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Lockhart may not have known specific details about Grace’s life, but he was aware of her daily routine. Grace was a creature of habit who walked through the garden every evening before she retired to her bedchamber. It was the perfect opportunity to seek her forgiveness. He already kicked himself for his behavior, but his family had made him feel like even more of a villain throughout dinner.
Grace ate the meal in her bedchamber for the second evening in a row, and his family blamed him for her absence. Finlay and Hugh spent the meal glaring at him, while Gayre and Effie talked about how Miss Penrose promised to write to them after she left. His mother turned a questioning stare upon him to see if he would object. When he didn’t, she gave him a brief nod of her gratefulness for not upsetting the children. Poor Geordie switched from following the lead of his older brothers to sharing his sisters’ excitement at not losing touch with Miss Penrose. All the while, Cameron tossed in his comments to rile Lockhart’s temper.
Every discussion centered on Grace. It was Miss Penrose this. Miss Penrose that. After Cameron kept referring to Miss Penrose as Grace, the children followed his lead, babbling about Grace as if she were a member of their family. Cameron smirked with satisfaction at the children’s response. He was a poor role model for the children, and Lockhart needed Cameron to return to wherever he came from. He had yet to learn why his brother had returned home. Something he would ask tomorrow.
For now, he waited for Grace to walk along the path. He had informed Douglas he would extinguish the flames and the servants could retire early for the evening. Lockhart wanted to eliminate any obstacle in his way. Cameron had already left to meet his friends at the local tavern and wouldn’t return until the early morning hours. His mother had retired to her bedchamber after settling the children in their beds.
Grace never ventured from her room until the house was quiet. She would take her walk since the garden was still well-lit. She wouldn’t dare to venture to the library again in case they crossed paths.
It was not as if he set out to ambush her. He only wanted to explain his actions. If they happened to share a kiss, he would not complain in the slightest. If the kiss transformed beyond his expectations, he would have no reason but to enjoy their passion.
Lockhart stretched his legs out, making himself comfortable while he waited. He lit his cigar and puffed to savor the earthy flavors. He tilted his head back to view the stars glistening above him. The storm had passed by without a drop of rain. Even the cold air had disappeared, leaving them only with a slight chill. Typical weather for Scotland, always changing at a moment’s notice.
He couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. While most of his peers flocked to London for the season, he preferred to remain in Scotland, where a person’s character never altered under the influence of society. He wasn’t blind to the corruption that ensued in Scotland, but he was selective about who he associated with and trusted them with his life.
If he had his choice, he would live at the family’s castle in the Highlands. Then he could discard his proper clothing and manners and live like his ancestors before him. However, his family’s livelihood depended on him behaving with decorum and managing the family’s finances as his title demanded. While he accepted his responsibility, he envied Cameron’s carefree lifestyle. A lifestyle he had once shared, but it had ended when his father passed away. Now his mother depended on him to lead their family to greatness.
Lockhart stilled at the steps shuffling along the path. He wanted to leap to his feet and walk beside Grace, but he didn’t want to scare her away. He’d been waiting for this chance all day. Lockhart wouldn’t allow his eagerness to ruin his chance at winning her forgiveness.
Grace walked into the clearing, wearing the same dress from this morning with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders. Lockhart bit back a curse at the light covering. It wasn’t thick enough to ward off the chill. It would appear she needed someone to take care of her. He would see to her needs once she noticed him. Although he didn’t want to rile her temper with being overprotective.
At least she had rid herself of the confining braid. Her hair flowed in fresh waves down her back. A section had fallen over one shoulder, with the strands brushing back and forth across her breasts. Lockhart went from cursing to groaning at the sight before him. Perhaps her lack of a warm garment was not so tragic after all.
Grace trailed along the path, gripping the shawl tighter. When she stepped outdoors, it had been tolerable. However, a slight breeze now blew, bringing forth a chill to the air that would shorten her walk. Once she reached the fountain, she would turn around and return inside.
She had passed away another evening alone because she wanted to avoid Lockhart. She missed the antics of the children outside the schoolroom and her conversations with Lady Lockhart. With Cameron’s return home, Grace expected the evenings to be a lively affair. However, Grace couldn’t bear Lord Lockhart’s brooding stare focused on her.
