“Then the former duchess must have been an extraordinarily beautiful woman.”The earl gave Eleanor an approving look.
James’s smile spread across his face. “Queen Charlotte spoke at length to Lady Eleanor at her Presentation. Ella was the talk of London, Sir.”
“Her Highness’s favor—quite a feather in your cap, young lady. Of what else can you brag about the woman, James?” The earl’s affection for his son showed through easily. Ella felt the twinge of regret at not knowing such family harmony.
“Well, let me see,” James caught Ella’s hand across his father’s body. “The former duke was abed for two years while Fowler was away in Brittany. Ella ran the estate in the absence of both father and son. Without her, Thornhill might not have survived.”
“That is too much praise,” Ella protested.
“My son was taught to speak the truth, Lady Eleanor. If James says as much, it must be so. It sounds as if you are a survivor, Lady Eleanor. That is who a man of my son’s mettle needs by his side, a woman like my Camelia, a woman who will thwart propriety for the sake of her family. We Kerringtons celebrate such women. I understand you have not officially accepted my son’s offer, but I want you to know I would be proud to call you Daughter.”
Ella’s eyes misted with tears. “I do not wish to contradict you, Sir, but you barely know me.”
“That is where you are wrong, my Dear. I knew the first time I laid eyes on Her Ladyship the kind of woman she was, and I see the same lift of your chin and tilt of your head and bristle of your shoulders as I saw in her. I have known you, Lady Eleanor, for many years.You are what this earldom needs to survive into the next decade and beyond.”
“How may I thank you for such words of praise?”
Martin Kerrington’s eyes sparked with mischief. “Marry my son soon and start a family. I cannot hold out forever, and I want James settled at last.”
“Such threats make me wish to deny His Lordship in order to keep you with us, Lord Linworth.” Ella straightened the blanket across the earl’s chest.
“I will not wait, Ella,” James snapped.
The elder Kerrington raised his hand to still his son. “I like your logic, Lady Eleanor, but God will not relent. He may give me a reprieve, but I will not foil His plans for me. Keep my advice in mind, my Dear.You and James will make a handsome couple.”
“You need your rest now, Sir. It is time for your medication.” James rose to fill his father’s water glass and count out the pills.
“I hate that abominable brown pill. It upsets my stomach,” his father grumbled.
James handed his father the glass and the medication and waited for the earl to swallow the pills, obviously suspecting the elder Kerrington might not do so on his own. “I will send up some dry toast.” James checked off the procedure in his father’s care. “Ella and Mother are to have tea, and I believe I will check on Daniel.”
“Is something wrong with the boy?” the earl looked concerned.
James adjusted his father’s pillows. “No, Sir. Lady Eleanor pointed out earlier that Daniel needs other types of lessons. I thought I might take him to the stables to see the new stud I bought at Tattersalls. I thought he might be interested in the horses I hope to raise and sell.”
“Excellent idea.”The Earl settled back to take a nap. “I told you Lady Eleanor is a prize.”
“Of course, you did, Father. We will both see you later.” James caught Ella’s hand to lead her from the room.
“You will come back, Lady Eleanor?” the Earl called from the bed.
Ella impulsively pulled away from James and returned to the bed. She leaned down over the ailing earl. “I will come often,Your Lordship,” she whispered. “It has been a long time since I had a father, Sir, so I expect you to stay around for me.” She pushed the hair from his face.
“I will do my damnedest, my Dear.” He winked at her before closing his eyes to rest.
CHAPTER 11
SHORTLY AFTER THE SUPPER HOUR, Viscount Lexford’s carriage rolled into the Linton Park entranceway, and within moments James ushered him into the drawing room to pay his respects to the ladies. Lexford made his bows to James’s family before turning to Eleanor. “Lady Eleanor, I am pleased to see you again.” He did not say the words, but she knew what he meant.
“And I you, Lord Lexford.” Ella breathed deeply trying to control her embarrassment, considering their parting less than a day ago. Neither of them wanted Worthing to know the extent of the ruse they had created to fool Levering.
