Saved by a Rake (9 page)

She turned slowly at his words. What he said was true.
“Fine. He can take the footman’s seat tomorrow. But I will ask him even if your delicate sensibilities do not allow you that luxury.”

She noticed his jaw tighten as he bit back a retort. But with that she sat down and began to eat the food he had plated up for her.

Chapter Thirteen

“
Will there be anything else, Lady Ramsey?” asked Betty as Rebecca slipped between the cool linen sheets.

“
No thank you, Betty. Have a good sleep.”

“
Goodnight, m’ lady.” The young woman bobbed a curtsey before hurrying out the room, leaving Rebecca alone to wait for her husband.

Daniel had said he would speak to James while she prepared for b
ed, then he would come up. She sat upright in bed, looking around at the room. For all the coaching inn was not large, this room, their best one, was spacious with a four poster bed and a grand fireplace. A door led to a dressing room and there was a large bay window through which moonlight drifted in.

A candle flickered
, and she stiffened. She knew she should relax but she was terrified of what was to come next. She focused on the flickering flames, hoping they would settle her but thoughts of her ordeal at the hands of the earl plagued her.

She was just managing to will herself to be calm
, when the door clicked open and Daniel walked in. One black curl fell over his forehead giving his a rakish look, especially when his dark gaze fell on her. He smiled at her and moved to the other side of the bed. He shrugged out of his coat then sat on the bed to take off his boots.

She watched with increasing fascination and fear as he removed each item of clothing. When he was standing in just his breeches, he withdrew a nightshirt from his bag.
Rebecca felt a little disappointment when he covered his strong, smooth back. He unbuttoned his breeches and removed them and his drawers before slipping under the covers.

“
Are you tired?”

“
I am, though I did sleep a long time in the carriage.”

“
It has been a busy day nevertheless. Would you allow me a goodnight kiss?” Startled that he was not demanding his conjugal rights, she merely nodded. “Lie down then.”

She shuffled down the bed until she was flat on her back.
He moved to lie alongside her, lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles softly.

“
Daniel, I…I think we should just get it over with.”

“
Get what over with?”

“
The… intimate relations.”

He smiled again and pushed a stray curl away from her face.

“My darling Rebecca, by the time we do have intimate relations, I promise you that you will want them just as much as I do.” She doubted that, but his lips were now tantalisingly close.

He kissed her softly and withdrew, before rubbing her nose gently with his. When his lips touch
ed hers a second time, she wanted him to continue. Quickly she pushed her hand into his hair, just as he moved slightly over her, opening his mouth fully, encouraging her with his tongue to allow him entry.

Thrills course
d thought her at the feel of part of his body pressing against hers. She should be concerned but the warm massage of his lips on hers, made her forget. She concentrated solely on the rush of sensations flooding through her body, need making her want to draw him closer, and the feel of his tongue sweeping around her mouth as little murmuring sounds escaped him.

She clutched at his hair, urging him on. For long minutes
their tongues and lips tangled, changing the type of thrill moving through her, tightening her breasts and leaving a delicious ache at the apex of her thighs. He ran his hand gently down her arm and back up, slightly brushing the side of her breast as he did so.

Suddenly she wanted his hand on her breast—the slight touch being enough to whe
t a whole new appetite. But his hand remained on her shoulder as he pulled out of the kiss, and his face hovered just above hers. He was breathing heavily, and his eyes were hooded. Was that desire? She was not entirely sure, but she knew it was the kiss that had caused it.

“
Good night, Lady Ramsey,” he whispered, just before he rolled onto his back.

“
Good night, Daniel,” she replied, turning onto her side to look at him.

He patted his chest and smiled at her.

“Come, fall asleep in my arms.”

Without hesitation, she moved over the bed
, and he wrapped his arm around her. Within minutes his chest began to move slowly and deeply, telling her he was sound asleep. She lay for a while, considering James’s part in the murder of Newthorpe, before she started to replay their kiss and the myriad of sensations her body had been assaulted with, just by kissing. He had said he would make her want him too. He had certainly made a good start.

****

Daniel woke to find his wife sprawled on top of him and still sound asleep. He had never woken with another human sharing his bed before—always being the consummate rake and leaving as soon as the deed was done.

