“You certainly made that clear by climbing through my window, which by way, how did you manage to do with your bad leg?”
“Bad leg or not, I’m a hussar and we’re trained to navigate all sorts of difficult terrain.” He stroked his fingers back and forth across her cheeks. “Climbing in here wasn’t an issue. My injured leg even cooperated with my need to get to you as quickly as possible.”
“You said we needed to speak.”
“I don’t want you seeing Tidmore anymore, or Poole for that matter.”
“You have no right to tell me who I may or may not see.”
“Promise me that you won’t run away with Tidmore tomorrow night.”
“I said—”
He let out a fierce growl then dipped his head and captured her mouth with his. Their mouths molded together, his passion erupting and she could barely hold onto her own passion as he devoured her mouth.
It was the headiest, roughest and most sensual kiss of her life, his tongue sweeping over hers as he drugged her. In a frenzy, she gripped the front of his jacket and tore it open. The buttons popped off and pinged against the walls as they scattered about her room. She desperately needed this moment with him and even though she’d been shocked at his abrupt arrival, now all she wanted to do was take advantage of it. “Pierce,” she whispered against his lips. “Don’t stop kissing me.”
“I need you.” Tension vibrated in his voice. “Tell me you need me as well.”
“I do need you.” She always had.
“I want you to touch me, as freely as you might wish to.” He pushed his jacket from his shoulders, unknotted his cravat then dived back in and kissed her again.
She spread her hands over his wide chest and worked the buttons of his shirt open then pushed the linen aside. What a wickedly muscled chest. “I can’t believe I’m actually touching you.”
“All I ask is that you don’t stop.”
Intoxicated, she slowly trailed one finger between the rigid indents of his abs. She swished along the waistband of his trousers, her heart hammering so loud it pounded in her ears. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”
“Give me this moment, Ellie.” His breath, all sultry and hot, fanned across her cheeks.
“Why are you here?”
“I don’t want any other man touching you.” He tugged the front lacings of her nightgown free, slipped the loose neckline over one shoulder and lowered his head to her breast as he freed it. His hot mouth fastened over her beaded nipple and such a fierce explosion of sensation rippled through her.
She clutched his shoulders and held on as her world tilted. “Pierce?”
“I’ve got you.” He scooped her into his arms before she toppled, laid her gently on her bed then slid in overtop of her. He suctioned his mouth over her nipple once more and flicked the tip with his tongue. “Your breasts are so beautiful, so full and delicious.”
He pushed her nightgown down to her waist and cool air flowed over her other breast. He latched onto her other nipple and gave it the same dedicated attention as he’d given the first, then he rumbled against her skin, “I need to touch more of you, Ellie. Say yes.”
“Yes.” The word slipped out before she could halt it.
“This might shock you, where I want to touch you that is.” He lifted the skirts of her nightgown, delved underneath the cream cotton and cupped her mound with his palm. “I’m going to touch inside of you.”
“Why?”
“Because touching you there will bring us both pleasure.”
“How can that be?”
“Let me show you.” A wicked grin and he nipped her lips then kissed her deeply and passionately. As he did, he moved his hand over her below, one finger gliding along her entrance.
Craving more but not sure what, she allowed her instincts their release and arched her back, her breasts pushing into his chest and her nipples stiffening even further as they brushed across his bare skin. “This feels magical.”
“There’s more to come yet.” He thumbed her nub, the area so sensitive and she arched her back, almost lurched off the bed.
“That’s it, my sweet. Give me all of you.” He stroked her more firmly, so expertly and she got slicker and hotter.
She ached for him deep inside. “I—I—Pierce, I’m not sure what I need.”
“It’s all right. I know what you need.”
He pushed one finger deep inside her channel, applied more pressure to her nub then flicked his finger against it. Raw, naked need blazed through her and just as she opened her mouth, he kissed her again and muffled her cry.
Sweet pleasure speared through her, so swift and fast, then she floated somewhere far away from her body. Dreamily, she finally came back down and when she did, she smiled at the man gazing deep into her eyes and murmured, “That was beautiful, but you didn’t put yourself inside of me, and you said the first time we kissed in your gazebo, that when a man’s cock lengthens and broadens, it means the man is mere minutes away from pushing his cock between your legs.”
“Yes, and you can be assured I wanted to. Instead, I came in my trousers at the same time as you came with my finger inside of you. My pants are now wet.”
“How wet?” She couldn’t help her very giddy, feminine smile.
“Rather wet.” His piercing blue eyes twinkled.
“Do you need a washcloth?”
“I do.” He pressed his cheek to her cheek, half chuckling and half groaning in her ear as he did. “You are a very wicked woman.”
“I am now.”
“You were glorious in your passion too.”
Her cheeks flushed with heat and he lifted his head and met her gaze. “Don’t be embarrassed. You drove me wild with your response to my touch. I adored it.”
“Could you lift up a little?”
“I’d rather not.”
“You’re too heavy.”
“Poor you.” Another chuckle, then he popped a kiss on her lips and pushed to his feet. “It seems I must oblige you now. I wouldn’t wish to flatten you when I am so very fascinated by all of your sweet curves.”