Anxious to confer with his friend, James interrupted their reunion. “His Lordship and I have some urgent business if you ladies will excuse us.” Before much else was said, James left the room, and Lexford bowed out to follow.
“That was a bit rude,” Lexford laughed lightly as he strode into Kerrington’s study. He took a quick glance at the room’s condition, and his laughter became louder. “I see you are redecorating,” he mocked.
James simply shrugged his answer before pouring them each a glass of brandy. “You know my mother. She would keep you talking about nothing for hours, and I need to know what you learned of Levering. I meet Fowler late tomorrow to decide what to do about Lady Eleanor.” James ignored the comment regarding the room; he knew it appeared a shambles as he repaired the holes his anger had created earlier.
Lexford collapsed into the nearest chair. “How in the world did the lady become involved with such a seedy character?”
“The baronet is blackmailing Ella over something she did as a teen under the late duke’s guidance. Lady Eleanor is trying to protect her family’s reputation for Fowler’s sake. What do you know of Sir Louis?”
Lexford took a sip of the brandy. “If I tell you, you are not going to blow up, are you?” He eyeballed the holes gouged in the wall, a bemused smirk on his face.
“That bad?” James swallowed hard, trying to steady his breathing.
“The baronet has some bawdy personal tastes, and he has involved your lady in them.” James’s anger rose immediately. He clenched and unclenched his fists, but he kept his temper in check as the viscount continued. “Fowler forestalled the proposal, giving Levering only an understanding with Lady Eleanor, trying to find time to thwart the bastard’s plans. Godown contacted Swenton and me, and we moved forward. I became ‘friends’ with Levering by making him my debtor. The man is spending Lady Eleanor’s dowry before he even receives it.”
James became extremely quiet, imagining the many ways he would like to make Levering pay. “Go on,” he said, his voice deadly cold.
“You will not like what comes next,” Kimbolt warned.
“Nevertheless, I need to know it all.”
“The baronet placed Lady Eleanor in several embarrassing situations. Recently, I followed them to the theatre where I observed them closely. Although she protested and openly wept during the stage performance, he placed her hand over his manhood and moved against it, stimulating himself in public. Then he stepped behind the box’s curtain to relieve himself.”
“Damn!” James muttered. “Poor Ella. However did she bear it?”
Lexford sat forward as if to share a secret. “There was a similar incident at an inn this week, where the baronet took his own pleasure before her. He bragged about it when he brought your lady to Heath Montford’s hunting box. Levering manipulated Lady Eleanor into thinking he was escorting her to a house party. There were only five of us there, and each man brought his mistress for a week of lustful fun; Levering brought Fanny Houghton.”
“The bastard brought both Ella and his mistress?” James’s fists balled in anger.
“Levering brought Fanny for himself; he gave me Lady Eleanor in order to pay part of his debts. When I found out his plans, I negotiated the exchange. Levering claimed he did not care whether his future bride was an innocent or not. Luckily, Lady Eleanor seemed to understand I would not hurt her and came willingly to me. I drugged the others so I could send the lady to you with Lucifer’s help.”
Lexford smiled mischievously. “Please tell me you have a plan to make Levering pay.”
“I plan to turn him into a eunuch and ruin him completely, but I have one problem to solve first. I need to find a diary belonging to Levering’s mother. Lady Eleanor will not be safe until that time.”
Lexford leaned back into the chair. “How may I be of service?”
“I hate to ask, but could you get the baronet to take you into his confidence? I need to know where he has secured the diary.”
“I think that is possible; I will just insist Levering pay up immediately, or I will send him to debtor’s prison. Although Levering knows me by the name Allister Collins, I am still a viscount, after all. My word should be worth something. I know his type; Levering will swear he has a way to make the Fowlers pay, and I will demand to see this ‘miracle balm’ for his money woes before I extend him time to pay his debts.”
“Do you think you could buy up more of his blunt? I would help finance, making Levering greatly in debt to you. I am sure Fowler would buy into it also. That way we could control him completely.”
