Undressed by the Earl (21 page)

He’d finished eating, and she pushed her plate aside. “You’re not interested in any of this, are you?”

He was about to disagree, but she stood up and turned to walk toward the closed drapes. When her back was to him, he saw the unfastened buttons and the corset that hung open. She was silent for so long, he didn’t know what to think.

He stood up from the floor, and each step brought him closer to her. Her hands rested on the back of a chair, and from this distance, he could see the naked skin peeking through the lacy chemise.

She was a nervous bride, completely unfamiliar with any of this.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, still not looking at him. “I thought perhaps you could show me what it’s like to be a wife, even if there was never any love between us.”

He knew what she wanted and stopped just behind her. If he stretched out his hands, he would be touching her.

“When you kissed me, I felt—” Her words broke off when he moved his hands to the back of her gown. Beneath his palms, her skin was cool.

He eased back the sleeves and revealed more of her chemise and corset. The garment was daring enough for a wedding night, designed to tease a man’s interest. Her corset was bound tightly beneath her breasts, and when he lowered the dress a little more, he saw that her breasts were exposed, with only a small bit of lace to cover them.

They were larger than he’d imagined, with darker peach nipples beneath the blue lace. They were puckered from the cool air, and his erection grew tight at the sight of her. All he had to do was strip away the gown and corset, and her body would be his. He could lay her down upon his bed and claim the sweet flesh that tempted him. He could feel her velvet sheath around him, clenching him until…

David silenced the visions by drawing her mouth to his, kissing her hard. She ignited his lust, making him want so much more. Her mouth tasted of wine and fervor.

He pulled the pins from her hair, freeing the dark blond masses around her shoulders. Her gown slid down to the floor, and he gripped her hair, sliding his tongue into her mouth. It was a kiss meant to punish her, to remind her that
he
was in command of this night. She could wear whatever seductive clothing she wanted, but he would decide when to consummate the marriage.

But the moment her own tongue touched his, it became a new battle. Amelia was eager, seeking his touch. She pulled at his coat, and he let her take it off.

“Slow down,” he warned, sitting down in the wingback chair and pulling her onto his lap.

“Why? I like kissing you.” She tugged at his shirt, and when it was free from his trousers, her hands moved beneath the shirt to touch his bare skin.

“Because if you don’t, your first time with me will be in this chair.”

Her palms went still against his ribs, as if suddenly aware of what was happening. “Oh.”

He finished unlacing her corset and lifted it away. Amelia flushed when he left the sheer chemise where it was. He drank in the sight of her large breasts and her slender waist. “It’s better when you slow down, Amelia. When you savor what’s before you.” To underscore his words, he drew his knuckles over her erect nipples. She bit her lip, her eyes widening as understanding broke over her.

David continued to kiss her, coaxing her arousal by caressing her nipples through the lace. With her seated upon his lap, she was resting against his hard shaft, only making him more conscious of what he wanted.

“I didn’t know,” she breathed, and he slipped a finger inside her mouth. Then he used the wet tip to circle her nipple, and her fingers dug into his shoulders.

God above, he wanted this. He wanted her more than anything he’d wanted in the last six years of celibacy. She arched as he teased the nipples with his damp fingertips, and her bottom moved against his erection.

He could imagine her riding him, her thighs on either side as he pumped inside her. Already she’d begun to shudder against him, her breathing growing unsteady. He seized her hips, forcing her to part her legs, kneeling on either side of him in the chair. She was trembling against his rigid flesh, and despite being clothed, he was so close to release, he gritted his teeth.

“Look at me, Amelia,” he said, and his voice sounded husky and foreign, completely unlike himself. Her green eyes were glazed over, her lips swollen from his kiss.

She was as aroused as he was, and he couldn’t stop himself from leaning forward, closing his mouth over her lace-covered nipples. She jolted from the contact, her fingers moving into his hair.

