The Cinder Earl's Christmas Deception

by Em Taylor

  “Kathleen,” he groaned, as he released. With his free arm around her, he was unable to direct his seed as it splashed over both of them. She lifted her face towards him, her eyes alight with wonder and fascination. He pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “Thank you,” he whispered.

  “What for?”

  He frowned. “For… allowing me to do that and not being a swooning, delicate lady about it.”

  She giggled. “If I had been going to swoon at anything, it would have been your tongue on my… well… You know what I mean. I did not expect that.”

  “But did you enjoy it?” Her cheeks blossomed a delicate shade of pink and she sucked in her lips.

  “I did.”

  “I am glad. You are supposed to enjoy the marriage bed.” He wiped a small splash of his seed from her face and licked it from his finger.

  “What was that?” she enquired.

  “My seed. I am afraid it travelled farther than I anticipated.”

  “Oh. You can put it in your mouth?”

  “Well, had you continued to suck me and not moved away in time, I may have released into your mouth. I would have tried to get you to move away in time, but it would not have harmed you if I had. It may not have been terribly gentlemanly of me not to warn you though, especially when you are so innocent.”

  “So I can taste it from your skin.”

  “I suppose…” And then she moved her head and licked it from his stomach. He groaned. Kathleen Roberts, or rather Kathleen Marchby, as she now was, may well kill him with pleasure. She lifted her head and scowled. Gabriel chuckled. “It is not exactly Gunther’s Ices, is it?”

  “No, but it is not unpleasant.”

  He sighed and sat up. “Now I have thoroughly corrupted you, Lady Cindermaine, I do believe it is time for us to dress and to repair the damage to your coiffure.”

  “Oh!” She lifted her hand to her messy curls with a look of dismay. She looked adorable. “Never fear. Christina came to me when she was a girl and had me fix her coiffure, so she did not get into trouble with her maid. My father, for some reason, gave her a tyrant of a maid. Everyone below stairs was terrified of the woman and so was Christina. Some of the other maids helped her out too, but I was the one she turned to most. Christina was a bit of a hoyden. She was always ripping the hem of her gown or damaging her bonnet or coiffure. You would not recognise her as the same demure lady. I believe Stalwood will have his work cut out with her. Once freed from the stifling environment of Hartsmere House, the real Christina may come back to life.”

  “You sound like you would enjoy that.”

  “I have no issue with a sister who occasionally rips a hem or has the odd curl out of place. I am more troubled by her natural vivaciousness being stifled by a brute.”

  “Then I believe she and Lord Stalwood will be well-suited.”

  “What do you think about her taking on the burden of Stalwood’s son?”

  Kathleen was pulling on her shift and covering up her beautiful body. He wanted her again already. This was insane. She shrugged.

  “She will make a wonderful mother to him. Christina does not have a jealous or vindictive bone in her body. She will love that child as if he was her own and when she has her own children, she will treat Henry no different to her own children.”

  “I worry about her living under the shadow of another woman.”

  “From what Christina has told me, Lord Stalwood cared deeply for his first wife but did not have a passion for her. They had a comfortable relationship. From what I can see of his relationship with Christina, he is head over ears in love with her.”

  “You believe that… after just two weeks?”

  “I do.”

  “So I could make you fall in love with me in that length of time?” Kathleen looked hard at him and said nothing. Then she put her stays over her shoulders.

  “Would you mind tying these tight, please?”

  What did her silence mean? Could she never love him? That would be a bitter pill to swallow. He had become very fond of her. Was she already in love with him? Surely not. It had only been two weeks. Yet he could not imagine his life without her. His reasons for marrying her were not entirely altruistic. It had not been just to save her from the clutches of Cedric and to some extent his father. He had wanted her. And now, having had her, he just wanted her more. He now understood those people who were addicted to laudanum and could not survive without it. She was becoming his laudanum.

  He finished tying the laces of her stays. “Is that correct?”

