Lord Heartless (17 page)

Air stood between them as he raised himself back. She watched as his fingers widened and moved down the outside of one thigh and then the other. She brought her gaze to his chest, then to his face.

“I will do my best not to hurt you.”

“Please, Landon,” she said as he lifted her hips and brushed the tip of his manhood across her dampened curls.

She panted as he eased the thick, hot velvet into her opening. Nothing in life felt as luxurious as this. She grasped the edges of her pillow and held tight as he began to move faster. The need inside her filled her senses. She could hear herself panting. She wanted him deeper inside her. Musk from their bodies filled the air. A primeval instinct took hold from somewhere deep in her chest, and a low moan tore from her lips. Still, he had yet to quell the burning that lay just out of his reach. A sharp point of pain gave her pause. He waited and then stroked in again and this time she shifted her hips just enough that ripples of desire radiated through her.

She cried out. He adjusted the speed of his strokes and she followed his lead as they moved toward the pinnacle of power that seemed just out of reach. Suddenly a storm of color burst through her lashes. Her body arched from the bed, and his arms grasped hers as they found heaven together. Something roared from his body into hers and they collapsed onto the bed, their bodies locked in the passion that devoured them both.

They made love again and again until their bodies were so sated that neither could move. Only then did he tuck her gentle curves beneath the protection of his and draw the covers over their damp bodies for sleep. Juliet had never slept so well in all of her life.

***

Somewhere a light shone bright through the curtains. Juliet lay nestled against the warmth of another body as a soft smile played the edges of her lips. The poets did not do lovemaking justice. She ran her hand down the soft planes of her abdomen, recalling their lovemaking and how easily her body responded. How she savored the feeling he left inside her. The act of passion and possession that only two so fitted could experience left her mouth dry and her body wanting to drink again from the pleasure of life. He must have read her thoughts. Landon’s arm tightened against her middle as he drew her close and nipped at her shoulder.

“My little minx,” he purred in her ear. “Who would have thought such a randy creature existed beneath that fine satin and lace?”

She rolled onto her back and looked into his eyes. “You bring out so much in me.”

He pressed his lips to her brow, to her cheeks, and suckled the hollow of her throat. Juliet closed her eyes, enjoying his ministrations while her hand ran down the muscles along his ribs to his hips. His thigh pushed between hers and this time their lovemaking was slow and just as pleasurable as the night before. When they finished she was breathless. Every limb felt weighted and her eyes longed to close again.

“I will send for Helen to draw you a bath. Do not rise until I come for you.”

He rose from their bed and tucked the sheets around her body. Contented, Juliet drifted in the world between dreams and reality. Maids chattered as they brought the water up from the kitchen below.

“Did you see the stack of cards that came to the door?” one questioned.

“There will be parties and such. Cook will be in her heaven planning meals with the dowager.”

Juliet grinned in satisfaction.

Her husband’s voice stilled their conversation. “Morning, Helen. Lady Juliet?”

“Still quiet, milord.”

“Ah, good, I’ve brought her a cup of tea. Is her bath finished?”

“Nearly, by the time you’ve finished your tea.”

“Good.”

The door opened. Juliet stretched and opened her eyes to find her husband’s warm stare waiting.

He did not want to admit it, but the dowager had been correct. Juliet’s quiet outing at the opera had blossomed into constant demands on her time. In the past four months, twice, both she and the countess had been asked to tea with the queen. Starting at noon, endless streams of young socialites clamored at his door to leave their calling cards. Today proved no exception.

Landon stood in the doorway of his study to watch as Simmons did his best to send another group on their way.

“Yes, miss, I will gladly give your card to the countess and her ladyship when they return.”

“Are they out at the dressmakers? I hear Lady Montague is fond of Madame Beatrice. We have tried twice to get a fitting, but she is booked.”

“I do not know of ladies’ fashions.” He bowed his head and grasped the brass handle of the door. “But, I will tell them of your interests. Good day.”

Landon caught the bobble of a bonnet as Simmons hurried to close the door. The poor butler sighed and twisted the lock for insurance.

