Enticing Miss Eugenie Villaret (22 page)

Eugénie tilted her hips toward William, and he responded by pressing in. It was like a dance in a way. One with very intimate steps. “I am ready.”

“Put your legs around me.”

He showed her how and they moved together again. He kissed her neck, and rubbed one breast with his palm. The throbbing need she’d felt earlier returned and intensified. Slowly he withdrew, then entered her more fully. She met him, needing him deeper. When he withdrew and entered her again, she welcomed his hard warmth. Soon hot waves spread through her and a quaking started, until it exploded. Their bodies were slick with sweat, and she clung to him as he pressed deeper, until he was hers and she was his. William called her name, then his mouth claimed hers, and he shuddered.

This was nothing like Maman had told her to expect.

“Eugénie, my precious love, are you all right?”

The flame from the candle flickered. His chest pounded against hers, and a peace she’d never felt before stole over her. This was how it was supposed to be. “William, I’m in heaven.”

His head tilted toward her. “I’m there with you. Eugénie, I love you.”

She reached up, touching her lips to his. “And I love you, but it is very hot.”

“It is.” He rolled off her, allowing a cooling breeze to caress their bodies before he wiped her nether parts with the towel.

When he took it away, there was blood. At least the whole house and her mother wouldn’t know that she and William had anticipated their wedding vows. “You were right.”

“Not from experience, I assure you.”

“Non?”
She hadn’t wanted to think about the other women he’d been with, but . . .

“No. I’ve never”—he paused—“taken a virgin. That is the right of a husband.”

The mattress dipped as he threw the cloth on the floor and blew out the light. When he lay back down, she rolled against him. Eugénie’s heart lightened. “There are many who do not think as you do.”

“Too many.” His hand found hers. “My mother and the wives of several of my friends are involved in foundling homes.”

They lay without even a sheet covering their nakedness, allowing their bodies to cool. She should probably be embarrassed, yet it was comfortable, and he really couldn’t see her. “When I was very young, there was a maid who was with child. She let me feel the baby when it moved. The next day, she was gone.”

William’s voice was gruff. “My uncle?”

“
Non
. It was a long time before Maman married Papa. When my other father was alive.”

“We should sleep.” William wrapped his arm around her. “In England I would have tucked you into me and held you all night long.”

Eugénie smiled. “Even to me it is warm. Good night . . . my love.”

He leaned over, kissing her lightly. “Good night, my heart.”

She didn’t think she’d actually sleep. Yet, the next thing she knew, the bed dipping awakened her. Will sat on the side, putting on his clothes. “What time is it?”

“It’s time I leave, or we’ll be caught out.”

The sky turned the deep blue it did before dawn. She groped and found her nightgown. “I’ll see you in an hour or so.”

William brushed his lips across hers. “Any more than that, and I wouldn’t go. Eugénie, I’ll chase that vicar to the ends of the earth to be your lawful husband.”

She closed her eyes for a moment to hide the tears of joy. She’d never been happier. “I know you will.”

Nothing would part them now.

W
ill arrived back to his hotel in time to shave and change his clothing. Except for having to leave Eugénie, he was happier than he’d ever been. How had he ever thought loving a woman would stifle him?

She was the most caring, courageous woman he’d ever known. He now understood perfectly why his friends were so solicitous of their ladies, and he couldn’t wait to introduce Eugénie to all of them. Will hoped she would stop worrying about going to England.

The previous day, he’d discovered that Road Town was only about three nautical miles from the Charlotte Amalie harbor. If they could sail at eight knots an hour, he and Eugénie would be wed by this evening, if not sooner.

Will reached for the cup of coffee Tidwell brought. “Christ.”

“Is there something wrong with the coffee, my lord?”

“No, I forgot about the damn marriage settlements.”

Tidwell remained silent.

