Scarlet Kisses

by Tish Westwood

  Robert stood. “Harry,” he called while smiling at Alyssum.

  “What?” Harry grouched.

  “You better look away because I’m about to kiss your sister.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Robert and Alyssum were married two weeks later. Harry had demanded a quick wedding.

  They were pronounced man and wife in the town’s small chapel. Mr. Potting, the vicar, had performed the ceremony.

  Robert had sealed their vows with a strong kiss that had made Alyssum’s toes curl inside her white slippers. He had then, to everyone’s astonishment, lifted her in his arms and carried her down the aisle and into the carriage.

  All the guests traveled to the Lambert estate where the wedding luncheon was being held.

  As Alyssum, Violet and Lilly stood to one side chatting happily, the men stood next to each other, watching them.

  “Congratulations, Robert. You found your Scarlet and married her,” Duke said.

  “Well, I’m glad you were able to leave the herd of the ton and join us.” Robert raised his flute of champagne to his friend and then took a sip. His gaze traveled over to Alyssum, as it did every few seconds.

  “Wouldn’t have missed it,” Duke replied. “But it seems I missed quite a lot.” He noted Robert’s bruises.

  Jackson laughed. “You missed a whole lot. You should have seen it, Harry and Robert rolling around on the grass. Harry trying to kill him. Robert half-dressed and running for his life.”

  “Yes, it was all good fun,” Robert replied sarcastically.

  “Well, it was enjoyable hitting you,” Harry said then stopped a passing maid to take a drink off her tray.

  “So, one of us is married,” Duke sighed.

  “And it better stop at that,” Tucker said emphatically.

  They all laughed at Tucker’s seriousness.

  “I’m so excited.” Caroline beamed then reached over to pinch Alyssum’s glowing cheeks. “I’m going to have some grandbabies.”

  Lilly and Violet laughed.

  “It may take some time, Mother,” Alyssum whispered and blushed. While Alyssum had been planning her wedding, her mother had been planning the nursery.

  “Oh tosh, Robert will take care of that for me.”

  Violet and Lilly laughed.

  “Ah, here are my boys,” Caroline exclaimed with a bright smile as Harry, Robert, Jackson, Tucker and Duke stepped into their circle.

  Robert moved to stand by Alyssum’s side and brushed the back of his hand against hers. Alyssum, uncaring of watchful gazes slipped her hand into his. Robert curled his fingers around her hand with a happy smile.

  “Countess, your beauty shines brighter than any star in the sky,” Jackson announced as he pressed a gallant kiss on Caroline’s gloved knuckles.

  Caroline chuckled and beamed

  “I would like a dance with my wife,” Robert said and looked down to Alyssum.

  “But no one is dancing,” she replied with a soft smile.

  “And?” He arched a brow.

  A smile curved Alyssum’s lips as she nodded. Lilly took her glass of punch and Robert led her to the centre of the room.

  Alyssum hadn’t worn gloves for this exact reason. She wanted to feel his hands in hers. Skin to skin. As the violins played and the guests watched, Robert swayed them into a waltz. His hand branded her back as he held her closely and turned her about the room.

  Robert lowered his lips to her temple and whispered, “I prefer you in the scarlet gown.”

  She smiled with a soft laugh and her body relaxed into his hold. Her white wedding gown swished around her legs.

  Lilly escaped the watchful eyes of Rickton and her parents. She took solace in these few precious moments when she was alone. But she was only free for a second before someone else entered her haven, the library. She turned from the window and stiffened as she watched Jackson West close the door behind him. Much to her annoyance, her heart skipped a beat then began beating wildly as he stared at her. He approached her, coming closer and closer, making her body come alive in awareness. She frowned at her reaction to him. Her body had never done this before.

  “Miss Darrel,” he drawled as he came upon her, his height making her tilt her head back. To be more precise, it was her small stature, rather than his height.

  “Mr. West,” she clipped back, glad her voice was steady.

  “So what are we going to do about this?” he asked, slipping his hands inside his pockets.

