Wicked And Wild: Spencers in Love Book Two (2 page)

            Lucien moved to the lounge and sat next to her.

            "I will never make that mistake
again." He cradled Mirabelle's face in his hands. She closed her eyes and
sighed as his lips touched hers, welcoming him. He traced them with his tongue
before he slid into her mouth and kissed her gently, deeply. Again, Lucien felt
overcome with lust and surprise. How? How could a simple kiss affect him so
profoundly? How could he want someone so urgently while feeling so at peace, so
complete when they touched? Lucien pulled back and Mirabelle's lips clung.

            "Where are your brothers?" He whispered
against her lips. For a moment Mirabelle was still.

            "Why in God's name would you ask me that
now?" She replied as she pressed her lips to his. Her hand caressed
Lucien's cheek and he groaned. This time he took her shoulders and set her away
from him.

            "I need to talk to them first. I have to do
this right, Mirabelle." He took her hand and raised it to his lips.
"If I don't, it could pull our family apart."

            She nodded and sighed.

            "Gilles needed new boots. Elise ruined his
favorite pair this morning. Then they were going to their club."

            "Will you be here later? I'd like to ask
you a question and make an announcement before dinner, unless you have other
plans." Lucien held his breath as he waited for her response.

            Mirabelle lit up and nodded vigorously.

            "Of course I'll be here!”

            "Excellent! I'll see you for dinner,
then." Lucien took her lips in one last, brief kiss. "Everything will
be perfect from now on, I promise." With that, he jumped to his feet and
rushed from the room. Once outside on the sidewalk, Lucien looked back at the
parlor window and saw Mirabelle watching him. He waved to her as a footman opened
the door to his carriage. As she waved back, Lucien again cursed himself for
being a fool. How had it taken him so long to realize he was in love with her
and that she was the most desirable woman he'd ever known?

Chapter 4

            As soon as Lucien's carriage disappeared from
sight, Mirabelle ran from the parlor into the hall.

            "
Maman
!" Mirabelle screamed as
she ran up the stairs.

            A door opened and maman appeared at the top of
the stairs.

            "Mon petite! Why must you yell like a
savage?" She scolded.

            "Lucien just left. He kissed me and said he
wants to ask me a question before dinner and make an announcement!"

            Maman's eyes widened and she slowly lowered
herself and sat on the top step.

            "He's going to propose? You're
certain?" She whispered. Mirabelle nodded.

            "He said he needs to talk to Gilles and
Alastair first. I swear, if they ruin this for me, I'll kill them." Maman
nodded vigorously in agreement.

            "
Elise
!" Maman yelled, like a
savage.

            A moment later, Elise drifted into the hall.
Lucy, a gangly mastiff puppy flopped clumsily behind her.

            "What is going on out here?" She asked
as she giggled.

            "Lucien is going to ask Mirabelle to marry
him tonight!" Maman gushed as she stood up.

            Elise smiled beatifically.

            "I knew he would."

            Maman grabbed Mirabelle by the hand and tugged
her towards her room, pulling Elise along as well. Lucy woofed and tumbled
after them.

            "We must find the perfect dress."
Maman declared. "And we must get Madeline here at once."

Chapter 5

Lucien stared out the window
impatiently as his carriage negotiated the busy London streets. He, Gilles and
Alastair belonged to White's and Brooks's but he was certain that they'd be at
White's at this time of the day as it tended to be less crowded. He thought of
Mirabelle waiting and felt almost frantic. Lucien cursed and beat on the roof
of the carriage. As soon as it halted, he jumped out.

            "Wait for me at White's" he yelled as
he pushed through to the sidewalk and ran as well as he could through the
crowds.

            The realization that Mirabelle could have
accepted any of the twelve men that had asked for her hand filled Lucien with
panic. She could have belonged to another man and he would have had to live his
life without her. He would have woken up and realized he was in love with her
and it would have been too late. Lucien needed to hear Mirabelle agree to be
his as soon as possible. Once she said yes, he would make it all up to her. All
the waiting and frustration would be forgotten.

            Lucien reached White's and nodded to the doorman
as he rushed in. He strode quickly through the halls and into their usual room.
In the back corner, in the shadows, Gilles and Alastair lounged at their usual
table nursing large brandies. Gilles nodded in greeting and signaled for a
drink for Lucien as he sat. Alastair raised his glass in greeting.

            "You look serious." Gilles said as he
stretched and crossed his arms behind his head.

