Manor of Pleasure: An Erotic Historical Romance (7 page)

CHAPTER TWELVE

When Desmond and Rebecca entered the dining room, everyone was already settled. Desmond sat between Lady Garway and Lady Louisa, while Rebecca placed herself by her grandmother and Mrs. Baines.

"Thank heaven,” said the elderly Countess light-heartedly, "We were on the verge of sending out a search party." She smiled at Rebecca and whispered to her, "Your betrothal to Desmond becomes you, my dear."

Rebecca unfolded her napkin and threw a sparkling glance towards her grandmother. "We have good news," Rebecca told her. "I hope it pleases you."

The Countess directed her attention to Desmond across the table. "News again?" she uttered, "Desmond, your propensity for drama astounds me.”

Mr. Baines obliged her. "The good news is that Rebecca and I have hastened our wedding plans. We will marry in four weeks' time." He looked to Rebecca and met her gaze. Her eyes were aglow.

Lady Garway gasped. "You cannot be serious. Rebecca, that is impossible!"

Rebecca smiled at Desmond. She was the very pith of calm and self-assurance. "Mother, at one time, I may have agreed with you. But Desmond has convinced me. We will not be swayed." She did not move her eyes from Desmond's gaze. She sensed a lovely ache in her depths.

"I say this is wonderful news," said Lord Garway.

"Yes, it is wonderful news," Mrs. Baines echoed. "And many hands make light work. It can be readied in four weeks easily." She looked to Lady Garway for agreement.

"I suppose," Lady Garway said with a high degree of
disfavor in her tone. "Why, Rebecca? June is the perfect month for a wedding. We might have hosted the reception in the garden." Her disappointment was tangible.

"Mother, be grateful that we are not running off to marry in Scotland like Owen did," Rebecca said, laughing. "It doesn't bear further discussion. Our decision is made."

"Yes, it is," Desmond concurred. He was happy to be seated directly across from Rebecca if he could not be beside her. He watched her as she chatted easily with his mother and her grandmother. She seemed to be the great facilitator between the two, a role that was not easily achieved.

He
marveled at the length of her neck, and the willowy elegance of her arms. The dinner candlelight played against her hair, her eyes and the luster of her skin.

He wanted to touch her, to let his hands run along her throat, her shoulders, to feel the small curve of her back against his fingertips.

He thought of their last evening together. Totally unclothed, her body was lush with pleasures and her surrender to him was transcendent. A hot swell of desire filled his core. As if on cue, Rebecca looked at him and smiled. He was powerless. He knew then he would do whatever necessary to have her tonight.

"Don't you agree, Desmond?" Lady Louisa's voice broke into his reverie.

He was reluctant to disembark from his train of thought but he answered her, "I am sorry, Lady Louisa. What were you saying?"

"I was just saying to Mother how a church wedding would have so much more meaning than one here at the manor."

"Rebecca and I haven't discussed it." He sipped from his wineglass.

Louisa continued. "You do recall them, Desmond? You must agree. We really do have the loveliest chapels in the county." She added quietly, "Although perhaps in Rebecca's particular case, it would not be quite appropriate to be married in a church setting." She sipped her wine.

"I beg your pardon?" Desmond turned to her.

"Louisa!" her mother whispered to her harshly. "What are you saying?"

"I only meant that Rebecca prefers to do things in such grand fashion. A wedding in small country chapel may not suit her at all." Lady Louisa allowed herself the faint hint of a smile.

Desmond looked quickly to Rebecca to see if she had overheard their exchange. He was content to see that she was still animating the conversation between the two matriarchs.

"I know very well your meaning, ma'am," Desmond told Louisa. "Such incivility doesn't suit you." He took another sip from his glass. He set himself to cutting his meat on the plate before him. "I know that you and Rebecca have a bitter relationship. I can't say that I understand it."

"It's not your business, Desmond," Louisa replied coldly. "It is a wound that is old and deep."

"But it is my business, Lady Louisa. Anything that affects her welfare is my business." He looked at her. "You and I are friends. But I cannot suffer any disrespect towards her."

Rebecca looked at Louisa and Desmond in conversation. Desmond looked displeased. She wondered what had transpired. He was so far away and this dinner service was interminable. She stared at him from across the wide expanse of the table. She hated this distance between them. She watched him as he brought a piece of food to his mouth. She remembered a time not so long ago when she had to stop herself staring at him, from even looking in his general direction.

Now she was able to eye him as much as she pleased without guilt or censure. And he was so very pleasing to look at. His blue eyes were her primary weakness. Often when he stared at her, she felt naked, laid bare and she could see his appetite for her. She could not deny him anything when he looked at her like that.

