by Regan Walker
“Oh, Hugh,” she whispered softly, and she recognized her words as an invitation.
Apparently, so did he. This time his kiss was immediately one of passion and possession, and full of promise. It went on and on before Hugh finally paused, his breath ragged, giving them one last shot at decorum and honor. “Mary, I want you now but I can wait.”
Mary was breathless, and her heart pounded in her chest. She wanted him in all the ways a woman could want a man, but she pulled back and stared into his dark eyes. She saw exactly what she needed there. “I want you, too,” she said breathlessly. “And, yes, I’ll marry you.”
He swept her into his arms and to the bed, gently laying her down atop the cover. Doffing his shirt and breeches, he climbed onto the bed and lay beside her.
The sight of his naked body took Mary aback. She’d never before seen a fully grown man completely naked. He was beautiful, long and lean, all hard muscle covered by warm smooth skin, and her eyes followed the trail of dark hair leading from his chest down past his waist. His arousal was large and imposing. Though she had seen horses breed, she’d never seen a man naked and fully aroused. Forcing her eyes to his chest, she remembered tending him after his fall. Her fingers reached out to touch the coarse hair on his chest.
Passion flamed in his eyes, and Hugh pulled her to him, running his hand over her bottom. As she shivered he promised, “I’ll be gentle, sweetheart. I’ll cherish you.”
Mary reached up and kissed him, her heart and soul full of trust and love.
Hugh took command of the kiss, claiming her lips, kissing her neck and sweeping his tongue over her ear. The warmth of his naked flesh made her nipples harden beneath her thin muslin shirt. His hands were everywhere, cuddling her, caressing her, touching her. He covered her with his body, pressing his arousal against her upper thigh, and her heartbeat accelerated, her body tingling all over. He lightly ran his lips over her collarbone, and his hand dipped into her shirt to explore her breasts.
“I want you naked,” he said, pulling back and drawing her into a sitting position to tug the shirt off and cast it away. His eyes feasted on her breasts, and his mouth soon did the same. Pressing her back into the pillows, he nuzzled one gently, drawing her nipple into his mouth and stroking it with his tongue. The heat of his mouth released a damp flow at her woman’s center.
Her breathing rapid, Mary moaned. The feel of him sucking gently on her breast was intoxicating, and she writhed as shimmers of arousal echoed through her body. He rose above her, settling himself between her thighs. Her gasps increased as his aroused flesh pressed against her warm core. The feel of that hard flesh was both arousing and a little frightening, especially when he began to rock his hips, sliding his erection back and forth over soft folds that were now wet and slick with wanting.
Mary moved her hands up the sides of his body, memorizing the contours of his back and shoulders that had so long held such fascination for her. His warm skin was smooth and taut over flexing muscles. He was so much man, the smell of him masculine and earthy, and she repeatedly whispered his name. She rubbed her woman’s flesh against him, parting her legs in further invitation.
Hugh’s mouth claimed hers once again, ravishing it. His tongue presaged his body’s movements to come. Shifting to one side, his hand roamed her abdomen and down to the curls at the top of her legs. He slid one leg over her thigh, imprisoning her leg while slipping a finger into her. Mary inhaled sharply.
“Oh.” It was the touch for which her body cried out.
Hugh moved his finger slowly, softly, finding a tiny bud of sensation within her and calling forth a honey-like liquid. It felt so good, Mary began to move with him, and he slipped a second finger inside, stretching her. His mouth returned to hers, and he kissed her deeply until her hips rocked in time with his moving fingers.
Mary marveled at the building tension, but she craved more of the sweet feeling. She almost cried out when Hugh removed his fingers; then he covered her with his body and placed the head of his aroused flesh at her opening. She lifted her hips in response.
“I want to be inside you.”
“Yes,” she breathed in a heavy whisper.
