The Temptation of Lady Serena (20 page)

Someday, she’d learn to give him the same joy he was giving her.

 

Robert inwardly crowed when he brought her to completion.
Serena was his.
He’d kill anyone who tried to take her from him now. He needed her like he needed his next breath. He’d felt that insatiable hunger almost from the beginning, and it had terrified him. His desire for her was only growing stronger. He looked down at her, slumped in his arms, and softly nuzzled her hair. He’d make his idiocy up to her. Show her how much he loved her. Robert wondered how he could keep her with him every night in his bed.

Serena protested when he removed his hand and smoothed her skirts.

He kissed her. “Finster will be looking for us.”

“I don’t know if I can stand.”

Robert smiled. He’d never before known a female whose legs turned to jelly because of his attentions, but he liked the way it made him feel. “I have noticed the first thing to go is your legs. I’ll help you dress.”

“I wonder if Mary has noticed the difference in the way my laces are tied.”

Robert gave a shout of laughter. “If she has, I doubt she’ll say anything, my lady. You’ll be married in two weeks to the only person who’ll be retying them. Are you ready to stand?”

“Yes, I think I can manage it now. Robert, will it always be like this between us?”

“Don’t you like it?”

“I do, very much. I didn’t know anything could feel that way.”

“You will enjoy it even more later, I promise.” He touched the curls at the back of her neck, and she leaned against him. “Come, we should go.”

“Yes, they’ll be looking for us and I’m hungry.”

The plates were set out on their desk when they returned. They ate and worked on the accounts for the rest of the afternoon.

A knock sounded on the door.

“Yes, come,” Serena said.

“My lady, my lord, a letter from the solicitor in York,” Finster announced.

“It must be about the house in town.” Robert extended his hand, took the letter, and broke the seal. He perused the contents before handing it to her.

She read it. The house was theirs. None of the heirs lived in the area and they were happy to sell it. “I think the price you offered may have had something to do with how quickly the sale went through.”

Robert grinned. “But you wanted it, my love, and I wish to please you.”

“Thank you.” She gazed at his warm moss-green eyes. Robert was so handsome and everything was going so well. Surely nothing could ruin their happiness now. “Lora is working on finding an administrator. We must bring the search forward and make a firm count of the number and ages of the children who will attend. Would you like to ride out with me in the morning?”

He nodded. “Yes, then we’ll go to the rectory.”

Serena reached for a piece of paper. “I’ll send Lora a message asking if it’s convenient. Or do you think they’d like to dine with us this evening or drink tea?”

“We can certainly send a note asking.”

Serena scribbled a short letter, sealed it, and rang for Finster.

He opened the door.

“Please have this taken to the rectory and wait for an answer.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Thank you, Finster.”

A half an hour later, a footman came in with a missive. Serena took it. “It’s from Freddy, she and Malfrey have decided to dine in York. Let’s finish these ledgers and then dress for dinner.”

Serena was changing when a note confirming that Lora and John would dine with them was delivered.

Robert was already in the drawing room when she arrived. He drew her into his arms and enveloped her in his strength. “I love you.”

Serena put her hands on his cheeks. “I love you, too. I’ve never been happier.”

He bent to kiss her and someone coughed from the door behind him. Robert put his forehead against hers. “Yes, Finster?”

“Mr. and Mrs. Stedman are here.”

“Show them in.”

A few moments later, Finster opened the door again to announce John and Lora.

Serena greeted them and took Lora’s hands.

When Serena was young, this was how she thought her life would be. Having a house of her own, a husband, and entertaining their friends. She’d lost a good part of her dream after her mother died and her father had needed her so badly. The rest disappeared when her brother failed to return and take his place as earl.

Now her dream had come true. “I am so glad you could come on such short notice. I shall not make a habit of it.”

Lora bussed her cheek. “There was no bother. It did not inconvenience us at all, and we are happy to join you.”

Serena led Lora to the small sofa near the fireplace. “We have wonderful news. The building for the school is ours. We received the solicitor’s letter to-day.”

“Serena, that is good news. We shall have to bring our plans up then. When will you have the numbers for the Hall?”

