by Lisa Follett
“Well, If we decide to purchase this property we will need to clean up the gardens, however, they are quite ideal,” Anne spoke to the group as she followed the two older ladies up the steps. Miss Chambers bent down to study some vegetation.
“The children can help attend the gardens under the guidance of a gardener. This will help keep food costs down and teach skills some might find useful in their future employment,” said Miss Chambers.
“The girls could learn to cook and sew as well. I also believe all of the children should learn to read, write, and do their figures. An education could substantially improve their lot in life,” stated Mrs. Bloomingburg.
“Yes, we will need teachers and perhaps some of the local ladies could lend a hand at teaching various skills.” Anne turned to William who was still contemplating Miss Chambers backside. “What do you think William?”
“Oh…I…yes, of course, whatever you say.” He smiled but caught his sister’s lifted brow. She knew he was not listening, but at least she did not accuse him of woolgathering in front of the ladies, especially considering where his thoughts had strayed.
“Hullo!” A short, round man with a balding head and spectacles came through the gate shouting and tripping over the vines winding across the path. William took him for the solicitor. The man stopped to remove a handkerchief from his pocket and wipe the sweat off his brow. William could not imagine how the man could sweat in this cool temperature. “My lord, ladies.” His bow was awkward at best.
“You must be Mr. Henderson, Lord Dray’s solicitor?” asked Anne.
“Yes indeed. I do apologize for my tardiness. I had a devil of a time getting out of London this morning.”
Anne made the proper introductions and then everyone headed to the house.
The house was bare, stripped of furniture and wall hangings. The floors were dusty, and spiders made their homes in the corners along the ceiling. They toured the drawing room, kitchens, library, study, and ballroom. The library shelves were empty. They decided the ballroom could be divided into smaller rooms for lessons.
“Perhaps we could ask for donations of books and furniture?” asked Anne.
“We are certainly going to have our work cut out for us, but so far the property appears to be ideal. Why do not you all tour the rest of the house while Lady Anne and I discuss the details with Mr. Henderson?” Lady Danforth lifted her eyebrows as if her question were really more of a command.
“Yes, I agree. Mr. Henderson?” said Lady Anne.
“Of course, Lady Anne and Lady Danforth. I apologize there is not a place to sit,” said Mr. Henderson.
“Nonsense. There was a table with benches left in the kitchen. We shall go there. Shall we meet in the entryway in half an hour?” Lady Anne asked.
“I am going to need to rest these old bones. No more stair climbing for me. Lord William, Miss Chambers, I am certain you can tour the rest of the house and give us a report of what you find. I will join Lady Anne and Lady Danforth,” said Mrs. Bloomingburg.
William could not be sure if Mrs. Bloomingburg’s large girth truly tired her out, or if she did not like being left out of the negotiations. He turned to Miss Chambers and saw the stricken look on her face.
“Miss Chambers, are you alright?” Her face had gone pale.
“I am not certain it is proper for Lord William and I to walk through the house unchaperoned. I am not yet married,” said Miss Chambers.
“Psshaw. Lord William is an honorable gentleman and we are all right here. It is not as if he is going to ravish you dear.” Lady Danforth’s eyes twinkled mischievously.
“Yes, well, I suppose it would be alright.”
“Of course it is alright. Do not be a silly nilly. Go on. We expect a full report.” Lady Danforth turned towards the kitchens as if the discussion ended. Mr. Henderson and the other ladies followed.
Miss Chambers stared at him with wide eyes. She did not trust him, or perhaps she did not trust herself. He offered his arm. She took it and they began the descent up the stairs. They walked to the far end of the hall and entered the first bedchamber, empty, but surprisingly larger than either of them expected.
“I can see how four children could comfortably live in this room. It is larger than my own bedchamber.”
The thought of Miss Chambers’ bed did not help matters. He found being alone with her disturbing enough. They walked through the rest of the rooms, speaking only when necessary, until they reached the last room. “Oh my.” Miss Chambers lay a hand across her heaving bosom. William gritted his teeth.