  He shifted closer and she stiffened as his coat brushed against the bodice of her dress. Her breasts suddenly felt swollen and her nipples ached for touch.

  “About what?” she snipped, angered that her body responded to his close proximity. Her gown was now too tight and the room too warm.

  “This…” he waved his hand between them, “…heat.”

  “Heat.” Lilly scoffed as her belly fluttered with nerves. “You must be mad.”

  Jackson grinned. “So you don’t want me to kiss you?” he asked, his eyes alight with mischief.

  Lilly turned her head to the side, shifting her gaze away from him, from temptation.

  Must be a lady.

  “I can see it in your eyes,” he continued tormenting her. “Your hungry, wanting eyes take me in every chance they get.” Jackson leaned closer. “And don’t tell me you don’t want me. When I walked into this room your eyes practically ripped off my breeches.”

  That was enough. Lilly whipped her gaze back to him and shoved him, her hands connecting with his chest.

  He stumbled back in surprise, a laugh escaping him. “I’m sorry, have I upset you?” he asked in mock sincerity as he stepped towards her, closing the distance between them once again.

  “You are no gentleman,” she retorted in anger while her body warmed to his closeness.

  “No, I’m not.” He swooped down and caught her mouth completely off-guard.

  Her hands connected with his chest and she shoved him hard. He moved back, releasing her lips.

  A gasp of astonishment escaped her as his mouth left hers. Lilly covered her mouth with her hands as her eyes stared up at him, wide in shock. He had kissed her. Now he just stood there, watching her. Her breath panted wildly against her palms. Don’t. Don’t. Don’t you dare. Be a lady, her inner lady screamed to her. But she was lost.

  Lilly dropped her hands from her mouth and grabbed his coat lapels. She dragged him forward, stood on her tiptoes and pressed her mouth back to his.

  Jackson responded instantly. His caught her face and tilted her head for his kiss. A groan rose from him as he slanted his mouth firmly over hers and took possession.

  Lilly held onto his coat and let him sweep her away. Her legs went boneless and her head swirled in pleasure as he kissed her deeply and sinfully. She had never been kissed like this.

  He groaned roughly as he thrust his tongue inside her mouth and caressed her. Her back was suddenly pressed into the bookshelf and his body aligned with hers, allowing her to feel every hard inch of him. He stole all sanity from her mind.

  Small moans of desire rose from her as he took possession of her entire being with a kiss.

  When Jackson suddenly felt Lilly pushing her hands at his chest and not pulling, he released her mouth with reluctance and stepped back. He felt his own breath coming from him in quick, harsh gasps. His pulse was leaping, his blood boiling, his body flaming. He watched her as she regained herself.

  Lilly brushed the skirts of her pale blue gown with trembling hands and took deep breaths.

  “Ah-hem,” she cleared her throat delicately then rose her gaze up to his.

  Her expression was cool, the fiery minx now gone, replaced by the prim lady she acted. Jackson missed the minx already.

  “Excuse me.” She stepped past him and strode across the room. She opened the door then left.

  Jackson raised his fingers to his lips. He could still feel and taste her.

  He waited a moment before returning back to wedding luncheon. A broad
grin curved his lips all the way.

  Alyssum looked over the crowd that had joined to celebrate their wedding while she danced with her husband. Her gaze caught and held on something. She furrowed her brows as she watched Lilly appear through a closed door. Her friend’s cheeks were flushed and her lips looked…swollen. Alyssum drew her brows closer as Lilly looked around her then walked away. Alyssum gasped as she watched Jackson West come through the same door looking like a satisfied rogue.

  Robert followed Alyssum’s gaze, having heard her gasp. He saw Jackson and the look on his face. “Hmmm,” Robert hummed above her head.

  “If he did something…” Alyssum’s voice held a strong warning.

  Robert twirled her into another direction. “Like what I did to you?” he asked with a wicked grin.

  “Exactly,” Alyssum exclaimed while trying to find Lilly again.

  “Tell me you love me,” Robert ordered while smiling down at her.

