Selina was already in trouble, so she felt that she might as well enjoy herself. Trusting Edward to hold her, she opened three of the buttons of her nightgown. Since Edward had unlaced the fancy knot before, her chest was much more accessible.
“Bloody hell.” She heard Edward say in wonder, his movements faltering for a moment.
Edward looked at her chest in wonder and after a quick glance up, he had a hand on her uncovered breast and even though he had touched her in a similar fashion before, it was different because her clothes had been in the way. Without the clothes between them, it felt so much better. “You look just as I imagined, Selina. Beautiful.”
Selina’s instinct was to keep her hips moving, his leg between them the only thing preventing her from falling, but she didn’t mind. She was breathing hard. She was chasing something… she was so close.
“The sounds you make, Selina. I can’t wait to be inside you, to kiss your whole body.” A bolt of pleasure passed through her with his words and well-timed touch on the amazing bundle of nerves he had been touching. “I can make you feel so good, Selina. Even better than now.” She shook her head as she moaned. That couldn’t be true, could it? This was already enough. Yet…Just a little more. Just a little…
Edward pinched her nipple and the bundle between her legs and Selina couldn’t hold back.
Selina saw fireworks a few times and she could compare what she felt to it. All those little explosions of pleasure inside her, she wasn’t sure she could handle.
She didn’t remember, but she was quite sure she made a loud sound and Edward had to cover it up by kissing her lips. All Selina could feel was her muscles contracting, the throbbing between her legs, the fire running in her veins, the cold air on her exposed chest barely registering with the contrast of how hot her skin was.
Edward was kissing her cheek, lips, nose and whispering things Selina could not comprehend, but just the sound of his voice was soothing.
He kissed her sweetly and put her on the ground gently, supporting her while her legs felt a little unsteady.
“That was…” Selina tried to say, still in wonder about what had just happened.
“Just a taste of what will come next.” Edward put an arm around her waist and kissed her temple. “This can be much better. We just need-”
“A bed and unlimited time?” Selina said and smiled.
“Yes. And we will get it, Selina. I am trying my hardest.”
She put both hands on his cheeks. “I know you are.” She pulled him for a quick kiss. “As… pleasurable as this was, I need to return.”
“I know.” Edward nodded. “Shall we meet tomorrow?” His tone clearly presenting his intentions.
Selina laughed, still enjoying the good feelings from a few moments before. “Of course.”
“Miss Clifford, such a scandalous woman,” Edward chuckled as they walked back to the gate of the house. “Who would have thought.”
“I sure didn’t, but you might be a bad influence on me, Mr. McAlister.” She pulled him in for one last kiss before she opened the gate. “I am looking forward to a lifetime of it.”
“It will be my pleasure to corrupt you, Miss Clifford.”
Selina laughed and bid him good night and giggled when she was certain he couldn’t hear her. She was rather looking forward to being corrupted by him.
Chapter 18
Mr. Edward McAlister
The past couple of days had been the best in Edward’s life in a long time. He had no idea how much a single person could change someone’s world.
He didn’t even know his life was so dark until he met Selina. He wasn’t expecting it, he was not looking for it but by some miracle he found her. Or at least she found me, he thought in amusement.
Life was funny that way. He vowed never to marry. Vowed never to speak to his father yet life found a way for him to do both. Or at least he hoped he could do both.
It was a long shot, he knew, one he was willing to take.
The night before with Selena had been absolutely amazing. She wasn’t aware of what her body could do for her. She probably wasn’t aware of what they could do together and he couldn’t wait to show her.
All they needed was her father’s approval and a goddamn title.
He truly hoped the Duke and Mr. Clifford’s talk could give him some leverage, if nothing else. Both he and Selina would rather not cause a scandal.
“Mr. McAlister.” Mr. Marks, his butler, said as he entered the dining room. Edward lowered the newspaper he was reading; the maids had just removed the breakfast from his table. “Excuse me, sir, I know you told us no one should know you are here, but you have a visitor.” Edward frowned at that. “A Lord Reginald Ainsworth, sir.” Hearing the name truly surprised him and it must have showed in his expression, because Mr. Marks added quickly. “I did not say you were here, of course, just asked him to wait. What should I do? Tell him you are away in Wales, perhaps?”
Edward knew it was just a matter of time for him and Lord Ainsworth to meet, but he never expected him to appear at his home in Bristol.
Better get on with it, then. Edward was no coward and in his gut, he knew if he showed any weakness to that man – whom most likely was certain he was there, otherwise wouldn’t have traveled all the way from London – he would lose.
“Well…” Edward cleared his throat and folded the newspaper, putting it away. “That won’t be necessary, thank you. I will meet with him in my office, Marks. I will be heading there now.” He got up and put his coat on, one of the under butlers rushed to help him put on.
“Very well, sir.” Marks said, as professional as ever, and left the room after bowing his head.
