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

by K. R. Richards

  Chapter Six

  Later that evening, after dinner, Wednesday played the pianoforte so the party could partake in dancing.

  Owen had been attentive to Grace the entire day. Now, as Grace whirled in his arms, she allowed herself to think about the night ahead. Owen would come to her.

  “Are you feeling well Grace, after…this morning?” Owen searched her eyes and face for any signs of distress.

  “I am fine, Owen, as I told you not an hour ago!” Grace grinned up at him.

  “Just making certain, my dearest,” Owen whispered so close to her ear she felt his lips against her skin. “If you are tender we can wait-“

  “I am fine, Owen.” Grace assured him.

  Owen grinned down at her. “Perfect. After our party retires and the household has quieted, I shall come through the connecting door to your chamber, my love,” he again whispered.

  “You had better.”

  “There is nothing that could keep me away from you tonight, Grace.”

  His thumb caressed her fingers as he held her hand. His fingers splayed upon her back were warm as he pressed her slightly closer to him. Grace smiled up at him. Everything about her relationship with Owen seemed so magical.

  Owen vowed to himself to make certain this night was perfect for them both.

  Jack chose not to dance, for there were far more gentlemen than ladies. His gaze eventually rested on Lady Tuesday who sat looking rather forlorn in the corner across the room. She smiled at something Lady Elizabeth said to her though he knew it was forced. There was not the usual light in Lady Tuesday’s eyes. Since when had he taken notice of Lady Tuesday’s eyes or her moods for that matter? He hoped at that moment it was true what Lyon said of Italian women, that they were extremely passionate and eager to please. He’d find himself a passionate Italian mistress while they were in Italy. Indeed he would.

  Lady Tuesday looked up and met his gaze. She gave him a brilliant smile. Jack merely nodded and turned away, but not before he saw disappointment dim her blue eyes. Blast!

  Moments later he watched Micah lead Lady Elizabeth to their makeshift dance floor. He chanced another glance at Lady Tuesday. She looked quite sad and unhappy. It ate at him. Finally he stood and walked toward the corner where Lady Tuesday sat alone.

  “Lady Tuesday, may I join you?” Jack asked as he approached her.

  She seemed rather surprised and nodded, motioning for him to sit down. “Of course. Please sit, Lord Elveston.”

  Jack could smell her perfume. Jasmine, the scent was sweet and light. Sitting so close to her, he realized a man could drown in her large, brilliant azure eyes. Her eyes were defined by golden brown brows and framed by incredibly long and thick brown lashes tipped in gold. He realized the demure cut of her gown made her look more girl-like than woman. Up close, her full rosy lips, those incredible eyes, and the fact that he presently watched her more than adequate bosom rise as she took a deep breath screamed the essence of a woman to him. In fact, Jack felt a tightening in his groin without even laying a hand on her. It perplexed him. Trouble.

  “Charlie says the remains of the city you will be excavating were buried by a volcano,” Tuesday decided she must attempt to make intelligent conversation.

  “Yes. I am eager to see what we can find. There is rumored to be a Temple there.”

  “Yes, Charlie says that you gentlemen believe it to be the Temple of Venus,” Tuesday continued, “I should like to see Rome and even the city you are excavating someday. I am very interested in history, especially the Greek and Roman era.”

  “Are you?” Jack had not known Charlie’s sister shared his passion for history. Her interest was genuine as evidenced by the light in her quite lovely eyes as she spoke.

  “Yes, I read a great deal. Plato, Socrates, Pliney, Josephus, and Tacitus, I could go on.” She shrugged. “I have read many things written by Julius Caesar. I am also interested in Alexandria, especially the lost library. Oh, and Cleopatra. Her great-great granddaughter was Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, did you know that?”

  “I did not. I find that very interesting, Lady Tuesday.” So the girl, whom he suddenly realized was indeed a woman, was also intelligent and a scholar. Trouble! Jack fought the urge to take the beauty outside to the veranda to steal a kiss. He was surprised that he actually lusted after Charlie’s sister! Heaven help him. But he could dance with her, surely Charlie would not object to that. She sat here all alone, looking sad and forlorn. Well, she seemed rather glum until he’d arrived to sit with her, in any case. The sounds of the pianoforte stopped. Jack looked to Tuesday, “Would you care to dance the next, Lady Tuesday?”

