Sense & Sensuality: Caroline's After Dark Georgian Romance (The Gravesmeres Book 3)

by Alicia Quigley

  “That’s better,” he replied. “You see, we are well-matched in more ways than one. I knew that you must be terribly fatigued by your visitors, and came here solely to amuse you.”

  “You came here to cause mischief, and you have succeeded. Lady Halliwell is watching us even now.”

  “If I truly wished to cause mischief, Caro, I would not be standing here, conversing with you amiably as though we are mere acquaintances. I would make it obvious what we are to each other,” observed Tristan. He glanced over at Lady Halliwell. “She will have to look elsewhere for gossip today. I am determined to prove to you that I am completely respectable.”

  At that Caroline laughed outright, and he grinned back encouragingly. “That is all I wanted—to hear you laugh,” he said. “And now I will relieve you—and all the very tedious people in this box - of my presence. I look forward to our next encounter.” He took her hand in his and kissed it, his fingers lightly caressing her palm.

  “As do I,” breathed Caroline, her mind suddenly far away from the opera house.

  With a last teasing glance Gresham departed, leaving Caroline both relieved and a bit disappointed.

  Chapter 12

  The next days passed in a flurry; Caroline spent her mornings and evenings in a frenzy of shopping, visits, soirees, and balls, while her afternoons were spent with Lord Gresham in Mount Street. Allegra unquestioningly chaperoned Cecilia when Caroline was busy; indeed, the two young women became so close that Caroline hoped fervently that Cecilia would find a husband who had an estate somewhere near Gravesmere. They were often to be found with their heads together, giggling over a compliment paid to Cecilia the night before, or perusing the latest issue of The Lady’s Magazine. Allegra lavished gifts on her young friend; plumes and gloves and ribands positively burst from her dressing table.

  “It’s as though they have nothing to think of but dances and dresses,” said Caroline one afternoon. She and Tristan lay in the enormous bed in the Mount Street house as the afternoon sunlight slanted through the lace curtains. Caroline’s head was resting on Tristan’s chest, and he slowly stroked her back, inching down towards the flare of her hips. She pressed against him, and he leaned down to kiss her.

  “They do have nothing to think of but dances and dresses,” said Tristan. “Your demanding brother is not in London, and I imagine the duchess is pretending she is once again a carefree young woman. Not that his presence places many burdens upon her, outside of her, um, marital duties. As both young women appear to be remarkably empty-headed, it is no wonder that they enjoy their time together.”

  “They are not empty-headed!” protested Caroline.

  “They are very empty-headed,” said Tristan severely. “I wonder that you can put up with them.”

  “They’re very dear to me,” said Caroline.

  “They’re children. I, myself, prefer women who—”

  “Who what?” asked Caroline, a bit of pique in her voice.

  “Who know what they want,” said Tristan with a laugh in his voice. He rolled her over on her back and covered her, pressing her into the delicately embroidered linen sheets. He slid his knee between her legs and gently urged them apart, then moved up her body until his erect penis nudged at her tender opening.

  “Do you know what you want?” he asked quietly.

  “Mmmm, you,” said Caroline. She marveled at how wholly she had succumbed to his charms. She thought about him far too often; while looking at fabrics with Cecilia, while dancing with another gentleman at a ball, and most often, when she lay in her own bed at night. The sight of his dark head across a room in the evening made her lose her train of thought, and she found herself spouting nonsense to her acquaintances.

  “Well then, perhaps if you ask very nicely, you may have me,” he murmured.

  “Perhaps?” she inquired, raising her arched brows. “My dear Tristan, ‘perhaps’ I should make you ask me nicely, instead.”

  Caroline slid out from under him and sat up in the rumpled bed, allowing the coverlet to fall to her waist. She put her shoulders back just slightly, the better to display her fine bosom to the man lounging on the pillows. Firm and taut, they did not look like the breasts of woman who had borne a child. Ignoring Tristan, she fondled one rosy nipple attentively, watching it grow hard and long, Then, slowly, she moved to the second, arching her back as she did so. She flicked a glance at Tristan, and was pleased to see him watching her avidly.