“My sweet curves thank you for the relief.” She pushed her skirts down, righted her nightgown and drew the neck ties together. Indeed, he did have a very large wet patch staining the front of his trousers.
He limped across to her side table, his leg clearly bothering him and she wriggled under her covers and plumped her pillows, while he poured water into the basin and dipped the cloth and wrung it out. He unbuttoned his trousers, pushed the damp cloth inside and cleaned himself. Goodness. She should turn her gaze away and not gawk while he saw to his ablutions, but she couldn’t help herself, and certainly not after the precious intimacy they’d just shared. Finished, he fixed his trousers and buttoned his shirt before crunching on a button as he walked back to her.
“I’m so sorry. I’ll sew your jacket buttons back on if you like.”
“No, I’d rather you didn’t. That jacket shall never hold buttons again, just so I’ll never forget this night.” He sat on the edge of her bed and faced her, his blue gaze intense. “I’m certain Tidmore is the one.”
“We’re to elope tomorrow night, during the masked ball.”
“Is he truly the man you want as a husband?”
“How can you even ask that after the way we just kissed and touched?”
“He gave you a rose.”
“I offered you a daisy, which you declined.” She pushed a finger into his chest, right over his heart. “You’ve not asked me to marry you either. In fact, you’ve stated unequivocally until this moment that you’ve no desire for a wife. Have you changed your mind at all?”
“Yes.”
“Pardon?”
“I said yes.”
“Then why did you choose Lady Ashley over me when you first returned from the front line?”
“At the time, I had no desire for such a union between us. You’re Harry’s little sister. When you were only a few hours old, I sat in your parents�
� drawing room and held you bundled in my arms. Six, I was at the time, only a year on from when I’d suffered the loss of my own parents. You were so small and innocent. At that moment, I considered you my sister too. I vowed to always watch over you.”
“So this, you being here in my chamber, is you watching over me?”
“Yes, and no. You’ve turned my world upside down, Ellie Marie. You’ve dragged me out of my self-exile with your decree that you’re to run away with another man, and I can’t allow that to happen. You’ve forced my hand.”
“I’ve forced no one’s hand.” She gasped, shocked and outraged.
“I wanted to remain in seclusion, but now because of you, I no longer can.”
“Oh, trust me, I’ve no intention of forcing you to offer for me.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“You told me once before, that you neither wanted my sympathy, worry, or interference. The same goes for me.” And here she’d thought he actually might hold tender feelings for her. Instead, she’d forced his hand and that hadn’t been her intention at all.
“Lady Ellie?” A knock on her door, Penny’s soft whisper drifting through. “Is all well? I heard some strange noises.”
“No, everything is not well, Penny.” She heaved out of her bed and pushed the drapes open. She shoved a finger at the window. “You can’t be found in here, Your Grace. You must go.”
“We haven’t finished our conversation.”
“I understand exactly where this conversation is headed. After what just transpired between us, you’ll no doubt feel honor bound to ask for my hand, and well, I’m not accepting any proposal other than the one I’ve already accepted.”
Another rap at the door.
“Damn it, Ellie.”
“Leave.” Another jab at the window.
“You are one very stubborn woman, and we shall speak again first thing in the morning, right after I’ve requested your hand from Winterly. I will make you my wife.” He nabbed his jacket and greatcoat and whisked away out her window.
No, he wouldn’t make her his wife. Not if she had her way.
Chapter 17
Ashten had been furious with Ellie after he’d climbed out her window, had decided he’d needed to rid himself of his frustration and fury before returning home. After imparting instructions to Watts to maintain a vigil at the Trentbury’s home, that he would return in the morning to speak to Winterly, he’d ridden out of town then charged hard across the wide fields of the countryside and only once he’d exhausted his anger, had he finally turned around and ridden back to Blackgale House. Now with the dawn sun close to rising, he dismounted and handed his reins to his stable hand just as Watts galloped in.
“Your Grace.” Watts launched himself from his saddle.
“What’s happened?” His footman would never have left his post outside Ellie’s driveway unless an emergency had arisen.
“Lady Ellie, she”—he hauled in a staggered breath, half bent over and winded from his fast ride—“she left the house not long after you did.”
“What do you mean she left?” His heart stopped and he thumped his chest, got it beating back into line again.
“She had Harry’s carriage brought forth from storage at the rear of the property. Her driver left with her ensconced inside. No maid, although her maid had left earlier in a hack. I wasn’t sure what was about, until I followed Lady Ellie. She met up with her maid who’d arrived ahead of her at Mr. Tidmore’s residence. He too had a satchel packed and alighted into Harry’s coach. The maid remained behind, all tearful and begging her lady to take her with her to Gretna Green. Lady Ellie declined her maid’s offer and instructed the lass to speak to her sisters and inform them that she’d brought her leaving forward. She handed her maid a note to pass on to her brother as well.”
“I can’t believe this.” How could Ellie leave him after their passionate encounter last night, before he’d even had a chance to make a formal offer of marriage for her hand to Winterly? His stallion was exhausted and would never maintain the pace he needed in his chase of his wayward lady. He bellowed to Rhodes, “Saddle two horses. I need to ride out immediately. Gorman!”
