Jordan Summers - Gothic Passions (Ellora's Cave).htm

by Gothic Passions (Ellora's Cave) (lit)

  She counted the reasons why it was best she keep her mind clear as she paced before the hearth in her bedchamber, the least of which being able to ward off Lord Lyon’s sensual attacks. But the second Tildy showed up at her door with the tonic, Lily snatched it up like a greedy child in search of candy. Except in her case she was not after candy, but a certain man in her dreams.

  *

  Richard arrived at Lily’s window a few hours later. He’d waited as long as he dared. His mind whirled with the sights and sounds of the night. Winged creatures dipped through the air, swirling and diving for their evening’s meal. In the distance he heard the clanging of carriages as they made their way from ball to ball. The cool air caressed his equally cool skin like an old friend cloaking him.

  All that ended the second Richard entered Lily’s bedroom. His gaze lazily absorbed the warm glow of the hearth, before tracking slowly to the drawn curtains of her bed. He strolled with a patience he did not feel, making his way to the side table. Once again he saw a glass and knew without sniffing what it would contain. Richard made no effort to hide his pleased smile.

  So she’d anticipated his nocturnal visit. His brows furrowed for a moment. It wasn’t exactly him she’d anticipated, but the dream. He told himself since they were one and the same it should not bother him, but it did. Richard shrugged off the jealousy threatening to settle in the depths of his gut. It wouldn’t do to be jealous of oneself. But deep down he wanted Lily to want him, desire him—only. Not a figment of her imagination.

  Richard reached and pulled back the navy curtains concealing his treasure. The material parted with a whoosh. Lily muttered and turned onto her side, leaving him to gape at her shapely bottom through the material of her sleeping gown. Somehow she’d managed to kick away most of the covers, leaving her readily accessible to his wandering gaze.

  His breath caught at the sight of her loveliness. Tonight she’d done away with the night rail from the evening before and now wore a white lace sleeping gown, which had tiny embroidered flowers around the neckline. The blossoms accented her purity, driving home how innocent she really was.

  Lily shifted again and the nearly transparent material pulled taut over the ripe globes of her ass. Richard groaned. He couldn’t help himself. She’d not only taken the sleep draught, from the quality of the material, she’d dressed in one of her finest gowns for the occasion. He didn’t know whether to be angry or drop to his knees before her in praise. His mouth watered as he considered kissing each globe, nipping at the fair skin of her bottom, until she once again writhed beneath his touch.

  Richard dropped the material in his hands and stepped forward to run his fingers over her warm skin. He pulled away, as the sensation of her nearly singed his palm. She rolled onto her stomach, her mouth pursing in her sleep. Richard reached down and slid the part of the gown covering her bottom away so that he’d have an unobstructed view. He slowly removed his clothes, once again leaving his boots and breeches on.

  He started placing small kisses upon Lily’s feet, first one then the other. He picked a leg and made his way up licking and kissing, leaving a trail of moisture in his wake. Lily’s lashes fluttered open and she glanced over her shoulder and smiled.

  “You’re back,” she said in a sleepy voice.

  Richard stopped his kisses long enough to smile at her. “I couldn’t stay away. Did you miss me?”

  It was her turn to smile. “Yes, I did.”

  His heart leapt in his chest. He knew it was ridiculous. She really didn’t know what she was saying, but that simple admission left him floating on air. He continued on his path, stopping at the curve of one cheek, to lave the crease. He nipped the rounded mass, taunting the dimples at the base of her spine. Lily squealed into the pillow. Richard smiled, returning to his original location, except this time he kissed his way up the other leg. By the time he reached her ass, Lily was panting. Her white knuckles gripped the linens near her head. Richard teased her with his mouth while his other hand massaged her soft skin.

  When he was sure she’d been driven close to madness he stopped and dipped one finger inside her feminine opening. Lily’s pussy surrounded him in warmth. Richard drew out the finger and added another, stretching her gradually. She moaned and clamped down on his hand. By the time he sunk his staff inside of her, she’d be able to accommodate his size. Moisture dripped from her channel.

