Wicked And Wild: Spencers in Love Book Two (7 page)

Chapter 15

Mirabelle awoke slowly, stretching
and yawning, as she smiled drowsily. She reached for Lucien and found nothing
but empty bed to her left. She sat up and looked around. She was alone. She
looked back at the pillows and frowned. Mirabelle lifted the covers and sighed
in relief. Aside from a faint smear of blood, the sheets were clean.

            "But where is Lucien?" She whispered.
Just then, Mary pushed the door open and peeked in.

            "Oh, good, you're up! Good morning, Your
Grace!" She chirped, excited to be using the new title, as she bustled
about the room. Mary opened the wardrobe and began removing items. Mirabelle's
mouth hung open. Why was her maid even in the room?

            "Do you know where Lucien is, Mary?"
She asked as she slipped from the bed.

            "His Grace is in his study, I believe. He
told me not to wake you but once you were up to hurry and get you ready."           

            "Did he?" Mirabelle was confused and
unamused. Gilles and Elise didn't emerge from their chambers for days after
their wedding and Mirabelle expected "
The ton's most talented and
wicked rake
" to be a bit more demanding and attentive.

            Once she was dressed, Mirabelle marched down the
stairs and to the study. Lucien rose from his desk and greeted her at the door.

            "Good morning, my love!" He tilted her
chin and brushed his lips against hers. "Did you sleep well?" He
looked so handsome and happy and his lips had felt so warm, Mirabelle was
momentarily disoriented. She nodded.

            "I missed you; I thought you'd be there
when I awoke." Mirabelle whispered as she leaned into Lucien. He dodged
her lips and pulled her into his arms and hugged her.

            "I'm an early riser and I didn't want to
disturb you." He said brightly. Lucien stepped away and tugged her into
the hall. "You needed your rest. And now we should hurry, we don't want to
be late!" Joss held up Lucien's hat and a spencer for Mirabelle. Stunned,
she turned and let Joss help her into it.

            "Where are we going?" Dazed, Mirabelle
looked at Lucien. He laughed and pecked her cheek.

            "To Spencer Place, goose! For breakfast."
Lucien tugged her arm and bundled her into the carriage.

            Once inside, Mirabelle tried to take stock. Did
she hit her head? Did he?

            "We're going to Spencer Place. For
breakfast." She repeated, still not sure she heard correctly.

            "What else would we do?" Lucien teased
as he nudged her with his elbow playfully.

            "Stay in bed?" She said slowly.
"Gilles and Elise didn't show their faces for days after they were
married."

            For a moment Lucien just stared. Finally, he
shrugged and smiled jauntily.           

            "Yes. Well, neither of us are good at
staying still and we're both morning people." He winked and then turned
his attention to the window.

            "Right..." Mirabelle tugged on his
sleeve. When he turned back to her she looked at him pointedly. "But we
were just married. Last night."

            "I do recall, my love. And it was the most
wonderful night of my life." Lucien leaned forward and kissed her nose.
Mirabelle pulled her head back, not quit believing that he'd kissed her nose or
that they were having the conversation in the first place.

            Mirabelle chewed her lip and examined the
interior of the carriage, totally at a loss for words. Lucien seemed content to
watch the street. Finally, he turned towards her, once again grinning like he
wasn't a groom heading away from his home the first morning of his marriage.

            "Perhaps at trip to Bond Street later? Now
that you're properly my wife, I should be allowed to buy you anything I
want." Lucien pulled Mirabelle against him and kissed her forehead.

            Lord, not this again! She felt her face form a
scowl. 

            "I'd rather not. Could you imagine the
comments and questions?" Mirabelle said flatly.

            "Good point." Lucien mumbled.
"Then we can spend the day with the family. I'm sure you miss them. It was
your first night away from your mother, after all."

            What could she say to that?

Apparently, Lucien was the only
person that wasn't confused by their presence at Spencer Place. Maman had
pulled Mirabelle aside after breakfast and asked if everything was going well
and she had heard Gilles ask Lucien if anything was wrong as they entered the
study. Lucien had laughed and insisted that everything was wonderful.

