by Vikki Vaught
The wind blew so hard the cold stung her cheeks. Nonetheless, she found it exhilarating. She raced toward the post, and their horses were neck and neck. At the last moment, he inched ahead and won the race. Considering Gregory was used to riding on the sand, she’d done an excellent job keeping up with him.
The wind ruffled his hair, and she would have loved to run her fingers through it. He laughed. “You really are an exceedingly good rider. You almost beat me, and I’ve raced on this beach my entire life. What did you think of your first ride along the shore?”
“Oh, this has been the most amazing experience. I must look a fright since the wind blew my hat off, and I’ve lost most of my pins. Thank you for bringing me riding,” Elaine met his gaze. “I’ve been a trifle bored during my stay. Kathryn is always at Lord and Lady Ralston’s estate, and Jonathan goes off with your brother. I love my niece and nephew, but I needed some time alone. Why did you choose the navy? Was it something you always planned to do? You are young to be a lieutenant.”
Gregory flushed. “I hated school, and I entered the navy shortly before my nineteenth birthday. I’m embarrassed to tell you, but I was sent down from Cambridge for misdeeds with some of my…ah…friends. My brother gave me the choice of either the army or the navy, and since I have always loved the water, I chose the navy. I’m glad I did.”
Gregory reined in his horse. “Since I’m a second son, I needed a career where I could make a living, and some of the prizes are very lucrative. I’ve enjoyed seeing some of the world. I’ve already been promoted once, and I plan to be a captain soon. I want my own ship. By the way, you look beautiful with your golden hair all around your face. I think you’re quite pretty. I pray you did not think I was too bold the other night when I kissed you?”
“Not at all.” She hid her enthusiasm, since she did not want to appear too eager. “I enjoyed your kiss. It helped make my birthday special. I’m glad you like your chosen career. If I were a man, I would choose the navy as well.”
“Well, I’m certainly glad you are not a man. You are far too lovely, and it would be a shame if this world was not graced by your beauty.” He glanced at the sky. “We need to return before someone comes looking for us. I enjoyed our ride. We must do it again before I leave next week.”
Elaine and Gregory returned to the house. When they entered the stables, no one was there, so Gregory touched her cheek, then lowered his head and gave her a gentle kiss. “I wish you were not so young. I shall look for you in a couple of years. You need to go before your brother catches us. He would have a fit if he knew I kissed you. I hope to see you at tea.”
As they left the stables, they ran into Jonathan. His face flushed a deep red. “Who said you could go riding, young lady? Return to your room and change your clothes, then straighten your hair. It’s almost time for tea. We will talk more later.”
As Elaine went into the house in a huff, she heard her brother. “I want you to leave my sister alone. She’s only sixteen, and she should not have gone riding with you. You should have at least taken a groom.” She stopped so she could hear Gregory’s response.
“You’re right, we should have taken one. I promise nothing happened. We just went for a ride on the beach. I will not spend time with her again. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to change for tea.” A searing pain shot through her heart. Her brother had ruined everything for her. Now Gregory would stay away. Tears pricked her eyelids, but she managed to hold them in until she reached her bedchamber. Thank goodness her maid was not inside. She threw herself on her bed and had a good cry.
Oh, why could she not be older? If she were only eighteen, perhaps he would have courted her. She sighed, then brightened. He did say he would find her in two years. Happy again, she grabbed her book and turned to the page where the hero kissed the heroine and dreamed of the day Gregory would come for her and make her his own.
* * * *
Jonathan watched as Gregory strode away. He was very concerned over the young man taking his sister riding. Elaine should not have gone, and she certainly did not ask permission. He was sure Kathryn would never have given her approval for her to go riding with Gregory. Helen had warned her that he was a wild young man, and of course, Collingswood had told him some alarming things regarding his brother.
The last thing he would ever want was for Elaine to end up like his brother-in-law’s sister and have to wed at such a young age. She was easily influenced and could be quite impetuous on her own without someone encouraging her. He must watch his sister closer. If he’d had any idea Collingswood’s younger brother would be here, he would never have let Elaine come with them.
