She had no idea what she was asking for or if such a thing was even possible, but she didn’t care. She needed him to know that he didn’t need to treat her as if she might break. She wouldn’t. Though she might die if she didn’t find the same release she had enjoyed the other day, however.
He seemed to know what she was asking for because he lifted her hips higher, allowing him to thrust his cock even deeper into her, and it was, in a word, magic. She felt as if she was being pushed to the edge of limitless pleasure before being yanked back each time he withdrew.
Still craving more, she arched up into him, pressing her body into his, and he obliged her need for more contact, taking her nipple into his mouth and suckling as he had the other day. Sparks exploded behind Josie’s eyes, and she let out a high, keening cry.
This! This was what she had craved and hadn’t known how to ask for.
She thought she might split apart then, but Phin continued to lavish pleasure on her body until her mind was spinning. Just then, there was no Josie, and there was no Phin. There was one body, locked in mutual pleasure.
Finally, Phin reached between them and stroked her little nubbin before pinching it tightly.
Josie’s world exploded with that final touch. Her body arched up once, and then she shattered, waves of pleasure crashing down upon her as she finally found the release she had been longing for. She dug her nails into Phin’s back and cried out his name as she rode her pleasure to completion before tightening her legs around Phin one last time, pulling him deeper into her body.
In the end, that was what broke him, and before he could pull out of her warm, welcoming body, Phin found himself spilling his seed inside of her. He came with a roar as he claimed this woman as his, not caring that he had neglected to protect her from a child. She was his. He was hers and let everything and everyone else be damned.
Then, as the morning drifted into afternoon and the storm clouds gathered once more, Phin and Josie slept entangled within each other’s arms before they rose again, only to find their bodies linked together once more in the eternal dance of lovers.
And neither one of them cared.
Chapter Fourteen
Josie swore that everyone in Phin’s ballroom could tell just by looking at her that she had been tumbled rather thoroughly that afternoon. Not just once, but several times! Well, perhaps she was being a bit dramatic with her assumptions, but she wasn’t wrong when she assumed that people were staring at her again. They were. She remembered the feeling that had haunted her those last few days in London all too well.
“You are fidgeting and giving people reason to stare. Stop it!” Seated beside her, Tabby’s eyes were constantly scanning the ballroom as if looking for someone.
“I cannot help it,” Josie snapped back though she was not really angry with her new friend. “Everyone is looking at me!” As Lady Finchley strolled by, Josie plastered a polite and demure smile on her face for good measure. “I think they know.”
Tabby snorted. “Know that you have clearly snagged the affections of Lord Fullbridge, thus dashing the hopes of all of the other unwed young ladies here? If that is what you are referring to, then, yes. Everyone knows. He has been unable to stop staring at you all evening.” She slanted Josie a curious side-glance. “Unless, of course, you are referring to something else they should know about?”
“No. No, of course not.” Josie flipped open her fan. “It is rather warm in here, don’t you think?”
Tabby used her fan to point in the direction of the large terrace doors that were open to the night air. “I think the passing storms this afternoon cooled the air considerably and that if you are warm, it is for other reasons entirely. That is what I think.” She nudged Josie in the side. “I know, Josie. Or at least I think I do. I came to your room this afternoon to see if you wished to partner at whist, but you were not there. Nor were you in the library or the card room or anywhere else about. No one else might have noticed, but I did. And unless I am wrong, which I rarely am, I am going to guess that you and the duke were together somewhere outside of the manor house.”
Josie’s stomach twisted tightly inside of her, even more so than it had when she had first realized that Phin hadn’t withdrawn before he had spilled his seed inside of her. Until she and Phin sorted out what lay between them? She didn’t want anyone to know that they were involved in any fashion.
“I might have,” Josie allowed slowly. “But only for a short time.”
“Long enough for him to tumble you,” Tabby whispered, her eyes still searching. “I can tell, Josie. Others might not be able to, but I can. I have seen it often enough.”
