The cook gave a wide grin. Instead of being his usual sarcastic self, he sent Chloe a tender glance. “Lady,” he said, firmly.
“I was for beggin’ a Sassy to the front of that. But the lot of ’em outnumbered me.” Woody muttered, settling his hat back on his head.
“All the animals agreed with our choice,” Tiny assured her. “Even Purr.”
Rising and taking Chloe’s hand, he led her from the room. “I’m going to demand my wife take a brief rest,” he nodded at the vicar, who was still sleeping it off in the chair. Purr had taken up her position on his head again. “Somebody move the vicar to a room, would you, so he can sleep it off?” He was almost through the door with Chloe, when he turned back.
“Take him home to his sister’s in Ainsley, tomorrow, Tiny. And so help me, the first one of you who gives him another drop of spirits can expect to be thrown overboard at the start of the next voyage.”
“Wait!” Chubs threw up a hand as they neared the door. “Now that Lady’s name is sorted out, I got one more question.”
“You’re only allowed one,” Chloe responded. “Even though Gregory and Ghost and Mr. Carlson and Gates explained everything, I’m still lost.”
Ghost kissed her neck, and she sighed, completely content and happy for the first time in years.
“What’s your question, Chubs?” Ghost asked. “We’ll do our best.”
“We all used to be pirates, Lady. Ain’t nothing about greed and betrayal we don’t understand. This,” he said, holding up one hand, palm up, “ain’t got nothin’ to do with that.” He grinned, holding up the other hand. “What confuses me is why our carriage was rockin’ so much on the way to Liverpool?”
Chloe felt the rush of red creeping up her neck and looked up at Ghost for help. He turned and stared blankly across at Chubs.
“We have no idea what on earth you’re talking about.”
The way it should be…
After a light meal in the formal dining room, that evening, Ghost stood up to address his crew. “Men, you did your Lady and me proud today. I can never thank you all enough for risking lives and limbs,” he said, winking at Smiley, “to protect my Chloe.” Lifting his wine glass, he gave a toast. “Today is for rejoicing. I have wed my beautiful lady. We have discovered we are free to start new lives, and our dreams of having a shipping company are about to be realized. To our futures.”
Everyone lifted their glasses high. After a large gulp, Ghost set his glass down and reached for Chloe. He swung her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, and she giggled and slapped his back playfully.
“Of course, once a pirate, always a pirate. Sorry, moppet. Some habits are hard to break.” Then he turned back to his men. “Take the next few days off. That’s an order. As for my darling wife and me, we are not to be disturbed. The person who approaches our bedroom had better have a good reason for it.” Chloe’s face flushed as the crew started whistling and banging their silverware on the table.
In Ghost’s large suite, he tossed her on the bed before kneeling in front of the fireplace to make the room warmer. She leaned upward on one elbow, staring at him. “Did you have to be so obvious about what we’ll be doing in here?” Chloe hugged a cool pillow to her face and giggled.
“I hate to tell you this, my love, they know exactly what we’ll be doing. And the blush on your face when Chubs asked why the carriage was bouncing earlier put to rest any question we were doing it then, too.” He stood up and tugged her pillow away. “You have too many clothes on, little wife. Off with them. I wish to see every, delightful inch of you.”
She turned, sliding her legs over the bed and her feet to the floor. “At least, you have a rug on the floor. The ones upstairs are cold.”
He studied her, surprised. “Why didn’t you say something? I’d have brought one up.”
“I thought it was your way of…”
“Of what?” He took her into his arms. “Chloe, I would never intentionally do something to hurt you, or upset you, or make you uncomfortable.” He was kissing her face, her nose, and moving down her neck.
“But you spanked me,” she pointed out. “Often.”
“Only because I wanted you to remain safe.” He planted kisses on her ears, and she groaned.
“Are you going to show me more ways of kissing?” she whispered.
