Invitation to Passion

by Bronwen Evans

  “Yes, absolutely.” She frowned at her mother. “I do know you can’t make someone love you, but as we’re already friends, I’m hoping love can grow. However, if Sarah continues to be in his life, that’s unlikely to happen. I know her. Now she’s free, she’ll come after Richard.”

  “It takes two people to have a relationship. Are you sure he loves Sarah?”

  “Of course. They would have married if it were not for Charles Chesterton. They were going to elope.”

  Her mother sighed. “I forget how young you are, and how sheltered. You’ve been in the country too long. I should have swallowed my pride and taken you to London more often.” She took both of Maddy’s hands in her own. “Think for one moment. Do you think Rufus would have calmly stepped aside and let Rheda be forced into marriage with anyone but him?”

  “Of course not, she is his life. He almost died for her.”

  A smile spread across her mother’s mouth. “Is Richard any different from your brother? Take a moment to really consider the situation.”

  Maddy thought about the man she knew. Would Richard give up on a woman he loved? Hope flickered into a slow fire burning deep in her belly. “But he tried to get her to elope.”

  Her mother picked up her teacup and shrugged. “Would Rufus have just tried and then accepted failure? No. He would have swooped in and taken what he wanted.”

  She eyed her mother warily. “Are you saying you don’t think Richard really loved Sarah? But he…, that is, he and Sarah …and she was a….”

  “Oh, I’m sure at the time he thought he loved her, and he would have married her, but he didn’t fight very hard for her when another option presented itself.”

  Maddy sipped her tea trying to assimilate her mother’s words. “That doesn’t paint Richard in very nice colors. I’m almost beginning to feel sorry for Sarah.”

  “You should. However, she didn’t help herself either. She didn’t elope with Richard when he offered her the opportunity. It’s always made me wonder why. She couldn’t have been that scared of her father, not with a man like Richard, as well as his brother, Anthony, on her side.” She sat lost in her thoughts. Under her breath she added, “Perhaps she wanted both, a distinguished title and Richard.”

  “I can see her doing something like that, certainly,” Maddy scoffed. However, her mother’s words about Richard standing back and letting her marry Charles sent her stomach rollicking. What kind of man said he loved a woman and then allowed her to marry another?

  Her mother noted her disquiet. “I’m not having this conversation to upset you, dear. I just want you to understand the man you’ve married. You have always had blinkers on where Richard is concerned. If you are to make a go of this marriage, those blinkers have to come off. You have to see that he’s only human, with human frailties.”

  “It’s a fine time to tell me this, after I’m married to him.”

  “You had to marry him. You would have been destroyed if not for Richard doing the honorable thing. I have to like him for that.”

  Maddy rose and started pacing. “I must admit I don’t really know anything of his personal life other than what he has told me in his letters. I have of course heard rumors of his rakish ways, but has Rufus inferred he always had just the one woman at a time. Please don’t scold me for spying, but when I was younger, I often heard Rufus scoffing at his faithfulness to his paramours, when the men were here in residence.” She turned to her mother. “What do you know of his affairs?”

  “Really. You know I detest gossip.” At Maddy’s raised eyebrow, she added, “Are you sure you want to hear this?”

  She nodded, her heart suddenly in her throat.

  “Good girl. Better to face problems head on. It was very true that unlike other men of his standing, looks, and position, he stayed faithful to one woman at a time. He did not have numerous women in his bed, and he never kept a mistress. It was as if he fell in love with each and every one of them consecutively. However, just as things seemed to be getting serious, Richard would extricate himself from the relationship.”

  Sharp stabs of jealousy assailed her at the mention of his past lovers. “They were obviously not the right women for him then.”

  “I agree.”

  Maddy’s mouth dropped wide open. “You do?”

  “Of course.”

  Maddy gripped the edge of the table. “Richard mentioned that Anthony thinks he has a savior complex. Richard tries to save people because he could not save his brother from his father’s abuse while they were growing up.”

  Her mother’s eyebrows rose. “Come to think of it, I remember that quite a few of his paramours were damsels in distress.”

