by Wendy Vella
“Rory is making it his mission to sample every plate of food. We shall have to roll him out of here,” Charles said.
The scene before Joseph and his family was a riot to the senses. Colorful tents were erected for those who wished to get out of the sun, of which there was not a great deal, but still, some women could not stand it on their complexions. There were tables heaving with food and drink. Servants dressed as Vikings wandered about with pained expressions on their faces, offering champagne. Archery targets were set up for the annual competition.
“I hope Lady Shubert pays her staff well. Those men that fetch arrows and adjust targets are taking their lives in their hands,” Louis said.
“Danger money, I believe it is called,” Charles added.
“Ridicule, danger, is there no end to what her staff must suffer.”
Joseph let his eyes wander the guests as Charles and Louis talked. Was she coming? As the thought entered his head, he saw her walking down the path with her aunt.
She wore pale blue, and he knew with her eyes, it would look extraordinary up close. The fabric was light, and fluttered about her slender legs as she walked. A band of dark blue embroidery scooped low over her breasts, and the bodice was fitted with small pleats. The skirts fluttered open and he saw a flash of rose satin.
“Four years have turned that woman from pretty to stunning.”
Louis said the words so Joseph alone could hear, but he did not reply, simply watched as she walked. She moved with effortless grace, as she always had, but now she was so much more. Everything about her was so much more. Her beauty, her strength and spirit. Joseph had realized last night, as he lay awake, that he wanted this woman very much. Wanted her in his life, at his side. The revelation had not been as startling as he’d thought. Perhaps she had always been in his heart and head, but now it was different. Now she made him uncomfortable. His skin prickled when she was near, his body ached, and he felt a savage need to possess her.
“I’m sure if I were standing between you and Lady Millicent, I would be singed by that look.”
“I have no idea what you are talking about, Louis.”
Her hair had been styled simply, and she wore several long curls free. She was delectable from the top of her head to the soles of her feet, and every lush inch in-between.
“She is beautiful, intelligent, and you have history between you. Yet, I think you care as much about that as your family does. If you still want her, my friend, go and get her.”
Dragging his eyes from Milly, he looked at Louis.
“She may have something to say about that.”
“Perhaps, but she once loved you very much, to the point of worship. I doubt that has ever really gone away, but perhaps now you could love her equally—given the chance.”
“Is there a reason for this deep and meaningful dialogue?”
Louis smiled, and looked over Joseph’s shoulder, and he knew that Ellie would be there. Louis always got that look when he saw her.
“Because life is too short not to be with the woman you love.”
“I never said I loved her.”
Louis smiled, then patted his shoulder and walked away. God, did he love her? Was love an ugly mass of seething emotion? Was it a need to see her, be with her? Was it a need to possess her?
“Christ.”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing,” Joseph said.
“Just go and talk to her, and don’t be so... so earlish,” Charles said.
“I beg your pardon?” Joseph looked at his brother.
“Lady Millicent, to my mind, is vastly different from the woman we all knew. She now has a backbone, and is no longer shy and retiring. Don’t treat her as you once did, Joseph.”
“Earlish?” was all Joseph could come up with, his head reeling. First Louis and now Charles. When had he made his feelings for Milly so obvious?
“Officious then? Or we could go with pompous, or overbearing.”
“Yes thank you, Charles, I believe I get the idea.”
“Go after her, Joseph, if indeed she is the one you want.”
On these ominous words, his brother, the one who was usually frivolous with all the conversational depth of a thimble of wine, wandered away, leaving him alone and confused.
“Milly is a gem, Joseph,” Ellie said, reaching his side. “We may not be as close as we once were, but I am working on that, and fear what she went through those years she was absent from society has changed her. But with love and support, we will bring her about.”
“Not you too.” Joseph sighed as his sister slipped her arm through his.
“She is a wonderful woman, Joseph. Strong, intelligent, and that has merely been enhanced in the last few years. She has demons and fears that I would suggest will take time to heal, but then who does not.”
“What demons and fears do you have?” He looked at his pretty sister. She always seemed so happy and carefree.
She patted his arm. “We are not speaking of me.”
“But as your big brother, I feel duty bound to chase those demons away.”
“Louis has already done that, have no fear. And you, by just being near.”
“My mind is relieved.” Although he wondered what fears she had had.
“Now, come, we shall go and intercept Milly before her legions of admirers do.”
“Legions?” He tamped down the surge of jealousy. “Surely not. She has not been to any of the social events I have. What chance has she of collecting admirers?”
“They have seen her rarely, but then perhaps it is her elusiveness that they like. Perhaps she intrigues now?”
Joseph digested that piece of information as he let Ellie steer him toward Milly and her aunt. She saw them when they were a few feet away. He was right, the dress brought out the blue of her eyes. She was stunning. Before he could intercept her, another party reached her first. He and his sister joined them.
