SoundsofLove (16 page)

She removed her jacket in silence and he tried to read her.

“You look very charming in that boy’s garb.”

“I believe Mrs. Aubrey has me beat in the charm department.”

He glanced at his hand, which seemed to radiate shame. “Nothing
happened, love.”

“I have a keen sense of smell, Julian. Never try to fool me
in that regard. You have rose scent on your hand…” She removed her waistcoat,
and he saw she wore no corset or shift. “You say nothing happened?”

He nodded again, feeling conflicted over his continued claim
to complete innocence.

Cathryn undid the top button of her shirt. “I don’t think
you kissed her, so I’m struggling to understand what did occur.”

His mind reeled with what to tell her, but her disrobing
soon claimed his full attention. The silence dragged on as she continued to
unbutton her shirt, slowly revealing the creamy skin beneath. She removed her
braces and her trousers fell to the ground, exposing shapely legs. Stepping out
of the men’s clothes, she slipped off her loose shoes at the same time.

He watched in fascination as she transformed into a dark
siren. She wore only an open linen shirt as she stood before him. “Tell me what
happened, Julian.”

“She wants a child, and my father does not.”

She took a step towards him and the dark of her curls caught
his attention. “Did she seduce you?”

A chuckle welled up from within him. “No.”

She did not join his laugh as she perched on the bed beside
him. “Did she try?”

“I used your name to ward her off. I think she’s frightened
of you.”

A charming look crossed her face, and he knew his quip had
hit a good spot. “Frightened of me?”

“Yes. It was Fiona who convinced me you were too good for
me. That made you irresistible. I asked for your hand the very next day.” She
glanced at his hand, and he squirmed. “Nothing happened tonight, love.”

“Perhaps when she was nursing you, she leaned on the bed,
and her robe carried her scent.”

“Yes.” He was eager to end this discussion. “I could use the
washbasin myself, love. I think I can make the walk.”

“No. I’ll bring it here. I won’t have Aubrey accusing me of
mistreating you.”

He watched her lovely form as she crossed the room, and then
he enjoyed her return trip even more. This nursing fantasy would displace Fiona
in his fevered mind. He washed his hands and she used a cloth to wipe his brow
and down his neck and chest.

She glanced at the blankets and asked, “Is there someplace
else you need to wash?”

He threw back the blanket and winced slightly at the brief
stab of pain in his side. His cock had responded to Cathryn’s near nakedness,
and he was relieved the fine fellow was in good working order and eager for
action. “Do whatever you must to prove me true.”

She appeared intent as she stared at him, and his cock
shifted under her scrutiny. In a swift movement that caught him off guard, she
leaned over him and kissed the tip of his rigid poker. Taking him in hand, she
lavished kisses all along the length of him, and he nearly exploded in her
silken grasp.

“Dear God, Cat.”

She broke her ministrations and smiled up at him. “Do you
want me to stop?”

A conflicted sense of shame came over him—she seemed too
good to be putting her mouth on him such. He didn’t take time to consider the
source of his discomfort as he said, “Climb on me, gently.” He reached out to
probe between her legs, and she shifted to accommodate his hand.

“I’m very glad you came, love.” He slid a finger inside her
and relished the wet, warm tightness. She was perfect for him.

She smiled at him with a joy that touched his very soul and
lightened his burden. “I’m very glad you are a man of your word.”

“It’s not always easy.”

She shrugged off the shirt, and Julian feasted on her glorious
form, lush and soft as a woman should be.

This was the woman he wanted.

“I want to make love with you, Cathryn. I think we can
manage if you ride me lightly.”

“I don’t want to hurt you. Perhaps we should stop…” She
faltered, and he struggled to convince her, needing her.

“If my wound festers, this could be our last night together.”
It was a low blow, and he regretted saying it when the joy left her eyes. “I’ll
be fine, love. Don’t worry.”

Concern remained in her brown eyes, and he wanted to erase
the pain he’d brought on her. “It will take more than a slight wound to quench
my desire for you. Straddle me, Cat. It’s what I want.”

She hesitated, but finally she climbed over him with
remarkable grace, sitting lightly atop his thighs as she stroked his staff with
firm strokes. “I think perhaps we are best when we face the world together.”
She rose to her knees and then lowered herself down onto his throbbing cock. “Oh,
my Lord, Julian,” she whispered as she closed her eyes in concentration, slowly
sheathing him in her tightness.

“My love,” he cried as he pulled her down onto him. He
winced slightly as she moved, but the exquisite pleasure overrode any
discomfort. Closing his eyes, he allowed himself to feel the heat of her, and
he moved slightly beneath her, savoring the ecstasy. She propped a hand on
either side of his head and her lemon-scented hair fell around him, the soft
strands diverting his attention for a moment.

