His Wayward Ward - A Regency Novella (Risque Regency) (7 page)

If only Carlton had not taken such a highhanded attitude!

By five o’clock, when they had finally arrived in Leicester, Eliza was heartily sick of travelling and her own company. Even Grayson seemed subdued as they entered the Four Sparrows, seeking rooms for the night. Fortunately, there were bedchambers available, along with a private dining room, which meant that at least they would not have to brave the public one. Eliza would have happily foresworn food all together and retired early to bed, but Grayson wanted to dine with her and she did not have the strength to argue.

It was not until after the serving girl had laid out their meal that Grayson leaned across the table, taking her hand in his. ‘My love, what is it? You have hardly spoken.’

‘I’m tired, that’s all. It’s been a long day.’

‘I understand.’

He looked so handsome in the candlelight. Eliza suppressed a sigh, wondering what Aunt Flora would make of the note that she had left. Would she have told Carlton? And if he knew, would he do anything to stop her? A quiver of hope and dread shot through her, so startling that she almost exclaimed aloud. Did she
want
Carlton to find her?

‘You must be tired yourself,’ she managed, playing with the boiled venison on her plate, ‘you’ve been driving all day.’

‘A night’s sleep will set me right, but bless you, just the same.’ He sat back in his chair and smiled at her. ‘You know, we really did not need to take two rooms for the night.’

It took a moment before she caught his meaning and she looked at him quickly. Could he be suggesting…? But why not? Why should she find the idea of sharing a bed with the man she would be married to by the end of the week so shocking? ‘Grayson, I -’

‘Just the two of us,’ his voice had dropped. ‘It will be as if we were already married.’

Except they weren’t. Eliza stared at Grayson and knew, in that moment, that she had made a mistake of monumental proportions. Somewhere along the way in the past three weeks, something had changed. She did not want to share a bed with Grayson tonight and she did not want to marry him the day after tomorrow.

All she really wanted to do, she realized, with a sickening jolt of dismay, was to go back to London.

Oh, what an idiot I am!

Grayson was looking at her and she looked back at him, her mouth dry, trying to find the words that would set this right. But what could she say? And truthfully, wasn’t it too late to go home? Carlton was right; Society was quick to judge those who threw the rules away and she had run off with Grayson, heading for an elopement, which would put her beyond the pale. She could not return to London; she could not return to Bath, either, for word would spread of her foolishness and she would find herself ostracized there as well.

‘Eliza?’ Grayson whispered. Unlike Carlton, he had not quite mastered the fine art of seducing with a word.

As she hesitated over what she should say, both of them heard the rapid approach of boots in the hallway beyond and the door was flung rudely open. Once again, Carlton stood on the threshold and, once again, he had lost that air of sleepy indolence. His eyes swept the room, coming to rest on Eliza, who had risen from the table, white faced and wary. She heard the breath hiss out of him before he advanced, closing the door behind him with the heel of his boot.

Grayson had also risen and was staring at Carlton as if he were the devil incarnate. With his cloak flung over one shoulder, hand on his sword hilt, he looked dangerously ready to strike and the atmosphere in the small room crackled with tension.

‘Has he touched you?’ he demanded, voice like ice.

‘W-what are you -’

‘
Has he touched you
?’

She quailed beneath the tone, shrinking backwards. Carlton was
furious
! ‘No, he has not! What are you
doing
here?’

‘Gather your things.’ When she made no move, simply continuing to stare at him, he drew a deep breath, clearly fighting for patience. ‘I am not here to argue about this, Eliza. Get your things now. We are returning to London immediately.’

‘How dare you!’ Grayson protested. ‘Miss. Percival is on her way to becoming my wife.’

Carlton turned to face him, a murderous glitter in his eyes. ‘I think not. You would be best to return to Taunton and remain there, Mr. Henry. If I find you in London again, I may be forced to do something you will regret.’

‘I don’t think so. A subtle shift had come over Grayson’s face. It was as if some of the golden glow that usually surrounded him had suddenly tarnished. ‘Not if you wish to preserve your ward’s reputation, my lord. Eliza must marry me. She has been alone in my company for some time. Her reputation depends on our union.’

