The Earl's Inconvenient Wife (Regency Collection Book 1) (22 page)

Blast it all!  He knew!  Just like last time, he was letting her know it right away, too.  She got ready to defend herself when it occurred to her that someone might be watching them.  “Wait a moment.  I’ll explain everything soon.”

Without waiting for him to ask what she was doing, she hurried out of the room and checked to make sure there weren’t any holes behind any of the paintings adjoining the drawing room.  When she was assured that no one could spy on her and her husband, she returned to the drawing room.  She shut the door and faced him.  “I can explain.”

Though he looked curious about why she left the room, he focused on her.  “All right.  I’m listening.”

Good.  It was a start.  At least he wasn’t judging her…yet.  She went over to the settee and patted the space next to her.  “Will you sit with me?” She expected him to insist he’d remain standing, but he complied and settled next to her.  Good.  That was definitely a good sign.  “I wanted to show my sister that Lord Hedwrett wouldn’t make a suitable husband, so I thought it’d be to her benefit to see him as he really is.  The only way I could do that was to convince Mister Robinson to lend us some clothes—”

“Mister Robinson?”

She stared at his incredulous expression for a few seconds before she nodded.  “Yes.  Lord Clement’s ward.  So I wrote him a letter and asked—”

“You contacted Mister Robinson?  The one who is supposed to be at Weston emptying chamber pots so he could learn responsibility?”

“To be fair, he did this as a favor to me, and he notified Lord Clement what he was doing and why.  I think that was responsible of him, don’t you?”

Though he looked uncertain, he said, “I suppose.”

“So I asked him to bring me and Lilly a disguise.  My plan was to sneak into Lord Hedwrett’s townhouse so we could overhear you and him tonight.  I thought perhaps he’d let something unpleasant slip in his conversation with you since gentlemen are more apt to be bold in their speech when ladies aren’t around.”

“You snuck into his house?”

“Yes.”

“Did anyone see you?”

“His butler.” When she saw his face fill with dread, she quickly added, “But his butler knows someone who is a relative of someone who knows Mister Robinson…or something to that effect.”

He blinked and shook his head.  “What?”

“Never mind.  That part doesn’t matter.  What matters is that the butler was more than willing to turn the other way.”

“The butler could tell Lord Hedwrett.”

“He won’t.”

“How can you be sure?”

She shrugged.  “I believe Mister Robinson when he said the butler could be trusted.”

His eyes went heavenward and he let out a long sigh.

“Regardless, the matter is done now, and the important thing is my sister heard the conversation you and Lord Hedwrett shared.”

His gaze returned to her and he grimaced.

“Yes, I heard everything, and Nate,” she added as she snuggled up to him, “I think it’s wonderful you stood up for me like that.  It’s nice to know you care about me.”

His face softened and he smiled.  “Of course, I care about you.  You’re more than my wife.  You’re my friend, and I love you.”

Thrilled, she smiled in return.  “I love you, too.”

“But I don’t like the way you’re dressing up in disguises and sneaking off to places you shouldn’t be.  What if you get hurt?  What if Lord Hedwrett had caught you and your sister?  You might not always be lucky.”

“I know.  I won’t do it anymore.  I wouldn’t have done it this time if I wasn’t worried about my sister.”

“You can come to me instead of Lord Clement’s ward.”

Her eyebrows rose in disbelief.  “Can I?”

He started to answer her but hesitated.  “I would have found a different way of handling things with your sister, but yes, I would have helped you.”

Pleased, she kissed him.  “In the future, I’ll ask you to get me a disguise.”

Though he sighed, she noted the amusement in his tone.  “I have a feeling that being married to you will never be boring.”

“I should hope not.” Grinning, he pulled her to him, but before he kissed her, she asked, “Do you really know a gentleman at White’s Lord Hedwrett swindled?”

“I’ll tell you, but you must never tell anyone else, not even your sister.”

She nodded her agreement.

“I was bluffing
.  I don’t have any idea who he cheated.”

“I have a feeling you do a better job of deceiving people than I do.”

“I really hope you don’t make it a habit of putting on disguises.”

“I won’t,” she promised.  Then with a wicked grin, she added, “Unless you want me to.”

