The Temptation of Lady Serena (23 page)

“Set up a meeting and tell me when we can speak with her. I’d like to begin classes in the next few weeks.”

Tea was brought in and Lora poured.

Serena continued, “My cousin, Phoebe, will probably arrive early next week. She set up schools on all her husband’s estates and may have some ideas as well.” Serena sipped her tea. “In the meantime, we will need to have the house cleaned and the locks changed. Tables, benches, and supplies should be ordered as well.”

“I can arrange to have the house cleaned.”

“Good. I’ll have Robert attend to the locks, and perhaps you and I can make a trip into York to look at desks and other furniture we might need.”

“What a good idea. I’ve not been to York for ages. We shall make a day of it.”

The proposed trip to York took place three days later. Robert, having other business, declined to accompany her.

Serena was surprised and amused to find he’d ordered the traveling coach with two coachmen and four outriders for her trip.

“Really, Finster, I don’t think I need this type of an entourage for a shopping trip to York. It is not above an hour away. Please dismiss everyone but one coachman and two footmen.”

“My lady,” Finster said apologetically, “his lordship particularly insisted upon this arrangement.”

Serena bit her lip. “Very well.” She tried not to feel controlled and smothered. Surely his extreme protectiveness would wear off. Or would it?

Lora greeted Serena when the coach pulled up.

An outrider helped Serena down and she accompanied Lora inside. “I wish I knew what he thinks could possibly happen to me between the Hall and York.”

Lora patted Serena’s shoulder. “Knowing Robert, I am not all that surprised he sent people to guard you.”

Serena’s gaze focused on her. “What do you mean?”

“From all John told me, Robert’s father and grandfather were autocratic despots. They expected everyone to follow their dictates without question. I understand that even their wives could not gainsay them. He would, naturally, be influenced by their examples.”

“Are you saying Robert is like that?” Serena exclaimed.

“John says you have done wonders with him, my dear.”

Serena bit her lip. “I thought his behavior before was an aberration,” she said softly, then remembered the carriage incident the other morning, and when he announced their marriage.

Serena tried to tamp down the distress flooding her.

After everything she’d accomplished at the Hall, how could he not trust her to make her own decisions? How long would it take before he never took her desires into consideration and began making all the decisions, even ones about her body? But he’d already tried that . . .

“Serena, are you all right?”

“I don’t know.” She rubbed between her brows, fighting sudden panic. “And I don’t know in whom I can confide my misgivings.”

“John,” Lora replied firmly. “He knows Robert better than anyone.”

“But he is Robert’s friend.”

“He is also the rector. He’ll not betray your trust. Come. I’ve known him for a long time. He is much wiser than his years and will know what to do.”

Lora took Serena by the arm to her husband’s office. “My love, Serena needs to discuss something with you. Serena, I’ll be in my parlor when you’ve finished.” Lora closed the door behind her.

John motioned Serena to a comfortable chair near the fireplace before taking the one opposite her.

Agitated, she played with the fringe on her shawl.

“Is this about Robert?” he asked gently.

Serena glanced at him. “Yes, it . . . it may be nothing. On the other hand, it may be a very large problem for me.”

“Start from the beginning. I find that’s easiest. What may be a problem?”

She bit her lip. She had to talk to someone. “Did Robert tell you how we happened to become betrothed?”

“He told me he trapped you.”

“Yes, he did. As bad as that was, it—was not the worst of it.” Serena told him what Robert said on the trip from Merton to Mayfair. That she must marry him and he wouldn’t give her up.

When she’d finished, John leaned back in his chair. “He told me he was a fool, but I’d no idea he’d been
such
a fool.” John fixed his eyes on her. “What occurred after that? I know you fled to Paris—what did Robert say that made you decide to come to the Hall?”

Serena told John of the partnership Robert promised, and her decision not to accept him unless he could admit he loved her. Then she related his offer to release her from their betrothal if, after two weeks at the Hall, she still believed she could not marry him.

“I have recently had reason to suspect that, in spite of his promises, he may be reverting to type. That perhaps the fashion in which he’s been treating me, of late, is the deviation,” she said with a frown.

“Yes, I see your point. Robert had a disastrous affair when he was younger . . .”

“I know. He told me about her.”

“What you may not know,” John continued, unperturbed, “is afterward, he decided to marry only for convenience. I always thought it a bad idea. A marriage of convenience could only exacerbate his autocratic tendencies. Then he fell in love with you, Serena, deeply in love. I’ve never before seen him willing, indeed eager, to join in a partnership with another person, never mind with a woman. I think he knows that, were he to try to rule you, he stands in great danger of losing you altogether.”

