Lady Laugherty's Loves

by Laurel Bennett

  Olivia Ragland never assumed she would be presented with the opportunity to love two men, not at the very same time. In fact, she has all the man she could ever want in her husband, Avery Ragland, Lord Laugherty. He’s charismatic, handsome, and a wonderful lover. But when his best friend is invited to a house party they throw, the two launch a sensual assault that no woman could possibly withstand.

  Avery and Ellis have shared women in the past, and have a pressing desire to share this one for a lifetime. The only catch -- they have to convince Olivia that she can overcome the restrictions that come with respectability.

  Lady Laugherty’s Loves

  Laurel Bennett

  Copyright Laurel Bennett 2011

  Published by Night Shift Publishing – Smashwords Edition

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without written permission. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

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  Lady Laugherty’s Loves

  By Laurel Bennett

  One

  There were two of them. Yes, two of them. Two of the most debauched and talked-about gentlemen in all of Britain. And they were staying under her roof. When Olivia Ragland had volunteered to host the weeklong house-party at her estate in Hampshire, she’d known one of them would be there. She was married to him, after all. But not that he had invited his cousin and best friend to attend as a guest.

  Neither Olivia nor Avery had seen Ellis in more than two years, not since he’d left for his tour of the continent. Or his “whore-mongering journey through America” as her husband liked to refer to his cousin’s trip. They’d only been married for a few weeks when Ellis had announced he was departing. But she knew Avery missed him terribly. They’d grown up together almost like brothers, after all.

  The coach rumbled to a stop with a jingle of tack and the door flew open before the tiger could even dismount. Ellis tumbled out, landing solidly on his feet just before he flew at Avery. Avery grunted as Ellis wrapped him in a crushing hug. Ellis’ arrival had been all Avery could talk about for weeks.

  They had very similar builds, the same sun-kissed skin, and similar full lips. But that was where their similarities stopped. Ellis’ father had unexpectedly passed away when he was a boy, so he and his mother had gone to live with his uncle, Avery’s’ father. Ellis had been raised with almost every privilege Avery had, aside from the fact that he had no title like Avery’s. Nor a huge inheritance to call his own. But Avery’s father was a generous sort, and Ellis hadn’t done without anything else. Their upbringing was reflected in the way they moved and the way they spoke. But Avery had a sparkle in his eye that Ellis lacked. And Ellis’ brown eyes were in direct opposition of Avery’s blue ones.

  When they finally released one another, Ellis cocked his head to the side and regarded her with a quirky grin. “Hello, Olivia,” he said quietly. Her belly fluttered involuntarily. Oh, dear.

  Then he held his arms out to her as well. He’d never been one for formalities. He'd always preferred a masculine, back-thwacking hug to a handshake with her husband. But she’d never been so improperly propositioned before. And not before servants, of all things. Yet when Avery gave her a small push at the middle of her back, she found herself falling right into Ellis’ arms.

  His hand snaked around her waist and pressed her to him, scandalously close. Olivia placed her hands on his chest and pushed. Yet he held her firmly within his grasp. “You feel like heaven,” he said quietly in her ear. Then he gave her one final squeeze and leaned back to look down at her. She opened her mouth to scold him soundly, but he tipped her chin up with one finger and placed a quick kiss on her lips. Then he released her.

  “How was your trip?” she heard her husband ask as they turned toward the manor.

  Olivia was stunned. So stunned that her feet refused to take a single step. All she could do was stand there and gape like a complete ninny.

  Avery turned back toward her. “Are you coming, Olivia?”

  Obviously, he didn’t see anything wrong with his best friend’s display of affection. There wasn’t a scowl on his face. He didn’t stand up for her honor. In fact, he looked more light-hearted than he had in months.

  “I’ll be along in a moment,” she finally croaked. “I need to see to something.” And figure out how to take a full breath. Or any breath at all.

  As they ambled inside, Olivia fought to direct the servants with Ellis’ trunks.

  “You can put them in her ladyship’s room,” her husband called out from the doorway.

  “My room?” Olivia asked. Granted, she rarely used it. But still…

  “We’ve a full house planned, Olivia. And I can’t think of anyone I’d trust to have the room adjoining ours.” He made a final motion to the servants which put them in action.

  Olivia approached them both and tugged on her husband’s sleeve. “May I borrow you for a few moments, while Ellis settles in?” He narrowed his eyes at her. “I’d like to discuss the seating arrangements with you for dinner.”

  “Oh, whatever you decide is fine with me,” he said, quite effectively dismissing her, just before he bent and kissed her softly. “I want to show Ellis the stables before it gets dark.”

  “You mean you want to boast over your most recently purchased piece of horse flesh,” Ellis teased.

  “That, too,” Avery chuckled as they walked away together.

  Olivia escaped as quickly as she could and ran for the master’s chambers. She shoved the door shut and leaned heavily against it. Good Lord. Her husband’s best friend had kissed her and held her scandalously close. And her husband didn’t seem perturbed by it at all.

