by Gill, Tamara
“Come,” he said, taking her hand and leading her to sit on the settee beside him. The muffled sound of a cotillion drifted around them, and only the candles burning in the passage illuminated the room. The sitting room was dark and private and dangerous. She should not stay. She should leave, return to her betrothed, and tell Lord Ryley to call on her tomorrow and explain himself.
Instead, Willow sat, turning to face him and drinking in his exquisite visage that looked at her with emotions she could only dream would last forever.
“My mother is in London. She arrived several days ago, and with her arrival, so too came the truth.”
Willow frowned, wondering what that could mean. “What truth?”
“Well, as to that,” he said, explaining to her everything he had learned.
She sat and listened as Abe told her of his mother’s plight all those years before. Why she was made to leave without her son, and the reasons why she could not return. The more she listened, the more Willow realized that Abe had been living under a miscomprehension. One that his mother should have told him the truth of years ago.
“Did your mother know of your plan to seek revenge when the opportunity arose?”
“No,” he said, sighing and leaning back in the settee. “She knew my dislike of her friends, or enemies as I assumed it was the case, but because I simply ignored their existence, there was little concern on her part. She was in Paris when Lady Herbert wrote to her and asked for assistance.”
“Lady Herbert. What? Why was Lady Herbert requesting assistance?” Willow asked, sitting forward. A wedge of dread knotted in her stomach, and her mind raced as to why her ladyship was asking such a thing.
“She believes that your betrothed is not in love with you. That he’s in love with another. She wrote to my mother because she believed that you also did not love her son. That you, in fact, loved Lady Ryley’s son instead. And so, a marriage between Lord Herbert and Miss Perry would be a disaster if it proceeded.”
Willow stared at Abe, unable to take in all that he was saying. “But Lady Herbert has been so very helpful with the wedding plans. She’s so excited.”
“Of course she would be, Willow. You’re a perfect woman that any man would be proud to marry. I know I would be.”
She blew out a breath, meeting his dark, hooded eyes that burned with a need that echoed her own. “You don’t want a wife, Lord Ryley. You made that abundantly clear, and should I marry you, I would not like to share.”
He chuckled, leaning forward and taking her face in his hands. Willow could feel herself falling for his charm. He only had to touch her, and she was lost. No longer in control.
“The last month has been hell, and I’ve come to realize that I don’t want anyone else in my life other than you. You are the sweetest, most honest and most loyal woman I’ve ever met, and somewhere between seeing you in breeches at my club, or beneath me on a daybed here in London, I fell in love with you. I love you. I want you to break off your understanding with Lord Herbert and marry me. Be mine.”
Willow sucked in a shaky breath. Her hands fisted about the lapels of his coat, and she realized sometime during his speech, she’d reached for him. The idea of being his filled her and a sense of peace settled upon her. The feeling that this was right coursed in her every nerve.
“You’re certain that Lady Herbert will not be devastated if I cry off? Lord Herbert has been very attentive.”
Abe’s eyes narrowed, his face becoming hard. “The blaggard has kissed you again, hasn’t he?”
Willow grinned, unable to stem a small chuckle at his annoyance. “They were nothing like your kisses, my lord. I may as well have been kissing my hand.”
He scowled at her a moment before he audibly sighed. “I suppose one must kiss one’s betrothed. It would be strange not to.”
Willow shuffled closer to his person, wrapping her arms about his neck. The scent of sandalwood intoxicated her senses, and for the first time in weeks, she felt herself again. Alive and happy. So very happy. “Do you have anything that you’d like to ask me, Abraham?” she teased, wanting him to say what she’d longed to hear from almost the moment she knew he was an unattainable rake.
He closed the space between them, kissing her softly on the lips, leaning his forehead against hers. “Marry me?”
She nodded, tears pricking her eyes and making the vision, the perfect lovely, unforgettable vision of him, blur before her. “I will marry you. I promise to love you always. To be faithful and honest and forever yours.”
“I do too,” he said, kissing her again, this time, no sweet, short embrace, but a kiss that fired her blood and made her wish she’d closed the door when entering the room. But there would be more of these to come. Tonight merely marked the beginning of their life. Their start of forever.
Epilogue
Four months later
Willow sank into her bath before the roaring fire at Blackwood Hall, Abe’s ancestral home, and where they had moved to after their wedding in London, a week after she cried off from marrying Lord Herbert.
As Abe had said, Lord Herbert seemed more relieved than devastated that she wanted to end their understanding, and only today, they had returned to Blackwood after attending Lord Herbert’s wedding to Her Grace, the Duchess of Markson. The woman he should have always married had the bride’s father not been set on her marrying a duke and not an earl all those years before.
Willow lay back in the jasmine-scented water, closing her eyes, her hand moving to touch the small, hard swelling on her stomach that wasn’t noticeable to anyone but her. Now that they were home for the foreseeable future, certainly through the winter months, Willow would tell Abe of the child. She had snuck away in London to their doctor and had her prognosis confirmed. With everything well, she felt ready to let Abe know that he was going to be a father.
