They left the study together to join Libby and Aunt Priscilla.
Chapter Three
Owen and Grace strolled through the garden at Radley once again. Jenny, Grace’s maid, took her place upon the bench at the rear of the garden to wait for them while they walked the path leading into Lady’s Wood.
Once the path curved and they were hidden from Jenny’s view, Owen took Grace’s hand in his.
“I spoke to my father last evening, Grace. He is very happy about our news. We will keep it from Libby and my Aunt Priscilla until my return. Do you think you will be comfortable living at Roseland?”
“Of course I will be comfortable there, Owen. I assumed that is where we will live.”
“It would be my preference, for I do worry about father’s health. But if you felt uncomfortable doing so, I would purchase or let a house somewhere nearby.”
“That’s nonsense, Owen. Roseland is your home, and you must stay with your father and sister. I love Roseland Abbey and your family, surely you know that!”
“I knew you liked my family. I hoped you would find Roseland comfortable, Grace. The Viscount and Viscountess’ apartments are large. There is a large sitting room, two bedrooms and dressing rooms, and a small parlour you can call your own. You may re-decorate as you wish.”
“It sounds perfect, Owen. I’m certain the furnishings are fine for us.”
Owen smiled at her. Us. He liked the way she already spoke about them as a couple.
“What?” Grace asked as she noticed him grinning at her.
“I’m so happy, Grace.” He caressed her fingers already engulfed in his hand. “Oh, I nearly forgot. Tomorrow, the Inwoods are coming to visit at Roseland. The Earl of St. Erth shall be there as well. Will you come join us? I can bring the phaeton and pick you up at ten tomorrow morning.”
“I would love to.” Grace beamed. “What is the occasion?”
“If there was a reason, it would be for St. Erth’s visit, I suppose. We get together with the Inwoods quite frequently as you might recall.”
“I do. We do not have many visitors at Radley,” Grace remarked.
Owen said nothing. Well aware the Squire was not generally liked about Hartland; Owen knew his late wife had been held in high esteem as was his daughter now. Grace possessed the sweet temperament of her mother. “I have visited you four days in a row, Grace, and I intend to visit you every day until I leave for Italy,” He teased her.
“I expect to see you every day until you depart for Italy.” Grace shook a finger at him and smiled.
Owen stopped and pulled Grace against him, his hands slid down her sides to the indent of her waist then rested lightly on her hips.
She looked up and noted his sapphire eyes were dark and his expression serious.
“I have to visit you everyday Grace, for how could I talk to you and kiss you if I did not. I feel I may go mad while I’m in Italy not being able to hold you and kiss you.” He kissed her and did so quite passionately. Again Owen toyed with the idea of staying behind and allowing the others to go to Italy without him. No, he must go. He was committed. Grace promised to wait for him. There was no reason for him not to go. He returned his full attention to the lady in his arms.
They kissed for what seemed a very long time, their hands exploring, giving tender caresses. Their passion flamed, their kisses grew heated, their bodies molded to one another. Owen even ground his hard cock against the swell of her belly once.
Owen got himself in check. As much as he wanted her, he could not have her before he left for Italy. He removed his hands from her breasts, and lifted his head to gaze at his love. Her cheeks were flushed, her brown eyes were dark, and her lips were moist and swollen.
“Owen I feel so…I wish we could – oh, what am I saying? I know we cannot…” She turned crimson. “It’s just I seem to ache so for more.”
“Shh, dearest.” Owen placed a finger to her lips. “I ache for you too. Three months, Grace. Just three months,” he whispered in her ear as he pressed his lips to the tender skin behind her lobe. And ache he did. He longed to lift her skirts and bury himself deep inside her. He would not do that to Grace. Everything must be proper for his lady. He wanted it that way.
“Three months.” Grace knew it would be the longest three months of her life. Would the ache between her legs ever go away? She had never known such sweet torture.
“Just three months,” Owen whispered as he placed a tender kiss to her lips. “We must return, your maid will be wondering where we are.”
Owen led his lady back toward the garden.
Squire Brackenridge brought his dinner guest into his study. He poured them each a generous amount of brandy.
