‘Will you kiss me?’ she whispered. In answer, he gave a slow, teasing smile. Was he making fun of her? Suddenly, she didn’t care. The tingling had centred itself directly between her legs, and she had to resist the urge to squirm. Either that or throw herself into his arms.
His hand had continued to caress the back of her neck, but at her request, his fingers stilled for a second, then pressed into her nape, leisurely drawing her head towards him. She did not resist, her breath coming quickly through parted lips. Their gazes fused as he eased her head back and slowly, oh so slowly brought his mouth down onto hers in a featherlight touch. She had time to note that he tasted of Cognac, before he gave a low groan, and covered her lips with his again, this time in an all-consuming melding of mouths that both demanded and gave in equal measure. His tongue dipped in between her teeth to tangle with hers.
With a small sound, her hands slid inside his jacket, revelling in the feel of his hard chest. She could feel the heat through his fine linen shirt and fought the urge to rip the fabric apart. Whatever it took to gain access to his hot skin. Suddenly, shockingly, his mouth left hers only to burn a trail down to her neck. Helplessly, she tipped her head back as his lips traced down to her collarbone.
Inside her dress, her breasts ached, nipples hard and straining against the flimsy fabric. Lost in a sea of sensation, she did not protest when he bent her backwards over his arm, using his other hand to part her cloak. His mouth continued its relentless assault down to her shadowy cleavage, even as his hand pulled at the bodice until the milky globes were bare to his gaze. Before the shock of the cold air could register, his warm hand had covered her left breast, cupping it, his thumb brushing the hard tip. She gasped, but it was nothing to the exquisite pleasure that rocked her whole body as his lips closed over her other nipple. Dear God, she was going to die from the sensations coursing round her body.
Christian knew he had to stop, but never had he felt such desperate need, such a loss of control. His cock was hard, throbbing, and he realised he was close to spilling in his breeches. What would happen if she touched him?
Abruptly, he lifted his head, closing his eyes in an effort to regain some control. When he opened them again, she was staring up at him, eyes glazed, her delectable breasts heaving. Gently, he pulled up her bodice, covering them from his gaze as she gradually became aware of their surroundings. Lifting her close to him, Christian wrapped her back up in the cloak before enfolding her his arms.
For a few seconds, she didn’t speak, content to rest her head against his broad chest. ‘Am I deflowered now?’ she murmured at length. He chuckled against her hair. ‘Sweetheart, not even close.’ He felt her stir and looked down as she lifted her head. ‘Were you…did you…did it feel as wonderful for you?’ she asked shakily. He was still for a moment, then he took her hand and placed it on his still rigid cock. Her eyes widened, and she looked down at the hard shape of him inside his breeches. ‘It was amazing–youare amazing,’ he growled. ‘If it had felt any better, I’d have likely been meeting at least one of my brothers-in-law to be in a duel tomorrow morning.’ His hand clamped down on her fingers as they sought to trace the shape of him. ‘Please my love, for my continued good health, not to mention my sanity, could we wait until after the wedding before we indulge in round two…?’
∞∞∞
It had been decided that Grace would travel to Blackmore with Nicholas and their two children, together with Prudence and Mercy, while the children’s maid Briony followed on in the second carriage with Felicity in case the matron needed any additional assistance. Malcolm too insisted on accompanying her, an offer to which she blushingly acquiesced.
Anthony and Jimmy professed themselves more than content to share the box with the coach driver.
The third carriage would be occupied by Chastity, her father, Percy, Lizzy and Christian. The journey to Blackmore apparently took them very close to the Earl’s family seat and though much of the building was in ruins, Lord Cottesmore was keen to take the opportunity to finally show his bride to be her future home. To that end, it was decided that the third carriage would take a short detour after Ringwood, spending the afternoon at Cottesmore, before re-joining the other two carriages at their second overnight stop.
By the time they set off on the second leg of their journey, the weather had warmed up significantly. There was a definite air of excitement in the last carriage,broken only by Lizzy’s slightly subdued manner. Thinking her in low spirits after everything that had happened, Percy endeavoured to cheer her up by making light conversation while Christian spoke to Chastity and her father of his plans for his country seat.
However, by the time they reached the turnoff to Cottesmore, Lizzy’s demeanour was such that Chastity began to fear her unwell. As the carriage slowed down to navigate the narrow roads, she leaned forward and lightly touched the widow’s knee. ‘Is something wrong, Mrs Fletcher?’ she asked in concern. The woman jumped at the touch and for a second looked wildly around.
‘Is something troubling you madam?’ questioned Christian.
Lizzy shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut. Then she took a deep breath before muttering, ‘There was another one.’
Raising his eyebrows, the Earl looked over at Reverend Shackleford, a question in his eyes. The clergyman frowned and shrugged.
‘Another one what, Lizzy?’ Percy asked gently. He might as well have shouted. She shrank back before suddenly leaning forward and blurting, ‘e wos talkin’ to someone. I ‘eard ‘im. But my Charlie were dead by then.’ She looked around the carriage before lowering her voice and adding in a whisper, ‘Charlie told me. I should ‘ave remembered. ‘etoldme right afore ‘e went… He said they din’t need ‘is bloody fancy ideas, but John wouldn’t listen.’ She shook her head and leaned forward.
‘So who ‘ad the fancy ideas? Who was it who cut the wheedle wi’ my idiot of a brother? It sure as ‘ell weren’t my Charlie.’ She leaned back and gave a chuckle that turned into a low sob.
‘You think there was someone else involved,’ Christian finished flatly.
Lizzy nodded tearfully. ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered. I…I just forgot.’
‘Please don’t trouble yourself, Mrs. Fletcher,’ Chastity hurriedly intervened. ‘This is not your fault. It is due to your courage that the attempt on the Earl’s life did not succeed.’
‘So if Charlie Fletcher’s cocked up his toes, who and where’s the third man?’ questioned Reverend Shackleford grimly.’
The Earl leaned back against the seat, thinking quickly.
‘Whoever the third man is, I assume he’d be more than happy to let Witherspoon rot in gaol or better still, at the end of a rope. Except he must know the bastard won’t go quietly and I assume he does not wish his identity known.’ The Earl paused, thinking. ‘So, his best option is to make sure Witherspoon walks free. And to do that, he needs to be rid of me.
‘But how will that help?’ Chastity questioned.
‘Because if I die while Witherspoon’s locked up, then there’s no case to answer and he’ll almost certainly be released,’ Christian bit out.
‘But what about the man who tried to shoot you?’ Chastity protested. ‘Surely he will be willing to point the finger away from himself?’
The Earl shook his head. ‘Unlikely if he’s in the pay of the Upright Man.
‘Thunder an’ turf,’ the Reverend muttered. ‘What are we going to do?’
‘What amIgoing to do,’ Christian countered. ‘You and the whole of your family have gone above and beyond anything I dared hope, Augustus, but this is for me to finish.’
