“Danielle,” he said between his teeth. “I am now her guardian. It’s all very appropriate. Go.” He couldn’t move until she left or risk Sophie’s attention being discovered.
“Of course.” She flitted toward the doorway and finally left the room just as Sophie gave him another explorative squeeze. With each touch, he gave her more to discover.
He tried to bring his body to heel. She was not even awake and certainly not aware she was caressing him like a lover. But her delicate looks along with her brazen personality had caught his imagination and he was picturing all sorts of delectable scenarios, many of them involving this very settee.
He untangled his arm and grabbed hers, giving her a tiny shake. “Sophie.” His voice came out rough and scratchy.
She let out a sweet little sigh and nuzzled into his neck. Bloody hell, that wasn’t helping.
He found the pearl buttons at the back of her dress and began to undo them, his deft fingers working down the line until he felt the bodice slump between them. Pushing the fabric down her arms, he freed the laces of her corset until the knot gave and he yanked the silly contraption loose.
She sucked in a great breath of air and he looked down to assess her color. Thankfully, pink hues were infusing her cheeks again. Unfortunately, with the black dress removed, he caught sight of her cleavage which was…ample. The soft flesh was more than inviting and he itched to trace the outline, dip under her crisp white chemise and brush the nipple. Was it large or small? Dark or the dusty rose of her lips?
Her fresh scent filled his nostrils. She smelled of ocean breezes and spring flowers. How did she manage that? Just when he thought he might go mad, she stroked him again, her palm sliding along his shaft, her fingers wrapping around his girth and giving a slight squeeze as though testing his size.
“I’m going to go mad,” he gritted out trying to flex his leg and test his hip so he might extract himself from this delicious web of carnal insanity.
“Mad?” she whispered, her breath tickling his cheek. “This is the most relaxed I’ve been in ages.” Then she slid her hand back up his length.
He felt her gain awareness as she palpably stiffened, each muscle gaining its rigidness once again. “Oh dear lord, is that what I think it is?” And for good measure, she gave him another squeeze.
“This situation would be made far better if you removed your hand,” he said between ragged breaths.
“Of course.” Her cheeks transformed from pale to bright red. “I am so sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. Well, clearly I wasn’t. And even after I was awake I was confused because it’s so much larger than I ever imagined and—” Her own gasp cut off her words.
He had to chuckle at that. “It’s not the first time I’ve heard the compliment, it just usually comes from women with a great deal more experience.”
“Oh.” Now her cheeks were aflame; she tried to recoil away but she surely would have fallen off the settee.
He wrapped an arm about her and held her still against his chest. Sweet torture. “Be still. You need to recover.”
“I don’t normally faint,” she started, those large brown eyes staring into his. They pulled at a man’s soul.
“I know,” he answered. “You’re far too strong for such frail gestures.” He couldn’t help himself, he cupped her cheek in his hand. “The best of us occasionally succumb to our bodies’ weakness no matter how hard we fight it.”
Her mouth parted as her eyebrows came up. “Perhaps you do understand me.”
He gave her another squeeze about her tiny waist even as her breasts pushed up against him. Perhaps she’d been right and he shouldn’t have become her guardian. With an attraction as powerful as the one between them, especially where he was concerned, being this close to her was a dangerous business.
Chapter Five
Sophie stared at Harry. Gads, the man was handsome. His hard body pressed against her softer one in the most delightful way. He was like the rock that held back the sea. He’d either protect her or she’d break apart, bashed against his hard edges.
Because while he felt like a safe harbor this exact moment, she mustn’t forget that they were engaged in their own little war. A test of wills. He wanted to take control of her life; she’d only wanted a puppet of sorts that might give her the air of respectability she needed to make a match.
“Perhaps I do,” he murmured back.
She squinted. What had they been talking about? The beat of his heart against hers had distracted her no small amount. Oh, right, he understood her. “Please understand that I’ve been managing the house on my own, the staff and the finances, without aid for the last seven months since my aunt died.”
He stroked her cheek again and she had to clench the muscles of her neck to keep from leaning into the touch. “We’ve started on the wrong foot,” he said by way of answer. “I was in a rush, which never suits good communication.” He danced his fingers down her neck, sliding to the back to lightly massage the nape. The touch relaxed her to her toes and caused little shivers of excitement to race along her skin. “I intend to return to the army as soon as I’ve seen you settled. I have unfinished business I need to attend, and I don’t wish to insert myself into your life any longer than necessary.”
Well that did make her feel better, at least a little.
“What’s more, I only took over guardianship so that I can see you wed without suspicion being roused.”
She crinkled her brow. Was her brain addled or was this making sense? “You won’t take away the autonomy I’ve created here?”
He gave a small shake to his head. “Though I’d be happy to help you invest some of your money so that it earned more for you rather than just diminishing, the decision is yours.”
She let out a long breath, her entire body relaxing even more. Which meant they drew even closer. He began massaging little circles at the small of her back with his other hand. “I’d like that,” she said quietly.
His lips were scant millimeters away from her as she arched her neck to look up at him. “You said that you wanted to marry. But have you considered that the control you don’t want to give to me would automatically revert to your husband as soon as you’re wed?” he asked.