“We’re riding out to-morrow. I can bring them to you in the late morning. Will you have the town’s information by then?”

“Yes.”

Robert strode to a sideboard. “Lora, would you like a glass of sherry?”

“Yes, please. That would be lovely.”

They discussed the school until dinner was served.

Serena was happy to see that Cook had risen to the occasion. For the first course, they enjoyed a fresh pea soup removed with poached salmon, and lobster patties. The second course consisted of roasted chickens, rabbit in currant sauce, French beans tossed with mushrooms, a salad, and asparagus. Creams and a blackberry trifle were served for dessert.

Afterward, Serena rose from the table, and to her delight, the gentlemen decided to join them in the drawing room rather than stay to drink their port. Robert handed the glasses to John and brought the decanter with him.

“Serena, did you replace your cook?” Lora asked.

“No, she is really quite good when left to her own devices. Would you like to take a turn around the garden?”

Lora grinned mischievously. “What I would love to see is your kitchen garden. It’s quite famous.”

“And beautiful.” Serena turned to her betrothed. “Robert, we are going to the kitchen garden. Would you and John like to join us?”

“Yes.” Robert gestured to John. “We’ll take our port.”

The ladies walked ahead, while Robert and John ambled in their wake.

“I like her,” John said. “She seems to be perfect for you.”

“She is.” Robert couldn’t imagine a life without Serena. “I didn’t know what was so special about her, but from the moment I saw her, I couldn’t get her out of my mind.”

“I haven’t seen you this content in many years.”

“As always, you’re right and that’s a very annoying habit of yours. Serena is making the Hall a home again. Even as a child, I don’t ever remember being so comfortable here. I have no desire to return to London.”

John chuckled. “But Robert, what took you so long to see what was under your nose?”

He shook his head and glanced at Serena. “Fear, I suppose. For years I was afraid to fall in love, believing that I’d be betrayed again. I couldn’t bring myself to admit that I’d fallen in love with Serena almost from the first moment I saw her. Certainly after the first evening we spent together at the theater. Women are easy to deal with for a couple of weeks. But a lifetime is another story. And I felt if I admitted my love, I’d lose the control I had. I would no longer be a strong man like my father.”

“Has it occurred to you,” John asked, “that autocracy is not the same as strength?”

“It should have. That’s most likely what drove my mother away. I wonder if she would have loved it here if my father had been different.”

They were interrupted by Lora exclaiming over the garden, “What a bright thought, placing a table here.”

Robert looked around to see a large, rectangular wooden table with four chairs set on flagstone. Other chairs were stacked off to the side. He glanced at Serena. “When did you arrange this?”

Her amber eyes lit up. “The other day. Do you like it?”

He put his arm around her waist. “I do. May we take tea here?”

She leaned against him. “I’ve already ordered it.”

“My love, what made you think of this?”

“You adore this garden so much. I thought it would be pleasant if we could sit out here and enjoy it together.”

Robert pulled a chair out for Serena. Once she and Lora were seated, the gentlemen took their places.

Lora looked around and said, “Serena, you will start a new fashion, taking tea in one’s kitchen garden. For once, Yorkshire will lead London.”

She shrugged. “I only hope I am not thought too eccentric. Yet it is so much warmer here than on the terrace.”

“This summer we need a warm place out of doors,” John said. “It still feels like spring.”

Serena nodded. “The weather has been unseasonably cool. We’re lucky the wall keeps the enclosure fairly warm. Still even in here, the fruits have not ripened as quickly as usual.”

After tea, Robert and John once again walked behind the ladies to the Stedmans’ carriage.

“This was a most enjoyable evening,” John said.

“Thank you. One of many, I trust.”

“Robert,” John said and stopped.

Robert frowned. “John, I asked you to come to Haythrope because you’ve never shied from telling me what I don’t want to hear. If there is something on your mind, say it.”

“Very well. Robert, I want you and Serena to be happy, and you have a tendency to ride roughshod over people, even when you have their best interests at heart. At times you think only of what you, as Viscount Beaumont, want and how to get it. In a marriage, that way leads to great unhappiness.”