“La, Lady Millicent, how wonderful you look, considering your illness. Four years I understand it lasted, and yet you have recovered fully.”
“It was an illness of the mind, Miss Cuthbert. I was quite crazed for a while there, but as you see, I am almost completely healed.”
He knew the look she now wore; she was in no mood for polite chat or pleasantries. He had also heard this story at the theatre.
“S-sickness of the mind?” Miss Cuthbert retreated a step.
“Indeed, I was drooling for over two years. Then there was the screaming, followed by—”
“Well, I’m sure I hear my name being called. Excuse me, please.”
Miss Cuthbert hurried away, twittering with her group.
“Considering our king’s illness, dear, you could have come up with something more fitting, don’t you think?” Lady Mowbray’s lips were thinned.
“Possibly, but I care little about what those women think of me.”
“Lady Millicent, Lady Mowbray.” Joseph stepped closer, believing it a good time to intervene.
“My lord, how fortuitous it is to see you. I was just telling my niece that she should take the boat upriver to the gardens. The entrance via the water is far superior to land. Now is an excellent time for her to view them.”
By the mulish look on Milly’s face, Joseph could tell she had partaken in no such discussion, or indeed wanted to go anywhere with him. He didn’t care. Lady Mowbray had presented him with an opportunity, and he was taking it.
“I would be honored to take you to the gardens, Lady Millicent.”
“Oh no—”
Ellie interrupted. “Excellent. Come, Lady Mowbray, I wish to have my fortune told, and I hear Madame Estelle is the best.”
“Oh indeed, I shall join you, my lady. I think Lady Shubert has set the fortune teller up over there,” Lady Mowbray said, leading Ellie away.
“There is no need, my lord. Really, I have not the slightest wish to go boating, and am not sure why my aunt suggested I would.”
“But I wish it, so you shall acc
ompany me.” Joseph took her hand and placed it on his arm. She did not mind stirring the waters with a few caustic or misleading comments, but Milly would not make a scene of cutting him, so soon they were walking down to the boats.
“I’m really not overfond of water.”
“You will not be getting in the water.”
A servant wearing a ridiculous costume held the boat for them. Joseph lowered Milly in, still protesting, and followed.
“Careful you don’t take someone’s eye out with that helmet,” he said as the man pushed them off. The servant muttered something they did not hear.
“I hope they are paid well,” Milly said. She was seated before him, and his eyes followed a long curl that fell below her shoulders to a row of buttons marching down her spine.
“My brothers and I were just discussing that.”
They were silent as he maneuvered them around several other boats and then headed toward the gardens. She tugged off her gloves, and trailed long, slender fingers in the water, each causing a small wake as the boat glided along.
“Is it catching, this madness you had?”
“Very, therefore I suggest you return me whence we came.”
He laughed. “Relax, Milly. You are safe out here on the water. No one will question you further.”
“Not even you?”
“I am exempt.”
She sighed. “I feared you would be.”
Joseph paddled three more strokes before speaking again. “I have been betrothed to no one but you.”
She lifted her face to look at the sky. “So many lies. The society I once loved so much is now a foreign battlefield of artifice.”
“You need not navigate it alone.”
“I am unsure if I wish to navigate it at all.”
“It has its uses, and not everyone is hiding behind a facade, Milly.”
“Forgive me for not realizing they were lying.”
“Who?”
“It matters not, and upon reflection the words were not actually mentioned, only alluded too. And indeed, who am I to care to whom you become engaged.”
“Who indeed,” Joseph said as he pulled the boat to the small platform, where another Viking stood. He held the boat as Joseph climbed out, then took Milly’s hand and helped her.
“Release me, my lord,” she said when he retained her hand.
“No.” Instead he slid her fingers through his.
He walked, and she had to follow, and soon he had taken them away from the formal gardens to a private section, as overhead the trees thickened and formed a canopy with only the occasional flicker of light.
“Where are you taking me?”
The small conservatory was nestled into a bank, and not many knew it was there. Charles did, and had told Joseph. Opening the door, he led Milly inside, then turned the key in the lock.
“Unlock that door at once!”
“Since that morning when I kissed you, touched you, felt you fall apart in my arms… I have thought of little else.”
“No, Joseph. How can you say that when—”
“You respond to me, Milly. Do not try to deny it... deny this.”
“Passion.” Her anger flared in her voice. “Passion is all we have.”
“No, there is more, but for now passion will do.”
She backed away as he stalked her.
“We cannot—”
“We can. I want you, and you want me. Can you deny it?” He reached for her. “Deny it and I will walk out that door.”
Yes. The word roared inside his head as he saw the passion he felt reflected in her eyes. Lowering his head, he kissed her.
