Saved by a Rake (16 page)

“
Shh!” Her only reply. But she looked him in the eye as she continued. Had he not already loved her, then he would have fallen for her in that instant. Her giving nature knew no bounds.

The
n she sat up, straddling him and kissing him fervently. He could taste himself on her. He kissed her for a long time—moving her onto her back and exploring her body until he was ready to take her. He had spoken the truth earlier when he had seen the green spark of jealousy in her. He had never enjoyed being with a woman as much as he enjoyed being with her.

Chapter
Twenty-Two

“
I am sorry to disturb you, my lord. I…oh!”

Rebecca looked around the study
and nodded slightly as her gaze rested on him, obviously having satisfied herself that his steward was not also in the room.

“
Gordon is out visiting the tenants. I did not want to leave, what with Simon’s would-be murderer still on the loose. Come in. I have something for you.”

Rebecca entered and closed the door gently behind her. Daniel picked a book up
from the desk and met her halfway across the room.

“
When I was not much more than a boy—I was at Eton—I discovered this book in my father’s library. I believe it is probably against the law to publish such a book. However, this book is at least one hundred years old. It must stay in the library. I am offering it to you to read. It may be very shocking to you but it is what you asked for—a book to explain what ladies refuse to discuss.”

She smiled and accepted the book, turning it to read the spine.

“The School of Venus,” she read.

“
I read it and it furthered my education considerably. There will be language that will shock you but...”

“
It is only language. It cannot hurt.”

“
It is very explicit.”

“
So is taking you in my mouth when we are alone.”

“
Devil take it, Rebecca. Are you trying to seduce me?”

“
Seduce you?”

“
You speak of taking me in your mouth, even after you did it last night and drove me mad with the pleasure. And now, just thinking on it, I am hard again.”

“
I did not mean… Are you really hard?” She placed a small hand on the placket of his breeches and the corners of her mouth lifted upwards.

In on
e swift movement, he pushed her against the bookshelf, covered her mouth with his and began to kiss her thoroughly. One hand worked at her skirts, while the other tugged at the bosom of her gown and stays, pulling free one breast. God, he loved her breasts. So full and soft and sensitive.

She cried out—but not in pleasure. He kneaded her breast
and started to press kisses along her collar bone. But she was saying no and pushing at him. Really? The woman who had sucked him to climax last night was… Damn! He sprang back, almost allowing her to tumble. He caught her elbow, but released her as soon as she was upright. Her blue eyes looked wild with fear, and she shoved herself back into her clothing.

What the hell
had happened? She had initiated it, touched his erection through his breeches, and kissed him fervently. And now he felt as if he had molested her.

“
I… I… I…” She threw her arms up in the air before dropping the book that was still in her hand and fleeing from the room.

He watched her retreating back and kicked the leg of the armchair near him. When she had said no, he had not even been sure it was a rejection. He had considered continuing, thinking she was crying out in pleasure. Now what should he do?

Should he go after her? Should he give her some time? Surely she knew he would never hurt her. God’s teeth, but she had just declared her love for him the night before and now she was running away from him like a frightened deer.

He walked out into the large hallway to find Anderson walking towards the parlour.

“Her ladyship?” he asked, knowing full well that Anderson would have seen where she had gone.

“
Up the stairs, my lord.”

“
Thank you.”

Unsure whether to follow her or not, Daniel began to walk up the stairs. He may as well check on Simon while he was up there. Perhaps Rebecca had been coming to give him a pr
ogress update.

When he reached the top of the stairs,
he was cursed with indecision again. She was upset. But would she want to see him? Had she really thought he was going to ravish her—that he would not stop if she asked? Had his hesitation to do just that irreparably damaged the progress they had made?

He had to admit to himself that the possibility hurt him to the quick. He had declared his love for her yet she thought he could be so callous to take what he wanted despite her desires and fears. Damn Newthorpe and whatever his problem had been.

Deciding that while his own feelings were hurt, Daniel was better leaving her alone, he turned into the countess’s bedroom. He closed the door quietly but was relieved to see Simon sitting up in bed, colour having returned to his cheeks. Andrew sat with his back to the window on a comfortable leather chair, one leg on the other knee and chuckling at something Simon had said.