  “Are you ready to ask me nicely yet?” Caroline inquired.

  “Oh, I’m in no hurry to plead with you, darling,” he replied. “At the moment, I’m very much enjoying waiting to see what you’ll do next if I keep silent.”

  Caroline shrugged a shoulder at him. She was finding the little game exciting, and could feel her pussy tightening and growing moist as she baited Tristan. She gave him a calculating glance, and then lay back against the high-piled pillows.

  “Well, I suppose if you’re not interested in tending to me, I will have to do it myself,” she murmured, spreading her legs, and letting one manicured hand run over a full breast and drift slowly down her body. As her fingers glided across her white skin towards the curls at the apex of her thighs, she gave a tiny sigh, heavy with passion. “Are you ready to ask me now?”

  “Not at all,” replied Tristan politely. “I’m completely enthralled by your performance.”

  Caro slid her hand through the curls, pulling at them very gently, and then her fingers crept lower, slowly slipping between her nether lips. She inserted one finger, then two, her eyes growing hazy with desire, as she stroked slowly up and down, grinding her bottom against the sheets. She looked up, meeting Tristan’s gray eyes with her own, and then removed her now slick fingers and returned to caressing one nipple with the moisture.

  Tristan gave her a warm smile. “Go on,” he said.

  Caroline smiled back, and bent her knees and moved her heels back, lifting and spreading her thighs, and then slid her hands back to her creamy slit and spread herself with one, while stroking herself with the other. She gently fingered her clitoris as a moan escaped her, and she shivered, trembling on the brink. She raised her eyelids languidly and looked at Tristan, who watched her, his rampant erection in one hand, a look of amusement on his face.

  Caroline glared at him and then laughed. “I’m not so anxious to win this game, if it means depriving myself of your talents, Tristan. But since you are making me ask nicely, I think I should get precisely what I want, don’t you?”

  “Caro, have I ever refused you aught in the bedroom?” he inquired.

  “Well, you are certainly making me wait for it today,” she murmured.

  “You seem to be quite adept at pleasuring yourself,” he replied. “A good talent to possess. But tell me what I can do to help.”

  Her fingers hovered over her slit, gently playing among her curls. “I want your mouth here.” She paused. “Please.”

  Tristan laughed. “You could have asked me that to start with, but I doubt it would have been as exciting for either of us.” He rolled over and slipped between her thighs, shoving a pillow beneath her hips to give him better access.

  Caroline shivered as she felt his tongue on her slick, tender flesh, licking up and down, and then sweeping across the tender, sensitive bud of her clitoris. She stroked his hair, pushing her heels into the bed as he lapped at her softness, and she shivered as her excitement built. Tristan reached beneath her to grasp the soft globes of her behind, spreading her further, and pushed into her pulsing channel, now clenching with the first gentle tremors of her climax. He slipped two fingers into her, spreading them inside her, and then licked and sucked at her most sensitive spot until she could resist no longer, and cried out as she climaxed.

  Tristan nipped at her thigh, and then nibbled his way up her torso, stopping to browse some moments at her breasts, and then kissed her fiercely, so she could taste herself on his lips.

  “Please, Tris, I want you inside me,” she begged.

&nb
sp; “How convenient my sweet, as I don’t think I can wait much longer to be there,” he laughed.

  He placed his arms on either side of her and shoved his length into her, sliding in fully and deeply, as her hips were still lifted for him on the pillows. Caroline climaxed again almost instantly as he pulled out slowly and then pushed in again, stretching her muscles, which were still clenched in pleasure. He thrust forward a few more times, aggressively, driving her up against the pillows that were heaped against the headboard, and then groaned with his own release.

  Sometime afterwards, she rose from the bed and began to dress as he watched her, lounging across the silk coverlet with an easy grace. She glanced at him, admiring his broad shoulders and narrow waist, his dark hair falling across his brow.

  “What are you thinking?” he asked lazily.

  She shrugged. “How wonderful that was. And how we cannot do this forever.”

  Tristan’s eyebrows went up, and he rose from the bed, coming over to her and wrapping his large hands around her waist. His lips traced a path down the side of her neck, and she gave a tiny mew of pleasure.

