“Well,” a slight frown creased her brow as she pursed her lips thoughtfully, “I didn’t expect them to be quite as...well,
happy
about the two of us marrying. Not that I expected them to hate the idea exactly.”
“Amanda cornered me after dinner and let me know she was completely in favor of our engagement.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. In fact, she told me she had long thought we would be a good match, but short of throwing us at each other, she had no idea of how to get us to notice one another in a romantic sense. And she said she was
almost
glad Cecil had his little accident because it forced us to spend some time together on a more personal level.”
“It certainly did.”
Kolton raised a sardonic brow at the note of sarcasm in her tone, but let the comment pass unchallenged. “Have I mentioned how lovely you look tonight, and how well I think that dress suits you?” He stood and took her hand, urging her to her feet.
Pru smiled wryly as she faced him. “I believe it came up quite spectacularly before dinner, if memory serves, my lord.”
“That it did.” Kolton chuckled, recalling Victor’s reaction. “I thought my brother was about to expire on the spot from shock.”
“Well, admittedly, he did appear shocked, but I think one foot in the grave is a bit of an exaggeration.”
“Perhaps,” Kolton conceded, “but I have never seen him in such a state.”
“You were not far better yourself, I must say,” she reminded him with a twinkle of amusement in her eyes.
“I will not argue the fact you took my breath away,” he said pulling her close and wrapping his arms around her, “but then, you’ve made quite the habit of that these last few days.”
“If I didn’t know better, Lord Ravensbrook, I would say you are attempting to seduce me with flowery praise.”
“Me?” he asked with false, wide-eyed innocence. “Why I would never– by the by, is it working?”
***
The combination of the child-like hopefulness in Kolton’s expression and the mischievous twinkle in his eyes melted Prudence’s resolve to keep him at arm’s length. She burst out laughing.
“You can be a dangerous man when you want to be, Lord Ravensbrook. I can see I will have to keep that in mind in the future,” she commented when her laughter subsided.
“I don’t know about that, my dear. I like to think of myself as charming.”
“You are at that, and that is what makes you dangerous with the ladies,” she replied primly.
Kolton grinned boyishly, making Prudence’s heart flutter. “I plan to be ‘dangerous’ with only one lady from now on,” he said with a wink, “so I am no longer a danger to society, I assure you, my sweet Prudence.”
“Hmph. As if your flirtatiousness is something that you can control. It comes as natural to you as breathing.”
“Hmm, you may be right,” he said with contrived concern, “but I intend to be wicked only with you.”
Prudence’s last thought before he lowered his lips to hers was that only time would prove whether he actually spoke the truth.
“Kolton,” she pleaded breathlessly a few moments later. “Someone might see.”
Kolton lifted his head from where he had been nibbling at her neck and looked toward the open door to the study. “Something that can be easily fixed,” he replied, striding to the door. He closed and locked it before retracing his steps and lifting Prudence in his arms.
“Kolton! What are you doing? Put me down.”
He ignored her, settling himself in one of the oversized chairs by the fireplace. He cuddled Prudence on his lap. “Now, where were we?”
“This is most improper. There are servants about and Victoria is upstairs,” she huffed indignantly, attempting to move off his lap. “Not to mention the fact we have tempted fate too many times already.”
He tightened his hold on her. “There are ways to find pleasure which do not include the physical act, my dear Prudence,” he suggested as he busied himself with kissing her neck.
Prudence shivered. “Oh?”
“Yes. Would you like me to show you?”
“I don’t know if that is such a good– oh my!” she exclaimed when he reached a sensitive spot which never failed to make her stomach flutter.
***
Kolton chuckled and concentrated on the area. “It is a good idea, Pru. It is either that, or I will go crazy with wanting you.” He slid his hand beneath her skirt and found her hot center. He knew of another way as well to prevent conception, one he had discovered one of his former mistresses used. He would have to go about procuring the necessary supplies on the morrow after he visited Helena to end their arrangement in person.