“You told me I could have your daughter! I do not like Greyton always about, her mooning over him so. She scarcely speaks to me anymore, Brackenridge! Tonight at dinner she said no more than two words to me,” Lord Marston said bitterly. He took a long draught of brandy.
“Have patience, Marston. I know exactly what I am doing. Grace has fancied herself in love with Greyton for years now. I sent her to London for a full year in hopes her feelings for him would dim and they have not. She is just like her poor mother, god rest her soul and as stubborn as my wife was as well.”
“She’s your daughter, she has no say in whom she weds! Just arrange this marriage between us and let’s be done with it.”
“And you want her coming to you as your wife still in love with another? I think not. Greyton is leaving next week to go to Italy for three months on his historical society business. I am purposely allowing them to get close so Grace can truly fancy herself in love. I can assure you, that in three months time, I can arrange things so she thinks he has forsaken her.”
The squire chuckled and continued, “Her maid, the buxom and amorous Jenny makes certain they have a little time alone. I must stray from the topic of my daughter to comment on Jenny, Marston. I’ve never met a woman who could please my cock more!” The squire laughed lewdly. “Perhaps you will stay the night, eh? I could let Jenny cheer you up, Marston! The things she can do with that sinful mouth of hers-”
Marston grimaced. “The only woman I want beneath me is your daughter, Brackenridge! You know I have offered a very large sum for her.”
“You shall have her, Marston. Trust me when I tell you I know what I’m doing. Jenny and I have things well in hand. Grace’s heart shall be completely broken. And she will willingly marry a man who will have her and who wants her. She will appreciate you when she comes to you. How do you think I happened to marry her beautiful mother, eh? It certainly took some work on my part,” Brackenridge laughed boisterously.
The squire added with a menacing chuckle, “Greyton has been sowing his oats this past year while Grace resided in London. If need be I can also arrange for a woman who served as his casual mistress to let loose a few well-placed words. This widow in particular, I currently have eating…out of my hand, I should say. For I have visited her often of late. I shall pay her a handsome fee to help my daughter fall out of love with Owen Darrington, Lord Greyton.” The Squire shrugged, “Grace will willingly meet you at the altar, it will be her idea, and all will be well! She will come to you as a willing bride.”
“I hope for your sake you are correct, Squire. Else your creditors shall eat you alive, for you’ll not get a penny more from my purse until I am wed to Grace!” Lord Marston drained his brandy, rose and faced the Squire. “Good evening, sir! And exactly how long must I wait for this miraculous turnaround in her affections?”
“Six weeks. And you’ll be married and might even get an heir on my daughter before Greyton returns.” The Squire watched as Marston’s face lit up with an evil grin.
“I’d like that. I wait for the day he returns to find Grace is mine.”
“That day shall soon be upon you.” The Squire called for the footman to see his guest out. When the footman returned he barked, “Send Jenny to me at once, Wilkins!”
“Yes, sir. At once,
sir.”
“You wished to see me, Squire?” Jenny slipped into the study.
“Shut the door and lock it, woman.”
“Yes, Squire,” Jenny offered him a sultry smile. Once the door was locked she turned around to face him. She sauntered slowly toward the desk. She could tell by his red face and his movements he was pumping his cock to get ready for her.
“How is my daughter progressing with Greyton?”
“Not well, sir. Though her bodice appeared wrinkled again, I could tell it hadn’t been retied. And his cock strained against his trousers once again. He left the woodland path unfulfilled.” Jenny wished she could get her mouth on Greyton’s cock. She could tell he was well-endowed. She had yet to see such a finely formed man. She sighed. “It seems he is indeed a gentleman.”
“What do you suggest, Jenny, you sinful girl? I wish Marston to receive damaged goods. It will be a blow to his pride. He’ll take my daughter nonetheless, for he has long been obsessed with her. Still the knowledge will grate at him.”
“Tomorrow she will be at Roseland. But in the following days when he calls, I thought I could tell her I have a man, and I wish to see him, but I must be gone for two hours. She is very kind-hearted, and I fully expect her to oblige me. I think two hours alone in private will be more than either of them can bear. I feel certain Lord Greyton will make her his. There is the Darrington Summer House off the Woodland path you know.”
