Lord Suitor (16 page)

Her
body throbbed with anticipation. Was she about to learn more?

She
was. The ribbons that held the front of her simple gown together—why on earth
couldn't she look her best—were loosened, and she felt the neckline and the top
edge of the sleeves moving lower. As her breasts were exposed to the air, Tessa
experienced the telltale tightening that meant they had puckered to the change
in temperature. And she accepted to the anticipation of what might happen next.
Her body was on high alert, her senses charged, and her mind open and receptive
to whatever life and her smuggler might throw at her.

He
pushed her closer to the bole of the tree, until her oversensitive nipples
touched the bark. The contact stung. Tessa gasped as the roughness teased her,
and he laughed softly.

"My
pour
p'tite
, is it oh so sore? Let me
help." His hands covered each breast and teased and played with her hard
nubs. At the same time, Tessa realized his bare pego teased her mound and
demanded entrance to her channel.

"Spread
your legs." One hard thigh helped her do his bidding. "That's a good
girl. Brace yourself."

One
breast was left without a covering as, she presumed, he guided his pego into
her, and then he thrust into hard and fast with no or little preamble.

"I
felt your wetness,
ma p'tite
, so I
make no apologies." His words were uneven and delivered with each thrust.

Tessa
pushed back to match his rhythm. It wasn't easy, but it seemed her efforts were
appreciated as he once more nipped and suckled her nape.

"Oh,
so ready for me, and I for you. It's been much too long."

His
teeth bit hard on her neck and
oh my
,
he used his fingers to stroke and pinch her nub before he moved even faster
within her.

"Now."
His tone was urgent. "Now, open for me, fall over the edge."

He
stiffened within her and renewed his movements even faster. Her nipples were
abraded by the tree bark, her nub was tight between his fingers, and her
arousal increased as he shuddered within her.

His
guttural shout was all Tessa needed. With a cry to match his own, she flew to
join him in that special place.

Chapter Sixteen

Nat
tapped the letter that had reached him at Fenniston by default a few days
earlier. It was addressed to him in London. Frost, as was his habit, had
detoured via Birch to collect any mail and take it to the posting office along
with missives from Fenniston. Of course, he'd notice the one addressed to Nat
and saw no point in posting it to where Nat was not. It was short, terse, and
Nat would bet it had taken Tessa many attempts to pen it just so.

My lord, it is with regret that I
have to inform you I have grave misgivings about giving you any hope that
serious thought on my behalf might allow me to agree to your forthcoming
proposal. To say yes would be unfair to both of us.

I trust you will accept my judgment
in this matter.

Tessa

Nat
read it over again and grinned. Not a chance. What game was she playing? He immediately
began to plot. Tessa might think she was immune to him, but surely not? Not
after... He dragged his thoughts to the present. There was a lot to do, and if
he understood Theo correctly, no time to spare.

It
wasn't easy to stay away from Birch. How Nat wanted to confront Tessa
immediately and understood there was too much at stake to show himself and his
hand before it was honed to the best it could be. Apart from anything else,
with all the uncertainly of the goings-on in the area, he wanted to know she
was safe.

The
fact that Cubby, who seemed to have the knack of being everywhere and anywhere,
was able to say the stranger he'd noticed around was unseen for several days
was not a lot of comfort. He also mentioned he thought he—the stranger—wasn't
one of them. "He talks funny. Not like you or me or the people who work
for you. I reckon he's got to be a Frenchie."

As
there had been copious speculation about the stranger, Nat wasn't surprised at Cubby's
thoughts.

"We's
all think it." Cubby danced from one foot to the other. "You know, guv,
everyone keeps their eyes open for anything that shouldn't be." His young
face screwed up as he did his best to explain what he meant. In the short while
he'd resided at Fenniston, he'd matured considerably. "That nothing is
untoward, Frost says."

"Hmm,
that's good to know. Keep your eyes peeled. Perhaps if you exercise
Shadow?"

The
delight on Cubby's face told Nat it was the perfect thing to suggest. He was
devoted to Shadow. Sometimes Nat suspected, over and above all else, Nat
included.

"Over
to Combe way and up to the inn?"

"Exactly."
Nat clapped him on the shoulder. "No ale mind."

"Never,
not with old Shad. I wouldn't, you know that." Cubby bobbed a bow.
"I'm gorn as soon as you tip me the wink."

