“Son of a bitch.” Charles staggered back. “You’re crazy!”
Timothy nodded. “You’ll not touch my sister again.”
“You think she didn’t like it? They all like it.” Charles gripped the chair to stay standing.
James grabbed Charles by the lapels and shoved him up against the bookcases. He landed punch after punch until his knuckles screamed, torn and bloody. Finally, Charles went limp. Then James let his worthless relation fall to the floor.
Timothy went over to check. “Not dead.”
James flexed his hand, and the pain stung him with triumphant satisfaction. While Charles deserved death for his offence, James didn’t trust him to act honourably in a duel. And if Mariah found out, she’d be upset. As confusing as things were between them, he wanted to keep her love and respect. “I wouldn’t give him the chance to kill me. Any second he chose would be as corrupt as he is.”
“We’ll do the right thing. I’ll challenge him, and we’ll make sure he has no chance to hurt you,” Timothy suggested. “Mariah can blame me.”
“No. A boat to America. Tie him up, sell him to a captain, and he’ll be shipped off before dinner.” James wanted Charles far away.
“Ship him off as an indentured servant.” Timothy smiled. “Ingenious.”
“I don’t care what excuse or act of bribery is required. I’ll have my footmen handle it.” James took rope from the drawer and bound Charles at the wrists and ankles.
“Allow me. My brother is in the Navy. I need only get your cousin to a British Naval ship, and he’ll be delivered to my brother as a prisoner. We’ll make Charles disappear.”
James liked the sound of that. “Thank you. I’m in your debt.”
“Not at all. I admire your creative solutions to such matters. My sister seems very happy with you. While honour dictates a duel, I believe there is no sense in risking your neck for this man. He has shown no honour and would probably have you shot in the back by his second.”
“That was precisely my opinion. But I won’t alarm Mariah with your absence. Write a letter to your brother and my man can take Charles to the port. He’ll hire enough guards to keep Charles unconscious.”
As Timothy wrote, James noticed Charles begin to stir. A swift kick to the jaw ensured he’d be silent for a while longer. As much as James disliked violence, he knew when it was necessary. Stuffing Charles’ handkerchief in his mouth, James intended to make sure his man fully gagged Charles before their journey.
* * * *
A quarter of an hour later, James and Timothy walked back to the hall where the incident had occurred. Luckily the doctor had arrived before Charles had done anything truly dangerous. Mariah had defended herself well, but the fear still gripped James.
Mariah stood there smiling with her aunt. Her face turned serious as soon as she saw him. “Is everything all right?”
“Fine. How is your cousin?”
“Well. The doctor feels she overexerted herself. He suspects she might be in a delicate condition. Edmund is with her now.” Mariah looked to Timothy and back to James. “Where is Charles?”
Her aunt fluttered her handkerchief nervously. “Disgraceful man. You’re lucky you didn’t faint from the shock of such behaviour, Mariah.”
“Best I didn’t faint, given his flawed character.” Mariah rubbed her neck and squared her shoulders. “Did you send him away?”
“Yes, my dear. You will not be troubled by him anymore, ever. I promise he is gone.” James wanted to hold her, reassure her privately. But just then they needed to be proper for their guests. Mariah would not appreciate a public coddling.
“Thank you.” She eyed him uneasily.
James tried to discern if she was concerned for Charles or distracted by her cousin’s pregnancy. The women were not competitive, but for Alice to have a baby, James knew it would weigh on Mariah.
It was their duty. James hated the notion of a child being labelled a duty and an heir, a mere pawn for the power and games of adults. If he’d had a son now, would Charles have tried to kill him? Poison his mind against James?
Mariah cleared her throat. “I think Alice needs to rest before dinner. We could all probably use a little rest after the excitement. There will be ample time to change. Hopefully Alice can join us for dinner.”
“An excellent idea. Let her rest, and you should recover yourself. I’ll go tell the other guests. Don’t worry about a thing.” Her aunt made her way towards the main hall.
