All the Things You Never Knew (32 page)

into his study and locked the door behind them. “We have guests.” “Don’t worry,” he said, moving his fingers to undo the button of
her ball gown. “I told Avange to play the hostess. They won’t even
realize that we’re gone.”
A whole month had went by since Leon and Rose’s wedding, and
tonight they host a ball at the Heartily Manor to reunite friends and
families and make new acquaintance.
“But we can’t just leave everyone and–”
Leon placed his finger to silence Rose’s remark and slips her
gown off her shoulders, brushing them each with light kisses. No
matter what, he just can’t seem to have enough of her.
“I–” Rose gasped as his lips trail over her collar bone and
descended down to the valley of her breasts and grasped his shoulders.
“Leon, you’re–” She shivered with enjoyment as his mouth came and
closed around her nipples and held her breath, “Oh, you’re
so…wicked.”
Leon smiled against her skin and pulls her over to sit on top of his
desk as he ravish and explores her body with his mouth.
“Leon…” She pushed him back when he went down to kiss her
between her thighs. “This…is so…wrong.”
He gave out a low chuckle and kisses his way back up to whisper
in her ears, “We’ve been married for a month, my dear. Nothing is
wrong so throw away the modesty.”
“I hate how you make me feel so…so…”
“Angelic?” Leon offered with a smile. “You always look like an
angel when you’re spazzing and panting with love.”
“No, I don’t,” Rose denied, blushing as she closes her eyes and
let him have his way with her. She knows he’ll just make things worse
with his sizzling comment.
“Gosh, stop that,” she swatted his hand as they slip down to the
most sensitive part of her body and tried to pull away, yet every part of
her body scream for more.
“You’re always so…warm and hot and slick,” Leon said, rubbing
her raw of pleasure. “You’re so ready.”
She moaned and clutched onto him, pressing hard to the feel of
his fingers working their magic.
“Oh…Leon…that…that feels...so...so…”
“No,” she heard him say as he stops for a brief moment. “I have
to be there with you.”
With that, Leon replaced his fingers with the hardening pleasure
of his manhood and drove into her entrance, bringing Rose into an
uproar cry of delight.
“I love the feel of you,” Leon murmured, nipping at her ears as he
thrust slowly in and out of her. “You…bewitched me.”
“My, oh my…Leon…don’t…don’t ever…stop…”
Leon claimed her mouth as their love heightens to its climax and
shuddered, filling her completely with the wave of joy and
satisfaction.
There’s never ever going to be anyone that can make her feel the
same way that he does.
No one.
“I love you,” Leon said, cupping her face in his hand. “You
complete my world. I can’t say it enough. I’ll always love you. I don’t
think I will ever love anyone else. I could
never
love anyone else
again.”
Rose smiled dreamily and wraps her arms around his neck,
pulling his face down to hers. “I love you, too, Leon. You will forever
and always be my one and only loving husband. I could never dream
of being with anyone else besides you.”
“And to think you were going to marry Lansing’s son, that
wounds me,” he said, jokingly feigning hurt in his tone.
“Don’t even remind me,” she said, stroking her fingers through
his hair. “Although I feel bad that he had to die in that way.” “You’re too nice,” Leon said, pulling back to straighten his
clothes, and help Rose with hers. “He almost killed you and yet you
feel bad.”
“Well, I felt that Lord Lansing–his father should be the one to die
instead,” Rose said. “Marcus didn’t really have much to–” “I understand,” Leon interjected, swinging her up into his arms.
“I would like nothing better than to have his father die in his place, but
it seems I had failed so I’ll look forward to it the next time we meet.” “I don’t want you guys to ever meet again,” Rose said, cupping
his face in her hand and resting her head against his shoulder. “I don’t
like seeing you get hurt.”
“Well, you’re
hurting
me by bringing up this topic,” Leon teased,
pinching her nose.
“Well,
sorry
if I did,” Rose answered, matching his teasing tone. “I think we should get back now,” Leon said, beaming into her
glowing face as she looks at him. “We’ll have our fun later.” “You need to fix my hair again for me, Leon,” Rose said as she
feel her hair come loose around her shoulders. “I can’t be seen like
this.”
Leon laughed and nodded his head. “You’re right. Only I can see
you like this.”
“You’re such an ass,” she answered, slapping him on the
shoulder.
“I see you’re catching on fast with the family.”
Rose gave him a rather impious grin as he sets her down on his
desk again and work his way through with her hair.
“Perhaps I am,” she agreed to Leon’s previous comment,
savoring the touch of his fingers on her hair. “And I love you much,
my ass husband.”