            Wonderful? Mirabelle wasn't so sure, though she
had insisted that everything was perfect.

            "What's wrong?" Elise whispered as
they sat at the piano to learn a new piece. Mirabelle knew that it was useless
to try to pretend. Elise would know she was lying right away. Mirabelle sighed
as she leaned close.

            "It's just that I didn't expect to be here
this morning. Everything was lovely last night but after, he insisted that we
sleep. And when I woke up, he was gone."

            Elise's tilted her head and considered.

            "Was it just once?" She asked softly.

            "Yes. And it was..." Mirabelle
struggled to find the words.

            "Overwhelming?" suggested Elise.

            "No. It wasn't. As I said, it was lovely
but not at all overwhelming. I suppose I expected more from Lucien, given his
reputation." Mirabelle felt guilty for voicing her thoughts but she
trusted Elise. She was silent for many moments. When she did speak, a smile lit
her face.

            "Have you considered that he might have
been nervous? Or perhaps he wanted to give you a chance to adjust to being
intimate with a man?" She laughed softly. Mirabelle felt herself relax.

            "He did seem a bit tense and hesitant at
first. And he did say after that I'd had a long day and should rest."
Mirabelle took a deep breath and pushed her concerns away. For the rest of the
afternoon she enjoyed the familiar routine and atmosphere at Spencer Place.

Hours later, Mirabelle lay in bed,
once again confused and troubled. As the night before, Lucien wrapped himself
behind her and gently ordered her to get some rest. But just as the night
before, she was still restless and curious.

            Mirabelle had waited for Lucien in her room
after they returned from dinner at Spencer Place. He'd met her next to the bed
and anxious to begin, she'd shrugged off her peignoir and slipped out of her
nightgown. Lucien kissed her calmly until Mirabelle reached for the sash of his
robe. His hands brushed hers away gently before he untied it himself. Then, he
lifted the covers so she could lie down. Slightly stunned, she rested upon the
pillows and watched Lucien carefully settle on top of her. Mirabelle kept from
protesting as he placed her hands on his shoulders and resumed kissing her.
She'd enjoyed the kiss and was quickly swept away until she felt his hand part
her thighs just before his finger slid into her. Not that that part wasn't
lovely too, she was just disappointed that he didn't touch her anywhere else
along the way. Or let her touch anything.

            Despite her disappointment, Lucien had her
moaning and writhing beneath him by the time he pressed into her. Mirabelle
tried not to focus on the fact that he kept his eyes shut or that his hands and
lips never went below her neck. Before long she was caught up in the rhythm of
him stroking inside her and the coiling tightness within her. Lucien became
urgent and hearing him moan her name and beg her to let go caused her nerves to
tighten and then release, sending shivers through her body as she shook in his
arms. A moment later, Lucien groaned her name and arched against her as his
body spasmed before he collapsed. Mirabelle waited as the unsteady breaths
against her neck became regular and he rolled off of her. She immediately
missed his weight and tried to complain but Lucien rolled her onto her side and
pulled her against him. His arms locked firmly around her and he kissed her
shoulder.

            "So lovely." He whispered against her
skin and sighed contentedly.

            La petite mort, the little death, she'd heard it
called. Mirabelle couldn't help but wish it had been a little bit bigger.

Chapter 16

Lucien paced in the study as he
waited for Mirabelle to come down. If she didn't soon, they'd be late for breakfast
with the family. He silently prayed that she wouldn't subject him to another
inquisition on the way. He hadn't enjoyed slipping from her bed at dawn again
but it was imperative if he wanted to keep his hands off of her. Lucien was
very much a "morning person". Always painfully aroused, filling a
woman as she slowly came awake was his favorite way to start the day.

            He hadn't even allowed himself to look at
Mirabelle as he snuck away. Lucien didn't want to have a repeat of the morning
prior. He wasn't going to make a habit of boxing the Jesuit.

            Lucien heard steps coming from the hall.
Rapidly. They came from the kitchens, not the stairs. He stepped out of the
study to find Mary, Mirabelle's maid rushing towards him. She bobbed a curtsy.

