Vengeance 02 - Trust In Me (22 page)

“He seemed distraught at your presence.”

Those blue eyes held hers, refusing to let go, and she barely managed to hold on to her composure. “I’m so pleased he’s recovering,” she said at last. “Nothing else matters.”

He continued to stare at her, his brow creased, as though she were an oddity he couldn’t understand.

Much to her dismay, tears filled her eyes. She wiped them away, willing herself to calm down, to stay strong in front of him. “If you could please give me a few moments alone – ”

“Nay.” He stepped closer and took her hands in his. “I know this must be difficult for you.”

She looked up in surprise, her tears making it hard to see him clearly.

He cupped her cheek with a gentle hand. The offer of comfort was much more than she’d expected from him. Helplessly, she leaned into it, craving his touch.

“Elizabeth...” He wiped away a tear with his thumb. “I’m sure he’ll understand once I explain.”

With a sniff, she pulled away from the warmth of his hand. “The way you understand?”

He had the grace to look remorseful.

Anger filled her, a welcome change from the hurt. “Perhaps it would be best if you go. You’ve made it quite clear that you don’t care for me. Please don’t pretend otherwise. I’ll stay away from William as you requested.”

He did not move, only continued to stare at her with an expression she couldn’t interpret. “Elizabeth, there are many things you don’t understand. About me. I am not who you think I am.”

“Another secret identity?” She couldn’t help the bitterness of her tone. “In addition to Lord Trisbane?”

A long moment passed before he answered, “What if that was true?”

She scoffed. “Apparently you have everyone here fooled. They all think you’re Lord de Bremont.”

He rubbed his brow, and she wondered if another headache plagued him. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then please explain.” Puzzled by his strange comments, she hardly knew what to say, couldn’t begin to guess at what he was attempting to tell her.

He walked to the window and stared out. “I am...different from others. I...” Again, he rubbed his head and sagged against the wall with a grimace.

Now he was frightening her. She drew nearer, scrutinizing his face, unable to guess at what could be wrong. “Are you ill? Do you have another headache?”

He drew in a sharp breath, and she had her answer.

“Sit,” she directed as she pushed him onto the bench beside the window.

To her surprise, he sat down heavily, his elbows on his knees, his head in his hands. She tentatively touched the back of his neck, but he did not seem to have a fever as far as she could tell. “Should I fetch Mildred?”

“Nay,” he said, his voice barely audible. “A moment, if you please. It will pass.”

Unease filled her. She couldn’t help but wonder if something terrible ailed him. Was that what he was trying to tell her? “What is it, Nicholas?”

He only shook his head.

Unsure what to do, yet unable to do nothing, she ran a hand across his broad shoulders. The thick, corded muscle tensed beneath her fingers then slowly eased as she rubbed. He drew a deep breath, which she took as a sign that her touch helped. Perhaps she was lessening his pain. She stepped closer and, with slow, methodic movements, stroked the back of his neck and his temples.

His sigh sent warmth spearing through her, curling low in her belly. She ran her fingers through his thick, black hair, massaging his scalp as well. He moaned and helpless to resist, she stepped between his open knees. Somehow she felt free to touch him since he wasn’t looking at her, and her massage became a caress.

He leaned his forehead against her stomach, and her breath caught as heat gathered where they touched. He wrapped his arm about her waist and longing filled her. Though she feared she’d regret it, she bent to kiss his head, her lips lingering against the softness of his hair.

In one smooth movement, he rose to stand before her, his arms holding her tight. His heated gaze locked on hers, and she held her breath. Would he push her away again? Tell her this was a mistake?

Instead, his gaze dropped to her lips. “What sort of spell have you cast over me?” he whispered.

She opened her mouth to deny any such thing, but before even one word escaped, he captured her lips with his own. He crushed her to him, and she reveled in the feeling of being wanted, of being needed. Desire weighting her limbs, she twined her arms across the broad expanse of his shoulders.

His lips continued their assault, his tongue dueling with hers. He slid his hands into her hair, touching her neck, before moving down her back to settle on her hips. He fit her tightly to his hard form, and she ached with the pleasure of it.

Wave after wave of longing pulsed through her. Did it come from within her or emanate from him? Both, she was certain.

His hands roamed yet again, up and down her body, weaving magic as they went. He was the one who had cast a spell over her. She mimicked his movements, hoping her touch might bring him as much pleasure as his did to her.

His kisses moved down to her jaw line, to her neck, then to her ear. Shivers coursed through her, making breathing all the more difficult. Anxious to please him, she moved her lips to follow the same path on him.

His groan was all the encouragement she needed. He tipped his head to allow her access to his neck, but seemed to think better of it and captured her lips instead. The urgency of his touch increased, his hands holding her ribs on the underside of her breasts. His hardness pressed into her softness, and she released a sigh of pleasure.

He moved his hand, this time taking full possession of her breast. He squeezed its fullness, and she arched back to further enjoy his touch. When he released it, she moaned in protest.

Afraid he meant to stop, she opened her eyes to look at him.

And saw she need not be concerned.

Desire, strong and sure, showed plainly on his face. She cupped her hand to his cheek, unable to voice what she wanted so badly, frightened that he’d turn away from her once again.

As though he’d read her mind, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed and joined her there.

The weight of his body on hers pleased her. He felt so good, so right. Her hands ventured to his shoulders, amazed at the strength of him. His arms could easily crush her, yet they now held her with such gentleness. Bolder, she explored his well-defined chest through his tunic, the soft fabric making the firmness beneath all the more tantalizing.

“I would please you, Elizabeth. For this one moment, we’ll set aside our differences. I would make up for the interruption of the day at the cottage. Will you let me?”

