Chapter Twenty-Seven
Eleanor was reliving her nearly perfect day when a noise at her window startled her. It had been pouring since the ball and Eleanor suspected it must have just been a loose branch tapping against it. Stoking the fire slightly, Eleanor was about to retrieve to her changing room when she heard the noise again. It was much louder. Crossing the room, she opened the curtain and stumbled backward. She was about to scream when she saw the figure staring at her, but once she caught her breathe she realized it was Storm. Shaking her head, she quickly rushed to open the window and allow him entry.
As he fumbled inside, his cloak drenched with rain, Eleanor tried to imagine what terrible thing could possibly have happened now to cause him to venture over in the rain to her.
“What on earth are you doing?”
Storm, having managed to come to his feet disregarded his soaked cloak on a chair and faced her with a lopsided smile.
“Well, I promised you that I would come over every night. You did not think the rain would stop me, did you?”
Eleanor shook her head.
“You will catch a chill.”
He chuckled at that but moved closer to her.
“I will not catch a chill. I never do. Besides, the cloak caught most of the rain.”
Eleanor looked to the cloak with a doubtful expression, but at that moment Storm moved so close and her eyes were drawn immediately back to him. With a slight stutter, she whispered.
“You were supposed to use the servants entrance.”
With a grin, he motioned to the window.
“This was much more romantic.”
Raising a brow, she shook her head.
“Romance is not you dying before we are wed.”
He pouted and tilted his head.
“You did not find that at least a little bit romantic?”
Eleanor laughed.
“Maybe, slightly.”
Then, moving closer, he whispered.
“Was it romantic enough to be rewarded with a kiss?”
Then, before she could respond, his lips were on hers and Eleanor found herself being drawn against him. Her one regret of the day was that he had not kissed her so Eleanor could not find any reason not to sink into his embrace. Eleanor returned the kiss with all the happiness of the day. A day when he tried to show the whole ton how much he wanted to marry her. Storm kissed her as if she was the most precious person in the world and Eleanor hoped he knew how dear he had become to her. If he kept kissing her in such a manner Eleanor suspected she would be in love with him by the end of the week. Lifting his lips ever so slightly, he pressed his forehead to hers and whispered with a husky tone.
“Dear Lord, Eleanor. You should not know how to kiss a man as well as you do.”
Before she could respond his lips were on hers again and Eleanor felt her whole body start to tingle. Kissing Storm was incredible. As she wrapped her arms tighter around him and pressed her body more firmly against him, Eleanor realized for the first time, that she wanted more. There was some unexplainable need in her to know more of him. But such things would need to wait, especially tonight. He had lied about his cloak. Reluctantly breaking the kiss, she met his gaze.
“You have to get out of those clothes.”
His brow rose and Eleanor felt an immediate blush come to her cheeks. Stumbling on her words she slowly tried to escape his arms.
“You know what I mean. You are soaked. I will not have you sick for the wedding.”
With a chuckle, he only slightly allowed distance between them.
“You should change as well. I am afraid I ruined your dress.”
Eleanor did not need to look to her dress to know that the rain from his clothing had seeped into her own. With a smile, she touched his cheek.u
“My dress is a small sacrifice to pay for the end of a perfect day.”
Storm trapped a lock of her hair and brushed it behind her ear.
“Perfect you say? “
With a blush Eleanor smiled.
“You have made facing the ton much easier today. You know you have.”
Brushing his lips every so lightly over hers again, he whispered.
“Well it is not quite over yet. I am afraid you will have to suffer my company while my clothing dries.”
Eleanor took his hand and led him to the fire. He needed to get warm.
“I can go grab something from my brother’s wardrobe.”
She turned to leave but Storm reached out and grabbed her hand. Pulling her back against him, he kissed her softly once again.
“Nothing of your brothers will fit me.”