“That feels so good,” she moaned, and he pulled her flush against his hips as he suckled the tips. It wouldn’t take much to send her over the edge, and at this moment, that was what he wanted. To give her the release she needed, to make her feel so good she would forget about all else.

He continued to lave at her breasts, while he slipped one hand between her legs. His knuckles brushed against the dark blue silk, and when he stroked her inner thigh, he felt her shiver again. He cupped her intimately, his hands against her damp opening. She was more than ready to accept him inside her.

When he entered her with one finger, she cried out, her breath panting fast.
More
, he thought. He wanted so much more from her. He entered and withdrew with his finger, before adding another. She was shaking hard, begging him, “David, I can’t bear it. It’s too much.”

But if he stopped now, she would feel the fiery ache of being unsatisfied. It was cruel to leave her in this state, and he took her mouth again, murmuring, “Trust me.”

He stroked and penetrated with his hand, watching the way she leaned in to him, her body seeking the pleasure he gave.

But she shocked him when she reached for his trousers, stroking his erection through the fabric. The sensation of her fist closing over him was enough to shatter his control. He shoved her hand aside and lowered the chemise to bare her breasts fully, nibbling at one while his hand tormented the other.

She gripped the sides of the chair, and David stroked her hooded flesh until her body began to arch hard, her breathing labored. Abruptly, she let out a keening moan as her own madness swept over her, consuming her with the same forbidden pleasure he’d taken.

“Take me to your bed,” Amelia pleaded. “Show me the rest.”

Nothing could make him deny her now. He lifted her up and brought her to the mattress, parting her legs. She helped him to undress, and a moment later, guided him to her wet entrance.

His body flared with lust as he slid inside her welcoming sheath, past the barrier of her innocence. She faltered a moment but didn’t deny him the union of their flesh. For a moment, he remained inside her, letting her adjust to his size. She was skittish beneath him, and though she tried to veil her fear, it was there.

David withdrew slightly, attempting a slow penetration to make it good for her again. But she tensed, squeezing him tightly as he invaded and withdrew. It made him even harder, the pleasure rippling through him until he gripped the mattress to regain control.

But his wife hadn’t let go of her fear.

“Look at me, Amelia,” he commanded. “Do you want me to continue?”

She nodded, but the strain was evident on her face.

“Then stop fighting against me and relax.” To emphasize his words, he ceased his thrusts and began kissing her again. The distraction was exactly what she needed. She invited him closer, her tongue twining with his. And he could feel it when her inner walls softened, not clenching him quite so hard. Gently, he nudged his hips against hers and was rewarded with a startled sigh.

He kissed a path down her throat to her breasts. He took a swollen nipple into his mouth, and she shuddered, her body responding as he withdrew by a fraction of an inch and her silken depths accepted him once more.

Joining with her like this was better than he’d imagined it would be. Her breathing was hitched, and as he renewed his penetration, she began meeting his thrusts. He gripped her hips with both hands, increasing the pace as he suckled at her breast.

Her fingers gripped his hair, and when she moaned again, he lost his control and emptied his seed within her.

Damn it all.

She went pliant against him, her face tucked against his neck. He was frustrated that he hadn’t lasted as long as he’d wanted to. Though he’d brought her to a climax earlier, he’d wanted her to find a second release while he was inside her.

He reached down to touch her, while he remained embedded within her. She shied away the moment he began to stroke. Against his shaft, he felt her body tighten.

“David?” she whispered.

He rested his weight on his arms and met her gaze. With their bodies still joined, he saw the uncertain look in her eyes.

“I’ve not finished yet,” he said. He continued caressing her, and he returned his mouth to her other breast. She appeared confused, but she didn’t deny him. Then abruptly, she began to tremble.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what I—”

Her words broke off when he found the swollen nub, arousing her further. He kept the pressure light, never ceasing the rhythm, until she cried out, her body shattering beneath his touch. Her womb clenched his shaft with aftershocks, and the languid expression on her face revealed her pleasure.

