Rich sapphire covers with a golden cobra emblazoned across it graced a monstrous four-poster bed with a matching sapphire canopy sweeping down each of the carved posts. A wide bay window overlooked the gardens they’d just traversed, while heavy damask curtains of the same sapphire and gold color fell in an elegant drape to the cream carpeted floor. With the skies darkening outside, only the barest trace of light now filtering through, it appeared as if the night had fallen, the day completely at an end.
Anteros closed the door with a quiet click, strode to the fireplace, crouched and lit the kindling arranged within the hearth. Flames took ahold and he added a stack of wood until the fire burned a fiery red-gold.
After setting the candle in a holder on his oak mantelpiece, he toed off his boots and beckoned with one finger. “Come closer.”
She joined him, shrugged out of his jacket, the golden-yellow rose fluttering from her ear to the floor.
He lowered to one knee and unlaced her riding boots. “I want to be wicked with you, Amore. Do you want to be wicked with me?”
“I do.”
“That is the perfect answer.” He plucked her boots off, set them on the hearth then curled one hand around her calf and slid his fingers higher until he grasped her garter. He removed it, rolled her stocking down her leg and rubbed her chilled foot before reaching up for her other garter. Slowly, he drew her second stocking down and warmed her other foot between his hands.
Rising to his feet, he unbuttoned his white shirt, tossed it aside, his gold medallion swaying before it came to rest over his heart. Broad shoulders, and sun-kissed skin. Oh my. He must go shirtless on board his ship. Skimming lower, she gulped for a breath. His torso held twin roped muscles either side of his hips which speared downward and disappeared below the waistband of his tan rawhide breeches. A dagger glinted from a leather sheath at his wrist, his saber strapped to one hip.
“I love the way you look at me.”
She tore her gaze from his half naked body back to his face.
“Do you want me to fetch a change of clothes from Adrestia’s wardrobe now, or perhaps later?” He leaned over her, dropped a kiss on the top of her head.
“Now, please.”
“Wait here. I won’t be long.” He left and closed the door behind him.
She stepped closer to the warmth of the fire where a painting hung above it, one of Anteros and Adrestia seated bareback atop horses on a white sand beach with a turreted castle rising behind them. Such a stunning piece of work, and rather recently painted considering Anteros and Adrestia looked around the same age as the portrait currently depicted.
She touched a finger to the battlements running between two of the four corner towers, the distinct colors of Anteros’s gold and sapphire cobra flag flying from the top of each tower. Built of thick slabs of tawny-colored stone, the castle stood three floors in height and sat on a blustery point with a bird’s eye view of the sea before it. Waves splashed against one high rock wall and sprayed a rainbow of colors, the sky painted a mix of sunset yellows and oranges. In one lower corner the words La Rocca Dinastia, Island of Paradiso, Sicily, appeared in a neat flourish.
He owned this magnificent castle and the island on which it sat. Incredible.
Anteros was a man who’d established an empire and she wasn’t sure exactly how he had, although she intended on uncovering every single thing about him, every secret included.
“I see the painting has caught your attention.” The door shut with a soft click and he stood on the carpet with a red velvet gown folded over one arm, the hem embroidered with white lace. Bundled over his other arm was a chemise, stockings, matching red slippers, and a black hooded cloak.
“You’ve thought of everything.”
“I didn’t want to have to leave you again, so I brought everything you might need.” He sauntered toward a wooden trunk flush against one wall and laid his armful down on the closed lid. With his damp midnight-black hair sweeping his shoulders, he strolled back to her.
She pointed to the painting. “Tell me about La Rocca Dinastia.”
“The castello holds over four hundred rooms, has two grand courtyards, four towers, along with galleries on the upper floor which display some beautiful frescoes my grandfather and his father before him collected over the years.”
“Are there dungeons in your castello?”
“Of course.” A glint in his eye. “Every captain needs dungeons where he can stow his prisoners captured at sea.”
“What kind of prisoners do you capture?”
