chapter Seventeen
‘No, do not shut the door on us, Gatley,’ Mrs Logan called out to the butler as she trod up the steps to the house. ‘Mrs Coale and I have come to see if Miss Prentess has returned yet.’
He held the door wide to admit them and as Zelah followed Kate into the hall she cast another glance at the butler. He was definitely looking a little flustered.
‘Miss Prentess has come in, madam. She is in the morning room. With Lord Markham.’ He stood before them and if he had not been a most stately personage, Zelah would have sworn he was hopping from one foot to the other. He continued, as if the words were wrenched from him, ‘They have locked the door.’
Kate’s eyes widened and the look she cast at Zelah was positively triumphant.
‘Well, this is a most interesting development,’ she murmured.
Gatley cleared his throat. ‘I was wondering if I should call Lucas...’
‘No, no, if you will be advised by me you will leave well alone,’ said Zelah.
‘I agree,’ said Kate. ‘We will come back another time, will we not, Mrs Coale?’
Zelah was having difficulty concealing her smile.
‘We will indeed,’ she managed. They stepped out of the door and she paused as a final thought occurred to her. ‘And, Gatley, I suggest you fetch up a bottle or two of your finest claret. For a celebration.’
A rare gleam entered in the butler’s eye and a smile broke over his usually austere features.
‘I will indeed, madam!’
* * *
Susannah tore herself free, saying furiously, ‘You cannot give my staff orders!’
He stripped off his gloves and threw them on a side table.
‘You could have told him to throw me out.’
‘I should not need to. It should be perfectly clear to him that you are unwelcome in this house.’
The angry light faded and he grinned.
‘I doubt if your butler has ever been called upon to eject a peer before.’
She bit her lip, fighting back an answering smile. He was standing in front of the door so she could not escape, but she was not prepared to forgive him so easily.
‘Very well, my lord, say what you have to and be gone.’ Rather than look at him she removed her bonnet and cloak and set them carefully over a chair.
‘When I heard you had left town with Warwick I thought you were running away from me again.’
‘I never run away,’ she told him haughtily, then spoiled the effect by adding, ‘but it would be understandable if I should do so, after the way you have treated me. You tried to seduce me. You used me shamelessly.’
‘I did,’ he agreed. ‘And you gave me my own again for that, did you not, madam? Leaving me tied to the bedpost.’
She grew hot at the memory. Her cheeks burned.
‘I am not proud of my actions that night.’
‘You should be.’ He paused. ‘You are a woman to be reckoned with, Miss Prentess.’
Embarrassed by his praise she turned away.
‘Nonsense. I did what was necessary to protect myself.’ As she was doing now, closing her mind to the attraction she felt for him. After all, he would soon be gone and she would be alone again. She had a vision of the bleak, cold years stretching ahead of her and felt the sudden sting of tears.
Susannah rubbed her eyes. She felt incredibly despondent. If Jasper did not leave soon she knew she would begin to cry. She summoned up every ounce of energy to say angrily, ‘If that is all, perhaps you will go now, and leave me in peace.’
‘No, it is not all,’ he retorted. ‘You have thrown a great many accusations at my head, madam. I demand the right to defend myself.’ He walked to the window and stood looking out, his hands clasped behind his back. ‘You accused me of being a rake. I am not, madam. I admit I have indulged in many a flirtation, but the women have never been unwilling.’
‘Hah!’ She curled her lip. ‘Would they have been quite so willing if you had not had a title, and a fortune?’
‘I would like to think there is more to me than that, but you are right, Miss Prentess, I cannot be sure.’ He added quietly, ‘Since meeting you, madam, I am not sure of anything.’
She had to steel herself not to crumble at this sudden diffidence. To distract herself she went to the mantelpiece and picked up the note that was resting against the clock. She said, as her fingers broke the seal, ‘Your doubts will fade once you are gone from Bath.’
‘Oh, you may be sure I shall do my best to forget this,’ he retorted.
She paid no heed to his words, her attention given to the paper in her hands.
‘This is the note you sent me yesterday?’