  “I would. Thank you, Lord Elveston.”

  Jack could not miss the breathtaking smile Lady Tuesday bestowed upon him. He returned her smile.

  The dance was a Quadrille and thus offered less intimate contact than a waltz. There were only three couples dancing. But when he held Tuesday’s hand, even for a few seconds, Jack experienced the strangest sensation. He couldn’t explain the overpowering rush of energy that resembled lust, but was infinitely more powerful if that were possible. Since he could not explain the odd experience and since Charlie’s eyes never left him while he danced with his sister; Jack bowed to Lady Tuesday at the end of the dance. After politely thanking her, he removed to the billiard room where Harry and Lyon amused themselves. No doubt there would be a fine snifter of brandy available.

  The large clock in the entry gonged the midnight hour as Owen finally made his way upstairs. This had been the most incredible day. He and Grace spent almost every moment together. Even when they were across the room from one another, their eyes would meet. They exchanged smiles. Oh, he took a great deal of ribbing in the library from his comrades after the ladies retired. It mattered not. He was madly, deeply and passionately in love with Grace Brackenridge.

  He only wished her father had allowed him to secure their engagement before he left. But he loved Grace, he trusted her and she promised him she would wait for him to return.

  And tonight, he could make love to her throughout the night. He could show her how he felt. He hardened at the thought of finally seeing Grace completely naked. He hurried down the corridor to his chamber. He entered, removed his coat, shirt and waistcoat, and his boots. He opened the connecting door. A lone candle burned on the bedside table. Grace slept in the midst of the large testered bed.

  He eased himself onto the mattress beside his lady. A gentleman would let her sleep, he reasoned, but he wasn’t going to lose a moment of time he could spend making love to his lady in the Viscountess’ bed.

  He untied the ribbon of her nightrail and pulled the neckline down to reveal her beautiful breasts. He caressed them until she stirred. Her gorgeous dark eyes opened. She smiled and stretched before wrapping her arms around his neck. Owen kissed her passionately. He sat her up and pulled her nightrail over her head. His gaze swept hungrily over her lovely body, her slender waist, her full, pert breasts, the lovely curve of her hips and her shapely legs. He stood and removed his trousers.

  Grace looked at Owen’s hard erection, standing straight up. She remembered how it felt that morning to have him inside her. She reached out and caressed him.

  Owen stepped closer to the bed. Grace ran her hand up and down his hard length. Grace looked up to see his jaw held rigid and his eyes darken. The knowledge that she was giving him pleasure proved to be a most exhilarating feeling.

  Owen allowed Grace to caress him for awhile. When he feared her sweet touch might do him in, he gently removed her hand. He slid into the bed beside her and gazed at her lovely body. He looked his fill of her then dipped his head, drawing one pert nipple into his mouth.

  Grace threaded her hands through his dark hair. After he spent some time at her breasts, Owen moved farther down her torso. His lips paid homage to her ribs, her flat belly and moved beyond to the dark curls between her thighs.

  “Owen!” Grace’s fingers grasped the sheet as she lifted her head. She met his
gaze as he continued to pleasure her with his tongue, his lips. Grace closed her eyes and gave in to the powerful sensations. She writhed, arched and moaned. When her abdomen tightened, she gave in, let go. Pleasure rushed through her in crashing waves.

  Owen slid upward, he kissed her deeply. “Grace, you are not too tender after our lovemaking this morning, are you?”

  “No, Owen I am not tender, I want you.”

  He slowly entered her. “Did I bring you any discomfort, Grace?” he asked through gritted teeth. The feeling of being embedded in her hot, wet sheath was incredible.

  “No,” Grace answered breathlessly as she wrapped her legs about him. She wanted to feel him deeper inside her.