Seeing her fulfillment made him want to keep her here, learning her body’s needs and watching her find release, over and over.

Like a siren, he would fall beneath her spell, until he lost all sense of reason. He couldn’t keep her here, or he would succumb to physical needs. And it wasn’t fair to use her like that.

Slowly, he extricated himself and helped her to sit up. “You should return to your room now and sleep. It’s been a long day.”

Amelia drew her knees up, suddenly shy. “Can’t I sleep here with you?”

He shook his head and brought her the fallen clothing from the floor. “You’ll be more comfortable alone.”

“I won’t,” she said softly, “though I know why you’re sending me away.” She tried to dress herself as best she could, but her hands were trembling.

Amelia stared at him for a long moment. He refused to apologize, for this was what she’d wanted. He’d consummated their marriage, hadn’t he?

“Nothing has changed,” he assured her. “We’re still friends.”

But Amelia shook her head. “No, David. Everything has changed.”

Chapter Nine

A
fter a few days of marriage, the day arrived when Amelia had invited Lady Sarah to tea. Although her sister Victoria had offered to have her husband, the Duke of Worthingstone, handle the matter, Amelia felt responsible for the situation. Today, she intended to put the matter to rest, once and for all. It was time to confront the woman about her blackmail note.

When Lady Sarah entered the sitting room, the woman looked as if she hadn’t slept in days. Her hair was pulled back in a knot, and a strand hung limply against her face. Her gown was the faded color of smoke, and in spite of herself, Amelia pitied the woman.

Even so, she had to put an end to this.

“The Duke of Worthingstone has enough evidence against you to have you arrested for blackmail,” she informed Lady Sarah. “If you continue these demands, it will end badly for you.”

The young woman had gone deathly white, but she met Amelia’s gaze squarely. “I need help, Lady Castledon. I don’t truly wish to harm your family, but I will do what I must. I cannot be anywhere near my cousin.” She gripped her arms and stared down at her lap.

“If I arrange to help you disappear, will you let this matter go?” Amelia asked. “I cannot arrange a house and servants, but I can give you a small pension. It would only be enough for you to travel far away and to begin a new life. If you demand anything further, His Grace will have you brought up on charges.” She leaned forward, adding, “I convinced them to wait until after I’d spoken with you.”

Lady Sarah let out a slow breath. “This isn’t the sort of woman I am, you know. I never thought that my life would end up like this.” Her brown eyes filled up with unshed tears. “Brandon always said that no man would ever want me as a wife. I suppose he was right.”

A pang caught Amelia in her stomach, but she could give the woman no reassurance.

“Help me to leave, and you’ll never see me again,” Lady Sarah promised.

Amelia passed over the small parcel containing banknotes and a few inexpensive jewels the woman could sell. Although it was a grave risk, giving in to Lady Sarah’s demands, she wanted to believe that the woman was telling the truth. “All of this ends, right now. You cannot ask for anything more. If you break this promise, not only will you be arrested for blackmail, but I shall tell them that you stole those jewels from me.”

“I won’t,” Lady Sarah promised, accepting the parcel. Her lips trembled, and she whispered, “Thank you, Lady Castledon.”

Brandon Carlisle, the Earl of Strathland, kept his eyes closed, trying to recognize the woman’s voice. She was speaking to him, pleading for something. He knew the woman somehow. Knew her name, even. She was familiar, and her words reached down past the forgotten years.

“I know you can’t understand my words,” she said quietly, “but I came to say good-bye. I’ll be leaving England, and I won’t return.”

Sarah. That was it—his sister, Sarah.

“Our cousin Lewis has claimed Strathland and our other estates,” she said. “The courts are going to rule in his favor, since you’ve been here for so long.”

Her words were hardly more than gibberish, but Brandon grasped one word:
claimed
.

Someone had taken what belonged to him. A shattering pain throbbed inside his skull, the memories crashing and tumbling in a mass of broken visions. He didn’t know what was real and what was false anymore.

