by Heather Boyd
Julia twisted her hands and broke away. When she shoved hard against his chest, he fell backward onto the floor, almost cracking his skull. He gave thanks for the thick rug beneath him. Julia landed on top of him the next instant and the air rushed from his lungs. She laughed, pinned his hands above his head and kissed him.
Her grip was light, so he easily freed himself, clamped his arms around her body and rolled her over. They kissed while they wrestled, changing position, crashing into chairs in their struggles to best each other. Passion rose sharply for him with every grunt and small victory she claimed.
They were almost at the hearth, Julia’s hair falling from the pins, her thighs clamped tightly around his legs, when he drew back. A light sheen of perspiration caused by her struggles had brought out a healthy glow to her skin. She laughed as he untangled their limbs a little but didn’t move to straighten herself. “That was fun.”
“Delightful.” He kissed her lips quickly, and then buried his face at her neck. He licked her skin, one long taste from the base of her throat to the edge of her hair. She shrieked and bucked beneath him. He drew back and admired his future wife. One knee was raised provocatively and the glimpse of her bare thigh caught his attention. “No trousers? I’m halfway disappointed.”
“Only Imogen has ever seen me wear them,” she promised, fiddling with the ends of his cravat, which had come undone while they’d wrestled. She removed it slowly, her breath coming fast as his throat was bared. His shirt gaped, and her eyes widened as she stared at his chest.
Since most of her hair was coming down anyway, he removed the remaining pins and swept his fingers through the wild shoulder-length curls so they spilled in an arc around her head. “Well, we’ll have to rectify that when we marry. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to dress as a man for a whole day?”
Her eyes widened impossibly. “You’d let me? I could never keep a shirt or waistcoat for myself at home. Cook always pinched them back so I’ve only ever had the one pair of trousers Linus outgrew years ago. I’ve always had to hide them or wear them.”
“I’ll act as valet, and then have the fun of undressing you afterward,” he said as he slipped his hand down over her thigh and stroked her bare skin.
Julia laughed again then caught his head, pulled him down over her and wrapped her body around his. She teased him with a gentle kiss. “I could get used to being like this all the time. No one scolding me to behave like a lady. I can’t believe how much fun you are.”
“I’m not surprised, but I am lucky to have a woman who is not afraid of a little rough and tumble. I like that about you very much.” He kissed her hard, any pretense of gentleness swept away by her eager response. The temptation of her lithe body was too much. He touched her collarbone with the tips of his fingers, and stroked to the edge of her gown. Her fingers tangled in his hair as he moved on to cup her breast. When he gently squeezed the soft orb, her back arched from the floor and a low moan left his throat. He rocked his hips against her core and was gratified to hear yet another moan tumble from her lips. Oh yes, they had a great deal in common.
He unbuttoned the fall of his trousers but she noticed his attention had changed direction and stilled his hand. He dropped his head to her shoulder. Too fast. Too soon. “Forgive me.”
When she said nothing, he lifted his head to meet her gaze.
A bright blush had swept over her cheeks. “I’ve always been curious. May I?”
“By all means.” He liked that she would be so honest in her desire, despite her innocence and blushes. He eased back and when she pushed her hand into his open trousers, he groaned this time.
“So warm,” she whispered as her fingers wrapped around him. She squeezed him as firmly as his grip on her breast, and when he flexed his fingers she mimicked him. Curious to see how far she would copy him, he stroked his thumb over her hardened nipple.
Julia teased the head of his cock, and he groaned heavily. There was only so far this could go before the inevitable happened and she ended up his lover before marriage. He grinned. Where was the harm if they both wanted the same thing? “It’s all your fault for exciting me to the brink of madness. You can add temptress to your list of accomplishments.”
She punched his shoulder when she realized he was teasing rather than complaining and then slipped her hand back down to touch him. Her brow furrowed with concentration as she stroked over his length and she then teased the head again with her thumb. He was hard and aching, undoubtedly the evidence of his desire was on her fingertips. She squeezed harder and he thrust into her hand once, unable to stop himself.
