A Lady for the Taking

by Bethany M. Sefchick

  This woman. But only her.

  Harry had no doubt that Nick would always have some sort of spy game or another for him to engage in. That was a given. But the long, tedious hours of hunting down suspects in the darkest, seediest parts of London or traveling to the outer reaches of Northumberland on nothing more than a slim hunch? Those days would be over.

  And for once, the idea of leaving that life behind didn’t bother him. In fact, a part of him thought he might welcome the change.

  And while Harry knew that most of elite Society would never truly accept him as one of their own – titled or not – his friends always would. They already did. So why not have a woman he desired by his side as he prepared to take on the newest chapter in his life? There was no reason why not. Especially when this – being together – was what they both wanted.

  At least Harry assumed Penny still did. Would she be here tonight if she didn’t? He doubted it. Otherwise, no young woman in her right mind would agree to dine with the Bloody Duke. He was far too terrifying for most people to endure. That Penny was here said that she either wasn’t afraid or she cared enough about Harry to put aside that fear. Either way, she was here, by his side, and that was what mattered.

  She was here for him. Harry. And no one else. That was all Harry needed to know.

  When the women retired to another room so that the men might enjoy their port while the women did, well whatever it was that women did during this time away from each other, Harry felt restless. He had enjoyed the evening and the good-natured kidding about his upcoming elevation in position. He had also enjoyed the time spent with his friends. However, with each hour that passed, he was also keenly aware that the clock ticked one hour closer to Penny’s uncle arriving in London and possibly whisking her away.

  According to Nick, Penny was still her uncle’s ward and thus, under his control. She would also continue to be under the man’s thumb until she reached her majority next year. The only way for her to be free was to wed, most likely by special license. Or a trip to Gretna if it could be managed.

  If Charles Marshwood wanted to take Penny away from Harry, he could and there wouldn’t be a damnable thing that Harry could do about it. Which wouldn’t do. It just wouldn’t do at all.

  He needed to see her. Now. He needed to make certain that she was amenable to meeting later. Maybe even so they could finish what they had begun last evening.

  “Excuse me, gentlemen.” Harry rose from the chair he had been reclining in while the chatter swirled around him. “I suddenly find myself in need of some fresh air.”

  Harry saw Ben roll his eyes and watched as Marcus once more suppressed a snicker. Well, he was glad someone was finding his unease amusing. Again.

  “Of course.” Nick waved a hand at the door. “Dreadfully stuffy in here. You really need to do something about the ventilation, Ben. Ghastly. Just ghastly.”

  In response, the other man simply snorted.

  “If you will excuse me, then.” Harry inclined his head. “I shall just be a moment.”

  “Take your time.” Nick yawned, though it was more of an exaggerated yawn than an actual one.

  “And give Lady Penny our best when you see her,” Ben called after him, bringing Harry up short.

  “I am not…”

  “You are.” Ben gestured toward the door. “We’re not daft, Harry.” He shrugged. “And besides, you deserve this. God knows you deserve more than this, actually.”

  “Go.” That came from Marcus. “And do not do anything that we wouldn’t do.”

  Which was probably not the best advice to give Harry, as all of the men in this room had been extremely wicked in their own way at one point in time or another. Particularly with women. Especially the women they eventually married.

  “I won’t even be ‘round to wake you in the morning,” Nick called after him as the other men erupted into laughter. “Well, not too early anyway. Remember Eliza’s rule about me not looking at naked women any longer!”

  Closing the door behind him with a firm click, Harry could still hear the others chuckling at his expense. It didn’t matter. He was out of that room and free to seek out Penny. If only he knew how to go about doing that without rousing the other women’s suspicions.

  As it turned out, he needn’t have worried for Penny was apparently having many of the same thoughts he was, and he very nearly tripped over her as he wandered down a hallway that he thought led to the yellow drawing room, the very place the ladies had retired to earlier.

  “Penny!” Harry tried to keep the surprise out of his voice. He also kept his voice low, not wanting to alert the other ladies to his presence. “What are you doing here? Skulking about the halls?”

  “I could ask you the same question, Harry.” It was clear she was more amused than anything at the moment. “And skulking? Really? Do you imagine that I skulk?”

  “I think anyone can skulk if they put their mind to it,” he countered, his entire being suddenly feeling a good deal lighter. “But never mind that. Why are you not with the other ladies?”

  Penny ran her tongue over her upper teeth, as if she was hesitant to say something. “In truth? I was bored,” she finally confessed. “All of the women here tonight are absolutely delightful and something of a revelation to me. I thoroughly enjoy their company and would very much like to count them as friends someday soon.”

  “But?” Harry knew there was one coming. He could hear it. He knew this woman so very well by now.

  “But I could not stop thinking about you,” she sighed almost wistfully. “Or how our time together is limited. We both know that and have from the start.”

  “Your uncle.”

  “Once he knows I am not pursuing the man he selected for me, he will be here in London in a trice.” Harry noticed Penny was careful not to mention Fullbridge’s name. “I will be forced to return to Cumbria when that happens, make no mistake. My uncle still controls my life until I reach my majority next year.”

