Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid (Kellington Book One)

by Maureen Driscoll

  She’d never seen John Wheeler take to an outsider like this. Granted, Ned had likely saved his daughter’s life, but by the way the two men were carrying on and joking, you’d think they were old chums from Eton.

  Jane began to feel decidedly out of sorts that Ned might be waging a campaign to ingratiate himself not just with her, but with her friends and neighbors.

  Sneaky, that.

  “So how do the two of ye know each other, milord?”

  “Jane saved my life in Belgium.”

  “That sounds like our Miss Jane,” said Wheeler as he guided his wagon down the road. “I lost track of all the lives she’s saved in Marston Vale, so it don’t surprise me none to learn she saved ye in Belgium.”

  “I was so pleased to find her again. I hadn’t seen her in seven years.”

  “I can imagine ye was glad to be reunited after so long,” said Wheeler as he glanced at Ned, then did a double take, staring at his green eyes. “How many years ago did ye say it was?”

  “Seven,” said Ned.

  Wheeler looked away.

  That fiend! Jane couldn’t believe Ned was doing this. He might as well have just come out and told Wheeler he was Vi’s father.

  The farmer looked at Ned again, his demeanor stern. “Ye say ye haven’t seen her in seven years?”

  “I didn’t know how to find her. It seems there was a miscommunication. I didn’t know Jane’s real name, but I did look for her. You can’t imagine how surprised and delighted I was to finally find her again after so many years.”

  “And now that ye’ve found her, what do ye plan to do with her milord?” asked John, sounding for all the world like an irate father.

  “I’m going to marry her, of course.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “How could you do that?” asked Jane, once a delighted Wheeler had dropped them off with a “Good luck to you milord. Ye’re gettin’ yerself a fine family.”

  It didn’t matter how many times Jane said they weren’t getting married, Wheeler had continued to ignore her. And Ned was ridiculously pleased with himself. The man was overbearing and insufferable and any number of other words that began with “over” and “in.”

  “You can’t tell people we’re getting married. And you particularly can’t tell them you’re Vi’s father.”

  “First of all, I didn’t tell him I’m Vi’s father.”

  “No. You just dropped enough hints that only an imbecile wouldn’t have figured it out.”

  “But, strictly speaking, that isn’t telling, is it?”

  She was just about to answer that with some of the words she’d learned from her experience with the army but rarely had good enough reason to use, when they were interrupted by Vi, who ran down the steps and flung herself into her mother’s arms.

  “Mama! Where have you been? I’ve missed you. Can we play now?”

  Knowing the subject was closed for the time being – she didn’t want to give the wretch any excuse to let their secret slip to Vi – Jane turned to her daughter. “I missed you too, my love. What would you like to do?”

  “Can we run in the woods? I think Titania would like to get out of the house.”

  “Don’t you think it’s too cold and wet to play in the woods?”

  “She won’t mind. And it stopped raining. Please?”

  Ned watched an exhausted Jane smooth back her daughter’s hair before agreeing like he knew she would. Then she excused herself to change, leaving Vi in Ned’s care, but not before giving him her best “Be good” look. The girl put her hand in his, then looked up at him.

  “Is Mr. Wheeler’s daughter going to be okay?” she asked.

  “I believe she will be. Your mama does a very good job taking care of people like she takes care of you.”

  Vi mulled that over for the moment, then looked up at him with wide eyes.

  “She gets sad sometimes. She thinks I don’t know it. But I can tell. Maybe if I had a papa, she wouldn’t be so sad.”

  Ned couldn’t believe it. Vi was matchmaking like the most savvy matron of the ton. She just didn’t realize the person who needed convincing was her mother.

  When Jane rejoined them, they stopped by the barn to pick up Titania, who seemed more than a bit displeased to have her nap in a warm pile of hay disturbed to go tramp about in the woods.

  * * *

  “Where is he?” Madeleine Merriman said to herself as she stood at the sitting room window looking out into the bleak weather. She was truly at wit’s end. Never had she been closer to her goal, only to have it slip away.

  It was that damned Jane Wetherby’s fault. She couldn’t believe Ned would fall for a woman like that. Especially when he could’ve had anything he wanted with her. Something would have to be done.

  She rang the bell and when the much beleaguered butler came to answer, she told him to bring paper and pen, then have a footman standing by to deliver a very important letter.

  * * *

  “But you must climb up in the tree to get her,” said Vi to Ned as she looked at Titania on a branch high above them.

  Their walk had been a pleasant excursion until they’d approached the river and Titania had decided she most assuredly didn’t want to cross it, escaping to a nearby tree.

  “Poppet, I know Titania can get down from there,” said Ned, who was perfectly fine with allowing the cat to remain in the tree as long as she wanted. “She did it the last time.”

  “But the tree is wet. She might slip and fall.”

  Ned looked to be considering the request so Jane decided he needed rescuing. To a point.

  “Vi,” said her mother, “Ned is not going to climb that tree. Do you want him to slip and fall? Besides, as the brother of a duke, I’m sure he’s an absolutely terrible climber. He probably couldn’t make it higher than the nearest branch.”

