His Ruthless Bite | Historical Paranormal Romance: Vampires (Scandals With Bite Book 4) (25 page)

“Yes,” she breathed.

Gavin lowered his head, his mouth closing on her breast through the nightgown. Lenore moaned at the intensity of what he was doing. His fingers tugged lightly at her bodice until one of her breasts was revealed.

“Absolute perfection,” he murmured before flicking his tongue across her nipple. His other hand stroked her left breast as if not wanting to neglect any part of her.

Lenore writhed beneath his attentions, marveling that anything could feel so good. When he suckled her nipples, bolts of sensation shot straight to her core, making it throb and ache with need. Unbelievably, he moved even lower, kissing her ribcage, her belly, her hips.

His hands slid up her thighs, caressing her flesh with slow, soft strokes. “Your body is so beautiful. Let me kiss the pain away.” Gavin’s voice was husky and pleading.

Lenore looked down at him in wonder. Did he know how much his ministrations had made her ache? Or was he referring to how she’d been hurt in that place before? It didn’t matter. Need consumed her, and she reached down to run her fingers through his curls.

“Yes, she gasped raggedly.

Hunger flashed in his eyes as he hiked her skirts up, kissing her hips as his hands gripped her thighs and gently eased them apart.

Lenore stiffened a moment as bad memories threatened to intrude, but when his lips pressed almost reverently to her mons, her inner demons fled away and her entire awareness encompassed him. He kissed her again, making liquid heat flood her core.

For a brief moment, she worried that he’d find her wetness unseemly. But then his tongue flicked across her damp flesh and she lost all coherent thoughts. Electric jolts of ecstasy ignited the sensitive bud between her thighs, rippling surges of pleasure that built and built until her whole body shuddered.

Gavin was merciless, gripping her thighs so she couldn’t wiggle away from his ministrations. Instead of fighting against the restraint, she knew he’d release her if she asked him to. The realization of that trust made her tangle her hands in his hair, pulling him closer.

The moment she surrendered, the orgasm rushed through her, more powerful than what she’d wrought by hand.

“Please, please,” someone cried out, and she realized it was her. Incandescent sparks flashed before her eyes as her climax reached a new plateau.

By the time Gavin lifted his head, Lenore was limp and quivering.

A ragged gasp escaped her lips. “Gavin, please, take me…”

Licking his lips, he shook his head. “I think we’d be best to be cautious and progress slowly. I don’t want to do anything to risk destroying your pleasure.”

He scooted back up next to her on the bed and Lenore’s eyes widened as she glimpsed his large erection. “But what about you?”

“My discomfort is well worth what you allowed me to do.” He licked his lips and regarded her with a smile that made her quiver anew. “Though if it would please you to touch me as you did the other night…”

With a wicked smile rife with new knowledge, she reached for him. “I would be delighted.”

Gavin stood next to Lenore to greet their guests as they filed into the manor for the ball after the Chatterton’s butler announced them. Gavin’s butler, Finch, had at first been peeved at the duty going to someone else, but the old man’s voice was far too faint and raspy. Gavin had eased his pride by reminding him that it was his responsibility to oversee all of these temporary servants.

Now he caught constant glimpses of Finch trailing after myriad footmen with an eagle eye and thumping his cane if someone incurred his disapproval. Lenore also watched the stooped butler from the corner of her eye and hid a smile with her fan.

Lenore looked so exquisite that Gavin’s breath fled his body every time he looked upon her. Too bad he would only be able to enjoy one dance with her without causing undue talk. While they’d been able to dance to their heart’s content during their engagement, it was considered unseemly for a married couple to dance together. Gavin cursed Society’s ludicrous customs.

Still, he couldn’t hold back his pride with Lenore at how superbly she’d arranged this ball. His house was immaculate and redecorated with so many different touches that it looked like a new place. Hundreds of candles lit the place as bright as day. The ballroom floor had been polished to a mirror finish and the borrowed kitchen staff had prepared a feast that tempted even him. All the while, every guest that entered looked at her with surprise as if they hadn’t expected her to carry it off.