            "I am." Lucien nodded as he looked at
the two people he trusted most in the world. He hoped they'd forgive him.
"We need to talk." Alastair leaned forward and Gilles sat up. Lucien
took a deep breath. "I want to marry Mirabelle." He said cautiously.

            For many moments Gilles and Alastair were
completely still. Neither blinked nor appeared to breathe. Lucien felt his
shirt cling to his stomach and back as he started to perspire. Then, both
answered at the same time.

"No." from Alastair, and "Why?" from
Gilles. Alastair shook his head and started to stand. Gilles grabbed his arm.
"Wait."

            Alastair hesitated before he sat down.

            "Why, Lucien?" Gilles repeated.

            Lucien looked Gilles in the eye.

            "Because I love her and I won't be complete
without her."

            "You love all women, Lucien." Alastair
said flatly as he examined his brandy.

            "No. I've never loved any of them. She's
the only one I've ever loved." Lucien admitted.

            Alastair looked at him; his face was completely
free of emotion.

            "She's loved you for approximately eighteen
years and you've shown no interest. In fact, you've shown interest in every
woman but Mirabelle. Now, you say you've "loved" her?"

            Lucien raked a hand through his hair and nodded.
He deserved this. To have it from Alastair, who generally avoided discussing
emotions and interfering in relationships, was a sign of how bothered he was.

            "I think I've always loved her but I was
too immature and irresponsible to be worthy of her." Lucien stared at
Alastair, willing him to see how sincere he was.

            "And you believe you're worthy now? After
everything you've done? Do you forget how much we know?" Alastair gulped
his brandy and raised his empty glass to the waiter.

            "That's all behind me. None of it matters
anymore. All I want is Mirabelle. I just want to make her happy. I promise, I
will never hurt her." Lucien vowed.

            "Why now?" Gilles asked. Lucien
grimaced.

            "You're partially to blame for that,
actually." Lucien grinned. Gilles looked at him expectantly. "I
arrived at Spencer Place shortly after the two of you left. Mirabelle's
appearance was quite disorderly, if you'll recall."

            "Her hair?" Gilles asked, confused.

            "You know how I have a weakness for
hair..." Lucien shifted in his seat as he recalled how Mirabelle looked.

            "I might kill him." Alastair stated.

            "What are you saying, Lucien?" Gilles
leaned forward, his eyes accused him.

            "I didn't seduce her, if that's what you're
imagining." Lucien looked at both of them pointedly. "This is Mirabelle;
I would never be so careless." Gilles relaxed. Lucien continued. "But
I saw her. I saw her in a way that I've never allowed myself to before. I've
always known she was beautiful but suddenly, I realized she's the most
beautiful woman I've ever known and I need her. It's like I woke up."

            "How did she take it?" Gilles asked
calmly.

            "The way you'd expect. She let me see how
big of an ass I've been and said that she was tired of being taken for
granted." Lucien grumbled. Gilles laughed.

            "You realize that she will horsewhip us to
death if we don't give our blessing, Alastair." Gilles said as he gripped
his brother's arm. Alastair looked at him.

            "But is this what's best for her?" His
voice was low and hard.

            Gilles stared at Lucien. Lucien held his breath.

            "I think so." Gilles said. Alastair
stood and finished his brandy in one long swallow.

            "If you hurt her, I'll kill you." His
face was expressionless but his eyes were dark, empty as he stared at Lucien.
Then, he turned and walked away. Gilles looked at Lucien.

            "You know he never bluffs." Gilles
said casually as he reclined in his seat and sipped his brandy.

            "I know. I have no intention of calling his
bluff. But if I ever do hurt her, I'll gladly let him." Lucien promised.
Gilles nodded and raised his glass.

            "Great!" He smiled broadly and took
another sip. "So, what's your plan?"

            "I'd like to propose and make an
announcement tonight before dinner, with the family." Lucien stood.
"I need to pick out a suitable ring and change. I'll see you at Spencer
Place?" He asked as he pushed in his chair.

            "Of course. Wouldn't miss this for the
world!" Gilles said sincerely. "Don't worry about Alastair; he just
needs a time to process this. I've had more time to prepare."

            Lucien tilted his head.

            "How did you know? He asked

            "Elise said to expect it and to keep in
mind that my past wouldn't have made me an ideal candidate for marriage
either." Gilles explained as he rose, gesturing towards the door.

            "Marrying her is the best thing you've ever
done." Lucien proclaimed as they exited the club.

            "I agree." Gilles smiled as Alastair
joined him in front of the Cambroke carriage.

            "I'll see you both for dinner." Lucien
waved as he entered his carriage.

