Improper Match: Scandalous Encounters

by Reed, Kristabel

  “Thank you for coming tonight,” the old man said, his voice a croak in the darkness. “You should’ve stayed with Selina. I can bear this, she cannot.”

  But he sounded grateful for the company, Edmund thought, and for even the slight light from the torch John placed just inside the cell door.

  They were alone save for John, who was a necessary accomplice in this, but Edmund crossed close to Arthur. He lowered his voice and whispered in collusion.

  “Prepare yourself to be taken from this cell in the morning. You’ll be taken out a side entrance and hurried into a cart. The driver is a young man named Tobias. He’s loyal to me without fault. The guard — the one outside now, John — will assist.”

  “Granville!” Arthur exclaimed, clearly astonished.

  “Arthur.” He grabbed the other man by the shoulders, a silent admonishment to quiet. “I won’t let you go to the noose for this when I know, as Selina does, you’re innocent. Selina and Annabelle even now arrange for one of your captains to ferry us away from England.”

  Edmund shook Arthur again, though he didn’t think it necessary. “We will do this,” he promised. “We’ll save you.”

  “Granville,” Arthur whispered, his voice rough but tinged with hope, “how can you do this? How can you involve yourself in this, in your position?”

  Edmund blinked. Even her father didn’t understand the sheer depth of love he had for Selina. No one did.

  “A man must do as he must,” was all Edmund said, but beneath his hands he felt Arthur shudder in relieved acceptance. “Be ready when they come.”

  “Thank you,” Arthur whispered. “Thank you.”

  With one last squeeze to Arthur’s shoulders, Edmund turned and left. He waited for John to close the cell door but didn’t hear the key catch the lock.

  Edmund quickly made his way back through the dark, damp halls of Newgate. The wind bit through his clothing but he ignored it. He had much to do before dawn. Settled in his carriage, the horses quickly making their way through London, he closed his eyes for a brief moment, rubbed his fingers over them.

  Annabelle understood. She understood more than even Selina. He knew Selina loved him, her love came from deep within her soul. He tasted it every time they kissed, each night they made love.

  Maybe that was it, then. She loved him so much, she worried more for him than herself. Edmund snorted a bitter laugh. She didn’t understand he felt the same for her — only Selina mattered. Not his reputation, not his title, not even his money or lands.

  It was the same with her father; Selina and Arthur cared more for Edmund’s reputation than Edmund himself.

  He did not need the title of the Earl of Granville to live. He needed Selina.

  * * * *

  Selina looked round her rooms. Once Edmund left to see to her father, and Annabelle had also left for her errands, she’d quickly written her note to Captain Graham.

  Full of nervous energy, Selina had called her and Annabelle’s lady’s maids, and the three of them packed. She hadn’t told any of the staff her plans but had simply implied that she and Annabelle were leaving this house. Thompson and their lady’s maids assumed Selina planned to marry Edmund and move to his residence.

  She hadn’t corrected them. But she did plan to give the rest of the staff a year’s wage and references, so she sat at her writing desk, with a blank page before her.

  Would any house in London want references from one such as her? From a convicted murderer’s daughter? Especially one who had left the country under a veil of secrecy? No matter, she needed to do this anyway.

  Annabelle returned from the docks with news that Captain Graham eagerly agreed and even now prepared his ship. Then she’d gone to pack up what few personal possessions she wished to take.

  Selina doubted either of them would get much sleep this night, and she nervously paced her room, waiting for Edmund.

  The household slept before he returned. She waited at the top of the stairs for him to shed his outer coat. He no longer wore his gloves, and she wondered where they’d disappeared to. Nerves clenched her stomach, and she methodically ran her fingers down the skirt of her dressing gown.

  When he looked up, he smiled, and some of the tension that had governed her movements eased in relief.

  Edmund took the stairs two at a time and pulled her against him. She held tight. With her face pressed to his chest she asked, “Have you managed everything?”

