The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh (13 page)

He shook his head. “Perhaps I don't know you as well as I thought I did.”

Anna heaved a sigh. “That is the reason I've been so concerned you truly don't want me as a wife after all. Two years can make a great deal of difference. I've been trying to show you.”

The sun had shifted so it was now shining in directly through the windows. For a moment, his chiseled face looked more careworn, then he smiled. Anna's heart wanted to melt. Sometimes she wished she weren't so different from other young women. Yet, there was too much at stake for her to let her love for him take the lead.

He placed his hands on her shoulders. “If I'd known you were so talented, I would never have said what I did to Marcus.”

Anna shook her head. “Why?”

“Because then I would have wanted a wife who could help with all the estate management.” He caught her gaze and held it. “Anna,

I just want
you
. In all your guises.”

She searched his face. If only she could be positive he knew what he wanted. “Sebastian, are you sure?”

He drew her up and kissed her. “I've never been more certain of anything in my life.”

“Rutherford, you wished to speak with me,” Lady Rutherford said from the corridor.

He groaned. “I'll put her off. What I have to say to her won't take long any way.”

Striding to the door he opened it. His mother looked in, and her smile faded when she saw Anna.

“Mother, how can I help you?”

Lady Rutherford's lips pursed tightly. “What are you doing alone with Miss Marsh?”

“We are going over the accounts. If we are going to marry, she has a right to see how things are run.”

Lady Rutherford's complexion seemed to pale. “Indeed. Being in a closed room alone with Miss Marsh is not a good example to set for your sisters.”

Sebastian's countenance darkened. “Very well. We shall take a ride.” He reached out his hand for Anna. “Miss Marsh?”

“Yes, of course.” The proprieties could have been met by keeping the door open. Anna wondered if there was something else going on. Other than Lady Rutherford's dislike of her.

A
nna and Sebastian returned to the stables, where he ordered the carriage to be made ready.

“Do you want to drive?” he asked tersely, handing her into the carriage.

She'd rarely seen him so angry. Lady Rutherford didn't have any sense at all when dealing with her son. “Not if you need to.”

He climbed in and took the ribbons. Rutherford whipped the horses up and headed for the gate. He was silent for several minutes as he rounded the corner on to the main road.

Anna watched him in his frustration. “Where are we going?”

“To the cottage, if you have no objection.”

“No, none at all.” Perhaps they could finish their conversation. She held on to the side of the curricle and watched as the woods and brown meadows swiftly passed by.

He pulled the curricle behind the building. They watered the horses and fed them oats. “Come.” He took her hand.

When Anna entered the cottage, her breath came out in a puff.

“I'll build the fire up.” She glanced down at the small stack of wood. “We'll need more kindling. There is a pile on the side of the house.”

He nodded and left. Opening the shutters, she was thankful the windows were glass. At least the sun would make the cottage feel warmer.

A search through the cupboards unearthed tea, mugs, and sugar. Rutherford returned with an armful of kindling. Once the fire roared and popped to life, she filled the old iron kettle, placed it on the fireplace crane, and swung it over the flames.

“Well, now we should be warm soon.” Anna turned to find herself in Sebastian's arms and laughed. “I don't quite think this was what your mother had in mind when she wouldn't allow us in your study alone.”

He grinned wickedly. “If she knew about this place, she'd have played gooseberry herself.”

Anna wondered how her skin could thrill to his touch through all her clothes. His body was so large and warm. She could barely reach all the way around him as she burrowed her hands under his coat. Even if it all came to naught, there was no reason she couldn't take some joy in being with him.

“I wish it weren't so blasted cold in here,” he said.

His palm traveled lower over her, leaving a trail of tingling warmth, and she gasped in response. “I'm not cold.”

Rutherford chuckled.

He unbuttoned her pelisse and loosened the scarf. Chilly air hit the back of her neck. “Oh, that is freezing.”

Removing her hat, he placed it carefully on the table before feathering light kisses on her neck. Anna's skin flushed, and she was warm again. The heat moved to her jaw, his lips firm but soft. The next thing she knew, the back of her knees hit the bed, and she toppled on to it with Sebastian half covering her. His arm circled her and shifted them farther on to the mattress.

“Anna, I love you.”

