what you would look like, but I am that
is, the plain fact is that I was not expecting
quite so much of you."
Lucas muttered an exclamation that
was half laugh and half groan as he
came down beside her and slid under
the covers. Vicky, my darling, you say
the most delightfully honest things at the
most amazing times. God, but you are
sweet. I wonder how I waited this long
to have you near me like this."
He pulled her close, his hand closing
around her bare buttocks to urge her
against his strong thighs. He used his
foot to gently pry apart her legs and she
suddenly realized she had been clamping
them together. Fully intending to force
herself to relax, she wound up squeezing
her knees even more tightly shut.
Lucas's smile was deeply sensual. I must
tell you, sweetheart, that this particular
aspect of our intellectual inquiry cannot
proceed much farther if you keep your
knees locked together."
The comment broke through her nervousness
and elicited a small gurgle of
laughter from her. Victoria put her arms
around his neck and smiled up at him. Is
that right, my lord? I would never have
guessed. I shall rely upon you to keep
me informed of the small details of this
experiment."
Very well, here is one small detail that
most certainly must not be overlooked."
He bent his head and sipped one nipple
carefully between his strong, white teeth.
Lucas." Victoria gasped and closed her
eyes at the thrill that shot through her.
Instinctively she arched herself so that he
could take her more completely into his
mouth.
Lucas obliged her, and when she
was dazed with the sensations pouring
through her, Victoria felt his leg slide
effortlessly between her thighs. This time
she offered no resistance at all, opening
herself completely to his touch.
So soft. So sweet and soft and welcoming."
Lucas's voice was husky with his
passion. His long, elegant fingers moved
over her, exploring, searching, setting her
on fire, just as he had promised.
As she adjusted to the exquisite delights
unfolding in and around her, Victoria
slowly grew more bold. When she stroked
his shoulders and then traced the line of his
spine down to his hips, Lucas encouraged
her with dark, heated words.
You feel so good, Vicky. Your touch is
like none I have ever known."
He brushed himself lightly against her
thigh, letting her feel the fullness of his
manhood but not forcing her to accept
him yet.
Without stopping to think, Victoria
reached down to glide her fingertips across
the broad tip of his engorged shaft. She
gasped a little and drew back when she
encountered a bead of moisture.
Please," Lucas rasped against her breast.
Do it again." He thrust himself back
into her palm, asking silently for another
caress.
This time Victoria stroked him tentatively
with quivering fingers and was
delighted with his deep groan of response.
She discovered she loved knowing she had
such an effect on him.
Slowly he moved on top of her, settling
himself between her legs. She felt his hands
under her knees, raising them until she was
completely open to him. Then he lowered
his mouth and kissed her.
Lift yourself," he urged.
She drew a deep breath and did so
cautiously. He was ready and waiting for
her, She retreated instantly as she felt him
start to enter her. He was very large and
solid, she realized. There was no give to
him at all. She lifted her lashes and looked
up into his stark face.
I am not at all certain this is going to
work," Victoria said tightly.
It will work. Do not be in such a rush,
darling. We have hours yet." He kissed her
throat and nibbled tenderly at her ear.
Although I am quite certain I won't be
able to wait hours to show you that we
will fit together very well indeed. If I did
hold off that long, I would be headed for
Bedlam in the morning, a ruined man."
She started to laugh nervously at the
image, but just as the giggle emerged he slid
his palm down over her belly and carefully
sought the blossoming petals between her
legs with one long finger. Victoria's small
giggle turned into a breathless gasp.
Then he was doing the things he had
done to her that night in the carriage,
the things that would soon make her
shiver and cry out against his shoulder.
The fabulous spiral of excitement twisted
and condensed within her and turned her
into a wild, writhing creature of light and
energy.
As the storm within her threatened to
break, Victoria clutched tightly at Lucas,
digging her nails into his shoulders and
lifting her hips impulsively against his
hand. Her pleas began as small, frantic,
cajoling cries of delight and finally were
transformed into fierce little feminine
demands for release.
Do you want me now, sweetheart?"
Lucas parted her with his fingers and let
her feel the broad head of his shaft once
more.
