The Locket [The Rotherham Hall Mysteries] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Clair de Lune

  “Oh, no, my dear, do not look down. There will be times when I shall want you to look down and not meet my eyes, but at this moment I want to gaze into your soul.”

  How different they all were. Rafael commanded and dominated her, and she suspected he did the same to his brothers. Antonio was jesting and merry, but with the same steel underlying his words and actions not to be gainsaid. Angel was intense and worshipful, caring but masterful in his way. How could she be attracted to three such men? What was to become of her, and how on earth would she be able to choose one over the other?

  Before she had time to make sense of her emotions, the waltz ended. and Angel took her back to her aunt, bowed correctly, and withdrew.

  Once again, the three danced with no other lady and spent the rest of the evening propping up the wall of the ballroom. When her aunt gathered up her belongings and moved to leave, Alicia felt them stir and move towards the door. Sure enough, when they were handed their evening capes, the three brothers were close upon their heels. Lady Gwendoline engaged them in conversation, but beyond the mere commonplace, nothing was said. She noticed that they did extract the information that the ladies were going home directly and not on to any further entertainments.

  Rafael took her hand and said,

  “Will you do me the honour of driving with me in the park tomorrow?”

  She consented, and he bowed low over the hand she extended, squeezing her fingers and mouthing, “Later.” And then they saw her and her relations to their carriage, bowed, and were gone.

  Chapter Six

  She dismissed her maid, who was looking very tired. Alicia had a twinge of conscience. All this extra sewing and refurbishing was falling on her poor Bessie, who had gone with her from her father’s house and stayed to be her maid all the years of her marriage. She said, “In future, Bessie, you will not wait up for me. I can perfectly well manage on my own. You need your sleep.”

  “Oh, but, my lady, I could not.”

  Alicia said, “But you will. I insist. You are doing much more work than you used to and not getting any younger. A good night’s sleep will do you good and keep at bay those migraines.”

  In the end, Bessie agreed, and Alicia felt better.

  Once Bessie had departed, she drew on a dark walking dress, took up her black opera cloak with the hood, and stole out of the side door of the house, through the garden, and out of the gate. She took the key to the gate with her and locked it behind her.

  The door in the black carriage at the end of the road opened, and a hand was held out to her. Rafael helped her into the carriage, and the door closed. He tapped on the roof. They were moving. He pulled her onto his lap and removed her cloak, laying it over the opposite seat. He took her face in his hands and kissed her. As soon as his lips met hers, she opened for him, and he dipped his tongue inside gently to begin with, but soon urgently, demanding, dominating. He ripped her wits away, and she was little but a sensuous being following his lead and burning under his touch. His tongue danced in and out of her mouth, tangling with hers and inflaming her senses until she was all fire and feelings. She felt his hand cup her breast and, through the cloth, gently caress, then tweak, then flick her nipple. She cried out in ecstasy. She had never felt anything like this. He moved his hand to her other breast, and soon her back was arching, pressing her breast into his hand. Wanting what? She did not know, but she knew there was more and that he would take her where she had never been before and she so longed to go. She felt him open the buttons of her bodice and tug at the ribbons of her chemise slowly, far too slowly for her liking. She wanted him to go faster, but he took his time. She heard the tearing sound but did not care. Her chemises were worn and almost threadbare. All her money went on the outer wear to keep up appearances, and there was little enough for that. He stilled and said, “I am sorry I have torn your chemise.”

  “It is of no consequence. It is old.”

  She reached up and bent his head to kiss him deeply and passionately in order that he forget the chemise as he fondled her ripe, firm breasts. Then he bent and suckled one hard little nipple into his mouth, and she bit off the shriek, fearing the coachman would hear.

  Rafael must have understood, for he chuckled then and said, “He is well paid to be deaf and dumb.”

  He took her other nipple into his mouth, flicked his tongue over the tip and then suckled hard, and she could not bite off the shriek this time.

  “Straddle my legs, and put your knees on the seat on either side of them.”

  He helped her as she struggled to comply in the rocking coach. Then she felt the cool air on her bottom as he flipped up her skirts, arranging them over her shoulders and out of his way. He caressed her bottom and murmured in her ear.

  “I have long wanted to feel this beautiful little bottom in my hands.” He kneaded and caressed her until she moaned and collapsed into him, her head on his shoulder. His hand slid down between them and tangled in the curls on her pussy. He tugged and twisted them, and she felt it was just a little painful but arousing nevertheless. She felt how wet she was. One long, strong finger slid into her puffy folds, down, down, and she held herself still as she waited. Then he dipped it inside her cunt, and she moaned. He withdrew, and soon three fingers were pumping into her, curling as he withdrew them and stroked her.

  “Oh God!” she exclaimed. She had never felt a sensation like it in her life. It was incredible, almost too pleasurable to bear. She arched her back, threw back her head, and gave herself up to the all-consuming delight. She panted and writhed and heard a strange keening sound and realised it came from her but could do nothing about it while he continued to stroke whatever part of her body was causing her such pleasure. It was too much to bear, but she needed more. He seemed to sense it, and his strong, calloused thumb pressed on her little pearl, and he growled.

