An Earl For Hire

by Bethany M. Sefchick

  She made a mewling sound. "I don't know what," she panted as she pushed at his shoulders while digging in with her fingernails at the same time. "I simply don't." He could hear the frustration in her voice and he understood that for a woman like Miri who always knew what she was about, the realization that she had no knowledge where passion was concerned was extremely frustrating.

  He nuzzled her neck where the soft flesh met her shoulder. "Then let me teach you."

  Will felt Miri nod in agreement, which was all of the approval he needed from her. Slowly, he drew down the delicate fabric of her gown and with some difficulty worked her breasts free from the stays and chemise that hid her from his view.

  "So lovely," he breathed, truly in awe of the rather erotic picture Miri presented. Her head was thrown back, her own fingers stroking her neck where he had kissed her roughly. Her chest was heaving a bit and her lips were swollen from his kisses as she reclined against the wall of the maze. But it was her lovely, delightful breasts, with her peaches and cream skin topped by rosy pink nipples and dappled with afternoon sunlight that nearly made him come in his breeches like a green youth. "So absolutely perfect."

  Warmed by the sun and her own body's reaction to his kisses, Miri opened her eyes drowsily. "You are being kind." She reached for him, though he could tell by her languid actions she did not know exactly why she was doing so.

  "I do not lie. Not about something as important as this. And you are among the most important things in the world to me." His words sounded strangled and Will noted absently that he was having difficulty drawing air into his lungs. "My God, Miri. You are the loveliest creature I have ever seen."

  She blinked a few times as if pondering his words. "Then show me. Please, Will. If not with you, then with no one. For me, there will never be another."

  He refused to process the true meaning behind her words and instead all but pounced upon her, sucking first one of her lovely breasts and then the other into his mouth, scraping her nipples with his teeth before laving at them with his tongue to ease the sting. Miri's body undulated beneath his as she arched her back, offering him more of her soft flesh. If he were to die now, he would indeed die a happy man.

  Greedy as he was, Will lapped at her breasts hungrily, toying with one nipple while he suckled the other one into a tight peak. This was, in a single word, heaven, and a part of him felt ashamed of his actions. He was no better than an actual whore, the reminder of the coin Miri paid him never far from his mind. However, even if there were no money involved, he would still do this, for she was the most beautiful, lovely and enchanting woman he had ever encountered and that was the single thought that he held fast in his mind. Even if there were no funds, there would still be Miri and she would be worth every sacrifice he had to make.

  Without expecting it, Will had fallen hard and fast for a woman he had no business desiring. And yet, like the toy soldiers of his youth, he could not change how he felt. Nor would he want to.

  When he moved his hand to her calf and slowly began to trace his fingertips up the length of her stocking, she stiffened in his arms. "Will. No. We can't."

  Swiftly, he kissed her again, stilling his hand for a brief moment. "Shhh. I will not take you, love. Now is not the time or the place, but I can give you a taste of what is to come if you will allow me."

  That seemed to intrigue her as he suspected his promise would and, though she bit her lip in hesitation, she soon nodded her assent. "Yes." Her vivid green eyes had darkened to a deep emerald hue. "More. I want more." The truth of it was plain on her face and he was not about to deny her. He couldn't. Not when he cared so much for what she desired.

  As he bent his head to capture her breast with his mouth once more, he whispered so softly that he wasn't even certain she had heard him, though he meant every word. "Then you shall have it, my love." And he meant that last word above all the others.

  Miri felt as if fire raced through her veins with each caress. Will was indeed skilled at giving a woman pleasure. He had not lied at about that and while she was grateful, she was also a bit worried. There was a part of her that did not want this to be a game to him, even though that was precisely what she had requested. Yet how could it be a game when he all but worshiped her with each caress? There had to be a deeper emotion behind his actions, did there not? Then she felt his fingers begin to trace the bare flesh of her thigh above her stocking and all thoughts of what this moment did or did not mean flew from her mind.

  "Oh, Will," she breathed as his fingers teased higher, near the juncture of her thighs. "Yes. Please. More. I am begging you. Please!"

  Oddly, she felt him hesitate for a moment when he brushed the feminine curls that protected her sex. "No drawers." There was something much like amazement in his voice.

  "They left lines in the dress." Susan had been horrified that morning when she had dressed Miri, only to discover that the new drawers from Madame LaVallier's shop were too bulky and plainly evident beneath the slimmer lines of the new spring gown. "So I went without."

  "God, minx, you are magnificent," he sighed as he took her mouth again, this time in a much more demanding kiss, his tongue thrusting so deeply into her mouth that she imagined he might swallow her whole if he was able.

  Then his fingers were there, parting the folds of her sex and she shivered. She was damp between her legs and, while innocent, she was no green girl. She knew she was aroused. In fact, she was aroused almost every time she was in Will's presence as of late.

  "So wet," he breathed almost reverently and he tore his mouth away from hers long enough to bite down hard on one taut nipple, making her squirm and increasing the hard, almost painful throbbing between her legs.

