Barbara Pierce

by Naughty by Nature

  Curse him, and her stupidity for trusting him!

  “Did you not hear me?” He grabbed her arm and forced her to halt. “I told you to wait.”

  Infuriated, she turned on him. “And I told you that I did not steal that rude lady’s necklace.” Patience poked her finger into his chest. “It appears neither one of us was paying attention.”

  Disgusted, and more than a little hurt, she shrugged off his grip and marched toward the stairs. Patience squeaked when Ramscar spun her around and tossed her over his shoulder. Her forehead bounced against his back. She glanced up to see Meredith staring openmouthed on the stairs. The young duke strolled out of the library in time to see Patience’s humiliating position.

  “Put me down, you heartless blackguard!” she growled.

  “Christ, Ram,” His Grace shouted at his friend’s back. “That is no way to ease a lady’s fears.”

  Ramscar failed to respond to the duke’s casual ribbing. He carried her into another room and kicked the door shut behind them.

  Solitea likely thought Ramscar had lost his head.

  Ram lowered Patience to her feet. She immediately retaliated by kicking him in the shins. Her skirts hampered her efforts and she screeched in frustration. “How dare you? Of all the most disrespectful, arrogant—”

  “You refused to listen to me!” he roared at her. He rubbed his forehead with the knuckle of his thumb. Ram had brought her into a small anteroom next to the conservatory because it gave them some privacy.

  “Your sister was on the stairs,” Patience hissed, and moved away from him.

  Ram cringed. His actions of late could hardly be considered discreet. “I will explain my actions to her later. For now, I offer you an apology.”

  Patience looked like she wanted to kick him again. “I do not want it.”

  “Well, you have it just the same.” Ramscar risked her wrath by putting his hands on her again. “Damn it, I do not think you are a bloody thief!” He had been as stunned as Patience had clearly been when Solitea had shown up and told him about the theft.

  Her anger faded into hurt. It tore at his conscience. “Now who is lying? You could not even look me in the eye.”

  Truth be told, he had been livid when Solitea had told him of Lady Dewberry’s accusation. “After what we had shared, I felt like the heartless blackguard you accused me of being for even summoning you for questioning.”

  “Ramscar, I did not steal her necklace.” Patience did not pull away from him, for which he was grateful. “Ask your friend Lord Everod. He will tell you those women—”

  “Are cold, jealous bitches,” Ramscar said fiercely, irritated that she believed his friend would staunchly defend her and he would not. “They sought you out, and cruelly reminded you of your inferiority. If you had told me what they had said to you, I would have ruthlessly ended their little games.”

  Patience wearily closed her eyes. A pang of guilt thrust into his heart. He had been too rough and demanding last evening. Once he had taken her with his body, he had only thought of doing it again. When he had awoken a little after dawn with her curled against him, his first thought had been to resume their lovemaking. However, he had noticed the faint shadows under her eyes and had let her sleep. Now he regretted not waking her from her deep slumber.

  “Meredith told me that a Bow Street Runner has been summoned.”

  Ramscar’s inquisitive sister must have been eavesdropping when he had called for Scrimm. Perhaps he should have a private chat with Meredith about her bad habits later. “At my request.” Ramscar pulled Patience into his arms. “Listen to me. I know you are innocent. If anyone has the audacity to accuse you publicly, I will let it be known that I will consider it a personal insult. If that does not silence tongues, the offender will face me on a dueling field.”

  She shuddered and snuggled against his chest. She was aware that his father had died after a duel. It occurred to Ramscar that he might very well face his father’s fate if the situation escalated.

  “I do not want you risking your life over a spiteful woman’s lie,” Patience whispered, not bothering to conceal her distress from him.

  It heartened him to hear her concern. Minutes earlier, she was behaving as if she had planned to shoot him herself. He kissed the top of her head. “I intend to hire a Runner to assist in tracking down the real thief. Never fear, he will be caught and I will insist that Lady Dewberry apologizes for her insult.”

  Patience’s laughter was muffled against his chest. “Now that I will look forward to.”