Eleanor realized the truth of that. Her brother was tall, but Storm had a few inches in height over Marcus and, well, Storm was a bit broader in the shoulders. For almost a minute, Eleanor stood there lost in thoughts about her future husband physique, before he cleared his throat to gain back her attention. Blushing again, Eleanor looked toward the bed. Again, his brow rose.
“I believe I am strictly forbidden from wearing a sheet in front of you.”
With a smile, Eleanor shrugged and started pulling a sheet off her bed.
“Well, this is for the sake of your health. I suppose I can make an exception.”
She held the sheet out to him, but when he tried to take it she pulled it back.
“First help me with my laces. I can go change in the other room while you organize your sheet.”
She turned around him and a moment later she felt the heat of his hand undoing her laces. He lowered his head to press a kiss into her neck as he did so, and Eleanor felt her whole body shiver. Storm’s arms wrapped around her and Eleanor turned just slightly enough toward him to encourage him to trail his lips to hers for one last meaningful kiss. Dragging his lips away, he whispered breathlessly.
“Go put something dry on. I do not want you catching a chill.”
Nodding, she gathered her wits and headed into the room next door. Something told her that she and her future husband would grow much closer during the next few hours. There was only so much temptation a woman could resist.
Storm inwardly cursed as she disappeared from view. He truly had just come here to see what they could learn about each other, as she had wanted. But now, now he wanted more. And when she stood there for a full minute staring at his body, he rather suspected she was ready for more as well.
Sitting down he quickly managed to rid himself of his boots. He truly was soaked to the bone. Stripping away all his wet garments, he wrapped the sheet she had offered him around himself and frowned. He looked ridiculous. This was certainly not the way to seduce his future bride. Trying to find various ways to tie the atrocious sheet around him in a tempting way, Storm realized it would not be possible. Quickly pulling pillows off of the bed and the chaise, he arranged a lovely seating area in front of the fire and settled down on his side. Pulling the sheet over him as if he was in bed, Storm left on of his rather muscular arms exposed and a good portion of his chest. He imagined this would be the best he could do. As he heard Eleanor re-enter the room, he undid the ribbon holding back his hair and let his locks fall around his face.
One look at her, though, and Storm realized that he was the one that was about to be seduced. Eleanor had changed into her night clothing, which generally would not be something that he would find arousing, but seeing her in them was different. She had undone her hair, which he was sure was for his benefit, and one long curve gently cupped her breast in the most fascinating way. As she walked, the gown hugged her curves and he could see the outline of her leg through the material. She wore a robe, but it only seemed to add to her elegant frame. Storm was not going to survive ten minutes without rolling her beneath him. When she noticed his make-shift sitting area she raised a brow.
“I see you have made yourself comfortable.”
Gathering his wits, he nodded.
“It would be much more so if you would join me.”
She blushed slightly, but moved to him and settled herself across from him. Storm resisted the urge to drag her into his arms.
“Thank you so much for today. You… you made me feel really special.”
Her skin looked stunning with in the firelight and Storm reach out and entwined his fingers with hers. Startled she met his gaze, but unable to stop himself, he tugged her gently so that she would move closer.
“Eleanor, you are.”
Reaching up he glided his hand around her neck until she leaded forward to kiss him. With a soft moan, Storm collected her against him and dug his hand into her hair. Her hands hesitantly slid around his bare shoulders, but it felt as if his whole body ignited. Deepening the kiss, Storm wrapped his arm around her waist until her body was pressed against his.
Eleanor needed more. She was not entirely sure what that meant, but she knew that as their kisses lasted longer and longer, something inside her started to wake up, and she could no longer ignore it. With a sigh, Eleanor broke the kiss and looked down into those amazing storm clouds that seemed to be almost permanent in his eyes when he was with her now.
“Storm….”
He closed his eyes and groaned softly.
“Is this all too much for you Eleanor? I know that this is all happening quickly, but now… now that I know that my future lays with you, I cannot imagine ending the day without you in my arms.”