  Lilly and Jackson drifted from her mind as she gazed up at Robert and found him smiling lovingly.

  “Why should I?” She smiled.

  “I like hearing the truth.”

  “I like you making me say it.”

  He lowered his head and caught her mouth with his in a swift, firm kiss.

  “Robert,” she scolded him. Her mother was watching them.

  “Are you ready to talk?” He arched a brow while his eyes held laughter.

  She laughed softly and dipped her chin faintly in answer.

  Robert grinned. “Say it,” he whispered.

  “I love you.”

  Robert sighed deeply in pleasure then leaned down to kiss her lips. This time she didn’t scold him but kissed him back.

  “Oh and Robert,” she whispered as he released her lips.

  “Yes?”

  “I want a daughter first,” she announced with a beaming smile.

  Robert’s own smile lit up his face.

  Much to Robert’s joy the guests slowly began to leave. Robert and Alyssum stood by the front door saying their farewells to their friends. As the people filed out slowly, Robert kept one hand on Alyssum’s back.

  “Be good to him,” Jackson spoke to Alyssum.

  “I’ll try,” she replied with a smile.

  “Jackson.” Robert offered his hand.

  “Lambert.” Jackson winked to Alyssum then left, walking down the front steps and hopping onto his horse. He was heading back to London.

  “Sweetheart,” Alyssum’s mother cooed and gave her a tight hug. “Now don’t be a stranger, you visit anytime.”

  “I will.”

  Caroline pulled back with tears in her eyes. She dabbed them with a handkerchief.

  “I’m right next door, Mother,” Alyssum reassured her. “I’ll see you soon”

  “But not too soon.” Robert grinned. Her mother smacked his shoulder and Alyssum blushed brightly.

  Robert’s grin slipped as Harry stepped up. They were still on shaky ground.

  Alyssum stepped closer to Robert while giving Harry a stern glance that said no hitting.

  “You make her cry, even once,” Harry said, “I’ll shoot you.”

  Alyssum’s eyes widened and Robert nodded with a quirk of his lips.

  Harry walked down the front steps and entered the family carriage. Violet waved before the carriage rolled down the drive.

  As soon as Robert closed the doors he released a long sigh. “Alone at last,” he exclaimed.

  Before Alyssum could reply, Robert swept her up into his arms and began carrying her towards the stairs.

  “What are you doing?” Alyssum laughed as she wound her arms around his neck.

  “Something I’ve been dying to do for the past two weeks,” his impassioned voice rang through the entrance hall as he climbed the staircase.

  Alyssum heard the sound of giggling maids and a blush heated her cheeks while desire heated her body. As lust kindled inside her, she leaned in and kissed his ear. A wickedness rose from within her and she took his earlobe between her teeth. Robert half-laughed and half-groaned. She became jostled in his arms and found he was now running down the hall towards the master bedchambers. She laughed at his eagerness and kissed his cheek.

  When they entered the bedchamber, Robert kicked the door shut behind him, set Alyssum on her feet and then his mouth was ravishing hers. He took her face into his hands then scattered kisses over her cheeks, jaw and her mouth. Alyssum’s light, happy laugh chimed through the room.

  With a moan, he set his mouth back to hers and shoved his coat off his body. As the coat dropped to the floor, Alyssum untied his cravat while he unbuttoned his waistcoat. They both discarded the items of clothing then Robert wrenched his shirt from his body.

  With his upper body bare, he moved to undress Alyssum.

  She felt the tugs at her back as he unlaced her as quickly as possible. She squealed as she heard a tear. “Don’t rip it,” she cried. “I want to keep it.”

  Robert kissed her into silence and finished removing her dress, making sure not to rip anymore of the silk. He pulled it down over her body then tugged her out of the material gathered around her feet.

  “Married one day and you’re already ordering me around,” Robert chided while smiling down at her.

  Alyssum smiled then laughed as he gathered her back into his arms and took them to the bed. When he placed her on the soft mattress, Alyssum shuffled backwards to the centre and watched as he climbed up after her.

