Dare to be Mine

by Allison, Kim

  Raising a curious eyebrow, Blake urged, "Do tell. I sense it has something to do with a lady, am I right?"

  Daniel shook his head, laughing in reply. Ever since Daniel could remember, it had always had something to do with a female, whatever their problems or rewards.

  "Well, to be honest, it does have to do with a certain lady," Daniel acceded.

  "Does she have a sister?" came the rakish reply.

  "Yes, about twelve years of age," Daniel exaggerated. "But seriously, Blake, I wanted to tell you first." shouldershi him and

  "This sounds serious," Blake commented as he tossed the linen napkin onto the table, giving Daniel his full attention. "Go ahead."

  Nervously tugging at his shirt, Daniel hesitantly confided, "I am getting married." At Blake's shocked expression, Daniel continued, "As soon as humanly possible."

  "My God, say it isn't true," Blake groaned. "Is she pregnant?"

  "No," Daniel scoffed. "There is one detail, however, that might give the bloody gossips the urge to start nasty rumors, and that is where I need your support."

  "You know I'll do anything I can, but I fail to see what I could possibly have to do with your upcoming....marriage." Blake comically forced out, acting as if he were about to lose his breakfast at the mere thought of the word.

  "I am marrying Elyssa, my father's widow." A genuine choking did start at that revelation and Daniel watched in tolerant boredom as his friend struggled to regain his breath.

  "You know everyone in London. I do, too, but since I've been out of the country for so long, I believe your influence would be of great help in preventing the gossips from ripping Elyssa's reputation apart."

  "As if I or anyone could prevent that. I assure you no one will speak ill of your wife in my presence. But behind closed doors, I imagine the talk will be harsh. But who gives a damn anyway?” Daniel smiled morosely, wondering when indeed he had come to care what anyone thought. But it was Elyssa. She was a good, decent person, and he didn’t want his jaded reputation tarnishing hers in any way.

  “You always did enjoy the most difficult challenges, Daniel, but do you really think this a wise decision? Having just returned to England after all these years, you may wish to get off to a slower start, work your way back into the thick of things a bit slower. Perhaps have a fling with someone else’s wife or lose your fortune at cards,” Blake teased.

  "You know me better than that, Blake." Softly, Daniel added, "I had neverhi dow think I love her."

  "She must be a fantastic lay for you to even consider deserting bachelorhood."

  “I would advise you not to speak of my fiancee that way. And one more thing. I would appreciate you breaking the news to Catherine.”

  Blake laughed, commenting on Daniel's ego did he think every unmarried woman needed to be let down easily on the news of his engagement. "Why would my sister give a second thought about who you marry?"

  Clearing his throat, Daniel began divulging how he'd run into Catherine in Paris several months before and that they had grown rather close. Doing his best to ignore the clenching of Blake's jaw and the narrowing of his eyes, Daniel kept talking. "As a matter of fact, Catherine allowed herself to believe we might one day marry."

  "Did you sleep with my little sister?" Blake said, already halfway out of his seat.

  "Blake, she's not such a little thing anymore. And as you well know, she has a mind of her own."

  Sitting back down, Blake replied in disgust, "Don't I know it. That's why Mother took her to Paris for a spell, to keep her out of trouble here in London." Glaring across the table at Daniel, Blake said, "I suppose I should be calling you out for this. And I would, too, if it weren't for you being such a bloody expert shot. And the fact that you’re more of a brother to me than Catherine is a sister. Damned little tart."

  A rueful smile curved Daniel's lips upward and he confessed, "I had hoped you would understand, Blake. In all honesty, I figured Catherine might have already said something to you in effort to try trapping me into marriage."

  "Your conceit is infinite."

  "You know what I mean. And I tried resisting Catherine out of respect to you, I really did. But she's such a persistent slip of a girl, with more than one trick up her sleeve. And the way she shakes that tight little ass of hers," Daniel added. “A man can only withstand that for so long.”alone. Her steps slowed as she thi

  "Alright," Blake interrupted as he stood, "that's all I want to hear. My God, I knew Catherine always had feelings for you when we were younger, but I had no idea it had carried through until now."

