Wicked Wager (21 page)

They arrived at the townhouse. He helped her down from the carriage and took her arm to escort her into the house. The feel of her slender body so close to his was almost tormenting.

Bowes greeted them at the door. “Have you eaten, sir? Miss?”

“Not yet.” Marcus turned to Penny. “Did you want to freshen up before we dine?”

She touched his arm. “Perhaps you could escort me.” Her manner seemed somehow seductive. He told himself he must have imagined it. But when they reached the bedchamber door, she did it again. Her eyes were wide and yearning as she said, “Perhaps you could come in and undo the back of my dress.”

Feeling slightly breathless, he followed her into the room. She stood by the bed and turned away from him. He undid the hooks on her dress, his gaze taking in her long elegant neck, the delicate tendrils of hair curling at the nape, the smooth ivory skin of her shoulders. He wanted to kiss and caress every inch of her.

As soon as he’d undone the hooks, she turned around. Her blue eyes were bright, her cheeks flushed. With a faint smile, she said, “I don’t think I’m that hungry after all.”

Chapter Fourteen

Although he was on fire with arousal, Marcus wouldn’t allow himself to touch her. Not yet. First he wanted to feast his eyes on her. To drink in his fill of her beauty.

Either she guessed what he wanted, or she was desperate, but when he didn’t immediately reach for her, she drew down the top of her gown. Another subtle movement…and the garment slid to her waist.

She was wearing a zona, the strip of thin muslin fabric wrapped tight against her breasts. Although it was sheer enough that he could make out her nipples, he still wanted to see her naked. Again, she either guessed his unspoken desire or she was yielding to her own, for she turned around. “If you wouldn’t mind.”

He unfastened the hooks of her undergarment. It fell to the floor. Very slowly, she turned back to face him.

His breath caught. She looked good enough to eat. To devour. Softly rounded breasts, their exquisite delicate shapes tipped with pale pink nipples, as enticing as some sweet, creamy confection. His gaze took in her graceful shoulders and arms, slender waist. His eyes were drawn back to her breasts. He was on the verge of giving in to his urge to kiss and suckle when she let out harsh, impatient breath, then grasped her gown and slid it down her body, wriggling her hips to pull it over her pantalettes. She stepped out of the dress and Marcus watched entranced, staring at the thin fabric that shielded the shadowy triangle of her maiden hair.

****

She couldn’t believe she was being so bold. So shamelessly seductive.
But the fact was she simply didn’t have the patience to wait any longer. She knew he wanted her, could tell he was enjoying every moment as she revealed herself to him. His gaze burned streaks of fire into her flesh.

Yes, this was what she wanted. To be alone with him, to have him touch her, kiss her, make love to her. Her hunger for this was much greater than for food. All day there had been this tension between them, this yearning. Now her longing for for him had become an almost painful ache, pulsing through her.

The delicious throb of desire, the craving, was keenest between her legs. When his gaze caressed her there, his eyes focusing on the burning core of her, she felt as if she might burst into flame.

Slowly, breathlessly, she drew down her pantalettes and stepped out of them. She could feel the wetness between her legs. He could take her now and she would be ready. But would he? Or, would he stand there, fully dressed, and stare at her until she succumbed to madness? “Please,” she whispered.

He nodded, his eyes dark and gleaming. She waited for him to begin to undress. Instead, he reached for her, pulling her against his fully clothed body. His mouth came down on hers. Firm. Insistent. She opened her mouth, welcoming his tongue. The slightly rough feel of his clothing against her body enflamed her. She rubbed her taut, aching nipples and her hips against him, seeking, seeking… Would he never touch her, never soothe her agonized need?

Finally, when she could bear no more, he slid his hands down her body and cupped her buttocks. His hands gripped her sensitive flesh and pressed her even more tightly against him. She broke off the kiss to let out a moan. His fingers followed the cleft of her bottom and finally reached the excruciatingly tender place between her legs. She let out a frantic cry of delight. Burying her face against his shoulder, Penny dissolved into whimpering moans as his skilled fingers teased, tantalized and finally found the perfect rhythm. She gave into the wild pleasure whirling around her, sucking her down into a violent maelstrom.

