by Heather Boyd
Her tongue darted out to wet her lips and his own tingled. Her gaze grew soft, and then she leaned forward and boldly pressed her lips to his. She drew back after a lingering kiss. “I do want more of you.”
Encouraged, he pulled her to him, curled one arm around her back and lifted her into his arms so her legs wrapped around his waist.
Her tiny body molded perfectly to his after a little wriggle and then she settled her arms about his neck and proceeded to kiss him witless. It would be a miracle if he lasted until their wedding day before he took her to bed with him. She drove him utterly wild. Her tongue danced into his mouth, flirting with his. He groaned and sank onto the floor with her, moving Iris beneath him while he kept his weight suspended on his arms and knees.
She rubbed her hands over his chest and then tugged on his cravat, a spark of mischief lighting up her beautiful eyes and daring him to be bold too. He could not afford to lose his head. He wasn’t that much of a scoundrel but giving her pleasure was a definite possibility.
Their lips parted and they both panted. “I don’t know what I’m doing so you should stop me.”
“No, don’t stop,” she whispered, meeting his gaze shyly. “You’re making me mad with want. I’ve been thinking of you all night and I would like an end to this torture.”
Relief filled him. “Was that why you couldn’t hold my gaze for long?”
She nodded and removed his cravat pin, setting it aside carefully.
So that accounted for her distraction. He smiled wickedly. He’d been fighting the same thoughts too. Martin shifted his hand across her body slowly and covered her mound through her nightgown and robe. “Did you think of me touching you here?”
A ragged gasp rattled from her chest and she clutched his shoulders. “I was afraid everyone knew that I was thinking of your mouth on me tonight.”
He teased her nightgown up her legs until he could touch bare skin above her knees. “Shall I end your suffering quickly or slowly?”
“Quickly. Please.” She covered her face with one hand. “I can’t bear it.”
He shifted to his side and drew her to face him. He caressed her bare bottom with one hand before he slid around her hip and teased his way to her curls. The gentle touch seemed exactly what she wanted because she hooked one leg over his thigh and allowed him greater access to her body. He teased the seam of her sex, finding her damp and so warm his breath caught.
He parted her folds slowly, delicately touching her until she moaned in response. He grew aware of her touch on his abdomen a moment before she fumbled with his trouser fastenings, moved aside his shirt, and freed his cock.
He couldn’t breathe for the anticipation surging through his veins.
“Goodness,” she whispered in awed tones as she took him in hand. Martin had heard similar before with regards to his size, but experienced more satisfaction than he’d expected in hearing it from Iris. She wasn’t shy about exploring his proportions.
As he ran his finger along her sex, playing with her wet heat, Iris’s tentative touch grew bolder. Across her palm his length seemed obscenely large, and he trembled when she overcame her shyness and took him in both hands. With a little instruction whispered in her ear, she stroked his length firmly; long, delicious tugs that ignited his desire to dangerous levels.
He bent his head. “Iris, I want to be inside you.”
She nodded swiftly and with that encouragement, he pressed a finger inside her sheath. Iris released him and moaned. He withdrew, sliding through her wetness and teasing her clitoris. When he repeated the action, she ground down on his digit then shuddered wildly. He applied pressure to her clitoris as she surrendered completely to desire. She clung to his shoulders as she climaxed, buried her face in his neck and muffled the sound of her panting. As her body grew limp, her hold on him loosened.
He eased away onto his back, intending to end things there, but she followed him up and sat over his thighs, trapping him beneath her. Her nightgown bunched high on her thighs, her robe half off. When she wrapped her fingers around his length and stoked him, he arched his back.
Iris glanced along his body and smiled. “I like to see you this way.”
“I don’t need it.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Yes you do. Otherwise, it would not be fair. I would not be able to sleep a wink tonight if I disappointed you.”
“You never have.” He grinned. “Shocked, surprised, and tempted unbearably every other moment, yes, but not disappointed. I don’t know what I was thinking to say no to you.”