Timothy bowed. “I’ll escort her. Excuse me.”
Once he was gone, James wanted to hear the untamed version of the story, but his wife flew at him. He caught her as her arms wrapped around his neck.
“Thank you,” she whispered and kissed him.
“For what?” He carefully set her on her feet.
“Not duelling. I couldn’t stand it if you were hurt.”
“I’d have killed him. I have every right.” James would have little guilt in the matter.
“I know. But if anything happened to you… Charles proved he is not to be trusted.” She kissed his neck. “You were right.”
“You forget yourself, Mariah.” He offered his arm. “Let’s go change for dinner.”
She took his arm but her smile vanished. “What happened to your hand?”
* * * *
“Don’t upset yourself.” James closed the door to her bedchamber.
“What did you do to make your knuckles bleed like that?” She pulled away the stained handkerchief and inspected his hand.
“I simply taught Charles a lesson. He didn’t take the first suggestion well.”
Mariah’s heart ached that he’d been hurt. Her skin tingled. It was a wife’s right to be concerned and upset. She led him to the basin and poured water over the wound. She soaked his hand and saw the damage better. All for her.
“We’ll have the doctor bandage this properly before dinner. No one can eat with that bloody mess facing them.” She tugged off her dress and slid out of her chemise.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Changing for dinner. We have time and I’m overheated after all of this.” She splashed water on her neck.
If James found her hard to resist, he said nothing. Mariah needed to be safe and close to him, nothing more. But his breeches spoke volumes about his reaction to her.
“Am I troubling you?” she asked.
“You can’t prance about naked.” He scowled.
“Prance? It’s my bedchamber. You’re my husband. I’m sorry it distresses you so, but even the vicar can’t find fault with my need to cool down. This is not improper.” She cupped her hand in the water and let it fall over her neck and down her breasts.
“It is not helping me to calm down. Dress yourself.” He pulled her hand from the water and shook off the excess.
Mariah stepped into his path and let her hand cover the bulge in his breeches. Moving closer, she kissed him. “You defend my honour then deny me?”
“We have little time,” he argued.
Smiling, she freed his cock. “We need not do the elaborate rope and candle play every time, my lord. While I adore your extended attentions, sometimes circumstances demand a more direct approach.” Her pussy grew damp at her own bold suggestions. When they were alone she felt so safe and tempted. But now they had a house full of guests, and it added a challenge.
She gently worked his sac with her fingers. In a flash, he grabbed her neck and pulled her in. Lifting her, he moved them so that her back rested against the wall.
“Your hand,” she gasped.
“Your needs first, Mariah.” He thrust into her.
Mariah rode him, clinging to his form as he held her off the ground. Her legs curled around his waist naturally. The fighting had heated his blood, and Mariah held onto him, feeling the passion knot his muscles. She kissed his mouth as her nails dug into his shoulders.
So fast, her body responded to him. He thrust harder and faster as though she’d be taken away.
“I’m yours, James, forever.” She kissed him again, letting her tongue bait his.
He pulled her down hard onto his erection. Mariah gave in fast. Her insides burst with the delicious pleasure he gave her. How she kept from shouting, she didn’t know. But when she felt James tensing, she held still, expecting him to pull free of her as he always did.
Instead, he grunted and pinned her harder to the wall. The sensation of his powerful body trembling against hers made her shiver, as well. She could feel his pleasure, the satisfaction in him and the connection between them.
Had she finally won him over to trust her and love her? “Thank you.” She pressed a kiss to his shoulder.
James gasped and set her down. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have.” He closed his breeches and headed to the door that joined their chambers.
“James.” She saw the dark cloud returned to his eyes as he left her alone.
Ignoring her clothes on the floor, she picked up his blooded handkerchief and pressed it to her lips. He loved her. Even if he didn’t accept it or know it yet. What he’d done was not about merely honour, but love. She tucked the bloody token into her bedside table for safe keeping.