Josie flushed a brighter red. “Does it show so very much?”
“Likely only to me.” Tabby patted her hand and sighed. “I, of all people, am in no position to offer you advice on love affairs, but I can offer you this. If you care for Phin, and I believe that you do, do not worry about what others may think. Do not fret over gossip, and do not worry that anything you might do now will haunt you for the rest of your life. Society, for the most part, has a very short memory, and you becoming involved with the duke or even marrying him, is not nearly the most scandalous thing that has happened this Season. From Lady Peacock to the American marquess wreaking havoc, there has been plenty of scandal to keep London occupied.”
“There has been?” Josie let out a breath. “I hadn’t known.”
“Because you weren’t here and Lord Fullbridge? Well, he was being an idiot duke anyway, as most gentlemen are before they marry, so there are stories about regarding his activities, but none quite so terrible as you imagine.” Tabby shrugged. “Combined, the two of you barely rank in the top ten percent of scandals. So, go. Marry the man if you like and do not give a fig about the gossip.” She paused. “Unless, of course, in nine months, there might be cause for more gossip?”
“Tabby!” Josie was aghast.
“Am I wrong?” The other woman tilted her head.
“Well…no.”
Tabby nodded. “As I thought. I know the look upon your face far too well. My friend Dory looked much the same after she became Lord Dunn’s lover.” Then, Tabby turned serious. “I know what I see, Josie, both on your face and Lord Fullbridge’s. The two of you are falling in love. Do not throw away a chance for happiness simply because you are worried about what other people will think. Life is a gift. Live it, and do not worry about what others say.”
Rising far more gracefully than Josie ever could, Tabby shook out her skirts and once more, looked to the far side of the ballroom. The same direction her gaze had been traveling all night. All Josie could see what a cluster of gentlemen laughing and doing their best to avoid dancing even though this was hardly a formal ball. Perhaps Tabby saw more than what Josie did. It would not be the first time apparently.
“If you will excuse me? I see an old friend.” She nodded in the direction of the knot of gentlemen. “I shall be back in a trice. Try not to drool over the duke too much while I am gone.”
At that, Josie laughed. “I shall try.” Then she waved Tabby away. “Go. I will be fine.”
Tabby didn’t look completely convinced, but she still offered Josie a small wave before meandering off in the direction of the knot of men – that now included a few ladies – on the far side of the ballroom.
As she heard someone beginning to do scales on the pianoforte as a warm-up, Josie decided to seek out the refreshment table. She really had no desire for a cup of warm punch, but it was better than attempting to avoid the gentlemen who might ask her for a dance.
There weren’t many, true, but this house party did include at least a handful of fortune hunters. While her dowry was not quite that large, it was tempting enough to the right sort of gentleman and without a proper chaperone – for she had still never even met Great-Aunt Mary – turning down requests for dances and turns about the room would be nearly impossible.
Josie had no desire to spend time with any of those gentlemen. All she really
wished to do was be with Phin. Except that he was currently speaking intently with Lord Queensbury and likely would be for some time yet.
So, with the single social skill she had perfected, Josie managed to slip out of the ballroom without anyone being the wiser.
She had vanished on him, damn it! Phin had watched Josie slowly vanish from the ballroom as if she was a ghost, sliding behind a drapery bit by bit in the general direction of the refreshment table. Likely no one else had noticed, but she had been the focus of his world since that afternoon. Thus, he noticed everything about her. Including where she was at all times.
This was not good. Not if he planned to end this association with her once the house party was over, which was only in a few days’ time.
“Go after her. You know that’s what you want.” Lord Eli Queensbury nudged Phin in the shoulder.
The two of them had been speaking about business concerning both the Crown and the Bloody Duke. That was why Queensbury was here, after all. Not because he and Phin were fast friends – though they were friendly enough – but because the other man was tracking someone through the ballrooms of London at the behest of Lord Candlewood.
