He glanced over at his dresser and gave a small grunt as he noticed the bottle of brandy sitting on a silver tray. Yes, well, imbibing too much often had consequences. Just not usually ones involving being saddled with a new wife. Not that he felt saddled at all. He actually felt light inside, almost as though he wanted to shout. And not a shout of anger, but one of joy. He found that he didn’t mind being married to Angelique at all. True, she tantalized every one of his senses. Had done since the very day he first met her and looked into those fabulous eyes. Eyes that were cautious, even a little frightened.
Now he knew what they were frightened of. Men. She had experienced the worst of them. Not him specifically, but in general, though being married to him while in his cups hadn’t shown him to his best advantage. She had led a sheltered life in some respects and was right to be guarded. But she had trusted him with secrets he doubted she had told many others. Had he betrayed her trust?
Definitely. She was probably sitting in her bed, sheets pulled up to her chin, dreading the moment he marched through the adjoining door demanding he be allowed to claim his husbandly rights. The thought gave him some concern. To start with, he wasn’t the type of man to demand anything of a woman. They should be treated like the finest china. With respect and a gentle hand. He certainly didn’t want Angelique thinking that he was some kind of oaf who only thought of his own pleasure.
Because he wasn’t thinking of his own pleasure at all. He only thought of how he could make her feel, of how she might sound as he pleasured her. Would she moan at his touch, as his tongue trailed a blaze of fire across her skin? Would her breasts heave as she dragged in ragged breaths? Would her nipples peak when he took them into his mouth?
Would their first joining have her calling out his name as he claimed her? His own chest swelled at the thought. He would make damn sure she did. She’d cry his name so many times, she would barely be able to speak the next morning.
But it wouldn’t happen tonight. He was no cad or abuser. It had been a long and emotive day for all concerned. Tonight would be a night for rest and reflection. Tomorrow was another day. They would come together as man and wife when the time was right. It might be soon; it might be in the weeks to come. There were no limitations, but with the way he felt, he hoped it would be sooner rather than later. However, regardless of what he desired, she wouldn’t know what he envisaged without him telling her. She would have a sleepless night worrying or over-thinking the situation, unless he told her of his intentions. She would be sitting there, her petrified gaze glued to their connecting door, waiting for the handle to turn, for his footsteps to make their way through the darkness, for him to sneak into her bed.
Or was she? Other thoughts crossed his mind. Especially ones that involved visions of determined shoulders and pillowcases stuffed with booty. That independent spirit of hers might have her not thinking about him at all, but scheming to escape once again.
And he couldn’t have that. She might be able to sit a horse, but it was night again. All the reasons why she shouldn’t leave still applied. But would she take notice of them. She had argued vociferously with the vicar and assured the man of her continued fight for an annulment. Would she begin her battle tonight?
He sat up quickly. Damn it! Of course she would. There was no sound from the next door room. Hadn’t been for hours. The maid had gone to bed almost as soon as he had retired, her tottering step easily recognizable as she made her way past his room to the back staircase. There had been barely a sound since. He swivelled on the bed and placed his feet quietly on the floor. A few steps brought him to the connecting door. He turned the handle and pushed. Nothing happened. It was clearly locked. He shook his head and leaned down to peer through the keyhole. At least she hadn’t left the key in the lock, he would be able to undo it in a second...But he hesitated as his eye caught something pale green below the door. Was that the seat of a chair? Damn! It was. She had tilted the bedroom chair up under the handle. It would mean damaging the furniture and the door to get past it.
Making a quick decision, he left his own room and walked along to hers. There was going to be no sneaking about. He would simply tell her that she had nothing to fear. He knocked on her door. There was no response. He knocked again, and this time turned the handle.
