An Earl of her Own

by Heather Boyd

  Her brow furrowed. “If you did not want me here, I can go.”

  “I like that you came to me this way, but I never expected you to. You seemed…almost impervious to seduction. I have spent a great deal of time trying to figure you out.”

  “When you weren’t deliberately provoking my temper,” Rebecca accused.

  He grinned, thankful he’d given up spirits for the house party. “You have a fine temper. Very easy to rouse. But I guarantee I will give you no reason to complain about me tonight.”

  She sighed. “Must you always talk about what you want?”

  “Yes. If I were a quieter man, more prone to introspection than action, you would not have come to me.”

  He reached for her plaited hair and untied the ribbon that held it together so neatly. When he had it, Adam waved it before Rebecca in triumph.

  Her eyes widened slightly. “Give that here.”

  “No,” he said as he tossed the ribbon away. He worked quickly to free her hair. “Now is not the time to be neat or tidy, madam.”

  There had always been tension between them. Tonight that tension would turn into a blistering passion, Adam hoped.

  He slowly glanced down her body, taking his time to peruse her attire, and found another bow to tug on. Rebecca Warner came wrapped as a gift just for him. He captured the end of the little ribbon and loosened it, too.

  Rebecca’s breath came faster now, pushing her breasts into prominence, and he was glad for her reaction to what he was doing. He slowly peeled back the sides of her robe, exposing her prim nightgown beneath. Yet another example of proper ladylike attire. She was modest, in and out of bed. Rebecca was destined to be a wife one day—no doubt about it.

  He set his hand at the small of her back and pulled her closer. Rebecca swayed but resisted a little. He moved them, circling around to put himself between her and the door, and then when he was confident he had her full attention, he began to shift her backward subtly toward the bed. Towards the place where he would finally find out if Rebecca’s salty tongue was good for more than tearing strips off a man.

  The moment she bumped into the bed, she turned her back on him and tried to scramble up onto the vast mattress. But before she got too far away, he caught her robe and gently drew it down her arms and off.

  Rebecca moved onto the bed wearing just her nightgown—her slippers had apparently already been discarded somewhere along the way, because her feet were already bare.

  When she was seated on his bed, eyes fixed on him, Adam discarded his shirt slowly. He stretched out one hand for her to take then brought it to his face.

  Rebecca’s hand was warm as she hesitantly caressed his skin.

  Adam caressed her face, too, and moved his fingers to the edge of her mouth. Her jaw softened, her face relaxed while he played with her bottom lip, urging her lips to part.

  He bent forward slowly, and at last pressed his lips to hers properly.

  Rebecca yielded with a small moan, leaning back and drawing him down over her.

  Adam was only too happy to comply, but he would not be rushed. Rebecca had soft lips of course, and he was soon swept away by the feel of her mouth moving under his. These were no missish little kisses, though. Rebecca held nothing back.

  She swept her tongue into his mouth first, catching him by surprise, making him reassess the slow pace he had believed he should set with her.

  He cupped the back of her head with his hand, filling his palm with her soft hair, and slowly covered her with his body. She regarded him with unblinking intensity, offering up no words of encouragement whatsoever. But her hands grazed his chest, twirling across his skin with maddening gentleness.

  It was so good to be in a bed with her that Adam forgave her lack of conversation. She wanted him, and that was all the encouragement he needed to make love to her tonight.

  She drew him down for more kisses, hesitating only long enough to rearrange her nightgown higher and widen her legs. She urged him between her thighs, and then her knees cradled his hips. Adam pressed his body against hers, feeling the warmth of her skin heat his. The neediness, the insistence of her kisses inflamed him. He put his hand between them, found the drawstring on his unmentionables and, once loose enough, shoved them down past his hips.

  The moment he felt her hands slide across his back, he knew that there would be no stalling, no other conversation, no hesitation, either.

