by Janet Woods
‘The viscount has been resting and is now dressing for dinner. May I offer my sincere congratulations on your marriage, My Lady. So romantic. We knew something was in the air, especially when the viscount rose from his sick bed to follow you to London.’
Sick bed! Benedict had appeared to be a fine and healthy man to her, and she smiled. She opened her mouth to explain the situation to him, then decided the truth might embarrass him, so she merely said, ‘Thank you.’
Benedict joined her ten minutes later, his glance going over her. ‘You look exquisite.’
‘It’s all down to the maid. I might try and steal Annie away from Emma. She’s wasted in the laundry.’
‘I’ll arrange it for you.’ He handed her the note of apology and a small box containing a brooch. ‘It’s a gift from the baron, reparation for any embarrassment you may have suffered. All settled without a shot being fired, thank God.’
The box contained a brooch set with diamonds, fashioned in the shape of a flower. Benedict took the jewel from her fingers and pinned it to her bodice. She couldn’t help but admire it, despite what it signified. ‘How pretty it is, but I’d rather not accept this. It will always be a reminder.’
He sighed. ‘To return it would be the ultimate insult for the baron.’
She removed it from her bodice and placed it back in the box. ‘I have no intention of insulting him further, but I’m not obliged to wear it. Thank you for defending me.’
‘Don’t be so stiff, Amber Rose.’ He grinned. ‘What was it you called his nephew ... a worthless guttersnipe?’
Now her temper had subsided it sounded dreadful indeed, but her ire was easily roused again when thinking of Jonas Carlton and she didn’t have to work very hard to retrieve it. Her hands went to her hips. ‘I do not intend to take back one word I uttered.’
He chuckled. ‘Perhaps a birthday gift from your husband will remove the scowl from your face.’
How kind of him, but how had he known it was her birthday?
The pendant he gave her contained a flawless emerald surrounded by small diamonds, and there was a ring to match. It replaced the signet ring she wore, which he slipped back on his little finger. She shivered when he fastened it around her neck. Tears gathered on her lashes as the emerald fell like a green raindrop to her breastbone, where it nestled.
‘Thank you, Benedict ... it’s so pretty.’ Impulsively, she hugged him tight.
She realised that the gown she was wearing was rather low cut, and the lace at the neckline barely covered the rise of her breasts. The silk chemise she wore underneath slid cool and seductive against her skin. White garters decorated with ribbons and rosebuds hugged her hose to her thighs. She had dressed as a bride for him, for she was under no illusions that he intended to seduce her later.
A kiss brushed the hollow behind her ear, so the hairs at the nape of her neck reacted with little prickles. She wondered if his kiss would draw the same shivering reaction from other part of her body, and she squirmed with pleasure at the thought, her body alive to the possibilities and the need to be exploited by him.
‘Kiss me?’ he said, his voice soft.
Everything was bubbling inside her and she felt like laughing. She couldn’t meet his eyes and her face was warm. ‘I can’t believe that I just ran off and promised myself to you in that dusty old church, and without really knowing you.’ She lifted her face to his and brushed her mouth against his lips. ‘There’s your kiss.’
A grin slid across his face. ‘That was a kiss a child would bestow on her uncle. Would you like to try it for a second time?’
She blushed, gazing up at him through her lashes, knowing she was being provocative when she laughed and suggested, ‘I think you might have to help me?’
He took her face in his palms and brought her mouth to within a heartbeat of hers. She waited, her eyes closed, her breath held in and her senses filled with anticipation as his breath trembled against hers. Then Amber remembered she was supposed to be kissing him.
She reached out with the tip of her tongue to touch against his lips. But she touched against his tongue instead, and slid into his mouth, where tongues entwined together in a slow, moist dance. Sensation danced through her, leaving her moist and dazed, so she felt she might burst from it.
Even Benedict looked shaken when they finally pulled apart to gaze at one other.
‘Was that better?’ she said, knowing just how much better it had seemed to her.
‘Perfect.’ He gathered her against his chest and held her there, kissing the top of her head. Then he let her go and slid his hand around hers, entwining their fingers. ‘Let’s go in for dinner.’