Serena twisted the fringe more urgently and a warmth rose from her neck, infusing her face. “Yet, in the past few days, he’s said and done some things that make me fear he
will
not take my views into consideration.”

John’s voice was still gentle. “Such as?”

“Well, refusing to allow me to make my own decision regarding something personal and now saddling me with guards for the drive to York, when a coachman and two footmen would have been sufficient. Orders that I was not allowed to countermand.”

John frowned. “You’ve discussed this with him?”

“I discussed the first problem, or rather he noticed I was concerned and he told me he would not become a tyrant with me. But, I walked out to-day to discover I am surrounded by guards, and he was not at the Hall.”

“Serena, do you wish to cry off?”

She tried to keep her voice calm, but her throat closed. “I cannot. Even if I wanted to, I cannot.”

She blinked back her tears.

John handed her his handkerchief and waited for her to control her countenance once more. “Will you trust me with this?”

“Do you mean to speak with Robert? I—I don’t think he would react well to your . . .”

“Interference?”

Serena nodded as she wiped her eyes.

“You have a good time in York and leave Robert to me. If there was ever a bigger chucklehead, I have yet to meet him.”

Serena rose. “Yes, I’ll do that. Thank you.”

John stood and opened the door for her. “Try to have fun, Serena. I have it on good authority shopping is good for the soul.”

Serena tried to smile.

He escorted the ladies to the coach. “Will you have luncheon in York?” he whispered in an aside to Lora.

“We shall if you’d like.” Lora’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “Is there any particular inn you’d like us to visit?”

“Have I ever told you, you make a wonderfully perceptive rector’s wife?” he asked. “The Cock and Bull, I think.”

“We’ll see you there around one o’clock?”

“That should give me enough time.”

J
ohn fixed Robert with a hard look as Robert entered his study.

“I’ve spoken to the council . . .” Robert met John’s gaze and broke off. “What is it? Nothing’s happened to Serena, has it?”

“To the best of my knowledge, no one’s hurt Serena other than you,” John responded drily. “What on earth were you thinking? Sending her off to
York
with an escort more appropriate to a trip to London
and
not discussing it with her first or allowing her to change your orders?”

Robert frowned, clearly confused.

“You are the most idiotic man I know,” John said exasperated. “How exactly did you behave and what did you say to Serena after you trapped her?”

Robert looked warily at John. “I—um—I told her she had to marry me.”

“You played the tyrant.”

“I suppose my words could have been . . .”

“Cut line, Robert.” John pinched the bridge of his nose. “You acted autocratically then, and stupidly did the same just recently. And”—he paused to ensure Robert was listening—“you did it again to-day. Will you never learn? Do you want to lose her?”

Robert’s jaw tightened. “She can’t leave me, not now.”

“I don’t even want to know your reasoning for such a stupid remark.” For all his good qualities, Robert was one of the most difficult men he knew. “Good God man, don’t you know that even if you get her down the aisle, you will never have the marriage you want unless you change your ways? There is more than one way a wife can leave her husband.”

Robert collapsed onto the chair. “I wanted to keep her safe.”

“Robert, she is a grown woman, not some young chit. She is quite capable of arranging her own travel for a shopping trip to York. For you to have behaved in such a highhanded fashion, without your history, is outside enough. With the way you’ve behaved in the past, it is more than enough to cause her to worry about how you’ll treat her in the future.”

Robert covered his face with his hands. “I didn’t think.”

“I’d say that was fairly obvious,” John replied brutally. “Honestly, Robert, I’d expected more of you. Where is all your famous address?”

“With her? I never had it.” He groaned. “The only time I thought I had the upper hand was the day I . . .”

“That did you a lot of good, didn’t it?”

“What do I do now?”

John smiled. “It just so happens, I have a line on where our ladies plan to take luncheon. What say we join them, and you may make your apologies?”

“Not with you standing there, I won’t.”

John closed his eyes in frustration. “Robert, I’ll take Lora for a short walk.”

Robert smiled. “Oh, in that case, lead on.”

John heaved a sigh. “If for no other reason in my life, I will warrant a place in heaven for having had to deal with you.”

 

When the landlord opened the door to the private parlor, Serena saw Robert and stopped.

Lora gave her a little push forward. “It will be fine. Now give him a chance to explain, but don’t be too willing to forgive him.”

Serena glided into the room, her head high. Robert looked miserable. John glanced at his wife, who motioned for him to leave.