Avangelene stood with her arms cross and waited impatiently for her brother to return with his wife. She had been playing hostess for the past hour and wasn’t quite thrill with it, at least not after she spotted her comrade Lord Strathmore, Drake, who was to help her on a mission she had plan out, flirting and promising every invited ladies in the ballroom a dance. It would totally cause a delay.

Leon had said that they’ll only be taking a few minutes to discuss some
‘things’
and return as soon as they’re finished. It’s not like she believe such nonsense. They can’t fool her. She knows what they’re doing. Anyone can see that the burning flame in them had not yet settle and she fear it never will, for they hadn’t been able to keep their hands off one another ever since they had joined together in holy matrimony, and even before that. She’ll be surprise if they don’t announce a new addition to the family soon. It seems only reasonable with the excessive quality of time that they spent together.

“Avange,” came the voice of her brother Leon from the top of the stair case.
About time they return. She has matters to tend.
“Things for taking your time to manage things here, Avange,” he said.
“Yes, thank you much, Avangelene,” her sister-in-law said, smiling enchantingly up at Leon.
She can see that they love one another very much.
“No problem at all,” she said, though really she was not so pleased. “It would be really mean of me to not let my brother enjoy a little–” – she winked at Rose– “
tête
-à
tête
with his wife.”
With that, she walked away, leaving Leon and Rose to gape shockingly after her.
“All your sisters are horrible,” Rose said, feeling herself heated.
“What can I say, we’re Heartilys,” he grinned. “Would you care to waltz, my lovely wife?”
Rose took his hand in hers and answered, “I thought you’ll never ask.”

Laguna stood and watched as the infuriating Avangelene strolls over to the half-witted Lord Strathmore and feel a twist of something indescribable in his gut.

He was surprised to see her dressed in a simple green gown with long-sleeves and matching sequin laces than her usual men’s garment. Her hair was in an updo of curls and swept to the side of her shoulder, too, instead of the usual wig or simple ponytail tied back. It must be in courtesy of Lady Rose, or rather, Mrs. Heartily, since she had married Leon and was the hostess of the ball.

Avangelene looks rather enchanted though, he had to admit. If only she didn’t look so intimidating with her dark glare earlier directed at Lord Strathmore as she crosses her arms and waited for whatever, he probably would have asked her to dance. He would wager that the other gentlemen wanted the same; although he could see that the other Heartily Sisters were just as intriguing. But something about Avangelene was quite…extraordinary.

He wonders why she was looking at Strathmore so. Could it be that there’s something between the two?
She couldn’t be jealous of the ladies he’s flirting with, could she?
It doesn’t seem to be in her nature.
Laguna move closer along the wall as he saw that she was now talking to Strathmore and forcing him away from the group of young women that crowded him and thought she must really have been jealous.
He almost laughed at the absurdity.
He knows Strathmore well, and he doesn’t seem like the type Avangelene would fawn over. There must be another reason.
Laguna follows as he saw that they’re both retiring and going out the door, and hid behind one of the marble column to prevent from being seen.
Where the devil is she going with Strathmore?
He went closer and peeked through the crack of the door and saw Avangelene stripping off her gown. She seems to have worn her manly clothing underneath it and was now undoing her hair and tucking it under one of her silly wigs.
He knew then, that she was up to no good.
Laguna was about to burst out and take her back in, but was interrupted by the shout of his name.
“Hargate!”
Damn it!
He turned to see that it was Gareth Longsword and scowled.
“What are you doing over here?” Longsword asked, coming over to lean on the other column with his arms crossed.
“Just wanted a moment to myself,” Laguna answered, hoping that Gareth would go away.
“That’s unusual of you,” said Longsword, as he cocks his head to look at him. “You’re usually out and above to seek out the fun in these soirées.”
“I am,” he said peering back at the crack of the door. “Just not at the moment.”
“Do you have somewhere to go?” Longsword asked, as he notices the glance from Laguna’s eyes.
Thank God he asked.
“As a matter of fact, yes,” Laguna said in relief.
“Go then,” Longsword said, gazing back at the dance floor. “I don’t think Leon would mind so much of your absence now that he has somebody alluring and beautiful around his arms.”
Laguna followed Longsword’s gaze and knew he was right.
Their friend has become so besotted over his little wife that he barely noticed their presence.
“Please give Leon my utmost sincere apology for leaving and bid him a farewell for the evening,” Laguna said quickly, and hurried out before he loses track of Avangelene.