  After the initial shock wore off from that startling bit of news, Daniel caught Blake up on things in reference to business and Elyssa, although he never confided the truth about Percy's will. About an hour later, Daniel announced he'd better get back to Greystone. The two friends clasped each other in a hearty hug.

  "Well, I have to say," Blake complimented, "I do admire the brave stance you're about to take on against all of society's snobs, Daniel. And of course, I shall do anything I can to ensure the safety of Elyssa's reputation. Rest assured she will have my personal endorsement."

  Exhaling a sound of mocking amusement, Daniel replied, "I am certain she'll be thankful for that." He opened the carriage door, turning to shake Blake's hand. "Seriously, I do appreciate everything. And thank you for understanding about Catherine. I shall be in touch about the wedding."

  As the carriage started to leave, Daniel belatedly thought, yelling out the window, "You will be my best man, won't you?"

  "Of course. I'm already the best man!" came the quick reply. Blake shook his head in amazement as he watched Daniel's carriage fade out of sight. He wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't heard it with his own ears. Fredrickson getting shackled, and willingly at that!

  Not long afterward, Catherine came downstairs, having just woken up after a late night out. Not one to mince words, Blake simply told his sister that Daniel was marrying Elyssa and that Catherine had better quick shaking her tight little ass.

  It took eternal seconds for his words to register, but when they did, Catherine angrily swept the dishes off the table, shouting that no other woman was going to steal Daniel away from her. Ignoring Blake's outraged bellowing at her less than acceptable behavior, Catherine stomped back upstairs and threw herself across her bed, crying angry tears. She wouldn't let it happen. She wouldn't! That little tramp, Elyssa, would regret ever crossing her.

  escaped her lips a" aid="weAnd Daniel. He wouldn't be getting his way either. She would see to that.

  CHAPTER 13

  He knew it had to be done. She had to be told. Hell, the solicitors would soon be in contact with Elyssa regarding the details regardless. And still, Daniel could not force himself to tell Elyssa the truth. That she was now the sole owner of Greystone and all of Percy's belongings.. escaped her lips aIobviousd

  With little hesitation, Elyssa had given into Daniel's wishes that they be married as soon as possible. Even though everything seemed to be happening quickly, Elyssa was thrilled about marrying Daniel. She was hopelessly in love. She longed to be Daniel's wife, to wake up every morning staring into his mesmerizing eyes, and go to bed each night wrapped in his strong arms.

  Elyssa's preference to forgo a wedding of any size was overridden by Daniel's insistence that they may as well let all of London share in their happiness. If there was to be any gossip, and there was certain to be plenty, Daniel wanted to face the opposition head on and get it over with. Elyssa sweetly insisted she would be satisfied with just a small, intimate ceremony at Greystone, but she ended up giving in after a few of Daniel's beguiling kisses.

  Daniel convinced himself that the haste of the wedding was only because there was no need to delay it. The gossips would talk no matter how long they waited to wed. The truth that Daniel actually wanted to marry the woman who'd been willed his entire inheritance and therefore regain it in the process remained a nagging annoyance in the back of his mind. Any feelings of self-guilt would s
wiftly be quelled once Daniel legally acquired all that he had lost.

  And in the bargain, he was gaining a beautiful charming wife. Of course, Elyssa was the kind of woman that would naively expect fidelity. A word Daniel had never been able to fully associate himself with. He had never wanted or needed to, for that matter. But he intended to remain faithful to her.

  In truth, Elyssa was the type of woman that would always keep him entertained, both in and out of bed. And if he did ever succumb to the temptation to stray, Daniel would be discreet in the utmost, for he would never wish to hurt Elyssa in that way. She deserved to be cherished, and Daniel planned to do his best as a husband.

  His newly hired secretary was quite efficient and a huge help with the plans of the upcoming wedding. Daniel, anxious that nothing be overlooked, took many of the responsibilities off Elyssa's shoulders, having his assistant take care of the details as ordered.

