“He’s Archbishop of Canterbury now, poor man.” She nudged Giselle. “He’s been very helpful lately.” Mirabelle exchanged a warm glance with Lucien. Giselle shook her head and avoided looking at Alastair.
“Is there anything else?” Giselle was eager to see the topic changed. Lucien held the letter up and continued reading. He frowned and then leaned forward. Alastair became alert. Lucien swore softly and then looked up at Mirabelle.
“We’re going to have to leave sooner than we planned.”
“What is it?” Alastair asked as he rose. Giselle could sense him becoming infused with restless energy as he started to pace. Lucien handed Alastair the letter and looked at Giselle.
“George has requested that you present yourself at court. Gilles said that he tried to decline on your behalf but the second request was insistent.” Lucien stood and went to the desk. Alastair cursed.
Giselle wanted to do a great deal more than curse. She felt as if the room had shrunk and she was being squeezed. Her head started to pound, the thought of going to court made her sick to her stomach. She would be expected to smile and curtsy and answer a never-ending stream of questions about her parents, her family and her life. Everyone would stare and inside their minds they would try to figure out how best to use her.
Alastair was staring out the window but his eyes were unseeing.
“What does he want, Lucien?” His voice was hard and tight. Lucien paused in the middle of writing and looked up. His face was grim.
“There’s a new king in France. He’s looking to strengthen his position and the best way to do that is through marriage.” Lucien said carefully as his eyes settled on Giselle. Mirabelle shook her head.
“But he’s already married.” She said as she crossed her arms defiantly.
“True but I can already guess which candidates he has in mind.” Lucien stood and walked to Alastair with the letter he had written. The muscles in Alastair’s jaw twitched as he turned and reached for it. Giselle felt rage curling and rising within her.
“George can want as much as he wishes for as long as he likes but I’m not marrying anyone.” Giselle seethed. Alastair’s head snapped in her direction and his eyes flared. Mirabelle and Lucien stared at her sternly and Giselle suddenly felt very sorry for tiny Charlotte. “I won’t be anyone’s pawn.” Giselle stated. Lucien nodded softly.
“I’m requesting a private audience. He’ll see me. I’ll take Gilles and together we can persuade him to give up any plans he has for you.” Lucien leaned against a bookshelf and crossed his arms. Alastair nodded.
“I’ll go with you.” He added and Lucien looked uncertain. Mirabelle tried to disguise her laugh by coughing softly. Alastair became annoyed and Lucien sighed.
“Alastair, you know that you’re miserable at diplomacy. And I’m not so sure George is pleased with you after your behavior during your dubbing.” Lucien reasoned. Alastair frowned and his brows pulled together. Giselle had to ask.
“What happened when Alastair was knighted?” She looked around the room. Alastair dropped into his chair and scowled petulantly. Lucien gripped his shoulder and laughed.
“To begin with, he didn’t want to go. He actually asked if George could just ‘put a fancy seal on some parchment and send it over’. We had to drag him out of Burton Place.” Lucien shook his head as he recalled what must have been quite a scene. Alastair threw his hand off.
“I was being knighted for service to my country that I performed in a covert manner. As I was still working for the War Office, it seemed foolish to publicly announce the fact. Also, the whole thing seemed bloody pointless.” Alastair argued. Giselle felt a laugh bubbling within her but it reached her heart and it mingled with love and adoration and she became still. She was already overwhelmed and struggling, she didn’t need to feel more. Lucien took the seat next to Alastair and reclined.
“He had no appreciation for the pomp and ceremony.” Lucien paused when Alastair snorted.
“Useless.” He stated. Lucien shook his head and continued.
“George dubbed him and as soon as he lifted the sword, Alastair looked at him and said ‘May I leave now?’. I thought George would have an apoplexy. Needless to say, it might be better if Gilles and I dealt with this.” Lucien looked at Alastair hopefully. He shook his head as he stood.
“I’m going.” Alastair didn’t wait for Lucien to argue, he crossed the room and went through the doors. Giselle looked around in alarm.