Rebecca
’s arm lay across his chest, her cheek flat against him, her blonde curls spread out from her cherubic face.
One silken thigh was slung over his, leaving her calf resting between his legs. And devil take it but her nightgown had ridden up at some point, and the flesh and hair at the apex of her thighs now rested deliciously on his hip. Not only that, but he had awoken with an erection. He would wait, allow it to go down and then maybe he could peel her off him before waking her.

He had just made the decision when s
he started to stir. He held still. He was good at that. Hunting deer required stealth and the ability to wait out his prey in complete stillness.

But she continued to awaken, rubbing her nose into his chest as
she moved her hand down his side to his thigh, then over. He held his breath as she brushed his hardness.

H
er eyes popped open. She squeaked, a look of horror forming over her visage. He held still, hoping she would just move away and mutter an apology. But the moan that escaped her told its own story. The poor woman was on the verge of hysteria, all because she had touched him intimately. Good God, this was going to be much more difficult than he had anticipated. He would teach her to trust him no matter what had to be done for her to accept the truth of the matter.

She was scrambling off the bed, looking around for what? He did not know. But her distress was palpable. Time to take things in hand, literally.

He leaned over and caught her around the waist. “Oh no. Come back to bed.”

“
No!” Luckily her cry was not loud and would not raise an alarm, or if it did, maybe people would just think the honeymooning couple were less cautious in their cries of release.

“
Yes. I will not hurt you.” With one arm around her thighs and one around her body, he pulled her against him—against his erection.

“
No, please.” She was struggling—pulling and scratching while trying to kick, but his hold was too strong. Oddly enough, she did not scream. She just fought him with all her might.

“
Rebecca, you must calm down.”

She struggled for a few minutes. He said nothing. He was too busy trying to stop her from injuring herself or him. For a well-brought up young
lady, she fought like an alley cat. Luckily his gloves would for the most part cover the scratch marks on his hands and arms.

When she began to calm, he spoke quietly.

“Are you ready to listen, Rebecca?”

“
Do I have a choice?” She obviously tried to spit out the words venomously but she just sounded rather pitiful.

“
Not at the moment. Do you still feel my erection at your back?”

She wriggled slightl
y, and he gritted his teeth as her tight little buttocks rubbed against his shaft. He was surprised that it had not gone down in the tussle. And now it was certainly in no danger of abating any time soon.

“
And do you understand that although it is hard and I am aroused, I am still not ravishing you?”

She nodded.

“Do you understand, Rebecca? I need to hear it.”

“
Yes, my lord.”

He blanched at the use of his title. But he would take it if that was all she was willing to give.

“I promised you that I would never force myself upon you. I thought you trusted me.”

“
I am trying, but when I woke up… and it was so big and hard and…well…it reminded me…it hurt so much, and I was so frightened and…”

“
Shh! You are safe now.”

“
You are holding me against my will.”

“
To make a point. To make you see that just because I am aroused, does not mean I will hurt you. I need you to understand this, and I need you to trust me. I am at a loss as to how to help you.”

“
I am sorry.” Her voice cracked.

“
Please do not cry. If I let you go, I need you to turn onto your back for me? Will you do that?”

“
Yes.”

He lifted his arm from her thighs and loosened his grip on her waist, half expecting her to try to escape again. If she did, he would let her go. But she moved herself around, still brushing
against his hardness causing him to clench the fingers of one hand. But what he was going to do next was going to take just as much self-control when he was already aroused.

He cupped her cheek and leaned close.

“Did you enjoy our goodnight kiss last night, my love?”

He knew that she had. She had responded so eagerly and her body had become pliant. He could have pushed her f
arther but had chosen to play a clever but slow game.

“
Yes, I did.”

“
Good,” he murmured, bending his head and capturing her lips with his. The heightened emotions of the previous few minutes seemed to fuel a fire inside her. Within seconds both of her hands were being run through his curls, as her tongue explored his mouth. Eagerly, she pressed her body to his, her tight nipples prodding his own hard chest, the erotic little buds scorching a fire through his body to his groin.

Tentatively he ran a hand up her back, reaching around with his thumb to stroke the side of her breast. She moaned softly and tugged at his head, trying to pull him more fully on top of her.

This time he stopped as much for his own sake as hers. This level of stimulation without release could send a man to Bedlam. Confusion crossed her countenance as he pulled away.

H
e smiled gently.

“
We have a long journey ahead of us. We must hurry and make the most of the daylight.”

“
Yes, I suppose we must. Daniel?”

“
Yes?”

“
I like your kisses—very much.”

