Tears pricked at Tricia’s eyes. Tabbie was one of the strongest people she knew. It was high praise. “Thank you,” she murmured, wrapping her arms about her sister.
As they pulled through the gate of her London home, Tricia saw the front door open as first the butler and then her mother and brother stepped out to greet them.
Ryker dismounted to help her out of the carriage and she saw her mother’s eyes flit over him. As Tricia stepped down, her mother gave her a glowing smile. “You’ve finally made it. I have wonderful news.”
Tricia would have to explain to her mother why they were late though it wasn’t a task she looked forward to. She was rather taken aback at her mother’s informal tone and words in front of a stranger. While Ryker was familiar to her, her mother had yet to meet him. Whatever she was about to say, it must be quite important. “What news?”
“Your father is up and about,” she announced as Luke helped Tabbie down.
“How fantastic!” Tabbie exclaimed as she leaned into Luke.
“Let’s move inside to discuss it further,” she declared as she glanced at her sister again. “Do you have time to join us, Your Grace?”
Her mother’s backbone straightened at the address.
“Just a moment, if your mother would permit it.” He gave her mother a gentle smile before he winked at Tricia
“Of course, Your Grace.” Her mother said as she gave a slight courtesy, her duchess façade was now firmly in place.
“Mother, may I introduce the Duke of Landon.” Tricia’s insides fluttered. Though Luke had already consented to the match on her father’s behalf, her mother’s opinion surely mattered.
“Charmed,” she bowed her head and then gestured for everyone to follow them inside.
They made themselves comfortable in the front sitting room, as Tricia leaned over to Luke. “Tabbie needs to lie down as soon as possible.”
With a terse nod, he helped his wife into a chair.
As Tricia sat upon a settee, Ryker joined her. Her mother’s eyes were fixed upon them. “It is a pity you can’t stay, Your Grace.” Her mother gave him a warm smile. “Tonight we will have a bit of a celebratory dinner.”
Ryker gave her a nod. “I’ve pressing business this afternoon, but with your permission, I would be honored to return.”
Her mother’s eyes lit with approval. “We would be delighted to have you.”
Ryker rose then. “It is settled then. I will see you all this evening.” And then he leaned over to kiss her hand before exiting the salon.
The moment he was gone her mother stood. “Why have I not heard about His Grace?”
Tricia swallowed. “We only met a few days ago, Mother, while getting pasties for Tabbie.” She cleared her throat as discreetly as she could. “And of course, he attended the ball last evening.”
“Has he made his intention to court you known?” Her mother’s brows raised.
It was Luke who answered. “Actually, he’s asked my permission for Tricia’s hand. He does not participate often in society and does not—”
“Did you accept?” her mother interrupted, her hands clasped in front of her.
“I did, Your Grace,” Luke answered, his own posture tensing.
“Excellent news,” her mother replied and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. “I always knew you’d marry well, my sweet Tricia.”
“What about me,” Tabbie grumped from her chair. “You didn’t think I’d marry well?”
“Darling, don’t be silly. I mean, I worried a little. Your insistence on hiding behind potted plants was concerning and then, of course, the sharpness of your tongue.” Her mother took a breath to continue but Tricia cut her off.
“Mother, the ball last night overtaxed Tabbie. She needs to rest.” Tricia stood. “Luke, why don’t you escort her upstairs to lie down? I’ll see that a tray of food gets brought up.”
Tabbie looked at her gratefully and Tricia realized, that somewhere along the way, she had stopped looking to Tabbie for answers and had begun to protect her sister as Tabbie had always done for her. And now she was to marry, start a family of her own, and do the work she’d always wanted to do. Her father was better, Fenton safely returned and tucked into a hospital. Ryker had brought more joy to her life then she had ever imagined possible.
Chapter Eleven
Ryker returned home to change before he made his way to Tabbie’s family home. It would be important to make a good impression this evening.
The day had gone far better than he’d ever expected. While he questioned his former solicitor, the Prince Regent had taken it upon himself to capture the marquess for his crimes. Ryker still wasn’t sure how he’d been able to act so quickly. But he’d find out. He had an audience with his liege first thing in the morning to discuss the details, but tonight, he would turn his attention exclusively to his bride-to-be.
The family had already assembled in the salon before dinner, and he knew the moment he entered that the mood was jolly.
Tricia rose as he was announced, her smile glowing.
Luke gave him a nod and a wink that told him his new friend had made all the arrangements with the duchess.
Taking Tricia’s hand he tucked it into his elbow. “Thank you for having me.”
The duchess gave him a nod. “As family, you are welcome anytime.”
“Most kind,” he returned. “If there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know. I know His Grace has been ill. Is there work I can perhaps help with?” He’d be lying if he didn’t say there was an added bonus to offering his help. Nearly unlimited access to Tricia. Except, of course, the nights. He was going to have to figure something else out. Because two weeks until their wedding seemed like a dreadfully long time.
The duchess blinked, but then she smiled. “How wonderful. We’d like that very much.”
“I’ve a meeting first thing in the morning but then I will begin. Perhaps Teddie would like to join me? It’s a terrible bore but important nonetheless.”