The crackling fire warmed her arm as she lay it on the side of the tub. Emotion welled up inside her, and she could not remember ever being so happy. She was married to a man she adored, her friends living happily in her townhouse in London where she had asked them to remain after she married Abe. Neither of them wanted to move back to the country, and the house would otherwise be empty. It was a perfect solution to have her friends there. Hallie was still in town and promised to keep them out of trouble.
Willow smiled at the thought of Evie and Molly, the last of their friends who were yet to marry. She felt certain they too would meet the men who would sweep them off their feet. Next season she would ensure they were courted and adored and married by Season’s end.
“Well, this is a delicious sight if ever there was one.”
Willow chuckled but did not move. The water soothed her aching muscles after all the traveling they completed that day. “How were the tenant farms? Everything in order?”
“Everything is well. My steward has it under control as usual.”
Willow opened one eye when she heard a rustling beside the tub. She sat up as a muscular, hairy leg stepped into the tub, followed by another. She gasped as he sat and joined her, water toppling over the sides and splashing on the Aubusson rug.
“Abe, the mess!”
He grinned, shrugging. “It’ll dry,” he said, reaching out and pulling her over to his side. Instead of laying on him, like she so often did when they bathed together, she straddled his legs, placing her aching core against his manhood.
The water made him slippery, and she clutched his shoulders, running her hands over his chest that would forever catch her attention. From the moment she’d agreed to become his wife, he’d bathed her in love. Sometimes to the point that she worried about him should anything happen to her. Whether he would be okay, so deep was his affection for her.
His mother had stayed on in London and had taken her place back within the ton, which made Abe happy. As for his club, he still ran the establishment, but it had changed to a men’s only club, become less demimonde and more beau monde.
His wicked gaze made her forget eve
rything else, and she leaned forward, kissing him, taking from him whatever she wanted. Over the last few months, she’d become quite bold in her seductions of him, enjoyed teasing him throughout the day, and making him wait.
Today had been no different. Throughout the carriage ride home, she’d thrown him hot little glances that promised pleasure. His tongue meshed with hers, and she sucked on his, mimicking what she liked to do with his hardened member.
Abe groaned, his hands a vise about her head, keeping her against him. She reveled in his passion, taking all that he offered and matching it twofold. Willow undulated against him, his hard, large member sending spikes of pleasure to radiate through her body.
“God, I love you,” he said, kissing his way down her face, her neck, before lifting her a little to take one erect nipple into his mouth. His tongue flicked out, teasing the bud, and she watched him, her breath ragged. Willow bit her lip, grinning at what his touch did to her. Made her feel.
So much joy. So much love.
“Your breasts are so perfect.” His hand ran over her other breast, his thumb and forefinger rolling her nipple. Willow moaned, rocking against him as his mouth teased her flesh.
“You’re not to come yet, my love.”
And then she was lifted and spun about in the tub. His large, muscular arms sliding down hers to set them against the edge of the bath. On her knees, Willow looked over her shoulder, wondering what he was up to. His body leaned against her back, his cock settling between her aching folds, and realization dawned.
They had never made love this way. Was it even possible?
He kissed her back, slipping her hair over one shoulder. His tongue traced her spine, and Willow closed her eyes, unsure she could take much more of his teasing. It was delicious and all-consuming.
“Stop taunting me, Abe,” she gasped as he slid against her core again, just enough to keep her wanting more. And she’d never get enough of her husband, that was one thing she was certain.
Abe would never get enough of Willow. She was his world, and he adored every little tidbit of her. His balls were tight, his cock hard. Her heat slid around him as he teased them both. He groaned at the delicious friction, wrapping his arms about her to clasp her breasts.
They hung heavy in his hands, and he tweaked her nipples, eliciting a sweet gasp of need from her lips.
He reached for his cock, guiding himself into her, taking her inch by sweet inch until he lodged himself fully. Her tight core clamped about him, and he thrust hard once to tease her.
She moaned, undulating her ass, seeking his cock, and he sucked in a breath, not wanting this to end. Damn, she made him want. Always a need that was never sated, no matter how much they came together in such a way. From the moment they’d married, it had been like this, and he hoped it would never end.
He adored her and only lived to make her happy.
She was wet, coating his cock even in the water, and he thrust again, picking up his pace. They hadn’t had sex like this before, but he was certain she would enjoy it. If her moans and sweet little gasps were anything to go by, she was enjoying his tupping of her from behind quite a lot.
Abe leaned back, clasping her hips and thrusting hard and deep. With one hand he reached around, sliding it against her cunny and teasing her little nubbin that he loved to suckle, to kiss and lick. Later, he promised himself. Next he would bring her to release on his face.
The thought of the act made him harder still, and he groaned.
“Oh Abe,” she gasped, reaching down to place her hand on his, holding him against her mons.
Her sexual demands only excited him more, and he continued his relentless pace, knowing how she liked to be fucked hard and fast. Deep and sure. His cock swelled as he took her. Leaning down, he kissed her neck, the sensitive, sweet spot under her ear.
She mewled, gasping, and then he felt it. The tightening, pulling sensation around his prick. Her release spiked his, and he joined her in the kaleidoscope of pleasure, taking her until at last she relaxed in his arms, sated and satisfied.
