Romantically Enchanted: A Twisted Fairytale Collection

by Madeline Martin

  When the music ended, he led her away from the floor and out of the room entirely. He wanted to be alone with her. She didn’t argue with him as he led her outside and into the garden. The light came from the moon’s illumination. She nearly shined in the soft glow. They continued to walk in silence until they reached the heart of the garden. A statue of the Greek goddess Aphrodite rested in the middle of a fountain in the center of the path. Water poured over her scantily clad marble body and into the pool below. Light spray spilled out of it and misted over them as they neared. Ryan stopped near the fountain and turned to face her.

  “Now that you have me alone what do you plan on doing with me?” Lady Annalise teased.

  “I had hoped to have an uninterrupted conversation.” He’d like more than that, but he wouldn’t push his luck.

  “That’s all?” She sounded almost—disappointed. What did she want from him?

  He lifted his hand and traced a finger over her soft lips. He’d trail it over her cheeks and hair if they weren’t covered. He wanted to remove her masque and hood and see all her beauty. Ryan refrained from giving into that urge and lowered his hand to her waist to pull her closer to him instead. There were more pressing matters at hand. “Isn’t it enough?”

  She nibbled on her lower lip. “No.” Lady Annalise closed what little distance remained between them. “Kiss me,” she demanded. “I want to feel passion while I still can.”

  Ryan swallowed hard. He shouldn’t even think about it let alone do it, but he was weak. Kissing her was all he’d thought about for days now. He too wanted to feel passion and revel in it. She licked her lips and what little control he had left evaporated. He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. Fire shot through him and engulfed him. A mere touch wasn’t enough. He had to have more—whatever she’d give him, and even that might not be sufficient.

  Lady Annalise wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him. She opened her mouth on a sigh and he took advantage of it. Their tongues touched, and he lost all ability to think. The kiss escalated into overwhelming passion. He lifted one of his hands and glided his fingers over her waist, then upward to her bosom. She sighed again as he rubbed her pert breast under the pad of his thumb. Her moans of pleasure echoed through the garden and served as a reminder why he was there. With extreme effort on his part, he stepped away from her. His breathing was ragged and barely under control.

  “Why did you stop?”

  “This is not the place for such fervent activity.” He fought to control his breath and his need. He’d hardened to unbearable degrees, but she didn’t have to know that much. “I had hoped we could talk.” He sounded like an arse…

  “I don’t understand…” Lady Annalise glanced away, staring at a nearby rosebush.

  She sounded so sad. He wanted to take that melancholy away. She must feel so defeated after her father’s announcement. He had to do something to make her feel better, even if for a moment. Ryan leaned down and plucked a red rose from the bush and carefully removed the thorns. Then he took off his ruby cravat pin. He walked over and presented the flower to her. “Don’t be disheartened, my lady.” Ryan pinned the flower to her sleeve. “Not all is lost.”

  She smiled, but it still held a hint of sadness to it. “It’s difficult to have hope in times of sorrow.”

  “Your grandmother has a plan. She wants you to visit her first thing tomorrow. Can you do that?”

  She tilted her head and studied him. “I don’t think I understand you.”

  Some days he didn’t understand himself, so he didn’t know how to answer her. He was a man with many faults, but he cared deeply for her. She’d had a pull on him since the first moment he’d crossed her path at Manchester Castle. He hadn’t wanted to admit it then, and it terrified him to acknowledge it now. Lady Shelburne wanted to save her as much as he did. He had to stick to the scheme she had devised. He might not comprehend how it would work, but he trusted that it would. “We should go back inside.”

  She frowned. “Fine. Please lead the way my lord.”

  They hadn’t used names. Not once had they vocalized what they truly wanted from each other. The kiss had said more than words could anyway. In time, he’d tell her because those unspoken words did mean something, and he wanted to ensure there were no misunderstandings, but it could wait until later. The announcement of Lady Annalise’s engagement was set to come at midnight, and they should be inside to either hear it or prevent it.

