A Mysterious Quest 0f A Seductive Lady (Regency Historical Romance)

by Lucinda Nelson

  Without thinking, he rushed towards the room and pushed it open. There was a flare of brilliant light and he saw, squinting, that she was attempting to put out a fire on the floor beside her dressing table.

  “Help!” she cried. “Oh, help me!”

  Quickly Adam stamped his boot on the little fire. In a moment, the whole room was filled with smoke, but the fire was put out. He opened the window to let the smoke out just in time to see someone galloping away on the horse.

  It was too dark to see anything else.

  “Magnolia! What happened?” he asked, turning around to her.

  She was trembling and coughing, unable to speak from being in a state of shock. Adam pulled her into his arms, rocking her as she wept.

  “You are safe now,” he whispered against her ear. “You are safe now, darling.”

  If she didn’t stop crying soon, he would have to do something they’d both regret and – both enjoy. He would have to kiss her and make her smile again.

  * * *

  Miss Magnolia Richmond

  Adam stroked Magnolia’s hair while her tears soaked through his waistcoat. She shouldn’t be touching him. She shouldn’t let him hold her. But his very presence, his very body against hers, was thrilling and calming all at once.

  How the fire started was unknown to her. She was trying to sleep until she heard a movement of someone in her room. Before she could see who it was, they were already out and a fire had started.

  She did not know what she would have done if Adam had not come in time to rescue her. All she wanted to do now was burrow into him even deeper, press every inch of her against him and let his body heat make her feel warm again.

  Adam then picked her up and took her to his room since the smoke was still clearing out of her room. Magnolia wondered how no one else in the house had heard the commotion. They would have to investigate how the intruder was able to get into the house in the morning. Right now, she just wanted to feel safe and forget.

  With a little shiver, she rubbed her cheek against his waistcoat. That enticing masculine scent that made her think of the woods, with a hint of sandalwood and a touch of leather. It was a scent that wrapped itself around her and made her feel safe.

  It had been a long time since anyone had held her like this. Her father, her mother, her brother, her aunt…all had held her like she was a little girl.

  But with Adam, she didn’t feel like a child. The way he held her made her feel like a woman . . . a woman who mattered to him.

  Magnolia looked up at him and there was that look again… that dark, hungry look that made her knees tremble.

  “Shall I kiss you?” he whispered. “I find it hard for me to resist when you look up at me with those dark eyes.”

  He spoke in a soft growl that made her breasts heavy and her nipples harden. “If you look away, I will understand. I will take you to a different guest room.”

  Incapable of speech and torn between what was right and what she wanted, she kept on looking at him . . . hoping he would get the answer to his question.

  “I am not a saint, woman! I cannot…oh, to hell with it!” The warmth of his breath tickled her lips before he devoured her neck in a slow languid kiss. Pools of wet heat built up between her legs and his tongue flicked out against her skin as he tasted her.

  She closed her eyes and moaned.

  Adam slid his hand down over her bottom, catching her in his grasp and jerking her hard against his stiff shaft. He dragged her up the length of his leg so her toes barely touched the ground as his lips found hers.

  Her palms skated up his neck into his hair, the strands whispering over her skin. She dug her fingers in and tugged on his hair. Again, he growled deep in his throat and kissed her even harder.

  Saying no to him was the furthest thing from Magnolia’s mind. There was nothing beyond this moment: Adam’s kiss, the sliding touch of his palms. his fingers digging possessively into her flesh and cupping her bottom. She tried to rock against him, anything to create more friction and get closer to him to satisfy her aching desire.

  Adam settled one of his hands on her outer thigh, snaking her gown up her legs. The fabric of her dress became bunched up around her hips. He lifted her to the bed where he kept her gown tucked up so that he could trace his fingertips around the edge of her lower thigh. That little touch tickled her, and she couldn’t help but let a little breathless giggle escape.

  He struggled with his trousers while kissing her at the same time. Magnolia shook all over, her body reacting to the rush of sensations as he placed himself in between her thighs. She tried her best to prepare herself for his entry and bit back a cry of pain as Adam thrust into her.

  The sensation of fullness overpowered her. It was a painful stretching mixed with a lingering sense of pleasure. She wriggled her hips, trying to escape the feeling of being pinned, helpless, and vulnerable while enduring the throbbing pain between her legs where he had sheathed himself.

  His mouth broke away from hers. Her eyes flew open to find him gazing at her. He moved inside her, then stilled suddenly.

  “How much does it hurt?” Adam whispered.

  “It does not,” Magnolia lied, too ashamed to admit that it did; but the pain soon eased a little.

  “Magnolia, love. I have seen you when you are hurt, and I can still recognize that look.”

  He threaded one hand in her hair and nuzzled her cheek. “Try to relax. The pain should ease.”