He captured her mouth with a kiss and pushed inside her body. There was only him and the feel of his flesh inside her: stretching, filling, moving slowly in and out, each time pressing deeper. The gradual stretching became a sweet torture. Her muscles flexed around him, trying to hold him inside her as he withdrew. He was large but she was wet, and he slid easily in and out. He felt so good, so warm, and she began to move with him. His slowness was nearly driving her mad. She wanted him deeper.
As if in response, he suddenly thrust hard into her tight passage and stilled. She inhaled sharply, a stab of pain taking her breath. He was lodged deeply within her.
“Mary, are you all right?”
“Yes,” she said, in a voice higher than her own. “Just a bit…surprised.”
He was so large, she felt impaled, but his voice was gentle. “It is only the first time that this hurts, my love.”
Her breath came in short pants, but Hugh kissed her deeply, softly, and her body responded and relaxed, growing wet again. His lips trailed down her throat, then to her ear where his tongue circled, setting off delicious sensations of pleasure. Slowly he began to move inside her again. Mary could feel every inch. In response, she wrapped her arms around his neck and slid her legs over his. She was moving with him, swimming in feelings she had never before known. She felt so much a part of him, felt an intimacy she had been incapable of imagining.
I love you. The words spilled through her mind though she’d not dare speak them aloud.
Hugh began thrusting faster. His voice was a ragged whisper. “God, you feel so good. I knew it would be like this with you.”
The pain diminished, and Mary felt the tension building as they moved together. This time, she tried to encourage it. Hugh thrust again and again, slowly at first then faster. Her muscles gripped him, just as before. Suddenly a sensation swept over her like an ocean wave breaking. Her muscles convulsed, spasms deep inside her. A soft cry left her throat, and Hugh made one last thrust. His body went rigid as a warm flood filled her, sending her afloat on a wave of ecstasy. It was more than she’d ever imagined.
Hugh’s body relaxed, and he gently pressed a kiss to her throat. She kissed his temple in return, her arms wrapped tightly around him. They remained entwined like that for a while, each holding the other. She loved the heat of him resting on her, inside her. She even liked the weight of his body. She was content to stay there forever.
Hugh pulled back to look at her face. As he did, she smiled. “I love you, Hugh.”
He slid off to one side, taking her with him. Pressed into his warm body, she sighed. He kissed her forehead in response.
The fire died and the coals no longer glowed. As they fell asleep in each other’s arms, Mary had never felt so protected and desired. From this moment on, she did not want to sleep without him.
But he had not said he loved her, had he?
Chapter 25
Hugh began to stir a few hours before daybreak, his body awakening to the warmth of Mary lying so close. She had turned in the night to lie on her side, her back against his chest and her bottom tucked into his groin. His arm was draped over her ribs and his hand possessively cupped one breast.
His body instantly came alive, and his fingers circled her silky nipple. Though she still slept, that nipple responded to his touch, tightening into a hard bud. His hand moved from her breasts to her stomach, sliding across satin skin. She was so soft, so warm. His woman…and soon, his wife.
He reached the soft curls between her thighs, and his fingers moved slowly over the soft folds there to the sensitive nub, coaxing her awake and to arousal. His finger slipped into her, warm liquid welcoming the intrusion. Mary made sounds of contentment and began to move her bottom against him, with no clothing between them. He was growing harder with each movement. The feel of flesh on fle
sh was enticing.
Hugh nuzzled her neck, kissing and nibbling on her ear. “I want you.”
She turned her head to kiss him. “I want you, too.”
He entered her in one swift movement from behind, causing her to catch her breath. Though she was likely still sore, Mary slowly began rocking her hips into him, arching her back and pushing her bottom into his groin to take more of his length. His heart beat faster with each driving thrust, sliding in and out of that warm flesh. And her unbridled responses drove him wild.
Still inside her, he lifted up on his elbow and shifted her beneath him, turning her to face the pillow. Moving above her and resting on his knees, he pulled her hips back into him and thrust until he was entirely sheathed within her. Then, still holding her hip with one hand, he moved his other hand to her breasts, slowly kneading her nipple between his thumb and forefinger.
