Four Times a Virgin (Irresistible Aristocrats Book 2)

by Suzi Love

  Carina had left a simple message to be given to the Duke, himself, and he listened to the footman with half an ear. He looked upwards to the next floor, and Carina’s bedchamber, and wondered if his weary body could run up the sweeping flight of steps and evade the footman who most likely had orders to stop him. He sighed. Probably not a good idea considering his state of mind at the moment.

  With Peter dead and his wife locked away, possibly in an asylum, there was no urgency. He’d best leave Carina and the girls to their grief, if they could find it in their hearts to shed a tear for the stepbrother who’d betrayed them on so many levels. If not grief, they’d be suffering shock and would need to rest.

  Apart from those considerations, Carina’s edict had been succinct and final. She might as well have had the footman put his boot to Max’s rear end and kick him to the pavement than have the hapless messenger repeat, goodbye and thank you.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Saturday had at last arrived and Max stood impatiently on the sidelines, while the church filled to overflowing with well-wishers for the joining of Alice with her beloved Freddie. Squeezed alongside the couple’s friends was a large number of London’s busybodies, eager to witness, firsthand, the latest installment in the ongoing saga of Lady Dorchester, her sisters and companion, the Johnston family and, to his dismay, the Duke of Stirkton.

  Max ignored the stares of those eager for a new chapter in their drama and scanned the heads of those already seated, trying to locate Carina. The gossips were going to be sorely disappointed when the minister called for any man who objected to Alice marrying Featherstone to stand to his feet. He had absolutely no objection to their marriage, though he wished to God he hadn’t been directed to the front row and the pew occupied by the Johnston family.

  Half the congregation craned their necks to catch his every movement, or leaned forward in their pews so they could overhear his muttered words to Lady Johnston when he passed her a clean handkerchief. He wasn’t sure if the lady cried over losing her chance of playing mother of a duchess, or because the gossips expected waterfalls of joyful tears at seeing her only daughter standing at the altar.

  But Max had paid for this extravaganza for the sole purpose of informing the haut ton that he held no grudge against the two young lovebirds. However, enough was enough, and an hour and a half of pledges and prayers was more than any sane man could endure. He caught himself in time before he stood up and ordered the bumbling minister to hurry up and finish so they could move on to the wedding breakfast.

  Coming to his feet would have been construed as an objection, rather than a wish for this ordeal to finish so he could move on to his main goal. The only reason he wanted to start the feasting was to capture Carina, alone, and demand an answer to the questions roiling through his mind on an endless cycle for the past few days. Each time he’d called at her house, her decrepit butler had lifted his nose in the air and informed him that his mistress wasn’t home to callers.

  Now he was desperate to know if Carina would agree to marry him and if she was pregnant with his child? His plans had been foiled in church when he’d spotted Carina standing beside Alice at the front of the assembly. Though why Alice needed her support he couldn’t fathom. He’d have been happier to see Lucy or Georgie supporting Alice and leaving Carina free to sit here, tucked into his side, and putting the world on notice that the Countess belonged to him.

  Finally, when he was at the end of his tether, the pianist played several resounding chords to signal an end to the interminable service. The bridal party turned glowing faces towards the cheering crowd and he thanked the Lord that the things could proceed. Unfortunately, his happiness was short lived.

  Lord and Lady Johnston stepped into the aisle immediately after the bride and groom, and accepted congratulations as they made slow progress down the aisle and towards the church doors. The Featherstone family, not wanting to be outdone, also clogged the aisle until the procession moved at less than snail’s pace. The slower they moved, the quicker Max’s frustration rose. In a few minutes, Carina would be too far along in the crowd for him to catch, which meant he’d have to survive another hour or two before he had an answer.

  In a moment of clarity, he understood that if he didn’t put his ducal stamp on Carina here and now, she’d elude him. Possibly disappear before he had a chance to maneuver her into a side room and have their overdue conversation. Upward of two hundred people would cram into the Johnstons’ ballroom and he might lose Carina in the crush.

  He’d lost her once before and he couldn’t, and wouldn’t, let her slip through his fingers again. Decision made, he jumped onto a wooden pew and called across the heads of the crowd: “Lady Dorchester!”

  The procession in the aisle halted so suddenly that people ran into the back of those in front, creating the toppling effect seen when children played Simon Says and stopped on the spot. Heads turned back and up, and he was subjected to the stunned and questioning looks of at least a hundred people in the first rows. But, as far as he was concerned, they were invisible. His focus was on Carina as he tried to read her expression. Shocked, yes, but also a little intrigued, an encouraging sign considering he was to make an absolute fool of himself before the very peers he’d bent over backwards to impress with his hauteur previously.

  “Carina, before our family and friends,” he waved his hand around, “and this entire assembly, I’m asking you to do me the great honor of becoming my wife.” He sucked in a huge breath. “You suggested that I become more human and acted more like a man in the throes of love, so I’m doing exactly that. Only a man in love would to embarrass himself by asking for her hand in marriage in front of a packed congregation, knowing that she’d refused his previous offers. But I’m handing you my pride, and my heart, on a platter. I’m hoping you’ll take pity on a reformed duke and say yes to me. I love you, and nothing in my life will have meaning unless you’re standing by my side as my duchess.”