Her expression grew serious as she stoked him and he lay back to enjoy the pleasure her touch brought. He placed both hands on her thighs and closed his eyes to savor the sensation of her hands bringing him ease. He’d had no idea she had such a talent or interest in wanking a man but he wouldn’t deny her wish to pleasure him. He was too close to stop anyway.
Martin dug into his pocket for a handkerchief and when he was ready, fit to burst, he covered the head of his cock with it, covered Iris’s hand, and together they brought him off. When his mind cleared, he glanced down at the soft bundle of curves covering him. Iris had toppled forward, her head rested over his heart, her legs spread on each side of his thighs. She embraced him firmly. Possessively.
It was nice to be held by a lover. Especially a woman of Iris’s honesty. He teased the skin of her neck and grinned in the dark. To think he’d resisted claiming the woman for his own on the flimsiest of reasons. He’d never imagined such honest desire could be his and he would do everything to protect her from harm.
He rolled Iris to her back, settled his bare hips between her legs and brushed a light kiss across her lips. He inhaled the sweet scent of her skin and sighed deeply, content at last that everything was settled between them. “I will be the most fortunate man in London to have you as my wife.”
“I hope so,” she whispered sleepily. “I hope I never give you cause to regret.”
Twelve
“I did not have the opportunity, I swear,” Iris sobbed as Mr. Talbot squeezed her hand so hard tears sprang to her eyes.
“Liar,” Talbot hissed.
She whimpered as the tendons and bones in her hand were crushed almost to the breaking point. She had underestimated Talbot’s fury over last night’s failure to gain his men access to Lord Windermere’s home. She’d not truly tried sneaking away and unlocking the expected window. It was her own fault she suffered now. She’d been too busy fretting that Louth was about to be stolen away from her by his former lover.
Talbot tossed her aside like a doll made of rags and Iris slammed into the wall so hard her teeth rattled. She quickly regained her balance, shifting closer to the locked gate of the Marshalsea, but there was no hope of escape. Talbot continued to block her exit from prison.
To think she’d walked through that gate this morning with hope in her heart because she’d one day become Lord Louth’s wife rather than an easily discarded mistress. It had only been a short-term happiness. The moment she’d left her father’s side, Talbot had pounced on her for an explanation.
She glanced toward the deserted prison yard desperately. Mr. Fitzhugh was making himself useful and keeping anyone in the barracks from approaching the prison gate. She couldn’t be seen from the barracks rooms in this spot. No one would come to her aid. Not even her father would be a match for Talbot, should he discover what was happening to her.
“I had plans for Windermere’s jewels,” Talbot growled menacingly. “Buyers were waiting and now I have nothing to sell them.”
She bent her head in pretend shame and contrition. She had been very glad to spare the earl the robbery until now. “I am sorry. I could not get away.”
He moved over her, reminding her of her fragility. “You will not fail me again.”
Terror filled her as she whispered, “Lady Heathcote has no plans to attend any large entertainments in the coming week.”
“Then what else has she been invited to?” he screamed directly into her
ear.
She backed into the nearest wall and risked a peek at him. His black eyes were cold and unyielding and she shivered. “You cannot steal from the smaller gatherings I attend. I’ll be an immediate suspect in any investigation. I don’t know where every safe is located.”
His palm slapped against her cheek and with an effort he held back a second strike. “Then choose better marks.”
She pressed her palm to her stinging cheek and stared at Talbot’s red face as comprehension dawned. She would never end this mad pact without going to prison. It was already too late. She had to make him see reason. “I cannot do any more for you than I already have.”
He caught her by the throat and pushed her hard against the wall. Her skull exploded with pain but she heard his threat regardless. “You’ll do as I say or he’ll pay the price. You know what I want to hear next, don’t you?”
