He turned his mouth into her palm and his kiss sent a jolt of desire between her thighs. Languid strokes of his tongue around hers and she was unable to process thoughts other than to give and receive pleasure. She wrapped her leg around his, wanting to be closer as her desire pushed her to grip him.
Dorian trailed kisses along her shoulder to her breast. His mouth delighted with tenderness. He slipped his fingers between her folds, and sparks of delight sent her quaking.
Lillian wanted to tell him, tell him how she felt, but no words came, only gasps and moans passed her lips. She took his face between her hands and guided it back up to hers. She could not form a coherent sentence, but she could show him the emotion coursing through her.
She kissed him with every bit of passion rolling through her body and soul. Sparks rumbled between them as if a tinderbox had gone mad.
She quaked under his fingers and mouth. Reaching down she found his hard shaft and massaged until he broke the kiss and panted into the pillow beside her head.
She’d caused him to lose control. Pure joy bloomed in her chest.
He pulled away from her hand and settled between her thighs. Leaning on his elbows, his fingers cupped her head. His eyes filled with passion and love as he brushed hair away from her face. He kissed her lips, her nose, and her cheek and pressed inside her inch by glorious inch.
Both their voices mingled together in a low cry that filled the room.
His gaze remained locked with hers and with every slide forward, the passion within his dark eyes increased.
Lillian’s heart expanded and broke all at once. How would she ever compete with the woman he believed her to be? A wave of ecstasy that shook her from head to toes washed away her fear.
He stilled but his focus remained on her eyes. “That is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
“My orgasm?” Where their bodies touched, her skin was on fire and she craved more.
“When you come, your eyes darken, and the constant worry drifts away for a moment.”
She lifted her hips. “You talk too much.”
His smile spread, and even that small thing rekindled desire between her legs. She gripped his shoulders and tightened her legs around his waist.
His languid strokes transformed her until she could only think about the rapture building deep inside her. He pumped faster and deeper.
Lillian clawed his skin, needing more. She wanted to tell him how close she was to a second orgasm, but again her words faltered.
Dorian stiffened and thrust hard again and again, pushing her over the edge. His lips muffled her screams, and she quivered beneath him until the rapture past.
“I love you, Lilly. You make me happier than I ever thought I could be.” He rolled to her side, pulling her with him.
She kissed the glistening skin on his shoulder. She never thought she’d hear herself say it. “I love you too.”
He released her and stood up.
“Where are you going?”
“I have something for you.”
She reached for him. “I have everything I need.”
He smiled and went to his bureau. Gloriously naked, he returned and reclined on his side facing her. “I wonder if you might do me the honor of wearing this.”
A sapphire gleamed in a stunning gold setting. “This was your mother’s, Dorian. I saw her wearing it. I cannot accept such a gift.”
He took her hand and slid the ring onto the second finger of her left hand. “This is the ring my father gave my mother when he declared his love and now it is yours, Lilly.”
She stared at her finger. His mother was smaller than Lillian. He must have had the ring sized to fit her. Her chest ached with emotions she had never before experienced. “But…Brice.”
“Is the person who reminded me this should be yours before our wedding.”
“I do not know what to say.”
“Say you will wear the ring from time to time.”
She touched his cheek. “We are going to be all right, are we not?”
Wonder filled his voice. “I think we are, Lilly. Somehow you have healed my world.”
“And you have mended wounds I have lived with for years. Wounds I thought long forgotten.” She wrapped her arms around him.
Dorian pulled the covers up over them, and the cocoon of safety returned. Even if it was an illusion, she relished it.
* * * *
Lillian stepped into the foyer as the butler was admitting Brice and Drake. It was late morning, but Drake had sent a note indicating they should meet away from the castle.
“I think Dorian is in the study,” she said by way of greeting. Perhaps she should have tried some simpering and politeness. She could pretend to be the lady of the house. The fact remained she was no lady. She was a demon hunter.
“I have always admired how direct you are, Miss Dellacourt.”
“Refreshing, is it not,” Brice added and offered his arm as they turned toward the hallway.
She smiled and accepted his gentlemanly gesture.
Dorian stared down at the map of Edinburgh spread out across his desk. Brice joined him. The Lambert brothers had very similar mannerisms and looks, though Dorian was taller and Brice broader. Both stood with their knuckles pressed to the map and leaned forward, but they were different in many ways. Dorian carried the world on his shoulders, the curse of being the eldest perhaps.
Dorian pointed to the entrance to the gate location. “We will have to take as many hunters as we can and paint the symbols. Lillian will do the incantation Mrs. Higginbotham devises. Then we will get out quickly.”
“Do you think they are going to let you waltz in there and defile their gate?” Brice’s voice rose.
In contrast, Dorian’s voice remained even. “I expect we will meet with resistance.”
“It will be a slaughter. It might be worth it if we could be certain we will have enough time to close the gate before they cut us down like rats.”
“I do not think I have ever seen you so negative, Brice.” Dorian continued in his calm voice.
“The idea that in the span of three days the master will have wiped out our entire family might be to blame.”
