Lady Star

by Claudy Conn

  He sat on the sofa and patted a place beside himself and his pulse quickened when she did in fact, sit right next to him. He must be a glutton for punishment because her nearness drove him into a frenzy of heat.

  Her dark eyes poured into his mind, leaving him hungry. He found he couldn’t look away from her. There was a depth of fire in her gaze that stirred him, yanked at his self control. Her full lips pursed inquiringly and he found he couldn’t speak for a moment. So instead, he pulled out the button he had been carrying ever since he found it at the Mermaid Inn, showed it to her and said, “Your button, Miss Berkley.” His voice cracked with the words he forced out of himself.

  She looked at him sharply. “My button? Where…where did you get this?’

  He watched her face and knew she was thinking hard, trying to remember. He answered, “Where? Don’t you know? I think you know.”

  She took him on, “You are playing games with me, sir. Why don’t you just tell me where you found this button and why you choose to return it to me now?”

  He considered her for a moment. She was daring him, eh? Very well. “Why Star, I took it off you at the Mermaid Inn some nights ago.”

  He watched her as she took some moments to compose herself.

  “I see,” she said and leaned over and put the button down purposefully on the small coffee table at their knees. Her dark eyes were alive with inquiry as she stared at him and he realized she wasn’t going to dissemble and she wasn’t going to explain. Instead, she said softly, “Thank you.”

  “Thank you? We both know I am aware that you played a role that night.”

  “And again, thank you, for returning the button… which means I believe that you don’t mean to give me away and I do thank you so very much.”

  By God, she was magnificent! The thought flooded through him and took over every coherent vibe in his brain. It turned him into something primal, with a hunger he couldn’t deny to himself was real.

  He found he couldn’t resist the way she made him feel and his response was feral. He scarcely murmured as he scooped her into his arms in one deft movement, “Indeed…I think you should show me.”

  * * *

  Star had led him into the library fully aware that it was socially incorrect. Her brother was asleep upstairs and they were completely alone. She saw her hands shake as she poured his brandy and just barely got her trembling fingers under control when she handed him the snifter.

  Star knew what she was doing. She might be inexperienced in the art of making love, but she knew, this was more than flirting. This was moving matters into obscure nether regions where nice could turn into naughty. The notion made her smile to herself.

  She wasn’t playing games. She wasn’t going to tease or be coy. She wanted this moment alone with him. She wanted to take it as far as she could. She knew and understood the consequences of doing so.

  Even knowing and accepting, she felt a moment’s fear. A sudden doubt touched her with logic. This was unacceptable behavior for a good maid. Did she want to be a good maid? No. Faith no. How utterly devoid such a life would be.

  Still…what was he doing? Was he sincere? What was she doing? Would she take it as far as he wanted to go?

  She sat beside him on the sofa in a dimly lit room alone, with his body so close to hers. She was headed for a fall she told herself, but yes, one that would fill her with sensation.

  Indeed. At least she was headed somewhere she wanted to go…to him. She wanted to feel his arms around her. She wanted to feel his lips on hers. She wanted so much and it all centered on him. She couldn’t let him walk out of her life without experiencing him fully—could she?

  Suddenly, she was in his arms. His lips softly brushed against hers, gently parted her lips and as his tongue entered and waltzed with hers, a fireball in her head exploded the air and the room into a white light. Her eyes were closed, but she could see rockets flare and stars glitter!

  He managed to work her tongue in a manner that sent shivers of passion through her untested body. Untested—ha, she thought, no more. Would she regret this in the morning? Would she regret this when he was gone? No. She wanted this one night even if this was her one and only time with him like this.

  She pressed against him aware that she was no longer in control of what she was doing. Star moved on instinct and desire. Deep inside she felt as though something had been ignited. One kiss followed another until she knew she was lost to him, lost with him.

  A cool draft hit her as he leaned away from her and whispered her name, repeated it and offered, “Star…this is madness.”

