From the Viscount With Love

by Bethany M. Sefchick

  Frost kissed her breasts, taking first one taut nipple into his mouth and then the other, biting at the tender tips until she cried out, heedless of who might hear her this time. She whimpered when he laved at her core, teasing the nub of flesh until she was rocking against him, her body writhing in need.

  Lavinia in turn offered up all that she was to Frost. When he kissed the curve of her belly, she offered him her breasts as well. When he stroked the long length of her leg with his fingertips, she spread them wide, allowing him to dip his fingers into her feminine core, stroking her to new heights of passion and allowing her to ride out her pleasure that left her panting for breath and yet still craving more of him at the same time.

  With strong, questing fingers she stroked his cock into hardness, delighting in his groans of pleasure as she teased him, bringing him to the edge of his own release before easing him back, making the well-sculpted muscles of his stomach quiver with want. This was not like it had been that first night in Lycosura, when all had been an illusion, his cock in her soft hands merely a ruse to put off Desponia and her minions. This was real and true. Lavinia laid herself bare to Frost, body and soul. And she did not regret it.

  So when Frost finally settled himself between her legs, the blunt, hard tip of him pressing into her entrance, she was ready for this ultimate act of joining. And this time, she would give him the last piece of her heart in return.

  "I love you, Lavinia," Frost whispered as he slid himself inside of her still-tight body, allowing her to cling to him as he seated himself deeply inside of her, far deeper than any of their previous joinings.

  "And I love you, Robert," she sighed in bliss, relishing the heavy weight of him deep inside of her.

  When he began to thrust, she thought she might ride her passions out immediately, but Frost was a masterful lover and he knew precisely how to please her. He rode her body gently at first, pushing her to the edge of passion before slowly easing away to allow her to catch her breath. Over and over he stoked the fires within her until she was bucking and writhing beneath him, her body arching up to press into his and her breasts scraping against the coarse hair of his chest until she thought she might die from want of release.

  Then when he began to spill inside of her, he moved to pull out so that this time, he would protect her as he had promised. However, with her legs locked around his waist, Lavinia held him there, his body deep within hers, heedless of the consequences. This time it was not an act of forgetfulness but one of decision. Lavinia's decision. She wanted him. Wished for a life with him. And at that, Frost thought his heart might split open in his chest.

  When he was finally spent, he pulled Lavinia close to him so that she snuggled perfectly beneath his arm. Once more, he noted that she fit there as if she was made only for him.

  "Sleep, my darling," he mumbled into her hair as she began to drift off, her body sated and in utter contentment. "We have a big day tomorrow. One I am certain you do not wish to miss."

  Then Frost allowed sleep to claim him as well. For he hadn't been lying. Tomorrow would be a very big day indeed. And he would need all of his wits about him if his plan was to succeed.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Town Tattler

  As I am certain all of London knows this morning, there was a terrible scene on Drury Lane last evening - and for once I do not mean inside the theater! Our very own Lady Lavinia Haverfield was attacked and dragged through the crowd by an inebriated vagrant who I am told is a recent escapee from Newgate! Though how one escapes from such a place I am certain I do not know, but nothing is impenetrable, now is it? And shame to the people who witnessed this horrific scene and did nothing to assist the lady! Shame on us all for becoming such a jaded Society that not even a woman in distress can make us raise a finger to help her, lest we dirty our gloves. I am only thankful that the lady was never out of sight from the crowds for even a moment, thus ensuring that her reputation remains properly intact. I also dare anyone, including my fellow columnists, to insinuate otherwise.

  I am also extremely thankful for the presence of a good number of Bow Street's finest in the crowd last evening. I know they were all looking forward to a delightful evening - and who knew that Italian farces were so popular among that set? - but as one would expect, they stepped up and did their duty under the ever watchful eye of the delightful (and yes, you may quote me on that!) Mr. Harry Greer. That man has a bright future, my readers. Mark my words.

