“Maybe I’ll dine alone tomorrow night,” he muttered.
“Did you need something, my lord?”
He turned to find a footman watching him from the door. It wasn’t William, the very proper one who was to serve as his valet, but a handsome, blond man. “Nothing…?”
“Cabot, my lord,” he said with a tilt of his head.
“Nothing, Cabot. You may retire if you like.”
“Very good, my lord.”
He stared at the fire. It was a welcome warmth on this chilly fall evening. The manor was beautiful and well-equipped. And well-staffed, he mentally added. The earl had been clear that morning about what he could expect from that staff should he want it. Maybe he should call the pretty footman Cabot back in here and have him suck him off. Maybe then he could summon the desire to take himself up to his very large, very comfortable, very lonely room in the bachelor wing.
He didn’t want mindless release, though. He couldn’t seem to stop thinking about the girl with the flower name from the inn all those months ago. She’d been different, sweet and hot, and he wondered if she was still there. He’d promised the earl he wouldn’t go to the inn looking for a fuck. He didn’t say anything about trying to find the girl he couldn’t forget even though he knew so little about her.
Maybe he should ask William. He might appear proper, but he must have his own needs met now and then. Hell, Matthew could imagine he was quite healthy in that regard. Did he go down to the village? Or did he also take his turn with the willing and well-paid staff?
He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the thick upholstery, still trying to process all that had changed for him in the last few days. It was truly a relief to be rid of the previous Viscount Lindhurst. That circumstance was made even better by discovering that the bastard wasn’t his father. Finding Gabriel so welcoming had been a shock, and learning to live here at Hawksfell Manor was something he was going to have to accustom himself. His uncle’s house was nothing compared to the manor, and that wasn’t only due to the fine furnishings and appointments. That was certain.
He opened his eyes and stood. Maybe he’d go into the library. The countess had taken him on a brief tour of the public rooms this afternoon, and he was reasonably confident he could find his way without the eager Cabot’s help.
He found the room and entered, but he was surprised to see he wasn’t alone. There was a maid in the room. She was kneeling on the floor as she swept up the ashes near the banked hearth. In her black and white uniform, she didn’t look like a maid of all work. Why was she seeing to that task?
He watched her for a moment, admiring her round bottom shown to advantage by her position as she moved back and forth. Even the starched black skirt couldn’t hide the curve of her hips and ass. He felt his Hawk beast stir as lust began its inevitable ascent.
True, he hadn’t had release in days now. He’d been thinking about the girl from the inn, not to mention all the cocks and pussies that were now apparently available to him at the manor. It was little wonder that he stood there, his blood pounding low as he imagined lifting her skirts and fucking her hard.
Was she one of the maids he’d seen earlier? This whole day he’d found them peering out at him from doorways and corners, no doubt taking his measure and wondering what he would demand of them.
“Why I said I’d do this for her, I’ll never know,” he heard her grumble. Her voice was soft and husky, and he felt a heat creep over him. “Bloody girl has a bloody cold.”
“Now that’s a shame,” he said.
She froze then lifted her head. He saw that her hair was a shining golden-blonde beneath her little white cap. She came to her feet but still kept herself turned away from him. She was a little thing, but from the angle she gave him he could see she that her upstairs more than matched her downstairs.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your work,” he said as he stepped into the room. “I was thinking of looking for a book.”
She nodded, and he watched as she twisted a rag in her delicate hands.
He came closer. He caught a bit of the ash scent, but beneath it was a sweet outdoorsy smell. Like wildflowers. Again the memory of that spring night at the inn came rushing back to him.
“Would you like me to relight the fire, my lord?” she asked.
“I would like you to face me when you speak to me,” he said.
She glanced at him over one shoulder, her big blue eyes sweeping over him. Then she turned fully and dropped her hands to her side. “Good evening, Matthew.”
Chapter 4
Matthew sucked in a breath. “It’s you!”
