Midnight Masquerade (11 page)

She had no idea how Alastair thought he was going to make it to her room, collect her out of her brother’s se
cure house. Instead of waiting up f
or him, she went directly to bed. She was exhausted, her feet hurt and she was emotionally drained from fighting with Alastair this morning, having him finding out she was carrying his child to watching him dance with his new fiancée Porsche. Snuggling into h
er bed, she closed her eyes and let
the sweet exhaustion claim her as she dreamt of happier times.

Feeling someone run their hand through her hair, she fluttered her eyes open to see Alastair sitting on the side of her bed smiling at her as if she was the most beautiful thing in the world. His hand in her hair felt amazing, she loved her hair played with. Closing her eyes, she soaked up the attention. Running her hand over his thigh, she snuggled closer to him.

“I’m about to join you in that bed if you don’t get up right now angel, come on, lets go talk in my carriage. I’ll get you back to bed so you can sleep soon
enough
, I promise.”

Yawning, she threw back the covers.

“Jesus Lia, is that what you sleep in?” Alastair asked, running a hand up her bare leg. Fluttering her eyes open, she bit her lip when she realized her nightgown was entirely see-through.

“Alastair…” She couldn’t help but moan his name as his hand continued to run north towards her curls. Feeling him shift, he lifted her out of bed against his chest and sat her down on her feet.

“We are going on a ride, you are coming with me before I fuck you right here in your brother’s house.”

Giggling at his ungentlemanly words, “Alastair!”

“What? I show up to your room, you’re dressed like my mistress and all I want to do is get my hands on you until you scream my name. I’m not going to lie to y
ou Lia, I want you so badly it’s
driving me to distraction!”

Grinning, she stepped towards him and gripped his waistband, bringing him closer as she pressed her barely covered breasts against his
chest, “I want you just as much.”

“Jesus Lia, get a cloak on. I actually
do
want to talk to you tonight!” Running his hand through his hair he turned around looking for a cloak.

“Inside my closet to the right.” She offered, watching him retrieve her cloak. Standing still, she waited as he secured it upon her shoulders and took her hand.

“Come on, my carriage is waiting.”

Following him out of her room, he navigated her house expertly as they left via the gardens. His all black traveling coach was waiting, his crest emblazoned on the side of the stately ride.

Stepping up into the carriage, she took a seat and watched him climb in after her, shutting the door he tapped on the top and they took off.

“How are you feeling Lia?” His voice thick with concern as he leaned forward and took her hands, kissing each of her knuckles.

“I am tired. Today has been most taxing on my senses.”

“Yours and mine as well. What else?”

“My feet hurt and I can’t stop throwing up in
the mornings.” Watching him, she saw him smile
at her blunt words.

“Did I ever tell you that I think you’ll be an amazing mother to our brood?” He whispered, pulling her closer to him.
Captivated by his words, she shook her head. He had never said that to her, although she had felt him watching her and the babies, he had never shared what he was thinking.

Running a hand over her
head
, he tilted up her chin and sat on the edge of his seat, “I wish I was able to be with you every waking moment to go through this experience with you Lia.”

Rolling her eyes, she smiled, “Trust me, there is nothing glamorous about losing ones stomach contents each morning, be thankful
you’re
missing that”

Pulling her into his lap, he kissed her softly and whispered against her mouth, “I want to be there to comfort you, to hold you, to hold both of you.”

Resting her head against the crook of his neck, tears stung in her eyes, “Alastair, don’t.”

“This situation is so fucked Lia, honestly.”

Running her hand up his neck, she sunk her hand into his hair and leaned against him, it felt incredible to be in his arms alone away from the world. He was engaged to another woman, but right now he was here with her.

Kissing his jaw, she shifted and kissed her way to his ear. Feeling him shift in his seat, she felt him untie her cloak and remove it off her, leaving her in her sheer black nightgown.

Throwing caution to the wind, she shifted in his lap so she was straddling his thighs, her nightgown running up on her, she bit his earlobe when she felt his hands upon her bare ass.

“Jesus Lia, god I want you.” He whispered against her neck, slipping off the thin strap of her gown.

Feeling his lips on her collarbone she moaned as he rolled his bulging cock against her. He was still dressed in his clothing from earlier tonight, running her hands up his chest; she pulled off his jacket and tossed it behind them. With one hand, she pulled his cravat off and tossed it aside as well.

Empowered by his touch, she whispered into his ear, “Take me then, your Andromeda needs you.”

Feeling him pull off her thin nightgown, she sat perfectly naked upon him in the rumbling carriage. Biting her lip, she locked eyes with the man as he eyed her with appreciation.

