Attracted to the Earl

by Bronwen Evans

  Chapter 17

  Guy hesitated before entering his bedchamber. Abigail would be overjoyed that Dora was back safe but…

  Taking a deep breath he entered and walked to the edge of the bed. She was fast asleep, and for a moment it was as if an angel had fallen into his bed. She was his angel, for he was truly blessed to have found her. He knew that now.

  Her fair hair streamed out behind her on his pillow. He longed to run his hands through the silky softness. Her lips were slightly open, all plump and inviting, and tired though he was, he was still dying for a taste.

  He would marry her. He did not care about her background. He admired her for it. What he cared about was if she loved him enough to take on the world by marrying him. It would not be easy for her. His mother would likely object, but she would come around because she did like Abigail, and even through the fear of his father, his mother had always loved Guy.

  His neighbors would likely shun her for a time, until he showed how much she meant to him. However, as a couple they could never go to town. London would never accept her and the ton could be cruel.

  But they would be happy and she would have Dora here with her.

  Dora!

  He kneeled beside the bed and kissed one delicate cheek. He waited while her eyelids fluttered open. “Dora has returned. She is her mother’s daughter. She escaped the men on her own and arrived just before Kit went to rescue her, after I convinced Patrick to tell us where he was keeping her. She is unharmed and well, considering her ordeal.”

  Abigail threw back the covers and made to rise, but Guy took her by the shoulders to stop her. “She wants to be alone with Kit.”

  “Nonsense. I must go to her.” When he did not let her go she began to struggle.

  “Arriving at the stable, she overheard Patrick saying you were her mother, and she is obviously upset. The strain of everything…” He pulled her into a hug. “Oh, my sweet, she doesn’t wish to see you just yet.”

  Abigail slumped in his arms, her wail cut him to the core. “I have been dreading this day. I—I knew I would have to tell her, but to learn the truth like that. She won’t understand why I have kept the truth from her. She must hate me.”

  “She doesn’t hate you. She’s hurt, that’s all. She’s also a bright girl. She’ll work out why you have not told her.”

  She fell back upon the sheets. “I wanted to protect her. She’s never known a life like I had. How did I tell a young, innocent girl about the evil that lurks around every corner. I wanted to spare her that. My shame was my own.”

  “The shame lies with your mother and the men who used you.” He lay down beside her and slipped his hand around hers. “The world can be an ugly place. That is why we must surround ourselves with people we love, and protect one another from hurt. I have believed that all my life. Reginald tried to protect me from Father. Mother protected me from the asylum. And then while I was in the army Kit and I protected each other, and as much as we could, my men. Now I’m here to protect you. We can protect each other. When you shot Patrick all I could think of was I might lose you.”

  “I’m sorry for shooting him…well, maybe I’m not, it was just—”

  “I know.”

  She turned to smile at him. “You look tired. Let’s get some sleep. I’ll talk to Dora in the morning and beg her forgiveness. I’ll explain why it’s better for everyone if we continue the ruse—at least in public.”

  “You must be overjoyed at being able to know you will hear her call you ‘Mother.’ ”

  “More than you will ever know,” she said softly.

  He rolled onto his side. “If you marry me, I can give you many children who will love calling you ‘Mother.’ ”

  He felt her stiffen and doubt began to fester inside like a canker. Why would she not marry him? Was the love for her dead fiancé stopping her? Did she not have room to love him too? Or was her past stopping her from living a happy life with him?

  She closed her eyes. “I’m too tired to talk about this tonight. Besides, we still have Patrick to deal with.”

  “I can’t kill him. I wish I could, but he is family. I’m going to call on the magistrate tomorrow and have him arrested for Dora’s kidnap and my blackmail. However, I told him my secret.”

  She gave a cry. “You can’t do that. He could tell everyone.”

  “I don’t care. I have enough friends, and I am a highly regarded war hero and my estate is thriving. After what he has done, there is no way anyone would hand the estate to him, so he would be stupid to try and fight me for it.”

