Claimed By Chaos (24 page)

Chapter 41

The light was starting to fade in the library and Giselle frowned as she looked at the clock. It was almost time to dress for dinner.
Just a little longer.
She decided as she rested her chin on her arms. She had them crossed over the arm of the lounge as she reclined and watched Alastair. He hadn’t moved for almost two hours. He sat upright in his usual chair, his eyes were shut and his fingers were steepled in front of his lips. He reminded Giselle of a fortress. As the room darkened, the edges and planes became sharper and more severe. He became more like stone. She wanted to slip onto Alastair’s lap and press herself against him until he became warm and demanding. She wanted to see him change forms, to go from a forbidding marble god to a potent, demanding warrior. Giselle suppressed a shiver as she recalled how completely he had possessed and exhausted her body. He hadn’t left an inch unclaimed, she could still feel his lips in places she could never reach.

His eyes snapped open and found hers.

“What were you doing?” Giselle asked softly as she sat up. He blinked a few times.

“Planning. Rearranging.” He said softly before his eyes flicked to the door. A moment later, Lucien strode in with Mirabelle.

“A letter from Gilles just arrived.” He said as he sat next to Alastair. Mirabelle flopped onto the lounge next to Giselle and tucked her feet under her. Lucien flicked it open and began reading. “There’s been more traffic at Spencer Place than on Bond Street.” He said. Giselle saw Alastair frown softly as he nodded. Lucien’s eyes drifted across the page and he smiled. “Lady Gasden came to tea and the theory among the ton is that the family has been helping Lady St. Claire hide for years. She believes that Alastair hasn’t bothered looking for a bride because he and Giselle have had a secret agreement and she is finally coming to Town so that an official announcement can be made.” He paused and raised an eyebrow at Alastair. Mirabelle gasped in mock surprise.

“How very sly of you!” She teased. Alastair shrugged and signaled for Lucien to continue. He frowned.

“Lady Gasden has noticed Alastair’s absence and suggested that we are not adequate chaperones.” Lucien’s eyes went to Alastair’s and then Mirabelle’s. She cringed.

“I’m afraid she’s right but I don’t think she’ll give us any trouble.” Mirabelle said. Lucien smiled as he continued reading.

“Gilles says that so far, she is the only one that has noticed that Alastair has been missing and she has assured them that she will keep quiet.” He chuckled and Mirabelle was pleased.

“I told you, she’s delightful and clever.” Mirabelle announced and Alastair rolled his eyes. Giselle looked at all three and was stunned. How could they not be upset?

“What is wrong with those people?” She exclaimed. All three sets of eyes swung to Giselle in confusion. She threw her hands up in exasperation. “No one has noticed that Sir Alastair Spencer hasn’t been seen in public for almost two weeks?” She didn’t appreciate the way they were all looking at her as if she had switched languages. Lucien’s eyebrows nearly reached his hair, Mirabelle’s lips were puckered as if she was about to ask for further clarification and Alastair blinked at her as if he was broken. “Possibly the only interesting man in London has disappeared and no one has missed him?” Giselle waited for someone to agree. Mirabelle looked to Lucien.

“It’s very sweet, isn’t it?” She sighed. He laughed softly as he nodded. Mirabelle patted Giselle’s hand affectionately. “I’m so glad you see him for what he truly is but I’m afraid you’ve joined a very exclusive club. It’s not unusual for most members of the ton to go weeks, maybe months without having a glimpse of Alastair. If he did go about more, I think many people would try to avoid him.” Mirabelle said a bit too honestly. Giselle frowned and was about to protest before Alastair leaned forward.

“Why are you complaining? We want the ton to think we’re engaged, not that you’ve been compromised. Unless you’d like our first outing to be a meeting with our old Latin tutor.” Alastair looked at her expectantly. Giselle was lost, she looked at Mirabelle who was biting her lip. She smiled as she leaned close.

“He’s Archbishop of Canterbury now, poor man.” She nudged Giselle. “He’s been very helpful lately.” Mirabelle exchanged a warm glance with Lucien. Giselle shook her head and avoided looking at Alastair.

“Is there anything else?” Giselle was eager to see the topic changed. Lucien held the letter up and continued reading. He frowned and then leaned forward. Alastair became alert. Lucien swore softly and then looked up at Mirabelle.