“You are perfect, my own little
dark-haired Andromeda.” Running a hand up her bare chest, he grabbed one of her breasts and sucked on her nipple.

Throwing her head back, he held onto her as he feasted on her tender breasts, feeling him growing in his pants she leaned forward and ripped his shirt off of him, sliding back on his legs, she undid his pants and released his massive cock.

Wrapping her hand around it, she felt Alastair slip a finger into her wetness, moaning his name
,
his hands
were holding onto her as he worked his magic.

“Do you want me Lia?” He asked, licking her neck as he worked his way to her mouth.

“Yes, so much.” She said honestly. Feeling him remove his hand, he replaced it with his thick cock, positioning it at her entrance and then hesitating.

Opening her eyes, she locked eyes with the golden god as he lowered her down upon his shaft. “Oh god, yes.” She moaned as he took his time entering her.

“So perfect, so wet. God I miss
ed
you Lia.” He said as he rocked into her.
Cradling
his face, she kissed him as he plunged deeper into her. Moaning against his mouth she felt him
slowly slide
into her, taking his time as he claimed her again.

“I want you so much Amelia, I want to teach you things you never knew…mine.”

Panting at his sweet torture she whimpered as he worked his hips against her, his hands squeezing
her ass, pumping into her. Tensing up at the building sensation, she felt her world shatter as he took her over the edge, bursting her world into brilliant
ecstasy
, she wrapped her arms around him as he took his fill of her. Straddling him, he ran a hand up her jaw and touched foreheads with her.

“Mine, you are mine Lia. Say it.” He demanded as he rocked into her harder.

“I am yours Alastair.” She didn’t hesitate one moment, she knew there was no way she was going to escape him. He was a powerful duke, a man used to getting exactly what he wanted. If he wanted, her, he’d have her.

Burying himself inside her, he moaned her name as he rolled her into one last
orgasm
as he climaxed. Both of them breathless, sated, she slumped against him. She was exhausted, and emotional.
Pulling out of her, he kissed her sweetly as he lowered her sheer nightgown over her and tucked her in against his chest.

Although he wanted her, he was
engaged to another, not to her
. Whatever they felt for each other, it just could not be. Burying her head into his chest, tears began to fall.

“Whoa, Lia….what is wrong angel?” He asked, tipping up her chin looking at her with great concern, “Did I hurt you, the baby?

Shaking her head, she closed her eyes as she spoke, “
I can’t do this Alastair, you are engaged, this, what we just did is wrong.”

“The hell it is wrong Lia, nothing has ever felt more right in my life. My engagement to Porsche was wrong, and it is
temporary
. Your brothers and I are working on a plan to get me out of it without causing a total social nightmare.”

Rumbling in the carriage, she sat on his lap against his shirtless chest. Her heart hurt, he was right, the situation was completely fucked.

Running his hand up her leg, he whispered into her ear, “I will marry only one woman, you. There is no force in this world to make me change my mind, or make me marry Porsche. It will be you, only you.”

Walking into the Somerset house, he was told by Owen that Lady Amelia was outside with Master Theodore enjoying the sunshine together. Smiling, he showed himself out into the garden in search of the woman who owned his heart.

Last night with her had been breathtaking and raw, both
had been in
desperate need of each other. Claiming her in his carriage was not well done of him, she deserved a bed, his bed. So far he had sex with her in a stranger’s house and his carriage, not becoming of him seeing how she would be his duchess soon. She deserved better, and he promised himself last night that he would make amends.

Hearing her soft voice, he rounded the corner of the large garden to find her
lying
on her belly in the grass
with her little nephew, sprawled
out on a large blanket, tickling the wee child
as he
lay
in front of her
.

The sight of her with a child made his heart melt, knowing she carried his heir in her slim belly made him swell with pride as he walked towards the two.

“Good morning Andromeda.”

Turning towards his voice, she smiled brightly, “Look Teddy, it is the great Perseus, my hero has come to save me.”

With his hands in his pockets, he grinned at being called her hero. Lately he had felt anything but her hero. Thinking back these past weeks, he knew he was the reason she had been crying all those times. He had toyed with her heart, and ignored her while he was on a search for some mysterious woman.
He was supposed to be the greatest detective of their time, and he couldn’t even figure her out.

“Hero?
I feel very unlike a hero my darling.”

“Come sit with us, enjoy the sunshine.” She patted to the spot next to her in the grass. Little Teddy grinned at him as he tried chewing on his own hand.

Unable to deny her, there was nowhere else he’d rather be than next to her.
Sitting by her feet, he reached over and took her slipper off and ran his hands over the bottom of her foot.

