Charlie. It took the pressure off him. Gray wouldn’t watch over Sinclair’s actions, because he would be distracted by following Worthington. Also, with the sisters switching identities, which they planned on doing again this evening by dressing the same, Gray would follow Evelyn and Worthington. So, Sinclair should be able to sneak away with Charlie.

  “Now that the twins have arrived, we shall proceed to dinner,” announced Lady Forrester. Then she started directing the gentlemen on which lady to escort. When Worthington was told to escort Charlotte he stood confused on which lady to offer his arm. Sinclair watched Charlie step back and gently push Evelyn toward Worthington. Jasper smiled that he was correct on what would play out this evening. He hoped Lady Forrester would suggest for him to take Evelyn’s arm, but she choose Lord Ralston for that privilege.

  Sinclair wanted to growl at this. When he caught the Duke of Colebourne’s gaze, the duke raised his glass as a signal that he knew everything that went on in his home. The duke knew the twins had switched places, and even though Ralston was clueless, the duke honored Ralston’s request of sitting next to Charlie during dinner. What Sinclair did next would gain the duke’s respect for years to come. Sinclair raised his glass, accepting the challenge. Not even the duke would keep him from what his heart most desired. Charlotte.

  Sinclair escorted Jacqueline into dinner. After he helped her into a seat, he sat in his chair, turning his attention to the end of the table. Lady Forrester had sat the twins at the opposite ends of the table from him. He wouldn’t be able to make conversation with Charlie unless he shouted. He caught Charlie’s frown and offered her a smile of encouragement. His frustration didn’t lie with her, but with her interfering guardian. Before Charlie could return his smile, Ralston turned on his charm. His flirtatious comment caused Charlie to giggle like the silly debutante she wasn’t. It would be a long dinner if he had to endure watching Ralston flirt his way under Charlie’s dress. At least Kincaid sat on her other side, and he had made his disinterest clear that afternoon.

  “Charlotte looks exquisite this evening, does she not, Lord Sinclair?” asked Jacqueline.

  “Exquisite is too tame of a word to describe Charlie.” His eyes never strayed from the subject at hand.

  “Lord Sinclair, you are looking at Evelyn. I believe Jacqueline mentioned Charlotte,” stated Gemma.

  “I am well aware of who we speak of, as are both of you.” Sinclair glanced to his left and to his right before returning his stare upon Charlotte.

  Both ladies laughed at his predicament, and that was how the rest of the dinner progressed for him. Each lady would take turns teasing him about Charlie while he watched Ralston flirt outrageously with her. The gentleman occupied her attention throughout dinner, and she never glanced his way again. Which only seemed to bring more amusement to his dinner partners. And Sinclair’s frustration grew minute by agonizing minute.

  Charlie was well aware of Jasper’s stare throughout dinner. Many times she wanted to squirm in her seat at the intensity of it. Each stolen glance brought forth memories of their night together. Her body grew warm and an ache for him to kiss her consumed her thoughts. Every time she tried to get his attention, Jacqueline or Gemma would distract him. It would appear that Aunt Susanna wasn’t the only family member who took pleasure from separating them. Each time Jacqueline or Gemma laughed, it was at the expense of Jasper. Charlie knew he held his frustration in check by the twitch of his eye. She had been on the receiving end of that twitch many times in the past when she pushed against him. He never reacted then, just as he wouldn’t now. Instead, he would seek his revenge another way. And that Charlie took pleasure from. Now if only she could untangle herself from the disturbing conversation she kept having with Ralston. One that confused her. Why so late in the house party did he find Charlotte so interesting? At least Kincaid ignored her. Kincaid’s behavior was disrespectful, but at this point Charlotte no longer cared. After all, it was a house party in the country, and the standard etiquette rules didn’t apply. It was just one less person she had to convince as Evelyn.

  “Your sister Charlotte looks lovely this evening. Her hair is quite fetching,” said Ralston.

  Charlie gave him a dumbfounded look when he wasn’t l
ooking. Did Ralston hear the rubbish coming out of his mouth? Polly styled Evelyn and Charlotte’s hair the same way, even down to the color of the ribbon. They dressed similarly to confuse Worthington.

  “Yes, she does. I also think my cousin Gemma looks stunning in her lavender dress.”

