“Robert Penrose, my dear friend, welcome to Menadue!” Morva rushed to him and bent to give him a hug and a kiss on his withered cheek.
“Morva, how is it that I get older every day and you do not?” Robert grinned.
“Robert, I’ve earned every one of these gray hairs from raising my stubborn, strapping sons. By the time they and my daughters are wed, I expect to be completely white-headed!”
The two laughed. One of Menadue’s servants arrived to help Robert inside in his chair.
“I hope you are all hungry. Dinner shall be served in a quarter of an hour. Relatives have been arriving all day, so we are to be informal here for the duration of everyone’s visit.”
Morva looked to her newest arrivals. “I’ll have your things taken up to your rooms. You will be staying in the Duke’s wing. There are fewer rooms in that wing, and I think you will find it much quieter. Gabriel, you’ll have your usual room. There has always been a suite of rooms at Menadue for the Earl of St. Mabyn. Senny shall be beside you. Robert and Wenna are across the hall.”
She looked to Wenna, then, “If you can help me tell the footmen which rooms the trunks should go to, perhaps Gabriel can walk Senny around a bit.” Morva knew Senny needed time to adjust to the chaotic energy of the full house so she didn’t become overwhelmed. Senny was so much like her mother in that respect.
She continued, “Robert has been taken to the drawing room and Trevan will be with him until we join him.”
“Would you like some refreshment before we walk about?” Gabriel asked Senny as he led her inside.
Senny shook her head. “No, but if you would like something, we may get it first.”
“I’m fine, Zenny. How do you feel?” Gabriel asked her in a whisper as he walked beside her. A few familiar faces, mostly Chynoweth relatives walked past them as they entered offering cheerful greetings. Gabriel responded to them as he led Senny away from the main rooms to find a quieter place for them.
“There is a lot of energy,” Senny whispered to him as he walked her through the vast entrance hall. “It’s not bad energy, there’s just so much coming from so many directions. There are so many thoughts and f-feelings.” She took a deep breath to try to keep the building noise from overpowering her thoughts.
Gabriel noticed her hand trembled slightly upon his arm.
“Can you concentrate on your thoughts and feelings alone? Perhaps you can consciously block out everything around you. The thought occurred to me you might be able to learn to control what you do and don’t absorb.” Gabriel stopped as they neared an alcove. He drew her into the small space and took both her hands in his.
“Let’s just try. Close your eyes. Take some deep breaths. Just try to focus on your thoughts and imagine the other thoughts and feelings being pushed away.”
Senny did as he instructed. She calmed as Gabriel’s soothing voice encouraged her. He continued to talk her through the process. Slowly, she tried to send away the distracting thoughts and feelings from others that were swirling chaotically inside her head. She realized she could tell which ones were hers and which were not. After a time, she was able to hear only her thoughts. The racing, static thoughts from the other occupants of Menadue fell away. She smiled up at him.
Then it happened. She seemed joined and merged to Gabriel. She felt wonderful emotions, caring, concern and something else. Something warm and exciting raced through her as she experienced these new feelings. It made her skin tingle. She seemed to ache with a curious need down low.
Since the day Gabriel informed her they were courting, he had only held her hand. It did not feel much at all like they were courting.
They were so close to one another, she could feel the warmth from his body. Tingles raced up her arms as he caressed her hands in his. She wanted him to kiss her. If only he would kiss her, she could be sure he was serious about courting her.
Suddenly feelings and thoughts that did not belong to her came into her mind. It surprised her, when she realized the thoughts belonged to Gabriel. She felt that Gabriel wanted to kiss her, yet she heard his voice telling himself he could not. She shivered with anticipation, thinking what it might be like if Gabriel did kiss her. She wanted him to. That warm tingly sensation rushed through her again. That burning need returned also.
Gabriel’s attraction to Senny at this moment was so intense he could hardly restrain himself. He wanted to draw her to him, kiss her and more. He had never felt such an overwhelming need to have her. His instincts were to back her against the wall, lift her skirts and drive himself into her. He had never experienced such raw, overpowering lust. He scolded himself. What was he thinking? He was trying to calm her, not overwhelm her further. This was his sweet Zenny. An innocent.