Blushing, Eleanor felt him shift beneath her slightly, his grip tightening around her waist as if pleading with her not to make him leave her yet. Eleanor felt almost drunk on his desire for her. Brushing he lips ever so softly against his she sighed.
“I was just going to ask… to see.. um…”
Concerned his hand untangled from her hair and cupped her chin.
“What is wrong?”
Shaking her head and sure that her face was now scarlet, she buried it into his shoulder and took a breath. He smelt of rain. Good Lord it only made her body react to him more. How was that possible. Finally finding her courage, she gripped his bare should and lifted her head to meet his gaze. He looks so confused and concerned and it stole her breath all over again. Sliding her hand to his cheek, she found her voice.
“Storm… when you kiss me I feel…. Well… I feel beautiful and safe and… and….”
He brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear.
“And what Eleanor.”
“And cared for.”
A smile came to his lips and he brushed another featherlight kiss against her lips. Eleanor was so content right now. With him holding her.
“You are beautiful, and safe and care for Eleanor.”
She smiled at him and then frowned.
“And I enjoy kissing you very much.”
“As do I.”
Suddenly realizing that she could not be so close to him and think clearly.
“But tonight… tonight when you kissed me…it was different.”
Concern reached his eyes so she quickly continued.
“I mean, not really different. I still felt all of the things I have always felt when you have kissed me in the past. But tonight… I do not know if it was because of the day we just had… all I know is that I want more.”
Storm raised a brow.
“Pardon?”
Collapsing back into his chest she shook her head.
“I am not explaining myself well.”
She felt him chuckle, but then, very suddenly, Storm tightened his grip on her waist, and while cupping the back of her neck, he rolled her beneath him. Eleanor was recovering from the shock of his action when she became very aware of the weight of his body atop her. Her body wiggled against him and she felt her heart pound even harder than it had been.
“Storm…”
He touched her cheek, his thumb caressing her lower lip for a moment as his eyes trapped hers. Eleanor realized at once that what he was about to say was coming from his very soul.
“I would have wagered a fair amount of my fortune at the beginning of the season that you would have been the last person I would find myself kissing, but now…”
Curious, she whispered insecurely,
“Now what?
“Now I cannot imagine being in a room alone with you and not kissing you.”
A sly smile came to her lips.
“I suspect, Lord Wakefield, the thought of being the last person you would kiss is the one thing we would have agreed on in the beginning of the season.”
As his hand began to glide from her, up the side of her body, he looked down at her.
“And now?”
“Now, I never want you to stop.”
Storm settled his hand on her ribcage, just short of her breast. Never had he wanted her more than he did at that moment. She had been nervous to tell him her feelings. Vulnerable. Eleanor vulnerable was the most heart-wrenchingly beautiful sights he had ever seen. Although he wanted to claim her right then, Storm also knew that she was not ready for everything that he could show her. Knowing that he would have a sleepless night ahead yearning for her, he closed his eyes for a moment before meeting raising them to hers.
“Eleanor… I… want more as well.”
They were not married. All intimacies should wait until their wedding night. But he was a man who was suddenly very aware that his desire for this woman went beyond what he had ever known before. He truly cared about her. About her safety, about her happiness, about her needs. No lover he had ever known and engaged his heart and body as Eleanor Pinecrest. And a man could only deny himself so much. Especially when he knew that she was going to be his wife in such a short time. She blushed again though.
“I am not sure what to do.”
Brushing his lips against her, he trailed his lips over her jaw and pressed them against her ear.
“Just do what feels right, Eleanor. And tell me if I do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.”
Then, before she could speak again, Storm trapped her lips in a kiss and drunk in the soft moan that escaped her as his hand claimed her deliciously luscious breast. Her body responded to his touch as if it had finally found where it belonged. And it had, he thought. As she arched into his caress, Storm was suddenly aware of how quickly she had become his. Her body felt perfect against him. And her breast was full and womanly. Lost, his lips parted from her and trailed kisses along her jaw. As he lowered them to her neck, she buried her hand into his hair, pulling him closer and moaning once again.