  Once inside, Lady Annalise disentangled her arm from his and left him alone. He hated that they must separate, but it was for the best. As the chimes rang indicating midnight neared, he stared at the clock as if it were his enemy. He couldn’t stay and hear about her betrothal. It wouldn’t do any good to have the horrible news confirmed. What happened after this night was what mattered. She would not marry Lord Kildare—he’d kidnap her and run for the border first. Ryan cared about her too much to allow her to marry Lord Kildare. His feelings grew with each passing moment, and for once he started to believe he could have love, but it might be too early for him to make that kind of decision. For now, he’d head home and clear his head. There was nothing left for him to do at the ball.

  LADY ANNALISE WATCHED him leave and toiled with the rose on her sleeve. She’d known it was Lord Cinderbury the moment she’d glanced his way. She loved him. If she could choose who to marry, it would be him. He wasn’t perfect, but neither was she. Her life was complete chaos, but he calmed it. When the world was falling apart, he made her feel safe. Giving him her heart was the wisest thing she could ever do, and his kiss—it stole her breath and made her long for more. She would not marry Lord Kildare. He was an old man, and if her father approved, then he had a mean streak too.

  “There you are,” her father said. “Where did you disappear to?”

  “I had to visit the ladies’ retiring room,” she said calmly.

  “You took your damn time,” he gritted out. “The announcement of your betrothal is in a few moments.”

  There had to be a way to prevent that or at least stall it. “Do we have to announce it now? Can’t we put an ad in the Times?”

  “Don’t be silly, girl. Some things have to be done with a flare. This is good news, and I intend for the world to know about it.” He wrapped his hand around her wrist and squeezed. She winced from the pain of it, and even though she wanted to yank her arm free from his grasp, she held back. He’d only press his fingers tighter, and she’d already be bruised from his grip. “Now come with me.”

  He yanked her as he walked. Her father didn’t stop to make sure she was following his order. When he pulled, she fell forward and hit the floor. Her head bounced on the hard wood, nearly knocking her unconscious. When she’d hoped for a reprieve, she hadn’t counted on how she might receive it.

  “Oh, you poor dear,” a nearby matron said as she leaned over her. “You might want to lay down for a bit. I’d bet you have quite the headache starting.”

  She did… Her head pounded, and pain shot out behind her eyes. She winced as she raised her hand to spot that had bounced off the floor. Her brother came over and scooped her into her arms. “I’ll take her upstairs, father. I’d suggest postponing your news.”

  “You’re right, of course. Take care of your sister.” Those words were for the guests. For Annalise, her father leaned down and whispered, “You’ll pay for your clumsiness.”

  Marrok carried her from the ballroom, but when the reached the stairs, she pressed her hand to his arm. “Let me down here. If you need time away from the party, take it now. I’m not going to my room.” She’d be locked inside, and she had something she had to do first. “I can’t go up there right now.”

  He nodded. “Don’t stay away long. He’ll check on you once the guests leave.”

  “I understand,” she replied softly. “But if I’m to be locked in there for a few days, I want some moments of freedom to see me through them first.”

  “Go,” he said. “Before he realizes what y
ou’re about to do.”

  Annalise ran to the kitchen and sneaked out the servant’s entrance. Most of the servants were upstairs at the ball, seeing to guests. It’s easier to escape and evade people in the house through there. She slid into the darkness, thankful for the hood attached to her costume for the evening. Lady Annalise ran down the path she’d taken through the woods to her grandmother’s house, but that wasn’t her destination. She had to see him…

  When she reached his house, she rapped on the door urgently. He’d be the one to answer it, and they’d be completely alone. No servants, no family—just them and whatever the night brought. The door opened suddenly, and she nearly fell forward. He glanced down at her, shock etched on his face. He’d taken off his coat and masque. His dark cravat had been left loose around his neck. He’d been in the middle of undressing when she’d knocked.