  “I have another order,” she announced with an impish smile.

  Robert grinned then covered her body with his, taking her down onto the mattress. “Do you now?” He tilted his head then leaned in to kiss her neck.

  With a moan, Alyssum arched her neck to him and glided her hands over the warm skin of his back. She had missed his touch over the past two weeks.

  “Yes,” she said, remembering what she wanted to say.

  Robert reached down and removed her shoes. He slid his hands under her shift then smoothed them up her legs. He clutched her thighs. “You better tell me now because in a few minutes you won’t be able to form any words in that sweet brain of yours.”

  Alyssum chuckled and pressed a kiss to his cheek. She caught his head in her hands and brought his ear to her lips. “You will be removing your boots this time,” she whispered to him then laughed as he groaned. She turned her head and kissed him. As her mouth sent him into a frenzy of passion, he took her hands from his face and wound them around his neck.

  “That is an order I can happily see to,” he replied against her lips.

  With a bright, inviting smile Alyssum, parted her legs.

  “Is there anything else you would like from me?” he asked as he removed her stockings, gliding the silk down her legs.

  “Yes.”

  Robert raised his head and looked down at her with a raised brow. “What will it be this time, wife?” he said.

  “You have to promise me something.”

  “What would you like me to promise?” he asked as she wrapped her legs around him.

  Alyssum was filled with joy as she stared at the man she loved, her husband, her Robert.

  “That you’ll never stop loving me,” she answered.

  Robert pressed his beaming smile against her lips. “Easily done,” he promised. His kiss was filled with all the love and devotion he felt for her. “Easily done.”

  And just as he promised, in a few minutes Alyssum wasn’t able to form any words.

  About the Author

  At seventeen Tish Westwood read her first romance novel and became an avid reader of the genre. At eighteen she wrote her first novel and by nineteen was offered a contract with Samhain for Scarlet Kisses.

  Tish resides in Australia with her family, two cats and two dogs and the wild life in her backyard.

  Her heart longs for justice, but her body clamors for sin.

  The Runaway Countess

  © 2012 Leigh LaValle

  Once the darling of high soci
ety, Mazie Chetwyn knows firsthand how quickly the rich and powerful turn their backs on the less fortunate. Orphaned, penniless and determined to defy their ruthless whims, she joins forces with a local highwayman who steals from the rich to give to the poor.

  Then the pawn broker snitches, and Mazie is captured by the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire. A man who is far too handsome, far too observant…and surely as corrupt as his father once was.

  Sensible, rule-driven Trent Carthwick, twelfth Earl of Radford, is certain the threat of the gallows will prompt the villagers’ beloved Angel of Kindness to reveal the highwayman’s identity. But his bewitching captive volunteers nothing—except a sultry, bewildering kiss.

  And so the games begin. Trent feints, Mazie parries. He threatens, she pretends nonchalance. He cajoles, she rebuffs. Thwarted at every turn, Trent probes deep into her one vulnerability—her past. There he finds the leverage he needs and a searing truth that challenges all he believes about right and wrong.

  Warning: The delicious, if left-brained, hero might forever change all you think you know about the Robin Hood legend. Contains razor-sharp wordplay, skinny dipping and tortured hearts.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for The Runaway Countess:

  Meek. She would play meek.

  She would absorb all his barbed anger and give him nothing to fight against. She would be honey and molasses, everything sweet and slow.

  A lock scraped open and Radford filled the doorway, all broad shoulders and dark mood. He brought the mud and rain with him on his clothes.

  From the corner of her vision, Mazie watched him step into her room and close the door. He studied her for a long moment. “Miss Mazie, I presume.”

  She let her feet shift nervously on the floor but did not move her eyes. “Yes, my lord.”

  He walked closer. His muddied boots reached up to his knees and gave way to powerful thighs. He was strong, of a physical nature. “I’ve been dragged all the way from London for this unfortunate bit of business.” Low and firm, his voice played across her nerves like drums before a battle. “My magistrate Harrington tells me you have refused to assist our investigation into the Midnight Rider.”