A Gentleman's Wager (21 page)

Lucerne withdrew carefully, while Bella sighed. His whole body trembled as she languorously masturbated his shaft, causing the thick seed to erupt over her stomach and thighs. Vaughan lifted her buttocks from his spent cock and she fell forwards onto her hands. Lucerne clearly relished the sight of her, spent and soiled on the rug, before he thought to find a kerchief with which to mop her gently.

‘Well, was that enough, or more than enough?’ asked Vaughan.

Bella curled up on her side. Too dazed to be catty after her orgasm, she admitted, ‘It was ecstasy. It was almost too much. What else do you want me to say?’

Vaughan smiled thoughtfully. ‘That I understand your needs better than you.’

‘Leave her be,’ warned Lucerne. He kissed Bella by the ear. ‘I’m glad you enjoyed it; I know I did. Vaughan is just jealous because he wasn’t in the middle.’

‘Kiss my arse, Lucerne.’

‘Think I hit a sore point.’

Vaughan smirked and reached over to the table for the bowl of crystallised ginger. He swallowed a piece and fed one to Bella. Lucerne laughed. ‘Now he’s just feigning indifference.’

‘Who’s goading people now? Give it a rest. I’m going to bed.’

WHEN BELLA WENT
down to breakfast she found Lucerne with his plate pushed aside, blowing steam from a cup of tea.

‘You’re up early today,’ he commented as she peered under the lids of the silverware.

‘No, I’m always up at this time. You’re the one who normally has breakfast at ten with Louisa.’ She selected two rashers of bacon and heaped a spoonful of scrambled eggs on to her plate. An amused smile was playing around Lucerne’s lips when she joined him at the table.

‘I sense a criticism of my habits,’ he said from beneath half-lidded eyes.

‘Only a minor one.’

You wouldn’t have guessed he was up half the night rolling around the parlour floor, Bella thought as she gazed at Lucerne. He looked remarkably healthy and handsome this morning, and the early sunlight was streaking his blond hair with flecks of gold. She felt buoyant in his proximity. The intimacy they had shared last night had brought them closer.

Lucerne continued to swallow tea as she ate, observing her discreetly.

‘Why are you up so early?’ she asked.

‘I flattered myself you’d enjoy my company.’

Bella pursed her lips and flicked a glance at him. He was smiling from the depths of his seductive blue eyes. She hoped it was at least a partial truth; it certainly made her happy to think it was.

Lucerne returned his cup to his saucer. ‘The barn roof by the west lodge has blown off, and I’m expected to go and look at it. I could use your brother’s practical bent, since I know nothing at all about roofing. Gentleman’s prerogative.’

‘That barn was always rickety,’ she mumbled between mouthfuls. ‘It’s the wind on that hill. Goodness, everyone’s up with the larks, I see. Good morning, Vaughan.’

‘Morning,’ echoed Lucerne.

Vaughan blinked at the brightness of the room but didn’t respond to their greetings. He walked over to Lucerne and ran long, quick fingers through his hair. Lucerne gazed at him, bemused then puzzled as Vaughan’s grip tightened and pulled his head back, tilting his lips upwards. His mouth hovered above Lucerne’s, but he did not make contact. Bella observed them, diverted by their interplay.

‘Still hungry, my lord? Tarts are for supper, not breakfast,’ said Vaughan.

Bella’s jaw clenched and her thoughts swung to anger. She believed that something special had happened last night, but now Vaughan was implying that they had merely shared her as they would a whore, and Lucerne was gazing up at him as if she didn’t exist, waiting for a kiss.

Vaughan released Lucerne unsatisfied, and settled opposite Bella. He poured himself tea, and regarded her rigid expression over the rim of his cup. ‘Pass the butter, Annabella, and save a little for yourself.’

Bella contemplated bouncing the silver butter dish off his conceited head, but managed to restrain herself. She was as taut as a bowstring and ready for a fight, if that was what he wanted. She looked to Lucerne for reassurance but his attention was still on Vaughan, which gave her no comfort.

‘I shouldn’t make breakfast a habit if I were you; daylight really shows up your defects,’ she snarled.

‘On the contrary, it merely chases away fancy and self-deception.’

‘If that were true, your own shadow would reach up and take you,’ she spat, now really angry. Vaughan glowered at her, then brushed off her icy remark with a forced laugh.