Right then, it came to her that she must hatch a plan before the end of the evening. There had to be some foolproof method of getting him to and from her room without discovery. Nora knew what it was to crave after a lover. Surely she would help her.

"The ring looks lovely on you, my dear." Mrs. Baines broke into her thoughts. "I see that it fits perfectly."

"Mrs. Baines, it is truly a perfect fit, a perfect ring." Rebecca answered and looked at it. "I can't tell you how much it pleases me to know its origin. Will you tell me more about it?" Rebecca asked her.

The Countess peered from Rebecca's left. "My, my, that is lovely. A present from Desmond?" she queried.

Rebecca answered, "Yes, but it is much more than that. It has been passed to me from Mrs. Baines." She smiled at her.

"My late husband gave it to me many years ago upon our promise to marry," Mrs. Baines explained. "We were young and very much in love, much like you and Desmond. Luckily, we had fewer obstacles."

"I think we can safely say that no other couple has weathered the intensity of storms that you have, Rebecca, my dear," ventured the Countess.

Mrs. Baines continued, "I met Richard Baines in London. He was still an intern and I was already working at the laundry." Mrs. Baines looked down at her wedding ring. "He made quite a handsome figure. I fell for him instantly. I see so much of him in Desmond." She looked at Rebecca and continued, "I don't think that Richard ever dreamed that his son would be dining at the table of the Earl of Delafield."

"Or that he would be
engaged to his daughter, I imagine," added the Countess blithely.

"Grandmother, make no mistake," Rebecca reproached her. "It is I who has won the prize."

"I hardly think that Desmond sees it that way, Rebecca," Mrs. Baines countered.

"Well then, we're perfect for each other," Rebecca replied, smiling coyly.

Following the lead of Lady Garway, the three ladies rose and headed into the drawing room. Rebecca fell back and drew the attention of Abbott with a wave of her hand. "Abbott, would you send for Nora for me, please? I shall wait for her in the hallway."

"Right away, ma'am."

Rebecca stood outside of the drawing room waiting for Nora to appear. Nora soon emerged from the servants' passageway. "Ma'am, you sent for me?"

"Yes, Nora. I have a
favor to ask of you," started Rebecca.

"A favor?" Nora was curious. This was not a request in the ordinary course of business between a mistress and her servant.

"I know that's rather mysterious." Rebecca hesitated. "I hope you don't think that I'm taking advantage."

Nora smiled. "As long as it not illegal, ma'am, I am fairly certain that I can be of some assistance."

"Illegal, no." Rebecca smiled back. "Perhaps not quite within the straight and narrow course, I'm afraid."

Nora did not reply. Lady Rebecca was without her usual coolness and it was unsettling.

"The thing is, Nora, I would like to see Mr. Baines tonight privately...in my room. It is after all the only venue that affords us any privacy." In low tones, she added, "Before you say anything, I am well aware that my parents would not approve."

"Ma'am, I appreciate your confidence, I do. But are you quite sure that this is what you want?" asked Nora. Her eyes looked directly into Rebecca's.

At that moment, Lady Garway exited the drawing room. "Rebecca, we're waiting for you, dear. I thought we might get started on the guest list this evening before the men join us."

"In a moment, Mother," Rebecca answered her. She turned again to her maid. "I am sure, Nora. Will you help?"

"What can I do?" asked Nora. Very quickly, Rebecca gave Nora her instructions.

Nora smiled and replied, "That is easy enough."

Rebecca grabbed Nora's hand in hers. "Thank you, Nora. I will not forget this." She hurried to join the others in the drawing room.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Rebecca's heart was pounding as she walked into the drawing room. Her request to Nora had felt more like a confession, an admission of wrongdoing.

Until now, she had never stopped to ponder the clandestine nature of her trysts with Desmond. It seemed so natural. How could it be wrong? Yet every other sensibility told her that it was wrong. It was illicit and primal.

Her anticipation for him overwhelmed all of her senses. She could barely keep up with the womens conversation despite its lively focus on her wedding preparations. She held her own by nodding at the expected intervals and making good use of her glass of pear brandy. Otherwise her mind was elsewhere.

Finally, the men arrived. She was relieved and enervated at once. She immediately rose to meet him and they stood together by the doorway.

"So did you enjoy the company of Mother and Lady Louisa?" she asked lightly.

"Of course. But I much preferred the view to the conversation," replied Desmond with a smile.

"I'm not surprised," Rebecca said. "Louisa is hardly the source of anything that might be considered stimulating."

Desmond's eyes narrowed. "Rebecca Garway, you can be quite pitiless. I hope I never find myself on your wrong side."

"I can't see that happening. You have always managed to find my right side." She smiled at him and took a sip from her glass.

"Who knows which side I will find myself on this evening? The night is young." He grinned at her.