  There were gasps and cries and chattering all around, but he ignored them and focused on the woman he loved. Every head swiveled back and forth, eager to catch every word spoken, and people shifted and pushed forward in their eagerness to hear his beloved’s answer.

  He waved his hand again. “Everyone is waiting for your decision, so I beseech you to take pity on a poor man who has learned to love and live and enjoy because of you. But I’ve so much more to learn and I’m hoping you’ll teach me even more, because you’re the most courageous and loving person I know.”

  There was still no reply from Carina and Max’s heart sank.

  From somewhere within the crowd, a chant started. Perhaps it had been Alice or Freddie who started it, he couldn’t tell for sure, but within seconds the mantra was taken up by many others until the entire reception was signing the same refrain.

  “Say yes! Say yes! Say yes!”

  Carina’s eyes filled with tears, and he was filled with fear. He’d never wanted anything so badly in his entire life, and no amount of Meacham influence could win what he wanted most. She smiled up at him from seven rows forward and he, a reputedly heartless man, felt that organ stutter and trip in his chest, while he held his breath and waited for her to speak.

  “Shush, shush, shush,” he told the crowd, desperate to catch her answer about the din.

  She nodded and smiled again. Daniel, Georgie’s betrothed, helped her climb onto the pew nearest her while others, including Lucy’s beau, held her steady.

  “Yes.”

  He cupped his ear, unable to believe he’d heard correctly. “Again. Say it again.”

  “Yes,” she yelled, throwing back her head and laughing. “Yes, I’ll marry you. Yes, I love you. And yes, I’ll stand at your side as your duchess for the rest of our lives.”

  Raucous cheers nearly lifted the roof off the church, when Max leaped to the floor and worked his way to her side. The crowd, suddenly silent, moved aside and left the path clear so he could reach Carina. Hands slapped his back, touched his sleeve. B
ut everyone waited for him to take her hands, pause, and then haul her into his arms.

  He tipped her head and covered her mouth with his, oblivious to anything but the urge to tell her, this time through actions rather than words, how happy she’d made him. Each long kiss was his solemn oath to love and protect her, and she accepted each vow and gave hers in return.

  “I love you,” he murmured close to her ear.

  “I know, and I love you too.”

  “Well, well, love is definitely in the air.” The elderly minister beamed down the aisle towards Max and his bride-to-be, and then grinned at the assembly. “It appears I’ll be conducting another wedding ceremony, and quite soon.” He gave Max a forceful look.

  “Very soon,” Max and Carina said in unison, before bursting into laughter. When the crowd also laughed and cheered, Max knew what it meant to be not only a powerful duke, but a man whom people could admire and love. And it felt good; very good.

  Note from author: Reviews are like gold to authors!

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  Other books by Suzi Love:-

  The Viscount’s Pleasure House (Historical Erotic Romance)

  Embracing Scandal, Book 1 Scandalous Siblings Series (Historical Romance)

  Scenting Scandal, Book2 Scandalous Siblings Series (Historical Romance)

  Four Times A Virgin (Regency Noir Historical Romance)

  History of Christmases Past, Historical Events Series (Non-Fiction)

  Easter In Images, Historical Events Series (Non-Fiction)

  About Suzi Love

  Tag Line- Making history fun, one year at a time

  Hi, I'm Suzi Love, an Australian author of historical romances from the late Regency to early Victorian years, with a little bit of the Australian outback thrown in.

  I've had a lifetime fascination with all things old, weird, and exotic. I love to travel,

  visit historic places, and talk to crazy characters. I also adore history, especially the

  grittier and seamier side, so I write about heroes and heroines who challenge traditional manners, morals, and occupations, either through necessity or desire.

  I hope you'll travel with me again.

  If you’d like to be one of the first to know when I release a new book, plus enjoy some

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  right of my WEBSITE.

  If you liked this book, I'd appreciate it if you’d write a short review or rate the book.

  Or, keep up to date with what I get up to each day via my Rebel Mouse Magazine or Suzi Love Daily Gossip newspaper.

  I love hearing from my readers, so feel free to write to me and tell me what you think.

  Suzi Love

  Cannon Hill Post Shop,

  PO Box 191, Cannon Hill,

  Queensland, 4170,

  Australia

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  Excerpt of The Viscount's Pleasure House

  Justin, Viscount Hawkesbury, stepped closer and in reaction the black-clad lady moved back. As if remembering her reasons for coming, she shook her head and moved that same pace forward. Not as close as before, yet near enough to appear fearless.

  He sighed, and rubbed a fist across his aching eyes. “I’m fatigued, out of sorts, and my friends and I have business to conduct. Either join in, or leave.”

  He waved towards the door, hoping she’d walk out and leave him in peace, but also hoping, ridiculously, that she’d unveil, undress, and stay. Because something about this particular woman was different. Something about her stirred his first true sexual interest in many months.

