“Tell me, little cat, my little lioness, tell me. Do you like it when I caress your flesh?” He transferred possession of both her wrists to one of his, leaving him a free hand that delved into the neckline of her dressing gown, covering her bare flesh, cupping her heaving breasts. “Do you love it when your breasts swell, filling my hand, their tips standing erect beckoning my lips? Admit it, you love it, don’t you?”
Against her own will, her body betrayed her. Even before he said the words, she could feel her flesh swell, seeming to reach for him, proudly rising, tempting him. Royall refused to speak, to give him more ammunition.
His knees forced their way between her thighs, the rough fabric of his trousers scraping the tender skin that her half-open, rucked-up dressing gown exposed. His lips were where his hands had been, torturing her, teasing, evoking in her a response she desperately wanted to deny.
Again, claiming her lips with his own, he slowly traced the outline of her mouth with his tongue, moistening it, penetrating it. A tremor passed through her to him, exciting him, spurring him to continue his assault. He could feel the perfect symmetry of her figure beneath his fingers. He was familiar with the purity of her breasts narrowing to her tiny waist. Her skin glowed amber in the morning light filtering through the kitchen window, tantalizing him, whetting his appetite for more, always more.
He felt the change in her when his lips traced moist patterns on her throat, felt the heat in her loins pressed so tightly against his own, and he knew he had won. The power was his; Royall was his! He could never have enough of her. The freshness , of her skin, the spun gold of her hair, the sweet curve of her breasts and thighs. Every inch of her was created by the gods to entice him, to fever his passions, to make him dissatisfied for any other woman.
Her legs wound round his hips, clinging in a honeyed embrace, and he knew a sense of coming home. Of a familiar welcome that he had tasted before. Her hips followed his, moving against him, making demands beyond her will.
He was lost in her, adrift in a golden sea. He released her wrists, half expecting her to curl her fingers into claws, to rake his face, to vent her rage. Instead, she forced her hands between their bodies, creeping lower, fumbling with the fastenings on his trousers. She wanted him with a hunger that was expressed in searching lips and seeking tongue. Soft moans of desire emanated from her, singing passion’s sweet song.
His night dark eyes glowed with exaltation as he entered her and she trembled beneath him, opening herself to him, imprisoning him in love’s tender sheath.
Royall whimpered softly, relishing the weight of him, loving the sound of his husky whispers when he told her of her beauty, and how he loved the feel of her body, the scent that was hers alone.
He crushed her mouth beneath his, savoring her, tasting the ambrosia of passion’s promise. Slowly, tantalizingly, he withdrew from her, entering again forcefully, making her cry out, anticipating the rake of her nails on his back as she realized what his next move would be. Sebastian rolled over onto his back, bringing her with him.
She felt his muscular torso between her knees, knew the sweet fulfillment at the center of their embrace. His fingers worked the few remaining buttons of her dressing gown, drawing the scarlet silk apart, seeing her body outlined in stark golden relief against the vibrant color. His hands possessed her breasts, cupping their firmness, teasing their rosy crests. She arched beneath his touch, throwing her shoulders back, offering herself to him.
Fire sparked where their flesh was joined, and her movements were instinctive and unstudied, arousing him beyond the limits of his control.
A waterfall of gold cascaded forward over her bared shoulders, hiding her breasts from his view. Impatiently, he took hold of it, reluctant to remove his hands from that precious flesh they had held captive. Pulling, persuading, he drew her downward, seeking her mouth with his own, eliciting from her a fevered response that quickened the movements of her hips, carrying him with her into a rapture that transcended the limits of the flesh and became a fusing of the spirit.
Head high, chin lifted to a level denoting confidence and pride, Royall turned toward Sebastian, holding his eyes with her own, feeling his returning gaze penetrate and warm her. They climbed the long, curving staircase and walked down the wide corridor leading to Alicia’s room, side by side. Sebastian didn’t touch her; he didn’t have to. She could feel his warmth, his own wonder, experiencing it as though it were her own. Something had changed between them. She no longer felt the deep, abiding hurt and rage that had consumed her all these past weeks. Whatever this new feeling was, it was fragile, gossamer thin, easily penetrated, more easily destroyed.
