I Shall Love the Earl Read online

  “No, my dear. As much as I desire you, I will not allow your first time to be in a carriage. No, when I make love to you it will be on a bed that you must endure for hours.”

  “I will endure them with pleasure,” Dallis huskily replied. Which only enflamed his desire.

  Rory groaned and dropped his head back against the cushion, trying to bring his body under control. They still had a few hours before they would arrive at their destination. How he would tolerate to the rest of the ride was clueless to him. Rory should return Dallis to the other side of the carriage, but her soft bottom pressed into his cock decided that he would be a fool to do that.

  Dallis felt how excited Rory was with his hardness pressing against her bottom and resolved that since he'd teased her all season, she would tease him for the remainder of the ride. Twice this week Dallis had read the book Sophia loaned her. Her excitement to be intimate with Rory only grew stronger. She learned a few tricks to entice a man without him realizing it. She shifted, pretending to get comfortable, knowing that her movements would drive him crazy. She heard his groan, and watched his eyes squeezing tighter.

  Next she laid her head on his chest, her fingers trailing up and down innocently, talking about their special wedding. As Dallis talked he murmured his agreement, undoing her hat and dropping the pins onto the floor, her hair flowing around her shoulders. His fingers ran through the strands, rubbing her head, and easing the tightness where her hair had been bound. She moaned and snuggled in closer, enjoying the sensation of somebody taking care of her. Before long Dallis forgot who tried to seduce whom.

  When the carriage stopped and the footman opened the door, Rory looked deeply into her eyes with a sensual gaze that made her blush. For it explained his intentions for this evening. Without a single word, he carried Dallis inside the house and straight to the bedroom prepared for their stay. Soft candlelight led the way to the bedchamber where the scent of roses greeted them. Once they reached the bedroom, he closed the door and carried her toward the bed.

  Rory slid Dallis down his body until her feet touched the floor. Then he proceeded to undress her. They spoke not one word. Every touch of his fingers, and the soft kisses he placed on her body, spoke volumes. When Dallis stood before him naked, the softness of his gaze spoke of a desire she was powerless to.

  As Dallis stood before him, his restraint amazed him. He didn’t want to rush their first time. Rory wanted to savor every touch, kiss, glance, and sigh as he loved her. She'd teased him in the carriage and he enjoyed that. There were so many facets to Dallis’s character he wanted to learn.

  “You, my dear, are a minx.”

  “How so?” she whispered.

  He didn’t answer her, because she began to undress him in the same slow manner. With each garment she took off, Dallis replaced them with her touch and kiss. He allowed her to explore, taking pleasure from her curiosity. She traced the firmness of his chest and along the muscles in his arms. For a gentleman of the ton, they were rough. She pressed her lips to every bit of him. Soon she brushed across his hardness. He inhaled sharply and Dallis smiled at him.

  Very slowly she opened the buttons on the placket of his trousers. She knelt, dragging his pants down and off his body. As she stayed on her knees, she ran a finger along his cock. Rory hissed, tugging gently her hair. Dallis wrapped her hand around him and stroked him up and down. He was smooth and warm to her touch. As he throbbed in her hand, she wondered how he would taste. Would her kiss give him the same pleasure that she received from him? Her tongue slid along the length of him. Rory’s fingers tightened in her hair as she continued to explore with her mouth. When she slid him inside her tongue twirled around in circles, Dallis felt his growl of pleasure vibrate off her tongue.

  Dallis’s mouth was madness. Where did she learn of this act? The way she sucked him and her tongue licked his cock, he didn’t care, as long as she didn’t stop. The pleasure almost brought him to his knees. She was beyond a minx. Dallis was a temptress with her long red hair and a body of Venus.

  He pulled her off the floor and into his arms. Rory carried her to the bed where he laid her on the silk sheets.

  This time she crooked her finger at him, and he came willingly. She opened her arms to welcome him. Her lips lifted to capture his and Dallis trembled from passion. He lifted one of her legs around his hips, searching for her need. Rory groaned into her kiss as he discovered her already wet. He slid two fingers inside her core, moving in and out as she arched her body. Her leg tightened around him and he stroked her higher.