“Ah, I did forget about the Summer House. Good girl, Jenny. I daresay Greyton will not be able to keep his hands from my daughter if he is completely alone with her for two hours privately. That is a very good plan, Jenny. In the meantime, they need time together. Now get on your knees and work your sinful magic, gel. Marston will no doubt be seeking your company when next he returns. You must find something for me to use against him. I do not like that he feels he has control over me.” The Squire grinned as Jenny knelt before him and did as he bid.
He put his hand on top of her head forcing her to take him deeper into her mouth. “On the day of my daughter’s two hour tryst with Greyton, Jenny; you will come to me here in the study. I could do with your sinful services for two hours.” The Squire groaned in pleasure.
Grace smiled happily as she sat in the drawing room at Roseland. The Inwoods and Lord St. Erth were in attendance, as were Lord and Lady Burrow, along with Mrs. Bell and Meg.
Grace was enjoying the conversation with the ladies.
“Lord St. Erth is so handsome!” Charlie’s youngest sibling, light-brown haired Wednesday Inwood, gushed dreamily as she leaned close to Libby.
“I think him to be a very good sort of man,” Libby offered sweetly.
“I think he’s mean. He’s quite rude and always has a sour look on his face,” Meg sniffed disdainfully.
“Meg!” Catherine, Lady Burrow, spoke up, “Lord St. Erth has been nothing but kind. He is always polite.”
Meg grimaced. “Perhaps he is polite to you, Lady Burrow. He all but snubbed me.”
Grace could have pointed out that Meg shamelessly flirted with the man, and he dismissed her curtly, but she did not mention it. “Meg, I agree with Catherine, Lord St. Erth has been nothing but kind to me.”
“He’s been kind to us as well,” Tuesday Inwood spoke up. “He reminds me of Lord Wincanton, he’s very polite and kind, but he doesn’t have a whole lot to say. That does not make him rude. I think Lord Wincanton and Lord St. Erth are both rather mysterious. I like mysterious men!” She grinned.
The young ladies laughed, with the exception of Meg.
“I don’t find Lord Wincanton mysterious at all. When he visits here at Roseland, he always has a great deal to say. We have talked on many subjects often,” Libby provided with a smile.
“You’ve always been sweet on Lord Wincanton, Libby!” Tuesday teased her friend.
Libby blushed. She immediately replied, “I am not sweet on him. There would be no point in it for they say Lord Wincanton will never marry again. He is very kind, and I merely mentioned that I have spoken to him at length, and I do not see him as mysterious.”
“Why will Lord Wincanton never marry again, I take it he was married before?” Catherine asked curiously.
“It’s very sad tale, Catherine. Lord Wincanton lost both his wife and child as the result of a difficult birth. I’ve heard Charlie say he loved his wife so much, he has sworn to never marry again,” Tuesday nodded her head emphatically as she set down her tea cup. “Charlie said Lady Wincanton was quite a beauty.”
“That’s so romantic!” Wednesday sighed dreamily. “That is true love. It reminds me of Romeo and Juliet.”
“I think it is rather tragic,” Catherine commented in a melancholy tone. When her friends looked to her, she quickly explained, “To have lost someone you love so dearly would be very difficult, I would think.”
“It would indeed, Catherine.” Grace laid a hand on Catherine’s arm and smiled at her.
“Lord Wincanton, Lord Amesbury, and Lord Elveston shall arrive early next week. They are going to Italy with Charlie and Owen,” Libby informed her friends.
“Lord Elveston! Now I find him very handsome!” Tuesday giggled.
“You always have, Tuesday!” Wednesday grinned at her elder sister. “Lord Amesbury has the most pleasant smile,” Wednesday offered.
“He’s a thorough rake, as is Lord Elveston. I heard all sorts of tales about both of them when I was in London last season,” Meg piped up with a mischievous smile.
“That may be, Meg, but I find Lord Elveston to be a very handsome rake,” Tuesday said pointedly.
The ladies erupted into giggles.
Charlie approached the ladies. “You ladies seem to be enjoying your conversation.”
