She kissed him, silencing his protests with action. Sliding her fingers through his hair, she held him to her, and she pushed her tongue into his mouth just as he had done to her earlier. He groaned, and it encouraged her to keep going. She pulled his shirt from his waist and touched her fingers to the hard planes of his warm stomach, then slid down his body so she could kiss his smooth skin. The contrast of silky skin and crisp hair tickled her lips and sent pulses of need through her.
All of a sudden she was lifted up and flipped onto her back. Biscuit yipped and jumped off the bed. Edward rose up and for one horrible second she thought he was going to leave, but he simply pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it onto the floor then reached for the ties of her dressing gown. Once he had opened it, he ran a finger down the length of her collarbone, then over the taut peak of her raised nipple. She arched her back, wanting more, wanting to feel the heat of his bare skin against hers. Taking her cue from him, she divested herself of her dressing gown and pulled her night rail off over her head. Goose pimples immediately formed on her skin, and the cool shock of the sheets made her shiver. She had no idea where her boldness was coming from, but even with her inexperience, she recognized that what was between them was special, and she would never find it again with someone else. She was willing to take the risk, because being with him once was better than never feeling this way.
Not wasting a second, Edward bolted off the bed, removed what was left of his clothing in one fluid movement, and returned to her. As his gaze roamed over her body, she closed her eyes and wished she had doused the lamps, though the fireplace provided ample light as well.
“Isa, open your eyes.”
She shook her head.
He flipped her hand over and kissed the inside of her wrist, her palm. “Dearest, look at me.”
She gulped and opened her eyes.
“Do you trust me?”
She nodded.
“Then let me love you properly. No fear. No regrets.”
“No regrets.”
He sealed their agreement with a devouring kiss to her lips. His hand moved down her arm in a reassuring caress that continued over her hip. He pulled back to meet her eyes, then ran his hand up her side. The pad of his thumb flitted over her nipple, generating an answering response between her legs. She raked her nails down his chest then pulled him closer. He kissed down her neck and along her collarbone, then slid farther down and applied his tongue to her breast. Her hips lifted off the bed as his tongue circled her nipple then pulled it into the wet heat of his mouth and laved it with his tongue until she cried out.
Before she could recover, his hand slid down and cupped the apex of her thighs. She closed her eyes, embarrassed by the wetness between her legs.
“Isa, look at me.”
She shook her head and kept her eyes firmly closed. Heat suffused her face and neck.
“You needn’t feel ashamed. This is what is supposed to happen between us. It lets me know that you want me as much as I want you.”
Pressing his warm hand against her stomach, he held her in place as he slid down and kissed the insides of her thighs. She tensed, and he caressed the soft skin with his lips until she relaxed again. Then his tongue stroked the place between her legs, igniting a flame in her. She moaned, and he began moving more quickly, pressing his tongue hard against that fiery place, then teasing her with gentle licks before pressing harder again. Something was building within her. Something new and stunning that sparked inside her like a flame. He increased the pressure, giving her impossible pleasure before she finally exploded into ecstasy.
Before her breath slowed, he slid back up her torso and used his wicked tongue to stimulate her nipple. She moaned in pleasure and shoved her hands into his hair, holding his mouth firmly to her breast. The place between her legs throbbed, and she took his hand and pushed it toward that spot. Her need temporarily overwhelmed her embarrassment. He obliged instantly, pressing his thumb down hard on that most sensitive place and gently pushing one of his fingers up inside her. His thumb assaulted her while his finger moved gently inside, and she came apart again.
He glided up her body and kissed her. She opened her mouth and slid her tongue into his mouth to explore. The evidence of his desire for her pressed against her thighs, and she reached down and tentatively stroked him, then pushed him toward her opening. It was half agony, half ecstasy to have the soft skin of his manhood brush against her, and she lifted her hips, inviting him to slide into her.
“Are you certain this is what you want, Isa?”
She responded by grasping his hips and yanking him toward her. He entered her slowly, driving her wild until he hit a barrier and a hint of pain shot through her. “I think you’re too big.”
He laughed. “No, dearest. You are too small. We need to take this slowly to minimize the pain, but I’m afraid it’s still going to hurt the first time.”
The fact that he said first time implied that there would be a second time, which made her desire him even more desperately. Even if it was painful, she wanted him inside her, filling her up, making her feel whole at least for a little while.
“If it’s going to hurt, then it’s better to go fast. I don’t care if it hurts as long as you are able to feel the same things I’ve been feeling.”
He broke through the barrier in one thrust, and at first it hurt like nothing she had ever experienced, a searing pain that stole her breath. She didn’t allow herself to cry out, and a moment later, his warmth and assurance filled her. When he began to slowly move back and forth, the fire sparked again. He leaned down to kiss her, and his tongue moved to the rhythm of his thrusts. Moments later, they both exploded, and Isa’s last thought before she succumbed to exhaustion was to hope that the fieriness of their connection would fuse their souls together forever.
