Blood Lust (14 page)

“Oh, William.” She wanted to hold him, to take away the darkened look that was on his handsome face. Instead she waited for him to finish.

“That night I escaped the hangman, but there were other times I wished I had died. In the morning when they came looking for the prisoner, the man who was killed, I took his place. They transported me to London, where I was enslaved for a few more years before I escaped. The only thing that kept me going during all that time was the promise I made to myself that I would come back here.”

Katherine didn’t realize she was crying until William leaned forward toward her and with one of his long fingers brushed them away. “It’s all right. As I told you there is nothing you can do.”

“You can’t be certain of that. I am staying at Sussex Manor for one more day. It is enough time to look around, perhaps ask a few questions. I found out about you there, perhaps I’ll learn something else that might help you.”

“And your questions may stir up Benjamin’s suspicions and if that happens I’m as good as dead.”

A shiver ran through her at the thought. “The odds are just as good that you will do something to alert him.”

“I am not fool enough to do something like that.”

“Point in fact, your appearance at the costume ball. That could have been disastrous. What if someone besides me had recognized you?”

“I was wearing a mask,” he replied.

“Little good it would have done if someone had caught you going into Benjamin’s study. I am not such a fool that I would not take care. Please, you must let me try. Surely the longer you delay in finding proof, the greater the odds of your being discovered.”

“More than apparent.” His face grew grim.

“Let me help you.”

“No,” he replied, shaking his head. “No I don’t want you hurt.”

“Good God man. I want to help you!”

“And I said no Katherine and I mean that.”

She glared at him intently. “Do you really think you can stop me?”

Anger swept over him. His jaw clamped shut. “You are the most willful, stubborn woman.”

“I am going to help you William, whether you like it or not.”

“God speed woman! I should have thrashed you harder!” He grabbed her shoulders, his eyes like fire. A long moment passed but neither of them moved. Then William let out a groan of defeat as he pulled her against him. “But, truth be known, I would rather kiss you.” He kissed her in a ravaging kiss, his lips moving hotly over hers, urging them to part for him.

She clung to him as she relished the head pulsing through her, the taste of him in her mouth. His tongue tangled with hers, the stroking deepened, possessing her as if he owned her. The kiss was hard and rough. Heat fanned out from the base of her throat, crept over her shoulders into her breasts, making them swell within her gown.

William deepened the kiss, taking her mouth so thoroughly she felt faint. His hand moved down to her breast, cupping the fullness, making the nipple harden. He worked the buttons on her bodice, parted the fabric and slid his hand inside. His palm abraded her nipple and it tightened even more, forming a painful peak beneath his hand. Warmth invaded her, a melting sensation that wrenched a small groan of pleasure from her lips.

Katherine heard him groan. He was now kissing her throat, pulling the pins out of her hair.

“William. . .” she whispered, but his kiss muffled her protest, and his hands continued their assault. He slid the bodice of the gown off her shoulders, a strap of her white chemise fell away. The second strap slipped off and he eased the fabric down, baring her to the waist. When e lowered his head and took a nipple into his mouth, a ripple of heat scorched through her.

“Sweet lord. . .” the words slipped out, but she did not try to stop him. Her body instead arched upward, pleading for more. Her fingers dug into his shoulders and muscle beneath her hand. She trembled as his hand moved lower, shoving her skirts up, working to bunch them around her waist. His head came up. He sucked in a deep breath of air. “We have to stop, Katherine. If we do not, I won’t be able to in a few minutes.”

But she didn’t want him to stop. She was in love with him. She had tried to deny it, but the moment she had seen him, the moment he had touched her, she knew it was true.

She pulled the black ribbon that tied back his long glossy dark hair, slid her fingers through the strands, and dragged his mouth down to hers for another kiss. “Make love to me, William. Please, I don’t want this to end.”

He shook his head, even as his hand gently fondled her breast. “I want you, Katherine. I cannot remember wanting a woman more. But we can’t.”

“Please, William,” she whispered, afraid that if she didn’t grasp the moment to discover their true passion, the time would never come again. William fiercely kissed her. When she opened the buttons on the front of his shirt, she slid her hands inside as a shudder rippled through him. She knew she had won.

With a hand that was suddenly unsteady, he began to unfasten her clothes, releasing the tabs on her skirt and panniers and stripping them away, then bending to remove her shoes and stockings. In a flash he had stripped her bare and pulled off his clothes. He eased her down on the sofa, his hardness pressed into her thigh.

She would not have been frightened, but she had found that she was not. He was powerful, but somehow she knew he would take care not to hurt her. His hands caressed her breasts, stroking them. She whimpered when he moved lower, cupping the mound of her sex, his fingers lacing through the hair at the apex of her legs.

The feeling was so intense, so new, she stiffened a little, afraid for a moment. William kissed her again, his mouth and tongue gently persuasive, and her fear began to leave her.

“William. . .” She moaned when he parted the slick damp folds at her core and a long dark finger slid inside her.

“God, you feel so good.” A thorough kiss followed, his tongue thrusting into her mouth with the same sensuous rhythm as his hand. She shifted restlessly, feeling the fire, arching against him. Wanting him heedless of the consequences.

Suddenly he paused, his gaze moving up to her face. He was breathing hard, his eyes with a hunger he no longer tried to hide. “We must stop, Katherine. I won’t marry you. Even if I wasn’t facing the gallows, I wouldn’t marry you. I can’t. Stop me now before it’s too late.”

Her heart pounded painfully. “You have a wife, you are married?”

He shook his head. “No.”

He wouldn’t wed her, he didn’t love her. The thought made her ache inside. Still, she wanted him. She desperately wanted to know this one moment of passion. “Then make love to me. It’s what we both want.”