  He smiled a little. “I’d still like to see a little more of you. I can’t even see the color of your hair.” He pointed towards her groin. “Top or bottom. Here, let me unbutton you,” he said, his fingers set to work on her top button, brushing the soft skin of her nape as he did so.

  She flinched and held tight to the gaping neck of her dress with clenched fists. “Please. Listen to me. I’m not seeking employment.”

  “Ah, then you’re simply a bitch in heat like all the others. Wanting a lusty tale to recount to your upper-class friends over tea and cake. Perhaps compare notes on Viscount Hawkesbury’s infamous prowess.”

  Her quick series of breaths hissed and sizzled like water spitting on hot coals. He heard the girls tut-tutting nearby, but taunting, teasing, and arousing the lioness who’d dared brave his den so late at night had proved too delicious a temptation to resist. Only one more jest at her expense and then he’d summon the butler and a couple of strong footmen, and bid her farewell.

  He turned, slowly and deliberately, and spoke to his two friends. “Gentlemen, which of you is capable of keeping your prick upright long enough to provide such a lusty lady with the thrill she so clearly came to my house seeking?”

  Justin knew that in their heightened state of inebriation, neither Bart nor Thomas would be capable of servicing any girl tonight. And the Virile Viscount had given up such jaunts. The only business he involved himself in now was the palace and even then he kept a very low profile. By next month, he’d no longer own that either. His pleasuring days were finished. Investing in the rapidly expanding railway tracks and steam engines was far more profitable, and respectable, for a man who hoped to bring his mother and sisters home to live with him.

  Thomas, red-faced, lurched to his feet. “I say, Justin, she seems like a lady.”

  “Thomas, you should know by now, on the outside they’re all ladies. However, underneath they all seek the same thing.”

  The woman flinched. Justin yawned, not bothering to cover his mouth, and then collapsed back into his armchair. Leaning his head back on the headrest, he laughed.

  “My love, if you’ve better to show me than them, do as I’ve asked. Undress!”

  She muttered something that sounded like, “Rude swine.”

  He laughed and indicated the empty space on the chaise longue beside Bart. “If you’re suffering personal timidity, at least take a seat and watch. Give the girls your opinion on what tricks attract gentlemen the fastest. What do you do to entice a man?”

  Her hands fisted at her sides but she stood her ground. “I realize you’re amusing yourself at my expense, but I give you fair warning, my lord. If you continue with these childish taunts and force me to leave without letting me speak to you, in private, you’ll regret it later.”

  He pointed to the door. “And I’m also issuing a warning. Join in or leave. Perkins will show you out. I’ve run out of patience with the so-called weaker sex and the schemes and lies that women seem to delight in bringing to my door. ”

  Bart spat out an uncouth curse while Thomas muttered under his breath, both scolding him for his rudeness. Disgust suddenly flooded Justin’s body and the heart he’d assumed was frozen in his chest clenched, hard. Despite being forced into unseemly money making ventures, the three of them had vowed to remain, at heart at least, gentlemen. They all needed to take their places in society, which was why Justin never usually entertained this sort of female at his house. Too many watching neighbors and too many wagging tongues in this respectable neighborhood.

  Had he now passed the point of no return? Had the indecent acts he’d committed, all to either survive or earn his some of the ready, tainted his thinking to this extent? It terrified him that his morals were as lost as those idiots who assumed a title and riches gave a man leeway to be rude, arrogant, and even to inflict pain on those they considered inferior.

  He’d picked out this woman and had intended on using her as an example, encouraging her to pass along his message to long line of societal whores who would continu
e to plague him. He wanted to stand in the street and scream and yell, “The Virile Viscount is finished!”

  Behavior such as his here showed the arrogance he’d always deplored. Rude attacks on a woman were despicable, and it was especially ill-bred of him to tease and taunt what he now suspected was a well-bred lady. But he’d underestimated the woman’s pluck, or perhaps her determination to make herself heard.

  “Be warned, my lord, I shall return. Tomorrow. Early. Very Early. And if you refuse to speak with me, I’ll haunt your house until you are prepared to listen to me.”

  Her ferocious expression made him burst out laughing again. Bart wiggled his eyebrows in a suggestive manner and held out his hand to encourage the woman to take a seat on the thigh of the woman he still held.

  “I like her, Justin. Can I have her?”

  “Feel free, Bart. If you dare! Though I suspect Thomas is correct. I’ve come to the unwilling, and unfortunate, conclusion that she’s not here to audition for the Harem.”

  “Certainly not.” Her tone was icy. “I’m offering you an exchange. Your skill in tutoring my friends in return for information.”

  “Regrettably, my services are no longer for hire.”

  She inhaled so sharply he swore her ribs vibrated. Then she made her announcement. “If I leave this room, I’ll take with me what may be your last chance to see your mother. Alive, at any rate.”

  If you enjoyed this excerpt, you can read more of The Viscount’s Pleasure House here:-

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