“Oh,” she said, her sweet breath blowing across his face. “That is beautiful.” Then she arched to kiss him and the head of his manhood slid against her soft wet sex.
He throbbed with need. “You are beautiful. Never let anyone take that away from you again.” The tip slid inside her folds, wrapping a tight wet heat about his cock. He began to shake, the effort of going slow becoming increasingly difficult.
“You’re beautiful too,” she whispered against his lips. “I meant what I said a few days ago. I’ll spend my life showing you what it means to be loved if you let me.”
He couldn’t hold back. Those words opening him wide. He slid inside her, feeling her maidenhead tear under the pressure. She gave a cry of pain, her body stiffening. “I’m sorry love.”
“Don’t be,” she said. “We’re one now.”
They were. And they would be forever. He began to move inside her, slowly, allowing her body to adjust. When she relaxed in his arms, he began to move more quickly. If she’d been hesitant at first, with each stroke, she grew bolder and more confident, her rhythm building faster and tighter.
How could lovemaking be this good? But he couldn’t say the words out loud. He could only hold her close as they climbed higher, their bodies truly becoming one.
“Cordelia,” he cried, holding her close. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, too,” she returned, her body spasming around him. He couldn’t take another moment and his seed filled her. She was truly his now.
And she would be forever. No one would take her away from him, and he knew deep in his heart she’d never abandon him.
He collapsed on the bed, drawing her close. “We need to move up the wedding.”
“I beg your pardon,” she asked, already snuggling deeply into his side.
“I can’t wait a month to be with you again. We need to marry now.” He pulled her tighter to his body.
She let out a sleepy giggle. “Finally something involving men that I am good at.”
He turned her face. “As far as I am concerned, you’ve been good at all of it from the first moment you fell into my arms.”
She nuzzled his side. “Well, since you’ve put it that way, we’ll have to move up the wedding. Considering that I was kidnapped yesterday, I’m sure my mother will agree.”
“Good God, do I owe the Countess of Abernath a debt of gratitude?”
She lifted her head. “I don’t know about that but you are definitely getting softer.”
He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “It’s all your fault. By the time you’re done I’m going to be helping you write romances while collecting children and puppies in my spare time.”
“I’ve never heard anything sexier in my life.” Then she let out a sigh. “How can I be so tired after sleeping all day?”
“Rest love,” he answered. “Tomorrow, we’ll begin the rest of our lives.”
Epilogue
Cordelia stood at the back of her family’s church, staring at her groom who beamed back at her, extending his arm.
She’d considered not wearing her glasses but he’d gifted her with a new pair. They truly fit her face better, and now she could see his expression. Soft and happy, it spoke of all the feelings she too felt. She wouldn’t have wanted to miss that for all the world.
She barely touched the floor as she floated toward him. It had only been two days since they’d returned from the inn, but she’d began another life that day. In this one, she was Cordelia the writer and wife and maker of passionate romance.
In fact, Chad had spent the last two days convincing her to send her earlier stories to a publisher. They would be under an assumed name, of course. Sharing them filled her with excitement for the first time in her life. Chad had said something had shifted in him. The same was true for her. She grew more confident with each passing day. She had her soon-to-be husband to thank for that.
Someone clapped to her left and she looked over to see Harry sitting next to her mother. The boy beamed back.
With a tiny wave she finished her march down the aisle and placed her hand in Chad’s.
The ceremony filled her with joy and light and as her hands clasped her husband’s, the bond between them swelled. As long as she lived, she’d remember this day.
“Chad,” she said, leaning close. “This is better than any book I’ve ever read.”
“I agree.” He squeezed her hands. “But I’ve every confidence you’ll write a better one.”
That made her heart swell in her chest and she could barely breathe as they exchanged their vows.
Finally, the service ended and Chad leaned over, sealing their union with a kiss. The room burst into applause and Cordelia looked out over their family and friends and nearly yelled in surprise.
At the very back of the room sat Emily and Jack. “They’re home.”
“Bloody hell, they are.” Then Chad cleared his throat. “Apologies, Father.”
The priest nodded and Cordelia and Chad started down the aisle, making their way through the doors and into the waiting carriage. They would return to her parents’ home for the wedding breakfast.
“I’m so glad my sister made it for my wedding after all.” Cordelia gave her husband’s hand a pat.
He grimaced. “I want to know why they left in the first place.”
She shook her head. “I’m sure they had a good reason.”
The carriage stopped and they stepped out onto the steps waiting as each of the guests arrived. Her parents came next along with Grace and Diana. Minnie and Daring just after them. Her aunt and Ada arrived after that. Emily and Jack were the last carriage to enter the drive. All the guests turned to them as they made their way to the door.
“Let’s step inside first, shall we?” Jack grimaced as he reached for Emily’s hand.
Silently the crowd entered the house. Emily pushed to the front of the group, reaching for Cordelia’s arm.
“Corde, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disrupt your wedding.” Emily cringed. “I just didn’t want to miss it.”
“I don’t care about that.” Cordelia reached for her sister. “I just want to know, we all want to know what happened.”
Jack came to stand next to his wife. “It’s my fault.”