“
I like your kisses too.” He turned from her and rolled out of the bed, adjusting himself and hoping that a bit of distance would set things right. Every part of him wanted to climb back under the sheet, rip off her nightgown and show her what real passion was. But he was better than that. He knew she was delicate, just like the rose she had handled on the day of the garden party. She needed time, and he would give her it.

Chapter
Fourteen

It had been a very long day
, and Rebecca felt as though her teeth had rattled right out of her head. Daniel’s carriage was comfortable. It was a very high quality. But it really did not matter how good a carriage was, it was always a bumpy ride. She sometimes wondered if she would have been better riding all the way to Scotland.

She lay back on the pillows in the inn they had selected for the second night of their marriage
, watching Daniel disrobe. This time, rather than putting his nightshirt on before removing his breeches and drawers, he took the latter garments off first. As he stood, his back to her, she had a lovely view of his strong back and rounded derriere. Suddenly she had the most absurd urge to sink her teeth into his tight backside. The thought shocked her, and she shook the ludicrous idea away.

Then he turned and looked at her solemnly.

“I do not usually wear a nightshirt. I wore one last night because I did not want to frighten you, but I was uncomfortable. I would prefer to sleep naked.”

Her gaze raked up his body. His legs were strong with black hair all the way up. She skirted past his private area, choosing not to spend too much time contemplating the flacci
d-looking member.

His flat stomach with small indents which showed his muscles led up to a broad chest and shoulders. Two small nipples
also had a sprinkling of black hair. As she moved her gaze farther, she was drawn to his eyes, which seemed to be full of merriment. She could feel the heat rising in her neck and cheeks, and she looked away hurriedly as he crossed the room and slipped in beside her.

“
You are allowed to look, Rebecca. I am your husband.”

She forced herself to look at him
again and smile.

“
I have never seen a naked man before. Well, the earl… he did not take all his clothes off. I did not see him… I was struggling to free myself of the ties that bound me to the bed.”

“
He tied you to the bed?” Daniel’s voice was tight, and he sounded as if he was trying to rein in his anger.

“
Yes. But I do not wish to talk about him, or that day.”

“
I understand.” He leaned over her, and she was all too aware of his naked chest hovering above her tightening nipples. What was this effect he had on her? Was this desire? “I think we should do more pleasurable things than talk about what is in the past, do you not?”

She was about to agree when he slanted his mouth over hers and began to kiss her. Again she began to drown in the sensations he evoked from her, just with the touch of his lips. But her body wanted more of his touch and
when he cupped her breast in his palm, she suppressed the fear that made her want to push him away and succumbed instead.

At first he simply massaged the flesh, causing her to arch her back into his touch. She wanted more, but she was not sure how it could be achieved. When he brushed his thumb over her taut nipple
, she pulled away from the kiss and gasped, her grip on his hair tightening. He smiled against her skin as he started to press delicate kisses onto her neck. Then he kissed along her collarbone, all the time toying with her nipple. He pinched it slightly, and she groaned. He leaned up and untangled her fingers from his hair. She bit her lip, knowing that whatever came next, she was safe. Daniel Ramsey was a good man.

He tugged at the tie of her nightdress. He was going to take it off. But she should have been prepared
! Why was panic welling inside her? She was being ridiculous. He was her husband. Of course he should see her naked.

She
took a deep breath and staved off the wave of panic as he pushed the white cotton down her shoulders. She lifted them to help him, and the flimsy material dropped to her waist. Pulling her wrists free, she leaned back on her elbows. Although she was naked to the waist, the way he looked at her caused her no embarrassment—though the situation still caused her to feel some apprehension.

He pressed his lips to hers again
, and her fears fled into the night. She eased down onto the pillows and wrapped her arms around him, her breath catching as their flesh touched for the first time.

As she broke the kiss, he took it as permission to begin a trail of kisses along her jawline, to her ear then down her n
eck. When he cupped her now bare breast, she pressed her head back into the soft pillow and revelled in the sensations.

The feathery touches of his mouth stoked a fire in her
, and she held her breath waiting for each delightful peck—warm and wet. He circled her nipple with his thumb, seemingly moving an invisible thread down to her most private part, making her need for him there increase. Could she really want his touch down there?

She pushed the thought aside as she ran her hands up and back down his bare back, amazed at how soft
his flesh actually was. His kisses had reached her breasts now, and she whispered his name, an encouragement to continue whatever he wanted to do.

