by Erin Rye
Ella emitted a nervous giggle. “I have no notion what to do.”
He nuzzled her ear. “There is only one rule, sweetheart.”
“And that is?” she breathed.
“Enjoy yourself. The rest follows.”
She released a satisfied breath as he trailed kisses over her collarbone. He could listen to her sighs all night. Gently, he gazed at her nipples through the thin cloth. He rubbed his erection against her thigh as he suckled her nipple through the shift. She gasped and buried her hands in his hair.
His heart hammered. Control, he ordered.
Slowly, he skimmed a palm over her belly and down to the hem of her wet shift.
He drew her shift over her head. “I need to taste every inch of you.”
She was so beautiful. He closed his mouth over her breast and rolled the taut peak with the tip of his tongue. As he drew deep, she arched into his mouth. She was so responsive. He moved his mouth to her other breast and suckled.
“Ashton,” she moaned.
His name on her lips sent his heart into a wild rhythm.
“I want to touch you,” she whispered.
She wanted to touch him? “I am at your command.”
He rolled onto his back and waited. She shifted onto her side. Eyes on his cock, she tentatively trailed a finger along its side. He shuddered.
Ella looked sharply at him. “Is something wrong?”
“Nae,” he said in a rough voice. “Don’t stop.”
She gave him a curious look, then returned her attention to his erection. Again, she slid her finger along his cock. He gritted his teeth against the exquisite need to climax and forced himself to remain motionless. When she touched the crown, he feared he would lost control.
“Wrap your hand around me,” he said in a hoarse whisper.
Her mouth dropped open. “Truly?”
He nodded. She hesitated and he held his breath as she slowly wrapped her warm fingers around him. Her eyes widened with wonder as he slowly thrust. The compulsion to climax coursed through him.
“Hold me tighter,” he pleaded.
She complied, and he pumped in short bursts. Dear God, the pleasure bordered on pain. Ashton pulled her hand away, then pushed her onto her back and kissed his way down her soft, flat stomach to the soft dip of her bellybutton.
He turned his head and met her gaze. “Open your legs for me, lass.”
Her cheeks flamed pink, but she obliged.
He slid off the bed and positioned himself between her legs.
“What—” she began.
“Hush,” he whispered as he gently parted her folds and placed his mouth over the pink heat that begged to be tasted.
“Ashton,” she gasped, half rising from the bed.
He gripped her thighs firmly and began to suck her swollen nub. Her scent drove him mad.
“This is indecent.” She twisted in an effort to move away.
He grasped her legs. She might fear the indecency, but the breathless note in her voice told him she liked what he was doing. Gently, he inserted a finger into her tight, little channel, careful not to rupture her innocence. God, she was so tight. Carefully, he added another finger and began to thrust as he began to lick her. She moaned. Her legs relaxed, granting him full access to her most private parts. He removed his fingers and drove his tongue deep inside her channel, in and out, in and out until her breath came in pants.
She was on the verge. Ashton sucked her sex. She cried out and arched against his face as her pleasure consumed her. He looked across her belly at her. Eyes shut, head back in ecstasy, she was so beautiful. Waves of heat flooded his groin. He stood and pulled her down to the edge of the bed. Cock in hand, he fitted the crown to her opening.
“I will be gentle,” he promised. “The pain is over quick.”
Ella stared, eyes glazed with pleasure as he inserted the head of his cock into her opening. He drew a long, shuddering breath and inched forward until he felt her virginal barrier. Ashton tightened his grasp on her hips and, with one quick thrust, broke the barrier that marked her as an innocent. Her eyes opened wide in surprise.
“The worst is over,” he whispered as he held still, snug against her mound.
He pulled his cock halfway out, then slowly thrust into her soft, velvet walls once again. Her body fit him like a glove. Again, he pulled out and thrust in a little harder. She arched her hips to meet his next thrust. He drove deeper. She drew a sharp breath. With her channel wrapped so tightly around him, he knew he wouldn’t last long. He would do better next time. His climax seized him. Pleasure ripped through his body. With a groan, he seated his manhood bollocks deep inside her and filled her with his seed. When he’d milked the last from his shaft, he collapsed next to her on the bed and dropped a soft kiss on her lips.