This room was furnished with a great mahogany four poster bed, side tables, a grouping of chairs, a wardrobe, and writing desk. The decor was soft and feminine, pink and white striped walls, deep burgundy carpet, and fine white linens on the bed. And it was clean, not a speck of dust or cobweb.
“This room must have belonged to Lord Dray’s sister. I wonder why he left the furnishings in this one room and stripped the rest of the house,” he said.
“Perhaps he could not bear to change this room. It is rather odd how clean this room is compared to the rest of the house.” His gaze strayed from Miss Chambers to the large, imposing bed in the center of the room. She saw where his eyes went and walked over to the window. “The view of the countryside from this window is rather spectacular.”
William walked over and stood behind Miss Chambers. He could feel her body heat only a few inches away. The sunshine lifted the lights from her golden hair. He was tempted to dig his hands deep in her hair and breathe in her lemony scent. He closed his eyes to try and gain control over his rising feelings when she suddenly turned around, her breasts a hair’s breadth away from touching his chest.
“Oh.” A tiny gasp escaped her lips. Her eyes were wide with a mix of wanting and fear.
He did not move. He could not move. They stood this way for several long seconds before his hand left his control and he cupped her face, then ran his thumb across her lips. All reason and sanity left the room as his lips came down on hers.
***
Cassie should have refused to tour the rest of the house alone with Lord William. Surely this could not be proper. She did not trust the man to keep his hands to himself.
Far worse, she did not trust herself to fight off his advances. If she were honest with herself she would admit she wanted him to kiss her, to touch her. No, no, no! She must shake these sinful thoughts from her mind. She turned from the window into a wall of chest, hard, male chest. Her breasts tightened, wanting desperately to brush against something, against him.
She looked into his eyes and saw something dark, something like desire. Did he want to kiss her again? They stood less than an inch apart, staring into each other’s eyes, not daring to move, or speak, until finally his hand came up and cradled her face.
Hot. So hot. It was happening again. She wanted to strip her clothes and let the cold bite her bare skin. He ran his thumb across her mouth, the sensation tingled and burned, and she lost all rational thought. She wanted more. She wanted his lips on hers.
And then they were there.
His kiss was not soft and gentle and probing like it was in the woods. This time his mouth came crashing down on hers, possessing, claiming, opening her up and merging their tongues and hearts and souls into one. The intensity of his mouth on hers was more than she could bear. Her legs wobbled and she sagged against him. The contact of her breasts against his chest, even in full clothing sent her whirling into a sensational bliss.
Without a thought she reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck and plunged her hands into his soft hair, holding her to him. His arms moved around her and brought her even closer, his hands running the length of her back and cupping her bottom, pulling her against something hard in his lower anatomy. She wondered for a small moment if he carried a pistol on his person. It seemed an odd place to keep it hidden. What if it accidently went off?
He broke the kiss, but not the contact. She gasped for air and moaned as his lips made a trail
across her jaw and down her neck. The sensation warmed her between her legs. She felt a wetness there and wondered what it meant -again. This was the same sensation she felt when she woke from her dreams. She ached for something, but she could not imagine what.
His hand moved up her hip and side until it found her breast. The warmth of his hand across her breast nearly undid her. She held onto him for dear life less she slip and melt to the floor. He reached inside her dress and touched her bare skin. The shock should have brought her to her senses, but the neediness she felt caused her to press herself into his hand. He flicked his thumb over her delicate tip and she cried out, but he captured her sound with his mouth.
Her body caught on fire as he drew her into a deep well of mysterious sensations. She craved more of his exquisite touches, wanted more, needed more, but then the sounds of voices reached the edges of her mind. He broke his mouth from hers and put her dress back in order. He stepped back. They were both breathing hard, staring at each other as if they saw an apparition.
“I believe we are about to have company.” Lord William turned and walked out of the room. She tried to control her breathing before she followed him out.