  "Only for you." She whispered the words and prayed that he heard them. "Only for you, Will." Then, like the wanton she suspected she truly might be, she allowed her legs to fall open, giving him greater access to her feminine core.

  Will did not wait but accepted the invitation he had been given, sliding first one finger and then a second inside of her. Miri felt stretched and invaded but in a rather delicious way. She felt even better when Will began to stroke her inner walls with those same fingers, using his thumb to tease the small pearl of pleasure that was hidden deep within her folds.

  Pressure built deep inside of her and Miri began to thrash on the bench, her body bucking as Will drew her closer to something that threatened to make her lose her very mind. And yet, what a way it would be to lose all rational thought, the delightful sensations his hands were causing sending never-ending spirals of pleasure through her body. If this was only a taste of what was to come, she was afraid that she could not endure a proper fucking.

  Then, his mouth was on her breast again, tugging her nipple and suckling hard. Pleasure shot through her as he cradled her against him, his talented fingers never ceasing in their stroking. She thought more pleasure was impossible but then he crooked his fingers deep inside of her while pressing down hard on that secret little nub. Over and over he stroked her and she could smell the musky scent of sex filling the air. Against her thigh, she could feel the hard press of Will's cock and suddenly, her mind was filled with images of them naked and fucking, his cock pleasuring her in the same way his hands did now.

  It was those images her mind created that finally sent Miri cascading over the edge with a cry that Will swallowed with another rough kiss. She felt as if she was first flying and then falling, her body undulating with a pleasure unlike anything she had ever known. It was delightful. It was glorious. And it was also more than a bit terrifying.

  Chapter Ten

  It had been a full day since Miri had first come apart and then swooned like a ninnyhammer in Will's embrace in Lady Weatherby's maze. She should regret what they had done. But she didn't. If anything, she desired more - more knowledge and more passion and more of everything that Will had to offer. Oh, very well. Simply put, she desired more of Will. Period. If that made her a wanton, then so be it. As she would never marry any
way, what harm could a love affair do as long as they were careful not to create a child? None as far as she was concerned. Or as far as Will was concerned either.

  Tonight they were both attending a small poetry reading followed by refreshments and then a short musical performance by a new Italian soprano, a Miss Luccia Bianchi, who was taking London by storm as of late. It was not the sort of affair where a couple might sneak away for any length of time, but then, Miri considered herself an inventive woman and thought that perhaps she and Will might find a way to steal a kiss or two. Perhaps three if they were lucky. It was unlikely they could do more, but a lady could hope she decided as her family's carriage rolled to a stop in front of Lord and Lady Needingham's enormous townhome. Or, given the sheer size of the house, perhaps a bit of mischief might be possible after all.

  Miri wished to smile at that thought but was instead careful to keep her face neutral. Tonight would be the first time she had seen Sarah at any place other than the family breakfast table since their argument in the garden. It was evident from Sarah's grim expression and Rayne's scowling looks at his wife that Sarah had appealed to her husband regarding the issue of Will versus Randall Witherson - and, from the tension growing inside the carriage, had likely lost that battle.

  Only Miri's mother seemed oblivious to strife, but then, that was not surprising. Ophelia Bexley enjoyed parties, dancing, and making certain her children were properly wed. Unlike Sarah, Miri's mother didn't really care whom Miri wed. As long as he was of the peerage and had not fathered any bastards, that was enough for her. If only Sarah would take the same view, it would make Miri's life ever so much easier.

  Sadly, Miri suspected that sneaking away with Will that evening would be all but impossible, for she was certain at least one of her family members - Sarah, if no one else - would cling like a barnacle to her side for the duration of the evening. Once inside, however, Miri was left on her own as she waited for a footman to take her wrap. Her family had seemingly hurried off, though given that the poet featured this evening was noted for being particularly awful, she could not imagine why Rayne, Sarah or her mother would be in any great rush to find seats. If anything, Mr. Fillbert was noted as one of the most wretched poets of the ton, though he viewed himself on the same level as Lord Byron and the others.

  Feeling a little strange, Miri did her best to hobble in what she hoped was the proper direction of the ballroom. As of late, she was always in the company of either her mother or Sarah, but now, she was all but abandoned in a hallway that stretched between a smaller ballroom where the poetry reading was to be held and the music room where she could hear chairs being set up for Miss Bianchi's performance later that evening. Servants hurried past as if they did not even see her, though Miri did not believe she had recently acquired the power to become invisible. One footman carrying a large cello case was moving so quickly that he certainly did not see her and she was forced back against the wall.

  Everything was tight and confined. No one could see her. She might as well not even be here this evening. Who would miss her? What if she fell? What then? How would she get back up? What if her leg gave out completely? Was the hallway smaller now than it had been a moment ago? It seemed so. She needed to leave. Now. But where was that blasted door? How had she even come to be here?

  Her old fears began to assail her, and Miri fought back the urge to simply run, heedless of how well her leg would support her. She took a few calming breaths and fought back the panic that threatened to sweep over her. Yet she was still terrified, though her rational thought was returning - slowly. Still, she needed to depart immediately. Before she did something foolish like break down into tears.