  A multitude of invitations was sent out. Every blue blood in England received the shocking invitation and Daniel grinned each time he thought of all the hypocrites in England's upper crust reading the news that the famed young Lord Fredrickson was taking his father's widow to wife in a matter of days. Leastways, that was how they would see it. None of them had the slightest idea of the true circumstances. That Elyssa had been forced into an unhappy marriage, that she'd fought her wedding vowsg">CHAPTER feelings for Daniel from the onset until he had shattered her resolve, and that they'd eventually fallen in love. No, they would make it into something sordid and jaded.

  Still, Daniel had learned the hard way over the years not only to accept the rumors started about him, but to embrace them. After all, a rakish reputation tended to allow him certain advantages that the typical man might not be privy to.

  Daniel hoped to show everyone at the wedding that he and Elyssa truly belonged together, and that they didn't give a rip about what society thought. And Daniel might have been out of the country for the last several years, but he still had friends in high places. He could be quite a force to reckon with if crossed. No one would dare snub his wife openly if he had anything to say about it. And he would.

  Delilah personally came to Greystone at Daniel's request, his generous offer in wages a most enticing thing. The enthusiastic seamstress measured Elyssa for her wedding gown, sure to be glorious by her own words, though Elyssa insisted she had no need of a grand expensive gown.

  Delilah asked a myriad of questions in regards to Elyssa's preference for the style and shade of the gown, assuring Daniel and Elyssa the gown would be the most beautiful London had ever seen. Elyssa watched as Daniel escorted Delilah to the front doors after she'd finished her work. She smiled at the sight of the seamstress' vivacity. Delilah's lips were moving in a steady rhythm as her hands stirred in accentuated description of whatever it was she was telling Daniel about. Elyssa admired the handsome sight of her betrothed, her heart warming at his dark allure.

  Her heart skipped a beat as Daniel slowly looked up at her while Delilah continued her chattering. His gray eyes narrowed slightly as his lips curved upward in a tender smile meant only for her eyes. His warm gaze slid over her like melted honey and Elyssa felt a familiar stirring deep inside.

  She almost regretted the stance she'd taken with Daniel, that they not be intimate again until after the wedding. His initial affront at her request was short-lived, however, for Daniel playfully reminded Elyssa he would have her all to himself before she knew it, and then he would make her pay for her insolence.

  They were to attend a ball that night and Daniel would be spending the night and next day at Blake's home, for it would be bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, which was to take place the following day. Elyssa would be driven back to Greystone after the ball, her wedding gown being delivered the next day. All the details had been seen to, and Daniel assured Elyssa he would see her the following day at the church midways to keep hernot l between Greystone and London. The wedding would begin precisely at noon.

  Elyssa could hardly believe she was about to become Daniel's wife. She would be the happiest woman in the entire world. And she looked forward to being the one to undo the bitterness Daniel had been dealing with for countless years. She longed to soften the hard edges he'd created as a result of feeling unloved by his father all that time.

  And thus it was three nights later that Elyssa was wrapped in Daniel's arms before they left Greystone for the ride to Blake's home in London for his family's annual ball. Such gatherings had never held a huge attraction for Daniel. He much preferred a less crowded function, for all that he was rumored to frequent every party ever given to mankind.

  Daniel twirled Elyssa about and held her at arm's length to admire her. The dark tresses were pulled back and up, dainty curls falling all about her shoulders, gentle ringlets cradling her lovely face. Her gown was emerald green, made to compliment her eyes, Daniel had said, and an exquisite strand of diamonds graced her slender neck. He placed her long black cape about her shoulders, its fur lined warmth staying off the most cold of nights, and it threatened to be quite wintry already.

  Elyssa smiled in response to the proud grin on Daniel's face as he shook his head in obvious pleasure at her beauty. She was not immune to his appearance either, for in all his finery Daniel was certain to capture every female's longing gaze. His black hair was neatly pulled back with a like colored ribbon, his handsome face clean shaven. His deep blue jacket hugged his chest, the dark pants molded tightly against his legs. His long lashes hooded his eyes, Daniel's mysterious thoughts a certain temptation, for his warm gaze hinted at nothing less than seductive desire.

