by Vikki Vaught
Pulling her closer, he devoured her mouth. Hot flames licked at her belly. She forgot to breathe. All too soon, he raised his hand and stroked her face, breaking their kiss. “Forgive me, but you’re too tempting.” He released her and stepped back. “I suppose we must return to the others.”
“Yes, I suppose we probably should,” she whispered, disappointed that the most exciting moment of her life had ended so abruptly. She lowered her eyes. Had her response to his kisses been too bold?
He leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers one more time. “You’re so very lovely. Thank you for granting me a kiss.” He placed her hand on the sleeve of his jacket and led her from the conservatory.
Hope filled her soul.
At last, at eight and thirty, she had a beau.
CHAPTER 3
Mid-December 1803
After Robert returned Lady Mildred to the drawing room, he took his leave. As he made his way home, his thoughts wandered to their brief, but titillating encounter in the conservatory. He could still feel her lips under his, still smell the light floral scent of her lovely auburn hair.
He’d longed to pull the pins from her mass of curls and let them fall around her shoulders, to run his fingers through what would surely be silky strands. Ah, yes, they would deal well with each other, if her response to his kisses were any indication.
The following morning, Robert went to see her, however, the visit was interrupted when they heard a racket coming from the entryway. The viscountess rushed from the room, and he escorted Lady Mildred downstairs. They found Lady Hardesty and the butler bending over her husband.
Wallis helped the viscount into a sitting position, amidst a few muffled curses and several grunts of pain. He heard the man tell his wife he’d fallen from his horse and that his girth broke. Lady Mildred was clearly shaken as she watched two footmen carry Hardesty up the stairs.
He placed an arm around Mildred’s gently rounded shoulders and led her to the drawing room, then helped her take a seat on a settee. Then he sat beside her and took her hand in his. Her fingers were chilled, so he stripped off his gloves and rubbed them, transferring his warmth to them.
At last, her hands were no longer blocks of ice, and he reluctantly released them. Taking advantage of the moment alone with her, he pulled her close. At first, he only planned to comfort her with a few gentle kisses, but her soft, pouty lips were too hard to resist, and they quickly escalated to more.
Her swift response sent desire straight to his lower region, and his body tightened as he deepened their stolen kisses. Daring to venture further, his hand wandered to the buttons at the neck of her gown, and he slipped several of them through their openings, then spread the fabric apart.
He stroked the hollow between her collar bones, reveling in the feel as he worked his hand inside her bodice. When he touched her bare skin, it was all he could do to keep from shuddering in ecstasy.
Her breathing quickened, and she didn’t pull away. Thrilled by her reaction to his ministrations, he squeezed the generous mound of her breast. The veins in his temple throbbed as he devoured her mouth, plunging his tongue in and out, as he wanted to plunge his shaft deep inside her hot body.
Realization broke through his lust when he remembered a servant could catch them in a compromising position. He reluctantly withdrew his roaming hand and broke their heated kiss. “Ah, my sweet, you entice me beyond my control.” He re-buttoned her dress and smiled. “We must stop this. I would never want to embroil you in scandal.”
The flush in her cheeks receded, and she buried her face against his shoulder. “I should have stopped you.”
“No, I should have better control, but your luscious lips are too tempting.” He tipped her chin up, so he could see her face. “Since we’ve grown so close, will you allow me the privilege of using your given name?”
“Would you mind calling me Millie?” she asked. “It’s what my father called me when I was a child. No one else has ever called me that, and I never cared for my proper name.”
He smiled. “I would be happy to. Millie suits you much better. Will you use, Robert?” She shyly nodded her ascent, and he tweaked her nose. “Good. Now, shall we find out how Hardesty is doing?”
All the color drained from her face. “Oh, no! How could I have allowed myself to get carried away when Cortland lay upstairs injured?” She tore herself from his embrace and stood.
He quickly rose and placed a staying hand on her arm. “He’s conscious, so I doubt he suffered any lasting injury. We shall find the butler and inquire after him.”