****

Her intoxicating feminine scent…The feel of her, soft, wet and eager… His senses reeled. With effort, he shook off the bewitching sexual miasma, released her and began to undress. As he fumbled with fabric, buttons, and hooks, he cursed the social conventions that made men’s clothing so cumbersome and difficult to remove. Freeing himself from each garment, he threw it to the floor: ascot, jacket, shirt.

For his boots and trousers, he had to sit down. While he fought with leather and wool, she sat on the bed and watched him. The thrill of baring himself for her eyes aroused him even more. By the time he was fully naked, he was near to exploding.

He’d taken it slowly so far, drawing out their foreplay until they were both mindless with desire. Although he’d given her some satisfaction, he’d had no relief for his own arousal. Now the needs of his body overtook him. He pushed her onto the bed and thrust into her. She lay back, legs spread, hips lifted, meeting him with an eagerness that inflamed him. Her moans and cries echoed in his ears, mingling with his own groan of ecstasy as he peaked.

Then it was over and they were two people again. Sweaty, disheveled and a bit uneasy with each other. He wasn’t certain what to do. What he longed for was to throw back the covers and climb into bed with her. To lie beside her all night. To have her delicate scent and the sound of her breathing lull him to sleep. But that seemed too intimate. It was presumptuous of him to expect such a thing. They weren’t even married yet. For all he knew, they might never be legally bound. Because the blunt truth was that he’d have to admit to James he had lost the bet and fallen in love with her.

He could find no other explanation for his irrational actions. The way his response to her veered from exasperation to fury to wrenching tenderness. When it came to dealing with Penny, he’d utterly lost his wits.

The thought filled him with panic, a breathless dread that propelled him to rise from the bed and begin dressing.

****

He’s leaving.
The awareness filled Penny with an aching sense of loss. She wanted him to stay for a while. To have him hold her in his arms so she could savor his nearness. His warm, rich masculine scent. His sleek hard body. To lay her head upon his broad chest and feel safe and cared for.

What a ridiculous notion. Revington wasn’t the sort of man from whom she could expect cuddling and tenderness. He was a man who maintained his control and reserve at all times.

Well, that wasn’t strictly true. He’d had little enough control when he pounced upon her a short while ago, thrusting into her with wild abandon. Thinking of it, she felt a twinge of satisfaction, and was forced to hide the smile the memory brought to her lips. Revington might fancy himself in control at all times, but the truth was, she knew how to get past his damnable aloofness, to shred his detachment and interfere with his perfect command of himself.

Thinking of it gave her a heady sense of power. Too bad that her effect on him was so short-lived. As soon as they finished making love, he returned to his usual cool demeanor.

Even now he was once again hiding his sensual masculinity behind the stiff woolen garments of a gentleman. Of course, there were little details that gave away what he’d been doing. His retied cravat lacked the elegant perfection of Bowes’s handiwork. And his thick black hair was a bit mussed. She thought of mentioning it, then decided not to. His slight dishabille made her feel as if what had transpired between them wasn’t merely some sort of waking dream.

Another moment and he was at the door. She expected him to leave without a word, but to her surprise, he turned. There was uncertainty in his expression, a kind of vulnerability. “Dinner’s probably ruined by now, but if you’re hungry, I’m certain the new cook can come up with something.”

“What of you?” she asked. “Are you planning to eat?”

His expression softened even more. “I must admit I’m a bit hungry. And since we’ve already gravely insulted the new cook, we might as well complete the business by forcing her to come up with a late night repast.” He grinned suddenly, revealing a dimple on his right cheek she’d noted on a few other occasions.

“I’d better dress then.” Penny got up from the bed.

“A pity you have to,” he said in husky, provocative tones. “I’d like to dismiss all the servants and dine with you looking like that.”

“I hardly think that’s practical.” Although his words tantalized her, she truly was hungry, and she felt certain that if she didn’t get dressed quickly, eating would be forgotten.

“Probably not,” he agreed. “But sometime I’d like to try it.”