  “Are you certain you wish to shop this afternoon?” Meredith said anxiously, following Patience as she headed for the shop.

  “I have done nothing wrong, Meredith,” Patience said, nodding at the gentleman who held the door for them. “Your brother and the duke have urged Lord Dewberry to silence his wife’s tongue, but I fear the damage might already be done. If I remain at the house and cower in my bedchamber, I will only seem guilty of the theft.”

  “You are so brave,” her friend said, her genuine admiration obvious. “I feel like a coward in comparison.”

  “Nonsense.” Meredith was thinking of the years she had hidden from the world at Swancott because of her scars. “I am no different than you. Everyone rises to the occasion when the cause is just.”

  Meredith refused to let the matter rest. “I think you undervalue your abilities. You not only face your personal tribulation but generously shoulder the burdens of others.”

  Ill at ease with the young woman’s undeserved praise, Patience pointed to a hat with three white downy plumes. “You should try that one on. I can think of three dresses that hat will complement.”

  Meredith studied the plumes with a contemplative frown. “Very well. I believe I shall try on the one with the lace, as well.”

  Patience stepped aside and watched as the store clerk eagerly moved in to assist her wealthy patron. As Patience had predicted, the hat with the white plumes was perfect for Meredith. With her shyly conversing with the clerk, Patience strolled over to admire a simple straw bonnet with light blue ribbons. It was a fine piece, but she had no intention of purchasing it. Thanks to the earl’s generosity, her wardrobe rivaled that of his sister.

  “No, no, this will not do,” a feminine voice snapped with frustration. “Where is the proprietor? I must speak to him immediately if this is the best you can offer me.”

  “Mama, perhaps we should try another shop,” a younger female calmly suggested.

  “Our goods are made of the highest quality, Lady Farnaly,” the clerk insisted.

  Patience carefully set the bonnet she had been admiring down when she heard the woman’s name. Dear heavens, after all these year, it could not be? Patience had not even recognized her mother’s voice.

  Fearing that he might be sacked, the clerk plucked the offensive hat from Lady Farnaly’s hands and backed away. “I will summon the proprietor as you have requested. I am certain with his knowledgeable assistance we will find something that exceeds your refined tastes, madam.”

  Neither Lady Farnaly nor her young companion seemed to notice that they were being observed. It had been four years since Patience had glimpsed her mother and sister. Oh God, her sister! Deana had already celebrated her sixteenth birthday. What a beautiful young lady she had become.

  And her mother. At eight and thirty, she was a handsome woman. Unlike her daughters, who were both blondes, Lady Farnaly had hair that reminded Patience of polished walnut. Lady Farnaly had given her husband four children, and yet she was nearly as slender as Deana. At the moment, her mother’s lips were thinned with her displeasure and her expression was one Patience had experienced firsthand on countless occasions.

  What if they recognized me?

  The surprise of encountering her mother and sister had frozen Patience in place. Fear gave her the incentive to take a trembling step backward. With Meredith cheerfully chatting with the clerk behind Patience and the Farnalys ahead of her near the door, she felt her prese
nt and past were about to collide.

  “Oh, Patience, you must come over here and try this hat on. It is absolutely frivolous,” Meredith called out to her.

  Lady Farnaly glanced at Meredith, who was giggling at the silly confection on her head. Unexpectedly, Patience’s mother’s gaze shifted to her. Patience stiffened under the cool, impersonal appraisal, unable to move. Her mother’s irritated expression did not waver as her keen regard swept over Patience, assessing everything from her distraught expression to the quality of her shoes. It was fortuitous that the clerk assisting Lady Farnaly returned with the elderly proprietor. Patience’s mother looked away and began chastising the gentlemen about a hat she had previously purchased.

  If she had recognized Patience, Lady Farnaly had chosen not to acknowledge their connection. Still reeling from the incident, Patience strode over to Meredith.

  “You must try on this hat!” Meredith said gaily.

  “Another time,” Patience grimly replied. She refused to look over at the Farnalys to see if the ladies were observing them.