Chapter 19
Milly’s body shuddered as his lips touched hers. She could no longer deny the need she felt for this man. Not when he was before her, his eyes flaring with passion. Rising to her toes, she clenched his lapels and held him close. This was where she had wanted to be again, since that morning on the road to London. She’d dreamed of this... him
“I have tried to fight this hunger I feel for you.” He rasped the words against her lips. “But I cannot.”
She kissed him back, taking and receiving.
His fingers touched her back, stroking the exposed skin. They left a trail of heat as he moved to her buttons.
She was blind to all but need. Need for this man consumed her.
She felt her bodice loosen, and he tugged her chemise aside. His lips moved to her neck and then lower, until he reached her breasts, licking each curve, and kissing the peaks. His touch was so exquisite, she moaned.
“Joseph.” She didn’t know what she asked for, only that it was more... so much more.
He took her nipple into his mouth, and she cried out at the pleasure. An arrow of lust shot through her to center between her thighs.
Milly ran her hands up his chest, eager to feel his skin. Pushing his jacket to the floor, she opened the waistcoat and pulled the hem of his shirt from his breeches.
“Your touch.” He lifted his head and kissed her. “I need your touch.” He breathed the words against her lips.
“As I need yours.”
She lowered her head and pressed her lips to his chest, running soft, wet kisses over the skin.
“Milly.” His moan spurred her on. She let her hand trace the band of his breeches. Let her fingers dip inside to touch his skin. She’d learned of the art of lovemaking from maids during the last few years; learned, and believed it would never be she who did these acts.
Bolder, she moved lower and cupped his erection.
“Christ!”
Joseph lifted her and walked to the chaise. He lowered her and dropped to his knees before her. Easing her skirts up her body, he kissed her thigh above her stocking, the heat delicious. The first sweep of his tongue over the soft folds between her thighs made her shudder.
“Joseph!”
“Let me pleasure you.” The breath whispered over her sensitive skin.
Milly’s head fell back, and he continued to give her the most intimate kiss of all. She should not allow it. Should not be spread before him like a feast, when someone could chance upon them, but Lord, she could not stop him. The tension built inside her as he continued to lick and kiss her. When his tongue swept over the tight bead, she moaned long and deep, as wave upon wave of ecstasy swept over her.
“Yes, let go, Milly.”
Her lashes fluttered open to see him poised above her. His hands opened his breeches and then he was there, the full, hard length of him poised to take her.
“Tell me you want this, Milly.”
She touched the muscles clenched in his jaw.
“I want this. Please, Joseph. I want you.”
He eased inside her, slick muscles clenching as he pushed deeper. She felt a sting of pain and then he was there, buried deep inside her. Breath rasping, arms braced beside her.
“Milly, are you all right?”
“Yes.” She took his face in her hands and kissed him, and she felt him slide out of her and back in. Lord, it was pleasure and pain, and she wanted it all. They had been robbed of one life together, but perhaps with this, they could have another.
“Joseph,” she gasped as she felt it again; that wonderful pinnacle was in reach once more. He retreated and thrust again and again, and then she reached it, sailed over with Joseph, and floated down the other side.
She slowly caught her breath as they came back to reality.
“You will marry me.”
Milly grew still at the words, more a demand than a request.
“There can be no other way now.”
Milly wriggled, pushed him off her, and he moved, reluctantly.
“Answer me, Milly.”
Turning her back, she began to straighten her clothes.
“Your delivery would suggest I have left you no choice, my lord. Nor that I have one either.” Her heart ached. She had done the very thing she had vowed not to, given control of her life to another... to Joseph, the man she loved.
> Dear Lord, she did love him again? Or had she never stopped?
“After what we have shared, we must marry, Milly. You are not foolish enough to believe otherwise.”
She heard rustling, which told her he was occupied in rearranging his clothing as well. He had not asked her permission or used gentle words. No, he had demanded, as if she had no rights. Well, she was not a naive young woman any longer. She answered to no one, especially not him.
“I am not a fool.” Milly found her anger. “Don’t tell me what I must do. I have spent my life doing what others have demanded of me. I no longer wish to.”
“I’m sorry if my words offend you, madam. But I just took your innocence, therefore there is no other option open to you or me.”
She spun to face him. “I am an option for you? Is that all?”
His face was closed to her; she read nothing there. Surely he cared for her? Surely she had not imagined the gentle love he had just made to her.
“No, stop twisting my words. Of course you are important to me. I would not offer for you otherwise.”
How could she love and hate the same person, Milly wondered. She berated herself for her behavior. One kiss and she had melted at his feet. One touch and she had given him everything.
“No, please.” Milly raised a hand, her words laced with sarcasm. “I can take no more of your pretty words, my lord.”
“Milly—”
“May I suggest we say nothing further, my lord. We shall both leave, and take time to think about what has occurred.”
“No. You will marry me. That is the consequence of what we have just done.”
“I will not marry because of what we just did. I do not have to, nor will I.”
“God’s blood. I want to marry you, can you not see that?”