“We’re going to have to leave sooner than we planned.”

“What is it?” Alastair asked as he rose. Giselle could sense him becoming infused with restless energy as he started to pace. Lucien handed Alastair the letter and looked at Giselle.

“George has requested that you present yourself at court. Gilles said that he tried to decline on your behalf but the second request was insistent.” Lucien stood and went to the desk. Alastair cursed.

Giselle wanted to do a great deal more than curse. She felt as if the room had shrunk and she was being squeezed. Her head started to pound, the thought of going to court made her sick to her stomach. She would be expected to smile and curtsy and answer a never-ending stream of questions about her parents, her family and her life. Everyone would stare and inside their minds they would try to figure out how best to use her.

Alastair was staring out the window but his eyes were unseeing.

“What does he want, Lucien?” His voice was hard and tight. Lucien paused in the middle of writing and looked up. His face was grim.

“There’s a new king in France. He’s looking to strengthen his position and the best way to do that is through marriage.” Lucien said carefully as his eyes settled on Giselle. Mirabelle shook her head.

“But he’s already married.” She said as she crossed her arms defiantly.

“True but I can already guess which candidates he has in mind.” Lucien stood and walked to Alastair with the letter he had written. The muscles in Alastair’s jaw twitched as he turned and reached for it. Giselle felt rage curling and rising within her.

“George can want as much as he wishes for as long as he likes but I’m not marrying anyone.” Giselle seethed. Alastair’s head snapped in her direction and his eyes flared. Mirabelle and Lucien stared at her sternly and Giselle suddenly felt very sorry for tiny Charlotte. “I won’t be anyone’s pawn.” Giselle stated. Lucien nodded softly.

“I’m requesting a private audience. He’ll see me. I’ll take Gilles and together we can persuade him to give up any plans he has for you.” Lucien leaned against a bookshelf and crossed his arms. Alastair nodded.

“I’ll go with you.” He added and Lucien looked uncertain. Mirabelle tried to disguise her laugh by coughing softly. Alastair became annoyed and Lucien sighed.

“Alastair, you know that you’re miserable at diplomacy. And I’m not so sure George is pleased with you after your behavior during your dubbing.” Lucien reasoned. Alastair frowned and his brows pulled together. Giselle had to ask.

“What happened when Alastair was knighted?” She looked around the room. Alastair dropped into his chair and scowled petulantly. Lucien gripped his shoulder and laughed.

“To begin with, he didn’t want to go. He actually asked if George could just ‘put a fancy seal on some parchment and send it over’. We had to drag him out of Burton Place.” Lucien shook his head as he recalled what must have been quite a scene. Alastair threw his hand off.

“I was being knighted for service to my country that I performed in a covert manner. As I was still working for the War Office, it seemed foolish to publicly announce the fact. Also, the whole thing seemed bloody pointless.” Alastair argued. Giselle felt a laugh bubbling within her but it reached her heart and it mingled with love and adoration and she became still. She was already overwhelmed and struggling, she didn’t need to feel more. Lucien took the seat next to Alastair and reclined.

“He had no appreciation for the pomp and ceremony.” Lucien paused when Alastair snorted.

“Useless.” He stated. Lucien shook his head and continued.

“George dubbed him and as soon as he lifted the sword, Alastair looked at him and said ‘May I leave now?’. I thought George would have an apoplexy. Needless to say, it might be better if Gilles and I dealt with this.” Lucien looked at Alastair hopefully. He shook his head as he stood.

“I’m going.” Alastair didn’t wait for Lucien to argue, he crossed the room and went through the doors. Giselle looked around in alarm.

“Why does he keep doing that?” She whispered. Mirabelle sighed.

“He will always do that if his feelings are getting beyond his control or he’s uncomfortable. I think that’s why he had such an extreme reaction last night, he couldn’t leave.” Mirabelle’s voice became distant and sad. Giselle stared at the door.

“What made him leave now?” She looked at Mirabelle and Lucien.

“The king wants to take the woman he loves away from him. That would be difficult for any man to accept.” Lucien said softly.

The breath she was about to take became trapped in her chest. Giselle wasn’t even aware that she was moving until she was in the hall. She looked around and felt herself pulled toward the gardens. She ran through the study, pushed through the French doors and flew down the terrace steps. She raised her skirts as she rushed past the roses and into the wisteria.

