by Mariel Grey
Rather than wait for the servants, Chalifour refilled the wine glasses himself and frequently toasted each of the women. Chalifour ensured his sister's glass was overly filled and regularly replenished. He almost felt guilty. Almost. Chalifour knew Elizabeth's tolerance for wine was low. She enjoyed it, but would soon feel a need to retire.
Glancing at his sister, Chalifour noted her bleary eyes. Not wanting Elizabeth to retire to her room just yet, he steered her and Lucy into the drawing room where the light from the fire continued to flicker and dance around the room. If Elizabeth left the dining table for her bed chamber, Lucy might be inclined to do the same. It would be harder for Lucy to extricate herself from the drawing room if her hostess was present.
"Elizabeth, can I pour you more wine? Miss Goodwin?"
Turning sleepy eyes upon him, Elizabeth said, "Perhaps I have had enough."
"Nonsense! We are celebrating a new venture! One that should prove profitable and enjoyable for both of our families. Besides, Lady Elizabeth, you always accuse me of never receiving company. You need to take advantage of Miss Goodwin’s company this evening because I believe she plans to leave early in the morning. Is that not so?" Chalifour turned to Lucy.
"Yes, I do need to return home tomorrow."
"I am sorry, but I fear I must beg your leave and retire to my bedchamber." Elizabeth held a hand to her brow. "I have greatly enjoyed your company Miss Goodwin, truly I have. I hope I have the opportunity to see you again."
Elizabeth rose unsteadily from the settee on which she was seated and swayed through the doorway, leaving Lucy alone with him.
Chalifour arose from the chair he had taken and walked to the heavy doors of the drawing room. He closed them slowly behind Elizabeth and turned to face Lucy.
Chapter Fifteen
Chalifour was in the hunt and Lucy was the prey. He studied her, her eyes never wavered from his. Lucy's eyes widened and her nostrils flared almost imperceptibly. The image of a spirited filly danced across his mind again.
Chalifour leaned against the door, arms folded across his chest, and allowed his eyes to feast on her. Lucy appeared as a Greek goddess would in her dress. Holding her gaze, he moved across the heavily carpeted floor toward her, each step slow and deliberate, until he stood before her.
Lucy's divine, cherry red lips were slightly parted and the green pools of her eyes were wide. Chalifour reached down and, using his strength, hauled her up from the couch where she was seated. He wrapped his muscular arms around Lucy's delicate frame. Her heart beat rapidly. Such fire and passion in something so frail.
Chalifour eyed Lucy's succulent mouth before he leaned in and possessed it. His lips caressed hers, softly at first. He deepened his kiss and pulled her more firmly against him. Soft curves pressed against his body for a moment before stiffening against his hard length. In response, he hugged her more tightly against his body and demanded even more from her lips, giving her no opportunity to protest.
The tide of Chalifour's desire nearly overwhelmed him. His arousal made him ache with need, but he had to be careful with Lucy. He kissed her until she was breathless. She sagged in his arms, resistance ebbing. Chalifour lowered his lips to her swan neck and ravished her with butterfly kisses and experienced a certain satisfaction at her sharp intake of breath. He meant to have from Lucy the same unrestrained joy and passion she displayed when she was riding. He wanted to drive her wild so her need equaled his.
Chalifour slipped one finger beneath her chemise and began to knead her nipple, feeling it harden instantly. Lucy yelped and rocked backward in surprise. He used the opportunity to free her breast from the confines of the chemise. Her breast popped out in its swollen glory, golden in the flickering light of the fire. Chalifour's mouth quickly covered her nipple and suckled greedily with his growing need. Lucy cried out and arched her back in his arms, offering her succulent breast to him and giving him free access to her décolletage.
Holding the nipple of one sweet breast to his mouth in one hand, Chalifour used his other hand to free Lucy's second breast so both globes were now free for his pleasure. Closing his palm over the other soft breast, he kneaded it, gently squeezing the flesh, reveling in the silken texture of her skin, smooth velvet in his hand.
Chalifour licked and suckled on her other breast. He alternated between teasing Lucy's nipple with his tongue and his teeth. He had to restrain himself from taking her right then on the couch. He was swollen and throbbed painfully. He wanted nothing more than to bury himself in Lucy this very minute.
