Cinderella and the Lady (3 page)

“Why not? Noah is kind and generous. Any woman would be happy to have him for her husband,” she said.

When Egan gave her huge smile showing his teeth, she turned away, flustered.

“Dare I hope your feelings for Noah are more than just friendship?” Egan asked.

Ellie’s face grew warm.

“Egan, hush. You’re embarrassing the poor girl,” Clement said and poured a cup of tea.

She took the cup offered and stared down into the liquid. “I think Noah deserves someone worthy of him.”

“Worthy of him? What do you mean?” Clement asked, propping one ankle over the other.

She grasped her cup in both hands, watching the steam rise. “I’m not meant for marriage. All I’m good for is doing the laundry and scrubbing floors.”

“That’s a perfect requirement for a wife,” Egan said dryly and bit into a cookie he selected from a plate.

“But…a man wants a pretty wife he can show off around town.” She slurped her tea, hiding her wince when the hot liquid burned the roof of her mouth.

When neither man responded, she peeked up. Egan was frowning and Clement crossed his arms, looking displeased. The only sound in the room was the ticking of the clock.

“Oh! Look at the time! I’d better leave before I get in trouble.” She set down her unfinished tea and put August back in the basket.

“I’ll get your order together,” Egan said, finishing off his cookie. He gave her a tender smile, and with a quick look at Clement, left the room.

When she lifted her basket with the intent to say goodbye, Clement took it from her and set it down on the chair she had just vacated. He then took both of her hands in his.

“If I was at least thirty years younger, I would whisk you away and we would elope. I’ve told you time and again how beautiful you are, both inside and out. Why can’t you see what I see?”

She smiled ruefully. “I stare in the mirror every day and what you see isn’t there. Papa told me many times if I looked more like Mama, then maybe I would be something of value. And you know Geraldine’s opinion of me. Mina’s not all that bad, but then again she doesn’t have any competition. I know my limits, and I’m fine with that. Truly, I am.”

Clement sighed and shook his head. “I don’t understand why you don’t leave that spoiled woman and her daughter and live with me and Egan. We would treat you right, unlike some who are not worth mentioning by name.”

She gave Clement’s hands a soft squeeze. “I refuse to leave the home I was born and raised in. Where would I go? I don’t have the money or the means for a better situation. And if I accepted your offer, Geraldine would make our lives miserable if I lived with you. She would do whatever she could to keep me under her thumb.”

“Just like she’s doing now?” Clement asked with a challenging stare.

She shrugged, uneasy with the conversation. “It’s better if I stay. Ever since Papa became sick, Geraldine has relied on me a great deal. That must count for something. Perhaps if Mina marries Lord Simon, Geraldine won’t be so dour all the time.”

“Or maybe someone will come along and sweep you off your feet like I would do—”

“If you were thirty years younger and not so dedicated to Egan.”

“Ah. There’s that too.” Clement folded his hands behind his back.

“It’s not all bad. I have August to keep me company.” She grabbed her basket, purposely not mentioning Jack. “If someone came along and wanted to take me away from my life of drudgery, they would have to accept August. He’s not the most complimentary of creatures, especially when he’s hungry or can’t sleep and expects someone to pet him.”

“Then my new mission is to find that special person who loves animals, even a rascally creature like August here.” Clement gave the top of a blanket where August lay hidden a rub and was met with a soft meow.

“Good luck with that,” she lifted up on her toes to kiss Clement’s cheek.

“Now that I think of it, Lord Simon loves animals. I also hear his sister, the Lady Kristina, is fond of cats.” Clement stroked his chin.

Ellie wandered over to the open doorway. “I’ll keep that in mind the next time I’m invited to one of their grand parties. I can bat my eyes at Lord Simon and make such an impression on him and his sister that they’ll both want to become my friends and ask me to live with them at their estate. Then all my problems would be solved.”

“It could happen.”

She held her basket up to her chest. “Perhaps in a fairy tale story where the poor, abused girl is saved by some prince charming or fairy queen who takes her to some faraway land and showers her with love.”

When Clement took a step toward her, she backed away. No amount of coddling or encouragement could change her situation. Wishing or praying couldn’t change anything either. She learned a long time ago wishes never came true and the prayers she whispered at night before bed fell on deaf ears.

