by Wendy Vella
She inhaled deeply, the night air feeling wonderful against her flushed face. “I’m not s-sure I can do that.”
“Then I shall carry you.”
“You cannot do that.”
“Of course I can. Have faith in the man you love, woman.”
She watched him lean over the edge and look below before waving a hand.
“I should not have told you that.”
“Yes, you should have,” he said, lowering himself onto the ladder she had not seen until that moment. “Turn around now, Charlotte, and place your foot on the first rung, and we shall climb down together.”
“I am not steady,” Charlotte felt compelled to say, as she did as he asked.
“I will not let you fall.” The deep words were spoken from behind her, and suddenly his body surrounded hers. The hard muscles of his chest pressed to her back as he caged her with his arms.
“One step at a time, sweetheart.”
They had taken only four steps downward when the sound of Hollander’s angry voice carried to them.
“She’s gone, find her now!”
“I don’t want him to find me,” Charlotte said quickly. “He is not a nice man, Marcus.”
“I won’t let him get you, Charlotte, remember what I said about trusting me.”
Charlotte didn’t speak, just nodded and concentrated on each step down. It seemed to take forever, but finally she was on the last rung.
“We have reached the ground, Charlotte.” Marcus took her hand in his.
“I’m v-vastly relieved about that, Marcus.” Charlotte was still light-headed, but it was starting to clear now she was outside.
“Come.” Another voice came from their right.
“This is Jacob, Charlotte. He is a friend and here to help.”
“Is he?” She looked at him, but could not make out his features in the darkness. “Thank you, sir.”
“My pleasure, Miss Radley. Nick has gone for the horses, Marcus, and Leo is still inside, wanting to be last to leave so he does not draw suspicion.”
“Let’s go, then.”
They hurried along the street. Marcus held her close to his side and steadied her when she stumbled.
“There!”
Charlotte heard the roar suddenly from behind them and knew that voice belonged to Mr. Hollander. She was lifted and thrown over Marcus’s shoulder, and then they were running faster. The sound of a gun made her flinch.
“The horses!” Marcus roared. Seconds later, she was being thrown onto a horse with Marcus climbing on behind.
“Go!”
They galloped through London, and she had no idea if they were being followed or not, so she just turned her body and burrowed into the warmth of the large man behind her. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she held him tight.
When the horses finally slowed, she lifted her head and saw they had stopped before Marcus’s townhouse. The relief made her sag into him.
“You’re safe now.” She felt his lips in her hair as he pulled her arms from around his waist and dismounted, before reaching up to lift her down.
“We shall see to the horses, and make sure Leo is safe.”
She heard the voices but did not look to see who had spoken. Marcus said something and then lifted her into his arms and walked inside the house.
“I need food, Chadley, and tea. Please bring both to my rooms, and then alert Fred and Dandy that Miss Radley is safe.”
“At once, my lord, and allow me to say how happy I am about that.”
“Th-thank you, Chadley.” Charlotte managed a smile for the butler.
Marcus carried her up the stairs and lowered her to the edge of his bed. He then kneeled before her.
“Are you sure you are not hurt in any way, Charlotte?” His beautiful eyes were serious as he ran them over her face.
“Yes, they just gave me some vile d-drink that made me lightheaded, but no one touched me. I was to be auctioned this night, sold to the highest bidder for his pleasures,” Charlotte continued. “My father wanted me gone, and this is how he was to achieve it.”
“I know. I visited him earlier, and it was he who told me the name of his steward, the man charged with getting rid of you.”
“You saw my father?”
“I held a gun to his head.”
“Oh, Marcus, you should not have done that. What will happen now?” Charlotte could not bear the thought that he was in trouble because of her.
“I would do it ten times over for you.”
Dare she believe what she saw in his eyes? Charlotte could do nothing to stop her hand from stroking the planes of his face.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”
“For what? You did nothing wrong, in fact, were it not for you, I would be in the hands of a man who—”
“Don’t.” He placed his hand over her mouth. “You are not in anyone’s hands but mine, and never will be again.”
The knock on his door stopped any more words, so Marcus rose to answer it. Returning with a tray, he placed it beside her on the bed before pulling a chair so close their knees touched. She watched him pour tea into a cup, then add sugar and milk before handing it to her.
Charlotte sipped, watching as he loaded cheese onto the bread before holding it out for her to take, which she did, realizing how hungry she was.
“I have not eaten since leaving here.”