  “You would make a good ladies maid, my lord.” He saw her smile although her head was turned and then her hand came up to her mouth and she twirled around, her face set in horror. “Oh Gabriel, I apologise. That was thoughtless.”

  He grinned at her. “No, it is fine. It is nice that you treated me like a lord and not like a servant for once. It is rather pleasing to know that you think of me as an earl and not as Mr Onslow.”

  “I must say, when we came over to England, I had hoped Papa would find me a match with a baron or perhaps even a viscount. I must admit to being disappointed that his choice was the illegitimate son of a duke. But I consoled myself that he may be a nice gentleman and we may have a happy marriage. Even eventually fall in love. And then we met that day when he cast up his accounts on the street. Of course, it was not his fault that he was unwell. But your f… the Duke, he seemed brusque and somewhat dismissive of everyone and Cedric was gabbling away. And he was standing so that his hips were right in my line of vision as I was seated. And it really was quite disconcerting. Gentleman’s clothing, well… young ladies should not be able to see the outline of a gentleman’s…”

  “Cock?”

  “You are determined to make me say that word, are you not, Lord Cindermaine?”

  “I had not been but now you have put the suggestion into my head, I believe I like the idea, Lady Cindermaine.”

  “You are very vexing.”

  “And you are very arousing. I had better get dressed or we shall be bowling down the highways and byways of England in the pitch black trying to find our way home. And that will not do.”

  She glanced down at his semi-hard cock as he moved to reach for his breeches. The little minx would not entice him to go back to bed, much as he might want nothing more in the world. If she wanted to spend Christmas with her family, then he would make sure she did. And then he would whisk her off to Marchby Castle in Buckinghamshire. He hoped her family would come around eventually, but he also knew they planned to travel back to America as soon as the Christmas Season was over. The scandal may send them back on the first available sailing to protect Teresa.

  They were soon out of the inn, Stalwood having paid the innkeeper in advance for the night so he would not know they had only used the rooms for the afternoon and their consummations. They had agreed not to meet up and leave together, just leaving when each couple was ready. Gabriel really had no wish to see a flushed, freshly tumbled Christina. While he was close to his sister and looked forward to his renewed friendship with Stalwood, there was much to be said for not seeing one’s sister just after she had been deflowered by one’s best friend.

  They settled into the carriage and headed for home. When they arrived back at Kathleen’s family home, Gabriel was somewhat ashamed to have spent part of the carriage ride bringing his new wife to yet another release without removing any of her clothes and helping her to bring himself to one too by only dropping the fall of his breeches.

  “I do not know what state Cedric is in. He may want to start calling on you again. If he tries to kiss you or whatever, I suggest you feign maidenly shock. If he tries anything more, push him away. Tell him you have your courses. Whatever it takes. I am sure he will be green at the thought of blood. He never had a strong constitution.”

  “I see.”

  “I hope I can see you and that he is still not strong enough to be out on the town. He may even choose to go out but not court you. He can be a selfish bru
te. I will find out where he is going and if it is not a ton entertainment, then perhaps I can still accompany you. It bears a certain risk but we may be lucky.”

  “This is altogether too ridiculous. We should just go.”

  “It is entirely up to you, my love. But I do not mind staying in the shadows for a few days if it means your happiness.”

  “You are so very kind, Gabriel.”

  “Do not beatify me yet, Kathleen. I had my own reasons for marrying you. And many of them were carnal.”

  It was too dark to see her face, but he was sure she was blushing.

  “I must go now. May I have one last kiss before I go?”

  He pressed his lips to her and flicked his tongue briefly inside her mouth then released her. “I do not want you to get a rash from my day beard. What would your mother say?”

  “What indeed. Can you find a way to get a note to me if you find out what Cedric is up to?”

  “I shall try.”

  “Thank you.”