“My love,” she echoed as she brushed her lips across his. “I
like the sound of that.” Her hips began a slow grind. “Does this feel all
right?”

He
murred
his pleasure as he cupped her face and drew
her close for a long kiss. His tongue sought hers and a rhythm began of
grinding and kissing, licking and nipping. She rose up higher, and he groaned
as she sank back down onto him.

“Did I hurt you?” she whispered.

“In the best possible way.” He held her hips and took
control of the thrusts. He quickly determined the best length and speed to
minimize his pain and set a steady rhythm she followed. She rode him
comfortably, and her eyes rolled back as she found her stride. His thumb
brushed her clit and she shuddered.

“Yes, love, yes,” she urged him on, and he watched her face
in the candlelight taking on the look of rapture he cherished. To watch a
beautiful woman achieve ecstasy was one of life’s great joys, and he had chosen
a worthy lady to fill his sights. He would take her all over the world,
pleasure her against every imaginable backdrop.

He felt himself quickening and hoped she would precede him.
Her soft moans and whimpers took on an urgency and he felt her contractions squeeze
him. God, she’s glorious, he thought as he pumped up into her. He kneaded her
soft breasts as he felt his own blissful release follow hers. His long groan
joined her sighs and she lay lightly over him, supporting herself on her
elbows.

“You must think me terribly wanton,” she whispered
breathlessly into the side of his neck.

He lifted her face and caught her eyes. “Believe me, my
esteem for you has never been higher. In fact, my regard for you has grown
considerably.” He smiled at her and relished the sensations and emotions
coursing through him at the slightest movement. “I believe you bested Master
Aubrey tonight, in her own home. You would be a legend if the story became
known.”

She seemed to like the idea because her face lit up, as if
sunshine had made its way into their nest. “I’m only sorry I didn’t come
sooner.”

He had no good response, so he kissed her. If tonight were
to be his final carnal meal, he would have ordered the same menu, without the
pain. His honor was intact. He had denied Fiona on his own terms. And he had a
luscious new love.

Cathryn broke the kiss and sat up gingerly, scanning his
bruised body tenderly as she spoke. “What’s important now is to best the person
who did this to you.”

Fiona entered with the doctor at ten, and Cathryn watched
her for any sign of remorse, but none came. Dr. Loudon proclaimed Julian fit to
travel and assured them that the wound was healing splendidly. Rest and
continued treatment was the prescription. Giles, Julian’s proficient valet,
assumed control of his employer with familiar efficiency, bandaging the wound
swiftly when the doctor was done.

Julian smiled at Cathryn as he was helped into his shirt,
showing more vigor than she knew he should be expending. “Take my coach, love,
and keep your appointments. Giles will want to make me presentable. I’ll see
you afterwards.” He reached for her hand and stroked her fingers, sending her
inflamed senses reeling. “Perhaps you can read your translations to me.”

He thanked Fiona for her kindness with a buss on both
cheeks, but Cathryn saw no evidence of attraction between them. If anything,
there was a slight tension, and that came as a relief.

After depositing him and Giles at the door of Ahlquist
House, she realized the hour was right to see her students at the poorhouse,
perhaps for her last visit. She planned to tell the facility director that she
would be unable to continue, and she dreaded the meeting. So few volunteers
were willing to go into the dismal building, and it was easy to pretend such
places didn’t exist, but she knew her work there was valuable.

The footman was surprised when she relayed the direction,
and he insisted on following her when she descended from the carriage in the
dreary neighborhood. Workers blocked the front entrance to the poorhouse, and
all the broken windows visible from the street had been replaced.

One worker tipped his cap. “Good day, milady. If you’ll use
the side door, we’ll be done with the new locks in an hour.”

Locks and new windows had been budgeted for years, but they
always seemed to take a back seat to food and wages. Seeing these repairs being
done gave her new hope—there must have been a sizable donation. This enhanced
the comfort and security considerably. Making her way down the alley to the
side door, she noticed the rubbish had been cleaned up and the walks washed.
Three children stood outside the door, and all wore new shoes and coats on this
brisk afternoon. The little girl curtsied and one of the boys opened the door
for her. “Good day, children. Don’t you look fine today?”

They all graced her with toothy smiles. “Thank you, milady.”

The footman attended her to the door, but Cathryn stopped
him from entering with a smile. “Please return in an hour. I shall be perfectly
safe while here, and I promise not to wander the streets.”

He glanced at the children and back at her, and then he
nodded seriously. “I’ll let the coachman know when to return, but then I’ll
wait for you here, milady.”

“Thank you. That will be fine.”

Every child she saw milling around the inside hall had shiny
new shoes on, and a rack of clean coats hung beside the doorway. “Thank you,
Lady Sibley,” came from each smiling mouth as she passed. The place reeked of
disinfectant and whitewash, a welcome change from sweat and soot, and she
supposed they were doing some much needed cleaning. The director’s office was
nearby, and another young boy opened the door for her. “Good afternoon, Lady
Sibley.”

