The storm had left with the descending darkness, taking the greater portion of Adeline’s outrage with it. She was now cozy, dry, and sitting snugly in front of her own fireplace dressed in her black velvet robe, smelling the pleasing aroma of cooked fruits that still wafted from the kitchen, though dinner had long past.
Crashing a gentleman’s card game wasn’t the way Adeline expected to make her debut back into Society, but it was too late to regret her hasty decision to charge in on the earl without being announced as he’d done to her not so long ago. Taking peers to task wasn’t the proper or advisable thing to do, yet she was unwavering that it was deserved. There could be some possible consequences in Society. If the older ladies in the ton decided to shun her for the scandalous behavior, everyone else would, too. That was simply the way of it. There was also her brother-in-law, the Earl of Wake, to consider. He was still in control of a good portion of the wealth from her marriage, but he’d never denied her use of it in any way she wished. She hoped he wouldn’t decide to now for her breach in proper manners.
Adeline sighed. Lyon had been nothing but trouble for her since he’d returned to his house. They’d managed to have a civil, if not friendly, exchange the day he’d brought over the tarts from Mrs. Feversham. Her exploit this afternoon had probably put an end to any friendly relationship they could have had going forward. That bothered her more than she expected. That Lyon had stood quietly and let her take him to task surprised her, too. She had to admire him for that. Gentlemen did not like to be taken to task by a lady—especially in front of other gentlemen.
Adeline rubbed the back of her neck, trying to ease the tension that had settled between her shoulders. She might as well close the book she held in her lap. There was no use in pretending to read. She couldn’t concentrate on the ghost story, and they were her favorites to read. A young maiden walking past gravestones in the middle of the night to get help for her ailing father just couldn’t hold Adeline’s attention tonight.
Thinking about the earl was the only thing on her mind. Whether she was looking at him or thinking about him, he haunted her with deep longing feelings she would like to explore but had little knowledge of how to go about letting him know.
It was maddening.
“Sorry to interrupt you, my lady.”
Adeline turned toward the doorway. “You know it’s not a problem, Mrs. Lawton. I am doing nothing other than wondering why I had that second slice of sweet cake after I ate the delicious pheasant soup you made for me tonight. It was very comforting and just what I needed after such a wet afternoon.”
The petite woman smiled appreciatively. “Thank you, my lady. It was my pleasure. I didn’t know if you wanted to receive anyone this late, but Mrs. Tallon is here and asking to speak with you.”
“Yes, of course.” Adeline laid the book aside and rose. “I’ll always speak to her no matter the hour. Ask her to come in and then you can retire for the evening. I’ll turn out the lamps when I’m ready to go up.”
Mrs. Lawton nodded and said, “Yes, my lady.”
Adeline made sure the lapels of her robe were secured and then bushed her hair away from her shoulders to her back. There was no time to make it more presentable. She’d left it down so it would dry before weaving it into her nighttime braid.
Mrs. Tallon walked in a moment or two later and stopped just inside the entrance. “I’m sorry to disturb you, Lady Wake. I didn’t realize you were ready to retire for the evening. I can come back tomorrow.”
“Nonsense. You’re here now. You know I’ve encouraged you to come to me if you thought I might be of assistance. What can I do for you?”
“I wanted to make you aware of something disturbing that’s been happening.” She hesitated.
A prickle of alarm came over Adeline as she walked around the chair she’d been sitting in and stood before Mrs. Tallon. “Has the earl been back over again to complain about the girls’ giggles?”
“Oh, no, no, my lady.” Mrs. Tallon dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand. “We’ve not seen or heard from him since that morn.”
“Good,” she said, her feelings of disquiet easing a little. “I’m glad. Please, feel free to speak your concerns.”
“I wanted to make you aware that one of the girls, Miss Fanny Watson, continues to disobey me and wanders away from the class and into other rooms. She’s gone outside the school building twice without permission.”
Adeline was more than a little surprised to hear that. She’d told Fanny that leaving the building without someone knowing was unacceptable and she must not do it again. “Did she wander away from the school grounds?”
“No. Both times I found her sitting on the front steps. But after the first time I found her doing so, I told her not to do it again. She disobeyed me and did it anyway. She’s very bright and articulate. She’s not disruptive in any way, but she’s—sly.”
Adeline blinked. That seemed a callous word for a ten-year-old, but she decided not to voice her opinion on that.