  “Hmmm,” she agreed. “Madness.”

  “We must stop,” he told her.

  “Hmmm, stop,” she answered. “In a moment…” with which she offered up her mouth again and he took it, this time almost wildly as his tongue plunged and taught hers just what he wanted from her.

  His hand had reached into her low cut bodice and found her breast. He released it from its confines and fondled her with an expertise that riveted her to him. She felt a gasp of pleasure escape her lips.

  The next thing she knew, he bent his head to lick at her nipple and when she heard him moan, she felt a rush of pleasure. He whispered, even as he suckled and fondled, “You beauty you.”

  She was filled with exultation and meant only to tease when she answered banteringly, “Is this thanks enough?”

  He pulled away at once, a frown on his face, his voice touched with anger, “Is that what you are doing…performing your gratitude?”

  Her hand moved instinctively to dole him a slap across his handsome face, but he caught her wrist and chastised amiably, “But sweetheart, you are the one who suggested just that,” his voice was cold, his eyes colder.

  “You are insufferable!” she said. What had happened? What the devil had just happened?

  “Still, I want you. In the meantime, you need not keep me quiet by…seducing me, if that was what you were doing. I mean to help you and your brother, whether you want that help or not. . I don’t need payment…of any kind.”

  Is that what he thought? Oh no. He thought she was trying to bribe him with seduction to keep her secret. She adjusted her clothes in a huff and her mind worked wildly. How could he think that of her? She went rigid as she pulled away from him and scooted to the far end of the sofa.

  He frowned, “Change your mind, then? I promise to help and you no longer wish to show your gratitude?”

  Her arms were crossed over her middle, “That wasn’t what I was doing,” she snapped.

  “No? What were you doing?”

  Hurt, she threw at him, “Getting a bit of experience from an expert, nothing more.”

  His brows drew together. “I am not certain you mean that, so I shall ignore it,” he said and reached out to touch her face.

  Still furious she pulled back, too late realizing he might have been trying to apologize in his way.

  She was however, not in the mood for an apology and held herself stiffly in place, giving him a hard glare.

  “It would be so much easier for me to help you and your brother if you would but trust me,” he offered on a sigh.

  She wanted to trust him, but in truth, no matter what she felt for him, he was a stranger. He could take what he learned and use it against them.

  How could she tell him that Vern had turned to thieving to keep house and home? Oh faith! What a tangle she was in? Now, she had another problem and it was one that would no doubt leave her a spinster.

  She was certain, completely certain, that she would only love one man and that man was Sir Edward. He, on the other hand was from what she could see, simply wiling away his time in Rye. She was certain he thought of her only as a diversion. Only a moment ago when she was about to throw herself at him, that had been enough. Suddenly, she wasn’t so sure it was.

  She avoided eye contact and said, “Sir Edward, you may wish to help us, but it isn’t necessary. We have friends that we can rely on…should we need assistance.�
� She felt something in her throat constrict. She wouldn’t cry. She must not cry.

  Her words silenced him most effectively.

  She saw at once that she had hurt his pride as he sat up and eyed her sadly. She was immediately sorry for it.

  He said grimly, “Right then, even now, I am not considered a friend…or trusted to help you? Very well, as you wish. I shall not force my services or attentions on you.” He got to his feet and Star thought she would burst out crying.

  “I did not mean that the way it sounded…” she tried as she also got to her feet.

  “Oh, but I think you did. I had hoped you might rely on the friendship I offered, but I see it is a false hope.”

  She took his hands, “No, don’t go like this…you kindly helped us through a difficult evening. You returned a button to me and said you would keep my secret. I do count you a friend…I do.” Her sense of humor tickled her and she suddenly twinkled at him, “Though, my friends have not stolen kisses from…”

  “My saucy girl,” he interrupted immediately and swept her back into his arms, “Answer me this. Did I steal your kisses? Did my hands go where they were unwanted?”