Sebastian unbuttoned the front of her gown and unlaced her stays. His hands cupped her breasts, and he buried his head in them. When he took one nipple into his mouth, she arched and cried with pleasure.

It might be wrong, but she wanted this. Streaks of intense pleasure coursed through her as she responded to his caresses. She could barely think, but she had so many questions. How could he make her feel like this? How did he know what to do? And if this was what a man and a woman did together, how could any woman not like it? Her body ached and wanted more. She twisted and moaned and finally got her hands under his jacket.

Drat.
She'd forgotten to take off her gloves. “Sebastian, I want to touch you.”

“Umm, do as you wish.” He moved to the other breast.

“I still have my gloves on.” Her heart pulsed, and fire flooded her body. She could barely get the words out. “I can't take them off while you're doing that.”

“Let me see.” He lifted up and quickly removed her gloves. “Now, where was I?”

Anna tugged at his shirt, and it wouldn't budge. She settled for rubbing her palms over the soft linen of his shirt. His skin burned beneath her hands. When she ran her fingers over his muscles, they tightened.

He groaned and attended to her breasts with renewed vigor, before laying claim to her mouth. She rubbed greedily up and down his back, reveling in the feeling. “Sebastian, is it always like this? So wonderful?”

“Only with you. If I do something you don't like, tell me and I'll stop.”

Want him to stop? Her heart raced, and the breath to answer wouldn't come. Cold air drifted up her legs. His hand touched the back of her knee before moving to her inner thigh. She shuddered. Soon he touched her curls and rubbed the place that ached so much. He seemed to know just what to do.

She arched up and tried to put her legs around him. “Oh, Sebastian, that feels so good.”

He chuckled. “Wait just a moment, and it will feel even better.”

One finger slid into her, and little shudders ran through her. He removed it and filled her again. His mouth came down hard on hers. His tongue caressed and sucked hers, causing an inferno. She couldn't think or breathe. If he kept this up, she was going to explode. It was as if it was a warm summer day and she was in an eddy being carried out to sea. She trembled as warm waves of bliss washed over her. Her heart filled with love for him. If only all this could last.

Rutherford held her gently to him, nuzzling her hair and placing soft kisses on her head.

“Did you like what I did?”

For a moment, all she could do was smile, but something was wrong. “Sebastian, what about you? Is there something I should do?”

“No, I'm fine.” His inner beast roared at him to take her up on her offer. He shoved it away. Not yet. He didn't mind using seduction to help her choose him, but he'd not go further than this until she said yes.

“But I
want
to do something.”

Of course she did; she wouldn't be Anna if she didn't. “No, sweetheart. There is nothing you can do for me unless you agree to marry me.”

She frowned, and he was reminded how stubborn she could be.

“That is not fair.” She narrowed her eyes. “Are you saying that just so I'll accept you?”

Is that what she really thought, or was she just angry? “No. Unless you wish to be compromised into wedding me, I cannot allow this to go any further.”

Anna stared up at the ceiling, gnawing on her bottom lip. “I suppose in this case, you know best.”

He wouldn't hear that much when they married. “Thank you.”

“What time is it?”

“Time to take you home.”

She turned to him, her voice deeper, sultry. “Not yet. Kiss me again.”

The desire in her eyes nearly undid him. He shouldn't have introduced her to this much passion until they were betrothed. He knew her too well. There'd be no going back.

He kissed her slowly, exploring her mouth and savoring her sweet taste. “Now, Miss Marsh, we need to leave. Or my mother won't be the only one wanting to chaperone us.”

After getting up, Rutherford held out his hand to help her. He retied her stays and buttoned her dress, while Anna tidied her hair.

“Where are my gloves?” She glanced around. “Oh, here's one.”

He handed her the other and helped her into her pelisse and cloak before running an expert eye over her. “You'll pass inspection as long as no one looks too closely.”

Anna's eyes widened, and she looked down at herself. “What do you mean?”

He ran the pad of his thumb lightly over her lips. “They're swollen, and you have the look of a well-pleasured lady.”

She blushed, something she didn't do nearly often enough.

Walking over to the fireplace, he banked the fire. “That will keep it at least a little warm in here for tonight.”

Anna closed the shutters, and they made their way to the carriage. He kissed her one last time before helping her up to the seat. “You drive.”

She took the ribbons, expertly threading them around her fingers. “Thank you, my lord.”