  Maddy slumped in despair. “Great. Sarah owns his heart and I’ve been compromised. He must be torn. What happens now? This time, he can’t walk away.”

  “I have faith that you can win his heart. Anyone who knows you can’t help but love you.”

  Maddy gave her mother an ironic smile. How long would that take? How long would she be able to hold on to Richard’s heart if she should ever win it? If all his other women couldn’t hold his attention, how could she?

  “You are not like his past women.” Her mother must have been reading her mind. “You’re his friend. I don’t for the life of me understand why, but you two have always had a connection. Perhaps you are the one he’s been waiting for.” She hesitated. “Just promise me that you’ll take him down off this pedestal you have placed him on. No one can live up to that sort of unrealistic adulation. He’s human. He will make mistakes, as will you. It’s how you both deal with the mistakes that truly counts.”

  Maddy rose and walked to hug her mother. She placed a kiss on her cheek. “Thank you. I will miss you. Please don’t be a stranger. You must come and stay whenever you want.”

  “Just try and keep me away, especially when my grandchild is born.”

  #

  They had left Hascombe later than they’d wanted and it dusk by the time they arrived in London. Maddy slept for the few hours it took the carriage to travel to London and pull up at her new home. Richard’s gentle kiss woke her and she quickly pulled the curtain aside to peer out into the lamp lit darkness. London. This was now her home.

  She’d never spent much time in the city and had never felt comfortable there. Her father’s death amongst rumors of treason made her family personae non-grata among the ton. She was nervous about being in society in spite of her father’s vindication and Rufus’s subsequent elevation within society.

  She had no idea how she’d be received now that she had married. Thank goodness Melissa was also in town, and Rheda would be arriving tomorrow.

  Richard’s house was situated in the fashionable area of Mayfair. It wasn’t a grand townhouse but was in keeping with the appearance of a wealthy second son. The house was cast in shadows and Maddy couldn’t stop a small shiver of apprehension from enveloping her. She faced a new life in this house.

  Just then, the door opened and a small wiry man appeared, followed by a smartly dressed footman. Richard greeted them with a warm smile.

  “Biggans, well met. Can you see to the trunks? I hope you were expecting us.”

  “Of course, sir. I…”-

  Before he could finish Richard turned and offered his hand to Maddy and helped her from the coach. “This is my wife, Mrs. Craven. Meet Biggans, my trusty and often disapproving butler.”

  Biggans bowed low. “Welcome, Madam. May I offer the staffs’ congratulations on your nuptials? I hope you’ll find everything you need in your suite.”

  She gave him a warm smile. “Thank you, Biggans.”

  Once the luggage had been taken care of, Biggans showed her to her suite of rooms. She stood staring out the window into the darkened night, the unfamiliar sounds and smells of London bringing home to her just how much her life had permanently changed.

  Her room was charming. It was tastefully decorated and welcoming with a fire burning in the grate. She could hear Richard and his val
et conversing in the room adjoining hers. Would Richard come to her tonight or was she expected to go to him? Just then, there was a soft knock on the door and a young woman about Maddy’s age entered. She gave a nervous smile.

  “I’m Claudia, Madam. I’ve been sent to attend you until you can hire your own lady’s maid.”

  “Thank you, Claudia. If you could help me with my gown.”

  A seductive baritone voice interrupted. “Thank you, Claudia, but that will not be necessary. I’ll see to my wife.”

  Madeline jumped at the sound of Richard’s voice. She had not heard him enter. She turned to look at him, her heart thumping wildly in her chest. His eyes held hers in a blatantly possessive stare. Excitement and longing rushed through her.

  My wife.

  He was her husband! She had to keep pinching herself. How thrilling to be able to let her eyes feast upon his perfection with no thought to the consequences. Her eyes raked over him from head to toe. He had changed into a deep burgundy robe; from the glimpse of tanned skin at the V she assumed he wasn’t wearing a shirt.