  “I hope you are right.” He watched her chew her bottom lip. “I wish I had never met Patrick Neville.”

  “I wish he was not related to me. If he wasn’t he would be easier to deal with.”

  She tensed. “What if he reveals to Lady Calthorpe the truth about my past?”

  “Once you become my wife it won’t matter, and even if you decline my elegant proposal, which I’m hoping you won’t, my mother is very keen to be your benefactor.”

  “Even if she learns the truth?”

  He cupped her cheek. “My mother lived with a brute of a man, cowering in fear much of her adult life. She knows how powerless a woman can be. I think inwardly she will admire what you have made of your life. Besides, you will always be welcome to live here with your daughter, and simply paint. Do the portraits that you have always wanted to do. You could start with mine.”

  She looked at him. “And what a handsome subject you would make.” Cheekily she added, “What I’d really love would be to paint you nude.”

  “I would be most happy to oblige,” he said with one of his wicked winks.

  “You have the most glorious body, scars and all. I noticed the scar poking out of your bandages last night. I was too scared to mention it in case the memories were too painful. It must have been a long cut, as it poked out of both ends of the bandage.” She plucked at the opening of his shirt. “If you’re not too tired now I could explore you with my artist’s eye.”

  “You can explore me however you like.” And she began to undress him. “How did I get so lucky?” he purred, not hiding his approval as he helped her pull his shirt over his head.

  Her fingers traced the end of the long scar poking out from his bandaged ribs. “One day you can tell me how you came to get this, but not tonight. Tonight I want to share only passion. I’ve had enough of sad memories.” She bent and pressed a kiss to the scar. “Tonight I want to give you pleasure.”

  “I feel pleasure every time you say my name, every time you look at me.” She ran her hands down to his breeches and helped him undress until he was completely naked to her gaze. Her admiration stirred the desire higher and his groin tightened in need.

  He soon had her naked and he rolled her under him. He loved how she ran her hands gently down his sides, over his buttocks and his hips, memorizing his shape. She wrapped her slender limbs around him. He felt her dainty feet at the small of his back, opening her up so his erection touched her womanly heat. She hooked her heels together, drawing him in as she arched up to meet his first thrust.

  On a long groan he sank deep into her welcoming heat and found heaven.

  “Love me,” was all she said and he did. Sensing she wanted to forget this day, and feeling the wild depth of her desire, he took her with long power strokes, until he could not tell where he began and she ended. He took her mercilessly, ravishing her as if he would not get another chance.

  Placing his thumb lightly on her pleasure center, he made sure her passion matched his. Soon she was lost in the sensations. Her eyes closed and she said his name over and over in that soft voice that drove him wild. Their damp bodies slapping, their lovemaking was desperate, fierce, and all consuming.

  God, he loved this woman. He could not get enough.

  He cupped the bare cheeks of her bottom in his hands, lifting her to go deeper. He was trembling with arousal. He thrust faster, harder, her plump breasts jiggling with each thrust as h
e took her; marked her, made her his—forever, he hoped.

  “Oh, Guy. Yes…”

  “Wait, wait for me, my love. I want to come with you.”

  “Yes,” she panted. “Soon…”

  He found her mouth, and plunged his tongue inside as he took her body faster and faster, his passion deepening with every stroke of his tongue on hers. He burned for her, his need strong, making him wish she would scream out his name. Scream that she would be his forever.

  He’d lusted for her on first sight but now, now he gave himself to her totally—mind, body, and heart— his heart would be hers always.

  “Come with me,” she pleaded in his ear. “Scream my name as I will scream yours.”

  He could do nothing but obey. He stared into her eyes, and let the fire of desire consume him.

  They screamed out each other’s name as ecstasy captured them both.

