Sweet Torture (Fated for Love) (23 page)

“That was…
I can’t…”

She smiled
. She was a little proud of herself given how easy it was for him to reduce her mind to mush. Now she knew she could do the same.

He finally opened his eyes and blinked rapidly. He turned his head to look at her, his eyes drowsy and warm. “Where did you learn to do that?”

“A little bird told me,” she smiled impishly.

“A little—bollocks.”

He rolled on top of her, pinning her. She gasped in surprise and pleasure.

“Is it my turn now?”
he said suggestively as one of his hands began to drag up her skirts.

“No, today is for you.” She giggled and squirmed against him playfully.

“It would be for me, but for you, too. It wouldn’t be fair, otherwise.”

“Devon!” Lydia squeaked as he attempted to dive beneath her skirts.

A crack of thunder rent the sky.

They both jumped and looked around and then looked up. Dark clouds were rapidly gathering overhead.

“We’ll have to finish this at the house.” Devon stood and pulled her up.

Lydia cast a wary glance to the sky before gathering the blanket. “Will we make it to the house in time?”

“Perhaps, if we hurry.” Devon threw the basket in the boot and lifted Lydia up into the Phaeton. “We can use the blanket to keep us dry if it starts to rain, but it won’t last long.” Devon jumped into his seat and flicked the reins. “Hold on tight.”

Lydia practically wrapped herself around h
im as he circled around the clearing and pulled out into the rutted road. He went as fast as he safely could, a bouncing and jarring pace, until they reached the main road. They raced along, but as the sunlight was quickly over-powered by the ominous clouds, raindrops began to pelt them. Lydia spread the blanket over their heads, fighting the pull of the wind. She was a little scared now, she spread her feet to brace herself in the seat, but she felt like at any moment she would fly out of the Phaeton. They came upon the house as steady rain began to fall. Devon drove around to the stables, pulling the horse to a stop as the stable hand came running. He tossed down the reins and jumped down. Lydia couldn’t help but laugh as he gallantly ran to her side and lifted her down. Taking her hand, they ran for the shelter of the house as a bolt of lightning flashed, and was followed by rumbling thunder.

They were nearly soaked by the time they ducked inside the side door and panting from their run. They stopped and caught their breath, grinning foolishly at each other.

“I could use a hot bath.” Lydia panted as she tried to catch her breath.

“
That’s a wonderful idea; my tub is big enough for two, fortunately.”

“Devon!” Lydia swatted at him and looked around them.

“No one is near, and it does not matter who hears, anyway.” He pulled her close to him and tried to kiss her.

“Not here.” She pushed against his chest weakly.

“Let’s finish what we started.” He buried his face in her neck.

She wanted to moan in frustration. She could feel the cold seeping through her wet gown on her back
, but her front was pleasantly toasty against him. A hot bath for two sounded wonderful, but she wouldn’t be able to resist him if they were both naked together. She couldn’t give in to him until he agreed to marry her.

“That sounds wonderful, but entirely too bold of us. I will see you at lunch?” She gently pushed against his chest again.

He pulled back. “You’re sure you don’t want that bath?”

“I do want that bath, but under different circumstances.” She turned and started up the stairs but turned back when he didn’t follow.

“What is it?”

“I want you
, Lydia.”

“I want you
, too, Devon. We both know what needs to happen next. I’m putting my heart in your hands.” Lydia turned and walked up the stairs. She didn’t hear him follow, but she kept up her freezing trudge to her room. She was shivering by the time she entered and promptly rang for a maid.

Devon reached his room and removed the rest of his clothing. He rang for a bath and donned his robe to keep the chill away. He hoped Lydia didn’t catch a chill from their hasty return in the rain. He smiled. If she did, he would be the only volunteer to nurse her back to health, regardless of objections. He was in the middle of toweling his hair dry when he heard a tentative knock on his door. He smiled to himself. “Did you change your mind about that bath?” He opened the door expecting to see Lydia.

It was not Lydia.

“Lady Covvington?” Devon said surprised.

“I’m sorry to intrude…”

She looked extremely uncomfortable as her eyes darted around the hall and into Devon’s room. He was thankful he had tied his robe tightly or he might have embarrassed himself. Still, it was supremely uncomfortable to stand in nothing but a robe in front of one of the dragons of the ton, and mother to the woman one is seducing.

“
May I be of service to you?”

“I’m looking for my daughter. Is she with you?”

“Uh…” Thank God she wasn’t, had they been participating in the things Devon had in mind, this untimely visit would have been supremely mortifying. “We only just returned from our drive, I imagine she is in her room drying off, as well. We caught a bit of the rain on our return.”

“Us
, as well, I will try her room again, perhaps I just missed her.”

“Most
likely,” Devon assured her. “Good day, my lady.”

“This might be an opportune time to talk with you
, Lord Wilhelm, may I come in?”

Devon cringed inside. This was the most awkward moment of his life. “Certainly.” He stepped back and gestured for her to enter. “Please sit.” He gestured to the chair by the empty fireplace.

“You may close the door. What I have to say is somewhat private.” She sat regally in the chair.

Devon kept a blank expression as he closed the door and pulled the chair from his desk to sit across from her. He was
utterly uncomfortable, and now dreaded whatever it was she felt she needed to say privately to him.

“I realize our presence here is somewhat unusual. I have allowed Lydia to spend ample time with you
un-chaperoned for a specific purpose. Do you know what that purpose is?”

“Yes, you
, and my parents wish us to be married.” Devon swallowed awkwardly.