He slipped his hand to her thigh and slowly lifted her gown high. A quick glance confirmed that she was as red between her legs as the hair on her head. Her thighs were pale and slender, trembling at his touch. He caressed her skin gently to soothe her, listening as her breath hitch when he inched higher toward the apex of her thighs. He brushed over her core lightly and earned a gasp. He rubbed her red curls between his fingers and then tugged slowly so her lower lips might part.
Julia arched from the floor again. “Did you invite me here to make love to me?”
“No. I had not planned to.” He moved his hand back to her thigh. “I just wanted to be with you tonight.”
She smiled softly and stoked him again. “I’m not nervous at all, Valentine. I like the way you make me feel about myself. About us. I don’t want to wait until the wedding. Make me yours tonight.”
He rose to his knees, shoved his trousers off his hips roughly, and leaned over her. “Your dare was the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
Julia—brave, headstrong Julia—unbuttoned his waistcoat, slipped her hands under his shirt, and drew them both over his head.
His senses reeled at her eagerness.
She flattened her palms over his chest and a slow grin curved her lips. “You are very finely built, Mr. Merton.”
“And you, Miss Radley, are wearing far too many clothes. I want them off you now.” He reached for the buttons on her gown. Thankfully they were in the front and he quickly parted the material, revealing a fine silk chemise beneath. Through the thin material he could see the pink of her nipples. He moved off her and stripped her quickly until she lay bare on his rug, her skin kissed by the flickering candlelight.
He kept his eyes on her while he kicked off his remaining clothes.
Julia was breathtaking. Pert breasts, tiny waist, and long slender limbs. She was also blushing all over so her skin glowed pink.
Valentine smothered her with his body, gasping at the scorching contact of her flaming skin. He kissed her urgently, and she moved restlessly against him.
He eased back again and slipped his hand between her thighs. She hissed sharply when he parted her folds. When he delved between with the tip of his finger, discovering her excitement had made her deliciously wet, she curled her face into his chest.
“You’ve no reason to be shy with me,” he whispered. “We are both excited. Both eager.”
He slipped his finger inside her a short distance, thrusting just enough that she relaxed. He slid up to her clitoris and circled slowly.
“What are you doing to me?” she whispered as he continued to tease her.
“Making you mine. Forever,” he leaned down to kiss her curls.
Although tasting her cream and bringing her to completion with his mouth was tempting he wanted to join with her more.
He parted her thighs urgently, laid his hips between and moved into position. He hovered on his forearms and met her gaze. The flush of color to Julia’s face suited her.
Valentine pushed into her as gently as he could, unable to prevent her pain or hold back. She squeaked out a protest, but instead of pushing him away, she drew his head against hers, encouraging him to make love. He cradled the back of her head with one hand and with the other he squeezed her bottom. When he looked in her eyes, he saw his own excitement, his own desires reflected back at him.
He moved
in her carefully, determined to make her feel him, feel his desire and make her experience the same. Julia curled around him suddenly, her arms and legs rising to embrace him completely. They rocked, almost wrestling again but with his cock buried deep inside her body the sensations were intense. He was fast losing this fight against her allure.
He fought against her clinging embrace so he could thrust into her wildly, reveling in her warmth and heavy moans. There was no one like her in the world and he counted his blessings that he’d captured such an adventurous spirit.
When she gasped suddenly, nails digging into his back, he paused to look into her eyes. However, they were scrunched up tight and she shook and strained against him the next moment. Only then did he understand just how excited she’d been. She’d climaxed without any guidance from him.
When her body grew limp, he pinned her wrists to the rug and lost himself in her. She smiled sleepily as he spilled his seed deep inside with a hoarse shout, overcome by the most mind-melting release of his life.
He rolled them as soon as his senses returned, placing himself beneath her, and fought for breath. Julia cuddled against his chest—and then suddenly started to laugh.
She snorted and then covered her face with both hands.