A moment later he lowered her gown and felt her shiver beneath him. Lifting his gaze to hers, he lost his breath. Those eyes of hers were going to be his undoing, he was sure. Right now, they were looking at him filled with passion and trust. Her hand settled on his cheek and she whispered softly to him.
“I do not think I will ever stop being amazed by your eyes.”
With a chuckle he raised a brow.
“I was just thinking that myself, my dear.”
Then, to catch her off guard, Storm held her gaze for one second longer before lowing he head and trapping the peak of her breast with his mouth.
Eleanor was not sure what heaven felt like, but right now she could not imagine that it felt much differently than she did. She should be embarrassed and how quickly she gave into his desire for her, but she was not. Eleanor trusted Storm with her life, and with her body. As he started to show he all the happiness that could exist between them she knew that she could never be the woman she used to be. Since her father had passed, Eleanor had been alone. Depending on no one. Always doing what was right, sacrificing everything she was for her family. But right now, right now she knew she would never be alone again. Storm was hers. She could not say how it came to be, but the moment he trapped her gaze just now, she could see the truth. And tonight, tonight she was going to finally worry about her own needs.
As he did wicked things to breast with his tongue, Eleanor found herself giving in to her own curiosity. Her hands clung to him, sliding over his back, amused at the way his muscles seemed to dance at her touch. Storm moaned as they wandered over him and Eleanor knew that he was as excited by her touch as she was by his.
“Dear god Eleanor, your touch feels so perfect.”
“So, does yours, Storm.”
He growled in response and trapped her lips with his once again. As they both eagerly deepened the kiss, Storm trailed his hand lower and came to rest on her thigh. Eleanor felt something inside her change and, when his fingers slid underneath the hem of her night rail she actually felt herself shake with a desire for him.
Breaking the kiss, she whispered.
“Please, Storm…. I need… I need something.”
Storm could feel her desire for him. His skin burned wherever her hands seemed to land and he was suddenly very aware that his need for her went beyond lust. For one moment, the world around him just seemed to stop. Storm froze and stared at her. Eleanor was panting beneath him, her body arching into his touch and her voice crackling with longing for him. She was absolutely perfect at that moment and then, he was suddenly aware that they were on the floor of her bedroom. That he had not yet given her his name. And that she deserved so much more than he was giving her. So, unable to believe his own words, he reined in his own needs and whispered to her softly.
“Eleanor, I… we… we have to stop.”
Her eyes instantly came to his and his heart broke at the disappointment, confusion, and alarm that shone in hers. Taking a breath, he tried to find his voice to explain, but it was too late. A soft tear had escaped her, gliding down her cheek. As her hands started to pull away from him, she tried not to look at him, but it was her soft voice that broke him.
“Did I… did I do something wrong?”
Storm pressed himself firmly against her to block her retreat. Wiping the tear away, he knew he had to mend things. He had not meant to let things get this far. Of course, he had planned on seducing her a bit, but he had never intended to take as much liberty with her as he had. When she was kissing him, Storm found himself quite unable to think.
“Eleanor, you deserve so much better than this. My desire for you is clouding my judgement. I want you more than you could imagine, but I care about you even more than that. What kind of boar would I be just taking your innocence from you on the cold hard floor of your bedchamber.”
For one moment he thought she would demand that he leave, but, as always, she surprised him.
“Well, not to injure your feelings, but you were the one who decided to settle here. We could be resting in my lovely soft bed right now.”
Then, her lips twisted into a sly smile, she raised her brow to challenge him and Storm realized that he had lost his heart. Right there. On the floor of her bedchamber, Storm realized that he was in love. Irrevocably, unequivocally and shockingly in love with Miss Eleanor Pinecrest. As he sat there shocked by this revelation, Eleanor trailed her finger over his cheek and tilted his chin until their eyes locked.