Jonathan went to his room, where Hatton waited to help him. He gave him his dose of laudanum then rubbed ointment on his knee. He did not have time for the cold compresses, and he would regret it later.
He’d enjoyed spending time with Collingswood. They’d ridden his estate, and he was impressed. He liked the man and was glad to have him as his brother-in-law. In fact, he liked both his brothers-in-law.
Sanderford had mentioned some bills he was working on in Parliament and had asked him if he would join the committee. Now that he was wed, he wanted to take a more active role in Parliament, so he told the duke he would consider it. Jonathan glanced at the mantel clock. He needed to go now, or he would be late for tea.
When Jonathan found Kathryn coming out of her room, he joined her. As they descended the stairs, he asked, “Did you enjoy your trip to the village? I had an enjoyable time with Collingswood. At least I did, until I found Elaine with Gregory. She went riding with him and didn’t take a groom. She did not ask me if she could go. Did she ask you?”
She gasped. “No, she certainly did not. I would never have given my permission. How long were they together without a chaperone? You know Helen warned us he was not to be trusted. I hope nothing happened. Surely he would not try anything with her. She’s barely sixteen.”
“He promised he would leave her alone, but I don’t trust him. He should never have invited her to go with him in the first place. We need to watch her closely, to ensure they do not have a chance to be alone again.” They had entered the drawing room, and he noticed Elaine was talking to Gregory. He immediately went to them. “Elaine. We need to talk. Come with me.”
Jonathan took her upstairs to their sitting room. “Please take a seat. We need to discuss this afternoon.” Then he looked directly at her. “Why did you go riding with Gregory? You did not ask permission from either of us. I’m sure you realized we would have told you no. You promised me you would behave if I let you come here. I’m very disappointed.”
Elaine jumped up. “I’m so tired of you treating me as though I was still in leading strings. I’m sixteen now. The reason I didn’t ask was because I knew you would not give your permission. I wanted to ride along the shore, and since Gregory asked, I accepted. Nothing happened. He was a perfect gentleman. You’re making this much worse than it is.”
“Now, young lady, you need to calm down,” he admonished. “I will not tolerate you speaking to me in this manner.”
Elaine put her hands on her hips and gave him a withering look. “I’ve spent most of my time with Frankford and Jane. I love them, but I needed some time away from them. Is that really so bad? You spend every day with Lord Collingswood, and Kathryn is always at Lord and Lady Ralston’s working on their portrait. It’s as if I don’t exist. You know, I’m grieving for Roderick and Allison too, but neither one of you have asked if I’m all right. Please understand I’m bored. I just wanted to have a little fun.”
Shame washed over him. “You’re right. I have ignored you. I suppose I can understand why you wanted to have some fun, but Gregory isn’t a safe person for you. Helen and her husband told us he’s a very wild young man, and he’s always finding trouble. I’m just trying to protect you. I want your promise that you will not go with him again.”
“I promise.” She glanced at him from under her lashes. “I would like to talk to y
ou regarding something else. I would like to attend finishing school. I want to meet other girls and have some friends. I’m too old for a governess. Please let me go to school.”
“I didn’t realize you wanted to go. I do not have a problem with sending you. I shall look into it when we return to Bath. Now, we only have another week before we return home. If you want to go riding, let me know and I will take you, all right?”
She threw herself into his arms. “Oh, thank you so much. I promise. I will do whatever you want. You shan’t regret sending me to school. I hope you’ll take me riding this coming week. You know how I love to ride. May we go Monday?”
“If the weather permits. Now, return to your room and rest before dinner.” He watched as she left the room. He had ignored her. He was so enamored with Kathryn he had not given Elaine the attention she needed.
Kathryn entered. “I saw Elaine leaving, and she looked elated. Why is she so happy? Did you talk to her about Gregory?”