He’d never had that reaction to his lovemaking before. “What’s so funny, pet?”
She met his gaze solemnly but she seemed on the verge of another chuckle. She stretched out one hand and brushed over the rug’s weave. “I was just thinking how much I have always admired how perfect this rug is for this room.”
“I see. And now we’ve been intimate upon it…”
“It holds an even greater place in my heart,” she said, suppressing a smirk. “It is indeed a very stylish and comfortable rug.”
Valentine brushed her falling hair back from her face as she continued to laugh loudly. “It’s the perfect size for the space. I love it too. But not as much as I love you,” he whispered softly beneath her chuckles.
Thirteen
“Melanie, how good of you to visit.” Julia hurried to her future sister-in-law and kissed her pale cheeks. “I’m so glad you have come to visit me again.”
She led her into the parlor, where the two women sharing the settee across the room, Lady Watson and Teresa Long, exchanged a glance full of sarcasm and then murmured a cordial if brief greeting of, “Miss Merton.”
“Lady Watson.” Melanie settled onto a high-backed chair, but fidgeted with her reticule. She shot a glance at her cousin. “Miss Long. What a surprise to see you here. I understood from Father that you were expected to be elsewhere this morning.”
“No.” Teresa fiddled with the sleeve of the new gown they’d just been admiring. “I told him I would call on my friends. Father must have thought it unimportant to tell you the particulars.”
Melanie shook her head. “He is my father and he likely forgot what you said the minute you spoke.”
Teresa’s face flickered with upset at the cruel taunt but she soon masked it. “No matter. I’ve had a lovely visit and now it’s time for me to leave.”
Miss Long stood and gripped Julia’s hands firmly. “I’m sure he will come around eventually. He only wants what is best for his son.”
Julia thought the man cared very little for what Valentine wanted. It seemed Valentine was a possession to Mr. Merton, and she didn’t like that idea very much. She saw Teresa to the door where a maid waited, actually very glad to see her go. She felt uneasy around Teresa, and her earlier insistence that her word to Mr. Merton would carry more weight than Melanie’s had been a startling suggestion she couldn’t place much faith in.
Melanie was the one he should be listening too. Mr. Merton should also be listening to his son, and wanting him to be happy above all else.
She turned back toward the parlor frowning and hurried toward the only two people she knew who were entirely pleased for Valentine and sat down. “It’s three of us again.”
“Not for long,” Imogen said suddenly and then stood. “Since my help is not needed for the wedding breakfast, I’ll be on my way too. Miss Merton obviously has everything well in hand despite her distance.”
Julia jumped to her feet again. “Please. There is no need to rush off just because the plans for the wedding day are further advanced than I’d first known. I’m actually very grateful that Melanie spoke to her cook about it. I’d not given the matter a single thought but Mrs. Baker promises she’s balanced the chores between the two households so they can enjoy the day, too, without being run off their feet.”
Imogen thought about that and resettled herself. “Still very high-handed.”
“He’s my brother,” Melanie murmured. “Did you really think I’d risk leaving Valentine to organize what should be the most important day of Julia’s life? His mind is split between the marriage and the opening of his shop as it is. Making sure the little details important to women are not forgotten is a task best left to the housekeepers anyway.”
Imogen smiled tightly. “When my brother marries, I would not interfere.”
Melanie glanced away. “You wouldn’t need to with Walter. He is very different to my brother and took excellent care of you, and his home, when you could not see to do it.”
That might have been the longest conversation the pair had managed in a year, and Julia was pleased. However, a chilling silence ensued and she was keen to break the tension. “I saw Mrs. Faraday in the market this morning, Melanie. She seems overwhelmed by her husband’s sudden retirement.”
“She’s worried about his eyesight for a long time. A workshop can be a dangerous place.” Melanie cleared her throat. “Julia, we need to speak in private if you don’t mind.”
“What about?” Julia shook her head. “I don’t have any secrets from Imogen.”
