James palmed her cheek. “You are a threat to my sanity, my Love.” Expelling a deep sigh, he swung into the saddle. “We shall not be long.” He winked at her before circling his horse in place. “Let us ride like the wind, Son. Our Lady needs our help.” James kicked the horse’s flanks and took off, Daniel’s smaller gelding following closely behind.
Ella watched them ride away before returning to the Averettes. “It shall not be long now. Let us become comfortable while we wait.” She gestured to the carriage, and they all climbed in.
“We have a smaller coach we expected to follow, but so far we have seen nothing of it. I suppose it had similar problems. We sent the coachman to look for a village.” Lord Averette declared. “That was but a quarter hour ago.”
“His Lordship’s carriage will surely see your man. He will have to come by way of the main road. Lord Worthing will make everything right.You may depend on him, Lord Averette.”
“If the man has your loyalty, Lady Eleanor, I will not question his worth.” Lord Averette settled into the squabs. Again, his tone spoke a different story, and Ella fought the urge to contract into the coach’s soft cushions.
“Tell us what happened to bring your brother home, Ella,” Cashé implored, “and of what you and Velvet have been doing.”
Ella took a deep breath and began her recitation. For nearly an hour, she spoke of finding Bran in Cornwall, of their surprise with Sonali, of the London Season, especially of Queen Charlotte’s acceptance, and a perverted tale of how she and her maid had traveled to Derbyshire in order for Ella to meet James’s family, specifically for his father, who wished to see his son settled before the elder Kerrington’s illness took him to an untimely death. Throughout, Lord Averette made comments regarding Bran’s poor judgment in deserting Thorn Hall, the unsuitability of Ella’s going to Cornwall, Bran’s impertinence in marrying a “heathen,” and her impolite trek to Derby with only a maid as her chaperone. Ella spoke freely in the beginning, but she soon learned to guard her words. Viscount Averette’s censure stung.
“You and Velvet enjoyed your first Season?” Cashé asked. “Was it as decadent as I have heard?”The middle Aldridge sister seemed a bit annoyed by the news of her sibling’s new life, as well as more than curious about the unknown. “Is London truly a den of iniquity?”
Ella caught the girl’s hand. “I would say it is more glorious than decadent, but it is also very stressful. There are so many rules and strictures. A woman is on display at all times. Personally, I found it quite restraining, even though I was fortunate enough to enjoy His Lordship’s company on a regular basis, at least, until his family summoned him home to tend his father. I cannot imagine being subjected to not knowing if someone might judge me worthy of being his bride. Can you conceive of what it must be for those who spend several Seasons before either being chosen or accepting one’s fate as being unmarriageable? The parties and soirees are exciting, but I believe your sister would agree with me when I say they are not worth it—not worth the underlying tension of being in a display case, waiting to be chosen by sometimes less than savory mates. It is a game—a game in which women often lose.” Ella thought of how she could now have been looking at a future with Louis Levering instead of James Kerrington. How bleak that would have been!
“Well spoken, Lady Eleanor.” Lady Averette straightened the seams of her dress. “I always thought English Society’s perverted sense of propriety lopsided in its expectations for women. The Bible teaches us how God conceived a woman’s place in the world. God created Eve from Adam’s rib. I was fortunate to find an Englishman who presented me with the type of marriage a Scotsman might allow me. If your Lord Worthing is the exception to the rule, you are fortunate indeed, Lady Eleanor.” She slipped her ungloved hand into her husband’s. “A woman’s life is to serve her husband.”
Ella watched the Averettes’ interactions. She thought that she would never be Lord Worthing’s servant: She preferred being His Lordship’s partner. “My Lord has seen more of the world than the English countryside. Although he follows many of the most convenient modes of British Society, I do not expect to be placed on the shelf as a hunting trophy. Our relationship is based on a true affection.”