  She found she could not meet his gaze and he chuckled before he told her, “Ah, just as I thought. I bid thee goodnight, sweetheart, for I do not trust myself to remain a moment longer.”

  He turned and she watched his retreating form as he left her alone in the library. She knew that she had freely given her kisses to him. She had so very wanted him to touch her intimately and…she wasn’t sure how far she would have gone. No, that wasn’t the truth. She would have gone as far as he would have taken her. Her cheeks burned with this knowledge.

  In spite of the seriousness of the moment, Star smiled to herself.

  She was in love with Sir Edward. She was completely and totally in love with him and something about everything he had said and done made her think she might have hope that he felt the same.

  Chapter Fourteen

  MISS MADISON TURNED to her two escorts and a frown descended over her features. She was undecided. She could see that both Jules and Miles wanted to be invited inside the Berkley house. It was the polite thing to do. But… and that was the heart of the matter, ‘the but’ because it would not serve.

  She was sure they wanted to seek out Star and Vern and find out more information regarding Vern’s extremely extraordinary appearance at the Sefton Ball. Instinct made up her mind for her.

  “Miles, Jules…thank you both for seeing me home. Please extend my thanks with yours when you return the Sefton coach to them. It was most gracious of them to loan it to us tonight.” She turned for the front door.

  Miles reached out and touched her cloaked arm. “Hang it, Georgie. We are coming in with you.”

  Georgie had known Miles most of her life and knew just how to handle his exuberance. She put up a haughty chin and said in a voice that would brook no insolence, “Goodnight, Miles. I am certain Star and Vern are both tucked in by now, so you shall just have to wait until morning to see them.” She turned to Jules and gave him her hand. Her smile was soft, her voice softer still, “Mr. Stamford, allow me to tell you what a wonderful time I had tonight…thanks to you and your kindness.”

  Jules wanted in just as much as Miles did and Georgie knew this. She also knew he was too much of a gentleman to do more than bow over her hand. She was, however, quite surprised when he said, “Ah, but, I thought we settled it that I am Jules and you are Georgie?”

  She nodded and her eyes twinkled into his. He grinned like a boy and continued, “Very well then, Georgie,” he said jovially. “The pleasure was all mine. I can think of no better way to spend an evening than in your delightful company and if I wanted to go in now with you, it would be to extend that pleasure for a few more moments.”

  She laughed and said, “Indeed, very cleverly put, but I am never easily fooled, sir.”

  Miles made a choking sound and said, “You two make me quite sick. What stuff and rubbish you London beaus are forever throwing at a woman. Well, Georgie has too much good sense to take in your gammon, Jules.”

  Georgie turned an arched brow to Miles and asked, “Why Miles, don’t you think me delightful company?”

  Miles Denning had the good grace to stammer before he snapped, “That…that is not what I meant, and well you know it!”

  She laughed and took pity. “So I do. Good night gentlemen.” She allowed Jules to push the front door open for her before she turned, closed and bolted it on them.

  A moment later, she picked up the skirts of her tight fitting gown and hurried upstairs to Star’s bedroom. She gave Miles and Jules no choice but to wait till morning, but she had no intention of doing so. If Star was already asleep, she meant to wake her.

  She burst into the room she would be sharing with her friend and was not in the least perturbed to find the room (with the exception of the light thrown off from the low burning fire in the grate) in darkness.

  Georgie went right up to the four poster bed that housed her friend, drew away the cover Star had pulled over her head and demanded, “Well?”

  * * *

  Star had heard her friend’s entrance and knew in advance what was coming. She dove under her covers.

  Georgie’s demands drew a resigned laugh as the covers were flung off her and a cool draft hit her in the face. Star knew her friend too well to believe she would let the matter rest.

  Her brother’s outrageous entrance at the Sefton Ball had been a completely startling and stressful event. What followed had been a confused piece of heaven, for being with Sir Edward was like having a foot in hell and paradise all at once.