  Her friend’s humor fled when she saw Patience’s face. “Is something wrong? Did someone say something unseemly?” Meredith removed the hat from her head and exchanged it for the bonnet she had been wearing.

  Patience had to get out of this shop before Lady Farnaly began to ponder her resemblance to her elder daughter. She took Meredith by the hand. “We must leave immediately.”

  “But—” Meredith glanced wistfully at the hat with the white plumes.

  Surrendering gracefully, she allowed her friend to drag her out of the shop.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Four days had elapsed since Patience had encountered her mother and sister in the shop. Day by day, Patience relaxed, eventually convincing herself that Lady Farnaly had not recognized her. When Meredith had questioned Patience about her strange reaction at the shop, she lied, claiming she had glimpsed one of Lady Dewberry’s friends. Both Patience and Meredith agreed that Ramscar did not need to be told of the incident.

  Their evenings had been filled with amusements. One night they enjoyed the theater. Thankfully, Miss Grassi was not one of the players. Another night, they ate boxed suppers at Vauxhall and watched the fireworks. The third night, Ramscar abandoned Patience and Meredith for an evening at one of his clubs. Her Grace, the Dowager Duchess of Solitea, took Patience and Meredith under her wing. They went to three balls that evening. Lady Fayre and her brother’s wife, Kilby Carlisle, Duchess of Solitea, joined them on their adventures. At each engagement, the Knowdens and the Carlisles were silently showing their support for Patience. Their blind faith in her honesty humbled her. No one spoke out against her, not even Lady Dewberry, who had also been present at most of the balls Patience had attended. Of course, there had been a few speculative stares.

  Especially when the thief boldly struck again and again. The villain seemed well acquainted with the ton and the various houses he managed to enter unnoticed. Although no one mentioned it, Patience had begun to notice a disturbing pattern. Many of the thefts occurred at balls Patience had also attended.

  As for Ramscar, one might accuse him of being remiss in his duties as her lover. She had expected him come to her again, but their late evenings had kept them apart. Patience had been disappointed the previous evening when he had abandoned Meredith and her for one of his clubs. However, she was Meredith’s companion, not his. It was not her place to complain.

  This evening when Meredith pleaded exhaustion and expressed a desire to pass on a late supper, Patience was secretly thrilled when Ramscar told his sister to go home without them. She barely recalled what they had eaten, because all she could think about was that Ramscar was conspiring to spend a few hours alone with her.

  Home at last, Patience climbed the stairs without checking to see if he was trailing after her.

  “Come to me,” Ramscar commanded huskily. His foot was poised on the first step.

  Patience turned back. She leaned her hip against the railing and gave him a slow grin. There was something undeniably predatory about his gaze. A few kisses and an empty bed were not going to satisfy him this evening.

  “Catch me,” she replied saucily. Before he could react, she hopped up onto the stair railing and slid straight into his arms.

  Ramscar caught her and gave her a hard shake. “You mad creature! What would you have done if I had not caught you?”

  She slipped her fingers into his cravat and tugged. “I would have been very, very cross with you, my lord,” Patience said, smoothing out the long ends.

  He tipped his head back and laughed. “Then I am a fortunate man, because the last thing I want is a troublesome wench in my arms.” Ramscar nuzzled her earlobe and lowered her to her feet.

  Patience unbuttoned the tiny buttons at his throat. “A pity. Troublesome wenches can be so stimulating .” She rolled up onto her toes and kissed him full on the mouth. Dancing away, she ascended several steps. “If you are quick enough to catch one,” she called back over her shoulder as she raced up the stairs.

  Ramscar muttered something under his breath. “Slow down before you break your ankle.” He charged up the stairs, a mischievous glint in his hazel green eyes.

  She expected to lose this chase. In fact, she would have been disappointed if she had won. Laughing, she made it to the first landing, and as she had hoped, he was close at her heels. Seconds later, his arm hooked her waist and he dragged her backside to his front.

  “Patience … Patience … what am I to do with you?” he whispered in her ear.

