How the Lady Charmed the Marquess

by Laura A. Barnes

  Charlie’s body left her and flowed into Jasper’s. She matched him stroke for stroke, never wanting Jasper to stop this madness. If this was what loving somebody with your whole heart felt like, then she never wanted it to end. Jasper released her hands, and she pressed her body tighter against him. Her nipples tightened against his rough chest. His hands gripped her waist, leaving his mark on her. Not only on her body, but on her soul. Charlie’s body tightened before it spiraled out of control.

  Jasper took them flying over the edge with each thrust. When Charlie came apart in his arms, he caught and held her close while they soared with pleasure. Jasper closed his eyes, drawing in a deep breath before he settled with Charlie clinging to him. Their bodies locked into an embrace they never wanted to be released from.

  They lay for an endless amount of time, before Charlie propped herself on Jasper’s chest. She traced his face with her fingertips, her touch lingering over the small scar above his eyebrow.

  “I never meant to harm you that day.”

  Jasper opened his eyes to Charlie’s frown. “I know, my love, and anyway I deserved it.”

  “No, you did not. I let my temper get the better of me.”

  “One that I provoked.”

  “Why did you?”

  Jasper sighed, “You were under my skin even then. I just did not realize the full impact. When Gray suggested that we settle our differences with swords, I underestimated your skill with the weapon. I never imagined you would hold your own against me. However, you proved me wrong.” Jasper rolled them over, placing a kiss on Charlie’s lips. “Also, this scar reminds me to never turn my back on you.” Jasper laughed.

  “I would not mind if you choose to do so on occasion,” whispered Charlie, running her hands along the backside of Jasper.

  “You minx,” Jasper growled.

  Jasper closed his eyes at Charlotte’s touch. As much as he wanted to keep her in his bed all night, he must get her back to her bedroom before anyone noticed she was missing.

  “I thought you could not meet me at midnight. What made you change your mind?” asked Jasper.

  “I told you I could not meet you outside the house. I never mentioned we could not meet inside the house.”

  “You led me to believe we would not meet at all.”

  “I wanted to surprise you. Were you?”

  “Mmm, very much so. Your appearance in my room relieved my frustration.”

  “Why were your frustrated?”

  “Because I spent the past few hours waiting for you outside at your tree, then at the stables, then at the pond where we first made love, back to your tree again. I had hoped you would appear. But much to my disappointment, you never arrived. With a heavy heart, I returned to my room. A rejected suitor disappointed with his conquest.”

  “You tell a tall tale, Sinclair. I almost hold sympathy for you, except that I know how your evening ended. Are you still disappointed with your conquest?” Charlie fluttered her eyelashes.

  “Mmm no, my lady. If anything, I am enamored of her even more so.”

  Jasper went from teasing to charming in a matter of seconds. Charlie’s heart softened to a puddle of mush. “Did you really search for me?”

  Jasper nodded.

  “Why?”

  This was his moment to propose. To profess his undying love to Charlotte. But he didn’t. Everything he wanted to say to Charlie froze on the tip of Jasper’s tongue. There would never be a more perfect opportunity than having her lie in his embrace. However, it was not perfect. Charlotte deserved the grand gesture. She deserved to believe that he wanted her regardless of their lovemaking. She deserved a romantic proposal in a perfect setting that would always conjure enjoyable memories. And Jasper knew where and when he would propose. In the meantime, he would woo her with whatever charming regard he possessed.

  “Why to steal more kisses from your lips,” answered Jasper, claiming her mouth to prove his intentions.

  Charlie melted under Jasper’s attention, sighing after every sweet kiss. Even though a small part of her had wanted Jasper to confess his undying love. She had thought he might even propose. Did she misunderstand his feelings for her? Did he only consider their time a way to slack his lust or did he love her? Questions that Charlie was too afraid to ask for fear of his answer. Still, her doubts didn’t keep her from responding to his kisses. They only made her want to capture every moment with Jasper. Even if he would break her heart. In which Charlie still held belief that he wouldn’t.