  She had thrown herself into Sir Edward’s expert arms. So indeed, she had a great deal on her mind and perhaps it was time to confide in Georgie?

  Georgie plopped on the bed and said, “Miserable girl. Laughing after such a night as we have had?” With which she did in fact laugh. She fell backward onto the bed and holding her midriff released all the pent up concerns with a fit of nervous mirth.

  Finally, both girls collected themselves and Georgie leveled a look at her friend and said, “Now, don’t try to fob me off for I won’t have it. Tell me at once, what the deuce is going on?”

  Star pulled her friend up alongside her against the headboard. Georgie, clothes still on clamored under the covers and waited expectantly before Star said, “So I shall…don’t you want to change into your nightdress and be comfortable?”

  “Comfortable? I shan’t be comfortable until you answer my questions.”

  “How shall I start? Perhaps you should ask me specifics?” Star said on a heavy sigh.

  “Start with everything. What was wrong with Vern? Why did he come to the ball in such a state? What have you been hiding from me for days and days?”

  Star considered the questions. She didn’t trust anyone quite as much as she did her Georgie, but not all of this story was hers to tell. She couldn’t betray Vern. As to tonight’s escapade, she didn’t really understand it at all. She had no notion what had motivated Vern to come charging wildly into the ball like he did. He had offered no explanation and she had not wished to press him in front of Sir Edward.

  “Georgie…all I can say is that Vern—finding himself in financial difficulties, well, they were the worst kind of difficulties as you already must realize. I know you understand what the past year has been like. Well, oh my, this is not my secret but his. So what I will tell you is he did something he should not have done. This led to a situation where I became involved as he was ill…too ill to complete…something he had to do. Why Vern came to the ball and behaved so…wildly? I don’t know as Sir Edward was with us and he would not say, for how could he with Edward present?”

  “If you and Vern were in such straits…you should have come to me,” Georgie said.

  “How could we? You know that was impossible,” Star said and sighed heavily.

  “Still…perhaps I could have arranged something,” Georgie clucked a
nd then eyed her friend. “Never mind, what is done is done. We shall move on and repair it somehow, whatever it is. Now tell me and do not try to pitch your gammon at me for I already know that something has occurred between you and Sir Edward. Did he try and kiss you?” She scanned Star’s face and gasped, “He succeeded, didn’t he? He kissed you!”

  Star was astonished, “How could you know that?”

  “Stands to reason, silly chit. You look like a satisfied cat. How did it happen? When you saw him to the door…and were alone?”

  “No, not exactly,” Star hemmed.

  “Where then?”

  “In the library,” Star answered on a soft smile.

  “In the library—you took him alone to the library, you outrageous tart!” Georgie laughed.

  “Yes and I have never been kissed like that before,” Star said wistfully. “I wanted it to go on forever.”

  “I knew it. I knew this was coming. I saw the way you two looked at one another when you were waltzing,” Georgie pronounced and laughed again.

  “How did you get here, Georgie?” Star decided to change the subject. “Did the Seftons send you home in their coach?”

  “Yes, with Miles and Jules in attendance,” Georgie answered.

  “And?”

  “And what?” Georgie evaded.

  “I am not sure. There were moments this evening—the way Jules looked at you that made me think he might be besotted with you and doesn’t know it…but I am not yet certain.”

  “Nonsense. He is besotted with you, not with me…” Georgie sighed.

  “That is so completely false! Georgie, he doesn’t even really know me,” Star answered. “He and I would never suit and when he thinks about it, he will see it. The fact of the matter is that you two would suit beautifully.”

  “Never mind, Jules. Tell me about you and Sir Edward and the kiss.”

  “He is a contradiction of himself. One moment he is arrogant and goes about as though he is bored with everything, then the next moment, he is the kindest, gentlest…most wonderful man. He knows just what to do in a crisis. He knows just when to let matters be. He…”