Eliza turned her eyes on him incredulously. ‘
Grayson
!’

‘I believe you have miscalculated. And as of now, there is a new arrangement.’ Suddenly, the cool and calculating Carlton was back. He eyed Grayson much as a python would eye any small, furry creature. ‘You will be the one leaving tonight. Miss. Percival is tired and further travel would exhaust her unnecessarily. There is another inn not half a mile from here; I suggest you find a room there.’

Grayson frowned. ‘I have no intention of going anywhere.’

‘Indeed?’ Suddenly, the younger man became aware of Carlton’s sword. The menace that had been lurking in the room amplified, becoming palpable.

‘I…’ Grayson paused, licking his lips. He, too, had a sword, but he knew perfectly well he was no match for a man who had a reputation as one of the finest blades in England. ‘Damn it, do you
want
your ward to be ruined?’

‘I think you can safely leave Miss. Percival’s welfare – and her reputation - to me. Unless you wish to be holed like a sieve, leave now. And for your continued good health, I suggest you forget this day ever happened. Now get the hell out of here before I change my mind and stick you like the cur you are.’ Carlton’s voice was implacable and Grayson, after a moment’s hesitation, pushed past the man and headed for the door. He did not once look in Eliza’s direction.

His departure seemed to leave a void behind. Eliza wanted to be anywhere but in that room, with a man who must surely think she was the greatest fool imaginable. For once, she could not think of anything to say and the silence stretched between them, achingly uncomfortable.

After what seemed like forever, Carlton sighed, moving forward. Taking her chin between his fingers, he lifted it so that she was forced to look at him. His great, dark eyes swam with tears and his mouth twisted. ‘If I had told you he was a scoundrel, you would not have listened. But believe me, Eliza; it takes one to recognize another.’

Her lips quivered but she was trying very hard not to cry. ‘How did you find us?’

He shrugged. ‘A man like Henry is predictable. This was the only second inn that I visited.’

‘But… but how do you come to
be
here?’

‘Through good fortune more than anything else. For once, your aunt decided to show some sense. When the note you left was discovered, she came to me immediately. Unfortunately, she was not able to find me straight away and so I did not start out until lunchtime, otherwise I would have overtaken you earlier.’ He was still holding her chin, studying her face intently. ‘Did he touch you Eliza?’

She shook her head, a single tear sliding down her face. ‘He… I thought he truly cared about me. When I realized I had changed my mind I felt
dreadful
. How could I have been such a fool?’

‘You changed your mind? Eliza, are you telling me that you did not wish to be here?’ Abruptly, he released her and took a hasty step backwards. ‘I’ll kill him!’

Eliza was aghast. ‘No! No… I hadn’t told him yet. Please; just let him go. I never want to think of that man again.’

He stared at her for a long moment then shook his head. ‘What a pest you are, girl; having me chase you all over the countryside. I should have followed my instincts from the start and left you to your own devices.’

The words made her tears spill in earnest. ‘Indeed, I have been foolish, but… I did not mean any harm. And now I am ruined. Grayson was right; some things are unforgivable.’

Carlton made a sound, somewhere between a groan and a sigh. Moving forward, he took her face between his hands. ‘The only thing that is unforgivable, Miss. Percival, is the dreadful wreckage you’ve made of my life in the past four weeks. I daresay I shall be picking up the pieces for years. Now stay still. I’m going to kiss you and I want your full attention, for once.’

And then his head came down, his mouth taking her own with a hard, driving need, claiming her with a ruthless urgency that would have been shocking if she had not been so desperate for it. Eliza met the onslaught, melting into him, discovering a hunger she had never dreamed existed. It felt like forever before he raised his head, looking down at her with eyes that had been glazed into darkness.

‘By God, girl,’ he whispered, ‘you will be my undoing.’

‘I hope so,’ she replied, the words breathless, ‘because you are certainly going to be mine…’

His head descended to take possession of her lips again, but he stopped abruptly when there was a knock at the door. ‘What
now
?’