Returning to her dressing table, she dipped a clean cloth into fresh water and dabbed her neck. James would come around in time. He had to. The business with Charles showed Mariah exactly how little information she possessed about her husband and his history. Perhaps the trouble between his father and Charles’ father made him distrust women?
Unfortunately, the guests would prevent her from discovering more just yet. Mariah slipped on a dressing gown and rang for her maid. In the quiet, she prayed Alice had a healthy son. And then stopped short of wishing for her own child. James may have done what he’d not before, but he was not ready. Better to have no children than to have her son feel rejected by his father.
Chapter Seven
Claiming business, James had ignored his wife for two days after the guests departed. They were together only at meals and barely spoke then. He felt her pain, saw it in her face, yet he had frustrations of his own. Feelings were something he’d shut down long ago. She stirred him sexually, and they were compatible. Logic agreed she made a good choice as a wife, yet she wanted his heart. Worse yet, she’d tempted him to flirt with the chance of an heir. He waited and wondered.
Her confession of love told James he’d succeeded in making her his sexual submissive, mind and soul. He never expected it to stir his feelings so deeply and scare him so much. Her feelings were real and deep. He didn’t doubt them. The business with Charles united them, but there was more to the story he didn’t want to reveal.
Still, during the day, she was mistress of the house. Confident and strong and organised. She’d have made any mother proud despite her unfortunately lax upbringing.
If he hadn’t left that night, he’d have told her personal things, too. About his mother. His fears. His feelings. Control was safe. He didn’t want to expose himself and maybe scare her away. To show weakness might ruin what they’d created. He trusted her, with him and his lust. But his life, his children? Those were issues he’d have to face.
She deserved it all, he knew, but part of him wondered if she simply was out to please him in bed. She wanted to cement her place in the family and do her duty. Any woman would. Yet he needed something more.
There was no one left of his family except distant cousins he’d avoided. Mariah didn’t need to impress anyone. She would be the mother of the line, or it’d die out. Hasty decisions made James uneasy, but no amount of preparation could divine providence.
Passing her bedchamber, he fought the urge to enter and demand silence, obedience and her body. Only then would they feel normal and content with each other again. He had every right. He knew she desired it. Yet he couldn’t do it.
Entering his own room, he paced. The handle on the connecting door between their chambers turned, and James realised he’d not locked it. As long as he’d overlooked the lock, she had had access. Tonight, she’d decided to try it.
Cautiously, Mariah entered, looking everywhere but at him. Her attire captivated James entirely.
“What are you wearing?” The dress’ pattern seemed ordinary enough, but it was made of a thin lace. And his wife wore nothing beneath it nor over it. One pink nipple stood out against the threads. James fought the urge to devour her.
“Like it?” She smiled and spun to show off the frock. “I made it myself. I never found embroidering cushions of much interest, but my governess said I’d always be able to make a respectable living as a dressmaker.”
“Who saw you making this?” he demanded.
“No one. If anyone asks, it’ll be a trim over my burgundy gown for Christmas. Would you prefer me clothed fully?” She stepped closer to him.
His control slipped. “You’d better take that off before it’s ruined.”
Mariah lifted one elegant shoulder. “If you wish to ruin a dress of expensive French lace, who am I to argue? I’ll make another. You may have cut off your affections and attention, but my generous spending has not been curtailed. I bought bolts of it.”
Baiting him? The woman had nerve. All she’d really told him was she wanted attention. “Spend as you like. Money will not make you happy.”
“I’ve always known that. You think we’re so different? Money could not bring my mother back or soothe that pain.” She climbed into his bed, raising the lace skirts with care, like a lady. “Your glass toys are enjoyable but no substitutes for the real thing. You and I are fated.”
