Belong To Me (book 4) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (26 page)

“They all lead to the same place, really, but start outside the back of the castle. I will show you tomorrow. You’ll be amazed.”

“I’m amazed already,” she said.

“Whoever designed this castle was very brilliant. I still haven’t found out about the original owner.”

“Wouldn’t it be one of Adam’s ancestors?”

“Possibly, but I don’t believe it was. Like I said, I’ve been doing some looking around into old documents and such, and I have no reason to believe Lord Thatcher’s relatives owned this. Didn’t he tell you this castle was given to him by the King himself not too long ago?”

“No.” She paused for a moment, collecting her courage to tell him what she knew. “Ian? I think I should tell you something.”

“What’s that, my darling?”

“I know about you and Adam.”

Ian stopped the drink from reaching his mouth. “Exactly what do you know about me and Adam?”

“He told me you two are related.”

He sat the drink on the table. “He did, did he? I’m surprised he would confess such a thing. He loathes me, you know.”

She chuckled. “He makes it sound as if you loathe him.”

“Perhaps I loathe his title and lands.”

Her lovely forehead creased in question. “Do you?”

“I’d rather not talk about it.”

She reached across the table and touched his hand. “But I’d like to talk about it. You’re so secretive about your cousin. Can’t you just tell me?”

He shrugged. “I just recently found out about the ties between the
Thatchers
and the
Fieldings
. I tried to speak with Lord Thatcher about our ancestors, but he adamantly refused to admit we were even related. I’m just one of his penniless relatives he’d rather not think about.”

“Oh, no, Ian.
Adam is not like that. After all, he let us stay here.”

He cocked his brow. “You think too highly of the beast.”

“Ian,” she replied sternly. “I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t refer to him as a beast. He’s not anything of the sort. He’s a kind and gentle man who really cares about people.”

She noticed his uneasy expression as he kept his eyes on her. Had she upset him by defending Adam? She tilted her head. “Mr. Fielding, I do believe you are jealous of Adam.”

Ian sipped his drink slowly, and then placed it on the table. “I have no reason to be jealous of him…do I?”

“But you are, aren’t you, Ian?” she teased.

Ian’s dark eyes became hooded, and his eyebrows arched. “You’re talking nonsense, Charlotte…” But he looked away.

She smiled to herself, knowing she’d guessed correctly.

They were silent while O’Toole served the meal, and she was glad to be able to dive right into it. Her nerves had made her hungry—or was it that she just needed something to do with her hands and mouth?

“Charlotte?” Ian asked. “Have you seen George lately?”

Her head snapped up and met his eyes. “No. Have you?”

“Yes. He told me what happened with Allison.”

She frowned. “So he’s still here in Bath? Did he seem heartbroken?”

“Not entirely. I think George respects Allison very much, but he’s just not ready to marry. He’s still a free spirited young man and it’ll take a very special woman to keep him still.”

“That’s sad. Allison would have made him a good wife.”

“He would have made Allison a good husband, but he needs to sow his oats, so-to-speak.”

“So, what kind of oats is George sowing now? Does he plan on returning home?”

“He’s staying at his cousin’s place for a little longer. George told me he will probably return home in another month.”

During the rest of the meal, Ian kept the subject of the conversation on his case. Charlotte told him since Ewan Stout wasn’t likely to confess, she would just have to figure out another way to solve this ridiculous charge against her husband.

Charlotte put down her napkin and leaned back in her chair. Ian stood and took her hand, leading her from the table to the large hearth. The low burning fire was perfect, she thought, very relaxing and yet stimulating enough for a night of passion. Obviously, this is what Ian had in mind. But would she let him accomplish his goal? Anticipation ran through her and she wrapped her arms around her waist.

“I do have to admit,” she said after a lengthy pause, “that these old castles are extremely drafty. Thank heavens they hold such deep hearths.”

“I think the reason they are drafty is because of the secret doors in most of the rooms.”

She turned toward him. “So, which door did you come through this evening?”

“There’s a door behind that small bookcase near the window.” He pointed in the direction.

Charlotte squinted into the shadows. “It’s so hard to believe you’ve been sneaking around this castle and I haven’t even realized it.”

Her thoughts turned dark suddenly when she realized Ian could have been spying on her and Adam. Many times, they had been alone together here inside as well as outside of the castle. Could Ian have been spying on her and Adam the afternoon at their picnic or perhaps he witnessed their kiss? It made her apprehensive to think such a thing, but it was possible. But if Ian had, wouldn’t he have said something about it? She eyed him warily.

“I need to sneak around, remember?” he answered her question with a steady voice. “There are still a few of my servants I don’t trust totally. O’Toole is helping me out by keeping an eye on them, though.”

“Thank heavens for O’Toole.” Now she found herself wondering if O’Toole had been spying on her.

Oh! She hated having these suspicions.

“Ian, what are we going to do about Ewan Stout?” She quickly changed the topic.

“You know,” he said, moving closer then taking her in his arms, “I think we’ll worry about him tomorrow. We should think about other things right now.”

Her heart pounded fiercely. The heat from his body slowly blended with hers, and the fire from behind added to the burning inside of her. Of course, it didn’t help she’d always enjoyed being in Ian’s arms. She felt so comforted and protected, and yes, God help her, she even felt the passion.

“Ian,” she whispered brokenly, staring at his mouth, but that was all she could think to say right now. He was heating her up and his eyes were laced with desire.

“Charlotte?” Ian’s voice was deep and husky. “Do you know how much I enjoyed being with you this afternoon? You’re such a brilliant woman, and so very fascinating. I didn’t think it could happen, but I’ve fallen even deeper in love with you.”