“Yes, sir.” She quaked and dug her fingers into the bricks behind her, scrambling for purchase where there was none. Talbot would hurt her father if she didn’t comply.
There was only one gathering she knew of. A private dinner in the Marquess of Ettington’s London residence. She did not want to put the Ettingtons in harm’s way if she could help it but there was no other option unless she wanted to die here and now.
She dug her fingers under Talbot’s around her neck and he loosened his grip a little. “We will be attending a small dinner at Lord Ettington’s on Friday,” she croaked, “but that is the only engagement I know Lady Heathcote will be attending at the present time. She’s very unpredictable.”
Talbot squeezed her throat again and desperate panic filled her.
“I swear it’s the truth.” She thrashed to be free of his grip, to no avail. “If…You can’t kill me…you need me to get into the Ettingtons’ townhouse.”
Talbot released her with a shake that rattled her teeth and she fell to her knees on the cobblestones, gasping for air.
“Get up,” he barked.
Iris scrambled to her feet even as her knees stung, keeping her eyes lowered so as not to provoke further anger. When the silence lengthened, she risked a glance. Talbot raised his hand. “You will send word of any other accepted invitations or by God, I will make him suffer for your disobedience. Don’t think I won’t be watching you still. One of my boys will bring your message to me about the next ball. Just wave a piece of paper as you walk along then drop it. I’ll be waiting.”
He stepped back and, taking that as a sign she was free to go, Iris bolted out the gate and ran as fast as her legs would carry her to the lane behind her former home. She found a quiet corner and fought to get her emotions under control.
She was doomed. She covered her face as her eyes filled with tears. She’d never be free of Talbot and everyone would soon know what she’d done. Her remaining friends would despise her. Louth would hate her for entangling him in her problems.
She dropped her hand to her throat, rubbing at tender spots along her skin. If he’d bruised her, she’d have no hope of hiding the marks. At least then she might have to stop. Give up and allow fate to run its course.
But that would leave her father vulnerable.
Her eyes stung at the pain of abandoning him to an ugly future. Talbot would kill him, and she’d long suspected it was only a matter of time before he made good on his threats. He’d likely kill them both if she gave herself up for justice. But she couldn’t live like this anymore, afraid and loathing herself every waking moment.
She wouldn’t.
She would stop Talbot one way or another.
Iris dried her eyes and quickly ran her fingers over her hair, repinning that which had fallen down. She must look a fright. Anyone would see her guilt when they looked at her but she suspected she was beyond hope now.
Once she had caught her breath, she slipped back onto the street as if nothing had changed. However her mind churned with how to achieve her aim of stopping Talbot. It was time she took control of her life and stopped being so pitiful and weak. She had to confront the problem head-on and leave nothing out.
She had to tell Esme first.
Instead of taking the servants’ entrance so no one noticed her return in these shabby clothes, she knocked on the front door of Esme’s home.
The butler’s eyes widened in surprise at seeing her on the front steps. “Welcome back, Miss Hedley,” Higgins whispered. “My lady and Mr. Meriwether are in the drawing room. If you are quiet, you could sneak upstairs without being seen and change.”
The warning was unnecessary. Mr. Meriwether was exactly the man she had to see before she lost her courage. The man investigating the robberies needed to know the truth before it was too late. “Would you announce me, Higgins? I need to speak with them together.”
Higgins was gone a few moments then opened the door to admit her. Esme and her lover were settled comfortably enough on the settee, however, Esme’s slippers lay across the room and Meriwether’s waistcoat buttons were misaligned.
“Darling,” Esme cried out warmly.
Iris cringed inside at how hurt her friend would be after this uncomfortable confession. “Lady Heathcote. Mr. Meriwether.”
She stood before them and clenched her hands together as Higgins closed the door.
Meriwether tilted his head to the side. “Is something amiss?”
Iris swallowed the hard lump in her throat and then nodded. “Yes. I’ve come to confess.”