Amber couldn’t remember what they’d eaten afterwards, but it had been a simple meal. There had been a confection that tasted of almonds afterwards.
When dusk set in Benedict led her upstairs. Several candles were burning in their holders, and a small table was set with champagne, two glasses and a bowl of strawberries dipped in chocolate and coated in sugar.
‘If I’m to be rejected as a lover tonight, let this be the moment,’ he said with a smile.
‘I’m nervous, and curious and . . .’ Her laughter had a husky undertone. ‘Seething with anticipation, I think you will not be rejected.’
‘Just as a bride should be.’
He must have arranged this earlier, she thought as he seated her on the sofa. He removed his jacket before he took a seat next to her. Light sparked fire from the crystal as he filled the glasses with fizzing wine. He dipped a strawberry into the chocolate and sugar, then fed it to her. It was delicious. Even more delicious was when he licked the remnants of chocolate and sugar from her mouth. That was followed by a few sips of the wine.
There couldn’t be a sweeter seduction, she thought, her voice full of laughter when she said after the second glass, ‘Enough! I’m not used to it and it’s going to my head.’
‘It’s supposed to.’ He emptied his own glass, loosened his cravat and tossed it aside, then pulled her to her feet.’
‘What now, my Benedict?’
‘Turn around.’
When she did he unfastened her bodice and her gown pooled around her ankles. Slightly dizzy, she drew in a deep breath. When she expelled it she discovered that each breast was supported by pair of waiting hands that cupped around them gently. His thumbs caressed each centre into hardness. ‘A perfect handful,’ he purred against her ear.
She leant back into his body, full of need, his kisses bringing her to life, and she felt his hardness spring against her buttocks, and his thighs muscular against her chemise. His hands moved over her, down over her stomach to explored the shape of her through the silk.
‘Mmmm,’ she sighed and he edged the flimsy garment she wore up over her knees, then inch by inch over her thighs until his hands could reach underneath the bunched up froth of silk to touch and caress the prize he was seeking. A delicious thrill shocked through her when his gentle exploratory touches brought a rush of moist heat to her loins. When she thought she couldn’t stand any more he turned her around to face him then fell to his knees and kissed her there.
She gave a small cry of pleasure and her fingers twisted in his hair when his tongue slipped inside her with a flickering motion. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that such pleasure existed. He seemed to sense the moment when she trembled on the brink, for he moved away and the moment slipped by, leaving an ache behind as he loosened the ribbons on her chemise and allowed it to slip to the floor.
Now she was naked except for her stockings, her garters and her jewellery. Suddenly shy, she formed her hands into a v-shaped pocket to cover herself.
‘Your body is exquisite, Amber Rose,’ he purred. ‘Remove your hands so I can look at you properly.’
She teased him with her laughter and shook her head, ‘Not while you’re still fully clothed. I feel like a hussy standing here naked.’
His chuckle shivered against her ear. ‘You’re welcome to be a hussy, especially in the priva
cy of our bedroom. I’ll join you if it will make you feel better. Have you ever seen a man naked.’
‘Of course not.’
His breeches and shirt were quickly discarded. She daren’t look at him, though she had an impression of a lean body with broad shoulders and a flat stomach. He stepped closer, reached out to pluck the pins from her hair and watched it tumble to her waist, then leaned forward to inhale the perfume it released.
He smiled, then taking her hands, placed them around the rampant maleness of him. His skin was like taut satin. Curiosity sent her hands exploring the ridged surface, and he grew even more. He throbbed against her palms as he kissed her mouth. Suddenly she was swept into his arms and carried to the bed, where they fell together into its softness.
The candlelight flickered and danced as his fingers and tongue caressed her. Amber succumbed to the erotic urges of her own body. He took what he wanted from her, and made her crave for more. She became oblivious to anything but the sensation of his touch and her own, and she grew moist with the cravings inside her.
Eventually, crouched over her, he spread her wide and gazed down at her. She was splayed, his hands pinning hers to the bed above her head as she gazed up at him through the dark tumble of her hair.