***
The ride back to Nightingale Hall proved the longest trip of her life. She managed to enter the carriage first and squeeze herself into the far corner. Lady Anne sat next to her, unwittingly sparing her of physical contact with Lord William. She kept her eyes glued to the window. The ladies were chattering like birds in the wind about the property. She contributed little, afraid she would give herself away with her shaky voice. She noticed that Lord William only spoke when spoken to, his voice clipped, his face drawn and his mouth taut.
Cassie fought the tears threatening to pour like a hard rainstorm. She sat in shock of her own actions and reactions. What was the matter with her? What could she have been thinking?
The truth –there was little thinking, only feeling, only want and sensation. She lost herself in Lord William. She wanted his kisses. Cassie physically shuttered away the thought, and tried to bring Mr. Parker’s image to her mind. His shadow formed somewhere on the edge, but she could not make the picture complete.
The guilt tore at her heart. The shame ate at her soul. She reminded herself that she loved Mr. Parker. Yes, she loved him and she would marry him.
Would Mr. Parker kiss her like that? Would he touch her? Put his hand on her breast and circle his thumb across her throbbing nipple?
“Are you cold, Miss Chambers?” asked Lady Anne when a shudder ripped through Cassie.
“Yes. It is rather nippy out today.” Cassie pulled a blanket around her shoulders despite the heat coursing through her body.
After what felt like hours, the carriage finally stopped in front of the vicarage on the way to Nightingale Hall. Lord William got out of the carriage to hand her down. She turned before exiting and said her goodbyes to the ladies and then she took his hand. His eyes met hers for a fleeting, intense moment as she alighted from the carriage and made her way down the steps. They did not speak, but she felt him, felt his warmth, smelled his scent, and knew his focus was on her as hers was on him. She nodded and walked as quick as she could to the front door without raising suspicion.
The moment she entered the house she felt her skin prickle. Berkley, their butler rushed to take her redingote, hat and gloves. “You have a visitor in drawing room Miss Chambers.” A small smile escaped Berkley’s usual tight lips.
“Oh. Who is it?” she asked. She did not want to talk to anyone, and could not imagine who it could be. She wanted to go upstairs and lie down. The day’s events had worn her down.
“I have been instructed to tell you the visitor is a surprise,” said Berkley.
A surprise? The last thing she wanted or needed was a surprise, but no matter, she could not stand in the entryway, she had to face this unknown visitor, and with any luck, find a way to get them to leave as soon as possible.
She entered the drawing room to see the back of a familiar man facing the window. He turned and she gasped, “Mr. Parker!”
Chapter Four
William sat in his carriage with only his snoring valet, Briggs, for company. As soon as he returned to Nightingale Hall he ordered his bags packed and his carriage brought round. He had to get away from her. He could not explain to his family the real reason for his sudden departure, so he claimed he had business to attend to at his estate, but he had to go.
He closed his eyes and pressed his lips together. How could he be so foolish? He never before dallied with a young innocent miss, much less a betrothed one. A discreet affair with a widow, yes. A night in the arms of a courtesan, yes, but not an innocent. Never. Why did she tempt him so?
His restless nights were beginning to wear on him. He needed dreamless sleep. Since he met her she never left his mind. His imagination ran away with her, kissed her, touched her, made love to her. If the insanity of his thoughts did not come to an end, he would be a candidate for Bedlam.
He shifted. The constant state of his anatomy these days cried out for relief. He already attempted a toss between the sheets with Lady Quartermane, but left unsatisfied. He feared he might forever stay in this condition, especially considering he would never be able to indulge his carnal desires with the only woman who he believed could cure him.
The trip back to Rosehill Manor seemed like days instead of a mere hour. He was tempted to knock on the roof and demand his driver take up the reins as if giving chase. He tried to sleep, but sleep would not come, not that it mattered since his dreams most likely would include her.