“Has she been mean toward any of the other girls? Has she pinched anyone or pulled their hair?”
“No. Most of the time her hands are behind her back.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“She’s not disrespectful at all. She finishes her work quickly and accurately. Most of the other girls need more help and attention than Fanny does. Some aren’t adjusting as well as others, which we talked about and expected. It’s natural, but when we get busy calming them, we’ll suddenly realize Fanny is gone.”
“Gone?”
“From the classroom. Sometimes she’s simply looking at the threads and fabrics in the workroom. She needs to stay where all the other girls are, no matter that she’s finished and they are not. I appreciate that you wanted me to be kind to them because of the unfortunate circumstances of their past, but I feel there must be a harsher punishment for Fanny because she continues to disobey me after verbal reprimands she clearly understands.”
After listening quietly to the woman, Adeline said, “Has she said why she doesn’t do as you asked?”
“Most of the time she only shrugs. She’s quiet. Even in the classroom she hardly speaks to anyone except Mathilda. Quite frankly, it’s much easier to deal with a child who talks too much because then, at least, you know what they’re thinking.”
Adeline remembered that Fanny had shrugged a few times the day she’d wandered into the garden, and she wasn’t very verbal at first. Still, once she’d started, she seemed to want to talk about her mother and father.
“Sitting on the front steps or looking around the workroom doesn’t seem an especially serious disobedience to me, but I do agree she should do as you instruct at all times.”
Mrs. Tallon pursed her lips and twisted her face into a stern frown. Her back stiffened.
Obviously, the headmistress didn’t think Adeline’s words were strong enough.
“To ensure everyone’s safety,” Mrs. Tallon said, “I must know where all the students are at all times. If every one of them wandered off any time they so pleased the school would be chaos and I’d have no control. As they become used to living here, I can give them more privileges, but it’s too soon for that. What kind of school would we have if they all did what they wanted when they wanted?”
Adeline understood perfectly what Mrs. Tallon was saying and probably should have told her about Fanny slipping out of the schoolhouse the day she wandered into the garden. But Adeline really didn’t want to get the little girl into more trouble.
“I know how disconcerting it must be to suddenly realize one of the girls is not with you and you don’t know where she is. I agree Fanny and everyone must abide by your rules and always stay with the others.”
“She might be a willful child. They are clever and can quickly learn how to control others and lead them astray, too. She needs to be dealt with in a strict manner now so as not to influence anyone else later. If I’m to be in charge I must … be in charge.”
The word strict wasn’t to Adeline’s liking, but she couldn’t disagree with Mrs. Tallon’s assessment of the situation so she asked, “What is your recommendation for a suitable punishment?”
“That she write her numbers and all her letters an extra fifty times each day. It should keep her busy so she won’t have time to go wandering off while I’m helping the girls who are struggling to cope with being away from home and learning their lessons, too.”
Thankful she wasn’t suggesting anything more severe, Adeline smiled and said, “Yes. It seems a fitting and fair punishment to me. And if you find she does the extra work too quickly, perhaps one of your helpers can spend more time with her and move her forward at a faster pace since she learns so easily.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” the schoolmistress said stiffly. “Thank you, my lady. I won’t take up any more of your time.”
After showing the woman out, Adeline walked back into the drawing room. She found solace in its quietness. She always felt more comfortable when her housekeeper had gone to her own room for the night. Not having servants constantly around her was essential to Adeline’s peace of mind. And probably always would be because of her husband’s dictates.
Memories Adeline didn’t want to relive darted along the edges of her mind. Wake never wanted Adeline to be left alone after he’d seen her descending the stairs much too quickly. How could she ever be in the family way and bear him a son if she walked too fast, if she carried a small basket of flowers, or if she bent over to tie the ribbons on her slippers? Wake would have preferred for her not to walk at all, but Adeline had finally made him see the ridiculousness of issuing an order for her to stay in bed until she delivered a child to him.
Not wanting to dwell on those thoughts, Adeline decided that since she’d dismissed Mrs. Lawton for the night, she would rekindle the fire that had been banked and find interest in the book she’d been trying to read. Surely something or someone would jump out at the heroine soon and cause her to scream and run for her life. Adeline’s heart beat a little faster at the thought. Before Adeline reached for the poker, a soft knock sounded and then the door opened and shut quickly.