Her breath accelerated to short pants as his hand traveled down to her soft folds, and there he stroked the sensitive nub until her inner muscles gripped his hard length, a wave of spasms overtaking her and she called out his name. Hugh continued to thrust until finally, pulling her hips tight to his groin one final time he filled her with his warm seed. The muscles of Mary’s passage gripped his flesh, he let out a deep groan and they collapsed together, sated.
Hugh drew her close. “My love, my treasure. Such a passionate woman, I am indeed a fortunate man.”
They both fell back asleep, and sometime during the night the rain stopped. Hugh woke to the sun streaming in the window where the curtains did not quite close. Sounds of birds welcoming the morning intruded on their silent haven, and Mary turned to face him, her golden hair sprawled across the pillow and his shoulder. He loved the feel of it on his skin, like silk. The faint scent of gardenias drifted to his nose, along with the musky smell of their lovemaking.
His arms around her, he held her close, one leg between hers. He smiled and kissed her forehead. “My love, we need a vicar.” He would not give her time to reconsider. “There will be one at the English Chapel in Calais. Are you willing to forgo a large wedding?”
“Can we take time for this? Aren’t you worried about us doing something so public while still in France?”
“There are thousands of English living in Calais,” he replied. “We won’t be noticed if we’re careful, and they won’t be looking for us in a church. More likely they’ll be waiting at the channel crossing.”
“I like the idea of being married in France,” she mused, running her fingers through the hair on his chest. “It’s an adventure.”
He captured her hand, holding it over his heart. “You and your adventures. We still need to talk about those.”
“But adventures are the spice of life!”
He wasn’t sure he liked the idea of their wedding being an adventure, but he was glad she was not reconsidering. “What I think, my love, is that we have both had enough adventures for a while. And I don’t want to take you back to England unwed. As it is, your uncle will be unhappy with me. Assuming he will accept me as your husband, he may want another wedding in England just to assure himself we’re really man and wife.”
Mary turned her face up to his and kissed his jaw. “As many weddings as you like.” Then she rolled atop him with a kiss.
Hugh chuckled. “I see I have created an appetite in you for more than food.” Drawing her close, he relished the feel of her naked body. Just to hold her was heaven. She was in his life to stay.
An hour later they sat at the cottage’s small table eating the cheese and fruit Simeon had brought. Hugh took a drink of coffee, its rich aroma reviving him.
Mary reached for a piece of yellow cheese. “What will happen to the vicomte?”
“It remains to be seen. If the Prussians don’t get to Decazes, I expect King Louis will. Treachery is not well received by the Bourbons. They’ve had enough of it. Whatever Decazes has been a part of will soon be known. Martin will get to the heart of it. He’s an exceptional agent.”
“The vicomte was kind to me,” Mary said thoughtfully. “Even at the end.”
“To my mind he was a bit too kind.” Hugh frowned. “He was besotted with you. It was getting most annoying.”
She grinned. “Are you jealous? Of Joseph Decazes?”
“Of course I am jealous. The man was like a bee about a flower. I kept wanting to swat him.”
Her smile faded a bit. “I feel sorry for him. Still, he must have known he’d get caught with so many masters.”
Hugh recalled the men he’d known during Napoleon’s reign who took foolish risks. “He’s lucky he did not end up dead. And if Louis does not banish or kill him, he may yet face the wrath of the Prussians—not to mention the friends of Boney who are in league with them.”
“What about Theresa?”
“Ah. Now there is a troubling person,” Hugh admitted. “Her treachery was clear, which does not bode well for her. Her brother will intercede, of course, and the king may allow the Austrians to deal with her.”
Mary took another bite of cheese and held his gaze as her foot rubbed his leg under the table. “And what has been your role in all of this?”
He considered pulling her into his lap, she was so adorable, but instead reached across the table, took her hand and smiled. “There are some things that are not mine to tell, my love. But what I can say is that I sometimes handle special matters for the Prince Regent. I was here to support your uncle, to provide him with useful information for his discussions and to check on some of our activities in Paris.”