  “Why can’t we?” he asked.

  “Because we can’t,” said Caroline. “It’s wonderful, but I cannot come here every day, nor can I ignore my duties forever. Adam will return from Gravesmere, and Cecilia or Mama will need me, and then the Season will be over and I will go to Eskmaine, and you will go…wherever it is you go. Paris, or Rome, perhaps.”

  “How melancholy you are,” said Tristan. “If I cannot have you here every day, I will seek you out wherever you are. We aren’t children, Caro. We can do as we please.”

  “You can behave as you please, and I am sure you will continue to do so. But, alas, I must be a mother, and a daughter, and a sister. And, someday, you won’t want me any longer.”

  He tipped her chin up so that their eyes met. “So that’s it. Do you think that I will tire of you?”

  She smiled. “I know that you will tire of me, Tristan. Have you ever been faithful to a woman?”

  There was a pause. “Not to date, but it is not inconceivable that I might be,” he said in a teasing voice.

  She tried to match her tone to his. “Not inconceivable, perhaps, but highly unlikely,” she said. “And I do not care to be here when you choose to move on.”

  “Are you trying to say that you are ending this?” he asked, his voice growing chilly.

  “Not today,” she said. “However, someday it will end. But Tristan, I do enjoy it now.”

  He gave her a shrewd glance. “I see that you have already sent me off to other countries, and doubtless the arms of other women. But what of you, when this is over? What will you do?”

  “I will raise my son, and be a friend to Allegra, and help my mother. And someday I will be a mother-in-law and a grandmother.” She gave a laugh. “I sound bitter, and I didn’t mean to. Perhaps I should find another husband.”

  “I don’t like the sound of that,” Tristan growled. “You don’t need anyone but me.”

  “Not now,” she said lightly. “I only meant someday. It would be good for Jonathan if I were to remarry. As he grows he will need a responsible man in his life to guide him. But don’t fear, I don’t mean you—I’m not so foolish.” She reached up and touched his cheek. “For now, this is all I want.”

  “You are being ridiculous. I should kiss this mood right out of you,” said Tristan, and, suiting his action to his words, lowered his mouth to hers. His kiss was hard and demanding, and when he finally raised his head, she gasped for breath.

  “Now, do not be nonsensical. This will not end, and you will not find another husband,” he said firmly. “Remember, you are mine.”

  “Yes, Tristan,” she said meekly. “I will remember.”

  Chapter 13

  That evening Cecilia, Allegra, and Caroline arrived at Lady Lansdowne’s home. The rooms glowed brightly, lit by hundreds of candles, and the soiree was clearly going to be one of the season’s successes; the rooms were so crowded that it seemed it might be impossible to enter. They were greeted by their hostess, who proffered a painted cheek to Caroline.

  “Dear Lady Eskmaine, ‘tis an age since I saw you,” she exclaimed. “It is so sweet of you to honor me, and to bring your little cousin, who is such a success!” She smiled graciously on Cecilia, who curtseyed demurely. “Several people have already inquired if you would be in attendance tonight or not.”

  “Who?” asked Cecilia, and Lady Lansdowne laughed at her eagerness.

  “Why, Mr. Troughton, Lord Barford, and Mr. Wyman, to name only a few. I should be thankful you are here!” She turned to Caroline with a malicious smile. “And for you, Caroline dear, Lord Gresham has honored me with his presence.”

  Caroline’s face betrayed no emotion. “Lord Gresham?” she inquired. “Why you would my presence here have any bearing on his?”

  Lady Lansdowne tittered. “Why, you and he seem to be particular friends of late. I constantly see you with your heads together, and he followed you out onto the terrace at the rout last week. I was told he was seen in your box at the opera, which has all the world atwitter! I made sure that you would be glad to see him here.”

  Allegra shot Caroline a shrewd glance, but Caroline ignored her. “We are mere acquaintances,” she answered coolly. “As a gentleman, he wished to assure himself that I was not unwell when I stepped outside on such a cool evening. I’m sure you’re aware that our families have little to do with each other.”