Prudence gasped and gave a soft moan when he slid his finger between her damp folds. She was already wet, and it excited him. Already, his cock was straining against his trousers uncomfortably.
“God, I want you, Pru,” he exclaimed hoarsely and lifted her to straddle his lap. He pushed her dress off her shoulders, exposing her breast and took one of her ripe nipples in his mouth. Prudence tilted her head back and moaned, running her fingers through his hair as he sucked hungrily at her breast while fumbling to open his pants and let his member spring free.
“No, Kolton, we can’t.” But her voice held little conviction as he rubbed the tip of his cock along her wet slit.
“Shh, trust me,” he murmured as he moved to take the nipple of her other breast into his mouth. He urged her to lower herself against him and showed her how to rub against him to stimulate them both without entering her.
“Oh my! Mmm. That feels so
good
,” she breathed.
“Being inside you would feel even better; but for now we’ll have to make do with this,” he told her as he released her nipple and took her lips in a hot, open-mouthed kiss.
He became drenched with her fluids as she moved faster against him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and rocked his hips. His balls tightened. He didn’t know how long he could last. He’d been suffering a painfully rigid cock stand since he first saw her enter the room before dinner, and couldn’t keep his mind off of how good she’d feel wrapped around his staff since then.
***
Prudence was riding a wave of pleasure that threatened to crash against the shores of ecstasy any moment. “Kolton, oh Kolton I—oh
God!
” she cried as her climax took her.
“Yes, love, that’s it. Don’t hold back,” he panted, thrusting his hips faster.
Prudence looked down at his face as the ripples of her release began to ease. Their eyes met, and for a moment, it felt as if he could see into her soul, before his own orgasm hit him. A look of wonder flashed across his features followed by heavy-lidded ecstasy. He growled her name, his eyes never leaving hers as she felt the rush of his hot seed between her legs.
He grabbed the back of her head and brought her lips down to his in a crushing kiss, his tongue plunging wildly into her mouth in time with his thrusting cock, and another climax seized her.
Pleasure soon receded into a pleasant afterglow and she collapsed against him, a strange sense of belonging as he held her securely against him enveloping her. If only she could believe he would always want her this way – never become like her father and tire of her. But she couldn’t trust he wouldn’t grow tired of her. If only things wouldn’t change; then she could be free to love him.
***
The next morning, Amanda arrived early and, along with Victoria, dragged Prudence out on an all day shopping spree. By the end of the day, Prudence’s feet ached and she was more exhausted than she could recall in recent memory.
“Perhaps tomorrow, we will decide on a gown for your wedding,” Amanda suggested after they returned home and made their way to the sitting room for tea.
Honestly, Prudence thought, did the woman
ever
tire of clothes shopping? Prudence had certainly had enough for the foreseeable future.
“I don’t even want to
think
about fabrics and lace and whether the neckline is too high or too low for at least a week,” Prudence complained collapsing in a most unladylike manner in a comfortable chair. Victoria and Amanda seemed as fresh and energetic as they had when they departed that morning, Prudence observed crossly.
Victoria eyed Prudence with sympathy. “I do suppose you are unaccustomed to the amount of activity we heaped on you today. In a day or two, we can see about acquiring some fashion plates to look over until you feel recovered enough to visit some more shops. In the meantime,” she continued, pouring Amanda and Prudence their tea and handing them their cups, “we can discuss the guest list – but not today,” she amended when Prudence crossed her eyes in exasperation. “I think we have gotten a fair start with ordering your new wardrobe.”
“Thank you, cousin.” Prudence sent the older woman a grateful smile. “I would appreciate the chance to relax for the remainder of the day.”
“Well, I for one would think you would be bubbling over with excitement and full of ideas for making everything perfect. I know I was when Christopher proposed,” Amanda remarked as she added sugar to her tea.
“Oh, hush your nonsense,” the countess admonished her stepdaughter, her tone devoid of real censure. “Every woman is different. Can’t you see the poor gel is exhausted?” She reached over and patted Prudence’s hand reassuringly. “I shudder to think what she’ll put a daughter of hers through when it comes time for her to marry. You would think she were planning her own wedding again the way she is carrying on so.”
