The Prince's Bride (21 page)

“We’re here.” Rand’s tired voice awakened Jocelyn from a restless doze. She peered out the carriage window. It was late afternoon and they’d made much better time than they’d anticipated.

“Where, precisely, is here?” Alexei voiced the question uppermost in Jocelyn’s mind.

“London,” Rand said. “My townhouse. I suggest you change here, then go on to your hotel.”

Alexei nodded. “Sound idea, cousin. I certainly can’t present myself to my entourage dressed like this. As it is, there will be no end of recriminations because of my absence. I daresay they’ve all been wondering when I was going to return and where I’ve been.”

“Some perhaps more than others.” Rand’s words were measured and his gaze met Alexei’s, neither obviously willing to give voice to uneasy speculation.

The carriage door opened. Rand allowed Nick to help him down, Jocelyn and Alexei following close behind. They stepped quickly to the front door. Jocelyn caught a brief glimpse of the surrounding street but she recognized it at once as not merely respectable but quite a fashionable area. Far nicer than she’d expected.

The door opened and a stern-faced butler gazed out at them. “May I help ...” The servant’s voice faltered and his eyes narrowed suspiciously. “My lord?”

“Yes, Chesney, it’s me.” Rand stepped past him and ushered Jocelyn and Alexei into a fair-sized entry hall. “It’s a rather long and bizarre story and I will be happy to give you all the absurd details at a later time. For now, please see to a change of clothing for His Highness and arrange for his transport to ...” He glanced at Alexei.

“The Pulteney.” Alexei pulled off his hat and thrust it at Chesney. “And do see to those clothes at once. I am most anxious to be on my way.”

“No doubt,” Chesney murmured, apparently too well trained to be overly shocked by the arrival of His Lordship and someone he referred to as
His Highness
in women’s clothing. Jocelyn wondered if the butler had seen much stranger sights on Rand’s doorstep.

“And have the maids draw a bath for Lady Beaumont—”

“Lady Beaumont?” Chesney’s eyes grew even wider, all training forgotten. Regardless of what other odd occurrences might have happened in Rand’s home, apparently there had never been a Lady Beaumont before.

“I suppose I failed to mention that when I left.” Rand passed a weary hand over his forehead, then realized he still wore his grandmother’s hat and pulled it off impatiently. The butler reached to take it even though the man was obviously still in something of a daze. Jocelyn would have laughed if she hadn’t been so tired.

“Chesney, I would like to present my wife.” Rand cast her an affectionate smile. “Viscountess Beaumont.”

“My lady.” Chesney bowed. “Welcome ... er ... home.”

“Good afternoon.” Jocelyn favored him with her brightest smile. This was not the way she’d ever planned on meeting the staff of a new husband, but then nothing about marriage had even remotely resembled her preconceived notions.

Rand laughed. “I don’t blame you for being a bit confused. I do promise to explain everything later.”

“As you wish, my lord.” Chesney’s momentary lapse in decorum vanished and he was once again the consummate butler who’d opened the door. “We were not certain when to expect your return, my lord. You were not specific about your plans and I fear the household is perhaps not up to snuff at the moment.”

Rand raised a brow. “I see. The mouse playing while the cat’s away, eh, Chesney?”

Chesney bristled. “Not at all, my lord, it’s simply that we are not entirely prepared for you and Lady Beaumont. However, we will do our best.”

Rand chuckled. “That’s all I ask.”

Chesney looked past Rand and nodded almost imperceptibly. At once two maids and an equal number of footmen appeared in the hall. Chesney took them aside and issued orders like an officer commanding efficient troops. Within moments the maids were headed up the gracious stairway and one of the footmen had vanished into the deeper recesses of the house.

“Your Highness.” Chesney gave Alexei something that was half nod, half bow. “If you would be so good as to accompany me.”

“Excellent.” Alexei sighed. “I cannot wait to get these wretched clothes off.” He glanced at Jocelyn, his tone resigned. “Although I shall be eternally grateful for the kindness of the woman who loaned them to me. Furthermore, I shall make certain she is amply reimbursed for the garments as well as her trouble.”

Jocelyn smiled with satisfaction. “It’s no less than I expected from you, Your Highness.”

“Yes, well, expectations are not always met. More’s the pity.” He stared at her thoughtfully, then turned and followed Chesney up the stairs.

Rand spoke to the remaining footman in a low voice and Jocelyn studied him carefully. In spite of how well she believed she knew him by now, there was obviously still a great deal he had neglected to tell her. Starting with this townhouse. This was not the home of a man of modest means.

The footman left the hall and Rand turned to her with a smile. “I have a few errands that cannot wait. Among them arranging for men to watch the house. I shall return in plenty of time to dress for tonight. Once this blasted Avalonian business is wrapped up, we should have no further involvement. Unless these plans too have changed, Alexei was to return to—”

“This is your house then?” she blurted.

