Further Than Passion (34 page)

Regina spied her and yapped, "I'm leaving. Have you seen Melanie?"

"Why, yes, I have," Pamela slyly remarked. "She was sneaking upstairs. With Elliot Featherstone."

"What?" Regina gasped, and those nearby snickered at the delicious innuendo.

"I'll show you where they went," Pamela suggested, more than eager to deliver Regina to her fate.

Regina charged off, as Christopher emerged from the library, and Pamela was momentarily distracted. There was a slender beauty walking beside him, but Pamela ignored his companion, to rush forward and hug him.

"Christopher, darling. I've been searching everywhere for you."

"Pamela, please. You're making another scene."

He peeled her away and held her at arm's length, while she struggled in vain to mold herself to him. "But Chris, we have to talk."

"Not here," he said. "And especially not now."

The girl edged closer, as if to situate herself between them. Pamela glared at her. "Who are you?"

"I am Miss Selena Bella.
Who
are you?"

"I am Chris's
friend."

"Not anymore," Miss Bella snidely stated. "Come, Christopher."

Further Than Passion
              
303

"Be gone, you impertinent waif." Pamela had moved to shove her away when Chris intervened.

"Pamela, Selena is my fianc
é
e. We're to be married."

The pronouncement had her sizing up Bella, taking her measure, and Pamela seethed, hating her con
f
idence, her poise and dignity, her gracefulness, her ... her youth!

She couldn't have heard him correctly, and she scoffed. "You're joking."

"No, I'm not, and you will display the courtesy that is her due."

He was serious! Her heart pounded with alarm. This couldn't be! Chris was hers. She was enamored, obsessed, smitten beyond any sensible limit. She needed him, needed his protection and position, and she had to be alone with him so that they could sort everything
o
ut.

She glanced up the stairs, and Regina was almost at the top, and Pamela was frantic to observe her expression when she witnessed Melanie's downfall. Pamela couldn't miss it.

"But Chris, it's your sister." She clutched at his jacket. "You must help her. I can't predict what your mother might do!"

He was out of patience. "What gibberish are you spreading?"

Out of nowhere, Marcus materialized, stepping between them. "For God's sake, Pamela. What is happening to,
you? Are you completely mad?"

"Marcus
—
"

He cut her off. "Whatever it is, Pamela
,
I don't care."

"But you have to see this," she insisted. "You have to

304
                          
Gh
eryl Holt

learn how your precious Melanie has betrayed you. Your pride will never recover."

She spun away, not giving them a chance to question her, not wanting to forego the excitement. Certain both men would pursue her, she hastened after Regina, passing her and guiding her to the end of the hall.

"They're in here," Pamela claimed, praying that Elliot had been successful. If he wasn't naked on the bed with Melanie, she'd strangle him. "What must they have been thinking?"

Regina frowned, and she prepared to knock, but Pamela reached in front of her, and turned the knob.

"Let's go in, shall we?"

The door swung open and .... there they were, arrayed on the mattress. They were a strange couple. Elliot was so much older, his body shaky and wasted from years of dissipation, while Melanie was so pretty and plump, rounded with her blossoming womanhood. She was shivering, with fear and cold, her pert nipples contracted into pointy buds.

It was disgusting; it was debauched; it was too scandalous for words. If they'd posed themselves, it couldn't have been any worse.

Regina shrieked and burst in. "What is the meaning of this outrage?"

Elliot laughed and, in false modesty, made a feeble attempt to conceal his privates. "Regina, dear girl, what can I tell you? We were overwhelmed by passion."

"Are you mad?" Regina howled. "She's engaged to Stamford!"

"She's what?" Elliot gulped and paled, his cock-stand withering to a tiny stump, and he lurched away

Further Than Passion
              
305

from Melanie as if she had the pox. He scanne
d
the floor for his clothes, obviously trying to figure out how he could slip into them with the least amount of humiliation.

Melanie was trembling in terror, yet she had th
e
temerity to respond, "Elliot and I are in love."

"Love, bah!" Regina screeched, and she raced to the door, desperate to shut it before anyone followed her in, but Christopher and Marcus were already entering.

"I'll be damned," Marcus chuckled, as Christopher muttered, "Oh my lord!"

