by Robyn DeHart
Instead she wanted nothing more than to spend the night in Bennett’s arms, desperately trying to forget everything that had happened that evening, though she doubted he’d be agreeable to such a thing, considering.
“I can sleep on the floor in the parlor,” he said as they entered the cottage.
She pulled his face down to hers and kissed him fiercely. “No, I want you with me. I need you tonight.”
He growled a response, then took her mouth in another kiss. Gone were her fears about whether or not he’d be receptive to her request. In their place was a deep-seeded and simple need to forget anything but the kiss of this man. She wanted to touch him and forget, if only for a moment, all that had occurred tonight.
She broke their kiss long enough to bring him into her bedchamber and close the door behind them. She cared not if the servants knew she’d brought a man into her room, into her bed. The only thing that mattered tonight was this moment with Bennett.
She pressed her lips to his and he took what she gave and demanded more. He pulled her tight to him, kissed her breathless. His fingers made quick work of the buttons on the back of her dress, which soon fell off her body in a pool at her feet. She stepped out of it, then pulled her shift over her head until she stood before him in nothing but her stockings and shoes.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he said. He tore at his own clothes, removing them quickly.
She too rid herself of the stockings and shoes, and together they lay on her bed. It was much smaller than the grand bed they’d shared at his country estate, but it would suffice.
“Be on top,” he said.
She wasn’t certain what to do, but in this moment, she would deny him nothing. So she brought one leg across and straddled him. He stopped her before she lowered herself on top of him. Pulled her face down and kissed her again, a long, deep kiss that spoke of things Evie had never dared dream of. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, so she kept them closed to keep the tears from falling.
His hand found her; a finger teased her opening. She was already slick with desire for him. Merely the thought of him touching her had lust coursing through her. Now the touch itself was pure pleasure. One finger slipped inside of her while another found her hidden nub. She bucked against him, wanting him to remove his hand so she could slide onto him, but she was spiraling now, the climax hitting hard and fast.
“Now, Evie,” he said. He guided her hips, and she lowered herself onto him. He filled her, so full in this position, as if for the first time she could take in all of him.
His eyes latched onto hers and did not look away. She moved, tentative at first, but then she found her rhythm. Over and over again she rocked onto him, keeping her balance by pressing her hands onto his firm chest.
His hand found her again, slid over her sex as she rode him. He was so deep, so full, and with her commanding the pace, she knew when to increase her speed and intensify the force. Deeper and harder she rode him until the world fractured. She shook with her release, but never stopped moving. And then his hit. He grabbed onto her hips, rocking her as a guttural groan escaped from his throat. All the while, he never looked away from her, never closed his eyes.
“Evelyn,” he whispered.
The intimacy was so great in that moment that she had to look away for fear he would see into her soul.
…
Evie stretched languidly and felt the smile firmly planted on her lips. She and Bennett spent the night making love and holding one another, talking and laughing. It had taken the worst night of her life and ended it with the best night of her life. She had already decided that despite Bennett not loving her, she would rather be with him than without him, regardless of the circumstances. She would accept his proposal and soon she’d be the Lady Somersby.
Eager to tell him, she reached her hand across the bed to touch Bennett, but she found only smooth, cool sheets beneath her fingers. He was gone. She sat upright and searched her small room, a room she had once shared with Jillian.
Voices sounded from beyond her room. Perhaps Bennett had gone to find something to eat. She jumped from the bed to discover she was both delightfully sore from last night’s activities and completely naked. Quickly, she donned a shift and dressing gown, then padded her way downstairs.
“Oh, it is so lovely to be home.” Her mother.
Dear Heaven, had her family returned only to discover her in bed with the Earl of Somersby?
Fear ricocheted through her and she nearly fell down the last few steps. She pulled the dressing gown tighter, then stepped into the parlor. Her mother’s favorite room in the house, it was butter yellow from floor to ceiling and housed their nicest furnishings.
“Evie!” Jilly said, jumping to her feet. She ran across the room and flung herself at Evie. They embraced and thankfully Evie’s nerves calmed to some degree. She scanned the room, searching for Bennett’s handsome face, but saw no sign of him. Her brow furrowed.
“You are finally home,” her mother said. “Come, give your mother a hug.”
Evie did as she was told and braced herself for the result. What was it about a mother’s embrace that could wring out the most stubbornly hidden tears? Her eyes prickled and she squeezed them shut. When he mother released her, she patted Evie’s cheek.
“Why the tears, love?” she asked.
Evie shook her head and managed a smile. “I’m just so happy to be home.”
Jilly laughed and linked their arms together.
“So where have you been? Truly?” Meghan asked.
Her mother pulled her over to the settee. “Yes, do give us all the details. Your father, well, I’m certain he knows more than he’s let on, but he refuses to answer any of my questions.”
“Where is Papa?” Evie asked.
“He is resting. Poor dear,” Jilly said with a sweet grin. “I’m not certain he thought he’d survive this particular holiday.”
“How is your family-to-be?” Evie asked.
“Later,” Jilly said. “Right now, we talk about you.”
