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Surrender Amanda Quick

Page 20

by Surrender (lit)

I have landed the spavined, broken-down

  pony while you have got the fine-blooded

  stallion. But you will be sorry for your

  choice," Isabel hissed.

  Please, Lady Rycott, do not upset

  yourself."

  I am not in the least upset. I will tell

  you something, my dear. I will take an

  Edgeworth over a man like stone vale any

  day, and if you were smart you would

  do the same. Your failure to do so will

  probably be your downfall."

  Victoria was nonplussed by the bizarre

  conversation. She wondered how many

  glasses of wine Lady Rycott had consumed.

  The gem-hard glitter in Isabel's beautiful

  eyes was almost frightening. Please excuse

  me, Lady Rycott." She made to move

  away, but Isabel's fingers reached out to

  grip her bare arm.

  You think you have chosen the more

  exciting, more interesting man, but you

  are a fool. The plain truth is that men

  are of little use to a woman if they cannot

  be manipulated. Don't you understand?

  We are trapped by Society into being

  dependent on men for so much. Our

  only defense is to be stronger than they

  are in all the ways that count. When a

  strong woman allies herself with a weak,

  manageable man, she can have everything

  she wants. Everything."

  Lady Rycott, you are hurting my arm."

  Isabel glanced down at her own fingers,

  registering surprise. She instantly removed

  her hand from Victoria's arm, quickly

  regaining total control of herself. Never

  mind. It is undoubtedly too late for you

  anyway. But you should have been shrewd

  enough to know by now that a strong

  man is very dangerous. If you'd had any

  sense, Vicky, you would have picked an

  Edgeworth, not a stone vale."

  Isabel turned away and disappeared into

  the crowd, but not before Victoria thought

  she glimpsed the brightness of tears in her

  exotic eyes.

  Victoria stood staring after the other

  woman for a moment, utterly at a loss.

  Her happy anticipation was briefly dimmed

  by the startling encounter. But by the time

  she had collected her cloak and pulled the

  hood up over her head to conceal her

  features, she was back in the grip of

  excitement. She hurried down the steps

  of the town house.

  The closed carriage was waiting for her,

  just as Lucas had promised. The coachman

  sat on the box, heavily shrouded in his top

  hat and enveloping cape. She shot him a

  quick, laughing glance and then allowed

  one of the Middleships" footmen to assist

  her into the carriage.

  A few minutes later the vehicle was

  making excellent progress through the

  streets of London, and within a short while

  they had reached the quieter, outlying

  areas of the city. The noise of passing traffic

  faded and the buildings grew more sparse.

  Moonlit meadows, fields, and farms came

  into view.

  Then, without any warning, the carriage

  came to a halt in an inn yard. Victoria's

  mouth went dry. The time had come

  and she was suddenly awash in a sea of

  contradictory emotions. Anticipation and

  excitement and longing did battle with

  anxiety, uncertainty, and a few second

  thoughts. She was forced to wonder once

  more if she was doing the right thing.

  But she was four and twenty, she

  reminded herself, not a silly little seven

  teen-year-old chit fresh out of the school

  room. She knew her own mind and she

  had already made her decision. She would

  not back out now.

  She glanced out at the courtyard,

  listening to her coachman" give directions

  to the young boy who came out of the inn

  to assist with the horses. No matter what

  sort of orders he was issuing, Lucas always

  sounded so very much in command.

  A moment later the carriage door opened

  and Lucas stood looking at her. He had

  removed the hat and coachman's cape.

  Without a word he held out his hand.

  Are you very certain this is what you

  want, Victoria?" he asked quietly.

  Yes, Lucas. I want this night with you

  more than I have ever wanted anything in

  my life."

  His smile was enigmatic but tender.

  Then you shall have it. Come with me."

  A short time later Victoria found herself

  sitting in front of a pleasant fire in a

  comfortable upstairs room, sipping tea the

  landlord's wife had brought her on a tray.

  There was a decanter of sherry next to the

  teapot. The good woman had addressed

  her as my lady" and Victoria knew it was

  because Lucas had informed the innkeeper

  that she was his wife. No one had thought

  to question two obvious members of the

  Quality who claimed such a relationship.

  I've told the innkeeper that you are

  weary and we plan to rest for a few hours,

  but that we are in a hurry and must be on

  our way before dawn," Lucas announced

  as he walked into the room and shut the

  door behind him. That will give me time

  to get you safely back to the last party on

  your list of invitations tonight before most

  of the guests have taken their leave. You

  will be able to go home with Annabella

  Lyndwood and her mother, just as you

  had planned. No one will be the wiser."