“But thank you for caring that much about me.”
Storm almost blurted out his declaration of love for her right then, but as sure as she deserved the right wedding night, she deserved to find out about his love for her in a much different setting as well. Unable to resist, he pressed one more soft kiss against her lips and whispered to her.
“I do not wish to leave yet, though. I did come here so that we may learn more about each other. Would it be okay if we just talk for a bit?”
Her breath was growing steadier and he knew that the throws of passion were slowly leaving their bodies and they would both soon be thinking much clearer. Then with a mischievous smile, she sighed.
“I suppose that would be acceptable, but, if you do not mind, perhaps you could stop touching me for a minute or two?”
Storm realized that his hand was still gripping her thigh and that her lush breasts were still exposed to him. With a grumble, he managed to release her and rolled on his side so that she was free to move. The loss of her heat was instantaneous and he silently cursed his good judgement for stopping their exploration of each other. Blushing deeply, Eleanor quickly closed her night rail before settling her eyes on him. Then she frowned.
“I need to find you something to put on. I cannot hold a real conversation with you while you are laying there all bare chested and handsome.”
As he thanked her for the compliment she rolled her eyes and crossed the room with haste. A moment later she tossed a blanket at him and demanded that he cover up. Laughing, Storm did so, and Eleanor repositioned herself next to him. They lay staring at each other for a moment and feeling like he had to give her one last piece of assurance that she had done nothing wrong, he reached out and twirled a lock of her hair around his finger.
“You are a very difficult woman to resist, Eleanor.”
That lovely sly smile returned to her lips.
“You seemed to have done a very good job of resisting me when we met, Storm.”
He laughed at that, resisting the urge to kiss her again. He wondered, now that he loved her, if there would ever come a time when he was not wishing he was kissing her.
Something was different about him, Eleanor thought. There was something new in his eyes when he was looking at her. It was a bit unsettling. When he had stopped kissing her she felt something in her heart burn. The thought of him leaving her now that she had just started to accept that he was hers, it was paralyzing. But if there was one thing about Storm that she was sure of, it was that he put everyone before himself. And that now, apparently, included her. Eleanor could not remember a time when anyone had put her first.
And now… now he was looking at her as if it was the first time he had ever seen her. It felt almost as wonderful as his kiss felt. Almost. Somehow, she also knew, deep down where her logical mind was, she also knew he was right. She had not imagined what it would be like to lose her innocence, as she had truly never expected to marry, but when she thought about it, she did rather think it should be someone grander than the floor of her bedchamber.
“Well, I was much more foolish before you.”
Dragging her focus back to the conversation, Eleanor could not help but laugh heartily at that comment. At the truth of it.
“Something truly strange must be going on because we seem to be agreeing are far too many things as of late.”
His warm smile reached her heart and Eleanor took a deep breath trying to control her emotions. She wanted him in so many ways and it still seemed impossible that soon he would be hers. All hers.
“Will we remain in London after the wedding?”
Storm tilted his head as if having forgotten that he was the one who just asked if they could talk for a bit. As he still seemed puzzled, she continued on.
“It came up at tea this afternoon.”
Befuddled, he stared at her for another moment and then nodded.
“I would rather return to Marrington Manor, the family’s main estate, but with two… three sisters on the marriage mart this season, I do not think I could leave for long. I thought, if you were agreeable, we could take a short wedding trip there for a few days, before returning here.”
Eleanor knew her smile grew wide.
“That sounds lovely. Is the manor far from here?”
Storm settled further against the pillows he had arranged and shook his head.
“Not very. If we leave early we could make it there in one day’s time. I think it will be important for us to have some time alone together before continuing on with the season.”
Unconsciously, he trailed a finger over her arm. She loved how much he enjoyed being affectionate with her.
“I will admit that I would enjoy some time alone with you. Even if it is only for a few days.”
Grinning, his hand settled against her hip.
“Maybe a fortnight.”
Reaching out, she touched his cheek.