Evie tried to look out the window, but could not see it from where she currently sat. Instead, she saw the eager faces of her family, her delightfully loud family whom she had missed terribly. Bennett was right, they did gossip. Her mother was obnoxious in her quest to marry off her daughters, but they were her family and she loved them.
“You know all those rumors we’ve heard about Ellis for years?” she said. “Well, as it turns out, they’re true.”
“What does that have to do with where you were?” Meghan asked.
“I took an assignment with a government organization,” she said. “The same agency that Ellis works for.”
Her mother’s eyes rounded, then her hand flew to her chest. “Good heavens, child, have you lost your senses? Was it dangerous?”
Evie released a sobering breath. “At times, but I was very well protected.” Her heart pinched at the realization that Bennett had deserted her. He’d saved her, yes, and they’d spent a wonderful night together. Still, she’d foolishly hoped that she meant more to him than that. She’d hoped that he’d want more.
“Where were you?” Jilly asked.
“In London. That’s really all of the details I can share with you,” Evie said. “And you cannot say anything about this to anyone outside of the family.”
“Of course not,” her mother said. “I admit I was hoping you’d come home from wherever you were married or at the very least betrothed.”
“Oh mama, you know that marriage is likely not in my future. But I am happy.”
“You can live with me and Eric,” Jilly said. She squeezed Evie’s hand. “Until you find your love match.”
Her sister would never give up that hope for her and Evie was thankful for that, even as she knew it was a futile quest, especially since she had already lost her heart.
Just then the housekeeper stepped inside the parlor. “Luncheon is served.”
Evie stood and quickly walked to where Mrs. Ki
mble stood. Evie put her hand on the older woman’s arm. “Mrs. Kimble, did you happen to see a gentleman anywhere in the cottage?”
“No, I didn’t. Were you expecting someone?”
“I don’t suppose I was. Thank you.”
Jilly arrived by her side. “Come, dear sister, come and see my wedding gown.”
“We are to eat, Jillian,” their mother said.
“It will only take a few moments,” Jilly said. She linked their arms again and led Evie back to the upstairs to their bedchambers. “Who have you been looking for?” Jilly asked once they were enclosed in her bedchamber.
Evie’s heart thundered in response. “What are you talking about?”
“You’ve been searching since you came downstairs. And you asked Mrs. Kimble for someone.” Jilly smiled warmly.
Evie thought to evade the question, but decided that would likely get her nowhere. “Lord Somersby brought me home last night.” She shook her head. “He must have returned home while I slept. I merely wanted to thank him for his hospitality.” That wasn’t completely untrue, merely an incomplete truth.
Jilly paused, then nodded. “You know you used to talk to me. We’d stay up late and talk before falling asleep.”
Evie smiled. “I remember those nights.”
“What changed between us?”
Everything, it seemed. They’d always been close because they were only a year apart. But then Jilly had grown into a poised beauty and Evie had preferred the company of books to balls, and it seemed as if they had nothing in common.
“You know you can trust me with anything. We are family. We always will be and I love you, Evie,” Jilly said.
Evie wasn’t certain if it was what Jilly said or her nerves being so frazzled after the last several days, but tears stung her eyes. She knew once she began talking, she’d likely not stop. Her mind spun with thoughts and images of Bennett.
“Lord Somersby, I regret to say that I have fallen in love with the man.” She ignored the tears and tried to smile. “I know he does not feel the same, and I had told myself that I would be happy, satisfied, with the time we shared together. But the truth is, I’m not. As it turns out, I want more. A lot more.”
Jilly squeezed her hand.
“All these years I told myself that all of the rest of you needed men in your lives to feel complete, but I was different. I didn’t need such things, didn’t crave them. Instead, I thought that if I only had a bit of funds, I could live alone and write my books and be blissfully happy all on my own.”
“But that isn’t how you feel?”
“No, not at all. I am such a fool. I suspect I told myself those things in an effort to ignore the fears I had that I would never find a man who wanted me. I’m so very different than you and the rest of our sisters. I am not poised or graceful or lovely.”
Jilly chuckled. “No, you are delightfully opinionated, so intelligent it is intimidating, and you’ve got these lush curves and gorgeous hair. You, sweet Evie, are the Marrington girl who stands out in the crowd.”
Evie knew her mouth had fallen open, but she could not hide her surprise.
“We all think so. Meghan is desperately envious of your hair and Portia has always wanted your figure,” Jilly said.
How had she gone this long and not known that her sisters thought so differently about herself than she did?
“’Delightfully opinionated,’ I suspect mother feels quite different about that than you do.”
“Likely true. So Lord Somersby, how do you know he does not feel the same about you?”
There were so many reasons. “He proposed.”
“That’s wonderful!” Jilly frowned. “Why are you not smiling? The man you love has asked you to marry him.”
“He doesn’t believe in love,” she said. “His life is complicated and dangerous. And I said no.”
“But you love him?”
“Desperately.”
“Then why would you say no?”
“I wanted him to love me in return.” She shrugged. “I am certain my feelings for him will pass with time.” She knew that wasn’t true, could feel it deep into her soul, but she also knew she’d have to put on a brave face for her sister’s sake, and for her mother.