It was the serving maid, come to see if they had finished with their meal. Both Carlton and Eliza waited as she stacked the tray with crockery, Carlton, scarcely concealing his impatience and Eliza expecting her heart to have been heard in the taproom below. She did not know how this state of affairs had come about, but it seemed that, unless she was a great deal greener than she had thought, she was in immediate danger of being seduced by a rake.

Eliza tried to give this the impartial examination it deserved, but found it impossible; the man who was standing so close beside her demanded too much of her attention. She could not think of anything but how wonderful it had been to be kissed by him. And how badly she wanted him to kiss her again…

The moment they were alone together once more, Carlton turned to her. ‘I assume that fool Henry arranged for rooms for the night?’

She nodded, eyes fixed on his face. How could she ever have thought Grayson’s looks surpassed this man’s? He was everything any discerning female could want. She certainly found herself wanting him. Her body was on fire. ‘My room is two doors down.’

Silently, he took her elbow and guided her into the welcome privacy of her bedchamber. With cool deliberation, he locked the door then settled them both on the side of the bed.

‘I am not in the habit of seducing innocent girls,’ he began.

‘Oh? I thought that was one of your particular habits. But perhaps it is one you could acquire now?’

He gave her an exasperated look. ‘Be silent! I am trying to focus and you are making it extraordinarily difficult.’ She was, too, her hand having slipped beneath his jacket to undo the buttons on his waistcoat. ‘Eliza, I do not wish to hurt you.’

‘Now wait a minute,’ he seized her hands in his own, holding them still. ‘Eliza, I am trying to tell you that this is not simply a matter of seduction.’

‘It’s not a seduction at all,’ she retorted frankly, you keep talking.’

So many nights over the past few weeks she had spent trying not to think of him. And then, when she
had
managed to sleep, she had dreamed about him, waking with a vague longing that was like a hole somewhere deep inside. She had clung to the delusion that she loved Grayson, because the alternative – that she might possibly have fallen in love with her guardian – was unthinkable.

‘I am trying to ask you to marry me, you hussy!’ he exclaimed, a thread of laughter lacing his voice, ‘but now I am wondering if I should marry such a shameless woman.’

She went still, staring at him with wide, wondering eyes. ‘You want to marry me?’

‘Good God, Eliza, of course I do. With all my heart. Although,’ he added wryly, ‘perhaps I should rethink it. You seem to me to be altogether too brazen to make any man a decent wife.’

‘Oh, but you do not want a
decent
wife,’ she assured him, hands wriggling free to recommence their exploration, ‘you want one who will keep you home at night, who will entertain you and understand your peculiar ways and… and make you laugh.’

‘Oh, you do make me laugh,’ his voice had roughened, growing deeper. His fingers brushed back a dark, glossy lock of Eliza’s hair. ‘I tried, Eliza. I cannot think of a more unsuitable match for you than me, not even that young fool, Henry. But some things cannot be avoided and it seems I am far too selfish to do without what I desire the most...’

This time, his kiss led to so much more. Clothing fell away, material whispering to the floor as they stripped each other bare. His knowing hands moved across her body, stroking her breasts until the nipples puckered with wicked delight. His mouth followed his fingers’ caress, making Eliza gasp. She struggled not to lose her way, wanting to study his hard, well-muscled body. She absorbed the sight of him. He was all shadow and flame, the firelight playing across the smooth planes, revealing secrets that took her breath away.

Had she ever really thought of him as
old
? He was a perfect physical specimen and, she thought, with shameless delight, tonight he belonged to her.

They tumbled back onto the bed, bodies sliding together briefly
,
then breaking apart to recommence their intimate exploration. Eliza had never imagined such delicious pleasure, but Carlton had a shaman’s hands and they wove magic though every nerve end she possessed. When they found the warm, sweetness between her legs she gasped, eyes flying open in startled surprise. ‘Oh!’

His soft laugh was as wicked as the delicate, knowing touch of his fingers. Eliza felt an exquisite pressure build to an explosion and suddenly the world was subsumed by a cascade of ecstasy so intense that she momentarily lost all sense of time and place. Sensation exploded within her, a burst of sunlight that subsided slowly, leaving her drifting in bliss.