“Are you sure they did not hurt you in any way?”
“I am well, Marcus, I promise you. Once my head is clear and my limbs are once again my own to control, I shall be back to the person I was.”
“Is your head clear enough to understand what I am about to say?”
Charlotte nibbled on the bread as she nodded.
“I’m sorry for letting you believe that I wished for you to become my mistress, Charlotte. That was not my intention. My words came out wrong and then you had fled before I could retract them.”
“You don’t want me as your mistress?” Charlotte wasn’t sure why this upset her, as she had no wish to follow in her mother’s footsteps, yet it did. Was she to leave this man’s life forever? The thought made her want to choke on the small mouthful she had just taken.
He took the tea and bread from her hands and replaced it on the tray, before sitting beside her on the bed.
“Wh-what are you doing?”
“Holding you,” he said, lifting her onto his lap. “I know you are not clearheaded at the moment, Charlotte, but I want you to try and listen very carefully. Can you do that?”
He looked serious, so she nodded.
“I don’t want you for my mistress because I want you as my wife.”
She shook her head. She had not heard that right, surely?
“Ah, Marcus, perhaps we should wait for sensible discussion until morning.”
“I love you, sweetheart.”
“No, you don’t.”
“I do.” He kissed the side of her neck. “Very much.”
“You can’t love me.”
“Why can’t I love you?”
“I’m a bastard, and my mother was a mistress.”
“I care nothing about your birth.” He kissed her jaw, and she felt the instant tug of heat.
“I-I looked after prostitutes.”
“I don’t care.” He unbuttoned her coat and push it aside. “I want you, Miss Charlotte Radley, every maddening inch.” He eased the sleeve of the wisp of silk aside and kissed one shoulder. “I love your strength, your wit, the way you champion people, and Lord, I love your body.”
The breath hissed from her throat as he reached her breast.
“You told me you loved me, Charlotte. Was that not true?”
She couldn’t think as his hot breath brushed her nipple. “No, I do l-love you.”
“Excellent.”
Charlotte found herself on her back with Marcus looming over her.
“And is your head clear? Do you want this, or should I let you sleep?” The rasp of his voice told her how arous
ed he was.
“Don’t you dare leave,” she whispered against his lips, and then she grabbed a handful of his hair and tugged, closing the gap.
He made love to her. It was slow and sweet, and she was panting and begging him to take her long before he finally eased deep inside her.
“I love you, Miss Radley.”
Charlotte arched off the bed as he slowly thrust into her body.
“And I you, Lord Needly, so very much.”
They slept, and when Charlotte woke it was to find her head clear and that she still lay in Marcus’s arms.
“Marcus?” Uncertain, she turned to find him watching her.
“I love you, Miss Radley, and last night you consented to be my wife so you cannot back out now.”
“Oh, well—”
“We will live here, and you will use as much of our money as you need to help your ladies of the night. Fred and Dandy will also be here with you, so there is nothing further to discuss.”
“Are you sure?” Charlotte let him lift her and settle her on his chest.
“Yes, very sure.” He cupped her cheeks. “I’ve been waiting for you, Miss Radley, my entire life. We belong to each other.”
Charlotte let the tears fall. “I’ve never belonged to anyone before.”
“You do now.” He kissed her, and Charlotte gave up the fight. She wanted this man, and it seemed he wanted her, and for the first time in her life, she was exactly where she wanted to be. Finally, she knew her place in the world. Right here, beside the man she loved.
THE END
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• Here's a sneak peek of Christmas Wishes, a Regency Romance.
CHRISTMAS WISHES
She was a tart mouthed woman, and Max had to admit to being intrigued. In fact, he could never remember a woman firing his interest more than the delectable Miss Appleby.
“I’m asking out of concern, Miss Appleby. It does not sit well with me that you are living in this freezing house without protection. Surely any man would feel that way. I cannot imagine the new Lord Appleby such a beast that he is happy with the current arrangements.”
She glared at him now. Her fingers pleating the skirt of her dress as she attempted to rein in her temper. However, Max found he didn’t want her to rein it in; he wanted to see the full force of its splendor.
“Lord Caruthers, it is not my circumstances we are discussing. It is the matter of my children. As you can see, Bratton House is in need of money. Will you or will you not help?”
He let a few seconds pass before answering, knowing his hesitation would rile her more. “You answer my questions and I will think about it.”
