I Shall Love the Earl Read online

  Her damn chair was in the way. When Dallis pressed closer to him, Rory almost came undone. With a growl, he swept her onto his lap and wrapped Dallis in an embrace. In the back of his mind he understood the danger of their entanglement, but was past caring. Rory needed her. The weeks of trying to avoid Dallis wore on his patience. Her kisses met his demands with promises of more. Each breath from her into him, increased his appetite. Rory only meant for one taste, but his body wasn’t satisfied, it only wanted more. He pulled his fingers from her breasts and slid them along her leg. Rory’s hand moved higher, teasing her thighs to open for him. When his thumb brushed across her wetness, he moaned into her kiss capturing her sighs of pleasure. His fingers sunk into her heated core, melting Dallis against him.

  Oh my, was all Dallis thought of to say. How wonderfully, delightfully, scandalous. The pleasures he taught her body only made her wish for more. Rory’s touch sent her emotions floating on a sensation out of her control. Each strum of his finger inside her wetness caused an ache needing to be relieved. Her body responded, begging for him to continue. Dallis wanted to stroke the hardness of his chest with her hand. When her fingers tried to unbutton his shirt, he stilled. Rory dropped his head to Dallis's forehead, taking deep breaths. He removed his hand from under her dress and brought both of her hands to his lips for a kiss. Rory’s stared into Dallis’s eyes, revealing his struggle. He righted her clothing, then slid her off his lap and onto her chair. After she settled, Rory slid her gloves back onto her hands. With a final brush of his thumb across her lips, he slid on his own gloves and resumed his attention to the play as if nothing untoward had happened. However, something did. Dallis noticed the pulse beating in his neck rapidly, as did her heart for him.

  Soon candles were lit and applause erupted around them. Dallis understood why he put a halt to his affections. Intermission began with the crew preparing for Act II. Rory leaned over and gathered the fan from the floor, opened it and placed it in her hand.

  “You may want to cool yourself, my dear, before people realize my intentions.”

  Dallis flicked the fan back and forth to freshen her heated body. “And what are your intentions, Lord Beckwith?”

  “You will discover soon enough, Lady Dallis,” he replied, helping her to rise.

  Kathleen rushed toward them, exclaiming her delight on the wonderful performance. She described the set and the costumes as if they hadn't watched the show—which was the truth. Rory was too busy enjoying the pleasures of Dallis. A becoming shade of pink graced Dallis’s cheeks. Dallis indulged his sister with questions, asking her opinion of the performance. She made Kathleen feel as if she was more knowledgeable, a kindness which only endeared Dallis to him even more. His sister meant the world to him and Rory indulged her more than he ought. Ever since the day Kathleen was born and his mother laid her in Rory's arms, he'd sworn to protect her from all that was harmful. To this day Kathleen was still unaware of the true nature of their father’s demise. Something that Rory hoped she would never discover, for it would destroy her love of life. No, Rory would continue to protect Kathleen for as long as he could.

  Dallis's mind was in a whirl. Rory’s sister was a delight. Kathleen’s love of the theater was captivating as she retold the play. Which in Dallis’s case was a blessing. For throughout the first act, a certain gentleman and the power of his touch occupied all her attention. Dallis still blushed from what they'd done. It didn’t help how close Rory stood by her side now, almost protectively. Dallis tried listening to Kathleen’s descriptions, but her mind kept wandering to his promise. What will she discover soon enough? These thoughts vanished when Lord Holdenburg joined them. Then she only felt remorse. Dallis had let Rory dominate her time when she should have spent more with Lord Holdenburg who'd invited them here this evening. As much as she wished to continue the evening with Rory, her guilty conscience guided her to the earl.

  “Lord Holdenburg, what a joy this evening has been so far. Thank you for this wonderful treat.”

  “You are very welcome, Lady Dallis. It is always a pleasure to spoil a beauty such as yourself.”

  “Humph,” Kathleen muttered low enough, but all still heard it.

