Laura and Blair rode on. The hedgerows cast cool shadows, and the clip-clop of the horses’ hooves made a pleasant sound. Honeysuckle and wild roses filled the air with fragrance, and skylarks tumbled joyously in the blue sky overhead. It was perfect and no words were needed as they made their way toward the Bargee’s Arms, past the valley track where Laura had met Miles, and turned across the front of the inn to follow the towpath toward the tunnel. At the culvert they followed the stream along the valley below Deveril House. There was something magical about the sound of the horses, the warmth of the sunshine, and, above all, about the undercurrents of emotion passing between the two riders. Laura felt as if this time, place and man, were her destiny.
The gate appeared ahead, and as they reached the pool with its fringe of elderberry bushes, Blair reined in and dismounted. “This is one of my favorite places,” he said, tying both horses to a branch, then reaching up to help her alight.
The scent of elderberry blossom was seductive, and the heavy cream flowers swayed as the soft breeze quickened slightly, presaging the approaching change in the weather. The spaniels lay down in the shade as Blair led her into the bushes, where no one could see. She reached up to unpin her hat, and her hair came loose from its pins and fell heavily over her shoulders. Blair looked away suddenly, and she knew he was thinking of Celina.
Her heart lurched. “It
is
my likeness to Celina that makes me of interest to you, isn’t it?” she observed brokenly.
“Shall I tell you the truth about Celina? She was sweet and submissive, and I adored her, but she wasn’t an angel and could even be unkind. If she wanted something really badly, nothing would stand in her way. She wanted me, and broke many rules to have me.”
Laura was taken aback, for somehow she couldn’t imagine the mostly flawless Celina doing anything she shouldn’t.
He removed his gloves and broke off some elder flowers, separating them between his fingers. “It wasn’t until after the marriage that I found out what she did in order to wear my ring, and by then it was too late. I didn’t completely regret marrying her, but I couldn’t approve of her actions. The shine of love was dimmed.”
Laura was filled with curiosity. What on earth could Celina have done? Clearly it had shocked him, if not enough to fully destroy his love.
But he couldn’t bring himself to explain further just yet, so he smiled. “All I want to say is that although you look like Celina, that’s as far as the resemblance goes. You, Laura, are honest, charming and sweet company. She often lacked charm and consideration, didn’t have your passion, and would
never
have instigated lovemaking. As to surrendering on a library desk... !” He smiled a little more, and shook his head.
“Maybe she would have done, if the situation had arisen.”
“Never. I accepted her as she was, a creature without fire, whereas you…
you
, Laura,
are a vibrant flame.” Fragments of blossom clung to his fingers as he touched her face.
There was seduction in his voice, and she closed her eyes. “Have we come here to make love?” she whispered.
“It’s what I want to do more than anything in the world.”
“It’s what I want too,” she breathed, feeling weak as his hand moved sensuously in her warm hair.
He pulled her close, and their lips came together in a kiss that sent currents of molten gold through their veins. Her body ached with desire, and she had no thought of resisting. She succumbed to the erotic spell he cast over her. This man was everything, and as he began to unbutton her clothes, she was beckoned on by the promise of sexual delights beyond her dreams.
It was cool as they lay naked on the grass, but their kisses threatened to scorch their flesh. His lips were tantalizing as he took one of her nipples into his mouth, sliding his tongue over it until myriad dizzying sensations of pleasure danced through her entire body. Her hands roamed over him, stroking, caressing, and exploring. She felt the broadness of his back, the slenderness of his waist, and the compactness of his firm buttocks. Her fingertips crept into the forest of hair at his groin, and enclosed the length of his erection. She closed her eyes as he pressed into her hand, and as she stroked him she was rewarded by his groan of pleasure. His mouth urgently sought hers in another kiss.
Her eyes remained closed, but the sunlight dazzled her. She was vaguely aware of the grass, of the sweet scent of elder flowers, and of the clear water flowing close by, but they were all on the edge of her senses, for Blair dominated her consciousness. Her heart beat just for him, her body ached for him, and her spirit yearned to be with him for eternity. As he moved on top of her to invade the inner sanctum of her soul, she knew she’d defy fate, heaven, hell, even the rider of the pale horse, in order to be with him.
