“Delicious.” He sighed as he leaned over her. He flicked her skirts up and settled his shoulders between her thighs. Mirabelle moaned as she spread for him. Lucien felt his cock throb as he lowered his lips to her sweet folds.
There, beneath their childhood, Lucien suckled and probed until Mirabelle screamed and pressed herself against his lips. After, she begged until he opened his breeches and filled her, thrusting until he wept and prayed to her amidst the leaves and the flowers then flooded her with his essence. When they were both sated and exhausted, Lucien rested his head next to hers and stared up at the tree they used to climb and hide in. He smiled as he twisted his fingers with hers and pulled them to his lips.
They drifted in and out of sleep for an hour before Lucien remembered the basket. He was able to steal a few nibbles of bread, cheese and fruit from Mirabelle before she yawned and curled upon the blanket again. He wrapped himself around her and kissed her shoulder as he watched the sun settle over the meadow in front of him. As the sky started to darken, Lucien prodded Mirabelle until she was coherent enough to be lifted up to the cart again. He took them back through the front drive so they could see the sun set on Winthorpe. She gasped in awe as she saw the purples and pinks of the sky reflected on the stones and glass and the deep blues of the cascade’s waters as they rolled through the park into the garden.
Chapter 32
When Lucien kissed Mirabelle's hand before he led her into the dining room, he was pleased to see that she seemed more serene and content. She laughed and teased throughout the meal. Occasionally, her stockinged foot would stoke his calf, causing his groin to tighten, making him to shift in his seat. She would smile knowingly and lick her fork or spoon suggestively. Naughty minx. He thought. He would have to teach her a lesson. For some reason, the new riding crop that had recently been delivered sprang to mind. Oh, yes. That will do. He decided.
When the last of the plates were cleared, Mirabelle rose and looked at Lucien expectantly.
“I need to get something from the study.” He whispered as he pulled her close. His lips brushed her ear. “Send Mary away and be naked in ten minutes.” He commanded as he released her and strode from the room. Lucien heard Mirabelle dash up the stairs as he swept into his study. He grinned as he poured himself a scotch. He pushed away from the sideboard and crossed to the mantel where the crop rested. He wrapped his hand around the handle as he took a long sip of his drink. He never used them on horses but he enjoyed collecting them. Lucien examined it as he finished his drink. Smiling, he tucked it into the back of his breeches, under his waistcoat and strode from the room.
When he pushed the door to the bedroom open, Mirabelle was sitting in the middle of the bed, naked. He smiled wolfishly as he leaned against the door panels and unbuttoned his coat and waistcoat. Lucien approached the bed as he untied his cravat. Mirabelle watched him intently as he wound the length of linen around his fingers. He placed a knee on the bed and leaned over her. He tied the linen around her head, blinding her. When he stood, her mouth hung open; her tongue moistened her lips provocatively as she tried to detect his next move.
Lucien shrugged out of his coat and waistcoat and pulled the crop from the back of his waistband and rested it on the bedside table. He quickly shed the rest of his clothes and took the crop in hand as he approached the bed.
Mirabelle was tense as she tried to follow his movements. Lucien placed a finger under her chin and lifted. She rose on her knees until her back was arched and her breasts were thrust forward. He clenched his jaw as his cock twitched in expectation.
“Are you ready?” Lucien's voice was thick and gravely. Mirabelle nodded and licked her lips again. He dragged the keeper of the crop across her lips. “Do you know what this is?” He asked. Her chest rose and fell frantically and she shook her head. He smiled lazily as he pulled his arm back and swatted her derrière. She flinched and gasped when the hard leather connected with the soft flesh of her bottom. “Do you know what this is?” He repeated. This time she bit her lip and nodded.