“Gabriel, I don’t understand. You want to kiss me, yet you tell yourself you cannot.”
At first, Gabriel thought she spoke the words until he realized they were linked and he had heard them in his mind.
Senny opened her eyes and looked at him. She cocked her head. “Why do you think you cannot kiss me?”
Gabriel caressed her cheek and spoke aloud, “I do want to kiss you. More than you know. We’ll take things very slow, you and I, so you are not overwhelmed.”
“In some ways I am different and in others I am not. I want you to kiss me. It will not harm me.” She smiled softly.
“Zenny, I do not want to rush you.” Despite his words, his need to kiss her was still overwhelming. He bent his head then pulled back.
“I do not feel rushed.” Senny rose up on her tiptoes. Her hands rested lightly upon his arms. She pressed her lips to his and pulled back. Unsure of what to do next, she pressed her lips more firmly against his this time.
Gabriel responded to her. Senny’s lips were tender and warm against his. He coaxed her to open to him and he allowed his tongue to explore her warm, sweet mouth.
He breathed in her light, sweet scent, geranium, mixed with a touch of lemon and mint. He tore away from her mouth for a moment, allowing his lips to press light kisses along her long, slender neck. How he had longed to do that! Her soft moan of pleasure was nearly his undoing. He gathered her closer to him. He had to taste her again. He slanted his mouth over hers and kissed her, this time more deeply, exploring more thoroughly, licking, nipping, savoring the dance of their tongues.
When she responded, her tongue slowly matching the movements of his, Gabriel felt heat course through him.
Senny was lost in the experience, but strangely she did not feel overwhelmed. She felt alive and completely in tune with Gabriel. She felt the beat of his heart beneath her palm as her hand moved to his chest. She felt adored and revered. The only thing that mattered at that moment was the pleasure she felt at being in Gabriel’s arms, the feel of his hard, muscled body against hers, and the way his lips and tongue demanded response from hers.
When the urge to lift her skirts and drive into her hit him yet again, Gabriel jerked his head upward and stepped back. He allowed his hands to skim down her arms. Breathing hard, he gazed down at his sunny-haired Senny. Her bright green-blue gaze met his.
“Zenny, I am sorry, I meant to calm you, not overwhelm you further,” he whispered as he searched her expression for any signs he had overset her.
“I am not overwhelmed, Gabriel. What you told me to do worked, I was able to block out everything but us.”
Gabriel smiled down at her. “Good, Zenny.” He tapped his finger on the end of her pert little nose.
“We will travel this road together, slowly.” He emphasized the last word. He meant it. If he had not found restraint, he might have had her pinned against the wall while he pumped into her to appease the raging lust he felt. The need had been that great, that strong. He could never treat Zenny in such a manner. He could not explain what had just happened to him. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced.
“Come Zenny, do you feel like you can handle joining everyone in the long gallery? That is the only place large enough to hold us all
for dinner.”
“I do.” Senny nodded and smiled at him. She blushed.
“Why the blush?” Gabriel whispered to her as they walked toward the Long Gallery.
“I have never been kissed before, Gabriel. It was very nice, I liked it,” she said shyly.
Gabriel smiled down at her and winked, “I liked it as well!” He liked it too damn much! The way Gabriel’s body reacted to her both overwhelmed and surprised him.
Wenna noticed how Trevan was always near as the large party, all familiar to one another and many related to each other, mingled in the seating areas of the Long Gallery after dinner. Her own cousins, the Michelmores, were here.
The gentlemen were about to retreat into the Duke’s large library to discuss the pressing issue of the threat of brown-coated intruders seen at Restormel and Menadue. As they rose and filed out, Trevan came to stand beside her. He offered his arm. Wenna walked down the gallery with him.
When they were out of earshot of the remaining ladies, Trevan spoke softly, “Wenna, I may be up late, but perhaps we could talk privately tomorrow? I am sorry that the Brown Coats interrupted our time at Restormel today.”