She nodded, nibbling lower lip. He’d tasted that lip, sucked on it before falling on her breasts. Her nipples were such a pretty shade of pink and just lovely with her creamy skin. She’d been a handful, and his palms itched at the memory. “What are you doing here?”
“I work here.” She straightened her shoulders and tilted her chin. “I have since that night.”
“That night,” he repeated like a dolt. “I didn’t know you were coming here to work.”
“You didn’t know me at all,” she said.
He stared into her eyes. They really were a remarkable shade of blue. “I know.” He shrugged. “We didn’t leave much time for conversation, as I recall.”
She gave him a small smile. “Too true.”
He finally realized he should close the door in case Cabot or another servant came by. He did so and stepped close to her again. “Why were you cleaning the hearth?”
“Oh, the kitchen maid caught a cold.” She waved a hand. “Let me leave you alone.”
She picked up her pail and rag.
As she passed him, he reached out to her. “Don’t go.”
She glanced down at his hand on her wrist for the longest time, her body rigid. Then she looked up at him. “Don’t do this.”
“Do what?” He breathed in her flowery scent and couldn’t mistake the hint of arousal coming from her. He’d tasted her that night. He knew she was a sweet as she smelled. “I still think about that night.”
She laughed softly, but the sound wasn’t one of humor. “Surely you’ve had more than your share of women since then. And men, no doubt.”
“I am a Hawk.” He stroked his hand up her arm to her shoulder, finally teasing the bit of skin above her collar. He watched as her pulse fluttered at the side of her throat. “And now I’m here.”
“What does that signify?” she asked, her voice weak.
He brought his other hand to her cheek, stroking her downy softness with his thumb. She was very beautiful, with a pert, little nose and thick lashes fringing her amazing eyes. “I’m here.” He cupped her face with both hands now. “You’re here.”
“I’m a maid at Hawksfell Manor, my lord.”
“What does that signify?” he asked, turning her words on her. “We’re good together. Hell, we’re fantastic. I haven’t had a night like that, before or since.”
She licked her rosebud lips and shook her head. “I need this position.”
“There’s no need to worry. My brother is the earl…” Damn, he didn’t even know her name. “What’s your name?”
One brow arched. “You don’t remember the name of the most fantastic night you’ve ever had?”
“It’s some kind of flower. Rose. Daisy.”
“Posy,” she said.
“Posy.” He grinned. “It suits you.”
She blinked rapidly, as if she couldn’t comprehend his meaning.
“You’re like a wildflower.” He brought his face to her neck and breathed in her scent. “Mmm, you smell like wildflowers, too.”
She swallowed. “I need this position,” she said again.
He dropped his hands to her slender waist. His beast was wild now, eager for a ride as if it knew satisfaction could come from this girl. And it could. He’d fucked her hard that night and come even harder.
His cock pounded in his trousers, and he pulled her against him. �
��I can think of a few positions that will suit for tonight.”
She gasped and brought her hands to his chest. “No, my lord.”
“Matthew,” he said, bringing his lips to hers. “You call me Matthew when we’re alone.”
“The one time,” she said.
Her fingers curled around his lapels and pulled him closer, but he believed the motion was involuntary on her part.
“You called me Matthew when you came.”
Her pupils dilated, and he knew she was thinking about it. Of him deep inside her as she climaxed for the first time.
“Do you want me again, Posy?”
She bit her lip, and he nearly groaned.
“Damn me to hell or poverty, I do.”
He smiled down at her, bringing his mouth to hers. “I promise to keep you safe from both.”
“Then take me, Matthew.” She dropped the bucket and rag and threw her arms around his neck. “Take me again.”
He backed her up against the nearest chair and tumbled her down on the seat. Flipping up her skirts, he found her legs as pretty as he’d remembered. Shapely and smoothly muscled, clad in plain white stockings that looked so naughty right now. He unbuttoned her blouse and found her breasts hidden behind her corset. The laces were in the front, thank God. He tugged and pulled and freed her. He nearly came in his trousers as he gazed at her. She was as he’d remembered. Her breasts were round, pale and topped with nipples as pink as her lips.