This time she did not retreat. Yes. Oh,
dear God, yes, my love."
He groaned, his whole body taut with
the effort he was exerting to retain his
self-control. Slowly he started to sink into
her.
Victoria flinched, unprepared for the full
force of his intrusion. Much of the dazzling
excitement she had been feeling vanished
as the pressure built. But she refused to
stop now. She had come this far and it
was clear that Lucas was at the end of his
tether. She could not deny him the same
release he had once given so generously to
her. She tightened her grip on his arm and
braced herself.
Take it easy, darling, this is not
supposed to be an act of martyrdom,"
Lucas whispered.
I'm sorry. Please, Lucas, go ahead. I
will be all right."
I want you to be more than all right." His
mouth fastened on hers and he withdrew
himself from her. He reached down to
insert his hand once more between their
bodies.
He teased her with his fingers, sliding
first one and then another just inside her,
stretching her gently, drawing forth the
sweet, hot honey. Soon she was once
more swept back into the grip of sensual
excitement.
This time he waited until she went coiled
and taut beneath him, waited unt
il her
head tipped back over his arm, waited
until she cried out, waited until she began
to convulse gently and clutched at him
so passionately she left small marks in
his skin.
Then and only then did Lucas thrust
fully into her in one long, relentless stroke
that filled her completely.
He was drinking the last of her soft
cries of mingled release and erotic surprise
when his own shuddering climax broke
over him.
Victoria came slowly awake as she realized
that the unending pounding she was
hearing was the sound of someone knock
ing forcefully on her door. But that made
no sense. Nan would not dream of
knocking so impolitely and no one else
in the household except her aunt would
feel free to barge in on her so early in
the morning like this.
But this was not a normal morning. This
was the morning after.
Victoria's eyes flew open as the full
realization of what was happening and
where she was struck her. Relief rushed
through her as she realized it was still
dark outside. She and Lucas were safe.
They had time to get back to the ball
before dawn. Then she realized she was
alone in the bed.
She sat up suddenly, clutching the sheet
to her throat, and saw that Lucas was
hastily pulling on his breeches near the foot
of the bed. He swore softly, grabbed his
shirt, and stalked barefoot to the door.
Lucas, no, wait, I have a dreadful
feeling you should not open that door."
But it was too late. Lucas had already
yanked open the door and was starting to
growl ferociously at whoever stood on the
other side.
What the hell is the meaning of this
interruption? My wife and I are trying to
sleep." There was a shattering pause and
then Lucas continued with awful gravity,
I beg your pardon, Lady Nettleship. I
certainly did not mean to yell at you.
Forgive me. To be perfectly honest, you
are the last person I expected to see
tonight."
Yes," Cleo Nettleship said in frozen
accents, I can understand that."
Victoria closed her eyes and lowered her
forehead down onto her updrawn knees as
the enormity of the disaster struck her.
If you will give me a few minutes to
dress, I will join you downstairs. Under
the circumstances you will probably desire
a few explanations."
You are quite correct, sir. But you
will answer my first question before I go
downstairs. Is my niece all right?"
Victoria is quite all right, madam. I give
you my word."
Do not be long. It is not yet dawn, but
there is very little time to spare. There are
decisions that have to be made and acted
upon at once, as I am sure you are well
aware.
I understand. I will join you in a few
minutes. We will talk while Victoria gets
dressed."
Lucas closed the door quietly and turned
slowly toward the bed. His face was an
unreadable mask in the dim glow of the
smoldering fire. I am sorry, Vicky. As
you can see, we have something of a
problem."
Dear heaven, what are we going to do?"
She could not seem to get her thoughts in
order. It was as if she were swimming in
a sea of chaos.
We will do what must be done, of
course." He sat down on the chair and
swiftly pulled on his boots. Then he
finished dressing with the quick, efficient
movements of a military man.
Victoria looked blankly at Lucas. I do
not understand. Why is my aunt here?
How could she possibly know about us
and this inn? I did not know myself
where you would be taking me until we
got here. Lucas, none of this makes any
sense."
He walked over to the bed and stood
looking down at her, his expression grim.