The muscle ticking in his cheek was all Robert would show of his irritation. John was wrong. This time he was wrong. Robert had been giving Serena what she wanted, encouraging her to make the Hall her own. “I am not going to do anything to destroy what Serena and I are building.”

“I hope so, Robert. I sincerely hope you are a different man than your father. His autocracy destroyed his marriage. Yes, well, enough of your rector’s advice.”

Somehow the evening seemed a little darker than before.

T
he next morning, Serena woke to the weak sun and Mary making the wash water ready. Stretching, Serena rose, grateful for the fire. “Good morning. I don’t think we will ever have a proper summer this year.”

“Good morning, my lady,” Mary said listlessly. “It has been a bit chilly.”

That was odd. Mary was usually full of energy in the morning. Serena hoped that Mary wasn’t sickening. “I’m riding out after breakfast.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Serena watched as Mary moved slowly around the room. “You know I never interfere, but if something was amiss, you’d tell me, wouldn’t you?”

Mary sighed, blinked a few times, and glanced out the window. “It’s nothing for you to worry yourself about. I got a letter from the castle, is all.”

Serena’s heart stopped for a moment. “Is everything all right?”

Her maid hurried over to Serena. “Oh, there’s nothing to worry you. Everyone is fine. It’s—it’s, well, do you remember the man I told you about before we left Vere?”

“The one who asked you to marry him, and when you told him you’d promised to come with me, he said he’d give you a year to return?” The first man who’d ever proposed to Mary.

Her eyes filled with tears, and she sniffed. “That’s the one. He’s up and married Sukey.”

Serena jumped out of bed and hugged her maid. “I am so sorry. I know this is hard for you. Perhaps I should not have allowed you to accompany me.”

“No, my lady, you are not to be taking the blame. If he couldn’t make it six months, he’d have been faithless in a marriage. I’m much better off here and I like it. I’m glad we’re staying.” Sadness fringed her words.

“If you’re sure? You can take a holiday if you’d like.”

Mary scoffed. “With your wedding in two weeks and all the guests from London, I wouldn’t leave you now for anything. Here, you need to get dressed. His lordship will be waiting.”

Serena put her hand on Mary’s arm. “You’ll tell me if there is anything I can do?”

“Yes, my lady. I’ll be fine.” Mary took out a morning gown and suddenly grinned. “I have a bit more news. It appears your brother’s wife, Lady Vere, is not as happy with you gone as she’d thought. She didn’t have a good idea of how much you did.”

Serena shook her head. “Well, she’s got no one to blame but herself. I tried to tell her.”

Mary nodded sagely. “Yes, my lady, and you weren’t the only one.”

 

Robert was at the top of the grand staircase, waiting for Serena. She loved that he always met her.

They entered the breakfast room to be greeted by Freddy as she took a bite of toast. After swallowing, Freddy said, “Good morning. I hear I missed the Stedmans last evening and tea in the kitchen garden.”

“Good morning.” Robert walked to the sideboard where the breakfast dishes were set out. “That is what happens when you dine away from home.”

“Robert. Behave.” Serena pinched him, before taking a piece of bacon. He’d been perfectly happy to have been alone with her and their guests last night.

Freddy took a bit of egg, swallowed, and waved her fork. “Do not let it worry you, my dear. He can’t help being overbearing. It’s in his blood. My brother and father were just the same. Nephew, for your information, Edward will be dining with us this evening.”

Serena saw Robert’s shoulders tense and wondered if it was because of Edward.

A footman placed porridge before Serena and handed her some papers. “From Cook, my lady. She asked you to take a look at the menus before you go out to-day.”

“Thank you.”

Finster came into the room. “Lady Stanstead, Lord Malfrey is awaiting you.”

“Thank you, Finster. Please tell him I’ll be with him shortly. Serena, I’ll see you at dinner if not before.”

“Have a good day.”

After they’d eaten, Robert said, “Serena, my love, there is something I’d like to discuss with you.”

Serena poured another cup of tea. “Yes?”

He searched her face. “I’ve been wondering.”

What could he be thinking and why was he so serious? “Go on.”

“Do you think it would scandalize anyone if you moved into the viscountess’s chambers before the wedding?”

