Lord Rakehell

by Virginia Henley

  “Not nearly as long as I’ve waited, you elusive devil. You stole my heart when I was twelve, and left me in a walking trance of hopeless infatuation.”

  “Such a long time,” he teased, “you must be all of fifteen or is it fourteen?”

  She pulled his hair. “I’m nineteen . . . I think. In any case, I’m old enough for you to make me a woman. If you’re willing.”

  He nuzzled her neck. “I’m willing, ready, and able.”

  She reached between their bodies to glide her fingertips along his engorged cock.

  “Mmm, I can feel that you are, m’lord. Teach me about foreplay, James.”

  He brushed the disheveled curls from her brow. “Even kissing has its own foreplay.”

  “Oh, good. I love it when we kiss.”

  “The different kinds of kisses are infinite. Let me show you.” He lifted her hand and placed a kiss on each finger; then he opened her palm, placed a kiss in the center, and folded her fingers over it to keep it hidden.

  They exchanged a hundred kisses. He began with tiny, quick kisses to her temples, eyelids, and the corners of her mouth. His lips kissed her hair, traced along her cheekbone to her ear, then down against her throat. She could not wait for his mouth to take possession of hers, and when it did, she longed for the kisses to lengthen.

  For a whole hour, they lost themselves in slow, melting kisses. Their naked bodies pressed together, hot and sweet with passion, as the rough, soft slide of their tongues lit forbidden fires that snaked through their veins, awakening a thousand silken pleasure points. Slowly, his hands came up to cup her face; then his lips traced every enticing feature from temple to chin.

  Anne duplicated his caresses, cupping his face, and setting her lips to cherish the planes and hollows of his dark beauty. Then his lips moved to her throat and shoulders, feathering kisses, nibbling her silky flesh, whispering love words.

  By exploring and tasting her slowly, sensually, he was arousing and heightening all her senses. She nuzzled and whispered against his chest, inhaling the heady male scent of him, until she was ready to scream with excitement.

  “Sweetheart, your legs are so deliciously long, they were made for wrapping about a man.” At his inspired suggestion, she wrapped her long legs about his waist, crossed her ankles behind his back, and squeezed.

  As he groaned with sheer pleasure, she swept her arms about his neck and kissed him deeply, thrusting her tongue in and out in a gesture that mimicked how she wanted him to thrust his body into hers.

  “Not yet, love. You think you are ready, but I must make sure.” James slid his warm hands down her silken thighs and caressed the soft skin; then he cupped her mons and she arched into his hand as he teased the tiny folds with one strong finger. He stroked in and out until he felt her begin to get slippery.

  Anne gasped with pleasure. “That feels so exciting. I love the feel of your hands on my body, James.”

  He lay back and rolled with her until she was in the dominant position above him. He positioned his hard length in the hot cleft between her legs. She moaned with need and moved her slippery cleft up and down his long, hard shaft. Her head fell back and her throat and breasts arched with her sensual movements. She was becoming fully aroused and began to kiss him wildly.

  “Lower yourself onto me, sweetheart. Take your time. Only do what makes you feel wonderful. Stop if you feel I’m too big.”

  Anne, almost panting with need, slid over him and pressed down until about half of his erection was buried inside her. She felt so hot and tight that James almost came out of his skin. He rolled her gently, so that he was now on top of her and she lay captured between his thighs. He thrust down until he was seated to the hilt. Then he remained motionless to let her get used to the fullness inside her.

  Anne drew in a quivering breath, amazed that they were finally joined as one.

  James whispered hot love words. They poured over her, making her melt. Then he began to move, slowly and firmly at first; then taking his cue from the pleasurable cries she made, he began to thrust faster and deeper. He felt the hot, wet pull of her around his throbbing sex, and then he felt her climax.

  He arched above her, felt his seed start, and withdrew immediately. He cupped her mons with his warm hand and held her until all her delicious pulsations were finished.

