I can help you with that. I can give Granny a Wetherington baby.
Maybe he wasn’t referring to her being a Wetherington. No, it couldn’t be.
“I don’t exactly know where Trey is. His attorney works out of Columbia. His challenge has to be heard, but there’s no question that Abigail knew about him and deliberately chose not to provide for him in her will.”
“He doesn’t need to do this,” Swain said. “Tell his lawyer I’ll give him half of what Abigail left me if he drops this action against Lillie. He’s my brother, so that should be my responsibility.”
“Technically, I’m representing Abigail as the executor of her will, so I can’t represent you. But if you want to do that, I can recommend someone to handle it for you. You need to know, however, that he’s not after your money. He specifically wants Lillie’s inheritance because she’s not a blood relation.”
Swain laugh was sharp. “We don’t know for sure that he and I are either, do we?”
“He will soon enough. He’s submitted a DNA sample for proof. He’s not challenging Swain’s inheritance, but confirming her DNA will prove that Abigail knew about the twins and deliberately chose to cut Trey out of her will.” He handed Swain a business card. “That’s the address of the lab. It doesn’t take long. Just show your ID and they’ll swab the inside of your mouth. The sooner you go, the quicker we can schedule a hearing to clear this up for Lillie.”
Chapter Thirty
Swain was sure she would never breathe and her heart would never beat normally again.
Gliding down the wide, curving staircase, Lillie was a vision in a strapless royal blue gown, a silken swath that appeared to wind around her lithe body in a decadent swirl. Her bare shoulders were almost more than Swain could resist. She wanted to run her tongue along the prominent collarbone and suck the pulse throbbing in Lillie’s neck.
“I don’t have words to describe how beautiful you are.” Hell, she was surprised that she could form any words.
“And you’re deliciously handsome,” Lillie responded, brushing her lips against Swain’s cheek.
Swain wore a pewter-colored tux with a feminine cut that was tailored to her broad-shouldered physique. Under it was a white, spun-silk pleated shirt, fastened at the top with a gold Celtic knot brooch rather than a bow tie. The brooch matched gold cufflinks and gold stud earrings. Black dress boots added two additional inches to her already-tall frame.
When they had returned from Bonner’s office, they’d saddled Finesse and Nor’easter for a long ride so Swain could settle her emotions. And, when she was ready, they sat on a knoll and talked about everything they’d learned. Lillie finally told her about the stalker and her fears that Swain might also become a target. Swain was aghast that she hadn’t told her sooner, and she vowed to break the man’s neck if he came sniffing around again.
They’d agreed that nothing, especially the stalker, would stop them from the romantic date they’d planned.
Swain dropped a line of kisses along Lillie’s bare shoulder. “I think we should reconsider our plans to go out,” she breathed into Lillie’s ear, smiling at the answering shudder.
“You’re cruel to tempt me.” Lillie ran her hands along Swain’s lapels and gently pushed her back. “But you promised to take me to a dance.”
“We can dance naked in your bedroom.” Swain smiled at Lillie’s lilting laugh and attempted to pull her close again. But Lillie was adamant.
“You certainly don’t play fair,” she said. Lillie’s eyes still shone with amusement, but her tone grew serious. “Besides being captain of the very best polo team in the state, you’re the owner of the Wetherington stables, Swain. You have always been a Wetherington, but now you have the wealth as well as the bloodline. That comes with responsibilities. It’s important for you to show your support by attending.”
“About that, Lillie. I’m not sure I want the whole story out there for the town to gossip about. I’ve managed well enough so far with Butler as my last name. So, can we just keep this between us for now until I have more time to think?”
She had so many things still to think about and plan, but tonight she only wanted to occupy her thoughts with Lillie and how gorgeous she looked.
“Of course, love. I like Butler. It’s a very strong name.” Lillie gave her a light kiss. “I’m not sure outing you as a Wetherington would be wise anyway. But I don’t want to talk about that now. Take me dancing, my handsome escort.”