He chuckled and kissed her.  She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave into the thrill of being with him.  He deepened the kiss, and she parted her lips so his tongue could interlace with hers.  At the moment, it was just the two of them, and as they continued to kiss, she became aware of the ache forming between her legs.  Making love to him was still new, but she was quickly learning what brought her the greatest amount of pleasure.  What she wanted to do was learn how she could best please him.

When their kiss ended, she pulled far enough away from him so she could make eye contact with him.  “What can I do to please you?”

“You are pleasing me.” He took her hand in his and kissed her palm, an action that caused delightful chills to run straight to her toes.

As he kissed her hand again, her gaze lowered to his pants, noting the outline of his erection.  She’d seen him naked, but she hadn’t gotten up the nerve to explore him. 
She wondered if she should now.  He brought his mouth back to hers, his lips more demanding than before, evidence of his building passion.

“Nate,” she whispered.

“Hmm?” he asked as he kissed her jawline and then her neck.

She sighed and leaned into him.  This was one of the things that pleased her most.  He brought his hand to one of her breasts and cupped it in his hand.  His thumb brushed the area where her nipple was, and she involuntarily shuddered.  She wanted to feel his bare hands on her flesh, but first, she wanted to explore him, to fully learn his body.

“Nate,” she ventured again, her heart racing at the thought of even asking the question.

“What?”

His breath tickled her ear so she giggled.  Thankfully, the simple action helped to ease her apprehension.  She cleared her throat.  “Can I…?  That is, I haven’t touched you everywhere yet.”

He stopped kissing her and looked at her.  “You want to know me better?”

That wasn’t exactly the way she would have worded it, but the meaning was the same so she nodded despite her warm cheeks.  He released his hold on her and removed his clothes.  Her heart raced in anticipation.  She wondered if he was nervous, but if he was, he didn’t show it.

He offered a reassuring smile and brought her hands to his chest.  “You can touch me anywhere you want.”

Then he closed his eyes, something she appreciated since she felt awkward enough as it was without him watching her.  Despite the warmth rising to her cheeks, she explored his chest, her fingers brushing the fine hairs and teasing his nipples which grew hard in response.  He relaxed into the settee and ran his hand along her arm, a silent encouragement for her to continue.  Her gaze went to his arousal and then to his eyes to make sure he hadn’t opened them.

He still had them closed.  Relieved, she lowered her hands, intrigued to find out what he’d feel like in her hands.  He’d been inside her, something that brought her much pleasure.  Now as she traced his erection, she tried to memorize every part of it.  She lightly touched the tip and ran her fingers down his shaft.  Tentatively, she wrapped her hand around him and lightly squeezed him.  It struck her a strange thing that his skin was silky while he was hard.  His hand clasped around hers.  Surprised, she looked back at his face, but he still had his eyes closed.

“You can use more pressure,” he whispered and tightened his hand so she squeezed him.

“What else do you like?” she softly asked, almost hesitant since it was a bold move on her part.

He brought her hand to the base of his shaft and then brought it swiftly up to his tip and then brought it back down again.  He repeated the process several times until she got the hang of it.  When he released her hand, she continued the action.  It seemed such a wicked thing to do—touching a gentleman’s naked body while she was fully dressed.  But he moaned his appreciation and wiggled beneath her in a way that emboldened her to kneel in front of him so she could take him into her mouth.

He gasped in pleasure as she traced his tip with her tongue, tasting the salty bead of moisture along his slit.  She took more of him into her mouth and sucked lightly while using her hand to squeeze the base of his shaft.  He murmured his appreciation and cupped her face in his hands so he could guide her mouth up and down his shaft.

She followed his lead, aware of how this intimate contact was making her body ready for his entry.  It also gave her a feeling of power to know she could make him moan and squirm in pleasure.  She experimented to find out if he preferred it when she was going slow or fast, so she alternated between the two.

When she was satisfied with her exploration, he ordered her to sit on the settee.  Highly aroused from being so intimate with him, she obeyed, eager to find out what he had in mind.  He proceeded to undress her, his hands quick and sure as they removed each layer of clothing until she was naked in front of him.