  Owen began his rhythm. Grace was with him, moving her hips to match his thrusts. She caressed the muscles on his chest, his arms, his back, his buttocks. Everywhere she touched him he burned. His rhythm increased. Owen thrust faster, deeper, watching Grace’s every expression as he gave her pleasure.

  Grace found being joined with Owen quite the most wonderful experience. She felt they were one. She liked being skin to skin with him, savored the feel of the coarse hairs of his chest teasing her breasts. She moaned softly as he began to thrust deeper. She clung to him as the familiar tightening began, as the need for release built inside her like a raging inferno. She cried out as she reached the crescendo. Time seemed to stand still as she hovered on the precipice of pure ecstasy. Pleasure, hot and molten, rushed throughout her body with a fury, leaving her boneless and trembling. She felt his lips against her ear, heard his guttural groan as he continued to thrust into her. She felt him tense and shudder as warmth flooded her. They lay there, entwined, gasping for breath for long moments.

  Owen gathered her in his arms and held her close. He kissed her temple. “Grace, my love, I cannot wait for us to marry, to be with you every night like this.” He kissed her temple tenderly. “I love you, Grace.”

  “I love you too, Owen,” Grace whispered as she snuggled against him, tucking her head beneath his chin. She listened to the steady beat of his heart until she drifted off to sleep.

  They woke several hours later and loved one another gently. They slept and woke in the hour before dawn. Knowing Owen would have to return to his chamber before the household stirred, they made passionate, frenzied love to one another and drove each other to the heights of ecstasy yet again. They were both left gasping for breath and boneless in the euphoria of their powerful joining.

  Owen kissed her tenderly before he slid from her bed. “Since we have visitors, Grace, do you suppose your father would allow you to remain another night?” Owen posed hopefully. He had just spent the most incredible night with the woman he loved, he wanted - no he needed one more night.

  “I think he will,” Grace answered. Her father had been very accommodating. She surmised he must approve of Owen as her suitor, though he had never said a word to her.

  “I’ll have father send a letter requesting that you remain with us another night,” Owen smiled as he caressed her cheek with his hand.

  Grace beamed. “I would love to stay another night providing you join me in my bed.” She caressed Owen’s cheek in return and bestowed a kiss filled with passion upon him before he left her alone in the bed.

  “I will join you in your bed, my love. I’ll see you at breakfast in a few hours,” he grinned.

  Grace yawned as the door closed. She fell asleep with a smile upon her face.

  After breakfast, Owen invited Grace for a morning ride. Lord Wincanton and Lady Elizabeth were planning to ride also. After Grace changed and returned downstairs, she found Owen awaiting her.

  “Where are Libby and Lord Wincanton?”

  “They chose to ride along the Quay. I told them we were headed for the wood.” Owen’s eyes gleamed mischievously. “So we shall be alone.” He grinned devilishly.

  Once they made it to the pool and waterfall, Owen laid down the quilt he brought along. He pulled his lady to him and kissed her quite passionately. He eased her down onto the quilt and slid his hand up her skirts. Grace pushed his coat over his broad shoulders and worked at unfastening his waistcoat and shirt. Before long they lay entwined and naked. They made love to one another. After they rested, Owen carried her into the pool.

  “Wrap your legs around me, Grace,” he whispered huskily.

  Grace squealed as he waded slowly into the pool. He stopped when they were submerged in cold water up to their ribs. “It’s cold, Owen!” She snuggled closer against his warm body.

  She heard the rumble of Owen’s chuckle deep in his chest as she leaned against him.

  “But I’m warm,” Owen whispered against her ear. Grace felt the warm tip of him at her opening. She shuddered with pleasure as he slid into her, “and you are very warm, my love, hot, even.”

  His voice was deep and thick with huskiness as he whispered words of love into her ear. She felt him nip at the skin at the top of her shoulder with his teeth. She shivered with delight. She was cold and warm at the same time. Excitement grew within her as Owens hips moved beneath her and his hard length pushed upward deep inside her. She felt him so acutely this way. She moaned as she began to feel the delightful shivers of ecstasy ripple through her. She tilted her face upward. Owen kissed her deeply as his hands splayed across her buttocks and he lifted her up and arched to plant himself deep within her every time he pushed her back down.