  Dallis’s gripped his body as Rory brought her pleasure to a height she didn’t know existed. She wanted him with a passion beyond her control. With the flavor of him still fresh on her lips, she kissed him, pleading for more. When his lips left hers, she whimpered her disappointment until he stroked her nipples with his tongue. Her whimpers soon turned into moans of pleasure. With every stroke of his tongue his finger would move in the same rhythm. Then Rory slid her nipple between his lips and sucked gently at first, teasing until the bud hardened. He sucked harder and his finger stroked faster, causing Dallis to feel as if she would explode. His strokes intensified as he sucked on her other nipple until it too hardened into a tightness. At her encouragement, he removed his hand from her core where she ached with a need.

  Dallis was ready for him, from how she gripped his fingers inside her to the sweet buds he sucked on. He lifted both her breasts and caressed the globes, pinching her nipples, making her moan. Then he lowered his head taking each nipple one at a time into a gentle kiss, sliding himself inside her. Rory slowly drew out each kiss, sinking deeper into her wetness. He watched for any sign of pain, gazing into her eyes where he saw the love she never spoke aloud, and he moved past the final barrier. Dallis’s body tensed for a brief second before she sighed and wrapped herself tighter around him.

  The pain lasted for a brief moment. She noticed the apprehension in Rory’s eyes when he pushed himself further inside her. Dallis wrapped her body around him, encouraging him to her pleasure. Once Rory saw that Dallis suffered no discomfort, he no longer held himself back. Each stroke of his body became stronger as she responded. His eyes captured hers as he made love to her. Rory lifted her leg higher around his hip, slowly sliding deep. Dallis felt him to her core. He moved quicker and rotated his hips in small circles drawing out her passion. When Dallis moved with him, he growled and his strokes became faster and stronger as he sent them exploding into a passion neither one of them imagined.

  Their bodies clung tight to each other in the aftermath of their loving.

  “Most definitely a minx,” he whispered, pulling her closer.

  Dallis smiled into his chest, realizing that he knew her tricks in the carriage and played along with her. And as she drifted asleep in his embrace Dallis realized he loved her. A man didn’t make love so passionately to a woman without loving her. She had yet to speak of her love for him, still guarding her heart from pain. She didn’t love easily, probably from spending most of her life unloved. Mixed emotions tried to fight their way through, but sleep prevailed.

  Rory held Dallis as she fell asleep. He didn’t confess his love again. He wanted to, and hopefully elicit a response, but he needed to earn her love by overcoming his previous behavior. She hadn’t spoken of her love, but he believed Dallis loved him. She might not have spoken the words, but her actions betrayed her. When she was ready to speak those words, he would be ready to hear them.

  For now, holding Dallis in his arms was enough.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  They spent two glorious weeks enjoying the comfort of Sheffield and Sophia’s gift. Rory spoiled Dallis every second. They spent most of their time between the sheets, discovering the pleasures of their desires. When they weren’t making love they explored Camberley and took long walks on Sheffield’s estate, which was nothing less than a mansion with huge grounds.

  They were returning home on the morrow and Dallis was nervous. She didn’t want to step o
n Lady Beckwith’s toes. Dallis admired the woman for raising a caring son. She hoped they could work together to make their home a loving place. She wanted to confide in Rory, but ever since they made love this morning he had been distant. Dallis hoped on their walk he would explain what was on his mind. She planned a picnic near the pond, with a basket packed with his favorite foods to entice him.

  She wore a secretive smile, spreading the blanket across the ground. She talked excitedly, unpacking the contents of the basket. When she uncovered the dishes, Rory saw Dallis had included all of his favorites. Already early in their marriage she spoiled him. He only wished he could return the gesture. Rory hoped that when they returned home, Sheffield had his blunt. If not, he didn’t know how to break the news to his family. They would have to sell their home. Rory could raise funds by the sale since the house wasn’t entailed. For now he needed to put his worries behind and thank his wife properly. His sour attitude had put a damper on the final day of their honeymoon.