  Ralston glanced at Gemma, shrugged with indifference, then continued his perusal of Evelyn. While it would appear that he held no interest in Gemma, but for the briefest of seconds Charlie observed a longing in his glance. Then his mask of the rake he portrayed himself to be slipped back into place.

  “Now your sister, she loves horses. Correct?”

  “Yes, horses are Charlie’s passion.”

  “Charlie?”

  “Charlotte allows family members and close friends to call her Charlie.”

  “Mmm, I am sure I can become a close friend,” Ralston murmured. “Does she know how to take care of the horses?”

  Charlie sighed. “She would live in the stables if Uncle Theo gave her permission.”

  “Excellent.”

  “May I ask why the sudden interest in Charlotte? You have not spoken to her once during this house party.”

  “A neglect on my part, Lady Evelyn. I aim to remedy that as soon as I can. It has been ungentlemanly of me not to pay her notice.”

  “I do not mean to call attention to your lack of social niceties. I only wish to wonder why she draws your interest now.”

  “Well she is a feisty chit and I would love to ...”

  “Ralston,” Kincaid growled. “You are talking to a lady.”

  “Oh, quite right. My apologies for my abrasive speech.”

  Charlotte waved her hand. Ralston still didn’t answer why. “No need, my lord. Was there another reason?”

  “Well, there is the offer ...”

  Kincaid once again stopped Ralston from answering any further. “Lady Evelyn, are you excited for your upcoming season in London? You must have your uncle take you to visit Hatchards, they have a wide selection of books to choose from.”

  Kincaid manipulated the remaining dinner conversation with his discussion of books stores in London, and Charlotte never got the chance to question Ralston further. If she were Evelyn, she would have taken great pleasure of learning of these treasure troves. But the conversation bored Charlotte to death. She smiled, nodded, and commented at all the appropriate openings in the conversation. When Aunt Susanna directed the ladies to the drawing room so that the gentlemen could drink their cognac and smoke their cigars, Charlie was never more grateful for dinner to end.

  Charlie trailed behind the other ladies, hoping Jasper would talk to her. As she reached the drawing room, he pulled her into a dark alcove. Before she could tell him how much she missed him, he devoured her mouth, stealing kiss after kiss as if he were a man starving for a taste of her. When he lifted his head, he pulled her tight in his arms, holding her.

  “I have missed you like crazy today.”

  “I woke up late. Evelyn made up a story of my being over-tired to cover for me. Then I had to lie about all day to appease Aunt Susanna,” Charlie rambled on.

  “You are well, though?”

  Charlie beamed at Jasper. “Never better.”

  “Are you tender?” Jasper asked concerned.

  “Only with pleasure.”

  “Mmm,” Jasper murmured before slowly kissing her again.

  Aunt Susanna stepped out of the drawing room, calling her name.

  “I must return.”

  Jasper continued kissing along her neck. “Mmm.”

  When his hands lowered and pressed her against his cock, Charlie became muddled once again. His kisses hypnotized her only to the pleasure of Jasper. Then he started whispering seductively in her ear of the ways he wanted to worship her.

  “I will find her, Aunt Susanna,” said Evelyn.

  Charlie untangled herself out of Jasper’s embrace and stepped out of the alcove.

  “I will be along shortly. The ribbon came undone on my slipper.”

  When Aunt Susanna and Evelyn seem satisfied with this, Jasper pulled her back into his arms. He placed a kiss on the nape of her neck.

  “Meet me at midnight.”

  “I cannot get away.”

  “Forrester again?” Jasper growled.

  Charlie heard the jealousy in Jasper’s voice. She turned in his arms and placed a soft kiss on his lips. “No, my love. Jacqueline is being all parental with Evelyn and me. I cannot risk leaving the house.”

  Jasper sighed, “Please try.”

  Jasper desperately wanted to propose to Charlotte. If he didn’t return to the gentlemen now, he wouldn’t get the chance to propose. He would cause such a scandal that the whispers would spread across every home in England. Jasper stepped away and bowed before walking away.

