His mouth met her mound, and Alice’s body shot from the bed right before Calvin took hold of her thighs. His tongue swept restlessly at her most sensitive flesh and she felt herself swell and open underneath him. She tried to concentrate on her breathing as she felt the pressure build where he worked. He licked and sucked and moaned in a way that told her he enjoyed this just as much as she did. Perhaps more.
She held his eyes as pressure built within her, confused with what was happening to her. The sensations were overpowering, his mouth commanding her to obey some order she couldn’t mentally comprehend, even though her body knew very well what to do.
But without understanding, she knew she could trust him with herself just as she trusted him with her heart.
It was her final thought before her body was thrown into a burst of vibrant colors and lights and then she fell against the sheets as fleeting shocks vibrated through her until she calmed.
She found herself looking at the ceiling once more and though the room was gray, she felt like a million glowing stars shined brightly in her. Her view of the ceiling was cut off by Calvin. He was not wearing a shirt and her hands had no choice but to touch him. They slid across his tawny arms, over the caps of his shoulders until she reached his face. She paused. There was a look she’d never seen on him before. His blond waves fell over his ears and over one eye. Confusion drifted into understanding and she watched a thought dawn on him.
She opened her mouth to ask what was on his mind when there was rattling at the door. Calvin rolled off the bed and Alice pulled down her skirt and sat up just as the door burst open.
“Alice!” Lorena shouted with a grin. She was holding a paper in front of her. She was still in her own night-rail with a robe over it. Her hair was wild in long blond waves that reached her waist. “I’ve got it!”
Alice licked her lips. “Wha—” Her voice came out high. She cleared it and tried again. “What have you found?”
“I know who Mr. Wilkins owes money to!” Lorena said.
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CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
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Alice barely had time to understand what Lorena had just presented her with when a very male voice sounded from the hallway.
“What’d you say?” His footsteps were soft against the hardwood floors and when he appeared in the doorway, Alice knew why.
Emmett was barefoot. He also hadn’t taken the time to button his shirt, which left his toned torso exposed to Alice’s vision. Her eyes caught the trail of dark hair that seemed to cover his muscles, leading to a trail that disappeared into his dark trousers. With his dark hair and tan flesh, he looked like a pirate.
Alice’s eyes were glued there for a moment, then trailed back up until it collided with his smiling gray ones. Alice’s cheeks inflamed, and she looked over to see that Lorena was grinning at her as well.
Lorena turned to Emmett, closed his shirt and held it there. Her head tilted back to look at him. “You’ll have to clothe yourself properly when there are guests amongst us, dear.”
Emmett turned to Lorena and his smile faded. “You ran from the room so quickly that there was little time to even put on my trousers.” He began to button his shirt. “I saw the maid hand you a note and then you ran from the room. I thought something was wrong.” His frown deepened as he fastened the last button. “Now I know something is very wrong. How do you know who Mr. Wilkins owes money to?”
Movement made Alice turn, and she watched as Calvin rose to his full height, exposing himself to Alice’s great dismay but her outrage died under her first true look at Calvin’s chest. He was glorious, a beautiful golden color with a torso that looked to be made of stone. Faint blond hairs covered him, though they were almost invisible. Her eyes drank in every bone and muscle and her mouth watered.
“Lorena, close your mouth.”
Alice turned at Emmett’s growl and watched as Lorena blinked twice before turning her own eyes toward Emmett.
Her face was red, and she licked her lips. “Perhaps,” her voice was breathy, “we should make it a rule that everyone wears clothes.”
Emmett crossed his arms and shook his head at his fiancée but he was grinning.
Alice turned and watched Calvin pull his arms through his shirt sleeves. With every move, his muscles went taut, and Alice felt her own inner muscles do the same.
Calvin started to button his shirt as he spoke to Lorena. “How do you know who Mr. Wilkins owes money?”
“I had Jane follow Alice when she went to Madame Margaret’s.”
“What?” Emmett’s head swung to Alice. His eyes narrowed. “You went where?”
Alice shrunk back on the bed and her heart thumped hard against her ribs. She’d never had any man look at her this way but imagined it was what an older brother would look like had she’d had one and he’d just found out she’d gone to Madame Margaret’s. Alice had once begged her father for an older brother. She’d seen other girls with brothers who’d carry their purchases for them or teach them to drive a wagon, so she’d pleaded with her father to make an elder sibling for her, then after she’d come of an age and found that such a thing could not be done, she’d simply asked him for a brother. That had also never come to fruition and, at the moment, Alice was very glad. She didn’t like Emmett’s anger even if it was for her own concern.
She pressed her lips together.
Emmett continued to stare at her expectantly.
Alice tried for a response that wouldn’t further anger him. “Perhaps?”
Emmett’s head swung to Calvin. “You knew of this?”
Calvin was sitting in one of the chairs by the fireplace as he put on a boot. “I was there when she arrived.”
