The Earl's Stolen Bride (Marriage by Deceit Book 4)

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  She stood up and urged him to push his trousers and drawers to his feet. At first, she thought he was going to stop her, that he was going to insist they finish this in bed or with her lying on the rug in front of the fireplace, so she resumed kissing him. When he was kissing her in return, she took his erection in her hand and stroked it. He’d once told her when she stroked him this way, it was hard for him to think of anything but how good it’d feel to be inside her, and hopefully, that would be the case now.

  As it turned out, her plan worked. He shoved his trousers and drawers down for her. She thought to get on top of him at this point, but recalling one of the more wicked positions in the book, she lifted her dress and chemise, turned her back to him and sat back down, taking him into her as she did so.

  He let out a gasp and gripped her hips.

  “It feels good,” she whispered, her body already primed for release.

  She didn’t know if it was the position she’d chosen or the way his penis rubbed her core, but it felt especially good. Holding onto his knees, she moved her hips up and down his shaft. She soon established a rhythm, leaning forward so that he was stroking the sensitive area deep in her core.

  Letting out a moan, he guided her hips, aiding her along as she moved faster. They worked together, and she lost track of everything but the moment, only aware of how wonderful he felt, aware that each time she descended on him, it brought her closer and closer to the peak.

  Then, as she climaxed, she cried out his name as wave after wave of pleasure crashed into her. It was so intense she could barely hear his own cry as his seed filled her. She stilled and savored every moment of this bliss, delighting in the fact they were both experiencing this together.

  They didn’t often climax at the same time, but maybe since they had, he would be more inclined to explore more ways of making love to her because he’d know, without a doubt, she received pleasure from this position.

  Once her head cleared, she became aware of the way he was rubbing her back. “You weren’t hurt when I first entered you?” he asked, out of breath.

  “No,” she replied, also still breathing heavy. “Everything felt good.”

  “Good.”

  She noted the relief in his tone and said, “We can do it any way we want, and it’ll be pleasurable, Orlando. I love being in bed and lying beneath you, but from time to time, I’d like to do something else.”

  “As long as it doesn’t hurt, we can.”

  She got off of him then turned back around so she could face him, settling back on his lap. “Everything we do is enjoyable.”

  Smiling, he squeezed her hips playfully. “I certainly enjoyed what we just did.”

  “I did, too. Immensely. Orlando, there’s this book I’ve been reading. It was written by a lady who is experienced in the art of lovemaking.”

  “A book?”

  She nodded. “I didn’t get it until after I learned I was with child. In this book, the author says making love in different positions and in different rooms can be very pleasurable for the lady.” She studied his expression. “Are you upset?”

  “Why would I be upset?”

  “Well, I didn’t tell you about it before.”

  “You’re telling me about it now, and, more importantly, you aren’t using your newfound knowledge with other gentlemen. You’re using it with me.”

  “I would never use it on anyone but you.” After a moment, she added, “If you’d like, you can read it, too.”

  He kissed her. “We should read it together.”

  “We should.” She paused then ventured, “Are you sure you’re not upset I didn’t tell you about it before?”

  “Of course not. Besides, I didn’t make it easy for you to try new things. I was so afraid I’d hurt you.”

  “I know, and I love how much you want to make sure no harm ever comes to me. You’re a wonderful husband, Orlando.”

  “I’m just glad I’m your husband.” He brushed aside a lock of her hair and kissed her neck. With a grin, he added, “Toby says I stole you.”

  Amused, she giggled. “Stole me?”

  “Well, I did whisk you away from London so you could be my bride.”

  “So I am your stolen bride then?”

  “Yes, I suppose you are.”

  “In that case, why don’t you steal me away upstairs? I’ve grown rather bored of painting and would rather spend the rest of the day in bed with you. We can read a certain book and do whatever comes to mind.”

  “I’d like that.”

  She kissed him again, letting her lips linger on his to give him a foretaste of things to come.