Viscount Lexford considered the idea. “Swenton can tell us to whom Levering owes money. We could go from there; it would increase the pressure I could put on the man to show me the diary.”
“Once you know where it is, I will send Godown in to retrieve it.”
Lexford chuckled softly. “The Ghost stalks again.”
“It will be good for Crowden to exercise his talents,” Worthing asserted. “If we retrieve the diary, I will then orchestrate Louis Levering’s permanent downfall.”
“Then I suppose I should be to London tomorrow. I convinced Levering that Lady Eleanor took the chance for her escape; the baronet took Fanny and returned to town.”
James looked a bit wary. “He would not follow you here, would he?”
“I doubt it; Derby is west of Nottingham. Why travel west to return south? Plus, he has Fanny with him, and she was not happy about cutting their holiday short. Levering is too narrow-minded. He imagines using Lady Eleanor’s flight against her—keeping her a pawn in his scheme. He has been physically hurting her for several weeks—a twisted arm, a blow to the ribs—things such as that. He plans to make her pay physically and sexually for her withdrawal. Sir Louis is not the type to believe he has lost complete control of his pigeon.”
James clutched at the edge of the desk, trying to restrain his anger. He would enjoy inflicting pain on Levering. “When Lady Eleanor returns to London, she will do so as my wife. Levering will have to go through me to get to her.”
Lexford barked out a laugh of pure delight. “In some ways, I pity the man. The Realm’s full power is about to lay him out cold.”
“I cannot see it happening to a more deserving ass.” James topped off his friend’s drink. “You will ride with me to Northamptonshire. I plan to meet Fowler and Crowden there.You can share what you know.”
“Oh, Lord,” Kimbolt swore, “I forgot about Fowler’s revenge. What an idiot Levering is! He dared to cross both Brantley Fowler and you. I am going to enjoy this more than anything since I returned to civilian life.”
James pushed open her bedroom door, and his breath hitched at the sight of Ella’s silhouetted figure in the dimly lit room. His first instinct was to take her in his arms immediately, but he paused to fully survey the goddess before him. She stood by the window reading a letter.
“What do you read, my Dear?” He closed the door behind him.
“Your letters…they were in my luggage. I never allowed myself to read them while I dealt with Levering. I knew I could not face him if you spoke of our relationship. I kept them to help me control what seemed to be an endless imprisonment.”
James took a tentative step forward. “I meant every word, Ella. You are everything I never knew I wanted.” He paused, unsure of Ella’s thoughts. “Is this what you sought, Ella? Do you still want our joining?”
“I wondered how much longer I would have to wait, Lord Worthing.” She laid the letter on a nearby table.
“Did you?”With each slow step, his heart raced faster.
Ella studied his face for a moment before smiling. “What means this teasing of yours?”
His grin widened. “Anticipation, my Love. It deepens the fascination.”
“Ah-h.You realize, of course, I am likely to see this as terrifying rather than fascinating.”
“Terrified of me, Lady Eleanor?” He stepped up beside her where he might caress Ella’s face. “I am your chivalrous warrior,” he mocked.
“And I am your Amazon,” she countered.
James’s smile spread to the corners of his eyes. “I will gladly be your captive, Ella.” Her exquisite beauty held him in place. Blonde gold curls draped over her shoulders in twisted strands, cupping her breasts.
For several elongated moments, they said nothing, but their eyes spoke of desire and of need and of something like love. He opened his arms, and Ella walked willingly into his embrace. This moment was different from the other times he had held her to him. Ella would give herself to him tonight.
Her voice a bit breathless, she murmured, “So much for anticipation… will action follow soon?”
“Oh, yes, Ella.” His lips brushed hers lightly. “Anticipation is over.” The softness of her lips drove James over the edge, and he was lost only to her.
She gave herself up freely to his ministrations; he was the perfect answer to a difficult question. He tasted of brandy and of male and of power and of James. The taste was intoxicating, and she swayed under its supremacy.