  ***

  “You should be ashamed,” Avery said to Ellis as they wandered toward the stables. There was no new horseflesh, not a single equine specimen that could make Avery dismiss his houseguests and his wife to head for the stables. Yet the very thought of Ellis’ lips against Olivia’s had him scurrying for a quiet place where they could talk.

  Ellis chuckled. “I feared she would slap me there for a moment.”

  “She would never do that. She’s much too proper.”

  “So, you brought me here to share your proper English wife?” Ellis clucked at him.

  “Only if she’s willing.” He’d never ask her to do anything she didn’t want to do. But he did want to see what unfolded if the situation came up. “I have missed you,” he admitted. “It hasn’t been the same without you.”

  “Yes, but then you had to go and fall in love. And marry. The best friend of the groom doesn’t typically get to share the wedding night. No matter how much he might want to.”

  “Do you think you could love her?” He had to know. He’d not whore Olivia out. Nor would he ask her to put herself into a temporary situation that could rock the very foundation of their marriage.

  “I think I fell in love with her the around the same time you did. But you had the advantage of a title to offer her, and I had none.” />
  Avery had always assumed that to be the case, yet he’d always been afraid to ask. He didn’t want to ruin either relationship. He and Avery had both been presented to Olivia at her come-out. And she’d shown both of them her favor. Yet, in the end, it was Avery she’d gravitated toward. He was damn glad of it, but there was something missing in their relationship. He had a feeling that something was his best friend.

  ***

  Ellis’ blood was still pumping hard within his veins, not to mention his cock. When he’d pulled Olivia to him and smelled her sweet scent, he’d fought with himself not to scare her by kissing her soundly. He could still feel the round fullness of her breasts against his chest, her lips on his.

  “Explain to me what you’d like to see come of all this?” He needed to know exactly where he stood. Would he always be a third? Would it always be Olivia and Avery, while Ellis was invited into their bed on occasion?

  Avery shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe nothing. It’s up to her.”

  He nodded slowly. He’d take the chance that something wonderful would come of it.

  “She’s probably up in her room, making sure it’s presentable for you,” Avery hinted with a gleam in his eye.

  “So how do you want to approach this?” He really didn’t want to muck it all up.

  “I say we do what comes naturally.” He shrugged again.

  “Will you be offended if I approach her alone to see where I stand?” Please say no.

  “Why would I be?” Avery’s eyebrows drew together.

  Apparently, his cousin wanted this threesome to be a real relationship. As long as they were all on the same page…

  “I believe I’ll go and check on my accommodations.”

  A smile broke across Avery’s face. “One of the servants can show you to your new quarters. For the time being.”

  “You hope,” Ellis mumbled as he started back toward the house. Avery obviously hoped he’d be sharing his bed with his wife in the very near future.

  One of the servants did, indeed, show him the way to her rooms. He could hear the sound of her humming through the crack in the door. Ellis knocked lightly as he pushed the door open. She was a vision of loveliness, sitting in front of her vanity. She barely looked over her shoulder as she talked to him.

  “You and I need to have a word, Avery.” She thought he was Avery? Oh, this did not bode well for the relationship.

  “About?” he asked, forcing his voice to take on the lightheartedness that usually coated Avery’s words like syrup, as he crossed the room and sat down on the edge of the bed. He avoided looking at her as he tugged off his boots and lay back on the bed, scooted toward the headboard, and proceeded to stare at the ceiling with his arms beneath his head. But he knew well what she looked like. Dark brown hair with just enough curl he could wrap it around his finger. Chestnut eyes he could drown in.

  “Ellis,” she said quietly as she stood up and began to bustle nervously about the room. Was that a tinkle of response in her voice? It was much too soon to tell. But she wanted to talk about him? Dear God.

  He rolled over on his elbow to face her. It would be best for her if she realized he wasn’t Avery right away. Otherwise, she’d probably hold a grudge. Most women did.

  “He kissed me.” Ellis didn’t have worry about her looking in his direction. She was fidgeting about the room.

  “You mean that little peck on your lips outside?”

  She flushed scarlet. “No, I mean that most inappropriate kiss on the lips, albeit brief, that happened in front of God and everyone.”

  “I wouldn’t call them everyone. And it’s not as though he stuck his tongue down your throat.” He tried to sound casual, but it was nearly impossible. Now all he could think about was sliding his tongue in her mouth. He imagined she tasted like perfection.

  “It was inappropriate!” she cried as she picked up her perfume bottle and slung it across the room at him. He caught it in the air and raised it to his nose. So, that was the lovely scent that surrounded her.

  “Please leave this in here when you move your things, Olivia.” He held up the perfume bottle. “I might douse the sheets in it so I can smell you all night.” She gasped so loudly when she realized he wasn’t Avery that he feared she’d suck all the air from the room. He got up and crossed the room to stand directly behind her. The warmth of her touched him all the way through his clothes. “And I promise not to kiss you anymore. Not in front of God and everyone. In private, however, is another matter, entirely.” He kissed her cheek swiftly, lingering long enough to blow his breath across the shell of her ear, and then he quit the room.