  “Let me in,” she demanded.

  He stepped aside to allow her entrance. “What are you doing here?” He shut the door with a soft click. “You are making quite a habit of showing up at my door unexpectedly.”

  She lowered her hood and untied her masque, then set it on a nearby table. “You left too soon.”

  “There was nothing else to say.” He stared at her. “What happened?”

  Her frantic flight must have left her looking rather disheveled. He had a wonderful tousled appearance himself. Annalise stepped toward him and yanked on his cravat. She tossed the fabric on the same table as her masque. “Love me,” she ordered.

  He swallowed hard, but didn’t move or make a sound. She’d have to entice him, but she had no idea how to be a seductress. What would a courtesan do? Annalise lifted her fingers and trailed them over his open skin at his neck where the cravat had been. His dark shirt was loose around his waist, so she slid her other hand upward and pressed it to his stomach. A trail of hair led downward to his trousers. He stilled her hand at the edge of his trousers and his warm skin. “Don’t move any farther down.”

  “You don’t like this?”

  “I like it entirely too much,” he said hoarsely. “You keep touching me, and I’ll have you naked and underneath me before either one of us realized what we’re doing.”

  “That is exactly what I want,” she insisted. “I need you to ruin me.”

  He shook his head slowly. “If I have you, then you’ll be mine. Do you understand what you’re asking of me?”

  “I do,” she replied. “You’re the only man I want to touch me. Please…” She hoped that if she begged enough he’d give in. Lord Cinderbury was a gentleman first and foremost, but she needed the man to come out to play. The one who’d kissed her and desired her not more than an hour earlier. Something—she couldn’t be sure what—snapped, and he crushed her to him. His mouth was hot an unrelenting on hers, and the kiss burned hotter than it had earlier. She scraped her nails on his stomach and forgot how important breathing was. Lord Cinderbury scooped her into his arms and carried her into the sitting room. He set her down on a settee, then pulled his shirt off. She untied the black ribbon at her waist and loosened the ties. He stepped near her and pushed the bodice down until it reached her waist. She shimmied until the dress pooled at her feet. She stood before him in nothing but her shift.

  “Lord Cinderbury,” she said when he didn’t move.

  “I think we’ve moved past formalities.” He chuckled softly. “Call me Ryan.”

  “Ryan,” she tested out his name. She liked the sound of it rolling off her tongue. “Touch me.”

  “I intend to.” He lifted his hand and lightly touched her shoulder, then he leaned down and trailed kisses over her sensitive skin. Ryan pushed her shift down until it too pooled at her feet. He kissed her neck and then moved downward to her breasts. He cupped one in his left hand, swirling his thumb over her taut nipple. Her other breast, he sucked into his warm mouth. Annalise moaned with pleasure. She never knew it could be like this and nearly buckled under his attentions.

  He helped her to lay down on the settee and continued to love her with his mouth. When he pressed his lips and tongue to her center between her thighs, she nearly jumped from the sensation, then he sucked and licked her there too, and before long she moaned from the pleasure.

  Her mind was still reeling from the bliss when he finished undressing. He joined her on the settee. His hardness pressed into her. “I am going to go slow,” he whispered. “It’ll still hurt a little.”

  He pushed in at an agonizingly deliberate pace until he filled her completely. It hadn’t hurt as he’d thought it would. Everything about him felt incredible and right. He was the person she was meant to be with. He kissed her slowly and started to move inside of her. That same build up she’d experienced when he kissed her core peaked again, and she screamed his name this time. He groaned as his own release hit, and in that moment, she knew she’d made the right decision. She belonged with Ryan, and she would fight to stay by his side. He rolled them to their side and pulled a nearby blanket over top of them. “Rest a bit,” he said. “We will talk after I catch my breath.”

  She smiled softly and lost herself in the contentment of being held by the man she loved. It would all be fine. She had faith for the first time in her life.