“Ah…a love match. Excellent. I would be happy if each of my brother’s children are so lucky,” Lord Averette declared aloud; yet, he half-snarled in disgust, and Ella felt a sudden pang of guilt—guilt for what, she was unsure, however.
“Perhaps, your aunt and uncle will allow you to spend a few weeks in London with Velvet. I am sure Bran would extend an invitation to Briar House, and then you could judge for yourself whether a London Season is all you believe it to be. Only a few weeks are left before the ton disappears for the summer to their country estates.”
“Would that be appropriate, Uncle?” Ella watched in distress as Cashé half-cowered. “Would it be sinful to wish to see the place, at least, once? I will not go against your precepts, but I admit to my curiosity.”
Lord Averette’s smile appeared strained. “We shall see. Let me speak to Thornhill first before we make our plans beyond a possibility. For now, we will celebrate Lady Eleanor’s love match to her Viscount.” Averette opened the Bible he had left lying on the coach’s seat. “While we wait, let us continue our study.”
A short time later, the sound of carriage wheels approaching from opposing directions brought Lord Averette to attention. He climbed from his coach’s stuffy interior. Looking one way and then the other, he began to chuckle. “Notice the irony of life. My second coach carrying our luggage approaches from my left while Lord Worthing’s rescue comes from my right.”
Averette flagged down the smaller coach as James and his men helped the rest of the party from the damaged vehicle. “Let us see how Miss Nelson and our Gwendolyn are surviving.” Averette opened the coach’s door, hearing his child’s excited giggles.
“Papa.” A fair-skinned six-year-old reached for him. “We found you.”
“You did, my Child.” He helped a mid-twenty-something lady from the coach before lifting the girl to the ground.
“Ah, Worthing, I am pleased to see you.” Averette motioned James forward. “This is our daughter, Gwendolyn Aldridge, and her governess Miss Grace Nelson.”
James bowed to the two travelers. “It is good thing that I brought the larger carriage then.” He led the governess to his coach and helped her in. They would transfer the broken carriage’s baggage to the smaller coach. Averette and the child followed him. “I instructed your smaller coach to follow mine. My men are waiting at the turnaround with a flat wagon to bring your other carriage to my stable for repairs. Everything is arranged. Ella and I will ride together across the estate. My mother and sister are anxious to meet part of Lady Eleanor’s family.”
“You are most generous, Lord Worthing.” Again, James experienced a twinge of unexplained caution.
James closed the carriage and motioned to his man to move out. He strode to where Ella waited by her horse. “Did you have a nice visit, my Love?” He lifted her to the saddle and handed up the reins before adjusting the straps for the stirrups.
“I did, Lord Worthing. I told the Averettes of their sister and niece.” She smiled down at him. “And I spoke of a generous man who invites people he does not know to his home.”
“In another week it will be your home, Ella; it is only natural to welcome your relatives. Soon, you and I will replace my parents.” He swung up into the saddle and settled himself into the seat.
Ella’s smile faded, and she leveled a serious look on him. “I am content to be your Viscountess for a long time. I prefer having a family—a mother and a father—to your succeeding to the title.You are the Earl in every other way, and the world knows it. I would hope your father might greet our children as he did Georgina’s, and mentor them as he does with Daniel.”
“God, I love you… sometimes you speak my most secret thoughts aloud. How is it you know me so well?” They sat staring into each other’s eyes.
>
“Maybe it is because you speak to my soul, James Kerrington. I prefer the image of Eleanor Fowler I see reflected in your eyes. She is a woman worthy of being loved by a man such as you. She is no longer that lonely girl.”
“And I am no longer a man lost to what fate had given me. Let us return home, my Love. The Averettes will be waiting for us.”
“Shall we race?” Ella’s complexion sparkled.
James chuckled at her constant need to prove herself commendable. “I will give you to the count of three as always, but if I win, I mean to claim a kiss as a reward.”
Ella circled her mount. “And if I win, I mean to claim more than a kiss as a reward.”
