“Before you weren’t my wife then and I wasn’t responsible for your safe keeping.”
“You promised our friendship wouldn’t change just because we were married.”
With a start, Richard knew it already had. His possessiveness and worry over her safety had hit a new level of concern. When they were just friends, Rufus was her ultimate protector. Now it was his duty and honor to protect her.
“Then I expect you to defer to my better judgment or you’ll drive me insane. If I say to stay out of things, you must agree and keep safe. You are to stay away from Chesterton—
any
Chesterton.”
“Fair enough. But I’ll not sit by and see you in danger if I can help.”
“I am perfectly safe. I have enough help from Anthony, Rufus, and Stephen.
Please
leave this to us. We have had experience in this area.”
She nodded.
“I’m going to Newmarket after Wrentham’s funeral tomorrow. Rufus and I are going to investigate and question the villagers and see if there is anyone who has unexpectedly come into money. Timothy wasn’t at the hunt so he must have paid someone to tamper with Charles’s saddle.”
“Please be careful. Is there anything I can do while you are gone?”
He pulled off his cravat. “No. I want you to stay out of harm’s way. Don’t leave the house unescorted.”
She sat back and gazed at him with what some would call an innocent expression. He, however, knew the look was anything but.
“I will stay away from the Chestertons, I promise. By the way, we are to dine at Anthony’s after the funeral. Will you be back from Newmarket by then?”
“Not likely. It may take a few days. Please don’t go out unescorted. If Timothy has learned we are investigating Charles’s death, there is no knowing what he could do. Take Clayton with you.”
“Clayton? He looks as if a stiff breeze would blow him over.”
“Looks can be very deceiving. He grew up on a slaver. He knows how to take care of himself.”
“As do I.”
He snorted.
“You taught me how to box and shoot. I’m as good as any man—that’s what you’ve always said.”
“I was being kind.”
“Oh. We shall see.”
That’s what he was afraid of, Maddy jumping in without thinking or understanding the consequences. “It didn’t help you last night with Chesterton.”
“True, but now I shall be on my guard.”
Before he could rebuke her, Maddy rose to her knees and pushed him gently down onto the bed. “I’d like to change the subject and make love to my husband before dawn. You look tired, so for once let me take care of you.” She leaned toward him and her nightgown opened revealing a pair of perfect breasts whose nipples budded before his eyes.
The effect on his body was instant. His hands rose to cup the pert flesh and his thumb rubbed the hardened nubs.
He felt her smile against his cheek while she freed him of his waistcoat. Her tiny hands slid down his chest to pull up his shirt and he tensed at her touch. God, what this woman did to him.
He lifted himself partially off the bed so that she could pull off his shirt. He tried to kiss her tantalizing mouth but she pushed him away, back down onto the bed, her lips kissing, licking, and biting his chest.
Her hands attacked the placard of his trousers and his straining erection finally sprang free. One more minute of her inexperienced fumbling and he might just loose his mind. However, when he tried to snatch her hands and roll her under him, Maddy swatted his hands away. “It’s my turn to take care of you. In every way...Let me...”
He gave a wicked smile and immediately obeyed her. He lay back, his hands behind his head least he was tempted to wrestle control from her.
“I look forward to being the recipient of your seductions.”
She trailed a finger down his hardened member. “You don’t think I can have you begging me for more?”
“I think it will be my pleasure to find out,” he whispered in a low growl as her hand wrapped firmly around him and began to move up the hardening length of him.
He closed his eyes and groaned. She felt so good. Her fingers were working their magic. His tension eased. He let himself drift away from all the problems of the world until only her touch consumed him.
At the press of her soft lips on his stomach, his eyes flew open. She snuck a look from under her thick eyelashes, turning him into a statue. It was a sensuously provocative gaze—pure minx and siren combined. Her mouth trailed lower and he ceased to breath. She couldn’t be... She wouldn’t... She didn’t know how...
Oh, but she did know how. Her tongue was liquid heat running down the underside of his penis. “Christ,” he bit out, resting on his elbows to watch her.
