Wicked And Wild: Spencers in Love Book Two

by Abigail Graves

  “But from what she said, it's clear that things were very good between you two.” Mirabelle whispered. It was so unlike her to feel insecure but it was hard not to in this case. She felt Lucien’s hands move up her body until they cradled her face.

  “You're better, Mirabelle. It's so much better with you.” As if to show her he kissed her hungrily and grabbed her waist and started moving her upon his cock, it was hard and his hands started to stroke and knead desperately. A wicked thought took hold. She pulled her lips from his.

  “What she said, about the three of us… You considered it.” Mirabelle traced his lips with hers. He shook his head.

  “Imagined it, yes. Considered it, no. There's a very big difference.” His tongue tickled the corner of her lips. His voice was becoming strained as his breathing became labored. She felt his hands wrap around her breasts.

  “I like when you imagine naughty things about me.” She recalled the letters and could feel herself becoming wetter. She squeezed around Lucien causing him to growl. He pulled her harder against him as he undulated beneath her. “Tell me what you imagined, Lucien.” Mirabelle felt his lips curve against hers. They cruised along her cheek to her ear.

  “You were naked in her arms and I was watching.” His voice was so deep and hot against her ear; she shivered and bucked against him. He took her nipples between his fingers and rolled them. Mirabelle felt her eyes roll and she moaned. “She was licking and sucking your breasts.” She let her head fall and arched her back, pressing her breasts forward. Lucien ducked his head and she felt his lips close around her nipple. His hand pressed against her bottom as he ground against her. Mirabelle fisted her hands in his hair and cried his name as she shattered. A moment later, Lucien shouted as he exploded within her.

  Boneless and exhausted, Mirabelle started to drift off in Lucien’s arms. His hands stroked along her spine soothingly. Neither felt the need to talk as the city closed around the carriage. She knew they were almost home when he sighed. He lifted her off of him and set her on the opposite bench. She heard him shifting and knew he was fixing his trousers and attempting to right his appearance. He leaned forward and his coat fell over her shoulders. Mirabelle smiled and pulled it tight around her. Lucien must have sensed that she was incapable of pulling herself together.

  The carriage came to a halt and the door opened. Mirabelle blinked at the lights and waited for her eyes to adjust as Lucien stepped out. He offered his hand to help her down. She stood and realized that one of her shoes was missing. She turned and scanned the floor but it was too dark.

  “I've lost a slipper.” She mumbled.

  “Come.” Lucien said as he held his arms out to her. She stepped down and he scooped her into his arms and carried her into the house. Mirabelle was beyond caring. She tucked her head into the corner of his neck and shut her eyes.

  Chapter 28

  The next morning, the Clerendon Coach was leaving the outskirts of London and Lucien was watching Mirabelle settle in for the ride. He couldn't keep from smiling. She hated travel. Despite it being a fairly short day between London and Fulbourn, she was acting as if they'd be enduring days on the road.

  "It's not that bad, sweetheart. We'll be there by mid afternoon." He said as he began thinking of ways to distract her. Something about her posture and the way she was fidgeting made him pause. She looked a bit pale. "Are you feeling alright?" She shrugged.

  "I feel as if I'm going to be trapped in a box all day." She grumbled as she settled against the cushions. Lucien laughed softly as he leaned over her.

  "I shall have to see if I can help make the time go faster." He tilted her face to his and set his lips to hers. She sighed and closed her eyes, parting for him. Just as Lucien felt himself harden Mirabelle's eyes opened wide and she pushed him off with a gasp and began banging on the roof.

  "We have to stop, now!" She yelled.

  The carriage rocked to a halt and she dove for the door.

  "Mirabelle?" Lucien called to her as she ran into the trees. He jumped out and headed into the woods after her. A moment later he heard the sounds of her retching. He grimaced and leaned against a tree. So much for an easy day. Lucien thought and tried to look as sympathetic as he could when she wobbled towards him. Mirabelle's hair had started to pull from its bun and wisps curled around her face. He supported her with an arm around her waist and guided her back to the carriage. Once she was settled against his chest and the carriage was again in motion, Lucien smiled. "My love?"