  Richard groaned. How he longed to replace his long fingers with his throbbing cock. With the thought, his shaft lengthened, engorging. “Soon,” he whispered against her bottom.

  Lily wiggled, trying to impale herself further upon his fingers. Richard closed his eyes for a moment and begged for strength. She jiggled again and his eyes flew open, locking onto the side of her face. His thumb found her clit and began to swipe and press. For a second Lily buried her face in the pillow and screamed, the sensations apparently too much for her inexperienced body. She spread her legs for him, sending out an invitation as old as time. He willed himself to ignore the instinct to accept and conquer.

  Richard continued his seduction of Lily, releasing the buttons on his breeches with one hand and then clasping his cock. He flicked his nail over her nub and Lily bucked beneath his hand. Richard started to stroke himself, his movements bold and swift, before speeding up and tumbling out of control, like a runaway carriage. He matched the rhythm of his fingers, plunging in and out of her pussy, Lily’s juices coating his hand. Her musk filled the air, calling out to the feral creature lurking just below his pleasant facade.

  She truly was unlike any woman he’d ever encountered. Could Lily love him? His heart squeezed in his chest at the thought of having her for all time. He’d never need to visit another, for the elixir flowing through her veins would sate him body and soul. She’d be his breath, his love, his very existence. A true bloodmate, if only she’d open her heart to his…

  Richard’s movements grew jerky as his release neared. The slapping of skin echoed in the silence of the room, drowning out the quiet crackles of the fire. Lily let out a keening moan and then she stiffened, plummeting over the edge into the chasm of never-ending pleasure. Her body fluttered beneath his touch, twitching as her orgasm spiraled out and she collapsed in a boneless heap.

  His grip tightened, a few more strokes and Richard followed her, tumbling into the void. His cock continued to pulse as his fluids spilled out onto her rug. Up and down, Richard rode the rhythm, his ass clenching with each thrust forward, his balls so tight, they were nigh unto bursting. He milked his shaft until nothing more came from his body.

  When he was able to focus again, Richard turned Lily over, spreading her legs even further. Her dew glistened in the firelight. Her skin had heated to an inferno, so he pulled the heavy linens away. Richard plunged his tongue deep into her cunt, needing to taste the remnants of her release one more time. Ambrosia, the sweet nectar of the gods, she was all that and more. He circled and flicked, lapping his way over her swollen pussy lips.

  Lily moaned, her fingers pressing him tight against her. Her hips undulated, matching his probing tongue. Her nipples jutted skyward beneath her sleep gown, engorged and swollen, awaiting his touch. Richard withdrew from her sheath and sucked her clit between his teeth, taking care not to nick her with his fangs. One drop of her blood and he knew he’d go insane.

  He attacked her delicate nub until spasms of pleasure once again shot through her, giving it one last short teasing stab with his tongue. Lily’s body trembled and her thighs clamped around his head. Richard grinned, then placed butterfly kisses upon the golden curls at her apex. Once she’d relaxed, he dressed hurriedly, then covered her. Her sleepy gaze showed she was beyond sated.

  He strode to the window and glancing back one last time. “Sleep well, my love. Dream only of me,” Richard murmured as he climbed out the window.

  *

  The next day Richard announced the banns as promised. Despite the conflicting emotions he’d sensed welling up inside of her, Lily hadn’t believed he w
ould take the initiative and proclaim their engagement to all London. Furious, she refused to speak to him afterwards. He felt a tad guilty, but he had warned her of his intentions. It had been entirely up to her not to believe him. Despite her shock and disapproval, Richard continued to court Lily like he’d intended, sending her gifts, jewels, and red roses infused with very specific flowers to reiterate his intentions. He did everything he knew a young lady of her standing would expect and more.

  By day six, she forgave him and agreed to go on a carriage ride in the park. She’d held to her resolve to resist him up until that point, but Richard did his best to break her down, bit by bit. Despite her protestations otherwise, she’d missed him as much as he’d missed her. The words coming out of Lily’s mouth said one thing, but her body, when she swayed toward him, told a different story. He could still sense her warring emotions and his heart refused to do anything less than rejoice. Lady Lily Devlin wanted him as much as he wanted her. Richard would’ve had to be a blind fool not to see the slight shift in her stance.