“Things quickly became evident when you left my daughters room months ago. I wanted something different for her than the marriage I had
, but I was depriving her of a chance I was too afraid to give myself. I saw something in you, something that you could give my daughter that would mean so much more than the marriage I had planned for her. There is a true meeting of the hearts between you, I can see that.”

Devon didn’t know what to say so he remained silent.

“But…,I’m not blind to what is taking place here, and I must warn you that I will not allow my Lydia to be trifled with. I understand you are hurt by her actions and rightly so, but if you truly love her, as I suspect you do, please don’t dalliance with her. She has suffered greatly, as well, and if you are not intending to be her husband, then stop playing her lover. I knew it would take time for the two of you to rekindle what you had before, but I cannot—in good conscience—stand by while you resume an affair with my daughter with no intent of asking for her hand. What is your intent?” She demanded.

She had remained calm throughout her speech but Devon could feel the steel
layer beneath her words. He still did not know how to respond. There was no sufficient way to explain the transformation that was happening between himself and Lydia. It was something that was evolving on its own, out of their control, like a blooming rose.

“
I…I understand your concern for your daughter, Lady Covvington.”

“But will you marry her?” She said doggedly.

“I can’t answer that yet. I wish I could, but it’s rather complicated.”

“Pfft.” She waved at him
as if he were an errant nat. “Things are as complicated as we make them. Most of the problems of the heart we create ourselves when the true answer is very simple. If you love her, marry her—if you don’t, let her go. I will give you to the end of the week, but then I draw the line. I will take my daughter back to the cottage. I won’t allow her to be hurt again,” She said vehemently.

At first
, Devon was angry but something in her words hit home. His own stubbornness prevented him from going forward. Why drag it out? He wanted Lydia more than anything, and as his wife, nothing would keep them apart, nothing but him. He was his own enemy and the only thing standing in between them. He cursed himself. He couldn’t ignore the fact that he was choosing to ignore the question of marriage with Lydia by distracting them both with desire. He was avoiding the issue all together, but by doing that, he was starving himself of her. It was time to stop punishing himself and her.

They could never go back, the past couldn’t be undone, but nothing was stopping them from
moving forward into the future. Nothing but him.

“I understand you
, Lady Covvington. I want nothing more than to honor your daughter.” He struggled with the next words. They caught in his mouth like a fish in a net—fighting for freedom. He needed to say it aloud, for himself more than anyone. These words meant the closing of a chapter and the beginning of a new one. Why couldn’t he just say it? He took a deep breath and locked eyes with Lady Covvington.

“I do love
, Lydia. I will marry her.”

Lady Covvington beamed at him. “I’m so happy to hear it.” She sighed with relief. “All will be well now.”

Devon stood as she stood from her chair.

“I will leave it to you to tell Lydia
,” She said as she strode confidently to the door and paused. “Make it romantic,” she said wistfully. “Lydia never let herself be wooed until you—give her something she will never forget.”

“I’ll do my best
,” Devon promised. He saw Lady Covvington out and closed the door softly behind her. He felt a little ambushed but shook it off. Another knock heralded his valet and footmen carrying buckets of hot water. He sighed in relief. Once the tub was filled, and he was alone again, he disrobed and stepped into the water. His mind was still recovering from his conversation with Lady Covvington. How was he going to propose to Lydia? The idea made him feel a little giddy. It was such a strange notion, after all that they had been through. He couldn’t help but remember how excited he was to marry her before she stomped all over his heart. How could he bring that back? It should be as if nothing had fallen apart, a moment she would never forget, and not tarnished by the past they couldn’t erase. He had a lot of thinking and planning to do, and he would most likely need help.

Devon sat back in the tub and relaxed into the steaming water. Olivia would know what to do. She was the most romantic person he knew
, and she would jump at the chance to help him propose to Lydia with all the pomp and fuss she deserved.

It was not long before it was time to join the others for lunch. He dressed and went down
, feeling more invigorated and surer than ever. He had a plan—a very basic plan—but a plan, nonetheless, to propose and seduce Lydia. No more holding back, nothing but skin between them. He couldn’t wait to put it into action. He would need Olivia’s help, and the next step in his plan would be to get her alone so they could discuss it privately. If he were going to surprise Lydia with a grand romantic gesture, he needed absolute secrecy from everyone involved.

He made it to the family parlor just as
they were taking their seats at the table.

“Good afternoon to all, how was the trip to the village.” He asked the room at large.

“Short lived, I’m afraid. We made it down one side of shops before Colton bid us to return to the carriage before the rain started. How was your drive?” Olivia asked benignly. She looked expectantly back and forth between Lydia and Devon.

Devon noticed Lydia kept her head down and averted from all eyes. “Superb. I took Lydia to where Colton and I used to frolic as boys.”

“I never frolicked,” Colton said disdainfully. “I ran, I climbed, and I conquered.”

Devon ignored him. “The
trees we imagined as great hulking ships are still standing. The clearing looks just as we left it.”

“That sounds lovely, Colton
, you must take me there,” Olivia pleaded.

“You really should. It will be an experience you will never forget.” Devon peeked at Lydia and could see the brightness of her cheeks as she continued to hide her face. He looked away
, and was caught by Colton’s gaze, who raised a questioning brow.

Devon winked
, and took a seat between Olivia and his father. Across from him, Lydia sat between her mother and his mother. They served themselves slices of ham, crescent rolls, and picked from bowls of grapes, peaches, and strawberries. A footman stood by, refilling glasses of wine and lemon water when needed. The talk was banal, and Devon let his mind wander over his plans again.