To Refuse a Rake

by Kristin Vayden

  “A kiss.” Emma almost sighed the word, her breath suddenly stolen by nerves. She closed her eyes and waited, building up the courage needed. After a deep breath, she opened her eyes and made her way towards Hudson. He watched her with unabashed desire while a wicked grin toyed at his lips. As her focus narrowed to only him, no fear remained, only an exhilaration to be free from the ideas of the past, the freedom to truly love.

  When she arrived, she slowly reached out her hand to Hudson. Raising an eyebrow she waited. As he reached forward and grasped her hand in a possessive yet gentle hold, she was immediately overcome by warmth. It radiated through her body and created a stir of desire. She licked her lips and averted her gaze, trying to collect her self-control. When she glanced up, she saw his intense expression and his eyes widened and darkened with a smoldering quality that stole her breath. His jaw was rigid, as if he were restraining himself. But from what? Emma searched his eyes and tried to determine just what was going on in his head. Slowly, he leaned forward. Emma felt her heart race. Surely he didn’t mean to kiss her so intimately in front of the other guests? Yet his gaze held her captive and she knew it would be impossible to deny him if he indeed tried. Slowly, with a wicked tilt of his lips, he bent down to her ear. His breathing overcame any other noise in the garden and Emma felt the warmth of his breath tickle her flesh.

  “I would much rather surrender your prize in private.”

  Hudson exhaled a warm breath and blew it purposefully against her neck, causing gooseflesh to tingle across her skin even as her body lit with desire.

  He leaned back slowly, watching her with his chocolate gaze. Emma felt herself nod through the haze that surrounded her. She couldn’t help but return the smile he gave. A wicked, rogue gleam in his eye promised her prize would be worth the wait.

  “As honored as I am by Miss Kingsly favor, I would never wish to burden her lips with sin as dark as my own.” He bowed carefully and took a step back, as the crowd began to clap loudly.

  Emma’s face was warm with a deep blush as she glanced down then back up at Hudson, who stood wearing a knowing expression.

  “Few gentlemen indeed would pass up such an opportunity. Perhaps the rumors are indeed true. Your reputation as a gentleman may just overcome your… previous reputation, Lord Daventry.” Lady Linden’s voice rang out. She turned toward the onlookers. “Let us retire for dessert!”

  Emma followed the crowd back to the dining hall, her insides tingling and dancing with a million sensations that all focused on the anticipation of midnight.

  “Don’t forget, midnight,” Hudson whispered quietly on passing her. As he spoke, his hand grazed hers and squeezed her fingers slightly.

  “No. Don’t you forget,” Emma murmured back then winked and left him behind. Indeed, collecting her prize would be worth the wait.

  Chapter Twelve

  Hudson waited until just before eleven-thirty to escape his room. He wasn’t taking any chances of being late, nor did he want both he and Emma to leave at the same time and possibly raise suspicion. Just because he was going to ask for her hand, didn’t mean he wanted to take the choice away from her.

  More than a week earlier, he had asked permission for her hand from her uncle. Her uncle had written back shortly before the party and granted favor to his suit. All he needed was Emma’s consent, though that would be the hardest favor to win. Yet, hadn’t her public display been an affirmation? But marriage was a larger step than a requesting a gentleman’s polite kiss. Hudson chuckled to himself. The kiss Emma would receive would be anything but polite.

  As he opened his door, he glanced carefully down the hall. With utmost caution, he slipped out, taking care to close the door quietly behind him. As he took his first steps into the sparsely lit hall, the floor let out a great groan and Hudson froze. His heartbeat pounded loudly in his ear and he glanced about for a place to hide in case someone should open a door. After a minute he proceeded with caution until he was certain he remained undetected. Once down the hall, he made it to the staircase and out the door.

  The night was crisp but not too cool. Crickets sang and frogs called from down near the pond, creating a loud symphony. When he arrived to the orangery, he peeked in. Immediately, the sound of feminine giggling captured his attention and he closed the door until only a slight view was available. He listened. As the woman laughed a bit louder, Hudson closed the door completely, knowing full well the laugh did not belong to Emma.