  "Hmmm?" She sounded exhausted.

  "I have never seen you cast up your accounts. And I'll have you know, I spent an entire summer trying to find something that would cause you to. I've seen you complain, curse, argue and chew your nails to nothing in a carriage but you've never been sick." Lucien adjusted her so that he could see her face. "Is there a reason we're not discussing the fact that you're pregnant?" Mirabelle blinked rapidly for a moment and then sighed.

  "I was waiting for another sign. So far, my courses were just really late and I'm tired all the time. I didn't want to get our hopes up."

  "I think we can consider it official now." Lucien said softly as he stroked her back. Another long sigh.

  "And I was so enjoying it being just about the two of us. Now, we'll have to start making plans and I'll have to be careful. The Mothers will be all over me. You see how they are with Elise." Mirabelle sounded so forlorn. Lucien chuckled as he held her closer.

  "In case you haven't noticed, it's still just the two of us. The Mothers are with still Elise and we're putting a day's distance between us." She shrugged against him.

  "Will you allow me to ride when we get to Winthorpe?" She whispered. Lucien froze. A terrible memory overwhelmed him and he shook his head. Once it had receded enough, he took her hand and kissed her fingers.

  "No, my love. I'm afraid you're going to have to stay away from the stables until next spring." Lucien saw Mirabelle's lip tremble and felt a pain in his chest. "I'm sorry. But I thought you'd be happy. You said you were anxious to have children."

  "I am. I was just hoping I could have a few weeks of riding before everyone started treating me like an invalid."

  "I'll do my best to be reasonable." Inside Lucien could feel possessiveness and the urge to protect already blooming within him. He had a whole new appreciation for what Gilles must be going through. Mirabelle sat up and faced him. Her eyes were so big and vulnerable. Again, he felt it in his chest.

  "Promise me that no matter how large and unattractive I become that you won't leave my bed and find someone else!" She was staring so intently and looked genuinely afraid. Lucien might have been offended if he weren't so shocked. He pulled her into his lap and kissed her forehead, then her nose, her eyelids, her chin... He rained kisses upon her face until she relaxed in his arms.

  "I will want you no matter how big you get and when we are no longer able to make love, I'll simply wait until spring. I love you, Mirabelle. When I look at other women, they don't seem right. Their hair is the wrong color, or they aren't the right height, or their breasts aren't the right size or they aren't mouthy. They aren't you. It will always be you." Lucien whispered. Mirabelle sat up and smiled radiantly. He was about to suggest that he could show her just how badly he wanted her when the color drained from her face, she groaned and banged on the roof again.

  A quarter of an hour later, they were back in the carriage and on their way again. Mirabelle was back in his lap with her head in the corner of Lucien's shoulder. Wrung out and weak, she immediately started to drift off.

  "I love you too." She whispered as the tension left her body and her breathing became steady. He wrapped his arms around her gently and breathed her in.

  "I know. And it's the most miraculous and precious thing in the world. I know I don't deserve it but I'm so damned grateful." He whispered as he closed his eyes.

  The carriage didn't roll into the drive at Winthorpe until late that night. Mirabelle had required frequent stops when she wasn't asleep and
it was hard for her sleep for very long. When the door was finally opened, she was limp and utterly exhausted. Despite her protests, Lucien carried her over the threshold. After whispering to Hendrick that the staff would formally meet the new Duchess of Clerendon in the morning, he carried her up to their chambers. He couldn't help but smile. Hendrick and much of the staff had known Mirabelle since she was an infant. Lucien could see that in addition to concern for her well being, the butler and housekeeper were overjoyed to have her as the new duchess.

  Lucien deposited Mirabelle in the large, ancient bed and stood back. Pride and peace swelled within him at the sight of her. Winthorpe was where he felt most at home, most himself. He'd never felt more complete than he did with her there with him, in that bed.

  There was a soft knock at the door. Lucien opened it slightly and found Hugo and Mary.

  "Is Her Grace not well?" Mary whispered. Looking over his shoulder, he stepped through and shut the door behind him. He knew he was going to need her help, and probably Hugo's as well, so he decided to confide in them.

