A Gentleman by Moonlight

by Bethany M. Sefchick

  When Sophia finally emerged from behind the screen, she was just in time to see the valet using that same claw-like device, which was on the end of a small pole, to scoop up her garments so that he did not have to bend over. As Pilkington looked up, he gave her a slight nod, one worthy of any of the most sought after valets in London.

  "My apologies, my lady. My body does not bend as it once did, so Lord Blackmore had a friend of his fashion this device for me. It is ever so useful, and I promise that it will not damage your fine clothing." The man was blushing slightly as he spoke, which Sophia found adorable for some reason. "Now if it pleases you, I have a few things here that I can use to make that gown fit a bit better. Then I can see about drying your own clothing if you would like."

  Growing more comfortable in the man's presence, Sophia nodded. "I would appreciate that, Pilkington. Thank you ever so much."

  It was not her habit to thank servants. After all, they were doing their jobs and were being paid - in most cases- well for their service. But here in Lewis' house? It simply seemed like the proper thing to do. Sophia doubted that many of these men had ever known that sort of kindness in their lives.

  For several minutes, Pilkington pulled and tugged at the bright green fabric, rattling dressmaker's pins and wielding a needle as well as any modiste Sophia had ever encountered. What he could not manage with his hands, he manipulated with the clever little grabbing device. The longer he worked, the more comfortable Sophia became until she barely even noticed that she was being attended to by a man and not a woman. Actually, she much preferred this burly man's gentler touch over her maid Susie's often more harsh ones.

  Finally, the valet pronounced her gown well-fitting enough for the moment and then stepped back to evaluate his work. After a few more pleasantries and a promise to return with her other garments once they were dry, Pilkington gave one last half-bow and then backed out of the room, leaving Sophia alone to wait for someone to come for her and take her to Lewis.

  While she was alone, she had time to study the guest chambers she had been assigned. Large and comfortable, they had obviously been designed for a lady, possibly even the lady of the house herself. The wallpaper was done in soft pink tones that blended one into another, and the fabrics on the chairs had a similar color scheme only with small cabbage roses added to the delicate print. The rest of the furnishings were just as tasteful, right down to the white eyelet coverlet on the large canopied bed. A brief exploration of the suite also revealed two additional sitting rooms, an empty room that might have been intended as a small nursery, should the lady of the house wish to keep her children nearby, and a chamber just for bathing and attending to one's toilette.

  Clearly, this set of rooms had not been decorated by Lewis or anyone on his staff, making her wonder whose home this was, and if he was merely renting it or had purchased the town home and its contents outright from the previous owners. Whatever the answer, the entire suite was impeccably clean and again, Sophia marveled that a house seeming staffed entirely by retired military men was so efficiently run and well-kept.

  However she did not have long to puzzle over the particulars of Lewis' home for sooner than she realized, Crawford returned to escort her to Lewis' chambers. If he found social fault with allowing an unmarried young woman into an unwed - and likely only partially dressed - man's bedchamber, he said nothing. Instead, he graced her with that same soft smile and then departed with a nod, saying only that Lewis had been attended to by the staff and that he was well enough to awaken shortly. Spying a comfortable-looking chair near his bed, Sophia settled herself into it to wait.

  At some point she must have fallen asleep herself, for when she awoke, she could still hear the storm raging outside, though it did not seem to be quite as vicious as before. The once-roaring fire in the grate had died down as well, though the room was still delightfully warm. Most importantly, however, Lewis was awake and sitting up in bed, looking at her. He was also naked from the waist up, allowing her a clear view of his delightfully bare chest in the flicking candlelight.

  Sophia could now see that the scar that started at his temple did indeed traverse the entire length of his torso. And lower. Around his neck, which was normally hidden by his cravat, she could see a second, much deeper slash, as if someone had been attempting to slice his throat open. The longer scar, however, thinned somewhat as it went downward towards his hips, though she did her best not to look there. It was difficult to resist the temptation, however, as she had never seen a naked male chest this close before. Catching a brief glimpse of Adam and his friends while they swam in Willowby Hill's lake did not count in her mind, as she had been some distance away at the time and could only note the briefest flash of bare flesh. Not see details.