“Matthew,” she said, her breasts rising and falling as her breath quickened. “Please.”
He looked down at her flushed, lovely face. “Please what?”
“Touch me,” she whispered.
“I’ll do a damn sight more than that.”
He dropped a kiss on her delectable mouth then moved to one breast. Her nipple pebbled beneath his tongue before he sucked it into his mouth. She arched, rubbing herself against his straining cock. The heat of her cunt scalded him, and her drawers grew damp. Her hot flowery scent filled his nostrils. He lifted his head, and she moaned as he released her nipple.
“I have to see your pussy,” he said, pulling off her drawers. His mouth watered as he stared at her pretty, pink flesh. The golden curls were damp, and her skin glistened. He fell on her, licking her cunt as she began to writhe.
“Oh, my!” she cried.
“Hush,” he said. He circled her clit with his tongue as he eased a finger inside her. “Hush, sweet Posy.”
She nodded, bringing a hand to her mouth to bite on her knuckles.
“You are sweet,” he murmured. “So sweet.”
Again and again he teased her, moving two fingers in and out of her now as she began to sob softly. She broke suddenly, coming hard against his mouth as he held her thighs wide apart.
“Matthew,” she gasped. “Oh, my.”
He lifted his head. “So you’ve said.” He freed his cock and dragged his shaft over her still-swollen cunt. “I can’t wait to be inside you.”
She grabbed his shoulders and moved, wrapping her legs around his waist. He drove inside, deep and hard, and he groaned.
“Hush,” she said softly.
He began to laugh, and then their passion took over. She held tight to him as he braced his hands on the arms of the chair. Her pussy held him, milking him as he thrust inside her.
She came again, pulling tight around his shaft.
“I’m going to come,” he gasped.
He wanted to spill inside her, God, how he wanted to spill inside her, but he managed at the last moment to withdraw. He pressed against her belly and came in hot spurts that left him shaking.
After a few moments spent catching his breath, he came up and kissed her again. Her mouth was even sweeter than her pussy. “Ah, Posy.”
She smiled up at him, her eyes still closed. Her lashes were thick on her cheeks. “Oh, my,” she said again.
He did laugh then. He wiped his seed off her with a handkerchief and helped her arrange her clothes. She came to her feet, and there was an awkward moment when they just stared at each other. He wanted to sink back into the chair and cuddle her against his chest.
“You’re not going to lose your position, Posy. You have my word.”
Her shoulders eased, and it seemed that she believed him. She picked up the bucket and rag. “Good night, my lord.”
“Oh no you don’t.” He grabbed her arm, and she gazed up at him. “Matthew.”
“When we’re alone,” she allowed.
He released her and kissed her again. “Good night, Posy.”
“Good night, Matthew.”
She left the room, and he sank down into the chair she’d vacated. His arms felt empty for some strange reason. Her scent was heavy, flowers and heat and sex. He didn’t know what this was, this passion he hadn’t been expecting when he’d come into the library. He only knew that he felt like he had that night at the inn.
He hadn’t lied to her. That night lived in his memory because it had been so different from his usual couplings. And if tonight was any indication, it wasn’t the circumstance that caused it but the girl herself.
“What now?” he asked himself.
He couldn’t talk to Gabriel about this. He’d just think he was fucking the staff like he’d told him he could. Posy wasn’t just some maid, though. He didn’t know quite what she was, other than astounding. His beast was sated at last, and he knew he’d sleep like the dead tonight.
He wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize her position, though. He’d seen the fear on her face as she talked about poverty. If there was one thing the Hawks had, it was money. Should the time come that she chose to leave the manor, he’d make sure she never wanted for anything.