"It is," Rebecca replied. "Have you given my invitation any further consideration?"

"Yes, I have," he said, feigning thoughtfulness. "Can you guess at my answer?"

"I can't tell you. But you've taken a long time to decide." Rebecca's eyes were dancing. She added, "Perhaps I should withdraw my invitation after all."

"You see, you can be pitiless where I'm concerned," Desmond declared softly.

She reached out for his hand. "Not a chance, darling," she whispered. "Follow my lead."

He was intrigued. Rebecca led him to her father's side. "Father, Desmond and I are headed to the library. He's looking for a book that I'm sure we own."

"I love a good book. Which one is it?" Lord Garway asked deliberately.

"Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night," Rebecca told him brightly. "We have some of his volumes in the library, don't we?”

Lord Garway laughed. "You know very well that we do. Go on then."

"Thank you, Father. Please make our excuses."

Rebecca and Desmond made their way out of the drawing room. Once out in the hallway, Rebecca turned to him, "Quickly."

Together, they walked with haste through the main hall. She led him to the staircase and they paced quickly up the stairs and down the corridor to her room. She opened the door and pulled him into her bed chamber. Rebecca shut the door behind them and fastened it.

Desmond put his arms around her and pulled her close. "Rebecca, you know I cannot stay long."

"All that matters is now," she said breathlessly. Draping her arms around his neck, she opened her mouth to his. The invitation was irresistible. He thrust his tongue in between her lips. Her breath was fast and sweet. He opened his mouth wider, forced his tongue deeper. He wanted to consume her. He pressed her against him. Everything that he ever wanted from a woman was in his arms. He had no will of his own.

She broke from him and pulled away. "Come here," she directed.

Desmond laughed. "Rebecca, you're teasing me."

Rebecca grabbed his hand and led him to the settee. She seated him and said softly," Close your eyes, Mr. Baines. And do not open them until you're told."

Desmond closed his eyes and smiled, "What are you up to?"

Rebecca went to her vanity. Carefully, she undid her hair until it fell like ribbons of brown silk about her shoulders. Seconds passed.

Desmond heard clicks and the rustle of fabric.

She returned to him soundlessly. "Eyes closed," she reminded him softly.

She stood between his legs and pulled her skirt up slowly until it lay against his knees. She grabbed his hands and led them under her dress to the bareness of her thighs then up to her buttocks.

Desmond caught his breath. He laid his palms flat against her skin. He had waited an eternity for this. He felt the blood rush to his cock. Desmond and Rebecca were still, neither of them able to believe the bliss that one touch could bring.

"Kiss me," Desmond commanded as he stroked the length of her legs.

Rebecca framed his head with her hands and brought her lips down to his.

Desmond could barely breathe as he caressed the soft rounds of her ass. Her lips yielded to his like butter but she tasted like a pear. He let his lips linger on hers, his tongue reaching and licking the inside of her mouth. He was breathless. She was delectable.

Rebecca swallowed. "Desmond, do I please you?" Desmond opened his eyes and looked up at her. She was unbelievably beautiful. Her long dark hair fell wantonly about her face and shoulders. Her eyes were a depth of brown that led to blackness. Her cheeks held the blush of pink and her lips, dark red.

"You are exquisite, Rebecca," he said, "I want you in my mouth. At once. I must have you."

She stared deeply into his eyes. He had that look she craved. "Yes. You must," she agreed, panting gently.

She lifted her skirt above her hips and raised her right leg onto the arm of the couch. She closed her eyes as he took her into his mouth. She felt the wet heat of his tongue between her cleft, his breath hot around her mound. His hands cupped her buttocks firmly and she leaned against them, pushing her sex forward. She felt herself cream.

"Oh my," she whispered. He kept at her, flicking her clitoris with his tongue. He was relentless, licking her and sucking her. The fever between her thighs was surging. She could feel herself teetering on the edge of a full and complete surrender.

She pulled away quickly. "Not yet, Desmond," she uttered breathlessly. He pulled her back to him,

"Please, Rebecca. I can never get enough of you." His eyes were pleading and his lips were wet and parted.

She stumbled back from him and Desmond stood up. She was sweating, her mouth was open. "Then you shall have more of me," she promised.

She turned her back to him and gathered her hair in front of her.

Following her prompt, Desmond began undoing the buttons down the length of her gown. He could barely restrain himself from ripping the sateen dress off her body.

Desmond placed his lips against the nape of her neck. She felt his tongue travel slowly down and across her shoulders. He pulled the sleeves of her gown down over her arms and she pulled her gown down further until it folded to the floor. Still behind her, Desmond wrapped her in his arms.

"Enough," he said firmly. His breathing was fast and heavy. "What are we doing? Nora will be here soon." He nestled his face in her hair.