It would be all he could do to keep her from racing forward physically. Her passion for life was mirrored in her passion for him. It boded well for their future, but it was going to kill him until she agreed to marry.

He sat back against the seat, and a movement near the woods caught his eye. He turned as a man on horseback rode away. Who the hell was that? From now on, Rutherford needed to ensure that Anna never came here alone.

They dined at Marsh Hill, and he returned home after tea was served.

His mother was waiting for him when he entered the Priory.

“Rutherford, I think we should probably have a talk.”

“I agree. Griffin, please light the candles in my study.” He took his mother's elbow and followed his butler.

Lady Rutherford took a seat in front of his desk. Nervously, she clasped and unclasped her hands. Once Griffin left, Rutherford took his place at the desk, allowing the silence to stretch.

Finally, she said, “I–I find I was at fault for telling the girls about my hopes for you and my goddaughter. Though, if you would have taken me a little into your confidence, none of what occurred at luncheon today would have happened.”

He'd not allow her to talk him round. If she thought she'd drive a wedge between Anna and him, she was very much mistaken. “Madam, you are well aware of my feelings when it comes to your match-making attempts.”

He poured a glass of brandy and took a swallow. “I've told you on more than one occasion to leave the matter of my wife to me. I have known since before Miss Marsh's come-out that I intended to marry her. However, she was young and needed to mature. I've no objection to your goddaughter's visiting or to your sponsoring her for the Season, so long as you understand you must look to another gentleman to wed her.”

Setting his glass down, he fixed her with a hard stare. “As soon as Anna has accepted me, I shall expect you to do your duty and begin handing over the household reins to her.”

“Yes, of course,” his mother said stiffly, gazing at her hands.

He softened his voice a little. “Mama, I don't want to send you off to the dower-house, but if I must, I will. Get rid of your notions of arranging an advantageous marriage for me and come to know your future daughter-in-law. I think you'll like her.”

Mama inclined her head and left the room.

He sat back in his chair, toying with his pen. Had Anna actually changed that much or was it him? She had a great deal more countenance now, though that was probably to have been expected. Anna had always been lively and not only cared about others, particularly those less fortunate, but stood up for her beliefs. It was one of the many things he loved about her. In fact, it shouldn't have surprised him that she had Radical leanings. Now that he thought about it, it was too bad a woman as intelligent as Anna couldn't vote. Frustrated, he pitched the pen across the desk. Perhaps the better question was when had he become such a damned prig?

Rutherford reached across to retrieve his pen. A letter he'd not noticed there earlier was propped up against the standish. He picked it up and looked at the seal. Jamison. It was dated three days ago and informed him about the meeting between a suspected traitor and a French spy. Rutherford took out a piece of foolscap and penned a missive in return.

Rutherford folded and sealed the missive, then rang for Griffin.

“Yes, my lord?”

“See that this letter goes out by express post. If I receive any more correspondence from Lord Jamison, I wish to be notified immediately, no matter where I am.”

Griffin bowed and took the letter. “Yes, my lord. Will there be anything else?”

“Yes, her ladyship is expecting a visitor. Keep me informed as to when the lady is arriving.”

“Yes, my lord, and may I say that the household is happy with your choice of Miss Marsh? We look forward to being able to felicitate you.”

Rutherford smiled wryly. “Whenever she accepts me.”

Griffin bowed again. “Miss Marsh has the reputation of being a bit strong-willed and a determined young lady. The dependents of the Hill think the better of her for it.”

“Made changes there, has she?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Very well, Griffin. Tell the staff I'll look forward to their good wishes.”

Griffin bowed and left Rutherford to his musings. No, the essential parts of Anna hadn't changed. He'd become a dry stick.

He thought back to this afternoon and groaned. Her breasts were fabulous; he could have feasted on them all night. Her legs were strong from riding and her skin like softest silk. Her lush red lips drove him to madness. Suddenly sitting became uncomfortable.
Damn
. This was getting him nowhere. All he could do was prove to Anna that he really wasn't a dead bore.

He frowned as he remembered the horseman. Rutherford glanced at the clock. It was time to change to meet Anna and their spy. Shortly before eleven o'clock, he rode quietly into the stable yard at Marsh Hill. Anna sat on Thunderer, talking with Humphrey, who nodded when he saw Rutherford.