“Men who aren’t to be released until they’ve learnt their lesson.”
“You own a castle, a fleet of ships, a gaming club, this large residence, Grace Hall. What else am I missing?” She faced him, searched his gaze. “I’m trying to understand exactly who you are, Captain Bourbon. How on earth did you come to accumulate so much property?”
“That is an interesting question.” His shoulders suddenly stiffened. “You seem rather fixated on what I own.”
“Perhaps learning of the finer details might help me understand you better.”
“I sincerely doubt it.”
“Try me.” She threw the challenge out, and he stared at her, not biting at—
“As you wish. I also own a palazzo in Naples, a villa along the cliffs of Lisbon overlooking the Tagus River, and other various parcels of land here and there.”
“I see.” She gulped, shocked at his answer.
“I have secrets upon secrets, mio angelo, none of which I can currently share with you, possibly ever.”
“You don’t trust me to keep your secrets?”
“There are only two people whom I trust.”
“Adrestia and Giovani,” she offered up.
“Sì.” He backed her up a step. “You are a lady searching for a husband. Are you absolutely certain you want an affair knowing that husband can’t be me?”
“I’ve waited a lifetime to meet a man like you, Anteros.”
“If you want me, then you may have me, but only on my terms.” With painstaking slowness, he lifted his hands and flicked open the buttons of her cream blouse. She held perfectly still as he did, as he completed the task and pushed the garment from her shoulders. “Your chemise has to go too.” A husky demand. “Skirts first though.”
Since she desired his trust, she had to take the first step and give him hers. She released the buttons at her waist and the heavy royal-blue fabric thumped to the floor in a wet heap.
“I want you.” He traced along the lacy neckline of her knee-length chemise, then grazed down between her covered breasts to her waist.
“Remove your weapons.” She stated her own demand.
“Yes, my lady.” A grin as he unbuckled his sword belt and wrist dagger. He propped his weapons against his trunk, stuck one bare foot on the edge of the lid, lifted the hem of his breeches and unstrapped an ankle dagger. He returned to her, his arms outstretched. “I am completely unarmed and at your disposal.”
“Will you show me where you like to be touched?”
“Trust me, wherever you choose to touch me, will please me.” He caught her up in his arms, laid her down on his bed and settled himself over top of her. With his entire length pressed against hers, he released a sensual moan that started a pulse point fluttering in her below. “Amore, being this close to you is sheer heaven.”
“I can’t believe I’m going to be wicked with you.”
“There is only us, so be as wicked as you desire.” With his thumb, he caressed her upper lip then swept to the corner and stroked along her lower lip. “I must kiss you.”
“Please, yes.” He brushed his mouth across her mouth and she stopped breathing altogether. Then he angled his head and deepened their kiss, his lips soft and warm, tender and coaxing. She touched the tip of her tongue to the tip of his tongue and when she did, a heady wave of pleasure swamped her, a primal form of pleasure which had her instinctively urging his mouth open even farther so she could explore him a
s fully as she could.
Low sounds erupted from his mouth, his chest vibrating as he rubbed against her, then his kiss changed, becoming hotter and more needy, his tongue pushing deeper between her lips as he licked the inside of her mouth.
With their warm breaths mingling, she spread her palms over his wickedly firm chest muscles. Heat flared in her core and pulsed through her. Never had she opened her heart to another man before, but she had with him, the very first day they’d met. His crisp chest hair tickled her fingertips and slowly, she smoothed lower, over the rigid contours of his abs, then she delved around to his sides where those beautifully corded muscles arrowed down over his trim hips. She gripped his arms, his biceps iron-hard and rippling with muscle. “You are built like a warrior.”
“Sì, your warrior. I love the way you touch me.” He cupped her face, kissed her passionately and she fell, down and down and down into the silken web of desire he spun so effortlessly around her.
“You truly are a dangerous man.” Intoxicated by him, she swished along the waistband of his breeches, her heartbeat pounding so loud in her ears.
