Dennis, Josie - Wild Heights [Classics Rekindled 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

Classics Rekindled 1

JOSIE DENNIS

Copyright © 2011

Chapter 1

Yorkshire, England, 1822

Catherine Earling stood in the parlor of Earling Manor, her arms crossed as she looked out across the expansive grounds. Her gaze fell on the lake that marked the end of the manor’s property. And the start of Thistle Grange’s. In a fortnight the blasted Season would at last be over, and all and sundry would flee London and head for their estates in the country.

Even in this remote location, balls and parties and fêtes could be expected to commence as the fashionable returned. The little hamlet of Highmoor, the closest village to the two far-flung estates, would soon spring to life. Shops and taverns would welcome the wayward gentry back with open arms and embrace their open purses.

All that mattered to Cathy, however, was that Edward and Henry would return. Her heart fluttered at the thought, that and the strange tingling in her belly that had begun to intrude on her sleep. Dreams of the two gentlemen, whom she’d known since childhood, had taken a decidedly lascivious turn of late. The thought of Edward’s long, graceful fingers, the image of Henry’s well-formed lips, caused her blood to heat. She pressed a hand to her breast and breathed in slowly. Would this Season never end?

She had been in love with both of them since childhood. She pined for them when they went away to Cambridge, counting her own years by the evidence of another passed when they came home. Whenever they were gone it was as if two pieces of her heart were missing, only to join and beat again when they returned. She’d had a tutor and her parents for company, poor substitutes for Edward and Henry in her opinion. Now, with her parents dead and her schooling complete, she had none but servants to attend her.

Cathy had never formally come out, just quietly celebrated her sixteenth birthday at the manor with her faithful servants. Each year passed like the one before it. No Season in Town. No Henry or Edward in Yorkshire. Now, five years later, she felt the prospect of the shelf looming directly above her. Little wonder, as she could not imagine marrying anyone other than Henry or Edward.

They would return soon. She could look forward to enjoying the autumn on the arms of her favorite beaux. Did they care for her as she did for them? That she could not guess. They were attentive and kind to her, so different and so alike at the same time. There was no denying their charms. A scant three months apart in age, they’d seemed like one entity to her for the whole of her life despite their differences.

Edward Linden was the son and heir, and business kept him in Town for the Season. Henry Heath was Edward’s ersatz brother, raised as a ward to Edward’s father since he was small. Treated like a son, orphaned Henry had enjoyed all of the advantages and hardships of being raised by rich but remote parents. Both mother and father were dead as hers were, gone just this past winter. The harsh weather and unrelenting winds of the moors had at last taken their toll on first one then the other of Edward’s parents.

Her toes tingled at the thought of what mischief the two gentlemen would get up to now that they had no one to rein them in. Goodness knew they’d managed to raise quite a bit of it whenever they escaped from beneath their parents’ disapproving noses.

Again she looked toward the lake, remembering that blissful afternoon two years past when first Edward then Henry had stolen kisses from her. She snorted. Hardly stolen. She would have willingly given them more than a kiss had they pressed her. Oh, she was a wanton to think of both of them in that manner!

That afternoon it had taken all of her maidenly fortitude not to join them when she’d discovered them swimming naked in that very lake an hour before. That was her secret, however. Her delight as well, were she honest. She’d watched them from her hiding place among the brush. Ogled their lean and muscular bodies slicing through the water as they raced each other across the wide expanse of water. Admired their tight buttocks and sculpted chests and arms as they’d wrestled and laughed after one bested the other. Examined their intriguing members, long and thick even in the cool water. What would they look like aroused? The prospect should frighten her. It did not.

Though built similarly, they were quite different in looks. Edward was fair haired and blue eyed and possessed a smile as bright as the sun itself. He’d taught her complicated pieces on the pianoforte and read her sonnets while reclining beneath the willows beside that lake. He was always kind, embracing her each time they met in a manner that slowly, by increments, ceased to be considered brotherly. His features were even and almost pretty. His scent, fresh and bright, was his alone. His kiss had been sweet and deep, clinging and delicious.

Dark-haired Henry enjoyed coarser pursuits, urging her to ride with him as if the hounds of hell were after them. Chasing about on the estates with her after sheep and ducks and then climbing the jagged peaks to overlook the moors themselves. He was beautiful in a wild way, with brooding eyes and rugged features. He smelled of the outdoors, leather, and spice. His kiss had been hot and hard, delectable in its urgency.

“Come, Miss Cathy.”

Cathy turned to regard Maggie, her housekeeper. “What is it?”