  Hudson pulled out his timepiece. He still had a quarter hour until midnight. Emma would surely arrive soon, but he must intercept her before she arrived and embarrassed herself and the people… frolicking in the orangery.

  The sound of footsteps made Hudson glance about for a place to sink into the shadows. He hid against a wall of Ivy and waited. Another guest, Lady Alton, a widow widely known for her friendly nature stumbled, then righted herself. Casting a slightly glazed glance behind her, she quietly opened the door and slipped inside the orangery. Hudson bit back a chuckle. Surely the orangery was an eventful place this evening! He wondered how long it would take for the Lady Alton to realize her secret rendezvous with whomever, was in an occupied location.

  A moment later, Hudson heard more footsteps. This time it was Emma! As he was about to call out to her, he heard another person heading their direction. Quickly, Hudson leapt out from his hiding place and grasped Emma’s arm. When she started to scream, he covered her mouth, praying she would forgive him for frightening her when he explained why he had resorted to such extremes. After all, wasn’t he being noble in trying to protect her reputation?

  Emma struggled against him as he tried to pull her back into the shadows.

  “Emma, it is I. Please cease your struggling unless you want all the various gentry out tonight to witness me surrendering your prize,” Hudson whispered against her soft skin. His own body responded with immediate desire as he realized just how perfectly her body fit against his own. Struggling against the need to taste her kiss, he summoned all his self-control and slowly released her.

  “You nearly frightened me to death!” Emma scolded and smacked his shoulder. “Surely there was ano—”

  Hudson reached out and covered her mouth again with his hand, nodding in the direction of the approaching Lord Longton. Emma followed his gaze, her eyes widening.

  “Believe me, he’s just one of many.” Hudson whispered.

  Emma turned back to him with a confused expression clouding her beautiful features. The moonlight only offered a small amount of light, but it made her appear more ethereal and otherworldly than ever. Hudson’s heart hammered and his body pulsed with an intense craving. Just when he was about to taste her lips, Hudson heard another person approach. Lady Hodge!

  Thankfully Lord Longton hadn’t entered the orangery yet. His face lit up as he approached Lady Hodge and took her hand. Rather than entering the orangery, they headed to the maze.

  “I suppose that location is now occupied as well. I wonder, is anyone sleeping this night?” Hudson shook his head.

  “I must say I’m quite shocked to see my sister…”

  “Indeed. But you must know that I have single-handedly saved your reputation this night, fair lady.” Hudson bowed slightly.

  “As much as it pains me to admit it…” Emma gave him a wry grin. “Indeed you have, kind sir. I would have never guessed that midnight would be such an eventful hour.” Emma began to giggle.

  “Indeed. I almost interrupted someone else’s private interlude. Thankfully, I heard the laughter and… wait. What has happened to Lady Alton?” Hudson felt his eyebrows furrow.

  A loud scream rang through the air followed by Lady Alton stumbling through the orangery door and slamming it shut. She stood and covered her mouth, as if suppressing laughter. As she meandered back to the house, it became obvious she had enjoyed too much sherry earlier that evening.

  Hudson turned his gaze to Emma as she watched Lady Alton’s departure with stunned shock.

  “I don�
��t think I want to know…”

  “You do not.” Hudson chuckled and reached down to grasp Emma’s hand. Instantly, he noticed she wasn’t wearing gloves. The skin on skin contact was powerfully compelling and he caressed her flesh with his thumb, savoring the sensation.

  “I do believe we should find a more… secluded location,” Hudson murmured as he leaned forward. Her alluring scent of cinnamon created a hungry desire smoldering within him.

  Emma nodded, her eyes fixed on his.

  Hudson led her down a path and into a small grove of trees. A small bench sat hidden behind a hedge, and Hudson motioned for Emma to rest. Emma shook her head and took a step closer.

