The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh (16 page)

A
nna awoke early, but rather than rising, she stayed and thought over what had occurred yesterday with Sebastian. She'd been prepared for a battle over the accounts, and had been pleasantly surprised when he had actually listened to her. She wasn't totally convinced, but it was a good start. She did believe he loved her. If only she was naive enough to believe that was enough, she'd be the happiest lady in England. They were certainly attracted to each other physically.
That
hadn't been at all what she'd expected. There was a stark difference between the chaste kisses she had imagined before and the heated ones that made her toes curl. Love for him sunk deep into her bones and swirled in her mind. If only she could bring herself to just accept him, perhaps her dreams would come true after all. Yet that wasn't the answer, and she knew it. Phoebe was right. With Sebastian, Anna had to be sure.

Her thoughts slid back to the cottage and the pleasure he'd showed her, while taking none for himself. That was something she could explore before she had to make a final decision. There must be some way she could please him. She frowned. Although well educated in many subjects, she was still woefully ignorant concerning what happened between a man and a woman.
Harry's book
.

Anna jumped up and went to her desk where she'd hidden it. The book was extremely illuminating. It had not only drawings, which she hoped were accurate, but directions as well. Most of the portrayals depicted the “act” itself; however, a few showed other forms of intimacy.

She stopped flipping the pages when she found a picture of a woman kneeling before a man, his member in her mouth. Anna read the instructions and smiled. Though the words made a small attempt to be clinical, she was growing warmer by the minute. She turned back to the other pictures of men and women joined together. That must be what Sebastian wouldn't do with her before she agreed to marry him.

“Oh, my. That sounds nice.” Her breasts swelled as she thought of him touching her that way, and she grew damp between her legs. Anna turned the pages, pausing at some of them and tilting her head. Could it really be done like that? Sebastian would know.

There was no point in waiting any longer. Despite what he'd said about waiting, today she'd give him pleasure.

 

Rutherford was awakened by a shriek. When Robertson opened the bed hangings, Rutherford raised a brow.

“My lord, it appears a fox has got in amongst the hens.”

“That answers my first question.”

Doors slammed, and his two youngest sisters dashed into his chamber. He closed his eyes. “I will speak to you at breakfast. Now leave.”

Small feet shuffled back out. “Robertson, I believe there is more afoot than chickens.”

Rutherford rose and dressed, then sent a note to Anna begging her forgiveness and saying that he'd be by as soon as he could. He descended the stairs to the breakfast room where he found his sisters and his mother at the table. After taking his seat and a cup of tea, he surveyed his family. “What is going on?”

Eloisa jumped in. “Mama received a note. . . .”

“Enough, if Mama received the letter, she shall explain.”

His mother raised her chin. “I received a letter from my goddaughter. She is at Grillon's. I shall post to London immediately.”

He took another sip of tea. “I bid you a good journey. However, I fail to understand why that should cause my bedchamber to be invaded.”

He cast a quelling glance at Cece, who'd begun to giggle.

His mother didn't meet his eyes, and said, “I said I'd take Althea, and the other two wanted to come as well.”

“How long will you be away?”

“Not long at all. I should return in a couple of days.”

The idea of any of his family running off to London or anywhere else without him right now caused him to shake his head. “Not today.”

“What do you mean, not today?”

“I really do not think I'm being obtuse,” he said decisively. “Unless you wish to travel on Sunday, write the lady and explain that you'll arrive Monday afternoon. I'll expect you to return the following day. The girls will remain here.”

A cacophony of voices rent the air.

His mother, one of the few persons who knew of Sebastian's spying activities, raised an inquiring brow.

He nodded. She didn't need to know the details, only that it was unwise for his sisters to be running around England.

“Quiet, or you will all go to your rooms.” Rutherford waited for the noise to stop and said to his mother, “Indeed. Things are a little interesting at the present. If your goddaughter has a companion, I suggest you not go at all.”

His mother pressed her lips together. “My goddaughter's companion does not travel with her beyond London. Well, then, I must travel on Sunday. I shall leave alone on the morrow after church.”

“I'll send outriders with you.”

“Will you tell me all of it?”

“Yes, afterward.” When they had the French spies in hand.

She inclined her head. “Very well, then.”

A footman entered and handed Rutherford a note.

“What the devil?” He'd forgotten to tell Anna about the man near the cottage. “Get my horse,” he bellowed to the footman. Rutherford fixed each of his sisters with a stern look. “I must go. We shall continue this discussion when I return.”

His horse was being brought out as he entered the stables. After swinging himself up, he took off at a gallop.

 

By the time Anna reached the stables, Humphrey had her horse ready. He stopped her as she led Thunderer to the mounting block. “Where's his lordship?”

“I'm meeting him. I'll not be alone for long.”

Humphrey's chin firmed. “I told him and Mr. Harry that you'd not go out by yerself.”

“Humphrey, truly,” she said in her best wheedling tone, “I'll only be alone for a little while. Lord Rutherford will be with me soon.”

The groom grumbled, but in the end Anna got her way. She rode off, smiling in anticipation. The morning was warmer than usual, and the sun shone. She stabled Thunderer at the cottage and walked around to the door.

After opening the shutters, she was busy building up the fire when she heard a horse. The door opened, and she stood to greet Sebastian, but Percy was there instead.

She edged back against the fireplace, being careful not to show she was alarmed. Surely she could handle Percy. “What are you doing here? No, don't bother telling me.
Get out
. I have nothing to say to you.”

Percy advanced into the room. “But I have something to say to you. As long as you're playing Rutherford's whore, you may do for me as well. After all, what's another when you've already had one?”

His features contorted into a lewd smile. A ripple of terror ran down her spine, and the hairs on her neck stood up, but she daren't allow him to see how frightened she really was.