‘Could you at least try to get on today?’ asked Lucerne. He frowned when neither of them replied. Lucerne pushed away the dregs of his tea impatiently and left them to it. They stared blackly at one another until Vaughan turned away with his cup and left for the library. Bella dashed her knife and fork to the plate with a clatter. She knew that last night had been intimate and special. Vaughan was just trying to reassert himself, but knowing this didn’t take the sting out of his remarks.

Louisa had left her room out of hunger and boredom by the time Lucerne returned to the house. He found her huddled before the fire, busily ignoring the book in her lap. ‘Are you well?’ he asked, as he shielded his face from the heat. He wondered how she could stand it.

‘Yes, thank you.’

Her response sounded a little too eager, even before he noticed her very red eyes. She was obviously withholding some personal tragedy, but he didn’t expect her to confide in him; she hardly knew him. He guessed that Bella would know.

He found her in the bay window of the gallery, looking out across the gardens. She seemed relieved rather than pleased to see him, and he suspected that she and Vaughan had continued to bicker in his absence. Lucerne
sighed
. He cared for them both, and wished they wouldn’t fight.

‘What happened yesterday?’ he asked. ‘I’ve just seen Louisa and she’s obviously been crying.’ He sat beside Bella on the cushioned window-seat.

‘We saw my brother and the captain.’ Bella paused, and gave a deep sigh. Lucerne remained silent. He missed Frederick, and was sorry he hadn’t returned yet.

‘It was a dreadful mistake,’ Bella continued. ‘She walked in on him with Millicent Hayes, and I think it has broken her heart. I should never have suggested it.’

Freddy, you fool, he thought. ‘You couldn’t have known,’ he reassured Bella, and took up her hand. He gave it a comforting squeeze when he realised that she was staring at their entwined fingers.

‘I meant to tell you last night, but Vaughan was there.’

‘I understand.’ Lucerne nodded. He’d felt all along that their relationship was doomed. Frederick’s debts and Louisa’s vulnerable reputation had always been a volatile combination, but Vaughan’s comments would turn a tragedy into a pantomime. ‘Have you seen much of him today?’ he asked.

‘No, and I’m glad. I think he’s locked himself in the library.’ She pulled her hand away irritably. Lucerne pursed his lips, slightly angered by her hostility. It was too personal, and threatened to sour his relationship with them both. He moved so that he was facing her.

‘Please ignore what he said at breakfast, Bella. He’s just trying to provoke you. Last night was precious.’

‘Couldn’t you have said that, then?’

‘I didn’t think you’d taken him so seriously.’

She stiffened, then slumped, but avoided meeting his eyes. Lucerne gently stroked her temples while he listened to her shallow breathing. It grieved him to see her
upset
, but last night had made him realise how much he wanted them both, and preferably together. There had to be a way of reconciling them to each other.

After dinner, Bella’s mood was lighter. Lucerne had made her the main object of his attentions and had settled opposite her at the hexagonal gaming table for several hands of cards. They weren’t alone; Vaughan sat reading only a few yards away, but Louisa’s relentless hammering at the piano meant their conversation couldn’t be overheard.

‘I’d like to teach him some manners,’ Bella grumbled, while she glowered tigerishly at Vaughan. Lucerne smiled broadly, showing off his white teeth, but he refused to be drawn. His gaze rested on Bella’s low-cut dress and the shadowed valley between her breasts.

‘And I should like to bend you over a chair and give you a swift hard ride,’ he said. ‘What do you say?’

‘Lucerne! I was being serious.’

‘So was I.’ His voice was husky, and he met her gaze with a roguish smile. ‘Forget Vaughan,’ he said. Bella shifted the focus of her attention and reached out to caress Lucerne’s wrist, where the cuff of his shirt peeked from beneath his coat. Lust coiled in her abdomen like a serpent.

Lucerne turned over another card.

‘My hand!’ she claimed.

‘Also your game, I believe.’ He counted his cards. ‘What underhand tactics you play by.’ His eyes moved from her cleavage to where her hand lay upon his. He turned his hand palm up and stroked her, while he pushed his last crown across the table. ‘Shall we take a stroll now?’

The serpent coiled itself tighter, sending a lick of colour to her cheeks. Bella nodded. Unless she was very much mistaken, walking was not the only thing he had
in
mind, and she had to rein in the urge to drag him from the room to embrace him all the quicker. Instead, she stood before Vaughan and pulled her wool wrap around her shoulders with deliberate care, so that he noticed. He scowled over the top of his book at her. Bella glared back in a manner she hoped left no doubts about her intentions. Vaughan merely stuck his thumb up between his index and middle fingers.