Noah sat in the hallway waiting for Perrault’s heir as he had been directed to do by the butler. He had come through the back, and into the kitchens, expecting to be escorted up to Lord Simon’s bedroom. Instead he was told to remain in the front hall until his grace would address him.

Laughter came from the room across from him. The door was ajar but he couldn’t see inside. He wanted to investigate, but for obvious reasons he couldn’t, trying not to tug on his cravat that had tightened around his throat. He had never been inside the duke’s immense estate before and had never been invited until now by Simon.

Simon, the duke’s son, who would inherit everything and would eventually marry in order to carry on his family’s line. The idea that Simon might find his future wife at the party tonight made him queasy, and he started to stand to go in search of the water closet when the duchess walked out with her arm around a young woman. The duke trailed behind them, accompanied by his handsome son.

Noah swallowed and wiped his palms down the front of his jacket. He wasn’t acknowledged until the duchess turned his way and smiled.

Before he could introduce himself, Simon moved over to his side. “I’ve chosen Mr. Lyons as my tailor. He brought some cloth for me to look at for new breeches and jackets I want made.”

The duke eyed Noah with a haughty tilt of his head. “I’ve seen your father’s work. He’s dressed me in the past for various functions I’ve attended. I have no doubt the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and you’ll make Simon appealing enough that all the eligible single ladies will be knocking down our door trying to get to him.”

Noah cleared his throat, glancing at Simon out of the corner of his eye. “I’ll do my best, your grace.”

The duke nodded in approval and smiled down at his wife.

The duchess continued holding the other woman who had the same color eyes and facial features as the duchess. “Our daughter Kristina has come back home after visiting family abroad. Perhaps after you finish with Simon she can talk to you about creating a new wardrobe for her?”

“It would be my pleasure, madam.” He bowed again.

Simon tapped him on the back. Sweat dripped down the nape of Noah’s neck. It didn’t help that Simon kept his hand on his lower back. The heat of his palm seeped through his jacket and sent an electric jolt straight into his cock. If he didn’t leave soon, he was certain his uncontrollable reaction would be noticed.

“Now if you’ll excuse us, we’ll go up to my bedroom,” Simon said and dropped his hand away. “Follow me, Mr. Lyons.” With one last nod at his family, he walked toward the staircase. Noah murmured a farewell, grabbed his things together, and rushed after Simon. His heart beat too fast and sweat dotted his forehead. His glasses slipped down his nose and he mouthed a curse, wishing he could grab his handkerchief from his pocket. He would have to wait until his arms were free to do so.

Simon didn’t look behind him to see if Noah followed; not that he minded. It gave him an ample view of his lordship’s backside he had examined on many other occasions. If he and Simon were alone, he would have stroked one of the fleshy globes. But alas, they weren’t. He would have to abstain from any type of activity that would leave to more amorous pursuits between them.

They walked down the long hall and turned a corner where they reached the end, finally stopping in front of a door. When Simon opened the door, he sauntered in without a word. Noah went in after him and shut the door with the heel of his foot. Before he could do anything else, Simon grabbed him by the back of his head and kissed him.

The bolts of cloth and his bag tumbled out of his arms as Simon drove him back against the wall and stuck his tongue into his mouth. He groaned and spread his palms across Simon’s chest. He slid his hands up and cupped Simon’s face to stroke the roughness of his jaw. He tried to remove his mouth to place his lips across Simon’s cheek, but Simon wouldn’t allow it. The man continued to pull and suck on his lips, swirling his tongue up and down the inside of his mouth. When Simon clutched him by the buttocks and shifted his knee in between his legs to rub against his crotch, he twisted his head to catch some needed air.

“That’s quite a greeting, my lord,” Noah said, out of breath, running his hands up and down Simon’s throat and chest.

“I told you before to call me by my Christian name when we’re alone,” Simon growled and dug his fingers into Noah’s ass cheeks.

“Jesus, Simon! You act as if we didn’t just have one another two days ago,” he said, jerking up on his toes when fingers stroked the crease of his ass.

“Two days is too long. I need you again. Now.” With one last hard kiss, Simon ushered him over to his bed. The hungry look in his eyes held the promise of what was to come.