  If all men looked as Lewis did without their clothes, it was little wonder young ladies were discouraged from being alone with them.

  "I wondered when you would wake up." Lewis' normally rough voice was particularly gravely at the moment and Sophia's eyes flew to his, a blush surely creeping over her cheeks.

  Shaking her head to clear her muddled thoughts, which were still clouded by dreams and the sight of a fine masculine chest, Sophia swallowed hard. "I wasn't even aware that I had fallen asleep. Forgive me. I did not mean to leave you alone." Then she licked her lips and wished she had some water. Was she normally this parched at this time of night? Somehow, she did not think so. "What time is it?"

  "A bit after midnight if the hall clock is correct. It chimed the hour not long ago." Lewis shifted and the sheet covering him slid down a bit more, revealing a brief glimpse of his bare hip and indicating that he might not be clothed anywhere. Sophia did her best not to blush even harder at that realization.

  Cocking his head, Lewis listened to the wind still howling outside and the icy rain that splattered hard against the window. "It does not seem as nasty as it did earlier."

  "I thought the same, but then I am not particularly experienced with storms." She paused before continuing on primly. "As you might have noticed, I am not particularly fond of them."

  "Is there a reason why, as you are not naturally a fearful woman?" He seemed genuinely curious.

  That gave Sophia pause, for no one had ever asked her that question before. "I suppose it is because I was caught out in a thunderstorm one summer at Willowby Hill. I had been playing with Adam and some of the tenants' children in one of the large, open fields. The storm blew up suddenly and somehow I became separated from the others. The storm was not even a particularly bad one, but lightning hit the tree I was hiding beneath and sent the branches crashing down on top of me. Thankfully, I was not injured but I was terrified. Nor was I discovered trembling there for quite some time, I'm afraid."

  "That is reason enough," Lewis agreed as he shifted again, clearly uncomfortable. "Please. Forgive my aches and pains. I dislike rain as well, but not for the same reasons that you do."

  "Is there anything that I can do?" she asked as she rose from her chair and stretched languidly. Lewis was fairly certain she did not realize how that action accentuated her breasts in that ill-fitting gown.

  Instead, he coughed a bit to distract himself and to give himself a chance to will his randy cock to behave. "Some water, please."

  Lewis watched her intently as she moved to a nearby table and picked up the water pitcher that Crawford or one of the other footmen had likely left there for him. All of his staff members knew that he was frequently thirsty when he awoke at night. Sophia must have been thirsty as well, for he could not help but notice the way she gulped down a glass of the cool liquid before pouring one for him. He also could not help but notice the way her muscles worked within the smooth column of her throat. Even though he had no business doing so.

  "That gown looks rather fetching on you," he remarked, attempting to keep his mind off of her delectable-looking breasts. "I would have thought that Lady Mosby was a good deal larger than you."

  "Thank you. And thank Pilkington as well. A quicker needl
e I have never met in my life. Without his talented hand, this thing would be hanging off of me even worse than it currently is." Sophia handed Lewis the glass of water. "Wait. What? Mosby? As in the Baroness Mosby? However would you have come by her gown?"

  "Because this was their town home before I purchased it from them shortly after I returned to England." Lewis gratefully accepted the glass and drank it down in one gulp before handing it back to Sophia.

  Silently, she took the glass and moved to refill it. "I was unaware that the baron and baroness had financial difficulties. Everything here is so well appointed."