“Kissing, stroking, biting, tasting,” he told her, spinning her around so he could unfasten the buttons on her gown. “No wonder you had trouble catching your breath in the coach when you rode me. Your waist is tiny enough. I don’t ever want to see you laced up in one of these torturous corsets again.”
“But I will feel naked without one,” she protested.
“I love the idea of you naked. You’ll have to become accustomed to that.” He gave her a grin. “If we were alone in the house, you’d find yourself forbidden to wear a single stitch on that glorious body.”
The material covering her slender frame slipped down her arms, and he turned her, unlacing the ribbons on the corset and letting it fall. He reached around her to run his hands over her breasts. Her full, ruby nipples pebbled with the cool air, and he reached down to cup them. His pupils dilated, his voice husky, he didn’t take his eyes from her. “You are stunning,” he whispered.
His lips lowered to, first, her right breast, then her left, to suck gently. Then his tongue traced a circle around the tips, and she gasped with delight. “I like this kind of kissing, sir. When do I get to kiss you this way?”
She reached inside his shirt, and before he realized it, he had tensed and captured her wrists in his hands. A shake of his head answered.
She turned his face toward her. “Ezra?”
But his expression was grim. “Not yet, my darling.”
Chloe leaned against him. With a sad voice, she whispered softly, “You asked for my trust, Ghost, remember? I gave it without hesitation. Can you not bring yourself to do the same for me?”
Her wounded look was his undoing.
As he released her wrists, she brought up her hands to remove his shirt. He braced himself for her reaction at the angry marks marring the muscles on his chest and abdomen.
But the horror he expected never came. His little bride leaned forward, bringing her lips softly to each scar. He watched her, mesmerized, as she slowly moved around behind him. Her eyes studied him as he watched her disappear behind him, but instead of the pity, as he had expected, he saw awe there.
She was aware now of what he had endured; the beatings he’d mentioned in his journal had been real.
He glanced down behind him, seeing her bare little feet raised up on tiptoe; at the same time, he felt her soft lips begin to caress the places on his back he’d meant to hide from her. She was kissing her way down his back, following their paths of the crisscrossed areas, slowly, gently. Her tears followed the paths, and he closed his eyes. There was healing in her tears; he could feel it.
As he brought her back around to face him, tears were streaming down her cheeks.
“Oh, Ezra,” she whispered. “It takes such a strong man to come through the trials you have endured, sir. How you did so without becoming bitter and hateful, I will never know.”
He tilted her head back slightly and leaned down to kiss the tears. “You’ve only to look at yourself, Chloe, to know how. You are my redeeming angel, calling me to a better life, promising me a brighter future.” His mouth moved over hers and he used his tongue to part her lips. “Shh, ‘tis yet another way of kissing between a man and wife. Open your mouth for me. Let me taste your sweetness.”
As she obeyed, he brought his fingers to rest on her hips. Lifting her up, he carried her to the mattress, never breaking the kiss. He eased her down gently to her back. “Remember the lad in the coach? This afternoon, I gave you a taste of the feeling you’d have when I put my mouth on you. Now I want you to see.” He raised her far enough to stack two pillows behind her back, then lowered her gently once again.
Then he crawled onto the b
ed and settled between her legs. “Open your legs for me, my love. Wider. You are perfect. No, keep your eyes open. I want you to see me feast on you.”
“But it—” she gasped. “It’s wanton,” she protested. Reaching his fingers down below her backside, he grasped each cheek. She winced, but her eyes were wide and watching.
His face disappeared between her legs, and she watched as his lips moved from one sensitive part of her thigh to the next. His eyes locked on her own when he centered his face and came to rest on her very core. When his tongue began stroking along her velvety folds, she could not control her moans of pleasure. Her blue eyes shut against the thrill, but his fingers digging into her backside had her opening them again.
“Is a husband really allowed to put his mouth…on his wife? Are you sure this kissing is natural, sir? Oh!”
A pinch to her bottom caused her to look up.
“Shh, my love. No talking. Just relax.”
“It’s not that I—oh! There!”
“Shh.”