“I agree with Brice. I think this is too dangerous.” All eyes turned to Lillian.
“What do you suggest?” Dorian crossed his arms over his chest.
Brice pointed at the place on the map where the gate was located within the cave. “There is only one way out unless you want to leap to your death into the sea. We can be easily trapped before we accomplish the goal.”
“Then give me another option.”
Lillian stood at the opposite side of the map with Drake Cullum. “What about Mr. Fletcher?”
“What about him?” Dorian asked.
“Who is Mr. Fletcher?” Brice asked.
Drake said. “Angus Fletcher, he is a local reprobate.”
Lillian said. “He helped us before and he has a large organization. If we can have his men guard the cave, our odds of success and survival go considerably higher.”
Dorian’s eyes flashed and narrowed. “I like Fletch, but he is not going to do this out of some sense of duty. He will demand payment. He does nothing for free.”
“Mr. Fletcher is more honorable than you think. He received no payment for helping us.”
“He will hold you to your wager, Lilly. He only waits on opportunity. You are walking right into his hands by asking another favor.”
She shrugged. “We need his help.”
Drake laughed. “I have to admit I have never heard the words honorable and Fletcher in the same sentence before.”
“You disapprove of the idea?”
Drake straitened his waistcoat. “It is a fine idea. Adding Fletchers people to the few hunters we have on hand could tip the balance in our favor. I have my doubts that you can get him to help.”
She shrugged. “No harm in asking.”
“I’m not so sure about that.” Dorian’s words w
ere more of a grumble.
Dorian’s jealousy should have annoyed her, but she found herself warmed by the idea that someone cared enough to worry about losing her. “I will deal with Mr. Fletcher this afternoon. I have another concern, which I have been meaning to talk about.”
She had the attention of all three men.
“The ‘greater trebox’ in Shafton’s journals. By his own account, these demons were stronger than anything we’ve seen. They died to open that gate. What happens when we reverse the spell?”
Drake rubbed his chin. “You believe we could be bringing those three back to this world?”
“I do not know. Everything we do has a consequence. Maybe Shafton thought ridding the earth of three enormous demons, mounted on a vicious beast, was a better choice than opening a gate to Hell. Maybe he was right. He had no means to destroy three such demons on his own. He had lost his colleagues. He was alone.”
“I never thought I would see the day when Lillian Dellacourt defended the Earl of Shafton.” Brice shook his head.
“I have thought about his situation. He was foolish. I don’t dispute that. But he was also young and did not have the resources of The Company. In fact, without him, there would be no Company and who knows what damage the demons might have reaped by now.”
“Agreed,” Drake said.
Dorian pounded his fist on the desk. “He should have told us about his mistake. His deception wasted valuable time. If not for the actions of his wife, he would still be keeping his secret.”
Drake raised an eyebrow. “That is also true. His lordship has made many mistakes based on pride. I will deal with him. Keep in mind, above all, he is loyal to this cause. He has dedicated his life and a great deal of his resources to it.”
“He should be banned from The Company.” Dorian’s jaw ticked with fury.
“Enough.” Drake cut the air with his hand. “I will deal with Shafton, and this conversation will remain in this room. Miss Dellacourt will attempt to gain the assistance of Fletcher, and we will shut down the original demon gate two days hence. Mrs. Higginbotham believes she will have the information we need completed by that time and there is a waxing moon. Apparently this is a good sign.”
Lillian admired the way Cullum commanded the room. “What about Holyrood?”
Dorian added, “And the tunnel leading directly to the heart of the city?”
“I don’t know. I have more hunters coming to guard the site, but something big is going to happen there, and we do not have the man-power to check every debunked holy place in the country.” Drake sat in the wingback chair and ran his hands through his hair.
It was the first sign she had ever seen that their leader worried about the eventual outcome of this war. Her stomach clenched, and a wave of worry passed over her. “We will find a way to destroy the cavern under Holyrood. It might be wise to set up barricades in the tunnel until we can devise a plan. Mrs. Higginbotham might be able to assist us.”
“You want me to send an untrained witch down in that place?”
“We will go with her,” Dorian said. “Perhaps if she saw the cavern first hand, she might identify what exactly is its purpose.”
“I will speak to her about it.” Drake stood up and straightened his waistcoat. “I’ll expect your report after you speak to Fletcher. I think it might be best if we met here to debrief until we discover who is leaking information to the master. If that is all right with you, Dorian?”
“Of course. Have you made any progress in discovering our spy?”
“I have questioned everyone working at the castle personally. I can detect no deception.”
Dorian raised his eyebrows. “Whoever it is must be an extremely adept liar.”
“Indeed. I will call on you tomorrow.” The hunter general bowed and left without another word.
Brice shook his head. “I will accompany you to Fletcher’s club today.
Lillian stiffened. “I do not require protection, Brice.”
He laughed. “I am aware of that, but we will go in as a family nonetheless.”
Her heart swelled in her chest. It had been so long since she’d been anyone’s family she couldn’t remember how it felt. Tears stung the backs of her eyes. She had to force the emotion down and smile. “Then we will go together.”