She drew in her breath, scared to believe him. Could she open herself to him? Risk her heart again?

His hardness pressed against her thigh, obvious even through their layers of clothing. Her heart sped up its frantic rhythm.

Though she didn’t know what could come of their marriage and all the complications surrounding their relationship, she knew she wanted Nicholas. For this one enchanted afternoon, she wanted him in every way possible. Regardless of his previous rejection of her or what might come in the future, she loved him, body and soul.

Perhaps he felt something for her as well – despite his gruff exterior that hid the softness of his essence. His kind acts toward others, including her, revealed his true nature. He was a man of honor who kept his word, who protected those in need. He had extra bread baked for her, he gave young boys badges to reward them, and he allowed old servants to keep their pride and still serve a purpose.

She could see through his oftentimes harsh behavior to the real man underneath. Why he chose to hide his true self, she couldn’t guess. Nor could she guess what he meant about being different. She could only hope that one day she could earn his trust so he would tell her.

“Aye, please.” She smiled up at him, at peace with her decision.

He threw the heavy fur that had served to separate them during the night to the floor as though glad to be rid of it. Then, he moved to her side, and before she could miss the warm, heavy weight of him, he began to caress her every curve, his hands molding her kirtle to her. A moan rose in her throat, and she gave voice to it. His lips moved to her neck, kissing, licking and nipping, until she stirred restlessly beneath him.

“Elizabeth, you are exquisite.”

His words fueled her desire. She throbbed everywhere he touched. “As are you.”

His surprised chuckle made her smile. He looked at her with wonder, his gaze lingering on each feature, heating her further without touching her.

With slow, careful movements, he unplaited her hair, threading his fingers through her tresses, his light touch nearly as intoxicating as his kisses. Those clever fingers found the laces of her kirtle and pulled them free. The garment opened to his searching hand and revealed her linen shift. He eased both down her shoulders and rained kisses on her skin as he explored her.

She decided to do the same and found the bottom of his tunic to raise it up, running her fingers across the flatness of his stomach to the smooth skin of his back, then on to the sculpted muscles of his chest. Those muscles flexed as she caressed him, his nipples pebble hard. She wanted to see what felt so intriguing beneath her fingers. She pulled his tunic higher, and he rose up to kneel before her and help her remove it.

As it passed over his head, he hesitated, uncertainty evident on his face. “Elizabeth,” he began. “I should tell you...”

“Nay.” She didn’t know what he intended to say, but she truly didn’t care. Nothing would ruin this moment, not this time, not when she was finally in his arms again. Their problems would have to be sorted out later. “Let us forget about the past and the future and focus only on this moment.”

The time was hers, and she would not stop now. This man was her husband, and she loved him.

Her gaze holding his, she took his hand and drew him down to her. She pressed kisses to the broad expanse of his chest, breathing in the clean scent of him. She felt his breath catch and his muscles quiver as she moved her hands over him. She took pleasure in her new-found feminine power, testing it as she explored his heated skin.

“Elizabeth.” He said her name again with desire this time. He reached out to touch her cheek before teasing the sensitive skin of her neck, then moved lower still to linger at the hidden curves of her breasts.

She held her breath as his fingers played against her skin, her breasts tingling with anticipation. At last, he grazed her nipple, and she gasped with pleasure at the sensation. Desire shot through her body and pulsed deep within her.

He gently pulled down the top of her shift further to reveal her breasts to his heated gaze. “You are more beautiful than I could possibly have imagined.”

She smiled, pleased at his compliment. Then all thoughts left her as his rough fingers alternated with his calloused palm to perform an intricate dance on each breast.

He kissed her shoulder, his mouth leaving a heated trail as he moved lower. His mouth was so hot. She arched back and tangled her fingers in his hair as he gave each breast equal amounts of attention. A growing ache filled her. “Nicholas, please.”

“Aye,” he murmured against her breast. “Please.”

The sight of him kissing her so intimately nearly matched the pleasure of his mouth on her. When she was certain she could bear it no longer, he moved back up, the smooth skin of his chest grazing hers, adding another layer of sensation to her heated flesh. She shifted against him, eager to explore the feeling.

His hand stroked her upper thigh, and she caught her breath. His fingers caressed and kneaded her skin. Her legs tightened in response, and his fingers paused.

“Let me please you,” he murmured against her throat. He took her mouth with his as he explored her intimately.

She gasped, amazed at how he made her feel. The throbbing in her body kept beat with his touch until she felt she would burst with pleasure.

“Aye, Elizabeth,” he murmured.

But still she knew there was more. A fulfillment of this aching need that consumed her. “Nicholas?”

He moved away for a moment, but only to help her remove her clothing, layer by layer. His gaze took in every part of her, his appreciation visible on his face. Then, he removed his chausses and his manhood sprung free.

“Oh, my,” Elizabeth whispered as she trailed one finger along the shaft, amazed at the feel of it.

Nicholas moaned and so she wrapped her hand around him and slowed her exploration.

“No more.” Nicholas grasped her hand and held it against his chest. “Your touch undoes me.” He kissed her fingers and drew a deep breath before lying beside her once again.

He kissed her face and lips before nuzzling the curve of her neck. Her desire for him took on a new, softer hue, and her heart swelled with love.

“Your skin is so soft,” he murmured. “Nearly as soft as your hair.” He ran his fingers along her thick locks, over one breast, down to her stomach to swirl across her belly, then even lower.

Desire sharpened ten-fold as waves of sensation shot to her toes. Yet when he eased between her thighs, panic took hold. Though she had a basic idea of what would happen, she hadn’t expected to be so overwhelmed by the feelings coursing through her. It seemed he knew her form better than she.