Christopher's adoring strumpet had wandered in behind him, and he shoved her into the corridor so that she couldn't view the sordid spectacle.

Elliot leapt off the bed, his flaccid breasts drooping, bis phallus a limp worm. "I didn't know, Marcus. I swear to God!"

"For pity's sake, Elliot," Marcus retorted. "Cover yourself!"

"Don't murder me!" Elliot whined.

"As if I'd expend that much energy. Just get dressed. Please!"

"I will; I will." He scurried about, scooping up his trousers and tugging them on.

Regina whipped around and screamed at her daughter. "You pathetic fool! Don't you realize what he is? What he's after? Have you any understanding of the enormity of your folly?"

"It's what / wanted," Melanie contended. "Me! It was my choice."

"O
h
... o
h
..." Regina was moaning, wringing her hands in dismay. "How could you do this to me? How could you?"

306
                          
Cheryl Holt

"Well, Regina
"
—
P
amela grinned and clucked her tongue in
faux
sympath
y
—"I guess there'll be a wedding, but Marcus won't be the lucky groom. And you had so many wonderful plans for him as your son-in-law."

Regina went still as a statue. Then, a strange r
u
mbling sound started, and it seemed to emanate from inside her, as if her wrath had been brought to a boil and was about to foment out of the pot.

“Yo
u
!" she smoldered. "This is your fault."

"You're blaming me?" Pamela reproached. "I'm not the one in bed with Elliot. I'd say the wanton trollop ruined herself."

"You ... you ... yo
u
..." She advanced on Pamela until they were toe-to-toe, but apparently, she'd been goaded beyond thought, b
e
yond speech.

Pamela preened. "Betray me, will you, you wretched hag?"

Regina looked wild, a furious pulse hammering at her neck, angry spittle on her lips. Awareness swept over he
r
—
t
hat she'd been tricked, that she'd been bested, that she'd been outdon
e
—
a
nd Pamela chortled with malice.

"Next time," Pamela counseled, "maybe you'll mink twice before stabbing your partner in the back."

She saw Regina's arm rise and flex, saw her fist clench, but it took a moment for the deed to register. Regina's intent was so shocking, and so unanticipated
,
that Pamela had no opportunity to react or move away. After all, women of her class didn't brawl like tavern whores.

Her last conscious memory was her surprise at how

A

307

fast a human punch could fly, at how ferociously it could land.

A bone cracked, blood surged, the room went black, and she dropped like a stone.

₂₂

A soft knock sounded on the door, and Selena's heart raced.

"Are you ready for me?" Christopher called.

By stretching up off the pillows, she was able to see herself in the mirror. Her brunette tresses were combed out and flowing free, her negligee clinging to her shapely form. She tugged at the bodice, lowering it so that more of her cleavage was exposed.

She looked like her mother, like Kate, too, but different from them. She was a woman in her own right. A woman desperately in love.

A blushing bride.

"Yes, Chris, I'm ready."

He slipped inside, dressed solely in his robe, the belt loosely cinched at the waist, and as she watched him approach, she shimmered with joy that he was her husband.

How lucky she was! How blessed!

Out of all the females in the world, he'd chosen her,

309

and she vowed to herself that she would always make him happy, that she would always make him proud. She would be a worthy wife, a cherished confidante, a loyal friend, an admirable countess.

Suddenly shy and uncertain, he paused. At a loss for words, he smiled, as nervous and jumpy as she was herself.

Though they'd been alone on many occasions, had trifled and embraced as if there were no tomorrow, they'd restrained themselves, had stopped before taking the final step in their relationship.

Embarrassing as it was to admit, Christopher was the one who'd insisted they delay till their wedding night. During their frequent trysts, she'd repeatedly begged him to progress further, but he wouldn't dishonor her.

She patted the mattress, and he eased himself down, a hip balanced on the edge, a palm braced on either side of
  
her. Tenderly, lovingly, he caressed her hair, her arm, her thigh, and he brushed a kiss across her lips.

"You're so beautiful," he murmured.

"So are you." She reached inside his robe. His skin was warm and silky, and she couldn't wait to feel it pressed to her own.

"What gorgeous babies we'll make."

"Yes, we will."