How the devil was Will to do this? He couldn’t use his power of attorney to draw them up himself. He was, after all, eloping with his beloved. Perhaps Mr. Whitecliff would act in his father’s stead. Could Will allow that? Better than nothing at all. Besides, if they waited until they reached Tortola, she’d be of age when she signed them, and it would all be proper.

According to his father, Eugénie had property in France and a goodly sum invested in the Change. Until he came in to the title, which he hoped would be years from now, Eugénie was probably wealthier than he. Not that his father would begrudge raising Will’s allowance now that he’d have a family to support. He and Eugénie would have to take up residence in the hills of the Lake District, but even that was a small price to pay to be able to marry her. Perhaps they could buy a small property by the sea. She’d feel more at home there.

He went into the parlor where Andrew was gulping a cup of tea.

“Let’s be on our way,” he said, swallowing. “We’re meeting the Whitecliffs at the pier.”

Andrew might be content to meet Cicely there, but Will would accompany his betrothed to the ship. “You can go to the pier. I shall escort my affianced
wife
.”

Andrew turned a tired gaze toward Will. Deep circles underscored Andrew’s eyes. “Haven’t you been getting any sleep?”

“No.” He bit off the word.

Will grinned. Thwarted desire could make any man testy. “Then it’s time you were married.”

Andrew opened his mouth, then shook his head and mumbled, “I’ll see you there.”

Will arrived at the top of the Ninety-Nine Steps just as the Wivenly ladies emerged from their house. Cicely accompanied them. Poor Andrew.

Will went to Eugénie, raising her fingers to his lips. “Let’s find a vicar, shall we?”

Her sisters giggled.

Eugénie blushed, a pink he now knew stretched to her breasts. “Of course, my lord.”

After twining her arm in his, he offered his escort to his aunt as well. Sidonie shook her head and took Jeanne’s hand. “I’ll help Miss Penny. These girls are being particularly silly this morning. Please, go on.”

When his small group reached the docks, Will was surprised to find the hull of the Whitecliffs’ boat painted a bright cherry red, as were the three masts. And, although it vaguely resembled the schooner he’d come across on, it was much more elaborate, with a raised deck and several port-windows on the aft third of the vessel. He glanced at Eugénie. “Red?”

Her eyes lit with laughter. “It resembled another ship and had been stopped a couple of times by the English frigates. Since red is Mrs. Whitecliff’s favorite color, that’s what he decided to paint it. He hasn’t had any problems since.”

“I suppose not.”

Andrew waved from the deck, smiling. He came down and helped get the children up the gangboard where their hosts awaited his coterie. Mrs. Whitecliff showed them to a large cabin which had been built on the main deck, but set flush against the upper deck. It was fashioned into a combination dining room and parlor. Cabinets lined the inner wall holding books and china. Windows filled the other three sides, allowing a breeze to enter. The room was protected from the elements by louvered shutters now open and secured to the walls.

A maid scurried in with tea. Josh followed with butter, jams, bread, meats, and cheeses.

“Please,” Mrs. Whitecliff said, “we will not stand on ceremony. Help yourselves. My husband assures me we will be in Tortola before dark.”

“Dark?” Will’s jaw dropped. “But I was told it wasn’t far.”

“If we could sail in a straight line it would not be,” Eugénie said, taking a cup of tea from Cicely. “The problem is that we cannot sail against the wind. We’ll need to go around St. John and approach Tortola from the other side.”

Andrew smirked as he handed a cup to Will, and said under his breath, “I hope
you
sleep well to-night.”

He was stopped from retorting by Eugénie offering him a plate of food. “Would you like this one?”

“Thank you, my love, but I’ll fix my own. I imagine you’re hungry.” He’d not planned to spend this night alone. Surely, even aboard the ship, there must be a way to keep Eugénie with him.

“Thank you, I am starving.” She paused, and tilted her head. “You’d better hurry. The children are on their way.”

Sure enough, her three sisters burst into the room a moment later.

“I’m hungry,” Jeanne announced to no one in particular.