  Unknowingly, Penny had just confirmed what Harry already thought he knew. “Then we should not waste time.” Reaching out, he plucked at the small cap sleeve of her gown. “You do look lovely this evening, sweetheart. Exquisite, really. I don’t think I told you before.”

  “You did, actually, but thank you again.” He was gratified that she still blushed, meaning that despite everything, she had still not lost her innocence. Though if he had his way and she was agreeable, she would tonight. “I don’t think anyone has ever said that I am exquisite.”

  “They should have.” Actually, Penny should have been showered with compliments for years, but again, Harry was glad she hadn’t been. Otherwise, some other man would have snatched her up long ago. “You deserve so much, Penny. So much more than a man like me can give you.”

  “I don’t want another man.” She peered up at him earnestly and he could see the honesty shining in her eyes. Funny how he could see the truth of her when he really looked. “I want you, Harry, and no other.”

  He shook his head. “You shouldn’t. I’m not the right man for you.” For so many reasons, though he was hoping that one day soon, he could be.

  “I don’t care.” On this point, Penny seemed rather adamant. “I want you, Harry. Now. The future will be what it will be, and I cannot control it any more than I can control the wind. But my present? My time with you? That is something I can control and I know what I want.”

  “What?” Harry needed her to say it just as much as he needed to hear it. He needed her to be absolutely sure about this, for what they were about to do was irrevocable. “What do you want my perfect, precious Penny?”

  “You.” Her lioness’ eyes were wide and clear when she met his. “I want you, Harry Greer, and I am so very tired of waiting. Very, very tired.”

  “Then you shall have me, sweetheart.”

  Then, before either of them could change their minds, Harry grabbed Penny’s hand and hurried her down the hallway toward the front door and his waiting carriage. They
wanted this. Their time was quickly running out. Therefore, there was no time like the present to take what they both wanted.

  And Harry had a very empty house where they could indulge until their hearts were content without fear of anyone finding out.

  It was perfect. Just perfect.

  Just as she was.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Penny was all but quivering – though from fear or excitement she couldn’t say – by the time Harry’s coach rolled up to his town home. Here, away from the ever-present prying eyes of Mayfair, there was a sort of freedom she had not known before. Oh, Harry still directed the carriage to the mews in the back of the home to prevent anyone from spying on them, naturally, but she supposed it was more of a general precaution rather than an actual fear of any sort.

  She also should not be doing this. Her uncle would kill her if he knew she would not go to her marriage bed – should there even be one at this point – an innocent. Then again, if he never found out, it wouldn’t matter, then would it? And Penny had no intention of allowing Uncle Charles to ever discover the truth. Even if she eventually wed Fullbridge, she had a suspicion the duke wouldn’t much care. If he was that much of a rogue, as she had been led to believe, he might actually prefer that she knew at least a little something of bedsport.

  Very well. She was simply lying to herself. Again. Fullbridge might not be pleased. In fact, he likely wouldn’t be, but just then, Penny could not bring herself to care. She wanted Harry. She wanted a way out of this potential marriage to Fullbridge. Perhaps this night would serve both purposes, not to mention also bring her the pleasure she longed for in Harry’s arms.

  Because his kisses were no longer enough to sate her. Penny wanted more. She shouldn’t, but there was the truth of things. She did want more from him, and if she was to live out the remainder of her life in exile after this foolish plan of her uncle’s concluded, then she at least deserved some memories to keep her warm and comforted at night. Memories of Harry.

  “You are thinking too much, sweetheart.” Harry had ushered her in through the servants’ entrance and was now leading her up the winding back staircase. “Stop thinking and simply feel.”

  “That is easy for you to say,” she retorted, though without a drop of anger. “If we are caught out, I am the one who will suffer.”

  As they reached the first landing, Harry halted, his face filled with concern. “Is that what you think, my perfect Penny? That you are the only one risking something this evening?”

  “Aren’t I?” It seemed to her that she was. Even though she would still choose to do this, no matter what.

  “And what of me and my perfect Bow Street reputation? What of the reason we celebrated this evening? If either my employer or my sire learned that I was deflowering a woman meant for another man, a lady that was not mine for the taking, don’t you think there would be consequences? Even though I am set to resign from my job and one day assume a title that will offer me protections I don’t currently enjoy?” Harry crossed his arms over his chest and waited.

  For a long time, Penny said nothing. “I…I hadn’t thought about it in those terms. I suppose that’s true.”

  Because Harry was right. He was a Runner. He wasn’t a member of the aristocracy, at least not yet. However, one day, he probably would be. But not tonight. He did have something to lose on both fronts if he was caught out with her. It was one thing for a dilettante viscount or a renegade earl to be discovered in a lady’s bed. It was quite another for a supposedly moral and upright man like Harry.

  “I hadn’t considered that,” she finally confessed, “but I suppose you are right.”

  Harry traced a single finger down her cheek. “I am willing to risk everything to have you, sweetheart. Don’t you understand what that means? Or at least, what it means to me specifically?”