She cried out with joy as he sank deep into her, iron hard with arousal. His thrusts were slow at first, to expertly build pleasure. Every inch of him took her closer to complete ecstasy. Then his own need intensified, and as he became more swift and urgent, their hearts beat in unison. He paused at the final moment to prolong the exquisite gratification, but then release carried them away on wave after wave of delight.
The pleasure died away slowly as they clung to each other on the grass. They were still joined, and her parted lips moved against his shoulder. His skin was warm and damp, and she breathed in the perfume of his body.
He bent his head to kiss her lips lingeringly, and then rolled gently aside to lie on his back and gaze up at the sky. “If time were to stop now, I would not complain,” he murmured.
Oh, yes, let this moment go on forever...
But time might snatch her away at any second, and fling her into the future existence she no longer wanted. She sat up thoughtfully, pushing her tangled hair back from her face. Her pink-tipped breasts were pert in the slightly cool breeze from the stream as she plucked a blade of grass and twirled it slowly between her fingers.
He got up suddenly, his body smooth and perfect in the sunlight before he dove into the water. There was barely a sound as he cut into the surface, and the ripple reflections glanced off his skin as he glided underwater for a moment before coming up again and turning to smile at her.
She went to join him. The coldness of the water made her breath catch, and she felt weeds brushing against her as she lowered herself to the shoulders. He swam over to her, catching her close to kiss her, and as the water flowed exhilaratingly around them both, he cupped her breasts in his hands and teased her nipples. More kisses followed, and soon she felt his long shaft rising against her as urgently as it had so short a while before. Their passion was so fierce that one act of love had barely touched it, and as he pressed her to the bank they were both oblivious to everything but their need for each other.
The water’s chill was almost caressing as he made her his again there in the pool. The gratification was as intense, and he knew so well how to give pleasure that she floated on a tide of sensuality. She thought briefly of Celina. Poor Celina, never to have shared this side of him. Never to have experienced the ecstasy Laura Reynolds knew now...
They remained in an embrace afterward, until the sound of voices warned them someone was nearby. They broke apart in the water to see two gamekeepers walking along the far bank, with no idea anyone was in the pool. The spaniels stood interestedly, and Blair hissed at them. “Sit!” They lay down again, but remained alert as they watched the other bank. Laura was relieved the elders afforded the pool such seclusion, so that the gamekeepers walked on without knowing what they’d so nearly interrupted. When it was safe, and of one accord, she and Blair left the water to put their clothes on.
The air was cooling all the while, and the clouds that had earlier been a threat on the horizon had spread to make the sunlight watery. They dressed quickly, and Laura was glad her hair was only wet at the tips. Without a comb it was difficult to manage the heavy curls, but she contrived to assemble a reasonable knot, and then pinned her hat on again. After that she sat on the grass, watching Blair as he tied his neckcloth. Thoughts of Marianna and Stephen suddenly entered her head. “Blair, may I presume a little?”
“I suspect I will not like what you’re about to say.”
“It concerns Marianna and Stephen.”
“Laura, if you’re going to plead on their behalf—”
“They really are in love, you know, and if you try to make her marry someone else, she’ll never forgive you. Is that what you really want?”
“You know it isn’t, but I can’t possibly agree to let her become Mrs. Stephen Woodville. The fellow’s penniless and has left a paper trail of IOUs over London ever since he reached his majority. Marianna may love him, but I still believe he’s only interested in her inheritance, and I’m damned if I’m going to let her marry such an impecunious fortune hunter!”
“Marianna’s expectations don’t make any difference; he’d love her if
she
were the penniless one.”
“Which is what she will be if he marries her—at least, she will be until she’s twenty-five, which for him is a very long time.”
“You’d really stop her inheriting until then?”
“Yes.”
“That’s very harsh.”
“I’m left no choice if she persists in this totally unsuitable liaison. It’s my duty to protect her, which I wouldn’t be if I allowed such a match and he promptly gambled it all away. Which he would. What of her wellbeing then?