“Don’t we always, Charlie?” Wednesday grinned at her brother.
“I daresay you do, Wednesday. And when you are truly enjoying yourselves, it often accompanies some sort of trouble.” Charlie winked and grinned at his youngest sibling.
Owen came to stand beside Charlie. “Would you ladies care to take a turn about the gardens?” His eyes rested upon Grace.
“Yes, that’s a lovely idea, Owen,” Libby said as she stood. Tuesday and Wednesday hastened to join her. The trio left the drawing room with their arms linked. They walked down the hallway toward the back of the house, chattering the whole time.
“Allow me, Miss Brackenridge,” Owen smiled as he offered his arm to Grace.
Grace smiled as she took his arm.
Charlie’s gaze rested tenderly on Catherine. He looked to Meg somewhat warily. He then directed his attention across the room. “Mother, shall I escort you and Mrs. Bell for a walk in the gardens?” he asked as he approached the pair.
“Yes, son, it is very kind of you to escort us older ladies,” Lady Stanbridge beamed at her son.
Meg turned to glare at Catherine. She stalked out of the drawing room, trying to catch up with Libby, Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Please join us, Catherine,” Grace offered.
“You may walk with me, Lady Burrow.” Reginald Darrington, the Earl of Fitzlewis, offered his arm to Catherine.
After receiving a nod of approval from her husband, Catherine accepted the Earl’s arm with a smile.
Marrek Penaluna, the Earl of St. Erth, looked to the Marquess of Burrow. “It seems we are left alone, Burrow.”
“It does. I, for one, am happy to be rid of the giggling female company. I’ve a head-ache.”
Marrek rose from his chair and walked to stand before the Marquess. “Lord Burrow, it has come to my attention that you have recently been involved in some treasonous schemes against the Crown. Rather, I should say you have been caught doing such.”
Lord Burrow’s head jerked upward. He looked at the tall, imposing man before him in shock. “How dare you slander me so? You speak lies, St. Erth!”
“Unfortunately, Burrow, I have proof. We have been collecting it for some time now. We can implicate you along with your partners. We truly want your par
tners, Lord Grenville and Lord Somerton.”
“I don’t believe you. What proof do you have? Humph. I’ve never heard such nonsense.” The Marquess shifted uneasily in his chair.
“I have quite an array of damning documents with all of your names on it, taken from each of your homes.” A chilling smile spread across Marrek’s face as Lord Burrow frowned deeply. The Marquess just realized he was indeed caught. “Ah, I see you recall having misplaced some documents. We have them.”
Lord Burrow paled. He swallowed hard. “What do you want from me?”
“It has also been brought to my attention by a friend concerned about your wife’s welfare that you harm her, purposely and for your own perverse pleasure.”
“What is between me and my wife is no concern of yours.”
“I have made it my concern, Burrow. If you ever beat your wife again, if you so much as lay a hand on her, I will know immediately. I will kill you personally. If you doubt my ability to do so, I can give you a list of names of the men I have killed out of duty to my country; of course I would have to kill you immediately after you read the names.” Marrek shrugged nonchalantly. “I have on my person a letter signed by the King which allows me to extinguish your life if I deem it necessary. You cannot hide from me. Orders are to kill you immediately if you should try to leave England’s shores. I will inform you that we have been watching you for some time; in case you have not realized that by now. The reason I confront you today is because I learned what you do to your wife. It enables me to take action now instead of later.”
“My wife is obstinate and disobedient. I cannot let her get away with-“
“Silence!” St. Erth’s tone was ominous and deadly.
“Your wife is a lady, a beautiful flower, and a gentle soul. You will treat her as a queen. You will never let a harsh word pass your lips in her presence. You will remain five feet away from her at all times. You will never touch her again.” The thought of such a pompous, bloody fool beating the beautiful and gentle Catherine for his own sick pleasure infuriated him. Charlie told him Catherine’s body was bruised and permanently scarred in places from the perverse torture bestowed upon her by Burrow. He would never understand how a man could receive sexual gratification from harming a woman.
Lord Greyton's Fall From Grace (Lords of Avalon Novella Series) Page 4