  "Her Grace is with child. She was sick most of the day; the drive was very difficult for her." He said softly. Mary clasped her hands and pressed them to her chest. Hugo looked very solemn and uncomfortable.

  "Bless her! I knew she must be with her being so tired and her... well, you know, she's so late." Mary whispered, Hugo turned red and looked imploringly at Lucien.

  "I'm going to need the two of you to help me keep things calm and quiet in the wing this evening. We'll need a bath and hopefully we can get her to eat." Both nodded with determination. "We might have a fight on our hands in a few days. Her Grace needs to rest and she will not be able to go about Winthorpe as she used to. She will not be able to ride." He saw Mary grimace. "Do not let her convince you to get her breeches and don't let her sneak off in them. In fact, I'd appreciate it if you hid them, Mary." The maid nodded. Lucien turned to Hugo. "I'll do most of my riding early, before she rises. I can dress myself if you leave everything out the night before." Hugo nodded obediently.

  With that, Lucien slipped back into the bedroom. Mirabelle was where he left her. He went through to his dressing room and changed into his robe. As he was leaving, Hugo appeared ahead of the tub and was ready to supervise its filling. From the look on the other servants' faces, he'd threatened them considerably about making any noise. Lucien nodded and silently closed the door. He crossed to the duchess' dressing room and found Mirabelle's robe. He opened the door to the private sitting room and saw two maids silently and efficiently preparing a table for dinner. Lucien closed the door and returned to the bed.

  After undressing Mirabelle as gently as he could, he put the robe around her shoulders and lifted her from the bed again.

  "Sweetheart? You need to wake up." He whispered against her ear. Mirabelle mumbled and shook her head. "Wouldn't you like a bath and maybe to eat a little before you go to bed?"

  "Oh, a bath sounds heavenly." Mirabelle sighed. Lucien smiled as he angled her through the door. He set her on her feet and tossed her robe on a chair. He helped her step into the tub and she immediately dissolved into the water, sunk up to her nose and shut her eyes again. Lucien washed her hair gently and then scooted her forward so he could settle into the tub behind her. Mirabelle let her head fall back against his chest and purred contentedly. Which made Lucien feel less than content.

  An hour later, they were bathed, fed and Mirabelle was once again asleep in Lucien's arms. Her appetite had rallied and she ate as much as three men before she started to fall asleep at the table. He willed his body to relax. He'd wanted her all day and his nerves were frayed after handling Mirabelle's nude body for the better part of an hour.

  Lucien awoke a few hours later to find that his wife's other appetites were restored as well. She had her mouth around his erection and was greedily licking and sucking.

  "Thank God." He groaned as he fisted his hands in her hair and began to gently thrust his hips. Lucien let Mirabelle have her way with him for a few more minutes before he rolled her onto her back and slid into her. He tried to be gentle and take it slow but she urged him to go faster and harder until his control snapped. Lucien flipped Mirabelle onto her stomach and placed two pillows under her hips. He spread her thighs wide and entered her in one swift stroke, grabbing her hips and seating himself fully. She screamed in ecstasy and begged for more. Lucien rolled his hips and kept his thrusts hard and deep until Mirabelle sobbed his name and she squeezed tightly around him. He lasted for a few more seconds before he shouted and lost himself within her. He rolled onto the mattress and pulled her on top of him. Mirabelle clutched Lucien's head, pulling his hair and kissed him wildly before she lifted her head.

  "If you start treating me like I'm delicate again, I will get a crop and whip you until my delicate little arm falls off." Her eyes stared into his and she waited until the shock faded. "Do you understand?" Lucien smiled and pulled her lips back to his. He grabbed her waist, lifted her and set her astride him. Mirabelle's eyes flared as she felt his erection nudging at her entrance.

  "Be careful what you wish for, madam. If you bring a crop in here, you might end up with a stinging backside." Lucien's hand connected swiftly with her bottom and she gasped in shock. For a moment, he thought he might have gone too far. Mirabelle froze and her mouth hung open. Then, she leaned forward and licked Lucien's lips as she began rocking against him.

  "Do that again, but harder this time." She whispered against his mouth.