  Except, perhaps, myself?" Victoria smiled

  tremulously over the rim of her cup.

  Lucas's eyes gentled as he looked down

  at her. I think both of us are going to learn

  a great deal tonight." He walked over to the

  chair that stood across from hers near the

  hearth. His eyes were gleaming as he sat

  down and poured two glasses of sherry.

  Here's to intellectual inquiry, Vicky."

  She put down her teacup and took one

  of the sherry glasses from his hand, aware

  that her fingers were trembling slightly. To

  intellectual inquiry," she murmured, lifting

  her glass in a small toast.

  Lucas raised his glass in an answering

  salute, his eyes never leaving hers. They

  finished the sherry in a charged silence

  and then Lucas removed the glass from

  Victoria's fingers and set it down alongside

  his.

  Victoria remembered her gift and stood

  up abruptly. She hurried to where she had

  hung her cloak and reticule.

  Vicky? What's wrong?" Lucas called

  after her.

  Nothing is wrong. I have something for

  you. A small present." She turned back

  toward him, clutching the little parcel in

  both hands. It suddenly seemed like a

  rather paltry gift. It is not much, really.

  I thought, hoped you might like it." She

  smiled wistfully. It seemed like the sort

&n
bsp; of night one might want to remember with

  a gift."

  He stood up slowly. It is exactly that

  sort of night. I only wish I had a gift for

  you. My lamentable military mind, I fear. I

  was so concerned with the practical aspects

  of this evening that I failed to think about

  other, perhaps more important matters."

  He came toward her and took the parcel

  out of her hands. Then he led her back to

  her seat by the fire and sat down to open

  his present.

  Victoria sat tensely as Lucas reverently

  removed the paper wrapping and stared

  thoughtfully down at Strelitzia reginae. She

  realized she was in an agony of suspense.

  It really was not much of a present, she

  thought. Just a painting of a flower.

  But when Lucas looked up again,

  revealing a rare, intense emotion in his

  eyes, she took a deep breath and relaxed

  slightly. He was pleased.

  Thank you, Vicky. It is beautiful and I

  will hang it where I shall be able to look

  at it daily. And whenever I do look at it,

  I will remember this night."

  I am glad you like it. Not every man

  would care for a picture of a flower, you

  know."

  Just as well. I'd as soon you didn't

  go around giving any other man your

  paintings under similar circumstances." He

  reached out and took her hand.

  Lucas?"

  Your fingers are cold," he observed,

  cradling her palm. He turned her hand

  in his and bent his head to kiss her bare

  wrist. Her fingers curled. You are very

  tense."

  I am nervous, if you must have the plain

  truth," she admitted.

  Would it make you feel any better to

  know that I, too, am anxious about what

  lies ahead?"

  That I refuse to believe, my lord."

  Then you sadly overestimate my forti

  tude. I want you very much, Vicky, but

  I do not want to hurt you or frighten

  you or somehow spoil the magic with

  clumsiness or a lack of self-control," Lucas

  said quietly.

  Victoria looked up at him in surprise and

  was suddenly overwhelmed with a need to

  reassure him. I should have realized this

  would be as awkward for you as it is for

  me. We are very much alike in many ways,

  are we not?"

  Lucas nodded. I like to think so."

  You are doing this because I asked it of

  you. I have forced you to go against your

  own code of honor."

  He smiled faintly and his hand tightened

  around her fingers. Do not credit me with

  too many fine scruples and sensibilities,

  Vicky. You cannot know how much I

  have wanted to hold you naked in my

  arms and feel you shiver when I enter

  you, how much I have longed to have you

  cling to me and draw me deep inside you.

  I am here tonight because you have made

  it clear that this is the only way I will ever

  learn how hot you will burn and I cannot

  live the rest of my life without discovering

  the answer to that question."

  Victoria stared at him, unable to look

  away from the intensity of his gaze. She

  felt the heat of the flames on her skin, but

  it was nothing compared to the warmth

  that was pooling within her. She knew her

  fingers were trembling within his.

  Lucas, I have something to tell you."

  What is that, my sweet?" His voice was

  indulgent as his fingers trailed along the

  inside of her arm.

  I I think I have fallen in love with you,"

  she blurted.

  Only think?" He glanced up, eyes

  gleaming.

  Oh, Lucas."

  He tugged her gently out of her chair

  and down onto his thighs, where he held

  her tightly against his chest. He speared

  his fingers through her curls, gripped her

  head, and kissed her.

