by HELEN HARDT
He responded with a fiery passion. She pressed her breasts against his hard chest and tugged his hair out of the queue so she could thread her fingers through it. He moved forward, their mouths clamped together, until her back was against the wall. Gently he separated her legs with his thigh. She rubbed her sex against him as his lips moved from her mouth to her ear, her neck, down between her breasts, which were swollen, tingling, and nearly bursting from her gown. He released one rosy globe from captivity and feasted on her nipple, covering it with wet kisses that landed like a flash of lightning between her legs. Her heart thumped against her chest, and moisture trickled in her drawers.
When Daniel returned to her mouth she fisted her hands in his hair, pulling him as close as she could as they kissed. They were both panting when Lily finally broke away. She hoped it was enough for him to forego his visit to his mistress on the morrow.
“Are you certain you don’t want to come to bed with me?”
No, she wasn’t certain at all. “Yes.” Her voice cracked. “I-I just wanted a good night kiss.”
“Dear God, Lily. Please. I’m aching for you.” His voice was full of passion and smoke as he pressed his forehead to the wall, aligning his head with hers. His hard cock prodded against her belly.
Her eyes misted with tears. She had made a terrible mistake. Now he was aching for her, and he would ease his hunger elsewhere on the morrow.
“I can’t. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t cry. Whatever it is, I’ll fix it.” He brushed a tear from the corner of her eye with his thumb.
“I’m just tired. Good night. I’ll see you the day after tomorrow, I guess.” She nudged him toward the door, gave his hand a squeeze, and closed the door silently. Then she threw herself onto her bed and wept into her pillow.
* * *
Thomas walked to the bachelor house, having escorted Emma to her chamber. Amelia Gregory, several yards ahead, walked toward him.
“Good evening, my lord,” she said when she crossed his path.
“My lady, what are you doing out at this hour unescorted?”
“Dear me,” she said. “I’m afraid I shall never get used to this large estate. I seem to have taken a wrong turn. And you’re right. It is late and I shouldn’t be about alone. Could I trouble you to see me to my chamber?”
“Of course, it would be my pleasure.” Thomas offered his arm.
Lady Gregory looked gorgeous in a pale tan ball gown that enhanced her shapely figure. Her dark hair had been swept up, braided, and fell in loops down her back. He took her to the door of her chamber and bid her good night.
“Won’t you come in?” she said. “I have some wonderful Armagnac. It was a favorite of Frederic’s, God rest his soul. I would so like to thank you for your chivalry.”
A night cap sounded good, and Thomas did enjoy a good brandy. What would be the harm? “Thank you, my lady. I would be obliged.”
She led him to a small table near the window of her chamber and bade him sit down. She brought a bottle and two snifters to the table.
“Allow me.” Thomas poured the dark golden liquid into the glasses and warmed one in his hand before giving it to her.
Amelia picked it up, swirling the fluid daintily, and brought it to her lips. “Shall we toast to your sister’s impending nuptials?”
“By all means. Lily has done well for herself.”
“I should say so. Landing the most eligible bachelor in England in a mere three days. One might think…”
“One might think what?”
“Oh, nothing,” Amelia said. “I’d much rather talk about you.” She took another sip of the Armagnac. “Why hasn’t a handsome eligible bachelor like yourself settled down?”
“I’m not quite as old as Lybrook yet.”
“Of course not. But your father no doubt has impressed upon you the importance of siring an Ashford heir, has he not?”
Thomas sighed. “Yes, I’m afraid he has. But he was two years older than I when he married my mother, so he can’t get too excited about it yet.” He took another sip. “My lady, this is excellent.”
“Yes, my Frederic adored it,” Amelia said. “Tell me, do you have anyone in mind for the position?”
“What position?”
“The position of mother to your heir, of course.”
Thomas nearly choked on the brandy. “Well…I haven’t given it a great deal of thought, to tell you the truth.”
“Of course. A man like you doubtless enjoys his freedom.”