  Lord Holdenburg directed a glare in her direction. Rory pulled Kathleen away toward their mother and Dallis watched them in confusion. She didn’t understand Kathleen’s attitude toward Lord Holdenburg. Dallis continued to stare as Rory poured her grandmother and his mother a glass of champagne while lecturing his sister. Kathleen pouted and stomped over to her chair, picking up her theater glasses to observe the changing of the stage. Rory inquired to his mother’s comfort before he took the seat next to Kathleen. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and whispered to her. Soon Rory had Kathleen smiling and she rewarded him with a kiss on the cheek. Another part of Dallis’s wall broke toward him. The orchestra played a few notes warning the attendants the second act was about to begin.

  Holdenburg told Dallis, “It appears you have lost your escort, shall we take our seats?”

  “I apologize for Lord Beckwith’s rude behavior earlier.”

  “Never fear, my lady. We have been competing since we were old enough to understand. Any man would feel threatened if they were striving to win your hand. Rory might have started the play with you, however, I am the one you will end the performance with. Therefore, I win the chance of remaining in your memory the longest. Every gambler knows when to play his hand. It is not my fault Rory played his too soon.”

  “I am a card game then?”

  “No, my dear, you are the prize.”

  Dallis wasn’t sure if she should be furious. Card game? Prize? Was how she wished for Rory to pursue her any different? She had taken the advice of Sidney and Sophia to make Rory jealous with another man. Should Dallis be angry with Lord Holdenburg when ultimately she was the one using him? Frankly, it wasn’t in her character to behave in this manner. After this evening, the next time Lord Holdenburg requested a walk, she would confide and set him free. If she wanted to win Rory’s heart, she would do it in her own way. With her own weapons of love. And in the end, if Rory didn’t respond, then he wasn’t the man for her.

  Dallis tried to concentrate on the second half of the play, but her gaze kept straying to Rory. He sat relaxed in his chair, laughing with his sister at the antics of the actors. She wished for him to continue what he started. Dallis shut out her thoughts of Rory and tried to entice Lord Holdenburg into a conversation. However, the gentleman was distracted in his own right and payed no attention toward her. His fingers drummed silently on the arm of the chair, his gaze focusing forward. Even though they were in the darkest part of the box, Dallis saw the depth of sadness reflected in his eyes. They held a look of longing that she related to only so well. He was watching Lady Kathleen. Dallis wasn’t mistaken—Lord Holdenburg cared for Lady Kathleen.

  “You care for her?” Dallis whispered.

  “Who, Lady Dallis?” His voice turned cold and restrained.

  “Lady Kathleen.”

  Lord Holdenburg’s cynical laughter confused Dallis. “For Lady Kathleen? No, my lady, it is you who I care for, not for some overindulged debutante.”

  He lifted her hand to place a kiss against her gloved fingers. The kiss held no distraction, for his denial was too strong. Also, his kiss left her empty. It reminded Dallis too much of Rory’s intimacies from before. Dallis felt guilty for allowing Holdenburg to touch her, let alone kiss her. She tried pulling her hand from his grasp, but he held on smiling indulgently.

  That was how the ton remembered their affections, when the theater lit at the end of the play. Even Rory and his sister displayed their displeasure. Dallis noticed Rory’s anger and the hurt expression on Kathleen’s face. She longed to shout at them they were wrong, but couldn’t.

  “Smile, Lady Dallis, or the ton will think you play loose with your favors. I would hate for your name to endure any more scandal.”

  Dallis smiled at Lord Holdenburg so as not to draw any more attentio
n to embarrass Nanna. Lord Holdenburg’s behavior shocked her. Since their introduction, he'd portrayed a fun-loving bachelor who enjoyed courting her. The man holding her hand spoke of a dangerous chap who could ruin her in a moment’s notice. His quick change of behavior at the mere mention of a slip of a girl, only confirmed in Dallis’s mind where his affections lay. If Holdenburg thought he could threaten Dallis, then she would play along long enough to gather any information she needed. Men like Lord Holdenburg never scared Dallis before and wouldn’t now.

  “Think twice, Lord Holdenburg, to frighten me. Now I know your weakness.” Dallis said with a glance at Kathleen, wrenching her hand away.

