Rory (23 page)

Lord and Lady Mawbry’s arrival was met with great ceremony. The finest china and most ornate silver was brought out, and the most delicate of lace tablecloths graced the tables. Rory was thrilled to see Sinjin, his eldest brother again, who had already given him a lecture on the risks of dueling and went on to say how very fortunate he was to be alive.

Seeing her son and his wife, Betsy beamed like a young girl as she stared at Sinjin and Katelyn from across the grand table.

“We have missed you ever so much. How are you feeling, my dearest?” Lady Rochester asked Katelyn, Lady Mawbry, who was pregnant with Betsy’s first grandchild.

“I am well, thank you, Lady Rochester.”

Sinjin took a sip of his brandy and set it down. “Do not let her fool you, Mother. She has been sick for weeks now.”

“No!” Betsy said, setting down her glass none too gently.

“I fear he is right,” Katelyn said with a reassuring smile. “I felt queasy most of the way to Claymoore Hall.”

“Well, let me assure you that it is probably just in passing.” Lady Rochester pressed a napkin to her lips “I was very ill with Sinjin as well.”

“Little wonder,” Victor murmured, a teasing grin on his lips.

It was wonderful for Rory to be in the company of his family, especially Sinjin, who he had missed desperately these past weeks. His brother looked incredibly happy, much like Victor and Lillith. Would he ever know that happiness, he wondered? In the times they had been together he had caught but a glimmer of what life could be like. But his brothers had both married for love.

He was not a greedy man, but he wished in this that he had a choice. That his rank and title would not require him to marry amongst the titled and privileged. His mother would never allow for him to marry a servant. He knew that, especially now that she had welcomed Lady Kinkade into the family. To bring his father to Claymoore Hall to meet Georgiana was saying that she felt the deed was already done.

“Well, how about the women join me in the parlor for tea and the men can go out for cigars.”

“Hear, hear,” Victor said, already standing.

Rory glanced toward the door that led to the kitchen. He was starving for the sight of Shannon, and as the days went on, with all of his family in attendance, time alone would be rare indeed. He could only hope to see her when they did things as a family, like earlier at the picnic, and she had barely glanced at him, though he had felt her eyes on him as he’d walked with Lady Kinkade.

He hated hurting her at all, but how could it be helped when his mother had been so determined to bring Georgiana along?

Rory followed his brother out onto the verandah. Sinjin put an arm around his shoulder. “How has my little brother been?”

“I am well.”

His gaze shifted to Rory’s shoulder. “How is the wound?”

“Healing.”

“I understand you have stayed out of trouble since your last duel?”

“Yes, but only because he has found someone to keep him occupied,” Victor added.

“Lady Kinkade, I presume.”

Victor’s lips quirked, and he brought the cigar to his lips and inhaled deeply, blowing the smoke out above his head.

“Georgiana is lovely,” Rory remarked.

“But you don’t want her,” Sinjin said, his eyes narrowing, a smile playing at his lips. “You forget I know you too well, brother.”

“Yes, you do. And you’re right. I don’t want her.”

“But Mother is under the impression you will be asking for her hand.”

Victor snorted.

Rory chewed on his thumbnail. “She is wrong.”

“You want someone else?” Sinjin asked, his gaze shifting to Victor for a moment before settling on Rory once again.

“I do.”

Sinjin rested a hip against the stone wall. “Well, do not keep me in suspense any longer. Who is this mysterious other woman?”

Shifting on his feet, Rory blurted, “Have you seen Lily’s maid? The one with the pale blond hair and blue eyes.”

“She was with Lillith when we arrived, correct?” Sinjin asked, his brows furrowing, and Rory could already sense his disapproval.

“Yes, she is the one,” Rory said matter-of-factly, ready to defend the woman he loved.

“She’s beautiful.” Sinjin sounded jovial enough, but Rory could hear the hesitation in his voice.

“She isn’t like most servants, Sin.”

Sinjin laughed under his breath and Rory felt his cheeks flush. “She may not be like other servants, but the point is she is
a servant, Rory. Mother would never agree to such an arrangement.”

“I love her.”

Victor’s mouth formed an O, while Sinjin’s brows rose.

“And I want to marry her.”

“She is a servant,” Sinjin said again, crossing his arms over his chest. “You cannot marry her.”

“Why? You married a woman below your station.”

“Yes, but you must remember that Katelyn’s father was an earl.”

“An earl who had gambled away his fortune.”

Sinjin smiled sympathetically. “True, but he was still an earl, Rory. Do not get me wrong, I want you to be happy. I just know that Mother will not allow you to marry this servant.”

“Her name is Shannon.”

Victor cleared his throat and looked more than a little out of sorts. He had not said anything yet, but he looked like he wanted to.

Rory brushed a hand through his hair. “I want her.”

“Then make her your mistress,” Sinjin urged.

“I already asked her.”

“And she refused?” Victor replied, sounding surprised.

“No, but she didn’t accept either. She just hasn’t answered me.” And she had not bothered to come to his room last night. He had thought their afternoon alone together would have brought them closer, and he had wanted to ask her what her decision was, but he’d been hesitant to ask her, fearful of her answer.

“Her brother works for us as well,” Victor said to Sinjin. “Perhaps she is worried about her future.”

“I don’t think that is it, because I offered Zachary a position.” Rory kneaded the tense muscles at the base of his neck.

“She must be content in Victor’s household if she did not accept.”

Rory didn’t know that either. “I think she is in trouble. Actually, I think both she and her brother are in trouble.”

“Rory believes she is not being honest about her identity, and I admit that not everything adds up,” Victor said.

“Perhaps it is time to get to the bottom of the matter then?” Sinjin said matter-of-factly.