  “It’s all arranged,” he whispered against her throat. “Your father will be taken from his cell just before dawn to a waiting cart that will take him to the ship. I told my man to stop at the Lyndell building. From there it’ll be an easy task to direct him to the right ship.”

  Selina nodded and pulled back. She took his hand and led him to her bedroom. None of the servants had commented, not that she had heard, at least, but then these were far from usual circumstances.

  “Thank you,” she whispered in the darkness of her room.

  The fire had been banked and the curtains drawn against the harsh night. All day she’d shivered with cold, but now, with their plans set, the nerves that had danced beneath the surface finally calmed.

  He closed the door gently behind them. Before he could do more than loosen his cravat, she pulled him down and kissed him. Edmund gave up so much for her, for her family. What sort of life could they have? What did she expect of a life that was not here?

  It did not matter. Her father would live.

  Feeling lighter than she had in weeks, Selina smiled against his mouth, hope sweeping through her. She pulled back and caressed his face, the face of a man she not only loved with everything in her, but who willingly gave up his own position to be with her.

  “Are you truly coming with us?” she asked.

  She was selfish and knew it. She’d be taking him away from all he knew, all he had. From his family and his title. But Selina couldn’t help it. She didn’t want to be away from him. Selfish or not, she wanted this new life in France. Wanted it with Edmund.

  He jerked as if she slapped him. Watched her for a long, intense moment, his eyes dark and penetrating. “Of course.”

  He leaned back, shrugging off his jacket and vest. “I’m never letting you out of my sight.”

  “I love you,” she told him, the words as true now as when she’d first spoken them weeks ago. Another lifetime ago. “I love you so much, Edmund,” she said, and her fingers were frantic now, pushing his shirt up and tugging it over his head.

  “As soon as we’re in France, we’ll marry,” he promised, lifting her onto the bed.

  “Yes,” she agreed, a happy laugh escaping her. Selina tangled her fingers in his short hair and pulled him down for anther kiss.

  His hands were warm on her skin, fingers caressing her in just the right spots. Her breath hitched when Edmund rolled a nipple between his fingers and she arched into him. Her body amazed her, how each touch from her lover built such pleasure in her.

  She trailed her fingers down his spine and dragged her nails up his chest. She loved watching him like this. Mayhap once out of here they’d have more time for her to explore Edmund, to know his body as intimately as he knew hers.

  Selina opened her legs to his touch, the tenderness of it spiraling through her. Edmund brushed against her wetness, and her breath hitched again. That exquisite pleasure built and built and she rocked against his hand, seeking the crest of the wave.

  Edmund’s mouth kissed her sex, his tongue teasing her nub even as his fingers thrust into her. Selina cried out, clutching his shoulders as she rode the desire spreading through her like fire.

  “Edmund,” she cried, dragging her eyes open.

  She unclenched her fingers from where they dug into his shoulders and licked her lips. He followed the movement of her tongue, and, emboldened, Selina pushed at him until he lay on his back. Edmund grinned up at her, his hands settling on her hips.

  Selina had planned to taste him, explore more of his body as she longed to
do, but seated atop him, his hardness pulsing between them. She stopped.

  “Oh,” she managed, suddenly not as sure as she had been.

  “Guide me in slowly,” Edmund told her, his voice gravelly.

  The words, the tone, and the way he looked at her sent heat once more coiling through her, and she eagerly obeyed. She’d no idea it was possible to make love like this. But he felt warm and hard in her hand, and though Selina knew she blushed at the movement, she did as he bade.

  Her hips rocked of their own volition, taking him deeper and deeper.

  “Edmund,” she gasped once he was fully seated in her.

  “Now move, Selina,” he said through clenched teeth. “Rock against me.”

  Bracing her hands on his chest, she did so. Lifted herself up and slid back down.

  “Oh!”

  Oh, this was — she had no words for how it felt to have him inside her. Filling her and stretching her as she moved over him. Intense didn’t describe it, but it built the pleasure within her again, and Selina moved faster. Took him deeper.