The door opened onto an empty room. The bed looked un-slept in. The curtains hadn’t been drawn. All that remained of her was the scent of midnight orchids wafting in the air. Cursing himself for delaying his search, he slammed back out of her room. How long ago had she left? Minutes ago? An hour? Two? He wasn’t sure, but it would take her time to leave the house, creep around to the stables, and saddle any horse, especially with her inexperience and in the dark. And he hadn’t heard the sound of any hoof beats yet.
More than glad that he hadn’t bothered undressing, he immediately turned into the corridor and made for the stairs. It was time to see if his bride had already disappeared into the night.
Chapter Thirteen
Hot Pursuit!
If only Molly would stand still, but it seemed that for all Angelique’s calming tones and pleading words, the horse wasn’t about to co-operate. The animal stamped her feet and tossed her head, snorting her objections to being disturbed in the middle of the night.
Angelique drew in a long breath and held her temper. It would be no use becoming cross. Molly didn’t know that she was in a rush to leave Perrydale. Angelique wasn’t sure she was in a rush to leave herself, but she had decided that she couldn’t stay while knowing that Lucas didn’t want her there.
The horse calmed slightly and Angelique rested her forehead against Molly’s sleek neck.
“Please, Molly. I need to leave here quickly and you are my only chance.” She tried putting the bridal over the horse’s head for a fifth time and was rewarded when Molly stopped tossing her head. The straps slipped over the horse’s ears and into place easily. Angelique breathed a sigh of relief. “Now the saddle.” She went to the stand and tried to lift the same saddle as she had used the day before, but it didn’t move easily. She hefted it again, the layers of leather, stirrups and straps, sliding to the side of the stand, slithering their way down to the floor.
Botheration! Who knew that a small leather seat would be so awkward? She bent, tried to untangle the girth from the rest, and hauled it up the stand again, pressing with her own body to keep it from falling once more.
“Would you like a hand with that?”
She screamed in fright, jumping away from the saddle and letting it land back on the floor as the deep voice sounded right behind her.
“Lucas! Why you...You...You scared the very devil out of me!” She turned to face him hands fisted at her sides in frustration.
He lounged, looking far too comfortable against Molly’s stall, all long legs and broad shoulders.
“Going somewhere? Another midnight ride?” He asked with a knowing smirk.
Angelique lifted her chin. She wasn’t going to let him intimidate her.
“I couldn’t sleep and... and I didn’t see the hunting lodge.” She cringed at her ridiculous excuse for being in the stables at midnight.
Lucas uncrossed his legs and came towards her.
“No, you didn’t. Were you really thinking of taking the trip right now? The track through the forest is a little uneven. I wouldn’t want Molly to be hurt just because you cannot wait until daylight to see the place.”
She took a step back from the imposing man, but came up short when she felt the saddle rack pressing into her spine. Her gaze dropped to the floor.
“I am sorry. That was stupid of me. I hadn’t considered the possible dangers to the horse.”
Lucas raised a hand and curled his finger beneath her chin.
“Or those to yourself. You had one near miss earlier today. Pierce has left. He isn’t going to be there to stop Molly a second time. Surely you can wait until daylight.” His voice wafted over her, his breath warm and delicious.
She gave a small no
d, knowing that she could do little else. He clearly wasn’t about to let her leave in the middle of the night.
“Yes, I should have thought about this more, but you say that Lord Trenchard has left?.”
Lucas watched her lashes droop to touch her cheeks. Heavens, but she was beautiful. More beautiful than any other woman he had ever met.
“Yes, while I was out. He had an urgent letter. I am afraid I don’t know who it was from, but he left instantly. I’m not sure when, or if he will be back.”
She shrugged.
“It matters not. He is nothing to me anyway. He was my brother’s choice, not mine.”
Lucas leaned in closer. The moonlight streaked in through a gap in the stable’s wooden planking. Her eyelids lifted and he could see the tears in her eyes.
“You are lying.” He stepped back quickly. God damn it! And damn Pierce too! The man didn’t deserve her love. But her hand was suddenly on his arm.