“Trevan, what took place today is not your fault.” Wenna felt warm all over as she remembered what almost happened between them in the alcove at the castle ruins. “I had a lovely time. Thank you for giving me the sapphires. I am not tired and I plan to stay up and read after I retire.” She looked at him meaningfully.
Trevan gave her a tender smile. “Then if I see your light on, I shall look in on you after we conclude our business.”
Wenna smiled and nodded. “Perfect.”
Trevan gave her a wink and a grin and walked her back to join his female family members.
Gabriel found Senny sitting with a group of ladies. He leaned down to whisper to her, “How are you feeling?”
“Well.” Senny responded with a smile.
Gabriel noted she wrung her hands and looked a little tense. She sat with his Great Aunt Demelza and some of the younger, unmarried ladies, including his cousins, Tamsin and Tressa, Trevan’s younger sisters. The younger women were talking of balls and parties, things he knew Senny had no interest in.
His aunt leaned over and said, “Gabriel, I should like a bit of peace and solitude. Can you wheel me into the small parlour?”
“Of course, Aunt!” Gabriel went to stand behind his aunt, who sat in a Bath chair just like Robert’s.
“Sennen, perhaps you would care to join me in the parlour, dear?”
Gabriel smiled inwardly. Great Aunt Demelza had always been perceptive. He noted how Senny brightened.
“Yes, of course, Lady Weatherham.”
“You’ll call me, Aunt, Sennen, as everyone else here does!”
“Yes, Aunt, I would love to join you.” Senny beamed at her.
“You’ve always been such a dear, sweet girl, Sennen.” Demelza smiled at her. She looked back at Gabriel, “Don’t you think so, my good nephew?”
“I do, Aunt. She’s a very dear lady.” Gabriel winked at Senny.
She walked beside Gabriel as he pushed his aunt toward the parlour.
“Gabriel, could you have some good brandy sent to me? From the Duke’s private cellar, of course! I could use a dram before I retire.”
“Of course, Aunt, I will see to it.”
After Gabriel left his Aunt’s chair where she wanted it and he tenderly kissed the elderly woman’s cheek, he walked toward the door. He paused to run his fingers along Senny’s arm, “Are you certain you feel well, Zenny?”
Senny smiled brightly. “I am perfectly fine, Gabriel. Thank you.”
He whispered, “I am in the room next to yours. Call out if you need me during the night, Zenny. I must join the other gentlemen in the library.”
Senny nodded and moved forward to join Great Aunt Demelza.
“She’s in good hands, Gabriel. Off with you now,” his Aunt shooed him away.
Gabriel smiled after her and turned to head to the library. He stopped Diggory, Menadue’s butler, and gave him Aunt Demelza’s request on the way.
It was midnight when a soft knock sounded on her door. Wenna set her book down as she rose. She carefully opened the door a crack. She smiled when she saw Trevan waiting outside in the corridor. She opened the door and waved him in.
Once in her chamber, Trevan paused to lock the door. When he turned back to face Wenna, she was right in front of him. He sighed with contentment as her arms wound around his neck and her warm, soft body molded against him. Their lips met. They kissed each other hungrily. Passion flamed quickly between them. Their hands explored each other’s bodies. Wenna began to undress him.
Trevan peeled her wrapper from her and left it in a pile upon the floor. Wenna had removed his coat and waistcoat and proceeded to unfasten his shirt. Trevan shrugged out of the linen as Wenna busied herself with his trousers. Once they were open, she slid her hand inside and wrapped her fingers about his hard, rigid cock.
“Good God, Wenna, it’s been so long!” Trevan scrunched up her night rail and tugged it over her head, flinging it off to the side. He bent and lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed, all the while kissing her.
He deposited her onto the bed and removed his boots and trousers.
Wenna watched as he crawled up toward her from the foot of the bed. Her eyes rested on his large, thick erection. He was already fully engorged. No doubt, he’d been tortured with the anticipation of their union as she had.
As he came over her, his hand remained at the apex of her thighs. His fingers teased her, increasing her pleasure. Trevan marveled at how, wet, slick and swollen she was. He bent his head and captured one pert nipple with his lips. His lips, teeth and tongue teased her. He sucked her breast into the warm cave of his mouth while he slipped a finger inside her warm sheath. He massaged her while his thumb worked her sensitive nub.