“A fortnight would be even better.”
He chuckled a bit wickedly and Eleanor found herself being pulled against him once again. His lips brushed against hers lightly and the sighed into the caress. Lord, but she was growing far too fond of him. Then he settled back and Eleanor found herself being collected in his arms against him. For one moment, she thought, this is what heaven must be like. He was so warm, and cozy, and being in his arms always made her feel safe. She sighed contently and he laughed.
“Or maybe until the season is over. I am sure Hunter and Blade can manage.”
Eleanor shook her head and laughed.
“A fortnight Storm. Your sister’s will need you back. Especially Peaches.”
She did not need to look at him to know that he was beaming at the thought of his family. Eleanor snuggled closer to him and whispered.
“Do you want to have a big family?”
“I already do, Eleanor.”
She laughed loudly at that and shook her head.
“I meant… I meant do you want to have a lot of children.”
He tightened his hold on her and pressed a kiss into her hair. Eleanor knew how much he was looking forward to being a father. Tonight, she wanted to talk about their future, because for the first time since she was marrying him, she realized how happy she was about hers.
“I was thinking Thunder or Lightning for our first son, and then a girl named Rosepetal. We have lovely rose gardens in all our estates. It should not be too difficult…. Or maybe we can create triplets on a rainy day in the rose garden.”
Eleanor laughed.
“You are being ridiculous.”
His voice grew deep.
“Fine then, first the twins, Thunder and Lightning.”
Eleanor rolled her eyes. But she was happy.
“So just the three then?”
He chucked again and she felt it against her chest.
“Of course not. After all, as head of my family I feel it is my duty to ensure the family line is plentiful.”
Eleanor smiled. Though thought of making him a father made her feel like the luckiest woman in the world.
“Storm, I want to make sure they were raised like you were.”
Caressing her arm Storm whispered huskily.
“Pardon?”
Lifting her head, she settled more comfortably against him and met his gaze.
“I want them to know that we both love them. More than anything, I want that.”
Thunderclouds were in his eyes again and Eleanor could swear she could see tears forming. Not wanting to make him uncomfortable, Eleanor returned her head to rest against his chest and listened to the soothing sound of his heartbeat.
“Eleanor, I promise you, my children, our children, will know they are loved. Always.”
Eleanor closed her eyes, trying to refrain from tearing up herself. It was hard to believe that in only a few short weeks, her life had gone from worrying about how she was going to afford a gown for her sister, to lying in the arms of this man, talking about her future with him.
“While we are on the subject, I have a request also.”
“What is that?”
Storm tightened his hold on her.
“I want to have family dinners. Like the ones I have with my family. I know it is not how families of the ton normally run, but I enjoy them, and I think it is important for our children to really understand what a family is like.”
“Storm, it is one of my favorite things about your family.”
They remained quiet for a moment, Eleanor content to just be in Storm’s arms.
“Oh, Storm, I want us to have a special place.”
“A special place?”
“Yes, when I was young, my parents used to take us to this little cabin at the very end of our property, just for a few days. Papa would take us fishing, and mother would sit and paint our portraits. We did everything ourselves. It was so fun to watch my parents cook us meals, while Marcus and Felicity and I would play silly games. I always felt so close to my family on those trips.”
Tears were in her eyes then. Eleanor realized she had not thought about those trips in a long time. Thoughts of her parents were fading. She did not know if that was good or bad. Then, Storm brushed a tear from her cheek and Eleanor asked the question she had wanted to ask him since they agreed to marry.
“Storm, do you think your parents would have approved of me?”
Storm moved then, turning on his side, his arms still around her. Eleanor settled into her new position, her eyes forced to meet his. His eyes grew more serious, his arms tightening around her.
“My parents would have adored you.”
Eleanor blushed, but the truth of his words were in his eyes. Reaching out, her hand came to his cheek.
“Are you sure?”
Then kissing her softly again, he whispered.
“Yes.”