The Bedford Beauty (A Regency Novella) (7 page)

    
“I love your delicious demands,” he growled and bit her other
nipple, but harder this time and pushed a second finger into her, stretching
her, readying her for more.

    
“Ahhhh,” Alice squealed.

    
“You are ready for me,” he murmured against her nipple.

    
He pulled his fingers out of her and sucked her juices off his
fingers with his lips and tongue. Alice watched and her desire went out of
control. She wanted to eat him alive, but didn't know how to do it. She grabbed
at the hard bulge she felt between them. Satisfaction mingled with unimaginable
desire coursed through her as he groaned and panted at her touch. She wanted to
feel him without the impediment of clothing. She unbuttoned his breeches and
tried to shove them down.

    
Blake grasped her hands and lifted them into the air, then
quickly pulled her chemise over her head. He sat there for a moment stunned,
and let his eyes rove over her. “You are the most beautiful woman I will ever
lay eyes on.”

    
He reached out his hands and cupped her warm breasts, drawing
them to his mouth and tasting them with no barriers. He licked and suckled her
until she was wet between her spread thighs. She pulled his shirt over his head
and he set her roughly away from him, stood partially and pulled his breeches
off. His member jutted out with fierce longing for her and the limited space
placed it inches away from her mouth, covering his member with her hot, frantic
breaths.

    
“I've always dreamed of you tasting me.” He held still in front of
her, and his words brought understanding. Raw enthusiasm infused her. She
grasped his hard length in her fingers, reveling in the warm, solid feel of it,
and she experimentally touched her tongue to the tip of his erection. He jerked
and moaned as she moved and tasted him, getting bolder with each stroke and
lick.

    
Blake pulled away and drew her back onto his lap with her legs
spread wide across his thighs. “I have to make love to you now Alice. I promise
to be as gentle as I can, darling.”

    
“Please Blake,” Alice panted as he rubbed her nipple with his
thumb then suckled her fiercely. “Oh!” Alice arched her back.

    
Blake placed his member at her wet entrance and thrust into her
calling out her name. Alice tensed at the pain radiating through her core. She
hadn't known it would be this painful but God she wanted Blake. The pain ebbed
and she leaned in and kissed his neck and jaw, running her fingers through his
hair and grabbing fistfuls to pull his lips to hers.

    
Blake groaned and withdrew his member only to shove it into her
again more deeply. The rhythm of his thrusts created a delicious tension in her
which built and built and burst. Alice screamed and went limp in Blake's arms,
overwhelmed by the incredible feelings rushing through her body with torrential
force.

    
Blake stiffened and his rhythm inside her increased to a
frenzied pace, his manhood hardening even more, until he groaned out and
clutched at her body as he came inside her. The force of his final push sent
her crying out again as her whole body erupted in delight.

    
Alice nestled close to Blake as he pulled her back against the
seat with him. They were sweaty and sated, he smelled wonderfully musky. Alice
couldn't ever remember feeling this incredible before. She couldn't have lifted
a limb if she tried.

    
“Did I hurt you?” Blake whispered and she could hear the rumble
of his voice through his throat.

“Only in the
most marvelous way imaginable,” she replied and caressed his arm.

She could
hear his breathing slow and steady. He sat up then, keeping her on his lap. She
should have felt embarrassed at her nakedness, but instead breathless
excitement stole over her again. She watched Blake stare at her breasts and
knew her nipples hardened under his gaze.

“Beautiful,”
he whispered and touched them almost reverently. “I’ve waited so long to have
you.”

Alice gasped
and his eyes flew to hers. He kissed her slow and gentle, lingering over her
mouth as though savoring the experience. Then he pulled back and twisted,
reaching for his coat. He withdrew a white handkerchief and placed it gently
against her mound.

“I did not
intend for your first time to be in a carriage,” he stated, a hint of
self-reproof in his voice.