  Chapter 13

  Kathleen did not hear from Gabriel that evening. After dinner, her mother insisted that she attend a soiree at Lady Arbuthnott’s house. She really did not wish to attend, but could think of no suitable excuse to give to her mother. She had even asked Aunt Matilda if she was sure she did not want company that evening but the elderly lady waved her away and said she was just at an interesting part of Mansfield Park and could not possibly be disturbed this evening. Kathleen was wishing she had not offered to borrow books from the subscription library for her aunt now.

  But she piled into the carriage with Teresa, her father, and her mother and they trundled through Mayfair to the large mansion on Grosvenor Square.

  They arrived and started to mingle. Kathleen sat with her mama and accepted a cup of tea. She had struck up a conversation with the Duchess of Kirkbourne when a nasal male voice cut through her. She had heard that voice once before.

  “Excuse me, Fotheringham. I must go and pay my respects to my fiancé.”

  She looked up and even before her eyes flicked down to his inexpressibles, she knew from the curl of his lip, that the man was not her husband. Gabriel did a good impression of Cedric, but she knew the difference. This was the real Cedric.

  Bile rose in her throat. Could she really play this charade for a whole week? She was also subjecting Gabriel to further servitude-all for a single day with her family. Cedric stood in front of her and lifted her hand to his lips.

  “Your hair is like spun gold, my dear. Your eyes are like the blue of the sky. You have my undying affection.”

  Kathleen just raised an eyebrow. What did one say to that? Did he think he was Byron? Did he not realise that Byron actually had a talent for poetry and did not just spout nonsense? But she had been silent too long. Her mother nudged her with her elbow, spilling her tea into her saucer.

  “Um, thank you, Mr Onslow. It is very kind of you to say so. You have lovely eyes too.” Just not as lovely as Gabriel’s. She wanted Gabriel here, at her side. Oh if he had been here, he would not be hovering around her. That was not the done thing among the ton, but he would catch her eye occasionally and smile and she would know he was thinking of her. There was none of this showy nonsense.

  Cedric seemed satisfied with this answer. “I hear there may be dancing later. May I solicit your hand for one a dance?

  “Of course you may.” She gave him her sweetest smile. The last thing she wanted to do was dance with him.

  He stood and she was given an eyeful of his nether regions. Gabriel’s definitely was bigger, she mused. It was the only train of thought that stopped her wanting to cast up her accounts.

  He left and walked over to a group of men. The Duchess turned to her. “My husband regularly chastises me for speaking out of turn, Miss Roberts but I find that biting my tongue and gossiping behind the backs of people I like does not sit well with me. So, I shall just say it to you. It appears to me that you are not greatly enamoured of your fiancé.”

  “Oh dear. Is it terribly obvious?”

  “Perhaps. But it is not uncommon, especially when marriages are arranged. I was not enamoured of the Duke of Kirkbourne at first. He grew on me and became the most sweet and helpful man in creation. He cares not that I cannot walk, and he dotes on our son.”

  “Your son?”

  “Yes. Adam. He is two. And we have another on the way.” She patted her belly and Kathleen could see that it was slightly swollen.

  “You are increasing. How lovely. And not being able to walk has caused no problems?”

  “If anything, it probably made the child-bearing easier. I believe I suffered much less pain that most women do.”

  “I see.”

  “But back to you, my dear. Do you dislike him terribly much?”

  She glanced at her mother who had risen and was moving over to speak to Lady Arbuthnott. Feeling freer she sighed.

  “He is… I am not sure how to put it delicately.”

  “A little over-exuberant, perhaps.”

  “That is putting it mildly.”

  “Perhaps marriage will make him more reserved and considerate.”

  “Perhaps.”

  “Have you ever met his brother?”

  “Godfrey Onslow?”

  “No. I apologise. I mean his half-brother. The Earl of Cindermaine.”

  “Oh no. I was not out in society until I married the Duke. My father was not sure what to do with me. Then he wagered my hand when the duke was in his cups. My father was dying you see, and he knew Nate, I mean the Duke, to be an honourable fellow, so he tricked him, got him utterly foxed and wagered my hand in marriage to him.”

