A Code of the Heart (The Code Breakers Series Book 3) (18 page)

Amelia moved closer and ran her hand along his chest. “Derrick, you’re blaming yourself, aren’t you?”

He looked down at her wan face. With her pale skin and pale lips, the fading bruises on her cheek stood out. She was so damn brave and so incredibly beautiful.

He bent to kiss her, to warm those colorless lips. Suddenly, the door flew open once again and Betsy burst into the room.

“Miss Amelia, are you okay? Stimson told me about Madame de Puis.” Betsy’s words tumbled out as she rushed toward them. “I can’t believe she tried to shoot you.” With her curls bobbing around her mobcap, the distressed maid acted as if she were about to throw herself into Amelia’s arms.

Derrick wasn’t going to allow the entire household to upset Amelia. She had been through hell already without needing to comfort the staff.

Amelia looked up at him and pleaded with those bright eyes for patience. How did she do it? He was known to be a fully competent spy, but Amelia deciphered his intentions easily. “Betsy, Madame de Puis didn’t plan to shoot me. Her gun discharged by accident.”

“Oh, Miss.” Betsy put her hands to her face. “You could’ve been shot.”

Derrick really didn’t want to rehash the horrific experience, and he definitely didn’t want Amelia to have to replay her friend’s betrayal.

Betsy continued, struggling to regain her composure. “Stimson instructed me to see what your preferences were? Do you want me to summon your brothers? Call the doctor?”

“Thank you, Betsy. I don’t believe there is any reason to disturb my brothers.”

Amelia looked through her golden eyelashes at Derrick. Did she mean what he thought she did? The idea of them alone together had his body rigid with anticipation.

“Do you want me to fetch the doctor?” Betsy’s apple cheeks had turned bright red with all the excitement. The young girl wanted to be of help to her mistress.

“Thank you; I’m fine.” Amelia leaned into Derrick’s side. Her softness against him sent his heart drumming again, but for a very different reason this time. “But I do need you to find out where Elodie’s sisters are. You can ask Stimson to get the information. Take George with you and bring the girls here. Tell Mrs. Wells that we’ll have two young girls staying with us, and also Elodie when she returns later tonight.”

Betsy nodded. Her youthful face became serious as she listened to her responsibilities. “Is there anything else you’ll be needing? Your bath has gone cold. I could fetch tea?”

“No thank you, Betsy. I’m in good hands.” Amelia smiled up at Derrick, her tired eyes shining with adoration.

The anger and fear Derrick had held in seemed to melt away and the empty space around his heart became filled instead with an unfamiliar warmth. Her battered face lit up for him. In her distress, she wanted only him.

Betsy gazed innocently, first at Amelia, then at Derrick, then a cheeky smile bloomed on her face.

“That will be all, Betsy,” Amelia said.

Betsy bobbed and left.

Finally alone, Derrick pulled Amelia back into his arms, rubbing his hands along her spine. He had to keep touching her. “I was wondering why your brothers hadn’t charged in here to rescue you.”

“Parker and Jack are out, but they are planning on coming to the Foster Ball to meet you.”

He stroked the back of his knuckles along her cheek. “You’re not going to a ball after what you just experienced.”

She shook her head. Her eyes were clouded with the strain. “I can’t go and be with all the people.”

“Of course not. You need to rest.”

“Derrick, I don’t want to be alone.” She chewed on her lower lip.

He had no plans to leave her tonight. He needed her too much.

“If I’m alone, I’ll think about Helene. And I don’t want to think. Not tonight. It’s too awful. Too fresh.” Now that there were no more distractions, realization of the very real danger she’d been in could settle in. Her voice began to tremble with unshed tears and no longer needed adrenaline.

He ran his hand up and down her arms to sooth her trembling and to reassure himself that she was whole. “Do you want Lady Gwyneth or Lady Henrietta to come and stay with you?”

“Derrick, I want to be with you, only you.”

“Honey, it’s what I want. I’ll take you to your room. I’ll get someone to rewarm your bath.” He was trying to be noble, but he didn’t want to be separated from her.

“Forget the bath; I don’t want to be away from you, not even that long. It’s going to be hard to not think about…” She swallowed hard. Threatening tears turned her nose red. “She was my friend.”

