What a Wicked Earl Wants (28 page)

Bell lifted the shift above her hips and pulled it over her head. He cupped her breasts and teased her nipples with his thumbs. She arched her back. He knew what she wanted and suckled her. She placed her hand on the back of his head, and she started breathing faster.

She ran her hand over his chest and down his torso. His cock was straining against his drawers. She reached between them and pulled the ribbon loose. Her hand slid over him. “It’s hard,” she said.

He was breathing heavily. She slowly pulled his drawers off, teasing him with her fingers, and he watched the whole time until he sprang out. This time, she curled her hand around him, and he groaned.

He cupped Laura’s breasts and suckled them. Then he reached between them and encountered wetness. “Oh, yes,” he said.

He pushed her thighs apart, reached under her bottom, and lifted her up. When he used his tongue on her sweet spot, she cried out. He paused and met her gaze. She grabbed the extra pillow and bit it.

He looked up at her while he used his tongue to drive her to the edge. Her head had fallen back, and her hair spilled over the pillow. She placed her hand on the back of his head as he spread the folds and laved her faster.

She was writhing on the bed. “I want you,” she said.

“Where?” he said, sliding his finger along her wet folds.

“Inside me. Now.”

He positioned his cock, and this was no leisurely lovemaking. He pushed inside her and she lifted up to him, her back bowing. Then he pulled her legs over his shoulders and held her hips. He could not ever remember being this lust-crazed in all his life. He watched as he pushed inside her. She was hot and tight inside. He withdrew partway and pressed in as far as he could go. He held still and said, “Squeeze me.”

When she did, he nearly spilled his seed because it felt so damned good. He reached between them and rubbed her sweet spot as he thrust faster inside her. Little feminine sounds came out of her throat, making him insane. When she came apart, the powerful contractions gripped him, and ecstasy took over. Afterward, he collapsed atop her, but he didn’t want to crush her. He rolled to his back and looked at her. She was still breathing hard. He was losing his focus. His brain shut down, and he remembered nothing.

At some point, he awoke with a start. The candle was still burning, but it would gutter soon. She was watching him with a sleepy smile. He cupped her face. “Are you all right?”

“Yes,” she said, smiling.

He leaned over her. “I’m going to have a hard time resisting you at Thornhill Park.”

She shook her head. “We cannot when my son is there, and Lady Atherton as well. We cannot be seen sneaking in the night.”

He kissed her long and deep. “God, I want you again.”

She took his hands and placed them on her breasts. He pushed them together and flicked his tongue back and forth. She arched her back, and her nails bit into him. He kissed his way down her belly, and then he pressed her thighs wider. He used his tongue to give her pleasure, and she threaded her fingers in his hair. When he slid two fingers inside her, she reached between them and wrapped her hand around his cock.

“You want me inside you?”

“Yes,” she said.

He slid home and held still, loving the way it felt inside of her. When he set a slow rhythm, she arched up to him, straining her body. He reached for her sweet spot and a moment later, she cried out as her body contracted all around him. Then he thrust inside her without restraint, swearing this would not be the last night. He knew he would not be able to resist her. But his thoughts became unfocused and he came, straining inside her. He kissed her sweet lips and curled behind her on his side. His eyes shut, and the last thing he remembered was her whisper. “I love you.”

They changed horses at an inn within twelve miles of Thornhill Park. Laura’s eyes held the languorous expression of a woman well loved. Last night, she’d obviously thought him asleep when she’d said she loved him. In the past, he’d hated when women said that to him, because he didn’t believe them. But he’d suspected Laura held tender feelings for him. He didn’t mind, because unlike all the others, she wasn’t looking for a husband.

When he turned to Laura, she regarded him with a sultry expression. He wanted her again, and he could clearly see the desire in her eyes. She’d made it clear that lovemaking was off-limits with her son in residence at Thornhill Park. He must respect her decision, but he didn’t think either of them would be able to resist the powerful desire between them.

As the carriage rounded the bend at Thornhill Park, Laura sucked in her breath. “Oh, the façade of the house is beautiful, and the gardens are magnificent,” she said. The conical shrubs lined the path to the door. A riot of colorful flowers attested to a well-kept garden. “You were right to keep the formal landscaping,” she said. “I know the fashion is for wilderness, but this is a showpiece.”