“I am not. I was foolish to accept his offer of marriage. I should have realized that something was wrong. He had never seemed so passionate before.”
She blinked up at him, and he was suddenly totally lost, but he had to ask.
“So why are you trying to leave? Is it so uncomfortable here? Am I that bad a catch?” He didn’t know how he held back. Her delicate fragrance drove him mad with desire.
Her wayward curls shook.
“No, Perrydale is a beautiful place. I could be happy here. But I am not the one for you. Don’t you see, Lucas? You don’t want me. You said so yourself. This was all a mistake. Just a stupid, drunken mistake.” But he was closer again his masculine scent enticing, exciting.
He leaned down, gentle fingertips drifting down her cheek, her throat. Warm lips brushed a soft spot on her neck moments before he whispered in her ear.
“It doesn’t have to be.” His hands reached her shoulders.
Her heart pounded beneath her breast. Could he hear its frantic beat? She drew in the smell of him. All masculine heat and scent. Her brain fogged, her knees became weak and she suddenly melted against him, lost in something she couldn’t name.
“Lucas...” She breathed against the wall of his chest.
He leaned back a fraction, tilting her chin again, staring into her eyes, asking, begging her silently. She didn’t refuse him and his lips crashed down on hers, a groan of desire filling his chest as he dragged her body against his.
There was nothing she could do about the onslaught, nothing she wanted to do about it. She gave herself over to the incredible feeling as desires began cascading through her mind.
His tongue teased her lips apart and delved in, the taste of him so incredible her legs began to weaken still more. He held her tighter, his muscular thighs against hers, one parting her legs, the breeches giving her a sense of freedom that she had never experienced before. He pulled her against his leg, gently rocking her back and forth, as she began to burn with an intensity she had never felt before.
Her fingers found their way into his hair, tugging, pulling, pushing, she didn’t know which and didn’t care. All she knew was that she wanted. Wanted something. Needed it. Now. Or she would burst into flame.
His tongue delved deeper, his lips devouring her, his hands holding her, one dipping down the curve of her spine, lower and lower until it held her against him, fingers pressing into the crease of her backside. He pulled away from her for a moment.
“I want you, need you,” he growled, the sound coming low and deep in the shadows.
She lost her mind at the sound of his words, deep and dangerous against her ear. Could she have one night with this man? Just one night before she left him. She knew it wouldn’t mean anything on his part. Just an act of gratification, but she wanted him so much, wanted to feel something more than a simple existence. One night of unbridled passion. Enough to last her a lifetime. And then she would go. She would leave just before dawn.
“Then take me,” the words spilled from her lips before she could think again. She would be daring, exciting, and in love, just this one time.
Lucas could barely believe his ears. Did she mean it? Did she even know what he meant? Lord, but he hoped so. He wasn’t going to be able to restrain himself. She had driven him insane with desire, with passions that he couldn’t contain.
He hadn’t known that he would still find her there, but it seemed that Molly was on his side and she had delayed his prize. Lord, but her lips were back on his, her fingers threading through his hair, her nails biting into his scalp. Her centre rode his thigh, raging heat through the fabrics easy to feel. Her breasts pressed against his chest, tight nipples easily detectable through his shirt...My shirt! Mine! His mind screamed at him. Make her mine! Dear Lord! He had to have her or he would go mad. Completely and utterly mad!
But he had to restrain himself. However much he wanted her, her first time wasn’t going to be on a filthy stable floor. He didn’t give her chance to change her mind.
“Not here. Back at the house where I can take care of you. Worship you.” He scooped her into his arms and whispered against her beautiful hair.
He was all hard muscle and incredible strength as he shouldered his way back through the front door and up the grand staircase. He never put her down for a second until he reached the comfort of his own bed. He placed her gently in the centre and immediately ran his hands down her legs, tugging at his old boots until they slid from her feet. He tossed them over his shoulder. They landed with a loud clatter against the floorboards, but she barely heard it. His breath was back against her ear, his fingers working at the ties of the shirt.