  Gently pulling Elyssa into his arms, Daniel left her breathless as his lips captured hers intimately. His insistent mouth was warm against her own, and the feel of his fingers splayed against her hip, only to reach higher till he'd reached the roundness of a breast, left Elyssa feeling weak-kneed.

  "Darling, we don't have to go if you do not wish to," she softly moaned, turning her head slightly as Daniel's lips moved slowly, seductively down her neck.

  "Elyssa," he mouthed against her neck, "are you so easily swayed in your purity by a mere kiss?"

  A throaty laugh ensued and s to keep hernot lhe said, "I fear I am unable to deny anything when you but touch me."

  Lifting his head from the gentle swell of her breast exposed above her daring neckline, Daniel said, "I rather like this idea of your delicious body being forbidden. It makes every stolen touch that much more gratifying." Even his playfulness was overwhelming, Elyssa mused, as her heartbeat quickened from his devouring gaze and tantalizing words. "I think we should go, darling. Perhaps the long ride there will provide some interesting....activity."

  Her tongue nervously darted out to moisten suddenly dry lips, Elyssa's mind going to mush at the thought of spending private time with Daniel in a carriage during the dark of night. It was obvious he meant to torture her with her own virtuous demand of temporary abstinence.

  Her smile tremulous, Elyssa determined that she could certainly withstand Daniel's amorous advances for the next two days. It would definitely be a challenge, for certainly no female had ever been able to resist a romantic onslaught delivered by the glorious Lord Daniel Fredrickson. He was indeed a splendid male specimen and the niggling doubt that Daniel might one day stray, as was his infamous reputation, was an apprehension––albeit a faint one––but Elyssa managed to keep it shoved to the farthest recesses of her mind.

  Moments later the handsome couple was ensconced in the cozy warmth of Daniel's carriage. Night was falling and inky darkness slowly settled about them. Elyssa suddenly felt nervous beneath Daniel's intense scrutiny, clasping her cape closer about her shoulders. It was silly, she knew, to feel uneasy about being alone with Daniel. He was her fiance after all, and though he'd still not spoken the words aloud, she believed he loved her.

  Perhaps it was their earlier conversation in which Daniel hinted he might have to begin spending more time in London for business once they were wed th
at gave cause for concern. Or maybe it was the barest hint of distrust in his eyes during an occasional gaze of confusion, although surely she had just imagined that.

  Whatever the case, Elyssa felt the slightest twinge of unease. As if perhaps they were rushing into a marriage best gone into slower. Of course, this was nothing like before when she'd been forced to wed Percy. Daniel was a completely different man. No matter the condemning things she'd heard of Percy’s profligate son in the past.

  Daniel reached his fingers across and gently grabbed one of Elyssa's gloved hands. His warm smile came easy and Elyssa scolded herself for daring imagine anything negative about Daniel even for the briefest moment. Her breath caught in her throat as Daniel wordlessly began to remo escaped her lips ah smileve the black silky glove from her hand. Elyssa stared at the sight of his large, tanned hand peeling it from her slender arm. Such a simple act made decadent, Elyssa mused, her eyes lifting to Daniel's face as he continued in tantalizing slowness until the glove was completely removed and discarded.

  His warm hands pulled her slender fingers up to his mouth and Elyssa's eyes widened a bit in sensual awe as Daniel leisurely took one finger at a time into his mouth, sucking seductively on each one. Unleashing the merciless yearnings in her body. Elyssa finally reminded herself to breathe, a shuddering breath exhaling as her tempting lips parted slightly. Daniel slowly gazed upward until his eyes met hers. The shadow of darkness lent a daring, a dauntless need to partake of Elyssa while he had the chance. For all that she'd pledged her life to a future with him, Daniel still found the need to be one with her a profound thing.

  Perhaps it was the insecurity he had battled with over the years that made Daniel feel the need to possess Elyssa, to test the hold he seemed to have over her. He was consumed with the demand to have Elyssa prove her need for him. Her loyalty to his every request, no matter what it might be. "Darling," his raspy voice began as he loosed her fingers and grazed his hands upon her lap, "would you do something for me?"