True Love's Deception (book 3) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (20 page)

Rubbing his thumb over her bottom lip, he grinned. “Why do you say that, my dove? What makes me so perfect?”

“There are a number of things. Your ability to hob-knob with my father’s friends is notable. You speak like them and have their impressive manner. I am also pleased with how quickly you learn.”

He shrugged. “I suppose I have hidden talent.”

She chuckled. “It’s not hidden any longer.”

“Only to you.”
He stroked her cheek.

“And only because I’m paying you well.”

Inwardly, he scowled. Why did she have to say it
that
way? If he didn’t know any better, he’d think she was purposely trying to ruin the moment.

Maybe she was.

Yet, if she didn’t want to be here in his arms, she could pull away at any moment. She wasn’t. Her dreamy eyes were enchanting, and her voice seductive. Every indication made him think that she indeed wanted to be kissed. He wouldn’t just kiss her. Money was
not
the reason he stayed with her now.

“I do not want to discuss money.” He lowered his mouth. “There are far more important things than conversing at this particular moment.”

Her gaze dropped to his lips.
“Converse?
Why, Andrew. If I didn’t know better, I would think you wanted to stray from verbal communication.”

“You are a mind reader, my dove. The only way to communicate now is with my mouth and hands,” he muttered as he brought his mouth down and swept his lips over hers in a soft caress.

Juliana’s sigh tickled his cheek before she kissed him back. His heart soared. Eagerness to please this woman beyond her fondest dream overcame him and directed each movement.

He stroked her neck and she broke the kiss to tilt back her head as a pleasurable sigh escaped her. He moved his mouth to her neck, spreading kisses all over her exposed skin. She moaned and held him to her chest.

 
“Oh, Andrew.”
She threaded her fingers through his hair, bringing his head closer to her neck.

“Juliana,” he muttered before pulling back only enough to stare deep into her eyes. “Do you know what you do to me every time I kiss you?”

Nodding slowly, she moved her hands against his chest. He gritted his teeth. Heat soared through his body, igniting his desire that much more.

“I hope you feel the same thing I do,” she whispered.

He closed his eyes and smiled, leaning his face into the crook of her neck. “If you feel so out of control it makes you dizzy, yet you don’t want it to end, then yes, I do,” he said with a tight voice.

He prayed she was falling in love with him, because he knew that had been the emotion soaring inside of him lately. Bringing his mouth back to hers, Juliana hungrily met his kiss. Slowing the rhythm, he pecked at her lips as her body relaxed into his tight embrace.

“Juliana?” he muttered against her mouth.

“Uh?”

“Do you think,” he kissed her again, “we would be missed by our guests if I took you upstairs to my room?”

She smiled and tilted her head back. He continued to place kisses over her chin and neck.

“Probably.”

“Would it cause a scandal if we do disappear for a half hour or more?”

“Probably.”

“Would you object if I swept you away and took you to paradise tonight?”

She took hold of his face and lifted it until his gaze met hers. The smile still graced her face as she caressed his lips with her fingers.

“Not at all, Andrew.
In fact, I encourage it.”

His heartbeat thudded hard against his ribs. She finally said the words he wanted to hear. Could
Maddie
had
been wrong when she informed him of Juliana’s plans to get to know Gregg better tonight? Or had Andrew been the man Juliana wanted all along?

“Oh, Juliana,” he muttered as he pulled her close for another kiss. She allowed him a few more seconds of pleasure before pulling away.

“But not now,” she whispered. “We really should return to our guests.”

“Drat!”

She chuckled. “But I do think we can hint they leave as soon as possible.”

“Pray, how do we do this without raising eyebrows?”

“We have our servants remove the food from the buffet table.”

Throwing back his head, he laughed and gathered her close against him.
“Oh, Juliana.
You are a treasure.”

She slipped her arms around his waist and kissed his chest. “I suggest we hurry before I lose my nerve.”

He cupped her face and stared down into her warm eyes. “I won’t let you, my dove. I will do everything I can to keep you by my side for the whole evening.”

“Promise?”

“Definitely.”

With his heart beating with renewed life, he escorted Juliana back to the party. He tried to keep his pace slow and calm, but the closer they came to the house, their footsteps picked up and they almost ran. By the time they made it to the door, they were laughing.

Andrew couldn’t believe his dream was coming true. He would actually get to claim her and make her his wife this very night. Could the evening get any better?

He hoped it did nothing but improve from here on out.

* * * *

“Oh, Lord Edward.
I cannot believe you were asking my sister about me. I thought for certain you were more interested in Juliana.”
Maddie
batted her lashes as she walked side-by-side with the very charming man near her mother’s flower garden.