“I can't
believe any of this Blake. I must be dreaming for I am supposed to marry Lord
Bedford,” Alice shook her head in bewilderment.

Blake
stiffened and set her back on her seat roughly, still naked. When she looked
into his eyes they were blazing with anger and possessiveness.

“Blake, why
are you angry? You can't imagine I would go along with your plans without any
thought to the promise I made my family.”

“I'm not
angry,” he bit out adamantly, “You are mine now.”

Alice grabbed
for her chemise and pulled it over her head. Blake's hands touched her, helping
her dress and she panted and wanting to kiss him again, badly.
 
Instead, she held back and avoided his gaze,
overwhelmed by her emotions. He reached for her, but she pushed his hands away.

“I can't
think with you touching me,” Alice replied in a raspy voice, turning to look
out the window.

“We will
reach the inn soon, let me help you dress,” Blake spoke in calm, gentle tones.

“I can do it
myself,” Alice replied.

She couldn't
believe she had abandoned all reason and let Blake make love to her. What had
she been thinking or not thinking? She couldn't marry Blake, could she? She was
ruined now, compromised beyond redemption, no one else would have her. And
Blake and Dayton had planned this all, behind her back. How could they! No one
asked her opinion or what she wanted. Anger sputtered to life, tears streaked
down her cheeks, and she refused to look at Blake, dressing in silence.

The Queens
Head Inn came into view as the sun set. The coaching inn bustled with horses, carriages,
servants and passenger arrivals and departures. Alice glanced over at Blake for
the first time in an hour. His eyes met hers and she blushed. Her gaze slide
over his body, amazed, only a short time ago, she was in the throes of passion
with him. When her eyes returned to his face the man looked ready to pounce on
her with hunger.

Alice
swallowed a lump in her throat as the coach stopped.

“Shall we go
in and have supper?” Blake asked cordially. Without waiting, he climbed out and
reached a hand toward her. With a sigh, Alice ensured her hair was secure in a
simple chignon before accepting his hand. His fingers were warm and firm over
hers and he drew her close once she reached the ground, securing his arm around
her waist.

The
cobblestone courtyard lay before them leading to the large white walled inn.
The constant clatter of horses and horns could be heard as coaches arrived and
left the inn. Alice allowed Blake to pull her close as they walked into the
inn, which was only marginally quieter than out of doors.

“I need a
room for my wife and me,” Blake requested and placed his hand atop hers to
still any questions ready to fly off her tongue. She bit them back as she knew
a woman was not safe without protection. Alice was weary from traveling all day
so instead of challenging him, she watched Blake's profile as he dealt with the
innkeeper. He was so handsome and intense and sexy, but why did he steal her?
Why didn’t he ask her to elope upfront or ask Papa for her hand in marriage?
She knew Papa and Mother were predisposed to deny any offers if the gentleman
was not titled but she could have stepped in and expressed her interest.

Blake took
the proffered key from the innkeeper and directed her toward the stairs. They
had room number two for the night. The night! Alice had never slept in a bed
with a man before and now she would do so before her wedding night. Perhaps it
was too late to be concerned since she was no longer a virgin.

The room was
sparse but comfortable looking. A table and chairs resided in the corner, a
large bed centered against the wall, a stand and basin full of water, and a
screen to preserve modesty. She went over and glanced out the window to watch
the
 
courtyard
ruckus.
She sensed Blake before he even touched her. She could smell his unique male
scent and nearly leaned back into him, forgetting why she should be mad at him.
His lips touched her left temple as his hands gently rested on her shoulders.

“What are you
thinking?” he asked softly, his lips trailed down her neck setting her blood on
fire. Alice heard the hitch in her throat and cursed her weak body when Blake
touched her.

“Stop!” Alice
wretched herself away from his hold, nearly stumbling into the bed, not exactly
where she wanted to escape to.