  Hudson watched her, captivated as her lips parted and her pink tongue darted out before she bit her lip. Surely she had no idea the extreme allure she held in such a tiny action! Gently, she reached up and with the softest touch, began to run her fingers through his hair. The sensation was overwhelming and sent a smoldering heat through his blood, even as his body relaxed to her touch. Unable to resist, he closed his eyes and leaned in to her as she teased his hair, first tentatively and then with more confidence.

  “Do, do you like this?” Emma asked softly.

  “Ah, I promise you that any touch you bestow on my person is of the utmost pleasure,” Hudson murmured.

  “But surely some are more… pleasurable than others,” Emma whispered.

  Hudson’s eyes opened abruptly and he studied her gaze. “Indeed, yet I believe that even the smallest graze of the fingers has meaning, allure, and holds a spark to ignite the flames of passion.” Hudson watched her as she studied his face then moved her hand from his hair to tracing his jawline. Hudson wanted to swear. Yet he kept himself rigidly locked down. Truly it was torture, to have the woman he desired more than breath to unknowingly weave the most powerful seduction over him, while he was honor-bound to resist. As miserable as the torture was, it was also the most glorious anticipation.

  “I believe you owe me something,” Emma murmured, her thick voice adding to Hudson’s already overwhelming desire.

  “You would be correct.” Hudson seized the opportunity to weave his own spell over her. Unable to resist, he reached up to tease her thick locks with his touch. Carefully, he began to unpin her simple style. When she opened her mouth to protest, Hudson leaned forward and teased her nose with his own, caressing her cheek and placing a playful kiss just at the corner of her mouth, effectively silencing her. As her hair fell from its place and cascaded down her shoulders, Hudson leaned back to gaze at her beauty. The golden locks appeared silver in the moonlight. Her skin was pale but almost iridescent against wide eyes that were filled with unabashed desire.

  Hudson swallowed hard.

  The seduction he was weaving was pulling him in deeper as well. With trembling hands, he gently touched her shoulder, then trailed his fingers down the fabric of her pelisse. The material was soft, but he wanted to feel, to taste her skin. Carefully, he bent down and found the soft flesh just below her ear. After he placed a tender kiss, he licked her skin, and inhaled the alluring scent of cinnamon. At Emma’s gasp, he repeated the gesture, but lifted his hands and began to peel back her pelisse. Without any resistance, Emma was removed of her coat. Hudson’s hands ached to feel her skin, and he rested both hands on her arms then trailed his fingers down, relishing her soft warmth.

  Emma released a sigh of contentment and tilted her head further, allowing him perfect access to the base of her neck. She trembled as Hudson trailed kisses down to the base of her throat and teased her flesh with his tongue, treasuring each sensation. Emma’s arms came up and grasped his shoulders tightly, as if she felt the need to anchor herself. Without further restraint, Hudson claimed her lips. Her response was immediate, as she gave whatever he asked. Over and over, Hudson ravaged her lips, savoring their flavor and memorizing their soft fullness.

  With his tongue, he plundered her mouth, insatiable for more of her. That sweet taste drove him near the edge of madness. He bound her with his arms and pulled her close until she seemed to melt into him. Emma’s arm wrapped around his neck and she tugged at his hair, sending him further into the reckless abandon of desire.

  It wasn’t enough. He wanted — needed — more of her. He greedily caressed her body with his hands as he reveled in each sensation of her doing the same. Emma caressed his lower lip with her tongue and Hudson heard himself groan. Never had he been so overcome! Never had he been so overpowered with desire! He broke the kiss and searched for a place to pull her closer still, to feel the weight of her above him, yet only the bench presented itself, and it was far too narrow. Emma’s soft kiss to his jawline broke through his frustration and offered him a rare moment of clear thought.

  “Emma…” he spoke with a thick tone, remembering all the other reasons he wanted to have Emma alone.

  “Hudson,” she moaned back. Immediately she placed a warm and inviting kiss to his lips.

  Hudson groaned and barely bit back a curse. No! He would resist the desire to take her now. He would resist so that he could have far more from her than just a romp in the grass. She was worth more than that.

  “If you keep kissing me like that, I’m afraid I’ll forget all I intended to say,” Hudson whispered hoarsely.