  Anne buried her face against his chest and heard his heart beating wildly. They lay still, savoring the sensual feel of their bodies entwined together, breathing in the delicious male and female scent of their mating, and tasting the potent wine of their kisses.

  The wonder of being together kept them from sleep. Neither of them wanted to waste one minute of the joy of lying together in the wide bed. They whispered, and caressed, and laughed, and licked, and kissed with such abandon that they were amazed when dawn began to lighten the sky.

  James slipped the gold signet ring from his little finger and placed it on her ring finger. “With this ring, I thee wed. With my body, I thee honor. Darling Anne, I’ll love you forever. Thank you for the precious gift you gave me.”

  She stretched languorously. She had never felt like this before, never even dreamed what it would feel like to have her heart overflowing with happiness; her body replete from his loving.

  James lay on his side, head propped on his hand, and gazed at her, entranced. “You are so beautiful, it’s sinful!”

  Anne blushed. “You make me feel beautiful. I suppose I need a bath, but I don’t want to wash your scent from my skin.”

  James sat up, then knelt behind her and pulled her against him. “Don’t worry,” he whispered, and bit her ear. “I’ll put it there again anytime you like.”

  “In that case, I will have a bath. Is your tub big enough for two?”

  “Only if I hold you in my lap.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She watched as he rose from the bed in all his dark, naked splendor. The muscles of his chest, covered by black hair, and his thighs, thick as tree trunks, looked more solid than rock. His superb masculinity made her feel extremely delicate and feminine. In that moment, she felt pity for every other woman she knew, especially Alix.

  “Oh, I forgot to tell you. The queen has given her permission for the prince and Alexandra to go to Sandringham.”

  James clenched his fists and cursed under his breath. “Damnation, any minute now a messenger will arrive to summon me to Marlborough House. Being at the beck and call of the Prince of Wales can be bloody inconvenient.”

  “Don’t tell me you will have to go to Norfolk?”

  “I’m afraid so, sweetheart. And most likely I’ll have to leave today. Teddy wants to be there for August. I’ll have to hire a full staff of servants, buy horses and hunting dogs, as well as grooms to look after them. Since he wants to show Sandringham off to his friends, the place will have to be stocked with food and drink, and all the amenities that a royal prince of the realm is expected to provide.”

  “James, thank heaven I followed my instincts and came to you last night. If I’d waited just one more day, you would have been on your way to Norfolk.”

  He came to her and threaded his fingers into her hair. “I won’t see you again until August. It will seem like an eternity.” Unless, unless . . . An idea came to him. If I have only half the persuasive gifts of my father, I should be able to pull it off!

  “Let’s hurry with that bath, my beauty. Time is of the essence.”

  • • •

  At Marlborough House, Anne slipped upstairs to her room and changed her clothes. She took the gold signet ring from her finger, threaded it onto a fine gold chain, then fastened it around her neck. The ring, now hidden beneath her dress, came to rest between her breasts. She then hurried downstairs to join Princess Alexandra in the breakfast room. “I’m so sorry I’m late, Your Highness.”

  “You’re not late, Anne. I only just arrived myself.
Edward couldn’t stop talking about Sandringham. He’s already making a list of guests he wants to invite.”

  “Where’s Frances?”

  “While we’re here at Marlborough House, she decided to get the maids to start my packing for Sandringham. Then she’s going to pack her own clothes. That way we will be able to leave from Chiswick, and won’t have to return to London.”

  “That’s a marvelous idea.” Anne selected a russet apple from the fruit bowl. “I’ll go up and get my own clothes packed.”

  “I’ll be up shortly. This is the first day I’ve been able to face breakfast for weeks.”

  Just as Alexandra was finishing her second cup of chocolate, James Hamilton arrived in the breakfast room.

  “Good morning, James. I must thank you for all you do for us. I know that Edward has charged you with the responsibility of making Sandringham Estate ready for our August arrival.”