Melanie glanced at Imogen a touch nervously, and then fiddled with the strings of her reticule. “It is about my father and the money he tossed at you.”
Imogen spluttered. “What money?”
“Oh, that.” Julia shrank, eyeing Melanie’s hands nervously. She must have brought the money with her in her reticule. “I hadn’t quite gotten around to sharing that insult with Imogen yet.”
Melanie winced. “I cannot keep the money forever. I don’t dare leave it in my room to be found. I would not be able to explain where it came from without sending my father into a fit of temper.”
Julia sighed bitterly. “You couldn’t think of a worthy charity?”
“It is yours.”
Julia sank back into the settee. “You want me to tell Valentine about it, don’t you?”
“Shouldn’t you tell him? It will be impossible not to say where three hundred pounds has come from should he discover it.”
“Three hundred?” Julia nearly swooned at the sum. “So that’s what my honor was worth.”
“Wait. What?” Imogen gasped. “What are you talking about? What money is this?”
“Oh.” Julia jumped to her feet. “Mr. Merton tried to bribe me not to marry Valentine as soon as he heard about our arrangement to marry. Melanie heard the whole embarrassing conversation.”
Imogen glared at Melanie. “How dare he?”
Julia paced behind Melanie. “That’s what we thought, and of course I did not think clearly enough at the time to throw it back in his face as hard as I could.”
Melanie turned. “No proper young lady should ever expect to receive a bribe from their future in-laws. It’s not your fault you are in this situation. It is his. I do think Valentine needs to know, if my father hasn’t already told him.”
“Oh, and he would too. Just to make trouble for me.” Julia stared out the front window, furious with herself for being slow-witted that day. “I wouldn’t call it off now, of course, so I’ll have to tell him every humiliating detail.”
“Why ‘of course’?” Imogen asked.
Julia’s cheeks heated beyond her control to stop the blush. She met Imogen’s surprised stare and then Melanie’s confused one.
“I, um.” Julia worried her lip. “I just wouldn’t.”
If a pin dropped, Julia was sure it could be heard all the way to China. Although a low grin spread over Imogen’s face, Melanie’s brow puckered with the beginnings of a frown and then her eyes widened so far in shock, Julia feared the woman would faint.
Julia smiled weakly but Melanie refused to meet her eyes again.
“Would you excuse me a moment?” she murmured before she rushed away, and, concerned by her reaction, Julia followed after her quickly to explain.
She found Melanie in the dining room, staring out the window and into the rear yard. “Melanie?”
The woman held up one hand and after a few long moments, slowly turned. She slumped against the window frame, her expression defeated. “He promised me he wouldn’t bring you any further harm.”
Julia had not realized her ruin would be so obvious to others. She wasn’t exactly ashamed of herself but she knew that proper girls would never have enjoyed a romp on the floor with their intendeds so much. Melanie certainly would never do it if she ever found a man to marry. She glanced down at her hands. “I suppose you despise me for being weak.”
“I cannot believe he would do this.” Melanie’s fists clenched at her sides. “I will never forgive him for treating you with such disrespect! I thought I knew him.”
Alarmed by her high color, Julia moved closer and pitched her voice low. “He did not harm me. He did not even seduce me exactly. We were celebrating his success and it just happened. I suppose I should not have gone to see him alone, and at night, but I am not sorry I did.”
Melanie’s stare was incredulous. “You should have been married first.”
Julia nodded. “He will marry me.”
Melanie bit her lip, appearing to struggle with her emotions. Eventually she said, “He knows the danger. What if something should happen to him before the words are spoken? What happens to your future then if he’s ruined you for anyone else? You’ve already run the gauntlet of mean-spiritedness.”
“Shh, shh, shh.” Julia hadn’t thought of any of that at the time but rushed to comfort Melanie, who was working herself up into a terrible state. The woman was shaking with anger and it was all directed at her brother. It was surprisingly sweet of her to be concerned but entirely unnecessary. “Don’t be cross. He did not ruin me without permission. It was lovely actually.”
