Gentleman Never Tells (Regency Historical Romance)
Page 16
Phoebe wanted to test the waters again, and so she put a tentative tongue to the tip and gave it a quick lick, almost as if she were eating a chocolate ice. Though it didn’t taste as good as a chocolate ice, it was far more arousing somehow. The musky smell and the illicit act caused moisture to pool between her legs. She wanted more of him.
“I learned it,” she answered, kissing him between words, “from . . . your . . . sister.”
“No! No, no, no, no, no!” He grabbed her chin so she had to look up at him. “You are never to mention my sister while we’re doing this again!”
She pulled away and gave him a haughty retort. “You asked.”
“Don’t answer next time.”
“Do you want me to stop?”
“Dear God, I don’t ever want you to stop, my sweet, darling, Phoebe.”
A smile tugged at the corners of her lips with the knowledge that she could bring him such pleasure. And her mouth was on him again, devouring him, tasting him, reveling in the moans and groans above her. It was all she could do to keep her wits about her when he reached down and tugged on her nipple.
Blessedly, he pulled away from her then and pushed her back onto the bed. Though she had enjoyed the exploration and the surprising amount of pleasure she herself had gained from the experience, the ache between her legs was becoming unbearable. It had been weeks, and she needed him. Now.
But he took his time. First he kissed her, thoroughly, making the storm inside of her brew until she couldn’t take anymore.
“Please,” she begged. “I need you, Benjamin.”
With an ecstatic groan, he flipped onto his back, bringing her with him. Her legs straddled his hard thighs, and she landed on his rigid length. He wasn’t inside of her yet, but it was bliss merely to feel him against her, hot and hard. With painstaking slowness, Benjamin pulled her forward, sliding her along his cock until they reached the right angle for him to slip into her.
Phoebe winced with pure pleasure at having him inside of her. He pressed up and she pressed down—he was so deep, and she felt so wicked sitting atop him, riding him like a prized stallion.
She loved the control she wielded in this position, and even was so daring as to lean over and dangle her breasts in his face. He grabbed on to them and devoured one nipple with his ravenous appetite, while he used his fingers to titillate the other.
They had made love before but never like this. Never with this wild, urgent need that came of being apart for longer than either of them really wanted.
It didn’t take long before the inexorable rhythm sent both of them spinning out of control into unbridled ecstasy. Phoebe cried out as Benjamin released a low and guttural roar. He came halfway up, and Phoebe clasped her arms behind his neck, pressing herself to him as they prolonged the moment, the blissful moment.
They stayed like that, holding one another close, their bodies slick with sweat, trying to find purchase in the real world once more. After a few minutes, when their breathing had slowed and the sweat began to cool on Phoebe’s back, he guided her to lie beside him.
***
“Benjamin,” she said a while later as she stared up at the dark green canopy above them. When she felt his eyes on her, she turned to look at him. “I think I would like to go home.”
“I assume that by home you mean Ravenscroft Castle and not Blakeny House?”
Phoebe laughed. “Of course, I mean Ravenscroft.” Then she sobered a bit. “I think it’s time I had a long talk with my mother.”
Ben nodded. “I couldn’t agree more.”
For the first time since she’d been in London, she thought about her great escape from Ravenscroft Castle. “Though I could wait one more day to deal with Kat’s wrath.”
Benjamin raised one, dark eyebrow in curiosity. “What does Kat have to do with anything?”
“Ah . . . well, she may have had it in mind that she was coming with Becky and me to London.”
“And? What happened?”
Oh, dear. What would Ben think of the way they’d escaped from the bosom of his family? “I didn’t want her to come.” She waited to see what he would say, but he didn’t say anything. He stared at her until she was forced to continue the story. “I left a note,” she said, by way of an excuse. “But I knew if your family knew we were trying to leave, they would somehow get involved. Kat had already begun to make a big to-do over coming here, and I . . . I needed to be alone with you.”