 
Chapter 6

            The hours between Lucien leaving and returning
before dinner felt like the longest of Mirabelle's life. Wearing her most
daring dress, a bronze form fitting satin with a low neckline, she paced in the
parlor they'd occupied earlier. The Parlor. She was sure she'd refer to it as
for the rest of her life. Goosebumps spilled down her arms as she recalled
Lucien's lips on hers. Mirabelle had allowed a few of her suitors to kiss her
but nothing could have prepared her for the way Lucien kissed her. He was so
sure of himself and sensual. There was no tentative, waiting for permission or
awkwardness. Mirabelle could feel that Lucien knew she was his when he kissed
her. And he knew exactly what effect it had on her. She shivered. "
The
ton's most talented and wicked rake.
" was going to be hers at last.
She'd be the envy of women everywhere. Mirabelle was going to have to make sure
Lucien understood his career as a rake was over.

            As if on cue, Bennings showed Lucien into The
Parlor. He was dressed in formal black and looked dashing, as always. Mirabelle
wondered if her heart would always skip a beat when he walked into the room.
She was grateful that the family had agreed that they should meet alone first.
The Mothers, Elise, Gilles and Alastair were waiting for them in the music
room. Lucien noticed that they were alone and smiled seductively as he prowled
towards her. Mirabelle pressed her hands to her stomach to calm the fluttering.

            Lucien stopped before Mirabelle and lifted his
hands to her face. He angled his head and his lips swooped upon hers. She
opened for him and his tongue danced against hers. The room dissolved around
them and the only thing Mirabelle was aware of was his mouth upon hers. Once she
was dazed and breathless, Lucien lifted his head and waited for her to open her
eyes. She blinked as his face to come into focus.

            "Will you marry me, Mirabelle?" Lucien
whispered as he stroked her cheek. She felt desired and cherished. It was the
most perfect moment of her life.

            "Yes." She whispered as she leaned
forward and pressed her lips to his. Lucien gathered her in his arms and spun
her around. Mirabelle pulled back. "If..." Lucien stopped and set her
down.

            "If?" He cocked his head and raised a
brow.

            "If you agree that there will be no others.
I won't share you, Lucien." Mirabelle demanded as she stared into his
eyes.

            "I am yours, madam. Exclusively, body and
soul." He promised as he pulled her to him. He took her lips again and
demonstrated how much of Mirabelle's body and soul was his in return. Lucien
managed to distract her so completely that she didn't realize he'd placed a
ring on her finger until he pulled his lips from hers and raised her knuckles
to his lips. "I hope it pleases you." He said softly.

            Mirabelle's eyes nearly fell out of her head as
she looked at her hand. A large emerald was set in gold and surrounded by
diamonds.

            "It's incredible, Lucien!" She threw
her arms around his neck.

            "I wanted something that matched your
eyes." He whispered.

Just then, a throat cleared. They
turned and the family, with Gilles at the front, was standing in the doorway.

            Lucien smiled as he lifted Mirabelle's hand to
his lips.

            "Mirabelle has agreed to be my wife."
The Mothers and Elise rushed in and hugged them both. Maman gushed over the
ring and Madeline congratulated Lucien on choosing a ring almost as beautiful
as his intended. Gilles came forward and shook Lucien's hand and then kissed
Mirabelle on the forehead.

            "Are you happy, brat?" He whispered.
She looked up at him, her eyes watering and nodded.

            Alastair remained by the door and inclined his
head when Mirabelle looked to him.

            Lucien cleared his throat.

            "I should like to delay any formal
announcement for a few months." Everyone looked confused. Mirabelle
narrowed her eyes. She had a feeling this would not be good news. "As
we're all aware, my beloved has been incredibly patient with me. Therefore, I
intend to court her properly and publicly."

            "What?" Mirabelle didn't bother to
hide her displeasure.

            "I want you and the ton to see that my
affections are truly sincere and that I do not take you for granted. I also
don't want it assumed that there was an indiscretion if we simply get engaged
and marry hastily." Lucien explained.

            "Magnifique!" Madeline proclaimed.
Maman nodded.

            "Oui! It is both romantic and
sensible!"

            "You deserve to be courted,
Mirabelle." Lucien said softly as he stared into her eyes.

            "Wonderful." She said flatly. Lucien
squeezed her waist and ducked his head.

            "It will be perfect, I promise!"

            Just then, Bennings entered with champagne and
the room became festive. Mirabelle stifled her disappointment and decided she
would endure it since everyone else was so excited.