There was a look on his face, almost predatory, and his eyes were dark and unseeing with passion. For a moment his smile was full of his need and she closed her eyes, abandoning herself to that need. His mouth closed over hers and his tongue slid slowly into her. Then his body lowered against hers and he entered her, thrusting through the initial barrier with a purposeful stroke, her surprised cry captured by his mouth.
Body and soul he took his fill of her, and somewhere in the midst of it she lost her mind, and the woman took over and rose to meet the erotic, thrusting powerful frenzy of him. She wanted to scream her own needs out to him, but her mouth was filled with her lover’s tongue and her fingernails dug into his flesh. He seemed to sense her climax, for he fed it with his own. She gave a prolonged groan at the intensity of it as they reached some sort of peak and spiralled downwards into the calm.
They were damp with perspiration, and her heart was pounding in her chest. Benedict’s breath was harsh, like a wounded animal. She remembered he’d been ill and held him against her, smoothing his hair while he quieted.
Then he chuckled, a slow satisfied rumble that made her grin. ‘I hope I didn’t hurt you?’
‘I didn’t mind that you were a little forceful. I have to admit that I enjoyed your attention,’ she confessed. ‘But now it is over and we must sleep.’
‘You were a wicked kitten, all purrs and claws.’
‘And you were a lion,’ she said, and gently bit him on the shoulder.
He growled menacingly at her, then his tongue curled about the nub of her breasts and with a shock of pleasure, she realised that is wasn't over at all. In fact, they’d only just begun.
Chapter Thirteen
Two days later a disgruntled Jonas Carlton joined his former companions at Hartford House, where he unsaddled his horse in the stable, thankful there was feed for him. He didn’t imagine they’d be staying long in the house that Patrick despised.
The garden was waist high in weeds. He pounded at the front door until he was allowed in. The interior was almost as neglected as the garden. But the dust sheets had been taken off the downstairs furniture and the smashed wine bottles had been cleared away. As usual, his companions were inebriated.
‘My uncle has cut off my allowance,’ he grumbled after washing the dust of the journey from his throat with a glass of burgundy. ‘It’s your cousin’s fault, Patrick. The baron had got wind of what happened here. I was all set to apologise to save face, but she took to me in front of her companions like a banshee from hell. She slapped my face into the bargain.
Stephen laughed, ‘I like a woman with spirit.’
‘Spirit, or spite? After she was bundled out by Lord Stratton I got a dreadful quizzing from my uncle. I left him to handle things, then when I returned he promptly cut off my allowance and sent me to my room, like a schoolboy. He said I’d spoiled my chances for a good marriage with her. I got out of there before he placed the ball and chain around my leg. I had no idea a union with your cousin would have entered his mind.’
Patrick laughed. Marriage? Good Lord. Her only asset is her looks–’
‘And a strong claim to Brierly House,’ Stephen cut in. ‘But even that has the encumbrance of Costain and his family. They won’t give the property up without a fight, especially to a second party. Marriage? Hah! I’d rather consider an exchange of cash for a night with the girl than marry her.’
Patrick surprised himself by defending Amber Rose. ‘My cousin is not a whore.’
‘Didn’t you say her mother was? Like mother, like daughter. When she has no means of support she’ll willingly lift her skirt and sell her remaining asset.’
Jonas grinned as he told them, ‘It seems that your cousin does have means. Rumors abound that she’s come into a fortune from the Italian side of her family, at least one hundred thousand guineas. Is it any wonder that the viscount’s family is guarding her.’
‘And she’s supposed to wed him in a week or so.’ Patrick gazed at his two companions with an aggrieved eye. ‘Perhaps I’ll wed her myself. I could leave her here and set myself up in London.’
Stephen’s eyes narrowed. ‘Why wed her? If she met with an accident the fortune would be yours? Besides, we’d agreed to go to abroad together.’