  “Love, we must get you back to your room.”

  Charlie pouted.

  Jasper laughed and lay back, resting his arms behind his head. “Unless, you wish to stay the night.”

  Charlie swatted at Jasper. “You know I cannot. Why do you tease me?”

  “Because I enjoy the spark in your eyes when I do.”

  “You are incorrigible, Jasper Sinclair.”

  “Only for you, Charlotte Holbrooke.”

  “If you say so,” answered Charlie, rising from the bed.

  Jasper groaned at the sight of Charlie in the moonlight. The picture of a goddess. With her hair hanging to her waist, the glow of the moon shimmered across her breasts, lighting a trail of light across her body. The brief flashes emphasized the darkness of her curves. Curves he ached to caress throughout the night into the early dawn. When Charlie covered herself with a robe, disappointment settled once again in Jasper. Even while he held Charlie within his grasp, they were still kept apart.

  Jasper sat on the edge of the bed. He reached out to draw Charlie onto his knee. “I do,” he murmured, kissing her neck. “Now, how do we return you to your bedroom undetected?”

  “Through the secret passageway,” Charlie whispered.

  “This estate holds a secret passageway?”

  Charlie nodded. A mischievous smile lit her face.

  “I never knew.”

  “It is a family secret.”

  “Then that explains ...”

  Charlie winced, and wore a guilty expression.

  The secret passage explained the odd occurrences Jasper faced the other times he had stayed overnight. Every visit when he awakened in the morning, a piece of his clothing would be missing. Then he would find an animal on the estate wearing it. Every time his valet would stutter in embarrassment that he held no clue on who pranked him. While Jasper always held a suspicion that it was Charlie, he never proved it. Even when her entire family laughed at his expense, they never revealed her as the culprit.

  “Do you forgive me?”

  “Are you even sorry for your actions?”

  Charlie laughed, “No, you deserved every bit of my retaliation.”

  “So I did. Shall we call a truce, my dear?”

  “An offer I shall have to consider.”

  “When might you have an answer? Or will I have to always wait on guard for your next plan of attack?”

  “I shall give you my answer tomorrow at lunch.”

  “That will be awkward in front of all the guests.”

  “That is where you are wrong. Tomorrow’s luncheon holds a surprise for you.”

  “How so?”

  “I cannot tell you now. Aunt Susanna is announcing her plans at breakfast. So you must get some sleep, you do not want to sleep until noon again,” Charlie replied cheekily, walking to the mirror on the wall.

  “Well, when a certain wench keeps me awake all hours of the night, a man must rest until noon to regain his strength.”

  “Yes, one your age must get all the sleep he can get.”

  “Charlie,” Jasper growled.

  “Kiss me good night, Jasper.”

  “With pleasure.”

  Jasper drew Charlotte in his arms and kissed her with all the passion he possessed. When she sighed and melted in his arms, Jasper pressed his hardness into her to prove his stamina. Charlie wrapped herself tighter around him, clinging to his shoulders. Her whimpers, when he flicked his thumb across her nipple, brought a smile of satisfaction to h
is face. Jasper took pleasure from how he affected Charlie. With reluctance, he pulled away.

  “Off to bed, wench.”

  Charlie pressed the decorative gilding around the mirror. The mirror swung open, revealing a dark passageway. Jasper stuck his head inside, glancing back and forth. He frowned with displeasure that Charlie had risked herself to see him. Jasper walked to the nightstand and lit the candle.

  Charlie waited for Jasper to lecture her on the unsafe passageway. In the dark, it looked ominous. Although it was anything but. When one wanted to travel through the passageway, they only had to light a candle and a smooth path would await them. Uncle Theo kept the walkway clean and safe. He encouraged the girls to use it during the night, if they wanted to go to each other’s rooms or to visit the library. He thought it would keep them from becoming compromised if caught alone while they had guests. However, her uncle wouldn’t approve of her usage of it this evening.