Wenna was on fire, near to release. Everywhere Trevan touched her she burned. Wenna tangled her hands in his curly, black hair, urging him to return to her. She kissed him passionately, raising her hips to meet the thrust of his fingers. When the powerful and delicious feeling came over her, she moaned deeply against his mouth. She lay panting beneath him after.
“My a’th kar. I love you, Wenna Penrose,” he whispered, his breath warm against her ear as he slid into her. “I always have. I always will.”
“I love you too, Trevan,” Wenna whispered back as she raised her hips, allowing him to go deeper. She moaned softly as he began to move inside her.
Trevan covered her mouth with his own, mainly because he wanted to taste her, but also because he knew his lady was rather loud and expressive when they made love. The memory of her passionate cries echoing over the lake as they made love in the summerhouse at Callywith on numerous occasions fanned the inferno of flames burning inside him. He groaned in pleasure as she wrapped her legs around him.
Their rhythm synchronized. Each one of them strove to give the other pleasure. Their hands touched, caressed and worshipped as their fused bodies moved to the ancient primeval beat. The tension built and mounted, their bodies glowed moist as they continued the age-old dance of lovers.
He rose above her, watching her facial expressions as he thrust deep inside her. Her hands worshipped the muscles on his chest, his arms, and moved down to his back and buttocks. He dipped his head and tasted her breasts. She cried out with pleasure as he lightly nipped the hardened pebbles with his teeth.
He was elated. He was home, with his lady. Wenna was his and he’d do everything in his power to keep her here, with him. His eyes locked with hers. He knew she was close. He drove into her. It was heaven being inside Wenna, his love, again. He had feared she was lost to him.
Together, they spiraled upward, climbing higher until at last they reached the peak of their passion. Together they surrendered. Pleasure raw and wild coursed through them in waves of ecstasy. He covered her mouth with his, swallowing her cry just as he was about to give his ow
n kingly roar.
Spent, their breathing ragged, they clung to one another. Long minutes passed. Trevan gathered his love into his arms and pulled the covers over them. “Let’s sleep, Wen Pen.” He placed a tender kiss to her temple as he drew her closer. My a’th kar.”
“My a’th kar,” Wenna whispered groggily just before her eyelids fluttered closed.
Hearing the sound of Wenna’s even breathing he knew she slept. He sighed in happiness and also in relief. Wenna was his again. He would keep her here, in his house, in his arms, and in his bed.
Chapter Five
Gabriel noted the light on in Senny’s room as he walked past her door in the corridor. This set of chambers had always belonged to the Earl of St. Mabyn when in residence at Menadue. Once inside his chamber, he decided he must check on her. The connecting door from the Lord’s chamber led to the Lady’s chamber, the room Senny now occupied. He walked toward the door. He knocked softly. “Zenny?”
“Y-yes, Gabriel?”
He regretted knocking. She sounded nervous. Had he made her so? “It’s late, Zenny and you’re still awake. Are you well?”
“N-no, I can’t sleep. The men in brown coats and hats are outside. The ones I saw come through the windows in the vision. I can’t sleep because I can hear them talking.”
“I’m coming in. Are you decent?”
“I-I need to get my w-wrapper.”
“Tell me when you’re covered.” He heard the rustling of fabric.
“I-I have my wrapper on.”
He opened the door immediately. Gabriel sucked in his breath as his eyes rested on Senny. He did not remember ever seeing her with her hair down and loose about her shoulders in her adult years. Her shiny, golden hair was straight and hung like a sheet of silk down her back and partially over one shoulder. The glow of the lamp light caught the subtle red highlights mixed in with the gold. A pale pink wrapper covered her fine lawn nightdress. She had tied it tightly about her, which emphasized her beautiful breasts. He distinctly noticed her pebbled nipples straining against the silk of her wrapper. Was she cold or was she reacting…no! He would not, could not think about that. He shook his head when he realized he had stood mute for possibly an entire minute.
Lords of Retribution (Lords of Avalon series) Page 8