Gavin glanced at Lenore again, and once more memories flooded his mind of the night they’d shared. The way she’d tasted, the way she’d trembled beneath him… the way she’d trusted him.

Christ, he couldn’t wait for all of these infernal people to leave so he could take his wife to bed. Perhaps tonight, he could finally make her his. A wave of primal lust rushed flared through him with such force it took all of his will to control his body and maintain decorum.

When at last he was able to take her into his arms for the waltz, Gavin couldn’t stop smiling and devouring her with his eyes. “You have done splendidly, my dear. Though I confess, I do wish you wouldn’t have ordered eight hour candles.”

“I know,” she said with matching regret in her eyes. “But Elena insisted that it was expected. She wanted this to be the greatest crush of the year.”

“It may as well be,” he replied. “For it will not be a habit, I can assure you.” He cast an irritated look at the dancers beside them, who’d almost brushed against them. “And soon we’ll be alone.”

“Yes,” she breathed, her eyes glowing with anticipation before melting further into his grip.

They enjoyed the remainder of their dance in silence, savoring their contact and the swaying of their bodies to the music, knowing that they would enjoy a deeper, more intimate dance later.

Still, when the notes of the music faded, parting from her was the hardest thing he’d done.

His next partner was Lady Chatterton. Gavin fought back a groan. “Lord Darkwood,” she said with false cheer that belied the malice in her eyes. She still hadn’t gotten over the fact that he hadn’t wed her daughter. If she knew what he was, doubtless she would be thanking him. “Your home looks even lovelier than the last time I was here.”

“You flatter me.” He fought back a laugh.

The last time she was here was three months ago, when she’d been out walking with her daughter and they’d decided to pay a “neighborly” call. Though Finch had informed them that Gavin was abed, they’d insisted on waiting. Apparently, they’d remained for nearly two hours before giving up.

“…been feeling veritably snubbed,” Lady Chatterton was saying. “Do tell Lady Darkwood that we have missed her and do look forward to her calling upon us.”

“I will,” Gavin said, wishing to be anywhere but in this simpering viper’s presence. “I know she’s been so busy continuing the charitable work she and Dr. Elliotson had begun in London.”

“Oh, is
that
what they’ve been up to?” Lady Chatterton fluttered her lashes with exaggerated innocence. “I confess, from the talk I’ve heard, I thought they were doing something far more sinister. In fact, I’d begun to fear for your young bride’s life.”

“What do you mean?” Gavin’s hands tightened on Lady Chatterton’s fingers until she drew a pained breath. With a murmur of apology, he relaxed his grip. “What talk?”

The matron tittered. “Apparently some of the farmers and shop workers have said that Dr. Elliotson is a witch.”

Gavin snorted in derision, though the implication of anything preternatural where Lenore was concerned filled him with unease. “Rot and nonsense. Didn’t people dispense with witch hunts nearly two centuries ago?”

“Yes, but you know commoners. They can be so superstitious.” Lady Chatterton laughed with him, though her mirth had a covert tinge, as if she were laughing at something else. “Some of them are even saying he’s a vampire.”

The floor seemed to dip beneath Gavin’s feet. “I beg your pardon?”

“I’m afraid so. The poor dear man,” she leaned forward and lowered her voice in a conspiratorial whisper. “In fact, the villagers have been stirred into such a frenzy that one of them dumped a bottle of holy water over Elliotson’s head this afternoon. I heard it from my maid who had it from the cook who saw the whole thing when she was at market.” Lady Chatterton feigned a melodramatic sigh. “That’s why the good doctor did not make to the ball tonight. I would imagine he is too embarrassed. I must say that I am a trifle abashed myself. How backward we must seem to him.”

“Quite,” Gavin said through clenched teeth. When the music faded away, Gavin bowed to the gossipy matron before escorting her back to her husband, who was too infirm to dance. “If you will excuse me, I must inform Lady Darkwood of the reason for her friend’s absence.”