“Why does he keep doing that?” She whispered. Mirabelle sighed.
“He will always do that if his feelings are getting beyond his control or he’s uncomfortable. I think that’s why he had such an extreme reaction last night, he couldn’t leave.” Mirabelle’s voice became distant and sad. Giselle stared at the door.
“What made him leave now?” She looked at Mirabelle and Lucien.
“The king wants to take the woman he loves away from him. That would be difficult for any man to accept.” Lucien said softly.
The breath she was about to take became trapped in her chest. Giselle wasn’t even aware that she was moving until she was in the hall. She looked around and felt herself pulled toward the gardens. She ran through the study, pushed through the French doors and flew down the terrace steps. She raised her skirts as she rushed past the roses and into the wisteria.
Giselle found Alastair at the swing. His hand rested on the seat of the swing and he looked up when he heard her approach. He reached for her as she ran into his arms. She felt his chest lock as he held his breath when her body connected with his. His body was tense for a moment as Giselle pressed her hands to his face and set her lips to his. He groaned as he opened and let her tongue surge in. Then, the tension within him snapped and his body started moving. His hands pulled her closer, gripping and sliding as he turned them and backed her against the tree.
Alastair’s hands closed around her waist and he lifted her and settled between her thighs. He pulled his lips from hers and his mouth trailed down her throat. Giselle shut her eyes and gasped in delight as she felt his tongue gliding against her skin. His fingers made quick work of the buttons and laces of her bodice and chemise. She sighed in relief when she felt his hands close around her breasts. Alastair growled as his head dipped and his face pressed into her cleavage. Giselle gripped his shoulders and her head fell to the side as his tongue lashed at her nipple. She bit her lip to keep from crying out when he pulled her into his mouth and began to suckle urgently.
She felt one of his hands slide beneath her bottom, supporting her as the other worked at the buttons of his breeches. Giselle felt slick heat burst between her thighs in anticipation and a moan slipped from her throat. Alastair lifted his head and his lips pressed against her ear.
“Tell me you need this.” He growled as he pushed her skirts up. Giselle wrapped her leg around his waist and sucked in a breath.
“I need you. I need you now!” She begged and she felt his lips curve against her ear. His fingers parted her and the head of his erection pressed into her. He hissed and shuddered.
“You’re so wet and hot. You feel so perfect around my cock.” His voice was damp and warm and it made her shiver. Giselle shut her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“More. I need to feel all of you.” She panted. Alastair’s mouth crashed against hers as he tilted her hips. He thrust forward until he was buried to the hilt within her and she moaned against his tongue. He rocked his hips, grinding against her and she wrapped her other leg around him and tried to pull him deeper.
Alastair groaned as he angled his head. His kiss became desperate and ruthless. Giselle’s lips started to sting but she fought back, attacking his tongue with hers. His hands locked around her derriere and his hips started to flex and drive forcefully between her thighs, deep into her core. She could feel his erection stretching and filling her relentlessly. Her nipples tightened painfully as they rubbed against the velvet of his waistcoat and she pulled her lips from his and sobbed.
“I need to feel you come, my love.” His voice was low and she felt it against her neck. “Let go and take me with you.” Alastair’s mouth pressed against her flesh and she could feel his teeth graze her skin as his tongue laved. His cock stroked hard and deep and Giselle felt her muscles tighten around him and her body arched against his. “Oh, God. That’s it.” He gasped.
She became paralyzed for a moment before her nerves burst. Her body became liquid and light as she felt him pull her tight against him. He strained against her as she started to shake and his head fell back. He prayed her name over and over as he started to writhe and she felt him swell and pulse within her. Heat exploded deep inside and Giselle clenched her teeth as another wave of ecstasy washed over her. Alastair’s thrusts slowed until his head fell to her shoulder and a final tremor passed through him.