  "That is likely because the baroness had excellent taste, but the baron did not have the coffers to match." Lewis accepted the second glass of water, drinking more slowly this time. "They were facing dire straights just as I was returning home. I encountered him at Noroc one night about a fortnight after I returned. The baron was attempting to gamble with the last of his funds to win enough to save his ancestral home in Norfolk. I did not wish to see the man humbled in that manner, so I made him an offer, as I was in need of a town home of my own. I would purchase this house and all its contents for a princely sum. He could use those profits to save his country estate and retire to the country. It just so happened that Lord Candlewood was in the establishment at the same time and urged the baron to accept my offer." Lewis smiled. "You know how persuasive the duke can be."

  Sophia nodded as she took the glass back from Lewis and placed it on the table. "Ah, yes. Indeed I can. As I said back at the theater, I believe that he is the reason my mother concocted this plan. At least partially. In fact, I would not be surprised if he designed the entire scheme himself and then simply handed it to my mother on a silver platter."

  "I tend to agree." Then, as if it suddenly dawned upon Lewis that he was naked and mostly uncovered, he reached down and pulled up the bedsheet almost to his chin. "Apologies, my lady. When I am with you, I fear that I forget myself. And your situation. You should have said something if I was making you uncomfortable. Be assured that I would never do that. Not to you of all people."

  For some reason, Sophia found that statement particularly funny and she began to chuckle. "Lewis, I have practically drug you home through a raging storm, been assisted in dressing by a gentleman's valet, and been led, without question, to your room by a butler who did not seem to give the matter a second thought. I hardly think that a little bare flesh is the most of my problems."

  "So you did notice my state of undress then?" He was teasing now, she could tell, likely attempting to lighten the mood.

  She waved a general hand in his direction, still a bit embarrassed by her outburst. "It is difficult not to notice." Then she sobered. "And yet despite all of this, I confess that none of it, including your rather nude state, bothers me as much as it probably should."

  Lewis shifted again. "You are becoming your old self once more, though perhaps a bit different than you were. That said, it is a wonderful development, however it came about. It means that you are beginning to heal, and that once this false courtship of ours is ended, you can move on with your life. Perhaps even find a husband."

  As Lewis has been speaking, Sophia had turned her back to him, hoping to give him a chance to adjust himself or find some trousers. Now, however, she peered over her shoulder, only to find him still seated, propped up against the headboard, just as he had been before. "About that issue..." She deliberately allowed her words to trail off.

  "Yes? What about it? " However, it was clear from his hungry expression that he had not forgotten their interrupted conversation at the theater.

  "You know what I have asked of you." She turned fully towards him now, as if finally becoming aware of his naked body - and their very scandalous situation.

  "And I gave you my answer." Lewis shook his head. "I cannot do that to you, Sophie. You are not ready. You might never be."

  She crossed her arms over her chest, knowing her expression was probably rather mulish. "You are an expert on such matters, are you?

  "I know more than you think." His expression was just as mulish as hers and something flared, hot and needy, inside of her. She needed this. She needed him. Even if he was not quite ready to agree with her assessment.

  "Well, I know that you desire me, Lewis." Sophia raised her chin in defiance. "Do not deny it."

  In response, Lewis pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes as if in pain. "Sophia. Please. Do not make this situation any more difficult than it already is. You are here, with me, in a bachelor's household without a chaperone. I cannot even send for a reputable woman due to the storm. Even though this is a situation that cannot be helped, irreparable harm has already been done to your reputation. I am not certain how even someone like Lord Candlewood can salvage the situation now. If word of this night gets out, we will be forced to wed, which neither of us desires. So I refuse to make the situation worse by lying with you. No matter that I desire you so much that I all but ache with the need to taste your lovely breasts and feel your body come alive beneath mine as I press you into this mattress so that I might finally have my wicked way with you and claim you as mine." Then he winced as he became conscious of what he had just uttered without thought. "I did not mean to say that."

  "Yes. You did," Sophia countered as she strolled slowly towards the bed, feeling a new sense of power race through her veins. She had no idea what was causing this feeling or even why, but she did know that she liked the sensation very, very much. "Out of all of the words you just spoke, Lewis, you meant those last ones most of all. I am not so muzzy-headed that I forgot what you said back at the theater. I know you desire me. Just as I desire you."

