A Lesson in Pride (31 page)

He heard the rustle of her skirts before she appeared around the hedge where he hid. The moon was full, so there was plenty of light to see how lovely she was. Her hair was pulled up, with soft tendrils framing her oval face. Though too dark to see the color of her eyes, he knew them to be blue. A vibrant blue that made his heart beat faster and his groin to engorge. Flashes of their only night together filled his mind as he watched her come closer.

“You wanted to see me,” she said in her lyrical voice. Even a statement so mundane made him ache to be with her again.

“Yes,” he replied before grabbing her face and placing his lips on hers. He thought she might resist, but she molded herself to his body and became soft and pliant.

“I am still to marry her,” he heard himself saying, even as he wished he would stop. “But I cannot stop wanting you.”

Her next words shocked him to his core. “You're not married yet, Grant.”

No, he wasn't and he kissed her again. He opened her mouth and tasted the champagne on her tongue. His mouth moved slowly down her jaw and kissed the space behind her ear. At that, she jolted and moved closer to him. She was his for the taking, even right there in the garden.

“May I come to you tonight?” he asked not thinking about what he asked.

“How?” she answered breathlessly.

How? Damn, but the women he'd been with over the years always had a plan. They knew when their husbands would be absent and how to sneak him in without the household being the wiser. In all his years of philandering, he'd never had to come up with a plan to be discreet.

Pulling away, he stared into her eyes. He smiled as he admitted, “I have no idea.”

Both laughed softly. Alysanne moved away and leaned against a tree. “We are a sad lot, Grant.”

He moved to stand in front of her. “We are indeed.”

His hands moved of their own volition up her arms and around her shoulders. He watched as her eyes closed and her mouth opened. If he were a different man, he would take her against the tree. No, that wasn't true. He was exactly that man. If she were a different woman was what he had meant. Not that he wouldn't give her a good tumble, but that he would risk her reputation with something this tawdry.

“If given some time, I could come up with something. Maybe you could stay with us because your home is overrun with rodents.”

He chuckled at the imagery. “I doubt your housekeeper would approve of a bachelor man staying in a home with three unmarried ladies.”

“I am a widow, which gives me more leeway.”

“Still, with family in town, it would be difficult to justify.”

Her eyes grew sad for a moment. “I am tired of trying to figure things out, Grant. I just want something to work.”

He nodded his agreement and understanding. It was so clear that Alysanne was the one for him. Now that he was the heir, he could have her without worry. But he couldn't dismiss Persephone so casually. It wasn't right, and he had vowed to try to do the right thing. He wanted to take back his pride. However...

“Come to my home, tonight. Fake sick to your stepdaughters and leave here early. Then sneak out. I can wait for you outside your home and walk you over. Let us give each other this one night.”

Those soulful eyes looked up at him in skepticism. Then something changed and she smiled. “All right. I will go and work something out with my stepdaughters now. Don't leave until you see me leave.”

He kissed her once more and nodded. She left before him and he waited five minutes before returning. As he entered the ballroom, he saw that Alysanne was talking to Hope and Charlotte. Both seemed amendable to calling it an early evening, much to Grant's relief.

It took another ten minutes for them to leave. Grant made his excuses to the hostess and walked out into the night. He had no carriage, as he lived close by. So did Alysanne, so it shouldn't take her too long to be ready. At least he hoped. God, he hoped.

Was this really going to happen? Ginny couldn't hide the smile on her face as they made their way home.

“I thought you were feeling unwell,” Hope said in a snide voice. It only made Ginny smile bigger.

“Oh, I feel perfectly dreadful,” she responded.

“That was simply one of the worst balls we have attended this Season,” Hope stated while staring out the carriage window. “Where are the decent men? I danced with only old lechers or young fops.”

“I was having a very nice time,” Charlotte said, joining the conversation.

“Of course you were. You have managed to find and capture the only decent gentleman in all of London. I am green with envy.” Hope's eyebrow lifted in challenge.

“I believe he has a brother,” Charlotte retorted, meeting her sister's challenge.

“Relax, Hope. There are many more parties this Season yet. Perhaps your perfect gentleman has been detained.”

“Perhaps. Until then, I shall take to my bed and lament my sad life.”

The three women parted ways at the top of the steps. Ginny went to her room and rang for her maid. Maggie assisted her with removing her gown and taking down her hair.

“You may go to bed now, Maggie. I can finish up.” Before the maid could depart, Ginny called out, “I wish to sleep in late tomorrow. Please don't disturb me before noon.”

The maid gave her a quizzical look and quickly left the room. In her undergarments, Ginny put on a dress that would be easy to remove when she got to Grant's home. Then she pulled her hair up in a quick bun, found her long cloak, and quietly made her way down the back stairs.

It was late and most of the staff was in bed. Ginny found the key to the back door and unlocked it. She carefully relocked it and stashed the key in her cloak pocket. Excitement permeated her body as she made her way down the narrow alley of her home. Once on the street, she began to walk toward Grant's home.

After only a few steps, a familiar hand snaked around her arm.

“You were very quick, my lady. One might think you excited.”

“Would one? Maybe I am simply curious to see if you have improved your skills in the past year.”

Laughing, he responded, “Oh, you will find out very soon.”

They remained silent for the short walk to Grant's apartments. He let her in himself, having already stopped and told his valet to go to bed. The house was quiet as he led her into his study.

Holding up the decanter, Grant asked if she wanted a drink. Ginny nodded and walked about the room. It was painfully male in its furnishings. Woods and leathers dominated the area, without a single soft touch to be found. Taking a seat on an oversized leather chair, Ginny kicked off her slippers and relaxed her head back.