Her body melted against his and she clung. Their hearts pounded against each other and it was all she could hear and feel for several moments. When her body started to return, she lifted her head and pressed her lips to his temple. She felt Alastair stir and stifled her disappointment as he withdrew and carefully lowered her to the ground. He wrapped his arms around her as he rolled so that his back was against the tree. His hands pulled her against his chest and started stroking her back.
“I’ve never done that outside of a bedroom.” Alastair murmured against her hair. Giselle laughed softly as she looked up.
“Neither have I.” She teased as she brushed her lips against his. He grinned as his hands cradled her face. His tongue traced her lips and his thumb pressed against her chin, opening her so he could slide into her mouth. Alastair’s kiss was gentle and Giselle sighed with content. A moment later her eyes flared and her heart started to gallop as she felt a warm, wet trickle slide down her thigh. She pushed against his chest and he allowed her to lean back within the circle of his arms. His head tilted as his eyes searched hers. She bit her lip as she tried to find the words. “I don’t think you should… until we’re sure.” Giselle whispered shakily as she looked away. Alastair frowned.
“You’re going to have to be a little more specific.” He said as he ducked his head so he could find her eyes. Her lips twisted in frustration and she tried to avoid looking at him.
“You should probably…”
“Look at me.” Alastair interrupted her. She turned her face to his and looked at him pointedly.
“You should probably…” Giselle couldn’t stand how flustered she was. She felt like a complete ninny.
“You’ve already said that part.” He teased. She swatted his chest.
“Stop.” She said and she took a deep breath. “You should finish outside of me until we’re sure.” She said quickly. Alastair’s head pulled back and he blinked slowly for a few moments before he shook his head.
“No.”
“No?” Giselle tried to step back but his arms locked.
“No. I’m not spilling myself anywhere but deep within you. I’m not pulling out of you like you’re a whore. I have no doubts, Giselle. I intend to spend the rest of my life with you and I want to see you round and heavy with my child. I’ll use every opportunity I get to make that a reality.” Alastair’s eyes dropped to her stomach and she felt it flutter. Excitement and panic flooded her. Giselle tried to push it all down but it wasn’t working with him so close. She swallowed nervously.
“Please, don’t do this to me.” Her voice was weak and unsteady. “Don’t take the choice away from me.” She looked into his eyes, they were turbulent and dark.
“The choice is entirely yours, mademoiselle.” His voice had become smooth and warm. Giselle felt goosebumps spread down her arms as his hands slid up her back and into her hair. He tilted her head back and pulled her lips to his. He held her there, hanging from his lips until her breathing became rapid and she was ready to beg him to take her mouth. “Do not offer your body to me if you aren’t going to let me do with it as I please.” Alastair released her and she stumbled back. Giselle felt dizzy and hot. Need and confusion clouded her mind. “You should probably go inside and get ready for dinner.” He said softly.
She felt her head nod and she turned. Her legs wobbled as she moved drunkenly through the canopy of trees. Her skin prickled and the hairs on the back of her neck stood as Alastair prowled behind her. Giselle kept her gaze focused on the ground and her breathing until she saw the study doors. When she went for the handle, Alastair’s arm reached around her and swung it open as the other wrapped around her waist and pulled her back against him. She felt his mouth press against her ear.
“You won’t be able to help yourself, Giselle. You’ll come to me and you’ll beg me to take you. And I won’t do a damned thing to stop you. I’ll give you everything you ask for until I have all of you.” Alastair promised. Giselle shut her eyes and trembled. She felt his arm slide away and she gripped the doorframe until she felt steady enough to stand. She looked back and up and was mesmerized by his lips. They were so close and she felt herself sway toward them. They tilted and she licked her own as she watched them part to speak. “Go.”
It was as if a spell had broken. Giselle took a deep breath and then ran. She rushed through the study and up the stairs. Her eyes were blind to everything as she flew down the hall. She flung her door open and then collapsed against it as it shut. She slid to the floor and stared across the room for several minutes until she heard the handle turn and felt the door push against her.
“My lady?” Jane’s gentle call startled Giselle and she jumped.