"I hope we have a dozen."

She prayed that they'd all be sons who resembled him. "Then we'd better get started."

"Are you afraid?"

"No!" she bravely claimed, then frowned. "Yes," and she groaned. "Oh, I don't know!"

310

He chuckled. "It will be wonderful."

"I'm sure it will be." How she loathed being a virgin! She was anxious to be relieved of her chastity.

"We'll go slow."

"Don't you dare! If I'm not deflowered in the next five minutes, I can't predict what I might do."

He laughed again, then sobered, and he studied her, his devotion and affection shining through. "Any regrets?"

"Just that Kate wasn't here for the ceremony."

After
the
various upheavals, they'd been terrified that something horrid might occur to keep them apart. Not wanting to tempt fate, they'd obtained a Special License and had been married in Lord Stamford's parlor, with only Marcus, the vicar, and his wife as witnesses.

There hadn't been time to order a dress, arrange a supper, or send an announcement to the papers, so there definitely hadn't been an opportunity to bring Kate from Doncaster. Not that she'd have come in her condition. It would take a long while for her to recuperate, both physically and mentally, from her London ordeal.

Edith Fitzsi
m
mons had accompanied Kate on her journey to the country, and had remained at the estate until Selena could arrive and care for Kate herself. Edith regularly apprised Selena of Kate's recovery, and of all her injuries, Selena suspected that Kate's broken heart would be the last to heal.

"She'll be standing with you at Doncaster."

"I'm counting on it."

Once their personal affairs were settled
,
they planned another ceremony, a grand fete worthy of the Earl of

Further Than Passion
              
311

Doncaster, though Chris's family wouldn't be allowed to attend. Lord Stamford had Regina under lock and key, and he intended to keep her confined and out of mischief until her house was ready in Cornwall.

Melanie and Mr. Featherstone were to be married, and soon, though Featherstone was grousing about being tricked into matrimony, and how he shouldn't have to wed Melanie when her dowry wasn't as it had been portrayed. No one listened to him, and in fact, many had been heard to guffaw aloud when he voiced the preposterous complaint.

Selena's mother-in-law and sister-in-law were crazy, but Chris had banished them from Doncaster, so she wouldn't ever have to deal with either of them. Recalling his edict, pronounced amidst much whining and posturing by both women, made her smile.

What a fine earl he was going to be!

"What are you grinning about, you minx?"

"I'm so very, very happy."

"So am I." For an eternity, he assessed her, and he
blushed. "I have a confession."
                         

"What is it?"

"Whilst you are a virgin, / am not."

She raised a bro0w. "After the shenanigans in which we've engaged, I scarcely presumed you were. How many lovers have you had? Are you a rampant libertine? Should I be worried about your fidelity?"

"No. There's only been one other."

"Who was it?" She wasn't positive if she wanted to be informed or not
,
and an image flashed of Lady Pamela. After observing her odd behavior that hideous night at Mr. Featherstone's, Selena was certain it was she.

She hoped Lady Pamela had been an excellent tutor.

312
                          
Cheryl Holt

His blush deepened. "I can't say, but you should know that
I
... that
I
..."

"It's all right, Chris. It's in the past."

"I wish I'd waited till I met you."

"Hush." She laid a finger across his lips. "I'm glad
you
are aware of what is to happen, for I haven't th
e
foggiest idea."

"Well, I do, my dear bride. Let me show you."

He eased her onto the pillows, coming over her, and covering her with his body.

Their previous trysts had transpired on sofas and in carriages, so she hadn't had the chance to learn how glorious he would feel, how she would thrill at the sensation created by his pressing her down.

As he massaged her breasts, he began kissing her, and down below, a spark of desire was kindled. When he finally pulled down the bodice of her negligee, and dipped to her bosom, she was writhing with anticipation and begging him to hurry.

He nipped and bit at her nipple, sucking until sh
e
thought she would die from the stimulation, and she nestled him closer, urging him to feast.

His hand trailed up her thigh, her hip, and she was so eager that he touched her once, again, and she soared with ecstasy. Throughout the tumult, he held her, cooing soft words, and as she spiraled down, he was preening, tickled by his prowess, by his ability to inflame her.