  ***

  The next evening, Chloe and Orlando went to Helena’s for her small dinner party. Everyone had just finished eating, and at the moment, Helena was talking to Camden while Orlando and Logan were debating whether they should play a game of chess or not. Since everyone was preoccupied, Chloe felt it was safe to pull Melissa aside and talk to her, keeping her voice low enough so no one would overhear them.

  “Thank you for sending me the book,” Chloe said.

  “I wondered if you tried anything in it yet,” Melissa replied with a grin. “Since you’re thanking me, I take it you and Orlando are benefiting from it?”

  Despite the heat rising in her cheeks, Chloe nodded. “We are. I was enjoying what we were doing before, but it’s nice to know there are other ways to do something else with equal enjoyment.”

  “You don’t need to explain anything to me. I think the same thing. It’s like us and our husbands. I’m serious, and Logan finds humor in everything. You’re quiet, and Orlando’s been talking all evening. Helena’s confident, and Camden’s shy. We’re all different, and I think things are better that way. I used to think I wanted a husband who was more like me, but the more I’m with Logan, the more I realize our differences complete us as a couple. I think the same thing is true with intimate moments. You appreciate it more when things aren’t the same all the time.”

  “Yes, that’s a suitable way of putting it.” Chloe looked at the others and chuckled. “Do you think they’d be mortified if they knew what we were talking about?”

  “I don’t know if Orlando would be, but Logan would want to join in. He has no sense of propriety at all.”

  Chloe thought over everything she knew about Melissa and Logan and decided no couple had ever been more mismatched. But there was no doubt they were happy, and that was what mattered.

  “When is your child due?” Melissa asked, interrupting her thoughts.

  “In May. I think it’ll be toward the end of it.”

  “Mine’s due in early May, perhaps even late April.”

  “That’s right. We’ll be having a child around the same time.”

  “Have you thought of any names yet?”

  “Orlando and I have only discussed names in passing. I thought it might be nice to name the child after him if we have a boy. I haven’t even thought of a name for a girl. He said we could name her after me, but I don’t care for that. I can see naming a boy after his father. The title would go to him. I have no title to pass on to a girl.” She shrugged. “Orlando said a title doesn’t matter, and he’s probably right. We probably will give the child a new name all its own.”

  “You’d think men would welcome the opportunity to pass on their name to a son. I think Logan would be elated, but I’ve already decided on Mathias for a boy and Meredith for a girl. My brother and I have names starting with an ‘M’, and I thought I’d pass on the tradition.”

  “What does Logan think of those names?”

  “He said as long as I don’t name any of them Malcolm or Malcolma, he approves.”

  “Malcolma?” Chloe asked, not sure she’d heard right.

  Melissa burst out laughing. “Yes. He actually said, ‘Malcolma’. My brother is Malcolm, and they don’t get along very well. They tolerate each other for my sake, but I don’t think they’ll ever be friends.”

  “That’s a shame.”
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  “It is what it is. Once gentlemen make up their minds, there’s no sense in wasting time trying to change them.”

  “What’s so amusing over there?” Logan called out.

  “Nothing,” Melissa told him, peering around Chloe so she could see him.

  “Hmm… I just felt a shiver of dread crawl up my spine,” he replied. “I suspect you mentioned that brother of yours.”

  Melissa turned her gaze to Chloe, eyebrows raised. “Now, how did he know that?” she whispered.

  “It’s true then. You were talking about Malcolm,” Logan said with a grimace.

  “You needn’t worry. I won’t be naming the child after him.”

  “I should have known,” Logan told Orlando. “Ever since Melissa found out she’s expecting a child, there’s little else she talks about.”

  Shooting Chloe an amused grin, she went over to her husband and patted him on the shoulder. “I have an idea. Why don’t we draw each other’s silhouettes?”

  “Orlando would be good at that,” Chloe replied.

  “He might, but I wouldn’t,” Logan said. “Let’s play Le Baiser à la Capucine.”

