“My office is right down the hall, gentlemen, His Grace is waiting. Sullivan will show you the way.” Loudoun still sounded as though his teeth were clenched when he spoke.
With a nod the men were gone but Loudoun’s grip did not loosen. His eyes followed the retreating men’s backs. “You’re not going to that party.”
“Yes, I am,” she answered as she debated whether or not to step away. Her brain would work more properly but her body would miss the feel of his heat and strength against her.
He pulled her closer then, which she hadn’t thought was possible, but suddenly the flat of her stomach was pressed against his front. “He’s a letch. You shouldn’t be anywhere near him.”
She left her stomach where it was. There was something so comforting and exciting about being pressed against him this way. But she leaned her head back to look up at him, her hands coming to his chest. “I need to make connections in America. This is the best way. You’ll keep me safe, I’m sure.”
That’s when she felt it. His growing manhood pressed against her belly. Tingling started deep inside her, spreading through her body. His face held a look of horror as he stared down at her. “I’ll keep you safe?” he repeated sounding stunned.
She didn’t mean for them to, but her hands started sliding up his chest, exploring the hard muscles underneath, as they made their way around his neck. She searched her brain to remember what they were discussing. “You’ll be finishing the railroad deal, and will be in attendance, will you not?”
She could see his lips moving closer, his eyelids drooping. “I’ll go but not because of the railroad deal. I’d never let anything happen to you.”
All thoughts of suitors and her carefully crafted plan vacated her thoughts as excitement, she couldn’t quite tamp down, sizzled through her. She gave him a wide grin. “You do care about me.” She knew she shouldn’t be doing this, he wasn’t what she wanted. But in this moment, she just wanted to feel him once. Maybe it would even cure her of her feelings for him.
He startled under her hands and made to remove himself from her embrace but her fingers locked around his neck. She only had a moment and then he’d muscle his way out of her grasp and so she stood on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his. It was bold and terribly stupid but she did it anyway.
Bright spots flashed behind her eyelids as their lips touched together. And though he didn’t move towards her, he stopped struggling. His hands came to her backside and lifted her up and closer pressing them together in a way that made her gasp with need.
He was kissing her over and over until he slanted her lips open and his tongue began exploring in her mouth. Two other gentlemen had kissed her, taken her unawares, but never had it been anything like this. The connection, at least physically, was undeniable. She melted into the hard angles of his body, not caring that he wasn’t what she wanted. For the moment, he was everything.
Her fingers twined into his hair and as she used her tongue the way he’d used his, the two tangling together in a way that made her breathless. She groaned into his mouth, desire making her press closer still.
He stilled at the sound and in the next moment he was gone, retreating towards the hall. “That shouldn’t have happened,” he rasped out.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.” She searched his face looking for answers because she was so confused. She shouldn’t want him. He was older, cold, obviously didn’t like her. Most of all, he was English. And though he’d made his home in America that could change in a moment. Barrett could force Loudoun to return if he wanted. But some of those reasons melted away in the warmth of his embrace. “I just wanted to know what you felt like. Just once.”
“May, you’re just a--”
“Don’t’ say it,” she interrupted him not wanting to hear him call her a child again. How could he even think that after what they’d just done.
“You’re innocent.” He was still moving further away. “In all the best ways. And I am ruined in all the worst.”
And then he was gone.
4
He pushed the heels of his hands into his eyes, trying to erase the memory. She’d been so beautiful and close, pliant in his arms and delicious to taste.
And while May’s kisses had been hesitant at first, she’d grown bold in his arms, making her damn near impossible to resist. Bloody bullocks, she’d only been in his house a matter of hours.
Smoothing his hair he entered the meeting with Wurts to find the man extending the dinner invitation to Barrett.
“I’m sure May would enjoy that. Will there be other young ladies as well? She could use some companions in New York to keep her occupied while we stay.”
“I’ll see to it.” Wurts nodded. “In fact my niece can be a companion of sorts. At least for shopping and what not. I’ll send her over this afternoon. Sarah is a lovely girl.”
Loudoun gritted his teeth, attempting not to roll his eyes. He tried to remember a time that other men weren’t falling all over themselves to accommodate the Duke of Manchester. It was his own doing that no one referred to him as an earl and they’d long forgotten his title. And honestly, with rare exception, he didn’t miss it.
His father had died many years ago. He returned to England every few years to see that his properties were in good working order. While he retained the title still, he never used it here in America.
His mother had passed less than a year prior. He’d returned to settle her affairs and dutifully pay his respects. With no siblings, he no longer had a family. He had mourned, but not in the way everyone would expect. He mourned what never was, a loving family to protect and guide him.
“Excellent.” Barrett nodded, already shifting his focus to the papers on the desk. “The three of us will be there.”
This time Loudoun’s eyes did, in fact, move skyward. Both May and Barrett just assumed he’d attend. Which of course he would, but how did they know that?
The reason for his attendance should have been work, but it wasn’t. Sparkling brown eyes danced in his thoughts.
No no no, he chanted. He didn’t do relationships. Flora had taught him he just wasn’t capable. But even before when he had contemplated marriage, he’d known that feelings would never be part of his decision.