“Right or wrong, I don’t—” A hand came down over her mouth, silencing her.
She screamed, suddenly, as her husband continued pleasing her, his fingers coming up to rub when his tongue was not fast enough.
Only after she had finished thrashing about the bed, did he stand up and remove his trousers. The clouds in Chloe’s eyes cleared for a moment, and she recalled the initial discomfort trying to fit something so large inside had been in the carriage. She tensed and started to look away.
Reaching down, he took her face in his hands. “Listen to me, my darling. My kissing helped to moisten the area between your legs. Your release helped your channel learn to contract and expand with pleasure. It might look impossible, but I assure you, we fit together perfectly. The first time was painful, but it was only because you had never been with a man before. There will be no pain this time, my love. Trust me?”
“Always,” she promised, her eyes locking on his.
“Good girl.” He moved on top of her but braced his weight with his arms so as not to overwhelm her. “Lower your hands and guide me, Chloe. I’ll let you set the pace. Our last coupling, I was too desperate to take things slowly. We have all the time in the world now.”
She fumbled with the task, and he pulled up a bit. The sight of his manhood disappearing inside her core made her moan with a primal desire, even she did not understand. “It fits.” She smiled at him when he was fully seated inside.
She tried to thrust upward but found it difficult. But he seemed to know what to do.
He pulled out, but instead of getting up, he thrust back inside her again. A small gasp escaped her lips as she looked up, her eyes wide but not afraid. He repeated it again, watching her for any sign of distress. The faster his pace, the less cautious she became. Before long, she found herself rising up each time he withdrew.
His mouth latched onto her nipple and bit down, and she groaned. When he let go, she was smiling at him. He continued, in a gentle voice. “This is only one of many positions we will explore.” His fingers rested on her hips, and he pinned her down as he continued easing in and out of her tight channel.
“Like the kissing?” she asked, before a scream of release tore through her throat.
“And I will teach you each and every one, my lady.”
“Promise?”
“On my life,” he swore as he filled her with his seed.
Chapter 19
Settling the score…
Two days later, a knock on the door interrupted him as he kissed his way down her back, bottom and legs. Chloe could feel it as he raised his head, and she turned to look over his shoulder at him.
He pulled the covers up around her and kissed her temple. “Stay put, moppet.” He went to the door and opened it slightly.
She could hear him speaking to Chubs in the hall.
A moment later, he was pulling on his trousers. “Get dressed, sweetheart. You have a visitor.”
“Me?” she squeaked.
He gave her a pop on the bottom. “You. I think you’ll like this one.”
“But who—” She closed her mouth as he shook his head. “You aren’t going to tell me, are you?”
“Smart girl. Hurry.”
Soon, he was helping her get a frock over her head, then turned her away, fastening it up the back. He gently ran his fingers through her hair to separate her curls, and he smacked her bottom with his hand when he finished.
“Let’s go,” he commanded, when she squealed. Opening the door, he pulled her through it and led her down the hall. Outside the drawing room door, they paused.
“Announcing…” Chubs’ voice spoke up behind them. “The Honorable—the Right Honorable—the—Mr.…” He paused and began again, “Announcing the Honorable, The Duke of Lancashire.”
The duke was laughing now. “Chubs, it isn’t necessary to announce me at all.”
“It’s me job, sir.”
The man standing by the marble hearth moved swiftly forward, grinning.
Chloe gasped. Had the tall gentleman been the same age as her husband, they could have been brothers. She couldn’t help it; she pulled them side by side and gazed at them.
Suddenly, realizing she hadn’t even said hello, she covered her mouth. “Oh! I’m so sorry! Welcome, Your Grace!” She started to curtsy, but he took her hand and prevented it. “No. Let me, my lady.” Bending at the waist, he gave a deep bow and kissed her hand. “My son’s beautiful wife. I’ve wanted to meet you.” He wagged a finger at Ghost. “I’ve been expecting you to bring her by to meet me since your marriage. I was disappointed.”