  "Miri. I'm here, love." Will emerged like a ghost from the dark and shadowy hallway as he placed a comforting hand on her arm to steady her. "There you are. I have been looking for you. I was worried when your family entered the poetry room without you."

  Unable to stop herself, Miri let out a sigh and leaned back against the wall for support. She wanted to immediately fling herself into Will's arms, but there were servants aplenty about. They were bound to talk if she behaved so rashly. "Will. Thank goodness. I thought I had been abandoned."

  Chuckling, he reached for her and she went into his arms willingly for a brief hug before she stepped back and allowed him to tuck her hand into the crook of his arm. Servants and their gossip be damned. "I would never abandon you, love. In fact, I suspect that your family saw me coming down the hall and hoped that if they scurried off, I would be forced to escort you into the ballroom. Well, some of your family, anyway." A dark look crossed his face. "However, I do not believe they were counting on Lady Deerham accosting me in the hallway as I approached."

  Miri paused. "The Dowager Viscountess of Envale? What does she have to do with anything?"

  Will sighed and slowed his gait to match hers. "It seems as if rumors of my past continue to hound me, no matter what the gossip rags might say."

  "She wished to proposition you?" Miri was incredulous now, her earlier fears vanished as if they had never been. Will seemed to have that effect upon her. "How dare she! Why I..." She fell silent when she realized what she had said and swallowed hard. "Which is exactly what I did. Will, I'm sorry. I..."

  "Hush," he whispered softly, his eyes staring straight ahead. "It is not at all the same thing. I wanted you, love. I still do, our agreement be damned. For me, this is no hardship, nor a chore of any sort. Always remember that."

  No. Will could not mean that. He must not mean that. Miri beat down the swell of panic that rose in her breast. For if he truly meant what he said, then that would also mean that he cared for her. Making this dispassionate arrangement between them far too real. Reality meant a husband and marriage, two things she did not want. For even though Will accepted her as she was, she had no doubt that in time, he would ask her to give up her telescopes and her stars. He would discourage her love of learning. Just as her brother had once he discovered marital bliss.

  That could not be. Miri would simply not allow that to happen. Even though the same feelings beat in her breast as well. She could not love Will and he could not love her and that was that. She would not allow it to be otherwise. She needed to regain control of this situation, except that she wasn't certain how to go about it.

  Her thoughts in turmoil, Miri fell silent as she allowed Will to lead her towards the ballroom. Ahead of them, she could hear the chatter of the assembled guests and she saw the lights dancing in shadow across the wall. Those people were enjoying themselves, certain of their places in the world, while she was not. Or were they?

  Were those people just as confused as she was about their place in life? Did they strive for more than just the next party or ball? Or were they truly content drifting aimlessly from one entertainment to the next? Did they have the same thoughts she did regarding what they wished their lives to be like? Did they love their spouses or did they, like she, feel trapped and confined by the notion of marriage? If so, why did they marry anyway? Simply for Society's sake or was there really no other choice? Was love, or at least the notion of it, enough to overcome everything else?

  Casting a sideways glance at Will, Miri suspected that just might be the case. If that was true, then she was in very deep trouble. Or at least her heart was. Or was she wrong? Feelings and emotions were still new to her. She still didn't understand people all that well, either, though she was better than she had been in that regard. But that was just with Will. Or was it? Honestly, she didn't know any longer. All she did know was that she was beginning to desire Will physically beyond all rational thought. She was no longer certain of anything else, not even her place in this world.

  These thoughts plagued Miri as the poetry reading began. She heard the man's words but they did not penetrate her mind. Instead, she silently berated herself for her unruly and very disorderly thoughts. She was being a complete ninnyhammer. Had one moment of passion scrambled her brain so much that she was no longer capable of rational thou
ght? She hated to think that the world of passion she had glimpsed with Will could or would destroy her way of thinking so much, but was it possible? She supposed so. Any true scientist would be foolish to discount that possibility entirely. Not that she had been behaving much like a scientist as of late. She hadn't even visited her telescopes in weeks!

  Finally, by the time the thin and rather reedy looking man at the podium had finished droning on in a flat, toneless voice, Miri had managed to calm her runaway mind. She was being a henwit and she knew it. Will's words were meant to be kind and nothing more. Nothing had changed between them. He would show her passion and she would pay him for the pleasure. Clean and neat and simple. Why, as of late, was she making mountains out of molehills?

  "May I interest you in some refreshments, my lady?" Will asked, every inch the proper gentleman as he helped her to her feet once the reading had concluded.

  Across the room Miri could see her family eyeing her closely. They desired a match between her and, well, just about anyone. She simply wanted passion. Will fulfilled both requirements, and as long as Rayne accepted him as a potential husband, that was all that truly mattered. Sarah's opinion on the subject held little weight with Miri's brother in that regard, at least for now. However, that could change at any point. Therefore, Miri really should stop fighting their matchmaking attempts, especially when being seen with Will served mostly everyone's purposes.

  "I would like that very much, my lord. Thank you," she replied perhaps a touch too brightly as she tucked her hand back into the crook of Will's arm. "I would like that very much, indeed."