Seducing His Lordship
Page 9
“Then it’s true you took a lover?” He stroked her arm.
“No.” She heaved with a greater sigh of resignation. “I made up the story of a lover as another one of my horrible attempts at gaining Lord Laramore’s attention. Thankfully, Gabriel believed me when I said I was not having an affair, or I thought he did.”
“You’re truly in love with him.” His shocked tone surprised her.
“Has that not been clear in all the foolish things I’ve done?”
She stiffened when he put his arm around her shoulders, giving her a light hug.
“Laramore is touched in the upper works if he doesn’t appreciate what he could have with you.” He leaned back, still holding her shoulders. “Maybe you’re wrong about how he feels.”
“He’s here out of spite. I demanded he leave, and instead, he insisted on staying, just to irritate me.”
“Nonsense, what man wouldn’t want to stay because of you?”
Carmody turned her head away, realizing she’d said too much. Her cheeks heated, and she placed her hand on one, hoping to cool any telltale signs of her blush. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t burden you with my troubles.”
“You are Dolly’s dearest friend, Carmody. With all the time you spend at our home, I have grown to think of you with the fondest sentiments. You can trust me to keep your confidences.”
“Oh, I do trust you, Lord Mitchell.” She leaned into his guiding embrace, thankful for an understanding listener and the comfort of his support. “You’ve been ever so kind.”
Carmody looked from him to where his attention went, and she saw Gabriel’s standing a dozen paces away. As usual, she couldn’t read anything into his solemn expression.
Then he took a step toward them. His hand went to the lapel of his jacket, as if he might unfasten and remove it.
“I hope you have a reason for the manner in which you are holding my wife, Lord Mitchell.” Gabriel fingered one of the buttons. “Or do I draw your claret?”
“It was nothing,” Carmody answered, prying herself out of Lord Mitchell’s hold to prevent Gabriel from giving him a bloody nose.
“Oh? From the looks of it, I’ve interrupted some sort of dalliance.”
“There is nothing illicit going on between myself and her ladyship.” Lord Mitchell stood in defense of her. “She was upset, and understandably so from what she’s told me.”
Gabriel’s gaze darkened with an angry stare.
She had worried he’d change into the tiger. Now she realized he wouldn’t just to keep his secret, a secret he was assuming she had divulged.
“About our relationship, milord,” she hurried to Gabriel to clarify.
“All good and well, however, I can’t allow the man to paw you in my home, especially when we have a house full of guests. The rumors would be very damaging to your reputation.”
“You care nothing about Carmody.” Lord Mitchell took a step toward Gabriel. “Why not annul the marriage?”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that. What with a substantial part of my finances invested in her wardrobe alone, it wouldn’t be in my best interest to let her go. Besides, she’s agreed to give me an heir. Where would I find another woman to do that without me spending another fortune? No, Lord Mitchell, I’m certain it’s cheaper to keep her, rather than start all over.”
“How dare you!” Carmody rushed to slap him, unconcerned he might expose his special ability.
Gabriel’s reflexes were swift. He grabbed her wrist and her waist. In one motion, he had her pulled to him.
Her heartbeat quickened.
“Unhand her,” Lord Mitchell demanded.
“Is that what you want, milady?” Gabriel’s penetrating gaze held hers. “Do you want me to let you go? Give you your freedom?”
“Yes.”
“Forever, Carmody?” His voice had a sorrowful tone.
In the moonlight, his brown eyes muddied with moisture, as if he feared the answer. His chest pushed hers, making her nipples tingle. Sensations hit her like an incoming wave, making her too weak to think. She ached with inconceivable clarity inside. Love was her reason for wanting to be with Gabriel.
“No,” she answered, resigned to have him any way possible.
“Good. I didn’t relish the idea of loving you from afar.” His fingers glided up her back.
“You love me?” She searched for the truth in his gaze.
“Was that not apparent?” He held the side of her face.
“No, it wasn’t at all obvious!” She shook her head and several of her fastened-up curls tumbled down over her forehead.
“Not at all?” He lifted the locks and tucked them back.
“I don’t know what you think. How could I? After we were married, I saw you no more than anyone else you know. In the past couple days, everything I knew has been turned upside down. So I repeat, no, no, no. I had no way of knowing you loved me.”
“Had I not conveyed that sentiment to you at all last night or this morning?”
“I’ve heard a man’s sexual pleasure can be misinterpreted as love.” She searched his expression for a hint that he jested with her.
“Excuse me,” Lord Mitchell interrupted. “I think my presence is no longer needed here.”
She gave him a brief, embarrassed, yet appreciative glance that sent him back to the manor, leaving her alone with Gabriel in the garden.