She blinked several times and attempted to sit up. Which was a mistake because her legs were completely tangled in his. As she struggled, she pulled on her leg and gave a grunt, wincing as he pushed at the small of her back to hold her still. “What’s wrong?”
“I was injured,” he said, his eyes squeezing shut. “My hip still pains me.”
“Injured how?” That explained the limp and, for a moment, she considered touching the injury, soothing it away as he’d been doing for her. But that was too close to where she’d already been massaging and so she kept her hand at his waist.
“It doesn’t matter. I’ve time before I’ll be cleared to return to duty, and you need help. It’s a perfect fit. But I do urge you to give some thought to what you want before we begin.”
* * *
Harry saw her consider his words. Her eyes crinkled and her tongue darted out to lick her lips. His head ached, his teeth had been clenched for so long. A man could only take so much, and she was pushing him to the edge of his reason.
She’d stroked his cock, for feck’s sake, and now that delicious-looking pink tongue was wetting her lips.
Slowly he shifted her weight. He didn’t think he could just set her back on her feet, which was infuriating. Where was Danielle with that food? Normally, it would have been an easy task and it made him wince to realize he couldn’t. Instead, he slid her on top of him so that she might push off his chest and rise up.
Only that was fraught with a different difficulty entirely. As she pushed up, her dress slumped forward. The corset still had her breasts sitting high, accentuating her small waist, and it was all bared for him to see.
His hungry gaze roved down her half-clad form even as her hips rocked so that her soft center pushed down on his stil
l enlarged cock. His throat went dry.
They both groaned. He reached for her hips, reason having completely fled his mind. As he pushed her down against him, she made a whimpering noise. “Captain?”
That brought some measure of reason back. “It’s Harry,” he grated out, using his hand placement to push her up and off of him. “To you anyway, when we are in private. In public, it’s now Lord Ridgely. I’ve been made an earl.”
She covered her mouth to stop a strangled cry.
“What?” He gingerly rose and turned her about to begin buttoning up her dress. They couldn’t be caught like this no matter how noble his intentions when he’d undone them.
“I was just pressing all my parts against an earl,” she whispered her head falling into her hands. “Dear merciful saints. Somehow knowing you’re titled makes it worse.”
Something in him loosened, lightened. The past months, even years, had been full of struggle, death, and strife. He’d found meaning there but somehow, this much lighter problem tickled him to no end and he began to laugh. It was slow and rusty at first, but it picked up gusto. “You did, in fact, molest me quite fully.”
She let out another groan, her head bending even further down as her hands came into her hair. “I’m a trollop.”
That tickled him even more and he laughed all the harder.
She dropped her hands and gave him a saucy glare over her shoulder. The laughter on his lips died as desire curled in his loins again.
“You’re not a trollop.” Finishing the last button, he ran the pad of his thumb over the velvet soft skin of her cheek. “You’re a passionate and vivacious woman who is going to make some man very happy when you choose him to be your husband.” Why did those words make his throat tighten?
“When I choose him?” Her accusing glare softened as her eyebrows rose.
He quirked one of his. “I’ve known you for a very short time and yet, I am certain I speak the truth. You will find the man you want and bend him to your will.” Then he leaned closer, letting her fresh ocean scent wash over him. “And he’ll thank you for it.”
“Oh,” she answered drawing in a deep breath of her own. “That is lovely. I think I may—”
“I’ve got sandwiches,” Danielle sang from the doorway. “Oh good, you’re up.”
Harry clenched in annoyance at being disturbed. He wanted to know what Sophie had been about to say. He wanted to remain close to her, breathing her in, touching her soft curves.
Looking back at Danielle, he tried to arrange his face into a polite mask. Had he found her attractive? He didn’t see it now. All he could smell, feel, see was the little brunette minx still standing close to him. He needed to find out what she’d been about to say. But to do that, he’d have to get her alone again.
“Thank you,” he finally managed to say as he stepped back from Sophie. Her hair had come undone and he reached to brush it back. The silky curls slipped through his fingers and he had the urge to dive his fingers into the thick mass of dark hair and send her hairpins flying. “Food sounds lovely.” He didn’t give a wit about food. His appetite had been piqued for something else entirely.
But Sophie needed to eat.
And so once again, they sat, each taking a bit of sandwich from the tray. Soon the butler arrived with yet more food and plates began to pile up on the table in front of them.
“Tell me,” he said between bites of a meat pastry. “Do you have a dining room in this house of yours?”
Sophie dropped her slice of bread and jam as her mouth dropped open. Then she let out a tinkling chuckle. “We do, in fact, not that I plan to allow you to dine at it. It’s only for respectable company.”
He was an earl. How was that not respectable? But then she laughed again and he realized she was teasing him. “Very funny.”
She wrinkled her nose, just a touch, as her smile grew. After finishing her slice of bread, she stood. “Since you now own the house, I suppose you’ll want to stay. I’ll have your room made up.”
“You should sit,” he said, rising too. “You’ve had a trying evening.” He meant the words, but he also had the unsettling feeling that staying here was exactly what he shouldn’t do. She was too tempting.