“Bravo, my good man. Should you keep that up, I am sure we can manage to get you to Spain and trained as a matador.”

The butler turned toward him with a look of disdain. “Sir, no doubt, bulls would be easier to manage than young ladies.”

Landon winced. “Sorry.”

He walked to the table and watched as Simmons lay the silver tray upon the surface.

“Just this morning, sir.” He shook his head. “They will not be in house until Thursday.”

“Chin up, Simmons.” Landon tried to show a look of sympathy.

“If you say so, sir.”

“So, what have we today?” He looked down at the cards and placed his hands behind his back.

“The usual, sir. A Lady Buchannan, one Lady Mountjoy, daughter of the Earl of Bonaire.” Simmons flipped the cards over and tapped the notes. “Invitations to musicals, plays, and your assorted balls.”

A note caught Landon’s eye. “Wait.” He thumbed through until he came to an envelope scrawled in a familiar hand. He scowled.

“She came around just as you had left for your meeting with Norfolk, sir.”

“I see.”

“But I did not let her in.”

“Yes, do so from this point forward. I do not want that woman in my house.” Landon flipped the card over and notice it was sealed with wax.

“Should you like, the correspondence can be misplaced or lost.”

Landon cut his eyes to the man standing on his right. “No, that would be deceitful and I have given up those ways.”

“Yes, I can see that.”

Landon placed the correspondence back on the tray and stared. “The ladies are in the music room, are they not?”

“They are, sir. Madame Beatrice has brought a new gown for her ladyship and samples of new fabric.”

“I think I’ll pop in and see what it is about then. Just leave the tray with me.”

“Very well, sir.” Simmons gave a nod and walked away.

Landon blew out a deep breath and picked up the tray. Juliet had said nothing of receiving an invitation or note from the Scarborough’s since the affair at the opera. But he knew Lady Scarborough to be a spiteful sprite. In the past several occasions when they had met, she’d tried to draw him away but he had refused. The Duke of Norfolk and the wives of his friends had shielded Juliet from her tongue.

It had to be hard on Lady Scarborough to see his wife, a simple country maid, rise to the social forefront in such short a time. Yet, he understood others saw the same as he, a woman of quiet disposition, beauty and grace, all that he could ever want.

He paused at the doorway and stared down at the note. Perhaps, it was time to face her and put an end to this harassment. Landon rapped lightly upon the door.

“One moment,” his wife called. He listened for her footsteps and waited until she opened the door.

“Lord Montague, what a pleasant surprise.” She opened the door farther and allowed him to enter.

He stopped to kiss his wife’s cheek and whisper in her ear. “Pleasant surprises? I could think of a few.” Then speaking for all to hear, he said, “I bring your mail. Poor Simmons is complaining about the ringing of the bell. He swears he shall have to hire a new footman just to answer the door so he might get his work done.”

“That is the price one pays for having such a beautiful wife.” Madame Beatrice smiled.

“Then the pleasure is all mine.” Landon could not agree more. He watched the color on his wife’s cheeks bloom under his stare. “And here I thought you might claim it came from your handiwork.”

“Truth be told, your wife has brought me business. I was just telling her I have been called to Kensington next week.”

“Oh my, does that mean my coffers will become lighter?”

“No, no, Lord Montague.” The seamstress held up her hand. “The House of Montague will always have a special place in my heart.”

She paused to gather her things and tuck them inside a basket.

“Mother, Simmons has been telling the callers that you are out. Perhaps, it might be best to let Madame Beatrice out the back entrance.”

“Ah, I believe you are correct.” The countess rose. “Let me call a maid and we shall gather your things. I’ll show you the way.”

As she rang for one of the maids, Landon moved back to his wife.

“I shall have to ask Cook to make some of her pastries for next week.” Juliet’s hand stilled at the note.

“You can ignore it.” He waited, wondering if she knew how strong enough their union was. He’d done all he could to calm her nerves.

She turned it over. “I could, but it is time to put this matter to rest,” she said as the Countess showed Madame Beatrice out. Dampening her lips, she drew her finger beneath the flap and broke the seal. “We have been married for nigh on six months. I would think she might see how you have changed.”