  * * *

  —

  She watched him. Her magnificent lover, as he gave one final lunge against her bucking hips, his head back, his neck corded with rapture, as he groaned and said her name. “Abigail, mine! My love…”

  His seed flooded her core as the powerful surges of love-filled pleasure wracked them both and they glowed in the aftermath of sweet release.

  Guy panted as he lay his head on her heaving chest. Abigail wrapped her arms around him, wishing she did not have to ever let go, but deep down in her gut the truth curdled. This sweet dream was over. The idea of a woman with her background marrying an earl…what had she been thinking? No matter what Guy said, one day the past might come calling again, and their children would be scorned, or worse still, her children would become ashamed of their own mother.

  How was that fair to anyone? Hadn’t he just said that we should protect the ones we love? Well, she would protect him by letting him move on and marry a woman who would never bring shame down upon his family. He deserved happiness and peace after what he’d been through all his life—hiding in the shadows. She didn’t want him to have to hide anymore.

  She imprinted the memory of their sweet lovemaking in her brain. It would last her forever. It would have to last her forever.

  She could not give him more than she had already given.

  * * *

  —

  She lay awake as dawn broke. She’d gotten very little sleep. They had made love once more last night, not as desperately. It had been soft and sweet as if he sensed it was goodbye.

  She was just about to rise and sneak back to her bedchamber when she heard a commotion in the halls. The next minute there was banging on Guy’s bedchamber door. She shook him awake, but the urgent thumping saw his sleep quickly chased away.

  He donned a robe and answered the door. It was Brodie.

  “The bastard Neville is gone. I left two of our men on guard but his men must have come near dawn and knocked them out and rescued him. I already sent men after them but they lost their trail.”

  “Goddamn it to hell. Was he heading north?”

  Brodie hesitated. “No. South. They headed south.”

  She sat up. Why would he and his men head south? Patrick lived north.

  She heard Guy say, “Does Kit know?”

  “I came straight here.”

  Abigail rose, her presence hidden by the half-open door. She began gathering her clothes, trying to swallow her dismay and anger.

  “Get Kit and meet me in the study. I’ll dress. No one, not my mother or the ladies, is to leave the house; inform Giles. Also tell him to cancel any social engagements. And stop Lady Margaret and Miss Platt from visiting. Tell them we have a touch of the lung fever here and it may not be safe.”

  Guy thought of everything. Oh, he was certainly not an idiot.

  Once he’d closed the door on Brodie. She said, “South. Why south?”

  His lips firmed and his jaw strained with tension. “I don’t know and that means I don’t like it. Perhaps he is merely trying to fool us, and he will double back north farther to the west.”

  “Will you go after him?”

  Guy pulled on his breeches. “I don’t know. We can’t spread our manpower too thin in case he circles back for another attack.”

  “I need to speak with Dora. Shall I join you and the men later?” He seemed not to hear her. So she said again, “Shall I join you later?”

  “Oh, I do beg your pardon. Would you mind speaking to Mother? Tell her what has happened and that we have canceled her entertainments. I shall come and speak with her when I can.”

  She nodded. “I’ll go to Dora first. She’ll be worried and maybe a tad scared to know her abductor has escaped.”

  With a nod, he took his leave and Abigail sank onto the edge of the bed, her head in her hands. She had thought of leaving Argyle House but she could not leave with Patrick on the loose. Besides, Dora would not come with her, especially now she was feeling betrayed by Abigail’s secrets. She’d lost her daughter to a greater love—Kit. She just hoped she had not lost a relationship with her daughter altogether.

  She took a deep breath and told herself not to rush the most important meeting of her life. She went to her room and washed and put on clean clothes, a dress this time. If she put on a respectable dress perhaps the details of her past might be cushioned. The dress would be a shield against her scandalous and degrading upbringing.

  Finally she could delay no longer. She made her way through the connecting door into Dora’s room. Molly greeted her and gave her a big hug. “I shall go and organize your laundry.”