  “No,” Orlando replied.

  “What is that game?” Chloe asked.

  Logan turned his gaze to her. “You haven’t heard of it?”

  She shook her head.

  “It’s a ‘guess who kissed you’ game,” Orlando told her then looked at Logan, “and there’s no way I’m letting you kiss my wife.”

  Chloe shook her head. “You really are as scandalous as Melissa says, Logan.”

  “I only want to prove to Orlando that I kiss better than him, that’s all,” Logan replied, his tone so serious Chloe couldn’t help but smile at his joke.

  Helena walked over to them. “I have a better idea. Let’s play Charades.”

  The others looked at each other, and since no one protested, that was the game they settled on playing.

  Epilogue

  Mid-May 1817

  Chloe gave one final push, and immediately, there was the absence of pressure as Dr. Westward brought the baby into the world. Relieved, she fell back on the pillows, barely aware of what he was doing as he took the baby to a wash basin. Despite the breeze floating into the room from the open windows, the gown clung to her damp skin, and she was having a hard time catching her breath.

  But a moment later, the baby let out a cry, and her attention quickly went back to the physician as he washed her son. When he was done, he wrapped her son in a small blanket and came over to her.

  “Congratulations, Lady Reddington.” He smiled. “Your husband has an heir. One more and you no longer have to share your bed with him,” he joked.

  Laughing, she took her son and held him to her breast. “You’re full of mischief to mention such a thing, Doctor.”

  He went over to another basin and washed his hands. “Mischief? I was merely thinking of your comfort. Who needs someone stealing the blankets or tossing and turning all night? Or worse, the snoring could be wearisome.”

  “Orlando doesn’t steal my blankets, toss needlessly, or snore. He’s the ideal husband.”

  He dried his hands on a towel and studied her, as if trying to decide whether to believe her or not. Finally, he shook his head. “I don’t believe it. He has a flaw of some sort. All gentlemen do.”

  “Not him. He’s perfect.”

  With a chuckle, he said, “It’s nice when wives are blind to how their husbands really are.”

  “Is your wife blind to your flaws?”

  “Heaven forbid, my lady. I don’t have a wife. No lady in her right mind would dare marry me. I’m one of the most unpopular gentlemen in the Ton. God only knows why you asked me to help with the birth of your child.”

  “Because you’re good at what you do. Also, you’re funny and nice. It’s a good combination for a physician.”

  He raised an eyebrow, but there was a hint of laughter in his voice as he asked, “Are you telling me you secretly admire me from afar? Because I have to be honest with you. I’ve watched my brother with other gentlemen’s wives, and quite frankly, it never ends well.”

  “You know I have no such interest in you.” After a moment, she added, “I didn’t know you had a brother.”

  “Oh yes. The Marquis of Dodsworth. He’ll never admit I’m his brother. It’s my fault, really. I know I should be good and at least make a pretense of obeying the Ton’s rules. If there weren’t so many ridiculous ones, I might. But alas, I can’t seem to help myself. Someone tells me not to do something, and I tend to do it just to see how they’ll react.” With a smile, he shrugged. “We all must follow our own path, I suppose.”

  As he tended to her afterbirth, she focused on her son. He was such a small thing, but he’d already stolen her heart. She caressed his cheek, and he reached out and grabbed her finger. Laughing, she kissed the tip of his nose.

  When Dr. Westward was done cleaning everything, he went to get the others. She thought for sure her mother would insist on seeing the child before allowing anyone else to, but to her surprise, Orlando was the first one in the room.

  “Are you and the child doing well?” he asked as he sat beside her.

  “We’re doing fine. Want to hold him?”

  He nodded, and she settled the boy in his arms, reluctant to part from him. He was such a tiny thing. And wonderfully made, too.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to name him Orlando?” she asked.

  He chuckled and shook his head. “No. One Orlando is enough. Besides, I thought we agreed on Clifford if we had a boy.”

