Protection (6 page)

A memory of the afternoon they’d picnicked by the river flashed through Nathaniel's
mind—the occasion she’d told him her opinion of gentlemen keeping both wives and mistresses,
and he’d sensed he was losing her. Just as it had at the time, pain stabbed at his
heart. He rubbed his chest, gesturing for his friend to continue when he hesitated.

“She didn’t seem to think the role was honourable, even for one such as herself with
precious few options available to her . . . or none that we were aware of. In hindsight,
I can appreciate why she sided with the wife. Young ladies aren’t supposed to know
about mistresses.”

Nathaniel snorted. “Well, I certainly won’t be keeping one now.”

“Why would you want to?” Hugh frowned. “I thought Lady Anneliese was everything you
could ask for in a paramour?”

“She was . . . she
is
.”

Those few, precious moments spent holding her in his arms had caused the memories
of their time together—the ones Nathaniel tried not to indulge himself with no matter
how great the temptation—to overwhelm his best intentions. She’d detected his arousal,
offering herself with the same sweetness he had taken advantage of at Worthington.
It was what she thought he expected, which was hardly surprising after he had acted
as if it was his damned right.

“You don’t think she’ll behave the same way now you know that she’s a lady?” Hugh’s
tone was sympathetic.

“I’m worried that she will.” Nathaniel swirled the drink he’d been nursing before
downing it in one swallow. “Lisa’s too generous for her own good. Plus, she’s very . . .
demonstrative,” he added for want of a better word.

“Traits you appreciated when she was your mistress but are questioning now that she’s
to be your bride?”

“What? No. Well, maybe a little. Hell, I don’t know.” Nathaniel rubbed the back of
his neck.

“She’s the same person you fell in love with.” Hugh seemed bemused by Nathaniel’s
confusion, his furrowed brow at odds with his smile.

“Yes, but treating her the way I did when I made her my mistress is out of the question.”

“You must have done something right.” Hugh shrugged. “She came all the way to London
to save you from yourself, and she accepted your proposal. I’d say you can safely
assume her feelings are not inconsequential. Have you considered what
she
wants?”

“To please me.” Nathaniel’s shoulders sagged.

“And that’s a bad
thing?”

“It is when she puts my needs ahead of her own. When I think of the demands I made
upon her . . .”

Hugh huffed a breath. “We appear to be going around in circles my friend. Never mind.
You’ll have plenty of opportunity to sort it out once you’re wed. In the meantime,
congratulations are in order, tentative ones at least. Now if you could just help
me to convince your father to allow me to come courting your sister, I would be most
appreciative.”

Despite his melancholy, Nathaniel managed a smirk. “Lisa has come up with a solution,
though I’m not sure what you’ll think of it.”

“Tell me.”

Hugh sat forward, and Nathaniel recounted Lisa’s plan for the two of them to accompany
her and Rebecca on a visit to a charity home for women.

“To learn the error of our ways?” Hugh called for another drink, his less-than-enthusiastic
response giving Nathaniel pause.

“Don’t tell me you’re still visiting brothels at the same time as wanting to pursue
my sister?”

“No, it’s not that.” Hugh ran a hand through his dark golden hair. “I’ve heard stories
about the institutions where prostitutes go to be rehabilitated, and they’re not suitable
places for ladies to visit.”

Nathaniel sighed, not needing the added complication. He understood Lisa’s motivation,
and had promised to help her fulfil what she saw as something of a mission, but he
wouldn’t be party to anything that might put her in harms way. “I’m not sure Lisa
can be talked out of the idea.”

“She won’t accept no for an answer?”

His brow furrowing, Nathaniel considered the possibility. “Since I’ve promised to
honour my wedding vows, I suppose that gives me the right to request she does also.”

Hugh looked impressed. “You’ll insist she obey you if you decide her involvement in
the charity inappropriate?”

“If it comes to that.”

“Good luck!”

Nathaniel pulled a face, imagining the fireworks that were sure to ensue. Still, it
would be worth it to keep Lisa safe.

“What’s got you two in such fine form? Been winning at the tables?” A familiar but
unwelcome voice interrupted their conversation. The owner’s slurred speech indicated
he had been imbibing a little too freely.

“Edgeley.” Hugh shot Nathaniel a warning glance. “When did you arrive in town?”

“Oh, you know me. I come and go as I please. What about you, Marsden? You bring that
little red-haired beauty with you, or did you grow tired of her after all?”

Nathaniel surged to his feet, Hugh following suit and placing a restraining hand on
his arm.

“Steady on.” Edgeley staggered back. “A right luscious bit of fruit that one. Can’t
blame a man for asking.”

Nathaniel’s hands formed fists at his side. “But I
will
blame you if I hear any rumours circulating about what you witnessed at Worthington.”

“You’re awfully defensive about a serving maid. Makes one wonder what you’ve got to
hide?”

This threat was bound to arise, but Nathaniel had hoped for some calm between storms.
“A little less wondering and a little more discretion on your part, and you stand
a better chance of survival.”

Edgeley laughed. “I’m definitely a survivor, and I can be very
discreet.” He tapped his nose with his forefinger. “I know all sorts of things about
all sorts of people. But I don’t say a word . . . unless it suits me.”

Nathaniel reached for the man, dragging Hugh with him.

“ ’s orright.” Edgeley evaded him with a nimble side step, leading Nathaniel to suspect
his drunkenness was an act. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

“It had better be. I’m an excellent shot, and if I call you out, you won’t live to
tell any more tales.”