  Chapter 29

  The next morning Mirabelle urged Lucien from bed before sunrise. She was wearing a sprig printed muslin gown, one of Alastair’s old greatcoats and a pair of half boots. She rushed him to pull on trousers, a shirt, a greatcoat and riding boots.

  “I thought you were meant to be ill and tired in the mornings.” Lucien grumbled as she led him through the house and out towards the stables.

  “I feel fine. One would think you'd prefer I wasn't sick all morning.” She scolded over her shoulder.

  “I'd prefer another hour of sleep. I had a rather long evening and you woke me up in the middle of the night.” He replied as he saw the phaeton being prepared. “Are we going somewhere?”

  “Just to the gate.” Mirabelle announced as she tugged him and waited expectantly for him to lift her to the seat. Lucien settled her onto the bench and then went around to join her. He took the reins and set them down the drive towards the gate. Once they were through it, she directed him to turn them so they were facing Winthorpe.

  “We’re here. What now?” Lucien looked at Mirabelle expectantly. She smiled beatifically and pointed at Winthorpe. The sun was rising over the trees and as it rose, the sand colored stones, pilasters and columns glowed and the glass windows and their gold leaf frames gleamed.

  “I was so looking forward to my first glimpse of Winthorpe as your wife, seeing it as our home for the first time yesterday, but it was dark by the time we arrived.” Mirabelle rested her head against Lucien's shoulder and sighed. Not content with the contact, he turned and lifted her, settling her in his lap. He held her, his chin resting on her head as the sun continued to rise over their home. The moment moved Lucien so deeply; he felt a tear slip from his eye. He held Mirabelle closer and thanked God for blessing him.

  They watched as the sun reached the long cascade fountain at the far end of the gardens, causing the water to glitter as it flowed from the temple towards the house. A herd of red deer sprinted across the park and the forests and gardens came to life before them. Memories of their childhood flooded Lucien’s mind and he was once again grateful that Mirabelle was his. She belonged here with him. No one else would have felt right. There could be no one else as his wife, as his duchess. His hand spread protectively over her belly and he imagined his children running wild over Winthorpe with Gilles’ and Elise’s children. And, God forbid, Alastair's, if there was any woman out there brave enough… He smiled broadly as joy surged within him.

  “Let's go home, Mirabelle.”
The words were so simple but his voice broke as he said them. She tilted her head back and his lips fell upon hers. Lucien cupped her cheek as he angled his head and kissed her deeply until he began to feel restless. He pulled his lips from hers and smiled. “I think we need a few more hours in bed.” He settled her back on the seat. She pressed alongside him, wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his shoulder as he drove her down the drive to Winthorpe.

  Chapter 30

  The day after their arrival at Winthorpe, Mirabelle wrote to the family and shared the good news. She begged The Mothers not to lose their minds, to remain calm. She assured everyone that she was in good health and was feeling remarkably well. A day later, Gilles replied that The Mothers were far from calm and had thoroughly lost their minds. He assured her that he and Elise were doing all they could to keep them in London. One of them, it seemed had sensed her apprehension. Mirabelle felt guilty. She had the very best family; it was terrible of her to keep them at a distance so selfishly.

  A letter had come for Lucien as well. It was from Alastair. She watched as he read it. His jaw twitched as his eyes scanned the page. He slammed his fist on the desk, causing her to jump. He rose and flung it across the room before he stormed out. Mirabelle followed and called to him. He kept going.

  “I need to go for a ride. I can't be here right now.” His voice was hard and flat.

  Mirabelle followed him through the hall and to the door. She watched him storm towards the stables and waited until she saw him emerge on Hugin. He yelled and kicked; the horse sprang forward and surged through the yard. Within moments, they disappeared from sight.

  When she returned to the study, Mirabelle picked up the letter and read it.

  Lucien,

  Digby located Willet. The woman’s name was Abigail Johnson. Willet stated that Jane Johnson fell in with a “rough gent” and vanished a few days before Abigail and Charlotte disappeared. I believe WR is alive and killed Jane and Abigail. The body in the warehouse fire was most likely an attempt to convince you he was dead. Digby and his men are searching warehouse to warehouse. If he's in London, we’ll find him. Be careful. In case he isn't.