Lorenzo looked on with confusion.
Maura turned to Anthony. “A boon if you reach the other shore first.”
Anthony’s eyes widened, and Maura didn’t bother to look over and see either Lorenzo or Julius’s reaction. Then Anthony tossed his head back and laughed. When he was facing her again, the look on his face forced Maura’s throat to close. Hunger darkened his blue eyes.
She squeaked as the boat rocked and Anthony began to propel them down the river with great strength, his arms moving with such strength and force as though he controlled the river’s currents themselves. His eyes were focused on her, roaming her with an onslaught of lust that heated her cheeks.
“Just a boon,” she whispered. “A kiss, nothing more.”
He chuckled and growled. “They always want more.”
Maura didn’t doubt it, even she couldn’t deny her growing heady curiosity.
Julius’s blond head came into view. There was no desire in his eyes, only pure rage and he was using that anger to push him and his boat along.
“He’s getting closer,” she said to Anthony, even though now she wasn’t sure if she wanted Anthony to win or not.
“He won’t win,” the earl promised her. The desire had been pushed from his gaze as new determination took over.
The wind whipped at Maura’s hair, and she let go of the boat to tuck curls behind her ears.
The boat rock to its side and Maura grabbed for the side just in time.
“You’ll not be getting her to the shore!” Julius shouted, now nearly at their side. He looked nearly deranged.
“Cousin!” Lorenzo made a grab for him. “Calm yourself or we’ll all fall out.”
“So be it.” His oar tangled with Anthony’s and hit their boat again.
Anthony cursed. “You’re mad.” He fought to get his oar away from Julius’s. The boats began to turn.
“Julius, stop this!” Maura shouted as Julius’s side of the boat came close to her. He was nearly in reach and once he was, he dropped his oars and grabbed her.
His arms locked around her, and her back his met his chest with great force. “You lied to me,” he murmured in her ear.
She fought as though the arms that held her belonged to a pirate.
“Stop fighting me unless you know how to swim,” Julius said.
Anthony raised his oar as though ready to attack. “Let go of the woman.” His eyes meant business.
Lorenzo grabbed Anthony’s oar, protecting his cousin. The two began a struggle.
Maura could hear the murmurs from the rest of the group as they drew closer. The Spinsters knew what was happening. The men were confused. Maura stopped her struggles, because she didn’t want to fall into the water and make a bigger scene than she already was.
Lorenzo and Anthony’s struggles made both boats tilt again.
Maura let out a scream and then became submerged in water. Julius went with her. The cold of the river currents froze her skin and then there was air and sunlight again as her body was pulled out.
“I’ve got you,” Julius whispered, his arms tightening around her.
Maura clung to him, freezing. The cool air of the day chilled her from head to toe.
There were shouts from everywhere, and Maura placed her head against Julius’s neck, trying to hide her face from this embarrassing moment. There was pain in her head from where her pins pulled at her heavy locks and she used one hand to dig in and pull them out.
Then they were walking, and Maura lifted her head and noticed they’d nearly made it to the shore by the castle. Anthony was only a few yards away. The water was shallow enough for Julius to walk through, which meant so could she.
“You can put me down now,” she whispered.
Julius’s reply was nothing more than a grunt.
She pulled away to look at his face. She didn’t know what to say to him. She felt horrible guilt for what she’d done, but an apology seemed entirely inadequate, especially when Julius’s eyes met hers and she could see pain mixed with his anger. “I’m sorry.”
He looked away as he continued onto the shore. His face hardened.
“You can put me down now,” she said again. “I can walk.”
Again, he didn’t reply. When footmen and maids moved to help, he sent them back with nothing more than a look and tightened his already possessive grip.
He pushed through the servants’ entrance at the side of the house and started down the hall. He passed the stairway that would lead to the bedchambers and turned. She recognized the castle’s grand vestibule. It was blessedly empty.
She shook her head. “I don’t understand you. Just put me down. There’s no reason to be around me further. You think me mad.” Her heart raced with great pain.
Julius’s violet eyes were cold as they met hers. “What you did last night proves to me that there is something very wrong with you.”
Maura felt her own anger rising and then she began to fight him without an ounce of dignity. She slapped him. Hard. She pushed him. Pushed at his face. He was forced to let her go if he wished to be left without bruises. The moment her feet hit the floor, she was running, but her wet skirts slowed her down.
He grabbed her again, locking his arms around her, making it impossible for her to fight back.
She lifted her leg to kick him.
His pained words cut through her like a blade. “You have no idea what your cruel little display of madness did to me last night.”
* * *
chapter 39
* * *
Maura lowered her foot and tried to cling to her anger but found it hard to do so. She blinked back tears. Her voice was deepened with emotion. “You hurt me.”
“When?”
When? When hadn’t he?
“You told Anthony I was mad. You had no right.” Tears spilled down her face, but his arms made it impossible for her to wipe them away. “You were my friend.”
He turned her around, his expression was soft. “I am your friend, Maura.”
She wiped at her face and shook her head. “I trusted you. Friends don’t say things like that. They don’t do that to one another.”
“They do when…” His fingers tightened on her shoulders. “I couldn’t let him marry you, Maura.”