“Good afternoon, Willie. There’s a lot of activity today,
isn’t there?”

“Yes, milady. Thank you, milady.” He ushered her into the
one warm room in the building. The infirmary was off to the left and two children
lay sleeping on cots, covered in new blankets. The dowdy poorhouse matron rose
from her chair behind a paper-laden table and tears sprang to her eyes.

“Lady Sibley, thank you so much!” The reed-thin woman
slipped around her crowded desk and took Cathryn’s hands in her own. “It’s a
miracle. I was near the end of my tether when your donations arrived.”

Cathryn glanced around and saw boxes of supplies stacked in
a corner. “My donations?”

An exuberant Mrs. Fry pumped her hand vigorously. “Most
generous, thank you.”

Her mind reeled for a moment, wondering if Julian had played
a part in this. “When did these all arrive?”

“The shoes came Thursday morning, and new items have arrived
each day since. I do wish you’d told me. The larders are overflowing.” She did
not sound at all distressed by this positive problem.

“And the workers?” A deep joy filled her. Julian must have
arranged all this after he saw her last Wednesday.

“They’ve been busy since Friday. Have you seen the windows?”

“Yes, just in time for winter.” Tears sprang to her own eyes
as she considered how much more comfortable the children would be during the
bitter cold.

Mrs. Fry still held her hands. “Lady Sibley, it’s a
wonderful thing you’ve done.”

“It seems I’ve thought of everything,” she muttered as she
wondered whether to disclose Julian’s identity. A vase of red roses on top of a
cabinet caught her eye and a card sat beneath it. Mrs. Fry noticed her gaze and
let go of her hands.

“We weren’t sure who our benefactor was until your note
arrived. Everyone who reads it has to wipe away a tear, I’ll tell you that.”

Cathryn walked over and picked up the card. “Bread to feed
the body, roses to feed the soul. Thank you for all you are doing to make the
world a better place. Lady Cathryn Sibley.”

“The florist said the roses came from the Earl of Trenchford
himself, on your behalf. Congratulations, Lady Sibley. I’ve heard the earl is a
fine man.”

She withdrew her handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed at
her eyes and nose. “I believe this is my engagement gift from him, Mrs. Fry.”
She faced her friend and smiled. “The earl had all this done,” she said with a
wave of her hand. Tears fell unbidden as she continued, “I had no idea. I only
mentioned the children needing shoes.”

Mrs. Fry’s tears joined her own. “We’ve prayed for you to
find a good man to watch over you—you and Mrs. Pickering both. You’re saints,
that’s what you are, and the earl as well.”

Cathryn nearly laughed aloud considering their unsaintly
behavior of the past week. “Thank you, Mrs. Fry. We all have saint and sinner
alike in our souls, I think.”

“Well, we added the earl to our prayers last evening after
these roses arrived.”

“I’m very glad you did. Thank you. I shall relay your
gratitude to the earl.”

“The children have already begun to plan a play to honor you
both. They were hoping you might attend on Sunday and bring him.”

“A play?”

“They plan to recreate Wellington’s victory at Waterloo, I
believe. Ms. Aubrey has mobilized her troops, as she calls them.” Mrs. Fry
dropped her voice and shook her head.

Cathryn recognized the familiar sentiment of faint
disapproval. “Ms. Aubrey’s been here today?”

“Yes, you just missed her. She was in high spirits.” A sigh
of resignation escaped her as she headed back to her seat.

“Well, I was planning to tell you I would not be coming back
to teach here, but perhaps I’ve misread the earl.” She glanced at the shiny new
lock on the door. “If security is improved, my safety would be less of a
concern for him. He knows I would miss the children terribly if I left.”

“Your class is still in the big room practicing their parts.
I’ll send someone to fetch them.”

“No, thank you, I’ll peek in on them myself.” She opened the
door and the light chatter of happy children greeted her ears. She headed
towards the main room, used for large gatherings and as a dormitory for the
single men. Passing the kitchens, she saw stacks of boxes in every corner. She
was turning a corner in the hallway when one of her pupils stopped her.

“Lady Sibley, ma’am,” the young boy said. “There’s a gentleman
waiting for you in the classroom.”

“Thank you, Jimmy.”

The boy looked down at his new shoes and back up to her with
a radiant smile. “Thank you, milady. It’s the first new pair I’ve ever had.”

She returned his smile. “The Earl of Trenchford chose them
himself. I believe he has a pair very much like them.”

“Thank you, milady.” Jimmy beamed as he ran off to share
this important bit of news.

She floated on a cloud of well-being down the corridors that
led to the one small classroom. Expecting to see a workman, she sauntered into
the room eager to see what had been done. The walls had been whitewashed and
the desks polished and repaired.