Shooting her a mischievous look, he got on his knees.  He leaned forward and kissed her neck.  She closed her eyes and focused on his lips and his hands as they caressed her body.  Her pulse raced as his fingers brushed her breasts and then her nipples, purposely teasing her.  His thumb brushed her nipples which grew taut, and the ache between her legs increased, demanding that she find completion.

She whispered for him to touch her down there, and he lowered one of his hands.  She wiggled to get closer to him as his fingers brushed her sensitive nub, but he didn’t apply more pressure.  She didn’t know if she had the patience to wait.  A part of her wanted to draw this out, to enjoy every caress.  But another part, a more urgent part, insisted she climax now.  She made another attempt to wiggle closer to him but he stopped her.  She groaned in frustration, making him chuckle.

“It’s only fair I tease you like you teased me,” he murmured.

He lowered his head, kissing her as he went until his mouth reached her breasts.  He kissed one and then the other while two of his fingers slid into her body.  She arched her back and moaned.  His tongue traced her nipple and he suckled lightly on it, an action that only served to make her more eager for him as he slipped a third finger into her.  His thumb pressed firmly on her nub and worked in circular motions.  She rocked her hips against him, desperately seeking out the climax that was within reach.

But he stopped stroking her with his thumb and stilled his fingers.  She protested, but he ignored her and brought his head between her legs.  Opening her eyes, she watched as his tongue went to her sensitive nub.  She sharply inhaled and closed her eyes again.  He resumed his stroking, his fingers working expertly inside her, rubbing the sensitive region deep in her core while his tongue went in lazy circular motions on her sensitive nub.  She spread her legs further and rocked her hips in rhythm with him.  Her body quickly built up toward the climax, and she grabbed his shoulders and told him to keep going.  This time he didn’t stop.  She cried out as her orgasm came upon her, and she savored each wave of pleasure as it crashed into her.

Finally, when her body relaxed, his fingers left her body and he sat next to her.  With a wicked smile, he pulled her onto his lap and entered her.  She moaned in pleasure, her core still sensitive from her orgasm, and rocked her hips in time with his thrusting.  There was no long build up to another climax this time.  His actions were determined and focused, his thrusting taking her immediately to another climax, and as she cried out again, he grew taut and groaned while he released his seed into her.

Afterwards, she collapsed in his arms, and he held her tightly to him.  He placed her hand on his chest where she could feel his heartbeat.  She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder, content to rest in his embrace as she recalled how he told her that he loved her.

Chapter Twenty-Two

October

C
laire’s stomach rolled in protest at the thought of eating breakfast.  She shivered and pushed the plate away from her.  She couldn’t even manage to eat fruit today.  Glancing around the dining room to take her mind off the food, her gaze went to the large window and she smiled.  Weston was a wonderful haven from the distractions of London, especially when she got to spend her time with her husband.  And on this particular day, a nice ride on the estate might be a nice diversion.  She’d walk if she had the energy, but expecting a child proved to be a tiring experience, and she spent more time reclining on her daybed instead of going for walks as she often did.

“Are you all right?” Nate asked.

“I’m fine.” She turned her attention to him, noting his smile.  “You’re in a good mood.”

His smile widened.  “Why wouldn’t I be?  It’s a gorgeous morning, and I get to spend it with my wife.”

Her cheeks warmed at his words.  “I have a surprise for you.”

His eyebrows rose as he poked his fork into the last of his egg.  “Oh?”

“Yes, but I won’t tell you until we’re at the pond.”

“The pond?”

“Yes.  It’s a lovely place for a stroll, don’t you think?”

He nodded and f
inished his food.  “All right.” He glanced at her plate.  “You hardly ate anything.”

“There’s a good reason for that, but I want to tel
l you when we get to the pond.”

He placed his napkin on the table and rose to his feet.  “Are you ready?”

“Yes, I’m done,” she said and joined him as he left the dining room.

“Are you going to give me any hints regarding your surprise?”

“If I did that, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

Though he shook his head and let out an exasperated sigh, she noted his amusement.  “And you say I’m stubborn.”

She decided to ignore his comment and waited for the coachman to bring the carriage up to the house.  Turning to Nate, she gave him a kiss on the cheek.  “What I want to tell you is special, and I want the setting to be perfect.  You wouldn’t deny me that, would you?”

“No, I wouldn’t,” he admitted with a sly grin.