His prison was formed of gray walls, with bars upon the single window. It couldn’t have been very long that he’d been here. He didn’t remember much except a breakfast that was hardly fit for rats.

Last night, he’d begged them to let him leave. Instead, they’d strapped him down, preventing him from moving or calling out to anyone. Even the taste of water was bitterly laced with laudanum to keep him motionless and silent.

“How long?” His voice was barely audible, and his throat ached with the effort of making sound.
How long have I been trapped here?

His sister’s mouth opened in shock. “Y-you understood what I said?”

He gave a nod, though it wasn’t true. She was speaking too fast, the words spilling on top of one another. But in her voice, he caught the fear. From her faded gown and how thin she was, he guessed that Sarah had endured poverty in the past few weeks.

The headache was returning, the immense pressure building inside his skull. But he had to hold fast to sanity, before everything slipped away.

“How long?” he repeated again.

“Four years,” she answered. “It’s been four years since you’ve spoken.”

No. That wasn’t possible. “I’ve only been here a few days, Sarah. Don’t be ridiculous.”

But she was shaking her head. “No. No, it’s been a very long time. I thought you’d never get well.” Tears were streaming down her face. “Thank God. I’m so glad.”

Each word was an excruciating effort, but he managed to form the right sentence. “I need to leave this place.”

“Yes, yes, of course you do.” She wiped at her cheeks with a handkerchief, beaming at him. “I’ll start making the arrangements.” Touching a hand to her heart, she added, “They will give you a series of tests, Brandon. You must pass them. Promise me that you’ll think carefully before you answer.”

He lowered his head, trying to keep his thoughts centered. “Let me rest first. I need to sleep.”

Sarah remained silent, and he forced himself to look at her. She appeared as if she wanted to argue with him. “Are you going to be all right?”

He inclined his head once. The cloud of pain and confusion threatened to lower over him, but he gritted out one last promise. “I won’t let this go, Sarah. What was done to me.”

“Hush,” she soothed, reaching for his hand. “It’s been years now. I’ll see to it that you return home to Strathland. The servants will look after you when I’m gone.”

Gone? He frowned, uncertain where she believed she was going. “Where?” he managed.

A faint flush colored her cheeks. “I haven’t decided yet. But it will be far away from Lewis Barnabas—that I can tell you. Perhaps the colonies, if I can arrange passage upon a ship.”

Her words were meaningless to him, and he dismissed them as not having any importance. He stared down at his chained hands, and the anger within him surged. He’d been trapped in this place because of Lord and Lady Lanfordshire and their four daughters. Because of Juliette and that Highland rebel, Paul Fraser.

Then there was Cain Sinclair, the Highlander who had left him for dead in the middle of nowhere. Brandon’s mouth grew dry at the memory of the intense hunger and thirst.

The madness lingered, threatening to drag him down. He’d lost sight of reason and had entered a living death during these past few years.

No longer.

“I will have my own vengeance,” he swore. “Even if I have to slit their throats while they sleep.”

She paled at that. “No, you can’t. Truly, Brandon, if you tell anyone about this, they’ll never let you out.”

His headache was vicious now, and he closed his eyes against the pain. “I want them dead. All of them.” Not only the women who had refused to wed him, but also Paul Fraser and Cain Sinclair, who had left him for dead. Because of them, he’d been locked away in this asylum.

“Brandon, promise me you won’t do anything rash,” Sarah urged, but in her voice, he heard the fear.

He smiled at that. For she ought to be afraid.

T
WO WEEKS LATER

“How are you?” Victoria asked. “Have you settled in to your married life?” Her sister sent a warm smile, but Amelia found it difficult to return it. She was trying hard not to think of Margaret and Mr. Sinclair, who were still missing.

“I’m well enough,” she managed to say with false brightness. The truth was, the earl had buried himself in work. He’d hardly spoken to her in the past few weeks, and it seemed that he was doing everything in his power to avoid her. Not once had he shared her bed since their wedding night.