  *

  Lily had been fuming mad for six days. How could he announce their engagement to society? She hadn’t accepted his suit, just because her father foolishly had. Since the announcement of her engagement, she’d seen less and less of her father. He seemed to withdraw into his own world, spending more and more time at Madam Josephine’s.

  With her father gone, Lily had been left with the running of the household. Creditors had become more insistent, demanding immediate payment or they’d no longer extend their credit. Was Richard somehow responsible for their sudden appearance? With one little word uttered by her would he make them all go away? Or were their past debts still in question? She shuddered at the thought.

  Her heart sank as she tried to make sense of the family’s account books open before her. From what she could gather, they were near penniless. Surely she’d miscalculated. What had Father done with her dowry? A cold chill slivered up her spine. Without her dowry, she was no more valuable to a titled gentleman than Tildy, perhaps less so. Was Richard aware that she was without means? Is that why he rushed their courtship? Then the opposite thought filled her mind. What if Richard wasn’t aware of her dowry’s missing funds? Would he still want her as his wife if she were a pauper?

  Lily frowned as she ran her fingers over the pearl necklace that had arrived today. In the past few days, Richard had sent her ruby and diamond earrings, a garnet necklace, rose perfume, and an emerald ring. As nice as the gifts were she wouldn’t allow herself to be coerced into marriage, money or not, she wanted more than gifts from him. She needed more.

  Tildy walked into the study carrying a box of flowers. The house was already filled to the brim with blooms. Richard had been on a full out campaign to win her back. Would his anxiousness turn to resentment once he learned the truth?

  A bouquet of red roses arrived everyday around lunch, always a different color flower or plant shoved into the bunch. Each one had a very specific meaning. The first day it had been a morning glory, a sign of affection. The next day he’d added daffodils, expressing his regard. He’d moved on from there to periwinkles for friendship, violets for faithfulness, ivy for fidelity, ending in myrtle for love and marriage.

  He’d made it virtually impossible for her to stay angry at him, which she was sure had been his intent. He’d managed to keep himself in her thoughts at all times. Not that his actions were necessary, between the erotic dreams every night and reliving past carriage rides, she’d been able to think of little else. Lily smiled, picturing the shop owners around town busying themselves to fill his orders. Her smile faded as the numbers on the ledger registered once more.

  “My lady.”

  Lily glanced up.

  “Move out of the way this instant.” The voice behind Tildy boomed.

  The maid squeaked and then stepped aside. Lord Nathanial Martins stood in the doorway, clothes slightly rumpled and his face an enraged shade of purple.

  Lily rose from behind the desk. “What is the meaning of this most inappropriate intrusion, my lord?”

  His face split into a salacious grin. “I decided considering the circumstance paying you a visit was quite appropriate. You didn’t think I’d let Lyon’s warning keep me away, did you?”

  “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re referring to, my lord.” Lily’s chest tightened and she braced, not sure exactly what to expect next. Was Richard the cause of this intrusion?

  Nathanial’s brows furrowed. “Your father has not spoken to you about our agreement… “

  Lily felt the color drain from her face as she received her answer. Richard was not the reason Martins was here at all. “No. He has mentioned nothing of his business affairs with you. Should he have?”

  Martins took a step closer, his hands balling up into fists. “Yes,” he hissed. “We had an understanding.”

  She swallowed hard. “And what does that have to do with me.”

  “You were the understanding,” he spat.

  Lily gasped she couldn’t help it. She hadn’t expected that comment. How could her father do this to her? Had she not shown him due respect? Did he really love her so very little as to promise her to… Martins?

  “I’m afraid Lord Martins ‘tis you who are laboring under a false illusion. I am no one’s understanding.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong, Lady Lily. The notes I hold over your father’s head tell a different tale. He promised me your hand if I abolish his debt and place him in good standing once again. And for this minor favor I was to get your hand in marriage.” He tugged at his jacket and took another step closer.

  “Father promised you my hand and my dowry?” Lily felt heat infuse her face. How dare he do so without her permission or at least consulting her?