"Then
off you go." Nat pulled the lad's cap down over his eyes. "I have an
errand to run. You can tell me the all later."
 
Cubby dashed off in the direction of the
stables, and Nat followed him slowly. He'd take his phaeton and put the next
phase of his plan into action.

*****

"The
Earl of Fenniston, my lady." Tull, the head footman, announced. "Are
you in?"

Tessa
swung round, and her jaw dropped.

"Of
course she is. I can see her standing in front of the window." Nat
strolled across the room, every inch a peer of the realm, and bowed over her
hand. "My lady. Ravishing as ever."

"Really?"
Tessa tugged at her hand.

Nat
chose not to relinquish it.

"Oh,
you may go, thank you, Tull." Tessa smiled the dismissal and chose not to
notice the way Tull's face fell. Obviously, he had hoped to melt into the
background and be an interested bystander. "I'll ring if we need
anything."

The
man looked disappointed, but as at Fenniston, the staff at Birch were too well
trained to dissemble. He bowed and withdrew. The door closed with a gentle
thud.

Nat
stared at it for a long moment and then turned back to Tessa. "Yes,
ravishing. Sadly not ravished. Not yet."

She
stared, blinked, and giggled. Then her demeanor became somber. "Not
likely."

The
tone was so definite that Nat started. He had expected some more demurring but
not a categorical no. His heart missed a beat, and the heavy sense of
disappointment was so immediate it hit him hard, and he swayed on his booted
heels.

Tessa
grabbed him and steadied him. Her hands seared his skin through the cloth of
his jacket.

"Are
you all right?" she asked him breathlessly. "I didn't know you were
around. I thought you were in the shires."
And if I had known, I wouldn't be here
, hung in the air between
them. Or did it? Never before had a woman confused him so much. It was a
strange sensation, and he couldn't decide if it was pleasant or not.

"I'm
as fine as any man who has just been delivered such a blow." She was the
one to sway then, and he used his strength to keep her upright. "May I inquire
why you refuse me so categorically? The last thing you said was that you'd let
me woo you."

It
worried him to see her blanch and nibble her bottom lip. The last thing he
wanted was to upset her, but he had to know why she had changed her mind about
a courtship.

"Am
I that bad?" he asked gently. "Do I fill you with so much abhorrence
you can't even address the idea of perhaps being my wife?"

"I
don't find you abhorrent, my lord," she said in a hurried tone. "And
perhaps at one time I would have given your request more considered and
considerable thought. However... Ah, I have no idea how to say this delicately.
I have given my heart to another."

He
forced his lips not to twitch. Now he had her measure. "You have? May I inquire
who this dastardly rival is? Who has taken your affections, and I hope returns
them?"

"I,
er. No. I fear I cannot mention his name or talk about him. My lord, please
don't press me. Just accept I would not play you false or give you hope where
there is none."

"If
you say so." Nat took her hand and teased the palm with his index finger.

She
gasped, and her bosom swelled as she took in a deep breath and tugged to remove
his hand. He held on and increased the pressure of his touch.

Even
though he knew she was worried, she looked incredibly flustered, and the slight
pink tinge on her skin suited her. Nat began to enjoy himself. It might be
petty, but if he were to be refused, he'd get some enjoyment in the meantime. "However,
once your betrothal is announced, everyone will know I am rejected."

She
sighed so deeply Nat wouldn't have been surprised to see the curtains sway and
her breasts pop over the neckline of her gown.

"There
will be no betrothal." Her eyes darkened and clouded over. It was as if
the summer sun had gone behind a cloud.

"Then
why refuse me?"

"I
can't talk about it."

"Of
course you can. You say, Nat, there will be no betrothal, because. And add the
reasons." He took a step forward so her beautiful breasts almost touched
his chest. It was a signal of her agitation about other things she seemed not
to notice.

"Nat,
there will be no betrothal because I know so. Not even if I can close my eyes
and think... No, that would be unfair, and I won't play you for a cuckold. Now
if you will excuse me? And give me my hand back."

Why
would she not meet his eyes? And more to the point why did he have the
impression she was toying with him?

"I
think for old times’ sake this is needed." He bent his head and touched
his lips to hers, conscious of how sad she sounded. He was also proud of her
for sticking to her guns, even if they did spike his. For a brief moment, he
hated his rival, which in the circumstances was ridiculous. Then she shivered
and once more Nat wondered what game Tessa was playing. No doubt he'd find out
sooner or later.