Handing her a drink, Grant took the seat opposite her. He sipped quietly before asking, “Are you certain this is what you want?”

She contemplated his question for a few moments. “Why wouldn't it be?”

“Because it can only be this once, I think. Though my marriage will have to be put off for propriety, I will still be marrying Persephone.”

Ginny swirled the amber liquid in her glass, watching as the light from the fire made it sparkle. Giving him a smile, she said, “I know you will, Grant. It's one of the reasons why I want this so much.”

His eyebrow raised in question.

“You want things for yourself now, and you're willing to work for them. You have an honor that was probably always there, just hidden. Once you're married, I know that this,” Ginny said as she waved her hand between them, “will not happen again.”

“But I am not married yet,” he whispered.

Shaking her head slowly, she concurred, “Not yet.”

He rose from his chair much like a panther stalking his prey. Ginny was captivated. This was right, every bone in her body told her so. The story would catch up, she knew it would. She just had to have a little faith. Whatever universe she was in didn't want her to stay, or she would still be with Ian in Scotland. No, she was meant to move on, with a little more knowledge than the time before.

Grant grabbed her hand and lifted her from the chair. He took her untouched drink and placed it on the table. Then he kissed her. There was no mistaking the kiss. It was the one that spoke of love and promises, none of which Grant was free to give. Not yet anyway.

“Come to my room,” he said as he smiled at her.

Ginny nodded and followed him out of the study, her hand firmly in his. With each step, she smoldered. Her body was heating up to a fever pitch. She ached in places that had gone unused for the past year.

After entering the bedroom, Ginny saw that it, too, lacked a feminine touch. She was surprised to see everything so orderly, but that could be his valet's doing. She really knew very little about this man, but she didn't need to, not when they were made for each.

Releasing her hand, Grant walked behind her. He reached over her shoulders and unclasped her cloak. When that was deposited on a chair, he undid the single button on her dress at her neck. The dress fell off her shoulders. Ginny let it fall, carefully stepping out of it. Turning around, she watched as Grant picked it up and placed it beside her cloak.

If there was one thing that Ginny had learned, it was that the removal of so much undergarments was usually tedious. Grant made it exciting. When he undid her stays, he kissed between her shoulder blades. To remove her petticoats, he reached around her, making sure his body connected fully with hers. With her chemise, he simply reached up and slid it down her arms. Within a few minutes, she was naked.

It was Ginny's turn to assist Grant. First, he was divested of his coat and waistcoat. Shortly after, he lost his shirt, shoes, and stockings. When Ginny reached for the buttons of his pants, Grant was already hard. The pants fell to the floor and both were given total access to each other.

Ginny grabbed his hand and started to walk him to the bed, but he would not be moved. Looking over her shoulder, she saw him smile, then pull her toward the fireplace. There sat another chair, a simple, solid wood that was padded on the seat, back, and arms. Grant took the seat and pulled Ginny on top of him.

Climbing up to straddle him, Ginny grabbed the back of the chair with both hands. At her position, his mouth was level with her breasts, which he used to his advantage. He suckled one nipple, then the other, making Ginny more crazy than she ever remembered being. His hands held her waist steady as he continued his assault.

Grant tipped his head back and looked up into Ginny's eyes. She thought he meant to say something, but he remained silent instead. Bypassing words, she leaned down and kissed him, letting her kiss speak for her.

Jerking forward suddenly, Ginny found herself about to be impaled by him. His kisses turned harder and hotter, and Ginny slowly worked her body down to take him in. At his intrusion, she pulled away, unable to douse the moan of pleasure she made. Grant went back to kissing her breasts and rubbing her back.

Slowly Ginny worked her way down his shaft. She was at an awkward angle and didn't think she could seat herself fully, but Grant picked her up and dropped to his knees on the floor. He gently laid her down before pulling her leg up and slamming fully inside her.

Ginny squeaked from the pleasure, clawing at his shoulders to force him deeper. Grant rocked back and forth to his own rhythm. It was only seconds before Ginny felt her orgasm begin. Reaching down between them, Grant stroked her clit and brought her to complete ecstasy. Screaming, Ginny rocked as her completion came to an end.

A moment later, Grant came with a loud grunt. Both replete, they laid on the floor until they grew cold. Grant stood up first, offering her a hand. She took it knowing that she would not be able to rise on her own, since her legs were still jelly from their lovemaking. He walked her to bed and crawled in with her. Taking her in his arms, Ginny felt all the warmth from his body seep into her own.

“That was...” she began before a huge yawn stifled her statement.

“Yes, it was,” Grant responded.

Both fell asleep before anything else could be said.

********

In the wee hours of the morning, Grant woke her again to make love. Alysanne, who was delightfully sleepy, was more than happy to oblige. It was softer the second time, with both taking more time to explore and enjoy.

When it was over, Grant laid facing Alysanne, caressing her cheek and arm. The light from the fire was dim, but with the help of the moonlight outside, he was able to see her features. She had a dreamy kind of look on her face which he found irresistible.

“I must see you home soon, Alysanne.”

“Hmmm?” she asked, her eyes half open.

“You cannot stay the night. Even though I might want you to very much.”

“Yes, you're right,” she answered as she began to rise.

Grant's first instinct was to stop her, keep her in his bed for rest of the night and well into the next day. That, however, was not going to be.

He rose as well and dressed slowly. They helped each other find their clothing. When complete, Grant made certain that her cloak was secure around her neck and covering her head. The pair left his apartments and made their way the short distance to her home.

Walking her to the alley door, he watched as she inserted her key and opened the door. She took one step inside and turned to face him. She smiled tenderly and stroked his face.