Lady Atherton stirred herself from her nest of pillows and shawls. “Oh, my, the flowers are delightful. Bellingham, you should entertain more often so that others may enjoy these fabulous gardens.”

The carriage slowed along the circular drive. Harry, Colin, and Justin walked out to meet them. Bell descended the carriage and assisted Lady Atherton on the steps. Then he helped Laura.

Her heart leaped at the sight of her son. She greeted him with a hug. “You have grown as brown as a nut.”

“Yes, I have been fishing and practicing archery,” Justin said.

Bell thought the boy was in especially good spirits.

“Let us all go inside now and have tea.” Lady Atherton regarded Bell. “I assume you have more than bachelor fare on hand.”

“Yes, we have a variety of foods at Thornhill Park,” Bell said, laughing. “Come along, everyone,” he said.

“Mama, there’s a lake,” Justin said. “I didn’t catch a fish, but I’ll try my hand again. And there’s a folly,” he said. “You’ll like that. The house is enormous. It’s been in Bellingham’s family for many generations.”

Laura raised her brows. “Would that include the marauding ancestors?”

Bell laughed. “We have no portraits of my really ancient ancestors, but according to legend, they were bloodcurdling and ruthless.”

Harry made a noise that sounded ominous.

Bell looked at him. “You are a bad marauder. Let us go inside.”

A collie trotted into the great hall and bumped against Justin’s leg. He petted the dog. “Brutus thinks I’m a sheep and tries to herd me.”

Bell put his hands on his hips. “Harry, I said no dogs in the house.”

“Brutus is accustomed to the life of luxury,” Harry said. “He yowled for hours when I tried to put him out.”

Justin bent down to ruffle the dog’s fur. “You’re a good dog, Brutus.” Justin grinned at Laura. “Last night there was thunder. Brutus got scared and jumped in bed with me.”

“He tried that with me,” Colin said. “I showed him the door.”

“Wonderful,” Bell said. “There will be dog fur everywhere.”

After they stepped inside, Laura looked round at the curving staircase and the marble statues on either side of it. “How many rooms are there?” she asked.

“Two hundred,” Bell said. “Not that I ever intend to invite that many people to stomp around the gardens. At any rate, I think we should all meet in the red drawing room for tea and then we’ll make plans.”

Laura had dreaded this journey because of what they faced with Montclief and because of her relationship with Bellingham. Last night they had both been wild with lust, but she’d wanted that night with him. She’d thought of what Lady Atherton had said about grabbing life and knew there would never be an opportunity again.

She loved Bell heart and soul, but she had no illusions about his feelings for her. Yes, he cared about her and Justin, but he wasn’t willing to give more. She wanted to believe that he could overcome the demons inside him, but he had to want to do it. She’d always thought that she could make things right for others, but she could see now that he had to want to heal.

“There are maids for the ladies,” Bell said as the footmen carried the trunks upstairs. “I’ll have hot water sent up for baths. We will meet in the red drawing room in two hours if that is acceptable.”

The housekeeper, Mrs. Anders, appeared. The rotund woman led the way. Her keys jangled as she walked upstairs. “This room is for you, Lady Chesfield,” she said, opening the door. It was a large room with a canopied bed. The blue bedding and bed curtains were lovely. She found a pretty dressing table in the corner.

“The maid will be up directly,” Mrs. Anders said.

“Thank you,” Laura said.

“Lady Atherton, your room is farther down the corridor. His lordship specifically assigned it to you. There’s a pretty view of the gardens from your window.”

“Oh, well, in that case, I suppose I can bestir myself to the exercise.” She winked at Laura and followed the housekeeper.

Laura smiled as they turned the corner. She shut her door and walked about the room, admiring the polished furnishings. There was a little settee next to the window. She eyed the door to the right, and curiosity drew her. She opened the door and peeked inside, where she found an enormous masculine bed. It was a connecting door set up for husband and wife. Her stomach clenched, thinking of his poor parents and brother suffering from that cruel disease. The whole time, his mother and father must have worried about their son away at university, and yet, they would have wanted him to stay away from possible contagion.