“True,” he said. Thinking back, he could not remember a time he’d been to the club to play cards or gamble. His solace came now not in the amount of money he made, but in the arms of his wife and the laughter of his son. He stepped close and captured her chin with his hand before bestowing a kiss upon the edge of her lips. “I am so thankful the fates crossed our paths, dear wife. I hope you know that.”

“I do, Lord Montague, more than you can imagine.” She turned her cheek against his hand and for a moment they merely stared into each other’s eyes.

“I suppose you best read it.”

Juliet pulled the folded paper from its covering and flipped open the card. “It seems Lady Scarborough has invited us to a ball.”

“A ball? Well this cost me yet another creation from Madame Beatrice? Should I call her back?”

Juliet laughed and grabbed his arm. “No such thing is needed. I have far more than my share to wear.”

“Oh, what are we discussing?” his mother asked, moving into the room.

“Whether or not to accept Lady Scarborough’s invitation to a ball, Mother.”

“Humph,” she grumbled as Juliet handed her the note.

They waited while she scanned the contents. “Well, we must go. The list of attendees is impeccable. If we do not go, it will show a slight.” She looked at Landon. “They will orchestrate something in your honor no doubt.”

“No doubt,” he agreed.

“Then you must be on your toes.”

Landon nodded.

“At least the Duke of Norfolk will be there,” his mother said.

Juliet walked to her husband and took his hand. Landon pulled her to him and she rested her head upon his shoulder. “Always remember, I love you,” Juliet whispered.

Juliet glanced out the window and smiled. She would almost be glad when the time came and she could retire quietly for a while to Holly Grove. She and the countess had secretly taken the carriage to London, where she had been introduced to Dr. Hodges. Tonight, after the Scarborough ball, she planned to confide the little matter to her husband. The dowager had covered for her long enough by pretending to be too tired or ill.

“Lady Montague, are you all right?”

The Duchess of Norfolk’s voice brought her attention back to the gaiety around her. “Forgive me. I was enjoying the music.”

The duchess flipped her fan open and stirred the air furiously. “I hear they paid quite a price for it. Lord Scarborough’s pockets have grown rather thin. I dare say the festivities we see tonight came from his wife’s purse.”

“How so?” Juliet blinked.

“My dear, she comes from an old family whose great wealth elevated them to the highest level of the Ton, but she sullied herself before her marriage to Lord Scarborough.”

“Perhaps it is nothing but idle gossip, milady.”

The duchess closed her fan and placed a hand upon Juliet’s arm. “You do think the best of those around you, even the ones bent on hurting you the most.”

Juliet took a deep breath and gazed across the way at the dark-haired woman flirting with the men on the dance floor. “They are but petty games. Odds are she has fallen victim to the imaginary world her mind has created. My husband and I are quite happy. She will see that her manipulation is folly, and yet….” She looked back at the duchess. “I admit, when it comes to her ladyship, I find it hard.”

“She has more than once tried to trap your husband.” Another in the circle spoke. “But he has been wise to keep his own council and ignore her barbed taunts and insinuations.”

“Yes, my lord is wise,” she murmured. Looking over to the other side of the ballroom, she caught sight of Landon, standing beside the duke talking trade nonstop. It had become his passion in recent months and to that end, had made quite a tidy sum.

“I hear Holly Grove is nearly complete.”

“Yes.” Juliet turned with a smile. “We are going out to see the improvements in the next few weeks. Perhaps this fall you would honor us with a visit?”

“Oh, I would love to,” the duchess said. “Will the countess be there?”

Juliet nodded. “We have designed some rooms just for her. I believe she will be well pleased.”

She turned her head and found Landon looking directly at her. Her pulse quickened as he lifted his glass in her direction.

“Exchanging lover’s glances?” the duchess leaned over to whisper.

Juliet dipped her lashes coyly to her cheek. “I am afraid I am guilty.”

The ladies chuckled.

“It is good to be so in love, my dear.” The duchess patted her arm. “There are those among us who envy that.” She sighed. “All this talk has made me thirsty.” She waved her hand and a servant moved toward them with a silver tray of flutes filled with French champagne.