Looking over her shoulder, “What are you doing?”

Rubbing her
small
foot, he winked at her, “You told me your feet hurt, the last thing I want is for the mother of my children to be in pain. Lay back and let me rub these sweet little feet of yours, it’s the least I can do Lia.”

“Children?” She questioned, her brow raised as she kept a hand on Teddy so he didn’t roll away.

Nodding, “Yes, children, as in plural. You said you wanted a family of your own, seeing my children in your arms is the only thing that matters to me now Lia.
What we’ve created is only the start of our family Lia, I’ll give you as many babies as you want love.
”

Closing her eyes, she sighed his name as if his words pained her, “Alastair…”

Running his thumb across her arch, “Lia I know that right now our situation seems totally fucked up, it is, and there is no other way to describe it. Trust me that I will find a way for us.”

Pulling her foot out from his hands, she turned over and sat up, cradling her little nephew in her arms, “Alastair, I do not want to marry you
only
because I’m carrying your child.”

“Then marry me for a completely
different
reason and your problem is solved.”

“You know what I mean.”

Running his hand under her jaw, he leaned in and kissed her softly, “Marriage was the direction were heading anyway Lia, don’t deny it.”

“I do not need marriage to be happy Alastair.”

“Well I require it
,
and
you
. You are glowing Lia, glowing because you carry my child inside of you. I want to see this,” running his thumb across her cheek, “every day, from the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep next to you, forever.”

“Alastair, I do not think my heart can take this, it is all too much.”

“You are strong Amelia Elizabeth, am I not worth fighting for?”

Looking up at him, she had tears in her eyes as she leaned forward and kissed him, “Aye, you are very worthy.”

Many hours later Amelia tried hiding a yawn as
she rotated around the crowded
dance
floor with Gideon as the music from the ballroom put her to sleep.

“Am I that boring little sister?” He asked, teasing of course.

Play slapping him on the arm, she grinned, “I’m exhausted, I’ve slept little since someone’s been trying to murder me. Things with Alastair are a mess, and I’m hungry.”

“Ah well, we all know not to
trifle
with you when you’re hungry.” He chuckled, “Although I can
deduce
what is going on between you and Alastair, I’d hate to think I know everything. Although the big brother in me surely isn’t pleased that he’s engaged to another woman, but clearly cares for you.”

“How do you know?”

“Jesus Lili, the man hasn’t taken his eyes off you all night. True, that bitch Porsche is refusing to let him off his leash, but he has watched you all night. It is actually quite entertaining anytime you dance with one of your countless suitors, his jealousy is easy to read.”

“Gideon, that isn’t nice to say.”

“But…”

“But it is nice to hear.” She giggled, she loved Gideon so much. He was so protective and loving, she knew this was hard for him.

“I’ve notice you haven’t been able to dance with him tonight, the night is almost over my dear, shall we find you an opportunity?” 

“If he wanted to dance with me, not a force in this world would stop him.” She offered, looking up at her eldest brother.

Shaking his head, he tipped his jaw over to the side of the ballroom floor, “Interesting you say that Lili, looks like he’s waiting for you as we speak.”

Following Gideon’s line, she saw Alastair waiting on the edge of the floor, Porsche nowhere in sight, smiling at her like she was the most precious thing in the world. Squeezing Gideon’s arm as she locked eyes with Alastair, her heart began to pound.

She had missed him so much. He had spent the entire afternoon with her and her little
nephew
in the garden today. They had
a picnic in the lush grass of her garden
, and enjoyed Teddy’s
presence
until
she was called in to get ready for the ball.

It was a stark contrast of tonight, she had been at the ball
for hours and not been able to say a word to him, let alone get close to the man. Porsche had
gone
out of her way to keep Alastair occupied talking to all of her friends and keeping him away from all of his.

Alastair stepped out on the dance floor and met them half way, holding out his hand, he winked at her, “My turn,
finally
.”

Handing her over, Gideon whispered, “About time old man,” then promptly walked away giving them privacy.

Squeezing her hand, he spun her around and into the next bouncing waltz with hundreds of other dancers, bringi
ng her entirely too close for a man engaged to another. Unable to resist him, or his smell and
his hard body, she sighed with pleasure at being back in his arms.

Feeling him stroke her hip, he whispered into her ear as he tightened his hold on her, “I miss
ed
you, both of you.”

“Alastair…you can’t say those things in public.”

“No one can hear us Lia, and it is the absolute truth. How are you feeling tonight? You look exhausted.”

“Oh what a lovely thing to say.”