I have no idea what your aunt is doing
here or how she found out about us
tonight. I assure you, I fully intend to
discover the answers. But it makes no
real difference now, Vicky. Surely you can
see that? We both knew from the outset
that there were certain risks involved in
this sort of entanglement. We have been
caught and there is no way to go back
to the beginning. We must deal with the
situation as it stands."
She hugged her knees and looked up at
him, her eyes wide with uncertainty and a
dawning fear. You sound so very military
about all this. And you look like a soldier
getting ready for battle. You frighten me,
Lucas."
His eyes softened for a moment as he
leaned over and caught her face between
his rough hands. This is not how I would
have chosen to have had things turn out
between us. But now that the dice have
fallen this way, all I can do is ask you to
put your trust in me. I will take care of
you, Victoria. I swear it on my honor."
Before she could think of a reply to
that, he was gone, out the door and down
the stairs to meet her aunt. Victoria sat
perfectly still for a few minutes and then,
very slowly, she pushed back the covers
and got out of bed.
As she stood up she was chagrined to
discover she was sore in places she had
never been sore before in her life. She
would have given a great deal to have
been allowed to relax in a hot bath. But
that was impossible.
She felt the unfamiliar weight of the
pendant around her throat and reached
up to touch the amber figures as if they
were a talisman.
Memories of the night sleeted through
her mind like silver rain as she made
her way to where her clothes waited on
a chair. She struggled into her petticoats
and gown without nearly as much dexterity
as Lucas had demonstrated pulling on his
own clothing. She had never before tried to
get into a ball gown without the assistance
of a maid. It was not easy.
Later, enveloped in her cloak, Victoria
drew a deep, steadying breath and went out
the door and down the stairs. A concerned
looking innkeeper, who appeared to have
been recently rousted from his sleep,
showed her to a private parlor.
Victoria stepped through the door,
instantly aware of the quiet tension in
the room. Lucas stood near the hearth,
one arm resting on the mantel, his booted
foot propped on a log. Lady Nettleship was
seated in a chair at the table. They both
looked toward the door as Victoria came
into the room.
Perhaps I have been shown to the wrong
walked in on a funeral."
I pray you will not consider it such
when all is said and done," Aunt Cleo
remarked. Sit down, Victoria."
It had been a long time since her aunt
had used that tone. Victoria sat. Her gaze
flew to Lucas but she could read nothing
in his eyes. There was about him that air
of implacable determination which she saw
rarely but which never failed to make her
feel uneasy.
Now, then," Cleo said as if calling
to order a meeting of her Society for
the Investigation of Natural History and
Horticulture, Lucas and I have already
discussed what must be done. He is quite
prepared to do the proper thing, and you,
I trust, are also willing to pay the price
of your indiscretion. A marriage by special
license can be arranged first thing in the
morning. I will attend as a witness so that
everyone will know it has my sanction."
Marriage. Victoria's hands clenched together
in her lap. All the while she had
been struggling into her clothing upstairs
she had refused to think about what might
happen next. Frantically she tried to calm
herself and think rationally.
There is no need for any of us to
overreact," she said cautiously. I am sorry
you had to discover us, Aunt Cleo, but
surely if you are the only one who knows
about what happened tonight, it can all be
hushed up?"
I did not raise you to be a fool,
Vicky. The very fact that I did discover
you and Lucas here together means that
someone else knows. How do you think I
found out?"
Victoria closed her eyes briefly. Yes, of
course. How stupid of me. Forgive me,
Aunt Cleo, but how did you find out?"
A messenger was sent to my friends'
house in the country, where I had just
finished dinner," Cleo said coldly. The
note was unsigned and merely stated that
I would be interested to know that my
niece was here at this inn with a man
whom I knew to be a friend. I came at
once, naturally."
Naturally." Victoria looked across the
room at Lucas. Marriage, she repeated
silently; marriage to the man she loved.
It was not what she would have chosen
at the outset, but it did not seem so bad
now that she considered it.
Indeed there were certain definite advantages.
They would no longer have to
conceal their relationship from Society.
They could go about freely together in
each other's company. They could sleep
together every night. No, marriage did
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