"Oh stop, please stop," Lucy whispered.
Chalifour lifted his head and stared at her half-closed eyes which glittered like emerald slits in the firelight. "Is that what you want?" His voice low and raspy with passion. "You want me to stop?"
She didn't respond.
"Lucy, tell me and I will stop. Is that what you want?"
Lucy shook her head, "God help me, no." Her whisper was nearly inaudible.
Lucy's arms slid up around Chalifour’s neck. Chalifour pulled her closer against his muscular body, his fingers kneading her lower back and neck, tangling in her hair. He buried his face in her mane, the scent of wild flowers enveloping him. She groaned and leaned into him, molding herself to him.
Chalifour had never taken a woman to his bed here in Chalifour Manor before, but that's precisely what he intended to do with Lucy. He had made assignations with women here during some of the house parties his sister forced him to host, but he had always gone to their guest room, never vice versa.
Chalifour lifted Lucy in his arms and walked to the door. Kicking the door of the drawing room open, carried Lucy out and up the staircase toward his room. His lips continued to probe hers. Lucy shivered, her breath ragged in his ears.
Chalifour had earlier instructed the servants he was not to be disturbed after dinner. He wanted Lucy and he meant to have her. Chalifour would not tolerate interruptions from his staff tonight.
Entering his bedchamber, Chalifour kicked the door closed behind him and walked to the bed, dropping Lucy on it. He stood over her, willfully restraining himself. Lucy's face was suffused with desire, drugged almost. Her eyes were half closed and her lips swollen. Her breasts were exposed to him, begging his attention. He wanted to see her as he had in his fantasy, with her auburn hair cascading over her shoulders, her breasts peeking out at him, teasing him, tantalizing him.
Chalifour reached down and pulled a pin from her hair and slowly unraveled one long, curly tress, brushing it across her breast before bending down to kiss her nipple to make it stand at attention. He removed a pin from the other side of her head and uncoiled a curl across her other breast, brushing her nipple with her own hair.
Lucy groaned and shivered again. "Tell me what to do."
Wordlessly, Chalifour reached over to the wash basin on the table beside his bed, dampened a cloth, and left it there. He then bent forward and unbuttoned Lucy's gown. "Stand up, Lucy, and take off your gown. I want to see you." His voice was raw with need.
Lucy stood and slid her gown and petticoats to the floor. Chalifour untied her chemise and Lucy let it fall away. Chalifour's breath caught at the perfection of the loveliness standing before him.
He pulled his tight breeches off and his erection, freed from the confines, sprang to full attention. Lucy’s eyes widened. It was likely the first time Lucy had seen an erect penis. He pulled Lucy against him and they both gasped. The smooth, warmth of her bare skin against his swollen cock was exquisite pain.
Chalifour kissed Lucy again, a deep, slow penetrating kiss. He lowered her gently to the bed, and pulled the remainder of the pins from her hair, tossing them behind him to the floor. Her hair cascaded down to obscure parts of her breasts, just as he had imagined. He pushed Lucy back against the pillows and began to cover her flesh with kisses.
"I don't know what to do," she said.
Chalifour took her hand and guided it to his shaft. "Rub me here," he said hoarsely, gasping when her fingers touche
d him. He bucked, a raw sensation from the base of his belly welled up and he nearly came. "Oh, God, never mind, no more of that," Chalifour said removing Lucy's hand.
Lucy sat up, her face anxious. "Did I hurt you?"
"Oh no, Lucy, you've done nothing wrong. I just can't handle that right now. There is so much more of you I want to enjoy." He pushed Lucy gently back onto his mattress and moved leisurely along the length of her body, showering kisses, savoring the taste and texture of her skin. Lucy's body quivered. Chalifour worked his way lower, reaching the ginger hair of her pubic mound.
Running his teeth lightly over her mound, Lucy’s breath hitched in shock and she tried to sit up.