  The Beckwiths offered their gratitude before Rory escorted his mother and sister home. The carriage remained quiet with her grandmother resting in the corner. Holdenburg and Dallis regarded each other. Neither one of them smiling. They each pondered how much to trust the other with their secrets, and how they could help one another.

  “A walk in the park tomorrow?” he suggested.

  “Yes, a walk in the park tomorrow.”

  Chapter Twelve

  As Dallis assisted her nanna to her room and into bed, she realized nerves would prevent any sleep of her own. Her nanna had given the servants the evening off. She spoiled the devoted staff with her carefree whims. This evening was one of those times. Dallis decided a cup of warm milk while reading before the fire would help make her sleepy. After making the milk, she wandered into the library looking for a new book to read. This evening had ended different from had been expected with a mystery to everybody’s feelings. Unsure of her interest, Dallis trailed her fingers across the tomes searching for the right book.

  “What is your desire, my dear?”

  Dallis turned in fright, one hand to her chest. She searched in the darkness to discover Rory lounging in a chair near the fireplace. He'd discarded his suit jacket, unbuttoned his vest, and tossed his cravat over the arm of the chair.

  Dallis's voice caught in her throat, devouring him with her eyes.

  “Dallis, do you wish to read a mystery?”

  She shook her head.

  “A book about flowers?”

  Another shake of her head.

  “Yes, too boring. How about history?

  She gulped and still couldn’t speak.

  “Mmm, perhaps a romantic novel?”

  By this time he'd stood and come next to her, gliding his fingers over the books, until his hand rested next to hers. He kissed her fingers one by one.

  “Why read about it when you can live it?”

  Before she replied, he gathered Dallis in his embrace and kissed her passionately. His lips coaxed hers to open to savor her sweetness. They were warm and made him hungry for more. Rory knew he was the devil for breaking into her house. Well, he didn’t actually break in. Lady Ratcliff’s servants needed to learn to lock the windows. Still, he shouldn’t be here, but their time this evening whetted his appetite to see her. When Rory watched Holdenburg force his act of dominance on Dallis at the end of the play, it took every ounce of Rory's control to keep his anger contained. Now that they were alone, he would finish what he started.

  Rory lifted Dallis and carried her over to the chair, resting her on his lap. He pulled away from the sweet temptation of her lips to gaze at Dallis in the candlelight. Unbound hair hung to her waist, the redness blazing brighter against the firelight, darkening the blonde. The sheer, virginal nightgown displayed her charms. Dallis’s womanly curves enticed him to peel the garment from her body to view for his own pleasure. However, he resisted the temptation. As much he wanted to act out his desires, Rory wouldn’t risk her grandmother finding them together. But it didn’t mean he couldn’t play for a bit. Just a few more kisses to satisfy him until she became his.

  Dallis knew she should be asking how he gained access inside the house. And also rebuff his advances. Instead she glorified at the wonderful sensation of being held in Rory’s arms. His kisses and touch drugged her senses with pleasure. She only desired more. This evening his attentions only gave her a craving of what she missed. Dallis would be more than a willing participant if he showed her. Along the way, maybe she could capture his heart.

  Her hands settled on his chest. Rory’s warmth seeped through his clothing. Dallis moved her fingers, caressing his chest through the shirt’s opening. Rory’s body tensed as she pressed his smooth flesh. She slipped the studs from his shirt, opening it wider, needing to touch him as he touched her earlier. Her hands spread his shirt apart, and Dallis trailed her fingers down to his stomach. At his groan of pleasure, Dallis was aware of her power over him. She raised her eyes and watched his eyes darkening to a field of the darkest green. She lowered her head and placed a kiss on his collarbone, then worked her way along his neck. Reaching his ear, his breath quickened. The hands on her hips tightened as Dallis brushed her breasts against Rory's chest.

  She was madness. He came here to seduce her, and she ended up being the one to seduce him. Her touch set him on fire. His cock hardened as her soft bottom pressed into him. How could Rory resist her sweetness? Dallis’s body ached for his touch. If he started, he didn’t know if he could stop, but yet his need was stronger than his control. He lost all of it when she whispered in his ear.