While he went to his office by the opposite door his butler left, Edward couldn’t help but wonder if his father had been the one who gave him the information about his whereabouts. Maybe he went to Edward’s house and learned he was no longer there?
He arrived at the tidy room, the tall windows had its curtains already open. He was supposed to do some business that morning and the maids had already been there to take care of the room.
Edward looked at his small cabinet and sighed. Oh, he hated that it was too early in the morning to drink. Why was it that whenever he met with a Bellford he felt like he needed to drown in some alcohol? There was always some sort of drama and he had no doubt Reginald would bring the same.
There was a knock on the door and after he granted access, Mr. Marks and a dark-haired man, around the same height and age as Edward followed behind.
“Lord Reginald Ainsworth for you, sir.”
“Pleased to meet you, my lord.” As required, Edward bowed and the man smiled. “Thank you, Marks. I will call if I need anything.”
With a nod, the older man left the room and there was a moment of silence when both men just looked at each other.
Selina had been right. It was hard to believe they were related at all. From the color of his hair, the matching dark eyes, the different nose, jaw, cheekbones. If no one had ever said they were related, Edward wouldn’t have guessed. With his father, it was unmistakable. With his cousin, though…
“Nice meeting you, Mr. McAlister. Uncle said you two looked alike.” His voice was deep. “I didn’t believe it until now how much. It is quite striking, to see a younger version of someone I have known all my life.”
So, no pretense, huh? Straight to the point. At least they wouldn’t dance too much around one another. “I am told I have my mother’s nose, though.”
“Even so, cousin. It is quite stunning.”
“The ladies seem to think so,” Edward smiled and Lord Ainsworth actually chuckled, charmingly, trying to maintain the light mood but it wouldn’t last forever. They had much bigger concerns to talk about.
“Indeed,” Lord Ainsworth nodded and took a seat when Edward led them to the chairs where he usually received his guests and business partners. Once he was seated, Edward took his own seat across from him. “I am sorry to have arrived in
such a haste, Mr. McAlister, but I did not have the time to write you.”
“How did you know I was here, though?” Edward wondered. “I could have been back in Wales.”
Lord Ainsworth smirked. “I have certain connections and some of them are very good at locating people and I think we should talk.”
“I guess it was bound to happen,” Edward agreed. “It appears our lives became tangled in a very… surprising way.”
“Indeed. What should we start with?” Lord Ainsworth took a moment to study his cousin once again. “Miss Clifford, perhaps?”
Edward’s position hardened with the mention of Selina’s name. Of course, they would need to talk about her, but the way he spoke… it didn’t sit well with him.
“Yes,” Edward said.
“Both of us want to marry her, it seems,” the lord said in a matter-of-fact tone. “From what I gather, she is the one who started all this.”
Edward narrowed his eyes. “Her father’s need for a title started this, not her.”
“You can’t possibly think Uncle will convince the King to name you heir instead of me, do you? You are a smart man, Mr. McAlister. Built a name for yourself from scratch. You could not be that naïve.”
“I had to try.” Edward answered. “I do not want to be Duke; I am fine as I am. All I wanted was the opportunity to court Miss Clifford.”
Lord Ainsworth raised an eyebrow. “Uncle intends to leave most of his estate to you, once he passes.”
The information wasn’t new to Edward. “I am aware he wants to know me better and help me. In this case, helping me involves the promise of either a title or something as worthy as such thing,” he told the other man. “He said you have your own lands and money.”
Scoffing, Lord Ainsworth shook his head and said in a very condescending tone. “You are naïve, after all.”
Edward did not like to be treated as a child in his own house. “Excuse me-”
“You are very naïve if you think this will end well for you.” Lord Ainsworth said. “All of this will be, in the least, a scandal. A Duke with a bastard son, a grown man? Do you really wish this upon Miss Clifford? Being married to a bastard?”
“She doesn’t seem to mind.” Edward said between gritted teeth.
“What would she know?” Lord Ainsworth waved him off with a scoff. “What would a woman know about such a thing? Her father wants a good marriage to her and you are bringing scandal instead.”
“What would you have me do, then, my lord?” Edward asked. “Neither I nor Miss Clifford want a scandal, but-”
“Then why put her through one?” his cousin interrupted him. “I know you are a worldly man, Mr. McAlister. Miss Clifford is a young girl with dreams about the future. What does she know about real life? About marriage? She could be a Duchess.”
“Or she could be happy.” Edward said. “I might be a bastard, sir, but I can make her happy.”
“Happy! What does happiness have to do with any of this?” Lord Ainsworth asked. “All of this is a business transaction, cousin, and everyone but you and Miss Clifford know about it. It would be best for all of us if neither of you pursued this any longer.”
Edward’s expression hardened. “I do not think we will. I made a promise that I would do anything in my power so Miss Clifford and I could get married. I do not break my promises, my lord.”