“I did.” He frowned. “She accused us of ignoring her, and she’s right. I’ve forgotten she lost Roderick and Allison too, and misses them as much as I. She’s promised to stay away from Gregory, and I’ve promised I will take her riding. She also said I treat her as though she’s still a child. It turns out she wants to go to school. I told her I would look into sending her when we return to Bath. Did you attend finishing school?”
Kathryn joined him on the sofa. “Oh, I feel terrible. I’ve been so busy with the portrait I just didn’t consider how Elaine must be feeling. To answer your question, no, I didn’t go to school. I think it’s a good idea. There’s a very good school in Bath. My old governess teaches there. If you do send her, she’ll still be able to come home on weekends. They’ll help her prepare for her come-out much better than I could.”
He took her hand, just needing to touch her. “Since we’re speaking of home, when can we return to Bath? From what you said, you should finish the portrait by the end of next week. Can we leave then?”
“If all goes well, we can leave the following Monday. As much as I’ve enjoyed doing this portrait, I shall be glad when I’m finished. I’ve painted four portraits in a row, with very little time in between. I look forward to the quiet of St. John’s Wood. I need to change for dinner.” She stood, leaned in and gave him a quick kiss. He watched as she went through the door, thanking God for bringing him an angel.
When Jonathan retired to his room after dinner, his knee throbbed. Hatton rubbed ointment on it and wrapped it as usual. He took his dose of laudanum, but it did not help. He had a strong temptation to drink but fought it.
He did not want to go to Kathryn with liquor fumes on his breath. Besides, if he took the first drink, he would not be able to stop, and he would end up drunk. Hatton left him alone, and he sat with the cold compresses on his knee, and at last the pain eased.
He’d made progress with Kathryn. While she had not told him she loved him, she did have strong feelings for him. If he could ever break through her shell, she would be a passionate woman.
Well, enough woolgathering, it is time to join my lovely bride.
CHAPTER 27
Mid-November 1823
When Jonathan entered her room, Kathryn was brushing her fiery red hair. He walked over. “Let me do that.”
He took the brush and ran it through her thick tresses. It felt like the finest silk. As he continued brushing, his loins tightened. He could tell she was enjoying it as well by the blissful expression on her face. He laid the brush on the dressing table and ran his fingers through her hair, watching as it flowed down her back.
Their eyes met, and he brushed her locks to the side, exposing the nape of her neck, and kissed it. He stroked her shoulders, and he heard her breath quicken. Pulling her into his arms, he turned her around, then kissed her deeply. When she parted her lips, he slid his tongue into the sweet cavity of her mouth. She tasted sweeter than cherries, and her luscious scent overwhelmed his senses.
Nibbling his way across her cheek to her earlobe, he gently sucked it into his mouth, and she gasped as his tongue licked it. He placed his hand on her breast and it swelled as he rolled her nipple through her night rail.
“Darling, take off your gown so I can see you. Have I told you what a delectable body you have?” She reached for her night rail, and slowly pulled it up and over her head, letting it drop to the floor.
His heart jumped. Her pert nipples were hard as pebbles, and he captured one in his mouth, teasing it gently with his teeth and lips. Kathryn pushed his robe off his chest and ran her long, delicate fingers through his chest hair, which always drove him wild.
“I love it when you do that.” Jonathan shrugged out of his robe and let it fall to the floor. Her eyes widened. He’d always left his smalls on, but not tonight. He took her hand and pulled her to the bed, and she sat on the edge.
“Lie back,” he crooned.
She complied as he parted her lovely thighs and licked her core. His tongue caressed the exposed moist pink folds. As he gently sucked her bud, he circled her tight passage. Jonathan slowly and gently slid his middle finger inside her. Her muscles tighten. “Just relax. I’m not going to hurt you.”
He slid his finger in to the first joint then stopped to give her a chance to accept him. When he felt her opening up for him, he pushed it in the rest of the way, then slowly drew it out, and slid it back in. She gasped, but did not tense up, so he continued. He breathed in her clean, womanly scent of arousal, and his cock grew rock-hard. He licked her core as he stroked her.