“Why?” She didn’t understand.
His fingers were nearly painful as they dug into her. He tightened his lips and then closed his eyes. “He can’t have you.”
Her heart was beating at a dashing speed that almost made her feel light in the head. “Why? Because, you’re the only one who understands my madness? It’s not enough for me, Julius. I can’t marry you. I won’t allow you to shut me away in some house on the other side of London. I’d rather go to Bedlam.”
“Then we’ll stay together.” He frowned. “I already told you this last night.”
“But you don’t want to stay with me, Julius.” She placed a hand on his chest and started to push away. “Let me find someone who does.” Please, just let me go. Stop breaking my heart.
“Maura, you think I don’t want to be with you? You think I don’t want to touch you whenever I can? Make love to you every day? I do. More than you know.” He lowered his head and pressed his open mouth to hers.
Her body reacted in the only way it could to Julius’s kiss. Her arms went around him. He pressed closer. His tongue stroked hers and her inner muscles tightened in memory of what his mouth had done to her just the previous morning.
She ceased to feel any emotion besides a fierce need for him as he pleasured her mouth.
He set his fingers loose in her hair and kissed her cheek and lips. “There are times when I want you so greatly that I fear I’m the one who’s mad.” He kissed her again and pulled away to meet her eyes.
She trembled in his hold, not wishing the moment to end, yet still knowing there was so much to be said. “Do you want me out of pity?”
His eyes roamed her face and stopped at her mouth. His hands moved to her lower back a
nd pulled her against him. Through their wet clothes, she felt his erection. Hard and thick and long. She gripped his coat, trying to cling to her sanity.
“Does that feel like pity?” he asked in a calm whisper.
It certainly did not.
Julius brought her even closer, but she realized a moment later that it was not to continue the kiss.
There was the clearing of a throat and Maura jumped before turning to find Lorena at the edge of the hall. Behind her was… everyone. The Spinsters had tears in their eyes. The Brotherhood looked amused. She didn’t allow her eyes to settle on anyone else. Instead, she decided to hide her face in Julius’s arm. She swallowed and wondered how long they’d all been standing there. Then she decided she didn’t ever want to know.
“Vicar Clement is here to see Lord Darvess,” the butler announced.
Maura’s eyes widened, and she turned around just as a young man came into the house. He smiled, though he seemed a bit nervous as he glanced around the room. His gaze then landed on Morris.
“Your Grace.” He bowed. He had a full head of brown hair and nice brown eyes. He was nothing like the vicar from Maura’s town, the one who’d whipped her senseless as a child.
Still, his position frightened her and, as if he knew, Julius’s arm tightened around her.
Morris moved from those who were still gathered at the edge of the hall and stood by the vicar. “Vicar Clement, I didn’t know Lord Darvess had called you here, but I can only guess at his reason.” Morris’s eyes turned to Julius and then Maura before he walked the clergyman toward them.
Maura realized again that she was wet as the vicar looked her over. His eyes settled at her chest for an indecent moment and then he smiled.
Morris said, “You’ll have to excuse their appearance. There was an… incident at the river. I would like you to meet the Marquess of Darvess and Miss Maura Shaw.”
“My fiancée,” Julius finished.
She froze at the words and remembered why the vicar had come. Her lungs emptied, and she thought she might faint, but Julius kept her on her feet.
The young vicar bowed again. “Lord Darvess, a pleasure.” He nodded to Maura and again, his eyes moved to her chest. “A pleasure, Miss Shaw.” His voice dipped a note or two.
Maura covered her chest at once.
Morris went on. “Vicar Clement comes from one of the local gentry families. A second son.”
“My family owns the second largest plot in Cort,” the man of the church offered with vulgar cheer. It was no wonder how he’d gained his position. More often than not, the vicars and rectors alike didn’t have to be devoted to God but rather wealthy enough to get their way.
Clement glanced around the room and then turned to Julius. “Perhaps, we could speak in private about the reason I’ve come.”
“No need,” Julius went on. “The men and women present will be our witnesses. Name your price.”
Maura looked up at Julius to find him glaring at the vicar. She wondered at his anger even as he asked the man for a favor.
Clement’s expression became serious. “Well, as you know, it is custom for the banns to be read at least three times before a ceremony can be set.” He glanced around again and then turned to Julius once more. “But the church would accept certain… donations in place of custom.” He smiled and lifted his brows and curved his greedy lips as he waited for Julius’s reply.
Maura opened her mouth to speak to Julius, unsure of what she would say, but Julius spoke first, announcing an outrageous number to the man of God. It was over twice the amount that a clergyman would make in a year.
Morris cleared his throat and blinked. There were some gasps from behind them.
Clement’s eyes widened and his mouth gaped. He, like everyone else, was at a loss for words. But then he seemed to find himself and nodded. “T-that will do. The church t-thanks you for your charitable donation.” He bowed low.
Julius’s reply was cold. “And I thank you to keep your eyes off my fiancée.”
Clement’s face paled.