“Why?” Chad asked, squinting his eyes.
Jack grimaced. “The shortest version is that Emily was threatened by the Countess of Abernath. I didn’t want to wait another month for our wedding and I wanted to get away from London. What I didn’t realize was that by leaving, she’d focus her attention on someone like Cordelia instead.”
“How do you know all of this?” Cordelia asked.
Both Jack and Emily looked to Daring. The duke cleared his throat. “I’ve been writing them.” He shrugged. “Two weddings have happened since they left.”
Diana stepped up to the group. “Tell me that all your friends aren’t planning to propose to my family.” Her arms crossed over her chest. “I’ve no intention of marrying, especially not one of your group.”
Daring lifted a brow. “I’m sure you’re safe. But I’m curious to know what was in that letter that spooked you so.”
Jack ran his hand through his hair. “To tell you that, I have to confess some other sins to you and I’m not sure how you’ll react.”
Daring straightened. “We’ll find out, won’t we?”
Jack gave a nod. “Let’s have this conversation with all the men. They should know too.”
“Fine.” Daring gave a terse nod. “We’ll keep it short, however. Malice has a new bride to attend. Shall we say five tonight?”
“Five it is…”
Earl of Exile
Lords of Scandal Book 3
Tammy Andresen
Earl of Exile
Lords of Scandal Book 3
Lord Callum Exmouth stood on the edge of the large ball room, strategically placed by one of the open garden doors. The spring breeze kept the air around him fresh and made him feel less trapped by th
e crowd. Large social gatherings made him uncomfortable. Not that he couldn’t participate in them, he just didn’t like them.
He rolled his neck from side to side, causing it to crack. Hell, he hated parties and balls. Unlike the other men in his circle, he hadn’t grown up knowing he was part of the peerage. His friends called him Exile, and the name suited him. He was an outcast, especially among his own family.
A gentleman bumped him and Exile let out a deep rumble of dissatisfaction. The man looked over at him, his brow scrunched until he caught Exile’s gaze then his own eyes widened in surprise. “I beg your pardon.” The man shuffled off quickly giving several worried glances backward.
He cracked two of his knuckles as if to underscore his point. Exile had that effect on people. His sheer size was intimidating.
Exile’s cousin, Ewan, was supposed to be the next Earl of Exmouth. Ewan had been born and raised for the position of one Scottish earl and had taken to the role naturally. Fair and decent, Ewan would have made an excellent leader of his people. Exile thought back to his larger than life cousin. Though, physically speaking, they’d been the same size, even as kids, Ewan had always known what to do. One summer, Exile had stayed with his aunt and uncle on their estate north of Glasgow. While playing with a group of boys, one of them had fallen from a tree and broken his arm. At twelve years of age, Ewan had taken charge. He’d sent one child for help, another was to hold the boy’s hand, a third was to go directly to the doctor. Exile at ten had wondered if he’d ever be as capable as Ewan. Now at eight and twenty he was still asking himself that same question.
Two ladies passed by him, gossiping loudly. “Did you see the cut of her dress? Awful.”
“I know,” the other replied, snapping open her fan and giving him a long stare over the top.
Exile looked away, not interested. His mind was elsewhere in the past. More and more he thought of his cousin rather than less. Ewan should be the earl now. Instead, Ewan had died five years prior. The worst part was his cousin had left this world attempting, as usual, to do the right thing. Exile’s gut clenched. Bloody unfair. So now, his family, his people were stuck with Exile as their earl. No one was happy about it. Certainly not his aunt. Definitely not the farmers who grumbled about how much time he spent in England and most certainly not himself.
Exile had never wanted the responsibility. Of course, he still tried to do the best he could. Hell, he’d even gone into business running a gaming hell to make sure his people remained fed. Not that anyone would appreciate his efforts if they knew the truth. They’d likely call him morally corrupt. His aunt had outright told him, he wasn’t the man Ewan had been on several occasions. She wasn’t wrong. In fact, Exile mostly agreed.
He shifted, uncomfortable with where his thoughts had dragged him. A woman with a large feathered hat stepped in front of him, the plumes reaching several feet in the air and blocking his view. As he moved, he caught sight of the door. His friend, and fellow club owner walked into the room. The Duke of Darlington, being a full head taller than everyone else, was easy to spot. Next to him was his wife, Minnie. Her bright red hair also standing out in the crowd. He searched just behind her and saw the woman he’d originally come to see. Lady Diana Chase.
His insides tightened. He hadn’t meant to react like that. He’d gone to the ball to see her, yes but not to be with her. In fact, he already had an intended, though he hadn’t chosen that woman either. Fiona was Ewan’s fiancée and his aunt was convinced that Exile should honor the commitment. If he recalled, her exact words were to the effect of, “It’s the least ye could do.”
His chest puffed out as he drew in a long breath. Marry a woman he’d never even met? Then again, after all the losses his aunt had endured, he wasn’t certain how he could refuse.
He gazed down at Diana, his body clenching with awareness. He’d met her a month ago when she and her sisters had arrived at the illicit club in the middle of the night. Diana’s sister, Emily had been in search of her fiancée. But the ladies had put both their reputations and the club’s secret nature at risk by going there. Even worse, one of Darlington’s enemies knew the ladies had been there.
