Now her hands were freed, they wound themselves up around his shoulders, gripping at the muscles of his back. Aware of his arousal throbbing hard against her, he tried to govern his response, but her hips thrust to meet him in a seemingly instinctive movement.
His thumbs dug into her ribs as he gripped at her, while his mouth worked from her swollen lips, down her neck, to land at her collar bone. He tugged at the neckline of her gown, trying to hold back a frustrated growl from him when it would not give way.
She arched her back, giving him access to her laces. He shook his head and rolled her onto her side. She trembled as he swept aside her hair and pressed kisses to her bare back. He brushed at the tender skin as he slowly revealed her back, pressing soft kisses to each newly revealed bit of flesh.
The laces now loose, he let her gown gape open and pushed the fabric from her shoulder, he laid an open-mouthed kiss upon it, while his other hand worked its way around to the front of her gown, molding and cupping at her breast through the fabric of her stays.
His name fell from her lips in a whisper and his patience snapped. He rolled her over and pushed the gown from her hips then worked her stays down so that her breasts were revealed to him
Each breath felt heated as Harry regarded her exposed form. Her creamy figure, so achingly perfect, beckoned to him while she looked upon him fearlessly. The slight shudder of her chest betrayed her trepidation as he cast his gaze over her, absorbing every part. Her curves begged for his hands, her pale nipples demanded his mouth.
His hands connected with her silken flesh, and a shudder rippled through him. His imagination could never have done her justice. She was more beautiful, more exquisite than he could have ever imagined.
Their mouths met in an unyielding kiss, demanding and urgent. Her delicate fingers stroked fervently across his back, exploring every ridge, every scar.
They both groaned when he laid himself atop her, her breasts warm and soft against his chest. He gripped her rear, pulling her tight against his arousal as they kissed furiously. He felt as though he was drowning, fighting for her kisses that were more important than air. Each touch of her lips, of her tongue would never be enough.
He let his fingers linger over the tender skin of her thighs before climbing their way up her stays to cup at her breasts. Extending into his reach, she gasped. Her fingernails dug into the skin of his back as he pressed her into the hay.
His mouth traced a path down her throat, licking at the dip before trailing toward the rise of her breasts and nuzzling between the mounds as his bristles scratched at her flesh. Lilith’s fingers tangled in his hair as she clutched him to her, desperately directing him toward her rigid nipples. He rewarded her with a lick to the peaked tips before clamping his mouth around one, then the other, drawing a shuddering sob of pleasure from her.
Finally, he trailed his fingers down to the spot that he knew tormented her most, brushing gently at her folds.
She arched into his touch. “Please, Harry.”
He answered her with the thrust of a finger. She quivered and whimpered as she gripped at the straw around her.
He could wait no longer. Harry divested himself of his boots and trousers before nestling between her legs. The gratifying feel of her heat against him was almost the undoing of him. He grit his jaw and took a long breath. He would not hurt her for all the world. Drawing her legs around him, he entered slowly as they locked gazes, her heat encompassing him in a pleasure so sharp it was akin to pain. She bit down on her lip and he eased out.
“Lilith…” He’d rather suffer a lifetime of celibacy than hurt her.
She shook her head. “Do not stop.” Her hands gripped at his buttocks and urged him against her once more.
Unable to stop himself, he shifted against her and he was gratified to feel her body relax under his. Whispering words of love to her as her fingernails scrabbled across his back and rear, he plunged again and again until she clenched underneath him, her body going rigid as wave after wave consumed her and she cried out his name.
Chests heaving, they lay languidly as Harry brushed kisses across her face and she traced lazy patterns over his skin. He shifted back to see her smile.
“Thank goodness I made such a mess of my debut.”
“Why is that?” he asked, snatching his shirt from beside him and laying it over both of them.
“Because if I had not, I would probably be married or engaged to some dull nobleman by now.”
“Instead you are lying in straw with a stable-hand.”
She beamed at him, defeating any doubt he might have had. “I could think of no place I would rather be.”