*
The civic hall had been transformed into a ballroom of sorts, with the local symphony’s string section supplying the music. Waiters prowled the crowd with trays of champagne. Life-sized photos of polo players and their horses from the early 1800s decorated the foyer. In the ballroom, a buffet lined one side with round linen-covered tables at either end so guests could sit and eat as they watched the dancers.
“Swain, Lillie, over here.” Swain was surprised to see Catherine waving to them from a table at the other end of the room. The tickets were a thousand dollars per couple, which had to be way beyond Catherine and Reid’s budget.
Lillie waved back enthusiastically and tugged Swain in their direction. On their way across the room, Swain snagged a couple of flutes of champagne. She shook Reid’s hand while Lillie and Catherine hugged, then gave Catherine a brief hug, too.
“I didn’t know you guys would be here or I wouldn’t have sulked so much about Lillie dragging me out,” Swain said, smiling. Reid gave her a look confirming that he, too, had been strong-armed into coming.
“Lillie knew you’d sulk, so she begged us to accept the tickets and come,” Catherine said. “It’s a good thing she did. You two look stunning together.”
Catherine’s emerald dress was modestly cut in the front, but plunged in the back. Her auburn hair was pinned up to accentuate her pale shoulders and neck.
Swain gave a low whistle. “You’re very stunning yourself.”
Reid moved possessively closer to Catherine, but Lillie stepped in.
“And, Reid, you cut a very handsome figure in that tux.”
Catherine gave Lillie a grateful look and slid her hand into Reid’s. “He is handsome, isn’t he? I told him we should dress the entire fire department in tuxedos and shoot their pictures for a calendar. They could sell it as a fund-raiser.”
Swain nodded. “Lillie’s a photographer. She could take the pictures for you.” She suddenly realized that she was speaking for Lillie as though they were an established couple. When they talked earlier, Swain had asked Lillie about her plans, but when Lillie demurred, she hadn’t had the courage to beg her to stay. So many people already had deserted her—her mother, her father, Abigail. “What I mean, is, you could ask Lillie to do it,” she said lamely.
“It sounds like a wonderful idea. We should talk about it,” Lillie said.
Swain’s insecurity ratcheted up a notch. Was she carefully dodging commitment because she wouldn’t be around much longer?
“I’m going to check out the buffet,” she mumbled, abruptly heading across the room.
“Me, too,” Reid said, jumping up to follow her.
Lillie and Catherine stared after them, then looked at each other and laughed.
“They’re afraid we’ll make them dance with us,” Catherine said.
“And we will,” Lillie declared. “They can run, but they can’t hide.” She smiled at Catherine. “Reid’s being protective tonight.”
Catherine shook her head. “Staking out his territory. We’ve sort of been talking around getting married. What about you?”
“Me?”
“You and Swain. Do you still plan to leave once the will is read? Will you sell the stable or settle here?”
Catherine’s directness surprised Lillie. Swain didn’t need her any longer in order to keep her beloved ponies. Would she be safer if Lillie left? Her heart lurched at the thought of never seeing Swain again. Did Swain want her to stay? She’s a hard dog to keep under the porch.
“Actua
lly, the will was read today. I’m not at liberty to disclose Swain’s part in it, but I can say that the stable isn’t mine to sell.”
It was Catherine’s turn to look surprised. “Are you okay with that? I mean, Abigail was your grandmother.”
“I’m very okay with it.” Lillie gazed at Swain across the room, and Swain turned as if she could feel it. They smiled at each other. “Swain deserves everything life will give her.”
“Does she know you’re in love with her?”
Heat suffused Lillie’s neck and cheeks. She watched Swain turn to listen to something Reid was saying. She was shaking her head and began pointing out food for Reid to load on a plate.
“Things have been moving so fast, we haven’t had time to talk about the future, or if we have one.” Lillie stared down at her hands. “We’ve only known each other a little more than a month. We haven’t, um—”
“You haven’t slept together? I can’t believe it. What are you waiting on, woman? Swain practically drools when she’s around you.” Catherine brushed her napkin across Lillie’s shoulder. “In fact, here’s a little puddle right here.”