Patrick stared uneasily at Stephen. ‘My cousin has done nothing to deserved such a fate. I don’t like her but I wouldn’t kill her in cold blood, not even for a fortune. Besides, as soon as the house sells I’ll have some cash of my own. ’
‘Most of which you’ll owe to me,’ Stephen said drily. ‘Be sensible, Patrick. It would take just a moment or two to ambush her.’
‘We haven’t been able to get near her so far.’
‘We managed to get in and out of the earl’s house unobserved, so there’s no reason why we shouldn’t achieve the same thing at the Stratton residence. We’ll watch the place and wait till everyone is asleep. Three armed men with their faces covered wouldn’t be recognised. A pillow over her face and she wouldn’t stand a chance.’
‘Count me out,’ Jonas said, wishing he’d stayed in London. ‘I don’t mind a bit of sport, but I draw the line at killing a woman in her sleep.’
Finding courage in Jonas’s words, Patrick nodded. ‘I agree. I’d be the first person the authorities would come after.’
‘We could abduct her and hold her for ransom instead. Once we’ve got the money we could leave a note saying where she can be found.’
The three of them exchanged a glance, then Jonas murmured, ‘Where would we hide her?’
‘There’s an abandoned hut in the forest. Maisie at the inn told me it used to be the dwelling of a charcoal burner. I went to have a look at it out of curiosity. It’s well-hidden, and we could leave your cousin there.’
‘We’d have to be careful she didn’t recognise us.’
‘We’ll tie her up and blindfold her. Then we can removed our disguises. Once we’ve collected the cash we’ll split up and go our separate ways. You can go on ahead, Patrick. We can rendezvous abroad with the money at a later date. Jonas can follow after. We’ll ask for a thousand guineas to guarantee her safety.’
Patrick’s gasp matched that of Jonas at the thought of asking for such a sum.
Stephen smiled, as if knowing he had them hooked. ‘She’s worth much more. If you had the guts to brazen it out you could inherit the entire Italian fortune, Patrick.’
A sudden knock at the door put paid to the conversation. It was a messenger. Patrick signed for the note and ran his thumb under the seal. He smiled with satisfaction when he read it. ‘Hartford House has been sold, and for the sum I specified. I’m going into Poole to sign some papers with Dunstan’s agent, then I can collect the bank draft. I’m to meet the agent at the King George. We
will need to vacate Hartford House within two weeks. He can have the place now, as long as he pays me.’
‘I’ll accompany you to Poole so you can honor your debt to me, then,’ Stephen murmured, taking a dagger from his boot and toying with it. ‘What about you, Jonas, are you coming with us?’
He should have kept the news of the girl’s fortune to himself, Jonas thought, and knew he’d never forgive himself if anything happened to her.
‘I’ll accompany you as far as Poole, stay the night there then return to London. I must make peace with my uncle. I intend to have my allowance restored before I take up my place at Cambridge, and I’ll have to convince him that I’m a reformed character.’
And judging by the way Stephen was looking at him, Jonas knew he’d have to watch his back from now on.
* * * *
The inn was crowded and noisy. Jonas yawned. His companions with their carousing and womanising had lost their power to attract him. They lived life too fast and were always surrounded by tension. Stephen Gould in particular was a bad lot, as his uncle, the baron, had frequently pointed out to him. Patrick was normally good company, but he changed when in company with Stephen, who was a bad influence.
That was something he’d been guilty of himself up till now, Jonas admitted. He knew right from wrong and he’d deserved the punishment the girl had dished out. She’d made him face his own shame.
The trio made Poole within the hour. They found lodgings not far from the harbor, began drinking and then became involved in a game of cards with some seamen. As was usual, Patrick began to lose to Stephen.
Jonas back away from the game and declined Stephen’s offer of an IOU note. He didn’t want to place himself in the same position as Patrick. Hugging a pot of ale and watching the game, he thought he saw Stephen palm a card. But it had been quick, and he didn’t have the courage to challenge him.
When Patrick went out to relieve himself. Jonas excused himself, saying, ‘I have the need on me for a woman.’
Stephen stood too. Slipping a peppermint lozenge into his mouth he sucked on it, saying casually, ‘I know a place where they’re young and clean.’