Tingles shot all through her body at the mention of the word love.
She’d longed to hear that come from his mouth, and even though she’d just heard it, she didn’t trust her ears. “What did you say?” The rhythm of her pounding heart made it difficult for her to breathe.

A smile touched his lips as he stared into her eyes. “I said, my
darling, that
I’ve fallen deeply in love with you.” He swept his fingers lightly across her cheek. “Remember when we were at the opera with George and Allison?” She nodded. “When I took you outside, you told me I wanted you only because of your appearance. You were correct. I’ve never cared about spending quality time with a woman and trying to get to know her, but I took the time with you. I cannot believe how much I’ve learned about myself just being with you.”

“And what is that?” She was melting, but luckily, he held her in his strong embrace.

“When I’m with you, I’m a complete man. Whenever we are apart, I’m lost. Every day I wake up and cannot wait to see you, to be near you. You are always on my mind, interrupting my thoughts so I cannot concentrate. Why do you think it’s so hard to solve my own case? It’s not because I’m confused about my feelings for you, but because I know without a doubt that I’m deeply in love.”

Speechless, she stared into his eyes. She still thought they were the most spectacular eyes she’d ever seen. In fact, even now she realized she’d always thought he was a very handsome man. With only a few words, he could hypnotize her.

“Why...why are you telling me this?”

His grin widened. “Don’t you want me to confess my feelings?”

The answer was yes, but was she ready to hear it? Could she accept it as truth? “I suppose I just never thought I’d hear you say that to me.”

“Charlotte, my love, I know I’m getting ahead of myself on this, but well...have you decided about our marriage? Have you decided whether or not to leave me or to stay? Because I’ll do anything I can to keep you. I don’t know what I’ll do if you decide to leave me. I love you so much.”

Without waiting for her answer, he brought his mouth down and placed it on hers. Pulling her tightly against him, he kissed her tenderly, but then more urgently as she responded with passionate kisses of her own. She clung to him as his hands moved over her back. For the first time since they had kissed so passionately at the masquerade ball, Charlotte allowed herself to explore him. Her heart hammered out of control as she caressed his neck and down his hard chest then up over his wide shoulders.

Her bosom burst with so much tender emotion it surprised her. It wasn’t lust this time, but an emotion she’d never experienced before. Was it love? Was it possible she actually loved him? The more time she spent with him, the more she liked him, and the feelings of hurt she once experienced because of his rejection slowly disappeared. She could actually feel his emotion with each kiss given, and with his caresses, she could feel the warm sensations of his love.

“Charlotte?” Ian broke the kiss as his lips traveled over her face in soft sweeping motions. “Let me make love to you.”

She thought those were the sweetest words she’d ever heard. He actually considered her feelings. The thought made her heart burst again with that strange emotion.

“Oh, Ian.”
She sighed and her head fell back as his lips moved down her neck. “You know how confused I’ve been.”

“No, you’re not confused,” he mumbled against her skin.

“So why do I feel this way?”

He pulled back slightly, looking into her face. “What are you feeling, my love? Are you feeling excitement? Is your body tingling in a heated sensation when I touch and kiss you? Is your heart ready to burst whenever you look into my eyes or hear my voice?”

His hands were on her body, moving slowly over her skin. His fingertips caressed her, the sensation subtly, enticing and inviting.
A sweet
warmth flooded through her body, seeping into every pore, every fiber of her being burned with desire.

“Can you honestly tell me you don’t want me…or love me,” he asked softly.

She remained stubbornly silent while his fingers traveled up her arms to tease her languidly. She knew in her heart that she was going to surrender. She shook her head. “No, I can’t honestly say that, Ian. I feel the very same way about you.”

“
It’s
love you are feeling. I’ve admitted it, so why can’t you?” His large fingers moved up to her hair and tangled inside her thick locks as he held her face to his. Tenderly, his lips brushed her lips. “You were made for me, just as I was made for you. We are perfect together, can’t you see? Tell me please, that your heart belongs to me and only me.”

She didn’t know how to respond, but even if she did, she wouldn’t have been able to speak. His mouth was upon hers, sapping every last bit of strength she had left. But she didn’t care. This time she responded to his demanding kisses, returning them with equal fervor.

Ian lifted her in his arms and carried her to his bed. The sheets had been turned down and red rose petals lay sprinkled across the bed. The whole room smelled spectacular. There was a low fire in the hearth making everything perfect...more than perfect.

He laid her gently on the bed. She gathered a handful of rose petals from the silk sheets and let them flutter between her fingers. A grin touched her mouth. “What have you done here, Ian?”

He shrugged out of his over-jacket and cravat before laying himself on the bed next to her. Taking her in his arms, he brought her body to the full length of his. “I’ve thought about this moment for a long time.”

The flame from the fireplace was the only light in the room, but it was reflected in his smoldering eyes. He had this seduction planned and was confident she’d bend to his will. Instead of upsetting her, it thrilled her to know he cared about her and about what she thought.

She stroked the side of his face. “Thank you.” He threaded his fingers through her hair and brought his mouth down upon hers, starting the wild and hungry surge of emotion all over again. She clung to him with the desperation of someone who was starving.

A foreign feeling burst in her chest, and she knew that she did love him.
Completely.

Gently, and very tenderly, Ian made love to her. He made her body come alive with sensations she’d never imagined a woman could feel. With every stroke of his hand, and brush of his mouth against her skin, she could feel his love.

After he’d pleased her beyond words, they lay together in each other’s arms, sated. For the next few minutes, there was no sound, but the gentle whoosh of their breathing. This, as unbelievable as it seemed, had been worth the wait. Making love with him had been the most wonderful experience of her life, yet she felt as if she just betrayed Adam, and it tore at her heart.