Lillie laughed and pushed Catherine’s hand away, glad to move away from serious talk. She wanted to enjoy the evening.
Swain placed her plate between them so she and Lillie could share, as had become their habit.
Reid set a plate in front of Catherine that contained a variety of finger foods gathered around a single slice of roast and a small portion of asparagus in hollandaise sauce. She looked up at Swain and mouthed a silent “Thank you.” Reid’s plate was piled high with nothing but roast and potatoes.
When the plates were empty, Reid spotted Hoyt Whitney with a few other guys he knew and sauntered over to say hello. Lillie and Catherine made a brief visit to the ladies’ room, leaving Swain alone at the table. When they returned, Susan looked to be one step away from crawling into Swain’s lap.
“Bitch alert.” Catherine nodded toward their table.
“Bloody hussy,” Lillie hissed. It was time to stop being coy. She wanted Swain and she needed to know if Swain really wanted her.
She requested a waltz from the orchestra and marched across the ballroom, stopping about twenty feet away from their table. When Swain looked up, Lillie held out her hand. Come to me.
Swain looked confused, but pulled away from Susan and stood. She walked over slowly, taking Lillie’s outstretched hand.
“Will you dance with me, darling?”
“Lillie, really. I’m not sure this is a good idea. People will talk. I don’t want them saying things about you.”
“I’m not asking them. I’m asking you. Do you want to dance with me?”
“Yes. I do.”
Then Lillie was in Swain’s arms and they were floating. Swain’s gaze held hers and they smiled as the music spun them around the dance floor in wide, graceful circles. Lillie’s heart was so light. When they had talked earlier on that hillside, Swain asked about her plans and Lillie answered truthfully. She didn’t know. She wanted a new life where she could trust and love, but staying could put Swain in danger, too. Dancing now in Swain’s embrace, she finally knew she would put her fears away and stay. If only Swain would ask.
She’s a hard dog to keep under the porch.
*
They were silent during the drive home, the air between them crackling, scorching with the desire that their dancing had stoked to firestorm. Lillie didn’t remember arriving or getting out of the car. Her mind, her heart was still dancing when Swain’s mouth, hot on her neck, brought her to the present, and they were standing in the foyer of her home. The wall was cool against her back, but Swain’s body, her long length, was burning against her breasts.
“Lillie.” Swain moaned. “God, I want you so bad.”
Lillie almost melted. She grasped the thick, dark hair and pulled Swain from the assault she had launched on her neck. She gazed into Swain’s eyes, which were hazy with need.
“I am yours, love,” she whispered.
Lillie had no idea of Swain’s strength until she felt herself swept up and carried up the staircase to her bedroom. Then they stood beside her bed, her fingers pulling at Swain’s clothes.
Swain caught her hands to still them. “Let me,” she said. “Watch.”
Swain slid her jacket from her shoulders and dropped it across a nearby chair. She slowly divested herself of the Celtic brooch at her neck and her cufflinks, setting them on the bedside table. Her gaze holding Lillie’s, she unbuttoned her silk shirt and pulled her arms from the sleeves to bare her breasts. She bent to remove her boots and socks, then stood to slowly unfasten her pants. She lowered her briefs and trousers at the same time, then kicked them away.
Swain stood before her a magnificent warrior goddess.
Lillie couldn’t breathe, couldn’t speak, afraid this was a dream and words would wake her. She feasted on the sight of the thick shoulder muscles that gave way to small, perfect breasts. Swain’s abdomen, although etched with the cross work of muscles, had a softness that made Lillie want to put her lips there. Her narrow hips gave way to smooth, hard thighs. At their apex, a thatch of black curls glistened with Swain’s arousal, and Lillie’s mouth watered.
Swain stepped closer, but stopped Lillie from touching her. “Turn,” she said, her voice low and husky.
Lillie closed her eyes as the zipper was lowered and her dress fell slowly to the floor.
“You are so sexy,” Swain whispered.