Twenty paces along the corridor Lucerne pushed her into a recess. ‘You were marvellous last night, very brave,’ he commented as he leaned over her.

‘You weren’t bad either.’

‘So, do you fancy an encore?’

‘I’d prefer it without Vaughan.’

‘Would you?’ He fumbled with the fastening of her dress. ‘Do you think I’ll manage to satisfy you all alone?’

‘I’m sure of it.’

She gripped his flanks and drew him closer, until she could feel his breath upon her face. When he kissed her again his tongue parted her lips. Bella fought to get her hands into his trousers, but they were well fitted and didn’t allow much room for her fingertips. She struggled with them until he came to her aid and snapped the fastening open himself. Bella’s hands immediately fell to his loins. One crept under the edge of his lawn shirt and closed around the soft base of his rising shaft.

Lucerne looked her deep in the eyes, breathing hard as his prick slid through her curled fingers. ‘Oh, Bella, that’s so good.’

He trembled. Bella ran her free hand through his thick blond hair and watched pleasure light up his face. She pushed her fingers into his mouth, and he began to suck and nip at them with growing excitement.

‘I thought I was supposed to be pleasuring you,’ he managed to gasp. His cock still drove through the ring of
her
finger and thumb, a solid erection now that pressed into the palm of her hand and left it slick with his seed.

‘You are.’

How could she explain? Would he ever understand that with her hand around his cock she felt invincible? When she drove him to the edge with her touch, nothing else mattered – not Vaughan, nor all the promises to her brother. Not anybody.

Her thoughts of conquest dissolved as Lucerne began to tease her ear with his tongue.

‘Lucerne,’ she said hoarsely.

‘Mmm,
mon amour
.’

‘Should we find somewhere more comfortable?’

‘Why, what’s wrong with the corridor?’

Bella gasped. ‘You’re incorrigible.’

‘No. Just hungry.’

He nuzzled against her neck, pretending to devour her. Bella squealed and held his arms, uncertain whether to hold him closer or push him away. Lucerne closed his hands around her wrists to trap her. He put all of his attention into kissing her throat. Bella whimpered and became still, overcome by the sensation. She wanted him to kiss her like that for eternity.

She was furious when she looked up and found Charles heading towards them but, as he drew closer, he looked so staggered by what he saw that her frown transformed into a smirk. ‘Oh, I’m sorry!’ he blustered, and lurched away towards the salon, setting Bella off into fits of laughter against Lucerne’s shoulder. He was also sniggering; she could feel him shaking. Vaughan glanced out into the corridor, caught her eye and scowled before he turned his back in disgust. Bella laughed all the harder.

‘It’s getting a little crowded,’ Lucerne observed. ‘We’d best rejoin the others.’

Bella stifled her mirth with her handkerchief, while Lucerne forced his erection back into his clothing. He pulled his waistcoat straight and adjusted his collar, but all his adjustments couldn’t hide the long, mouth-watering bulge beneath his breeches. The sight of that would surely turn Louisa scarlet.

‘A little bit obvious, isn’t it?’ she commented, and drew a finger along its length.

‘Behave yourself.’ Lucerne clasped her hand and tugged her out of the alcove.

They had been back in the salon for less than five minutes before Lucerne whispered something into Vaughan’s ear and then excused himself. Bella watched him go with some surprise. When, moments later, Vaughan also got up to leave, she became suspicious.

Convinced they had arranged a tryst, she followed at a distance. She wasn’t about to sit by and let him have the joy of Lucerne’s erection, which had still been straining the fabric when he’d left.

It proved difficult to pursue Vaughan discreetly. Several stretches of corridor had no hiding places, and when he entered the east wing, the darkness meant she had to stay closer to keep track of where he was going. He passed through many rooms she’d never seen before.

She took a tentative step around a particularly dark corner where Vaughan had vanished. Something brushed her ear, then a hand closed over her mouth with deadly strength and she was dragged backwards through a concealed door. Bella shrieked as a second arm clasped her waist. She tried to bite the hand that covered her mouth but couldn’t get a hold on the flesh.

‘Why are you following me, Miss Rushdale?’ Vaughan asked. His sable curls tickled her cheek. He continued to restrain her as he pulled the door closed. They were in a small room, scarcely bigger than a cupboard, with no
furnishings
. A tiny square window let in a thin beam of moonlight. She struggled and he released her. ‘Well?’