  “It’s good to know I have the same effect on you as you have on me,” Emma murmured, leaning in again.

  “Emma, wait.” Hudson released a heavy sigh and tried desperately to collect his thoughts and reign in his roaring desire.

  Emma’s gaze clouded over in a mix of confusion and hurt.

  “Emma…” Hudson started, searching her gaze and trying to figure out how to put into words what was overflowing from his heart.

  “Yes?” Emma spoke softly, as she clasped her hands in front of her.

  “Do you remember when you were nine and I asked to kiss you?” He knew she would, hadn’t she implied that already when she asked him to kiss her? Yet it was crucial that she get the full picture, that he fill in the details she couldn’t have known.

  “Yes… I thought you’d understand that when—”

  “I did, I did, Emma. I’m asking you for a different reason. Do you remember what I said after you refused?” Hudson took a step forward and brushed a strand of hair from her face.

  “You — you said that one day I’d ask you to kiss me and…” Her eyes narrowed. “And that I’d see you from across the room and wish I had said yes when you asked me.”

  “Indeed. Beautiful and intelligent.” Hudson traced her jaw with his finger. “But there is one more thing I said…” Hudson leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

  “I-I’m afraid I do not remember.” Emma spoke breathlessly.

  “I said, you’ll be holding your breath for my answer and you’ll know exactly what I’ll say.” Hudson finished and caressed her temple with the tip of his nose.

  “I thought that meant you would refuse me.” Emma spoke softly, leaning back and gazing into his eyes.

  “I must admit I spoke it in such a way to make you think that to be true. But you want to know the genuine answer?” Hudson asked, his heart pounding with anticipation and anxiety.

  Emma paused and watched him carefully. “Yes.”

  “Even from a young age, Emma, I never wanted you to belong to anyone but me. In a feeble attempt, I tried to claim you before your time and my pride was wounded justly. But even though I was young, I hoped that one day you would indeed see me as I had always seen you. That you would gaze at me from across the room and wish you had tasted my kiss. And I vowed to myself, if you ever came to your senses…” Hudson chuckled and Emma cocked an eyebrow. “If you ever found me half as desirable as I found — find you, dear Emma, I wouldn’t hesitate…” Hudson knelt and gazed up into a wide-eyed Emma. “To ask you to belong to me, and me alone. You see, when I said those words what I meant was that I wouldn’t hesitate to ask you to marry me.” Hudson swallowed hard and waited, each heartbeat pounding harder and each moment lasting for an eter
nity.

  “You… you… but you were such a — a rake,” Emma stuttered, clearly still processing the new information.

  “Because I convinced myself you were unattainable. I’m even now wondering if—”

  “Yes,” Emma interrupted, a glorious smile erupting through her features.

  Hudson sprang up and pulled her into a tight embrace. He couldn’t fathom! She had agreed! Without hesitation, he captivated her lips, reminding himself that they would soon belong to him and him alone. Each kiss would be sealed within the bond of marriage. She would share his bed, he would wake up each morning with her beside him and he would watch his children grow within her. Truly the victorious sensation was overwhelming.

  Drunk with passion and overwhelmed with love returned, Hudson lifted Emma into his arms and carefully lay down in the soft grass, careful to keep her on top. Without wavering she leaned forward and kissed him, straddling him and allowing her loose hair to create a curtain over his face. Straining against his own desire, Hudson could scarcely catch his breath.

  “Emma, I-I—” Hudson was on the brink of losing control. Her scent was stronger as he found himself surrounded by her. Her body’s warmth teased him. His hands dove into her hair. With a mighty groan he pulled her in tighter, moving against her in his own fit of lust. She responded with a gasp as she leaned harder against him.

  A loud scream pierced through the air. Hudson froze his frenzied passion but heard nothing but the pounding of his own heart. He glanced to Emma. She was staring at the house, her hair completely tousled by his feverish attentions and her lips deliciously swollen. It was enough to make him forget about any distractions. Another scream, this time louder, rent the air.