“You don’t have to pretend everything is all right. You don’t have to put on a brave front,” Jilly said.
She had forgotten how perceptive her sister could be. “Yes, I most assuredly do have to be brave. If mother were to suspect how I feel, I would never get a moment’s peace.”
“You wouldn’t get a moments peace. What of poor Lord Somersby? She would likely hunt him down and murder him in his sleep.”
They both laughed for a moment. “Trust that I shall endure, Jilly. Lately I have been practicing being aloof. I’ve gotten quite accomplished at it. And because of my assignment with the agency, I will be compensated handsomely. I should be able to afford a house of my own. Concentrate on my writing, follow through with my original plans.”
“But you will be unhappy,” Jilly said.
Thankfully she didn’t have to reply because Meghan entered the room and informed them that mother insisted they come down for luncheon straight away.
Bennett had left Evie’s bed at first light. He’d awoken with the realization that he would never get a good night’s rest again if Evie was not his wife. She’d been in danger far too much, and he wanted her with him so he could ensure her safety.
But before he could proceed with their nuptials, he’d had to report everything to the Brotherhood.
“So Morton killed the man?” Potterfield asked.
“Yes. I sent for a constable to deal with the bodies,” Bennett said.
“And Morton?”
“Threatened to kill Evie and me. I brought her to safety before I came here.” He steeled himself for a lecture from Potterfield on his priorities and how he should have come here first to report on the events of the night. But the man merely nodded.
“Lynford, you go to the park and see if any evidence remains, then go to the morgue to inspect the bodies,” Potterfield said.
Lynford stood.
“Glad you’ve returned, Priest,” Bennett said to Lynford.
“I as well. Scotland does not agree with me.” Then he faced Potterfield. “I’ll report back as soon as I find something.”
“Morton is working with someone else. Or several someones. He said they offered to pay his debts if he gave him information.”
“So that is how they found the tunnels,” Potterfield said.
“Evidently.”
“How did he even know about the tunnels?” Ellis asked. “He was not involved in any of that.”
“People talk,” Potterfield said. “No matter how careful we are, information will get out. I’ve already placed additional guards in the tunnels for added security.” He eyed Bennett for a moment. “You did good work on this one, Somersby.”
“Thank you, Sir.” He hadn’t realized until that moment how much he’d needed that one simple statement. “Is that all?”
“Do you have somewhere else to be?” Potterfield asked.
“I do,” Bennett said. He came to his feet.
“Where are you going in such a rush?” Ellis asked.
Bennett grinned. “Epping.”
“Developed a fondness for my uncle’s sleepy little village, have you?”
“Or a certain woman who lives there.”
Ellis nodded. “Hopefully my aunt won’t smother you with excitement.”
“It’s not your aunt I’m worried about. I’m afraid I’ve been a bit daft when it comes to your cousin and now I must go and do whatever I can to convince her to marry me.”
“Be off with you then,” Potterfield said. He slid a bag of coin across the table. “Miss Marrington’s compensation for her assignment. Do give her my gratitude.”
It was getting late in the day, and Bennett was certain he should probably wait for the following morning to see Evelyn, but he’d never
been very good at patience. So it was nearing the ten o’clock hour when he knocked on the Marrington cottage door.
The housekeeper answered, her brows rose. “My Lord.” She stepped out of his way, giving him entrance. “Come in. They’re in the parlor.” She opened the parlor door and had announced him before he’d even gotten a chance to request an audience with Evelyn.
He breached the doorway to the parlor and five Marrington women as well as Sir Marrington stood waiting.
“My Lord, what an honor,” Mrs. Marrington said.
“I do apologize for the late hour.”
“Don’t be silly,” Mrs. Marrington said. “You are welcome anytime, My Lord.”
Evie stood between her sisters; still his wild poppy amidst the field of roses. She was not the same woman he’d taken from this village and brought to London.
All of them watched him expectantly and he wanted nothing more than to be alone with Evie, to merely have a moment to explain to her how he felt. He’d come here, her money from the Brotherhood in his pocket, ready to give her a choice. The future she wanted—freedom to write and live on her own—or perhaps one she hadn’t fully considered, one with him.
He glanced at each of their faces. He had not intended to discuss any of this in front of her entire family. Yet, they made no move to leave the room. Her father, at least, had taken a seat, though his newspaper remained on the side table. The women, though, they all looked directly at him, all of them, save Evie.
“Evelyn, could we speak alone?”
One of the sisters grinned widely, but held tightly to Evie’s arm. Evie’s gaze never wavered, her blue eyes locked onto his. “I believe anything you have to say to me can be said here, within the walls of my family’s home. They are well aware of where I’ve been, though I did not share too many specifics.”
She was the most intelligent woman he’d ever known, which meant only one thing—she knew precisely what he intended to say and did not want to hear it. She thought having her family here would prevent him from proposing.
She had made up her mind, it seemed, decided that no matter what he offered her, she was not interested in being his wife. No woman would ever want you.