His caresses lightened as she surfaced back to the world, but it was a long time before she could open her eyes. When she did, she saw him hovering above her, his face a hard mask while his eyes glinted with triumph.
“I love you,” she whispered.
A strange, unholy light came over his features. And he smiled.
Penelope rolled back on top of him, taking him by surprise. “I love you,” she said as she rained kisses down his chest. She licked his flat nipples and smiled when she heard him groan in response. Her hands traced the hard muscles of his stomach, and then went lower.
• • •
Lucas stopped breathing. His body throbbed as her hand hovered above the place he most wanted it to be. Hell, he didn’t know how he’d survive if Penelope didn’t touch him soon.
She did something even better. She slid down his body while her tight little hand gripped him. He felt her moist lips against his swollen shaft as she whispered, “Can you feel how much I love you yet, Lucas?”
He groaned. “Penelope … ”
His eyes shut in surrender when her mouth closed over him. Moments later, a choked gasp escaped him and his eyes snapped open as her sweet tongue licked him, her elegant fingers gripping him. She was every man’s dream, and she was all his. She loved him. The thought drove him mad with wanting until he could take no more.
He dragged her back up and gripped her waist, positioning her until she was poised against his fully aroused body. He saw her eyes light up with curiosity.
“We can make love this way?”
He gritted his teeth as her essence rained down on his swollen manhood. “Why don’t you take me inside you, and we’ll find out?”
He lowered her to him, showing her what he meant until she caught on and took over. She rode him, taking him higher and higher inside her until he was buried to the hilt.
He summoned the last vestiges of his control and held back, torturing himself as he gazed up at her beautiful face during this amazingly intimate moment. Each erotic little moan she made drove him nearer to the brink, and he kissed her breasts, desperately wanting to taste and savor her as she found her rhythm and rode him harder. He sucked hard on her nipple, making her scream.
“I love you!” she cried again and again as her tight sheath convulsed around him.
He surged into her, her vow of love ringing in his ears as he spilled himself inside her in a long, long release that left him awed, spent.
A long time later, Lucas gazed at the dying flames in the hearth while he held his sleeping wife in his arms. As he stroked her sleeping form, a strange feeling of peace, absent from his life since his father had died, washed over him.
He kissed her hair, inhaling the feminine, intoxicating fragrance that was Penelope. He recalled her sweet avowal of love and felt his body tighten. He could lose himself in her again.
He shook his head in amazement. He wondered if he would ever get his fill of this lovely woman. The soft contours of her body fitted his perfectly, and she slept in his arms as if she belonged nowhere else. He cuddled her closer.
She loved him.
The knowledge sent a shaft of light in the dark recesses of his soul, illuminating places he’d thought buried and gone long ago. And in the midst of his profound contentment, fear started to take root.
Would Penelope still love him if she found out the truth, the reason behind his reappearance in her life? Would she still let him touch her if she found out he was not the noble, honorable man she deemed him to be? That he’d married her to secure his inheritance?
He didn’t realize his grip on her had tightened until she stirred in his arms.
“Lucas?”
“Go back to sleep,” he whispered, nuzzling her neck.
Penelope turned in his arms until she was facing him. The firelight turned her skin to gold, and her hazel eyes were glowing, more green than brown in this light.
“You are so beautiful,” he said truthfully. “The most beautiful woman I have ever known.”
Her eyes widened. “No, I am not. But thank you.”
“You are,” he insisted.
She grinned. “Then the world must be full of blind men, for I vow not one of them would agree with you.”
Overwhelmed by the sweet wonder that was his wife, he replied, “It must be, or else they’d see the amazing way your eyes turn from green to brown, depending on your mood. How their depths hint at the mysteries of the forest.” He touched his lips to hers. “And how generous your lips are, lips that seem to be made for kissing.”
She blushed.
“And how you make a man think of strawberries when a blush tints your creamy skin.”
She laughed. “Strawberries?”
“Mmmm.” His hand roved down her body, sending a blissful sigh to her lips.
“Go on,” she said. “What about the other parts of me, my lord?”
He grinned, feeling lighthearted for the first time in years. Of all the women in the world, only Penelope would be brazen enough to fish for compliments so blatantly.
He kissed her neck and dipped his head lower, smiling against her skin when she shivered in response. “I need to be reminded. Let me take a closer look at the rest of you.”
His wife’s hands wandered the planes of his back, pulling him to her. “I would hate for you to claim things without seeing the evidence first,” she teased.
He emitted a laughing groan as he proceeded with his investigation.
Chapter Seventeen
It would take some time to get used to being sought after. People surrounded her. Everywhere Penelope went, people wanted to talk to her, and her every move was noted by London’s gossips. She was the Town heroine, and everyone seemed to want a piece of her.
“Since I went through a lot of trouble to reach you, madam, I think I deserve a dance,” Lucas said when he finally reached her side.