  “And he still married you?”

  “Of course. A gentleman never goes back on a wager, even when he is foxed. He told some ladies in Hyde Park the next day it had been a ruse and he was head over ears in love with me. It helped to ease the scandal somewhat. But enough about me. That is why I never met the Earl of Cindermaine, though I believe only those who went to school and university with him have ever met him.” Little did she know. “Why do you ask?”

  “Oh, no reason. I had heard he resembled Mr Onslow. That is all.”

  “I know nothing of what he looks like, I must say. But he seems to be rather sickly. I wonder what will become of the Dukedom if he does not produce an heir.”

  “I am sure he cannot be that unwell. Perhaps he leads a secret life.”

  “What kind of secret life?”

  Kathleen bit her lip. Oh, she had said too much, and she was a terrible liar.

  “I… I don’t know. You hear of people having secret lives. A spy for the government.”

  “On the Peninsula?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Unlikely if he is the heir to an illustrious title. What are you not telling me, Miss Roberts? You look very flushed and you are refusing to look me in the eye as if you are keeping a secret.”

  “I keep no secrets, Your Grace.”

  “Oh come now, Miss Roberts, we both know that is not true. I do not feel the cold particularly much. There is a nice conservatory at the back of the house but Lady Arbuthnott does not put the fire on there at night. If you would head out there, we can talk in private. I shall get Nate to carry me out. Now, off you go. I need salacious gossip. And I shall not take no for an answer.”

  She would go and in the short time she had to wait for Her Grace, she would concoct a story as to why she’d been interested in the Earl. That was it.

  She nodded and left the room. She was passing the stairs when she happened upon Cedric.

  “Kathleen, darling. We meet again.” His tone was low and obsequious. It made her flesh crawl. “Come. This house is huge and there are several empty parlours. We can get to know each other better.”

  “That is not wise. What will people think if we are both missing?”

  “That we cannot wait for our wedding and that we are so enamoured with each other we just cannot wait to be alone.” He licked his lips as he hovered o
ver her, making no secret of the fact he was looking down her décolletage. Her flesh crawled as his hand closed around her upper arm and he started to pull her in the direction of the stairs.

  “No Cedric. I must meet the Duchess of Kirkbourne.”

  “Forget her. I have other plans for you.”

  “Please Cedric, no.” But her heels had no purchase on the shiny tile and she slid along it, helpless to stop the forward momentum. Why in this grand squeeze was there no other person in the hallway?

  “Unhand Miss Roberts immediately, Onslow, or so help me God, I shall sit my wife on the stairs and happily spend the next few minutes rearranging your face.”

  Cedric stopped pulling her, and she tumbled backwards, grabbing a couple of balusters of the great staircase to keep her upright. She thudded against them and knew she would have a nasty bruise on her back in the morning.

  “Kirkbourne, I did not see you there. Miss Roberts and I were just discussing…”

  “I could see what was happening. Miss Roberts said no, and you ignored her and used your size to force your will on her. And it is ‘Your Grace’ to you.”

  “I apologise, Your Grace,” said Cedric, dipping into a shallow bow.

  “Do not apologise to me, you simpering idiot. Apologise to Miss Roberts.”

  “Ah yes. Miss Roberts., I am terribly sorry. I did not mean to offend. I was just overcome by your beauty and… well yes.”

  He raised an eyebrow at the Duke who raised a much sterner one back.

  “I believe you should tell Miss Roberts about the number of times this sort of behaviour shall happen again.”

  “Oh, yes. It shall never happen again.”

  The Duke moved towards Mr Onslow and bent his knees slightly but Kathleen could hear his whispered words. “My wife and your fiancé are now firm friends, Onslow. If I hear that you abuse her in any way, I shall kill you and make it look like an accident. Are we clear?”

  “Yes, Your Grace.”

  “Good.” He straightened and smiled at his wife as if that whole ugly scene had never happened. “The conservatory, my love?”