  “I know, but I wanted to give you one more chance to name him after you.”

  “I have no desire for that.”

  “All right. Clifford it is then.”

  “There he is!” her mother called out as she ran into the room, followed by her father who managed to practice more restraint despite the wide smile on his face.

  Her mother peered over Orlando’s shoulder and touched the baby’s hand. As he’d done with Chloe, he opened his hand and wrapped it around her finger.

  “I just love it when babies do that,” she said. Then, in a higher voice, she told him, “I’m your grandmother. Yes, I am. Yes, indeed. I’m your grandmother.”

  While her mother continued to talk to Clifford, Chloe looked at her father. “Would you like to hold him next?”

  “Oh, he wouldn’t!” her mother replied. “It’s my turn next. He can hold him when I’m done.”

  “Why, Mother, you can be unbelievably demanding,” Chloe said, though she’d fully expected her mother to want to be the next to hold him. She couldn’t blame her, especially when she wanted to hold him next, too. But she’d be good and wait while everyone else had a turn. Smiling as Orlando handed him to her mother, she said, “We decided to name him Clifford.”

  “A fine name,” her father replied as he checked on the boy.

  “It suits him well,” her mother agreed. “He looks like a Clifford.” She glanced at her husband. “Don’t you agree?”

  “Yes, I do. Now, let me hold him.”

  “I’m not done yet. I need a few more minutes with him.”

  “Why don’t I hold him for a few minutes and give him back to you?”

  “You waited nine months to hold your grandson. You can wait five more minutes.”

  “You waited for him for nine months, too, but you’re holding him now. I don’t see how that’s fair.”

  While her mother continued to argue with him, Chloe glanced at Orlando and chuckled. Poor Clifford. She had a feeling her parents would be fighting over him a lot in the years to come, which only proved a baby couldn’t be better loved.

  ***

  Two weeks later, Chloe and Melissa went to visit Helena, and as soon as the three sat down to have tea, Chloe and Melissa couldn’t help but tease Helena about the upcoming birth of her own child in August.

  “Just wait until you’re in your last month,” Melissa said. “It’ll be hard for you to sl
eep lying down. I needed to be propped up with four pillows or I’d risk something I ate earlier in the day coming back up.”

  “Well, it helps if you don’t eat something with spices in it,” Chloe added. “I made that mistake, and it was awful. I couldn’t get a good night’s sleep at all. It was like liquid fire coming up my mouth.”

  Helena grimaced and lowered her teacup. “Must you tell me everything that’s unpleasant while expecting a child?” She rubbed her round stomach and sighed. “You take all the enjoyment out of it. Earlier today, I was counting the number of kicks the little one was making. That was nicer than listening to you two discuss how uncomfortable you were.”

  “The discomfort was worth it,” Chloe assured her friend. “I’d go through it all over again for Clifford.”

  “And I would do it for Mathias,” Melissa added.

  Recalling how Logan had hoped Melissa wouldn’t name her son after their brother, Chloe asked Melissa, “Was your husband relieved you didn’t name your son Malcolm?”

  “Very much so.” Melissa took a sip of her tea then giggled. “He collapsed with relief right into a chair upon hearing the news. I was never going to name the boy Malcolm. I only said that to tease him. I didn’t think he took me seriously.”

  “I’m surprised he takes anything seriously,” Helena said. Glancing between her two friends, she added, “I can’t help but notice all of you have boys. Regina has Samuel. You have Mathias, and you,” she looked at Chloe, “have Clifford. We need a girl.”

  “Hmm,” Melissa began, “a girl for the three boys to one day fight over when it’s time to marry.”

  “I shall encourage her to marry Clifford,” Helena replied.

  “What’s wrong with Mathias?” Melissa asked.

  “Mathias has a father who would encourage him to enact a scandal to get what he wants,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. “And Samuel has a meddlesome grandmother.” Winking at Chloe, she added, “Orlando and Chloe have the ideal situation for my daughter to marry into.”