There were jewel thieves about, and according to recent Bow Street intelligence, at least one of the members of the thievery ring was a member of the peerage. Now-former Bow Street Runner, Harry Greer, had been tracking the gang through London, but as he had run off to Gretna Green with Josie’s cousin, Penny? Well, that avenue of investigation simply wasn’t open any longer, and thus, the task had fallen to Eli Queensbury.
“I have a room full of guests, yourself included,” Phin reminded the other man, even though his eyes strayed to the curtain where Josie had vanished.
Queensbury rolled his eyes. “I would hazard to say that the woman you tumbled this afternoon is more important than a house full of people you don’t necessarily like.” Phin was certain his eyes were as wide as saucers just then because the other man simply shrugged. “I have my sources, and no, I shall not reveal them.” He grinned. “Just know that I trust them and that your secret is safe.”
Then Eli sobered. “However, perhaps it will not be for long if you keep panting after the girl as you are now. Even Benjamin has commented on the matter.”
Of course, Queensbury would know that Ben Sinclair was lurking about. Of course, he bloody well would!
“Are no secrets safe any longer around here?” Phin grumbled.
Really, he should be more upset over the fact that this man knew Phin had tumbled Josie that afternoon, but he could not muster up the energy. And the man did have a point. Phin had been panting after Josie all evening.
“Your secret will be well kept. For now.” Queensbury’s eyes glittered, though not with malicious intent. “Your life is your own, Fullbridge, but understand that Miss Marshwood is under the Bloody Duke’s protection. Out of all of us, she is the true innocent in this entire mess, and she deserves to be happy after what her father put her through. Candlewood will not allow you to trifle with her.”
Phin nodded. “I shall consider myself warned.”
“Then go find her.” Queensbury jutted his chin in the general direction of the curtain. “And propose to her, if you’ve a mind. Any gossip or scandal that action might cause will die down quickly enough. The London memory is notoriously short. Not to mention that the two of you suit and are clearly in love.”
“I am not in love.” Phin was quick to answer the other man.
Queensbury snorted. “That is not how it appears to me.”
Phin would have had a cutting retort – or at least he hoped that he would have – except that just then, a slap rang out across the ballroom. A slap so loud that every single person present stopped what they were doing and turned in the direction of the sound.
“How dare you!”
Both men turned just in time to see Miss Hadley poised to deliver a slap to the face of the Earl of Warwick. Meaning one could reasonably assume that he had been the target of her original slap. Not to mention her unkind words.
With a raised eyebrow at Queensbury, Phin crossed the room as quickly as possible. Thankfully, in the meantime, Lady Tabitha had managed to grab hold of Miss Hadley’s wrist, preventing the woman from landing another blow.
“Is there a problem, Miss Hadley? Lord Warwick?” Phin wasn’t surprised to see Cilla appear beside him, but he was surprised to see only Lord Snowly trailing after her. Perhaps Ben had finally managed to remove Lord Cleary from the premises.
“He has insulted me and my honor!” Miss Hadley was furious and obviously working herself up into a temper. She reminded him of Cilla just then.
Phin looked at his old friend. “Warwick?”
“A group of us were discussing our youth, and I mentioned that Miss Hadley’s father is a distant cousin of my father’s and so we practically grew up together.” He rubbed at his jaw, where a red, hand-shaped print was beginning to form. “It’s true, of course. We have known each other for an age.” Then he glared at Miss Hadley. “It is also true that we used to fish and climb trees and do all sorts of things that children indulge in when they are small and without responsibility. Both young ladies and young gentlemen. We were children!”
At that, Miss Hadley looked ready to take another swing at the earl, but thankfully, Lady Tabitha hadn’t relinquished her hold on the other woman. To Phin’s surprise, she was stronger than she appeared because Miss Hadley was unable to break free of Lady Tabitha’s tight grip.
Beside him, Cilla looked incredulous. “That is all you said?”