It was presumptuous of Mrs. Tallon to reenter the house, even if it had been less than a minute since Adeline had seen her out. Adeline waited and heard faint, masculine footfalls coming down the corridor. The trespasser wasn’t the headmistress returning.
Lyon stopped at the entrance when he saw her. A gale of anticipation washed over her at the sight of him. Fluttering warmth swirled in her chest.
Her breath trembled in her throat as it did every time she saw him. It didn’t matter if he was upset with her, smiling at her, or trying to look into her soul. Her feelings were always the same. She wanted him to take her into his arms and kiss her.
His expression wasn’t angry or even annoyed as she would have expected because of what she’d done. Mysteriously, he looked pleased. That, she realized, unsettled her far more than the fact he’d entered her house again without permission. Or maybe he assumed he had her consent. He was clutching the gloves she’d deliberately left on the table in front of him. At the time she didn’t even know why she had been so brazen. She had known he’d return them at some time. Maybe some part of her was hoping he’d do it tonight.
Inhaling a deep breath, she steadied herself and met his gaze without worry, confusion, or invitation. She prepared herself for whatever temperament he might be in and listen to what he had to say about her afternoon rant.
“My lady.”
“Lyon,” she said, and then without forethought and before she could stop herself, she launched into somewhat of an explanation. “I shouldn’t have rushed inside your house as I did this afternoon, trailing water with every step I took. That be as it may, I shouldn’t have lost my temper over the situation I was confronted with and caused a scene in front of your friends and colleagues. It was an extremely improper thing to do but at the time I felt I had no choice.”
Not saying a word and while she was still talking, the earl strode toward her, throwing her gloves onto a chair he passed. He didn’t stop until, to her surprise and pleasure, he slid his strong arms around her waist and quickly caught her up firmly and tightly against his wide, hard chest with commanding strength. He must have known that this is what she’d been waiting for.
“You were magnificent,” he whispered.
An excitement like she’d never known spiraled through her body, mind, and soul. He was letting her know he wanted to kiss her and he wasn’t going to let her or anything stop him.
Her lips parted just before his touched hers with a searing hunger that took her breath and stole her heart. His tongue swept into her mouth, deep and probing. She shoved her arms around his neck and cupped the back of his head with her hands, letting her fingers slip into his thick, rich hair. It was exhilarating to be held so close, kissed so relentlessly, and to feel desperately desired.
Adeline had longed for such feelings to become reality.
Their kisses were searching, persuasive, and savoring. They continued second after second. Ravenous. Desirous. Welcoming. Thrilling tingles raced across her breasts, speared down past the depths of her abdomen, and settled as an unfulfilled ache between her legs. She shared his ardor with an overwhelming, long-denied fervency of her own. Pressing her body against him, she encouraged his touch with an abundance of coveted passion waiting to be released.
“My guests thought you were magnificent also,” Lyon whispered as he kissed his way down to the crook of her neck, tasting her skin as he went.
“Truly?” she asked breathlessly, and quickly added, “No, I don’t believe you. They couldn’t.”
“I have many faults, my lady, but lying isn’t one of them.”
Adeline smiled beneath the onslaught of his kisses, satisfied he was telling the truth.
“I see my admission pleases you,” he rasped.
“Very much,” she answered, enjoying the way his lips felt against her cheeks, her neck, her chest. Loving the way his slight beard-roughened skin felt against hers.
“The blackguards deserved every ounce of your dressing down for their insolence and for being so inconsiderate with where they leave their coaches.”
“You deserved it, too.”
He paused and looked into her eyes. “That’s why I came to apologize for causing you such duress.”
A soft breath of laughter echoed past her lips. “Consider it accepted and keep kissing me.”
Lyon chuckled softly, huskily, kissing her cheek, over her chin and down her neck again, past the hollow of her throat to where the lapels of her robe folded together between her breasts.
Their conversation didn’t hinder or wane the urgency in their kisses. His caresses were impatient and fervent yet gentle and confident as he parted her robe to taste and cool the heated skin between her breasts. She allowed him to walk her backward a few steps until her weight leaned against the wall. His lower body pressed against hers as one of his hands came up to caress her breast beneath the velvet. Adeline savored his touch and willingly accepted the hardness of the rigid bulge hidden beneath his trousers and trembled.
She pulled at the shoulders of his coat, wanting to feel the strength of his arms, shoulders, and chest. As if annoyed with the tight confines of the garment, he swiftly shrugged out of it and slung it away. Adeline explored the firm muscles of his back beneath the fine linen of his shirt and waistcoat. Their kisses and caresses were tempestuous, powerful, and deliciously uncontrolled. Movements were soft but eager, passionate but not harsh.