“Are you saying Stephen has no redeeming features? I can’t believe you really mean that. He was your friend, which would hardly have happened if you didn’t like or respect him.”
“What difference does it make whether or not I like him? It’s his qualities as a husband that are in question, and on that score he fails.”
“But only because of his financial position?”
He hesitated. “Yes, I suppose so.”
“So if he were a wealthy man, you’d consider his suit?”
He drew a long breath. “Yes, but only if I could still protect her inheritance from him.”
“Which means the Handworth match isn’t your final word on Marianna’s future.”
He looked at her. “You’re a sly woman, Laura Reynolds.”
“Me, sir?”
“You, madam.” He smiled a little.
“She really doesn’t want to marry Alex Handworth,” Laura pressed.
“I know.” He was silent for a long moment, and then drew a long breath. “Very well, you’ve persuaded me that the Handworth match is now a very bad idea. I’ll release her from it somehow, and ride out the furor that will cause, but I
won’t
agree to Stephen Woodville. Although how I’m going to explain my decision to the Handworths, I really don’t know.”
Laura was startled by his sudden capitulation. “You— you’ll release her?” she repeated.
“Don’t sound so surprised, for I
am
open to some reason, you know.”
Laura smiled. “Marianna will be so happy when you tell her.”
“Will she? I doubt it, for her sole purpose is to get to the altar with Woodville, and that’s as far away as ever.”
“She’ll be content for the time being.”
The sun vanished behind the clouds, and the breeze became chill as the first drops of rain began to fall. Blair pulled Laura to her feet and lifted her onto her horse. No one had seen them enter the little elderberry thicket, nor did anyone see them leave.
Chapter Fourteen
It was raining quite heavily by the time Blair and Laura handed their mounts to two grooms and hurried into the house, but then something happened to destroy the idyllic happiness of the past hour.
Laura had forgotten Marianna’s letter, but suddenly it fell from her pocket and lay glaringly on the floor, the addressee’s name uppermost. Blair immediately put his foot on it. “Why do you have a letter from Marianna to Stephen Woodville?” he asked quietly, recognizing his sister’s handwriting.
A chasm suddenly yawned between them, and she felt so dreadful she couldn’t think of anything to say.
“Your silence speaks volumes,” he said, picking the letter up.
“Blair, I—”
“What does it contain?” he interrupted.
“I—I don’t know,” she replied truthfully.
“I find that hard to believe.” He broke the letter open, and read the few lines scribbled there. Then he thrust it into her hand. “I suggest you read it, to refresh your memory.”
She scanned the brief lines, and her heart fell.
My darling Stephen, I will be waiting for you as planned. Don’t worry if I’m late, for I will definitely come, and I’ll soon be your wife. I love you with all my heart. Your adoring Marianna.
Blair put his hand to her chin, forcing her to look at him. “They clearly plan elopement, and you have been aiding and abetting them! Where is this assignation to be?”
“I don’t know, Blair! Truly! I really didn’t know what was in the letter. I thought it was just a little love note.”
“You? A gull? I don’t think so.”
“Marianna is still here, Blair. Ask her about it all, not me. I am merely the stupid go-between.”
“What a fool you’ve made of me, to be sure. Well, you won’t do it again, for I wish you to leave Deveril House. Is that clear? I want you gone from here within the hour!”
He turned on his heel and as he walked away, a rumble of thunder stole across the lowering skies outside. He’d nearly reached the staircase when he saw the butler.
“Ah, Harcourt, inform Miss Marianna I wish to see her in the drawing room. Now!”
“Sir Blair.” The butler hurried away.
Blair turned to Laura. “On reflection, I think you should be present at this interview,” he said.
“But—”
“Consider it your final obligation whilst in my employ.” With a contemptuous bow, he went to the staircase, and after a moment she followed.
Outside, the rain now fell in torrents, and another growl of thunder rolled over the heavens. It was fitting weather for the desolation Laura felt inside. She’d placed herself in conflict with Blair over something to which he’d already partly come around, and she’d done it for a young woman who’d used her sympathy to confirm plans for elopement! She never dreamed Marianna and Stephen intended such a thing, but naïvely thought they’d rely on reason and persuasion to further their cause.