Beyond that, he’d made no promises. He couldn’t. He was a cursed Hawk, and Hawks didn’t believe in forever.
* * * *
By the time Posy climbed up to her room in the attics, her legs could barely support her. She opened her door and walked in without turning on the lamp. Why look at the reality of her room, so lonely now that Mary had gone? She moved around by memory. Goodness knew there weren’t a lot of furnishings in the room.
She unpinned her cap and removed her apron. Her fingers moved to her blouse. She discovered that Matthew had missed a button when he’d dressed her, and she smiled to herself. He had been an amazing lover, just as she’d remembered. Hot and wild, like William. Her breath caught. “William.”
“Yes, it is.”
She gasped and reached for the lamp. She switched it on and saw that William sat on her bed, his hands clasped between his knees. His eyes were intent on her.
“William, what are you doing here?”
“I came to see you, and you weren’t here.”
Her cheeks flamed, and she held her blouse closed over her breasts. Her corset was still loosened, and she saw his eyes narrow. Her gaze followed his, and she realized he glimpsed the laces dangling below the hem of her blouse.
“Where were you?” he asked.
“I had to clean the hearth in the library.”
“Yes, Tilly’s sick,” William said. “What took you so long?”
A flash of irritation struck her. “Why do I have to answer to you?”
“Because I…” He dragged his fingers through his thick, brown hair. “Because I care about you.”
She blew out a breath. She didn’t want another go-around with him tonight. She wanted to wash and change into her nightgown. She wanted to climb into her bed and revel in everything Matthew had done to her in the library. She didn’t know what would happen next, but she couldn’t deal with William right now.
“I’m tired, William.”
He stood and crossed to her. His dear face was so close, and she fought the urge to curl up against him. The last night he’d been in her room he’d stayed with her and she’d fallen asleep with her cheek pillowed on his sculpted chest.
“You’re tired?” He opened her blouse, and her breasts all but spilled out of her loosened corset. “God, he
fucked you!”
She pulled away. “He took me in the library, yes.”
“Did he force you?”
She glared up at him. “Do you think he’d have to?” she countered.
Hurt flashed in his eyes, gone in an instant. He curled his lip. “What did he do, crook his finger and you fell to your knees?”
Her lungs seized. She slapped him so hard her palm stung. “What I do is none of your concern.”
He rubbed his injured cheek. “I thought this was over, now that the earl was married.”
“You thought what was over?”
He turned from her. “You, giving away what I want.”
She reached out and touched his rigid shoulder. “William, I never…” Tonight wasn’t the time to tell him the truth. Not now that she’d just given herself to Matthew with such enthusiasm. He’d never believe her.
“Why aren’t I enough, Posy?” he asked, his voice low.
She gasped. “You’re more than enough,” she said.
He looked at her and shook his head. “You went to him. You never knew he existed before today, and you went to him.”
“No.” She had to tell him. This truth she couldn’t conceal. “I’ve been with Matthew. Before I ever came to work here.”
His mouth dropped open. “What?”
“He was my first lover, William. Before.”
William blinked those gorgeous eyes and wrapped his arms around her. “Tell me you still want me.”
She did. As amazing as that should be after what Matthew had done to her, she did. His cock pulsed against her as it had that afternoon. Her pussy clenched with want, greedy for William. She didn’t deserve to have him, though. Not tonight.
Instead she dropped to her knees. “I’ll always want you.” She freed his cock and stroked him. “Always.”
He groaned as she took him deep in her mouth. His taste was clean with a hint of spice, just like William. She didn’t know what Matthew tasted like, probably hot and fresh like his kisses. Her body began to heat as she thought of what he’d done as she sucked William’s cock. Matthew’s tongue had been like magic on her pussy, his fingers stroking her just the way she’d needed. She moaned before she could catch herself, and the sound seemed to break through to William.
Matthew's Mask [Lords of Hawksfell Manor 3] (Siren Publishing Menage Amour) Page 3