Emmett lifted a brow as he seemed to reach another level of anger.
Alice’s stomach dropped.
Emmett leaned against the doorway. “What were you doing at Madame Margaret’s?”
Calvin stood and moved to his jacket. “To find out what woman had the audacity to shoot Alice. I thought the woman might have worked for Margaret.”
Emmett’s anger receded and he nodded. “It’s a rare gift, a woman capable of proving her love.” His eyes moved to Lorena and their mutual love flowed between their gazes. It was beautiful to see.
“I know,” Calvin said, fully dressed. He leaned against the fireplace and his eyes roamed to Alice and that look she’d seen earlier, the one she didn’t understand and didn’t dare to guess at, filled his golden irises.
“As we established last evening, I didn’t take a bullet for Calvin,” Alice protested.
“You did,” Emmett and Calvin said at the same time.
“I did not!”
“You did,” Lorena said. “Though you didn’t know it was meant for you at the time, you still tried to save Calvin’s life.”
Alice stared at them all and sighed. It appeared that everyone would believe what they wished to believe no matter what she said. Therefore, she gave in. Her eyes moved back to Calvin, thinking him oddly far away when just moments ago he’d been very close.
Her head lifted as Calvin pushed himself from the wall and walked over to her. He placed an arm around her waist and pulled her from the bed then he turned her and settled her back against his chest. His arms remained around her and Alice, which made her feel warm, safe, and something she knew she had no business feeling. Cherished.
Her eyes settled on Emmett and Lorena to find that Emmett had placed an arm around her and Lorena’s head leaned on him. Her eyes were closed in contentment.
“Give us the name of the man Wilkins owes money,” Emmett demanded.
Lorena didn’t even blink. “Dr. Hanford.”
Alice would have reacted had Calvin not beat her to it. His arms tightened around her.
“Dr. Hanford?” Alice idly touched her arm. What did Dr. Hanford
have to do with her father?
Emmett went on. “And exactly what did you plan to do with this information?”
Lorena tipped her head back to look at him. “Well, I assumed Alice was due a visit to the doctor and thought to accompany her.”
Emmett closed his eyes. It was obvious he had no clue what to do with her. “Does it ever occur to you that you can be hurt?”
“I’ve never been in a hospital.”
He touched her cheek and said, “Let us keep it that way.”
They shared a look.
Lorena nodded. “I’ll not go.”
Emmett caressed her cheek once more then turned to Calvin. “I’ll meet you downstairs.” Then he disappeared.
Calvin turned Alice in his arms and his lips brushed hers before he said, “Sit and let me see to your bandage.”
She obeyed.
“I forgot to have someone look at it last night,” Alice said as Calvin began to unravel the white linen from her arm.
“I took care of it,” he told her.
Her eyes moved up to his and watched him as he worked. “What do you mean?”
“I took care of you last night while you were asleep.” He didn’t even look at her, which made his words seem as though they didn’t matter, as though it was nothing to take care of her in the night in a way that hadn’t disturbed her at all.
“And the previous night?” she asked.
“Then as well.” He moved his head to look at the wound. It was not as red as it had been that first day but Alice still detested knowing it would leave a scar. Then her view of it was obscured when Calvin rubbed balm over it and began to wrap it again.
She looked at him and simply watched his large hands as he worked gently and the relaxed expression on his face. He’d taken care of her twice and she’d not known. They’d not seen one another until the ball the other night but he’d come to her while she’d been sleeping to make sure she was all right. She hadn’t known it was possible to love him more than she already did but her heart managed to find a way.
“Your father approves of me.”
Calvin’s hands stilled and he looked at her. “How do you know?”
“He told me at the ball last night before we had our… rendezvous.” She watched him for a moment. “Frank told him what happened but he doesn’t know what I told you in the hall last night. They don’t know that I didn’t save you.”
“You did save me,” he told her, while still holding her hand. “You’re saving me as we speak.”
Alice’s heart rocked. “What does that mean?”
He let go of her hand and grabbed her face between his palms. She moved to the edge of her chair to get closer. He moved some stray hairs from in front of her face before meeting her eyes again. “As I held you last night and the night before, I imagined a life where I’d simply allowed you to marry someone else, to love someone else, and understand that had it not been for that night, that wretched future would have been my reality. I almost lost you.”
Alice’s eyes watered and she whispered, “Ask me to marry you.”
He smiled. “I knew you were close.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Close? Close to what?”
“Saying yes,” he said with a grin. Then he kissed her before she could comment on his arrogance. “I can’t ask you yet.”
Her stomach turned and fear gripped her. “Why not?”
He held her eyes and said, “I haven’t told you that I love you yet.”
Alice slipped out of her chair and boldly slipped onto his lap. “Tell me.” She desperately wanted to hear the words, though she’d already suspected it the previous night and again that morning as he’d done what he’d done to her body. The look he’d given her afterward had told her the depths of the moment, that she was more than just another woman he sought for pleasure. She wasn’t even sure that he’d pleased himself.