  He ran his hands along her soft thighs, found his way under the bottom of her nightgown and wriggled his fingers along her body. He closed his fingers over the rounded curve of her derriere and squeezed.

  Mrs. Warner moaned against his mouth as he kneaded her flesh but she did not stop kissing him; she pressed her sex up against his erection impatiently.

  The woman was nothing like he’d imagined in bed. She was coming undone quite swiftly, and there was no way he would risk disappointing her by not giving her what she seemed to desire most.

  He found her sex with his fingers, slid through her curls and found moisture. She lifted her hips into his touch eagerly. Adam pressed two fingers into her tight body, and she writhed against him—forcing them deeper inside with every movement. Adam set his thumb gently to her clitoris and exerted a little pressure.

  Rebecca gasped softly, and her eyes squeezed shut as she rocked back and forth.

  It was heaven to be with a woman who got straight to the heart of what she wanted in bed. Rebecca was very wet, and his fingers stroked through her slick folds smoothly. Had she been thinking about him since his very first invitation or even before that? He’d love to find out one day.

  He drove his fingers inside her again and again, pushing her passion higher, but it wasn’t enough for him. He longed to feel her body close about his cock. To have her come apart around him. He replaced his fingers with his cock but pushed in slowly, basking in a sudden burst of restrained cries of encouragement from his lover. Her back arched when he sank fully inside—and then he lost himself in making love to a woman who asked for so little.

  He loved Rebecca hard, fast, and much longer than he thought possible as she dug her nails into his back and wrapped her legs about his hips and spurred him on wordlessly. She turned her face down into his shoulder.

  All that was left was for her to give in.

  But not like this.

  Adam caught Rebecca’s hands and raised them above her head. He laced their fingers together as he slowed his strokes. Her eyes rose to his, and he thought he’d never seen a more beautiful woman. Rebecca’s hair was tangled about them in lovely endless waves. Her lips were pink, flushed from his kisses, but it was her eyes that captivated him. They glowed with so much passion that it nearly took his breath away.

  Pinned to the bed, Rebecca was utterly bewitching to behold—and all his for one glorious night.

  He worked himself in her body, determined to keep a steady pace until at last she found her release. Her eyes squeezed shut, and her body arched up to his with delightful agility. Rebecca was exquisite, more passionate than he had counted, more willing than he’d ever assumed. Rebecca was such a contradiction, he was momentarily overwhelmed with tender emotions he’d never expected to feel again.

  He loosened his hold on her hands and lowered himself until her still-clad breasts brushed against his chest. He caught her mouth with his and kissed her soundly, and then he withdrew to surrender to pleasure by his own hand.

  Adam muffled his groan against her hair, and then slumped as her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, keeping him close. He savored the long moments Rebecca held him, too. Affection after had been unexpected.

  Before he really wanted to, he rolled over, wiped his sticky hand on his discarded shirt and threw it away.

  He fell back to the bed and drew Rebecca to him, draping one arm around her heated body. He relished the feel of a soft bundle of gentle warmth against his skin—a balm for his lonely senses. Another unexpected pleasure.

  Rebecca seemed happy enough to remain with him lo
nger, too. She sighed deeply, burrowed close and then grew still. Minutes ticked by, and still they said nothing to each other about what they had done. But his mind was whirling with plans for a future that did not include never talking about making love to Rebecca again.

  He’d pleased her. He was sure of that. There was no reason not to make love to her again if they both wanted more.

  He glanced down at her face. In repose, she seemed as grave as ever. But he’d never think of her that way again. Yes, she was serious, but she made love like a wicked angel.

  Could he hope for more, tonight or any other night to come? The last house party the duke had thrown had lasted for weeks, and it would be delightful to be together as many times as they liked.

  He could be discreet. He could pretend that nothing had changed between them in front of others for as long as necessary. He stroked his fingers down Rebecca’s spine and back up. Yes, another night with this woman was what he desired most.