“You are a peculiar and fascinating woman, Lady Eastleigh.” He lifted her hand gently and kissed her fingers. “And that is why I love you.”
A smile lit her up from the inside out. “I love you, too.”
Chapter 20
Phoebe was all at once anxious and apprehensive about returning to Ravenscroft Castle. She was actually quite desperate to speak with her mother, to know what happened with Wallace and why he had attacked her. What was so awful that she’d had to keep it a secret from her? And furthermore, why did Benjamin know about it?
These questions plagued her during the entire journey, but she knew better than to ask Benjamin for clarification. He wouldn’t tell her, and she would only end up more frustrated. It was best she wait and hear it directly from her mother.
However, there was the issue of Katherine, with whom she would have to deal with as well. Her palms grew sweaty at the idea of facing her sister-in-law after running off to London without her.
She looked at Becky, her partner-in-crime, who sat nestled in the corner of the seat opposite her and Benjamin. Clearly, she was not as worried as Phoebe was about facing Kat—if the monstrous snores coming from her were any indication.
Ben squeezed her hand, and she turned to look at him. He was trying to stifle his mirth, but it wasn’t working. Furthermore, it was infectious, and they both giggled like schoolgirls at Becky’s loud snoring.
It wasn’t until they pulled to the front of Ravenscroft Castle and lurched to a stop that Becky woke with a start from her nap.
“We’re here, Becky,” Phoebe said gently, once Benjamin had alighted the carriage.
“Oh, goodness, I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“It’s all right, Becky. But you’d better prepare yourself. I’m certain we’re about to get an earful from Katherine.”
They filed out of the carriage and then up the stairs. The door opened before they reached it, and Sikes stood there waiting. Phoebe barely had time to remove her bonnet and gloves before her sister-in-law’s voice echoed through the foyer.
“I do hope you have an excellent explanation for leaving me here.”
Phoebe turned to find Kat standing behind her, arms crossed over her chest, fury and speculation in her dark eyes. Her slippered foot tapped steadily against the marble floor as she waited.
“We do!” Phoebe assured her. She turned with the intent to pull Becky into the conversation, only to discover she had fled already. Blast her! They had left together, hadn’t they? Sure, it had been Phoebe’s idea, but, still, a little support as she faced the fuming duchess would have been nice.
Kat grabbed her hand, led her into the nearest parlor and shut the door. Before her sister-in-law could speak, Phoebe launched into her reasoning.
“I had to go alone, Kat,” she started. “I couldn’t risk getting distracted.”
At this, Kat looked up abruptly, a confused expression on her features. “From what? I thought you were merely going to see Benjamin.”
Phoebe shook her head, resigned to admitting the truth, now that all had been solved between her and Benjamin. “I was going to find him, Kat. We had an argument, and he left. It wasn’t entirely his fault, and I was too embarrassed to admit to the rest of you that I had driven him away. I’m sorry I wasn’t honest with you. But I do hope you can forgive me.” She gave a sheepish smile. “It has only been two days, after all.”
Not easily swayed, Kat continued to tap her foot. “You should have told me. I would have brought him to heel. I know how stubborn Ben can be.”
Kat rolled her eyes, but a reassuring tug appeared at the corners of her lips. “I suppose I forgive you. It can’t be easy being married to my brother. But you mustn’t ever abandon me again!”
Phoebe didn’t exactly agree with Kat’s assessment of her marriage, but she chose to keep that to herself. “I won’t. I promise.” She took a deep breath and asked, “Do you have any idea where I might find my mother?”
“I think she is with my mother on the veranda.”
Phoebe enveloped Kat in a tight hug, grateful she had been quick to forgive. Heaven only knew that the sensitive topic she had to discuss with her mother might not go quite as well.
Her mother was indeed where Kat said she would be, keeping company with the dowager. It seemed they spent most of their days there recently, and she couldn’t blame them. The weather had been quite delightful of late.
