by Gill, Tamara
"That sounds heavenly," she said, walking up to him and taking his hand, kissing him quickly since they were alone.
He hummed. "You are too tempting. Mayhap we ought to stay here instead?"
She chuckled, pulling him from the room and toward the front foyer and door. "No. Now that you have offered me a night under the stars, I want that, and no library will do."
They stole out of the house, running and laughing as they made their way out onto the unkempt lawns. Theo took her down toward the lake, a location hidden from view of the house.
He went over to a small tree, moving several branches to reveal a rug he had hidden there. Her lips quirked. "Did you sneak that out here today?" she asked him, looking forward to their time alone. As much as she adored his mama, it was so very lovely to be with Theo with no one else listening to their every word, watching their every gesture.
He shook out the rug, setting it on the side of the river, before holding out his hand and helping her sit. She kicked off her slippers and stockings, the cool air on her feet going some way in chilling her flesh on this hot evening.
Theo joined her, lying down, his arms settled behind his head, looking up at the stars. Elena joined him, having never been outside this late at night, taking in the heavens. She had, of course, stolen a look or two at balls and parties when she was taking the air on a terrace or gardens, but those occasions were nothing like the one she was now experiencing with Theo.
The night had no moonlight, and the stars shone so brightly and clearly. "Do you ever wonder if there is a world like ours somewhere out there? Do you think the many balls of light are planets or merely stars as we term them?" she asked him, curious for his answer.
"Hard to say," he replied. "But I like to imagine we're not the only ones. How marvelous that would be, do you not think?" He met her gaze, and Elena's stomach somersaulted. "That somewhere out in that great vastness, there is another couple, watching the heavens and thinking of other worlds too. I like to think there is."
His thought was a lovely idea to muse over. She turned, watching him, reveling in his handsome profile. Her heart pounded. How could she ever have thought to let him leave and marry some heiress in London? He deserved love, just as she did, and she wanted them to have it with each other.
She reached out, pulling his hand toward her, and kissed his palm. "Thank you for this gift, Theo. I do believe in all our adventures these past days; this has been my favorite."
Theo rolled to his side, watching her. His hand pushed a lock of hair from her face, slipping it behind her ear. "It is my favorite too," he answered before he closed the space between them and kissed her again.
And she was lost.
Chapter 17
Theo kissed Elena and lost his heart to the woman in his arms. Never had he felt such an overwhelming urge to protect, care, and love someone always, as he did with the woman beside him, kissing him back with an urgency and need to match his own.
She was a madness in his blood he could not cure. Nor did he wish to. He wanted her. All of her. He ought to tell her that he had fallen in love with her, but the words would not form.
He was a man, after all, and to pronounce such truth was never easy. Not to mention stating the truth meant he could never travel to London and marry a woman of wealth. He would lose his home, leave those who relied on him for employment without income. Everything he had fought to keep for so many years would be lost.
He desperately wanted to tell her the truth, but doing so would seal his fate. Seal all their fates to a life of moderation and little grandeur. No matter how desperate he was to make Miss Elena Smith his wife, forgo everything else he held dear, he could not form the words.
But he would have her tonight. He would love her in the only way he could.
She pushed him onto his back, and he chuckled, having not expected her to take command. He adored that she did and took what she wanted, no matter that she was the fairer sex. Elena was no meek and mild miss.
"I adore being here with you," she whispered against his lips. He clasped her face, kissing her hard. His hand followed the line of her spine, making her squirm before he kneaded her ass.
She had perfect globes, a lovely handful. She moaned and the sound proceeded directly to his cock. He ached with a delicious need that rode his every touch and kiss he bestowed upon her.
She slid her leg over his waist, placing herself directly upon his rigid manhood. The urge to hoist up her dress, to spread her legs and sheathe himself into her warmth hungered through him.
Instead, he lay patient, reveled in her movements as she settled atop him, undulating against his cock, teasing them both.
She placed her core directly over his manhood. He moaned, breaking the kiss and steeling himself to behave. "You drive me to distraction, Elena."
She sat back, pulling him up by the ties on his shirt. Her features were no longer teasing or amused but solemn, her dark eyes a pool of need.
"You drive me to distraction, Theo," she said, repeating his words. "I want you too. Please let me have this one night in your arms," she asked him.
She would have more than just this one night. He would make certain of it. He took her lips in a searing kiss, the madness within him changing everything. Elena ripped his shirt from his breeches, tossing it to the side somewhere on the river bank.
Theo worked the buttons on her camisole before going to work at the back of her gown, thankful when it gaped enough that she could shuffle out of it. With her dressed now in only her shift and corset, he made short work of the strings hiding her delectable self from him, the corset landing somewhere on the grass. They would worry about finding it later.
He rolled her onto her back, settling between her thighs. She wrapped her legs around his hips, biting her lip as she worked herself against him. He could feel the dampness of her sex. Even so, he reached between them, teased her mons, flicking her extended nubbin until she moaned.
He loved the feel of her, hot and wet. His mouth watered, wanting to taste her sweet flesh.
