body shuddered as his lips touched hers. She could no longer deny the need she felt for this man. Not when he was before her, his eyes flaring with passion. Rising to her toes, she clenched his lapels and held him close. This was where she had wanted to be again, since that morning on the road to London. She’d dreamed of this... him

“I have tried to fight this hunger I feel for you.” He rasped the words against her lips. “But I cannot.”

She kissed him back, taking and receiving.

His fingers touched her back, stroking the exposed skin. They left a trail of heat as he moved to her buttons.

She was blind to all but need. Need for this man consumed her.

She felt her bodice loosen, and he tugged her chemise aside. His lips moved to her neck and then lower, until he reached her breasts, licking each curve, and kissing the peaks. His touch was so exquisite, she moaned.

“Joseph.” She didn’t know what she asked for, only that it was more... so much more.

He took her nipple into his mouth, and she cried out at the pleasure. An arrow of lust shot through her to center between her thighs.

Milly ran her hands up his chest, eager to feel his skin. Pushing his jacket to the floor, she opened the waistcoat and pulled the hem of his shirt from his breeches.

“Your touch.” He lifted his head and kissed her. “I need your touch.” He breathed the words against her lips.

“As I need yours.”

She lowered her head and pressed her lips to his chest, running soft, wet kisses over the skin.

“Milly.” His moan spurred her on. She let her hand trace the band of his breeches. Let her fingers dip inside to touch his skin. She’d learned of the art of lovemaking from maids during the last few years; learned, and believed it would never be she who did these acts.

Bolder, she moved lower and cupped his erection.

“Christ!”

Joseph lifted her and walked to the chaise. He lowered her and dropped to his knees before her. Easing her skirts up her body, he kissed her thigh above her stocking, the heat delicious. The first sweep of his tongue over the soft folds between her thighs made her shudder.

“Joseph!”

“Let me pleasure you.” The breath whispered over her sensitive skin.

Milly’s head fell back, and he continued to give her the most intimate kiss of all. She should not allow it. Should not be spread before him like a feast, when someone could chance upon them, but Lord, she could not stop him. The tension built inside her as he continued to lick and kiss her. When his tongue swept over the tight bead, she moaned long and deep, as wave upon wave of ecstasy swept over her.

“Yes, let go, Milly.”

Her lashes fluttered open to see him poised above her. His hands opened his breeches and then he was there, the full, hard length of him poised to take her.

“Tell me you want this, Milly.”

She touched the muscles clenched in his jaw.

“I want this. Please, Joseph. I want you.”

He eased inside her, slick muscles clenching as he pushed deeper. She felt a sting of pain and then he was there, buried deep inside her. Breath rasping, arms braced beside her.

“Milly, are you all right?”

“Yes.” She took his face in her hands and kissed him, and she felt him slide out of her and back in. Lord, it was pleasure and pain, and she wanted it all. They had been robbed of one life together, but perhaps with this, they could have another.

“Joseph,” she gasped as she felt it again; that wonderful pinnacle was in reach once more. He retreated and thrust again and again, and then she reached it, sailed over with Joseph, and floated down the other side.

She slowly caught her breath as they came back to reality.

“You will marry me.”

Milly grew still at the words, more a demand than a request.

“There can be no other way now.”

Milly wriggled, pushed him off her, and he moved, reluctantly.

“Answer me, Milly.”

Turning her back, she began to straighten her clothes.

“Your delivery would suggest I have left you no choice, my lord. Nor that I have one either.” Her heart ached. She had done the very thing she had vowed not to, given control of her life to another... to Joseph, the man she loved.

Dear Lord, she did love him again? Or had she never stopped?

“After what we have shared, we must marry, Milly. You are not foolish enough to believe otherwise.”

She heard rustling, which told her he was occupied in rearranging his clothing as well. He had not asked her permission or used gentle words. No, he had demanded, as if she had no rights. Well, she was not a naive young woman any longer. She answered to no one, especially not him.

“I am not a fool.” Milly found her anger. “Don’t tell me what I must do. I have spent my life doing what others have demanded of me. I no longer wish to.”

“I’m sorry if my words offend you, madam. But I just took your innocence, therefore there is no other option open to you or me.”

She spun to face him. “I am an option for you? Is that all?”

His face was closed to her; she read nothing there. Surely he cared for her? Surely she had not imagined the gentle love he had just made to her.

“No, stop twisting my words. Of course you are important to me. I would not offer for you otherwise.”

How could she love and hate the same person, Milly wondered. She berated herself for her behavior. One kiss and she had melted at his feet. One touch and she had given him everything.

“No, please.” Milly raised a hand, her words laced with sarcasm. “I can take no more of your pretty words, my lord.”

“Milly—”

“May I suggest we say nothing further, my lord. We shall both leave, and take time to think about what has occurred.”

“No. You will marry me. That is the consequence of what we have just done.”

“I will not marry because of what we just did. I do not have to, nor will I.”

