by Dayna Quince
Georgie gasped. She’d never seen such a lovely garden. Grasses and rounded bushes mingled together with foreign-looking tiered trees. She carefully stepped from stone to stone, bright orange fish as long as her forearm following her movements and dancing around her feet. She giggled, coming to the other side that led to a red gazebo with intricate carving and a pointed roof. She knelt and dipped her fingers in the water, and the fish nibbled at the tips of her nails.
“Amazing.”
“This is a paradise garden.”
Georgie’s focus snapped to Gavin, coming around the gazebo.
“You’ve been here before?”
He nodded, coming to squat beside her. “These are called koi fish.”
“I’ve never seen anything like them before. They’re so friendly.”
“They are usually hand fed and see people as no threat. Come.” He helped her to her feet and led her to the gazebo.
“Were you spying on me?”
“I couldn’t be seen luring you here. You had to find your way on your own.”
“Won’t the other guests find this place?”
He grinned. “It’s not open to the other guests. This is Lord Kirkland’s private garden. I saw you through the bamboo and couldn’t resist.”
“We’re not supposed to be here?” she whispered, wickedly delighted.
He shook his head.
“What were you doing in here?”
“Escaping an old acquaintance and finding somewhere quiet to think.”
“Think about what?”
“Last night.”
Her internal temperature climbed by several degrees. Last night had been…eye opening. He took her hand and their fingers laced together. What was happening to her, to them? This had started so matter-of-factly, with pleasure in mind, her only goal to know what heaven could be found with him, what new world existed beyond her maiden life. But she couldn’t see the road before her anymore. All she saw was him, in her thoughts, in her dreams, in the mornings across the breakfast table. And she didn’t want it to end.
“Do you know Lady Kirkland’s guests?”
“Most, yes.”
“They’re all London types?”
He chuckled. “What are London types?”
She smiled crookedly. “I don’t know, people different from me. Better clothes, better shoes—”
He touched her chin and turned her face to his. “Those things are only the shells. Everyone here is a person, with fears and insecurities, agendas, secrets…”
“Still more exciting than me.”
He bent and kissed the corner of her lips.
Georgie closed her eyes and exhaled, leaning into him. His mouth sealed over hers and she lost her breath. Her pulse pounded in her ears.
Was this really happening? Was she having a tryst with the man of her dreams while a garden party went on around them? This was like something she might read in the paper. Miss B and Lord X found embracing in garden now engaged.
Her heart hammered.
It couldn’t be so.
She sucked in a breath as his kisses moved to her neck.
“You haven’t any rodents upon your person, do you?” he murmured.
She bit back a smile. “Kit is safely tucked away in my room for the afternoon.”
“Good.”
He cupped her breast, molding her through the muslin of her sage green dress and then dipping his hand inside to roll her nipple between his fingers. The piercing pleasure made her gasp, and she could feel the tug of his fingers all the way down between her legs. She squeezed her thighs together and scooted closer to him. Arousal and need crashed through her. How far could they go in this garden? What were the limits to this adventure?
She had no idea what she was doing. She had to trust him, the experienced rake that he was, to guide her, to know when to stop, when to draw the line.
“Gavin…” She sighed. “I need you.”
He pulled her closer. “I know what you need, darling.” He brought her onto his lap, baring her breast to him and clamping his mouth over her aching tip while his free hand delved under her skirts, finding her slick heat and wasting no time in sheathing his fingers inside her, rubbing his thumb in circles over her sensitive peak. Her legs fell open and she arched her back, overwhelmed by the pleasure, tossed in a sea of clamoring passion. She needed more, to touch him, to make him as crazed as she. She could feel the press of his engorged manhood against her hip. She freed the buttons of his breeches and took hold of him, caressing him like she’d done last night. He thrusted into her hand, matching the movement with the rhythm of his fingers. But it wasn’t enough for her. The angle was wrong and she couldn’t reach enough of him. She pulled herself up and straddled his lap, pulling him free of the fabric of his falls. Now he was exposed too. Their eyes locked and his fingers entered her again. She studied his manhood, entranced by the sight of his organ so close to her, their hands rubbing as they pleasured each other. She couldn’t stop herself from imagining him inside her, this silky organ sheathed deep, and rocking her body over his.
Her release swept through her unexpectedly, leaving her breathless and weak. She leaned her head on his shoulder as he removed his hand and hers. His staff fell against her folds. For a moment, she was shocked. Gavin went rigid beneath her, but then he adjusted himself, sliding between her folds but not inside her. He muttered curses as he moved her hips, sliding her slickness over him, closing his eyes, and growling.
“So wet, so ready for me,” he said, his voice deep and gravelly. “I want to be inside you, deep, Georgie, to the hilt until we both shatter.”
His hands gripped her hips hard, fingers bruising her skin as warm fluid flooded the space between them. He cursed again, taking a handkerchief out of his jacket and wiping them both.
Georgie blushed, not embarrassed, but not sure what had happened. She scooted to the side while he swiftly cleaned himself and refastened his breeches. There was no evidence of his seed that she could see, but the mood had changed, tension filling the air as if they’d just done something dangerous and barely escaped unscathed.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to get carried away.”