Mary shook her head. “For a duke’s son, you’ve had some incredible adventures, yourself. Is your friend Lambeth a part of this?”
Adventures. There was that word again. Still, he would tell the woman who’d captured his heart as much as he could. “He is. Like me, he finds most things that occupy the peerage wearying. He has a gift for planning, and I was able to bring him into our work.”
“I can see I have a lot to learn,” she replied.
No. He wanted to keep his treasure safe. “I am trusting that when we return to London, it will be the end of this adventure of yours.”
“Perhaps this one,” she agreed with a mischievous smile. “I suspect being married to you will be the greatest adventure of all. I have loved being a part of my uncle’s work, though. Perhaps in the future I might be a part of yours.”
Hugh sighed. “I am hoping for some compromise as to your many freedoms, my love. I would not want to worry continually about your safety.”
“Compromise is acceptable,” she said, “but I will not be kept in a box, Hugh. That is one of the reasons marriage never appealed to me.”
“Yes, I know,” he said. “And I promise I will do my best to see you are not trapped in a dull life. But just now, my love, we need to be on the road. We are not yet home. Oh, by the way, I like the lacy chemise I pulled from you last night.”
Mary gave him a coy smile. “I bought it with you in mind.”
* * *
Hugh’s words brought Mary back to the reality of their plight. Treacherous killers were searching for them. “Are you worried we could be discovered today?”
He shrugged. “By now your uncle has explained your departure, so many will know you left Paris. I assume the Prussians have searched for you and know you were not on the departing coaches. We must take the main road for a bit. Whether any of our enemies will be on it I cannot say.”
As she dressed, Mary was careful to tuck her hair inside her cap and to make certain her feminine form was well hidden. Her back muscles ached and the cramping in her thighs reminded her that she was not used to being so long in the saddle. Nor was she used to spending her nights making love. Her cheeks heated at the memory of all she had shared with Hugh. He was hers now, and she was his.
She was glad when, after only a few hours of riding, Hugh reined to one side of the road.
“There’s a clearing just through these trees where we can rest for a few minutes. How are you feelin
g?”
“Sore and very happy to be stopping.” She smiled at him, then, and reached one hand to her lower back to rub out a cramp.
The two of them walked their horses through the woods until she saw a small meadow. On its other side was a dense copse of trees. Yellow and white wildflowers grew at one side of the clearing where the sun fell on a patch of grass. It was peaceful, with leaves rustling in the slight wind and birds chirping. The day was clear though cool. Mary was delighted they were not facing another storm.
Hugh gestured with a nod toward the grove. “If I remember correctly, there is a stream just beyond those trees. Stay here, sweetheart. I’m just going to get us some fresh water.”
He swung onto his horse in one fluid movement and rode off. As the trees closed about him, Mary opened her saddlebags and took out the food Simeon had given them. The cold meat, bread, cheese and fruit would fill their hungry stomachs. She was absorbed in unwrapping the cheese and setting the food on a cloth when she suddenly realized the forest had grown silent; there were no birdcalls or noises of any other kind.
Then, a footfall on twigs behind her. She turned to welcome Hugh, but as she spun a hand came across her mouth and a man’s gruff voice said in French, “Not a word!”
Fear seized her, and every nerve in her body came alive. She shouted a muffled protest, but the hand was firmly clamped over her mouth. In vain she tried to pull the man’s arm away, but he was too strong. She was roughly wrenched to her feet and pushed into the brush where a horse waited. She struggled even harder.
Fighting for her life, she kicked the man’s shins and bit the fingers pressed over her mouth. Her hat fell from her head as the man swore in German, then he dropped his hand from her mouth to slap her hard across her face, leaving her stunned and in pain. It was the second time a Prussian had hit her, and she’d had enough. Now more angry than afraid, she pushed him hard and darted toward the clearing.
She did not get far. He yanked her up to face him. Still fighting, she scratched his face with her nails and kicked his shins again. He swore an oath and grabbed her hands, holding her firm.