“Incredible,” he breathed.
They kissed again, a slow, lazy kiss, and when they were done, she started to rise, but he pulled her close. “Where are you going?”
“Your grandmother expects me at luncheon to play whist,” she said.
He rolled onto her. “Not today, lass.”
She lowered her lashes. “Shall I send a message that I will be busy for another hour or so?”
Ashton nibbled her bottom lip. “You will be busier for far longer than that.”
Chapter Thirteen
A Desperate Man
Ella awoke late the next morning and twisted with a languorous stretch before memories of the night before returned with a rush. She sat up. The place beside her on the mattress was empty, but he’d left a note on his pillow:
Called to Kirkton on unexpected business. I shall return in the evening.
Rest well, my love.
Ashton
My love. She smiled at the words. Long into the night, he’d kept her busy. His slow, delicious kisses had heated her insides. She hadn’t known such pleasure existed.
From the angle of the sun, she’d missed breakfast—perhaps even lunch. Ella slid out of bed, then slowed at the stiffness of her thighs, as if she’d ridden a horse…but then, perhaps she had. With a private smile, she inspected her shoulder in the mirror. The love marks stood out dark against her flesh.
“You’re a wanton, Ella,” she teased her reflection.
She dressed quickly and left the room.
At the landing, she met Mrs. Thornton dusting the bannister.
“Good morning, Mrs. Thornton.”
“Good afternoon, my lady,” the woman replied with a twinkle in her eye.
Ella pretended to glance out the window to hide the telltale blush that heated her skin. “Can you tell me where I might find Lady Leighton?”
“Her ladyship left with Duncan to visit friends, my lady. She’ll return before supper. She did ask if you would mind Angel this afternoon. She left him here as he doesn’t particularly care for her friends.” She smiled, then added, “He’s in the kitchen, my lady.”
Ella returned her smile and as Mrs. Thornton resumed her dusting, skipped down the stairs.
Ten minutes later, she stepped through the kitchen door with a large slice of jam-topped bread in hand. Angel darted past and headed toward the trail, apparently eager to run after a long morning cooped up in the kitchen.
“My apologies, Your Majesty,” Ella called after him.
The brisk, early afternoon breeze made her skin tingle as she headed down the woodland path after the small dog. Once under the trees, she sank her teeth into her breakfast and rolled her eyes in enjoyment. The new-churned butter and strawberry preserves were outstanding. One slice of bread wouldn’t be enough.
She scanned the forest floor in search of Angel and whistled. Ahead and to her right, leaves rustled. She hurried forward, but when she arrived she saw no sign of the dog.
“Angel,” she called.
Concern niggled. He knew his way back to the castle kitchen, but he was small enough to become a snack for a coyote. The winter breeze blew strands of hair away from her face as she continued down the p
ath. Where had he gone? As she neared the edge of the wood that bordered the Barn of the Damned, leaves rustled behind her.
“It’s high time you joined me, Your Majesty,” she teased as she rounded.
Ella gasped.
Duncan stood on the path. His boots were mud-spattered and bits of bracken clung to his coat as if he’d tumbled from his horse.
Her heart sped. “Has there been an accident?”
He shook his head and executed an elaborate bow. “I began to think you didn’t intend to take your daily walk today.”
Ella stepped back. “If you will excuse me, I must be go—”
Duncan seized her arm. “I will not harm you, Ella.”
He spun her around and yanked her to him. Her back collided with his chest. She drew breath to scream, but he clamped a hand over her mouth and dragged her toward the clearing
She clawed at the hand covering her mouth. He gave a nasty laugh and continued on undeterred. Her heart pounded. She kicked. Her heel struck his leg.
“Bloody hell.” He halted. His hold tightened around her waist and he wrenched her head back. His breath came hot on her ear as he whispered, “Do not force me to hurt you.”