  “I thought I might live it, instead of reading about it. Mmm, seems to me I am the only one living it. Did you want to read about it, Rory?”

  “Do not tease me, Dallis.”

  She traced her tongue across his bottom lip. “Who is teasing whom, Rory?”

  Her tongue kept tracing his lips until he opened them. Dallis took the claim on the kiss, exploring his mouth like he usually did to her. Rory held back, letting her play. When her tongue slid across his, he responded. When she slid his bottom lips between hers and gently sucked, he groaned into her kiss. After his groan, her kiss changed. She was no longer playful, but demanding. The stroke of her tongue became stronger, urging him to release his passion. Rory answered Dallis’s wish by taking possession of her mouth. Their kiss taking control of their emotions. She wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging tight.

  Dallis trembled, their passion turning into a need stronger than anything he could handle. Her body melted around him. Rory rose and lowered her before the fire. As he laid next to her, he gazed into her eyes. They spoke of her need for him. He wanted her so much he couldn’t control it, if he took her.

  “Dallis.”

  “Rory, please kiss me.”

  “Oh dear, I want to do more than kiss you.”

  Dallis reached for his hand. She saw the hesitation in his eyes and realized his honor prevented him from becoming more intimate. This moment, like all the others, he fought against dishonoring her. While he still tasted her he kept a tight rein on his control. Dallis only wanted him to break free to show his true intentions. She decided to take the lead, like in the novels Sophia loaned her. They differed from the ones she read to her grandmother. The stories were scandalous, and they taught a few things she wanted to try. Dallis unbuttoned her nightdress and guided his hand to her breasts. When his hand settled on her chest, he closed his eyes as his thumb brushed across her nipple, and she moaned. When Rory opened his eyes again, he saw her reaction and caressed her nipples into hardened pebbles.

  Once he realized she wanted more than his touch, he lowered his head and slid a nipple into his mouth. Dallis moaned louder, and the pleasure shot through her body when his tongue slid back and forth across teasing them. She ran her fingers through his hair, holding him to her breasts. What she read about didn’t compare to the reality. Rory held her breasts and loved them as if they were precious gems.

  Dallis tasted more exquisite than Rory could ever imagine. He needed to put a stop to this madness before he took her on the hard floor. When she guided him to her breasts, he couldn't resist the sweet treat. She tasted like strawberries. As he drew the sweet buds into his mouth, the flavor of berries exploded under his tongue. Rory wanted one touch. He slid his hand under
her gown, sinking into her wetness, drawing a tight bud into his mouth. Dallis’s body arched into him as he stroked her.

  “Rory, Rory,” she moaned.

  The sound of his name on her lips sunk deep into his soul. Rory needed to stop before he was beyond control. When Dallis moaned his name again, it would be in his bed where he would make love to her all night. Not ruin her and force Dallis into a marriage she may not want. No, he wanted to win her heart the old-fashioned way. For him to achieve that, he must pull away from their passion. No matter how pleasurable it was and how his body protested the need to make Dallis his. One more touch, he promised as his finger continued to stroke her, but one was not enough. Rory’s body overruled his mind as he continued to pleasure her. He watched the desire in Dallis's eyes as he brought her pleasure to new heights. Dallis was a temptress he didn’t want to resist. From her passionate eyes to her responsive body held in his arms.

  The touch of his fingers drove Dallis insane. With each stroke she fell deeper in love with him. While some would describe this emotion as lust, it was far from what she felt. Lust only lasted for a brief moment in time. Love created memories that you craved to last a lifetime. This was love. She craved Rory with a love that had no explanation. His touch, his kisses, and his gaze reached a part of her soul only meant for him. Dallis wanted Rory to make her his with a desperate need, but recognized the self-control in his eyes. She wanted him to lose the control, but understood his reason to resist. Dallis should feel shameless, spread out in front of the fire, guiding him to explore her body, instead she felt free. Free from the stipulations placed on her by society. Free from the expectations her parents placed upon her to marry well. Free from herself.