Laguna Black, the Duke of Hargate, sat and watches as the
Death
of his life came and sat across from him combing her hair.

Dusk had fallen and there was nowhere for them to go. He had set up a small camp to keep them warm for the night and roasted a small game that he had shot along the trail as they traveled back from the vault of the Marquess of Lansing. He took his share and left the rest for
Death
. He just realized how dangerous she was to him. There are many secrets and mysteries behind her mask. Not to forget hidden talents that he would never have expected.

He raised a finger to his lips to feel the imprint of her lips that had met his earlier and feel his anger rushing up through his chest. He wanted to yell at her, or at least say something to release the fury flaming in him, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t speak. She had done something to him that took away his voice.

“
Duke
,” came
Death
softly from across him.

Laguna didn’t dare to look at her. He wouldn’t be able to control his temper if he does. He might not even be able to hold back the emotion and feelings he gets when he looks at her, or when she speaks to him or glance his way. He just wanted to kiss her senseless and feel her melt beneath his arms. But that is the last thing he wanted to do at the moment. She has pretty evil tricks up her sleeves. He doesn’t want to fall for it again. This one now is enough.

“I’m sorry,” she said, getting up, and walking over to sit next to him.

He scooted away, not wanting to be near her. She just laughs and scooted closer.
“Duke, I’m sorry,” she said again, her hand on his arm to stop him from moving away.
If only she knew what her touch could do to him.
“I…I guess I over did it back there by kissing you,” she said, sighing as her hand slid from his arm.
That was more than a mere kiss, he wanted to argue, but he was possessed by silence.
“I know you wanted to throttle me, even yell or lecture, whatever, but…” She paused for a moment and looked at him. “I really hope you will forgive me for it. I…did something that I wasn’t supposed to.”
He will give her a point for that one.
“I just…” She blew off a breath and shook her head. “Never mind. I won’t use that Kiss of Silence any more. It’s only my first time. I haven’t even figured out how to undo it yet.”
Kiss of Silence
. He’d heard of it somewhere. There was a potion made from a rare poisonous flower that if a woman was to apply it to her lips and kiss a person it would silence them, or worst kill them. Such insanity. Why does this
Death
need it anyway? And what does she mean by not knowing how to undo it? She would sure be the death of him. This new name
Death
that he had come across at the moment sure does fit her well.
Avangelene
, the
Lady of Death
.
“But I think I remember an old lady telling me to…” she trailed off, rubbing her chin in a thoughtful manner. “Hm, I think I only have to kiss you again since it repels when a person who’s already poisoned comes back into contact with the poisoner.”
Dear Lord, he doesn’t want that.
“I know it’s the last thing you want me to do,” she answered as if she had read his mind. “And you’re right. It’s the last thing I wanted to do, too, but I have to save you or you will have to remain silent forever, or worse, die.” She placed her hand on his arm and said softly, “I would never be able to forgive myself if you die.”
You should have thought of that earlier
. There was so much he wanted to say. No wonder she wanted him dead silent.
“Would you…allow another kiss?”
He would have burst out saying,
“You didn’t ask permission for that first one,”
but couldn’t. He just turns to look at her and shrug, although he would like nothing better than to kiss her again, except in a more intimate nature than a grandmother’s peck.
“Is that…a yes?” She seemed nervous, which was so unlike her.
Avangelene
, the
Lady of Death
, was
never
nervous, nor afraid of anything. Except to kiss him again, of course. He would have grin at that thought but doesn’t want to soften up on her just yet. In reply, he just shrugs again.
She frowned at him and turned away murmuring, “So unlike a duke to always be shrugging.”
Well, if he has anything to say in this, he would have pointed out that it’s so unladylike for a woman to ask to kiss a man. But sadly, she’s not a lady. And she wouldn’t give a damn about his thoughts or opinions, or anything for all that matters. She’s just Avangelene who gets her way with everything. And unfortunately, she’s wrapping him around her fingers, and he can’t escape. He doesn’t want to.
He smiled to himself as he sees that she’s getting quite annoy and taps her shoulder. She turned to look at him but his lips came down on hers, ignoring any protest that she might have.