  As for Lady Lavinia? I am told that an announcement regarding her bloodlines is in the offing. As is one regarding her future. What announcements? I am afraid that I am not privy to that information, but I can tell you that in the North, families are generally tangled and interwoven, with people often misplacing their relatives and then quite forgetting about them. I doubt it is anything so very scandalous, but merely a nice, juicy bit of gossip that is certain to have tongues wagging just before the end of the Season, but casting no aspersions on the lady in question. After all, if there was a scandal to be had where Lady Lavinia is concerned, rest assured that I would have uncovered it long ago. Thus, I believe it is, to quote a famous Englishman, much ado about nothing.

  -Madame C

  When Lavinia awoke the next morning, she was in her own bed. Frost must have placed her there in the early morning, though she did not remember him doing so. A part of her was disappointed that she had not awoken in Frost's arms as she had dreamed that she might, but the logical side of her argued that if she was, in fact, ever going to be completely respectable - or at least respectable enough to wed Frost - then she needed the household to see her as a lady and not a doxy. Though given what had been going on the last few days, she did not know how likely that scenario was.

  In the hall beyond her chamber door, she could hear the excited chatter of voices and wondered what time it was. The sun rose early in the sky at this time of year so she wasn't quite certain, though she did not believe it to be much past nine or ten in the morning. At least she hoped it was not. Unlike most Society women, Lavinia did not believe in sleeping half the day away and never had.

  Her feet had just barely touched the floor when she heard a light rapping sound on the door.

  "Come in," she called, expecting to see a maid or at the very least Lady Chillton come to scold her for missing breakfast. Like Lavinia, the rest of the household rose fairly early. However she was a bit stunned to see Aurelia at her door, the girl impossibly fresh faced after what Lavinia guessed had likely been a long night.

  Out of all of the Tillsbury sisters, Lavinia knew Aurelia the least well of all, though she had ascribed that to the age difference. The younger girl was very much still on the Marriage Mart, while Lavinia and Aurelia's older sisters were verging on spinsterhood.

  "Ah, you are finally awake!" she said with a bright smile as she came in and quickly closed the door. "Mama said to let you sleep and that you had been through a trial, but," the girl shrugged, "it is difficult when the house is so abuzz with activity."

  Well, Lavinia thought, it was time to face the consequences of last night. Perhaps that was why Aurelia was here rather than her sisters. The harsh blow of reality might be softer coming from the lovely young woman.

  "Activity?" Lavinia quizzed as she attempted to gather her wits. "What time is it, anyway?"

  "It is only half eight, and indecent really," the younger woman replied, still far more awake than she likely had a right to be, "but the other visitors arrived early, including Lord Hunt. He called upon us at a completely improper hour, but I think that Mama was secretly delighted. She said that it showed genuine concern on his part and that she found it charming. I tend to agree." Aurelia was practically glowing now, indicating her growing fascination with Lord Hunt.

  Lavinia padded over to the door and opened it a crack. From below, she could hear a mix of voices. Some she recognized and others she did not. One or two sounded vaguely familiar but she could not place them. Then again, considering how little sleep she had gotten the nig
ht before, it was not entirely surprising. She and Frost had not ceased their lovemaking until the hour or so just before dawn - if that.

  "Visitors?" Lavinia queried Aurelia, knowing she must sound like a complete dolt. Frost had mentioned something about visitors last night to Claxton but she had been too shaken to pay much attention. "I fear you have me at a loss. And what does Lord Hunt have to do with anything? I know he was escorting you last evening, but I did not realize there was an attachment."

  Aurelia smiled widely now, happiness all but radiating out of her. "Oh, Lavinia! The events of last night are the talk of London this morning! Have you not read the papers?"

  "Er. No." How could she have done so? She had only just awakened. Then she noticed the small stack of newspapers - well gossip sheets really - that had been slid beneath her door. Picking one up, Lavinia scanned it quickly. Then another and still a third.