He looked at her ashen face, taking in the way her lower lip quavered.

“Let me stay with you, Amelia. You can take some laudanum and I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep.”

She pulled out of his arms and tenderly held his face with her palm. “Derrick, I don’t need laudanum. I need only you.”

She stared up at him, her violet eyes darkened with emotion. “You need me to comfort you, and I need you to comfort me.”

His heart swelled against his chest, reacting to her tenderness and love. Did she have any idea what he needed for comfort—a primed male wanting to avenge the woman he loved?

She traced his lips with a delicate finger. He was spellbound, standing immobile as primitive needs filled him. He was wired and ready to explode. She was an innocent. A virgin. And all he could think about was making her his in a very male way.

“I know exactly what you need,” she whispered. “I need it too.”

“You do?” His voice was husky and rough. Could she mean what he hoped?

“You’re so tense and tight, and you’re blaming yourself for tonight. You need to relax. And I need to help you.”

“Amelia, you’re not helping me relax with that sultry look in your eyes. I’m wound up tight.” She might be innocent, but she was definitely a determined woman. His woman was no wilting flower.

“You are?” There was a teasing tone in her voice as she pulled out every sensual weapon she knew of.

“Shall I show you?” What he would like to show her, but not tonight. They’d have plenty of nights together. He brushed the corner of her mouth with his thumb. “I’m going to taste you here.”

Her bright eyes widened with his touch.

“Then I want to taste you here.” He brushed his knuckle over her left nipple.

Her luscious lips opened and her breath came in short pants.

He trailed his hands down her ribs and over her stomach. He stopped. He was going to be out of control if he continued to tell her explicitly how he wanted to taste and devour her.

She swayed toward him. Breathless, she asked, “Can you show me upstairs in my bedroom?”

“Honey, are you sure this is what you want? I’m not sure I can show much restraint tonight after what just happened.”

“No restraint?” She pressed her soft curves against him, ratcheting his need. “You promise?” Her eager and mischievous tone was too much for a man barely in control.

His blood surged like hot flames. “I’m showing incredible restraint right now.” Hell, he was a bloody saint. “I’ve wanted you since our first kiss.” His fear of losing her, and his basic male need to claim her, coalesced into a burning desire. It had never been like this before.

He sealed his mouth over hers and showed her what he wanted, his tongue plunging in and out of her mouth in unabashed hunger.

She melted against him, her entire body slack in submission. He lifted her into his arms and carried her out the door.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Amelia cuddled against Derrick’s muscular chest as he carried her up the long stairway. She could feel the pounding of his heart—steady and strong.

Derrick had scanned the hallway for Stimson’s presence before carrying her up the stairs. After today’s calamity, she didn’t care if they were seen by the servants, she cared only about being with Derrick.

Her friend’s betrayal fell by the wayside. Tonight she wanted Derrick’s comfort and love.

The muffled sound of voices could be heard in the distance as they climbed the long, winding staircase. Stimson and the servants were all busy with Talley and his men.

Still in his arms, she opened her bedroom door. Derrick closed the door with a kick, never loosening his hold on her.

The shelter of his arms soothed the strain from the harrowing disaster of the evening. She whispered against his chest, “Lock the door, I don’t want anyone to disturb us.”

He turned and locked the door then carried her to the flaming fire. He slowly allowed her to slide down his hard body. The friction caused her body to throb, heating her from the inside out.

He pressed small love bites to her jaw, her chin, her throat. “Are you sure about this?”

She shivered. He kept kissing her, the damp trail left behind along her neck made her tremble with anticipation. She found it hard to stand, her knees unsteady and shaky.

“Are you sure you don’t want a bath and sleep?”

She had never known desire could cause such bold recklessness. “I don’t want to sleep. I want to live. I’ve waited too long for you. And nothing is going to stop me. No gun-wielding French spy can change how I feel about you. I love you, Derrick.”

His large hands gently framed her face and he kissed her. Not hard and demanding, but tender, slow, and easy.

She wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him closer. He stroked his thumbs over her face as she traced the seams of his lips. When he opened his mouth, she touched her tongue to his.