Rory knew Sinjin was right. “I have asked her specific questions about her past, and the brother as well, but neither of them are forthcoming.”

Sinjin shrugged. “Then maybe you are worrying for nothing.”

“Perhaps,” Rory said, his heart leaping when he caught sight of Shannon through the large windows. She was handing a shawl to Lillith, and Lillith was introducing her to Katelyn.

He knew in his heart that the three would get along famously, and that together they could all be one happy family.

Shannon nodded at something Katelyn said, and Georgiana leaned in closer; Shannon’s smile faded before she walked off.

“I must go,” Rory said, leaving his brothers.

“Where are you off to?” Victor asked.

Rory smiled. “To talk to my future wife.”

S
hannon liked Katelyn very much. She envied the woman, who was so obviously in love with her husband and expecting their first child. What must it feel like to be married to the man of your dreams and be carrying his child?

“Be a dear and get me another glass of wine, will you?” Georgiana had asked Shannon in a too-sweet voice. She wasn’t fooled one bit. The other woman despised her and used every opportunity to prove it.

“Of course, my lady,” she replied, and went into the parlor where the liquor was kept to pour a drink. She took a steadying breath and reached for a wineglass in the cabinet.

Rory walked in and she very nearly dropped the glass.

“Where were you last night?” he asked softly, the backs of his fingers brushing along her jaw. His touch was heaven, and she wanted to throw herself into his arms but did not dare for fear of someone walking in on them.

“I fell asleep after we returned from town, and I did not wake until this morning. I am sorry.”

Was she mistaken, or was that relief shining in his eyes? “I worried that maybe I said something wrong.”

“No,” she replied, her heart missing a beat when his thumb brushed over her lower lip.

“You are not wearing the locket?” His voice hinted at disappointment.

“Here,” she said, touching the slender locket that rested against her heart.

His hand covered hers, his fingers grazing the slope of her breasts.

Another servant walked in and stopped short seeing them.

Rory removed his hand, but it was too late. The footman had clearly seen them, the slight quirk of his lips saying he had noted where Rory’s hand had been. Rumors would be circulating throughout the servants’ quarters, and Zachary would be furious.

Of course, the servants were already talking. She had expected as much when she went riding with Rory. Though they had tried to go unnoticed, word would spread and soon everyone would know about them.

She reached past Rory, grabbed the bottle of wine from the shelf, and poured a liberal amount into the glass. “I must return.”

“Come to me tonight?”

She wanted to be alone with him more than anything, but she was afraid of risking it. “I have to wait until my roommate falls asleep.”

“I will see if you can get your own room.”

“No, people are already talking.”

She had thought the news that others were talking about them might startle him, but he seemed not at all bothered. “Very well.”

Midnight was only an hour away, and she wanted to see him
again, to spend one more night in his arms, to make love to him and memorize his features for all the lonely nights ahead of her.

She hoped that once she left, he would never forgot her … because she would never forget him.

He kissed her, and she smiled against his lips before turning back to the cabinet. “What did Georgiana say to you?”

“She asked for a drink.”

“She doesn’t like you. She knows I have feelings for you.”

Feelings. Not love, but feelings. The problem was she was in love with Rory. Helplessly in love.

Not wanting him to see her disappointment, she said, “I must go now. I shall see you tonight if I can.”

Shannon walked into Rory’s chamber.

The room was so dark she could barely see her hand in front of her face, the only light a flickering candle that cast shadows upon the fine silk wallpaper.

Naked to the waist, Rory stood by the fire, one arm resting on the heavy mantel. Seeing her, he smiled. “I was wondering if you would come.”

It was one in the morning. She had yearned to come earlier, but it had been difficult to get past Greta, the servant she had been paired with to share a room. Thank goodness the woman slept like the dead, but she always read, and tonight of all nights, she had been exceedingly engrossed in her novel. “I am sorry I’m late.”

His teeth flashed in the darkened room. “I am just glad you were able to make it.”

She went to him and he embraced her, his strong arms pulling her close. Tears burned the backs of her eyes and she pressed a kiss to his chest, to the wound that had healed so well.

She kissed his neck, his shoulder, and slowly went to her knees on the rug. He unbuttoned his trousers, and she released
his thick cock, sliding her mouth over the impressive crown. She weighed the heavy sac in her hand, while running a hand up and down the velvety shaft. He went to his knees and kissed her, his cock rearing up against her belly. Slowly he eased her onto her back. His long hair fell away from his face, brushing against her breasts as he leaned down to kiss a nipple, his tongue sliding around the delicate bud.

Fire rushed through her veins, sending a pulsing ache between her thighs, where his hips lay, his huge cock pressed snug against her.

She watched him pleasure her, enjoyed the way his long lashes cast shadows on his high cheekbones. It was exhilarating. As he slipped down her belly, excitement rolled along her spine.

Never would she forget this moment, or the way he made her feel. He was a lover unlike any she would ever have. Lady Kinkade would no doubt get to call him husband, and Shannon would be jealous of her for all eternity.

He licked her slit over and over again, stroking her clit with his long tongue.

He slid his cock inside her snug entrance and groaned as she tightened around him. Her thighs fell open and her nails grazed his back, sliding down over his buttocks, her fingers clenching him, urging him to thrust harder and deeper.

They came together with heated moans, their kiss deep and passionate.

The door closed and he looked up, but not in time to see who it had been. He hadn’t heard the door open, and he didn’t want to alert Shannon that someone had seen them. His pants were shoved down around his knees, and Shannon’s chemise rode past her waist, her breasts totally exposed. And with her platinum blond hair, no one would wonder who his lover was. They would know, and the household would be talking come tomorrow.