Romancing an Alluring Lady: A Historical Regency Romance Book

by Lucy Langton

  Hugh sat down on a chair near Kitty to where he could hold her hands in his. He enjoyed the warmth it brought him, and he shared a kind smile with her. He wasn’t looking forward to relaying the truth of all that had happened and hoped that she was strong enough to bare it.

  “How are you feeling now?” Hugh asked, seeing that her cheeks had plenty of colour.

  “I feel better now that I’ve eaten something,” Kitty assured. Hugh nodded his head, knowing he wouldn’t be able to delay any longer.

  “Kitty, you should know that the carriage incident wasn’t an accident,” Hugh started with. Kitty looked at him with surprise in her eyes as she tightened her grip on his hands. “Lord Harding was brought before the court and found guilty on multiple accounts. First, he pleaded guilty for having raced before my carriage to cut down the oak tree with the help of his servants. The fallen tree was meant for me, and he never knew that you were inside.” Hugh could see the shock in Kitty’s eyes as she thought about his words. He waited several minutes for Kitty to understand the meaning of his words before he continued.

  “So, you are saying that Lord Harding has been brought to trial already?” Kitty ended up asking next. Hugh nodded his head, his mind returning to the memories of having attended the trial at the Royal Court.

  “The Royal Magistrate himself took personal interest in the trial. There had been a murder in an alleyway that had left a dear friend of his dead. Not only has Lord Harding pleaded guilty to many crimes to include attempted murder, blackmailing, and bribery, but also cold-blooded murder,” Hugh explained. “Lord Harding tried to blame me for the death of the Earl, and that is why the Royal Magistrate summoned me to begin with.”

  “And all of this has been detailed in the papers?” Kitty asked, the colour seeming to drain from her face. Eventually, Hugh nodded his head, confirming perhaps some of her fears.

  “The papers detailed everything. From how you refused his proposal even when he’d told everyone that you two had been engaged. And then Lord Harding killing the Earl and blaming me for it in hopes of winning you back. Followed by blackmailing Miss Talbot into inviting you to the opera so she could then drug me and have you discover us together,” Hugh explained. “Everything came out in the papers after Lord Harding confessed to it all in hopes of getting a kinder sentence.”

  “And what did happen to Lord Harding?” Kitty asked in a soft voice. Hugh didn’t want to add any more sorrow to Kitty’s mind, but he feared he had little choice in the matter. If he didn’t say something, she could easily discover it all in the papers for herself.

  “Lord Harding was hung this morning,” Hugh explained. Kitty covered her mouth with her hand then, pulling away from Hugh as she did so. Aunt Matilda wrapped an arm around Kitty’s shoulders as she hugged her niece.

  “I just don’t understand why he would do such a thing,” Kitty eventually said. “There were other young ladies in Town he could have chosen to marry. Plenty that would have accepted him. Why did he have to go through so much trouble to try to win me over?”

  “Sometimes we can never understand why men do the things they do,” Aunt Matilda said as she tried to comfort Kitty. “Men who think they are in love will do all sorts of things to try to remain in love. Or perhaps, Lord Harding wasn’t used to being told no.”

  “What I think happened was that Lord Harding was looking for a bride with a hefty dowry,” Hugh said. “If what I learned about the man was true, he was quite far in debt and needed to marry quickly to start paying back some of the men that he owed small fortunes too.” Kitty shook her head then. Hugh knew that her brother had assigned her a large dowry, and it would easily make her an easy target for Lord Harding. But now that the man was dead, Hugh was certain that Kitty would be able to live a more peaceful life at his side.

  “Such darkness and treachery,” Kitty commented once she regained her composure. She even allowed Hugh to take her hands back in his. “Whatever happened to Miss Talbot?”

  Hugh sighed before saying, “Her name has been run through the muck that is for sure. Not only was she named as Lord Harding’s accomplice, but she also confessed to several of her own ill doings, to include becoming a mistress to a few different men.” Kitty shook her head, seeming to have a hard time believing those words.

  “But why would she do such a thing? She was a young lady from a reputable family. She had good connections. Why would she allow herself to fall so low?” Kitty asked out loud.

  “I don’t think we’ll ever know the answer to those questions,” Hugh admitted. “She might have simply become a scandalous woman after first bedding a man.”

  “This all seems like a great fictional story that I’ve woken up to.” Kitty sighed deeply. She looked up into Hugh’s eyes and gave him a small smile. “But I am glad to be awake and to be with you.” Hugh smiled at her in return, glad that she could see the bright side of their new life together.

  “And even though this has been a lot of dreadful business, seeing the two of you together really warms my heart,” Aunt Matilda added, a twinkling in her eyes.