"What, what ... "
Before Lucy could finish her sentence, Chalifour plunged his tongue into her sweet folds. Lucy cried out and arched against his face. Chalifour bore down on her with his mouth and his tongue, sucking and licking her, until Lucy was grinding against him. He wouldn't let up. Lucy bucked and thrashed against him. Grabbing Chalifour's head between her hands, Lucy whimpered and pressed his face deeper into her.
"Please, oh, please."
Satisfaction rose in Chalifour. He had waited for Lucy to reach the point where she could no longer stand the exquisite pleasure without a greater release. He pulled his face from between her thighs.
Rolling over, Chalifour reached for the wet cloth he had laid earlier beside the wash basin on his bedside table. Grasping the cloth, he wiped his face and mouth and looked at Lucy. She lay panting, chest heaving, legs slightly parted. She was limp with desire, her eyes filled with lust for him.
No longer needing to control his carnal appetite, Chalifour moved over Lucy and covered her body with his own, nudging her legs further apart with his legs. He had wanted Lucy from the moment he saw her in the stables. He had fantasized about her in his bed and now he had her. Chalifour slid into Lucy until he reached the resistance of her maidenhood. He pushed softly against the membrane, putting ever greater pressure on it.
Lucy went rigid in his arms. She cried out and started to struggle, "It hurts."
"Ssh," he soothed her, "it will be better in a minute." Chalifour covered Lucy's lips with his own and kissed her, easing further inside Lucy, holding her gently but firmly. The membrane gave way with a pop and Chalifour slid deeper into Lucy. He shivered.
Lucy exhaled and relaxed, the tension drained from her body. Chalifour shuddered and the satin glove of Lucy's body closed around his cock. Chalifour paused a moment to let Lucy adjust to the feeling of his hard intrusion into her, then moved slowly in and out of her.
Feeling Lucy beneath him, Chalifour's lust swelled and his rhythm increased. Lucy moaned, urging him on. Her body began to answer his, rising to meet his thrusts. Lucy’s growing urgency only sharpened his. The musky scent of their passion rose up around him.
Chalifour dove deeper and harder into Lucy. She spread her legs wider to accept him more deeply. He held back, held back, held back, painful ecstasy in the base of his stomach. Lucy's body shuddered and went rigid. She cried out and arched up against him. He couldn't hold back any longer. Chalifour thrust himself into Lucy as far as he was able, a sharp knife into her sweet flesh. Chalifour shuddered and cried out, exploding deep inside Lucy.
Chalifour collapsed onto Lucy. "Ah, my dove, you are the sweetest thing I have ever had and might have just damned me."
Chapter Sixteen
Lucy awoke, resting on her side in the warm cocoon of Chalifour's embrace. Sighing, she pressed herself against Chalifour's chest and his arms tightened around her. A sense of contentment rose within Lucy and she made an effort to shove her worries into the back corners of her mind, if only for a little while.
Chalifour had seduced her just as surely as he had in all likelihood enticed many women. Lucy would be ruined in society if their affair became known, but Chalifour was discrete, of that she was sure.
Monique had mentioned there were whispers about Chalifour's various liaisons, but certainly no outright gossip or accusations of impropriety with any of the women of the ton. Even though Lucy was not a member of the beau monde, Chalifour treated her with the same deference and courtesy he would afford a lady of his own station. Perhaps Chalifour treated her well simply because she was Lucien's sister. Either way, her reputation was safe with him.
Lucy rolled onto her back and rubbed her palms across her breasts, where Chalifour’s hands had touched her only hours before. Lucy could not believe her own wantonness or how much she had wanted Chalifour. She would readily make love with him again.
Lucy’s hand moved lower, her fingers stroking her pubic mound, remembering the sweet sensation Chalifour had given her. Lucy had never imagined how all-consuming lovemaking could be. She replayed the delicious details in her mind. A shudder wracked her body and a wetness seeped between her thighs.
Lucy was reasonably sure Chalifour had deliberately set out to captivate her, and she had allowed him, had been ready for him. Lucy was just a diversion for Chalifour. She had no illusions Chalifour held any special feelings for her, but she was undeniably drawn to this man and had been from the first time she met him.