Anyone looking at the two men would see nothing other than a couple of chaps who enjoyed each other
’s company.

“
Ah, Daniel, I fear I did not introduce you properly to my friend when we arrived. Might have had something to do with having a dashed hole in my side.”

“
Yes, terribly uncivilised of you, old chap,” returned Daniel, relieved to see that his brother really was none the worse for wear. “We ended up having to introduce ourselves. Andrew told me that he’s a man of learning and teaches at Edinburgh University. How someone so clever could end up friends with one as dumb as you, I cannot tell.”

“
Dumb? How so?”

“
Dumb enough to get shot less than a mile from your own home.”

“
Not my fault. Though I do believe I know who did it.”

“
So do we. Andrew told me everything.”

“
Everything?” Simon’s eyes widened and he looked from Andrew to Daniel as the colour drained out of his face. Daniel chuckled.

“
Good God, Simon, I’ve known for years. Since I set you up with that courtesan.”

The colour suddenly returned to Simon
’s cheeks. “Ah yes, the courtesan.”

“
What you did for Newthorpe’s sisters may have been very noble and honourable, but it was dashed stupid all the same. Did you not think to go and get the man’s brother and explain the situation to him?”

“
I could not just leave him, Daniel. The man was dead. The situation needed handling. You know what happens to men like us if we get discovered in these places.”

“
Hmm!” Daniel was noncommittal as he walked over to look out the window. It really was a beautiful view and he could not help feeling a little satisfied that his wife had given up this bedchamber in order to be with him. “In Newthorpe’s case, it would not necessarily be unjust.”

“
Hey! I say, Daniel, that is rather harsh. Good God man, I’ve tried to like women. I really have. If he ends up in certain gaming hells, it is out of desperation.”

“
And raping an innocent. Is that done out of desperation?”

“
Oh now.” He heard the rustle of bed covers and saw Andrew move out of the corner of his eye. The other man was obviously trying to keep Daniel’s brother in bed. “That is a dreadful thing to suggest. I would never...”

“
Not you, Simon. But Newthorpe did.”

“
I do not believe you. No gentleman would ever treat an innocent that way.”

Daniel barked out a humourless laugh.
“My dear brother, you have far too high an opinion of the gentlemen in the
Ton
. Many of them would happily deflower an innocent at any given chance... and some do. But I believe Newthorpe was either trying to beget himself an heir or he was trying to prove himself. Whatever it was, I am afraid that I am of the opinion that the late Earl of Newthorpe got his just desserts on the night before my wedding.”

“
And you have proof of this supposed debauchery.” Again Daniel laughed without humour as a vision of Rebecca shoving her breast back into her stays, a horrified look on her face, before fleeing from him sprung to mind.

“
I know it to be true.”

“
Rebecca?” he asked, making Daniel jerk his head towards the bed. Damn, he thought he was being careful, but he and Simon had always been so close. And they had told each other everything as boys.

“
Please don’t say anything to her,” he pleaded, realising that there was no point in lying.

“
Of course not. Is that why James left town the same day you did?”

“
Yes. He came as my footman.”

“
Where is he?”

“
We met Lady Anna Allerton, the daughter of the Duke of Ratcliffe at a coaching inn on the way here. He stayed to... well, I have no idea what his plans are.”

“
Good God! That is a name I have not heard in a long time. The chit just disappeared into thin air as I remember.”

Daniel nodded.

“Anyway, it seems that Charles Newthorpe has decided I am the villain of the piece and has chosen to hunt me down and shoot me.”

“
Yes it does seem to be the case. We need to find him and explain your side of the story.”

“
It seems so. Though I have no idea how Charlie will react to his brother preferring men.”

“
I could not give a fig what he thinks. The man is dead. It is time for the truth. And we will just tell him you were visiting a courtesan in Cheapside.”

“
Yes, much better to be bedding a prostitute than a man.” said Simon, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Daniel gritted his teeth and ran a hand through his hair. Devil take it! What did his brother want from him? His blessing? Whether Simon could help his preference for men or not was immaterial—society would ostraci
se him, if they did not put him in prison. He chose his words carefully.