“You’re always hungry.” Valérie held the plate away from the younger girl.

Miss Penny’s brows rose. “You may make your sister a plate, Valérie. Adelaide, wait your turn. Neither Miss Whitecliff nor Mr. Grayson has eaten yet.”

“I do apologize, my lord.” The governess pushed a strand of hair aside. “The girls actually have broken their fast, but there appears to be something about eating on a boat that intrigues them.” She turned her attention back to the children, just as Valérie reached across the table and snatched a roll. “If you cannot behave up here, I have school-work you can do in the cabin below.”

That did the trick. The three of them settled at a small table and ate quietly. William held out a piece of cheese to Eugénie. “Soon we’ll have children.”

“I hope ours are better behaved.” She took the cheese and nibbled.

“I’m afraid there is no chance of that. All Wivenly children are heathens.” He grinned. “Ours will be the worst of all. You can’t tell me you didn’t run rings around your governess and parents.” He leaned toward Eugénie, capturing her gaze, lowering his voice. “They’ll have your dark hair.”

“And your blue eyes.” She smiled at him. Her eyes danced with laughter as she glanced at her sisters. “We’ll need more servants to keep track of them.”

“At least two maids for each one.”

Her small pink tongue peeped out as she licked some jam from her lips, and his body tightened with desire for her. There must be some way for them to be alone, if only for a quarter hour. After that, he’d give some thought to this evening. “Speaking of servants, where is your maid?”

“Probably in my stateroom hanging my gowns.” Desire flickered in Eugénie’s eyes. “Where is your Tidwell?”

“Most likely doing the same.”

“You know”—her breathing quickened—“the way out of the harbor is very interesting for many people.”

“Perhaps”—Will’s member hardened in agreement with the conversation—“we should suggest that your maid and my valet would like to view our departure from the deck.”

Sun peeked over the hills to the east, and the captain called for the dock lines to be cast off.

Eugénie set her plate on the side table. “I think, my love, that is one of your better ideas.”

She didn’t know exactly what William had planned, but she was sure she’d like it. After he’d left this morning, she’d missed the comfort of his body, and the way he caressed her as they talked, as if he couldn’t get enough of her. That strange throbbing at her core began again. She stood. “Wait until you see my maid go on deck.”

Eugénie rose, quietly making her way to the opening between the bookshelves, then along the gangway to her cabin near the back of the boat. The door was open, and her maid hummed as she worked. “Marisole?”

“Yes, miss?”

“We are casting off. Would you like to watch as we leave the harbor?”

“Ah
oui
. That is my favorite view.” A bit of pink crept into Marisole’s cheeks, and Eugénie wondered if her maid knew what she was up to. “Thank you, miss. I’m almost finished here any way.”

The ship rocked, indicating they were free from the dock. “You’d better hurry.”

A few moments after Marisole left, Will’s footsteps echoed on the wood floor. His cabin was half-way down the gangway toward the bow. “Tidwell, leave off here and go watch the view from the deck.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Eugénie went into the gangway where Will caught her up in a hard kiss, pulling her into his cabin, then shutting the door. “God, I’ve missed you.”

“It hasn’t been that long,” she teased.

“Any time away from you is an eternity.”

She didn’t know how it was possible, but she was falling more and more in love with him.

His lips claimed hers again. Cooler air wafted around her legs as he pulled up her skirts. His already hard length rose between them. Frissons of pleasure raced through her, and she flung her arms around his neck, pressing her body into his. “Yes.”

He chuckled softly. “You don’t know what I’m going to do.”

The place between her legs ached in anticipation. Eugénie didn’t know how much longer she could stand it. “I trust you.”

“Hold on tight, and put your legs around me.”

He nibbled his way down her neck, then licked the soft spot at the base. How had she never known that was so sensitive? She wanted more. “I wish we had more time.”

“I wish you were naked,” he said in a seductive voice. “But that would be hard to explain.”