Epilogue
“Alexander, stop that!” Julia ordered.
Her redheaded son ignored her, and Lilith could not help giggle. At four years of age, he was showing signs of being exactly like his mother—stubborn to a fault.
“Alexander!” Julia rolled her eyes and strode over the banquet table where her son was pushing his fingers into the custard then feeding it to the dog. The little boy giggled when the dog lapped eagerly at the custard.
The yearly summer party at Amelia and Nicholas’s was busier than ever with all the children now able to walk. Lilith was thankful for its informal air. Most of the guests were local and there would be no one around to make snobbish remarks to Harry or herself.
Amelia rubbed her round stomach and eased into the chair next to Lilith. “My third child. Do you think I am crazy?”
Lilith lifted a shoulder. “I have my hands full with the two, but Maisie is an immense help. She dotes on her little sister.”
“How funny it is that you would be the one to have a girl finally,” Catherine said from the seat beside Lilith. She tore a cream and strawberry cake in half and shoved it in her mouth. “I was so certain I would be the first to have one.”
Emma glanced up from her knitting. A giant mess of wool hung from her needles. Lilith hoped whatever this was was not going to be for her or her daughters.
“I think the world could not cope with more Chadwick women. At least that’s what Papa says.”
Lilith glanced over to where Mr. and Mrs. Chadwick were sat, tucked under the shade of the house with several other older members of the family. Mr. Chadwick looked to be fast asleep while Mrs. Chadwick had engaged her mother in conversation. Lilith dreaded to think what gossip they would be sharing. Both women seemed to know everything that was happening in Hampshire, even though the information was never exactly reliable.
“Perhaps this one will be a girl,” mused Amelia.
Julia came over with a custard-covered little boy and placed him on her lap as she sat. “Want to make a wager, Catherine?”
Catherine shook her head and licked crumbs from her fingers. “You still owe me from the last one. Besides, it will be a boy, everyone knows that.” Catherine winced. “It looks like Alexander’s brother has decided to feed the dog instead.”
“Oh no.” Julia shook her head. “Take Alexander.” She handed the little boy over to Catherine who gave him a big, tickling kiss on the cheek, making him giggle.
Julia strode over to the table and took the cake from Adam’s hand before he could give it to the dog. Roo, Julia and Guy’s dog sat hopefully by the table, his tail wagging.
Lilith’s gaze tracked the movements of Maisie and her sister Louisa to the table. It seemed every child here wanted to feed the dog. She caught Maisie’s eye and wagged a finger.
“I was only going to get Louisa a cake, Mama,” Maisie called to Lilith, her face a picture of innocence.
“Perhaps you can persuade the other children to stop feeding Roo,” Lilith suggested.
Maisie nodded eagerly. “Of course, Mama. You can trust me.” As the oldest, Maisie enjoyed taking responsibility for the other children—a little too much at times perhaps—but with so many children between them, the help did not go amiss.
“Tell me why I always think these events are going to be relaxing.” Julia slumped back in
to the chair, having coaxed Adam to go and play with his brother. “I always think it will be a fine chance for all the children to play together but they seem to get up to more mischief than ever.”
“Oh because we were never, ever mischief.” Catherine grinned.
“I was always well-behaved,” protested Amelia.
“I was too,” said Lavinia who had come down from Scotland for the summer. Lilith had only met the second oldest Chadwick sister a handful of times, but they always got on wonderfully.
“No, you just never, ever got caught,” corrected Emma.
Lavinia gave a slightly smug smile. “Perhaps.”
Out on the lawns, the rest of the boys were running around, chasing each other with sticks.
Amelia cringed when one redheaded boy took a swing at another, missing him by a mere inch. “I think we should persuade the men to start the croquet. That will keep the children out of trouble.”
“Good idea.” Lilith’s gaze landed on Harry. Her heart hitched a little when he glanced her way.
Catherine leaned in. “He looks incredibly handsome in breeches.”