Noah knew that look all too well and had come to expect it. One stare from Simon was all he needed. They would end up fucking like animals. But unlike those past heated encounters taking place in the woods or in a stable, this time he had to abstain because of their current location.

He came to a halt even though Simon tugged on him. “Wait, we can’t.” He tore away from Simon and took off his smudged glasses, searching for a handkerchief to wipe the steamed lens.

Simon came up from behind and clasped his hips while his mouth brushed alongside his throat. He tilted his head away and concentrated on cleaning the condensation off his glasses.

“You’re not angry at me, are you? I don’t mean to be so demanding. It’s just…I missed you,” Simon whispered and planted a kiss under his ear. Noah shuddered, and after patting his face and putting his glasses back on, he faced the man he loved.

“I missed you too.” He cupped Simon’s cheek and smiled. He stared at his lover, overcome with not only lust but deep affection for the man who had changed his entire world three years ago when he first kissed him. He would never forget that kiss or what it led to afterward as long as he lived.

“One of the reasons I offered you employment is so we can be together more often.” Simon nipped Noah’s bottom lip. “I go mad only seeing you once a week. We need more time together.”

“It’s been the same between us for the past three years, every Sunday. I thought you were fine with the situation.”

Simon frowned and his brown eyes glittered with annoyance. “You sound like a rich man’s mistress. It’s tawdry and I don’t like it.”

Noah gave Simon’s cheek a pat. “Isn’t that what I am? Your kept boy on the side? I know the limitations of our affair. There can be nothing more for us.”

A twitch in Simon’s cheek grew more pronounced. “Don’t demean yourself that way. I’m not just using you for sex. What we have—”

“What we have?” Noah threw up his hands. “This will have to end eventually, perhaps sooner than both of us want. You heard your father. He expects you to court an eligible lady you can marry and have children with. You may find the perfect bridal candidate tonight at the Cranes’.”

Noah gave him an ugly sneer. “As if I would find a woman of good breeding there. They’ll probably invite all their untitled friends and neighbors. I really don’t understand why I have to go in the first place.”

Noah shook his head dolefully and picked up his possessions. “Your snobbery is showing. My father, his partner, and myself weren’t even invited, so what does that say about us? You must think I’m the worst kind of person with no real name or aspirations other than a lowly tailor.”

“Damn it, Noah, you’re twisting my words.”

“I’m not twisting your words.”

Simon combed his fingers through his hair and paced the room. “What I said was spiteful and unnecessary. Please forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive. I know where I stand in your life and wouldn’t assume otherwise.” He bent down and picked up the cloth and took it over to a table. He opened his satchel and drew out his measuring tape and pins. “Now, your grace, please undress and I’ll take your measurements. I might not be able to create something for you to wear tonight to catch the eye of some pretty lady, but I’ll try my best for the next social event. Perhaps I’ll be lucky enough to dress you for your wedding.”

Simon spat a curse that had Noah’s eyebrows lifting into his forehead. He had heard Simon curse before, usually when he buggered him from behind, but never in such a vehement tone like now. It both frightened and stirred him at the same time.

Simon threw off his jacket and unknotted his cravat. Next his waistcoat and shirt came off. He unfastened his breeches until they rode low on his hips. The tip of Noah’s tongue wet his bottom lip as his eyes wandered over Simon’s chest covered with a dusting of blond hair that traveled down his stomach and into his crotch.

“Ah, very good.” Noah shifted from one leg to another. His ball sack tightened and his cock swelled.

“From your reaction, I take it our argument has come to an end?’ Simon slowly walked over to him until his chest brushed over his shirt. He removed Noah’s glasses and placed them on the table. Noah stared up at him wide-eyed, although his vision was slightly blurred.

“We have an hour, two at the most, until your mother or father grows curious and we’re interrupted,” he interjected as Simon unbuttoned his shirt.

“We’ll spend the first hour getting reacquainted.” Simon spread open Noah’s shirt and leaned down to lick his nipple.

Noah gasped and clutched Simon by the buttocks. He grunted when Simon bit down.

“You have me at your disposal for an hour.” Noah conceded, and when Simon drew him over to the bed, he lay back on the mattress and waited in anticipation of a fucking.

Simon tugged off Noah’s breeches and pressed his face over his groin. Simon’s tongue flicked over the head of his cock, circling slowly until he moaned Simon’s name, begging for more.