Her eyebrows furrowed.  Did he suspect the truth?  It wouldn’t be much of a surprise if he did.  Before she could give it any more thought, he led her out of the house and to the carriage.

On the way to the pond
, he sat next to her and took her hand.  “You look excited.”

“That’s because I am.”

“What are you excited about?”

She opened her mouth to tell him but stopped when she realized his ploy.  “You’re not getting me to say anything until we get to the pond.”

He grinned.  “I had to try.”

During the ride to the pond, he kissed her cheek and neck, making her giggle.  “Nate, you’re tickling me.”

“Do you mind?” he whispered and nibbled her ear.

Tingles of delight raced up and down her spine.  “No, but I didn’t realize I was so ticklish.”

“You weren’t ticklish last night.”

Blushing, she playfully shoved him away and straightened up as the carriage came to a stop.  “You’re a wicked man, Lord Roderick.”

“Lord Roderick?  Just a minute ago it was Nate.”

She smiled at his teasing tone but
turned her attention to the coachman when he opened the carriage door.  After she got out, Nate told him they’d be back shortly and guided her down the path that led to a pond surrounded by a beautiful variety of trees with colorful leaves.  She breathed in their sweet fragrance, thinking that few things were as perfect as enjoying a stroll with her husband in autumn.

“What a lovely sight,” she said as she squeezed his arm in appreciation.

He stopped and faced her.  “We’re here, and I’m impatient.  What do you have to tell me?”

She paused for a long moment and then broke into a grin.  “I suppose I made you wait long enough.  I’m expecting a child!”

His eyes lit up.  “You are?”

She nodded
.  “The baby will be here in May.”

He broke into a wide smile before he brought her into his arms and kissed her.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she returned his kiss.  Afterwards, she asked, “Did you know?”

“Would you be upset if I told you I suspected that’s what you had to tell me?”

“No, I suppose not.  But you’re happy?”

“Very.”

“That’s all that matters.”

Content, she put her arm around his and continued walking down the p
ath with him.  When she was done, they returned to the carriage.

As they rounded the bend that took them to the front entrance of the manor, she was surprised to see Perry’s carriage.  “Did you know your friend was coming this morning?” she asked Nate.

He stopped kissing her neck and peered out the window.  “I knew he planned to stop by today, but he never said when.  It’s a good time.  I can tell him the good news.”

As their carriage pulled up behind Perry’s, Claire realized Perry was standing by the butler who was waiting for them.  “I don’t think he’s been waiting that long.”

“No, but I wonder why he didn’t bother going to the drawing room.”

“Maybe he saw us coming and figured he’d wait outside.  Besides, it’s a sunny day.  Maybe he wanted to enjoy the nice weather.”

He shrugged.  “Whatever the reason, it’s good to see him.  He owes me a game of chess.”

“You aren’t still upset you lost the last game, are you?”

“Don’t be absurd.  I’m not upset.  I just want to make sure my strategy works, given the right circumstances.”

“Whoever wins, I’m sure you’ll have a good time.”

The footman opened their door and Nate followed her out of the carriage.

Perry limped over to them and grinned.  “Why Nate, I do believe you look happy today.”

“That’s because I’m going to win our next chess game,” he replied.

“You know what I like most about you?” Perry began as he pointed his cane at him.  “You never give up the hope that you’ll win a game.” Nate rolled his eyes, and Perry patted him on the shoulder.  Turning to Claire, he said, “I was unnecessarily cruel.  He does win a game every fifth time we play.”

“Every fifth time?” he huffed.

“Maybe sixth.” Perry shrugged.  “I can’t keep track.”

Claire giggled.

“Do you have anything interesting to tell me?” Perry asked, looking expectantly between her and Nate.

Nate nodded.  “I do, but have you found a wife yet?”

“I’m sorry to say not yet,
but maybe next year during the Season, I’ll find her.  Let me venture a guess on your news.  Claire is expecting a child?”

Claire sighed.  “Why do I get the feeling everyone already knows about the baby?”

“You’re an old married couple.  What other news could you have?” Perry teased.

“You have to get accustomed to Perry,” Nate told her.  “He thinks he’s funny.  Sadly, no one else agrees.”

“I don’t know what you would do without each other,” she said.  “Let’s go inside and have some tea.  I’d like to hear how your ward is doing now that he’s under your care again.”