  Penny didn’t, really, but she also didn’t want to show Harry her inexperience. So she simply nodded. “Of course.”

  If Harry knew she was lying, he either didn’t say anything or he didn’t care. He simply entwined his fingers in hers. “Come, my precious Penny. Because I think if we wait much longer, you might change your mind.”

  That was a distinct possibility because Penny was not feeling nearly as confident about her decision now as she had a few minutes ago. Giving her body to another was an enormous step and though Harry could inflame her passions with a single touch, was it enough? Penny had always assumed there had to be love as part of the equation before she lost her innocence to a man. But perhaps not. Perhaps this intense physical connection and deep caring they shared was enough.

  “Overthinking,” Harry said again as he opened a door that led to what was most likely his bedchamber. “You must trust me, sweetheart. Please.”

  The room he led her into was done in dark, heavy wood but with lighter tan overtones to offset the dark navy drapes and chair coverings. The air smelled vaguely of the same woodsy, spicy scent that Penny associated with Harry, and she could see that everything here was properly in its place. No self-indulgent lord here, but rather a man of business and purpose. This room belonged to a man who knew exactly who and what he was, and a secret thrill shot through her to be allowed this rare glimpse into his private life.

  Yes, everything about this room was quintessentially Harry.

  “Sorry,” Penny mumbled as Harry closed the door behind her. She felt a flush creep up her cheeks, ashamed that she had paused to take in her surroundings rather than jumping right into things as Harry seemed to wish to do. “This is simply all new to me.”

  She was also sorry for acting as if she had a right to pry into his life when she didn’t. He was merely bedding her and not marrying her. Oh, she was bungling this! What gentleman in his right mind would want to bed her if this was how she behaved behind closed doors?

  “Oh, sweetheart, it’s okay.” Harry turned and gently cupped Penny’s head in his hands and kissed her softly. “I know this is frightening for you, and I will stop any time you wish. Take your time. We can go slow if you like. If you need a moment to gather yourself, then take one. I will wait. Just know that I want you. That won’t change. No matter what.”

  Somehow, the knowledge that she could end this madness if she wished put Penny at ease and she finally allowed Harry to ease her back deeper into the room. Away from the door. Closer to the bed. Closer to where she wanted to be in the end.

  “And if I don’t want you to stop?” When Harry had touched her, Penny had felt her blood begin to heat again and now, she was fairly certain she didn’t want him to stop. Ever.

  He grinned wickedly at her. “Then I won’t.”

  It was such a simple answer, but it made Penny laugh and then, before she knew what was happening, she was in Harry’s arms, his hard body pressed against her much softer one as he kissed her again.

  “That is what I want, my perfect Penny.” Harry nuzzled the area where her neck and shoulder met. “I want to hear your laughter and know that you feel safe with me. More than that, I want to know that you need me just as much as I need you. That we are in this together.”

  Relaxing little by little now, Penny wound her arms around Harry’s neck and snuggled herself closer, her earlier fears slowly fading away. “I do want you, Harry. I know I’m afraid sometimes, but in the end, I do still want you. And if this night is all I can ever have? Then I want as much as you will give me.”

  Deciding to be bold, Penny reached behind her back and undid the top few buttons on her gown, the only few she could reach. Still, it was enough to allow the gown to gape loose and reveal the tops of her breasts. “And I am willing to give you all of myself in return for all that you give me.”

  With a growl, Harry freed her breasts from the confines of her corset, stays, and shift and began to suckle at her nipples as he had the other night. And somehow, it felt even more divine than it had before.

  The tips had already been hard, tight rose-colored peaks when he undid her bodice but now, as he licked and laved,
nipped and suckled, they grew harder. So hard that they ached. When Harry began to toy with one nipple, rolling it back and forth between his fingers while suckling hard at her other breast, Penny cried out and arched up, pressing her body into his.

  “Oh, Harry!” she breathed, every fiber of her being coming alive all at once. “Yes!”

  Penny assumed he took that as a sign to continue and, with a few tugs and some clever work with his fingers, he made short work of the laces on her gown, loosening it enough so that it fell in a silken pool at her feet.

  “My God, you are beautiful.” There was a breathless quality to Harry’s voice as he pulled back to look at her, drawing his hands down over her arms slowly, as if savoring the feel of her. “Simply exquisite. And mine. All mine.”

  Penny supposed she should have corrected Harry, but she didn’t. Instead, she shrugged out of the remainder of her undergarments and tossed them aside like the wanton she was quickly becoming. Any fear she felt was quickly pushed aside. She wanted to do this. So very much. “I am yours, Harry. Completely.”

  Just as she had done, Harry made quick work of his own clothes until he, too, was naked. And he was something of a revelation in that regard. If revelation was even the correct word and Penny wasn’t certain it was.

  Penny also couldn’t help but stare at him again, for she had never seen a naked man before. She also wondered if all of them were as…large as Harry. Because he was big. Much bigger than any of the statues she had seen in museums. She also wondered if this would actually work because the idea of fitting that inside of her simply did not seem possible. Which disappointed her far more than she would have thought.