  In fact, he was naked beneath the robe. The room suddenly seemed smaller and the air warmer. Caught up in his provocative gaze, she didn’t notice Claudia’s hurried departure. The snip of the door closing was the only sound until Richard grinned wickedly and he began—the best words she could come up with were—to prowl toward her like a lion after its prey.

  She wasn’t running. Indeed she couldn’t wait to be caught, but the intense desire she saw burning in his eyes unnerved her.

  “My rooms are so beautiful…” His lips silenced her nervous prattle. He pulled her tightly to his hard body and devoured her mouth, his tongue sweeping in to conquer, his hard manhood pressing against her stomach, and his wandering hands setting her body alight with indescribable sensations.

  “I’ve been wanting to do this throughout the whole carriage ride, but I thought I’d let you sleep. You needed to rest for what I have planned for tonight. This is our first night as man and wife in our home.”

  Maddy loved the word, our. This would be a home-their own home. She’d make damn sure of that.

  Anticipation coursed through her and as she melted into his arms, her sensitive nipples tightened beneath her gown.

  She opened completely under his mouth’s onslaught, and he took her mouth in one long kiss, stroking deep until she felt her knees give way.

  He swept her up in his arms and hurried to the bed. All she could hear was his heavy breathing. She loved how eager he was for her. But instead of laying her down, he slid her down his body until her feet touched the boards, holding her tightly against him.

  “It’s our first night in our home and I want it to be perfect for you.”

  She cupped his cheek. “Anytime I’m in your arms, it’s perfect.”

  He chuckled deep within his manly chest. “I’m selfish. I wanted the pleasure of disrobing you. I love watching your body respond to my gaze and touch.”

  He was undoing the hooks at the back of her gown as he spoke. He impatiently pushed the material off her shoulders and bared her bosom.

  He worked efficiently to remove her corset and undergarments, his experience at rapidly disrobing women evident. Thoughts of other ladies fled when one wicked finger teased the tip of her breast, and she watched him coax the nipple to life. It tightened and puckered and pleasure pooled in other scandalous places at the sensation.

  “I like it that I affect you,” and he bent and took one tightened nipple into his hot, welcoming mouth.

  Madeline bit back a cry, as she gripped his strong shoulders.

  While he suckled, arrows of pleasure roamed downwards, as did his hands. He set her teeth on edge by licking down the slope of one breast and taking the other nipple into his mouth, nipping and caressing it the whole time. He met her eyes as he suckled her, and taking her deep into his welcoming mouth, expertly played the flesh with tongue and teeth before pulling sharply, in lush tugs. She shivered and her moans escaped into the quiet room.

  He lifted his head and her eyes flashed open. He couldn’t be stopping. Not now…

  His teasing smile proved he knew exactly what she was wishing for.

  “I wonder what else your body will tell me,” he whispered, as one hand slid down the swell of her stomach. Her belly clenched and shivered under his skillful touch.

  She hoped it would reveal what she could not put into words; she was too much the coward to see and hear his response. Instead, a sigh filled with longing escaped her. Her eyelids fluttered close.

  “Look at me,” came the husbandly command. She resisted for a moment, too happy in her contemplation of her position as his wife. When she finally met his gaze, he pushed the gown off her hips, his hand sliding beneath the pooled linen shift, and as fingers explored her curls, she shamelessly widened her stance, allowing him access, welcoming his touch.

  This was her husband’s touch; her lover’s touch; her best-friend’s touch. She still couldn’t quite believe it. And now Sarah was free…

  No. Not now. Not tonight!

  All thoughts of Sarah fled as his fingers moved, widening her thighs further, gaining access to her core. His fingers were wickedly seductive, as he separated her secret folds with one finger and gently stroked her, over and over again.

  “So wet and welcoming for me,” his words pushed her desire to yet another level.

  He lifted his head from her tender breasts, and holding her gaze, he slid one long finger slowly into her heat as she sagged against his solid chest.

  He pushed her gently back onto the bed, following her down with his finger still buried deep inside her. “You’re gloriously wet for me.” He kissed her long and deep, and a second finger joined the first, moving slowly, mirroring his tongue’s action. “I love how your body wants me.”