He gave a quick look over his shoulder. ‘Yes, I—’
‘Oh, heavens.’ One hand crept to her cheek, she could feel the colour draining from her face. ‘You were
g-going to, to—’
‘Yes,’ he interrupted her. ‘I was going to offer for you.’
‘B-but why?’ She felt almost dizzy.
‘I have already told you, I love you.’
She lifted her hand.
‘No, no, that was an error. You don’t even like me.’
He laughed harshly.
‘You are quite right. You are the most maddening, exasperating woman I have ever encountered, but it has not stopped me falling in love with you.’
She could only stare at his back, groping for words that would not come. After an uncomfortable silence he continued.
‘Oh, pray, don’t be alarmed, madam. I may love you to distraction but after what has passed this morning I will not put you to the trouble of refusing me. You have made your sentiments perfectly clear.’
She shook her head.
‘No. You do not understand. I—I cannot allow you to be near me...’
‘I do understand,’ he said gently. ‘You honoured me with your confidences and they made me realise how repugnant my advances must have been to you.’
He still had his back to her, his gaze fixed on the view over Crescent Fields. Her heart was beating so hard it was difficult to speak, even to think, but she knew she had to try, and she must get it right, or she would never see him again.
‘N-not repugnant,’ she whispered, moving closer. ‘I cannot allow you to touch me because of what happens to me when you do.’ She reached out and put her hand on his shoulder. ‘I want you so much it terrifies me.’ He turned at that and with his eyes upon her it was twice as hard to go on, but continue she must. ‘I have never felt such an overwhelming desire for anyone, for anything in my life before. When you kiss me I am in danger of forgetting everything, my fear of men, of losing control, of falling in love...’ her voice faded until it was little more than a breath ‘...of you breaking my heart.’
He raked his fingers through his gleaming black hair, saying unsteadily, ‘Oh my dear, I swear I will never do that. But you have to trust me.’
‘I do, Jasper, I do trust you.’ She put her hand up and touched his cheek. ‘Do you see what this means, Jasper, do you know what I am asking? I want you to seduce me.’
Still he did not move. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she reached up and touched her lips against his. Immediately his arms came round her and with a sigh she leaned against him, twining her arms about his neck. Their kiss was long and languorous and incredibly gentle, but when at last he broke away she rested her head on his shoulder, aware that not one of her bones felt strong enough to support her.
‘Oh dear.’ She clung to him, murmuring the words into his neckcloth. ‘I do not think I can stand.’
With a laugh he swept her up and carried her across to the sofa, where he sat down with her on his lap and began kissing her again. She responded eagerly, her lips parting to allow his tongue to roam wherever it would. She drove her fingers through his hair, revelling in the silky feel of it. Every nerve was alive and aching for his touch. She wanted to feel his skin against hers and she began to tug at his cravat. He stopped kissing her and put his hand up over her fingers.
‘Susannah, I cannot do this.’
Cold fear clutched at her heart.
‘Have I offended you, have I been too forward? I know some men do not like that in a woman...’
He gathered her into his arms and held her close, his cheek resting against her curls.
‘No, sweetheart, that is not it, but I do not want to do anything you might later regret.’
‘No...’ she ran her tongue over her lips ‘...I won’t regret this. It is what I want. Truly.’
‘Then I won’t seduce you.’ His smile was warm. ‘But I will make love to you, if you will let me?’
The burning look in his eyes sent a shiver of anticipation through her.
‘Oh yes, yes, please.’
With a look that promised everything he slid her from his lap on to the sofa and knelt on the floor beside her.
‘First we must dispose of some of these garments.’
He divested himself of his driving coat and jacket then slowly, and with infinite gentleness, he removed her walking dress, pausing occasionally to kiss the newly exposed skin.
Susannah lay back against the satin cushions, her eyes closed, revelling in the touch of his hands as they roamed over her body. He pressed kisses on her breasts where they rose up from the confining corset, his tongue flicking over the soft flesh and causing her to moan softly. When he stopped she opened her eyes and saw that he had transferred his attention to her feet. Gently he untied her ribbon garters and rolled down each stocking, caressing her calves as he did so. He kissed her ankles and toes, nibbling at their rosy tips while his hands slid up to her thighs. Her body tightened as his fingers moved upwards and immediately he stopped.