            "Your Grace, Her Grace asked me to inform
you that she is taking a tray in her bed but that you are free to go to Spencer
Place without her." Mary bobbed another curtsy and turned to leave.

            "Wait! Is Her Grace well?" Lucien
looked towards the stairs.

            "I think so. Though she did seem a bit
off."

            Lucien was taking the stairs two at a time
before he remembered that he hadn't dismissed the maid. He paused and turned.

            "Thank you, Mary." With that, he
continued his sprint to the ducal chambers. He tapped lightly at the door and
waited for Mirabelle to bid him to enter. Lucien found her sprawled on her
stomach with a book in her hands.

            "We're not going to breakfast?" He
asked as he sat on the edge of the bed. On her stomach, Mirabelle's firm, round
derrière drew his eyes. Dressed in only a transparent nightgown, the curve of
her back, the cleft of her bottom and her slender legs were all on display.
Lucien's mouth felt dry and his heart began to pound.

            "No. We are not going. You may. I will
remain here." He frowned. Her voice sounded tight.

            "Do you feel well, my love?" Lucien
asked softly. He gently caressed her calf. His groin immediately tightened but
he didn't regret the contact. It was allowed if he was comforting her, he told
himself. Mirabelle exhaled and turned her head in his direction.

            "I'm fine, Lucien." Her eyes were
flat. There were no traces of flirtation, mischief or frustration. She was
merely looking at him. Lucien felt his heart sink.

            "No. You're not. Tell me, Mirabelle."
He urged.

            "I have a headache and I'm not in the mood
to answer any questions or be teased." She said softly. Lucien wasn't sure
if he believed her but he didn't want to press her when she'd just said she
didn't want to answer questions.

            "Would you like me to send for a doctor?"
He toyed with the edge of Mirabelle's gown. She rolled over and Lucien held his
breath as he watched her breasts shift and bounce as she moved. His eyes slid
down the softly rounded sweep of her stomach to the apex her thighs. He tried
to swallow but his throat felt constricted. He rose, grabbing the bed post for
support.

            "You don't look well yourself."
Mirabelle pointed out as she rose on her elbows. Lucien stumbled back and
bumped into an ottoman, unable to take his eyes off of her breasts as they pressed
against the sheer fabric. "You're welcome to come back to bed."
Mirabelle whispered. Lucien shook his head violently.

            "I'm fine. I've just remembered something
that I have to attend to immediately. If you need me, I'll be in my
study." He dove for the door and hauled it open. Once in the hall, Lucien
didn't go to his study, he ran for his dressing room. As soon as the second
door was locked, Lucien collapsed against it and attacked the falls of his
trousers.

            He spent the rest of the morning in his study, with
his head in his hands. He prayed that his was a temporary state, just a result
of being a newlywed. Lucien hoped that with time, he'd get used to the sight of
Mirabelle's body and the smell of her on everything. It was maddening, being
married to her but not able to act on his desires. And it had only been two
days... He groaned and went to the sideboard, not giving a damn about the hour.
As Lucien swallowed the first glass in one gulp he swore to himself that he
would not make a habit of hiding in his dressing room, bringing himself off
like a green lad.

            Later that afternoon, he'd gone to the library
to find an almanac and came upon Mirabelle. She was lying, prone on the rug
with a pillow supporting her, a bowl of grapes

by her hand and her nose in Herodotus. Her slippers lay
discarded by the lounge and her stockinged feet kicked back and forth.
Mirabelle snorted and laughed softly. Lucien leaned against the door, content
to watch her. It was rare to find a woman that beautiful that also appreciated
Herodotus' dry wit. Their children would be brilliant.

            Lucien felt warmth spreading within his chest at
the thought of children. With Mirabelle as their mother, their children were
bound to be hellions. For some reason, the idea pleased Lucien immensely. Like
his parents, he wanted a happy, healthy and loved child first and an heir
second. They had never discussed it, but he hoped Mirabelle wanted more than
one child. Lucien imagined a pack of little savages terrorizing Winthorpe and
smiled.

            Refusing to let his mind stray to the act of
creating little savages, Lucien pushed away from the wall and approached
Mirabelle.