He shifted. Had he pressed his mouth against her neck? Tears stung the corners of her eyes. Why was he doing this? He dragged her from the trees, step by step, toward—nae, it couldn’t be. The Barn of the Damned came into view.
“Everything was splendid until you arrived, Ella.”
They reached the low, stone wall that ran along the south side of the field. He threw one leg over the wall and she twisted and kicked with all her might. He grunted as he stepped over with the other leg and stumbled forward. Ella tensed for a fall, but he righted himself. Brambles and nettles snagged her skirt as he dragged her forward. Panic set her heart racing. Duncan was clearly mad. She clawed at his hand, but he held her in a steel grip.
“I have thought on this long and hard. There’s only one answer. You must leave,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone, as if discussing the weather. “There is no other way. Linda arrives this evening. I cannot risk having you in the way.”
A cold finger of fear touched her spine. He was going to kill her.
She fought tears. Think, she ordered as they neared the barn. There must be a way to escape.
Duncan paused before a gap in the barn wall. “I know the truth, Ella. Ashton used you to secure his inheritance. You will thank me. I am setting you free.”
Imprisoned in his grip, she’d never been less free. She dropped her her right hand from his hand clamped over her mouth and, with all her might, rammed her elbow into his ribs. He cried out and his hold loosened. Ella broke free and lunged toward the barn. An instant later, strong fingers seized her arm and swung her around. Her mind comprehended his raised hand an instant before his palm contacted her cheek. Pain spiked through the tender flesh. Spots raced across her eyes. She swayed. He hauled her over his shoulder and strode forward. His shoulder bone dug into her belly with each uneven step on the rocky ground. They reached the barn.
“Help,” she screamed at the top of her lungs.
Duncan swung her down onto her feet, seized her shoulders, and shook her so hard her head swam.
“Silence,” he hissed.
He shoved her through the hole in the barn wall. She stumbled and fell. Brambles pricked her palms. She barely missed a fallen beam. A familiar bark sounded outside the barn.
Angel.
Her heart fell. Duncan would think nothing of killing the small dog.
Another bark, this one closer.
Ella scrambled to her feet as Angel burst into the barn, barking.
“Run, Angel,” she shouted.
Duncan whirled, and her heart leapt into her throat when he yanked a pistol from the back of his waistband. Duncan leveled the weapon. Ella lunged, but the weapon roared an instant before she crashed into him. Her ears rang. They tumbled to the ground. Duncan rolled onto her and rose to his feet in one smooth movement.
Ella pushed to her knees and wildly scanned the spot where Angel had stood. He was nowhere to be seen. Duncan had missed. Tears filled her eyes. Another bark sounded outside the barn. Run, she mentally shouted.
Duncan seized her arm and yanked her to her feet. He dragged her to a stall where lay a plaid blanket, strips of cloth and rope. He tied her hands behind her back, then shoved her onto the blanket.
“I have no desire to harm you, Ella. I only need you out of the way.” He squatted next to her. “There is no future for you here. As soon as Grandmother signs Kinnettles to me, Ashton will slither off to his farm to lick his wounds. He can’t afford his end of whatever bargain you struck with him.”
“I have a life here,” she spat. “Ashton is my husband. He knows I would never leave Cyril behind.”
Duncan leaned so close his hot breath made her ill. “If you care for your brother, you won’t make trouble. I would hate to see anything happen to the lad.”
Ella drew back in shock.
“I see you comprehend,” he said. “If you ever try to return or contact Ashton, your brother will die.”
Her head swam.
Bootfalls approached and Duncan rose to his feet as a swarthy, pot-bellied man wearing a large gray seaman’s coat stepped into view behind him.
Her heart beat faster.
“Is this the lass?” the newcomer asked.
Duncan nodded. “Aye.”
The swarthy-faced man grunted. “I’m waiting until dark. I won’t risk being seen in these parts.”
“No need to fear. Ashton avoids this place like the plague.” Duncan gave a dry chuckle.