They found Wallis in the entryway directing a footman, who was cleaning the mud and water from the marble floor. “My good man, I trust Lord Hardesty received no lasting damage from his fall?”
The butler replied, “His lordship is resting, and we’re waiting for the apothecary to arrive. Fortunately, his manservant believes his ribs are bruised, not cracked or broken.”
Mildred sighed and relief swept across her face. “Oh, thank the good Lord. Is my niece with him?”
“She is, my lady,” Wallis replied.
Robert raised her hand and brushed a kiss on it. “Ah, then I shall take my leave. You will want to go to her. I will return in the morning to find out how he fares.”
“As you wish, my lord.” She lowered her lashes. “Thank you for staying with me while we awaited news of his condition.”
He bowed. “You’re welcome. I shall look forward to seeing you on the morrow.” Then he accepted his great coat from the footman, pulled it on, and departed.
* * *
Mildred rushed upstairs to Cortland’s chamber, but Mary was inside with her husband. She found Marjorie sitting in a chair beside his door. “Has Mary come out with any additional news?”
“No,” she replied, as she twisted her handkerchief. “We’re still waiting on the apothecary to arrive, but the steward rushed out a few minutes ago muttering to himself. Something about a new employee and how he would get to the bottom of the accident. It leads me to believe that a groom may have done something on purpose.”
“Surely not.” A chill ran down her spine. Today wasn’t the first time Cortland had suffered injury. Six weeks ago, he’d been shot by a poacher. Next, there was the carriage mishap a couple of days ago when he went to get her nephew Ben. Who would want to harm him?
Then she remembered how vindictive her brother was. He’d been furious when he learned Mary had eloped with Cortland. He could want revenge and may have hired someone to sabotage him.
Thirty minutes later, the apothecary arrived and went into the viscount’s bedchamber. Another fifteen minutes went by, and Mary came out. Mildred went to her. “How is your husband?”
Mary’s drawn face worried her. Could Cortland be injured worse than they had thought? Her niece drew in a breath. “His ribs are bruised, not broken. The apothecary has advised he take it easy for a couple of days. He took some laudanum and is resting.”
“Thank goodness,” Marjorie dabbed at her eyes with her crumpled handkerchief. “If anything happened to him…well, I don’t know if my heart could take it.”
The poor woman had suffered so much loss. First her son died, then her husband. She didn’t need any more grief. Mildred patted her hand. “Your nephew will be fine. Why don’t we go downstairs and have a nice cup of tea?”
Her friend gave her a grateful smile. “Yes, yes, let us do that.” Marjorie looked at Mary. “Will you be joining us?”
“I wish I could,” she replied, “but I need to meet with the housekeeper. My younger brothers will be here this afternoon. And, my husband’s sister and her family are arriving next week.”
She’d forgotten Charles and Michael were arriving that day. She prayed they would accept her apology and forgive her. “I look forward to seeing Hardesty’s family. Let me know if you need any assistance.”
“I will, Aunt.” Then she rushed away to attend her meeting.
A few hours later, her nephews arrived and M
ildred greeted them in the drawing room with a tentative smile. “It’s wonderful to see both of you.” She looked at both boys, and stiffened her resolve. Though the young men may never forgive her, she had to do her best to make amends. “I need to apologize for my past behavior. Please know, if I’d shown you a hint of affection, your father would have taken it out on you.”
While fourteen-year-old Charles, and fifteen-year-old Michael, both appeared skeptical, the elder of the two replied, “If you say so, Aunt. Although you made our lives difficult, I’m willing to start afresh.” Michael, turned to his brother. “How about you?”
Charles, shrugged. “I suppose I can give her an opportunity to redeem herself.”
Mildred kept the tears at bay, although she had to blink several times to clear her vision. “Thank you. Although I don’t deserve your forgiveness, I’m grateful for a second chance.”