  “Then it seems you’d appreciate hearing that I plan to make Kitty my wife as soon as she’s up to it,” Hugh said with a smirk, making Aunt Matilda’s eyes grow large as a bright smile came onto her face. She began to pat Kitty’s leg with her hand as excitement seemed to build up inside of her.

  “Oh, what joyous news,” Aunt Matilda eventually was able to say through her excitement. “I had always hoped you two would end up together.”

  “Well, it seems your hope has come true,” Kitty said, confirming Hugh’s words. She held her aunt’s hand with her right while Hugh kept hold of her left. It filled him with great pride to see both of these women so happy. They’d both been a part of his life for so long that it was good to see that their families were finally joining as one.

  “You will have to write to your brother at once to see if he can come straight away for the wedding,” Aunt Matilda said.

  “Oh, I hope that William can make it,” Kitty said as she turned her eyes on Hugh once more. “We may have to wait some time to hear a response from William and then await his arrival back in Town.” Hugh squeezed her hand softly, wanting to reassure her.

  “I don’t mind waiting if it means your brother can attend the wedding. William and I never really saw eye-to-eye as young boys, so it might be good to postpone till he can arrive in England once more,” Hugh agreed.

  “Yes, William was always more interested in books than he was with playing outside,” Kitty said with a giggle. “It surprised me when he wanted to travel abroad after the death of our parents, but I guess it makes sense that he finally wanted to go on his own adventure instead of reading about the adventures of others.”

  “I too would love to hear about his adventures,” Aunt Matilda added. “It’s been almost three years since we’ve seen him, and I think it is about time he comes home for a while.”

  “With Kitty and I marrying, I think it would be reason enough for Lord Worthington to make his grand return to England,” Hugh said. “We could even make it a social affair.”

  “Oh, wouldn’t that be lovely?” Kitty exclaimed. “With all our names currently being run through the muck, the arrival of my brother back in England would make the perfect opportunity to throw a ball. Surely everyone would want to attend.”

  “You two always thought up the most humorous schemes,” Aunt Matilda spoke up. They all chuckled at the comment that Hugh knew was absolutely true.

  “Well, it is settled then. I shall post our engagement in the papers and the details that our wedding will happen upon the arrival of Lord Worthington in England,” Hugh declared.

  “My goodness, all this excitement has seemed to wear me out,” Kitty said then as she closed her eyes for a moment. Hugh was instantly concerned as he leaned forward on his chair, wanting to gather her in his arms once more.

  “Are you alright?” Hugh quickly asked.

  “Yes, I’ll be alright,” Kitty said
as she opened her eyes once more. “I just think I should lay down for a bit.” Hugh wanted to protest, that she’d been asleep for the last few days and certainly couldn’t need any more. But he wasn’t going to press Kitty when he was simply being overly worried. Hugh summoned Kitty’s lady-in-waiting then and watched as the women returned upstairs.

  “Don’t worry, Hugh,” Aunt Matilda said at his side. He looked down at the older woman then and gave her a small smile.

  “I will try not to,” Hugh replied as he watched his beloved return upstairs.

  ~*~

  It took several days before Kitty felt like herself again. She was finally able to fall asleep and rise at a decent hour without needing to take a long nap in the middle of the day. She regained her strength by taking frequent walks through the gardens outside of Hugh’s home. It was pleasing to think that one day soon she’d be mistress of this house. The townhouse had been designed so lovely that Kitty could easily see herself in this house without needing to change anything.

  Aunt Matilda was a constant guardian to Kitty as she continued to spend time with Hugh. Kitty reasoned that her aunt was making sure that nothing inappropriate happened between her and Hugh. And though Kitty could feel her passion rising for Hugh, she had remained discreet until they were able to marry.

  Kitty had taken the time to write to her brother with the joyous news that she and Hugh would be married as soon as he could make it to England. She also included the details of hosting a ball in honour of his return in the event he could come straight away.

  Kitty knew that they’d have to wait weeks for a reply and perhaps even longer as they waited for William to arrive, but Kitty kept reminding herself that there wasn’t any rush. She could simply enjoy spending time with Hugh with the thought of their upcoming wedding always in her mind.

  But sometimes Kitty found it very difficult to keep her hands to herself. She enjoyed the warmth of Hugh’s embrace or the feeling of his lips on hers. Since the carriage accident, Kitty had longed to feel Hugh’s lips on hers again. Hugh had placed kisses on her forehead and hand but hadn’t kissed her fully on the lips anymore. Kitty often wondered why Hugh was no longer being bold with her any longer and figured it had come time to discuss such things.

  Having just enjoyed lunch together, Kitty was walking through the gardens with her arm resting on Hugh’s. It was a warm spring day, and many of the rose bushes had begun to bloom. The scent in the garden was strong with the smell of flowers that had just started to appear after a long winter.