“Confess,” Esme said with a little laugh. “Have you spent the morning with Lord Louth again? I swear I must press for the wedding before the week is out at this rate. You will have tongues wagging.”
Iris quickly shook her head. “No. I mean to say I’m responsible for Lord Hazelton being set upon in his home.”
There was silence a moment then Meriwether rose in one fluid movement. His stare was cold as ice. “How could that be?”
“I opened the window in his home. And in many others before that night.”
He gripped her arm, one that had already been abused by Talbot. “What others?”
After suffering Talbot’s threats and treatment, she wasn’t the least bit afraid of this man. “All of them. I had no choice.”
Esme crossed the room and removed her from Meriwether’s grip. “Don’t say another word.”
“I have to. It won’t end unless I do something to stop it. If not for my father—”
“Yes, your father,” Meriwether mused, his gaze holding hers. “Is he behind it? Attempting to cover his losses by stealing from those who slandered his name?”
Iris blinked in surprise, never considering someone could believe that of her gentle father. “Of course not. My father scarce remembers where he is, let alone has the wits to mastermind revenge against any detractors. This is Talbot’s doing. Mr. Charles Talbot.”
“That is a very severe accusation, young lady. I hope you have proof.”
She had no proof at all but her word. “He threatens my father’s life if I do not help him gain access to the homes in society and tell him where a safe might be located. I have no choice but to help him.”
Esme gasped and wrapped an arm around Iris’s shoulders. “Perhaps we should sit,” she murmured. “And discuss this calmly.”
Iris leaned into the comfort, fearing it would be the last she’d ever have.
Meriwether scowled and shook his head. “It would be best if you left us alone, Lady Heathcote. If I am expected to make sense of Miss Hedley’s accusation then she has many questions to answer.”
Esme ignored the dismissal and smiled instead. “Then I’ll send for tea, but for propriety’s sake, I will indeed stay as a chaperone to my dearest Iris.”
Meriwether rolled his eyes at the idea but followed them when Esme settled Iris to the settee with a gentle push. She requested tea, took a place beside Iris, and when Meriwether moved a chair to sit directly before them, she held Iris’s hand. Her smiling encouragement helped her unburden herself of everything.
She told Meriwether
how it had started, naming victims, most he knew, and when she confessed who the next target would be his brows rose. “Good choice.”
Iris started. “How can you say that? Hazelton was assaulted in his own home. Ettington could fare just as badly.”
Meriwether shrugged. “Ettington is a relatively easy man to deal with. With luck, he can be persuaded to help us catch these criminals.”
“But you will only catch the men who work for him, not Talbot himself, who is behind everything. He is the one who needs to be caught. I am sure Ettington hasn’t invited him to sit down to dinner.”
“Not in his class,” Esme murmured in agreement. “And assuredly not already invited. The guest list is modest, as common for the marquess’s style. To press him to invite Talbot at this late a date would raise considerable suspicion.”
Meriwether’s brows drew together. “Then we must set a better trap.”
The pair lapsed into silence. Esme with her thumb to her lips, Meriwether pursing his.
“What we need is another ball,” he said suddenly.
Esme frowned and glanced at him keenly. “And a good reason for it, to avoid any suspicion of a trap. Perhaps Iris’s wedding breakfast could be a grander affair than I’d first envisaged.”
“I cannot marry Lord Louth now.” Iris shook her head. “Given what I’ve told you, it is only fair to break the engagement and spare him the embarrassment of being associated with a criminal. I fully expect to pay for my actions. I knew it was wrong from the beginning. I only wanted to protect my father.”
Esme’s arm tightened around her protectively. “She never stole from anyone, or took a shilling in payment. She simply opened a window and failed to latch it properly. Surely you agree, Mr. Meriwether, that she should avoid punishment.”
“And what of her disclosure of the locations of the safes?” He scowled. “Searching other people’s homes for the locations of their valuables isn’t something I can overlook, no matter whom the party is.”