Without further preamble, Lucas took her hand and led her to the dance floor. It all happened so quickly, she didn’t have time to do anything but tread along in his wake and whirl about the dance floor with him in a sweeping waltz.
She was about to ask him which friend her uncle had talked to when she saw a black scowl sharpen his features as he looked at something over her shoulder.
“I see Olivia is still not heeding my advice to stay away from Blakewood,” Lucas muttered.
“Oh. Is he dancing with her again?”
“Again?” He looked fit to be tied.
She nodded. “He was her partner in a quadrille earlier in the evening.”
Her husband’s eyes narrowed. “Apparently, I need to have a talk with Blakewood.”
“Yes, you do,” She agreed. “Shall I invite him over for tea?”
His gaze snapped back to her. “I’ll take care of Blakewood.”
“No, you will not.”
“I won’t?”
“No. Lucas, I told you I believe his intentions are honorable, and if you give him a chance — ”
“Over my dead body.”
“Don’t say that! I wouldn’t be able to bear it if something bad happened to you.”
“Because you’re in love with me,” he stated with a smile.
She almost groaned out her frustration. “This is hardly the time to discuss such things, but yes, I’m in love with you. Are you happy now?”
“Very. I would like to take you out to the gardens, so I can show you how happy I am.”
Penelope resisted when he tried to whirl her to the sidelines, near the French doors leading to the grounds. “Hmmm. I think you are trying to change the subject. We were discussing your sister and Blakewood.”
“And I told you that I was going to take care of it.”
She gritted her teeth. Lucas could be so intractable. �
�How will you take care of the matter? By frightening young Blakewood?”
“I can be very convincing when I want to be.”
Well, so could she. “You are going about this the wrong way, Lucas.”
His grip on her waist tightened. “Olivia has never disobeyed me before. I will not tolerate it.”
“She is a grown woman now. Don’t you think you should show her you respect her choices? You have raised an intelligent young woman, Lucas.”
“Her wisdom seems to have left her,” he muttered. “I can sense that you are dying to suggest a plan of action. Out with it, nymph.”
“I think you should welcome his suit. That way, they wouldn’t be sneaking about behind your back, and we can get to know him better.”
“No.”
“You already know they’re going to continue seeing each other regardless of what you say. Wouldn’t it be better to have them do it in the open, so we can supervise?”
“He will ruin her to get back at me.”
“You sound like my uncle.”
Lucas was clearly outraged. “Bloody hell, woman, I am nothing like your uncle!”
She gave him a pointed look. “He, too, is very stubborn and convinced you married me only to get back at him.”
Lucas seemed content to remain silent.
“Well?” she prodded.
He gave her an impatient look. “Well, what?”
“Did you marry me only to get back at my uncle?” She didn’t know why she was pursuing the issue. She really should stop before Lucas gave her an answer she did not want to hear.
The last strains of the waltz were dwindling, and Lucas whirled her to a halt before whispering his reply. “I do not give a damn about your uncle.”
Do you give a damn about me? Penelope had to bite her tongue to stop herself from asking him the question as they took a turn about the ballroom. She was about to continue pressing her point on the subject of Olivia and Blakewood when an elderly gentleman of average height and a distinctive Irish accent approached them.
“Ravenstone, you should introduce me to the lovely young lass on your arm,” the elderly gentleman suggested.
Lucas grinned. “Good evening, Colonel Martin. I am glad you were able to make it tonight. My wife has been looking forward to meeting you.”
She stood there like an idiot as her hero, Colonel Martin, bowed low in front of her. For the first time in her life, she had absolutely no idea what to do. Should she hug him? She wanted to hug him.
“Speak up, lass,” Colonel Martin demanded, straightening. “I didn’t come all this way just to be stared at.”
Penelope could feel her blush at the reprimand. “I am a big admirer of your work, colonel.”
“So I heard.” Colonel Martin grinned. “Your husband told me about the way you defended a donkey from a violent, drunken carter.”
“Lucas helped, too,” she admitted.
“Did he?” Colonel Martin gave him a speculative glance. “It would be good if your husband supported my efforts in Parliament.”
“I doubt my wife will ever speak to me again if I don’t,” Lucas joked.
When Colonel Martin turned back to her, his voice was serious. “Lady Ravenstone, I came not only to meet you but to ask for your help.”
“I’ll do anything I can,” she assured him.
“Your husband told me you are aware of the Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act.”
Penelope smiled. “And I know you are responsible for that law, colonel.”
The elder gentleman nodded. “A few friends of mine want to form a society to make sure the law is upheld when it comes to the treatment of animals such as cattle.”
“I see.”
“It’s still in the early stages,” the colonel said. “But we would appreciate any help you can give us. People listen to you, and rumor has it you are gifted with talents for treating sick animals.”
“I do my best,” she confirmed.
The colonel grinned. “Well, if you would honor me with a dance, we can talk about the particulars.”