He disengaged and helped her to slip about to face him. He held her against his chest, his hand idly running up and down her back. Her skin was so soft and smelled always of flowers. Today it would seem the water had been spiked with jasmine. A scent he now forever associated with her.
“That was different,” she said, turning a little to kiss his chest before she placed her hand over his heart, one finger idly playing with his chest. “I liked it.”
He liked it too. He kissed her temple, holding her close. “I thought you might, and I have other things planned for you this evening. Other enjoyable delights that I know you’ll enjoy.”
“Hmm,” she mumbled, meeting his gaze. “I’ll look forward to it, and speaking of other things for this evening. I wanted to tell you something.”
“You do?” He glanced down at her expectantly. “What is it?”
“Well,” she said, sitting up a little to see him more clearly. “When we were in London this week, I went to the doctor.”
“Are you well? Is there anything the matter?” he said, interrupting her and sitting up so fast that water sloshed onto the floor once again. The poor maids would be cursing them later for this mess. His hands searched her body as if he would find something ominous, and Willow clasped them, holding them still.
“Nothing is wrong, Abe. Everything is perfect, in fact.”
“It is? Then why did you need to consult a doctor?”
She didn’t reply, merely grinned at him, and waited for him to understand. To know what she wanted to tell him. It only took a moment, and his eyes widened, his mouth gaping for words that wouldn’t come.
“We’re going to have a baby. I’m pregnant.”
“Damn it,” he said, clasping her shoulders.
For a moment, Willow wasn’t sure what to say. Was he happy or did damn it mean he was disappointed? “You’re not pleased?” she asked when he merely stared at her like a stone statue they had in certain parts of the garden.
“Oh no, I’m more than happy, Willow. I’m beyond all thought and coherent sentences, but I’m beyond happy.”
Tears blurred her vision, and taking one hand, she slid it to cover the small bump that sat low on her belly. “The doctor thinks I’m several weeks along. Do you think it’s going to be a girl or a boy?”
Abe let out a half laugh, half snort. “I hope it’s a girl. I’d love to have a daughter who is as sweet, as pure, and good as her mama.”
Pleasure filled her at his words. Such poetry she could get used to. “I’d like a boy so that he can grow up as handsome and noble as you.”
“The Spanish Scoundrel. Would you want a son knowing his father held that title?”
Willow reached up, running her hand over his jaw, knowing how much the title irked him once they were married. Some still referred to him like that, and he loathed the concoctions that came with the name. “I fell in love with the Spanish Scoundrel, and you were not so very bad. Personally, I think your reputation was exaggerated more than necessary.”
“Really?” he said, one eyebrow arched.
Heat pooled between her legs at his wicked glance that promised retribution for saying such a thing. He stood in the bath, more water splashing to the floor. Willow looked at him with exasperation before he lifted her up, hoisted her in his arms, and stepped from the tub.
“Not so very bad, you say?” he said, only a few short strides to the bed. He hoisted her onto the mattress, and Willow laughed as she bounced. “We shall see about that.”
Willow reached for him as he came down upon her, a willing recipient for anything that Abe, the Spanish Scoundrel, was willing to do to her. Not just tonight, but always.
For all days.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for taking the time to read Dare to be Scandalous! I hope you enjoyed the third book in my League of Unweddable Gentlemen series. I admit this is my favourite of the series so far. I love a dark, brooding, hot
hero. As it would seem my heroine did also!!
I’m forever grateful to my readers, so if you're able, I would appreciate an honest review of Dare to be Scandalous. As they say, feed an author, leave a review!
If you'd like to learn about book four in my League of Unweddable Gentlemen series, To Be Wicked with You, please read on. I have included chapter one (unedited) for your reading pleasure.
Happy reading,
Tamara
To Be Wicked With You
League of Unweddable Gentlemen, Book 4
Chapter 1
1827, Oxfordshire
Finley Stone, Duke of Carlisle, stared blankly at his solicitor. He would not believe what he’d been told. His father would not control his life, even after death. His decree would not be borne.
“Excuse me, Smithers, but can you repeat what you just said. I’m sure I did not hear correctly.”
His solicitor cleared his throat, lifting the parchment yet again. “You have been the duke for one year, may your father rest in peace. However, I am now at liberty to tell you that your father put in a stipulation to his will. If you do not marry within one year of his death, you have sixty days from the anniversary of his death to do so. If you fail this stipulation, the bulk of your fortune, the money, and any assets not entailed, will revert to your cousin, Andrew Stone of Kent.”
Finn leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. His mind balked at the idea of marrying. Not to mention what men were supposed to do with the opposite sex. The idea of being forced into that occupation both terrified and excited him. It terrified him more.
“So I would keep Carlisle Hall in Oxfordshire, but will have no money to keep the estate running other than the income it produces, which we all know is not enough.”
“That’s right, your grace. As the owner of several profitable estates, to lose those to your cousin would financially impact you severely. And have devastating consequences for those who rely on your estates for their livelihood. I would suggest you marry post-haste, retain your assets, and secure your future as soon as possible.”