“
Simon, whether you like it or not—whether you can help it or not—society does not think it acceptable for men to bed other men. Now, I can turn a blind eye to it and the staff will follow my lead. Hell, they probably worked it out before I did. But for your safety we must lie, at least until we see what Charles will do with the information about his brother.”

Simon then shoved his own hand through his hair and laid his head back on the headboard.

“Fine. I am sorry for putting you in an awkward situation.”

Daniel waved the apology away.

“I put Andrew in the bedroom next to your room and we will move you to your own bedchamber later. The adjoining door should make things easier for you. But for the love of God, please do two things for me—be careful of that damned wound and be sensible. Make sure you are in separate rooms before any of the staff attend you.”

“
Of course,” said Simon, glancing quickly at his lover. “We are always sensible. It comes with the territory. You are the only one who knows.”

“
Me, Papa and now Rebecca.”

“
Papa knows?”

“
Yes. But do not worry. As long as I give him an heir and a spare, he will not expect any more from you than for you to be an idle, second son.”

“
Ah, good to know I can live up to his expectations.”

“
I am sure you will do it admirably.”

Simon guffawed as Andrew chuckled.

Daniel walked around the bed and opened the door before turning. “I am glad that you are mostly unscathed. We will find Newthorpe and explain. With luck, he will understand.”

Then he left and with only a quick glance up the hallway to the room where he suspected his wife to be, before heading back to the library.

Chapter
Twenty-Three

Rebecca did not come down for dinner, asking the staff to convey her apologies to Daniel and to tell him that she had a dreadful headache. Daniel had sti
fled a snort of derision but let the matter rest, chiding himself anew for having lost control. He had forgotten that he must go slowly with her even when she placed her hand against his erection and spoke of taking him in her mouth.

Damn, she was too alluring. What was a man to do but push her up against the bookcase and seduce her? Except, he had not seduced her—he had frightened her. All those days of frustration on the journey to Scotland had all been ruined with one thoughtless act.
Perhaps he was no better than Newthorpe. And what was she thinking now?

****

Rebecca sat at the window seat in their bedchamber. It was her favourite view from anywhere in the house. She could look out over the rose garden, part of the rhododendron walk and towards the hills beyond. A glance at the roses made her shudder as she remembered their time at the garden party. She had been correct and Daniel had been wrong. She was impure and spoiled forever.

When she had placed her hand on the placket of his breeches, she had wanted him. And nothing he had done had been violent. It had been swift and had caught h
er by surprise. But even as he had removed her breast from her stays, he had been gentle. The action, however, had reminded her of Newthorpe grabbing her breasts, pulling them from their confines and biting and sucking on them until she had cried out in pain.

She had panicked and had pushed him away before fleeing from him as if he was intent on hurting her.
Her sweet, patient, loving husband—treated like a rapist by his own wife. She must have hurt him very much indeed. He probably hated her now and rued the evening in Vauxhall Gardens when he had asked for her hand.

That was why he had not come after her. If he had, perhaps she could have made things all right with him. She could have apologised, pressed herself against him and kissed him until they had landed on the bed.

She had never felt so miserable in her life. In some ways, this was worse than the days after Newthorpe had ravished her. She had been in shock then and simply going through the motions. Now it was just her, alone with her memories and the knowledge that she had irreparably damaged her marriage. Mayhap at last she would get her wish and he really would now take a mistress.

****

As Daniel opened the door of their bedchamber, there was a slight rustling of sheets. Only one candle burned and by the time he had raised his own candle, the body in the bed looked as if it had been laid out for a funeral.

He chuckled quietly to himself.
While he had always left his mistresses’ beds before he had slept, he had often stayed a while and watched them sleeping. He knew what a woman looked like in repose. Rebecca obviously did not.

He had an overwhelming desire to poke her in the side to watch her reaction but he decided to allow her little charade to continue a little while longer. He had dismissed his valet again
tonight, knowing that somehow he had to make things right with Rebecca and he had to start as soon as he got into the room. The man could fuss and complain about the state of his breeches all morning to his heart’s content, if that’s what he felt like doing, but he had to be alone with his wife now.