“God’s blood. I want to marry you, can you not see that?”

He was frustrated with her, yet Milly cared little for that. She needed some time to think. Some time to come to terms with the realization that she had just given this man her heart once more, along with her innocence. 

“You do not sound pleased by the notion, Lord Ellsworth, and as I find I am not either, I will leave.”

Milly hurried to the door. Unlocking it, she ran outside.

“Milly, come back here!”

Ignoring him, she ran through the gardens, and did not stop until she reached some of the other guests.

 

The day passed on leaden feet. She had slipped into the house to check her appearance, and then rejoined her aunt. There she had stayed until they were ready to leave. Of the earl she had seen plenty. He had talked and spent time with other guests, plenty of whom were of the female persuasion. Milly refused to be jealous that earlier he had transported her to sensual heaven, and now, he was doing what was expected of him.

She intercepted a few of his dark looks, but did not acknowledge them. Eventually the strain of the day was too much, and she asked if her aunt was ready to leave. Luckily she was.

Aunt Beth dozed on the return trip to London, and Milly stewed. Why had he not asked her nicely? Why had he not said he wanted her desperately, and could not live without her? She no longer had to accept such a proposal, but if she did not, she would not have the man she loved in her life.

And she did love him. Milly accepted that fact openly now. He was everything to her. The problem was, she wanted to be everything to him, as she knew she had not been when they were betrothed. Milly was also not certain he had forgiven her yet, or would ever do so.

When her head started to pound, she pushed the thoughts aside. She could do nothing about it now; tomorrow would be soon enough to resume her worrying.

Her body ached in places it had never ached before. Washing when she reached her room, she felt Joseph’s mouth and hands on her. Lord, she had allowed that man liberties.

A tap on her door had Milly pulling on her robe and opening it.

“A note has come for you, my lady.”

“Thank you, Helen.”

The note was from a woman in need who had been turned off without references from her position as governess, and had nowhere to go. She had heard of Milly’s house, and wished to speak with her urgently.

“Helen, call for my carriage at once, we are going out.”

When her maid left she dressed quickly, and pulled on the blue velvet cloak. The house was quiet as she walked through it. Her aunt would be slumbering already, Milly was sure.

Giving her driver the address, she climbed in the carriage with her maid. Twenty-five minutes later, they stopped. Looking out the window, she checked the location. It was definitely not the worst part of London.

“Come, Helen.”

Milly stepped down and waited for her maid. She then told her driver to hold the horses while they went to call upon the lady.

It was dark, but she could see quite well now that her eyes had adjusted.

“What number are we looking for, my lady?”

“Number seven, Helen.”

“Right here, my lady.”

“I knew you would come.”

She spun to face the man at her back, pushing Helen behind her.

“You!” She recognized him as the man from the theatre, the one who had made her so uneasy.

“I should have simply taken you with me that night four years ago, but instead I let your father’s sentimentality cloud my judgment.”

“Who are you?”

“I am the man who owns you, Lady Millicent. The man you will spend the rest of your life pleasing.”

“No!”

“Yes!” He grabbed her arm. “I have waited a long time for you, my dear. I shall finally be pleased to have you in my bed, and our children will be of noble blood.”

Milly struggled for release.

“Your father told me I could not have you when he repaid his debt to me before his death, but by then it was too late. I knew you would be mine.”

“Unhand her!” Helen stepped to her side and struck him, but he pushed her aside.

“Don’t mistake me, my lady. I am a dangerous man, and should you not yield I will punish those you love. Starting with your earl.”

“H-he is not my earl,” Milly denied.

“Yes he is, but he will not be for long if you do not do as I say. I can also make your aunt’s life extremely painful should I choose to.”

“No, why are you doing this? Four years have passed, surely—”

“I never forget, my lady. And as I have wanted you for a long time, the wait has only heightened that need. You have evaded me many times, but now I will have you.”

“No!” Milly clenched her fist and sent into his face, it connected with his jaw. Surprise had him releasing her to stumble backward. Milly grabbed Helen and ran as fast as she could.

“Faster, Helen!”

Picking up her skirts, she sprinted down the street with her maid at her side, until she reached the carriage.

“Hurry, we are being chased! Drive quickly!”

Wrenching open the door, she urged Helen inside and followed. Milly slammed the carriage door, and it started moving.

“Oh, my lady, are you all right?”

“I am, are you, Helen?”

“Oh yes, it would take more than the likes of him to frighten me.”

Milly managed to nod. Her heart was beating so hard inside her chest, it was painful.

“Thank you for trying to help me, Helen.”

The maid smiled, and Milly realized the woman could have been hurt tonight, and it would have been all her fault. Lord, was it happening again?

Looking out the window, she saw only darkness, but knew he was there. That man had waited years to have her; he would not stop now.

Would she be forced to run once more? Could she? No! That would not happen again. Four years ago she’d been young and naive; she was no longer that woman. This time she would not turn away from the man she loved. This time, she would put her faith in him.