Lucy had already realized it was doubtful she would marry. English law made her chattel, a tenant for life, when she married. Lucy feared being marginalized and could not tolerate the thought. It was likely she would become a spinster. Lucy rationalized that it was only natural she wanted to experience passion with the one man to whom she experienced such a strong attraction. Besides, at the moment, the threat of imprisonment for her forgery was more of a concern to her than her reputation.
Visiting the estate had presented Lucy with the opportunity and the setting to hide from prying eyes. No one would be the wiser, as long as Lady Elizabeth was not too inquisitive about any of the details of last evening after she had taken her leave.
The uncertainty of Lucy's future created a desire in her to become a woman in the fullest sense. It seemed only logical to Lucy to allow Chalifour to seduce her. Lucy had no regrets. She touched herself again and smiled. Lucy snuggled against Chalifour and luxuriated in the warmth of his body and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Safe for the moment, Lucy lay blissful, floating.
Slowly, the specter of Lucy's current circumstances began to crowd her mind. Lucy shifted in the bed. She had a momentary stab of guilt she hadn't given much thought to Lucien since her arrival the day before yesterday. How was he? In the brief time Lucy had spent in her home after returning from Town and prior to her departure here, she had spoken only briefly with Lucien. He had been so groggy, Lucy doubted he would remember she had been there. At least Lucien was recovering, and for that she was thankful.
How would any of this resolve itself? Would her brother recover fully? Would Lucien's breeding business survive the financial blackmail? How would Chalifour view her if he discovered she had forged the contract with him or the cheque paper she had given Perdan? Chalifour had high morals and strong principles. He detested cheats, and by extension, liars certainly. Would Chalifour turn Lucy over to the authorities if he knew? Would he have held her so tenderly in his arms if he knew about any of this?
Careful not to disturb Chalifour, Lucy turned on her side and watched him sleep, his chest rising and falling deeply with each deep breath. A lock of dark, unruly hair fell across his forehead as it often did. Lucy felt a tender urge to brush the hair back into place. Chalifour's face in repose reminded her of a child, except this was no young boy. Chalifour was a capable and forceful man.
Lucy couldn't allow their affair to continue, of course, but she intended to bask in the memory for the time being. Rolling onto her back again, eyes closed, Lucy began to massage herself, one hand caressing her breast, the other between her thighs.
"Would you like me to help you with that?" The rich voice sent shivers through Lucy.
Breathless, Lucy turned on her side to face Chalifour. Pulling the covers down below her waist, Lucy presented her entire body to Chalifour and rubbed against him. "How di
d you guess?" Her voice was low and husky with passion making it unfamiliar to her ears. So much for not continuing their affair. Maybe she was a trollop at heart, but Lucy wanted Chalifour's warmth inside her again. Their ardor would end soon enough, Lucy told herself.
****
Satisfied, Lucy drifted off into sleep after their second bout of lovemaking, only to awake with a start. Someone was stirring outside in the corridor. The servants were up and going about the house, engaged in their morning duties. She had to get to her room! Had her absence been noted yet?
Lucy tried to disengage herself from Chalifour's arms, but he mumbled something incoherent and pulled her closer to him. She struggled to free herself and one blue eye popped open to peer at her. "I must get back to my room before I am missed!"
"You won't be missed, sweetling," Chalifour drawled, holding her still.
A small thrill coursed up Lucy's spine upon hearing the term of endearment, though she knew Chalifour meant it only casually. "Of course I will! It's cool this morning and the maid will be in shortly to start a fire."
"No, she won't. I told the staff last evening that you ladies had far too much wine and would likely benefit with more sleep in the morning. I left strict instructions that neither you nor Lady Elizabeth were to be disturbed for any reason this morning and to leave you alone until you called." Chalifour looked at her with a shameless smile.
"You knew you were going to seduce me last night, didn't you?"
Chalifour's expression turned serious, "I knew I was going to try. You had to accept me though. I also believe that we are on sufficiently intimate terms that you should call me Chali, rather than Lord Chalifour. Perhaps I should call you Lucy?" Chalifour cocked an eyebrow at her.
"I don't think that's a good idea. If we were overheard speaking to each other in such familiar terms, I believe that people would certainly guess what the nature of our relationship has been, or at the very least, speculate on it."