  After Dallis emptied the basket, she attempted to brighten Rory’s mood. However, when she looked his way he regarded her in a predatory manner. All thoughts flew from her mind when he crooked his finger. To make his point clear to her he started unbuttoning his shirt. Dallis's eyes flew around looking for any unwanted company.

  “Nobody is near, Dallis.”

  “But they could be.”

  “We are on a private property in an isolated spot. Now come here, wife, before I come after you.”

  Dallis rose and backed away from the blanket. She wasn’t as daring as her husband. His threat was viable because he rose and followed her, scooping Dallis into his arms near the pond. He dipped her low pretending to drop her. Dallis clung to his shoulders.

  “You would not dare.”

  “Perhaps I shall. It would give me a perfect reason to get you undressed.”

  “Lord Beckwith, lower me this instant.”

  “If you insist,” he said, dipping her into the pond.

  He only meant to tease her enough to gain a few kisses. Rory wasn’t prepared for Dallis to panic and try to crawl around his neck. Her struggles ended with both of them falling into the icy cold water. He went under as she continued to cling to him. When he finally came up for air, it was to find Dallis in tears.

  “Oh darling, don’t cry.”

  Rory carried her to the blanket. He set her on the ground, placing the dishes back in the basket. He reached for the blanket, took off her dress and his wet clothes, and wrapped it around them. Then he gathered Dallis close and held her as the chills shook her body along with her tears. He'd acted like a brute, and so hushed her with whispering endearments to keep Dallis from crying any longer. When she started to hiccup, he chuckled and leaned against the tree.

  Dallis’s wet chemise clung to her body causing the dampness to soak into his bones as he cuddled her closer. She squirmed in his arms causing her bottom to nestle into his cock. Soon the chill left his body to be replaced by an undeniable heat. Perhaps the afternoon would go as he planned. The dunk in the pond only a minor infraction.

  Dallis was so embarrassed of how she'd caused Rory to dunk them into the pond. He was only being playful and since she didn’t want to get wet, it almost caused them to drown. Her surprise ruined by her foolishness. After her tears subsided, she started to hiccup, which only caused more embarrassment. However, after a while, she realized Rory’s desires had not diminished. His hardness pressed into her damp bottom. Perhaps the afternoon would go as she planned and getting wet ended up being the perfect enticement. Not wanting to let the moment slip away, Dallis trailed her fingers across his wet chest, tracing the drops of water away with her touch. When her lips followed the path, Rory moaned and pressed his hips into her buttocks, showing his pleasure. She tipped her head back to see his expression, caressing him, and was met with a stare filled with desire. He took her lips in a passionate kiss.

  Rory didn’t rush, only taking what she offered. They were long slow kisses which drugged his body with desire. His need to possess her was stronger than ever. He guided her body so that she straddled his legs, her core pressing into his cock. He pulled away to see her wet chemise displaying her hard nipples. The rosy pebbles showed through the garment. He brushed his knuckles across them, wanting to hear her moan. When she did, he repeated it again. This time taking them between his fingers and lightly pinching. Dallis’s reaction was to press against his cock rotating her hips. His wife was a quick learner on what pleased him. Rory took her nipple in his mouth through her slip. He sucked the material, scraping his teeth across the tight bud.

  “Ohhh,” Dallis moaned.

  Her enthusiasm fueled his desire to please her. He stripped off the wet garment and held her breasts in his hands. She arched her body as he lowered his head to taste her without the damp material in the way. If Dallis’s moans made him ache before, the flavor of her on his lips made him mad. He already knew she was ready for him, her wetness coating the outside of his cock. He wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted, guiding himself inside. Rory entered slowly so they could both take pleasure of their bodies joining as one. When he fully entranced his cock, he pushed up.

  Dallis’s moaned in shock, her eyes wide that they would make love in this position.

  “How does this feel, Dallis?”

  “Ohhh.” Was the only sound that came from her mouth. Rory’s pleasure left her speechless.

  “Do you enjoy this position?” He rotated his hips into hers.