  “It will be my pleasure, Your Highness. I will make sure you have a couple of well-mannered riding horses that are worthy of you. I feel comfortable selecting household servants, cooks, and kitchen staff, but personal maids who will serve you are a bit out of my range of expertise. I think perhaps that if one of your ladies accompanied me, she would be much better suited to this task.”

  “That’s an excellent idea, James. She could also make sure Sandringham has enough linen and other amenities that would make our guests’ wives comfortable. I’m sure your sister Frances would be happy to accompany you.”

  James stared at her, for once at a total loss for words.

  Suddenly, Alix began to laugh. “I’m teasing you, James. I know perfectly well which lady you would like to accompany you. As a matter of fact, she’s upstairs packing. I assume you’re leaving today?”

  His eyes glittered with amusement. “You assume correctly, Your Highness.”

  Chapter Twenty-four

  “W hen Alix asked me if I would go with you to Sandringham to select some suitable maids and make sure the estate was ready to receive female guests, I couldn’t believe my good fortune. Then it began to dawn on me that you likely put the idea into her head.”

  James grinned as he tooled his horses along the Great North Road. “Mea culpa. However, I think that the Princess of Wales is a romantic at heart. The idea of throwing us together seemed to titillate her.”

  Anne threw him a saucy glance. “It certainly titillates me.”

  “Then I take it you have no regrets, sweetheart?”

  “My only regret is that it took so long. I should have gone home with you the night of the masquerade ball.”

  “Memories of that night will stay with me forever. You told me that I would never offer you marriage, but I proved you wrong, my beauty.”

  “Marriage isn’t as important to me these days,” she said lightly.

  His face turned serious. “It is extremely important to me, Anne. I want you to be my wife more than I’ve ever wanted anything before. Trust me to find a way.”

  When they reached Cambridge, James decided to stop for lunch at the Eagle, an inn that had been built in the sixteenth century. Afterward, while the horses were watered and rested, they went for a walk along the River Cam. It was busy with punts being poled by university students, whose carefree laughter filled the sunny afternoon.

  James and Anne strolled along the riverbank with their arms about each other. “This is such a lovely place, and the best part of being here is that no one knows who we are.”

  He dipped his head to kiss her, but that only whetted their appetite for more, so they stretched out on the grassy bank, trying to satisfy their need to touch, and whisper, and embrace in the glorious sunshine.

  Finally, James sat up. “Come on, if I don’t stop, I will get arrested for indecent exposure.”

  Anne looked up at him and laughed. “I thought it was called outdoor fucking.”

  James rolled his eyes. He loved her bawdy humor. “Though difficult, it will be prudent to wait until dark.”

  • • •

  They entered the Sandringham Estate grounds through wrought-iron gates, then continued along a winding driveway for at least a quarter of an hour before the house came into view. When they first saw Sandringham, the sun was setting, and it made the soft red brick and stone look warm and inviting.

  Anne gazed at the bay windows, towers, and gables. “Oh, James, it’s lovely! It’s more manor house than palace. I think Alexandra will be enchanted.”

  “It’s no wonder Teddy was excited when he saw the place. Will I let you off at the front door, while I go and stable the horses?”

  “No, no. I’ll come with you; then we can enter together. For the next couple of weeks, let’s pretend it’s ours!”

  “We don’t need to pretend, sweetheart; it will be ours.”

  While the carriage was stopped in front of the house, James unloaded their trunks, then drove on to the stables. The stable block was large, with its own coach house, and pigeon lofts above. James noted that there were both large and small carriages, as well as coach horses to pull them, but there was a dearth of riding horses, a situation he would have to rectify. He spoke with the stableman, Daniel Hingham, and made sure there were oats for his matched pair.

  When James and Anne entered the house, they were met by the housekeeper, who bobbed them a curtsy and told them her name was Roydon.

  “I’m delighted to meet you, Mrs. Roydon. I am James Hamilton, an envoy for the Prince of Wales, and this is Lady Anne Howe, who serves Alexandra, Princess of Wales, in a similar capacity.”