Serena’s jaw dropped. “I think it would scandalize anyone who heard of it.”

“But we have only a week at the most until our respective families descend upon us.”

“That soon?” Serena held her hand to ward him off. “And you want me to move into the rooms next to yours. You’ve taken leave of your senses.”

“No, I
want
you to move into my room. I’ll settle for the viscountess’s.”

Serena shook her head and took his hand. “We need to go.” She tugged.

He stood and whirled her into his arms. “Shall I persuade you?”

“No.”
She infused her tone with a conviction she didn’t have. “Now come.”

Before she could stop herself, she tilted her head up for a kiss. That was the problem; he likely could talk her round. She had no sense at all when it came to him. “No seduction to win your point.”

Robert heaved a sigh and followed her to the stables.

Once on their horses, they didn’t stop until the outermost cottages came into view. The tenants’ questions regarding the school ranged from the hours to transportation. The survey concerning the number wanting to send their children to the new school took all of the morning and then some.

When they returned, Serena divided the children by age and gender. She gave him the list and sat back with a satisfied smile. “What do you think?”

He perused the list. “I have to say, I’m quite impressed. I had no idea our tenants wanted a school. I’m glad you thought of it.” He stood and held out his hand. “Now, my lady, I have something to show you.”

“What is it?”

“Come with me.” He led her up to his wing of the house and opened a door, standing aside for her to enter the redecorated viscountess’s chambers.

Afternoon sun spilled in, warming the large room. Serena wandered around, glancing occasionally at Robert. He’d put so much effort into this and it was beautiful, exactly as she would have done it. Previously, the chamber had been hung with dark blue drapes and bed hangings and the walls covered with a blue printed wallpaper. It was now decorated in pale, earthy greens, warm blues, and cream. The wallpaper, patterned with birds, trees, and flowers in a large and well-spaced print, gave the appearance of more light. The drapes had small stripes in the same colors as the walls.

“The muslin bed hangings are for summer,” he told her, “to be replaced in autumn by warmer velvets.”

“Robert, it’s beautiful, perfect. How did you know these were my favorite colors?”

“They’re the colors you wear most often.”

Tears of joy started in her eyes as the realization set in. He’d begun this before when he was here the first time. While she was running off to Paris.

He truly had loved her, even then, and wanted to make her happy. “Thank you. I never would have done this for myself.”

Robert took her in his arms. “It took me a while, but I figured that out. Let me show you the rest.”

He walked behind her as she surveyed the rooms which would comprise her apartment. Their chambers, built in an inverted
U
, occupied half of the west wing. The viscountess’s bedchamber, located on the west side of the wing, joined a large dressing room with cupboards built into the walls and three doors. The first led to her bedchamber, the second to a shared sitting room at the end of the wing, and the third to a bathing chamber situated between the two dressing rooms.

A wide corridor separated the viscountess’s chambers from the viscount’s on the east side. A large rectangular sitting room, only accessible from their chambers, spanned the width of the wing at the end of the building. Mullioned windows formed three sides, the only break being the large Norman-style fireplace. The room reminded Serena of an ancient solar.

When they returned to the bedchamber, she slid her hands over his shoulders. “I love it. The rooms are all perfect.”

Robert bent his head and kissed her.

Serena shivered as he swept his hand over her back, drawing her closer to him. Moments later, her bodice sagged. He’d done it again. One of these days, she’d feel it being unlaced. Serena pressed against him. His lips claimed hers, their tongues danced, and the kiss heated. She clung to him as the kiss swirled out of her control. He raised the bottom edge of her skirts and cooler air touched her legs. A pooling of warmth, then a deep yearning filled her as his hand cupped her bare bottom and settled between her legs. Then, her skirt dropped.

Robert pulled back from the kiss, his eyes warm and intense. “I want you.”

“You have me.” She reached up, to draw him back to her.

“I want to make love to you, here, now!”

Serena’s breathing quickened. “Are you sure?”

Robert searched her eyes, the beautiful amber eyes that had haunted him since they’d met. “I’ve never wanted anything more. We’ll take this one step at a time. First you’ll tell me what you want. If you want me to stop, you have only to say ‘no.’ ” He paused and prayed she would not tell him no. “Are you ready?”