  When they stepped into the passageway, the cleanliness of it surprised Jasper. There were no old creaking boards or cobwebs clinging to the walls. He even caught a whiff of beeswax and lemon. The path shined the same as the hallways in the estate. Still, he didn’t much care for Charlie venturing to meet him this way. Now wasn’t the time to scold her. He didn’t want to risk anyone catching them sneaking around. Instead, Jasper held Charlie’s hand, guiding them along the narrow passage. Charlie tugged on his hand, prompting him to stop. She angled her head toward the wall and he realized they had reached her room.

  With a quick kiss, Charlie maneuvered the mechanism to allow her access back inside her bedroom. Once she slipped inside, Jasper walked back to his room. While the passage might have been clean, it gave off an eerie sense. Not to mention strange noises echoing around him. Once he reached his door, he sighed with relief. Jasper blew out his candle and had been about to shut the trap door, when he heard footsteps coming from where he had returned. At first he thought Charlie was returning to him, but as the steps grew closer, he heard the heavy footfall of a man. Jasper peeked out through the small opening, and Kincaid surprised him when he strolled past.

  It would appear that Jasper wasn’t the only gentleman ruining one of Colebourne’s wards. The question remained; which lady had Kincaid set his sights on? And would he offer for the miss? Without knowing which bedroom Kincaid visited, Sinclair wouldn’t know which girl Kincaid should offer for. Sinclair would have to be more observant in the next couple of days. So far, he had yet to see Kincaid pay interest to any of the ladies in attendance. However, since he came from the family side of the estate, it had to be one of them. Jasper ruled out Charlotte. And Evelyn too, since her heart was set on Worthington. Which only left Jacqueline, Gemma, or Abigail. There wasn’t much he could do now except to step in the passageway and confront Kincaid. But that would only draw suspicion toward Charlotte and himself. Something he wished to avoid at all costs.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Lady Forrester observed the interaction between the guests. So far the house party had been a success, and they still had two days remaining to make matches between the girls. They had done her proud, acting the perfect ladies. Especially Charlotte. Theo and her worried over Charlie’s behavior, since any other time her unlady-like qualities made them cringe. However, the attention Lord Sinclair paid Charlotte must have affected the girl. Even now the sly glances they exchanged didn’t go unnoticed. Susanna sensed the lord would propose before the end of the ball. Theo mentioned Sinclair’s fury at the enticement dangled amongst the bachelors for Charlotte’s hand. If Sinclair didn’t come to scratch, then there were other bachelors who would. However, that would only cause heartbreak amongst the other girls. For the other ladies already had their hearts set on certain gentlemen. So, today’s picnic would be about setting the perfect scene to bring these couples together.

  Susanna clinked her spoon against a glass to draw attention. She smiled at the guests. “For today’s activities, I have planned a picnic near the lake on the south part of the estate. This, my lovely guests, will be no ordinary picnic. Each couple will enjoy their own picnic basket. There are blankets scattered around and baskets filled with each girl’s choosing. They will be waiting for each gentleman to join them for an entertaining afternoon. Once the gentleman arrives at the destination, I will direct you to the lady who drew your name. There are many excellent pathways for walking, boats to take out on the lake, and a gorgeous afternoon to enjoy.”

  Once Jasper caught Charlotte’s gaze, she winked at him. This must have been the surprise she teased him about. Even though they would be under watchful eyes, Jasper would still spend time in Charlotte’s company. He assumed with the wink he was Charlotte’s chosen gentleman. He only hoped he was the chosen gentleman in more ways than one.

  WHEN SINCLAIR AND THE other gentlemen arrived on horseback at the afternoon destination, it was to find each lady waiting on a blanket, each place a respectable yet private distance. Charlotte, dressed in a yellow creation that contradicted her innocence, drew Sinclair’s eyes. The allure of what lay underneath all that silk heightened Sinclair’s desire for the chit. What he wouldn’t do to be alone with Charlie in the open fields. He wanted to strip her naked and make love to her all afternoon. While he imagined how he would love Charlie, he didn’t hear Lady Forrester calling his name.

  “Lord Sinclair?”