  How had Frost and his friends spun such a tangled - not to mention completely untrue - tale so quickly? She could not even begin to guess and likely did not really wish to know. Harry and his fellow Runners must have worked all through the night to accomplish this. Likely Lords Raynecourt and Hunt as well, if Aurelia was to be believed.

  Lavinia had expected to awaken that morning with her reputation in somewhat of a shambles - though not completely destroyed - despite her night of passion in Frost's arms. She had certainly not expected to come out of last evening with reputation intact. Not in the least.

  "This is all very surprising," Lavinia admitted, turning back to Aurelia. "But I still do not know what visitors you are talking about." She certainly wasn't expecting anyone.

  "You shall see," Aurelia promised with a mysterious grin. Then she practically bounced to the door. "I shall send Mary in to help you dress. Oh, and a breakfast tray as well! I believe you might require a bit of sustenance before you come downstairs." Then with a jaunty wave, the girl was gone in a flurry of pale pink sprigged muslin and a whiff of verbena soap.

  Lavinia barely had time to take care of her morning absolutions before Mary was at the door, breakfast tray in hand, and ready to help Lavinia into one of her new Madame LaVallier gowns. She barely had time to gulp down some dry toast and cup of lukewarm tea before she was being buttoned into a light day dress in the prettiest of blush hues and featuring small cap sleeves that showed off her creamy skin to its best advantage.

  When Mary brought out a pair of Dory's old dancing slippers, albeit ones that matched the dress perfectly, along with the pearl necklace that Lady Chillton had purchased for her in Mr. Roarke's shop a few days ago, Lavinia felt as if she was the lady of manor. And that feeling worried her more than a bit.

  However Lavinia did not have time to question Mary about any of the odd preparations because as she was about to do so, Lady Chillton's own lady's maid swept into the room, hair brush and pearl combs in hand, nattering away to herself in her native French. Sabine was a peculiar woman of indeterminate age and striking looks, but she did style hair better than anyone Lavinia had ever encountered. When the maid forced Lavinia back into the chair at her dressing table, she found it impossible to resist the hairbrush wielding woman. Much like most of the women in the household, Sabine was a force of nature unto herself. It was also likely why Lady Chillton still employed her, especially as Lavinia suspected that at least half of what the woman muttered under her breath were curses not really meant for a lady's ears.

  Finally, nearly an hour after Aurelia had first swept into her room, Sabine pronounced Lavinia fit for company. Though she did lament that the pearls in the combs had more of a pinkish hue to them while the ones at Lavinia's neck were a blinding white.

  Lavinia was uncertain as to why it even mattered but she did not argue. Instead, she reached for a fichu since company was below, but Mary promptly snatched it from her hands. Blinking once, Lavinia decided that she had fallen into some sort of other world where everything she knew was similar and yet upside down at the same time.

  When she finally did emerge from her room, Lavinia found all three sisters waiting for her in the hall. She eyed them each in turn, her gaze holding with Sarah's the longest. After their discussion yesterday on Bond Street, Lavinia had no idea what the other woman was thinking. Though she did look happy, and not in any way upset that Lavinia was still beneath their roof. Then again, Sarah had also spent the night in Lord Raynecourt's company, which also might account for her good humor.

  "We wanted to wish you good luck," Dory said without preamble, and Lavinia felt a dull throb begin behind her eyes. Lord, she wished that she knew what was going on around here. "Not that you need it, of course. I am certain all will be well."

  "I have to admit that I did not realize my brother had it in him to do something like this," Aurelia chimed in, making Lavinia's head throb a bit more. What, exactly, had Frost done? She was uncertain that she wished to know.

  Sarah gave Lavinia a brief nod. "I know we spoke at length about this very topic, but know that I am happy for you. My brother the rake has a romantic streak. Who could have known? I think his actions took us all by surprise."

  "I fear you have me at a loss. All of you," Lavinia confessed. "I have no idea what is awaiting me downstairs. Should I be worried?"

  "You shall see," Sarah replied cryptically, though her eyes danced with merriment. Lavinia was more than a little relieved. Whatever awaited her could not be all bad. Not if the Tillsbury sisters faces and words were to be believed.