“Oh, darling, you’re home!” her mother cried as Phoebe stepped from the house and into the sunshine.
Lady Grimsby rose and enveloped her in her arms; the dowager was quick to follow, then insisted she join them at the round lattice table.
“We were so worried when you ran off like that, Phoebe. Whatever possessed you to leave without telling anyone?”
“It’s a very complicated story, Mother,” she replied, hoping to avoid telling it all over again. It was more important that she get to the topic of Colonel Wallace and what had actually transpired in London. Not that she could broach the subject in front of Benjamin’s mother, but she would need to discuss this with her sooner than later. She wondered how she could politely ask his mother to leave or if she should ask her mother to join her on a stroll.
“But I’m glad we’re home now,” she said to her mother. “I have something very important to speak with you about.”
“Oh, darling, you must save whatever it is for another time.” Her mother was almost giddy with excitement as she procured a missive from her sash. “It is a good thing you came home when you did, for we must turn around and leave again.”
“For London?”
“No, no! For Billingshurst.”
Phoebe’s brows rose in surprise. She hadn’t been to the family seat in Billingshurst since her father died. “What for?”
“For Geoffrey, darling. He’s getting married!”
As much as Phoebe was elated for her cousin, her spirits deflated. How could she ask her mother about Wallace now? She was so happy to be going to Billingshurst. Phoebe wasn’t about to take that away from her.
“Well, that’s wonderful,” she said, mustering a smile. “When is the wedding?”
“This Sunday. We will leave on Friday.”
Phoebe sighed inwardly. It was only Tuesday, which meant she would be forced to wait almost an entire week before approaching her mother about Wallace. She supposed it wasn’t the end of the world. She’d been in the dark this long; what was six more days?
“That’s wonderful,” she said again, and pushed back the wrought iron chair. “I’ll go tell Benjamin.”
Her mother reached out and took hold of her wrist to stop her from leaving. “Didn’t you have something to speak with me about?”
Phoebe shook her head. “It’s not that important after all, Mother.” Then she retreated into the house.
***
Phoebe thrilled a little at being seen with her husband in public for the first time. She knew it was only a small gathering that would be at Blake Hall—they would not have been able to attend a large fete anyhow, being in mourning—but it would be their first foray into any kind of society together since reciting their vows.
At just past seven o’clock on Friday evening, the Eastleigh carriage pulled up to the drive of Blake Hall. Phoebe strained to look out the window of the carriage. It had been quite some time since they had been there, and the circumstances under which they had left had not been the most desirable. However, Blake Hall was lovely, and it had been her home often throughout her childhood.
Phoebe allowed Benjamin to help her from the carriage, and then she took his arm to walk to the front door. They were led into a small parlor where Geoffrey and several others mingled, drinks in hand.
“Oh, good heavens, is that my little cousin Phoebe?” he announced as she and Benjamin crossed the threshold into the room.
Heat rose to her cheeks, but she smiled in spite of her embarrassment. “I’m not quite so little anymore, Geoffrey,” she returned as he placed a kiss on both cheeks.
“Certainly not.” There was admiration and tenderness in his eyes, and she wondered if he somehow knew the horrible struggle she’d had to go through to end up where she was today. “Aunt Lucinda.” He gathered Phoebe’s mother in a hug. “It has been too long. Are you well?”
Lady Grimsby nodded and smiled wide. “Congratulations, Geoffrey.”
And then Geoffrey turned to Benjamin and offered his hand. “It has been a long time, my friend.”
“Indeed.”
“Might I introduce you all to my betrothed?” Geoffrey turned and gestured to a young woman who rushed immediately to his side. She was a lovely girl, with honey-colored hair and skin so pale it could only be referred to as alabaster, her eyes so blue Phoebe imagined the sky might have been jealous. She was, in Phoebe’s estimation, the perfect example of a true English rose.