He walked slowly to the other side of the bed, her head twitched as she followed him around the room. Lucien brushed the keeper across her lips again, slowly. She moaned as her tongue lashed out to catch it. He let his head fall to the side as he watched her breasts rise and fall. Her nipples puckered and he smiled ruthlessly. He flicked his wrist and the crop hissed against her nipple. Mirabelle yelped and gasped for air as the nipple Lucien had just swatted turned bright pink. He leaned close and let his breath dampen her ear.
“More?” He whispered. He stood back and held his breath as he watched her chest heave and her lips quiver. She nodded bit her lip. “Tell me.” He ordered.
“More.” She panted. Lucien kept his steps slow and deliberate and as traveled around the bed until he stood next to her. He flexed the crop, testing it’s tautness as he watched her. Again, he let the crop swat her other nipple. Mirabelle jerked and moaned as her nipple flared. Lucien went to the foot of the bed and waited until he felt her tense. He whipped the crop downwards across one nipple and then quickly struck the other. She shrieked and he nearly dropped the crop as he watched a trail of her juices run down the inside of one thigh. His hand shook as he watched it slide along her silken skin. Lucien fought against the impulse to run his finger up her leg to collect it and lick it clean.
He turned the crop in his hand and ran the handle up the slick line to the apex of Mirabelle's thighs. She slid her knees further apart as he let the length of it caress her folds as she sobbed and rocked her hips forward. Lucien stroked back and forth and she continued to sway against it. Abruptly, he withdrew it and brought it to his face. He inhaled and felt his mouth water as he smelled her essence on the leather. Lucien was tempted to set his own tongue to it but he resisted. He sucked his teeth and pointed it at Mirabelle.
“You've gone and got it all wet.” He complained. “Let me see your tongue.” He commanded. Mirabelle gasped and let her tongue slip between her lips. Lucien held the crop sideways and dragged the handle along her tongue. She moaned and curved it around the handle as she lapped at it greedily. He swallowed a curse as he stood back and turned the crop in his hand again. Lucien breathed deep and willed himself to stay in control.
Lucien tapped Mirabelle's knee a few times before he flicked upwards swiftly.
“God, Lucien!” She screamed as her head fell back.
“What do you want?” His voice was strained.
“Again!” She sobbed. Lucien twitched his wrist again and the keeper snapped against her delicate flesh. “Again!” He repeated the movement and she began to tremble. “Please, don't stop!” She begged. He flicked her swiftly in a deliberate rhythm and watched as her hands clutched at her breasts, pinching her nipples. Lucien was in awe as he watched her hips rock forward, seeking the crop and she arched and clawed at her flesh. Mirabelle was quickly approaching her release.
Lucien withdrew and she whimpered. He tracked around the bed and set his knees upon it. He came up behind her and grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled her back against him. He bit her shoulder and then found her ear.
“What do you need, Mirabelle?” He bit the lobe and suckled.
“You! More!” She begged. Lucien pushed her down until her cheek rested against the mattress. He grabbed his cock and rubbed it against her hot, dripping entrance and teased her with the head. Mirabelle tried to lean back and take more of him into her; he brought the crop down and swatted her bottom. She shrieked and fisted her hands in the sheets. Lucien pressed in a little further and withdrew. She moaned and bit her lip as she waited. He pressed forward again, giving her a little more of his length. He continued to tease her until he was fully seated and she was frantic, her hips writhed as she begged for him to ride her. He withdrew and thrust home swiftly.
“Is that what you want?” He demanded as he pulled back and drove into her again.
“God, yes!” Mirabelle screamed. Unable to be still any longer, she began swaying forward and pushing bac
k against him. Lucien felt her muscles gripping him and he clenched his jaw as he began thrusting wildly as he swung his arm, letting the crop snap against the pale flesh of her derrière. He rode her hard as he continued swatting, causing her skin to turn bright red as she urged him on.
Mirabelle hauled in a desperate breath and she froze. A moment later she sobbed as her body began to convulse violently, she bucked against him and her muscles clamped tight around Lucien's cock. He dropped the crop and grabbed her hips and thrust deep, shouting as his balls tightened as his seed began pumping deep within her.