“Ladies usually run far from me, not toward me as you do. They understand the danger that comes with being in my company.” He tugged the front lacings of her chemise open, eased the loose neckline over one shoulder and lowered his head to her breast. Fastening his hot mouth over her beaded nipple, he moaned against her skin and such a fierce explosion of sensation rippled through her.
She seized his shoulders and held on as he sent her world spinning. “Anteros?”
“I need to touch more of you, Olivia.” Mouth suctioned over her nipple, he flicked the tip with his tongue. “I’m going to put my hand between your legs. Say yes.”
“Yes.” Her agreement came with ease. “You must think I’m a wanton woman.”
“No, you’re simply allowing your passionate nature its release.” He nudged her legs apart, slid one hand underneath the long folds of her chemise and cupped her mound. “Now I’m going to touch inside of you.”
“Can I touch you too?”
“Maybe later.” With a wicked grin, he covered her mouth and kissed her with such sweet abandon. She wrapped her arms around his neck, speared her fingers into his silky hair and held on as he moved his fingers back and forth along her lower folds. Gazing into her eyes, he pushed one finger deep inside her then rattled off a long stream of Italian.
“Oh my.” Aroused beyond measure, she arched her back and he licked across both her nipples, the lazy stroke of his tongue sending a bolt of pure pleasure rushing through her core and dampening her inner thighs. He devoured her breasts, a second finger pushing in, then he caressed a spot that had her crying out. Too much. She flew, bright lights suddenly flaring behind her closed eyes and taking her away to another realm she’d never visited before.
Slowly, she came back down and when she opened her eyes, he knelt over her on the bed, the front flap of his breeches loose and his shaft in hand. He stroked his cock in a show of sensual beauty she’d never thought to behold. He worked himself and with a deep and agonizing moan, the head of his cock turning a deep shade of purple, he thrust his cock into her chemise covered hip, shuddered and splashed his seed across the covers.
She closed her eyes again as he sank down on top of her, his heavenly weight there one moment then suddenly gone the next.
Thwack.
A hooded man swung a baton.
Anteros tussled and fought and she screamed.
A jagged scar slashed the intruder’s cheek. Bruno.
Hauling her chemise up, she struggled to her feet then got knocked to the floor as the two men brawled. Bruno slammed his head into Anteros’s middle and Anteros went sailing, cracked his head on one of the bedposts and slumped to the ground.
A vein throbbed in Bruno’s forehead as he snarled at her.
He swung his fist and everything went dark.
Chapter 11
Disorientated and groggy, Anteros lifted his thumping head from the floor of his bedchamber.
He pushed to his feet, his room spinning.
Darkness outside his window. Darkness inside.
Only a few embers still glowed in his hearth.
Rubbing the back of his head, he winced at the large lump and—Olivia. He’d brought Olivia home with him from Hyde Park. He jerked the waistband of his breeches up, fastened the front flap and almost tripped on a baton. A lump of royal-blue fabric lay rumpled on the floor at his feet, a patch of cream silk with it. A blouse. A petite pair of riding boots were placed before the hearth to dry, lady’s stockings discarded to one side.
His trunk.
His weapons sat propped against the side of it.
Nothing else.
The change of clothes he’d collected from Adrestia’s wardrobe were gone.
He roared, his bellow ricocheting off the walls and echoing in his ears.
Footsteps pounded.
Bellini scuttled inside, his ever-efficient butler glancing wildly about. “Is everything all right, sir?”
“Find Giovani and my sister. Ensure no harm has come to Adrestia.”
“What’s happened?” Giovani appeared in the doorway. “I heard your yell.”
“What time is it?”
“Six. Adrestia and I have not long returned from the park.”
“Bruno is what’s happened and when I find him, I’ll wring his blasted neck and make sure he dies with the utmost pain I can inflict.” Stumbling to his dresser, he tried to keep his focus as everything continued to sway. “Help me find my woman.”
“Lady Olivia is here?” Giovani frowned as he searched the room.