Maura turned to Julius again and understood his fiery. It was on her behalf. She was more than a little moved by the way he’d addressed the vicar. He may never love her, but he’d keep his word and protect her. Still, she was nervous. A week ago, she hadn’t imagined herself marrying at all. Now, it was a reality. She’d become someone’s wife just to remain with her friends. She was also struggling to accept just how much Julius wanted her. All the teasing had come to this. The truth had been evident against her belly when he’d pressed himself against her. It couldn’t be denied, but was it enough?
The vicar coughed. “Of course. Forgive me, my lord. I...” He didn’t even glance at Maura again as he asked, “When would you like to have this done?”
“Now.”
“Julius.” Maura looked at him with wide eyes. “We still have time.” She still had time to decide and make a decision.
Lorenzo stood at the window. “Another carriage is approaching.” He turned to Maura. “It’s your mother’s. I’d recognize it anywhere.”
No. There was no time.
She turned to Julius again. She wasn’t ready.
He touched her cheek and lowered his voice. “Marry me, Maura. Don’t let him take you away from me.”
She closed her eyes and trembled. It was the ‘from me’ that called to her. Those final two words sealed her fate. She only wished she’d had more time. There was so much more to discuss about their arrangement, but all of it would have to come later. “You swear to not send me away.”
He lowered his head. “You’d have to run in order to get away from me and even then, I’d catch you.”
She shivered.
He turned to the vicar as they heard the horses approach. “Marry us. Now.”
The vicar straightened and began at once, his words not registering in Maura’s mind. She was getting married. Her friends were present. She had to look like a drowned cat in her soaked things.
Julius grabbed Maura’s trembling hands.
The butler opened the door and two footmen went out. There were footsteps descending and then footsteps coming back in a rush.
“I will,” Julius vowed. His grip tightened on hers.
Maura looked at him and found his eyes to be steady, so much steadier than her heart. The rage, anger, and hurt were all gone. Not even the lust showed, though she knew it lingered. Instead, he seemed mildly content if not also a little impatient. She loved his eyes and knew she’d be looking into them for many years to come. Then he lifted a brow. “Maura?”
She turned to the vicar. “I will.”
“Then, by the powers invested in me. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may—”
Julius lifted her chin and sealed his mouth on hers. The kiss was hot and hard. He held none of this greed back as his tongue assaulted her. Maura continued to tremble. There was no doubt who she belonged to now. She was Julius’s. She’d always been his.
He hit her lip before he pulled away and she was unnerved by the full force of the desire in his gaze.
“Maura?” said her mother.
* * *
chapter 40
* * *
Maura turned, pulling her mouth away from Julius to glance over her shoulder.
Matilda Shaw’s blue gaze flickered from Julius to Maura in wonder. She was likely taking in her daughter’s wet hair and clothes, the appearance of a vicar, and the fact that Julius was holding her in a grip that said he had no intention of letting her go now or ever.
Maura tried to move away but her… husband… would not allow it. She turned to him and narrowed her eyes. “Let me go to my mother.”
Julius’s face showed his struggle to make a decision, but reluctantly, his fingers fell away, and Maura moved to her mother.
She stopped just short of wrapping her arms about Matilda, recalling that her clothes were wet. “Mother…” She didn’t know what to say. Everyone still stood in the foyer. Mute.
&
nbsp; Matilda blinked, looking quite dignified in her blue traveling suit. Not a strand of her blond hair was out of place. She was a gorgeous woman who usually had much to say, but at the moment, she, too, remained silent.
Maura’s heart raced as she caught her father’s dark eyes. He seemed larger than she remembered. Taller, though it could just be her mind playing tricks on her with the fear of what he’d come to do. His skin had tanned a deep rich color and his black hair had begun to gray, which didn’t detract from his sheer beauty. It had been over three years since she’d seen him, and Maura didn’t know how to react.
“Catalina,” Adrian called, using Maura’s middle name, saying it with deep emotion and a strong Spanish accent that one couldn’t help but love. He was the only one who ever called her that, and it never failed to make her smile. He grinned as he approached, giving his hat to the butler. “How are you, my darling?”
Maura took a step toward him, and he closed the distance.
His arms went around her, holding her close, never caring about her wet state. His hold and scent seemed foreign and yet the same as before.
He pulled away and stroked his hands through her hair. “Catalina, what has happened?” His gaze grew worried and he spoke in Spanish, slowly at first, but then with speed. “Darling, why are you wet? I’ve been worried about you. I’ve thought about you every day since I left. Your mother told me she let you out of Bedlam. I am not upset with her for it. How can I be, when I left her alone for so long? Daughter, what has taken place?”
Maura bit her lip and replied to her father in his native tongue. “Papa, it was an accident, nothing more. I fell into the river. I was on a boat and then… I wasn’t anymore.” She stopped when she knew she wasn’t making much sense.
Julius approached, coming to stand at Maura’s side. “We’ve not been introduced. I’m Julius Hext, Marquess of Darvess.”
Adrian turned his eyes away from Maura and looked Julius over before he smiled and bowed. He switched back to English. “Baron Foxridge.” There was charm in his gaze but also confusion.
Maura’s Special Spinster’s Society (The Spinster’s Society) (A Regency Romance Book) Page 14