When Isa’s breaths became rhythmic with sleep, Edward eased himself off of her and rolled onto his side, then pulled her tight against him and tucked the covers around them. It was still full dark outside, so he had time before he needed to leave her to sneak back to his own chamber. She had nearly stopped his heart when she had said she didn’t mind pain as long as he could feel the same thing she did. No one else he had been with had ever given a thought to his welfare. She had a way of reaching inside to see who he really was, which both excited and terrified him. His wealth and status wasn’t what had attracted her to him. Given the way he had acted when they first met, she had viewed it as a detraction. She hadn’t begun to warm up to him until he relaxed around her and revealed who he really was. With her, he wasn’t the idle, freeloading son of a duke who had everything but valued nothing. Instead, for the first time, her regard made him want to be better, to do more. She challenged him, exasperated him, and tempted him in a way that no other woman ever had, and she had him thinking that the best thing for both of them would be to make their engagement real.
Chapter Fourteen
It was the warmth of the sun contrasting with the cool sheets and not the light that eventually woke Isa. She glanced around, hoping Edward might still be there, but of course he was not. It wouldn’t do to have anyone see him leaving her chamber in the bright morning sunlight. A lengthy stretch allowed her to catalogue the places that had stiffened during the night, but most of all, she was overwhelmingly content, despite the fact that she had taken a huge risk in being intimate with Edward. The chance to be with him, to experience true pleasure and happiness with someone she cared about at least once in her life, was worth any risk. She had no doubt that he was an honorable man and would take care of her in the event that a child should come as a result of her actions, but most of all she hoped that as they continued to grow closer to each other, she could find a way to make him understand why she had had to assume a false identity. This could finally be her chance to be happy, and she was going to do everything she could to make it happen.
She had slept much later than usual and someone had already taken Biscuit outside. She experienced a pang of g
uilt that she had barely seen Lady Concord over the past few days. Of course, once their engagement had been announced, no one expected Isa to continue as Lady Concord’s companion, but she still enjoyed her company. She would be sure to visit with her that evening, after they had explored the maze and hopefully found the tiara. Excitement swelled within her at the thought of spending the day with Edward, and she dressed quickly and hurried down the staircase just in time to spot him exiting the house.
“Isabella, do come eat something before we leave.” Louisa waved her into the breakfast room.
“Edward is gathering supplies so we can be prepared to explore the maze.”
Isa nodded and moved to the sideboard where the food was laid out. She selected a few slices of bacon and some toast and strawberry jam, and what turned out to be dried trout, which she would not be eating as she was not fond of fish. She really ought to pay more attention to what she was doing, but her mind was refusing to focus. After choosing a seat across from Louisa, she prepared her tea and started eating without paying much attention to the food.
“Mother is quite adamant that we take four servants with us. A footman to enter the maze with us, two grooms to manage our equipment and take care of the horses while we are within the maze, and a second footman to send for help if we get lost.” She frowned. “As I’m sure you can imagine, Edward and Thornbrook are not best pleased with the arrangements.”
“I’m surprised Her Grace is not joining us as well.”
“Oh, she wants to, but Father insisted that she had to remain to entertain our guests. He tried to make me stay as well, but Edward argued that you had to go to help decipher any clues we might find, and of course you cannot go without another female present.” Louisa ate more bacon. “It’s not as if this is my house party. If anyone has to stay behind, it should be Edward. Of course, now that you two are engaged, the purpose of the house party has been fulfilled, so I suppose my father is correct that he and Mother must remain to entertain our guests.”
Isa could barely follow Louisa’s dizzying explanation, perhaps because she kept listening for the sound of Edward’s footsteps in the corridor. She swallowed the last of her tea and stood. “Are you ready?”
“I’ve been ready for more than an hour, but Edward demanded that we not wake you.”
A thrill shot through Isa. Though she was unused to having anyone worry about her needs, she found it to be quite heartening. “I’m sorry to have slowed down the preparations. In the future, do feel free to ignore him.”
“They are still making their arrangements, so you weren’t really holding us up anyway.”
Her Grace appeared in the doorway. “Louisa, may I speak with you for a moment?”
She wiped her mouth and stood. “Of course. Please excuse us, Isabella.”
Isa sat down and refilled her tea. Footsteps sounded outside the door moments later, and Thornbrook entered.
“Good morning. May I join you?”
“Of course, my lord.”
He sat next to her. “I’ve already eaten, but I saw you sitting here alone as I was passing by. I thought perhaps you could use some company.”
“Thank you for your consideration, my lord, but Lady Louisa was called out for a moment. I believe she will return shortly.”
“Then we have no time to waste.”
“I’m sorry?” Isa said, wondering what he was about.
He leaned closer to her and lowered his voice. “I need your help. I find myself rather infatuated with Lady Louisa, but I don’t know how to get her attention.”
Isa nodded. “I can see how that would be an uphill battle for you. You might try simply behaving like a gentleman.”
“That’s not as easy as it sounds.”
“Yes, well, I’m certain if you apply yourself, the abrupt change in your demeanor will attract her notice.”
“Are you implying that I do not generally behave as a gentleman?”
“Even now, your gaze is a bit south of my eyes, is it not?”
His face colored and Isa nearly laughed. “You see my point.”
He nodded.
“Am I interrupting something?” a voice edged with steel said from the doorway.