  Victoria thought she would drown under

  the impact of his mouth. At the touch of

  his tongue against her lips all her qualms

  and fears vanished as if he had waved a

  magic wand. Of course he wanted her.

  There could be no doubt of that. And

  she wanted him. Dear God, how she

  wanted him.

  The next few minutes were a haze of

  small movements and tender, stroking

  caresses that somehow combined to remove

  Victoria's gown and petticoats along with

  most of her remaining inhibitions. It

  occurred to her that she ought to be

  feeling at least somewhat embarrassed.

  But all she could really feel was her

  own stirring passion and a sense of

  wonder that this man should want her

  so much that he would risk his reputation

  to please her.

  You are very good to me." She touched

  his cheek with gentle fingers. You give me

  so much. All those nights of adventure and

  now this very special night."

  Just remember that from now on all

  your adventures must be with me." His

  hand stroked her slowly from breast to

  thigh until she moaned against his shirt.

  The heat in his eyes sent flames through

  her.

  He set her on her feet and then led her

  over to the bed. When they reached it,

  she snuggled under the covers, watching

  in fascination as he doused the candles.

  When only the flames of the small fire lit

  the room, Lucas sat down on the edge of

  the bed, putting a considerable dent into

  it. A moment later one highly polished

  Hessian hit the floor. The second soon

  followed.

  Victoria unconsciously clenched the sheet

  in her hands as she watched Lucas undress.

  The firelight turned his skin to bronze

  and underscored the smoothly muscled

  contours of his broad shoulders. His belly

  was hard and flat. Something gleamed in

  the mat of dark curls on his chest and

  Victoria looked more closely.

  What is that pendant, Lucas? Is it made

  of gold?"

  He touched it absently. Amber. There's

  a small carving on it. It's been in the family

  for years, I was told."

  And you wear it always?"

  He shrugged. I have worn it constantly

  since it was given to me by my uncle."

  Lucas smiled. I like to think it brings me

  good luck, and it must work, otherwise I

  would not be here with you." His fingers

  suddenly tightened around it. But I think

  it would suit you better than it does me."

  He removed the chain from around his

  neck and moved closer.

  No, Lucas, I could not possibly take

  your pendant. It is a family heirloom. You

  cannot give it away."

  I can do anything I want with it." He

  placed it carefully around her throat and

  nodded in satisfaction. The amber glowed

  like honey-colored fire against her skin.
/>
  The small figures of the knight and his lady

  were visible in all their exquisite detail. It

  looks right on you. I want you to have it,

  Vicky. Tis a symbol of what we will share

  between us tonight. As long as you wear

  it, I will know you care for me and that

  you think you might be in love with me."

  She answered his gentle, sensually teasing

  smile with one of her own. In that case,

  I will never have cause to remove it. I

  cannot imagine not feeling about you the

  way I do now."

  Remember that, hmmm?" He brushed

  his knuckles lightly across her cheek before

  reaching down to open his breeches.

  He stepped out of the remainder of his

  clothes, revealing a hard, aroused male

  body. But Victoria noticed nothing else

  about him in that moment except the

  wide, ragged scar on his thigh.

  Dear God," she whispered.

  Does it bother you?" He stood waiting,

  his breeches still in his hands, his eyes

  unreadable.

  She reached out to touch the ruined

  flesh with gentle, soothing fingers. Bother

  me? Of course it does not bother me. Not

  in the way you mean." She looked up at

  him, stricken. But how it must have hurt

  you. I cannot bear the thought that you

  suffered such agony, that you came so

  close to death."

  Hush, Vicky. Do not fret about it.

  It was a long time ago and I assure

  you right now it is not bothering me in

  the slightest. I have far more important

  things on my mind and none of them

  have anything to do with death. They are

  all matters of life." He caught her fingers

  in his hand and kissed them. Do you

  know I didn't think it would upset you

  too much. There are women who would

  have recoiled in shock and revulsion. But

  somehow I rather thought you would not

  be put off by it. You are a most unusual

  woman, Victoria."

  Not really, but I She broke off as

  she finally noticed the rest of him. Oh,

  my." Victoria gazed at him, mesmerized.

  He was hard and swollen in a state of

  full arousal and his masculinity appeared

  overwhelming to her inexperienced eyes.

  Well, at least your mind is off that

  damned scar," Lucas observed with wry humor

  as he tossed his breeches over

  a chair.

  You are very ." Her tongue seemed

  to grow awkward in her mouth. She

  moistened her lips and tried again. You

  are quite magnificent, my lord. Rather

  large, in fact. Bigger than I had imagined."

  She felt herself turning red as he quirked

  a brow. Not that I was quite certain just

 

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