Panic and dread filled him as his gaze darted through the crowd, looking for Lenore. He now knew the reasoning for those occult pamphlets and stories being circulated around. Though the target seemed to be Elliotson, he was no less unnerved. How long would it be before people started to take note that Lenore was never seen during the day?

Among the upper classes, such habits went unnoticed, as many danced and drank until dawn, but the farmers and merchants were a different kettle of fish.

He finally spotted Lenore dancing with Lord Creely. Her nose was pinched in testament to the man’s notorious odor. Gavin almost charged forward to pull her from the dance floor, but stopped with an inward curse. If he hauled her away in front of everyone, he’d only incite more gossip.

Taking a glass of champagne from a passing footman, he watched her switch to her next partner in the quadrille. Her flushed cheeks and brilliant smile as she noticed him watching her made his heart twist.

Last night she’d been so happy when he told her that she could continue her work. Now he’d have to break her heart and go back on his word.

But he had no choice. There was no way he could allow Lenore to endanger herself by continuing her association with Elliotson and his mesmerism. And even if he could ensure her safety and rid his territory of all suspicion, it was too late. The gossip she’d unwittingly incurred could endanger his position as Lord of this territory.

She would be furious and accuse him of betraying her, he knew it. Gavin sighed and decided to hold off talking with her until the ball was over. Best to avoid a scene. Or perhaps he just wanted to see her happy for a little while longer.

Rather than making the remainder of the evening drag, his decision seemed to accelerate the clock. In what felt like mere minutes, the guests said their farewells and drifted away.

When the last person departed, Lenore turned to him, eyes glittering with palpable cheer. “I cannot believe I carried this off. Are you proud of me, lord husband?”

Husband
... Gavin’s gut twisted in agony. It was the first time she’d called him that in an affectionate manner. And now it would be the last.

“Yes, I am proud of you.” His voice cracked.

She looked up at him, her eyes widening with concern. “Are you all right?”

“No,” he said tightly. “Come upstairs with me. There is something I must speak to you about.”

As he followed her up the stairs, his chest grew heavier with each worried glance she darted his way. By the time they entered his bedchamber, where only hours ago, he’d anticipated making love to her all day long, Gavin couldn’t breathe.

Lenore sat on the bed that Gavin now knew they wouldn’t be sharing. She fidgeted with her skirts while he paced in front of her.

“What is it?” she demanded, dark eyes full of growing unease. “Are you unwell?”

Unable to stop pacing, he ran a hand through his hair. “There was a disturbing incident in the village today, involving your friend, Doctor Elliotson.”

She bolted to her feet. “Good heavens! I’d been wondering why he did not come tonight. What happened? We must go to him at once.”

“Sit down, please.” He rubbed his arms in futile effort to warm a chill that emanated from within. “The doctor is fine, albeit undoubtedly embarrassed.” Taking a deep breath, he explained. “One of the villagers doused him with holy water, accusing him of being a vampire.”

Lenore gasped. “Oh my God. That poor man. I’m glad he wasn’t hurt. But you’re right, he must be humiliated. Tomorrow I’ll have to—”

“You don’t understand the severity of the situation,” Gavin cut her off before she could speak more of what was now impossible. “Someone has been spreading pamphlets and stories about vampires for some time now. And tonight I’d discovered that rumors about Elliotson, and possibly you as well, have been circulating for some time.”

“Oh…” she said numbly, her face growing pale.

“Therefore,” he forced the words past the guilty bile which seemed to coat his throat. “I have no choice but to forbid you from seeing Elliotson or performing mesmerism on the village women.”

Her jaw dropped, lower lip quivering. “But you told me last night that I could continue my work!”

“I know I did,” he said quietly. “That was before I learned about the danger you’re in. Not to mention the fact that such speculations not only place all of my people at risk, they endanger my position as Lord of this territory. If the Elders caught wind of this—”