James caught her close to him, trailing light kisses down the curve of her neck. “Ella,” he sighed against her skin, before lifting her into his arms and carrying her to the bed.
Pressing her against the pillows, they both gasped for air. James’s mouth was everywhere, while Ella’s hands tugged at his shirt so she could touch his skin. He sat back to look down at her, his clothing askew; then he tugged off his jacket and his waistcoat, but never once did his eyes leave hers. “You are so beautiful; I ache for you.”
“Come to me,“ she whispered and reached for him. James shed his shirt, throwing it into a corner, wanting only to share her skin on his skin.
When he crawled across the bed to lie beside her, Ella’s fingers traced the line of his shoulders. “Mmmm,” she moaned.
His lips returned to hers, tender at first, but then crushing hers, demanding her submission. “May I look upon you?” he implored.
Ella gave a quick nod of her head and then squeezed her eyes shut. She worried for the possible disappointment in his face, but Ella had nothing to fear. He could see only the exquisiteness of her form. James raised the gown slowly, exposing her ankles, her slender legs, her stomach… up the white muslin slid, revealing Heaven. He flipped the gown somewhere behind him before cupping a breast in his hand. “Open your eyes, Darling, and see how I adore you.”
Instinctively, he lowered his head to her breast, first lifting it to his mouth with his hand. His tongue traced circles around her nipple, finally taking the tip between his lips to suckle her. She was the most beautiful—most heart-stopping woman he had ever seen.
Ella gasped, his body’s heat radiating through her. Gripping his shoulders, she arched into his mouth. Waves of pleasure making her breath shallow and her hands tingle, she melted into him. James shifted to lavish attention on her other breast while sliding his hand down across the flat of her stomach to palm her mons. His hand nudged her legs apart as his mouth returned to hers. Teasingly, his fingers twisted the curls found along the fatty swelling of her most secret desire. Ella impulsively arced her hips and moaned seductively. His fingertips traced along her opening’s dampness, parting the lips and stroking lightly across as his tongue mimicked the movement within her mouth.
Slick and wet, she clutched the bed covering, fisting the material in her hands. Completely absorbed in what
he did to her, Ella willingly spread her legs to welcome the finger James buried in her. Methodically, he moved to where he could see his finger slide in and out of her wetness, totally mesmerized by pure passion rushing through him.
“Will you come for me?” he asked softly at her ear. “I want to see you lost to my love.” He caught the lobe with his teeth and bit gently. His hand’s rhythm increased as his mouth returned to her breast. Now, James sucked harder, using his teeth to rake against the nipple. The tension inside Ella increased, and her body moved of its own accord, rising to his touch before she cascaded into pleasure’s pool pulsing through her, whimpering sounds escaping her lips.
James waited to allow the climax to subside before standing to remove his boots, breeches, and underthings. Ella’s eyes grew in size at seeing his length, the proud erection pointing at her when he knelt between her legs.
“Do you wish to touch me?” his voice broke with emotion.
Ella could not remove her eyes from his manhood. “Do you wish me to do so?”
“I want you to feel familiar with me, but I will not force you, Ella.You must want to know my body.”
Ella took in his countenance: He was a man who would never try to dominate or subjugate her, a man who would accept her as his equal. “Is it wanton to have such desires?”
James smiled slightly; he recognized her war between propriety and need. “There is not a man alive who would refuse your curiosity, my Love. It is natural between a man and his wife, and even without the vows being read, that is how I see you. You are my wife, Ella—the life that breathes and lives within me. Touch me if you desire it.”
Tentatively, Ella’s fingers touched the velvety softness, spreading milky drops of wetness across the surface. He jerked with her touch, and then closed his eyes with the experimental strokes of her palm as it slid the skin up and back over the head, driving the thoughts from his mind. She gently massaged his sacks, and he could not suppress the groan escaping his lips. James clenched his jaw in passion as Ella increased the pace—the only sound in the room being the rapid inhalation and exhalation of their attempts to breathe.
The Scandal of Lady Eleanor Page 21