Giselle looked down at herself and gasped in shock when she saw that her bodice was still gaping. Her hand flew to her mouth as she felt a laugh and a sob burst simultaneously from her throat.
Chapter 42
It was growing late but Alastair knew she would come. He stared at the bed as he waited. His hands rested on the arms of the chair and his vision stretched out, beyond the room. He saw Giselle, under the tree, shattering in his arms. As he had predicted, being fully clothed had made joining with her only mind numbingly incredible. The layers of their clothes had muffled his body’s reaction enough that he was able to focus on the feel of his mouth against her and where their bodies joined. Being naked and feeling Giselle naked against him had been ecstasy. But it was the sort of ecstasy that could shred his sanity if he wasn’t careful. It was like the euphoria of opium: maddening, beautiful and itchy. He would lose himself if he overindulged.
It was a gamble to use desire to break down her resistance. He was using a weapon that had the potential to inflict as much injury on him as it did her. Alastair knew Giselle was as susceptible as he was but he wasn’t sure how much it would cost him. Loving her was far more disorienting than he had expected. The overwhelming pleasure was unsettling on its own, but combined with the fascination he felt with her and the emotions she stirred within him, Alastair felt like he was drowning at times.
Just when he caught his breath, Giselle would do something to pull him back under. Her words pounded and churned within him. “You should finish outside of me until we’re sure.” “I’m not marrying anyone.” And he saw her pulling away and shutting him out. Fear and frustration swelled and it made him restless. He wanted to hide, to get away from his emotions. How do you escape something that’s inside of you? Alastair wondered. She was inside of him. If he failed, if she walked away, she would destroy him from within like a cancer.
He saw Giselle standing in front of him and he returned to the bedroom. He searched her face. Her eyes were red and her nose was pink at the edges. Her hair was a mess and she was shaking. She had put up a hell of a fight. Alastair let his eyes slide down her body. Her nipples pebbled beneath her gown as his gaze touched them. When he reached her thighs she gasped and swayed.
“Take off your gown and get on the bed.” His voice was harsh and it took all of his strength to remain still as her hands rose to the straps. He watched the gown slide down her body and his erection throbbed angrily. Giselle kept her eyes on his as she sat on
the bed and scooted back. “Spread your thighs.” He commanded as he stood and walked toward the bed.
Chapter 43
The next morning they were away shortly after breakfast. Alastair almost called their journey off when Giselle strode from the house toward the stables in her “disguise”. She wore a hat and had her hair pulled in a simple queue and tucked into her coat. She wore a white shirt, black waistcoat and coat. Buckskin breeches and hessians clung to her legs and would have been painfully revealing if she hadn’t chosen a large greatcoat. Alastair could see that she’d bound her breasts but there was still something elementally feminine about her. He shook his head and grumbled as he lifted her onto Lucifer’s back. He swung into the saddle and grimly signaled for them to be off.
Giselle was tense and quiet as they left Winthorpe. Alastair was content to let her remain pensive, his mind was absorbed with what had followed after she appeared in his room the night before.
He had imagined that he would break her, make her understand that fighting was futile by showing her how completely he could possess her body and that she was helpless to stop him. He had intended to use sensuality and pleasure ruthlessly. At best, he had been demanding. Giselle had been urgent and fragile. She begged and tore at his clothes frantically as he pleasured her with his mouth and then rode her until they were both exhausted. Despite her earlier request, she wrapped herself around him and held him tightly as he poured himself into her.
When it was over, she was silent as she curled against his side and fell asleep. Tears clung to her eyelashes and Alastair stared at them until they dried. He filled the hours, whispering reasons and promises as he saturated himself in the sight, feel and smell of her.
By midmorning Giselle had shaken off her uncertainty and became joyous as Lucifer and Sleipnir raced through the countryside. Her eyes and lips teased Alastair as she pushed her mount to fly faster. As Alastair had predicted, he spent most of the day in pain but it didn’t prevent him from enjoying the exhilaration of their ride. When they stopped to let the horses rest they ate quickly without drawing attention.
Claimed By Chaos Page 25