  Grace’s fingernails were dug into his shoulders. He knew she was about to come, the way she panted and moaned each time he thrust into her hot core. Realizing her legs were trembling he moved to shallower water that lapped below her waist when he set her down on her feet. He turned her so he was behind her and instructed her to bend slightly. His hands caressed her breasts. He placed soft kisses between her shoulder blades and across her shoulders. He entered her from behind.

  Grace cried out, her hands moving to clutch his arms as his hands squeezed and caressed her breasts. She arched her back as she pushed herself against him, taking him deeper. Owen thrust into her hard and fast, the water churning around them as he surged onward taking them both over the edge.

  They cried out together as they soared and flew, the white flames of ecstasy consuming them. They floated back to reality in a dreamy haze. Owen pulled out and turned her to face him. He bent and scooped her into his arms and carried her back to the quilt where they lay, boneless, their breathing labored. After they recovered, they lay there talking, kissing and caressing one another until they were dry. They dressed and left the magical clearing behind them to return to Roseland.

  They changed out of their riding clothes and now sat in the drawing room and joined the others playing at cards. It was becoming an increasingly difficult task for Owen to keep his hands to himself when in company with Grace. He longed to take her hand or to caress her cheek as he did so often when they were alone. Grace sat in the chair across from him. They gazed lovingly at one another often.

  The party playing cards was boisterous. Lyon was caught cheating by Micah and Libby. Everyone knew Harry was cheating but could not prove it. Charlie and Matthias merely played to win. Owen and Grace played very poorly for they were too busy looking into one other’s eyes. Jack watched Lady Tuesday very closely to try and best her. As it happened, Lady Tuesday and Lady Wednesday came out victorious and were the winners of the day.

  The group adjourned to the garden for a stroll before changing for dinner. The next morning, the gentlemen would leave to begin the first leg of their journey over land to Plymouth where they would set sail for Italy.

  All afternoon, Owen battled his uneasiness. He truly felt that he shouldn’t go to Italy. Yet he knew he must. He committed to the excavation and though he would miss Grace terribly, he was excited to uncover the secrets of the buried city. Working hard as they would be, the three months would go by quickly and he would return to make Grace his wife soon enough.

  It was a merry party that evening at dinner. All were in high spirits except Owen and Grace. It
seemed they both dreaded their parting the following morning.

  “Lord Sharpham, it is a pity you are not going to Italy,” Lady Tuesday commented.

  “I would like to go, however, my affairs in Town do not allow me to leave England at this time,” Harry informed her. “I will leave tomorrow to stop at Eveleigh Park for a day then I’m on to Glastonbury for several days. Then I must return to London. I wish I were going to Italy.”

  “You will miss the dig of the century, I fear,” Micah said.

  “Indeed, for I plan to find the Temple of Venus,” Lyon said with a mischievous grin.

  “There is much to be found, I for one shall be happy unearthing a city. Can you imagine what great wonders we shall find?” Charlie smiled happily.

  “And we shall spend some time in Rome as well and see the sites.” Jack glanced at Lady Tuesday and noted his remark caught her attention. She appeared to be ignoring him since their dance the previous evening and for some unexplainable reason that bothered him.

  “I am jealous that all of you get to go to Rome,” Tuesday said glumly. “I would so love to see it.”

  “Perhaps someday your brother can take you to Rome,” Jack posed with a smile.

  Tuesday returned his smile. Jack gave her a nod. He savored his small victory.

  Charlie grimaced, “There’s not enough money in the world that someone could pay me to take my two bratty little sisters to Rome for holiday.” Charlie grinned mischievously at each one of them, “You will have to wait until you find husbands and hoodwink them into taking you to Rome!” He smiled broadly and gave his sisters a wink. He leveled a more meaningful look at Jack.

  The mention of the word husband silenced Jack quite effectively.