As soon as he regained control of his body, Lucien collected Mirabelle and fell back against the pillows. He pulled the cravat from around her head and tossed it over the side of the bed. She sighed and collapsed against him.
“Are you alright?” He asked as he stroked her back. She purred and stretched against him.
“I don't think I've ever felt better.” She giggled against his lips. “As soon as my legs stop shaking, I'm going to turn that crop on you.”
An hour later, Mirabelle made good on that promise. She wrapped her legs around Lucien's waist and he rode her as she urged him to drive into her harder, whipping his back and flanks mercilessly.
The next morning, Lucien couldn't help but laugh as Hugo nearly had an apoplexy when he saw the welts all over his backside.
Chapter 33
Mirabelle kicked a post before she crossed her arms along the top of the fence and rested her chin. She watched Lucien thunder around the track on Hugin. She'd gladly give her hair for a bruising ride on one of Lucien's stallions.
Despite a perfectly competent physician declaring her perfectly healthy and the pregnancy perfectly progressing, Mirabelle had spent her first week at Winthorpe being corralled and restricted. She absolutely could not ride, or fire pistols, or skip along the stone walls by the orchard, or climb any of the trees in said orchard or jump into the lake when she went swimming (though Lucien had made up for that by joining her and showing her just how good he was at holding his breath).
It seemed the only place Mirabelle could still be free was in their bedroom. As she watched Lucien stand in the stirrups, she felt herself grow warm as the muscles of his thighs flexed and stretched and his backside came into view. The only thing better than Lucien in buckskin breeches was Lucien naked. And the best thing about Winthorpe, Mirabelle decided was that there was only one large bed in the duke and duchess' chambers. Not that Lucien slept in the duke's bedroom at Clerendon House; they had slept in her room every night since the confrontation. Mirabelle liked that at Winthorpe it was implicit that their nights would be spent together.
A strange tingling slid down Mirabelle's spine. She looked around to see if someone was watching her. Nothing out of the ordinary met her eye as she surveyed the stables, paddock, yard and track. She shook her head and chided herself. Of course she felt like she was being watched. Everyone watched her now. It was as if Mirabelle was the first woman to grow a person inside of her. Or, everyone was expecting her to lay eggs or give birth to a litter of puppies. It was very annoying.
Lucien swung out of the saddle and patted the horse's neck. Toby, his right hand in all matters horseflesh joined him. Lucien rested his elbows on the horse's back and leaned, once again giving Mirabelle a full view of his firm backside. She let her head fall to the side as she appreciated the display until the men laughed and Lucien tossed Toby the reins.
As Lucien climbed the fence and jumped over, Mirabelle felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand. She looked around again as Lucien pulled his coat on. She felt him next to her and looked up to see him scanning the grounds. She looked around again.
"Did you see something?" Lucien asked as he turned her face to his. Mirabelle shook head and smiled.
"For a moment I felt like I was being watched. Then I remembered that I'm always being watched. You've got everyone around here afraid I'll fall over if the wind blows too hard." Lucien grinned as he lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers.
"I'm always watching you. You're beautiful when you're annoyed." He teased as he placed Mirabelle's hand on his arm and led her towards the house for lunch.
"Is that why you're always annoying me?" She smiled sweetly and Lucien threw his head back and laughed.
Lucien turned and walked backwards as he towed her along.
"Keep being mouthy and I may have to find a better use for those sweet lips." He winked at her suggestively.
"Lunch?" Mirabelle answered coyly. Lucien stopped as he felt the door at his back. He pulled her close and lowered his head to hers.
"If you behave. If not, I may have to take you upstairs and spank you again." He whispered.
Mirabelle leaned against Lucien's chest and pressed her lips to his ear.
"And what if I want you to spank me?" She felt his body become tense and his erection pressed against her thigh.