The man grunted and fished out a small silver flask from his coat pocket.
Duncan snatched the flask from his hand. “None of that. She must be on that ship for Australia by tomorrow morning.”
“Australia,” she blurted, but they ignored her. Her mind raced. Australia was where the Crown sent convicts. Her mind snapped onto a sound she’d heard. Had that been a dog’s bark?
“If you do not make the ship, you had better be certain Ella can never return here,” Duncan said.
Ella’s blood went cold. What had he said?
“Do ye plan on returning here today?” the man asked.
“I do not plan on returning here ever,” Duncan replied.
“Have no fear. I’ll have my flask, now,” the seaman held out his hand.
The two men locked gazes, then Duncan slowly removed the stopper from the flask and poured its contents onto the ground.
“I’m paying you for a job done well,” he grated. He tossed the flask at the man’s feet, then turned to Ella and bowed. “Safe journeys, Ella.”
With that, he strode away.
Ella’s heart thudded as the seaman scooped up his flask. Had Duncan instructed the man to kill her? What had he meant by “If you do not make the ship, you had better be certain Ella can never return here?”
“Bastard,” the man swore under his breath. He dropped the flask into his right pocket, then rummaged through the left and pulled out another flask. “A man like me is always prepared, lass.” With a wink, he pulled the stopper out with his teeth, removed the cork from his mouth and tipped his head back to take a long draught.
Ella inched back.
The man caught the subtle movement at once. “Don’t be a fool.” He jammed the stopper onto the flask, shoved it into his pocket, and strode to her side. “I cannot have you escaping. Let’s just tie your hands a wee tighter, shall we?”
Chapter Fourteen
The Barn of the Damned
At the crunch of carriage wheels on Kinnettles front drive, Ashton turned from the stairs and opened the front door to find his grandmother’s carriage stopped in the drive. The footman opened the carriage door. Ashton hurried down the steps and reached the vehicle in time to extended a hand to aid his grandmother’s descent.
“What an unexpected delight.” Her fingers closed around his with surprising strength as she st
epped from the carriage to the ground.
To his surprise, Linda, Duncan’s wife, followed. As he helped her down, he couldn’t help but noticed that she looked miserable.
“Linda,” he nodded in greeting.
“My lord.” She started to curtsey.
He grasped her hand. “None of that. We are family.”
She gave him a grateful smile and they started up the steps. “Duncan tells me you are wed. Congratulations.”
Ashton returned her smile. He’d always gotten on well with Linda. “Thank you. I will fetch her, at once. We will join you in the drawing room.”
Linda nodded graciously. She dropped her hand over her large belly and followed his grandmother into the foyer.
“Come, Linda,” his grandmother said. “You must rest. It’s brave of you to visit me with your twins due so soon.”
“Duncan insisted I come,” Linda replied. “He was adamant the twins be born in Kinnettles.”
Ashton closed the door behind him, then turned toward the stairs. He pitied Linda, an unwitting pawn in Duncan’s game to sway their grandmother in his favor. That he could endanger his wife’s health—and potentially that of his children—in the pursuit of land was reprehensible. Linda deserved a much better man.
He reached the third floor and strode down the hall, his thoughts on Ella. From the moment he left her side that morning, he’d counted the minutes till his return. Would his grandmother suspect the truth if he didn’t rejoin her right away with Ella? He wasn’t sure he could wait until after dinner to touch her again.
“Ella?” he called.
He spied the closed bedroom door. Could she be abed…still? He lifted a brow of dry amusement. He had kept her awake a good part of the night. He lowered his lids, imagining the surprise on her face as she woke to his tongue sliding through her pink folds.
Quickly, he crossed the room and opened her bedroom door. The empty bed drew his gaze first. The letter on the counterpane, second.
Ashton strode to the bed, snatched up the letter and broke the wax seal.
Ashton,
I can no longer live this lie. I respect and care for your grandmother too much to deceive her. I have left to live a new life elsewhere. Do not look for me. I shall never return.