Instead, she’d hidden away in her bedchamber, remembering the kiss they shared. Aching for his arms to hold her close in his embrace. Longing for him to whisper her name while lost in the passion of their kiss. Even now, he dominated her thoughts.
So much so that she imagined she conjured him before her very eyes. However, Lockhart, smoking his cigar on the bench, wasn’t a figment of her imagination. He was a devastatingly handsome gentleman who caused Grace to forget herself whenever she was near him.
When she first met him, his arrogance had led her to believe he was like the other pompous lords she had had the displeasure of meeting. However, as she watched him with his family, her opinion had changed. A spark had shot through her the first time their fingers brushed, lighting the attraction between them. She had thought she was alone in feeling the charge. But after the kiss they shared, she realized Lockhart felt the same.
She should turn around and not engage with him. Walk back to her bedchamber and hide under the covers until tomorrow morning. But Grace tended to ignore her rational side. It was the reason she found herself in Scotland, far away from her family. And it was the reason she continued to walk toward Lockhart until she stood right before him, waiting for him to speak. She grew tired of following the rules, and her time at Lockhart Manor was at an end. Soon she would leave and never cross paths with Lord Lockhart again. For now, she wanted to throw her rational side in the wind and let fate lead her astray.
Lockhart raked his gaze up and down her form. “You need a keeper, Miss Penrose.”
Grace tilted her head to the side. “How so?”
He took a puff from his cigar before responding. “Because you do not have a decent sense about how to care for yourself.”
Grace bristled at his comment, doubting her reason for not running back to her bedchamber. “There is no need for you to concern yourself about my welfare.”
Lockhart stubbed out his cigar before rising. “There is where you are mistaken, my dear.”
Grace backed up a step as Lockhart towered over her. “You must refrain from calling me that.”
“Why?” Lockhart slipped off his suit coat. “Do you not like terms of endearment?”
“’Tis inappropriate. What if someone were to overhear? Also, you only refer to me as my dear to toy with me.”
Lockhart never responded. He couldn’t when he didn’t understand why he referred to her with affection. He pulled Grace’s shawl off and slipped the coat over her shoulders. “Put your arms through,” he ordered. Once Grace obeyed him, he buttoned the coat to keep her warm.
As much as her rational side kept urging her to leave, Grace stayed. Lockhart showed her a tenderness she had never experienced before. While her parents had provided her with clothing and a warm roof over her head, life would overwhelm them at times. Once her younger siblings were born, Grace had had to help care for them. No one had ever treated her with such gentle care, and Lockhart surprised her with his behavior. It left her wanting to stay for as long as she held his attention.
“You will grow cold,” Grace whispered.
“Not while you are near, lass.”
Lockhart’s husky tone caused Grace to take a step closer, lost in the spell he cast around her. “I should return inside.”
“Aye. It would probably be for the best.”
His rejection settled at the bottom of her soul. Had she mistaken his actions for something other than seeing to her comfort? She lowered her head so he wouldn’t see her tears and tried to unbutton the coat. Her fingers fumbled with the buttons. Lockhart placed his hand over hers, stopping her. His knuckles pressed against her chin to raise her head. She met his gaze to see the struggle he fought with.
“Aye. It would be for the best, but ‘tis not what I desire of you.”
“What is it you desire of me?”
“More than I deserve. More than I should ever ask for.” Lockhart trailed his hand higher to cup her cheek.
Grace wrapped her hand around his. “What if I do not care?”
“You should, lass. You should.” He swept his thumb across her lips before dipping his head to brush his lips across hers.
Lockhart pulled back instead of deepening the kiss and stared into Grace’s eyes. She pulled him under by the desire glistening from them. He should walk her back inside, retrieve his coat, and wish her a good evening. Not lower his head again and devour her lips under his. He owed her an apology for his brutish behavior this morning, not to ravish her innocence with his indecent urges. However, Grace kept pressing herself closer to him, making it impossible to resist her.
They stood undecided, each waiting for the other to act appropriately. Neither of them moved, afraid to break the spell that had wrapped them into the warm cocoon of their desire. Just as Lockhart decided to hell with the consequences, a gust of wind swept between them, and cold raindrops fell one after another, soaking them within seconds. Lockhart never thought twice as he lifted Grace into his arms and ran along the path.