“John,” Lora said. “I would love to look at the garden. Serena, you will excuse us, won’t you?” Lora whisked her spouse out the door.

Serena glared at Robert.

“My love.” Robert walked toward her. “Forgive me.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I’d like to forgive you. I don’t know if I can trust you.”

He started to take another step closer.

“No, no, no, don’t come closer.” She looked around, saw a table and took refuge behind it. “You cannot continue making decisions on my behalf without at least discussing them with me first.”

Robert eyed the table between them with disgust. “All right.”

“I have never given you reason to suppose that I was anything other than capable.” She raised her brows. He eyed her and she fought not to blush. Damn the man. “Other than allowing you to kiss me.”

He replied slowly, “No, other than with me, you have not.”

“Good.” Serena stood straighter, and tried to steady her pounding heart. “I wish to make a proposal.”

Robert eyed her warily. “And that would be?”

“If, in the future, you feel the need to protect me, you will agree to discuss it with me first.”

Therein lay the problem. He always needed to protect her. Robert glanced at the table again. If he could just get his arms around her—no, that wouldn’t be the answer. Should he tell her?

“Robert, what is your answer?”

Did all men have to go through this? “There is never a time I don’t feel the need to protect you.” He searched her eyes. There. It was out, and it didn’t seem to help. Damn it, what did she want?

“Robert,” Serena said. “I need you to treat me as an adult. I am perfectly capable of ordering my own carriage for a shopping trip.”

“You’re right. I overstepped my bounds.”

“So you agree—the next time, I shall order my own carriage?”

“Yes, you may order your own local travel.” Happy that he’d cleared that fence, Robert smiled charmingly and took a step in her direction.

Serena’s eyes widened. “No, not yet. Stay where you are.”

He raked a hand through his hair. “What do you want from me? I agreed you could order your own travel. Isn’t that enough?”

“I want you to treat me as an equal. I want you to honor the promises you made. You cannot do that if you try to wrap me up in cotton wool. Would you treat John or Marcus the same way you are treating me?”

“I’m not married to either of them.”

Keeping the table between them, Serena paced.

“Serena, please, my love. I want to make you happy. I just don’t know what it is you want.”

“This isn’t working,” she muttered.

Robert shoved the table aside and hauled her into his arms. “Don’t say it’s not working.”

He ruthlessly kissed her.

Serena returned his kisses. Just what she didn’t need to do. Regathering the wits that had fled under his onslaught, she struggled not to sink against him.

“Robert, listen to me.”

“Serena, I love you. I won’t let you leave me.”

She leaned back and captured his gaze. “I cannot live feeling as if I am not in control of my life. Don’t you understand? That’s what made me so afraid of you after Merton. You disregarded me, my desires, only so you could order my life the way you wanted it. You’re doing it again.”

“My love, it was all for your own good.”

“Whether you were right or not isn’t the issue. My point is that
you
made the decision. You didn’t allow me to make my own choice. You treated me as if I was incapable of acting for my own good. It’s very likely I would not have been able to—to make love, but
you
refused to allow it.” Did he understand at all?

Robert pulled her back into his arms as if he was afraid to let her go. “I don’t know if I can do everything you want. I promise I’ll try. If I backslide, and I probably will, you have my permission to call me to account.”

Oh God, she wanted to trust him. “I don’t know. I don’t know if I can believe you.”

He touched his forehead to hers. “Please, I need you. I promise I’ll tell all the servants your orders must be obeyed. I love you. Serena, don’t leave me.”

Love, fear, and desire mingled in his beautiful green eyes. He did love her and he wanted her. “In that case”—she put her hands on his face and kissed him—“I’ll agree.”

“You’ll be the death of me.”

His thumbs skated over her breasts, singeing her. Lighting her fires. Serena moaned as the need for him exploded through her. He was an addiction. All he had to do was touch her and she was ready to offer herself to him. He lifted her derrière against him. Pressing her to the hard bulge in his pantaloons.

“Serena, I need you now.”

“Here?”

Robert kissed her deeply. “Here”

She panted and her heart raced. His hand moved between her legs, stroking. “How much time do you think we have?”

In two long strides he’d reached the door and locked it. “Enough.” Robert flashed her a wicked smile. Her heart missed a beat.

“Bend over the table.”

The throbbing that started in her breasts shot straight to her core. Serena did as he asked.

“Spread your legs for me,” he whispered, stroking between her thighs. He lifted her skirt up over her back.

Cool air swirled around her legs as he lifted her gown. She sighed as he slowly filled her. Robert held her hips, anchoring her to him as he drove deeply into her. She shivered.