She closed the door and walked about the dainty room with the rose-colored bedding. The vanity table held no feminine bottles. When she opened the drawer, it was empty. There was not a single item in the room that gave any hints about his mother. It had been four years since their deaths, and he’d indicated the servants had put away all the personal items. She sat on the edge of the bed and her heart filled with sadness for him. The room was pretty, but it felt melancholy. It struck her that the reason he’d planned a journey to the Continent was to escape the house that was no longer a home.

Two hours later, Laura found her way to the red drawing room, thanks to a helpful maid. The tea tray had arrived, and Laura offered to pour. There were fairy cakes and little sandwiches.

Justin had piled sandwiches on his plate and proceeded to wolf them down.

“He eats a lot,” Harry said. “Brutus is grateful because he gets the scraps, not that Justin leaves much for poor Brutus.”

Bell brushed his trousers. “Dog hair,” he said.

“It’s dog hair,” Justin said. “There are worse things.”

“You sound like your mother,” Bell said.

“Brutus is a good dog.” Justin fed him a bit of roast beef.

“I’m sure Brutus thinks you’re a soft touch,” Lady Atherton said.

Everyone laughed, including Justin.

“I’m ready to be outdoors,” Colin said.

“Justin, there’s an enormous crevice,” Bell said. “I’ll take you there, but you have to promise to be careful climbing it. Your mama would have my head if you cracked yours.”

Laura smiled at Bell, remembering his story about his father.

“We saw it,” Harry said. “I bet the view is fantastic.”

“It is,” Bell said. “There’s still plenty of light out if anyone is interested in archery.”

“Oh, dear me,” Lady Atherton said. “I haven’t held a bow in more years than I can count, but I did enjoy it when I was younger.”

“Then you must try your hand at it again,” Bell said. “I’ll set up the targets and get the bows for archery.”

“I’m anxious to see the folly that Justin spoke about,” Laura said.

“There’s a bridge that crosses the lake. It’s perfect for walking,” Bell said.

“Is it far?” Lady Atherton said. “Perhaps I should ride Brutus.”

Bell laughed. “By all means. Afterward, we can put Brutus in the stables with the horses.”

“He’s terrified of their snorts,” Justin said.

Bell frowned at Harry. “Your dog is afraid of horses and thunder.”

“He’s afraid of baths, too,” Justin said.

“Great dog,” Colin said.

“If the weather holds, we should have a picnic tomorrow,” Bell said.

“That’s an excellent idea,” Colin said. “Food always tastes better outdoors.”

The gentlemen went to find the targets, bows, and arrows. Laura suggested that Lady Atherton join her for a walk in the garden. “The garden is beautiful,” Laura said. “I confess I’m a bit surprised that he keeps it maintained so well when he spends so little time here.”

“I don’t believe he ever neglected it in the sense of decay,” Lady Atherton said. “It is almost as if the house is a museum, for it is never really used. I believe this may be the first time he has ever invited anybody here.”

He’d mentioned his father and referenced his brother at the inn where they had made love. There had been many happy years at Thornhill Park. “Did you like his mother?” Laura asked.

“Indeed I did. Beautiful woman. He gets his eyes from her. She was quite accomplished at drawing, and I already told you about the annual house party. It’s such a shame that he has no wife to carry on the tradition.”

It sounded like an idyllic life. “His parents were happy together?”

“Oh, yes. Bellingham’s father quite doted on Elizabeth—that was her given name. One year, they canceled the house party. I understood from others that she lost a babe. There weren’t any more children.”

“I imagine that was difficult,” Laura said.

“Well, if he was smart, he prevented another pregnancy. Most men are too selfish—the ones with ten or more children. Or they forget themselves in the moment.”

Laura’s face heated at her friend’s frank words. She bent down to admire a daffodil.

“Laura,” Lady Atherton said.

She rose and looked at her friend.

“I have been concerned about you,” Lady Atherton said. “You have been unusually tired and needed the necessary quite often.”

Laura’s mouth grew dry.

“Does he know you’re increasing?” she said gently.

Her heart felt as if it had dropped to her stomach. She shook her head.