The rain snuffed out the candles, leaving Lockhart and Grace surrounded in darkness. They wouldn’t make it to the manor without slipping and falling on the ground. The rain turned the path into a muddy mess, making it impossible to walk on. Lockhart turned down a rocky path that led to a cottage his mother escaped to when she wanted peace from her rambunctious children. His father had it built when he and Cameron were children. They had been a handful and driven his mother crazy with their mischief.
He opened the door and carried Grace over to a chair by the fireplace. He peeled the coat off her and rubbed her hands between his. She shivered, and her teeth chattered. Instead of taking care of her, he had caused her to get caught in a storm. All because of his selfish need to keep her close.
He leapt to his feet, threw some firewood into the hearth, and started a fire. The flames slowly flickered to life, warming the cottage.
“You must strip, lass,” Lockhart demanded.
Grace shook her head in refusal, too chilled to issue an argument. Her teeth chattered, and every limb quivered from the wet garments clinging to her form.
Lockhart pulled Grace to her feet and turned her around. “You will not argue with me. I cannot have you catching your death.”
Grace had no energy to fight him when he unbuttoned her dress and yanked it off her. “If I do, then you are not obligated to write me a reference.”
Her attempt at humor fell flat when he swung her around and gripped her arms. “No. I will only live with a regret I could never overcome.”
The seriousness of his tone and words struck Grace speechless. Her only response was to draw his head to hers. She stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his, a soft gesture meant to reassure Lockhart. Instead, it ignited a need so profound within Lockhart, he took control of the kiss and ravished Grace’s lips with a passion she never imagined possible. His hands swept through her damp locks, and his tongue swept inside her mouth, demanding her surrender. Each swipe against her tongue broke through any defense she clung to.
Lockhart wrapped his arms around Grace, pulling her closer. When she shivered from his wet clothes, he pulled back, ripped his cravat off, and stripped off his shirt, tossing them on the floor. His eyes raked across her bare flesh that teased him. Grace’s chemise had dampened from his clothes and revealed every dip and curve of her glorious body.
He had dreamed of her last night after seeing her in a nightdress. However, her wet chemise fulfilled every one of his fantasies. Her nipples tightened, pressing against the fabric. He lifted his hand to brush his thumb across the bud. He almost fell to his knees to worship at her feet at Grace’s reaction. The need was so overwhelming, but he held himself in check. She would be his but not tonight.
While he could never promise her forever or make her any false promises, he would woo her. Grace deserved no less. For now, he would show her how their union would be. Tease her into submission. Was he a bastard for wanting to ruin her? Yes. He had no excuses for what he planned. He only knew he had to make her his as much as he needed his next breath of air.
Grace must stop him now. Lockhart kept taking liberties she never gave him permission for. Not to mention he had never apologized for his behavior this morning. Yet, she couldn’t for the life of her demand for him to stop. Nor did she resist his bold touch. Instead, she craved for him to continue. To finish stripping off her clothes. Her body reacted of its own accord when he teased her with his touch. While she ached for more, Lockhart appeared to fight an inner struggle she couldn’t help him with since she struggled with her own.
“Lockhart?”
“I thought I told you to call me Calum,” he growled.
“And I informed you how inappropriate it was.” Grace trailed her fingers across his chest, unable to resist him one second more.
“Lass, if you do not remove your hands from my person, you cannot hold me responsible for my actions,” Calum warned.
Her hand brushed across his stomach. “And if I do not?”
“I warned ye.” His Scottish brogue thickened with his arousal.
Grace’s hands trailed up and twined behind his neck. “I consider myself warned.”
Grace would never understand her boldness. Only that she never regretted it once Calum growled, lifted her into his arms, and laid her across the chaise. Nor did she regret it when he peeled her chemise from her breasts and lowered his head, drawing her nipple into his mouth and sucking softly. Nor did any regret consume her when his hand slid between her thighs and stroked her desire.
She clutched at him as he elicited the most amazing feelings throughout her body. He teased her buds with his tongue before sucking them harder. Calum’s hand glided along her leg in the gentlest of touches. He spread his hand across her thigh with a slight pressure. Grace opened her legs at his silent request. She ached for his bold caresses. Anything to quell the overpowering need coursing throughout her body. Grace might be an untouched maiden, but she had overheard enough gossip amongst the servants to learn about the intimacy a couple shared. Intimacy she craved with Calum.