As they turned to go into the house, Perry said, “He’s been much better.  I don’t know what you said to him, Claire, but he’s not the same person I sent here.  You must work miracles.  First, my friend and then my ward…  They’re all better off since you came into their lives.”

“Like I said, you’re not that funny,” Nate muttered, and despite his serious tone, Claire saw the twinkle in his eye.

Laughing, the three entered the drawing room.

***

July
1814

Weston

Claire ran to embrace her sister as Lilly and her husband got out of their carriage.  “I’m so glad you came,” Claire said as she pulled away from Lilly and examined her protruding belly.  “When will you give birth?”

“In October.”

“I’m so excited for you!”

“I am, too, and so is my husband” Lilly turned to Mister Morris.  “He’ll be a wonderful father.”

Mister Morris wore a grin that went from ear to ear.  “I hear you had a son,” he told Claire.

“Yes.  We named him Perry after my husband’s friend.” Claire motioned for Nate to join them.  “Don’t be shy, my lord.”

Nate walked over to them, bouncing a happy boy in his arms.  “I’m not shy.  I just didn’t want to interfere with two sisters hugging and laughing.  It’s good to see you, Mister Morris.”

“It’s an honor.  This is a fine estate, Lord Roderick,” Mister Morris said as he bowed.

Nate returned the gesture.  “Thank you.  Do you play chess?”

“Every chance I get.”

“Then you won’t mind playing a few games?”

“I’d be delighted.”

Claire accepted her son from Nate who instructed the butler to take in their luggage.

“My housekeeper will show you to your rooms, and then I’ll see how good you are at chess,” Nate told Mister Morris.  He glanced at Claire and Lilly.  “Will you be coming inside?”

“We’ll take a walk first,” Claire replied.  “We haven’t seen each other for a while, and it’ll be nice to find out everything that’s happening in London.”

He nodded and motioned for Mister Morris to join him and the butler.

Lilly accepted a reticule from the footman and rushed over to her.  “I want to give you something that I hope will remind you of me.  We haven’t been able to see each other as much as we used to, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think of you often.”

Touched by her words, she smiled and hugged Lilly again, careful not to make her son uncomfortable.  “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too, but we both married well, didn’t we?  Mother and Father are so proud.”

“Yes, I suppose they are, but…”

“But what?”

“Did you marry Mister Morris because you wanted to or did you feel you had no other choice?”

Lilly put her arm around Claire’s and led her down the path that would take them to the gazebo.  Once they were out of earshot of anyone who might overhear them, she said, “I wanted to marry him.  After that night we spied on Lord Hedwrett, I realized how much Lord Roderick loves you, and I decided I wanted the same kind of marriage you have.  There was only one
gentleman who loved me enough to stand up for me the way Lord Roderick stood up for you.” She shrugged and smiled.  “So I convinced Mister Morris to marry me.”

“Convinced him?”

“It’s a long story, but suffice it to say it took him a while to believe I’d be happy with him even though he didn’t have a title.” She opened her reticule and took out a cameo.  “I had this engraved with my name, and I’m wearing a matching one with your name on it.”

They stopped walking and Claire inspected the p
retty profile of the young lady on the cameo.  “It’s lovely.”

“This way, we can be with each other all the time.”

“I like that.” Perry fussed in her arms so Claire kissed his forehead.  “I think he’s getting tired.”

“Oh, let me hold him!” Lilly held her arms out so Claire complied and handed him to her.  She kissed his cheek and rubbed his back.  “He looks a lot his father.”

Claire giggled.  “He’s probably going to be a lot like his father, too.  I caught Nate reading one of his boring books to him.”

Lilly cringed.  “One of his political books?”

“Yes.”

“My poor nephew.” She rocked him in her arms and sighed.  “Thank goodness you have me.  I’ll make sure you get books that won’t bore you.” Lilly looked up from her nephew and added, “We’re lucky to have our husbands, don’t you think?”

“Yes, we are lucky.”

“And, of course, they’re lucky to have us.”

Chuckling, Claire took her sister by the arm and nodded.  “Yes, that’s true, too.”

The two sisters continued their walk to the gazebo, laug
hing and talking the whole way.