He should not have touched her as he did. He had no right, but when she looked at him with those green eyes, he felt like a drowning man thrown a rope to save himself. He grabbed on and did not let go. He wanted to kiss her. He needed to touch her. The feel of her breast in his hand nearly made him explode his seed in his pants.
If the sound of the ladies nattering voices did not burn the edge of his consciousness no telling what he might have done. How easy it would have been to kiss her breast, to lick it with his tongue, to suckle on it as a babe might do.
These thoughts were not helping him one bit. He stayed in a constant state of hardness thinking of her. He could not continue on like this, and he needed to avoid her at all costs. He would stay away from Nightingale Hall until she married her Mr. Parker and left the area. He had plenty to keep him occupied at Rosehill Manor, and he could always take a trip to London to relieve himself of his pain.
The site of his new home made him smile. The white, three-story manor stood at the top of a hill, like a queen overlooking her subjects. Tall windows gleamed in the sunlight. The doors opened as if by magic as he headed up the steps.
“Welcome home, Lord William.” Scott took his coat and hat. “You have a guest waiting in the drawing room for you.”
“A guest? Who?”
“A Lady Quartermane, my lord.”
***
“Miss Chambers.” Mr. Parker came to her, took both her hands, and raised them to his lips. “I have missed you so much darling.”
“And I you.” Cassie felt the familiar giddiness rise within her whenever she saw him. Mr. Parker did not tower over her, but instead, met her face to face. His sparkling blue eyes held her captive. His lips curved into a brilliant smile, tickling her senses as always. Her reactions to him did not change, yet the shadow of what she had done, and her reactions to another, squeezed her from the inside out.
She bit her lip to keep from crying out the sordid truth of her sins. Her stomach clenched and unclenched. Despite her best efforts to get her emotions under control, a tear slipped out and streamed down her cheek.
“Miss Chambers, what is the matter dear?” Mr. Parker cupped her face with his cool hands and looked into her eyes. Surely he could read right through her, right into her heart and soul, and see the black marks of betrayal.
She turned her lips to his palm and dropped tiny kisses. She wanted him to kiss her, not a tiny ting
ling kiss, but a deep passionate kiss. “I have missed you so.” He started to pull his hands away, but she grabbed his wrists. “No. Kiss me. Please kiss me.”
Mr. Parker raised his brow and smiled. “If you wish, my love.” He set his lips to hers. What happened to the tingle? One quick moment and he moved his mouth away.
“No. I want you to really kiss me,” she pleaded.
“I did kiss you darling.” Mr. Parker’s brows creased together in confusion.
“Passion, Mr. Parker, I want passion.” Cassie begged him with her eyes and her words and her heart.
“Passion is best reserved for the marriage bed, Miss Chambers.” Mr. Parker pulled his hands away from her hold and stepped back.
“How can I know we will have passion in our marriage bed if you do not kiss me with passion before we marry? What if we do not suit in that way?”
“What do you know of passion? You are an innocent. This is not a proper conversation, and certainly not what I intended to discuss with you now.”
Feeling admonished, Cassie walked over to a straight backed chair and matched her spine to it when she sat. “Then let us discuss whatever you intended.”
Mr. Parker followed her and went down on bended knee. “You are angry now. Let us not start off this way. If you wish for a kiss, then I shall give it to you.”
He reached up and took her face between his palms once more. This time he exerted more pressure on her mouth. She opened her lips, but he did not press his tongue into her. Instead he gave her a dozen soft, sweet kisses. She liked his kisses. They did not overwhelm her or frighten her the way Lord William’s kisses did.
Cassie placed her hands on his shoulders for balance. His touch was gentle and slow, as if he wanted to adore her with his mouth, caress her with his touch. His lips left hers and found the path along her jaw, down her long throat, and across her clothed bosom. She did not burn, yet she yearned for him to continue. His hands reached up and grasped her breasts, kneading them gently until he had her panting for breath.
He suddenly pulled back. “I am sorry. I should not have taken such liberties. We are not married yet. I do not know what overcame me.”