by Wendy Vella
She tapped her fingers on the book and glanced at the small gilded clock on the console table. A bubble of excitement welled in her chest. She had forced herself not to count down the hours but he would be here soon. It was so deliciously naughty to be sitting in one’s nightclothes waiting for a lover. She was not wearing her drawers again and only the soft brush of silk kept her clothed.
Maggie, her lady’s maid had accompanied her and was staying in the lower rooms, and had helped her pick out an attractive garment to wear. If she thought her depraved for such behavior, the maid certainly did not show it, not when she was encouraging her to buy the shocking red silk garment.
Eleanor thought she had become quite adept at only wearing flattering gowns and nightwear, but none suited her like this one. With her hair caught up in its usual curls and the red silk caressing her body and dropping low to reveal the curves of her breasts, she thought she could almost be attractive.
What would Lucian think?
She blew out a breath and put the books aside so as to stand and view herself in the full length mirror. Was it her imagination or did she look more grown up? No sign of little Ellie Browning here. She laughed at her reflection. One night of lovemaking did not change one’s appearance, but funny how one night did more than seven years of marriage and travelling. People often travelled to find oneself, she thought, but what if she had simply become more lost and with Lucian, she found herself?
Strolling to the dressing table, she dabbed on a little perfume and laughed at herself again. “Ellie, you must be out of your wits.”
Finding herself with a consummate rake and the man who had once hurt her terribly? Unlikely. But Lucian had changed. His unselfishness in bed was a demonstration of that, and did she not know how hard he worked now? The only thing the old Lucian worked hard at was seducing beautiful widows.
A rap at the door made her heart bound. She paused to take a sip of wine from the glass on the silver tray on the round table. She had ordered some food too but she had no idea if Lucian would be hungry. She certainly wasn’t. Not for food at least.
Eleanor swallowed and drew open the door, butterflies beating in her chest. Her limbs felt warm and weak. A tilted smile greeted her, then wide eyes and a deep darkening of his gaze. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, his necktie loose. He did not even seem to care that his scarred arm was revealed. Fatigue haunted his expression, making the lines around his eyes more distinct and his hair looked as though he had been shoving his hands repeatedly through it.
But he was still as handsome as ever.
He let out a low whistle. “Ellie, Ellie, Ellie...”
“Are you coming in?”
He stepped in and kicked the door shut with his foot. She gulped as his grin turned wicked and any hint of fatigue seemed to drop from him. In its place was desire—pure and unadulterated desire. For her.
She twined her hands in front of her and, as he took a step forwards, she took one step back. It terrified and excited her at the same time—this overwhelming desire. What to do with it?
What other choice did she have?
They stepped forwards at the same moment. Silk met a cotton shirt and his hands immediately went into her hair, shaking loose pins and gripping her head fiercely. She dug her fingers into his neck and felt her nipples harden against him. She barely had time to draw breath before his mouth was upon her. He tasted of whisky and smelled smoky, as though he had been sitting near an open fire all day. And she could not get enough of him.
“Oh, Ellie,” he murmured between kisses.
“Lucian,” she responded, the word husky.
“I’ve been thinking of nothing else all day,” he said while he trailed hot kisses down the side of her face and throat, before seeking her mouth once more.
His tongue thrust impatiently into her mouth and she met him, touch for touch, kiss for kiss. Heat licked over every part of her body and need consumed her. Eleanor swept her hands up and down his back, and felt the rippling muscles and tension there.
“What are you wearing?” he muttered as he took a moment to nip down her neck to her breasts.
She lifted a shoulder, unable to answer as he brought his mouth down over the silk to draw a nipple into his mouth. Eleanor gasped at the welcome relief it brought and clutched his head to her.
“You...you like it?”
“Very, very much. Too much. How am I to keep my wits about me?”
“You do not need your wits.”
“I always need my wits about me in your presence,” he said against her breasts, “but I cannot keep them with you around.” Lucian drew straight and stood back to eye her, his hands to her shoulders. “I should like to remember you just like this?”
“Desperate and wanting?”
He let out an astonished laugh. “I thought you a lady, Countess, but it appears I was wrong. And I am so very grateful I was, but I have come straight from the mill. I had intended to wash and change before coming to you, yet I didn’t.”
“I care not. Lucian, don’t make me wait.”
“I smell of smoke and dust.”
“You smell lovely.”
“Lovely? Hmmm. That is not very masculine.”
“Lucian,” she said, frustration tingeing her voice. How could he stand there, staring at her when she felt she might explode into flames at any moment if he did not touch her?
“The countess wants something.” His lips quirked.
“Yes, you!”
“So I must oblige.”
He closed the gap once more and coaxed her mouth open beneath his. He didn’t have to do much coaxing. She accepted his tongue willingly and relished the warm taste of him. His hands found her rear and with one easy movement, he had her lifted and her legs wrapped about him. In his arms, she felt delicate and feminine. Raw strength surrounded her and even though he complained of smelling smoky, it only added to his appeal.