His words echoed in her mind, “I want to be inside you, deep, Georgie, to the hilt until we both shatter.”
There was something thrilling about the way he spoke to her when he was lost in passion. She liked it, but she knew they’d gone too far today.
“Georgie?”
Georgie jerked to attention, swiftly righting her bodice and skirts and jumping to her feet.
He remained sitting, but he crossed his ankles and leaned back, as if they’d been doing nothing more than discussing the weather.
“Act natural,” he said.
How could she? Hot fluid dripped down her inner thigh to precisely remind her that they’d been doing something precisely unnatural.
No, that wasn’t the right word. Sex was natural, passion, pleasure. The world and everything in it existed because of such things. But they were not supposed to know that, or more to the point, be doing it during a garden party.
Jeanie appeared across the pond on Lord Luckfeld’s arm.
Luckfeld’s gaze was razor sharp, taking them both in before shuttering his thoughts behind a placid screen.
Jeanie had no such skill.
She frowned. “Georgie?”
“Quiet, we’re not supposed to be in here,” Georgie whispered, hoping to present the scandal as nothing more than having snuck inside, not—she blushed and moved behind the pillar to hide her face and took a breath before stepping down the steps of the gazebo. “Isn’t it marvelous here?” She smiled at Jeanie and Lord Luckfeld with what she hoped was believable innocence.
“We should be going. Josette is waiting by the gate keeping watch,” Jeanie said, not returning her smile.
Gavin stood, strolling idly and silent. He presented his arm to Georgie, and she took it though they had to cross the pond single file. Georg
ie thought they should be talking, filling the damning silence, but no one said a word. They met Josie at the gate.
“The path is clear,” she whispered.
They exited the gate and the heavy door closed behind them with a finality that left Georgie off kilter.
“If you’ll excuse us, I must beg Mr. Cage for an introduction to someone here,” Lord Luckfeld said.
Jeanie grabbed Georgie’s arm and nodded. “Of course.”
The three sisters headed toward the sound of the party. Jeanie met her gaze, slightly shaking her head and darting a glance at Josie. Georgie nodded.
This wasn’t good. Jeanie meant to interrogate her without Josie.
What would she say? There was no lie believable enough to convince Jeanie nothing had occurred. The woman dreamed of a grand wedding, a season in London. She would never understand how Georgie felt about her own future. Could she make her understand? At least enough to keep Georgie’s secret until the party ended?
Chapter 15
Gavin walked in silence beside Luckfeld. They moved away from the party and found an empty path near the Kirkland stables. Luckfeld turned to face him, jaw flexed.
“Did I not specifically inform you to keep your prick in your trousers?”
“I—” He swallowed.
“These are innocent women,” Luckfeld continued, his tone damning. “Maybe two weeks ago I’d find this amusing, getting involved with a country gentlewoman. But I know them now and they are deserving of our utmost respect and honor—”
“Stop,” Gavin bid. How much had Luckfeld seen? Or did he only suspect? “What is it you think I’ve done precisely?”
“Taking her to the Paradise Garden? I know you, Gavin. You can’t resist a challenge and she is the epitome of an unavailable female. Your skills are legendary among our set, but damn it, I can’t let you do this.”
“She’s not a Gemma,” Gavin said, wincing because he’d used Georgie’s odd term.
“What?”
“She doesn’t have a preference for women over men, she simply has no experience with men.”
“Which is double damning for you. What the devil are you thinking?”
He didn’t know. He was living moment to moment. Away from her he knew the stakes; he could recite all the reasons he should stay away and stick to his decision to remain alone, focused on his manufactories and only seeking company for pleasure.
But when he was with her, those reasons and rationalizations were drowned to barely a whisper and new emotions came forth, louder, stronger, addictive.
He was losing himself in her, and he didn’t know how to find his way back to reason…or if he even wanted to.
He shook his head. “I know I’m playing a dangerous game. But we’re friends. We understand each other.”
“Do you? Because from my vantage, it looks like your capitalizing on an easy mark, and you’ll end up married to her or dead by Selbourne’s hand.”
“Did you or anyone else see us behaving inappropriately or was it only that we were alone?”
Luckfeld folded his arms. “I saw you two sitting rather close in that Japanese gazebo. It looked from my experienced eye like two lovers post tryst, recovering their faculties. Her mouth bruised with your kisses, both of you flushed and dazed.”
Gavin clench his hands. “As I said. We understand each other. Georgie isn’t like any woman you’ve ever known. She’s innocent, but she isn’t naïve and gullible. She’s strong and intelligent. She’s brave and—”
Luckfeld scoffed, “And you love her?”
Gavin gulped. “Don’t be absurd.”
“You’ve never spoken of any woman like this.”
“You don’t understand. I greatly suggest you keep your opinions to yourself.”
Luckfeld stepped closer. “As your friend, I suggest you find your head and keep your distance. She may be all those things you say, but she is still an unmarried woman and honor dictates you marry her if you compromise her. Her sisters cannot afford to be scandalized. They’re already dealing with enough as it is.”
“I know all this. Georgie has told me much of her family.”