Her breathing grew shallow, and she writhed under him. When she neared her release, he stroked faster and sucked on her pretty pearl, then she whimpered and let out a breathless scream as she fell over the edge into bliss. Jonathan looked at her face all aglow from her passion. She’d never looked more beautiful.
He leaned forward so she could see his eyes. Keeping eye contact, he took his shaft and rubbed it across her glistening nether lips, but she stiffened. He murmured, “It’s all right, I shan’t hurt you. Trust me. If it hurts, I will stop. I promise.” He pushed the tip of his shaft in an inch.
Heaven at last.
He pushed in further, and her face tightened; her body tensed. She pounded on his shoulders. “No…No…I…can’t. Please don’t make me.”
He pulled out and gathered her in his arms. “Shh, it’s all right. I promised I would stop, did I not? You’re my sweet, brave girl for trying. I love you, sweetheart.” He gently rocked her until she stopped crying and no longer trembled. It tore his heart in two to see her like this.
Deuce take it.
I hope that bastard is burning in hell.
Even that is too good for him.
“I’m sorry, but it brought back memories of him lying on me, forcing himself inside me. Oh, God, I wish those memories would stop tormenting me.”
He continued to tenderly stroke her back. “It’s all right, we will move through this together. I love you, and even if it never happens, I shall still love you until my last day on earth and beyond. I pray that someday you can return my love, because then, my deepest desire will be fulfilled.”
“Jonathan, I do…I’ve…I have fallen in love with you. I really do want to be your wife in every sense of the word. Please continue to be patient with me. I refuse to let that rogue ruin what I know will be beautiful.” She reached down and wrapped her hand around his cock. “Teach me to pleasure you.”
Her sincere face filled him with awe, and he nodded. “Squeeze it.” He guided her hand up and down. As he drew near his release, he groaned, then kissed her ravenously as he shot his seed over her belly. He held her tight as his breathing returned to normal, and his heartbeat slowed.
A few minutes later, he released her. Jonathan strode to the basin, wet a cloth, then returned and gently cleaned his seed from her belly.
“My sweet, sweet, wonderful girl. Thank you.” He slid into bed beside her and gathered her into his arms. He tenderly kissed her temple. “Go to sleep,
my love.” He tried not to let this disappoint him. Kathryn loved him.
Those were the sweetest, yet bittersweet words he had longed to hear, because even though she loved him, she could not give herself to him. Rage built until he saw red. Oh, God, would they make it through this? He’d pushed her a little too far tonight, but he wanted her so bad.
He was not sure he could keep this up much longer. Perhaps it would be better if he left her alone for a while. Eventually, he dropped off to sleep, holding his beloved wife against his aching heart.
* * * *
Kathryn awoke to tormented moaning. Her head lay against Jonathan’s pounding heart. His skin glistened with sweat, and he shook. “Never…leave my leg alone! Roderick. Roderick. Help me. Don’t let them cut my leg off,” She gently stroked his chest, then he grabbed her. The sudden movement surprised her, jarring a scream from her, and he awoke with terror in his eyes. “Oh, God, did I hurt you? I’m so sorry. I didn’t know what I was doing.”
Kathryn touched his stubbled jaw. “It’s fine.” She inhaled a shaky breath. “I’m fine. You can’t help your dreams. You didn’t hurt me, just scared me a little when you grabbed me. I understand nightmares. I will go months without one, then they start again. The one I had last week disturbed me, because I found myself in the library. I haven’t walked in my sleep in years. One thing I’ve learned…I can’t control them. All I can do is live through them.”
“You’re right; I can’t control them. I used to drink myself into oblivion, but that is no longer an option. Having you beside me made it less horrific. The next time you have a nightmare, wake me up—especially if you’ve been sleepwalking. I want you to depend on me to help you through it. Don’t try to deal with it on your own, all right? I wonder what could have caused your night terrors again.”
“I’m not sure.” She bit her lip. “I promise, if it happens again, I’ll wake you.”
He kissed her temple and sat up. “I need some water. Do you want any?”