Eleanor gripped his hair and kissed him furiously. She did not think she would ever get enough of his kisses. She wanted this affair to last forever.
Lucian stumbled a little as the kiss deepened and she gasped when the wall met her back.
“What does my countess want?” he asked.
“You.”
“Now?”
“Yes, now.”
“Here?”
“Here!”
He used a hand to hitch up her chemise and she heard him fumble with his trousers. Heat touched her most intimate parts and she gasped as she felt how wet and ready she was. Pinned against the door, he touched his nose to hers and stared deeply into her eyes before thrusting deep inside her.
Shocked by the sudden invasion, she stiffened and he flattened his lips to her neck as he began to move inside her. She could do nothing but dig her nails into his back and cry out with each thrust. She was being noisy yet she could not help herself. Each slide of him inside her drew new sensations to the surface, so exquisite they were almost unbearable.
The door behind her seemed to shake, though perhaps that was her and she grappled for a hold on something while her other hand wove into his hair and kept him pinned to her body. She found purchase on a picture and her fingers curled around the frame, only for it to knock to the floor. The clatter didn’t even seem to register to Lucian and she could not bring herself to care.
“Yes. Oh, please,” she begged.
“Bloody hell,” he groaned.
Sensation built inside her until she thought she might swoon. Lucian’s lips were everywhere, kissing her forehead, her lips, her neck. His pace grew erratic and each sweep of him inside her forced her to tighten her grip on his hair.
“Ellie.”
Her name, so harsh and fragile on his tongue was the undoing of her. She came apart with a cry. Her body became liquid in his arms and she clenched her eyes shut as the blissful pleasure flooded her senses. Convulsing around him, she heard his groan and a rough whisper—her name. Warmth filled her and his grip tightened then relaxed.
Body heaving, he pressed his forehead to hers. She opened her eyes and drew in great gasps of air. A blissful sense of peace came over her and her body felt warm and satisfied. Eleanor smoothed her palms over his hair and clasped him to her. They remained like that for several moments until he seemed to have gathered his breath.
One by one his fingers released their hold on her rear and he disengaged them to lower her to the floor. Lucian kept her captured against the wall, however. He peered at her from under his brow, that half-smile on his lips, but his eyes belied the message on them. Those green eyes were serious and it made her chest constrict.
“What do you do to me, my love?”
Oh, how her heart pounded at those words. Why should she be so excited by such a notion? He had promised her nothing more than pleasure, and pleasure he had given her. She was no starry eyed seventeen-year-old anymore. There would be no happily ever after for them, just a few moments of shared enjoyment, and that was all she wanted, was it not?
“The same thing you do to me, I suspect,” she replied, proud of how strong her voice sounded.
He dropped a kiss to her lips and straightened her nightgown. “I should not have spilled inside of you. Should anything happen...”
She shook her head, unwilling to hear his proposal of what he should do should she fall pregnant with his child. He would offer money perhaps, or at least claim the child. “It won’t happen. I was married for seven years and it never happened.”
His brows lifted as if the thought had never occurred to him. “Yes, I suppose it did not.”
Eleanor offered weak smile. “It is likely me, though Edward did not...I mean...”
She put a hand to her mouth. She shouldn’t be disrespecting her husband like this. He had been a good man. Was it his fault he did not find her attractive enough to bed her? Besides, the few times he had done his duty to try to get her with child had failed. There had to be something wrong with her.
“He did not bed you?”
“Enough to make sure there would be no doubt about me being his wife,” she offered quietly. She pressed a hand to his arm. “Lucian, it does not matter, I don’t feel comfortable discussing my late husband with you. Come you must be hungry.” Motioning to the food she had ordered up, she strode to the bathroom and paused in the doorway. “I shall clean up then join you.”
“Or I could help you clean up. I am in need of a bath myself, as I think I mentioned. You were kind enough to suffer me while in such a state.”
“Oh, Lucian, how could anyone suffer you?”
“You have suffered much of my behavior, Ellie.”
“Well, I gladly suffered that.” She tilted her head towards the door where he had just had her pinned.
A fresh smile cracked his face and he followed her to the bathroom. “Shall I help you scrub your back, or shall you scrub mine?”
“We shall bath together?” The idea delighted and intrigued her. Images of Lucian’s skin slick with soap swamped her mind.
Lucian hooked an arm around her waist and drew her to him. “We shall. And I shall leave no inch of you unscrubbed.”
“Oh goodness.”
If she had been the swooning type, she might very well have dropped to the ground. Then he kissed her and her knees made a definite threat to give way. Other things were threatening to give way too, she feared. Like her resolve to keep her distance. To use him simply for the pleasure he could bring. Her resolve never to fall foul of Lucian again looked as though it might be sorely tested.
Chapter Twenty-One
No Rest for the Wicked
Lucian fought to keep his eyes open as Ellie skimmed her fingers up and down his chest. He admired the sight of creamy skin that he had buffed dry with a towel after bathing and a minor delay. The tub had not been big enough to make love in but he had laid her out on the towel and paid attention to every part of her, as promised. If he’d not been so exhausted, he might have given into responding to the arousal burning through his veins.