Teddie nodded eagerly as Luke slapped the young man on the back. They would become his family in a way he’d never had before.
The rest of the evening passed in contented bliss. He enjoyed Tricia’s mother and brother as much as he did Luke and Tabbie.
But as it grew late, Ryker glanced at Tricia. He didn’t want to leave her. A wild plan to attempt to sneak into a duke’s home was forming in his mind when Tabbie interrupted the conversation.
“Mother, would you mind terribly if Tricia stayed with us again this evening? Unless you need her help with Father?” Tabbie leaned back in her chair. “She has been such a help and I have been feeling dreadful the past few days.”
“Tabbie, we shouldn’t discuss such things,” her mother waved her hand. “But of course your sister can stay with you.”
Tricia looked mildly confused but Luke gave him a wink. Ryker did not raise his eyebrows though his curiosity had been piqued.
A valise was packed for Tricia and then both carriages were brought to the front of the house. Tricia climbed in with her sister and brother-in-law and Ryker waved goodbye.
As his carriage began rumbling down the cobbled streets he was contemplating whether he’d have to wait outside Luke and Tabbie’s home to make sure that Tricia did not attempt to sneak to his. Though if she did, a wolfish smile turned up the corners of his lips, he’d simply have to make sure he gave her a proper escort.
But all at once, his carriage came to a halt.
He peered out the window to see what was happening when the door snapped open. Ryker grabbed at the pistol on his waist but it was only Luke’s grinning face. “Don’t shoot,” he held up his hands.
“Bloody hell,” he grumbled as he stashed the pistol away. “What do you want, scaring me like that?”
But instead of answering, he stepped aside and handed Tricia up into the carriage. “I thought after today you two would need some time together, as much as Tabbie and I did.”
Tricia gave him a
glowing smile. “If you think I am bad, you should see the schemes these two come up with.”
Ryker was too happy to answer and then Luke was gone, snapping the door closed as Tricia launched herself into his arms. He held her tightly as he kissed every inch of her face and then devoured her lips.
“How did they get my driver to stop?” Ryker asked between kisses.
“Who knows,” she replied with a smile. “I’m just glad to be here.”
He kissed her again, long and slow. “Excellent point.”
Threading her arms around his neck, she twined her fingers in his hair. “What shall we do with all this time?”
He chuckled. “I think some rest is in order after the day you’ve had.” He kissed her again. “I’ll have to tuck you into my bed straight away.”
He felt her tense for just a moment before she relaxed again. “That sounds lovely.”
Easing back from her a bit, he kept her on his lap, kept his arms firmly around her. “We can wait to be intimate, I simply want you next to me where I know you are safe. Where I can hold you in my arms.”
Her breath caught then, and she gave him another glowing smile. “That is…” The words caught in her throat for a moment. “So thoughtful.” She kissed him again. “But I want to be with you.”
He smiled against her lips before his kisses began in earnest again.
“But I should warn you,” she said pulling back a little. “You might have to hire a new staff.”
He chuckled, “They will be discreet.”
She hardly noticed when the carriage rolled to a stop nor could she have found her way to his bedchamber again. She had no idea if any of the staff saw them because, as he carried her in his arms, he continued his onslaught of kisses.
She did hear the door bang into its frame but it barely registered as it clicked closed again. The next moment, she was under him, a soft feather mattress cushioning her body as his weight pressed into her. It was divine.
She was aware at how deftly he undid the tiny buttons on her bodice, how easily he maneuvered the strings on her corset. “You’ve done this before,” she managed to say as she tugged at his cravat without much success.
His lips slowed then as he leaned back and cupped her face with his hands. “I must confess, in my youth, to indulging a time or two. But I want you to know that this is something different entirely.”
Tricia wondered if she should confess that she didn’t understand. But as his lips nuzzled at her neck, her collarbone, and his hand began to slide up her body, to remove her shift, she forgot the question.
Just before taking the garment off, he stood and stripped all but his breeches off. The sight of his lean, muscular torso nearly undid her, but she blinked several times, trying to focus.
“What makes this different?” she finally blurted out.
But she almost instantly regretted it, because rather than pressing against her again, he sat down next to her. “My feelings for you,” he said as he reached to caress her arm, her shoulder. “They make me far more concerned about giving you pleasure than receiving my own.”
“Oh,” she sat up then, her arms wrapping around his neck. “Show me everything.”
He pulled her tightly against him and the feel of his back against her bare arms was delicious. She wanted to strip the rest of the clothing between them and feel every inch of his skin.
“It’s going to take a while to show you everything.” He gave a low guttural groan from deep in his throat. “But I think I know where we might start.”
Then he lay her back down and stripped off the last of her clothing. As his lips trailed kisses down her body, the heat and need built inside of her.
He stopped to suck on each of her nipples and she thought she might perish from longing.
As he skimmed his lips down her torso, he massaged her thighs higher and higher until his fingers were desperately close to the most intimate place. She knew that she wanted him to touch her there. And without meaning to, she found herself pressing closer in need.