Gorman hurried across the front lawn all a fluster. “What do you need of me, Your Grace?”
“William, pack me a satchel with all that I’ll need for a journey out of town, for yourself as well. Lady Ellie has run away with Mr. Tidmore and we must find her, then ensure she is brought back home to Blackgale House.” He bounded inside to change his sweat-soaked clothes, Gorman hard on his heels. “I have myself a bride to catch, my future bride.”
“It’ll be a delight to join you, an honor and a privilege.”
Ashten passed Dorothy, his housekeeper. “Fetch some water and fill my bath. Make it quick.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” In her aproned skirts, Dorothy, his groomsman’s wife, rushed toward the kitchens calling out for two of the lads to bring pails of hot water to his chamber.
Inside his room, he shucked his boots then sent the rest of his clothes flying, while Gorman packed clothing into a satchel across the other side of his room.
The lads arrived, poured warm water into the tub before the fireplace, then he dunked down and scrubbed himself clean with a bar of soap. He dried off, donned the deep blue jacket and buff breeches Gorman had left on the bed for him, then muttered fiercely under his breath.
When he caught up with Ellie Marie, he was going to throttle her.
Chapter 18
What an endless day it had been stuck inside Harry’s carriage as it had bumped along the country road toward Gretna Green. Ellie’s mood had dropped further and further into despair with each hour that had passed, and all because she’d had no willpower where Ashten was concerned. Thank goodness she’d seen the error of her ways in time and had sent him on his way. Now, after so much time had passed with her being alone in Tidmore’s company on the road, she no longer had a choice but to speak vows with him, because if she didn’t, both she and her family would surely become the talk of all the evil gossipmongers.
“You’re very quiet, Ellie.” Across on the padded seat, Tidmore frowned, a deeply worried crease furrowing his brow. “If you’ve changed your mind, all you need to do is tell me.”
“No, I will never change my mind. I’m so sorry. I don’t mean to worry or upset you. I’m simply quiet because so much is about to change and my thoughts are all askew.” Such guilt besieged her too. She desperately wished to clear the air between her and Tidmore, to admit her indiscretion with Ashten since the man before her would soon be her husband and he deserved to know that she’d allowed another man’s touch the night before.
“Why don’t you tell me what thoughts are most askew? We Americans don’t always adhere to the hard and fast rules of Society, so if you wish to speak openly and honestly with me, I would be most glad that you did.” He stroked his jaw, his gaze assessing. “Is this about the duke?”
“Yes.” She twisted her fingers in her lap.
“A burden shared is a burden halved.”
“That is very true.” Tidmore had also given her the opening she needed, and no more could she withhold what she’d done. She cleared her throat and began. “Certainly, it pained me to see Ashten place himself in isolation these past six months, and to bear witness to the ugly rumors circulating about him, particularly when I’ve always held such a girlish fascination for him. In my youth, he was rather like a hero to me.”
“In what way?”
“He saved my life once.”
“This is a tale I need to hear. How exactly?”
“Mama had warned me time and time again never to get too close to the edge of the river bordering our property with Ashten’s, but one morning from my chamber window I’d spied Ashten and Harry slinging their fishing poles over their shoulders then tramping down to the river. The moment my governess turned her attention to Sophia and Olivia, I slipped out of the house and followed them to their favorite fishing spot. Ash
ten had set his pail and pole next to the sweeping boughs of an elm tree, while Harry had trekked a little farther around the bend upstream. I’d been so thrilled to have made my escape and I skipped along and well, the recent rains had made the embankment soggy and I slipped in a mucky spot. I went down, under the water, could barely kick back up, then Ashten was there. He’d dived in after me, then kept us both afloat as we bobbed downstream in the fast-flowing water. Where it pooled to once side, Ashten kicked us to safety and I’ll forever owe him my very life. I was eight at the time.”
“Has this girlish fascination continued into adulthood?”
She needed to be completely honest with him, so she nodded. “Yes.”
“In what way exactly?” He leaned back against the royal blue padded seat and crossed his legs, his forest green Cossack trousers loose about his legs and tucked into calf-high boots. His black velvet jacket sat folded on the seat beside him, the silver buttons gleaming in the last rays of the day filtering through the window.
“We’ve kissed, rather recently.” Her chest tightened at her admission. “I’m sorry.”
“And your decision about this kiss with him?”
“He made my heart race.”
“I see.” He coughed, then waved his hand in a continuing motion. “Is there anything more?”
“I still hold my innocence. That I can assure you.”
“I believe you, Ellie.”
“Will you forgive me for the kisses I’ve shared with him?”
“Of course.” The tension in his jaw relaxed, which relaxed her own tension. “I’m glad you’ve shared what’s on your heart and I appreciate your honesty. I would also like to share some of my own past feelings.”
“Oh, go right ahead.”
“I too held a boyish fascination for a young lady in my youth. She was five years older than me, and when she wed it near broke my heart. Fourteen, I was at the time, but I’d been fascinated with her for nigh on six years. That being the case, I do understand what you’ve said.”
The Duke's Bride: Regency Romance (Regency Brides Book 1) Page 13