He smiled. “I love you.”
In her gladness, she moved around on his lap until he groaned, grabbed her hips, and set her on her feet. Then he kissed her and said, “I’ll see you later,” before he left.
Alice turned around to find Lorena standing there with her mouth open.
When the footsteps faded behind her, Lorena rushed over, crawled on the bed, and grinned. “So, was Calvin very forthcoming?”
Alice turned and buried her face in the pillows as Lorena’s laughter filled the room.
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CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
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As luck would have it, Lorena kept her promise to Emmett by avoiding the hospital but as she usually did, she sent a servant out to follow her fiancé and Calvin to their visit to Dr. Hanford. Together they’d started reading Isaac’s book, which they admitted was indeed spectacular.
Breakfast was going pleasantly when a footman came to deliver an urgent note to Lorena.
Lorena took one glance at it and froze. Then she stood. “Genie’s father died.”
Alice felt a tightening in her chest for sweet Genie.
Lorena said, “I must go see her.”
“Of course.”
Lorena started from the table and stopped at the door. “Are you ready to go?”
Alice was surprised and asked, “Are you sure you wish for me to be there? Will Genie want me there?”
“Of course. You’re her friend, aren’t you?”
Alice stood. “I’m ready.”
Lorena, Alice, and Maura were silent as they rode to Genie’s house. A note had been sent to Sophia’s residence and also to Francis’. The men who’d been home had piled into the carriage behind Lorena’s and they’d all set out to the Marquess of Buckley’s home.
It was a somber affair, a parade of carriages destined to visit the woman who Alice thought was the very essence of happiness. She didn’t know Genie well but it seemed sobering to know that pain touched the gentlest of spirits just as much as it touched everyone else.
Footman helped the women down from the carriage, and Alice managed not to cry until the moment Genie came into the foyer. She looked smaller than usual and the instant she broke into a sob, Lorena and Francis were there. No one said anything as they held her small shaking body and, just like Genie’s laughter, there was nothing proper about the amount of emotion she displayed. The sounds of her anguish shook the very walls and plunged the entire house into further sorrow.
The men stood off to the side, silently watching.
Alice felt her hand grabbed and turned to see it was Maura, who was wiping tears from her eyes with a handkerchief.
Morris was the first to walk out of the room toward what looked to be a drawing room and the men followed.
Sophia arrived and broke out into tears at the sight of Genie. Lorena and Francis were still equally holding her and the scene was shocking. Alice had never seen such support and love and never from people who’d she’d believed were usually cold to one another. When one thought of the ton, the wealthy, titled, and sophisticated, this was not what image came to mind but for the rest of her life, Alice would remember this.
Sophia asked, “Where are the others?”
“The parlor.”
“Come on.”
She led the way and found the men already poised around the room with glasses of a dark liquor in their hands.
Alice followed as Sophia and Maura dropped into a chair.
Frank brought them all glasses and Alice thanked him.
Everyone remained quiet for some time. Alice heard the sounds of Genie’s tears rise and fall. She couldn’t help but ask, “Should we be here? I don’t want her to be embarrassed.”
Sophia said, “Genie, like the men, were there when Francis and Lorena’s parents died two years ago. It was a boating accident during Francis’ summer party. Both gone in an instant. When a tragedy of that magnitude strikes, there is an intimacy tha
t is created that you’ll find to be unusual.”
Alice was saddened by the news of Francis’ and Lorena’s parents. She’d known them to be gone but hearing Sophia tell the story that way made it a reality. Or perhaps it was simply less fiction because of how close she was becoming to the people who stood around her.
Julius, who had his arms crossed and was leaning against a wall with his head bent, said, “She and Lorena were there when my father died as well.” His dark eyes lifted to look at her. “They came to visit with Francis and wouldn’t leave my house until they were sure I was well.”
Alice gave him a small smile.
“And when my wife and daughter died,” Hugh whispered.
Everyone looked at him, and Alice felt pain in her belly. She hadn’t known any of them had been married, much less had children. The ton always wrote their stories as though they were notorious bachelors. She was learning quickly that this was not so.
“Genevieve has been there for many of us,” Morris said, staring out a window. “Even if it was simply the gift of a smile on your most wretched of days.”
A murmur of agreement went through the men and glasses were lifted.
Frank looked at his glass and said, “Genie probably needs this more than I do.”
Alice stood. “I’ll get it for her.”
She went to the sideboard and poured a liberal amount, then went into the foyer to find that she, Lorena, and Francis were no longer there. She followed the sound of weeping and went into another drawing room and found them there. Genie sat between Francis and Lorena, one hand holding Lorena’s while her head rested on Francis’ shoulder. She’d calmed significantly and even managed a small smile when she saw Alice.
Alice’s Shameless Spinster’s Society (The Spinster’s Society Book 2) Page 16