  Rebecca shifted suddenly, and he was filled with panic that she might leave already. But her face lifted to his, and he saw a question in her eyes.

  “Stay,” he begged softly. Adam almost didn’t recognize his own voice. He’d never wanted a woman more than he did Rebecca at this moment.

  “I’d like that,” she whispered. She subsided in Adam’s arms again, but her hand landed on his stomach.

  Her soft touch drifted slowly over his chest and then started to wander much lower. She circled his naval several times before Adam moved onto his side to face her.

  His cock was growing thick again thanks to her wandering hands, but he ignored his own needs to rouse hers again. He reached for the buttons at the top of her nightgown and undid a few.

  Rebecca sucked in a breath of surprise as Adam moved his hand until it settled over her bare breast. Definitely a perfect handful. “You are so lovely,” he told her before pressing a kiss to her brow, and then another to her temple.

  “Shh,” she whispered back. “You talk too much.”

  “Not when it’s the truth. You’re a lovely and exciting woman.”

  Her fingers traveled downward slowly and brushed against his thickening cock. She glanced down and captured him. He moaned, and Rebecca laughed softly. “Are you really as insatiable as you seem?”

  “Oh, much worse. I’m going to make love to you again and again and again. Till dawn wakes us.”

  Her lips found his then, and she pressed her body against his urgently. Adam wrapped his arms about her, determined to make good on his promise.

  Chapter 10

  Rebecca rushed towards the Duke’s study the next day, eager to answer the unexpected summons. She had been deep in conversation with the duchess about some last-minute arrangements she’d made for Jessica’s wedding day, happily handing over all further responsibilities for the upcoming nuptials. The duchess had assured Rebecca that she was well enough to take over. She’d been so grateful and had made an embarrassing show of trying to thank Rebecca. Thanks had not been necessary. What she had done was out of love for her family.

  She tapped on her father’s study door, letting herself in at his entreaty to join him.

  Her father was alone, standing beside a window reading a letter.

  “You sent for me?”

  “Yes, come in, Rebecca,” he said slowly. He folded the letter and studied her with a frown.

  Rebecca came to a stop before him. She did not like the way he was looking at her. She worried that he knew about her and Rafferty somehow. “Is something wrong?”

  “Yes. I have a letter of yours.”

  She smiled in relief. “A letter of mine?”

  He lifted his hand. “In any other circumstance, I would apologize for my mistake of opening a letter addressed to you, but I cannot today. Why didn’t you come to me?”

  “About what?”

  Father handed her the letter. “The letter is from your solicitor. How long has this been going on?”

  Rebecca scanned the letter quickly. It was her expected quarterly statement. An accounting of available funds from her jointure and also of investment income received too. But there was a note mentioning an expense she’d questioned last quarter, which is what concerned her father. Mr. Barclay reported the problem solved. “There is nothing going on.”

  “The people who manage your money should not make any mistakes.”

  Rebecca folded the letter, noting the paper carried the scent of Barclay’s horrid snuff. Father was wealthy enough to hire a dozen men to keep accurate records. Rebecca’s funds did not stretch that far. “It was just a simple mistake. I wrote to him immediately and as you just read, he has made the correction.”

  “Damn sloppy,” Father complained and then his eyes narrowed on her. “What else haven’t you told me?”

  Rebecca sighed. There were many reasons she hadn’t confided in her parent—his unexpected marriage, her sister’s first season, the distance that had always existed between them. She lifted her chin. “Nothing, I swear.”

  “I’ll write to my secretary in London and have him locate you a competent employee to keep your accounts in order.”

  “I prefer to deal with my solicitor myself.”

  “Damn it, girl, you could be facing financial ruin if this continues.”

  Rebecca looked Father in the eye. He was behaving exactly the way he always did. Exaggerating a problem to disaster proportions when it was anything but. “It is an uncomfortable situation when a mistake is made, but I have no fear for my funds.”