  "Sophie. We cannot..." However Lewis' protests were growing weaker and Sophia knew it.

  So she did the one thing that, as a lady, she had been warned from birth never to do. Sophia reached behind her and found the large pin that Pilkington had used to hold all of his quick alterations to the wretched green gown together. Including the one that kept the garment wrapped tightly around her body. With a quick yank, Sophia pulled the pin from the cloth and watched Lewis' eyes widen as the too-large, borrowed frock slithered to the ground in a pile of brilliant green silk until she was standing stark naked before him.

  For the first time since that night with Alex, Sophia felt as if she was once more in control of her life. And she was relishing every last moment of the experience. No matter how shocking her actions.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Lewis closed his eyes as quickly as he could, but not before the image of beautifully rounded hips and taut, delightful breasts were all but seared into his mind. "Sophia. Please stop this madness," he all but begged. "I cannot be responsible for this. If something happens to you, I would never forgive myself."

  He heard her take a step closer to the bed. "What could possibly happen, Lewis? Other than that I learn what it is truly like to be with a man and to not fear the marital bed?"

  "Things," he ground out through tightly clenched teeth. "Things could...happen. You do not know."

  "I am not afraid." She paused for a moment, reconsidering her words. "Or rather, I am afraid. But I do not wish to be afraid any longer. I am tried of living my life in fear, of wondering if the next man who approaches me wishes to harm me. And perhaps this is not the best way to conquer that fear, but it is the only way I can think of that might help."

  "You are using my own desires against me." Lewis' words were laced with both pain and need. Need for her, she sincerely hoped.

  Sophia tugged gently at one of his hands. "Yes. I am," she readily admitted. "I have always been brash. You know this. It is no secret either that I have always gone after what I desired, no matter how improper that desire might be."

  Lewis allowed her to pull his hand away from his body even further, both of them knowing that if he truly did not want this, he could have been out the door already and she would have been unable to prevent his departure. "And you desire me."

  She nodded as he peer
ed up at her with one eye now, still uncertain as to where this dance was headed. "In a way that I have never desired anyone. Not even Alex. That, too, frightens me. And I am so very, very tired of being afraid, Lewis. I wish to be whole again."

  "This might not accomplish what you seek," he warned, thinking once more of Valeria. "It might hurt you more than it will help."

  "It is a chance I am willing to take." She pulled his other hand away from his face and then leaned down until they were nose to nose. "I am ready for this, Lewis. I am ready for you. Please. I need you."

  It was her last three words that drove into his heart and finally convinced him to change his mind.

  "Come here, wench," Lewis growled, pulling Sophia onto his lap as he tossed the sheet away so that he was bare to her. Settling her fully across his naked body, he recognized the moment she became aware of his thick erection pressing into her stomach as she nestled against him, her legs spread wide over his hips.

  "You are...larger...than I expected," she whispered and he felt her tremble a bit.

  Having already determined that he would take this slow - if the act was even completed tonight at all - Lewis urged Sophia a bit closer to judge her reaction more completely. "Does that bother you?"

  "No." She was staring at him with something close to awe, her teal eyes wide. "It is merely surprising. But then you are a large man overall, so it stands to reason that your...member is large as well."

  "It is called a cock," he replied, pushing her just a bit farther. "To be specific, it is my cock and soon it will be inside of you. Fucking you."

  She licked her lips with obviously wicked intent. "I think I will enjoy that."

  "Think?" If she was uncertain about this, Lewis needed to know now. Before he passed the point where he could not stop - at least not without great difficulty and pain on his part. "I have always pleased the women I have lain with. I refuse to allow you to be the first woman to merely think that she might enjoy the pleasure I offer her." Once more, he chose his words with care, being just crude enough to shock her if she was still undecided and yet masterful enough to fan the flames building within her if she truly desired him.