He took off his coat, waistcoat and cravat,
and then sat on the side of the bed to remove boots and stockings.

“
Rebecca, I know you are not asleep.” When she did not respond, he sighed and removed the rest of his clothes before slipping into bed beside her, naked. “I apologise for my actions this afternoon. I was overcome by lust for you and did not think. I did not mean to hurt and frighten you, and I hope that one day you can forgive me. I would hate to think that you now view me as you do the late Earl of Newthorpe. I… I…” He did not know what else to say. He had already declared his love for her. Did he need to say it again? Her eyes opened and she turned her head, eyes shining bright in the candlelight, one tear spilling from her eye to roll down towards her ear.

“
I have ruined everything, have I not?” she asked, struggling up into a seated position.

“
You? No, my love. It was my actions that caused this.”

“
I beg to differ, my lord. When you pulled my breast out of my stays, I panicked. I remembered the earl doing the same thing although he was much rougher. It hurt when he sucked and bit at it. I begged him to stop and he would not. But you did and I ran from you even when you stopped. I am a dreadful wife. Please I beg of you, take a mistress and free me from the guilt of denying your needs. Even if you do not believe I was sullied in body, which I most certainly was, I was sullied up here.” She tapped her fingers against the rags in her hair.

Daniel watched as she got out of the bed. His emotions seemed to be a
t war within his soul. Hate for Newthorpe, pity and love for his wife, anger at their situation, concern for her well-being, desire to be the comfort that she needed. He had let it drop that she had called him ‘my lord,’ believing there to be bigger battles to be faced than her using a title to distance herself from him.

“
Where are you going?” he asked.

“
I believe the countess’s bedchamber is free now. I shall go there and leave you in peace.”

“
No, you are not going. I demand that you stay here and talk this out.” He was on his feet barring her way, his jaw set and his mood implacable before he had realised what he was doing.

“
I am doing what is best for all concerned. Worry not, I will not deny you your heir and spare. You may come to my bedchamber as you wish to plant your seed.”

“
Plant my seed? Good God, Rebecca. You are not a garden on the estate. I will not treat you as some animal to reproduce for me. I will make love to my wife, and you will damned well enjoy it. Now get into that bed and let this be an end to the matter.”

She seemed to sag visibly as his
tirade came to an end, then she turned and walked back to the bed, swiping at her tears and looking mutinous. He smiled grimly to himself. Thank heavens for that vow in the marriage ceremony to obey. He climbed back into bed beside her. She turned away from him, sniffling.

“
I love you,” he said gruffly. It was the only thing he could think to say that might make things better.

“
I love you too,” she sniffled.

“
Would you at least let me hold you? Please!” He thought she would refuse as she swiped again at her face, but she eventually rolled over against his body. He wrapped his arms around her and sighed with relief.

****

Daniel awoke early to find that sometime during the night, Rebecca had removed her nightgown. It lay in a crumpled heap at the foot of the bed.

Why had she taken it off? And how the hell would he get rid of his erection before she woke with her hip rubbing deliciously against it
? He had to get out of bed before she awoke.

But she was still sound asleep now. He could lie for a few minutes and just enjoy her body against him and continue to stroke her exquisitely rounded behind.
Damn, this was just a bit too reminiscent of the morning after their wedding. He really was back where he had started. What a damned fool he had been.

“
Daniel?”

Devil take it. She had not even stirred. Had she been awake all this time?

“Yes, my love?”

“
I am sorry.”

“
There is no reason for you to apologise.”

“
Why did you not try to bed me last night?” She had lifted her head and propped her cheek on her hand, and her piercing blue eyes narrowed.

“
We were both upset and tired.”

“
I fear there will be a large number of nights when we will both be upset and tired. That is why you must take a mistress. Do you not see? All gentlemen of the
Ton
take a mistress.”

“
Not all. And we have had this discussion and the answer is no. I will not take a mistress. I am more than happy with our marital bed. And the fact you are rubbing your body against me in a very distracting fashion, tells me that you are not dissatisfied either.”