Spinning around the floor, he chuckled at her sarcastic remark, “Would you rather say that your fire red gown makes me hard just looking at you? That my fists clench in jealous rage anytime another man touches you. That I want to steal you away right now and make love to you while I whisk you away to Scotland so I can elope with you and make you my wife?”

Her jaw dropped at his words. All of them were truthful, she knew it to be fact, “Yes, that is much better,” Smiling up at him, she pressed her tits against his chest and felt his reaction immediately. Uncaring of who was watching them, this is exactly what she wanted, what she needed. She felt like the other woman, in truth she was. He was still engaged and she was pregnant with his secret heir, she felt like a trollop. Hearing his words that he wanted to marry her made her feel stronger, loved. He cared for her, she knew he did, even if he hadn’t mentioned the words of love to her. In all fairness, she had not declared her love for the man
either;
she was too afraid, too fragile.

“If you’re tired Lia, you should go home and rest my love.” He added, caressing her hand with his thumb as he smiled down at her.

“I will soon, the night is almost over and I need sleep.” She added, cherishing their first and most likely only dance of the night. It hurt inside that be belonged to another woman, if it their marriage date hadn’t been set yet.

Leaning down into her ear, “Will you be able to sleep, or should I sneak in again and hold you while you and my baby sleep?”

“Alastair, you cannot say things like that.”

“Why?”

“Because, what if we were heard? You forget that you are engaged, and I am not your fiancée.”

“Yet.”

“What?”

“You are not my fiancée yet, something that I will rectify in the near future.”

With the music fading, their stolen moments alone were drawing to a close, “I never said I would marry you Alastair, even if you were unattached.”

Feeling his fingers dig into her hip, she looked back up
to him as he gritted his teeth.

“You will, no question about it Lia.”

Annoyed at his arrogance, she stepped away from him the moment the music ended. Turning towards the corner her brothers favored, she looked up to see Porsche standing on the edge of the dancefloor, staring at them like they had grown four heads. Behind her Luke stood nervously,
his posture
told
her that Porsche had watched the entire dance, and was livid. 

Rolling her eyes, she felt Alastair behind her and started to walk away, she needed away from him and the last thing she wanted to do was start a public fight with Porsche over him. She couldn’t avoid the young woman, it would just cause more tongues to wag if she did that. Squaring her shoulders, she wasn’t afraid of the little spoiled blonde, walking straight for her she knew Alastair was one step behind her.

True to her youthful nature, Porsche did not have tact, or a sense of class, as soon as she was near she spit her venom.

“You will do well to remember that he is
mine
Amelia, I don’t care who your family is, or how long you’ve known him, and I am his fiancée. I will not have women
like you tempting him, from now on
you are not to dance with him
ever again
. You will not steal my duke away!”

Raising a brow, she looked Porsche up from one side to the other and grinned, “Stealing your duke away? Do you see a man
, or do you see
a
title
Porsche? You would do well to remember that I do not ta
ke orders from you, or anyone for
that matter. If I want to dance with my friend, I will. Furthermore, if you are going to be the Duchess of Blackstone, you better grow up and start acting like a lady, not a spoiled little teenager. Who wants to sleep with a sniveling b
rat for the rest of their lives?
You’ll find yourself replaced by his mistresses and shunned to the farthest estate he has if you keep that bloody screeching up.
” The shock on Porsche’s face was worth every moment of standing there while people stared.

Looking over her shoulder to the man who stood behind her and watched, and heard the entire thing, “Good luck with your fiancée Alastair,
best get your
bitch
on a leash before she gets herself hurt.”
Stepping around the both of them, she walked dir
ectly to Luke and took his arm, hearing Porsche gasp
ing
at her words.

Luke
was quick to escort
her away, “I
would never
presume to
speak for you, but can I imagine you’d like to go home now little hellcat?” He teased, walking her back towards Gideon and Helena who were coming to meet them in the crowded room after seeing the fight.

“Please, and tell your god damn best friend to piss off as well.”

Chuckling, “
Ohhh
, someone has pissed you off. Have I ever
told you how much I love your s
pirit Lili? I’ll make sure I relay that information to him promptly.”

Hours later she tossed and turned in her bed. Unable to sleep, so much had happened in a matter of days her head felt like it was going to explode. She had witnessed a murder, the murder was hunting her, she found out she was pregnant and Alastair had found out she was Andromeda and carrying his child. To top it off, he was engaged to a spiteful little bitch who had shown her claws tonight while he did nothing. He didn’t stop the fight, he didn’t put her in check,
and he
just stood behind her and said nothing.