Thomas grinned. “I won’t deny it.”
“I know exactly what you mean. Though I adored my dear Frederic—may he rest in peace—I, too, have become accustomed to a certain amount of freedom since his death. Being able to come and go as one pleases, without answering to another, is liberating.” Amelia topped off their snifters. “May I speak frankly to you, my lord?”
“By all means.”
“I’m a lonely widow. There have been rumors, I know, about various exploits that I have allegedly engaged in, but most of them are completely untrue. Not all, of course. A woman has needs, you know. But the majority are unfounded. It has been quite a long time since I have been…intimate with a man.”
Thomas cleared his throat. He was no fool. She wanted to bed him.
Amelia lowered her voice to a husky rasp. “I find you very interesting and attractive, my lord.”
“I’m flattered, my lady. However, you should know that my heart lies…elsewhere.”
“It’s not your heart I’m interested in.” Amelia finished her brandy, stood, and moved behind Thomas’s chair and began to massage his shoulders. “You’re so tense, my lord. I’ve always thought it must be difficult for men of your station to balance all of your responsibilities. I know it was for my Frederic.” She moved down to his upper arms, kneading his muscles tenderly, and leaned down to his ear. “I can help ease your tension.”
Thomas fidgeted in his seat. The tickle of her breath on his neck aroused him, and his cock stiffened. She was nothing if not tempting. He placed his hands over hers and pulled her around to face him.
“What exactly is it that you’re after, my lady?”
She sat down in his lap and entwined her arms around his neck. “A night of passion with you, my lord.” She lowered her mouth to his.
Chapter 14
Lily slept late the next morning, waking to Rose’s gentle nudging at half past eleven. She opened her eyes to find herself on top of her covers, still in her ball gown from the previous evening with one breast precariously exposed. She hastily tucked it into her gown.
“Lily, you look terrible,” Rose said. “Your eyes are puffy and streaked with tears. I didn’t bother you when I came in last night, though you were sleeping fitfully. Can I do anything for you?”
“No. I’ll be fine. I do hope I haven’t ruined my gown.”
“I’ll call to have it laundered and pressed. Come on, let’s get you out of it.”
Rose helped Lily undress and rang for a bath for her. Lily sat in the tub limply, holding a cloth soaked in hot water to her face.
“Ask the kitchen to send up some cucumber slices, will you, Rose?”
“Whatever for?”
“My eyes. It’s a trick the duchess uses. I’ll show you when they get here.”
“All right.” Rose quickly rang for a servant and dispatched the order. “Now,” she continued, “tell me what’s going on.”
Lily sighed. “The duke went to London today. He won’t be back for dinner.”
“Is that all? Don’t tell me you miss him.”
“Of course not.” But she did. “It’s just that, there’s no reason for him to go to London except to…”
“To what?”
“Visit one of his mistresses.” Tears welled up in Lily’s eyes.
“Why would you think that?” Rose said. “He probably has business to attend to.”
“Any business could be conducted here. All of his bankers, stock analysts, solicitors,
and whomever else he needs are right here. Even his personal physician is here, for goodness’ sake.”
“That doesn’t mean—”
“Of course it does. And it’s my fault. I told him I wouldn’t sleep with him again until we were married. I did it to punish him, and I’ve ended up punishing myself. Now he’s going to find someone else to… Oh, I can’t bear it!”
“You do love him. I knew it,” Rose said, smiling.
“No, I don’t.”
“It doesn’t matter whether you admit it. It’s obvious to me. I’m the closest person in the world to you. I know your thoughts before you do sometimes, as you do mine.”
“Rose…”
“The duke adores you, Lily. He may very well be in love with you. Why would he risk what the two of you share for an afternoon of physical pleasure?”
“It’s no risk for him. He’s forcing me to marry him anyway. I asked him to take me with him, and he refused. Besides, it’s his way. You know his reputation as well as I do.”
“We know only hearsay. We have no proof that he keeps mistresses or visits brothels.”