Complying in earnest with her demands, Lyon pushed her robe off one shoulder. It fell open at the bodice and skirt, leaving only the long sleeves and knotted sash to hold it onto her body. His hand covered her breast with teasing, beautiful strokes meant to arouse and satisfy her before taking her nipple into his mouth.
Gasps, sighs, and moans blended, dissolved, and were swallowed into their heated passion.
Adeline unashamedly craved and enjoyed the pleasure she received from his touch, taste, and the ragged sounds of his breathing.
Her body trembled again and she whispered, “Yes, yes.”
The intensity and eagerness of his kisses, his wanting, thrilled her as she matched his hunger. A deep, torturous yearning for more settled inside her. With their hands working together, his trousers were unbuttoned and lowered.
Without words, without warning, without waiting, he filled her. Moved inside her, bringing her to the brink of desire with each thrust. Adeline gasped with exquisite bliss each time. She slid her hands down to grab his buttocks firmly in her hands, intending to see he didn’t stop until he finished what he’d started.
Seconds later an intensifying bundle of complex and twisted sensations exploded inside her. She felt as if her body had turned into liquid fire. And it was oh so good, forceful and satisfying. She wasn’t sure her legs would hold her as the tremors of gratification continued. Moments later, after a long, desperate-sounding sigh Lyon trembled and gently settled against her.
It was over, but Adeline’s senses were still reeling from the depth of their passion and the reward of its ending. She was out of breath, but the faltering eruptions of passion lingered, teasingly active, and she laid her forehead against his linen-covered chest.
Being in Lyon’s arms, in his possession was more than she could ever have expected. It was what she’d hoped for and desired when she’d married, but had never received. With the earl, she’d felt wanted and equal. Not groped and used. She smiled and had the wild urge to laugh victoriously from the sheer thrill of what she’d experienced from all they’d shared.
But she contained her happiness, and with her face nestled in the crisp folds of his neckcloth, she whispered softly, “I’ve been waiting for that.”
“From me, or just anyone?” he asked, his lips resting just above her ear.
His question surprised her and she lifted her head. Their gazes met. He was serious. Could he tell she’d been starving for just the kind of passion she had felt in his arms? That she’d never had the ending joy of coming together with a man before.
Adeline moistened her lips and swallowed. “I don’t know,” she answered; but as soon as the words left her mouth, she knew they weren’t true. She was sure it was Lyon she wanted. No other. There had been opportunities to be with other men, but she’d never been tempted. Why she had answered differently, she really couldn’t fathom. Perhaps it was because she was reeling from the aftermath of having been completely satisfied for the first time.
His tight hold on her loosened a little and his eyes gazed into hers. “Is this the only time you’ve been with a man since becoming a widow?” he asked.
“Yes,” she admitted and lowered her lashes. It was easier to admit than she’d thought it would be, so she lifted her lids and added, “I didn’t expect it to go so fast.”
“It’s been a long time. For both of us.” He smiled, bent his head, and kissed the hollow of her throat softly. “Just as the poets say absence makes the heart grow fonder, abstinence makes desire flame bright but burn quickly.”
She wanted to stay wrapped in the embrace of the strong, solid man holding her. It would be so easy to take hold of his hand and lead him to her bedchamber, but instead, she gently pushed against his chest. Seeming reluctant, he stepped back and turned away to adjust his clothing. With steady fingers she closed her robe and retied her sash.
Lyon looked around the room and then walked over to a tray that held a pitcher of water and glasses. Obviously not wanting water, he opened the top doors of her secretary and from the depths of the cabinet pulled out a bottle of brandy. He poured a small amount into one of the glasses and walked back over to her.
“Drink this.” He held it toward her. “It will help settle you about what just happened between us.”
Adeline’s breathing grew shallow as she looked at the amber liquid. She had to force herself not to back away from it and the sudden memories it stirred in her mind.
“I thought you poured it for yourself,” she said quietly.
“I will need nothing to help me sleep tonight,” he answered and extended the drink closer to her.
How many times had she taken a glass of brandy her husband held out to her? Too many to count. Not because she wanted to drink it but because Wake insisted it was the only liquid strong enough to hide the vile taste of whatever concoction his latest apothecary had created for her to drink. A brew of herbs and things she didn’t want to think about. All of them were guaranteed to make her conceive.