“You have no idea what you're saying.
Get. Out
.
Now.
” Anna narrowed her eyes menacingly and took a shallow breath as she reached behind her, grabbing the fireplace poker.

Percy sauntered toward her. “Anna, my dear, I'm a man just like Rutherford . . . or is it his wealth you find so attractive?”

She moved behind the table, hiding the iron rod in her skirts. “Percy, I'm warning you. You don't know what you're saying. Leave.”

He laughed like a madman. “You think he's going to marry you, but he won't. Not after you've warmed his bed.”

Anna prayed Sebastian would get here soon, but until he did, she was on her own. She clenched her jaw. “You always were an idiot.”

Percy lunged over the table to grab her. Anna swung the poker down hard on his shoulder, jumping aside to hit him again. Screaming, he started after her, but stumbled over a chair. Anna raised the rod again. “The next hit goes to your head.”

Percy scrambled to his feet and fled out the still-open door, straight into Sebastian. He grabbed Percy and drove his fist into the sapskull's face. There was a satisfying crunch. Blood shot out from Percy's nose and it was off at an angle.

Sebastian turned to Anna. “Close the door and stay inside.”

She quickly closed the door, ran to the window, and opened it.

“Go anywhere near her again, Blanchard,” Sebastian snarled as he punched Percy in the stomach, “and I'll kill you.”

A whoosh of air left Percy, and he fell to the ground. But instead of staying down, like a sensible man, he got up and did what Anna thought had to be the stupidest thing in the world. He spoke.

“I'll be here when you're done with her. . . .”

Rutherford hit him again. This time, Percy stayed on the ground, moaning.

Still furious, Sebastian untied Percy's horse and wacked it on its rump. “You can walk home.”

There was blood everywhere, mostly on Percy. Anna couldn't help but be thrilled that Sebastian had dealt so handily with the idiot. Of course, now she had another problem. The chance of someone's finding out about what she and Sebastian had been doing just increased tremendously.

After Percy had been gone for a few minutes, the cottage door slammed open. Sebastian dragged her into his arms, crushing his lips to hers. A frisson of excitement coursed through her, and Anna returned his kiss hungrily.

“God, Anna, you scared me to death. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you.” He held her back, searching her face. “Anna, are you all right?”

“I'm fine.” Sebastian looked as if he was about to argue. “Really, there's nothing wrong with me. I'm glad you pummeled Percy. He deserved it, broken nose and all.”

He stared at the ceiling for a moment before gazing at her again. “My love, it's not just Percy. We need to talk.”

“Perhaps he won't say anything,” she said, praying Sebastian would agree, yet knowing he wouldn't.

“Anna”—though he frowned, his voice was gentle—“do you want to put your reputation in Percy's hands?”

If only she could think her way out of this mess, but not one idea floated through her brain. She shook her head. “No.”

“Anna, marry me, please. Let me protect and cherish you.”

“Sebastian, I . . .”

He placed a finger over her lips. “I know you don't love me yet, but I'll do everything I can to be the man you want me to be.”

Her chest ached so badly, she could barely draw a breath. “Oh, don't you see? I do love you. I've loved you most of my life, but I need to make sure we will be happy together.”

He sat on a chair and pulled her on to his lap, holding her to him. “Anna, life doesn't issue guarantees. I realize I've been a bit overbearing lately.”

She nodded and gave a small chuckle. “Stodgy.”

“Yes, but that's probably due to the fact that I haven't had a strong woman to manage me.”

She had never expected to hear that from Sebastian. She leaned back and gazed at him. “We still have a great deal to resolve.”

He smiled. “I promise you, we'll do it together. Miss Marsh, will you do me the honor of being my wife and baroness?”

Tears misted her eyes. “Yes, my lord, I will.”

Sebastian kissed her slowly. When he opened his lips, she ran her tongue over his teeth, capturing his mouth. Sliding her hands under his greatcoat, she pushed it down over his arms.

“Anna, what are you doing?”

“Taking this off.” She slid off his lap and pulled him up. “Trust me.”

After she'd dispensed with his coat, she unbuttoned his jacket, pulling it down from his shoulders, kissing him on his jaw, as he'd done to her.

He was too tall for her to kneel while he stood. “Hmm, how to do this? Sit please.”

Sebastian did as she asked, but it was clear he had no idea what she'd planned.

Kneeling, Anna unbuttoned the fall of his buckskin breeches. His fully erect shaft sprung up to greet her. She took it lightly in her hands and lowered her mouth over it.

“Oh God, Anna,” he moaned. His fingers winnowed through her hair, loosening the pins in her tresses.

He tasted salty and musky. She whirled her tongue and sucked. Other than his hands in her hair, he was still. She lifted her head. “Am I doing this right? I read the instructions.”

Rutherford groaned. “You're doing it perfectly.”

She bent back down to him.

After a few moments, he jerked.
“Wait—what instructions?”

Anna gazed up at him. “I found a book. I think it was Harry's.”

“Where?” Sebastian asked, as if in anguish. “Where did you find it?”

Anna grinned. “At Marsh House, in the library. I wanted to do something for you.” She bent her head again.

The book
. He'd been there when Harry had bought it. God, there'd be no stopping her now. “Come.” Rutherford helped her up and kissed her gently.

She tugged on his shirt and cravat.

Capturing her hands, he said, “Slowly. This is not an act to be rushed.”

His lips teased hers to answer as he gradually moved her back toward the bed. He unbuttoned her jacket, running his palms over her breasts, enjoying her sharp intake of breath.

Her skirt made a swoosh as it fell. He lightly grazed her body with his hands, savoring her curves and the panting noises she made. He lingered at her buttocks. She rocked into him. Anna's moan made him even harder. He laughed when his breeches dropped. It was a good thing they were already at the bed, or he'd have been hobbled.