  Arguing with Father rarely solved anything to Rebecca’s satisfaction. Perhaps she should return to London briefly soon and consult with Barclay before Father took it upon himself to interfere in her life.

  Father had folded his arms across his chest. Not a good sign. “Since you are so concerned, I will return to London after Jessica’s wedding and arrange a meeting with Mr. Barclay.”

  Father held out a silencing hand. “I’ll come with you.”

  Rebecca shook her head firmly. “You are needed here. For your wife’s sake, I will not accept your company. You shouldn’t leave the woman you claim to love when she is carrying your child. You cannot abandon Gillian.”

  Her father frowned then, and she saw she had at last found a logical way to curb his meddling. He claimed to love the duchess and hesitation proved it was true. She waited for his reluctant nod and hid her smile when he gave it.

  “That is settled then,” she said briskly, intending to withdraw.

  “If only Warner were alive, he would handle this matter for you,” Father called out. “You were much too young to be widowed.”

  Young perhaps, but she was no longer mourning. She could not mourn someone who had never really loved her. She turned back. “If Warner was still alive…” she mused, and then shook her head. “He would have assumed the debt was mine and that I was lying about it.”

  Father appeared shocked by that. “Surely not if he had the facts.”

  Rebecca shook her head. “My marriage wasn’t that way. I always had to account for every penny spent and bargain for everything I needed.”

  Father took a step forward. “You never said you were unhappy.”

  “I wasn’t. Not in the early days of the marriage. But Warner betrayed me, and then he was gone. I am independent for the first time in my life, but it has taken a long time for me to feel comfortable again. Even now, spending money is hard for me. Because of him, I’ve kept every bill, recorded the location of every purchase I’ve ever made since becoming a widow.”

  Father drew close. “You should have told me.”

  She smiled for his sake. “I didn’t want to worry you.”

  “Child, I have worried about you since the day you were born,” he promised, unexpectedly drawing her into his arms and embracing her. “It is foolish of you to think I could stop now.”

  Rebecca hugged him back and her eyes filled with tears as he kissed the top of her head. Father was not as affectionate with her as he was with her s
isters, but she always believed she had his love. When released, Rebecca stepped away from him quickly. “I can take care of myself now.”

  Father sighed. “I see there’s no stopping you but should you run into any problems in the future, I want your word you will at least tell me what is going on. I’ll believe you, no matter what.”

  She wouldn’t send for him. “Yes, Father. Thank you.”

  Impulsively, she kissed his cheek, and then fled his presence.

  Stapleton estate was now back in the hands of its rightful mistress, so with nothing else to do, Rebecca fetched her bonnet and set off for a walk alone in the sunshine.

  Rebecca had not had very much time to herself lately. She’d hardly had any fun, except for the children and meeting with Lord Rafferty last night. A walk to the lake and back would clear her head, and then she would return to enjoy what was left of the party.

  Father’s estate was well-tended, as all ducal estates should be. The servants in the gardens lifted their caps when she passed, but she did not stop until she could see the lake ahead.

  Her eyes landed immediately upon Lord Rafferty. The earl was standing with his back to her, taking in the same view.

  She had enjoyed surprising him immensely last night and had appreciated the bedroom skills he had so boldly boasted of lately. She felt satisfied with their coming together, pleased that he had comported himself as a gentleman in bed. There had been no awkward moments between them or lack of attention bestowed on her. She had been thoroughly bedded during the night and had achieved satisfaction on both occasions. Indeed, Rafferty may have wanted a third tumble this morning. However, dawn had been approaching, and she’d been eager to return to her own bed unnoticed.

  They had not spoken since.

  Rebecca cleared her throat and descended the short slope to meet him. “Good morning, my lord.”

  Lord Rafferty turned around, his eyes widened a little when he saw her coming toward him, and then he quickly removed his hat. “Good morning, Mrs. Warner. What an unexpected pleasure to see you here.”