This was the first time they’d made love outside of her bed. The elicit excitement heightened her pleasure. The knit of his pantaloons rubbed against her. His musky scent, his hands gripping her, caused her body to spin out of control. Robert thrust harder and deeper as she contracted around him. Serena sucked in a breath to cry out.

“Shush—you can’t make any noise.”

Robert’s deep, soft voice caressed her. Serena shook as her need built again and mewed. How did he do this to her?

“I’m going to come into you,” he said, his voice sinfully wicked. “I want you to feel me spill my seed. While we’re having luncheon, as my semen runs down your legs, you’ll feel me still in you. I want you to remember this.”

Serena exploded again just before the warmth he’d promised spewed into her.

Robert quaked violently, possessing her in the only way he was sure she’d allow. When he withdrew, he smoothed her skirts back down and helped her to a chair. Her eyes were still glazed with desire when he poured her a glass of water from the carafe on the table.

“Serena, my love, drink this and sit up. You must behave as if nothing occurred.”

Incredulous amber eyes lifted to him in disbelief. “You must be joking. How am I to do that, pray?”

The corners of Robert’s lips lifted slowly. He moved behind her. Ah, yes, he enjoyed teaching her. No missish resistance. Just questions. Questions were easily answered. The tips of his fingers ruffled the curls on her neck and his teeth grazed her ear. “You’ll limit yourself to our bed, if you can’t learn.”

Her breasts betrayed the quickening of her breath. Perfect creamy mounds. Ones he would taste again soon.

Serena licked her lips. “Where else?”

“I can think of any number of places,” he purred. “A pleasant interlude at a ball. An escape from the young ladies exhibiting their accomplishments at a musical.” He cupped her breasts. “Being married doesn’t mean we can’t slip off to indulge.”

“Oooh,” she breathed.

 

Pressing his advantage, Robert retained his sensual hold on her during the meal. He sat beside her, making her feel his gaze wander over her body, resting on her breasts or lips. He touched her legs under the table and, under the guise of conversation, played with the curls at her neck. When he lifted her skirt and stroked her leg, she had trouble maintaining her conversation with Lora.

By the time they’d finished eating and talking, Serena was ready to do violence. It had taken all the control she could muster to keep her face calm under his sensual onslaught. She’d begun to think there was nothing he would not do, no place he would not touch her, as she was forced to maintain a steady stream of polite conversation. He was sinfully wicked.

She couldn’t understand how he could laze in his chair speaking so calmly, talking with John as if his devilish hands weren’t driving her mad.

By the time Serena sank back into the plush cushions of the carriage, her pulse was beating rapidly and her skin so sensitive that one touch would push her over the edge. Perhaps he’d give her some relief in the coach, but she’d have to wait for what she really wanted.

Robert followed her in, gave the order to start, and lowered the shades.

His chuckle was slow and sensual. “Let’s see how ready you are for me, my lady.”

Her bodice and stays were free and dropping and, before she could ask what he planned, he’d lifted her and pushed her gown down over her hips. She was clad only in her chemise and stockings, and he possessed her breasts. She reached out to untie his cravat, but he held her hands away.

“I cannot easily retie my neckcloth. You, I can have re-dressed in a trice.”

Robert lifted her, placing her back on the seat, and picked up her gown. After spreading it carefully on the other bench, he released his erection.

“Robert, you cannot mean to do it
here?
”

“I plan to have you everywhere and in every way.” He lifted her over him and lowered her carefully onto his member.

“Oh, I like that.” Serena sighed as he filled her.

“I rather thought you might.” He thrust up, seating himself deeper. Hot wet silk covered his shaft. Thank God she came at once. He was never so close to losing control. Robert had tantalized other women as he had Serena, but he’d never before become so achingly aroused while playing his game.

Sated, Serena collapsed against him.

Her skin was still flushed when he helped her dress and neatened her hair. He held her against him as the coach turned into the drive. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m hungry again.”

“Then it’s good that we are arriving in time for tea. My love, in the interests of holding up my end of our bargain, I should tell you I sent for Charles Mariville, my secretary. Aside from the fact we’ll need his assistance, he is bringing a special license.”

“A special license? For what purpose?”

“Your protection. In the unlikely event something happens to me before the wedding, I cannot—will not—leave you as you are—unmarried. I’ve spoken with John about my concerns and he’s agreed.”

Serena frowned.

“Please allow me to do this, my love. You may already be carrying my child. If something were to happen, as my widow, you’d be protected. If not . . . you understand the consequences as well as I.”