  Ned looked at Jane. Was the blasted woman daring him to climb the tree? But her face was the picture of innocence. Perhaps too innocent.

  “I can climb that tree, you know,” he said.

  “I’m sure you think you can,” Jane replied.

  “So that’s what it’s come down to? Doubting my word?” He began taking his jacket off.

  “Ned, I’m teasing,” said Jane. “Please don’t climb the tree. I don’t want you to slip and fall.”

  “No. If climbing a tree is what it takes to prove myself to you two ladies, then I’ll climb a tree.”

  He gave his jacket to Jane to hold, then obtained no small amount of satisfaction as she hugged it close to her body. And, unless he was very much mistaken, she breathed in his scent.

  Ned began climbing the tree.

  “Be careful,” said Jane, who sounded genuinely worried.

  “Yes. Don’t hurt Titania,” said Vi.

  He climbed past two branches, then was reaching for a third when he heard an ominous crack. The branch he was on began to fall and his first thought was for the safety of Jane and Vi.

  “Get out of the way!” he cried on the way down. He was able to slow his descent by grasping at branches, but was unable to halt it. He hit the ground hard.

  Titania jumped down to gaze at him. Vi burst into tears and Jane came running to check for broken bones.

  “Poppet, please don’t cry” said Ned as he reached for the girl’s hand.

  “I’m I’m I’m so sorry!”

  “Shhhh, it’s okay. I promise.”

  “Stop moving! I have to make sure you’re all right,” Jane said as she continued to probe his limbs.

  There was something quite comforting in the look of terror that had been in Jane’s eyes when she’d rushed over to see if he was all right. Certainly that was a good sign for any future romantic relationship with her, even if it did come at the cost of what would certainly be large bruises on the morrow.

  The walk back to the house was slow, Jane supporting him on one side and Vi holding his hand on the other. Ned could’ve made the walk on his own and at a much faster pace, but then he wouldn’
t have felt Jane’s curves pressed into his side. He probably would’ve cut off his own foot to feel those curves pressed against him.

  After they put Vi to bed that night after more singing and stories, Jane and Ned sat out on the terrace. It was a beautiful night. The air was fragrant from the rain.

  “Thank you for being so good with Vi. She’s had the time of her life these past few days.”

  “I enjoyed it. She’s an amazing child.”

  Jane nodded, then remained deep in thought. “You should probably leave soon. She’ll get too attached, otherwise.”

  “I don’t want to leave. I want us to be a family.”

  Jane thought about how much she wanted the same. And how difficult it would be if he eventually turned to another woman. She couldn’t allow herself to weaken. “I appreciate your offer. I truly do. But are you really prepared to give up the rest of your life for us?”

  “I don’t have a choice.”

  “But I do. I don’t want a husband to marry me as an obligation. I don’t want a ton marriage where you’d spend more time in other beds than mine. And it wouldn’t be good for Vi to see you fade out of our lives.”

  Ned was silent for a long moment. “What if I were to promise not to do that? What if I came only to your bed?”

  Jane’s heart ached to even consider the possibility. “Could you do that? And even if you could, would you want to do that? Your heart isn’t engaged with me, just as mine isn’t with you,” she said, knowing that last part was a lie. “What would happen when we both met our true loves? I don’t want us to be bound to each other and miserable because we promised not to stray.”

  Just the thought of Jane with another man sent jealousy surging through Ned. It was irrational because his heart wasn’t engaged and it shouldn’t matter whether she took another lover, other than it would hurt his pride. But for some reason it did. It mattered a great deal.

  “I know how you respond to my kisses,” he said. “I know how we were together in Belgium. I find it hard to believe you could so easily turn your back on that.”

  They were seated several inches apart, but from the way he looked at her, she felt the caress of his gaze. The passion of his words. They flooded her with heat. And she wanted to laugh because turning her back on Ned had been anything but easy. She’d lain awake half the previous night wondering what she’d do if he came to her. Then she’d spent most of the day wondering why he’d stayed away.

  His very presence in the village had reawakened those desires he’d sparked many years ago. Of course she responded to his kisses. How could she not respond to the most exciting feelings to ever invade her body?

  “I should retire,” she said as she rose, avoiding the hand he held out to her. “Good night.”

  * * *

  Ned stared at the ceiling of his bedchamber, unable to sleep. Being a father was complicated. His father had never gone through worries like this. His father hadn’t suddenly learned he’d sired a child who was now six years old. He hadn’t had to beg the mother of his daughter to marry him. He hadn’t had to sleep down the hall from an infuriating woman who heated his blood, but seemed perfectly satisfied sleeping alone.

  How his brothers would laugh if they could see him now. Except for Lynwood, who might possibly thrash him for getting into the situation in the first place.

  Suddenly, he heard a noise in the hall. He got out of bed, threw on his dressing gown and grabbed his knife. Perhaps it was that bastard Cantwell come to take his revenge. No one – no one – would get the chance to hurt his family. He was almost to the door, when it slowly began to open. He reached blindly for whomever it was then closed the door and pushed the intruder up against it.

  But it wasn’t an intruder. It was a most welcome visitor.

  “Jane? What are you doing here?”