  All Dallis could do was nod. She rotated her hips and the zing that shot through her body melted her into him. When he groaned, she did it once more. His hands tightened trying to hold her still. But he was now powerless. She rose up, sliding him out from her body, then back down even slower. Dallis enjoyed the sensation so much that she repeated it.

  “Dallis,” he moaned.

  She took pleasure in him losing control. She slid up again, only this time she lowered herself with a speed that took their breath away. Dallis felt Rory throbbing around her and wanted him to come undone. Each time she lowered, she gained speed. He began to move with her, matching each stroke harder and firmer. Her nipples brushing across his chest only intensified their passion.

  Dallis lost control with him. When she tightened around his cock, Rory knew she was ready to explode. He lowered his hand between their bodies. His fingers sunk into her wetness and rubbed his thumb back and forth, meeting her strokes. Her body fell apart as he came inside her. Rory became lost in her eyes as they both succumbed to the passion which bonded them as one. He dragged her head toward him and plundered her lips. As long as Rory breathed, his need for her would never diminish. Dallis clung to him, returning his kiss.

  “Rory?”

  “Yes, love?”

  “Mmm, just wanted to say your name.”

  His emotions kept him from speaking. Rory’s love for Dallis grew every day to a fullness he couldn’t explain. He ached for Dallis to tell him that she returned his love. Each time, their lovemaking made their bond stronger. With each kiss, touch, and whispers of conversation, he felt like Dallis had always been a part of his life. Did she care for him in the same manner? Rory always thought he was a patient man, but he'd discovered differently where Dallis was concerned. He wanted to hear those words to feel complete. But for now he would be content to hear her speak his name.

  One day Dallis would tell him she loved him, and he would treasure those words forever.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  They had been home from their honeymoon for a week and Rory had yet to confide in Dallis on his financial status. So far the money collectors were absent, satisfied with the deposits he put on his accounts before he left town. Luckily they didn’t bother his mother. As he stood off to the side at the Kertland Ball, Rory watched his wife gush to Sophia and Sidney about their stay in Camberley. Every now and then her glance strayed toward him, where he hadn’t taken his eyes off her. Dallis would blush when their gazes connected, both of their though
ts the same. He chuckled, amused that she still blushed after all the intimate things he taught her.

  Sheffield came to stand beside him.

  “I see that married life agrees with both of you, Beckwith.”

  “It would a lot more, if you had word of your ship hitting the dock.”

  “It hasn’t yet. But I have scouts searching for the missing ship.”

  “Damn, Sheffield. I am barely hanging on. If I do not have payment soon, I will lose my home.”

  “Allow me to loan you the money.”

  “No, I am already in your debt for the initial investment. If your ship cannot be located, then I shall be even more so.”

  When Dallis glanced over to Rory, she saw him having a heated discussion with Sheffield. What did they have to argue about?

  Sophia answered the question for her. “Rory invested some money with Sheffield and the ship has been lost at sea.”

  “How much?”

  Sidney said, “Wilde said that Sheffield fronted Rory the startup fee with a payback when the investment showed a profit.”

  Dallis pondered how dire Rory’s financial status must be for him to argue with Sheffield where anybody could hear. She wished her friends would disclose more information, but understood why they kept silent. They directed their first sense of discretion toward Rory, who had been their friend long before Dallis came onto the scene.

  Throughout the week, her mother-in-law showed Dallis around her new home. During their discussion of the household routine, Lady Beckwith informed Dallis that money had been scarce since her husband had died. But Rory always managed to find coin for anything they needed. Lady Beckwith explained how Kathleen and she assisted with the chores to offset the difference. Dallis, never one to not lend a hand, helped them this week. She enjoyed learning new meals from the cook. Rory’s cook was old and unable to lift the heavy pots so easily. So Dallis pitched in to make the family meals. She swore his mother and the cook to secrecy. If Rory discovered her working, he would be furious. One day, he'd caught her making scones and forbid Dallis from working in the kitchen. When she tried to explain her joy of baking, he refused to listen. He still tried to put on a front of being able to provide for Dallis in the means she was accustomed to.