“I assure you, dear one, my pleasure is a result of love.” Gabriel caressed her face. “I intended to marry you for convenience. However, by the time we said our vows, I was in love with you. Unseemly as it may be for a man in my position, there is none such as you.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” She relaxed to the stroke of his hand on her back. “Why did you make arrangements for us to live apart?”
“How does a man tell a woman he’s a shape-shifter? I had hoped to give you a comfortable life without worry or regret.”
“You should have gotten to know me a little better before deciding what was best for me. I didn’t marry you because of your title or good standing in the ton, Gabriel.”
“Now there you have me wondering. My financial standing is adequate, but only because I show restraint in my spending habits. You, my dear, have been working hard against my solvency.”
“I spent that money so you’d take notice of me. Reginald told me to stay aloof, and I presumed that to mean to avoid you. But that didn’t make sense. Therefore, I took it upon myself to take drastic steps to gain your attention.”
“You’ve always had my full attention.” He kissed her cheek.
“Not when it comes to paying all my bills. However, you need not worry; I do have money of my own that was not part of my dowry. I’ll pay my debts.”
“I’ve already paid them.”
“Even Beaudrics?”
“Yes, and I’ll take care of Tavish.” He lifted her gloved hand and pressed a kiss to the center of her palm.
“How did you…oh, the tiger…you understand people when you’re like that?”
“Yes, and Tavish is wrong to think your account isn’t paid.” He lifted his head. “Unless you had an account there before we were married.”
“Of course I had an account there. They are only the best dress shop in all of London, and…oh my, do you think that is the account he is referring to?”
“I’d have to guess it is. Obviously, they failed to send me a statement of your prior expenditures. I’ll send word for my solicitor to handle the mix-up. Now tell me, is my physical condition a problem for you?”
“Having a strange peculiarity does not diminish my affections toward you, Gabriel. I married you because I was in love.”
“So I’m learning a little too late.” He stroked her neck, letting his hand finally rest on her collarbone.
“Never too late, milord.” She leaned in for his kiss, as he guided her with the pressure of his fingers folded behind her neck.
“What of your social agenda and your tarnished reputation?” He slid his
hand back down, past her collarbone, and gently squeezed her breast, kissing beneath her jaw.
“I don’t care a groat for what anyone thinks about me, other than you,” she moaned, stirred by the pleasing brush of his lips on the pulse in her neck.
“I think you are the most delicious woman I’ve ever known.” His fingers curled over the top edge of her gown, tugging it low enough to scratch at her nipples.
A shock of heat zinged through her. The rippling spread of warmth hit her low in the belly. She clamped her legs together, but couldn’t avoid the tension of her vaginal muscles searching for something to grasp. The twitching escalated. Gabriel’s nuzzling lips against her throat, the sucking and slurping up behind her ear and his fondling of her breast, all had something to do with the prickly sensation ricocheting around inside her.
“Gabriel, please.” She begged for release.
He stopped and smoothed over her bodice, adjusting it back into place. “Shall we go see to our guests?”
She should have said yes instead of shaking her head and clutching the sides of his jacket. “Not until you’ve kissed me soundly, milord.”
“Soundly requires much longer than I should give considering our location and the guests.” He brushed her lips with a light kiss. “They will starve in the waiting, so I’ll try to make this do for the moment.”
Gabriel’s mouth covers hers. His arms bound her to him as his tongue parted her lips and entered. The passion of his tongue would never cease to amaze her. He thrust to all corners, licking the saliva that pooled behind her bottom teeth. She whimpered with delight that his retreat was a pause he took to catch his breath. His kiss went beyond her hopes and filled her with happiness.
“I love you,” he murmured in another of his brief withdrawals.
“And I love you, milord.” Her lips quivered with excitement as Gabriel claimed them again.
As if she required a voiced reassurance of his adoration, he repeated the endearment many times. Although all she really needed was to hear the whirr of his feline purr to feel adored.
THE END
Brenda Williamson
Brenda Williamson was born on Halloween and loves the paranormal. Married with one son, she lives in the South, USA. Her hobby is her profession and she spends endless hours writing stories in a variety of romance genres. But if she does anything to fill a few stolen hours away from her computer, she takes care of her pets, many of which can be seen on her website.
Country living is a peaceful existence, but it can be a lonely one when know one is around. While working from an office in her home, Brenda surfs the Internet and enjoys socializing online with friends. If you’d like to talk to her or just hang around and read excerpts, then you’re invited to join her Yahoo chat group where other authors also come out to play at Brenda Williamson’s Romance Party.
Website: http://www.brendawilliamson.com/
Newsletter: http://www.brendawilliamson.com/newsletter.htm
Chat : http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/brendawilliamsonromanceparty/
E-mail: Brenda@BrendaWilliamson.com