She kicked the horse’s side, leaving him watching her retreating form. “You do not play fair,” he called after her. For a second he debated letting her win; after all, losing to Ella would be exquisite torture; but James knew she would see through his ruse. Either way, she would end up in his arms. Thinking such, he nudged the stallion forward, picking up speed continually. He would lie with her again tonight. Soon, Fowler would be at Linton Park, and James would not chance taking Ella then, but he still had three days and three nights of Ella before he did the proper thing by her.
“You sent for me, my Lord.” Mr. Lucas had summoned Ella to James’s study.
“Yes, Lady Eleanor. Please come in. I have a letter from your brother. I thought we might share it together.” James met her at the door, motioned Hannah away, and closed the door behind her.
“My Lord?” Ella’s eyebrow rose in amusement when he purposely turned the lock.
James pulled her into his embrace, brushing his lips against hers. “If Bran’s letter holds what I anticipate it does, I thought we might want to celebrate.”
Ella laced her arms about his neck. “And in what type of celebration do you hope to participate, my Lord?” She kissed along his chin line.
“You did win our race, Ella. Shall you not claim your reward?”
“This reward, Lord Worthing?” She brushed an open palm against his manhood, making him hardened immediately before tilting her head to receive his open mouthed kiss. He ground his erection against the flat of her stomach. “We made love but eight hours ago,” she protested.
“And we will make love again in less than five minutes.” James backed her toward the chaise, lifting Ella’s skirt as they moved. When the back of her legs touched the cushions, he edged her down onto the furniture. His hands shoved her skirt to her waist while his mouth kissed his way to her mons. He untied her drawers and drew them away. Ella’s breathing told him she wanted him as much as he did her. “Open for me, Ella,” he rasped out as he lowered his mouth to her sex. Ella spread her legs, and James began to lick and suck her, using his tongue and his teeth and his lips to stimulate her. Within moments, she arched to meet his mouth and began to tremble with desire.
Excited as she, James loosened his breeches, releasing his manhood. He lowered himself to her, filling Ella with one smooth thrust. “I shall not last long,” he growled. “I cannot get enough of you, Ella. I want to bury myself inside you—feel your womanhood contract around me.” He talked himself into the climax. His mind imagined the tightening before it came. His hips pumped hard and quick, drowning in his need for her. “I love you, Ella.”
“And I love you,” she whispered to his contorted face. Lifting her hips, she held herself still, where he might reach her more easily, allowing him to use her as a vessel for his desire. When she knew he was ready, Ella began to meet his thrusts with her own. Triumphantly, she watched as he succumbed to his desire—watched as his jaw locked in need—feeling his seed fill her.
He braced his weight on his forearm and hand. Finally, he smiled at her and opened his steel-grey eyes, the ones that had mesmerized her from the beginning. “You were magnificent; I may never win another horse race,” he teased.
“Oh, I am not finished with you, Lord Worthing.” Seductively husky, her voice made him hard again. “You will be in my bed tonight, and I will have my way with you.You will not touch me, but I will touch you, my Lord. That will be my reward.”
James’s groin responded to her suggestion. He wanted her again, immediately, although he knew they could not remain locked in any longer without someone coming to look for one of them. “You are such a tease, Eleanor Fowler. I will be hard the rest of the evening, and you will torment me with images of your bed.” For good measure, he ground his hips against her before pulling out and standing to restore his clothing.
Purposely, Ella left her body exposed to his gaze. “I want you to remember me as I am now,” she whispered before lowering her skirt. She loved this power she held over him; it validated her as an independent woman even as she gave herself to him.
“Damn!” James forced his gaze from her body, hearing Ella laugh in the background. He turned his back on her and adjusted his manhood behind his closed breeches. Then he helped Ella to stand and to straighten her clothing and hair, although he purposely averted his eyes from her face. Irritated that he took away her control over him, Ella went on her tiptoes to nibble on his ear. James groaned, “Please stop tormenting me, Ella.”