She breathed in through her nose and out again, twice, before speaking. “You will not just simply open up your full coffers and aid these poor, freezing children in their quest for a healthier and happier life?”
“Nice try, yet still I want you to answer my question. Why will the new Lord Appleby not aid your cause?”
Her glare would have felled an entire forest, Max was sure; however, he was made of sterner stuff and was, surprisingly, enjoying every second of his encounter with Miss Appleby. People did not usually argue or question Max. Most wanted to keep him happy. He knew some people stayed on his good side because he was rich others wanted to wed him to their daughters. It was only a rare few that actually courted his company because they were genuinely interested in him as a person. Depressing as this thought was, it was reality.
“My cousin is not pleased that I am here, yet without removing me bodily, there was little he could do about it when I decided to stay.”
“You are not a very malleable woman are you, Hero Appleby?”
Her eyes widened briefly at the use of her first name.
“Not particularly, my lord, and yet I will try to be if it means you will help us.”
Max laughed at her expression. She looked as if she'd just sucked on a lemon. “Would you not rather be getting ready for the season and searching for a new husband?”
“I would rather have pins embedded under my nails, Lord Caruthers, if I may speak plainly.”
“Speak away,” Max waved a hand, indicating she should continue. She really was something—beautiful and seemingly unaware of the fact. She was stubborn, opinionated and everything he had thought he hated in a woman. Seems he was wrong, if the stirring inside him was any indication.
“I do not covet a life led in society, my lord. Engaging in frivolous pursuits, over-imbibing and spending endless amounts of money on clothing and trinkets have never been what I aspired to.”
“Unlike me, who loves to over-imbibe and buy trinkets?”
She blushed again and Max knew she hated the loss of control she could apparently do nothing about. “I'm sure there was not much trinket buying on your part, my lord.”
“Only ample indulging in licentious pursuits?”
Her mouth clamped together, in an effort, he guessed, to stop herself from saying what she really wanted to say. “I have been too busy to listen to rumors and gossip, Lord Caruthers.”
“Come now, Miss Appleby. We both know that is not true because your reaction to me would suggest otherwise. I believe you said, and I quote, ‘I find excessive alcohol can sometimes lead to memory loss.’ These words tell me you have already formed an opinion of my character.”
“I formed an opinion when I arrived at your house yesterday to find you sweating and green-faced from your activities of the previous evening. Surely that gives me the right to my opinion!” Hero Appleby said in a raised voice.
“One such evening does not mean I constantly overindulge, Miss Appleby,” Max said, wondering why he cared what she thought.
She took a deep breath and then another before speaking. Obviously, patience was not her strong suit. “Forgive me. I have lived with men who do overindulge frequently. I had no right to judge you.”
Her eyes were focused on something over his shoulder and he wanted them back on him. “I forgive you.” She stiffened at his words but remained silent. “And now I have another question for you, Miss Appleby. Does your cousin visit you here?”
Her eyes were wary but she answered his question. “My cousin is a man who gets what he wants through intimidation, my lord, and he wants me in his house so he can take advantage of me. As I have no wish to share the bed of a man who will abuse me, simply to live a life without poverty, I ran. I hope that satisfies your curiosity?” She took a quick sip of tea before continuing “Now that I have given you all the nasty details of my private life, perhaps we can get to the point of your visit, Lord Caruthers. I need money to repair the roof and various other things that will make this house more hospitable for the children and myself. Will you help?”
“Did he hurt you before you left?”
Max didn’t know why he had asked that question—anger, probably—but he wanted to know the answer. He'd been around long enough to know what men were capable of, especially men who had a vulnerable woman under their supposed protection. He saw the surprise in her eyes. Her entire body, which had been bristling, seemed to slump down into the chair at his words and her lips trembled. Damn, had he made her cry?
“That is not a question to concern you, Lord Caruthers.”
“Hero-” Max started to speak as the door opened.
Christmas Wishes - out now!
OTHER BOOKS BY WENDY VELLA
Historical Romances
Regency Rakes Series
Duchess By Chance
Rescued By A Viscount
Tempting Miss Allender
The Langley Sisters Series
Lady In Disguise
Lady In Demand
Lady In Distress
The Lady Plays Her Ace
Novellas
The Lords Of Night Street Series
Lord Gallant
Lord Valiant
Christmas Wishes
Stand Alone Titles
The Reluctant Countess
Contemporary Romances
The Lake Howling Series
A Promise Of Home
The Texan Meets His Match
How Sweet It Is