  His fingers tightened on her hips, and he thrust up against her. Selina opened her eyes and looked down at him, watching his own eyes close with pleasure, his jaw clench. He looked so beautiful like that, lost in his pleasure as she knew she lost herself in hers.

  Edmund’s brown eyes opened and were nearly black as they locked with hers. Her nails dug into his chest and she slammed down on him, twisting her hips as she did so.

  “Selina,” he ground out.

  And oh, the way he said her name shuddered through her as surely as her orgasm had. She raised up and slammed back down, once more twisting her hips. His fingers clenched on her hips, moved her faster, harder.

  “Yes,” she breathed, and felt her climax start deep inside her, building and building until it snapped. Spread hotly through her body, her limbs.

  Edmund continued to move, thrust up again and again. She shook her black hair from her face and opened her eyes. She wanted to watch him come, wanted to see him as he lost control.

  His back arched and he climaxed, eyes tightly closed, mouth opened, and he looked perfect. She continued to move, the feel of him sliding in and out of her too wonderful to stop, though her thighs trembled and her arms ached. Her orgasm continued to shudder through her until she gasped for breath.

  Selina collapsed atop him, her breathing harsh, body light and tingling. She closed her eyes and pressed her lips to his sweaty chest. Unable and unwilling to move, she let herself drift.

  Eventually she felt Edmund move, slip out of her, and tug her to his side. He curled around her. Selina opened her eyes and kissed him, softly, lazily, humming into the kiss.

  “I love you,” she whispered and laid her head back on his chest.

  Edmund pressed a kiss to her hair. “Sleep now. We leave in a few hours.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Edmund wanted her to sleep, but she couldn’t. Anticipation raced through her veins, and her brain refused to quiet. After this day, her life would irrevocably change. They’d escape to France and her father would be safe. Then she’d marry Edmund, and they’d start a new life.

  Together.

  The thoughts whirled round and round her head, jumping from what-ifs to planning her future with Edmund.

  Smiling, Selina turned in his arms and lightly traced her fingers down the side of his jaw. He slept off and on, but now pulled her tighter against him. Selina rested her head against his chest, but sleep still refused to come.

  There was naught more to do, but the nervous hope made her stomach jump and her heart beat faster. Almost time.

  Giving up on sleep, Selina rose and dressed before Edmund woke. She needed to be ready, to be there when her father arrived. See that he finally put that horrible place behind him. Know that he was safe — with them.

  Annabelle rapped on her door nearing four, already dressed and ready. Apparently her cousin hadn’t slept, either. Selina had thought to leave even earlier, to ensure Captain Graham had prepared. When she turned back into the darkened room, the cold night’s chill unabated by the fire, Edmund was already dressing.

  Selina watched him dress, her fingers pressing down her skirts. “You don’t have to come,” she offered.

  The words hurt to say. But she pushed them through the lump in her throat. She needed to give him the choice. He was giving up his life, his title and privileges. For her.

  She licked her lips and swallowed hard. Each syllable cut like a knife through her heart, but she had to offer one last time. She loved him too much to mire him in this any longer. Her breath hitched and her hands bunched in her skirts, but she tried to continue.

  She didn’t want him involved in the mess that was living as an escaped prisoner.

  “What you’ve done for me and my father is more than any could ask of another.” She swallowed, her mouth dry, and forced herself to continue. “I don’t want to take you away from all you have here.”

  She took in a deep breath and said in a voice strangled with hope and love, with fear, “I don’t want you shamed because of my scandal.”

  Edmund grinned — she saw it clearly even in the dark room. It wasn’t a laughing grin, but there and gone in a heartbeat. Her heart stumbled over itself, unable to fully understand what that quick lift of his lips meant.

  In two quick strides he closed the distance between them. His fingers were gentle on her chin as he lifted it. And when he spoke, his voice was firm, honest, and proud. “I need to see France. With you.”

  Selina released a shaky breath that held more lightheaded humor than she thought possible.