“Don’t bother,” Danielle interjected. “She never stays still for long.”
He raised his hand. “I’ll go to the local inn. I told you and I meant it—I am not here to take over. Just to help.” Being up, he didn’t wish to sit again. His hip was throbbing with pain now. “If you ladies will excuse me, I’ll find my way there now. But I shall see you tomorrow? I’ll call at two.”
Then he turned and started for the door. As he looked back, he caught Sophie’s gaze in his own. Thank goodness he wasn’t staying. He’d have a hard time keeping his hands off her now that he’d had a taste of the sensual woman beneath the perfect pink curtains. So tonight, he needed to decide how he was going to handle his growing attraction to the lovely Sophie Chesterfield while he found her a suitable husband.
Chapter Six
Sophie lay in bed, listening to the birds chirp outside. She should still be asleep. Yesterday had been trying at best, with her introduction to Lord Ridgely, her brother’s best friend. The problem was that the man had started a cacophony of emotions within her body, the most notable…desire.
When her core had pressed into his…her body throbbed again. She’d told herself twenty times at least to cease thinking about it but she’d only go a few minutes and then she’d picture it all over again.
That wasn’t the only thing replaying in her mind. She’d thought about his words about marriage. Funny, she’d been so focused on getting the house ready for a man to move in that she had not considered the fact the property would become his. How silly.
And Harry was right. She’d have difficulty giving over her autonomy and independence. In addition, the responsibility of running the household brought a real sense of pride. She liked being a woman who could care for herself.
Did that mean she didn’t wish to marry? Closing her eyes, her body pulsed again. Harry was an exceptionally handsome man. She knew she wasn’t likely to respond to most males that way. Yet, maybe another marriageable man would make her tingle. She thought of doing even more than she had today. Of really touching him and letting him touch her. Her heart pounded in her chest. That was one part of marriage she most definitely wished to explore.
And the other…having a baby and becoming a mother. For as long as she could remember, she’d wanted a family of her own. She couldn’t very well have that without a male participant.
Which immediately brought her back to the feel of Harry’s, er, staff in her hand. And the circle of sinful thoughts began again. It had been large and his comment about more experienced women saying the same left her even more intrigued. Was he so unusual?
She groaned and rolled over to bury her face in her pillow. She clutched the sides of the fabric so that it scrunched about her cheeks and she let out a loud cry of frustration, the pillow muffling the sound.
Then she sat up and tossed the pillow onto the floor. Lying in bed was not helping. She might as well start her day, get her chores done, and try not to think about Lord Harry Ridgely. Which was laughable. The man was as large in her thoughts as he was in real life.
Several hours later, however, she’d nearly done it. She’d run the errands herself, going to the butcher and the baker. She’d planned a menu for that evening should Harry stay for dinner. She’d polished the silverware herself, and then taken a brisk walk after the noon meal.
As the clock neared two, she was ready for an afternoon rest. Danielle had given her several long looks as she sat embroidering but said little. Unusual for her dearest friend.
Still, as she lounged back on the settee, her eyes grew heavy. Perhaps during her next meeting with Harry she could keep a calm demeanor. She’d used enough of her energy to control both her irritation and her attraction to the man.
A small smile graced her lips even as her ey
es fluttered closed.
Just as the clock struck, the bell on the front door tinkled, announcing a visitor. She sat bolt upright, energy coursing through her once again. That dratted man hadn’t even entered the house and he’d put her at odds.
She got out of her chair, her mood turning instantly sour. Why did he have this effect on her? He’d come in and turned her life upside down, but the moment he stood in the doorway, she remembered. The man was handsome as sin. She nearly snorted out loud, but caught herself. Here she was thinking herself independent and one handsome earl had her near begging for…what was it she wanted from him?
Oh, but she knew. Just the memory of how she’d touched him, how he’d held her had heat infusing her cheeks.
She looked back at Danielle, who had set aside her embroidery and stood as well. Her cousin dipped into a curtsey and Sophie followed suit, glad for a reminder in basic manners.
Harry entered, giving a nod as he crossed to what had become his customary seat. A day and the man was making all sorts of claims in her house.
“Good day, ladies.”
Harry’s deep voice sent a shiver along her skin. She nodded in response, not trusting herself to speak.
They all sat again, and Danielle immediately picked up her work to continue her embroidery.
“Miss Frazier, your stitching is lovely,” Harry said, looking at Danielle.
Sophie took a steadying breath, glad to speak on a topic that did not involve herself. “Danielle is a model of feminine pursuits, my lord.” Her cousin excelled at embroidery, dance, polite conversation. Danielle would never have argued with a man she’d known for only a day. Danielle rarely argued with anyone.
He raised an eyebrow at her. “I’m sure she is.”
Belatedly, it occurred to Sophie that Danielle would make an ideal match for Harry. Her heart constricted in her chest. Her angelic beauty was the perfect foil to his dark and dangerous good looks. She’d make an exceedingly good countess with her docile and kind demeanor.
Taming an Unrepentant Earl (Taming the Duke's Heart Book 10) Page 3