  Dora was standing looking out the window. She turned when Abigail cleared her throat.

  “It was a surprising day yesterday. I became betrothed and learned I had a mother.”

  Abigail beamed. “Mr. Hunter asked you to marry him? How wonderful.”

  Her daughter—oh, to finally be able to think that—walked toward her. “It will be wonderful to share the event with my mother.” A tear slid down Dora’s face. “I understand why you kept up a front. I guess you wanted to ensure narrow-minded people did not destroy our good life. But you could have told me. I understand not telling me when I was a child, but I’m eighteen. Were you ever going to tell me?”

  Abigail sank down on the end of Dora’s bed. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know how to explain. To tell you would have meant facing the memories of the worst days of my life. I have fought so hard to forget. I didn’t want you exposed, or tainted by the evils of this world.” She sobbed. “But if I’ve lost you, I don’t know what I’ll do. I love you so much. You were what made my life whole. Through all my suffering I got you and it was so worth it.”

  Dora rushed to embrace her. “Please, don’t cry. I love you too. I think deep inside I knew you were my mother, because you always felt more like a mother to me. I used to lie awake picturing what my mother was like, and your face always swam into view.”

  “I know you want details but I don’t think I can tell you.”

  “I don’t want to know. I worked out how old you were when you had me, and that alone was enough. All I want to say is thank you. Thank you for having the courage to fight for a better life. Thank you for giving me a wonderful upbringing and protecting me. For you to have gone through…well, you have survived to give me this amazing, safe, and loved life. I owe you so much. I don’t think I can ever repay you. But I’m going to try. You will come and live with Kit and me. You can do your painting, real painting, the portraits you’ve always wanted to produce.”

  Abigail’s heart wanted to burst from her chest. “How proud I am of you, my girl.”

  They sat on the bed with their arms around each other. “His lordship is gifting Kit the gatehouse. Oh, it’s magnificent. We will have plenty of room for you and Molly.”

  Abigail couldn’t stay here. Being near Guy but not being with him, seeing him get on with his life, and marry another—it would be too hard. “I love what I do now. I love traveling to find new plants and drawing them, seeing them in books for others to learn from.”

 
; Dora’s smile dimmed. “But you have always said you want to paint?”

  She cupped her daughter’s cheek. “I do. One day, but not yet. There is too much to see and do. How about I stay with you when I’m not traveling, instead of staying in London. Her ladyship may even become my new benefactor.”

  Dora threw her arms around Abigail. “I don’t want you to leave. I’ve only just learned I have a mother. I know you’ve always been with me but this is different. And I’m getting married.”

  She hugged her tightly back. “I will be here for at least another month. I still have the Ghost Orchid to find and draw.” She would have to endure the month. She could not leave Dora so soon. A part of her also wanted to be with Guy just a little bit longer.

  Dora’s smile was back and she jumped up. “Kit said he’d go today and get a license from the reverend.”

  “About that. It may have to wait. Patrick Neville escaped last night and Kit and his lordship will be busy trying to recapture him.”

  She hated the look of fear that entered Dora’s eyes.

  “He escaped, how? Oh, never mind. Is it dangerous to chase after him? I couldn’t bear it if something happened to Kit.”

  “I don’t know what the men are doing. We have been told to stay indoors until they have more news. And no visits from Lady Margaret and Miss Platt. Promise me you will not go outside until his lordship gives the all clear. I could not go through you being kidnapped a second time.”

  Dora patted Abigail’s hands. “I certainly will obey this instruction. Being kidnapped once is enough for a lifetime. I’m more worried for Kit. Patrick Neville and his men are dangerous.”

  “I’m hoping he’s decided to flee the country. He knows his lordship will have him arrested when they catch him.” She rose from the bed. “Let’s meet downstairs shortly for lunch. I haven’t eaten this morning and I’m famished. I promised Guy—that is, his lordship—that I would apprise his mother of the situation.”