Lord Greyton's Fall From Grace (Lords of Avalon Novella Series)

by K. R. Richards

  “It is perfectly fine, sir. We shall be happy to entertain your daughter at our home. She shall be well cared for.” Owen smiled.

  “Very good, it is settled. Thank you, Greyton. If you’ll excuse me, I’ve business waiting in my study that must be completed before my departure tomorrow.”

  Owen smiled at Grace. His mind raced. Grace would be sleeping in his home tomorrow evening! He hardened at the images that sprang to mind.

  “Owen, how wonderful, we can spend the entire day together again tomorrow!” Grace said happily.

  Her beautiful smile heated his blood. Visions of Grace arching beneath him in his bed as he made love to her filled his mind. His cock stirred as he imagined being skin to skin with the woman he would take to wife. Did he dare make love to his lady before he left for Italy? They were to be wed after all. He would definitely have to ponder the question carefully.

  “I believe some of my friends shall arrive tomorrow afternoon. You will be able to meet them and enjoy their company.”

  “You leave in four days,” Grace sighed and frowned.

  “None of that my dearest, I cannot bear the thought of you being sad. After today, we still have two full days to spend together.”

  Grace gave him a small smile. She wanted to ask him if he would come to her tomorrow night. She wanted him to make love to her before he left. Somehow she felt it was very important.

  “I will see you at ten tomorrow morning, my dearest, Grace.”

  “Perhaps since father is leaving early, you could come at nine and join me for breakfast,” she offered with a smile.

  Owen flashed a broad grin. “I shall see you at nine tomorrow morning, Grace.”

  They enjoyed their breakfast. Grace left Owen to change into her riding habit. They rode over the moorland to the wood.

  Owen slid off his mount and placed his hands on Grace’s waist. He slid her slowly down the length of him. He gave her a quick peck on the lips before her feet touched the ground. He grabbed a rolled up bundle from his saddle. “I brought my cape in case of rain. But I think we might sit for a spell when we reach the clearing.”

  Once on the path leading to the clearing, he took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. “You look lovely today, Grace.” And she did. Her riding habit was a dark forest green trimmed in sage. It fit her like a glove, accentuating the fullness of her breasts, the slenderness of her waist and the flare of her hips. He suspected his lady possessed the body of a goddess. Her golden brown hair was well coiffed beneath a jaunty hat of sage and dark green.

  “Thank you, Owen. I’ve never worn this habit before. I saved it for a special occasion.”

  “Today is a special occasion?” He gave her a teasing smile.

  “It is. I’m spending the entire day with my husband-to-be.”

  “I too, think it is a special occasion, Grace.” Owen pulled her into his arms when they reached the clearing where the serene pool awaited them. He kissed her quite passionately. When he lifted his head, he recognized the tell-tale signs of her arousal from their experience the day before, her burning brown eyes, the flush upon her cheeks, her rosy lips were parted.

  Owen reached into his pocket and produced a small box. He presented it to her with a brilliant smile.

  “What is this, Owen?”

  She lifted the lid to reveal a square cut emerald ring surrounded by tiny pearls. “Owen, it’s beautiful.” Tears stung Grace’s eyes.

  “It was my mother’s engagement ring, Grace. I wish it to be yours as well. I know you cannot wear it until we are properly engaged, but I want you to have it. I want you to know you have my heart now and always.”

  “Oh, Owen,” Grace cried out happily as she placed her arms around his neck, making certain the ring stayed safely inside the box.

  Owen was surprised by the passion with which Grace kissed him. His arms snaked about her and he pulled her close, molding the hardness of his body against her softness.

  Grace brought her hands down and closed the lid on the ring box. “Can you keep this in your pocket, I’m afraid I shall lose it,” she whispered in a sultry tone. He slipped the box into his pocket.

  Clearly his lady had other things on her mind. The thought excited Owen. His hands moved to her bottom and he pressed her against his hardening cock. He kissed her hungrily. He allowed his hands to move up her torso to cup her lovely breasts.

  Grace clung to his lapels. “Owen, I want you to make love to me before you go to Italy,” she whispered as she kissed his throat.

  Owen stiffened. He wanted to. Badly. “Grace, my dearest, I could leave you with child.”