Blake's brown
eyes held pain at her reluctance before it disappeared behind a brooding,
intense look. “You're upset I did not propose in the traditional way?”

Alice gaped
at him. “That is an under statement to say the least. You and Dayton arranged
for me to flee my parents and go to Gretna Green without a single declaration.
Why? How could you not propose to me first and gain my consent to an elopement?
Instead we are fleeing the country like bandits on the run.” Alice crossed her
arms under her breasts and glared at him.

“I know what
this must look like but I did it for your own good,” Blake replied. He stood by
the window scrutinizing her expressions as though she would sprout wings and
fly.

“How romantic
to know this is all for my own good and not for some nefarious reasons of your
own,” she exclaimed, hurt he would treat her like a child.

Blake ran a
hand through his hair in agitation.

“I did not
mean to imply I would gain nothing from our marriage. I need you Alice. You are
all I think of,” Blake solemnly swore and took a step closer to her.

Her chest
fluttered at his words, even if he had not said he loved her, he'd come close.
Alice licked her lips as he moved closer and she could tell he was tense as a
fiddle bow. Blake stopped inches from her with his dark midnight hair falling
into his face, giving him a wild, masculine appearance. Her eyes met his and he
bent and kissed her gently. Kissing Blake was like adding kindling to an
already roaring fire. She couldn't stop the melting sensations seeping into her
bones and the maelstrom of desire sweeping her along and allowing Blake to kiss
and caress her in all manner of ways.

Alice pulled
back and halted his approach by placing a hand on his chest. She could feel his
rapid heart beat and knew he wanted her as much as she wanted him. He
restrained himself at the moment, she could see it in his eyes, the struggle to
hold back and not consume her in one fell swoop. But she had to understand his
motives and intentions.

“Why are you
doing this Blake? Why not propose to me in Bedford? Why would Dayton support
such an outlandish plot?” Alice begged, shaking her head in confusion.

Blake sighed
and touched her cheek.

“Your parents
are signing marriage settlement papers with Lord Bedford tomorrow,” Blake
explained calmly. However, his expressive eyes were like a thunderstorm ready
to strike.

“Yes, it is
nearly settled that I will marry Lord Bedford,” Alice sighed and sat on the
bed, her legs wouldn't support her any longer. Blake moved to sit beside her.

“Dayton knows
how I feel about you and when your father made his announcement last night, I
knew I had to act fast to prevent you from making a terrible mistake.”

“Why don't
you want me to marry Lord Bedford?” Alice demanded.

“I told you
why already,” Blake replied through gritted teeth.

Ah, so it had
nothing to do with love, only his desire to punish Lord Bedford for his
involvement with Mrs. Hadley. Anger and hurt rose up like bile in her mouth and
Alice wanted to lash out.

“Your mother
made a choice to be with Lord Bedford. Don't let your prejudice ruin yours or
my future,” Alice reprimanded him, with fisted hands in her lap.

Blake rose to
his feet and glared down at her before turning away. He paced over to the
window and leaned his shoulder against the frame. Despite the relaxed pose,
Alice knew he was angry.

“My mother's
only choices were to let us starve or become Lord Bedford's light skirt,” he
spat.

“Why would
you have starved?” Alice asked.

“My father owed
Lord Bedford a lot of money and couldn't pay him back. The viscount agreed to
cancel the debt if mother went willingly.”

“Oh God! I
didn't know. I'm sorry Blake,” Alice stuttered. Something bothered her
regarding this information.
 
She could
not imagine Lord Bedford being so ruthless, not with the way he spoke of
Blake’s mother.

“I know what
a monster Lord Bedford is and you can't marry him,” Blake bit off and turned to
watch her again. He didn't try to hide the anguish in his eyes this time. Alice
couldn't bear it. She rose and almost went to him, wanting to wrap her arms
around him, offer all the comfort she could, but she didn't. He wanted revenge
and she was a means to an end for him. It hurt so bad to realize he'd used her.