“He cannot stand them, and I must admit, I prefer him out of them.” She clapped a hand across her mouth. “I mean…”
“We all know what you meant.” Julia laughed. “You prefer his rough and rugged side. What woman does not? I always cannot wait to get Guy out of his stuffy cravat.”
Lilith nodded. “Exactly.”
Harry did a remarkable job at attending these sorts of events. They would never be exactly wanted by society, but Lilith was grateful he made an effort, so she could spend time with her friends and family. Thankfully her brother and all the other men were good men and never treated Harry like the London set would.
Lilith rose. “I shall ask Thorney if he wants to start the game.”
Julia chuckled. “Ooh, any excuse to see her new husband.”
“We’ve been married nearly five years now!” Lilith protested.
“Yes, but still less time than the rest of us so you are practically newlyweds.” Catherine grinned. “You certainly still act like it.”
Folding her arms, Lilith lifted a brow. “And you do not?”
Catherine gave a shrug. “I cannot help it that my husband is charming and handsome and…”
Lilith clapped hands over her ears. “He is my brother, I do not want to know.” She motioned to Maisie and Louisa, taking their hands. “Shall we ask Uncle Thorney, if we can play croquet?”
Maisie nodded eagerly, her mouth smeared with cream from one of the cakes. Lilith scooped her youngest daughter up and propped her on a hip while she rubbed the mess from Maisie’s mouth.
“Come on then, let see if we can beat all the boys.” Lilith headed over to the men, followed by Catherine and some of the children. Julia was having a time of it rounding up her twins.
Harry’s smile broadened when Lilith came to his side. He brushed a fleck of cake from Maisie’s mouth that Lilith must have missed. “Have you been helping yourself to cake?”
“Only one slice, Papa.” She held up a finger. “Louisa had two!”
He chuckled and leaned in to kiss Louisa’s sticky cheek. “Yes, I can taste it. At least two slices there.”
Maisie giggled. “Silly, Papa.”
“What about Mama? How many has she had?” he asked, leaning in to kiss her.
Lilith held up a hand. “Not a single one. I have not had the chance yet.”
“I shall have to find out for sure later.” His eyes held a promise that made her stomach twist with delight.
“How are things?” She swung a look at the rest of the men.
“Good.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “Believe it or not, I’m getting used to these events.”
“I’m still looking forward to returning to our humble home.” Her cheeks heated when Harry’s eyes flashed.
“As am I, lass. As am I.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek and took Louisa off her. “Now, shall we play croquet. Papa is terrible at it so you’ll have to show me, Maisie.”
Maisie rolled her eyes. “Oh, Papa, I have shown you so many times now.”
“You have to make me look good in front of Mama.” He sent a wink Lilith’s way.
Lilith grinned and pressed a hand to her mouth. The promise of what was to come later lingered in his gaze. After nearly five years of marriage, being with Harry still excited her. Every day, they seemed to grow closer and more in tune, despite their extremely different upbringings.
“I know that look,” said Catherine from behind her.
“Oh do you?”
“It’s the one that says, I cannot wait to get him home and have him all to myself. I know it well.” Catherine wore a smug expression.
“I told you, I would rather not know. I do not need to think of my brother that way.”
“Well, I’m glad you are happy, Lil. Who would have thought you would be the one to run off with the stable-hand? Before I was married, everyone thought I’d be the one to cause a scandal.”
Lilith watched her husband play with their daughters and considered the child that would be joining them in eight months or so. Two daughters were a handful and three would be a challenge indeed, but she and Harry had already conquered so much together. Her heart swelled with appreciation. He was no elegant gentleman, but he was perfect for her.
She grinned at her friend. “Well, you know me, Kitty. I cannot bear to be out of the gossip columns for too long.”
###
Shameless
The Marriage Maker
Rules of Refinement
Tarah Scott and Erin Rye
Scarsdale Voices
Chapter One
What More Could a Girl Ask For?