  After the fog lifted, Sinclair glanced around to see the other gentlemen shaking their heads at him in disgust, while the ladies sighed. Sinclair had made a spectacle of himself by focusing his gaze on Charlotte. Charlotte made him lose all rational thought whenever she was near.

  “Yes?”

  Lady Forrester smirked. “Charlotte drew your name. You may join her for luncheon.”

  Sinclair looked like a fool, but he didn’t care. He couldn’t wipe the silly grin from his face, even if he tried. He didn’t even want to. Sinclair strolled over to Charlie and bowed. Charlie tried to hold her laughter in, but failed. She released not a silly giggle, but a full-blown laugh from the belly that made her cry.

  “It would appear I am the lucky gentleman who gets to enjoy your companionship this afternoon. You are a lovely vision of sunshine today, Lady Charlotte.”

  Charlotte lifted a hand where he placed a kiss across her knuckles. Before anyone noticed, he slid his tongue between her fingers, softly stroking. With a gasp, Charlie’s laughter stopped. Only for her to release the same sigh she used when he gave her pleasure. The blush spreading across her cheeks only heightened the desire swirling around them. Desire they couldn’t act upon. However, it wouldn’t stop Sinclair from skirting the edge of propriety. Yes, it would be a lovely afternoon.

  The heat of Jasper’s touch had Charlie squirming. If he didn’t sit down soon, it would only draw more attention their way. Attention Jasper had caused with his scandalous gaze when he first arrived. He almost caused a spectacle in the way he regarded her. The way he still regarded her even now.

  “Please sit, Lord Sinclair, so we can enjoy our lunch.”

  Charlotte swept a hand to show him where to sit. However, Jasper rested his back against the tree, with one leg extended and the other bent to prop his arm on. Charlie sat near the tree for shade. If looked too close upon by the other guests, they would whisper that Jasper and Charlie sat indecently close. Charlie gestured for Jasper to slide over. The maddening man shook his head and remained where he was. Charlotte glanced around, and to her relief no one paid them any attention.

  “Do you know how much I wish I could kiss you at this moment?” Jasper asked.

  “Shh.”

  “And how much I wish I could make love to you under the open skies?”

  “My lord, would you care for some ...”

  “Kisses?”

  “Jasper, please hush. Someone will hear you.”

  Jasper laughed. “No one is paying us the least bit of attention. They are all caught up in their own drama.” He stretched out to touch his fingers to hers.

  Charlie curled her
fingers around his, glancing around at the other guests. Jacqueline ate with Kincaid, and neither of them talked. Evelyn was paired with Worthington. They also didn’t talk. Charlie frowned. She wished her sisters were experiencing the same happiness as herself, but it wasn’t to be. She could tell Evelyn was near tears at Worthington’s disregard. Charlie had to find some way to bring them together. Gemma had drawn Lord Ralston’s name. The rake flirted with her cousin. The most comical was Duncan and Selina. Selina glared at her partner, but Duncan only grinned and kept popping grapes into his mouth, while listening to her tirade at being stuck with him. She looked amongst the other couples, searching for Abigail. Charlie found her arguing near the woods with Lucas. Lucas held Abigail’s arm in his grasp. When she shook him off, Abigail ran off into the woods, and Lucas followed. Charlie tried to rise, but Sinclair stopped her.

  “Leave them be.”

  “But ...”

  “Charlotte, do not interfere in something you do not understand.”

  “I understand that my friend loves my cousin, and my cousin is too pigheaded to realize how special Abigail is.”

  “I think he realizes it, he just will not admit to it.”

  “Humph.”

  “Charlie, shall we focus on us? Like how much I missed you in my bed after you left.”

  “Jasper, please stop speaking so wickedly.”

  “Why? I love making you blush. Now, shall we eat or do I need to find another blanket to sit upon?”

  “You are exasperating like always.”

  “My dear, we may have taken our relationship to a more intimate level, but how I treat you will never change.”

  “Never?” Charlie asked, sliding a hand along the length of his thigh.

  “Mmm, never.”