Penny nodded. This playful side of him intrigued her. She had been wrong. He hadn’t totally reverted to his usual unapproachable reserve.

She grabbed her gown and began to dress. He watched her, his expression unreadable. As she met him at the door, he said, “I know it’s all the fashion to have separate bedchambers, but I don’t see the point of it.”

She went out before him, feeling his eyes on her like a caress. With effort, she repressed a shiver of mingled yearning and dismay. How had she come to feel so tenderly toward this man she’d been so determined to reject? She’d once been consumed with getting Revington out of her life. Now the idea of never seeing him again was almost unthinkable.

Her thoughts were in turmoil as they walked downstairs.

****

She is so quiet! What does that mean?
Marcus felt a spasm of anxiety. Once he’d been absolutely confident Penny was going to be his wife. He hadn’t considered she had a choice, and if he had, he would have assumed she would be pleased to be marrying him. Now he was terrified she would reject him.

No, he told himself. That was ridiculous. He simply couldn’t think like that. He knew he’d pleased her sexually. She obviously desired him. He had to make use of that. By the time she faced the decision of whether to marry him, she would be so eager to continue sharing his bed that she would readily agree.

Or would she? He might please her as a lover, but maybe she wanted something more from a husband. Obviously, he must continue to woo her. To show his best side and try to make her happy. Unfortunately, he knew little about this sort of thing. He must ask James for advice.

All at once he remembered Lily and the baby. As they headed for the dining room, he said, “I wonder how James is getting on.”

“I’m sure James is fine,” Penny responded. “It’s Lily and the baby I’m worried for. What are they going to do? Since her family has turned her out, they have nowhere to go.”

“I suppose not.” Marcus helped Penny into her seat at the table.

“Unless someone can force Brakestoke to provide for her. Is there any way to do that? Are there any laws that protect a woman in Lily’s circumstances?”

“Normally, it would be up to her male relatives to press the issue with Brakestoke. But it doesn’t appear they’ll be much help.”

“It’s appalling. She said her family acts as if this is all her fault.” Penny shook her head, looking very aggrieved.

“I can look into Brakestoke’s circumstances. Find out if he has any family members or associates who can be convinced to pressure him to do the right thing.”

She nodded, then a moment later, frowned. “I’m not sure I want you to pressure Brakestoke after all.”

“Why not?”

“If he’s a danger to Lily, he might also be a danger to you.”

She is worried about me?
He couldn’t decide whether to be insulted or touched. While gratified that she cared enough to concern herself with his wellbeing, he wondered whether she thought he couldn’t handle himself in a risky situation.

“In my business I’ve gotten on the wrong side of some very hardened fellows,” he told her. “The most important thing is to not lose your head. To maintain control and deal rationally with the situation. Also, to make certain you’re not alone with them.”

She nodded, still looking troubled. He saw merit in her concerns. This wasn’t a dispute over the results of a card game, carried out in a public setting. If he were to confront Brakestoke, he’d probably have to do so in the man’s own home, where he wouldn’t have anyone to back him up.

“So,” he said, “if we don’t pursue Brakestoke, what other plan would you suggest?”

“If Lily had family to help her, they would probably find someone to marry her off to, someone who would care for her and her child.”

“It won’t be easy to find a man willing to take on the burden of a wife and child. Most men of means are looking for a wife who will better their circumstances,” he reminded her.

“But Lily is quite fetching. It’s not impossible that some man would want her as his wife. It need not be someone wealthy, just a man of moderate means.”

Marcus regarded her dubiously. He’d forgotten that Penny had been raised in a sheltered world and was innocent of the more brutal facts of life. She seemed to think a pretty face was enough to cause a man to make the irrational decision to marry a woman who would be more burden to him than asset. Her naiveté struck him as charming, but certainly not realistic.

He said, “I know some of the popular novels make much of love as a reason for marrying, but in real life, that seldom happens. Most men marry to improve their own circumstances, or they marry someone with a family connection. They don’t marry because they lose their heads over an attractive woman.”

“Of course. I don’t know what I was thinking.
Obviously,
fond feelings and sexual attraction have nothing to do with marriage. That’s strictly business.”