  “Let go now!”

  She felt her blood roar in her ears as feelings she had never experienced before took possesion of her body. She saw stars and felt like she was flying, soaring. She reached the crest and, oh, she was falling back, but he pressed again and sent her back up to the stars and beyond. This time as she started to fall, she felt the hot press of his cock as it entered her. It stretched her cunt, and she tensed, expecting pain. He entered her slowly and carefully, for which she was grateful, until he was fully inside her. Then he flexed his hips and, taking hold of hers, he moved her up and down. She was full. She was impaled on his cock, which was rubbing against that self-same spot and sending her senses reeling again. He lifted her up and down until she realised that she could do it herself. She took over, and his hands returned to her breasts, squeezing and flicking and tweaking her nipples. She was going mad with pleasure. It was too much. She could stand no more. Then he pressed on her clit again, and for the third time she took off for the heavens. She heard his groan as the muscles in her cunt convulsed, and then she felt the rush of hot semen deep inside her as his hips bucked and he, too, found his release.

  He held her close and stroked her back and her hair and kissed her gently as gradually she regained her senses.

  “Where? What?” She could not think, could scarcely breathe.

  “We are circling Green Park, and I will take you home when you are ready.”

  She was not ready yet. She lay in his arms, her head on his shoulder, and enjoyed the aftermath of what she realised was the very first time she had been made love to. She could not process all her thoughts and feelings. They were too intense, and she was sated. She was too tired, really bone weary, but oh so happy.

  Chapter Seven

  True to his word, Rafael took her in the carriage to the end of her street and got down first. He looked around carefully then helped her down. He walked with his arm about her waist, supporting her until they reached the garden gate by the side door of Lady Gwendoline’s house. He unlocked the gate with the key she gave him, and then he saw her inside and remained until he heard her lock the gate on the other side. Later he saw her candle in
the window of her bedchamber, telling him, as arranged, that she was safe in her own room.

  He returned to his town house, where his brothers awaited him.

  “She is perfection,” he stated, sitting in his favourite armchair in the library. He had a brandy balloon in his strong hand, and swirling the amber liquid, he recounted all that had ocurred.

  “She is not a virgin, but I’d wager she has not been made love to for years. Her late husband did not satisfy her, I am sure. Her responses are candid, and she is a very passionate woman. She is the one!”

  Antonio said, “Well, that is a relief. Now we can concentrate on winning her for you.”

  “I have been doing some more investigating,” Angel said.

  “She is not wealthy. Her husband left her enough to survive on, but most of his wealth and estate was entailed, and, as she had no children, it reverted to his cousin.”

  “I had assumed that. I can see that she has few clothes, and rather than new, they are refurbished.” They both looked concerned as Rafael related the incident of the chemise.

  “Well, the sooner we solve this riddle of who is trying to kidnap her, the sooner we can get her home and wed to you, brother. What do any of you know about this Clarice? She was well-nigh useless, fainting away and leaving Lady Alicia to fend for herself,” Antonio said.

  Neither of his brothers had any information to offer, so, as usual, Angel took himself off to White’s and his cronies there discreetly to extract as much information about the lady as he could.

  Antonio suggested, “She needs to get out of town. It is all too easy here for them to get at her. We could invite her aunt, nieces, and her for a few days to Rotherham. Get up a house party so it will not seem so significant.”

  Rafael liked the idea, and they began to plan while awaiting Angel’s return.

  Chapter Eight

  Alicia put the candle she had briefly displayed in the window for Rafael’s benefit upon her night-stand. She took off her clothes and, using the cold water left in the basin, cleaned herself as best she could. A bath would have to wait for the morrow. The fire was still burning, and she stirred it, adding another log. She put on her nightgown, also getting very thin and worn, and wrapped herself in a woollen shawl. She snuggled the shawl around her shoulders and curled up in the big armchair by the fire. She had a lot to consider, and this was the first quiet moment she had had without others demanding her attention.

  She considered the attack upon her person, and however she turned it over in her mind, she could come up with no reason for it. She was not rich. She had nothing anyone could possibly want and no-one to pay a ransom if that was what they, or rather he, sought.

  That done, she could concentrate on what she really needed to consider. She thought over her time with Rafael. She was a little sore. He had stretched her with his fingers, but not enough, so he must be well endowed. She blushed. She had not held back any of her feelings, and she had never experienced so much pleasure in the arms of her husband. That was all very well for Rafael, but what of Antonio and Angel? Dancing with them, she had felt just as aroused, just as needy as with Rafael. What sort of woman was she to feel that way for three men? The thoughts went round and round in her head and, getting nowhere, she got up, took off her robe and got under the covers. She had been expecting to lie awake half the night in thought, and she was amazed when the next thing she heard was Bessie tapping on the door with her morning chocolate. That was a luxury she had never had in her husband’s house, but Lady Gwendoline insisted upon it, and Alicia enjoyed it so much. If ever the will was sorted out and her grandmama’s words proven true, she would institute the very same custom in her own establishment.