His fingers brushed across her curls, then drew back to her thighs before returning. He repeated this several times, and with each return, he applied more gentle pressure. His teasing intensified her need for the sheer pleasure she craved.
“Calum,” Grace moaned.
Calum sank his fingers into her wetness when his name moaned past her lips. Her wet heat guided him to slide a finger inside her, drawing out a whimper from Grace that undid him. He could only imagine the sounds she would make when he claimed her innocence.
“That is not so difficult, is it, lass, to say my name,” Calum whispered in her ear before capturing her lips for another soul-searching kiss.
He captured her sighs as he drew out his strokes with a slowness that drove them both mad with desire. He refused to rush a second of the most pleasurable act he had ever experienced. Calum wanted Grace to remember this moment when she closed her eyes to fall asleep. He wanted to stay in her thoughts for an eternity.
Grace arched into Calum, needing him to press closer. Despite her attempts, he still wasn’t close enough to satisfy her. She clutched at his shoulders as he trailed a path of kisses along her neck and lower until he reached her breasts again.
He stared at her as he teased her nipples with his tongue. Her whimper echoed throughout the cottage with the need rolling throughout her body. Grace speared her hands through Calum’s hair, pressing him to her breasts to satisfy the ache building inside her. Calum chuckled before he drew her nipple between his lips and sucked harder as he slid another finger deep inside her pussy. Grace gasped at the pressure, then melted as Calum built a rhythm that left her breathless.
With each glide of his fingers in and out, Grace grew wetter, soaking him with her honeyed pleasure. He ached to slide down her body and quench his thirst. To savor every drop of her wetness. But tonight was not for him. His greediness had caused too much speculation for Grace. No, this was to make Grace aware of his intentions to pursue her until she succumbed to the power of their attraction.
Grace’s fingers dug into his arms as her pussy gripped his fingers. She shook underneath him as she released her inhibitions to his control. Her sighs were a melody that wrapped them in a warm embrace of wonder. Every reaction from Grace enticed him to declare his intentions. Yet he held back in fear of losing her forever.
Grace’s eyes fluttered open to find Calum leaning over her. If she thought what they just shared had calmed the intense desire in his stare, she had been mistaken. He now held the look of a man determined to possess her very soul. Grace feared it was only a fleeting desire. While she hoped for more, she was a realistic soul who understood the divide between them.
She brushed the hair from his forehead, offering him a timid smile. She was unaware of how to act. His serious expression only made her more nervous. Would he revert to the arrogant lord? Or would he remain the gentle lover? He had already exceeded her expectations. She expected him to dominate her to ease his needs. Instead, he was a generous lover who only saw to her pleasure.
His desire pressed against her. Was it her turn to please him? Her inexperience caused her to feel inadequate as a lover. She wanted Calum to reach the same ecstasy she had but was unsure how she could make him lose control. She lowered her hand to brush across his cock.
Calum grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed the tips of her fingers. “We must get dressed and return to the manor before anyone discovers us missing.”
Grace pulled her hand away as if he had singed her. His dismissal of their intimacy stung. She bit her bottom lip to keep her tears at bay. “Of course.”
Calum pressed his forehead to Grace’s. “You misunderstand, my dear.”
Grace shook her head back and forth, unable to speak without Calum learning how he had hurt her with his reaction.
Calum rolled them over so that Grace lay across his chest. He kept a firm hold on her so she couldn’t get away. “Yes, you have. I desire nothing more than to strip you bare and spend all night making love to you. However, I have overstepped my bounds with my actions this evening. Hell, with the whole day. When we make love, there will be no worries about anyone disturbing us. Not if. When.”
Grace’s heart soared at his declaration. “Your words are the promise of a presumptuous gentleman.”
He brushed his lips across hers. “No. Only a gentleman who never loses and always gets what he wants.”
Grace stayed quiet. She was not a fool. His words were those of a man who lusted after his latest conquest. Not the poetic words of a smitten gentleman courting for the hand of a maiden. Once he seduced her, he would move on to the next lady who captured his attention. Perhaps even one he would make his bride. It was a standing he would never offer her because she was below his class. She suited only one purpose. Since she was in his line of sight, he would pursue her until she granted him what he most desired. Her body. But never her heart.