"No, she won't." Rebecca turned to face him. She grabbed him by the waistline of his pants and began to undo them.

Desmond grabbed her hands. "Rebecca, we must stop. Nora will be here and you are not decent."

Rebecca smiled and said softly. "I told you. She's not coming. Not tonight."

Desmond looked at her, clearly puzzled. "What are you saying, Rebecca?" He pulled her closer to him.

"I'm saying that I love you and that I took every possible precaution to be with you," Rebecca said softly. "Now be a good boy and let me do as I please." Rebecca smiled at him and grabbed the rim of his pants.

Desmond was stunned at first. He watched her fingers as she undid the buttons of his pants. He set himself to removing his tailcoat and threw it onto the settee. He pulled apart his neckcloth and unbuttoned the length of his shirt and vest.

As he continued to disrobe, Rebecca reached down into his pants and into his briefs. She looked up at him as she grabbed his cock.

"Oh, Desmond, you're enormous," she whispered. She began stroking him, her fingers sliding easily up and down his rod.

Desmond was overcome. "My God, Rebecca," he breathed.

She lowered herself to her knees before him. She pulled his cock down toward her mouth and looked up to him. She wanted him to watch.

He looked down at her and swallowed. Her mouth enveloped his cock like a sheath. He moaned. He could not believe this was happening. It was a vision.

With his cock still engaged, she grabbed onto his hips to steady herself. She took him in again. Desmond moaned and placed his hands around her head. He began to rock his hips, sliding his shaft back and forth in her hot mouth. His breathing was heavy and rapid.

Rebecca lifted her head.

He looked down to her and said, "Stop, Rebecca."

Rebecca stood up and threw her arms about his neck. Their lips met in a frenzy of lust. Desmond gathered her in his arms and laid her down on her bed. He finished his undressing and came to her. He sat down at her bedside and grasped at the top of her bodice.

Slowly, he began to undo her. Rebecca stared at his eyes as he unwrapped her like a chocolate. She brought herself up on her forearms. She wanted to kiss him but he was intent on his task. He threw her bodice aside and surveyed her.

Rebecca watched him. He had the eyes of a beast of prey.

Desmond placed his hands on her breasts and began to massage them gently. They were so firm, so round and smooth. With his hands acting in tandem, he fingered her nipples.

Rebecca closed her eyes and arched her back. He bent down to her and took her right breast into his mouth. His tongue swirled around her nipple and played with it gently.

"Oh, Desmond," Rebecca breathed, "Don't stop ever."

He began to suck on her nipple gently until it was fully stiff and erect. He then turned his tender attention to her left breast and its soft pink tip. She was writhing with pleasure.

Desmond buried his face between her breasts and with his hands, pushed the flesh of her mounds into his cheeks, his fingers grasping at her swollen nipples.

"Rebecca, forgive me when I say this," Desmond whispered hoarsely, "But I will die if I cannot fuck you this instant."

Rebecca stared down into his eyes. There was something there that she had never seen. "Please fuck me, Desmond," she begged. "I am yours now and always will be."

Desmond shifted his body forward over her and balanced his weight against his left arm. Rebecca spread her legs. With his right hand, he brought his cock to her slit. He closed his eyes and rubbed his swollen knob against the edges of her
inflamed labia.

Rebecca whimpered. "You are the tease, Desmond," she breathed.

He did not hesitate any longer. He thrust himself into her tight wetness.

Rebecca moaned softly. He went deep with his cock and pulled back slowly. Rebecca moaned again.

"You are so massive," she whispered.

He thrust again. She gasped. He pulled back and relished the feeling of oncoming rapture. Again and again, he penetrated her tight and creamy pussy. He could no longer hold himself back. He began to pump her with his cock like a piston.

Rebecca spread her legs further apart and raised her hips to meet him.

"Oh...oh...oh," she moaned. "Oh, Desmond, fuck me." Her body was contracted into a thin hot edge and she was falling over it.

Desmond felt her quiver beneath him. She was done.

He continued to thrust into her. How wet, how hot, how tight she was. He looked down at her. Her face was flush and sweating with her pleasure. She was so beautiful.

He cried out. His orgasm consumed him. His cock thrust against her one final time and quivered within her. Desmond groaned.

He let himself fall beside her. He reached for her. He was too weak for words. They lay together, spent.

After a brief reprieve, he spoke. "Rebecca, have you ever looked into the sky at night?"

She turned her head and found his gaze. "Of course I have."

"What did you see?" he asked her softly.

"I saw a million stars...in a sky with no beginning and no end." She looked into his eyes.

"That is my love for you," he whispered. "Don't ever forget it."

He rose from her bed and began to dress.