  Bessie looked better this morning, and with a twinge of guilt Alicia remembered the torn chemise. She handed it to Bessie and said she’d torn it when she took it off. Bessie humphed and said, “No wonder, all your under garments are getting threadbare. It is a crying shame those lawyers don’t move faster so you can have the legacy your grandmama left you. It is long past time it was all sorted out.”

  So saying, she left Alicia to her ablutions. She had scarcely finished when Bessie returned, beaming and bearing a beautiful bouquet of delicate lemon roses with a note.

  “I will collect you this afternoon for our ride in the park.

  R”

  Bessie put the flowers in water, and Alicia saw her cast a shrewd look in her direction as she left. Alicia picked up the card and tucked it into her journal.

  Chapter Nine

  All three brothers made their appearance in the afternoon at the very correct hour, giving the ladies time to rest after luncheon if they so desired. Alicia’s heart fluttered as the butler announced their names. She scarcely dared look at any one of them, least of all Rafael. What must he think of her? He approached and seated himself at her side.

  “We come to issue you all with our invitation to a small house party at Rotherham.”

  Lady Gwendoline was in transports. Alicia wished she’d curtail them, for it was embarassing to say the least. Listening to the details, she was pleased to accept the invitation and said as much.

  “We will expect you all then on Friday of this week.” Antonio said as he stood to take his leave with Angel.

  “We shall be leaving tomorrow to have all in readiness. In view of the attempts to take Lady Alicia, it is best to tell no-one at all about the visit at present.”

  Rafael also stood and, offering his hand, said, “My curricle is waiting, Lady Alicia. I will bring her back in a couple of hours.”

  He directed his last remark to Lady Gwendoline as he escorted Alicia to the door and waited until she returned with her pelisse and bonnet on.

  His curricle was being walked up and down the road. His horses, two magnificent chestnuts, were restive, and the groom looked relieved to see his master, who dismissed him, telling him to return home. Turning to Alicia, he lifted her into the curricle, placing a rug over her knees. Climbing in, he set off at a smart pace towards Hyde Park.

  Once tooling around the park, it was a little short of the fashionable hour, so there were not so many carriages about. He began to ask her the questions she had expected and to most of which she had no answers.

  “What did the men say? Did you recognise them?”

  “They were the same ones I am sure. I recognised the voice of one of them. It was really too dark to see their countenances, but the build and the smell of them!”

  “Can you think of any reason for this kidnap attempt?”

  “No, sir. I cannot. I have thought long and hard upon the subject. My husband’s property, being entailed, fell to his cousin, who would not spend one penny to ransom me. My grandmama always said she’d left me comfortably off, but her will has not yet been found and it is all in the hands of the lawyers.”

  “How do you know Miss Mountjoy?”

  She wondered why-ever he was asking that, but she recounted as faithfully as she could all the details of her first meeting with the lady and then the second one at the ball.

  He fell into a brown study, and she sat by his side, content to look about her. The carriages of all the grandes dames were now entering the park, and many glances were sent in their direction. She well knew that gossip would be rife, and she wondered with a giggle if those looking knew which de la Torre brother she was accompanying, but she suspected not. It would not stop their speculation, and she expected many more morning visits in the following days. The visit to Rotherham would fuel the gossip if it got out, and she glanced under her lashes at Rafael. He could not be unaware of all of that, and she wondered what exactly he had in mind. She tried to put it out of her mind and enjoy the treat.

  He said, “There are far too many carriages here for it to be enjoyable. I will take you home now.”

  He helped her out of the curricle and gave her his arm to mount the few steps to the front door, which was opened at their approach.

  To her surprise he entered the house and accompanied he
r to the drawing room. There he made arrangements with Lady Gwendoline to join their party on the journey north. He would arrive at 11:00 a.m., and they would all leave together. It would be necessary to spend two nights on the road at least. She was delighted with his offer. She knew he would not be able to travel as fast with them as if he went alone in his own carriage and wondered why he was doing it. It would give rise to even more gossip as Lady Gwendoline would inform all her acquaintances on her return. He took his leave, and Alicia went upstairs to take off her bonnet and pelisse. She rang for Bessie and informed her of the projected visit. They discussed the gowns that had to be taken and some small purchases of stockings and such that she would have to make, and they were deep in conversation when a tap on the door and the appearance of a footman informed Alicia that Clarice had called to see her. Accordingly, she went down to the drawing room and entered in time to hear her aunt recount all the details of the visit to Rotherham.

  Clarice sat on the sofa with Alicia and they chatted for the regulation half hour when Clarice very correctly took her leave. Alicia asked Clarice to tell no-one of the projected visit. She also reminded her aunt not to tell anyone else about the visit, as Rafael had requested, and her aunt, now contrite, so promised.

  The next day was spent in packing and shopping for all the trifles the two girls thought they needed, and in Alicia’s case only the necessary stockings.

  Chapter Ten

  Most of the journey north was uneventful. The inns were the best because Rafael chose them and paid their shot, too. The meals they ate were served in private parlours, a degree of comfort Alicia had not looked for. Rafael expected the best and invariably got it. He was attentive but made no attempt to come to her room, nor did he invite her to his, and she thought that odd and in truth a little worrying. She consoled herself with the thought that he was trying to protect her reputation.