  "Thank you," Lavinia finally said as she moved towards the stairs. "I think."

  Not knowing what awaited her, she took the stairs one at a time and as regally as she could. If there truly were important guests below then she wished to make a good first impression. This was her chance to begin again, just as Frost had promised. She silently vowed to make the most of the opportunity that had been granted to her.

  When she reached the bottom, she encountered Claxton who bade her to follow him, and he led her in the direction of the largest of the home's three drawing rooms, which was done in tasteful shades of blue and pale yellow. As they drew closer, Lavinia heard the same voices that had reached her ears upstairs. Then, before she could truly prepare herself, Claxton was announcing her. Using her full and proper name, no less. Oh, Lord. What had Frost done? Well, there was no going back now. Only forward.

  Head held high, Lavinia walked gracefully into the drawing room expecting to see Frost, his mother, and perhaps one or two of his friends. And she did see him, along with Lady Chillton. But his friends were noticeably absent. Instead, there in front of her, were two people Lavinia had thought she would never lay eyes upon again - her mother and her grandfather. And it was all she could do not to sink to the floor in a swoon.

  Lavinia did not look well, Frost thought as he sat in his chair watching her, forcing himself not to go to her and sweep her into his arms this instant. In fact, she looked rather ill. Springing to his feet and unable to stop himself, he rushed to her side and took her arm, escorting her the rest of the way into the drawing room. He had meant this meeting to be a surprise. He had not meant to shock her into illness.

  "My lady?" he asked softly as he took her the rest of the way across the room. "Are you well?" When she did not reply, he frowned. "Lavinia. Answer me, please."

  Those lovely blue eyes moved to his and he saw confusion in their depths. However there was no anger. He took that as a good sign. "I am...a bit stunned. That is all." Still, she gripped his arm more tightly and allowed him to lead her into the drawing room.

  Frost brought her to face both of his guests and wasn't surprised when she dropped into a deep curtsey before them. "Mother. Grandfather. I am happy to see you."

  He rather doubted that, but she was putting on a good front. That was his Lavinia, a lady to her very core. "I am certain you are surprised by their presence, but I can assure you that I did not mean to shock you." This was not going as well as he had hoped. He did not believe for a moment that Lavinia would be overjoyed to see the two people sh
e held partly responsible for causing her so much pain, but he did not think she would be completely displeased either.

  "Took me by surprise, though, when I received a letter a little over a week ago from this young upstart. And a viscount, no less! Saying he found you in London and that he thought you needed help!" The old man eyed Lavinia through tired, watery eyes and once more Frost reconsidered the wisdom of his actions.

  The moment he had gleaned enough information about Lavinia's past to start Harry on the search for her family, he had done so, adding new tidbits of information as she accidentally revealed them. When the Runner had mentioned that he had found the Duke of Annandell, just where Lavinia had hinted he should be, Frost had rejoiced and immediately sent a message to the old man, asking the duke to join him in London.

  Annandell was already on the road south when his reply had arrived at Frost's home. While the duke was pleased that his long-lost granddaughter had been located, he was clearly not happy that she was now in the safe keeping of a mere viscount. Annandell made it clear that he would have preferred an earl at the very least, he had written, but the deed having been done, there was little he could do. Frost did not think that boded particularly well, but by then it was too late to revoke the invitation. Two days later, Harry announced that he had managed to locate Lady Galeton at a convalescent home in Derbyshire, and that he had already made arrangements for the woman to travel to London immediately.

  Apparently when Balon had decided to go in search of Lavinia, the daily doses of laudanum ceased and Lady Galeton's mind had cleared enough so that she might remember all that had transpired. According to Harry's notes, the woman had suffered a nasty bout of withdrawal from the drug and was now rather weak. However her mind was clear, and she wished to meet with her daughter in all haste. So, Frost had decided that if he was in for one relative, he might as well be in for a second, and had arranged for Lady Galeton to stay with him when she finally reached London.