Everyone took their seat, and Mary poured. A footman passed out plates of sandwiches and biscuits. The boys teased her niece as they bantered back and forth, oblivious to her presence. She envied the ease and affection between them, and for the first time since she’d come to Wallingford Manor, she felt excluded. Even though the boys had said they could start afresh, she would need to earn their trust.
Not wanting to intrude on Mary’s reunion with her brothers, she stood. “I think I shall retire to my room and rest before dinner. Again, it’s wonderful to see you, and I look forward to spending the holidays with all of you.” Both boys stood and bowed as she left the room.
When Mildred entered her bedchamber, she sank onto the chair before the fire, then buried her head in her hands and had a good cry. Shame washed over her when she remembered how hard she’d been on them. She should have found a way to protect the boys from her brother. Charles and Michael were still in leading strings when she’d come to live with the earl.
Memories came flooding back. She’d been so excited when her brother had sent for her. She thought he’d wanted her to help with the children, but when she arrived, he’d flatly told her she was to spy on them. That he did not want her mollycoddling them, especially Mary.
She remembered her promise to Mary, took a steadying breath, and put the past where it belonged. All she could do going forward was show her niece and nephews she’d changed. To keep from dwelling on things best forgotten, she decided to visit Aimee. That always lifted her spirits.
The French child didn’t know the old Mildred and had taken to her from their first meeting. When she entered the schoolroom, Aimee ran to her and hugged her waist. “Madame, you have come. I wrote a story for you. May I read it?”
She stroked the little girl’s pale blonde hair. “That would be delightful.”
The child clasped her hand and pulled her to the sofa. Aimee opened her writing tablet and began her story. The tale had a princess in a dungeon. An evil ogre had captured her, and just as he was ready to devour her, a knight rushed in and saved the day.
Once the little girl finished reading, Mildred clapped her hands. “How wonderful, Aimee. Thank you for sharing it with me.”
The child beamed at her praise. “Thank you, Madame. I will write you another one tomorrow. Will you come back so I can read it to you?”
“I would be happy to.” She hugged the child, then stood. “I need to change for dinner, but I shall return tomorrow. See you soon.”
Aimee waved as she left the schoolroom. The little girl always lifted her spirits. Perhaps she would send a note to Robert and ask him to bring Melissa with him the next day. The children were only a year apart in age. It would be good for both of them to have a new playmate. After all, they lived close to one another.
At dinner that evening, her nephews were at least civil toward her. Since Cortland had not come to dinner, the young men didn’t stay in the dining room for libations, but joined the ladies. Again, Mary and her brothers were enjoying each other’s company so much, she retired earlier than normal.
Once she was ready for bed, she climbed in, but couldn’t go to sleep. It had been an eventful day with both high and low points. Refusing to dwell on the negative, she turned her thoughts to the visit from Robert earlier.
Even though she still had a hard time believing he truly wanted to court her, his kisses certainly proved he did. She’d come close to swooning from the passion she’d experienced in his arms. Her tummy flipped when she recalled the sensations that had rushed through her body.
Never in her life had she imagined a kiss could be oh, so stirring. She couldn’t begin to describe how his kisses made her feel. When she’d read books regarding romance and love, she’d never expected to experience it. She now had a good idea why women wanted kisses. She certainly enjoyed them a great deal.
She should worry about someone catching them in a compromising position, after all, that had already happened to her once. But, oh…she enjoyed his kisses, whether it did create a scandal or not. No, she would not let fear keep her from experiencing joy. It had held her captive for too many years.
Snuggling against her pillows, she closed her eyes and dreamed of a happy future for the first time since her girlhood—before her brother stole her youth. No, she refused to let the earl control her actions ever again. The vision of Robert’s whiskey-colored eyes was the last thing in her mind before she fell asleep.
When Mildred awoke the next morning, she climbed out of bed and hurried to the window to check on the weather. Some snow had fallen. Fortunately, it was only a light dusting, nothing that would keep Robert away.
She quickly washed and donned one of the dresses Marjorie’s maid had altered for her. The lavender woolen gown was warm, yet gracefully fell from her bodice in gentle waves to her slippers. It was much more attractive than any other dress she’d owned since her come-out.