Sebastian’s voice was deep and husky when he spoke. “This is where Alicia is staying. I’m certain she’s sleeping, but she wouldn’t mind if you woke her.” He looked down at Royall, whose hand was gripping the door knob. She met his gaze and smiled, reassuring him, silently pledging to do her best to help his friend.
“I want you to know something, Sebastian,” she whispered. “I don’t expect you to understand this, but I’m not really doing this for you. I’m doing it for Alicia and myself, and pray God I can say the right things, get through to her. And,” she continued, looking directly into his tortured black eyes, “I want to say that Alicia is indeed fortunate to have you for a champion. Whatever is or isn’t between us, I want you to know how I feel.” Not allowing him time for an answer, she pushed open the door and closed it behind her and tiptoed across the room to Alicia’s bed.
How frail she looked, almost ethereal. Soft, dark hair was scattered on the pillow, and her piquant face was troubled, even in sleep. Blue smudges of weariness were beneath her eyes and blemished her peaches and cream complexion.
Royall hated to wake her, but Sebastian seemed to think it would be better for Alicia to talk to someone than to sleep. Touching the girl lightly on the shoulder, Alicia stirred, her breathing harsh and tormented. Alicia woke, her eyes wide and frightened. “Alicia, it’s all right,” Royall soothed. “You’re in Sebastian’s home. He brought me here to talk to you. I’m Royall Banner,” she said quietly.
Alicia closed her eyes and leaned back against the snowy whiteness of the pillows. Oh, Sebastian, her mind rebelled. How could you do this to me? How could you want me to talk to the woman Carl is going to marry? Tears gathered in her eyes.
“Sit up, Alicia, and we’ll talk. Sebastian has told me why you’re here and why you came to him. I know it’s going to be hard for you and that you feel ashamed, but I want you to put that aside. I want to help you, and I want to be your friend. Sebastian has told me how dear you are to him, and we both know he wouldn’t subject either of us to this meeting if he didn’t think it was necessary.”
Alicia was silent, staring at this beautiful woman with the wealth of golden hair. Imagining her in Carl’s embrace. Seeing Royall’s full, ripe mouth and seeing Carl’s lips caress it—it was too much. Too humiliating! Sebastian, what are you doing to me?
“Alicia, I must tell you right from the beginning that I have no intention of marrying Carl. How could I? He’s never asked me! Alicia, Carl has never treated me as anything but a friend. He’s never made any advances toward me, and deep in my heart I’ve always felt he loved someone else. You, Alicia.”
At the girl’s incredulous expression, Royall hurried on. “I know the Baron would like a marriage between Carl and myself, but I’d never marry anyone unless I truly loved him. I’ve made that mistake already and I won’t make it again. Carl is a wonderful man, tender and sweet, and obviously in love with you!”
Gratification came in seeing Alicia’s pansy blue eyes brighten, and then fall back into the shadows of misery. “I should be happy to hear what you’ve told me. I was so confused . . . when I was told that Carl was going to marry you . . . Oh, please, go away,” she cried, deep sounds of sorrow, like an inexorable tide, coming from her as she rocked back and forth, hugging herself. “Don’t you see, now it’s worse! So much worse! I’ll never be able
to face Carl again. How can I tell him what I’ve done? He could never love me again, never! No man could ever love me.”
Royall moved to the bed, taking Alicia in her arms. Waiting for this new wave of misery to subside. “Alicia, there’s no need for you to tell Carl. He’d never have to know. Why would you tell him?”
Alicia shook her head, “I could never lie to him. I love him.”
“And for that reason you should never tell him, and he’ll never hear it from anyone else either. Sebastian will say that you’ve been here under his protection the whole time. And if a word of scandal should ever reach his ears, he’ll make it known that he’d kill the man who’d spread such lies. Besides, this man, whoever he was, wouldn’t want to be ostracized from society, and that’s exactly what would happen. Do you understand?”
Alicia nodded in agreement. “But I’d have to be honest with Carl.”