Her breasts rose and fell and she nodded. “Yes.”

“Do you want me to kiss you, to touch you?” Robert kept his voice soft. He’d waited for this day for so long.

“Yes.”

Forcing himself to breathe, he smiled. “That is what I want as well, but I want you to kiss me before I kiss you.”

“Me?” Serena flushed. “You really want me now?”

Oh God, if she only knew how much he needed her. “Always.” His voice was gravelly and deep. “Serena, my love, show me you desire me.”

 

She swallowed, placed her hands on his face, and touched her lips to his, kissing him lightly, as if it was their first time. When he responded, she felt a thrill of feminine power and boldly ran her tongue across his lips. His mouth opened and she slipped her tongue in. He tasted of blackberries and something uniquely male. His tongue joined hers. She tilted her head more, deepening the kiss. He clasped his arms hard around her, she felt his urgency.

Serena sighed as her caution fled, and she moved her hands greedily over his linen shirt, feeling his hard muscles. Tugging at his shirt, she freed it from his breeches, then rubbed her palms over his bare skin, across his back and up the sides of his chest. When he swept his fingers down her back and caressed her derrière, she moaned and sent her hands more purposefully down his body to his hard buttocks and pulled him closer, his desire evident against her. He shifted rhythmically against her.

Serena was panting with need. This was so unfair that she didn’t know what to do next. “Now what?”

His voice was low and seductive and his eyes smoldered. “What do you want? Tell me what you want me to do.”

What did she want? “Touch me here. My breasts.”

He cupped her bosoms, softly kneading them through the light muslin of her gown, and played with her nipples. Serena moaned with delight and kissed him more deeply. Her body was on fire as he ministered to them, and the throbbing in her chest eased, but if she wanted more, she’d have to tell him.

“Take them with your mouth, please.”

She gasped as he twirled one nipple between his fingers and gently squeezed. Her body grew hotter under his touch. He slowly pulled down her bodice and stays. Her chemise still covered her. Robert took one breast in his hand and licked the other through the light muslin. When he took it in his mouth and gently sucked, she knew her knees would soon cease to support her.

He fluttered kisses up her neck and whispered wickedly against her ear.

“Do you want more?”

This was torture. All of her yearned for him. “Yes, I want what you did before. I want your fingers—your fingers inside me.”

“Very well, my lady.”

The room was warm, but cooler air wafted around her legs as Robert rucked up her skirt, placed his hand on her wet curls, and stroked. A soft sigh escaped her. He sank into her mouth and slid one long finger into her tight, scalding heat. He held her against him. With each slow thrust of his fingers, Serena tensed and trembled more. He held her to their kiss until she shuddered and convulsed around him, then Robert picked her up in his arms and took her to the bed.

He held her in his lap and stared at the smile playing around her lips; he pressed light kisses against her temple. Serena glanced at him from beneath her long, thick lashes. It was a gesture so sultry he tensed as his need for her surged. When she reached up to kiss him, he fought his urge to take her swiftly.

There was only one first time. And Robert would use all his skill to make hers as perfect as possible. He opened his mouth in response to her and groaned. Her bodice and chemise were around her waist, her stays somewhere on the floor. He was still fully clothed. “Tell me, do you wish for more?”

“Yes.” Serena tugged at his shirt. “Off, take this off.”

“As you wish, my lady.” He released her long enough to pull his shirt over his head before returning to her. Robert stood her up and pushed her gown over her hips. The garment fell in a soft
whoosh
to the floor.

Her eyes glazed with desire; she swayed slightly, then tensed. He held her to him and stroked her back until she relaxed again.

“Robert . . .”

“Don’t think. I love you. I love your body. Let me look at you. Touch you.”

A deep pink colored her breast and face. “But I’m . . .”

“Yes, my darling, this is how you should be before me and I before you. Look at me.”

Serena’s gaze soaked in his broad chest, heavy muscle covered by springy blond curls that tapered down to only a thin line to his breeches. She reached a hand out and lightly touched his chest.

“I won’t break.”