JULIET SQUINTED AGAINST THE late morning sun that streamed through the open window behind Lady Honoria Peddington’s study desk. Girlish laughter wafted up from the modest courtyard as Honoria rose then skirted the large, claw-footed mahogany desk to where Juliet stood on the dark green, paisley-patterned carpet. For a woman nearing fifty, Honoria was remarkably beautiful, with only the barest hint of gray in her red hair.
She pinned Juliet with a critical stare. “Curl your locks into proper ringlets for tonight.”
“Tonight—” Juliet broke off when Honoria brushed one of the locks with her fingers.
“I want to see candlelight dance off those gold streaks.” Honoria began a slow walk around Juliet, as if inspecting a horse she wished to purchase.
With the real Lady Peddington making her circuit, Juliet stared at the large oil portrait of Lady Peddington that graced the mantle. At her back, hung a collection of small portraits of the local nobles of Edinburgh. She imagined the lords’ collective ‘tsk, tsks’ as Honoria reached Juliet’s face and grasped Juliet’s chin, tilting her head sideways. “Stain your lips a darker shade of red. Your pout will drive him wild.”
Him?
Her heartbeat accelerated.
Honoria released her. “And line your lower eyelashes. Your blue eyes are one of your best features.” She stepped back and crossed her arms. “You will meet the Duke of Hamilton tonight at the Midnight Ball.”
“Midnight Ball—the Duke of Hamilton?” Anger twisted through her, followed by fear. Of all things the headmistress and founder of Lady Peddington’s School for Young Ladies could have thrown at her, Juliet hadn’t imagined this.
“So, the notorious Duke of Hamilton intends to make me his mistress?” Juliet forced a smile and added with a double dose of sarcasm, “Why, Auntie Honoria, what more could a woman want?”
“Little, indeed,” she said, ignoring Juliet’s derision.
“Surely, you remember that I am returning to London in the morning,” Juliet said. “I have no time for balls—or dukes.”
Honoria pinned her with a stare. “I did not insist you attend the first ball, but I must insist you attend this one.”
“Only gentlemen looking for less-than-honorable associations attend your Midnight Balls. You k
now that isn’t what I want.”
“There is nothing dishonorable about an agreement between adults,” Honoria replied unruffled. “The duke will expect you at midnight. He is not a man who likes to be kept waiting.”
Her heart sank. The Duke of Hamilton. His portrait did not hang on the wall alongside the illustrious nobility of Edinburgh. Still, Juliet had heard of the man. Who hadn’t? His reputation preceded him. He was daring, handsome, scandalously rich and, “He’s never stayed with a woman longer than six months,” Juliet finished her thought out loud.
“There is a first time for everything,” Lady Peddington said.
Lady Honoria Peddington wasn’t truly her aunt, but she was the closest thing Juliet had to a relative. Auntie started her career in the same brothel as Juliet’s mother, where they’d formed a sisterly bond. As the years passed, both women had fulfilled their dreams. Honoria Peddington—born Honey Pedding—relocated to Edinburgh and opened Lady Peddington’s School for Young Ladies. Juliet’s mother moved to London and opened Lady Aphrodite’s House of Pleasure—Juliet’s childhood home.
Honoria smiled gently. “There is no harm in meeting the man.”
“I’m no fool,” Juliet snapped. She nodded at the open window where her fellow students giggled in the small courtyard below. “They might not know the dangers of a Midnight Ball, but they don’t have a madam for a mother, now, do they?”
“My dearest child,” Lady Peddington rapped her knuckles sharply on the desk at her side, “lower your voice. We cannot have such words overheard.”
Juliet huffed another breath, but replied in hushed tones, “I am not staying in Edinburgh, Auntie. I leave early for London.”
Honoria gave her a shrewd look. “You are no more anxious to return home now than you were yesterday.”
Juliet’s heart constricted. Her aunt spoke the truth. She felt more at home here than anywhere else she’d ever lived. The year had passed too quickly. Juliet tossed a wistful glance at the bookshelves filled with leather-bound volumes of deportment and etiquette. She’d read them all—or tried to. Truth be told, they’d put her to sleep better than any posset ever had.
Lilith and the Stable Hand Page 11
