Chapter Seventeen
It was after midnight, and Louisa lay atop her coverlet, fully clothed. She still had no idea why Papa disliked Thornbrook so much, and no one would tell her. At the very least, Edward must know, but he was avoiding her, and all Isa would tell her was that she needed to be patient and everything would work out.
It was so unfair. Papa hadn’t objected when Edward had invited Thornbrook to Walsley during the summer, so why wasn’t he welcome now? Why had it been permissible for her to interact with him during the season in London, but not here in her own home?
Nubbles licked her cheek and she hugged him to her. Maybe Papa would be more amenable in the morning, and if not, she would cease speaking to him until he agreed to listen to reason. She loved Thornbrook and that would not change, no matter what had happened in the past.
A soft knock sounded on the door. She debated whether to answer it, or pretend she was asleep.
“Louisa?”
It was Thornbrook. She rushed to the door and pulled him into her chamber, then firmly closed and locked the door.
“I didn’t want to leave without saying good-bye to you.”
“You’re leaving? Did my father kick you out?”
“Not in so many words, but I think it best that I leave for now.”
He seemed so much larger than usual inside the confines of her bedchamber. “I’m sorry my father is being so unreasonable. Between my mother and me, we will convince him to give you another chance. I would likely have more luck if you trusted me enough to tell me why he kicked you out the first time.”
He shook his head. “It’s not a matter of trusting you, Louisa. It was a stupid, adolescent mistake that has nothing to do with you. He’s long since forgiven Edward for the same infraction, so it’s pointless to bring it up. This is about you and his unwillingness to let you go. Fight for me if you want, but for now I plan to follow his wishes and leave in the morning. If there is any chance for a future between us, we must respect his decision for now. Isa and Edward have both vowed to sway him in my favor, but it is not something that can be accomplished overnight.”
“You’ve been making plans with Edward and Isa and not one of you thought to include me?” She stomped over to the window. “It is infuriating enough to be treated like a child by my parents, but for the three of you to do it as well…” All of a sudden, the events of the day overwhelmed her and a lump formed in her throat.
“Louisa.” He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back against his chest. “We were simply discussing how they could help. There was no conspiracy to exclude you. I happened to run into them on my way to see you.” He turned her to face him. “You must believe me when I tell you that I ceased thinking of you as a child a long time ago. It would be my greatest accomplishment if I am one day able to convince your father to let me marry you, but for now, we must obey his request.”
“It was more of an order than a request.” She closed her eyes, reveling in the warmth and security of his touch. She didn’t want him to leave. Now that she had decided to trust her feelings for him, she wanted him with her, not alone at Rosemere. “Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?”
“Ah, there is no other way I would rather spend my last evening here, but given the circumstances…”
As she was in no mood to argue, she took his hand and led him over to her bed. “I’m just asking you to hold me. Nothing more.”
He closed his eyes for a second. “You have no idea what you’re asking of me. My restraint is not limitless.”
A frisson shot through her. Ignoring his words, she asked, “Will you help me with my gown and stays?”
A strangled squeak emerged from his mouth. “No.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “For heaven’s sake, I’m just trying to be make myself more comfortable. I promise I won’t seduce you.”
“It’s already too late. Your mere presence makes me want you.”
Surely he was exaggerating. She wasn’t the sort to incite lust in anyone, least of all someone as worldly as he was. “Don’t be silly. Unfasten me.”
“Louisa, I assure you I have never been more serious in my life. I can’t…I don’t want to…” He muttered an expletive and quickly unfastened her gown and stays, then moved to the window.
“Move quickly. Find something that covers you from head to toe. Now.”
She supposed he had a right to be grumpy since her father seemed to be unfairly banishing him from the house, but there was no need to exaggerate. Once she had time to think it over, she would find a way to make Papa let him stay. His leaving now was akin to admitting defeat. In the morning, she would speak with Papa alone and convince him to give them permission to marry. It was past time for her to stand up fight for what she wanted.
After donning her most voluminous nightgown, she added a shawl over it for good measure and quickly removed the pins from her hair. Now he could not accuse her of trying to seduce him. A quick glance in her mirror confirmed that she looked more like someone’s grandmother than an object of desire.
She turned from the mirror and nearly collided with him. He stood as still as a statue. “What’s wrong?”