  A lesser woman would have brought him down with her, Selina realized. All she wanted was his happiness and safety. She wanted him to have that with her, and hated the scandal now enveloping her family.

  “I have an old friend in Calais,” he said and rested his forehead against hers. The move was more telling of his feelings — his love — than mere words ever could. “This is as good a time as any to pay a visit.”

  Shaking her head, she only smiled. She couldn’t deny him, could deny him nothing. His reasons were outrageous, but she didn’t know how to let him go.

  “I love you,” he said and the words, the honesty behind them, filled her heart.

  Edmund stepped back. “Now, we should go.” He tugged her to the door. “Make sure Captain Graham has everything in order.”

  They left, sneaking out the servants’ entrance and to Edmund’s carriage. Selina didn’t remember much of the drive to the docks. She sat beside Edmund, her hand clasped tightly in his. Across from her, Annabelle looked pale in the faint light.

  It seemed to take hours to reach the Lyndell Imports building, yet the drive was over before she’d taken her first deep breath. At first, Selina didn’t see anyone on the docks in the predawn.

  When she did, her stomach dropped. She’d forgotten Captain Graham was not the only captain to work for her father. Six other men stood by Graham as their ship’s crew raced around the docks.

  “Edmund,” she murmured.

  “I see.” Beside her, Edmund had stiffened as well. Beneath her hand, his arms vibrated with tension.

  “Miss Lyndell.” One of the men, Captain Hensley, bowed to them. “Lord Granville. We’ve come to help Captain Graham load his important cargo,” he said pointedly.

  Her breath left her in a rush at the weighted, meaningful words, and Selina nodded at the other man.

  “Come,” Edmund said, his hand on her arm, firm and reassuring. “Let’s get on board. We’ll need to leave immediately when the cart arrives.”

  He led her and Annabelle to the ship, and they climbed the gangplank on. Selina tried to breathe deeply of the cold sea air, but it hurt to breathe. She wouldn’t be able to draw a deep breath until she saw her father board this ship. Once more nerves knotted in her belly, but she pressed her lips together and said nothing.

  This would work. It had to.

  She stood at the railing an
d looked at the dark dock. Crews moved around with precise control, and if they loaded and unloaded the same cargo, only she and her party knew. Finally, the cart came into view, racing pell-mell for the building, horses panting, brakes squealing.

  Edmund, pacing the docks, raced to the cart and the driver.

  From this distance, she couldn’t make out the driver’s features. But she clearly saw Edmund and the other man talking. She knew Edmund so well that even from the distance, she saw the way Edmund stiffened.

  “What’s happening?” Annabelle asked the question Selina couldn’t voice.

  Why wasn’t Edmund pulling back the tarp? Did the driver want more money? No, Edmund said the man was utterly loyal and trustworthy. Where was her father?

  As suddenly as Edmund’s posture stiffened, he sagged in defeat. Selina felt bile rise in her throat.

  The men’s actions slowed as they, too, realized something was wrong. They turned for Edmund and the cart, their postures stiff and ready.

  Fear tightened through her, but she took a step from the railing.

  “Wait here,” she instructed Annabelle through a tight throat.

  She gathered her skirts and ran for the gangplank, already halfway down when Edmund met her on the dock. He caught her and held her close. His breathing came too fast, too harsh.

  “Where is he?” she demanded, but her words were faint. She swallowed and tried again. “What happened? Is he still at Newgate?”

  “Selina—”

  “No!” she cried, the word much louder in the dark. She fisted her hands in his coat. “We have to get him. We have to get him out of there, it doesn’t matter the cost!”

  “Toby said they moved him to another cell.” Edmund took a deep, shuddering breath, each word a weight between them. “I don’t know why, it makes no sense. Toby said the guards claimed he fell down the steps.”

  “Is he hurt?” Selina demanded, her voice barely a whisper between them. She licked her lips and tried to push the image of her father injured from her mind. She absolutely refused to think of any other consequence.

  “I’m sorry, Selina. He’s dead.”