Geoffrey took the girl’s hand and placed it in the crook of his elbow, then smiled at the three of them. “May I present my fiancée, Lady Anne Rutherford.”
The introductions ensued all around, and then the butler, who was not the same one she had known when she lived here at Blake House, announced dinner.
Phoebe was seated next to Anne, who turned out to be quite an engaging woman. It was easy to see why Geoffrey had chosen her as his baroness.
Once the meal was over, Phoebe retired with Anne and the other ladies to the parlor for tea, while Benjamin stayed with Geoffrey and the other men in the dining room to do whatever it was men did in there once the ladies were gone. Though the issue of her mother and Colonel Wallace continued to occupy the back of her mind, Phoebe found herself immensely entertained and very happy.
***
The following afternoon, Benjamin insisted Phoebe take him on a tour of her childhood home. It wasn’t as big as Ravenscroft Castle, perhaps it was not even as large as Eastleigh House in London, but it seemed to hold a great many happy memories for Phoebe.
“This,” she said, brandishing her arm in a wide arc, “is the library.”
Ben quirked his eyebrow. “You don’t say,” he teased as he scanned the floor-to-ceiling shelves stuffed with books.
“I do.” She walked lazily to a shelf and pulled a red, leather-bound book from it. “And this was my favorite book.”
He took the volume from her and opened to the first page. He wasn’t at all surprised to see it was a gothic novel, written by Mrs. Radcliffe, of course. “Katherine loves this one, too, but I’m sure you already knew that.”
Phoebe took the book from him and placed it back on the shelf. “Come on.” She tugged his arm and pulled him from the room. “I’ve saved the best for last.”
Benjamin adored how predictable his wife could be at times, and completely surprising at others. In this case, it wasn’t hard to guess where she was leading him.
As they neared the back of the house, Phoebe pulled aside a large sliding door to reveal the Blake Manor music room. She dropped his hand, made her way to the pianoforte, and plopped down on the chair. Her face lit up as she began to play, and so did Benjamin’s. He had been so busy after their own wedding, he hadn’t the opportunity to listen to her play. She was quite talented, however . . .
“You’re breaking your wrists, you know?”
The music stopped, and Phoebe looked up at him with her wide doe eyes.
“What do you mean?”
“Your wrists.” He moved into position behind her and used his own hands to nudge her wrists into the proper place. As he did so, Phoebe leaned back, allowing her forehead to graze his afternoon stubble, providing him a better view of her exaggerated cleavage. A smile came to his lips. “There, that’s better.”
“Benjamin!”
He met her stunned expression with a wry smile. “What? I was only trying to help.”
“You were trying to seduce me,” she corrected.
“And is that so awful?”
Phoebe’s eyes drifted to his lips, which were only mere inches from her own. Her gaze grew shuddered, and he felt her skin turn to goose flesh as he traced a path up her arm with his finger.
“I suppose not,” she finally answered, and then offered her lips to him.
Hungrily, he took them and plundered her mouth with hot, wet flicks of his tongue. She matched his hunger, and while he yanked down the front of her dress, she set to undoing his trousers. His heart raced with anticipation, with the excitement of an illicit rendezvous in a public room. He knew if he gave his wife a chance to think about it, she would put a stop to it. So he didn’t give her that option.
His lips never left hers as he gathered her in his arms and laid her on the plush rug beside the pianoforte. He pleasured her until she was writhing with frenzy beneath him, but he couldn’t let her scream out.
“Shhh,” he whispered as she found her release.
He lifted her with one arm, and she pressed her mouth into his shoulder, biting in lieu of crying out. And as she clenched around him, he spent himself inside of her.
Somehow, during the frenetic love making, they’d made their way under the harpsichord and now stared up at its underbelly. Benjamin’s breaths were heavy, Phoebe’s quick, as they came down from their ecstatic states.
“Do you think anyone heard us?” Phoebe wondered aloud.