She choked on a giggle as his thumbs caressed her breasts. What she wouldn’t give to feel his fingers on her bare skin. “I wish I was too.”

She clung to him. Her back was pressed against the wall and with one hand he lifted her, then released his member. “Feel this.”

It rubbed back and forth against her most tender parts. Heat and need roiled through her. Lord, how she wanted him. “Now. Please now.”

“Soon.”

Suddenly she felt wet, and he entered her with one strong thrust. There was a twinge of pain, and Eugénie gasped. Surely he hadn’t been that deep inside her before.

“You’re sore.” His brows drew together. “I should have thought.”

“No, it’s nothing.” Already her desire for him was more than she could stand. If he stopped now she’d murder him. “I’ll be fine.”

He almost withdrew, then filled her again. Eugénie moaned. This was even better than last night. Will took her mouth, claiming her completely. The sensation of waves crashing carried her away again. She trembled as she convulsed around him, and he spilled his seed.

“Eugénie?” Her mother called.

Will placed a finger over Eugénie’s lips. He lowered her down until her feet once again touched the floor. They waited, hearts pounding together, his breathing as ragged as hers.

“Where could that girl have got to?”

As soon as Maman’s steps retreated, Eugénie let out the breath she’d been holding. “What shall I do?”

“
We
will go out as we came in. First go to your cabin.” Will opened the door and looked out. “Come. I’ll stay here so that no one can see you.”

“Very well.”

He grabbed her around her waist. “I love you.”

She put her palm against his freshly shaved cheek. “I love you as well.”

After she’d straightened her gown, Eugénie went back on deck. Spying her mother with Mrs. Whitecliff, Eugénie wandered around for a few minutes before going to the rail on the other side of the ship. They’d left the harbor and were on a larboard tack heading toward the east end of St. Thomas.

“There you are, my dear.”

Eugénie could feel her mother’s gaze on her face, but she stared straight out at the sea. No doubt her cheeks were still flushed and her lips swollen from William’s kisses. If Eugénie didn’t want to be locked in her cabin until they found the vicar, she didn’t dare meet her mother’s gaze. “Were you looking for me?”

“Yes. Where is Will?”

Eugénie glanced around as if she’d only just noticed he wasn’t there. “I don’t know. I imagine he’ll be here soon. Perhaps he wished to speak with the captain.”

Moments later, a tall, strong presence radiating heat stood behind her. A smile tugged at her lips. “I thought you’d got lost.”

“Never.” William’s voice was low and a shiver ran down her spine, wanting him. “Not unless I took you with me.”

“Ah, good,” Maman said. “I dislike not knowing where people are when we are aboard a ship.”

As she left, Cicely and Andrew joined them at the rail. She squeezed Eugénie’s hand. “It won’t be long now.”

Will groaned and Eugénie grinned. He still couldn’t believe it would take several hours to arrive in Tortola.

“Are you feeling all right?” Cicely asked William. “You’re not ill, are you?”

Leaning back against her betrothed, Eugénie replied, “Soon is a matter of opinion. William was under the impression the journey took only three hours.”

“Ah.” Cicely patted William’s shoulder. “It will go quickly. Mama has planned games after we get into Pillsbury Sound. Until then you can read if you become bored with the sights.”

Maman and Mrs. Whitecliff returned to the parlor, while Cicely directed Andrew and William to set out chairs on the deck. Even with the wind picking up as they sailed around Dog Island, this might be the longest trip she had ever been on. Reaching Road Town had never been so important before.

Will was at his wit’s end. They’d eaten, played charades, then cards. Just when he thought they’d arrive in Tortola earlier, the wind shifted. Every time he’d tried to cut Eugénie out of the group, her mother or one or more of her sisters were there with them. It was as if his aunt knew what he planned to do with Eugénie if he ever got her alone again. For her part, Eugénie cast him occasional looks of longing while keeping a smile on her face for everyone else.