  “Pleased to meet you, milord, milady. I had the honor of meeting His Royal Highness when he visited Sandringham.”

  “Prince Edward was most impressed by the estate. He and the princess have decided to make Sandringham Estate their country home. They will be arriving in early August, and Lady Anne and I are here to make it ready to receive them.”

  Mrs. Roydon looked worried. “Will they be bringing their own servants, milord? I only have a skeleton staff.”

  “We will be hiring a full staff of new servants, and your help will be invaluable to us, Mrs. Roydon. Of course they will all report to you in your capacity as head housekeeper.”

  When Mrs. Roydon lost her worried look and began to preen, Anne thought, James has such diplomatic skills he could charm the ducks off the pond.

  “Does Sandringham have a cook?” he asked.

  “Not a professional cook, milord. My daughter Ethel and I prepare the meals.” She hesitated. “Beggin’ your pardon, but we aren’t prepared to serve nobility, such as yourselves. We’re braising some herons that Mr. Hingham shot on the mudflats.”

  James smiled. “Heron is a delicacy to anyone from London. We don’t need a formal tour, Mrs. Roydon. Lady Anne and I will enjoy exploring Sandringham ourselves.”

  The housekeeper bobbed another curtsy and hurried off to the kitchens to spread the amazing news, and see what else she could find in the larder.

  “Just look at this great main hall, it’s longer and wider than any I’ve ever seen,” Anne exclaimed. “And the walls are painted in Alexandra’s favorite shade of blue.”

  “The carpet is rather magnificent. All this space will accommodate some sofas and at least a dozen more comfortable easy chairs.”

  On the right of the great hall they passed by the library. The bookcases, desk, and chairs were light oak from an earlier time, and a welcome change from the dark, heavy Victorian furniture that was now in fashion.

  They passed through a morning room, whose pale gray walls were painted with Highland scenes. “I wonder how many rooms there are.”

  “Well over a hundred, I warrant, and far too many to visit tonight. I have other things I intend to explore,” James declared. “Let’s go upstairs and take a look at the bedchambers, before it gets dark.”

  To their delighted surprise they found that t
he east wing had many adjoining bedchambers. “How very convenient,” James teased. “It’s as if the house has been waiting to welcome us.”

  “I like this room with the ivy framed windows, and pale green carpet.” When Anne pulled back the covers to check the bed linen, she detected the fresh scent of lavender.

  James opened the adjoining door and they entered the other chamber together. The wide bed and heavy mahogany chest and wardrobe declared it a man’s room. James drew Anne into his arms. “Custom-made for lovers.”

  After a lingering kiss, he firmly set her aside. “I’ll go down and get our trunks. I don’t imagine Mrs. Roydon is up to hauling luggage. I’d better employ a couple of strapping footmen. Teddy travels with two valets, but they’re too prissy to lift anything heavier than a shoehorn.”

  An hour later James and Anne, sitting across from each other, were served dinner in a small family dining room with an open hearth. They hadn’t the faintest idea if they were eating heron or horse, since all they could think of was the moment they could withdraw from the world, shut their bedchamber doors, and carry on where they had left off the night before.

  Their anticipation grew apace with each minute that ticked past. When their fingers touched across the table, heat leaped between them and they felt as if they would go up in smoke. James made love to her with his eyes, caressing her sensual lower lip with his smoldering glance. He hungered to take the pins from her hair and have the red-gold mass slide through his hands. Anne felt the unmistakable heat of arousal at the curve of her belly. When Mrs. Roydon brought them dessert and Anne didn’t touch it, James knew that the only thing they hungered for was each other.

  “You go up first. I’ll have a word with Hingham at the stables.” James made a point of thanking the housekeeper for dinner, then bade her good night.

  When he arrived at the stables, he checked on his horses. He saw that they’d been fed and watered and were settled for the night, so he joined Daniel Hingham in the carriage house. “Soon, most of the stalls will be filled, so we are going to need grooms to tend the horses and stablemen to keep the place clean. We can use boys to polish the harness.”