"Oh Theo," she gasped, her fingers scoring the skin on his shoulders. "Please, do not tease me so," she pleaded.
He wanted to do so much more than fuck her with his hand. He wanted to lick between her moist lips. Flick her nubbin and have her clasp his head with her legs as she came against his mouth.
He wanted her in every way a man could have a woman. Spend the rest of their days and nights locked in each other’s arms.
Not able to wait for a second longer, he ripped at his front falls, his rigid cock spilling into his hand. Determination sparkled in her eyes as he set himself at her core.
"Are you sure, Elena?" he asked her, needing to hear that she agreed to what they were about to do. For after it was done, there was no turning back. No stopping what would befall them both. Marriage, a life. Even if that life was a frugal one.
She nodded, spiking her hands into his hair and pulling him down for a kiss. The sweetness of it took his breath away. "I'm certain, Theo. I want you."
She pushed up against him to prove that point, and he lost the small amount of control he still commanded. He thrust into her, sheathing himself into her tight, welcoming heat.
She gasped and stilled, and he paused, giving her a moment to get used to him. "It will not hurt for long, my darling. I promise to make this night one you shall forever remember."
Her wide eyes soon lost the small amount of fear they held, and after a moment, she relaxed in his arms, her legs hooking about his ass. She shifted, seeking him to move with her. He did not need any further urging. Theo rocked into her, giving her what she wanted. What they both did.
The sensation was nothing like he had experienced. The woman in his arms captured his heart and mind, and having her, making her his in this way, knowing he would be the one and only man to lay claim to her sweet self, humbled and stimulated him beyond measure.
They fell into a steady rhythm. Elena kissed him, sought him to go deeper, faster, an
d he gave her all that she wanted. He took his pleasure, sought hers, and would not disappoint, no matter how much he wanted to spend.
He pulled down one side of her shift, exposing a pink, pebbled nipple, and took it into his mouth, kissing her sweet peak, suckling her, and eliciting a gasp of awareness.
He did it again and again, teasing her other breast and giving her what she wanted. All the while, he thrust into her heat, her legs tight bounds against his back.
"Theo," she gasped, biting her lip and throwing her head back against the picnic rug. "Oh, Theo. Yes," she moaned, her hand's tight bonds on his arms.
Theo thanked God when the first spasms of her release pulled about his cock. He was not sure how much longer he could hold out. He thrust harder, faster into her, and she clung to him, rocking against him, lifting up and seeking pleasure.
And then she shattered. The contractions, the spasms about his cock pulled his release forward. He came hard in her, emptying his seed into her welcoming flesh.
She moaned his name, reaching up to kiss him as the last of her spasms subsided about his manhood. He continued to rock into her, milking every last drop of ecstasy he could.
He slumped to the side, his breathing ragged, before pulling her into the crook of his arm, kissing the top of her head. "That is not what I planned when I sought your company out here this evening, Elena. But I cannot regret what has happened. You have made me the happiest of men."
She grinned across at him, her cheeks pinkened from their exertions. Her breast still gaped from her shift and teased his senses. He looked away from the tempting sight and planned when and how he would marry her. Explain to his mama that they would lose everything because he could not live without the woman in his arms—the woman at his side.
Miss Elena Smith, a companion who had captured a lord's heart and soul.
"You have made me the happiest of women. I adore you," she admitted to him, kissing him lightly on his chest.
He held her closer still. Tomorrow, he vowed he would propose. She would be named the future Marchioness of Lyon, and nothing and no one would change that fact.
Chapter 18
The following morning Elena woke and broke her fast in her room. She bathed and dressed and was ready for the day before nine. She glanced at the clock in her room, knowing the marchioness would not be up for several more hours.
After her wicked night in Theo's arms, she had expected to sleep in late too, but she was too excited to lay abed. Not unless she was lying abed with her lover. Her future husband if she could get him to admit his feelings before he knew the truth of her life.
She had thought he would say something last evening, and in fact, several times she had thought he was about to admit to what he felt for her, but then it never happened.
Even so, she did not doubt what he felt for her would soon be admitted, but she needed to know in truth. She had to hear it for herself, and then she would know their marriage would be a love match, made to last until the day she passed, just as her sisters’ unions were.
She swiped up her light shawl that sat over one of the settees, starting out of the room and down the passage—determined to seek out Theo, who ought to be in the library by now, since he usually did estate work before noon.
Her steps faltered, and dread rolled down her spine at the sound of her sister Alessa's stern voice, demanding Lord Lyon tell her where her sister was located.
She bit her lip, wondering if it were too late to run away yet again so that she did not have to face what she was about to walk into.
She could hear Theo debating Alessa's words, explaining that she must be mistaken for no royalty stayed at Lyon Estate. That it was only his mother and her companion other than the few staff he kept on.
This could not be happening. How had Alessa found out? She calculated in her mind how long she had been in Somerset and figured she had at least ten days left before the house party at Kew Palace came to an end.
With nothing left for it and never a coward, she continued down to the foyer. Making the landing, she noted the door to the library was open, giving her a view of the room.