Patience perhaps wasn’t his thing because he suddenly gave up trying to untie the laces. His hands gripped the neckline, wrenching it hard. The material disintegrated and he stared down at her naked torso. Her breasts quivered in the moonlight streaking in through the window.
“Lord, you are incredible.” Was all he managed to say before his head descended and every thought escaped her as his tongue flicked over her rapidly tightening nipple.
“Lucas!” His name left her lips as her fingers clasped his head, trapping him at her breast as she writhed beneath him.
Her other breast didn’t go unattended. Gentle fingertips teased and played, rolling the sensitive bud until she wanted to scream in pleasure. She wasn’t sure that she didn’t, for he suddenly rose and kissed her again, his tongue delving into every recess of her mouth as a hand stroked across her stomach.
The buttons of the breeches were no protection. Before she knew it, the soft material was sliding down her legs leaving her in her bloomers and stockings. He growled at the sight and rolled the soft cotton undergarments down her body.
With her stockings still in place, he brushed his fingertips up her thighs, and back down, suddenly reaching for a foot and lifting it. She gasped as cool air hit her most secret place, but she didn’t have time to protest. Kneeling between her now spread thighs, he drew his own shirt over his back and head, casting it aside immediately he had released his arms and letting her take in the expanse of naked chest.
Angelique raised herself slightly, lifted a finger and watched him close his eyes as she trailed the tip from his navel to the dip below his Adam’s apple and then back down, and down some more. His hand stilled hers before she could reach the tent straining his trousers.
“I fear that you must wait for a moment. You have almost unmanned me. Let me pleasure you first, Angel.” His voice had become husky, as though someone had tipped a spoonful of gravel down his throat. And then he moved again, his hands reaching for her ankles and placing one over each of his shoulders.
Never had she thought any of the pictures in her father’s books would happen to her. She had barely believed such things could be true, but it seemed that they were, for the second his mouth descended and his scalding tongue split her curls, she knew she was lost. Utterly lost and totally in love.
The sounds he made as he tasted her, as his tongue twirled through her folds, were smother
ed by her gasp of delight, of wonder, of deep desire for more. She never wanted it to end, and it didn’t. It could have been hours that he spent consuming her, she wasn’t sure. She was in a space and time that had no minutes, no beginning, and no end. Sensation was everything, until it built to a level she wasn’t sure she could endure.
And then she was tumbling, thrashing against his hold on her thighs, but still he didn’t relent. His tongue teased, swept over her, delved inside her, again and again. Until she lay unable even to shudder any more.
It was only then that he left the bed to strip his trousers. Her senses had just begun to come back to her and she glanced towards him. He stood there in his naked glory, corded muscles glimmering with sweat in the shadowy light. Ripples of tight flesh crossed his stomach and his cock stood erect, straining, throbbing, the tip hard against fat stomach, easily reaching his navel.
“You have a body to rival the gods,” she sighed as she opened her arms to him. He didn’t refuse her offer.
“And you are my goddess.” The words came out on a groan as he lay down with her, his fingertips drifting over her sensitive flesh, down to where his tongue had played.
Chapter Fourteen
Just Desertion
Lucas stretched in his bed and his exhausted muscles protested. As well they might. He hadn’t given them that kind of work out in years, perhaps ever.
The night had been warm, the drapes left open to let in a fresh breeze, but he had been sweating all the same. And who could blame him. He had never had to exert such self control. Even then, after being so careful, so patient, her cry of pain as he took her the first time, nearly killed him.
Holding her gently to his chest, he told her how beautiful she was, how she tempted him beyond all reason, barely moving until she had become used to his intrusion. He hadn’t counted the minutes that passed until her breathing became regular again and her hips lifted to meet his at last. It felt like a lifetime, but it had been worth every aching second.
A Ring of Midnight Orchids: Flowers of the Aristocracy (Untamed Regency Book 3) Page 16