  She turned her head to the side and caressed his jaw with her hand. “Why, anything you like, my lord,” she whispered back.

  His hand slipped into her bodice. He teased her left nipple until it puckered. “‘Anything’ covers quite a bit of naughty territory, does it not?”

  Patience wiggled her backside tantalizingly against his groin. “Depends, I suppose … on how quick you are on your feet.”

  She broke free and dashed up the next set of stairs, assuming they would retire to his bedchamber. Her room would not do because it was next to Meredith’s. For some reason Patience doubted either of them would be inclined to subdued lovemaking.

  She wanted to hear his guttural roar when his release vanquished the last of his control.

  Ramscar’s hand caught her ankle, forcing her to bend over and grasp one of the steps overhead. He expertly rolled her onto her back and dragged her toward him until she was positioned between his legs. His actions had pushed her skirt up to her hips, revealing her shapely legs.

  He caged her with his arms. “Where are you going?” He glanced down and noted her exposed legs.

  Slightly out of breath, she laid her head back against a step. “Your bedchamber.” The edges of the steps were digging into her back, but the position was not the most uncomfortable she had endured.

  His hazel green eyes looked almost black in the shadows. Even so, she could sense his amusement. “How very accommodating of you.”

  Patience grinned up at him cheekily. “I thought so.”

  Ramscar nudged her, rolling her back onto her stomach. He knelt beside her, his hand stroking from the back of her knee to the curves of her buttocks. “However, why should I deny myself when I could take you right here?”

  She started to get up on all fours. He immediately pushed her back down. “Here? For heaven’s sake, you cannot be serious?”

  The rustling sound of him opening the flap on his breeches proved otherwise. Patience looked back and even in the dim light she could see that he was very aroused. “And you call me mad! What if someone hears us?” she whispered.

  He moved behind her, taking a moment to push her skirt and petticoats higher. “I will try to resist shouting your name, but your delectable body tends to make me unruly,” he murmured, guiding his manhood into her.

  “Perhaps I like hearing your yell. Your bed—” Her breath came out as a hiss when he sank into her. No man had ever felt so good inside her.
She could almost forget they were making love on the stairs.

  “No.” Not wasting a moment, Ramscar lifted her hips and moved with unhurried strokes. “I need you now, Patience. I refuse to wait.”

  She liked this eager, aggressive side of his nature. Usually he was so restrained. The knowledge that she could shatter his control was an addictive aphrodisiac, much like his virile, handsome body.

  “Faster,” Patience quietly urged, pushing against him in an attempt to alter his pace.

  “Greedy, are we?” Ramscar kissed her nape.

  The hand on her hip slid diagonally to the front, seeking the curly nest of hair between her legs. She bit her lip to keep from crying out when he found the small hidden nubbin nestled within her feminine folds.

  “Have I mentioned how much I adore your scent? A hint of clove mixed with the heady musk of your arousal. A faint whiff, and my cock stiffens in response. You were made for fucking, sweet Patience.”

  She was not offended by his crude carnal words. It only proved how aroused and reckless the earl was feeling. The revelation heightened her desire. That familiar warm heat she craved pooled in her belly. When she felt a gush of honeyed wetness from within her sheath it was Ramscar who softly groaned.

  “That’s it. Go on and sing for me, my little temptress,” he said, punctuating his words with deep thrusts as his thumb worked its magic on her small, sensitive nubbin. “Just for me.”

  Patience buried her face into her sleeve to muffle any sound. Behind her closed eyelids, light blossomed like fireworks in her head, shimmering explosions of silver, red, and gold. The heat sizzled from her head down to her curled toes.

  She was not alone.

  Ramscar hugged her fiercely and began pumping himself frantically into her. Still highly sensitive from her release, she felt his manhood jolt as hot seed exploded deep within her womb.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  “You are worried about him.”

  Patience did not bother feigning confusion. She was concerned about Ramscar. “A natural reaction, do you not think? Especially since your brother has issued a challenge on my behalf.”