A familiar, indulgent smile curved the older woman’s lips. “Dinner, child.”

Cathy nodded. “Thank you, Maggie. I shall be in directly.”

Maggie left her alone once more. Cathy turned again, sparing the lake another lingering look.
Come home to me.

* * * *

Edward Linden sat back against the carriage cushions, waiting until Henry was settled across from him. Henry looked presentable though his dress was less than precise. Edward could guess the reason. They had started last evening together but went their separate ways in the wee hours. Edward had ended the night deep in his cups, ever grateful that the Season had at last drawn to a close. As for Henry, he’d been with a widow Edward had himself last month.

The carriage rambled out of Town, headed for Yorkshire. Edward knew that Henry felt the Season had been interminably long. Although he hadn’t the estate business that kept Edward quite busy over the past few months.

“How was she?” Edward finally asked.

“Exceedingly open-minded.” Henry grinned at him. “Quite gifted as well.”

Edward laughed now, the sound light. “I have always found her so. And her mouth…”

“Ah, her mouth.” Henry let out a moan. “She took my cock so deep I thought she would swallow my balls.”

“Little wonder what killed her late husband, eh?”

Henry leaned back, rubbing a hand over his cock as he sucked in a breath at the memory. “What a way to go, though. She drained me dry, I daresay.”

Edward smiled then sobered a bit. “And now we must rusticate in Yorkshire again.”

“Are you not looking forward to getting home? The estate, the grounds, the moors…I admit the thought soothes me.”

“You ran quite wild in Town, Henry. I expect you to do as much when we are back at the Grange.”

“No doubt. And perhaps you shall join me in Highmoor? The village is not without its own assets.”

Edward shrugged. “I suppose. Though we’ve already had every maid at the Pig’s Knuckle. More than once.”

“Perhaps they’ve taken on a new girl. I could use another ride and soon. Despite the lovely widow’s recent generosity, I find I’m aching to get fucked. I tell you, Edward. It can be your choice this time. The girl’s ass or her pussy. It matters little to me, really. Hell, you have a go while I watch and we shall take turns.”

“Lord, Henry.” Edward let out a soft groan. “Do not put that image in my head, pray. I’ve been hard all day, just thinking about returning to Yorkshire.”

“Oh? That is interesting. Yorkshire, eh?” Henry arched a dark brow. “Have you been thinking about Cathy, then?”

“Of course.” Edward shifted in his seat, attempting to ease the erection the mere thought of their childhood sweetheart gave him. “Do you remember that afternoon, Henry? God, her lips were so soft.”

Henry let his eyes drift closed for a moment, obviously savoring the memory. “And sweet. I’ve never tasted anything so sweet. Who would have thought that an innocent kiss could be so delicious?”

Edward grew quiet. “She is twenty-one now,” he finally said.

Henry made a show of considering Edward’s statement. They’d been counting the months since their kiss two years past, waiting for her to be ready. “Ripe, to be sure.”

“It will have to be more, Henry. She deserves more.”

“I would love to give her everything,” Henry admitted. “It is all I’ve thought about this long Season. She was crestfallen that morning, seeing us off to Town. It gave me cause to hope.”

“Everything,” Edward repeated. “As sad as I was to lose our parents, now we are able to give her everything. Together.”

Henry shook his head. “She is a country miss, remember. She hasn’t been much in company, let alone exposed to real passion. Save for those kisses.”

“Ah, those kisses.” Edward thought for a moment. “It could work.” They could all make it work. “This would have to be forever. If we start on this course there would be no turning back.”

“It’s what I’ve wanted for years.”

“Would you be willing to give up your widows and maids?”

“For Cathy? In the space of a heartbeat. What of your opera singers and tavern wenches?”

“Well and gone.” Edward gave a firm nod. “It is settled then.”

“It may take some doing, Edward. Finesse and a gentle touch.” Henry grinned. “You are quite famous for that.”

“And you will have to overwhelm her senses. Make her want us badly enough to put aside any maidenly hesitation.”

“It will be my pleasure, to be sure. Her lips, those breasts. Her sweet nature and bold spirit. I believe this will be the pinnacle for the two of us.”

Edward eased back against the cushions once more, the rightness of it striking deep in his soul. “The last woman we will ever share.”

Their gazes met and held.

“Forever,” they said in unison.

That settled, Henry peered out the window as they left the city behind. “We will have to stop for the night, however.”

Edward caught his meaning. “Shall we take advantage of our freedom while it lasts?”

“Capital notion, Edward.” Henry grinned. “Capital notion.”