Dorian rounded the desk and put his arm around her.
Brice chuckled. “Do you think we might get some luncheon? I’m famished.”
“I will speak to cook.” Dorian gave Stuart a message to have cook prepare something light for luncheon. He took her hand, and they entered a small parlor near the front of the house.
They were alone. Dorian kissed the top of her head. “You were surprised my brother thinks of you as family?”
She drew a deep breath to suppress a bout of tears. “I was surprised.”
“You will be his sister.”
It sounded very nice to be someone’s sister. “I had thought about it, but did not realize he had as well.”
“But you are pleased, are you not, Lilly?”
“More than I can say and much more than I expected. A family was not something I have needed in a long time.”
“And now?”
“It is a lovely notion.”
“I wish my mother could have lived to see all of this.”
“As do I.” She rested her head on his shoulder.
“I was thinking we could marry as soon as all of this is over.”
“You mean, if we live.” She chuckled.
He laughed as well. “Yes. We can consider living through the next few days as a wedding gift.”
“I think that will be the finest gift we could ask for.”
“No jewels or a trousseau for you, Lilly?”
She kissed his chin. “I will settle for a good knife and you at my side.”
“I will do my best.”
“See that you do.”
Chapter 14
The club was at the edge of a nice part of town. Across the street, the dodgier part of Edinburgh began. Perfect that Fletcher’s establishment straddled the city’s lower and upper class neighborhoods. The windows were all lit in the well maintained building, and the small garden bloomed with roses.
“This is lovely,” Lillian said.
“Fletch likes to put on a show.” Dorian banged the huge lion-faced knocker.
Dugan MacGregor opened the door. His eyes widened before he relaxed. “We didna’ expect you so soon, Miss Dellacourt.
He led them through a gaming hall. Several card games were underway in spite of the early hour. The clientele was diverse, and Dorian expected richer men to arrive after the dinner hour.
Dugan brought them to a small, very well appointed parlor. The dark reds and greens accented the high polish of the wood. Here there were riches only found in the finest homes. “If you will wait in the parlor, I will tell Fletch you are here.”
Lillian sat on a chair that cost what many people earned in a year. “This is far nicer than I expected.”
“He has found a niche here and does quite well.” Dorian stood over Lillian’s left shoulder.
Brice took a position against the wall at the back of the room.
Angus Fletcher stepped inside the parlor. He smiled at Lillian, then looked from Dorian to Brice.
“My brother, Brice Lambert.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lambert. I am very sorry about your mother. She was a remarkable woman.”
Brice had been leaning against the wall, but he stood up and crossed his arms over his chest. “Did you know the marchioness?”
Dorian cocked his head, trying to recall a situation where his mother and Fletcher might have crossed paths. Nothing came to mind.
Fletcher’s jaw moved from side to side and he took an awkward pause. “I know everyone in Edinburgh.”
Dorian clenched his fists. “Are you suggesting my mother set foot in this club?”
“Of course not.”
Dorian relaxed.
&
nbsp; Fletcher looked away and walked to a chair across from Lillian. “But she might have once taken pity on a young man starving in the streets of London.”
Dorian’s chest tightened. “I did not know you lived in London.”
Sitting forward, Fletcher clasped his hands together and placed his elbows on his knees. “I’m only telling you this because I believe it will honor her memory for her sons to know how good she truly was. I expect what I say here today will stay within this company.”
She inclined her head.
“Almost nine years ago, I went to London to seek my fortune. I was young and foolish and ended up in the street begging for coin. One day a very fine French woman came up to me and asked me how I came to be in such bad straits. I have no idea why she stopped to speak to me. I was dirty, my clothes were in tatters, and I was angry at the world for not making me rich. There was so much kindness in her eyes and her voice. I told her my sad little tale, and she told me something that changed my life.”
Dorian looked at Brice and had to swallow down emotion. “That it is how one responds in the worst of times that shows his measure. When everything has fallen to its lowest point, a man must be at his best and do the right thing. It is easy to be noble when the world is riding your coat tails. Show me a man who rises up from the ashes to help another, and I will show you a man to be reckoned with.”
“Yes. That is exactly what she said.” Fletcher’s eyes were wide.
“She used to tell us the same when we had troubles and when things were going well. She believed it would make us better men.”
“She gave me ten pounds and her card. She told me to go home and that London was not the only place to make one’s fortune.”
Brice walked to the grouping of chairs and sat. “And you took her advice?”
Fletcher nodded. “I gave half the money away, bought a good meal, and caught the first post home.”
Dorian was not surprised his mother helped a stranger, but he wondered if she had seen something in Fletcher. Lillian said there was honor within the heart of this criminal. Perhaps he had dismissed the notion too quickly.
“A couple of years ago you and your mother moved to Edinburgh. I had been carrying her card around as a reminder for all those years. I paid her ladyship a call. I didna’ really expect her to receive me. But I thought perhaps I could say my thanks and be on my way. She invited me for tea, and we talked for over an hour. That was the last time I saw her other than in passing.”
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