  “We shall be married as soon as you return. If I am with child no one shall know before you return.”

  “Grace, I want our first time to be comfortable, I can’t make love to you here in the wood.”

  “I know, but you can come to me tonight, Owen,” she posed.

  He hardened further at the thought of spending the entire night making love to Grace. “Yes, my love. I will come to you tonight.”

  Fiery passion ignited between them and flamed higher, burned stronger as their kisses deepened. Their exploring hands grew bolder, their caresses more demanding, more seductive.

  “Owen, I burn,” Grace whispered, half out of her mind with need.

  His lady was passionate. He considered himself to be a lucky man. He looked about and spied a large fairly flat rock. He backed Grace toward it. He spread out his cape over the rock and lifted her up. He sat her upon it. He continued to kiss her as his hand moved to her hem and lifted her skirts enough for his hand to trail up her stocking covered leg. He continued on to the silkiness of her bare thigh and through the opening of her drawers. He found her gloriously wet already. Owen groaned as he slipped his fingers inside her hot, slick core and massaged her.

  “Owen, isn’t there any way we can both…can you not…oh you must think me horrible!” Grace blushed profusely.

  “No, my love, I am very happy to find you are so passionate.” He continued to stroke her with his fingers. Lord his cock was fully engorged. He longed to slip inside her warmth. Tonight! He could love her tonight.

  When Grace’s hand moved to the fall of his trousers, he froze. “Please, Owen. If we do this now, I shall not be nervous the entire day. We will have more time tonight if we do this now.” She unfastened his trousers and slid her hand inside.

  Feeling her fingers close around his cock almost pushed him over the edge. He allowed her to explore him with her hand for a time. When she began to caress him further, he plucked her hand from his trousers. He removed his hard, erect cock. It stood stiff and rigid as it sprang free from his trousers. Placing his hand beneath her buttocks he pulled her forward slightly. He moved his fingers to the sensitive nub between her thighs and teased her mercilessly until she came apart. She sagged against him, her head resting against his shoulder as she gulped in deep breaths. He leaned into her and placed the head of his cock against her opening.

  “You know it will hurt at first, Grace?” he whispered as he slowly began to fill her. He eased her torso back, his arms cradling her to cushion her from the hardness of the stone. As he laid her down, still holding her close against him, he filled her inch by inch until he reached her barrier. He looked into her liquid brown eyes.

  Grace nodded. “Do it, Owen.”

  He drew his hips back and plunged through the thin barrier, shuddering with pleasure when he found himself embedded deeply inside her wet heat. “Grace, my love,” he whispered against her ear as he urged her to wrap her legs about him. He began to move slowly inside her.

  “Owen!”

  He stopped. “Am I causing you pain, Grace?” he asked in concern, his voice thick.

  “No, no pain. No pain, Owen, don’t stop! Don’t stop.”

  He grinned down at her. Owen watched her features as he pleasured her. He slowly thrust in and out. As she met him, began to move with him, he pushed deeper, moved a little faster, thrust a little harder. His lady
was beautiful and so very passionate!

  He watched her every expression as he made tender love to her, ever aware his lady sat upon a hard stone. Their pace increased. Grace moved with him, matching his rhythm. She moaned and arched beneath him as she neared release again. His need was great. He felt a spasm in his lower back. She was so tight, so hot and wet. Perspiration beaded upon his brow. He pushed deeper. He continued to cushion her with one arm. He moved the other hand to her clitoris with the intention of making her come quickly.

  It was but a few seconds until Grace moaned and convulsed with the power of her release. Owen let go, giving in to the powerful explosion that rocked his being. He rode the waves of ecstasy. He intended to pull out and spill his seed on the rock but he was deep inside her when she shattered and he exploded, pumping his seed into her with long, deep strokes. Her sheath throbbed about him. He thrust deeply twice more, spilling more seed and groaning in pleasure as he did.

  He cradled Grace to him as they recovered. He placed soft kisses to her temple, her eyelids, and her chin. He feathered his lips against hers as they clung to one another, their breathing ragged, both sated but spent.

  “Grace, sweet, Grace,” he murmured as he straightened and pulled out of her. He bent and kissed her lovingly then arms still about her, he drew her up to a sitting position.