As a result, Exile and his friends had agreed to keep watch over the Chase women. Make sure they didn’t expose their secret or run into trouble themselves. A promise Exile couldn’t regret more. Every time he looked at Diana, his breath froze in his chest like a bloody school boy with his first crush.
Darlington caught sight of Exile and headed straight for him. Inside Exile swore a string of curses. He should have refused to come here tonight. Should have stayed home. But he’d made a promise and the stakes of that promise had gotten more serious the past few days.
“You came,” Darlington rumbled as he reached out his hand to shake Exile’s.
Exile gave a single nod, making certain not to look at Diana. “Aye. I came.”
“I suppose you’re both worried after the incident with Cordelia…” Diana spoke from his left.
He still didn’t look at her but that didn’t stop her voice from vibrating through him. It was stronger and more confident than many women’s but beautifully musical with high rich tones. The sound struck a chord deep inside him.
He turned toward her then, his heart stopping as he looked into those deep, dark brown eyes, fringed with long black lashes. She was tall for a woman, allowing him to really drink in the details of her face as he, himself was well over six feet. Her straight nose was punctuated by the tiniest upturn at the end, her full lips begged to be kissed, her high cheekbones only accentuating that fact.
Diana’s dark hair was piled atop her head in a soft coif that made him long to touch the strands and he gripped his thigh to keep his hand in place. “Can’t be too careful,” he murmured, still drinking in every detail. Her dress came well off the shoulder, exposing her delicate skin and showing her cleavage. He’d like to kiss a path down her neck and over her shoulder, cutting across her chest and—
“With the Countess of Abernath loose about London, we must be very careful when we’re out in public,” Darlington spoke in a low voice, bending his head so as not to be overheard. He likely needn’t have bothered, the room was so loud, Exile could barely hear himself think.
“Let’s step outside. We’ll be able to hear each other out there.” Minnie wrapped her arm through her husband’s and they both moved toward the open doors.
Exile had no choice but to hold out his elbow to Diana. As her delicate fingers slipped into his elbow, he flexed the muscles in his arm attempting to curb his reaction to her touch. “Did Cordelia and Malice successfully leave for Dover?”
Diana nodded. “They did. Cordelia seemed very relieved to have left London after what the countess did.”
Exile grimaced. Darlington’s former fiancée, the Countess of Abernath had stolen Cordelia from her own home. She’d been attempting to blackmail Cordelia into exposing the club and Darlington’s involvement. “Can’t say that I blame her. I’m surprised ye’ve come out at all.”
Diana shrugged. “Ada and Grace are at home. But we need to make public appearances or society will begin to wonder what’s happened to us and I’m most suited to stand in for the family.”
His shoulder’s straightened as he stared at her, admiration filling his chest. “Ye’re a verra strong lass.”
She looked up at him then, a small smile curving her lips. “I’ll take that as a compliment. Thank you.”
“I meant it as a compliment. Ye’re welcome.” She was just the sort of woman a Scottish man would like to walk beside. Strong, beautiful, ready to speak her mind and fight for the ones she loved.
And she could never be his.
* * *
Diana gave the large Scot next to her a sidelong glance. The man was interesting, she’d give him that. He was large, not fat, but tall and thickly muscled. He had broad features that would never work for a woman, but looked handsome on a man. His square jaw and heavily corded neck gave him an air of power and physi
cal presence.
He was the sort of man a weaker woman might want to hide behind. Diana didn’t hide from anything.
“The question, now that we’ve decided I’m of strong stock, is what does a man do with such a dominant woman?” She wasn’t sure why she asked except that most men were a bit afraid of her. But not him. He looked right at her. In fact, his gaze was so strong, she often found herself shifting uncomfortably.
Exile swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. Then he mumbled so softly she almost didn’t hear him, “I can think of a thing or two.”
She nearly tripped over her own feet. She’d known that he was attracted to her from their first meeting. When they were together, his eyes never left her. But men often were enamored with her beauty until they got to know her better.
One man had made her believe he’d liked her just the way she was but he turned out to be a liar on so many levels. She supposed she should give Exile a few points for honesty but his innuendo reminded her that she wasn’t dealing with a gentleman. Exile, just like the cad in her past, Charles Crusher, was a rogue. And once a rogue, always a rogue.
“Can you now?” she asked, stopping. Minnie and Darlington were just ahead. “Such a gentleman.”
He grimaced, coming to a stop as well. “My apologies,” He turned toward her. “I didna mean to offend.”
His brogue tickled her ears, sliding down her neck. “You’re not the first to make such insinuations and you won’t be the last.” She turned forward to begin walking again. “I don’t pay any of you any mind.”
He held her in place, not moving. “I’m just like those other men am I?” His voice had dropped deeper, lower, almost sinister. “Would those other men follow ye from ball to ball to keep ye safe?”
Diana raised her brows, giving him a long look. Why did part of her like this protective behavior? “Is that what you’re doing?”
Marquess of Malice: Lords of Scandal Book 2 Page 12