He groaned loudly and sealed his mouth over hers, hungry and demanding; as if he wanted to devour her. He thrust his tongue in and out, bringing a rosy flush pleasure to her skin. She sucked on his tongue, holding him in her mouth.

Derrick’s rough moans in response sent electric thrills through her body.

He stroked down her back to her derriere, exploring and squeezing.

She grasped his shoulders tighter and leaned against him.

Her heart beat harder, faster. She wanted to touch him and excite him as he did her. She wanted him on top of her, pressing his heat into her. Eagerness left her breathless.

“May I play your lady’s maid?”

She could barely speak. Her breath came in fits. She nodded.

His desperation to undress her fed her own frantic desire. The surges of his hot breath on her neck and the way his hands shook as he loosened her stays, inflamed her senses. She was ready to combust.

Derrick had her out of her dress and stays faster than Betsy. He turned her so that she stood in front of him in only her chemise.

His eyes smoldering with passion, he ran his finger down her front. His touch, slick on the silk, left a flame of sensations in its wake. “You are beautiful, Amelia Bonnington.”

His fervent study of her body exhilarated her. His broad chest heaving, his eyes bright with excitement, made her feel triumphant and exuberant. Derrick Brinsley needing her was a very heady feeling.

“Do you know how long I’ve fantasized about whether you were red all over?” He asked in a low and husky voice.

Warmth slid down her throat, down her breasts to her stomach and beyond. She was gasping. Did men always talk like this during lovemaking? She couldn’t believe how he fuelled the need and tension in her body.

His hungry gaze and his rough, gravelly voice made her weak behind her knees. She wanted… “I want to see you too. A girl does have her own fantasies.”

Derrick laughed out loud, his wide chest straining against his waistcoat. “I didn’t think proper young ladies had such naughty thoughts.”

She moved closer to unbutton his coat. “I could never be a proper lady when I have four brothers who show no discretion in front of their sister. I’ve heard more jokes about pump handles than any woman should be subjected to. But I did wonder about the size of your pump handle.”

He gulped then took a slow, deep breath, his strong throat undulating.

She felt daring and even brave, wanting to please him. She brazenly lowered her hand down the front of his breeches as she watched his face. She loved the hitch in his breath, the way his nostrils flared when her hand rubbed him. “You have an impressive pump handle.”

“You’re killing me, honey.” He gave a short choke of laughter, then swept her up and carried her to the bed. “Amelia, I’d love for you to explore, but I don’t think I can last.”

He placed her next to the bed and slowly removed her chemise. Chills raced along her skin and made her breasts tighten. Suddenly naked, she felt shy and knew her skin was going to turn an unsightly red, now far more revealed than anyone ever saw.

He took both breasts into his hot hands, massaging, caressing. She was lost to the sensation and to the expression of wonder on his face. He held each breast tightly, then with his thumbs, he toyed with the tips until they grew taut. He bent and took her right breast in his mouth.

She gasped and her legs threatened to turn to noodles. The roaring pulse in her ears and burning desire shooting through her body very nearly carried her utterly away.

He circled the tight bud with his tongue, tugging softly. “You’re so lovely. So perfectly formed.” His tongue flicked the sensitive nipple. “And here.” His wide hand had spread across her stomach as he found her intimate slit.

She couldn’t stand any longer. Her knees buckled.

He lifted her onto the bed. Her already sensitive nipples abraded against his rough waistcoat, causing her lower body to throb and clench.

Derrick shed his clothes quickly, revealing his powerfully potent body. Without his clothes, he seemed bigger, more intimidating. His chest was covered with dark hair that trailed down to his bulging erection. He was ready to couple with her.

She opened her arms to him.

He bent over her. “I’ll never forget this moment, Amelia. You open and wanting me.”

He carefully positioned himself on top of her, keeping his weight on his elbows.

She opened her legs wider, wanting his heat and strength against her. A sweet ache curled inside her with the way his wiry chest hair brushed against her breasts, and his hard length pressed against her mound—they fit together perfectly.

His body shuddered over her. “Amelia, you feel so good.” He nudged his erection against her. She became aware only of the feeling of his hardness against her softness. She pushed against him.