  Owen put his clothing back in order. Removing a handkerchief from his coat, he walked to the pool and bent down to wet it. He brought the cloth back and bent to gently clean her.

  Grace saw the pinkish stain on the handkerchief as he drew it away from her.

  “Are you in pain, Grace? Did I hurt you?” He carefully pulled her bunched up skirts back down.

  “No, I’m perfectly fine, Owen, truly. I’m wonderful, in fact.” She gave him a dazzling smile.

  He returned her smile and kissed her again. “I’m the happiest man in the world, Grace,” he whispered in her ear. And he was! He was in love. In his mind, Grace was now his; his woman, soon to be his wife.

  Owen helped Grace set herself to rights. He drew her into his embrace and simply held her. They gazed into each other’s eyes and whispered words of love to one another.

  They returned to Radley for Grace to change and her small trunk to be loaded for her overnight stay at Roseland.

  Although it wasn’t exactly proper, Owen informed Grace she would be staying in the Viscountess’ room, for in his mind she was already his. There was just the matter of formality remaining to make things legal upon his return. He wanted her to stay in the room that would soon belong to her.

  When they arrived at Roseland, they discovered Owen’s party of friends had already arrived.

  Grace was happy to meet them all, yet at the same time it made her quite sad to realize Owen would leave in just three days and be gone for three long months.

  Owen happily introduced Grace to his friends. Libby, Charlie and his sisters along with Matthias also joined their party.

  It was a large group who sat in the drawing room.

  “So you are not going to Italy, Lord Sharpham?” Owen’s sister, Libby, asked Harry Bellingham, Viscount Sharpham.

  “I am afraid not, Lady Elizabeth, for I have much business in London to tend to after a brief sojourn with my family in Glastonbury. I merely came to Roseland to see my colleagues off and bring some of the necessary paperwork they will require upon their arrival in Italy,” Harry supplied.

  “You’re actually going to make it to Glastonbury this summer, Harry?” Micah Wychcombe, Lord Wincanton, asked.

  “Oh, yes. It would seem last summer a local Glastonbury woman had the notion that she’d like to dig up the Abbey looking for treasure she believes was hidden before the Dissolution. I was in London at the time, but father was quite perturbed by her asking. He cannot leave London until next week, so he wishes me to be there until he can arrive. He fears she will return to petition again for permission to dig on the grounds. My mother knows the woman and I think father fears mother may give in to her requests.” Harry shrugged.

  “Treasure! From the Dissolution?” It is entirely possible, Harry. Glastonbury was the last Abbey standing in Somerset and if memory serves, the last Abbot Richard Whiting may have had time to hide away some of the treasures. Glastonbury, if not the wealthiest Abbey in England at that time was-“

  “Micah!” Harry interrupted him.

  “Yes, Harry?” Micah questioned, looking at Harry in irritation.

  “I’m sure the ladies do not wish to hear a dissertation on the dissolution of Glastonbury Abbey.”

  “My apologies, ladies.” Micah gave a nod. He leaned back in his chair and resumed a glum expression. He rolled his eyes.

  “I think it’s very interesting information,” Libby said. “I should like to dig on the Abbey grounds as well. It does sound plausible that there could be treasure from the Dissolution still hidden in the Abbey ruins. I agree with Lord Wincanton.”

  Micah smiled at her. He raised an eyebrow toward Harry. “I too would like to dig on the Abbey grounds, Lady Elizabeth, but that will never happen. Harry’s father, Lord Glaston, forbids it, as Harry has told me many times.”

  Harry glowered at Micah.

  “What?” Micah shrugged.

  “I don’t think the ladies are interested in the history of the Abbey at Glastonbury.” Harry provided.

  Micah gave Harry a sharp look. “Lady Elizabeth, since you do have an interest in the topic, perhaps you will join me for a walk in the garden and we can discuss the possibilities of treasure buried at Glastonbury.”

  “I would love to, Lord Wincanton.” Libby rose, smiled and took Wincanton’s offered arm.

  Harry’s gaze rested on the lovely Miss Brackenridge who sat on the settee across from where he stood. When Owen came to stand beside him, Harry said in a low tone, “Your neighbor, Miss Brackenridge is quite lovely.”