“I have proof.” Lily covered her eyes with the soft moist cloth. “I’ve met one of his mistresses.”
“Dear Lord, who?”
“Lady Amelia Gregory. She’s here at Laurel Ridge.”
“Not that woman who sat next to Thomas at dinner?”
“That’s the one.” Lily dropped the cloth in the water and straightened her back. “Which reminds me, we must find Thomas. I have reason to believe that she has set her sights on him, now that the duke and I are betrothed.”
“Why would you believe that?”
“Because she told me so. She’s a horrible woman, and Thomas isn’t known to be discerning.” Lily reached for a towel and stepped out of the tub.
“You seem to be feeling a little better,” Rose commented.
“Not really, but I can’t sit here feeling sorry for myself when our dear brother may very well be in danger from that harpy.”
“I suppose not. Let’s get you dressed. We can go fetch him from the bachelor house and talk him into lunching with us.”
“Splendid. But first I must lie with cucumbers on my eyes for about half an hour. You should try it too. Then we’ll have just enough time to find Thomas. After lunch I’ll get Brandy from the kennels and take her on a walk. Then maybe I’ll paint.”
“Sounds like you’re trying to get your mind off something. Or someone.”
“Perhaps.”
“I know. Why don’t you and I go riding?”
“I ride abhorrently, Rose.”
“Only because you don’t try. Wait. I know what will put a smile on your face. Let’s go back to the hot pool!”
Lily couldn’t help giggling. “Maybe… Although I did promise Daniel that I wouldn’t go back without him. But he’s not here, is he? He’s with his strumpet in London. So why not? Let’s do it.”
“I’m glad I thought to pack my bathing clothes. Did you bring yours?”
“Yes,” Lily said. “I suppose that would be prudent, given that many are out and about on the estate today.” Lily fetched the plate of cucumbers that a maid had left on one of the night tables. She handed two slices to Rose. “Lie down and put these over your eyes.”
“If you say so.”
* * *
The girls found Thomas lazing on the front terrace of the bachelor house with half a dozen other young lords.
“Jameson, your sisters are among the most beautiful creatures on this estate,” Lord Victor Polk said.
“Tuck your eyes back in their sockets before I bloody you,” Thomas said. “This one’s spoken for, as you well know.” He kissed Lily’s cheek. “I doubt Lybrook would appreciate your ogling. And this one”—he kissed Rose—“is under my complete protection. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”
“We want to have lunch with you,” Lily said.
“Where’s Lybrook?”
“In London. All day. So Rose and I thought there was nothing we would rather do than take a meal with our charming brother.”
“I was planning to take a leisurely lunch here at the house.”
“You’re mad, Jameson,” Polk said. “Turning down lunch with two delightful women to stay here with a bunch of bachelors.” Then, to the girls, “I’ll have lunch with you two lovelies.”
“So will I,” another young lord said.
“No, you won’t,” Thomas said. “They invited me. All right then, I’ll grace the two of you with my dashing presence. Although, knowing you as I do, I think there must be an ulterior motive at work here.”
“Why would you think that?” Lily asked innocently.
“Because I’m familiar with your work, my dear.”
Polk let out a snorting laugh.
“Nonsense.” Lily took his arm. “We’ll see you gentlemen later.”
“I shall take not one breath until you return,” Polk said, smiling as he bowed deeply.
“Then you’ll be dead when we return, you fool.” Thomas turned to his sisters. “My God, he thinks he’s such a heartbreaker.”
“He’s quite engaging actually,” Lily said. “As you recall, I spent some time with him our first night here. Ally was taken with him also.”
“She seems to prefer young Mr. Landon,” Thomas remarked.
“She prefers his fortune,” Rose said dryly.
“You can hardly blame her, Rose,” Lily said. “The earl left them penniless, and she doesn’t want to be a burden to Papa and Mummy.”
“She’s no burden,” Rose said.