The maid had shown her how to arrange her hair in a much less severe style. Now, wispy tendrils of curls framed her round face, making her appear years younger. When she gazed at her reflection, she barely recognized herself. Joining Marjorie on her morning walks was doing wonders for her figure.
The best thing that had ever happened to her was when her brother abandoned her last month. She’d grown closer to her niece, had begun to mend fences with her nephews, gained a friend in Marjorie, and had little Aimee in her life. Now, she even had a suitor. Her life had immeasurably changed for the good.
With a lighter step than usual, she made her way to the breakfast room. When she entered, Ben scrambled to his feet and bowed. “Good morning, Aunt Mildred.”
She smiled. “It is an excellent morning, is it not? I trust you slept well?”
He grinned. “Much better than usual. The bed is much softer than the one at school. Do you have any plans today?”
She opened her napkin and placed it on her lap. “The closest neighbor is coming for a visit this morning. Lord Robert is bringing his daughter with him. I want the child to meet Aimee.”
“I haven’t met Lord Robert yet,” he replied. “I look forward to it.”
Charles and Michael entered, and mumbled, “Good morning,” and started filling their plates at the sideboard.
Keeping her tone light and friendly, she said, “Greetings. I hope you found your rest last night?”
Both nephews gave her a stiff nod before taking seats at the other end of the table. Clearly, they would not make it easy for her to make amends. She looked at her plate, but her appetite had disappeared. After pushing her eggs around for several minutes, she laid her napkin beside her plate, then rose. “I shall leave you to your meal. I hope you have a good day.”
Ben, Charles, and Michael muttered a farewell in a dismissive tone. Once she was alone in the hall, her shoulders slumped, and she pulled her handkerchief from her pocket to wipe away a few tears.
Mary came down the stairs and must have seen her crying, because she rushed to her side. “Aunt, what happened?”
The concern in her voice helped her feel less despondent. “I’m fine. I just had breakfast with your brothers.
I don’t think Charles and Michael are willing to forgive me. Not that I would blame them.” Another tear rolled down her cheek.
Mary placed an arm around her. “Give them time. I’m sure they’ll warm to you once they see who you truly are.”
She wiped her eyes. “I’m sure you’re right.” She sniffed. “I need to go upstairs and wash away these silly tears. Lord Robert and his daughter will be here in thirty minutes.”
“It’s good that you asked him to bring her so Aimee can meet her.” She hesitated. “You’re spending a good bit of time with him. This will be the second day in a row he’s come to call. I think he’s smitten with you.”
A thrill raced through her. “Do you really think so?”
“I do.” She hugged her. “I need to meet with the housekeeper, so I shall see you at luncheon. Enjoy your visit with Lord Robert.”
“I will.” Thank goodness, her niece was so forgiving. She’s right. The boys just needed time. Turning her mind to happier thoughts, she went upstairs to wipe all trace of the tears away. After all, she would be seeing Lord Robert in a matter of minutes.
CHAPTER 4
Once Robert collected Melissa from the schoolroom, they set off for Wallingford Manor. His daughter had only agreed to go with him if he allowed her to ride. He’d put his foot down though when she wanted to wear her breeches. She grudgingly allowed her nurse to help her don her riding habit and had agreed to use her side-saddle.
When they reached the house, two grooms ran forward and took their reins. Melissa asked, “Will I meet the French boy, along with his sister?”
“He should be there. Now, please mind your manners,” he admonished as he tapped the front door with his riding crop.
One of the footmen opened the door and admitted them. “Good day, Lord Robert. I shall take you to Lady Mildred. She is expecting you.”
Taking Melissa’s hand, they followed the servant up the stairs and into the drawing room. Millie stood and smiled. “Greetings, Lord Robert.” She directed her gaze toward his daughter. “Thank you for coming for a visit, Melissa. Aimee and Gerrard are excited about meeting you. If you’ll come with me, we can make our way to the schoolroom.”