When he had considered marriage to Flora, it had been to refill the coffers, not out of some soft hearted feelings. Even without love, he’d managed to ruin that relationship.
Despite how terribly he’d behaved, Flora had forgiven him. She’d helped him. He owed it to her to right now and the only way to never hurt another woman was to never attempt another relationship.
He didn’t know how to give, or to respectfully take. His parents hated each other and the only time they cared about him was when they wanted to get back at the other.
He’d thrived on it at first. Those times they actually paid attention to him. But he’d come to realize it was cheap. So he’d held himself apart from them. Deliberately partaken in any behavior they deemed unfit. And somewhere along the way, found the sweet oblivion of alcohol, a welcome diversion from life.
No one had ever really loved him and it was unlikely to change.
So why was May tempting him at all? She was too young, too sweet, and too dewy-eyed to ever consider the type of liaison he’d want. What was more, he was allowing the line between attraction and feelings to blur. He shouldn’t care so much about Wurts’s eyes on her and he certainly shouldn’t be putting her above his business.
She was barely a woman. Well her curves said she was all woman… but to the point, she was young and innocent and working her way, after only a day, into parts of him he thought had been gone forever.
And that absolutely couldn’t happen. He’d have to find a way to deter her. That should be easy enough. It came naturally to him.
“Lucius,” Barrett called, waving him over to the desk.
Pushing any thoughts of a certain young lady out of his mind, he crossed the room to do what he always did. Work.
> MAY, on the other hand, sat in garden daydreaming again. She told herself it was foolish fancy. But the feel of Loudoun’s lips had set her to flame. It was better than any of her imaginings. While he looked to dislike her, he kissed as though he liked her a great deal.
Tossing her book aside, she strolled along the paths again. She had to stop thinking this way. What she needed was a distraction.
Perhaps Loudoun had a driver who could escort her and a companion on a shopping trip. Not that she needed anything, but exploring New York would be a great deal of fun and she’d wear out the stone paths in his garden if she kept pacing like this.
She waited another hour, hoping that the meeting was finished, and then she headed to Loudoun’s office.
The two were standing at the desk, their heads bent over various stacks of documents and ledgers. They were of equal height, which was unusual. Barrett usually towered over everyone in a room. Loudoun’s broad shoulders flexed as he pointed at various columns.
She stood for a moment just drinking in the sight of him, her lips tingling as she thought of their kiss. “What is it, May?” he asked before either man had looked up. His voice flat, unreadable.
“I am hoping to explore a little. Could I use your driver? He’d know the streets far better than--”
Barrett scowled at her and made to answer but Loudoun beat him, cutting her off.
“I don’t think that would be a very good idea.” Loudoun still hadn’t looked up from his ledgers.
She made a noise of indignation. “I can assure you that in London--”
But he interrupted her once again. “New York is growing rapidly and there is a great deal of tension between various immigrant populations. You shouldn’t be out without a proper male escort.” His eyes finally looked up to hers but they were impassive. There was no hint of affection or emotion of any kind, just a blank mask.
“I agree with Loudoun. I’ll take you shopping.” Barrett’s gaze had returned to his documents so he didn’t see her eyes narrowing. They were treating like a child again.
“Barrett, the likelihood of you stepping away from work to take me on an outing is slim at best.” Her hands came to her hips. “I simply want to see some of the city and visit a few shops in the middle of the day.”
“Out of the question,” Loudoun answered.
“Absolutely not,” Barrett agreed.
She took two more steps into the room. “You’re both being ridiculous.”
“You just don’t understand the danger here.” Loudoun stepped around the desk to give her a menacing glare. “You’re nothing more than a sheltered child.”
What was wrong with him? A few hours ago he’d been holding her in his arms. Any tenderness was now gone, replaced with condescending annoyance. Why had she ever thought it a good idea to kiss him? “I understand plenty.” She stepped closer, her voice dropping and her eyes casting over to Barrett. It was a veiled threat. Her voice was a whisper, given so only Loudoun could hear. “I know lots about marriage and what might motivate a duke to require an earl to take a bride.”
He blinked a few times, surprise flashing over his features for a moment before he returned to anger. “You wouldn’t?” His lips thinned.
If she were a more cutthroat person, she’d announce that he hadn’t thought her childish when he’d kissed her. Not only would it prove him wrong, but the focus would shift from her to Loudoun.
Tempting as it was, part of her knew that she could never act that way. Not only would he despise her, she wouldn’t much care for herself. What was it about him that made her act in ways she would never normally behave? And Barrett would likely insist they marry and then decree they move back to England.
But that didn’t mean she couldn’t use the threat of it… just a little. “How strange you now think I’m childish.” She paused, allowing those words to sink in. “I was sure earlier you considered me to be--”
His eyes went wide with fear and she wanted to crow at the victory. Because he deserved it. “What did Loudoun consider you to be?” Barrett asked.
She put on her sweetest smile. She could swear that beads of sweat were forming on his brow. “Quite knowledgeable. He asked for my opinion on Wurts.”