Finally, he skimmed his fingers along her seam and a moan escaped her lips. Then, he placed a kiss in the same place. Her hips bucked of their own volition and she was lost in her desire.
As he increased the tempo, the pressure, she cried his name as she broke apart, shattering as she dug her hands into his hair.
“Tricia,” he groaned as her waves of pleasure finally subsided.
She wanted to hold him close and so she found herself tugging on his shoulders to bring him back against her chest.
He fumbled with his breeches as he moved back up her body and the moment his chest pressed against hers, the tip of his manhood touched her seam. Rather than be frightened, she found it to be…exciting.
Without realizing what she was doing, she thrust her hips up to feel more of him and found that he slid inside of her. “Tricia,” he gasped this time and she nearly chuckled. He seemed incapable of saying anything else. She managed to hold it in, sure that laughter was not appropriate now.
But she wound her arms around his neck and pressed a kiss to his lips. “Doesn’t this feel like the beginning? The start to the rest of our lives?”
“Yes, my love,” he murmured against her lips. “I never realized how much I needed you until you were here.” He thrust inside her and she felt a pinch of pain but he stilled and kissed her over and over. “I’ve been missing so much. You have brought such color and warmth to my life.”
Emotion swept through her at his words. “And you to mine.”
Then he moved again and rather than pain, pleasure radiated through her.
They moved, nearly as one, as pleasure built again. Never had she felt more connected to one person. In her heart, she knew that what she felt for Ryker was forever.
It was with that thought that her passion broke again, and then he groaned, his own release following hers.
As they lay twined in each other’s arms, Tricia knew she’d found exactly where she was meant to be.
Epilogue
Ryker stood before the priest, Luke just to his right, and Teddie beside him. He hadn’t been alone with Tricia since their one night together, but waking up with her curled into his side had felt like the most natural act in the world.
By contrast, having been separated, especially after that unconventional courtship, had been difficult to say the least. But it ended tonight.
His mother had made the journey to London for the occasion and her father was even able to attend the ceremony.
The doors swung open and the organ began to play.
Ryker turned toward the door and caught his breath at the sight of Tricia. Her ivory gown fit her perfectly, molding to her beautiful curves and complimenting her auburn curls.
While a veil shadowed her face from him, his fingers itched to lift it up and look into her beautiful hazel green eyes.
As she and her father slowly approached, Ryker attempted not to fidget. He wanted her hands in his.
“Soon enough,” Luke whispered.
“What is soon enough?” Teddie asked, looking at the two men. The boy had proven an apt student and was as charming as his sisters. Fortunately for the dukedom, he had less of a penchant for trouble.
“When Ryker will have your sister by his side,” Luke whispered.
“Do you love her?” Teddie asked, his face growing pink.
Ryker gave his soon to be brother-in-law a grin. “With all my heart.” He reached behind Luke and gave Teddie a pat on the shoulder.
“Most marriages aren’t for love.” Teddie lifted his chin back up, giving Ryker a questioning glance.
At fifteen, it was natural to wonder about such things. “Each man chooses what is most important for himself. But I can say that your sister is best for both my dukedom and for me personally.”
Teddie nodded. “And you’re the best for her. Even Mama says so. She said Tricia would have stuffed herself in some hovel otherwise.”
“We’ll finish this later,” Lu
ke said as he clapped Teddie on the back.
Tricia came to stand next to him, her father placing her hand into Ryker’s. A warmth spread through Ryker at the touch. This was where Tricia belonged. With him. And he was meant to be next to her.
For just a moment, he leaned his head down to rest his forehead against hers. “I love you,” he softly whispered.
Her fingers squeezed his, and though he couldn’t see them, somehow he knew there were tears in her eyes. “I love you.”
As her father returned to his seat next to her mother, Ryker heard her say, “Unbelievable. Two love matches.”
Tricia suppressed a giggle as her father replied, “Yes, dear. See what happens when you raise your children correctly?”
“I’m going to have to remember that one.” Tricia gave his hands another squeeze.
Ryker took a deep breath. He was sure their children would follow their hearts.
My Duke’s Deception
Wicked Lords of London Book 2
Tammy Andresen
Coming in May of 2018
Theo tipped his glass of whisky back and finished it in a single swallow. His third in as many minutes. Any moment now the burning liquid would begin to numb the fresh wave of loss he’d felt before coming here.
His last lead had gone cold. For the past two years, he’d been searching for his sister. The one person in this godforsaken country that he loved. Or maybe it was just him that had been forsaken. He wasn’t sure.
“I’ll have another,” he waved at a barmaid, who grimaced in response. He wasn’t certain if that meant she wouldn’t serve him or she just disapproved. He hoped it was latter because he needed the forgetful bliss alcohol could provide. The worst part was, he was part of the reason Camille was gone.
“Bloody hell,” he murmured under his breath as the memories replayed in his mind. She’d come to him for help but he’d turned her away. Why had he done that? He knew the reason of course, but it still made no sense to him. He’d been mired in his own difficulties and sure they were more important than whatever Camille was about to say.
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