It made little sense. He had given her a precious gift, and the feeling of being joined together was wonderful. His touch had awakened a part of her that she’d never known existed.
Now
she understood the secret smiles Juliette and Victoria had shared when they had spoken about their husbands.

But she didn’t know if David had enjoyed their night. Although he had found his own release, he’d asked her to leave. She’d felt so vulnerable, wondering if she’d done something to displease him. And since that night, he’d all but abandoned her.

He certainly wasn’t aware that she’d moved her belongings into a small bedroom, two doors down from his. Amelia wasn’t foolish enough to take his wife’s former bedchamber—that would have been too much. But neither did she want him placing her in the servants’ quarters. She knew that he was attempting to distance himself from her, but she would no longer retreat.

Now she was left to wonder what she should do next. In the morning, they were leaving for Castledon, his estate near Yorkshire, to meet his daughter. The very thought made Amelia’s courage falter. She knew nothing about children and was uncertain of this role. While she was capable of training the girl in proper etiquette, everything about her marriage had turned out wrong, thus far. It was impossible to win the heart of a man who was hardly there during the day.

“What have you decided to do about Aphrodite’s Unmentionables, now that the deliveries have stopped?” Amelia asked.

Victoria shook her head, as if she didn’t know the answer. “I thought we would simply discontinue the undergarments. Now, the demand is so great, Madame Benedict has put a terribly high price upon them.” She eyed Amelia, adding, “I am torn about what to do. If we stop making the garments, the MacKinloch crofters will lose their income. But there is too much risk of discovery.”

Amelia knew that. And yet, she didn’t want to stop their business. “Lady Sarah is gone, so we needn’t worry about her any longer.” In the past few weeks, there had been no sign of the young woman.

“I hope that is true, though I don’t think you should have given her anything,” Victoria said.

“I believed her when she said she didn’t want to harm our family. She was simply desperate.”

“If we discontinue our business,” Victoria suggested, “and she breaks her word, at least we can deny the accusations.”

Although her sister was right, Amelia didn’t want to end Aphrodite’s Unmentionables.
“Perhaps we could hire one of the MacKinlochs to make the deliveries. Or what about Mother?” she suggested. “Could she take command of the business?”

Victoria shook her head. “Our father would forbid it. He’s already angry with her for taking part in it.” Her sister sighed and finally voiced her own concerns, “Both of them are also still trying to find Margaret. While I want to hope that she’s still alive—” She took a breath to steady herself, blinking back tears.

“I know,” Amelia echoed. “It’s been too long. They should have been found by now.”

“It doesn’t make sense.” Victoria stood and began pacing. “Mr. Sinclair knows the countryside well. I can’t imagine him ever being lost.”

A strange thought occurred to Amelia, one she’d not considered before. “What if they aren’t lost? What if they ran away together?”

Victoria gaped at her. “But he’s a penniless Highlander.”

“A Highlander who adores her. Margaret likes him, too, though she’d never admit it.” Lowering her voice, Amelia added, “It wouldn’t surprise me if our sister”—she paused a moment, choosing her words carefully—“if Margaret had an affair with him.”

“She would die first.” Victoria shook her head. “No, she would not stay with him willingly.”

Even so, Amelia wasn’t certain. “It doesn’t make sense that they weren’t found. Their coach was in an accident, but neither of them was there.” If her sister had run away with the Highlander, then that was the only explanation she could think of.

“They were searching for
you
,” Victoria reminded her. “Something must have gone terribly wrong.”

Amelia nodded, but inwardly, her unrest heightened. She didn’t want to imagine Margaret dead, but after this long, the burden of worry wouldn’t lift.

“Let’s not speak of it any more,” her sister continued. “We will keep hoping for the best until we learn what’s happened.” To change the subject, she asked, “Tell me, does the earl make you happy? Are you glad you married him?”