  “She is and she’s mine.” Owen grinned at Harry.

  “Oh,” Harry sighed in disappointment. “I was thinking of taking her for a stroll.”

  “I’m going to marry her when I return from Italy, so you are not allowed to take her for a stroll, Harry. Because I know you, and I know you cannot keep your hands to yourself.”

  “Married?” Harry grimaced. “You’ve been moonstruck, man! I couldn’t possibly think of marriage yet.” Harry shuddered. “I need a brandy just at the mention of marriage. I think I’ll hie off to the study and pour myself one.”

  When Owen saw Lyon sit amongst the ladies, he made his way over. Lyon boldly sat in the chair next to the settee where Grace sat.

  “So you are a neighbor to Greyton and Lady Elizabeth?” Lyon Ravenscroft, the Earl of Amesbury, flashed his legendary grin while he gazed upon Grace.

  “Yes, I am, my Lord,” Grace answered Lord Amesbury’s question. As Owen sat beside her she turned her attention to him and gave her man a bright smile.

  Lyon saw the smile exchanged between the two. He detected Owen’s possessiveness in the glare sent his way.

  “We were taking our morning ride before you arrived. ‘Tis why I was not here to greet you upon your arrival, Lyon,” Owen said pointedly.

  “Ah! Well, I think I shall join Harry in the study.” Frowning, Lyon stood and sauntered out of the drawing room.

  Jonathan “Jack” Drayton, Lord Elveston, sat talking with Matthias and Charlie.

  After a time Owen and the ladies rose from the sitting area and ventured out onto on the veranda.

  Charlie’s sister Tuesday approached the group of gentlemen.

  “Perhaps you gentlemen would care to join us for a walk in the garden?” Tuesday, dressed in a demure confection of pale blue, her golden hair perfectly coiffed, her blue eyes bright, asked them sweetly.

  Jack did not miss that her eyes rested on him at the last. Nor did he miss the slight pink blush that tinged her cheeks. Lady Tuesday had grown into a beauty, of that there was no question. She was young still, probably one and twenty. And though his eyes were always drawn to her, for she
was blessed with quite a nice figure; and he conversed briefly with her often when in her company, he was not interested in marriage. He supposed he might seek her attentions if he was so inclined, but he was not.

  At present he kept an entrancing mistress in London who kept him well-sated. And there were a half–dozen or so amorous and attractive matrons whom he entertained in out of the way darkened rooms during the balls and parties of the Season. The thought of marriage definitely dampened his spirits.

  “I must decline your invitation, Lady Tuesday. I’m to join Harry and Lyon in Greyton’s study. We have a great deal of business to discuss before our departure.”

  Jack did not miss the disappointment in Lady Tuesday’s eyes. He felt a small pang of regret at being the cause of the light in her French blue eyes dimming so.

  “I shall join you, Lady Tuesday.” Matthias offered his arm. “Come let’s join Owen and the ladies, shall we?”

  “I’ll be along in a moment, brat.” Charlie winked at his sister.

  Tuesday smiled at her brother.

  When Charlie and Jack were alone, Charlie spoke, “I must caution you once again, Jack. Tuesday still has a tendre for you.”

  Jack shrugged, “I am always kind to her, Charlie. I would never dally with your sister, this you know. And I am certainly not heading to the altar. She is safe from me.”

  “I saw how you were looking at her just now, Jack, and I didn’t like it.” Charlie shook a warning finger at him.

  “I could not help but look at her, Charlie! She stood right in front of me!” Tuesday, obviously an innocent, possessed the body of a woman. It was a contrast, yet a heady mixture if ever there was one. “I always treat your sister with the utmost politeness, as you are well aware.”

  “I shall join m’sisters in the garden. You are free to join the others in the study.” Charlie stood. “It was just a reminder, Jack. I know you’d never dally with or hurt one of my sisters. I do appreciate the fact that you treat Tuesday with kindness.”

  Jack nodded and took himself in the direction of the study. Lady Tuesday was nothing but trouble for him. No longer a girl, now a woman he apparently found attractive for he caught himself watching her often upon his recent arrival to Roseland; she was still and always would be Charlie’s sister. A dalliance would end badly for them both; and marriage would be the end of him. Lady Tuesday was most definitely trouble.