Lord Edward led the way, heading away from the house lanterns, closer to the shadows.

He chuckled. “Why would I be interested in your sister when she is married?” He stepped closer as his arm circled around her waist. “Besides, you are much more charming and beautiful than your sister.”

Maddie
giggled. “Why thank you, kind gentleman. I also think I have a better temperament.”

“Very true.
I remember as a child how unruly and misbehaved she was.”

She laughed. “That is saying it nicely, Lord Edward.”

Glancing back toward the house and skimming her gaze across the lawn, she searched for Andrew. He and Juliana had come out here not too long ago. But where were they now? Andrew must notice
Maddie
being led into the shadows by a mature man because Andrew would certainly come to her rescue then.

She turned and met Edward’s heated gaze before it left her face and roamed over her body. Tingles of awareness pricked her skin. Although it was enjoyable to have a man like Edward stare at her so boldly, she really wanted Andrew to do that. She wanted Andrew to love her—and only her. She hoped the lie she told him earlier worked.
Maddie
was desperate and she didn’t want to lose Andrew.

The further away from the lanterns they strolled, the more her heartbeat quickened.
Where are you Andrew?
“Do you think we should return to the party?”

“Why? We haven’t done what we came out here to do, my dear.”

She sucked in a quick breath. What was he talking about? Did he think she came out here to kiss him? If so, she would gladly get the deed over and done with so he could take her back.

Smiling, she cocked her head. “Are you talking about stealing a kiss from me?”

He laughed as he pulled her behind some hedges, out of the way of the house’s view. “That is a nice place to start.” Cupping her face, he bent his head and captured her mouth with his.

She gasped from the suddenness of his actions. Although it wasn’t unpleasant, he still was not the man she wanted. However, the quicker she could kiss him, the quicker he would take her back to the party.

Circling her arms around his neck, she pressed herself against him, participating in the kiss.
Nice, but not exciting.
She broke the kiss and pulled away from him. “There. Now let’s go back.”

“I don’t think so, dear
Maddie
.”

Growling, he pulled her into his arms again. This time when he kissed her, his lips pressed harder against hers.

For the second time, she broke the kiss. “Lord Edward. I think you have received the wrong impression this evening. I didn’t want to come out here and do this with you.”
Only Andrew.

He gazed down at her, shaking his head. “
Maddie
, you cannot dress the way you have tonight and act like a harlot without being treated like one.”

His arms tightened around her as he captured her mouth once again. Fear surged through her, and the more she struggled to get out of his grasp, the more punishing his kiss became. She whimpered, which only seemed to ignite fuel inside him. She slapped at his wandering hands, but it didn’t faze him. In one fast sweep, he laid her on the ground. It seemed his mouth and hands couldn’t keep in one place for a second.

“Edward, stop.”

“I don’t think so, my lovely. You are too desirable. I want to see
all
of you.”

“No!” Once again, she tried pushing his hands away and moving him off her, but his strength was overpowering.

When the material of her bodice gave way in one loud rip, she screamed and slapped his face. “Get off me!”

Growling, he pinned her body to the ground with his and silenced her with his mouth. Madeline whimpered as tears streaked her face. She couldn’t let him defile her in the worst way—right here in her own yard. But she feared she didn’t have any other choice.

Andrew, please come now!
Would he not rescue her when she desperately needed him?

All hope was lost. A sob escaped her throat, and she prayed once again for someone to save her from this evil attacker.

Suddenly, Edward’s body was pulled off her as he fell to her side. She blinked with wet, wide eyes at her knight. Although she didn’t recognize him at first because of her tears, relief of gratitude flowed through her.

“Lord Edward
Carlston
. You should be ashamed of yourself.” Her rescuer bent over struck Edward across the face who still sat on the ground. “The woman was struggling underneath you. Could you not tell she wanted you to stop? Were you going to rape the poor girl?”

Madeline
hiccupped
a sob and brought her fist to her mouth. His voice didn’t sound like Andrew’s. So...who was this man?

Edward scowled at the other man. “You had no right to interrupt us.”

“I do when you are taking advantage of a defenseless young girl.”

Edward glanced at Madeline then looked back at her rescuer. “Look at her, man. A young girl cannot act wanton without any decent gentleman thinking improper things. She wants to be deflowered badly, and I was going to be the fortunate chap.”

She huffed, leaned next to her and slapped Edward’s face. “How dare you—”

Edward grabbed her hand. His tight grip made her whimper. The other man yanked Edward up by the lapels of his jacket until he was standing.

“Do not touch the girl,” the stranger commanded.