“Good thinking, Loudoun. May is an excellent judge of character.” Barrett was still looking down at the papers and so he missed Loudoun going limp with relief. Then he gave her an angry glare, which she ignored.
“I’d like to ask you one more time if I might borrow your driver and carriage for a brief outing. I’m sure you have someone able to keep me safe.” Despite the kiss, Loudoun still considered her childish. It shouldn’t sting, his opinion wasn’t supposed to matter. But somehow it did. Taking a breath, she put on her most confident smile.
He assessed her silently for several moments. The flaring of his nostrils the only indication he was agitated. After several seconds, he asked. “Do you play chess?”
“Oh yes,” she replied. “I love a good game of strategy.” She crossed her arms over her chest because he was avoiding answering.
“I’ll find a driver who will take you to a few shops within this neighborhood only.” He glanced back. “If Barrett approves.”
“I trust your judgement, if you think she’ll be safe.” Barrett partially looked up and May was nearly shocked to see he was grinning. The man never grinned. Not unless he was holding a baby. Or Piper, his wife.
Loudoun gave a curt nod and strode over to the bell cord by the door. Giving it a sharp tug, he continued to glare at her as she smiled in return. Barrett turned away to shuffle through some papers on the chest behind him. Loudoun stepped up to her, hissing out a whisper. “You can only use the threat of telling Barrett about that kiss so many times before I figure out how to work around it.”
She shrugged, looking him straight in the eye. Her chin was tilted back rather far in order to accomplish that task. “I wish you luck with that.”
His eyes narrowed. “I’d forgotten how troublesome you could be. Never taking no for an answer.”
One shoulder lifted in a shrug. “Admit it’s because I am usually right.”
“Not this time,” he gritted out. “This is about your safety.”
“Perhaps you can go with her Loudoun.” Barrett was shifting papers. “We’ve mostly hashed out the details of the contract. I’ve the books to go over but you needn’t be here. And Wurts’s niece could act accompany you as a lady’s companion. He’s left me the address, we’ll send the carriage to fetch her.”
Loudoun gave an exasperated grunt. “I’ve other work--”
“Nonsense.” Barrett waved his hand. “See that she gets a new dress for tomorrow’s dinner.”
It was May’s turn to huff. “I don’t need a--”
But Barrett waved her off too. “You might enjoy American fashion while you’re here.” And then Barrett sat down, effectively dismissing them both.
5
May attempted to stare without being caught. Loudoun looked furious as he sat on the bench across from her and her companion, Wurts’s niece, Sarah. His scowl did little to diminish his good looks.
She bit her lips, remembering, for the hundredth time, the feel of his lips on hers. She wanted to feel them again but she knew it was unlikely to happen any time soon. All of his defenses were in place.
She ignored the little voice that told her this was a terrible idea. The one that insisted she stick with her plan and focus on a nice, American husband. At this moment, it sounded rather dull.
Not that she was giving up. She wasn’t. But it wouldn’t hurt her chances of finding a husband if she had the tiniest bit of experience would it?
Kissing Loudoun again, well that was interesting indeed. Fortunately for her, she had a plan. He seemed his most vulnerable when in the company of other men, particularly men who were eyeing her. She’d simply use that to her advantage tomorrow evening at Mr. Wurts’s dinner party. With any luck, they’d share a kiss in the garden or perhaps the library. Barrett was c
orrect, a new dress was a lovely idea.
The carriage rumbled to a stop and surprise made her blink. She’d said she wished to see New York but she’d forgotten to look out the window the entire trip to the dressmaker.
Loudoun climbed out of the carriage and handed the ladies down, seeing them into the shop. A dressmaker approached. “May I help you?”
May stepped forward, expecting Loudoun to turn and leave now that he’d safely delivered her. “Miss Stanly is looking for a gown for dinner tomorrow evening.”
She turned to look at him, tossing him a glare. He’d always been a bit heavy handed and today was no exception.
But the dressmaker only smiled. “Anything in particular you had in mind?”
“A pale blue, silk.” Loudoun turned to a chair to sit.
Inwardly, May huffed, but outwardly she remained smiling. “And pale pinks, please.”
“No, just the blues,” Loudoun was leaning his head back against the wall, closing his eyes.
“My lord, you’ve forgotten your place.” May turned to tell him that Barrett was her guardian, not him. He was only picking dresses to hurry her along and most likely, to irritate her.
“My lord?” The dressmaker repeated and May knew she’d made a tactical error. The woman gave a curtsy and then, hands shaking slightly in excitement, said, “Let me just get a second attendant.”
Loudoun gave a small chuckle and Sarah eyed him blushing, giggling too. A petite blonde, she was pretty and quiet. Though May had barely spoken to her, she’d like to get to know her as a potential friend.
“Why are we laughing?” Sarah asked looking from one to the other.
Loudoun spoke first. “Because May just lost her decision making abilities.”
She gave a delicate sniff. “And Lord Loudoun just lost several hours of his day.” She didn’t grin but judging by his scowl, he knew she was correct. Now that the ladies perceived him as a man with a large purse, they’d have endless dresses for her to try on.
Taming a Rogue Earl: Taming the Heart Series Book 6 Page 3