“A great many things, I’m afraid.” He moved closer and wrapped a strand of her hair around his finger. “I’ve never seen you with your hair down.”
“I should think not. I am a…mostly proper lady.”
He grinned. “Mostly?”
“I may have recently slipped down a few rungs on the ladder of propriety. Something to do with having invited a man into my bedchamber.”
She took his hand and led him over to her bed, then climbed up. “Make yourself comfortable. At least remove your boots and coat.”
He did as she suggested, then sat atop the bed. “You do know that if anyone catches me in your bedchamber, we’ll be forced to marry.”
“In a way, that would make things easier, though I don’t wish to be forced to do anything. I’m capable to making my own decisions.”
“Surely you know I would never force you to give up your independence. It’s one of the things that first attracted me to you. You’ve never been afraid to express your opinions, and I certainly hope that wouldn’t change if we were to marry.”
Louisa wondered if she ought to pinch herself to make sure this wasn’t a dream. The truth was, it was his regard for her that had given her the courage she needed to stand up for herself. All of their sparring also gave her confidence in her ability to argue effectively. She slid closer and placed her palm against his cheek, the rough surface of his whiskers tickling her hand. “Kiss me.”
He was on top of her before the last word left her mouth. His lips swept over hers, demanding a response from her, which she gladly gave. He shoved his fingers through her hair, pulling her even closer, then his tongue swept into her mouth and once she grew accustomed to the new sensations, she met him stroke for stroke. Just when she thought she wouldn’t survive his onslaught, he feathered soft kisses along her jaw and down the line of her pulse, then stopped to slide his tongue across the hollow above her collarbone. Liquid heat pooled between her legs and her breasts ached when his chest brushed against them.
He leaned himself on his elbows and studied her face.
Her body demanded action. “What are you doing? Don’t stop now.”
He laughed. “I knew you would be demanding in the bedchamber.”
“My apologies, I’ll try to—”
“Never apologize for desiring me.” He kissed her slowly, thoroughly, exploring every inch of her mouth. His fingers found the tie to her robe and he slowly pulled on the strings, then opened it. He traced his finger over the seam of her nightgown, then flitted it over her nipple.
She couldn’t help it, she moaned. It was the most exquisite sensation. “Do it again,” she said without opening her eyes, afraid he would be put off by her wanton behavior.
He rubbed the pad of his thumb over her breast again, then ever so gently squeezed it.
“Oh…I…”
His warm breath caressed her ear. “Louisa, open your eyes.”
She did as he said.
He kissed her nose. “You need never feel embarrassed with me. I delight in your sensuous responses to my touch. Tell me what you want.”
“Touch my breast again.”
He did as she told him. Sliding down her body, he positioned himself between her legs and licked her through the fabric of her nightgown. Then he pulled her nipple into his mouth and laved it with his tongue. She was on fire. She lifted her hips and pressed against him, unsure of what she was seeking.
“You want more, don’t you?”
She shivered underneath him and nodded. “Touch me. Everywhere.”
It was all the invitation he needed. He pulled her nipple into his mouth once again and slowly slid his hand down over her hip to rest at the apex of her thighs. Ever so softly, he pressed against her core, and she lifted her hips to encourage him. His finger pressed against a most sensitive place, and she pushed against him again, wanting more.
“You’re going to be the death of me,” he murmured before sliding even farther down her body. A waft of cold air hit her when he lifted her nightgown, and then his mouth was on her. She cried out, the sensation so intense, she thought she might shatter. He was relentless, licking her, sucking her into his mouth. A strange feeling overcame her and she wantonly rubbed herself against his mouth, seeking some sort of release. He moved one hand up over her stomach to her breast. He squeezed her nipple in rhythm with the thrusts of his tongue, and she shattered.
She lay still, too tired to move. He slid himself up until he could rest his head on her stomach. She ran her fingers through his ebony hair, gently massaging his scalp.
“Don’t stop. That feels fantastic.”
“It couldn’t possibly feel as good as whatever you just did to me.”
“It’s all I need for now. I’m too tired to move.”
“So am I. You can sneak back to your bedchamber in the morning. Come up here.”
He did as she said and moved up so his head rested on the pillow next to her. She turned to face him and snuggled against his chest.
“Your skin is burning hot.”
“I had to work hard to please you. Now be quiet, my lady. You’ve worn me out.”
She smiled against his chest and let herself drift off.