She stopped and looked at him. “Am I not doing this correctly?”
He couldn’t get the words out when he saw and felt her mouth gently nibbling at his sacs. He merely shook his head and collapsed back onto the bed. When she took one into her mouth, gently rolling it against her inside cheek, his hips came up off the bed.
She played him like a maestro, her mouth and tongue whipping him into a frenzy of sensation. She took him deep into her hot, wet mouth, over and over, right to the back of her throat, almost blowing his head off. He gripped the sheets with his fists, lost in pleasure, oblivious to everything around him except what she was doing to his body.
Her mouth had been tentative a first. She teased, sucking only the head of his cock. But as his moans grew and his hips rose, she grew bolder, taking him deep into her mouth. When he hit the back of her throat, he thought he’d found heaven.
She was relentless, never giving him respite. She used her tongue and hand to perfection and he had to close his eyes on the vision or it would be over in an instant. He soared free. Nothing but the feel of her mouth and the pleasure she was eliciting concerned him.
Her hair feathered over his stomach and thighs, the touch silken and soft. The sounds from her mouth as she worked him played an erotic symphony and he felt the pleasure build to even greater heights.
Then she did a little trick with her teeth, scraping the underside of the head of his cock, while plying her tongue firmly to his slit. She was exquisite. Fantastic. His...The urge to come was overpowering, yet he didn’t want the pleasure to stop. He fought to stop from exploding...
“Maddy, stop... No more... I’m going to come...” He tried to pull away, but her mouth clamped down and her hand gripped him tighter. She sucked harder and deeper and oh, dear God...
He came with a roar, his body lifting off the mattress, as he exploded into her mouth. Still she didn’t leave him. She continued to work him, drinking every drop, until he was barely conscious, and as he slumped back, he was scarcely able to draw breath into his body. For several minutes he lay there panting, trying to get his emotions under control. He ran a shaky hand over his face. Good lord, where on earth had she learned how to do that? Many professionals had serviced him, but none had given him that sort of pleasure with their mouths. She was quite simply the best he’d ever had.
“You taste rather salty. Is that how I taste on your tongue?”
He finally opened his eyes. She was sitting beside him, a very smug and satisfied smile on her face.
“Before I further your lessons in the bedroom, you will tell me who taught you to do that.”
“Was it good?” she asked innocently. “Would it make you beg for more?”
“Good? Christ, too much more of that and I would have died. But at least I would have died extremely happy. Come here,” and he pulled her down into his arms. “Should I be concerned or jealous at my wife’s obvious talent in the oral congress area, considering I did not teach you how to do that?”
Maddy giggled. Her body flooded with euphoria, while it jangled with raging want and need. “Melissa…”
“Melissa talked with you about...No wonder you were so good with Anthony as her teacher.”
She pinched his chest and smiled at his ‘ouch’. “Don’t be silly. Ladies do not discuss what goes on in the bedroom in detail.” Her eyebrow rose. “Are you telling me men do?” Madeline watched her husband’s cheeks fan red. “Goodness.”
“Some men do. As a gentleman, I never kiss and tell.” He leaned up on his elbow. “Well, if not Melissa—whom should I be jealous of? Because although I loved what you have just done to me, and in fact, I’m hoping to have that pleasure repeated often, I’m starting to get a bit anxious.”
A thrill raced through her. “I may just be a natural at the arts of pleasure.”
“No woman is
that
natural. The things you did with your teeth and tongue, I’d swear you’ve been tutored, and I might have another name to add to my kill list.”
Pride washed over Maddy. She stroked a hand down his chest towards his groin. “I was that good? Well, I’m more than happy to oblige any time. I love the taste of you.”
He took her mouth in a ferocious kiss. “You’re not going to tell me, are you?”
“Then it would ruin the other surprises I have in store for you.”
“I’ve been up for over twenty-four hours. I’m not sure my body can take too many more surprises.”
He groaned as she cupped his sacs and felt them swell in her hand. Maddy reveled in her sensual power. “Then just make love to me, please. I need you after the disaster at the ball.”