  All of her wanted him—body, heart, and soul. Her reply was silenced when his thumb circled the harden nub between her thighs and he whispered in her ear, “I can remember your taste and it’s addictive.”

  His lips travelled over her hot flesh. He tasted her breasts once more as all the while his fingers within her were drawing her tight as a bow. She knew that soon his mouth would join his hand at the junction of her thighs and she could barely stand the sensual play.

  Madeline rocked her hips against him as his thumb worked a tight circle at the straining nub of pleasure his fingers worshipped.

  “You make my mouth water.”

  “Please…” God help her. She was going to die of pleasure.

  To her relief she looked down and he was between her legs, murmuring promises of what he’d do to her, as his other hand slid over her stocking covered leg.

  But relief was an illusion as he teased her even further, pressing long, soft, lush kisses to the soft skin of her inner thigh. She tried to move her body to entice his mouth to kiss her where she so desperately needed him to, but he merely held her thighs apart and plied his mouth to her other thigh.

  She almost screamed in frustration, her breath coming in tiny pants.

  “Please, Richard. Kiss me…slightly higher. Kiss me closer to the ache. I’ll die if you don’t…”

  He paused, swirling his tongue in slow, stunning circles upon her thigh. “If you don’t, what, my beautiful wife?”

  Her eyes flew open and she looked into his stormy depths, and fairly screamed, “Taste me.”

  And then his mouth was on her, his tongue stroking in long, slow licks, and at his intimate kiss, she could not stop her body’s explosion of release. She screamed out her husband’s name and her body shook with pleasure.

  He did not stop.

  He grew even bolder and even more demanding, continuing to lick and suck with his clever tongue and wicked lips. She squirmed, bucked, struggled, but he held her hips still, forcing her to take the pleasure even as she felt her mind might break with it. Her hands slid into his curls, holding him against her, wanting more…begging him for more.

  Her thighs widened further, wil
ling and wanton and only for him.

  And then his fingers joined his tongue, and she suddenly knew why the French called it the little death. Her body seemed to spiral higher and tighter until it burst straight to the heavens.

  After a long moment, when she could be sure her sanity had not shattered, she expelled a shaky sigh and disentangled her fingers from Richard’s hair. “Gosh, what you do to me...”

  Abruptly, he crawled over her on all fours, his face intense and strained as he took her mouth, ravishing her with his kiss. She could feel the tension in his arms as he held himself above her.

  His eyes held her in a passion filled gaze as his hard chest eased down atop her, his muscled belly flat to hers, and the large throbbing hardness of his masculinity slid between her slicked folds.

  “Look at you. You’re beautiful. My friend, my lover,, my wife...”

  Her chest heaved as she sucked in a breath, a frenzied need to have him buried deep within her, burning away the fears buried deep within her. Please don’t let what we are now sharing ever change.

  With her heart bursting with the words she could not say out loud, I love you, she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and drew him down for a kiss. As their lips merged and his tongue thrust into her mouth, he took her body, stroking deep within her.

  He broke their kiss. “So good, so right...”

  His words echoed in her soul. She ran her hands down over his smooth, strong back and the sleek, hard curves of his backside, and then to his lean hips. She loved feeling the raw power of the man atop her. As he loved her, moving within her in long steady strokes, she felt his adoration. She might not own his heart but she knew that this joining was special to him. She wasn’t simply a wife by obligation. He was emotionally joined with her, in her.

  The knowledge of his emotional investment added to her pleasure. Richard’s murmurs of how he enjoyed making love to her edged her yet higher. She rocked her hips against his, their movements growing faster, ever more frantic and demanding. His rising passion saw him moving faster, harder, thrusting into her again and again as she met his passion with her own. His need matched hers, in a rhythm natural and primal and glorious in its oneness. She sensed that the wonder and intensity of the pleasure tightening within her was shared. She wanted more. She wanted all of him, but his heart most of all. How desperately she wanted it….