‘Tell me if you don’t want this,’ he murmured.
In response she reached out for him, pulling him down on the sofa with her, capturing his mouth and kissing him with a ferocity that left them both gasping. Susannah kissed him again while his gently roving fingers caressed her inner thighs until she was arching against his hand. She heard him groan and even as she was swooning with the new and delightful sensations he was rousing in her, he covered her with his body. Her hips rose up to welcome him. She gave a little cry but when he hesitated she gripped him even tighter.
‘No, no, don’t stop,’ she murmured, her mouth against his cheek. ‘I want this, I want this.’
She sought his mouth again and they kissed, their bodies moving as one, faster, harder. She clung to him, her fingers tracing the hard muscles of his shoulders while she matched his movements, delighting in their union. It was too much. She threw back her head, dragging air into her lungs while her limbs bucked and twisted, beyond her control. She felt rather than heard Jasper’s muffled cry and held on as he tensed above her, and she gave herself up to the delicious sensation of flying and drowning at the same time.
As their bodies relaxed together he held her closer.
‘Oh, my dearest love. I hope I didn’t frighten you.’
Her heart swelled with the words. She reached up and stroked his hair.
‘Now I know what they mean by taking one’s pleasure,’ she said, smiling. She grew still and he raised his head.
‘What is it?’
‘Did you mean what you said?’ she asked him shyly. ‘About loving me to distraction?’
‘Of course. Have I not just proved it is so?’ After another kiss he helped her to sit up. ‘I am afraid we will not be able to marry immediately. It will have to be a big ceremony, at Markham, with all the family and tenants as witnesses. I hope you do not object—’ He broke off. ‘What is it? What have I said?’
She looked away.
‘It is what you have not said. You have not yet asked me to marry you, my lord.’
With a growl he pulled her back into his arms.
‘On the contrary, I suggested it some time ago, but you refused me. However, I am taking what has just happened as a sign that you have changed your mind. Well, strumpet?’
She lowered her eyes, saying provocatively, ‘I suppose I must marry you now, even without a formal proposal.’
Her teasing provoked just the reaction she had hoped for. She was swept up into another passionate embrace and within minutes Jasper had once more carried her to such ecstatic heights that afterwards she could only lay docile and compliant in his arms, agreeing with all his plans for the future.
‘We must buy you a ring,’ he decided. ‘We will do that tomorrow. And while we are in Milsom Street we will retrieve the emeralds you sold.’
‘If they still have them. The manager said it was a very fine set.’
His grin was pure wickedness.
‘It is and they do still have it. I purchased it and asked them to put it aside for me. I had meant to give it to Lady Gisburne to return to you, once I had left Bath.’
She shook her head, distressed.
‘Oh, how can you be so good, when I have treated you so abominably?’
He gave a soft laugh and kissed her again.
‘You have made up for all that now.’
‘No, this has pleased me, too.’ She cast another shy look at him. ‘I did not realise being in love could be—’
His arms tightened.
‘Is that true?’ he demanded. ‘You love me?’
‘To distraction,’ she said, smiling. ‘I would have told you sooner if I had realised how wonderful it would be to have you make love to me.’ She cast a glance at her stays and chemise. ‘And we have not yet removed all our clothes.’
‘Your morning room is not the place for that.’ He dropped a kiss on her forehead. ‘But believe me, my darling, when I finally undress you, I shall make love to you even more thoroughly.’
* * *
Three months later Jasper was as good as his word, when he carried his new bride to the marriage bed at Markham. The costly linen nightgowns were soon thrown off and they lay together, exploring and enjoying each other until their mutual passions could no longer be denied and they gave themselves up to the consummation that carried them to new and exhilarating heights.
* * *
Later, in the first flush of dawn, Jasper knelt beside Susannah, gazing at her perfect, creamy body. She lay on the silken sheets, her hair spread across the pillow like a golden cloud.
‘My viscountess,’ he murmured. ‘When will I ever grow tired of looking at you?’
‘Never, I hope.’ She opened her sleepy eyes and reached for him. ‘My darling husband, seduce me again.’
* * * * *