“I know that, and you know that, but how would you feel if the situation were reversed? I wouldn’t want to be dependent on someone else’s good will either.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
They chatted until they reached the side of the main manor. Thomas flagged a servant and requested that lunch be served to them on the side terrace.
“So, my lovely sisters,” Thomas said, holding chairs for each of them, “what is it that you want to say to me?”
“Nothing Thomas,” Lily said. “Tell me, how is Emma?”
“She’s fine.”
“Are the two of you getting serious?”
“Lily, I’ve known the girl for less than a week.”
“The duke and I have only known each other that long.”
“You make a good point. What about you and Xavier, Rose? What’s going on there?”
“We’re talking about you, not Rose,” Lily said.
“He said he was going to ask Papa for permission to court me,” Rose said. “To my knowledge, he hasn’t yet.”
“Let’s get back on subject, shall we?” Lily snapped. “What are your feelings for Emma?”
“I’m fond of her. She’s attractive and bright, and I enjoy her company. But that’s it. I’m not looking for a wife. Now, tell me what you really want to know, will you?”
Lily sighed, rolling her eyes. “Fine. You really think you can read me like a book, don’t you?”
“Yes. Go on.”
“It’s Lady Amelia Gregory, Thomas. I want you to stay away from her.”
“What?”
“You heard me. I have reason to believe that she wishes to”—Lily lowered her voice—“seduce you.”
Thomas shrugged. “Why would you believe that?”
“She told me so. She wants the duke, actually. She intimated that if she can’t have him, she’s going to take you.”
“So I’m to be yesterday’s leftovers if she can’t have today’s gourmet feast?” Thomas smiled lazily.
“That’s not what I meant. I’m just saying that she may try to lure you into her bed.”
“She already has.”
“Oh, God.” Lily groaned. “We’re too late, Rose.”
“Thomas, really,” Rose said. “I should think you would have more sense.”
“Holy hell,” Thomas said. “Do the two of you really think I’m no more discriminating
than a stag in rut?”
“You are a man after all,” Lily said.
“I’m not Lybrook, damn it. I have no interest in the widow Gregory.”
Lily widened her eyes. “You know about their affair?”
“It was never a secret.”
“So you didn’t sleep with her?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but no, I didn’t, although she was quite persuasive.”
“Thank goodness.” Lily sighed, relieved. “She’s bad news, Thomas.”
“Yes,” Thomas agreed. “There were rumors after her husband died. They weren’t even married a year.”
“How did he die?” Rose asked.
“I did some asking at the bachelor house. He fell down a flight of stairs in their London home six or seven years ago.”
“How terrible!” Rose gasped.
“He was only forty-five years old, and Lady Gregory was twenty. She was a commoner, you know. The gossip was that she married Gregory for his fortune and did away with him. But nothing was ever proven.”
“Oh Lord,” Lily said.
“What is it, Lily?” Rose asked.
“It’s just a little disconcerting to know that my intended didn’t have the sense to stay away from such a money-grubbing trollop. What has Papa gotten me into?”
“Lybrook is a good man, Lily,” Thomas said. “I mean that. He’s not the only man on earth to ever get blindsided by a seductress. In fact, he’s in the majority.”
“You men are all pigs,” Lily said dryly.
“Men are simply men,” Thomas replied. “On that note, may we please change the subject? This conversation has gone far beyond the limits of what I’m comfortable with. Why can’t I have sisters who are loathe to mention body parts in the company of men?”
“You’re not a man, Thomas, you’re our brother,” Lily said.
“Yes, but I agree with him,” Rose said. “Let’s change the subject. Discussion of Lady Gregory has become tedious.”
“You don’t have to convince me,” Lily said. “I can’t abide the little hussy.”
* * *
Amelia watched them from a distance—the two little Jameson shrews lunching with their devilishly handsome brother. He wouldn’t be stupid enough to tell them about her failed seduction attempt. It irked her, though, that he hadn’t wanted her. He was as attractive as Daniel, but in a different way—dark and classic as opposed to blond and exotic, the image of his father, the Earl of Ashford.