“We haven’t been given leave to appear publicly yet, sir. But as soon as we are, I promise to bring her.”
Chloe sat next to her husband, watching him as he spoke with his father. There was no doubt of their closeness, their respect, and their love for each other.
The question she’d been waiting for came up a few moments later, when Ghost asked in a saddened voice, “How is my brother?”
The duke’s face studied his son. “Marcus is in deep trouble, Ezra. And, this time, I don’t think I can help him. It will take its course, I fear. The intent has been proven; he has confessed to the intent to defraud and his plot to kill you. The men your gatekeeper kept seeing at night?”
Ghost frowned. “Yes, sir?”
“One of them was your brother. He has confessed it.”
Chloe gasped and wrapped her arms around her husband.
“And the other?”
“A follower of Poche. He was hired by Marcus; he has also confessed his intent to murder you.”
“Dear God, does it never end?” Ghost’s voice was full of disbelief, and Chloe squeezed him as tightly as she could.
“I wanted to let you know, my son. It is up to the courts now.” He stood to his feet. “I also wish you to know that I am putting you in charge of all my accounts as a full business partner. I need someone to keep an eye on them, and there is no one I trust as much as you. You’ll be receiving half of the benefits of the estates I hold.”
“I’ll be honored to help you, sir. But you have already given me the house. That’s more than enough. And I will be sailing, sir—in the near future.”
“I realize that. I want you to have your dream, son. I also need you. Perhaps there is one of your crew who you could raise to the title of commander? And he could sail for you when it’s impossible for you to go?”
Ghost looked down at Chloe. She nodded eagerly.
“It will be my pleasure, sir.”
“Good.” He stood, and put a hand on his son’s shoulder. “I have spent too much time away from you. I realize it was in the interest of keeping you safe and hidden. But I’ve missed you. Hopefully, you and Chloe will be spending more time at the mansion with me. And I hope to have grandchildren hopping about my feet before long.” He winked at Chloe. “And one more thing.”
They both looked up expectantly.
“Word has it Baron St. John
has given up the gaming halls.”
Ghost glanced down at Chloe, who was nodding. “That is good news, sir.”
The duke slowed his steps as he neared the doorway. “Well, I must go. By the by, my son, the accounts that you will oversee?”
“Yes, sir?”
“I have spoken with my solicitor. Although it is not possible for you to legally inherit, we have come to a decision. Those accounts are now half yours. I am putting your name on everything as a full-partner. At this moment, your brother has received everything he will get from me.” He stopped in the doorway and looked back.
“Ever.”
“Lassie?” Althea’s soft voice called from outside the bath. “You have visitors.”
Chloe quickly reached for her towel and stepped out of the tub. “Visitors? Who, Althea?”
“The gentleman who was here last week—Captain Smythe—and his beautiful wife. And another young lady is with them. A ‘Lady Darby’? Chubs was so befuddled over the beautiful ladies, he had a terrible time remembering their names. Ghost finally ushered them into the ladies’ parlor. Now, Chubs won’t stop glaring at him.”
Chloe was squealing with glee as she came flying out of the bath. Arranging her hair, she added the jeweled combs to her locks. “And baby Jillian? Is she with them?”
“Yes, lassie. And a Lord Darby, apparently just back from a voyage.”
“Yes! Tell them I’ll be right there! Where is my gown, my corset, my—”
“All laid out on the bed, lassie, except the corset. Ghost said he won’t allow it. But I can help you with the rest. Smiley’s attempting a tea for everyone and needs help, I fear.”
Within three minutes, however, Chloe ran for the stairs with her slippers still in her hands. She was still in stockinged feet when she ran into the drawing room.
Gregory and Lord Darby were there, seated. In the room with them sat Woody, Smiley, Chubs, Tiny, and Gates. Each of them had on new uniforms, complete with the insignias Chloe had made for them. Even Althea, when she came in, had hers sewn onto her new, crisp, white apron.
Conquered by the Ghost (The Conquered Book 3) Page 19