Tessa
gasped, and he seized the moment to deepen the kiss. She swayed toward him and let
her tongue tangle with his. It would have been oh so tempting to pull her tight
to him. To loosen her gown and feast on her charms. However, even in his desire-drugged
state, Nat was conscious of where they were, and who was most probably hovering
outside the door. He refused to make love to her within earshot of concerned
servants—he valued his hide, his reputation, and his cock too much. Gradually
he slowed the kiss, loosened his grip, and took a step back.

She
blinked up at him. "Ah..." Tessa shook her head. "I...no... Er..."

"Very
coherent, my dear. I'll take my leave. However, please remember my offer stands
until you are wed elsewhere. We need each other."

She
shook her head. "You'd do better to court elsewhere, my lord."

"No,
I'd be better to persuade you." He bowed and turned on his heel.

****

Persuade
her? Was that the answer? Several hours later, Tessa sat in the chair beside
her bedchamber fire and remembered every facet of their meeting, right down to
when the door swung closed behind him and she sighed. It hadn't gone well. But
what else could she do? One man could not bed her when she was in love with
another. Apart from which, Nat would expect a pure bride, and that was
something she most definitely was not.

But
how to tell her parents she'd refused him? Especially when she needed to wed
and no longer be a burden on the family coffers.

It
made it even worse that when Nat kissed her, all she could think, feel, and be
aware of was her smuggler and his touch. It was oh so similar, she was almost
certain they were one and the same. Except for the whiskers of course. Perhaps
Nat could persuade her, but she would always feel cheated if they didn't come
clean with all the deceptions that had gone on. And she suspected, so would he.
Why she wasn't sure, but there had to be more than an arranged wedding in her
future. Mind you, at this rate, it would be as a governess or a schoolmistress
if she weren't careful. Somehow, Tessa was sure she would be useless at either
occupation.

Life
was so complicated, and she had no idea how to simplify it. She was in trouble.
On that depressing thought, Tessa took herself off to bed.

Typically
sleep eluded her. She tossed and turned until eventually she admitted defeat
and got out of bed to open the shutters. At least with the moonlight coming
into her room, she could get comfy and think. Strangely, moonlight comforted
her. She settled back under the covers and plumped up her pillow.

Had
she done the correct thing? Tessa closed her eyes and let her mind wander.

The
mattress dipped. Tessa jumped and opened her eyes, as she turned her head
toward whatever or whoever it was.

"I
thought it was time we met in your bed, not a barn or a cottage." A familiar
silhouette loomed over her.

"You."

"Me."

In
the semidarkness Tessa just made out his nod of confirmation.

"But
which me?" he asked in an undertone.

Tessa
struggled to sit up without looking away from him. She leaned forward, groped,
and then touched the rough homespun jacket he wore. Under her questing fingers,
the wool was harsh and scratched her hands. Surely it was her smuggler? The
voice was his, the outline of his head also. But where were the whiskers?

"Your
whiskers?" Her voice squeaked, and she bit her lip. That wasn't right. She
needed to be assertive. "Why no whiskers?"

He
laughed. "Do I need them? Now?" The voice was different somehow.
Deeper, more cultured. More like...

"Who
are you?"
 
Dammit, please tell me.

He
kissed her cheek and then cradled her head in his hands. "Do I need to
hide?"

The
moon popped out from behind a cloud and lit his features up.

Tessa
blinked and gasped. She had a horrible metallic taste in her mouth, and her
skin crawled.
I will not be sick, unless
it's over him.

"You?"
How could he? How
dare
he?
But then hadn't she been as bad?
Not confronting him when she decided who he was. So why the outrage? She had no
idea. Unless she'd hoped for more…more what? Tessa had never felt so confused
in her life.

"Me."
Nat lifted Tessa's limp hand and kissed the palm before curling her fingers
over the spot he'd touched. "So you have no need to worry about us
marrying."

He
stood up and used the tinderbox to light a candle, and returned to her side.
"I thought it time to..."

"Stop
playing games with me and my emotions, my lord? Oh, I so agree. And you are
right, of course. I have no worries about us marrying." She threw back the
covers, unheeding of the fact she was in her night rail, and slid out of bed on
the side farthest away from him. Why should she worry? His alter ego had seen
her in much less.