Royall was angry. Her fingers dug into the soft flesh of Alicia’s arms and she threw her back against the pillows, following her, putting her face only inches from the girl’s. “I thought you said you loved him!” she hissed, venom spitting from her lips.
“I do. I do.”
“Then why would you want to hurt him? Are you so weak that you can’t carry your secret by yourself? That you’d need to lay it on Carl’s shoulders and make him miserable?”
Eyes widening, Alicia’s mouth formed an O; she shook her head in denial. “But . . . but . . .”
“No buts, Alicia. Sebastian told me you were made of strong stuff, and this only happened because you were miserable and frightened that you’d lost Carl forever. You were stupid, Alicia; you should have gone to Sebastian to tell him what that man was trying to make you do. But no, you wanted to wallow in your own misery and compound it, triple it, kill yourself with it! You were stupid, but I know that we all make the wrong choices sometimes. But do you really want to burden Carl with it? Do you want to cheat him of his happiness just because you cheated yourself out of yours? Needing to confide in Carl isn’t love, Alicia, it’s selfishness. If you need to punish yourself, Alicia, find some other way. Some way that won’t punish Carl in the bargain!”
Alicia seemed to crumble in Royall’s arms. Holding her, Royall softened her tone. “It will have to be your secret, now and forever. Soon the time will come when memories will fade because Carl is at your side and you’ll hold his child in your arms.”
Drawing away, pushing Alicia from her, Royall stared deeply into the girl’s eyes. “You’re young, you’re resilient. You’ve survived the worst and you can’t go back now! You’re safe now, Alicia. And Carl will keep you safe and you’ll be able to go on with your life as it was meant to be!”
“Royall, do you really think so? Do you really believe it?”
“You know I do! With my whole heart.”
Alicia’s thoughts whirled, coming again and again to the Baron. How could she marry Carl and live in the same house as the Baron? Would Carl ever leave Reino Brazilia?
“I couldn’t stay here, Royall. I want to leave Manaus ... and the memories. What . . . what if Carl doesn’t want to come with me? What if he obeys his father and cuts me out of his life? How can I live without him? And those vicious rumors about me ... saying I’m a prostitute . . .” her words rambled.
“A prostitute!” Royall gasped. “Silly girl! Don’t you think that Sebastian would be one of the first to hear any rumor like that? This man, whoever he was, lied to you. He tricked you so he could force you into doing as he wanted. You must believe in yourself, Alicia, before anyone else can believe in you. You must stand on your own two feet. And as for Carl, I’ve my own ideas about him. I’ve told you he never mentioned marriage to me, regardless of the pressure the Baron exerted. What does that tell you, Alicia? That his father hasn’t won, that Carl is a man who is learning to stand up for himself and what he wants, regardless of the Baron. Otherwise, I’m certain he would have proposed long before this.”
Alicia’s eyes were bright with tears, tears of realization and a growing hope. “Oh, Royall,” she hugged her, “how can I thank you. Dear Sebastian, for bringing you here to me. And to think how many hours I’ve spent hating you, jealously thinking Carl loved you. And now that I know you, I wonder that Carl didn’t fall in love with you; how could he not?”
Royall smiled. “Because his heart belongs to you. He loves you.”
“Royall, are you certain I shouldn’t tell Carl?”
“I’m certain. It would be cruel, to both of you. Women are strong. You, Alicia, are strong!”
“How will I ever be able to thank you, Royall? Sebastian was right, you’ve done me the world of good. Thank you. Perhaps some day I may be able to help you.”
“You may at that. I’m going to leave you now. You need more rest. Your eyes are heavy. I think you’ll sleep a restful sleep now. We’ll talk again when you’re feeling better. And at that time,” she wagged a finger at Alicia, “I expect to see a bloom in your cheeks. I want your promise.”
“I promise,” Alicia said wanly.
“Alicia, is that your cape on the chaise?” At the girl’s nod, Royall asked if she might borrow it.
“But of course. I’m afraid it’s a bit wrinkled. I arrived here in a downpour.”
“It’s of no matter. I can’t go back in my dressing gown. Your cape will do nicely. I’ll be sure it’s pressed and returned to you.”
“Burn it, please. I want no further reminders of where the cape came from,” Alicia said harshly.