“She was. I brought her home with me following our sail along the Serpentine. She got drenched and with my residence being far closer than hers, I wished to see her changed into dry clothing. I placed one of Adrestia’s gowns on my trunk for her to change into and it’s gone. Bruno took her. We need to find her, now.” He dragged on a white tunic with billowy sleeves.
“Anteros?” Adrestia flew into his bedchamber in her forest-green riding habit, her dark locks flying. “What’s going on?”
“Bruno attacked me, then took Olivia with him. We need to find them both.”
“Why would Bruno have taken Olivia?” His sister stepped on something that crunched under her feet. She stepped back, scooped a piece of paper from the floor, his name emblazoned across the front.
“Give it to me.” She did and he unfolded the note and read the words for both his sister and Giovani to hear.
“Your Royal Highness,
I act under direct orders from your father to retrieve Lady Olivia Trentbury and to bring her directly to him. We will be awaiting your arrival at Paradiso, although don’t expect the lady to remain alive for long. Her death is assured, while your marriage to another is now certain. I’m sure you can guess as to whom.
Bruno.”
Fury raged inside him as never before. “Not only will I kill Bruno, but I’ll kill Father as well if he lays a hand on Olivia.”
“We need a plan of attack.” Adrestia clutched one hand to her middle. “Bruno is an imbecile for stealing Olivia away from you. We’ll catch up to him before he reaches Paradiso. Goodness, I can’t believe Father would have asked Bruno to do such a thing.”
“Father must have planned all of this.” He strapped on his sword belt and daggers, although he never would have thought Father would go this far either. Unfortunately, he shouldn’t have underestimated his sire. “I need to inform Lady Winterly of her daughter’s kidnapping. I’ll write her a letter and have it dispatched immediately. We set sail this eve, on the high tide.”
“I’ll ready the crew.” Giovani stormed out, calling over his shoulder, “I’ll meet you both at the docks.”
Facing his sister, his heartbeat a raging mess, he muttered, “Shira never warned me that Olivia would be stolen from me, although she did proclaim that my angel would be both the intervention and the prevention of my death, that I’m to
keep her at my side, at all times, day and night, whether I am on English soil or sailing the dangerous waters I know so well. I have failed her thus far. I won’t fail her again.”
“I’ll sail The Decadence alongside The Cobra.”
“Let’s pack and be away.” He charged down the passageway to his study, his sister racing to her bedchamber. Bellini followed him inside his sanctuary and stood with his hands clasped behind his back. While his butler awaited his orders, he settled himself at his chunky oak desk, his leather chair creaking and the fire crackling in the hearth. He shoved a pile of papers to one side.
“If I’d known—”
He raised a hand and cut Bellini off. “I’m the one who should have known Bruno might strike out against me.” He’d never hold his butler responsible for Bruno’s dastardly actions. “Bruno is dishonorable, devious, and immoral. He not only raised a hand against me, but he has now kidnapped an innocent lady. You can be assured when I find him, I will end his life.”
“I find it almost unbelievable he struck his own prince.” Bellini’s brows drew together, his scowl fierce, his butler well aware of his parentage since the man was a trusted member of his staff. “I heard you say you’re sailing on the high tide, sir.”
“Yes, I’ll be leaving as soon as I’ve written a letter to Lady Olivia’s mother, the dowager Countess of Winterly, a letter which I need you to deliver directly to her at the Earl of Winterly’s townhouse. In the meantime, I need you to ready all I’ll require for my trip to Paradiso.”
“I’ll pack your belongings right away.” His butler whisked out the door.
It appeared Father had never intended for him to marry Olivia. And here he’d thought he was the one instigating a ruse. Obviously, he’d been playing right into Father’s hands all along. His sire now held his woman as leverage and he’d soon be forced to speak vows with the Archduchess Clementina. He’d do so too. To ensure Olivia’s survival.
He drew forth a leaf of paper, and with his fear for Olivia growing stronger as each second ticked by, he dipped his quill into the inkwell and wrote.
Dear Lady Winterly,
The Prince's Bride Page 10