Warwick shrugged and glared at Miss Hadley again. “I also added that she was quite skilled on a horse, for she is a magnificent rider, but that was meant as a compliment.”
“I did not take it as one!” Miss Hadley shot back.
Phin’s head was beginning to throb, and he hadn’t seen Josie in nearly ten minutes. “Both of you. Come with me, and we shall sort this out.” He glanced at his sister. “Cilla?”
She inclined her head. “I will see to the guests. Along with Lord Snowly, Lady Tabitha and her mother, the duchess.” She turned, and Phin wasn’t at all surprised to see Snowly offer Cilla his arm. “Shall we perhaps play a game? Something to distract the masses?”
Lady Tabitha looked as if she had no desire to release Miss Hadley and quite possibly with good reason. However, she and her mother eventually followed Cilla and Snowly so that they could mingle with the other guests, though their smiles seemed more than a little forced.
Though Phin still heard his guests whispering about what had just transpired, he could also hear some of them whispering about Cilla and Snowly as well, including the odds on whether or not the couple might wed in the near future.
Maybe Queensbury was right, and maybe if Phin married Josie, Society would forget how they had first met. Perhaps the scandal wouldn’t be as bad as he assumed. Was it possible? Maybe. Would he find anyone whose company he enjoyed half as much as Josie’s? Likely not.
First, though, there was the matter of Miss Hadley and Lord Warwick.
“Come!” Phin snapped and began stalking his way towards the far side of the room – which conveniently had a short corridor that connected directly to a small parlor.
For a moment, Phin thought Miss Hadley might refuse his order, and he wondered how much of a scandal he would cause by simply picking her up and throwing her over his shoulder to be done with things. Something of that intent must have shown on his face, for she glared at him only for a moment before she swept past him in the direction he indicated. For his part, Warwick did not utter a peep as he followed Phin down the short, dark hallway.
Then again, the man probably had no idea why his comments had enraged the woman so much. Truthfully, neither did Phin.
“Inside!” Phin snapped when it seemed as if Miss Hadley was about to balk again.
With a great huff, she gathered her skirts and stalked inside, muttering under her breath about imperious dukes and nitwit earls.
; Once Miss Hadley and Lord Warwick were inside the small parlor, Phin stopped in the doorway, not venturing further inside and effectively blocking their only exit.
“The two of you need to talk. Now!” He jabbed a finger at both of them. “I don’t care how long it takes, but the two of you will sort this out now! You have been circling each other like cats in heat for the last few days. Tonight was the last straw, and I’ll not have your nonsense ruin my sister’s birthday celebration.”
“He started it!” Miss Hadley sounded like a petulant child.
“I did not.” Wonderful. Apparently, Warwick was no better.
“And I shall end it.” Phin grasped the doorknob. “And just so you know, I don’t give a bloody damn about the two of you being in here alone together. In fact? So much the better because it’s plain for all to see that the two of you are in love and being discovered would force a marriage between the two of you.”
Miss Hadley looked panic-stricken. “You cannot do that!”
“I am a duke, Miss Hadley. I can, and I will, and you have very little to say about it.” He glared at the two of them again. “Now, talk! I will send a trusted servant to check on you later. If you are being civil to each other? He will come and fetch me, and I shall let you out. If you are still yowling about like scalded cats? You shall be in here until I decide it is time to let you out.”
Warwick said nothing, but Phin had expected as much. The man was probably already trying to figure a way out of the room.
“Oh, and Warwick?” Phin paused as he was about to close the door. “This is a completely sealed room. No way in or out. No hidden doors or passageways. You may try to get out, if you like, but I rather doubt you’ll be able to do so.”
Then, Phin closed and locked the door behind him, feeling rather proud of himself.
“Problem solved,” he whispered to himself in the darkness.
“Or problem just begun.”
“Josie?” Phin would know that voice anywhere. “What are you doing here?”
Loving the Wrong Lord Page 17