  Kitty loved walking in the gardens and relished in the warmth of the sun. It was even better when she could enjoy the views with Hugh. Aunt Matilda had retired for the afternoon, still needing to rest before the evening time. It was the perfect opportunity to speak privately with Hugh in the meantime.

  “Hugh, I’ve been thinking about something for the last few days,” Kitty spoke up as they turned around a bend and became hidden from sight amongst all the rose bushes and hedges that had grown tall.

  “And what is that, my love?” Hugh asked as he looked down at her. They came to a stop then, and Kitty turned to face him straight on.

  “Tomorrow I’ll be returning to my own townhouse till we are married since I have regained most of my strength,” Kitty said. “And I know we will be able to visit one another often until our wedding, but I fear we will lose our opportunity to show one another affection freely compared to when we are separate once more.” Hugh seemed to understand the meaning of her words as he looked away from her then and ran his fingers through his hair. She could see the colour that had risen to his cheeks and wondered if she’d embarrassed him.

  “I have very much enjoyed having you close by during your recovery,” Hugh admitted. “So much so that it’s been a constant temptation. Therefore, I have tried to keep my hands to myself.” Kitty smiled then, liking the idea that she had such a strong effect on him.

  “Well, you know. I wouldn’t hesitate if you did try to show me affection,” Kitty said with a smirk. “I’d actually be willing to return the gesture as well.” Kitty stepped forward then and rested her hands on his chest, forcing him to look at her again. As she stared into his green eyes, she watched as they darkened with desire.

  “If I started, Kitty, I don’t know if I would want to stop,” Hugh confessed. “I’ve come to love you so much that I desire to show you just how much I care about you in the most intimate way. But, I will not disrespect you by taking your innocence before we are married.”

  “But what if I was willing to give you my innocence?” Kitty asked as she bit her lower lip. Hugh moaned then, his eyes going to her lips. He placed his hands on her hips and drew her closer. Kitty’s heart beat in her chest then as she waited patiently to feel his lips on hers once more. But after a few seconds, Hugh ended up creating space between them as a smirk came to his lips.

  “I never thought you’d be a temptress, Kitty,” Hugh said as he took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

  “You’d be surprised how convincing I can be when I want something,” Kitty quipped as she placed her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around him. Hugh at least returned her embrace, but it wasn’t long before she could feel his member pressing against her stomach. The feeling of it there sent a thrill of excitement through Kitty and she was eager to feel for herself what it meant to be a real woman.

  “Are you sure you want to wait?” Kitty asked as she leaned back and looked up at Hugh. She pressed her hips against his, suggesting what she really desired. Hugh closed his eyes for a moment as his mouth fell open. He sounded like he was growling as he appeared to be wrestling with his emotions.

  “Kitty, you will be the death of me,” Hugh said as he opened his eyes once more. He then lowered his mouth quickly and claimed her lips once more. Kitty moaned against his mouth as her arms came up and wrapped around his neck. She felt the warmth of his kiss spread throughout her body as she closed her eyes and let him ravish her lips.

  She parted their lips with her tongue, eager to taste him. Hugh moaned as she fought against his tongue, pulling him down closer to her as his arms encircled her and pulled her hard against him. She grinded her hips, pressing the fabric of their clothes against their most sensitive parts. Kitty could feel his member throbbing against the confines of his trousers. And when she lowered her hands to undo them, that was when Hugh broke their kiss and quickly grabbed her hands in his.

  They stood there, both breathing hard as they stared into one another’s eyes. Kitty was waiting for Hugh’s next move, to allow her hands to seek out what she desired. She licked her lips then, trying to move her hands from Hugh’s, but he only held them tighter.

  “Kitty, we mustn’t,” Hugh said in a husky voice. Kitty could tell that his words did not match his feelings, and she couldn’t understand why he would refuse her after everything they’d been through. The papers continued to publish distasteful articles about them, and Kitty wanted to feel even closer to Hugh to prove the criticism all wrong.

  “But I’m sure you’ve been with plenty of willing women,” Kitty said as she tore her hands away from Hugh and created space between them by taking a step back. “Why are you treating me any different?”

  “Because unlike those loose women, Kitty, I love you and only you,” Hugh retorted. He crossed his arms over his chest then as he looked down at her like a child who has just been caught doing something they shouldn’t. “I will not do you wrong by being intimate with you before our wedding day, despite how we both feel for one another.”

  Kitty shook her head then, not understanding why Hugh would deny her this pleasure and passion. She longed to consummate their union when they’d have to wait weeks to be officially married. Not knowing what else she could possibly say to Hugh, she turned from him and made her way back inside the townhouse.

  At the door, she looked over her shoulder having half-expected Hugh to be right behind her. But she was disheartened to see that he hadn’t followed after her. Feeling
put off, Kitty went inside and went to her bedchamber to gain a little peace and quiet. And more importantly, to regain her composure as tears came to her eyes.

  Chapter 18