It was not a request, but she didn’t mind in the least, and with Lucas’s approval she joined the colonel in a lively country reel.
Colonel Martin danced with a level of energy that was unexpected for a man of seventy odd years, and Penelope had trouble keeping up with him let alone concentrating on the conversation.
He moved like a man possessed. If this was how he danced, she could only imagine the vigor with which he policed the streets of London to apprehend those who disobeyed the law and abused the beasts in their care.
“Your husband was right to suggest I meet you,” he admitted right before the leaders of the dance called another step.
“Is that so?” she asked breathlessly as they danced down the line.
“Ravenstone said you would be willing to help us organize the society we are planning to create. There are always animals in need of tending.”
She nearly collided with another couple as she and the colonel moved down the line. Talking to one’s partner while dancing a country reel was tricky, especially for someone like her, who had not had many opportunities to participate in any sort of dancing in her life.
“I would be delighted to help,” she promised.
The lively dance offered no more opportunities to talk and by the end of it, she was out of breath.
“Are you tired already, lass?”
She could only nod.
“You would probably be more suited to supporting the cause rather than implementing it.” Colonel Martin stared at her, as though reaching a decision. “Would you like to meet my friends?”
When she nodded her assent, he led her straight to a group of people who were involved in a discussion near the edge of the dance floor. She was introduced to a bespectacled man called Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton and another named Sir James Mackintosh, who were gracious enough to include her in the discussion of founding a formal society that would aim to put measures in place so that Martin’s Act was implemented.
A few minutes later, Lady Uffington joined the group. “I am not an active participant,” she said, “but I agree there’s a need to uphold the law for the vulnerable so they are not abused.”
She was glad to have another woman on board, and she was about to say so when Lady Uffington softly said, “Thank you for saving my son.”
“It was nothing, my lady. I only did what anyone would have done in that situation.”
Lady Uffington studied her for several minutes before stating, “I disagree. I can’t imagine what would have become of my Teddy had it not been for you and your husband.”
She didn’t know what to say to that, so she commented on the plight of the kidnappers instead. “I heard the boy’s nurse has been apprehended.”
Lady Uffington discreetly cleared her throat. “Yes. And you will be glad to know I have taken your advice and given the girl’s family some money. I cannot forgive what she did, but I thought you would approve.”
“That’s, er, very magnanimous of you.”
“Thank you. Since Teddy’s rescue, I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be of ‘noble’ class.” Lady Uffington smiled. “Now then, where is that handsome husband of yours so I can thank him as well?”
Penelope scanned the room. “I do not see him anywhere.”
Her hostess shrugged. “Perhaps he went out into the gardens for a breath of fresh air.” She gave her an approving look. “You have changed Ravenstone, you know. He used to shun soirees such as this.”
“His sister is enjoying her first Season,” she reminded the older woman.
Lady Uffington’s brows rose. “There was no need for him to re-enter Society’s ranks to launch his sister. He is doing it for you, my dear. I never thought Rave
nstone would be so devoted a husband.”
She almost smiled. Lucas might not love her yet, but he had certainly dedicated himself to his husbandly duties. Then again, performing duties was a big part of who Lucas was. His devotion might not have anything to do with her at all.
The group was discussing the best ways to disseminate information when Olivia appeared at her side, accompanied by Lord Westville.
“Olivia, is anything wrong?” Penelope looked questioningly at Lucas’s friend, but he avoided her gaze by flicking an imaginary piece of lint from his superbly tailored evening coat.
Olivia’s clenched fist crushed her lacy handkerchief. “I cannot find Lord Blakewood, and Lucas is also nowhere in sight.”
Westville hesitated before speaking. “We are not certain what is happening. I am sure Ravenstone knows what he is doing.”
“He is going to kill Lord Blakewood!” Olivia wailed.
“Calm yourself, Olivia,” she said quietly, “Lord Westville is correct. This is no time to go into hysterics. Lucas knows what he is doing.”
Olivia shook her head. “He is going to murder Lord Blakewood, and everyone will say Lucas was acting just like our mother.”
Penelope turned to Westville. “My lord, would you mind taking Olivia home while I try to find where my husband has gone? I don’t think she can take any more of this, uh, excitement.”
“Of course,” he said. “My aunt and I will take care of her.”
“Lady Wortley will not mind your absence?” Olivia asked.
Westville looked uncomfortable at the mention of his current mistress. “Lady Wortley will find someone else to entertain her tonight.” His discomfiture was obvious as he faced Penelope. “How do you plan to get away from here if you fail to find Ravenstone?”
“Lucas will not leave me here without a means to go home. Even if I fail to find him, I am sure he has made some arrangements.”
Westville seemed doubtful. After a moment’s hesitation, however, he accepted her explanation. “Very well, but send word if you need me to come back.”
She swallowed past the lump in her throat as she watched Westville take Olivia away, stopping only to collect Aunt Lucy before they were swallowed by a rainbow of ball gowns.
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