He cupped her breast again and she cried out, digging her nails into his back when he placed his warm, wet lips over the tip of her nipple and sucked.
He moaned against her flesh, increasing the delicious sensations that coursed through her.

She had never imagined such feelings were possible and certainly since her encounter with Newthorpe, she had thought that intimate relations would always be painful and awkward. But Daniel made it so easy. She could almost imagine him cradled between her thighs, kissing her on the mouth and sinking into her. But in her imagination, it was not painful, even though she knew that not to be the case.

The dizzying pleasure continued as he moved his mouth to the other breast and used his fingers to continue to manipulate the one he had just abandoned. The pleasure was too intense, and the throb at her core was beginning to distract her. She wanted to wrap her legs around his and press against the hard rod that dug into her hips.

“
Oh, Daniel, stop. Please. Oh stop.”

Daniel pulled away immediately and moved quickly up to her head.

“Did I hurt you?”

“
No. I…well… it was too much.”

“
Too much?”

She bit the inside of her mouth as she tried to think about how to explain it.

“I was a little painful…down there.” She indicated with a nod of her head. “But it was an unusual pain.”

“
Almost pleasurable?” he asked.

She nodded. This was all far too confusing. And his brown eyes glinted in amusement in the candlelight as he smiled.

“I see. Let us remove your nightgown then I need you to lie back down.” She did as she was told, lifting her hips and kicking the nightgown out of the bed. “Now open your legs… and trust me.” He took her hand in one of his and lifted it to his lips.

She did trust him.

Tentatively she moved one leg to the side, suddenly very aware that she was naked in front of a man.

He placed his hand gently over the small nest of curls at the apex of her thighs.
She held her breath as, holding her gaze, he pressed one finger through her slick folds. She tightened her muscles down there, terrified to move, but there was no intrusion. Just one more sweep of his finger, a bright smile from him and he lifted his hand. It glinted in the candlelight with the moisture from between her legs. His delicate touch had eased the ache slightly, if not the tension that burned in her belly.

“
This shows me that you would have been ready for me if I had entered you. It prepares you for me and means that it will not hurt. It lubricates. You were frightened last time, and he did not prepare you. When we consummate our marriage, it will be easy. I will slide into you and you will feel nothing but pleasure.” He placed his wet finger into his mouth and sucked the moisture off, making a delighted moaning sound as if he had just put a spoonful of Gunther’s ice in his mouth.

“
That’s…”

“
The taste of my beautiful wife. Now it is time for sleep. We have another long day of travel tomorrow.” Their gazes met for a long moment as she wondered about the lack of fear she felt, lying naked beside him, after he had just touched her most intimate part. Suddenly she knew that when he did eventually come on top of her and consummate their marriage, it would be nothing like what had happened with the earl. She wanted to kiss him very much—to take things farther still but she trusted him to take things at the right pace. So far, he had been right about everything.

“
Oh I nearly forgot. How is James? Will he be able to travel with us in the carriage tomorrow?” Daniel settled on his back and pulled Rebecca close.

“
I am unsure. James said he had seen a couple of riders on the road. A few times they have passed the carriage but they always end up behind us after a coaching inn. Or they lag behind us for miles. But men on horseback should travel much faster than a carriage. Then James saw them in the tap room this evening. We thought we should be careful for another day, and James will take more note of their behaviour.”

“
Do you think they are Bow Street Runners?” Daniel seemed to consider this but shook his head.

“
No. James and I are in agreement. The Bow Street Runners would never travel this far up-country. They are more likely to be private detectives, if they are indeed anything to do with Newthorpe’s murder. But I think it is a good idea to remain on our guard. Besides, he said he was enjoying seeing life from a different angle for a few days.”

“
And you still believe that it was not James who murdered the earl.”

“
I am.”

She nodded before reaching up and touching her lips to his.

****

It was the first time she had initiated any contact between them. It sent a thrill of awareness through him, reminding him that he was still hard and frustrated as hell. He sighed as he hugged her to his body.

He wanted to roll her over and bury himself to the hilt. He had not helped the matter when he had tasted her. Oh to be able to bury his face between her smooth white thighs.

He groaned inwardly. It was going to be a long night if he was going to torment himself with mental images. He started to go through the myriad of matters that would need to be attended to when he arrived at Drumbane in the hope that eventually he would drift off.