Lucien bit his lip as he thrust home. The room vanished as his attention turned inward. The storm, the noise of the piano, all gone as he fucked his way into her... All he could feel was her. This. Pressure danced its way up the base of his spine, and he curled his face into her throat as he lost himself to the sweet pleasure-pain of release.
"Yes," he hissed.
It was an eternity of bliss. No more concerns, no more fears. Just her hands slowly stroking up his back as he came back to himself. Every inch of his body felt more alive than it had ever felt; the intense rush of his blood through his veins, his racing heartbeat, the sweat slick on his skin, and his cock softening as he slid from her body...
But more than that, he could somehow sense her. It felt as though he existed in two skins. His ears rang with the beat of two hearts, both achingly in sync. Their bond. He would never be the same after this night, and it filled him with both dread and hope, which was something he hadn't thought he would ever find again.
Ianthe lifted her face, her hand pressing over his heart in wonder, as if she could feel the same thing he could. "The bond strengthens."
"Faster than expected." He nuzzled her forehead, kissing her there. Perspiration clung to them as he curled her into his arms. Uncomplicated, he had promised, and he knew the words now for a lie.
For, out of all the problems he faced, this was the greatest complication he knew.
But neither of them could admit it out loud.
Chapter Sixteen
If Ianthe had her time as a young girl again, she thought she'd have enjoyed growing up in a place like Cherry Tree Cottage.
Located in the small village of Tupnel Green, barely forty miles from London, it seemed like another world entirely. There was a pond in the center of the walled garden, with dozens of primroses surrounding it, rows of lavender, and herbs like rosemary and basil. Fuzzy bees hovered over the droopy heads of sunflowers, and shadows dappled the green lawn as oak trees swayed overhead. Within the secret garden, a blanket spread on the lawn with little cups and saucers set neatly there; several dolls and teddy bears were scattered around. It was perfect. Ianthe had thought that the first time she'd seen it, when she'd been wan and listless following the birth, cradling the tiny baby in her arms as Drake helped her down from the carriage.
A flash of dark curls glinted in the sunlight and a little girl raced across the grass in the garden.
"Tubby, give it back!" Louisa cried out in exasperation. "You know you're not allowed to have mama's slippers!"
Despite the brief pang in her chest, Ianthe stared hungrily as the girl scrambled under a hedge, careless of her skirts. They had that in common, a reckless yearning for adventure as a little girl. But where she would have earned the edge of her father's cane for such a romp, Louisa merely burrowed through the leaves without care nor fear of condemnation.
"Louisa! Come! You have a visitor!" Elsa called, catching sight of Ianthe at the garden gate. She waved her in and limped out onto the cobbled stones at the back of the house, her gout obviously having flared again.
"Aunt Ianthe!" There was genuine joy on Louisa's face, and she ran toward them, her bare feet slapping the grass and her pinafore stained. There was a ragged slipper in her hand.
Elsa sighed. "Louisa, where are your shoes?"
"Oh, I left them in the vegetable patch! I'll put them on in a moment, mama. I didn't realize we had visitors." She proffered a neat curtsy toward Ianthe, then seemed to realize she had the mangled slipper still in her hand and shoved it behind her back, smiling shyly. The fat puppy wandered after her, saw the slipper dangling, and launched itself up, teeth closing around the ruined shoe.
A game of tug-o-war ensued.
Elsa gasped. "Is that my—?"
The slipper tore, and both puppy and daughter spilled onto the grass at their feet. "Oh, no! Tubby, you naughty beast!" Louisa cried. "You've ruined it."
Elsa gave her the look, her hands on her ample hips. "What did I say about that dog?"
"He didn't mean it," Louisa said, dragging the offending puppy into her arms. "I'm sorry, mama. I know I have to keep him out of the house, but I was searching for Russell, and he must have gotten in, and—"
"You can do the dishes tonight then," Elsa said, "to help you remember to keep him out of the house in future, and Tubby is banished to the stables to sleep tonight."
"Yes, mama. I'm sorry, I truly am."
Elsa ruffled her hair. "I know. Now run along and show your aunt your tea party. I'm sure she would like to meet Russell, Sir Egmont, and Hilary. I'll bring out something for you to nibble upon." She aimed a critical eye at Ianthe's figure. "Your aunt looks far too thin. All that thick London air interfering with your diet, no doubt."
"Don't go to too much trouble." Ianthe hid her smile. Elsa had a great deal of opinions on London.
Following her daughter into the garden, she left Elsa to fetch them afternoon tea. She could hear Louisa giggling ahead of her and caught a flash of a white pinafore as she entered the hedgerow, but there was no sign of the little girl, just an abandoned tea party with three teddy bears, a doll, and a tin soldier.
"Louisa?" Ianthe spun in a slow circle. Sometimes they played hide and seek.
The garden was still. Lifeless. Even the wind dropped until only the drone of the honeybees broke the silence. Ianthe's smile faltered. Something was wrong. She could feel it. The buzz of the bees seemed to grow louder until it was almost vibrating in her ears.