Swain’s breath was ragged on her back, her hands trembling as she knelt and unfastened the hose from her lace garter. Lillie gasped as Swain’s hands were on her thighs, sliding first one stocking, then the other, down her legs. A reverent kiss to the small of her back, then her garter and panties were gone, too.
Again, Swain pressed her body against Lillie’s back, but no clothes separated them now. Skin upon skin, Swain’s hard nipples pushed into Lillie’s shoulders, her stiff curls painted Lillie’s buttocks with moisture. She smoothed her hands along Lillie’s belly and cupped her breasts while her tongue bathed a trail across Lillie’s shoulder to her neck. When Swain’s thumbs flicked across her nipples, Lillie’s hips convulsed.
“Oh, no. You’ll make me come,” she whispered.
“Many times tonight,” Swain said. “But not yet.”
Swain guided Lillie to the bed and took a long moment to let her eyes caress every part of her, from the silky blond curls to her perfect shoulders, smooth belly, and long, very sexy legs. She lowered herself slowly so that their bodies barely touched, their nipples rubbing lightly.
She slid her thigh between Lillie’s and groaned at the wetness. She was throbbing almost painfully and rubbed herself against Lillie’s thigh, coating it. “I can’t wait,” she gasped, pumping her hips.
“Inside me, now.” Lillie whimpered.
Swain braced herself with one arm and slid her other hand over Lillie’s hard clitoris, then plunged two fingers inside and began to thrust. Her orgasm gathered momentum, so she smoothed her thumb against Lillie’s clit to bring her along, too.
“Harder, love, oh God. Yes.” Lillie was panting.
“Lillie, Lillie.” Swain’s words were a prayer. Lillie was her savior, filling all the empty, wounded places she’d carried for so long. She gasped when Lillie’s hand found her clit and launched her into orgasm on the second stroke. She twisted her fingers as she thrust and Lillie cried out, too. They were flying, soaring together, their cries mingling as they stroked each other through the spasms of pleasure.
Chapter Thirty-One
Lillie woke with a start. It was dark and Swain was spooned against her back, her arm circling Lillie’s waist. She listened to the quiet of the house, searching for what might have wakened her. The only sound was Swain’s slow, deep breaths as she slept.
She pulled Swain’s hand to nestle it against her breasts and closed her eyes to drift back into a peaceful slumber when her eyes popped open again. There. What was that noise? Probably
just the creaks and groans of the old mansion. Then Beau rose silently from his bed and padded to the doorway where he stopped and growled softly.
“Swain,” she whispered urgently. “Love, wake up.”
“Muh-uh.” Swain’s arm tightened around her and, after a deep breath, relaxed again.
“Swain,” Lillie said louder. When she got no response, she slid her hand between their bodies, firmly gripped Swain’s still-damp curls, and pulled.
“Ow!” Swain muttered sleepily. “Stop that. Didn’t know you were kinky.”
“I heard a noise,” Lillie whispered, adding another light tug for the kinky remark.
Swain jerked her hips away and rubbed her abused mons. “This house has lots of noises.” She grabbed Lillie’s hand and again settled against her back. “Mmm. You feel good.” Her hips rubbed against Lillie’s buttocks.
“Beau hears it, too.”
Swain sat up. Beau stood at the door, his body tense as he listened. She slid from the bed and searched for her clothes.
“Don’t go downstairs without a weapon,” Lillie whispered. She had found her panties and slipped on Swain’s shirt. “Under the bed. Look under the bed.”
Swain knelt and pulled out a polo mallet. “I wondered where this had disappeared to.”
Beau looked back at them, seeming impatient.
“Put on a shirt.”
“Somebody’s wearing my shirt.”
“Oh.”
“You wait here,” Swain said.
Lillie was instantly back on that dark London street, walking toward the alley where he would jump out and grab her.
“I’ll walk with you.”
“No need. I’ll be right back. I’m parked just around the corner.”
If she hadn’t been alone—
“Absolutely not. You are not going down there without me.”
“Kinky and bossy.”
“Please, Swain.” She clutched Swain’s arm and held on tight.
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