Giselle found Alastair at the swing. His hand rested on the seat of the swing and he looked up when he heard her approach. He reached for her as she ran into his arms. She felt his chest lock as he held his breath when her body connected with his. His body was tense for a moment as Giselle pressed her hands to his face and set her lips to his. He groaned as he opened and let her tongue surge in. Then, the tension within him snapped and his body started moving. His hands pulled her closer, gripping and sliding as he turned them and backed her against the tree.

Alastair’s hands closed around her waist and he lifted her and settled between her thighs. He pulled his lips from hers and his mouth trailed down her throat. Giselle shut her eyes and gasped in delight as she felt his tongue gliding against her skin. His fingers made quick work of the buttons and laces of her bodice and chemise. She sighed in relief when she felt his hands close around her breasts. Alastair growled as his head dipped and his face pressed into her cleavage. Giselle gripped his shoulders and her head fell to the side as his tongue lashed at her nipple. She bit her lip to keep from crying out when he pulled her into his mouth and began to suckle urgently.

She felt one of his hands slide beneath her bottom, supporting her as the other worked at the buttons of his breeches. Giselle felt slick heat burst between her thighs in anticipation and a moan slipped from her throat. Alastair lifted his head and his lips pressed against her ear.

“Tell me you need this.” He growled as he pushed her skirts up. Giselle wrapped her leg around his waist and sucked in a breath.

“I need you. I need you now!” She begged and she felt his lips curve against her ear. His fingers parted her and the head of his erection pressed into her. He hissed and shuddered.

“You’re so wet and hot. You feel so perfect around my cock.” His voice was damp and warm and it made her shiver. Giselle shut her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“More. I need to feel all of you.” She panted. Alastair’s mouth crashed against hers as he tilted her hips. He thrust forward until he was buried to the hilt within her and she moaned against his tongue. He rocked his hips, grinding against her and she wrapped her other leg around him and tried to pull him deeper.

Alastair groaned as he angled his head. His kiss became desperate and ruthless. Giselle’s lips started to sting but she fought back, attacking his tongue with hers. His hands locked around her derriere and his hips started to flex and drive forcefully between her thighs, deep into her core. She could feel his erection stretching and filling her relentlessly. Her nipples tightened painfully as they rubbed against the velvet of his waistcoat and she pulled her lips from his and sobbed.

“I need to feel you come, my love.” His voice was low and she felt it against her neck. “Let go and take me with you.” Alastair’s mouth pressed against her flesh and she could feel his teeth graze her skin as his tongue laved. His cock stroked hard and deep and Giselle felt her muscles tighten around him and her body arched against his. “Oh, God. That’s it.” He gasped.

She became paralyzed for a moment before her nerves burst. Her body became liquid and light as she felt him pull her tight against him. He strained against her as she started to shake and his head fell back. He prayed her name over and over as he started to writhe and she felt him swell and pulse within her. Heat exploded deep inside and Giselle clenched her teeth as another wave of ecstasy washed over her. Alastair’s thrusts slowed until his head fell to her shoulder and a final tremor passed through him.

Her body melted against his and she clung. Their hearts pounded against each other and it was all she could hear and feel for several moments. When her body started to return, she lifted her head and pressed her lips to his temple. She felt Alastair stir and stifled her disappointment as he withdrew and carefully lowered her to the ground. He wrapped his arms around her as he rolled so that his back was against the tree. His hands pulled her against his chest and started stroking her back.

“I’ve never done that outside of a bedroom.” Alastair murmured against her hair. Giselle laughed softly as she looked up.

“Neither have I.” She teased as she brushed her lips against his. He grinned as his hands cradled her face. His tongue traced her lips and his thumb pressed against her chin, opening her so he could slide into her mouth. Alastair’s kiss was gentle and Giselle sighed with content. A moment later her eyes flared and her heart started to gallop as she felt a warm, wet trickle slide down her thigh. She pushed against his chest and he allowed her to lean back within the circle of his arms. His head tilted as his eyes searched hers. She bit her lip as she tried to find the words. “I don’t think you should… until we’re sure.” Giselle whispered shakily as she looked away. Alastair frowned.