  Two

  Olivia was beginning to think her guests would never dispense with their games and head to their rooms, so she could have a word with her husband. And Ellis, for that matter. There were eighteen guests in all, including her husband’s best friend. Why was Ellis the only one who had drawn her attention all night?

  Olivia yawned dramatically behind her hand. No one looked up. No one cared, aside from Ellis, who dropped onto the settee beside her with a lazy plop. “Enjoying yourself, Olivia?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with merriment.

  “Gobs of it,” she said sarcastically, then instantly regretted her tone.

  But he just chuckled. “You seem a little out of sorts, sweetheart. Anything you want to talk about?” He smiled slowly and brushed a lock of hair from his forehead. She wanted to reach up and do it for him, just as she did for Avery. He leaned so close that his shoulder brushed hers.

  “What kind of game are you playing, Ellis?” she asked quietly.

  “I was playing loo.” He shrugged. “But your husband trounced me. He’s fairly decent with the cards. When did he get so good at games of chance?”

  “When did you?” she shot back. How dare he sweep her question under the rug?

  “Not sure what you’re referring to,” he grunted, his eyebrows drawing together in obvious annoyance.

  “Why do I feel as though I’m missing something important?” Avery asked as he sat down on her other side.

  Olivia sighed heavily. “I think I’m the one who’s missing something.” She sighed as she rubbed her forehead. She couldn’t discuss this here. “Never mind. It’s probably my imagination.” It had to be her imagination. Anything else was unconscionable. She would talk with Avery and he would set everything to rights.

  Olivia kept on a brave face for the rest of the evening, until her guests finally drifted off in the directions of their bedchambers. Then she dropped her face in her hands and breathed deeply. Finally. She and Avery could be alone. Finally, she could talk with him.

  She crossed to where he rested on the settee and allowed him to pull her into his lap. It felt amazingly comforting to be in his arms. He’d been restless of late. While their lovemaking was and always had been wonderful, she felt as though there was a small piece of him he withheld from her. He always had. Of course, she knew all about his reputation before he married her. She knew about his and Ellis’. And theirs together.

  “What’s bothering you, love?” he asked, his voice soft, his chest rumbling beneath her ear.

  “I’m afraid to tell you,” she whispered.

  “You can tell me anything.” He nudged her lightly. “What is it? Shall I ask the guests to leave?”

  “No, it’s nothing like that. It’s…” She hesitated, unable to put her fears into words. “It’s Ellis.”

  He sat back so he could look down at her. “Ellis? What about him?”

  “Well, I can’t explain it and it’s probably nothing. But he kissed me today.”

  Avery nodded slowly. “Is that all?” His voice deepened a bit. He didn’t seem the least bit astounded at her admission. He nudged her gently. “Show me how he kissed you.”

  “What?” Perhaps he’d had more brandy than she’d originally thought. “You were there.”

  “I don’t remember it. Sorry. Though I feel certain I’d remember it if I saw Ellis kiss you.” He shifted
her marginally in his lap. “Show me what kind of kiss it was.”

  Olivia pecked at his lips quickly and backed up to look at him. “He hugged me, too.”

  “That’s it? That was the kiss that has you tied up in knots?” He looked astounded.

  “Then he came to my quarters… well, his quarters… and I thought he was you.” She hated the way her own voice shook.

  “And what happened when you thought he was me?” He adjusted his leg again and she felt the obvious evidence of his arousal against her bottom.

  “I threw a perfume bottle at his head,” she grunted. “But he caught it, instead.”

  He threw his head back and laughed loudly.

  She elbowed him in the side, but he just caught her arm in his grasp and kissed her. Soundly.

  ***

  She looked so damn cute trying to find the words to tell him that Ellis had made advances toward her that he couldn’t keep from kissing her. She was fairly shaking with nervousness over the situation. For a moment, he felt almost guilty for putting her in it. Then it passed. The very idea of sharing her with Ellis stirred him unlike anything ever had before.

  When he finally lifted his head, her eyes were glazed with passion. “What bothers you more, that he made advances toward you? Or that you liked it?”

  Her sudden intake of breath was all he needed to hear, yet still she protested. “I didn’t like it.”

  “Are you certain?” He trailed his fingertips up her arm.

  “Of course, I am.”

  But he could see the warring emotions in her face. It was time to tell her.

  “You heard the rumors before we married. About Ellis and me and our sexual eccentricities.” He watched her face closely.

  “It wasn’t exactly a secret,” she grunted.

  “It was a poorly kept one, yes.” He took her chin in his hand and forced her to look at him. “You know we’ve shared women in the past?”

  “I’m not supposed to know things like that,” she murmured. “I don’t want to know it.”