This time she did not resist when he rolled her under him. As his lips gently suckled her nipple, she was more than content to let the other lessons from Madam du Barry’s book wait for another night...
Dear Richard Craven
Two months seems eons away, however, it will give me time to practice with my bow. I shall relish our challenge.
Rufus might be home too. Mother received a letter from him explaining his plans. Perhaps you would be kind enough to point out to my brother that I can read, and a letter from him would be welcomed.
I enclose a gift for your birthday. I made Lord Wickham tell me when it was. He passed through to visit with mother a sennight ago. It’s hard to imagine you are twins. He is so different in looks and disposition. I was rather scared of him. He frowned when I told him we were corresponding. I asked if he would like me to pass on a greeting. Lord Wickham said that now I am sixteen, it was not appropriate for you to write to me. I cannot imagine why. Can you?
Your friend (no matter what others say),
Madeline Knight
Madeline awoke alone the next morning. By the light seeping through the curtains, it looked as if it was well past mid-morning. Surely Richard hadn’t left without saying goodbye to her.
On that thought, the door to her chamber opened. “Good, you’re finally awake. I thought you’d sleep all day.”
She lay back and stretched. “I can’t help it. My husband is exhausting me.” At Richard’s worried look, she added, “But I love it.”
Love him
, she wanted to say.
“Rufus has delayed our trip to Newmarket until after Wrentham’s memorial service tomorrow morning. So I thought I’d escort you to Tattersall and we could find a mount for you. I know how much you love to ride.”
It was difficult to breathe when one’s mouth hung open. “Tattersalls? Is that allowed?”
Richard shrugged. “We’ll find out. It’s Thursday and not the main trading day. Yes, women are frowned upon at Tattersalls, but then you are the sister of the owner of England’s current St. Ledger, Derby, and 2000 Guineas winner… I think curiosity about your brother’s horse prowess will see them bend the rules.”
She was out of bed in a flash, calling for her maid. She shooed Richard from the room. He called over his shoulder, “I’ve never seen you move so fast. I shall meet you downstairs with the carriage.” She could hear him laughing as he made his way down the hall.
Richard frowned as he stood in the foyer waiting for his wife.
Wife.
That’s when he noted that he no longer thought of her as Maddy, his special friend. She was definitely his wife.
He also noted that he wasn’t angry any longer about being forced into this marriage. He couldn’t forget Maddy’s sacrifice or pretend it had never happened. They were wed and so far he’d found nothing to dissuade him that they couldn’t be happy together, except perhaps for his irrational need to protect her as Madeline definitely wasn’t the damsel-in-distress type. Except for that one day when he had met her surrounded by the Chesterton bullies, seven years ago.
He smiled at the memory. When he’d helped her off his horse and she’d slipped her tiny hand in his and walked with him into her house, something inside him had stirred. She had looked at him with such pride, and had introduced him to her governess as her friend. He’d almost had a stand up row with Rufus that day. How could Rufus
not
know that the neighborhood bullies regularly set upon his sister? Rufus had then challenged him to look after Maddy if he was so concerned. So Richard had. He’d secretly vowed all those years ago that he would always be her friend above all else.
But now he wanted something else. He wanted her love. He no longer wanted just a friend. The bond he now felt… If anyone tried to take that from him, he’d kill to keep her.
Her dark, sensuous beauty was a stunning reminder of how lucky he was. His attraction to her grew even more intense with each look, each touch, each kiss… simply seeing her, smelling her scent made him hard in an instant and made him crave the wild sweetness of her body beneath him…
But Richard knew physical attraction alone, or indeed infatuation, lead to love. He wanted Maddy to be his soul mate more than he wanted to kill Chesterton. He wanted what his brother had, and the thought of not having it scared him to death. What if he pushed Maddy to give him her heart and she said no? Richard tightened his jaw, forcefully reining in his panic.
It was time to start acting like a husband. A friend might stay a friend forever, but trying to become a lover, a husband, a father, might win her over. He wanted much more, much, much more and he intended to get it.
A short time later, Madeline joined him, and by then, Richard had his rioting feelings more under control.