The door slammed behind her and she whirled around to face
an enraged Percival Hedges. He flashed a dagger inches before her eyes, and she
jumped back as he sneered. “I’ve come for you.” She took another step back, and
he waved the knife towards a side door. “I have a carriage outside.”

Her mind scrambled for what to do in the face of his rage,
and she again felt helpless as a ragdoll. She hesitated too long, because he
was upon her, his breath hot on her cheek. “I need to consummate our contract.”
He held the knife up for her to see. “I have a carriage waiting, we can do the
deed there.”

“You must be mad,” she finally managed.

He grabbed her arm roughly and thrust her towards the door. “Go.”

She tried to shrug away from him, but his grip was like a
vise. “This is insane, let go of me.”

Loud voices were heard coming down the alley behind the
classroom, a group of workers. She thought to scream, but he pressed the knife
to her jaw. “Don’t consider it.”

The men seemed intent on a project just outside the door,
causing Percival to curse. “Bloody laborers.”

He glanced around the room frantically and pushed her into
an empty corner. “This will have to do.” He held the knife inches from her face
as he fumbled with the buttons on his black trousers. “Lift your skirts.”

Stunned by his command, she stared at his hand working into
the opening of his trousers. “No. How dare you.”

The knife flicked her jaw and caused a fireburst of pain as
if she’d been stung by a hornet. She touched the spot and recoiled when she saw
the blood that stained her fingertips.

He thrust out his jaw and she noticed two red marks there. “Your
lover did this. Would you like a matching set?”

She covered her wound with one hand and shook her head as
she realized he might well harm her further. “Why are you doing this?”

He hissed, “You weren’t at home when I called—they said
you’d be here.” The knife shook as he finally freed himself. “Raise your
skirts.”

She looked around her, still not quite believing his intent.
“You’ll be seen.”

He tugged at his thin cock. “I’ll be gone in two minutes.”
He pointed at her skirts with the knife. “Let’s be done with this.”

“Why can’t we wait until Christmas?” She put her hands on
her skirts as if she meant to comply with his wishes.

“My solicitor said…” he began and then seemed to think
better of it. “I promised Geoffrey I would care for you.” He watched her hands
and pumped himself furiously.

“By raping me?”

His head snapped up. “A man can’t rape his own wife.”

Dear God, she wished she had a weapon. “I’m not your wife.”

“Raise your bloody skirts.” His cock was gaining stature,
but his eyes looked crazed as he waved the knife inches from her face.

A knot of fear formed in her belly, and she thought she
might toss her lunch. She heard herself whimper as she lifted her skirts a few
inches. The workmen seemed to be arguing over something, and she doubted they
would even hear her cries.

Desperation welled up inside her, and she began to sob. “Please
don’t do this, Percival.”

A look of victory came over his face as his pink cock stood
straight out at her. He now had a free hand and he stepped towards her to lift
the skirts himself, pressing the knife to her collar. “Ahlquist will abandon
you when he hears of this.”

Her heart sank as she felt Hedges’ ruthless handling of her
gown, and she wished for an instant that he would kill her instead of rape her.

The classroom door flew open with a thud, and Jimmy led a
pack of young boys into the room. “Lady Sibley,” he yelled eagerly. “The others
want to know…” His voice trailed off as he took in the assault in front of him.
“Lady Sibley?”

Cathryn sobbed with relief at the interruption.

“Be gone, the lot of you,” Percival said as he dropped her
skirts and lowered the knife. “This is my wife. Be gone.”

Jimmy glanced back and forth between Cathryn and the baron,
and then he shook his head. “You shouldn’t hurt a lady.” Cathryn sobbed again,
and half the lads lifted their wooden swords, a look of fear and exhilaration
lighting their small faces.

Cathryn shoved the baron with all her force. Caught by
surprise, he tumbled backward, dropping his blade as he fell towards the gang
of young swordsmen. She expected they would scatter, but they held their
ground. When the man scrambled to his feet, trying to hide his rapidly waning
erection, the first line of swords thrust towards him and two made contact with
his chest.

“Be gone, you little bastards.” He struggled to conceal
himself.

“Attack!” yelled one boy and the ensuing fracas was
deafening. High-pitched battle cries echoed throughout the room. Cathryn
covered her ears as she watched in amazement. The boys pummeled Percival, and
he was unable to defend himself against so many swinging sticks. He bolted
towards the door and threw it open with a loud crash.

The crowd of banging swords followed him out into the alley
and Cathryn was close behind. He howled in pain as he climbed into the waiting
carriage and struggled to close the door. He waved his fist out the window of
the vehicle as it began to move, and the horde of boys moved with him until the
coach entered the busy traffic at the end of the alley.

Cathryn stood at the doorway, catching her breath as she
watched her uncommon rescuers soundly defeat the fleeing nobleman.