  Lady Lansdowne looked from Allegra to Caroline and gave a tight smile. “I merely thought to let you know a friend is here,” she said. “I’m sure you know your own business, darling.”

  “I do indeed,” replied Caroline. “And Lord Gresham is none of mine.” She inclined her head politely. “Come along, Cecilia, dear. We shall find your friends.”

  She moved off gracefully, without glancing back, though she felt Lady Lansdowne’s dark eyes following her. Inwardly she cursed herself for not being more circumspect. It now appeared that Lady Lansdowne, who had been flirting disgracefully with Lord Gresham at the rout, viewed her as a rival.

  “What did Lady Lansdowne mean when she mentioned Lord Gresham?” asked Cecilia brightly. “She seemed to be rather vexed with you.”

  “Nothing at all,” said Caroline. “She is a gossip and a trouble maker; make sure you bear that in mind and give her no opportunity to talk about you.”

  “Did you give her an opportunity?” asked Cecilia.

  Briefly stymied, Caroline did not answer. “Apparently she did,” said Allegra dryly. Caroline gave her a haughty look.

  “I have told you both repeatedly that Lord Gresham is an acquaintance who once did me—and you, Allegra—a good turn. There is naught else between us. I wish you would bear it in mind.”

  “I did not mean to offend you, Cousin,” said Cecilia.

  “I am not offended,” said Caroline. She glanced at Allegra, who merely returned the look with a skeptical air.

  Caroline was unutterably relieved to see Mr. Troughton descending on them, Lord Barford not far behind him. They greeted Cecilia with evident joy, and in the hubbub Caroline seized a moment to pull herself together. She ardently wished to go back and choke Lady Lansdowne, but reflected that it would not be the best course of action.

  The gentlemen bore Cecilia off to the other salon to hear some poetry read. “Come with us,” said Cecilia to Allegra, but Allegra shook her head.

  “In a minute I will join you,” she said. “Hurry along, my dear.”

  “There is no need to stay with me,” said Caroline. “I see my friend Lady Halliwell yonder; I have been wanting to talk with her this past week. Don’t fret about me.”

  “You’re not escaping that easily,” said Allegra. “Especially as I know you are not particularly fond of Lady Halliwell and would gladly avoid her if possible. Would you mind explaining Lady Lansdowne’s extraordinary words?”

  “Why would I be able to explain the intentions of a malicious
gossip such as Lady Lansdowne?” asked Caroline. “You can’t possibly believe what she said.”

  “She seems to have been watching you and Lord Gresham closely,” observed Allegra. “Perhaps I should have been paying more heed these past weeks.”

  “She doubtless wishes to ensnare him herself, and mistook his desire for mischief for something more.” said Caroline. “I’ve barely exchanged five words with the man since we danced at Devonshire House.”

  “I don’t believe you,” said Allegra. “Caroline, do tell me that you aren’t allowing Lord Gresham to seduce you!”

  “Don’t be nonsensical, Allegra. You know me far better than that. Have I given you the least reason to think that I might be seduced by Lord Gresham?”

  Allegra gazed at her thoughtfully. “I suppose not. But it does seem very odd. I have noticed a tendency for you to seek each other out, and now Lady Lansdowne, whatever her motivations, has seen the same thing. And you have been…different lately.”

  “Different?” asked Caroline. “I supposed I must be different, with difficulties at my estates, and a young woman, with numerous beaux and no fortune, to dance attendance upon. Pray tell, when would I have the time to carry on the intrigue with Lord Gresham that you are imagining?”

  Allegra frowned. “I should not listen to gossip, I suppose. Caro, my concern springs from fondness, you know. That, and a lively fear of Adam’s behavior should you embroil yourself with Gresham.”

  Caroline felt a rush of relief. “I am very fond of you as well, and I understand that you wish to protect me. But I am very well able to take care of myself. Do go find Cecilia; she is the one that needs guarding from London’s gentlemen, not me.”

  “Very well.” Allegra gave her one last curious glance, and then moved away, leaving Caroline to heave a sigh of relief. She fluttered her fan in an attempt to calm herself, and pretended to listen to the music that wafted across the room.