“Well, I do tend to think of it more as my mother’s. Of course she’s rarely in London.” He hesitated. “But yes, I suppose it is, in terms of legal ownership, mine.”

“It’s quite nice.” She narrowed her eyes. “Even somewhat grand.”

“Oh, I would scarce call it grand.”

“I think it’s past time you told me—”

Before she could finish he stepped to her and swept her into his arms. “I think it’s past time I told you how thoroughly wonderful I think you are. We might not have made it here without you.”

“I’m confident you would have arrived safely.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled up at him. Time enough later to discuss his finances. Right now she was more than willing to allow him to distract her. “Oh, certainly the two of you might have killed one another on the way.”

“Fortunately you were there to make certain we behaved like proper”—he grinned—“ladies.”

She laughed, then pulled him closer and brushed her lips across his. “Isn’t the time for proper behavior past?”

“Um-hmmm.” His lips trailed to the side of her neck and he nuzzled the point just below her ear. Delicious anticipation washed through her. “Alexei is to leave London tomorrow for Avalonia. Which means he and the conspiracies whirling about him will be none of our concern and out of our lives forever.”

She could scarcely concentrate on his words and didn’t particularly care. Her eyes drifted closed and she reveled in the sensation produced by his whispers against her skin.

“And we can begin our lives together.”

“Indeed we can, dearest husband,” she said softly.

“Dearest wife.” His lips met hers in a gentle kiss. For an endless moment his mouth plundered hers, sweet with words he hadn’t yet said but were there between them nonetheless. Lovely warmth spread from her toes upward.

He drew his head away from hers and smiled ruefully. “I have to go.”

“I know,” she said with a sigh.

“I won’t be gone long.” His dark eyes simmered with desire.

She smiled. “I know.”

He didn’t move. “I don’t want to go at all.”

“I know that too.”

He was as obviously reluctant to release her as she was to let him. Still, she pulled away. “Go now, before I change my mind and insist you stay.”

“I could help you change your mind.” A wicked smile quirked his lips. “About my staying and any number of other things.”

“No doubt you could.” She laughed. “And I shall quite look forward to your attempts.”

He turned to leave, then without warning turned back, pulled her swiftly into his arms, kissed her hard, and released her. He nodded and grinned. “Until I return, then.”

“Until you return,” she said in an altogether too breathless voice. And knew she would count each and every minute until then.

Jocelyn had never been in, nor had she ever seen, a bathing tub this big.

She sank down until the water came up to her chin and stretched her legs their full length and still there was room left. Steam rose in tiny little wisps and the heat flowed into her very bones. It was nothing short of heavenly. She could close her eyes and stay there forever.

The maids had explained that the huge, metal tub had been constructed to His Lordship’s specifications and permanently installed in a room off Rand’s bedchamber. They’d pointed with pride to the drain connected to a pipe that disappeared through a tight-fitting hole in the floor. They’d told her that while filling the tub was a bit of hard work, tidying up afterward was almost a delight. And both girls mentioned how pleased they were to work in such an up-to-date house.

Their comments gave Jocelyn a great deal to think about. As did the number of servants she’d seen thus far, the size of the house itself, the quality of the furnishings, and everything else. It was obvious Rand was somewhat better off than she’d assumed.

How much better off was the question. Was the cottage in the country truly a cottage or did he have another castle lurking about? Certainly his uncle’s home was badly in need of repairs and had obviously not had much invested in its upkeep. Still, did that mean anything at all when it came to Rand’s own property? Or rather properties. His townhouse was certainly impressive.

She sank a bit lower and blew a long breath, idly watching the water ripple away from her. Rand’s financial status was an interesting puzzle even if it really didn’t matter. She’d meant everything she’d said to her brother. She didn’t care a whit about how much money Rand did or did not have even if she’d prefer that he not be completely impoverished. She’d already experienced a certain amount of impoverishment and that was quite enough, thank you. Still, it was nice to know Rand had some money, although admittedly with this particular man even impoverishment would be bearable. He meant far more to her than any possible fortune.

“I see you appreciate my tub.” Rand stood leaning in the doorway leading to his,
their,
bedchamber, arms folded over his chest.

“It must have been dreadfully expensive,” she said mildly.

He paused for a moment, then shrugged. “Dreadfully. Do you think I was overcharged?”

“Absolutely not.” She sighed with delight. The hot water had done its work well. She was both relaxed and refreshed. “It’s wonderful. I daresay I shall spend as much time as possible right here in the future.”

“Oh you will, will you?” He straightened and stepped toward her. She resisted the urge to cover various parts of her body with the tiny cloth she’d used to wash with.

“Indeed I shall.” She rested her head on the back of the tub and watched him through half-open eyes. “It’s not merely pleasant, it’s rather decadent.”

“I’ve always been fond of decadence.” He stepped closer. His gaze slid over the surface of the water, and her nipples hardened with the look in his eye. “I’ve always been rather impatient with meager tubs as well. This one is suitable for soothing overtaxed muscles or easing overworked minds.”