Truth be told, he didn’t wish to fall asleep. He wanted to value every moment with her. It would come to an end soon enough. She would have her fill of him or see him for what he really was. She would realize he was not good enough for her. How could he compete with the sights of the world and her vast wealth? He might have a title but it was hardly backed by money anymore and a mere viscount could not compete with any titles of her own ilk or higher.
He suspected he had been lucky enough to get in there before any other man had, but soon the masses of eligible bachelors would sweep her up. The ball had proved exactly how popular she was with gentlemen.
Jealousy tightened his gut but her hand trailing over his stomach in an exploratory manner and the brush of her hair against his cheek made him forget it. Whatever happened in the future, what mattered was here, now. For the time being, he had this undiscovered gem lying next to him, naked and willing. Damnation, if only he was not so tired. He fought to mask a yawn.
“Poor Lucian, have I worn you out?”
He scowled. “Do not talk to me as though I am an old man.”
“But you are. You are no young, suave rake anymore. You are a grumpy and grizzled old man.”
He lifted a brow and peered at her face as she tilted her head towards him. A teasing smile sat on her lips and he shook his head. “Alas, you have the measure of me. I am old before my time. But you will forgive my tiredness. I didn’t sleep well last night. A certain little minx kept me awake all night.”
“Oh indeed.” She barely smothered a gasp as he plucked at her nipple, enjoying the way the rosy bud tightened. “And who is the lady who can keep a rake so entertained?”
“She is a countess. A fine lady. Too good for me. But beneath her elegant exterior, she is nought but a wicked, naughty lady.”
“She sounds interesting.”
“She is indeed.” He yawned.
“But not interesting enough to keep you awake, it seems.”
Lucian chuckled. “Forgive me, my love. It was a busy day at the mill. I didn’t see my bed at all last night.”
“You work so hard, Lucian. I worry for you. You shall age even quicker than you already have if you’re not careful.”
The desire to tell her everything that had occurred burnt in his chest. To unburden himself on Ellie seemed so natural, as if she pulled all the truths from his tongue and bore them all on those slender shoulders of hers.
“What is it?”
“Bloody hell, how do you do that?”
“What?”
“You...read my mind or some such witchcraft. It is disconcerting.”
“So there is something wrong?”
She pressed her breasts into his side and he knew he had no choice. He would crawl over hot coals for this woman and he would certainly tell her every secret of his if she so asked.
He blew out a breath and stared at her shoulder as he smoothed his fingers across her skin. “There was a fire this morning.”
“A fire? My goodness, thank the Lord you were not hurt.”
“It wasn’t big though it could have grown had I not caught it in time. Unfortunately, I didn’t catch the person setting the fire.”
“It was deliberate?”
“Yes. As were the other accidents. As was the belt snapping and striking you. Good Lord, it could have killed you.”
“But it did not,” she reminded him gently and he relaxed his grip on her shoulders. Odd how the thought of her coming to any harm created a very real ache in his chest. “So someone is trying to burn down the mill?”
“I think not. A fire would be the person’s first choice, surely? The fire was never intended to reach huge proportions. Likely it would have burned out but created enough damage to force me to close the mill for a long time.”
“They hope to close the mill?”
“They hope to put me out of business.”
“Things are that bad then?”
He nodded. “Yes, you were right as usual, Ellie. The cost of cotton
and the other mill fire has put a very real strain on the business.”
“You do not think the other fire was deliberate, do you?” She propped herself up on one elbow and drew up the sheet but he tugged it away, eliciting a squeak.
“Do not cover yourself for my sake.”
“It was more for mine. It does not seem very sensible to be discussing such matters while my...” He saw color enter her cheeks.
“Your breasts?”
“Yes.” Ellie dropped her gaze. “My breasts are on display.”
“I’ve never been accused of being a sensible man.”
“I think you have your moments, my lord. But what of this fire? What shall you do? You will not let them succeed, will you?”
“No. Whoever this person is, I will not. Perhaps it is just mischief making but I think not. Too many livelihoods depend on that mill and my father worked hard to make it a success. I will not let his legacy be whittled away to nothing.”
“I’m sure your father would be proud of you, no matter what you did. You are a good man.”
“Am I? You did not think so not long ago. I am a rake. Or at least I was. With not an ounce of honor in me.”
“You are still dishonorable, I will agree with that.” She pushed up to kiss the tip of his nose. It was a movement that he likened to that of a mother to a child and not suited to a grown man at all, yet his heart stretched. “But you are a good man and you shall save this mill.”
“I’m not sure I know how.”
“First, sleep. Then let me see this month’s records tomorrow. There is something I should like to look at.”
“You are being mysterious.”
“I don’t know if I am seeing things that are not, but there are some discrepancies.”
“There often are, you know?”
“But, Lucian, you know someone wishes the mill closed. Why should they wish such a thing?”
“A disgruntled employee perhaps or one of my competition.”
“They are not all the most honorable men, but surely that is below them?”