Luckfeld laughed. “Do you bloody hear yourself? Georgie? Shall I go about calling Miss Jeanette Jeanie as her sisters do or Bernie, Josie, Luna…”
“Enough of your teasing.”
“Teasing aside, I cannot stress enough the stupidity of your actions.”
“I know.”
“And yet you still did it! Why don’t you jump off the bluffs? The result will be the same for both of you.”
Gavin recalled what Georgie had said. “It’s like racing toward the bluffs. I know there’s an edge, a point where the ground will disappear. I know there is a drop and jagged rocks below, but it feels so good I can’t stop.”
He turned away and closed his eyes, running his hand through his hair. This was beyond him now. He’d surpassed whatever he knew about having affairs and maintaining his emotions. But when? How? He was riding blind, so dazzled by the thrill, the desires surging inside him.
He had lost his head.
He had to do something. He’d run right over the line he’d been so diligent to warn her about.
“Let’s go back and try to salvage this party, shall we?” Luckfeld suggested.
Gavin nodded. He had a lot of thinking to do. He didn’t want to be here anymore, but it would be difficult to find an acceptable excuse to leave.
They were halfway to the lawn when Selbourne came upon them, his face stern, his stride brisk. Gavin braced himself. The duke was a large man—frightening, if he didn’t know him as a friend. He’d changed since marrying Violet, becoming softer but not by much. He was still the pugilist who had traveled the world on the currency of his fists and survived near death after having an oil lamp thrown at his back, rendering him scarred and bald.
“We’re leaving at once,” Selbourne said. “Gather any of our guests you find and inform them to return to the castle.”
“Is something amiss?” Luckfeld asked.
“I don’t have all the details.” The duke’s gaze moved from Luckfeld to Gavin. “I’m sure all will be revealed once we return.”
Gavin’s stomach knotted. His hands turning cold as the duke left them.
“We should split up and collect as many of the sisters as we can. I don’t want them to be treated poorly by any of Lady Kirkland’s guests if rumors are spreading.”
“What rumors?” Gavin asked.
Luckfeld shrugged. “Perhaps I wasn’t the only one to see you in the Paradise Garden.”
Gavin tensed. “I’ve never been caught.”
“Until now. I’ve caught you.” Luckfeld’s tone hardened. “You’re either losing your touch, or you’re in deeper than you realize. You’re growing careless.”
Luckfeld turned away and Gavin headed toward the party. The sooner he could leave, the better. Reaching the lawn, he saw the scattered Selbourne guests still enjoying the party. He spotted Georgie and her sisters conversing, but the woman she spoke to made his hackles rise.
What the devil is Lady Henrietta doing here?
Chapter 16
Georgie and her sisters rejoined a group of guests, a mixture of both parties, but Georgie didn’t see any sign of Gavin or Lord Luckfeld.
There was a new guest present of Lady Kirkland’s, and she was being introduced to everyone by Lady Kirkland’s niece, Lady Elain.
“I am so please to introduce my dearest friend, newly arrived from a visit to Bath, Lady Henrietta,” Lady Elain said. “She’s taken London by storm and rumor has it, has claimed the heart of the most eligible bachelor of the season, though”—she shaded her eyes and scanned the area past the group—“I don’t see him at present.”
Lady Henrietta, statuesque and beautiful, with hair perfectly curled and shining like pale yellow silk and bright blue eyes, smiled and fanned herself. “He’ll come around, I’m sure.”
“No doubt, once he knows you’ve arrived at last. He won’
t be able to stay away, though he isn’t part of this house party.”
That last bit caught Georgie’s interest. A guest of Violet’s was courting this magnificent creature? How did he find himself here then? Oh right, Roderick lied to his friends. She wondered which gentleman it was, but most of their party was nearby, except Lord Chester and Roderick, as well as Luckfeld and Gavin were missing.
Georgie returned her attention back to Lady Henrietta and found the woman staring at her and her sisters intently.
“I do believe I’ve heard of the Northumberland Nine. How quaint to finally meet you in person.”
She’d addressed Georgie. She frantically thought of something to say. Usually it was Anne and Bernie who did the most talking to outsiders, but both of them were also absent.
What the devil was going on?
Jeanine nudged her subtly.
“Oh, um, yes, I’m Miss Georgette, and this is my sister, Miss Jeanette, and the next youngest, Miss Josette.”
“Oh, do all have names ending in ‘ette’? How novel. My name is quite similar but I am the only one in my family.” Lady Henrietta cocked her head to the side. “And you live near?”
“We are neighbors. Our home is situated between the castle and Kirkland Manor,” Georgie replied. She couldn’t quite discern if Lady Henrietta was being sincere in her interest or setting them up for mockery.
She laughed. “The little house I passed in my carriage is your home? My, you must sleep on top of each other!” Some of the group snickered with her, but Georgie was pleased to notice the gentlemen part of their party, Lord Selhorst, Mr. Seyburn, and Mr. Denham did not.
Georgie didn’t let her temper get the best of her; she laughed lightly and smiled. “An amusing thought but not really. We’re a cozy family. ’Tis a pleasure to meet you, my lady.”