Thornbrook snapped away from her, and Isa turned to look over her shoulder. Edward glared at them both, but surely he knew this was none of her doing.
Louisa strode up and stopped next to Edward.
“Thornbrook, I could use your help with the equipment. We’ll meet you outside shortly,” he said to Louisa, then left without addressing Isa.
“Do you think he is upset with me?” she asked Louisa.
“I suspect he’s jealous. Once his brain starts to function again, he’ll realize that it was all Thornbrook’s doing. He’s such a flirt. I wouldn’t be surprised if he did it just to get a rise out of Edward.”
They left the breakfast room, and Isa followed Louisa up and down several staircases and through multiple corridors before they stepped into the courtyard between the house and the stables. She adjusted her bonnet and waited impatiently for the horses to be brought out. Did Edward regret what had transpired between them, or was Louisa correct that he was simply jealous? She had so been looking forward to spending the day with him and learning more about him. Even if he was having second thoughts, she had no regrets about giving herself to him. It was worth it to have the memory of that night to carry with her forever.
Finally, a groom led their horses from the stables and helped Isa and Louisa to mount. Letting the horses have their heads, they ambled along the paths through the gardens. At long last, Isa spotted Edward coming toward them on his stallion, with Thornbrook and the grooms following along behind.
“Good morning. Are you ladies ready to explore the maze?”
Isa nodded, suddenly feeling an unexpected shyness with Edward.
Louisa glared at him. “What took so long? We could have left more than an hour ago.”
“Mother. She insisted on helping to collect the supplies we would need, including food, lanterns to navigate the maze, and a myriad of other things we now have to haul along with us. We have provisions for at least a week should we need them.”
“That sounds about right,” Louisa mumbled.
The sound of large items banging together reached her ears, and Isa glanced behind her to find two grooms driving a large cart full of supplies. She bit her lip to keep from laughing at Edward’s exasperated expression, but she couldn’t prevent the smile from forming on her lips.
“Not a word from you,” he whispered as he drew up beside her. “I thought we would never be able to leave. As it is, we may run out of daylight before we’re able to make our way through the maze.”
She giggled, but then he turned to her with a serious expression. “What happened with Thornbrook in the breakfast room?”
“I’m not sure. I think he’s feeling a bit lonely. Most of the mothers are not allowing him near their daughters.” Isa didn’t think it would be wise to tell Edward that Thornbrook was in love with his sister.
“Maybe, but that’s never stopped him before. I’ll speak with him about it later.”
Isa breathed a sigh of relief. It appeared that Edward had simply been jealous.
Yesterday, Edward had tied his handkerchief to the fence to mark the location where they needed to enter the woods to reach the maze, and Thornbrook’s cloth marked the boxwood that led into the maze.
Once they were far enough from the house, they allowed the horses to maintain a slow canter, not wanting to get too far out in front of the wagon. When they reached the first handkerchief, Edward jumped off his horse and handed him to a groom, then lifted Isa from her horse and slid her down his body, reigniting her desire for him instantly, even through all of their layers of clothing. He lifted her hand and kissed it, then turned to gather equipment from the cart.
Disappointment skittered through her, but she supposed he was trying not to do anything that might arouse suspicions about what had transpired be
tween them last night.
Louisa looped her arm through Isa’s, and they stepped into the maze. “What are we looking for?”
Isa recited the clue again. “Where the green cloak grows, light permeates the dark and deep.”
“So some sort of plant that grows over something dark and deep.” She nodded. “That won’t be at all difficult to find.”
Isa laughed at her strained expression. “We cannot count on the clue being what we think it will be. The green cloak might be the boxwoods, in which case, all we need to find is the dark, deep place within.”
“Are you talking about Thornbrook again?” Edward quipped.
Isa glared at him and continued. “There ought to be plenty of dark places inside the maze. But, of course, with it being so overgrown…”
“Not so fast, ladies.” Thornbrook drew up behind them. “We must stay together so no one gets lost in the maze.”
“He is correct,” said Edward. He handed each of them several strips of torn cloth. “We are going to place markers at each turn we take so it will be easy to backtrack if necessary. There may only be one way in and out of the maze.”
Isa realized the wisdom of this plan and wondered whose idea it had been. Though she wished Edward would talk to her, would give her some sign of his feelings after last night, he was, of course, focused on navigating the maze and finding the tiara. Hopefully they would be able to spend more time together when they returned to the house.
Edward stopped and turned toward them. “Does everyone agree that we should seek out the center of the maze?”
Isa nodded and glanced at Louisa. “Yes. We’ll simply have to hope that we come across any other clues during our journey to the center.”
They walked along in silence, the overgrown vegetation towering over them and mostly blocking the sun. There were places where other foliage had linked the two lines of bushes, which would make it all the more difficult to identify the green cloak mentioned in the journal. All of them were on pins and needles, waiting for a clue to reveal itself. Isa studied the boxwood, looking for any sign that there had once been an opening in the dense bushes. Louisa slapped at an insect, and Isa rubbed her neck where a long branch had scratched her. Sweat ran between her shoulder blades.
How to Bewitch an Earl Page 12