"I suggest you eat quickly, madam." His voice was nearly a growl as he hauled the door open and let her pass through ahead of him.
Mirabelle laughed and ran down the hall towards the dining room. Lucien chased her and swept her into his arms when he caught up with her. She giggled as he swung her over his shoulder and carried her to the table.
They only made it through half of the meal before Lucien lifted Mirabelle from her seat and swept her up the stairs.
Chapter 34
Exhilarated from his early morning ride and looking forward to waking his wife, Lucien silently pushed open the bedroom door and prowled towards the bed. Mirabelle rested peacefully, both of her hands rested above her head and a soft smile shaped her lips. The sheet was pulled down to her waist and a sheer silk nightgown hugged her curves. Lucien slipped off his coat and began unbuttoning his shirt when his eyes fell upon something on the pillow next to her.
His blood turned to ice and rage swept through him. He tried to speak but his throat locked. He swiveled his head, trying to loosen the muscles in his neck. Lucien cleared his throat and reached for Mirabelle's foot and shook it.
"Mirabelle." His voice was hard. She stretched and sighed. Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled when she saw the white rose.
"How lovely! Where do you find them?" She asked as her gaze swept to Lucien's face.
He held out his hand.
"Don't touch it." His voice cracked like thunder. She reached for him and he pulled her from the bed and into his arms as if the rose was venomous. Lucien wrapped his arms around her and pressed her head against his chest. "What do you mean "them"?" He whispered.
"This one and the one at Clerendon House." Mirabelle pushed against his chest and looked up at Lucien. She was thoroughly confused.
Lucien recalled the white rose on her vanity and that he'd meant to ask her about it. His gut turned to lead and he stared at the rose on her pillow. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears. Mirabelle tugged at his shirt. He knew she was saying his name but he couldn't hear her. Finally she set both of her hands on his chest and pushed. Lucien staggered back and pulled her against him.
"Lucien! What's wrong?" Her eyes pleaded. Lucien swallowed and tasted bile.
"I didn't leave them." He whispered.
"What?" Mirabelle stiffened in his arms and looked towards the bed.
"I didn't leave the roses, Mirabelle." He said quietly.
"I see." She pushed away and ran for her robe. When she turned to him, her eyes were furious. "Am I allowed to handle a pistol now?" Mirabelle yanked on the bell pull. Lucien dragged his hands down his face and took a deep breath. He nodded.
Lucien stayed with Mirabelle while she dressed. Much to Mary's shock and confusion, he refused to be more than an arm's length away.
"Someone's been in our bedroom while Her Grace was asleep, Mary." She looked at Lucien, alarmed and outraged. "Please make sure the bedding is changed. Burn that gown and get rid of that bloody rose." Mary's eyes swept to Mirabelle's and she nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Your Grace!" Her voice and hands sh
ook.
As soon as she was dressed, Lucien guided Mirabelle to the study. He summoned Hendrick and Toby.
"Hendrick, someone entered the house and left something in my bed, next to my wife, on her pillow, while she slept." His voice was calm but he wanted to roar. He wanted to fight. He wanted to kill. He wanted to rip something with a heartbeat open with his bare hands. "I want every inch of this house and the grounds searched. I want this house locked down and I want armed men at every entrance. I want armed men on horseback patrolling the property and stationed around the perimeter." Lucien looked at Hendrick who nodded stiffly. He knew his butler was furious that his household had been violated and his mistress had been threatened.
"Your Grace." Hendrick bowed and ran from the room. Lucien looked to Toby.
"Can you ride?"
"To hell and back, if you need me to." He didn't hesitate. Lucien handed him a letter.
"Just to London, for now. Take Munin and go as fast as you can without injuring him. Put this in Lord Cambroke's or Sir Alastair's hands only. Make sure you're both well rested before you return." Lucien emphasized the last part with a pointed look.
Wicked And Wild: Spencers in Love Book Two Page 16