  He pressed his lips to hers and then spoke again. “Breathe with me.”

  She drew in breath after breath, matching his. He kissed her neck and everything below her neck seemed to turn into liquid fire.

  “I am much better.” Magnolia moaned and sighed in delight when the pleasure began to build along with the strange pressure in her womb.

  “Hold on to me, darling.”

  That was her only warning before Adam began to move inside her again, faster, harder. He bent his knees, lowering himself a few inches then jerked his hips up, so he could bury his length deeper into her. He tore through her body and soul, as a surge of ecstasy built and overtook her pain.

  She gave in fully and completely until all she could see were stars. Brilliant lights and fiery tingles erupted through her entire body.

  Adam shuddered against her and slowed. She felt a spreading of deep heat, his heat, and knew that something unchangeable had happened between them.

  Chapter 19

  Adam Avery, the Earl of Strickland

  Adam woke up some minutes later and turned to see Magnolia sleeping. He stroked her chin lovingly and fought the desire to kiss her, for he did not want to wake her. She must be exhausted.

  He walked to the window and gazed out at the stars while thinking of the moments he had shared with her. How could he have so little control when it came to her? He had robbed her of the one thing she had protected for the right man. It should have been given to her husband on her wedding night, but he’d acted too early.

  The worst part was that Adam did not feel any guilt whatsoever. As a matter of fact, he had loved every thrust and every single heated kiss they had shared. The innocent wantonness of her response was his undoing. The way she responded to his touch, his kiss, and every little sigh had made him hot all over and aching to be inside her body in whatever way he could.

  Adam turned around as she slept peacefully. Magnolia was indeed a beauty to behold. Her dark hair was spread all over the pillow and her face was relaxed.

  What was he supposed to do now? He couldn’t just sleep in the same bed with her and let it end there. He knew he would always desire her. He also had a great need to take care of her and be there for her…

  All of a sudden, a thought came to Adam’s mind. What if he asked her to marry him?

  That would be preposterous, of course, but there was no denying the feelings he had for her. Adam wanted to protect her and love her. He wanted to be the only man that would make love to her.

  What other way to do all
those things than to marry her?

  * * *

  Miss Magnolia Richmond

  Magnolia opened her eyes and saw Adam walking back to the bed. For a long moment she wondered how long they had spent making love, for the day was beginning to break. She knew she had to leave his room at any moment.

  Adam leaned in, stealing soft kisses from her lips which trembled along with the rest of her. She couldn’t help it. Every muscle, every bone, every part of her seemed to be liquid and unstable.

  Every time his lips brushed hers, something inside her felt warm. She never wanted him to stop. They stared at each other lovingly and she felt like she could tell him everything. She wanted to pour out her mind to him, telling him things she had felt for him for so long . . . yet she was afraid.

  He stroked her hair. “You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, Magnolia. Why did it take me so long to realize that?”

  She gasped upon hearing that. But at the same time, she felt a sticky wetness along her thigh. He must have sensed her discomfort and he looked down at her thigh.

  He smiled. Taking a handkerchief from his pocket, he wiped her thigh. Embarrassment heated her cheeks as she saw the blood and she looked away, ashamed.

  “I am so sorry. The first time usually causes blood,” he said. “You are not going to be riding for some days. You must take care of yourself.”

  Magnolia couldn’t speak. He lifted her chin and made her face him. “You should not be embarrassed, darling. You have no idea how proud I am that I am the first man to make love to you. I intend to be the last.”

  She frowned. What was he talking about?

  “Marry me, Magnolia.”

  She gasped. What did he just say? She pulled up the blanket and wrapped it around her body before standing up, wanting to be sure she’d heard right.

  “Marry you?” she asked again.

  Adam nodded, and then stood up and walked close to her. “I have loved you ever since we were children,” he said, putting both hands on her cheek.

  She shifted a little bit. “Do you not think this is a bit too soon?”

  “Are you saying you do not feel the same way about me?”

  Magnolia looked at him. He couldn’t possibly think she had been nursing feelings for him all the while.

  “If you do not love me now, I am certain you would grow to love me later. But I want to protect you, Magnolia. I want to make you safe and look out for you. I want you to be my wife.”

  She sighed. What exactly was she going to tell Aunt Dorothy?

  * * *

  “Oh, my goodness!” shrieked Aunt Dorothy as she received the news later in the day. “I am so happy for you, darling!”

  She rushed to embrace Magnolia, who was a little bit surprised that her aunt approved of the sudden arrangement. Magnolia had told her hours later when they were both in the room together.

  “But Aunt Dorothy, do you not think it is too soon?”

  “Of course not! Adam is part of the family and I do not see any other choice that could be better. Besides, I know he loves you. I can tell by the way he looks at you and I know you feel the same way.”