“
It is true—I do long to feel you inside me.”

“
Then let us make it happen,” he said, rolling her onto her back and capturing her mouth with a searing kiss.

****

Daniel looked up from the letter he was just finishing. He was sitting in the library the next evening after dinner. Rebecca had asked if she may join him so she could begin to read the book he had offered.

Simon and Andrew had taken a carriage into the village so Simon could show Andrew the sights. As far as Daniel knew, Drumbane had no sights apart from the church and the inn and he doubted very much that either m
an was interested in the church.

Had he done the right thing in offering
the book to her? He was sure he had, even though he was sure the Countess of Chapelbrooke would have his hide for introducing her daughter to such literature.

He contemplated the wisdom of the venture again as his gaze roved over his wife. She was wearing a pretty white dress with pink flowers embroidered around the neckline, cuffs and hem. She had allowed her slippers to fall off
, and one stockinged foot dangled from the large leather seat, while the other was tucked under her. Her eyes were wide as she scanned the pages, and she rocked herself against her foot, completely subconsciously.

He was enthralled watching her and his body seemed to have followed his mind. He moved quietly to turn the lock in the door. He did not want any servants happening upon what he hoped was going to now occur.

Taking the leather seat on the opposite side of the fire, he watched her as she turned a page and bit her lip. Good God, she was rocking as if she were astride him. His breath hitched as he noticed the flush of her skin and the way her free hand grasped her skirts. Her arousal fuelled his.

He pushed a hand inside the flap of his placket and tweaked open t
he buttons, leaving the buttons holding the flap in place, in case she was not as receptive to his advances as he hoped. Luckily he had shed his coat an hour or so before and it hung on the back of his desk chair.

“
Are you enjoying the book?” he asked, aware that his voice was lower and gruffer than normal.

She looked up, obviously surprised to see he had moved.
Her cheeks reddened, and he stifled a groan.

“
Oh! I am…well…it is… that is… there is much to be learned from it.”

“
Indeed.”

“
She describes coupling very well, and if I were not already married, I fear I would be too eager to try being bedded after reading this.”

“
Hmm, it is fortuitous indeed then that I made an honest woman of you before you read the book. And how do you feel as you read it?”

She placed her hand on her cheek and dropped her gaze back to the page, looking coy and seductive at the same time.

“I feel aroused—the way I feel when we are in bed.”

He smiled triumphantly.
“I feel aroused watching you read it.”

“
You do?”

He nodded, beckoning her over. Without hesitation, she uncurled her leg, stood up, placing the book on the table beside her
, and walked over to him. He moved forwards on the seat. It was large and wide. Easily big enough for what he intended.

Holding her gaze, to look for any signs that she was going to flee again, he began to lift her skirts. She tilted her head and ran her fingers through his hair.
As he drew the skirts past their knees, she shuffled forwards, pulling his face against her bosom. He pursed his lips, kissing any skin they could reach as he was pressed against the swell of her bosom.

With one hand he flicked open the flap buttons of his breeches, while holding her gown out of the way with the other. He sprang free of his clothing and quickly stroked himself, urging her closer. She placed her knee onto the seat at his side.

“Oh God, yes,” he growled into the flesh at the rise of her breast. Again he urged her forwards, and she straddled him. He moved the hand between them to test her flesh. She was ready.

He pushed his head back and her lips were on his in a flash. Her
tongue probed at his lips for moments before he opened his mouth and welcomed her inside. No sooner had the sensations of the kiss begun to assail his mind, but she was lowering herself onto him and the fire, fully stoked, burst to life. He clutched her skirts in his hand, hoping to retain some control as she sheathed him fully, but when she started to move up and down, he was lost.

Their coupling was frantic, with Rebecca just as lost in the moment as he. As soon as he realised she was not going to take fright, he allowed himself to let go. He held her bare behind, urging her into the correct rhythm and what followed was a mess of growled endearments, thrusting hips, grabbed clothing and hair, sloppy kisses and a climax that almost caused him to lose consciousness.