Already she lay before him, allowing him privileges she should’ve saved for her husband. Instead, she had allowed her wanton needs to take precedence over keeping her virtue innocent. And she feared she would never deny him. Not as long as his kisses held the ability to make her forget reason. Which was whenever he placed his lips upon hers.
Calum watched doubt seep into her gaze. The longer she stayed silent, the more her body stiffened on top of him. The magic flittered away, leaving them unsure of the acts they committed and what was in the future for them. Never had he been unclear about the outcome of a romantic pursuit. Unfortunately, they had no time to discuss this further.
He risked Grace’s reputation the longer they remained locked in an intimate embrace. He rolled them over again and rose off the chaise. Calum pulled on his shirt and lifted her damp gown off the floor. He hated for her to dress and take a chill. However, he had no other options other than wrapping her in a quilt and sneaking her inside.
Grace slid the straps of her chemise over her shoulders and tied the ribbon while Calum dressed. He held her dress with a pensive expression, as if he were contemplating what a horrible mistake they had made. Well, she would ease his mind.
“Do not fear, my lord. I will keep my lips sealed and not whisper to a soul of our indiscretion.” Grace’s voice turned bitter.
Calum swung around and narrowed his gaze. “Once again, you misunderstand, Miss Penrose.”
Grace pinched her lips. “No. I do not believe I have.”
Calum gritted his teeth. “Then please tell me what you believe you understand.”
Grace held her hand out for her dress, but he refused to hand it over, so she planted her fists on her hips. “Your conscience is telling you what a mistake you made, and you are trying to think of a rational excuse to pacify your actions.”
Calum didn’t know what made him more furious. Her lack of opinion about his character or how she held such a low opinion of herself. Did she not see how she affected him and unhinged his behavior by just standing next to him? Did she not understand that when he cared for someone, he cared so deeply and profoundly he felt humbled to receive their affection in return?
He fought to keep his emotions under control before he declared feelings he had yet to admit to himself. He wanted to shake some sense into her. Did she not see that a force more powerful than anything they could understand controlled their actions? Fate played with them, teasing them with promises of a destiny meant only for them.
Calum advanced on her. “You could not be further from the truth. I stood in doubt, not because I regret my actions, but because I am concerned about your welfare. I did not want you to dress in a wet gown and become ill. But I could not sneak you into the house wearing only a quilt and risk the chance of someone spying our return.” He took another step closer to press his point. “All because I made the mistake of caring about you.”
“Oh.” Grace gasped at the ferocity of his explanation.
Calum snarled. “Aye.” He stalked away before he kissed her to make her understand the dynamics at play.
Grace covered her mouth, shocked by how mistaken she had been. What beauty they had shared disappeared with her insecurity. She reached out to Calum, but he moved away to put out the fire. Calum was a proud man and would not accept her false words. She had done her damage, which was for the best. This stolen moment was all they could ever have.
Grace pulled on her dress and wrapped her shawl around her again. The damp material clung to her body. She didn’t fasten her buttons because she wanted to escape before she admitted her true feelings. She took one last glance at Calum, who was knelt over, putting out the fire.
The disappointment on his face knotted her nerves. She had never meant to hurt him. She now understood his confusion about the attraction linking them to each other. He fought his demons about them giving in to their desires. It explained how his mood shifted from one interaction to another with her. When he disagreed with her, he fought with his conscience. It bothered Grace that she hadn’t noticed this before. It left her wondering if she truly cared for Calum the way he deserved. She had allowed her misgivings to stand in the way of seeing the compassionate gentleman he truly was.
She wanted to kneel at his side and whisper her regret. Not about the passion they shared but about how she had misjudged him. To kiss away the hurt she had caused. To confide in him about how she feared she cared more deeply for him than she should.
But she didn’t. She was too much of a coward to admit her feelings. Especially when he had stated that he cared for her. It left her confused. Instead, Grace slipped out of the cottage and ran back to the manor. She made it to her room before anyone saw her. Once she removed her gown and slipped into her nightdress, she brushed her hair before the fire until it dried. Then she crawled into bed.
There, she spent a sleepless night, watching the raindrops splatter against the window. Lost in the memory of the sweet rapture Calum had gifted her.
A memory to carry into eternity.