“Duelling is illegal.” Edgeley sneered, though he took another step back. “You won’t
be able to protect the wench if you’ve had to make a run for the Continent. You’re
not the only one who likes redheads. I know any number of gentlemen who’d happily
take your place in her bed . . . or bending her over whatever piece of furniture is
handy. Isn’t that what you were doing the day we came upon you in your study? You
had her on your desk, as I recall.”

“Good night, Edgeley.” Hugh’s grip on Nathaniel’s arm tightened. “It’s time you were
on your way.”

“True.” Edgeley’s smile turned sly. “I’m off to a new place that caters to my tastes.
I don’t suppose either of you would care to join me? I’m sure a redhead could be found
amongst the girls, or a wee, brunette lassie if that’s your preference, McGivern.
No? Ah well, do give Miss Brown and
Lady Rebecca my regards. I remember them both
very
fondly.” Backing up, he gave the two men a haughty salute before weaving his way through
the crowd.

“Bloody hell,” Nathaniel muttered.

“My thoughts exactly.” Hugh signalled for another drink.

“He’s going to be trouble when the truth comes out, but he’s right. If I challenge
him to a duel, I’ll have to make myself scarce afterwards, and cold-blooded murder
of a peer could see me imprisoned.”

Either way, Nathaniel wouldn’t be available to protect Lisa, his highest priority.

Chapter 6

Wanton

Lisa was at the palace, lost and alone. Stretched before her was an endless corridor,
lined with paintings of long-dead kings and queens, their eyes peering at her in judgement.

“Will you look at the colour of her hair? Most unsuitable.”

“Yes, and we all know what sort of girl she is, the
true
nature of her character.”

She tried to run from their cruel words, but her legs didn’t seem to want to move.

“Ah, Princess Anneliese.” The King beckoned.

“But I’m not a princess, Your Majesty,” she said, bobbing a curtsy.

“You soon will be.” He gestured to the robed and crown-wearing princes circling them.

“But you said I can marry Nathaniel . . . I only want to marry Nathaniel.”

“We can’t always have what we want, my dear.” Lisa backed away from the princes’ grasping
hands, only to find herself in the middle of a vast ballroom, dressed in her maid’s
uniform, surrounded by a crowd of fashionably
attired lords and ladies.

“She doesn’t belong here.” A fair-haired debutante looked down her nose at Lisa. “She’s
not one of us.”

“Where are the guards?” A regal matron demanded, and Lisa turned and fled—straight
into the arms of Lord Copeland.

“I will have what is mine.” He reached for her mother’s necklace.

“No! The pearls belong to me, not you!”

Running away as fast as she could, she found herself outside the door to Nathaniel’s
study at Worthington.

“Come.” His voice beckoned at her timid knock, and she entered in a rush.

“Nathaniel! Thank heavens I’ve found you.”

The soft glow from a fireplace showed him seated at his desk, his fingers drumming
on the gleaming mahogany surface. He didn’t rise to greet her.

“Nathaniel?” Puzzled by the severity of his expression, she hesitated just inside
the door.

“Come here.” His voice was low and husky, but there was no denying his words were
a command, not a request.

On trembling legs, she approached, halting a few feet from where he sat angled away
from his desk.

“Closer.” He gestured her forward until she was in the V of his legs. Standing, she
was only a little taller than he was seated, and with a slight tug of the hand he’d
curved around the back of her neck, he brought her lips into alignment with his. The
kiss was savage in its intensity and ended almost as soon as it began.

“And so your punishment begins.” His gaze roamed her body.

“Punishment?” Lisa shivered. She had only ever seen Nathaniel angry with others, usually
on her behalf. It had never been directed at her before. Glancing down, she saw the
evidence of his arousal straining against his breeches and felt her own desire rising.
“But what have I done wrong?”

“Did you honestly think I would forgive your deception so easily?”

“But I explained why I had to lie. I thought you understood.” Her hands rose to clutch
at his shoulders.

“Oh, I understand.” He leaned forward so his words were carried on a tantalising breath
against her ear. “I understand the blood that rages with passion through your veins
is far from blue. You don’t fool me
.
”

His eyes dropped to her suddenly bare chest and the hand that was cupped intimately
around one of her breasts. Her nipple peaked at his touch, sweet sensation flooding
her and a whimper escaping her lips.

“My point exactly,
Anneliese.
” He drew out her name, making each syllable last for a long, fraught moment. “You
can’t hide your true
nature.”

“There’s a problem with my responding to your advances?”

“Not if you were a common, lusty wench.” He smiled before lowering his head to tease
her breasts with his mouth.

She had gone for so long without his touch—grief-stricken and despairing of ever feeling
it again—and she pressed forward. He drew her nipple into his mouth, suckling it with
tongue and lips and gentle grazes of his teeth. Arching against him, Lisa threaded
her fingers through his hair. Then suddenly she was facing away from him, bent over
the desk with her skirt bunched around her waist as he entered her from behind.

It had happened so suddenly, abruptly, that her mind reeled, even as her body readily
accepted the invasion.

“This is what you want, isn’t it?” Nuzzling the curve of her neck in time with his
determined strokes, he kissed the sensitive skin.

“Oh, yes.” There seemed no point denying the obvious.

“You like it when I take you on my desk?”

“I do,” she whispered. “I like it very much.” Pleasure pulsed low in her belly like
flashes of lightning along her sensitised nerves. Holding her breath, she reached
expectantly for the rapture she had only ever known with Nathaniel, but to her dismay,
his movements stilled.

“I’ll tell you why you aren’t offended by me treating you like this.” He spoke softly
in her ear. “It’s because you are
not
a true lady, Anneliese? In fact, we both know you are thoroughly wanton!”