  “Yes, but there is no dowry dear lady, only you.” He laughed harshly. “The deal worked for both us. Marrying you would raise my standing in the ton and your father’s. Then Lyon came along and ruined everything.”

  So that was why her father was so against her wedding Richard. She should have known. He may dislike him because of what Richard had done to his friend Longfellow, but the bottom line was money. Just as she’d suspected, she meant nothing to him other than a way to earn back his financial standing. Lily’s stomach rolled. She pictured Richard. She’d been unsure of her decision only moments ago, but now that Martins had so inappropriately set her straight, Lily knew what she must do. She would stop fighting her attraction to Richard and give into it. Life with him would be far better than staying here with her father or being saddled with the likes of Martins.

  “I’m afraid, my lord your visit here has been a waste of your good time and mine.” She gritted out from between clenched teeth. “The decision has been made and there is no turning back.”

  He stepped forward and grasped the edge of the desk, his face within a few feet of hers. “You will call off your engagement if you know what’s good for you and your family.”

  Lily’s heart trumpeted in her chest. “I shall do no such thing.”

  “You are making a mistake, my lady.”

  The door to the study slammed open and Tildy stepped inside. “Sorry to interrupt, my lady, but your Aunt, Lady Margaret, Duchess of Dreyer is here to see you.” The expression on Tildy’s face said she was anything but sorry for disturbing Lily and Lord Martins.

  Nathanial bit out a rude curse, before turning back to face Lily once more. “You haven’t heard the end of this, my lady.”

  “Actually, now that my aunt has arrived, I’m quite sure that I have.” Lily forced a smile. “Please tell Father when you see him at Josephine’s later that I’ll be explaining the situation thoroughly to the Duchess. I’m sure she’ll come up with a solution we all can live with. Good day, my lord.” Lily inclined her head.

  Martins bowed and left the room.

  Lily glanced at her maid and smiled. “Thank you, Tildy. Please show her in.”

  Her Aunt bustled in. “That will be all,”
her aunt said to Tildy, stepping aside to allow the maid to exit. Lady Margaret’s intense gaze bore into Lily. “It’s a good thing Lord Lyon took the initiative to announce the banns when he did, you wouldn’t believe the rate at which the tongues have been wagging about the ton.” She sniffed. “There’s only so much I can do to stave the flow. By the way, what was Lord Martins doing here?”

  Lily rose and went to greet her aunt. “It is nice to see you too, Aunt Margaret.”

  “Of course dear, but we’ve got important matters to discuss, there’s no time to dawdle.”

  Lily frowned, guiding her aunt to the other side of the room where they could be seated. Tildy returned with the tea trolley, served, and then quickly parted.

  Lady Margaret took a sip and then spoke. “Despite what your father thinks, Lord Lyon is an acceptable match for you.”

  “Actually Father seems to be set on me wedding Lord Martins.” Lily shifted uncomfortably.

  “Ridiculous, Lord Martins’s standing is questionable at best. I’ll have a word with Archibald. In the end, I’m sure he’ll see it my way.” She waved her hand dismissively.

  Lily grimaced. She had no doubt her father wouldn’t enjoy that conversation, but fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how one saw it, her Aunt’s word was final.

  “Listen to me child, with Lord Lyon’s title and money you could do no better.”

  “Money doesn’t ensure happiness.” Lily felt her heart sink.

  Margaret harrumphed. “You sound like a little girl who believes in fairytales.”

  “I—”

  Lady Margaret held up her hand to silence Lily’s protests. “In this town and any other civilized society, money and title are everything. You’d do best to remember that child. Now give me permission to contact Lyon in your stead.”

  Lily gripped her teacup so hard she’d half expected it to shatter. No matter what her aunt said, she would not exchange money for love. Unfortunately, her aunt left her little choice when it came to contacting Richard. If she declined, her father would be notified immediately. Therefore, Lily reluctantly granted her permission and had her aunt send word to Richard that she’d be agreeable to talk, if he should find himself calling upon her in a week. Lily added the time as a last grasp at rebellion.