  Magnolia sighed and stood up. She couldn’t deny the fact that she loved him as well, but she had not accepted his proposal yet. She wanted to know what her aunt would think first.

  “You should give him your reply soon, Magnolia. There is no reason to waste time. Besides, I will be able to relax knowing you have someone to take care of you. All these constant attacks are beginning to give me anxiety.”

  Magnolia sighed and turned to face her aunt. “All right. I will do it. I will marry him.”

  “Yes!” her aunt trilled excitedly.

  * * *

  Magnolia found herself smiling as the memory of the proposal faded into what seemed like a distant memory. In actual fact, it had been just two weeks ago. She turned to gaze out of the open window.

  It was her wedding day.

  After one week of rigorous planning and last-minute changes, Aunt Dorothy had assured her that every single detail in regard to the wedding would be perfect.

  Magnolia took a deep breath. It was still unbelievable that she was getting married to Adam that day. Even though she felt the marriage was happening too fast, he was the man she had loved all her life.

  Aunt Dorothy fixed a cathedral veil to the back of her hair so that it sat on top of the train and floated in the air at the slightest movement. Then she walked her niece to the mirror to see her reflection.

  “Oh, my darling! Look at you,” Aunt Dorothy said in a whisper. She and Caroline with Mrs. Clarke had all dressed Magnolia together.

  “You look absolutely radiant,” said Mrs. Clarke.

  “You are so beautiful, and I am so proud of you,” added Caroline.

  Magnolia smiled as she embraced them one by one. She could feel the tears gathering.

  “How I wish your parents were here to see you,” said Aunt Dorothy.

  Magnolia was quiet, for she knew that talking might cause her emotions to burst out.

  “Are you ready to embrace your future?” Caroline asked, as she passed Magnolia the bouquet.

  “I am ready,” Magnolia said. And she really was. Her aunt opened the door, and Magnolia took a deep breath before marching out of the room.

  * * *

  Adam Avery, the Earl of Strickland

  Adam felt very nervous as he stood waiting in front of the stairs. Richard stood behind him.

  Magnolia had asked for a small wedding at the Strickland Estate. Only a few people were present, including Adam’s mother and some of his business associates. A priest stood waiting and a few musicians were gathered in one corner.

  “You are jittery. Stop it,” Richard whispered. “You are making me nervous.”

  “That is not a way to calm me down, Richard. You are here because I thought you would know how to do that.”

  Richard chuckled, squeezing his shoulder. “You are marrying the love of your life. There is no need to be nervous.”

  That statement seemed to do the trick. His friend was right. He was marrying the only woman he had ever truly loved.

  “The bride is here!” one of the guests called out, and the music started.

  Adam looked up and then - he saw her.

  Her pink gown was made of shimmering silk with an overdress of silver netting. The bodice, cut low in a wide curve, was made in a gauzy georgette that was pleated and tucked. The gown had short sleeves of the same fabric that seemed to increase the effect of her décolleté.

  The skirt swept the floor as she moved down the stairs, skimming her figure. In short, she was an utter vision and his body responded.

  Adam couldn’t take his eyes off her for the smallest second. She was too good to be true.

  When Magnolia reached the foot of the stairs, Adam stepped forward and offered her his arm. She placed her fingers on his arm and together they walked to the priest.

  The priest looked at them and nodded. “We are gathered here today to…”

  Adam could feel Magnolia trembling beside him. “Are you well?” he whispered to her, as the priest continued the ceremony.

  “I am very nervous,” she confessed.

  “As am I,” he replied and they both giggled as he winked at her.

  “You are so beautiful,” he said, seeing the blush on her cheeks.

  “You look quite handsome yourself,” Magnolia replied. Then she turned to give him a loving smile before they shifted their attention back to the priest.

  “Will you, The Right Honorable Adam Avery, Earl of Strickland, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? Will you love her, cherish her, and keep to her in sickness and in health, so long as you both shall live?”

  Adam turned to her and replied, “I will.”

  “And will you, The Honorable Magnolia Richmond, take this man as your lawfully wedded husband? Will you love him, cherish him, and keep to him in sickness and in health, so long as you both shall live?”
r />   Magnolia looked at him and smiled. “I will.”

  Chapter 20

  Adam Avery, the Earl of Strickland

  Adam sat at the dining room table sipping his morning tea when his wife walked in. It was just a month since they were married.

  “Morning, Love,” Magnolia said, and walked over to kiss him on the lips before taking a seat. “When will you be back?” she asked. He was going to be away traveling on business.

  “Next week.”

  “I see. In that case, I shall go home and spend time with Aunt Dorothy. At the same time, I will look for my brother’s journal.”