  She swallowed, then found her voice. “I’ve come to…find out what I’ve been missing.”

  Ned couldn’t believe his ears or his eyes, now that they were adjusting to her presence. She was wearing a dressing gown over a perfectly prim white nightgown. She didn’t look like she was dressed for seduction. Or, rather, no other woman wearing that ensemble could be accused of trying to be alluring. But on his practical Jane, it was perfect. And it made him hard as stone.

  “I thought you said…” he began, unsure of what his next words would be and wholly afraid she’d rethink her purpose and leave.

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” she said. “I’m here now.”

  Ned had many more questions, but talk wasn’t high on his list right now. Not wanting to miss seeing an inch of her, he lit several candles and placed them by the bed, while she stood unmoving near the door. Good God, don’t let her leave, he thought. It’d be humiliating to have to run after her and beg her to change her mind, but that’s exactly what he’d do.

  When he placed the last candle, he turned and waited for what she’d do next. She remained near the door, staring at him. Her gaze ran from his bare feet, up the portion of his calves visible beneath his dressing gown, then up to the V at his neck, where some hair on his chest was visible. She licked her lips. Then Ned could remain still no longer.

  He was within inches of her in two strides and she barely had time to lift her gaze to his face before his lips were on hers. He pulled her to him hard, and his hands seemed to be everywhere at once. He untied her dressing gown then peeled it from her shoulders before she knew what he was about. He was hiking up her nightgown, when she finally found the strength to push him back.

  The look on his face was one of shock. And profound disappointment.

  “You first,” she whispered. “I want to see you.”

  She reached for the tie of his dressing gown, which was only loosely knotted. As she pulled it open, she was struck by the expanse of his chest she remembered so well. Then she pushed the gown off and stepped back to look her fill.

  His body was even stronger than it had been all those years ago. He’d come into his own as a man since then. His broad shoulders gave way to muscular arms. She put her hands on his chest with the light dusting of hair. She drew a hand down, over the ripples of his stomach. Then, daringly, her eyes slid down to see his cock jutting out from his body.

  With the lightest touch, she brushed her fingers over the head and he drew in a quick breath. His stomach muscles tensed as she moved her hand down his shaft, then gripped it lightly. He moved his hand over hers to squeeze her fingers tighter around him.

  While she began to stroke him slowly, her other hand closed around his sac. That was met with a groan, followed by a passionate kiss. She continued to stroke. His cock grew even harder and his sac pulled upward. Finally, he pulled her hands away.

  “No,” she said. “I want to do this.”

  “And I very much want you to continue, but there’s a limit to what I can handle and we’re rapidly approaching it.” His voice was husky, a mere rasp.

  “But you’re not there yet, right?” she asked with a wicked gleam in her eye.

  “No, but I’m getting there quickly. I should also warn you that if you continue to wear that gown there’s a chance it’ll be ripped off you.”

  “Now, Lord Edward,” she said teasingly, as she continued to stroke. “I don’t have an unlimited supply of them, so I would ask you to please take care with my wardrobe.”

  “But it’s in my self interest to eliminate all your nightgowns, although I must admit the very prim nature of this one makes me ravenously hungry to see what’s underneath.”

  The heat of that statement ignited a fire in Jane. And gave her a much needed dose of courage.

  She removed her hands from him and stepped back. Then she grabbed hold of the hem of her gown and slowly, inch by inch, pulled it up her body. Ned’s eyes were riveted on the rising hem as he strained to stay in control.

  When the hem was high on her thighs, she dropped it to the floor. This was met by another of his groans.

  “I forgot to unbutton the top,” she said by
way of explanation.

  She began undoing buttons, one at a time, from just under her chin downward. Every one of Ned’s muscles tensed. His hands were balled in fists at his side. And his cock had somehow grown even larger, harder.

  Once Jane had finished with the buttons, revealing just a hint of her breasts, she began to slowly unlace her cuffs. First one, then the other, then she began to lift the hem again.

  Unable to take the slow torture any longer, Ned pounced. He had the gown over her head and on the floor before she knew what was happening. Then with one arm under her legs, he lifted her and deposited her on the bed, following her down immediately.

  It was skin on skin for the entire length of their bodies. The weight of him on her. His mouth on hers. And the feel of his cock pressing against her stomach.

  She reached down to grasp him and stroke. He brushed her hand aside.

  “You had your turn. Now it’s mine.”

  Before she knew what was happening, he held both her wrists above her head. She struggled, but he didn’t budge even an inch. He kissed her neck, then moved his lips down to the swell of her breasts.

  “Lovely,” he said as he brought his tongue down to her nipple. He suckled, nipped lightly at it with his teeth, then blew on it.

  Jane came off the bed several inches.

  “My hands. Let me use my hands.” Now her voice was raspy.

  He ignored her plea.

  He continued kissing his way down her body to her ribcage. Then he flicked his tongue around her belly button before finally delving inside, which drew a groan from her. Then he kissed further and further down, until he came to her curls.

  Jane fully expected him to travel back up her body, releasing her hands so she could exact her revenge on him. What she was completely unprepared for was the surge of pure sensation that shot through her entire body when he licked a trail down to the very heart of her.