Prudence chuckled at Amanda’s look of effrontery and abject denial. “Oh, let her get it out of her system. Besides, I am happy to have both of your help in planning my wedding. It would appear I am not cut out to organize such an extravagant event. I would be happy with a small church wedding and a handful of guests, but I understand as a future countess, I need to get used to such elaborate affairs.”
“Indeed,” agreed Victoria, “and I believe that first on the agenda should be your betrothal ball. Don’t worry,” she rushed to reassure Prudence. “Amanda and I will do most of the planning, but you should be heavily involved, you could do with the practice.”
“I agree completely,” Amanda chimed in.
“Then it is settled, tomorrow after breakfast, we will meet here and discuss the guest list and other details.”
“That sounds agreeable.” Prudence tried to sound more excited at the prospect than she truly felt at the moment. Changing the subject she said, “So, Amanda, how is poor Cecil doing?”
***
Kolton signaled for his carriage to stop a couple of blocks from Lady Whenton’s townhouse. It was time for him to end his affair with the pretty widow now that he was to be wed.
He exited the coach and ordered the driver to circle the block until he returned and made his way to Helena’s door. It opened immediately at his knock. The butler showed him into the sitting room.
Helena entered the room moments later. She looked fetching in her light blue morning gown, which matched her eyes to perfection, her blond curls piled atop her head artfully as she glided over to him, reaching out both hands for him to take.
“Kolton, my darling, it has been far too long since we were last together,” she cooed as he lifted one hand and bent over, kissing the air above it. “Did you enjoy your trip to Bath with your sister and your cousin?” Her voice didn’t reflect much interest, Kolton observed, as she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his neck, lifting her face for a kiss.
“I quite enjoyed myself, thank you for asking,” he replied taking hold of her wrists and stepping out of her embrace. “As a matter of fact, something has come up as a result that I wished to discuss with you.”
“We can talk later,” Helena pouted, stepping closer and attempting to wrap her arms around him again, frowning with impatience when he stayed her attempt once again.
“Helena, I came here to talk.
Only
talk,” he stated firmly setting her aside.
“Since when have you wanted only to talk when you visit me?” she chided, giving him a sultry wink.
True. Talking had never been one of their more active pursuits when they were alone together. His relationship with her suddenly seemed shallow on both their parts. Neither of them had taken the time to get to know each other except physically, which had suited him just fine in the past, but now struck him as a bit debauched.
“Since I have become an engaged man, my dear.” He lowered his voice, hoping to soften the shock his unexpected news would bring.
“
What
?” Helena stepped back and stared at him, her jaw dropping in astonishment. “
Engaged
?”
“Yes. To Lady Prudence,” he confirmed.
“To your cousin– ?”
“My stepmother’s second cousin, yes,” he corrected.
Helena’s shocked expression changed to one of relieved amusement. “Lord Ravensbrook, I believe you are having fun with me,” she said with a tinkling laugh. “Shame on you. I find your humor not at all favorable.”
“This is no joke, Helena. I am engaged to Lady Prudence.”
A spark of indignation flashed in her eyes, quickly masked by a look full of hurt. Kolton felt a prickle of unease at the quick turnabout of emotion she displayed, but quickly dismissed it. She was allowed to be upset. He had, after all, sprung this on her without warning.
“This is so sudden,” she replied in a tearful voice. “I thought we had an understanding. Why would you hurt me this way?”
“Understanding?” he said raising a surprised brow. Where had she gotten that idea?
“Yes. We have attended functions together. Everyone assumes we are courting, of course.”
If he had realized she had become emotionally invested in the relationship, he would have ended it months ago. He thought he’d made it quite clear he was not looking for marriage with her, and thought she felt the same. Helena was a beautiful woman and creative in bed, but other than enjoying their physical relationship, there was really nothing they shared in common.