“There are things you don’t know, things I cannot explain. You’ll regret it. Stop me now while I am sane enough to stop.”

I want this, please.”

He stared down to her face. “I’ve learned to be greedy, Katherine. You may regret this, but I assure you I will not.”

He took her mouth in a savage kiss while his hand cupped her breast, teasing it. In minutes, she was on fire for him as he stroked her damp passage once more.

“You are ready for me Katherine. I’ll go easy and try not to hurt you. Trust me. Let me make it good for you.”

She realized she did trust him. More than any man she had ever know. “Yes. . .” she said softly. “Yes, William.”

He spread her legs and settling his tall frame between her thighs, he kissed her again, taking her mouth while his fingers stroked her. Then he eased his hardness inside. He didn’t stop until he reached the barrier of her innocence. He plunged deeply and Katherine cried out, but the sound was muffled by his lips.

A shot of pain went through her, a searing moment that had her clamping her teeth. As quickly as it came, it was gone. William loomed above her, resting on his elbows, his muscles knotted, holding himself immobile by sheer force of will. “I’m sorry. I tried not to hurt you. Are you all right?”

“The pain is gone. I only feel a strange sort of fullness.”

“You will feel more my love. Of that I promise.”

Slowly he began to move, his hips rising, easing him almost all the way out. Then his buttocks flexed and drove him deeply back in. In and then out. Sinking in until he filled her, then withdrawing until she ached for his return. She could feel every hard inch of him, feel the heavy thrust and drag of his shaft, and tiny vibrations rushed through her. Her body trembled and she arched upward taking him deeper still. Her hands gripped his sweat-slick shoulders and the heat in her loins fanned out through her limbs.

Warmth coiled low in her belly. Her body seemed to burn.

In and then out, faster, harder, deeper. Pounding, pounding, until the pleasure was unbearable.

“William!” Her body tightening, shimmering, then shuttering into a thousand pieces. Pleasure broke over her, ripples of fire. She clung to him, wept his name against his shoulder, held him and let the waves of pleasure wash through her. William’s body tightened above her. She felt the last of his hard driving thrusts, heard a groan rumble from his throat.

For a long, tender moment he just held her. Katherine clung to him and thought she had never experienced anything so wonderful. Whatever happened, she would always have this moment, this moment of passion that couldn’t be taken from her.

William pulled away. “You had better get dressed, the hour grows late. You have been away from the house far too long.”

She glanced down, feeling the cold now in her state of undress. She turned away from him, fumbling for her clothes, fighting not to cry. She fought the tears, fumbling for her bodice. He handed it to her, their fingers touching. She fumbled with getting her arms into it, buttoning up the front.

Not a word assed between them. Finally he spoke. “I should have stopped. I should have been more careful.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, your grace.”

“It was meant to be one, my lady.”

She turned to finish dressing, when she looked down and found her legs speckled with virgin’s blood. William realized her dilemma. He left the room, returning with a damp cloth and a linen towel. Katherine accepted them, as William, pretending not to notice turned and walked outside, leaving her alone.

She joined him a few minutes, perfectly dressed, her hair smoothed into a bun at the back of her neck.

“If I learn of anything, I shall send word through Damien.”

“I told you, my lady, it is too dangerous. Stay out of Benjamin’s way. Do not ask questions.”

Smiling sweetly she replied, “Whatever you say, my lord. Now, will you help me up?”

He lifted her into the sidesaddle, his hands lingering a few moments at her waist. “Good-bye, my lady.”

“Good-bye, William.” She reined her horse away, fighting the urge to cry. She did not look back. She did not regret making love to him. She would never regret it.

As soon as she left Sussex Manor, she was heading for London. The Season was underway and she had to find a husband. William had made it clear that he was not interested in marriage, even if he had agreed to return her dowry, she would not wed him if he did not want her.

Katherine rode back to Sussex Manor, trying to decide the best way to begin. Benjamin stood in the doorway of the drawing room, where his last remaining guests had gathered for their breakfast. He frowned to see her sitting herself across from Lady Jane Cromwell, engaged in what seemed to be a cheerful conversation. Katherine was laughing at something Jane had said. Jane was hardly a woman of wit, or at least he had never thought so.

He watched the two women talking with a bit too much familiarity and hoped that Katherine had sense enough to keep her mouth shut about their doomed betrothal. Then he thought about the shrewd way Katherine had manipulated him. She was a worthy opponent for Jane.

Katherine smiled at another one of Lady Cromwell’s remarks. She had managed to gain a seat across from the woman.

“God’s truth, all men stray at one time or another.” She glanced at Benjamin, then back to Katherine. “Except for his grace, of course. I’m certain he’ll be quite the dutiful husband.” Jane laughed softly. She looked cool and unruffled.

The lie came easily. The both recognized it for what it was. Katherine smiled. “I’m sure he will, but if he is not, surely once a wife’s duty is performed, she should be allowed the same freedom as the man she has married.”

“You are far more intelligent than I had given you credit. Benjamin is very lucky to have found you.”

Katherine pushed the food on the plate in front of her around, then set her fork down without taking a bite. “You knew his brother?”

Jane sighed dramatically, eyeing Katherine with renewed interest. “I knew him. We were quite in love. William had meant for us to marry.”

Katherine nearly dropped the teacup she had lifted. “I wasn’t aware of that, that the two of you were betrothed.”

“It was not yet official. I was widowed only a few months. We meant to wait until after a suitable period of mourning before we announced our plans.”

“I see.” Katherine dabbed her napkin to her lips, happy to be able to compose herself. “Benjamin rarely speaks of him. I imagine the loss of his father and his brother are just too painful.”