            "The worst pain a man can suffer: to have
insight into much and power over nothing." Lucien smiled at Mirabelle's
surprised gasp. He lowered to the floor and sat next to her.

            "Are you feeling better?" Her eyes
searched his. Lucien nodded.

            "And your headache?"

            "Much better, thank you." Her tone was
hollow.

            Lucien knew Mirabelle was frustrated with the
awkwardness between them. He hoped that that too would fade as they settled into
married life. He tugged at a curl that hung close to her ear.

            "Are you happy with everything here at
Clerendon House?" It was the closest Lucien could come to asking if
Mirabelle was happy with their marriage, for some reason. She became still and
quiet for several moments. He was struck by how unusual it was for her and how
important her answer was.

            "I find it very comfortable but I feel like
something of a stranger here at the moment." Her voice was so soft and
unsure. It troubled Lucien. Was she talking about the house or their marriage?

            "Why? You know this place so well."

            "It's different now that I live here."
Mirabelle whispered and looked up at him.

            "Everything I have is yours. You may do
whatever you want here." He caressed her cheek. She smiled weakly and
became still again.

            After a few minutes, she pulled the ribbon in
her hair, releasing the chignon. Mirabelle shook her head, spreading fragrant,
silken waves around her shoulders. Lucien felt dizzy. She rolled onto her back
and angled herself so that her head rested on his thigh. His hand went unbidden
to her tresses and began sifting through them. Mirabelle closed her eyes and a soft
moan slipped past her lips. Lucien swore silently as he watched her breasts
swell in her bodice as she took a deep breath. She took his other hand and
pressed it against her cheek again. Mirabelle shut her eyes and breathed
deeply. Lucien let his hand cradle her face as he absorbed her beauty. Unable
to help himself, he let his thumb trace her lower lip. Her eyes fluttered open
and locked with his. Mirabelle opened her mouth and stroked the pad of his
thumb with her tongue. Frozen and breathless, Lucien watched her lips close
around his thumb and felt a gentle tug as she began to suck on it. Lust flared
and the urge to open his trousers and replace his thumb with his now straining
erection was almost overwhelming.

            He heard a strangled gasp and realized it had
been him. Lucien shook his head and carefully lifted Mirabelle's head from his
lap. She sat up, looking confused.

            "Lucien?" She whispered as he cleared
his throat and rose to his feet.

            "I have to go. I forgot something."
Lucien started backing away. He forgot that he was meant to control himself.

            "Lucien, please stay for a while." Her
eyes were so big.

            "I'm sorry, I can't right now." He
said hoarsely.

            "Let there be nothing untried; for nothing
happens by itself." Mirabelle quoted softly. Lucien shook his head as he
turned and swiftly left the room. She had no idea what sort of things he wanted
to try and all of the things he could never allow to happen.

            Dinner had been awkward and tense. Mirabelle
barely talked despite Lucien’s attempts to draw her into conversation. He knew
that his departure from the library was abrupt and she was disappointed that he
didn't stay but he was too far gone. If he had stayed, he would have lost
control. He'd barely had time to get to the safety of his dressing room. Once
inside, he imagined he had her on her back on the floor, her skirts thrown up as
he drove into her.

            A small voice in Lucien's mind suggested that
Mirabelle had known how close he’d been to taking her and how he'd pictured her
breasts, freed from her gown, shaking in time with his thrusts. Perhaps she was
also upset with him for being so weak and wanting to do those things with her.

            When he came to her in her room, he expressed
his remorse by being as gentle and worshipful as he could. Lucien let her see
that he marveled at the softness of her cheek and kissed her eye lashes as her
eyes shut when he entered her. His lips traced her brow and when he kissed her
he begged her forgiveness until he felt his control slipping. Then, he grit his
teeth and held to his steady pace. Once again, he found the fingers that had
been inside of Mirabelle and he waited until she was caught up in her release before
he let himself taste her. He licked her essence off of his hand as he felt her
tightening around his cock and it had been enough to make him come. It had been
just enough to calm the beast that clawed within him, fighting to get loose and
ravish Mirabelle. As he rolled off of her and pulled her back against him, he
vowed to keep that beast shackled, to protect her from it.