She sprawled there, his for the taking. Her pussy was lightly veiled by the lace. Her breasts strained for freedom--she’d made it tight by design. The cap sleeves left her arms bare, and the V-neck let him see her delicate skin and the curve of her cleavage. Below she was a sea of lace.
He could rip it off her.
James moved closer to the bed.
He could leave it on her and enjoy her work.
Kneeling on the bed, he pushed the lace skirt up to her thighs so he could kneel between her legs and get beneath the gauzy material. James rubbed the lace over her calves and up to her lush inner thighs.
Mariah flushed. Her body was eager for his touch and tilted towards him. “Does it feel good, your naughty gown?”
She nodded. “Delightful. But the lace is delicate. It’ll tear easily.”
Exactly what she wanted, no doubt. “Don’t worry. I have other plans.”
James climbed out of the bed and removed his clothing. Fully naked, he felt even more in command. Mariah’s bold move to enter pleased James, she’d come to him, exactly what he needed her to do. Growing hard, he watched her lying there, her attention on him. The woman thought she was safe, perhaps even that she’d won.
“Roll over,” he said.
Slowly, she turned over and stretched out on display.
James returned to her on the bed, pulled her rear up so she knelt while her breasts pressed to the bed. “Stay like that.”
She nodded.
“You’ve forgotten yourself, Madam. Entering my bedchamber without invitation or permission. Commandeering my bed like an invading pirate.” His hand rubbed over her rear, letting the friction of the lace awaken her senses. Then he came down with a single slap.
Mariah froze. After a moment, she recovered. “I’m sorry to intrude. I wanted to surprise you with my creation. It seemed inappropriate to walk the halls in it. Servants might see me like this. You don’t like it?”
“I like it very much. However, that does not excuse the offence. You did not even take the trouble to knock.” He handed down another slap in the same spot.
A soft groan escaped from her throat.
“I daresay you’ll enjoy your punishment.” He dealt two more hard strikes and watched the hue of her skin change where his hand marked her. Already a good pink showed through the lace. “Such tender skin.”
“I enjoy all of our contact.” She spread her knees a bit further apart.
In
stead of another smack, he rubbed the lace into the abused skin. Unable to resist, he leant down and gently bit her flesh through the lace.
Her moan said it all, but James slid his hand beneath her skirts to test her. Wet and warm for him.
She pressed back for more contact, but he pulled his hand away to keep her eager. With a final slap to her rear, he rolled her onto her back and ran his hands over her body, pressing the lace against her skin.
“Please.” She reached her hands over her head.
Rubbing hard over her breasts, James listened to her moan as she spread her legs open farther. Wanton and ready. He pressed on the lace around her pussy lips then teased over her most sensitive flesh.
Biting her lip, Mariah’s breathing grew more rapid. Her arousal increased with every touch. He patted over her pussy, teasing her and wetting the lace.
“I want you inside of me,” she said.
“Of course, you do.” He pinched her outer lips together, covered in lace and her natural juices. “It’s about what I want.”
She reached for his cock. “Tell me. I’ll do it. Anything. Your body wants to be inside mine. Why deny yourself as well?”
The woman learnt fast, and their games would grow with time. He grabbed her wrist and held it up. Taking a candle off the bedside table, he drizzled wax down her arm.
Mariah arched. “More, yes. Please don’t shut me out again.” Her lips trembled as though he’d dismiss her now.
She had no idea how much of a hold she possessed over him, but she tried to tempt him. Her efforts touched and aroused him. James let drops of hot wax fall over her bare shoulder and down to her laced breast.
Mariah flinched slightly when he let a drop splash close to her pink nipple, but then James saw a smile take its place. Mariah was learning and trusting him. He’d set the pace of her awakening and she’d kept up thus far. But he would not push too far, not with the chance she might be pregnant.
Bringing the candle closer to her body, he headed down. Ignoring her other breast, he marked a trail down to her pussy. Her moans urged him on. He watched her face contort in pleasure.
A Firm Hand Page 7