It was worse than she first thought. Not only was Alessa in the room, Rowan towered behind his wife like a monolith of deadly strength, and Holly and Drew were in attendance as well. She blinked, fighting nausea that rose in her throat when all at once, in synchronized horror, they turned to view who had intruded on their conversation.
Alessa slumped in relief, coming toward her and pulling her into a quick embrace. Elena's gaze met Theo’s over her sister's shoulder, and she saw the confusion in his blue orbs.
She hated that she had placed him at such a disadvantage. He had deserved to know the truth so much earlier than now. And he certainly did not deserve to find out about her family in this way. It should have come from her.
After he had told her he loved her.
Elena was sure that he did, but he had not said nor offered for her hand. If he were to offer now, he offered to a princess. A woman rich enough to save his estate, his name in marriage. She loathed the idea of such a proposal, cold and required, not heartfelt as she had hoped. He would feel compelled even more so now that he knew who she was. A gentleman who had debauched a lady always did right by her and offered her his hand.
Would he?
"What are you doing in Somerset, Elena?" her sister Holly demanded, her voice regal and hard. Elena cringed, knowing her sister the queen was in a temper from the actions that had placed her here in Somerset.
Alessa walked her into the library and closed the door on the few staff who had stopped in the foyer, suspecting a dignified visitor they were yet to name.
Elena dipped into a curtsy before Holly, before bussing her cheek in welcome, trying to soften her sister's mood in any way she could. "I needed to remove myself from London, and an opportunity came to travel to Somerset and look after mother's dearest friend from the year she came out here in England. I saw no harm in that."
"Only that you were not supposed to be here in Somerset. We believed you to be safe and secure at Kew Palace attending King George's house party. He notified me that his cousin from Atharia had not arrived after a fortnight of the party commencing."
Damn the king for ratting her out to her sisters. He never attended his own house parties, preferring to keep to Windsor. How like her luck to end. To be found out during the individual moment she tried to escape.
"Are you acting as a companion, Elena?" Alessa asked, looking between herself and Lord Lyon. "As his lordship has stated? Are you a servant here?"
The abhorrence of such a thing was easy to hear in her sister's tone. Elena knew she could not lie, not anymore, even if those lies would hurt the one person she never intended to injure at all. She was not supposed to have fallen for Theo, but she had. And now he would be angry, and would no doubt feel betrayed.
She had lied to him. Worse still, she was royal, a privilege that had caused his family so much pain.
"I applied for the position of companion for the Dowager Marchioness of Lyon, but only because I knew that she was friends with our mama and his lordship needed someone to care for her while he was in London."
Rowan scoffed behind his wife's shoulders. "His lordship seems quite settled here in Somerset, Elena. We have not seen Lord Lyon in town."
"That is because misfortunes have occurred to keep him here, but he always intended to leave," she said, defending his activities.
Holly narrowed her eyes, studying her, and Elena fought not to blush, not to react to her elder sister's inspection. What was she trying to find out about her? Did she suspect something?
God, she was thankful her sister, the queen, could not read minds.
"Elena or Miss Smith," Holly stated, meeting Theo's schooled gaze. "Is better known as Princess Elena of Atharia. Sister to a queen and royal subject of Atharia. She is no companion and certainly should not be looking after anyone but her duty to The Crown and her country."
Theo's
lip curled in scorn, and a little part of her died that he loathed her true self so much. How would they ever repair the damage her lying had caused?
He stood, legs apart and hands clasped behind his back. "I did not know Princess Elena as anyone but Miss Smith. I was unaware of the ruse that she has undertaken to remain here in Somerset. I can only offer you my apology and best wishes to her for the remaining season."
Elena felt her mouth gape. Was she so easy to dismiss? Would he not even fight for her? What was Theo about?
Alessa came to her side, taking her hand. "Elena, you look distressed. Has something happened, my dear?"
Holly gasped, coming to stand on her other side and pinning Theo with a loathsome glare. "Is there something going on between the two of you? For there better not be. I know of Lord Lyon's predicament and his need for a rich bride. It is why you were to travel to London, is it not?"
Theo glared at Holly, and Elena stilled. Never had she seen him appear so enraged. "Spoken like a true royal," he spat. "So long as you are well-to-do, nothing else matters, does it not?" He chuckled, but the sound held no amusement. "I do believe other than Lord Balhannah in this room, Sir Oakley came into your family with far less than I."
Rowan shrugged, throwing a placating glance at his wife. "He does have a point, my dear," he stated.
"That may be the case," Holly declared. "But when it comes to our younger sister, the rules change. She has not been out in the world as much as Alessa and myself, and I will not have her used. Not by you or anyone in need of funds."
"Holly, stop, please. This is a conversation I need to have with his lordship alone. As much as I love you and Alessa, this is none of your business." Elena wasn't sure where the gumption came from to speak so to her sisters, but it was time she defended herself and battled her own problems. If there was any chance for her and Theo, they needed to be alone and not have anyone else putting in their opinions.
"Very well," Alessa agreed, starting for the door. "We shall remove ourselves and let you speak alone. But not for long, mind you, and the door is to remain partially open to preserve your respectability."