  Charlotte wished she could meet Jasper for another midnight rendezvous, but she'd promised her sisters that she wouldn’t leave the house anymore at night while the house party was in full swing. However, the fingers she kept crossed behind her back when she promised didn’t extend to sneaking into Jasper’s bedroom later. She watched him, devouring his backside as he strolled away. Jasper’s disappointment would only last for a short while.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jasper wanted to slam the door to his bedroom in frustration. However, a gentleman never behaved rudely while a guest in another’s home, especially a duke’s home. The evening ended the way it began. He never got another moment alone with Charlotte. At every opportunity, a lady from her family would engage him in conversation, and he had to watch either Forrester, Ralston or Worthington manipulate her time. Worthington was a blind bloke who couldn’t tell Evelyn or Charlie apart. That might have been comical to watch, if he wasn’t so jealous of the gentlemen’s time with Charlie.

  Then, to end the evening on a sour note, he waited for Charlie at all her usual haunts on the estate. Jasper knew that Charlie made it clear she couldn’t leave, but he still held out hope that she would find a way. When she didn’t appear in the stable, he took the chance of riding to her favorite spot. No lantern highlighted her there with Forrester. Jasper even rode out to where they had made love the night before, hoping that she awaited him there. But there was no sign of Charlotte anywhere.

  When he'd dressed that evening, he informed his valet to retire early for the evening. Jasper would undress himself. He slid his arms out of his suit jacket, sat on the bed, and yanked off his boots, throwing them on the rug. Before he untied his cravat, a pair of hands slid over his shoulders.

  “Allow me,” Charlotte whispered.

  Jasper stilled, afraid that this was only an apparition. Once Charlie undid the garment, her fingers made quick work on the buttons of his shirt. When her hands slid down his chest, he moaned dropping his head back on her shoulder. He looked up into her eyes at her unspoken question.

  “Kiss me, Charlotte.”

  “With pleasure,” she sighed.

  She lowered her head and placed the softest of kisses on Jasper’s mouth. Her mouth opened above his and she traced his lips with her tongue. Softly stroking, urging him to open. When he did, she slipped inside and explored the flavor of Jasper. She savored the whiskey he drank with each stroke. At one time she hated the taste, now she only wanted to drink it from his lips all night.

  Jasper’s patience had worn past the point of no return. He turned and brought Charlie under him, taking over the kiss. His mouth demanded hers to match the passion that heated his soul. He located the ribbon around her robe and tore it loose. He wanted to rip the nightdress from her. Charlie surprised him. Jasper pulled back to gaze upon the woman who drove him crazy with desire. Charlotte wore not a stitch under the robe. She kept bringing every fantasy he had to life.

  “Oh Charlie, my love, you are going to be the death of me.”

  She tilted her head in that maddening way. “Oh, I was trying for making you feel alive. If that is the case, perhaps I should return to my room.” Charlie pushed at his chest for him to move.
An impish smile gracing her face.

  “You, my minx, are going nowhere.”

  “Well, I would hate for you to meet an untimely demise at my hands.”

  “I am only going to meet an untimely demise if your hands do not continue what they started.”

  “Far be it for me to be the reason for your untimely demise. How is this?” Charlie asked, her hand skimming down to brush across the placket of his trousers.

  Jasper groaned, speechless at the caress.

  With another tilt of her head, she said, “I am going to take your response as pleasurable. But sense I am unsure, perhaps if I do this, you will be more expressive.”

  Charlie undid his trousers and his cock sprang out. She wrapped her fingers around Jasper, stroking the length of his hardness. It was smooth and throbbed in her hand. Jasper growled and crushed his mouth down onto Charlie. The explosive kiss rocked Charlie to her core. He lowered his hand and joined hers. Jasper guided Charlie on how to please him. Their strokes grew bolder and his kisses continued to dominate Charlie’s senses. Charlie felt the wetness between her thighs. Jasper hadn’t even touched her and her ache begged for release. She wanted to crawl inside him and be one with Jasper.

  Jasper needed to be inside Charlie now. Her sense perfumed the air with her need. He pulled her hands away from him and held them above her head. When her legs wrapped around his waist and she pressed her wetness against his cock, he took her in one thrust. Her body arched off the bed into him. Jasper couldn’t be gentle with Charlie even if he wanted to. His body had ached for her since they parted the night before. With each stroke, he drew her soul into his.