Nothing had ever worked.
“Maybe you don’t like the taste of it,” Lyon said softly. “It’s strong and stings a little, but I think you’ll sleep better tonight if you drink it.”
“No,” she said, continuing to look at the glass as she swallowed down the memories. “I don’t want it. I actually used to like the taste of brandy, my lord. But not anymore.” She lifted her gaze to his. “I’m quite settled without it.”
As if sensing there was more to her rejecting his offer than she was telling, he placed the drink on the chest behind her. “It’s here in case you want it later.”
“I’m fine.” Neither of them spoke for what seemed a long time, and then she said, “I shouldn’t have slapped you that night. I’ve never done anything like that before and believe me, I’ve had good reason to in the past.”
He gave her a quick smile. “I deserved it.”
She smiled, too. “Yes, maybe you did.”
“When you rose up on your toes to confront me that afternoon I really thought you were going to kiss me.”
“Did you really?”
His gaze stayed steadily on hers. “I swear it’s true.”
So he was as perceptive as she’d thought. “Then what I did must have been a shock for you.”
“As was this afternoon. And tonight. You are constantly surprising me and I find I like that very much. When I first saw you walk into my drawing room, gorgeously wet and steaming with hot emotion, I thought to myself what could I have possibly done this time to make her angry? Make her angry enough to come over to my house in the middle of a rainstorm and confront me. But, an instant or two later, I thought perhaps something had happened at the school. To one of the girls and you needed my help.”
Adeline inhaled sharply. Yes, she remembered seeing a moment of uneasiness in his features but assumed her action was the cause. “It was kind of you to think about their welfare.”
He remained silent, but his expression told her he spoke the truth about his thoughts. Concern for the girls wasn’t what she’d expected from him. Nothing could have pleased her more than to know he was worried about them. And it reminded her that his own sense of honor was one of the things that drew her to him.
“Did you truly have no idea why I was drenched and so upset I invaded your privacy?”
He shook his head. “Not until you told me.”
“Today is the third time my carriage hasn’t been able to let me off at my front door since you’ve been here.”
His eyes softened even more and he took a step toward her. “Why haven’t you said something?”
“I was trying to be neighborly,” she answered truthfully. “Usually I don’t mind a walk in the cool, fresh air. It was the downpour today and a dozen carriages blocking the entrance to my house that made it more than I could accept.”
The earl chuckled softly, invitingly. “There couldn’t have been that many as I only had two tables of four and I was one of the players. It’s never been a problem for any driver to stay in the front before. Mrs. Feversham across the street never leaves her house because she can’t walk, and Mr. Bottles, from whom you bought the house, seldom left either. When he did, he walked. You won’t be bothered or inconvenienced again. From now on my friends will find another place for their drivers and carriages to wait.”
Considering how vocal and unbending he’d been about the girls when they were playing outside, Adeline hadn’t expected him to be so accommodating—so quickly.
“Thank you,” she said, and then asked, “How did you know I was alone?”
“I didn’t. I came over to return your gloves and saw you saying goodbye to the headmistress. I assumed if you were seeing her out, your housekeeper had retired for the night. You really should lock your doors at night.”
“Yes. You’re right. I usually do when I retire for the evening.”
“You’re avoiding talking about what just happened between us,” he said cautiously.
Because of all she’d been through and endured in the past, she concealed the mountains of emotions that were swirling inside her. He didn’t need to know that he’d just brought to reality so many of her dreams; he didn’t need to know her secrets.
“There’s nothing to say about it.”
“There’s a lot to say,” he argued in a soft, determined tone.
“I expect you to be a gentleman about it and slip out the door as easily as you came in and we’ll say no more about this.”
Lyon didn’t move, but his eyes continued to search hers. She didn’t waver and neither did he. He looked as if he was trying to decide whether he wanted to take her to task in disagreement or do as she asked.
Adeline hoped he wouldn’t fight her on this. Her reserve of strength wasn’t feeling very strong right now. If he tried to pull her into the warmth of his arms once again she would go, rest her cheek against his chest, enjoy his embrace, and ask him to make love to her all over again. She didn’t have one smidgen of regret for taking him into her arms and quite possibly into her heart, too.
Finally, showing the mark of a good man, Lyon nodded. He reached down, picked up his coat, and granting her wish, he left.