“I do not mean to torment you, James. I just wish to love you.” For a split second, James heard the voice of the sleepwalking Ella begging for her father’s love. Part of her would always be that girl looking for someone to love her. He would need to prove his devotion over and over—not a bad sentence for a man who desired her night and day.
He kissed the tip of her nose. “You may touch me any time—any place—I welcome your interest—your desire. If you hear me complain, it is only that I fear someone will interrupt, and I will not be able to stop when I take you in less than private places. I would never dishonor you.”
“I will behave myself for now.” She moved away to sit in a nearby chair. “May we share Bran’s letter?” James took a deep breath and returned to his desk. He took the letter from the tray and handed it to Ella. Surprised, she said, “You want me to read it first?”
“You may read the letter to yourself and never tell me what it says, or read it to me, or we can read it separately. It is your life, Ella, and I give it back to you. I know the gist of what happened years ago, but I never need to know the specifics unless you wish it. If it helps you to deal with your past by telling me, I will listen. If you prefer to keep some things private, I will respect your silence because I know it has nothing to do with whether you love me. I have made choices in my past—some I will share because I need to voice my thoughts before I can give myself absolution. Some others—I may take those to my grave. But none of those choices change how much I love you.You gave me the freedom to realize that some choices do not make me all bad—evil even. If I were evil, you could not look at me with that innocent wonder. I pray you see the same acceptance in my eyes.”
With a silent agreement to all he offered, Ella broke the seal on the letter and began to read aloud.
Worthing and Eleanor,
It is with a happy heart that I tell you that our plan progressed as we designed it. Our men have performed admirably in this endeavor, as we knew they would. Crowden presented me the two volumes of Lady Levering’s diary today. I will bring them to Linton Park as a wedding present.
Ella looked up, tears misting her eyes. “Can it be?” she whispered, and James nodded his affirmation. Letting the beginnings of a smile kiss her lips, Ella returned to the letter.
As planned, Kimbolt presses Levering for his debts; Sir Louis is most anxious to make Eleanor his wife, to claim her dowry. The baronet is making bold promises and foolish assumptions. As you instructed, Captain, I have invited the baronet to join my party at Carlton House. Everything is in place.
“Must I truly face the baronet again?” Ella looked up, distress rising again.
Worthing’s voice took on a soothing tone. “It is the only way to silence the man completely.You must trust me, Ella. I will not allow Sir Louis to hurt you again.”
A
lthough not totally convinced, Ella took a deep breath and continued to read.
I will tell Aunt Agatha of the marriage on Sunday. We will be on the road by Monday morning and see you on Tuesday. We will travel under the guise of visiting Agatha’s son and his new wife for a few days, claiming she has family business. I let it slip to Levering that Ella will return from the Lakes in time to attend Prinny’s bash.
Kimbolt leaves for Derbyshire tomorrow; Swenton will follow on Saturday. Crowden will travel with us. Even Shepherd plans to make an appearance.Your wedding will be a joyous event.
Ella, I love you with every breath I take. I would give my life to change what has happened to you.You are an amazing woman, and I am humbled by your strength of character. I once thought myself the strong one in the family, but next to you, I pale by comparison.
Captain, I would follow you into hell.You are the best of us. Make my little sister happy, and you will earn my undying devotion. Both of you deserve to know love.
Your brother,
B
“Then it is nearly finished,” James thought aloud.
Ella bit her bottom lip. “Seriously, James, I do not know whether I can face Sir Louis again.”
“This comes from the woman who delivered an undeliverable baby while facing down the Earl of Linworth within his own home.”
“That was easy compared to this.”
“Ella, you have nothing to fear; you will have the full force of the Realm behind you. I will protect you.You will be my wife, and Sir Louis will never be heard from again. I make you that promise, but we must silence him forever. For that, you must be in the baronet’s presence once more to end this.”
The Scandal of Lady Eleanor Page 27