“It has definitely worked its magic on me,” she murmured.

He slipped out of his jacket and tossed it aside. “I will admit, however, that this isn’t quite as self-indulgent as it appears. It was originally designed for a more practical purpose. After my return home, the pain in my shoulder was at times unbearable. I found soaking in hot water helped soothe the ache.”

“What are you doing?” she asked idly, knowing full well what he was doing.

“Disrobing.” He loosened his cravat and pulled it free. “I tend to do that before I get in the water.”

“Oh? Do you feel the need to soothe an ache then?”

He raised a brow but she knew exactly what she had said and exactly how it had sounded. He unbuttoned his waistcoat. “Indeed I do.”

“Aren’t you afraid your valet will come in?”

“Actually, I don’t have a valet. Chesney serves in that capacity when necessary although I have never had a great deal of trouble dressing myself. Or undressing myself.” He removed the waistcoat and it joined the rest of his clothing. “And I have taken the precaution of locking the doors.”

“You are prepared.”

“I have also sent a footman to Effington House to fetch an appropriate gown for you for tonight’s festivities.”

“How efficient of you.” She hadn’t considered the question of what she would wear to the gala. The only dresses she had with her were still in her bag and wouldn’t do at all for an event like this evening’s. His thoughtful gesture warmed her heart almost as much as his touch.

“I do try.” He drew his shirt off over his head, then pulled up a chair and perched on the edge to remove his boots.

“Just to make certain I understand your intentions, I gather you are planning on joining me?”

“Indeed I am.” A wicked smile curved his lips. “Do you mind?” He stood and pulled off his breeches.

She ignored the question and studied him provocatively. “Have you ever had more than one person in this tub at a time?”

“Let me think.” He furrowed his brow thoughtfully and stepped to the side of the tub. He was obviously more than ready to join her and just as obviously bathing was not what he had in mind. “Was she ... ? No. Or the one with the ...” He grinned down at her and shook his head. “No. Never.”

“Are you certain?” Would she ever tire of staring at him naked? He was certainly well worth looking at. His scar was pink and puckered and she hoped there would come a time when he would tell her just how he got it. If not—desire shivered through her—well, she could live with not knowing all his secrets.

“I’m certain I would remember. I am certainly planning on remembering this.”

She pulled her knees up to her chest to allow him room. He stepped over the side of the tub and lowered himself into the water. They sat facing each other, his smile a reflection of her own, then without words he reached for her and drew her to him until her knees straddled his legs and his hard erection nudged against her. Her arms slipped around his neck and her lips found his. His kiss was long and languorous as if they had all the time in the world, and indeed they did. Her tongue met his in a slow erotic dance heightened by the feel of water lapping against them. His hands slid down her back, and he cupped her buttocks and pulled her closer. She angled her hips slightly and he slipped into her. She sighed with the delightful sense of fullness. For long moments they did nothing but savor the feeling of connection.

Slowly he moved within her and she responded with a restraint to match his own. She closed her eyes and pulled her head back, arching her neck to allow him to kiss the line of her jaw and her throat. Her breasts pressed against his wet chest and she reveled in the feel of the smattering of hair rough against her sensitive flesh. The water encompassed them, enveloped them, embraced them.

Need coiled within her and he knew and responded. His thrusts grew deeper and she moved with him. Water smacked against the sides of the metal tub, in odd accord with their ever-increasing rhythm. They moved together faster and harder, and ecstasy filled her, surrounded her as liquid, as all-consuming as the water around them. She clutched at his shoulders, and his grip tightened on her derriere. The sound of water splashing over the rim accompanied their labored breathing and the thudding of her heart in her ears. And when she thought she would die with the sheer joy of it, glorious release exploded within her and she gasped with delight. And he thrust once more and his own release shuddered through them both.

She sagged onto his chest and listened to the rapid beat of his heart echoing her own and the calmer slap of the water against the tub. They lay together for long sated moments, wrapped in each other’s arms. Peace flowed over her and through her as fluid as the water and she knew without any doubt that no matter what forces of fate had driven her into his arms, this was exactly where she was meant to be.

At last he chuckled beneath her. She raised her head and smiled into his eyes. His dark, endless eyes.

“And what, my lord husband, do you find so amusing?”

“My dear wife, that was not amusement. That was the sound of a man well satisfied with his lot in life.” He brushed his lips across hers. “And his wife.”

She grinned with a happiness that threatened to overwhelm her. “I daresay the maids will not be nearly as satisfied with theirs when they see this mess we’ve left for them to mop up. Half the water in the tub is now on the floor.”

“They’ll have to get used to it.” His smile was lazy and more than a bit smug and didn’t bother her in the least. “I’m not certain I shall ever bathe alone again.”

A wicked light gleamed in his eye. “I find company is an excellent way to soothe any and all aches.”