  CHAPTER 10

  RYAN STARED down at Annalise as she slept peacefully in his arms. He still couldn’t believe the night had gone as it had. When he’d opened his door and found her there, he couldn’t have been more surprised. He had left the masquerade ball because he couldn’t stand the idea of hearing the official announcement that she’d been betrothed to an old man. He didn’t care what contracts had been signed. She was his now, and they’d marry as soon as he could arrange it.

  They’d need help, of course. Her father would not allow their marriage to happen. He’d have to wake her soon so they could leave immediately. There were two choices left to them: elope to Scotland or obtain a special license from the archbishop. Both had dangers and pitfalls they’d have to overcome. He wasn’t sure which was the best option, and he needed advice. Ryan didn’t have a parental figure to ask since both of his parents were deceased. His stepmother was bloody awful, and his grandfather the Duke of Ashthrone wouldn’t be much help either.

  Annalise’s eyelids fluttered open and she stretched, much like a kitten awaking from sleep. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his in a quick kiss. “How long have you been watching me?”

  “Not long,” he reassured her then kissed her forehead softly. “We need to dress.”

  “My father will have noticed me missing by now.” She sat up and pushed the blanket off her, then grabbed her shift from the floor, slipping it over her head in one sweeping motion. “He won’t know I’m here.”

  “I doubt that,” Ryan said as he pulled on his trousers. “I’m willing to bet your father knows every move you make. Some of the information might come to him late, but he is more than aware of your activity. He’ll show up here at some point.”

  She stilled in the middle of tying the ribbons at the front of her dress. “What makes you say that?”

  “He made a point of inviting me to dinner the other night. Why would he do so when he never has before?” Ryan lifted a brow. “That man hates me and has ever since I started fighting him for guardianship over Estella. He has a plan of some sort; I just don’t know what it could be.”

  Annalise tied the ribbons on her dress quickly as he pulled his boots on. He’d leave his shirt hanging loose and go cravatless from the house. There were more important things they had to do. She slid her slippers onto her feet and pulled her hood over her tousled hair. “He’ll go to grandmother’s house looking too. Where do we go?”

  “Your grandmother insisted you go to see her. Somehow, I think she knew this would happen or some version of it.” He didn’t want to consider the older lady had envisioning him making love to her granddaughter. That was too weird even for him. “She’ll have provisions in place. We will stop in to see her first and then journey from there.�
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  They stepped outside of his house and headed to his small stable. He considered a carriage, but decided it would take too long. Instead, he saddled Octavius and had Annalise ride in front of him. It was faster, and they’d arrive sooner. He could always leave his horse with Lady Shelburne and borrow one of her carriages if needed. He gestured Octavius into a gallop and closed the short distance between his home and the viscountess’s. When they arrived, he helped Annalise slide off the horse’s back and then he joined her. He quickly tied the reins to a nearby post, then headed to the front door and rapped on it. It opened immediately, but not by the butler. The Marquess of Sheffield answered it with a fretful expression on his face. He glanced from Ryan then to Annalise. “Thank God. Come in quickly.”

  Annalise and Ryan walked inside. Lord Sheffield closed the door behind them and gestured for them to go to the sitting room. The viscountess was already seated in the room, pouring a cup of tea. “So good of you two to join us. I told Marrok you’d be fine.” She smiled up at Annalise. “Lord Cinderbury is taking wonderful care of you, isn’t he?” She lifted a brow.

  “Uh, yes, of course,” Annalise agreed. “Grandmother, what’s going on?”

  “Your wedding of course,” she replied nonchalantly as if that statement answered all of Annalise’s questions. “You two must leave at once.”

  “We don’t have a lot of time,” Marrok said hastily. “I fear Lady Delilah saw me leaving. She tried to follow me, but I had to dissuade her of that idea.” Irritation reverberated in his voice as he spoke. “She’s been rather—persistent in her pursuit. I don’t know what father was thinking. I am not marrying one of those awful debutantes.”