"You are so sexy," he remarked.

"Am I?"

"Yes
,
and I am so lucky." He drew her nightgown down and off so that she was naked, and he gazed at her.

"Do I please you?" she asked.

Further Than
Boston
                
313

"Oh, Selena, so much in every way. Shall we finish it?"

"You'd better!"

He loosened his robe, and she yanked it off so that he was naked, too, but as he moved over her, she stopped him.

"I'm dying to look at you."

"Be my guest."

He shifted away, so that she could explore, an
d
she ran her fingers across his chest. He was lean and smooth, graceful as a large African cat. Between his legs, his phallus was long, hard for her, and her virginal insecurities leapt to the fore.

"Are you sure it will fit?" she queried.

"I promise."

"I don't know what to do with it."

"I'll teach you."

She reached down and gripped him, judging weight and texture, girth and length, and as if he was in pain, he groaned.

"Have I injured you?"

"No. It feels very, very good. Too good."

He retrieved her hand and kissed it. "When I'm aroused, it's agonizing to endure your fondling."

"But I want to give you as much pleasure as you give to me."

"You will, darling, but let us consummate our vows, and after, I won't be so impatient. Then, you can play until dawn."

"An excellent notion."

He widened her legs, grasped his cock, and centered it. Her sheath was moist from her climax, and he rubbed the blunt crown across it, wetting it, edging it in.

314

"
This will hurt," he explained.

"You told me it would."

"I'
d
avoid harming yo
u
—
i
f I could."

"Don't worry. I'm not afraid."

He nodded, proud of her composure, her unruffled acceptance of the inevitable, and she was surprised, herself, at how calm she was acting. Inside, her heart was thundering so rapidly that she fretted it might burst.

"I love you, Selena."

"I love you, too, Christopher. I always will."

"Put your arms around me."

She hugged him, and he began flexing, prodding into her, farther and farther. Her goal was to be extremely mature and sophisticated about the entire affair, so she'd meant to relax, to make it easier for
him,
but the process was too foreign, her body too untried. She tensed.

"Almost there," he soothed, and he thrust and burst through her maidenhead.

She felt the pain, the rush of blood, and she cried out. Kissing her, he swallowed the sound, sharing her distress, and he held himself very still, until the sting lessened. He started to move, pushing into her and retreating, and she quickly adopted his rhythm.

Sweetly, gently, he rocked himself to a conclusion, and as he stiffened, as he wrenched to the end, she reveled in his release, in the sensation of his seed spewing across her womb. He shuddered and collapsed, and she decided it was the most precious, most divine moment of her life. Tears
f
illed her eyes.

His passion spent, he rose up on an elbow and smiled at her, but on seeing her upset, he frowned.

315

"What's this?" he said, swiping the tears away with his thumb.

"It was so beautiful."

"Yes, it was."

"I didn't realize how special it would be."

"It's difficult to describe until you've been through it." He slipped out of her, and snuggled himself to her side. "I didn't hurt you too badly, did I?"

"It was wonderful." She traced his face, his lips, memorizing every detail, so that she would never forget a single aspect of the instant she'd become a woman. "What now?"

"First, we take a bath"—
h
e wiggled his brow
s
— "together."

"Ooh, I like that idea."

"Then we try it again."

"Again?"

"Well, you had mentioned that you're eager to learn what I enjoy."

"So I had." She laughed and jumped off the bed. "I'll ring
for
that bath."

******************

Elliot sawed away between Melanie's thighs, wishing the end would arrive, but he couldn't manage to generate sufficient stimulation. His cockstand waned, growing more and more limp, until the necessary rigidity dwindled, and he couldn't shove it inside her.

Who could have imagined that fornicating with such a pretty girl would be so distasteful?

Disgusted, he stopped and flopped onto his back.

"Are you finished?" she carped.

"Yes."

316
                          

"
Thank God.
"

She scurried away, leaping to the floor and concealing herself in her robe, as he stared up at the ceiling, speculating as to how long he'd be able to persevere before he strangled her and put them both out of their misery.

Over by the dresser, she was fiddling with her jewelry, which he planned to sell to clear up a gambling debt. He hadn't advised her yet, and he probably wouldn't. It would simply vanish.