“Sleep now, Alicia. We’ll talk again.”
Royall was almost at the top of the stairs when she heard her name being called. “Yes?” she questioned turning around. The child from the kitchen! Sebastian’s paramour. What did she want!
“My name is Aloni.” Royall said nothing as she narrowed her eyes. She didn’t like the stiffness of the tiny girl, nor did she like the dangerous look in her eyes. “Sebastian belongs to me.” Still Royall said nothing. The girl seemed confused by her lack of response. The musical voice rose an octave. “You will never take him from me, and if you try, I’ll kill you.”
“What makes you think I want Sebastian? Don’t ever make the mistake of threatening me again, for if you do, I may be forced to take you over my knee and paddle your backside till you can’t sit down for a week. If you want to be treated like an adult, I suggest you start acting like one.” Good lord, where was she getting all of this advice she was ladling out in such large doses. “Step aside!”
Aloni’s breath came out in a sharp hiss. “I saw you in the kitchen with Sebastian. I saw you both!”
Royall was stunned and momentarily taken off guard. She had seen . . . had heard . . . God in heaven! She had to get out of this house! Now! Damn you, Sebastian Rivera, she muttered under her breath.
“He could never love you,” the woman-child said hatefully. “We belong together. You will never take him from me.”
“I don’t want him. You can have him! You can have all of him,” Royall shot back as she made a move to go around Aloni.
“He has tasted your passions now, and he will compare them with mine. Aloni does not like it when he will do that.”
The thought of this woman-child comparing passions amused Royall, and the cat in her emerged. “Be careful, Aloni. If a comparison is made, you would lose.”
“You lie! You white-skinned old woman!” Aloni spat, her fingers curling to claws.
Gone was the amusement and in its place rose anger, white hot and searing. It was the word “old” that Royall objected to. “You deserve one another, you and your master. You’re both cut from the same bolt of cloth. Now, let me by, you whining infant!”
Aloni raised her hand and pushed Royall back against the wall. Royall’s eyes widened at the strength behind the slender arm. Her eyes narrowed. If Aloni wanted a battle, she would give her one. Royall brought up her hand and slapped Aloni square across the side of the face. Aloni retaliated by grasping Royall’s long blond hair and yanking till tears cam
e to her eyes. She tugged and pulled with vicious pleasure. “You damn little bitch, I’ll teach you a lesson you’ll never forget!”
A second later Royall had her hair free and had knocked Aloni to the floor. The woman-child shrieked and screamed for help from Sebastian. “If you don’t shut that petulant mouth of yours, your teeth will be rattling around,” Royall gasped as she straddled the tiny form on the floor. Both of Aloni’s hands were held at the wrist with Royall bending over, her face inches from Aloni’s terrified face. “Call me old now. Let me hear you say it again. Say it!” Royall shouted angrily.
“Say what?” Sebastian’s voice thundered. “What the hell is going on here? Christ, don’t you women ever shut up? I’m going back to the plantation for peace and quiet. One of you better tell me within thirty seconds just what the hell this is all about, or I’ll take both of you over my knee. Speak!” he roared.
Royall struggled to her feet. With a flourish she whipped the lemon-colored cape about her, all the while staring disdainfully at Sebastian. “The infant on the floor needs a wet nurse and a sugar tit.” This she said with her mouth pursed as though she were sucking on a sour lime. “Don’t even try to explain, for I have no desire to hear any explanation. This is the last insult I will suffer at your hands, Sebastian Rivera. Now, get the hell out of my way before I knock you down those steps and then walk over you. Now!”
Royall gathered the shreds of dignity around her and left, feeling both pairs of eyes piercing her back—one pair hate-filled and the other confused.
Chapter Sixteen
The Quince townhouse was ablaze with lights shimmering through the long French glass windows and laying golden pools on the cobbled street outside. People were arriving for the party given by the Quinces in honor of their guest, Royall Banner. Jewels glittered, taffeta gowns rustled, men were attired in their most dashing best. Carriages were tended by the footmen, and music, full and glorious, filled the night, sweeping over the slate rooftops from Rosalie’s back garden, where the party was already in progress.
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