Lord Ainsworth just stared at Edward and he suddenly understood what Selina told him about her suitor. All that time talking, he had been pleasant enough, even smiling from time to time, but it never reached his eyes. It felt as if he were scheming something with every word he uttered.
“I see.” Lord Ainsworth got up and straightened his coat and Edward did the same. “I came here to see who my opponent was and I am glad to have met you, cousin. I am afraid you and I are going to see each other in ‘battle’ for Miss Clifford’s hand and the title.” His smile was cold and he offered Edward a hand. “May the best man win.”
Edward shook his hand, looking at the other man with mistrust. “I intend to.”
“Very well, sir. What is life without a little competition? Live it to its fullest and have no regrets, is what I say. We never know what might happen.” Lord Ainsworth’s laugh sent a chill down Edward’s spine.
* * *
Lord Reginald Ainsworth
His new cousin was a complete moron, it appeared, much to Reginald’s delight.
It would be easy to manipulate the gullible Mr. Clifford into believing the scandal wouldn’t be worth it, even if Mr. McAlister ended up having the blessing from the Duke himself. All the man wanted was for his daughter to be better accepted in society.
All Reginald wanted was money, so things would line up just fine.
A butler was leading him through the house and it took a lot for him not to grin. When he left Mr. McAlister’s manor, he knew he would win and he just needed to make sure his future bride knew exactly where her place was: quiet and away from McAlister.
“Lord Reginald Ainsworth for you, sir.” The butler said as he entered the room and the quick visit was worth it just to see the surprised expression on Miss Clifford’s face as she looked up from her needle point.
While the other ladies and her uncle looked surprised, she paled and it took her a moment to rise from the settee and curtsy.
“Lord Ainsworth!” Mr. Crawley said, excited. Another gullible man. Pity he wasn’t as rich as Mr. Clifford, and his daughter was way too plain. He was sure the girl didn’t have many suitors. “We were not expecting you, my lord.”
“My apologies. Mr. Crawley, Mrs. Crawley, Miss Crawley, Miss Clifford.” He bowed his head dutifully to each and smiled. “I was in town visiting an acquaintance; your neighbor, Mr. McAlister.”
Mr. Crawley frowned. “Mr. McAlister? I didn’t know he was in town. Did you, dear?” He looked at his wife, who shook her head, just like his daughter. Meanwhile, Miss Clifford’s face reddened and she looked away. Oh, it looked like something was up.
Of course, McAlister was too confident about her feelings for him. They must have been, at the least, exchanging letters. He needed to pay attention to that.
“I think he just returned from London. I need to go, I must be in Oxford in the morning. I just stopped by to see the delightful Miss Clifford.” He turned to the red-haired woman who had still to look at him. Reginald took a few steps and bowed in front of her. “How have you been, Miss Clifford?”
“Well, my lord, thank you for asking.” Miss Clifford tried to offer him a smile, but barely managed it. It appeared his cousin wasn’t lying. “How about you?”
“Much better now that I saw you.” Reginald sighed in fake distress. “It appears Mr. McAlister is trying to blackmail my uncle, the Duke.” Miss Clifford seemed to have stopped breathing for a moment. Mr. and Mrs. Crawley gasped in surprise while their daughter grabbed Miss Clifford’s hand, which meant she knew whatever was happening.
Once they were married, Reginald really needed to watch his wife. That cousin of hers would be high on the list.
“Blackmailing?” Mr. Crawley’s face was red with indignation.
“Yes.” Reginald shook his head lightly. “Nasty business. It appears he needs something unattainable and is being too ambitious.” He said to the man, but the words were directed to his intended, who looked at him with wide eyes. “He won’t get what he wants.” He looked at Miss Clifford. “I will see to it myself.”
“And to think we were so grateful to him a few months back!” Mrs. Crawley looked offended.
“Mama, we don’t know what is truly happening.” Miss Matilda Crawley said, looking at her mother and then at him with a defiant look. “Mr. McAlister is a good man.”
“Well, we will see what will happen.” Reginald said, noncommittally. His attention returned to Miss Clifford.
He could finally see in her blue eyes the pain, fear and little bit of anger.
She didn’t want him.
“I guarantee you, Miss Clifford, I will do
all I can to stop him, do you understand me? You will be Duchess.” He took her hand and gave a quick kiss on the back of it and by the way she looked at him, she would rather be anywhere else but there.
Good thing Reginald didn’t need her to like him, just to marry him. He hoped his eyes delivered the message.
It was a matter of honor, now, and neither Miss Selina Clifford nor Edward McAlister would take that away from him.
Chapter 19
Miss Selina Clifford
Waiting for her beloved in the dark, even though she wasn’t cold, Selina was shivering.
The meeting with Lord Ainsworth took her by surprise and the way he spoke… he knew about her and Edward somehow and he had full intention to marry her no matter what. The way he looked at her, she was more than afraid if they eventually married.
A Hidden Duke For The Passionate Lady (Regency Historical Romance) Page 13