Page 77 of A Gentleman's Wager
“A few minutes ago.” Lucerne came over to her and clasped one of her hands to press a kiss to her fingers. “Heavens, you’re freezing. Come closer to the fire.” Instead of bestowing a kiss, he set to rubbing some warmth into her flesh. “How long have you been sitting there? I thought the room empty when I first came in. No lamps lit, and the fire burned down to embers. Has everyone retired?”
Bella shrugged her shoulders, uncertain over the passage of time. Her fingers were tingling now that he was rubbing them.
“Charles is winding the clock with your between-maid,” Vaughan announced, sliding into the room like a shadow passing across the moon. He too appeared damp; the water droplets on his clothing caught the lamplight as he moved, while the ends of his hair had coiled into tight ringlets. “He’s making enough noise about it that you can hear him grunting from the hall.”
Disapproval etched itself onto Lucerne’s face, but he remained with the task of restoring the circulation to her cold hands. Vaughan’s lips curled when he noticed the solicitousness. No doubt he would make her pay for it later, though she could hardly be held accountable for Lucerne’s actions.
“Where is the delightful Miss Stanley this evening?”
Bella snatched her hand free of Lucerne’s grasp, cognisant of Vaughan’s earlier threats. Louisa was in enough pain already, without the marquis making her lot worse. “She’s abed. As I was going to explain to Lucerne, she’s feeling somewhat poorly at present.”
“Oh?” His brows ticked upwards.
“Should I summon a physician?” Lucerne’s gaze remained on Bella’s hands, which she folded upon her lap.
“No, it’s nothing serious. The trip into Richmond was rather tiring is all. I expect she’ll be right as rain tomorrow.” She peered up at Lucerne, hoping he would understand her silent plea to drop the matter until she could explain it without an audience present. Her friend’s torment would not benefit from the marquis’s mockery.
“And how was Richmond? Your brother?” Vaughan asked, clearly sensing drama.
“Quiet, and very well, thank you. It’s kind of you to ask.” Bella didn’t for a moment believe him motivated by kindness, in fact, his sudden interest alarmed her so much she felt the prickle all over her body. She’d not forgotten whatever this feud was between Pennerley and Wakefield, it was the root cause of why Wakefield had left Lauwine and Louisa in the first place. Not that she was condoning the latter’s actions since then. She’d very much like to smash plates over Wakefield’s head.
Vaughan flashed her a smile, all teeth and devilry, then he turned away, moving to one of the side cabinets. The lamplight seemed to caress him as he moved. He really was the most handsome of men, and dangerous as a pack of feral dogs. “Do you wish a drink, my lord? Miss Rushdale?”
Lucerne inclined his head. Bella replied, “Yes, thank you.”
Vaughan delivered brandy balloons to them both, then cast a cushion onto the rug before the fire, and stretched out like a sleek black cat, hands clasped behind his head. Surprised by his informality, Bella looked askance at Lucerne, who only shrugged and settled beside her on the chaise longue.
“Miss Stanley is tired, and yet you are not.” Vaughan remarked.
“I possess greater stamina.” Nor had she endured quite so great a shock.
“Of course.” He closed his eyes and yawned languorously.
Lucerne immediately beckoned her with the curl of his index finger. Wary of Vaughan and what action her movement might prompt, she shook her head, prompting Lucerne to slide along the sofa towards her instead. He lifted her hand again. Only this time, rather than warming it, he pressed a kiss to her knuckles.
Thrilled, Bella shot a second wary glance at the marquis. He did not appear to be paying them any heed. The fire collapsed in a shower of sparks, causing her to jump. Vaughan rolled over from his position and shuffled over to sit with his back to the chaise directly between them. If he imagined that would keep them apart, he was sadly mistaken. While their legs were positioned either side of him, it was the easiest thing to lean into one another. Lucerne lifted his arm, so that she could rest her cheek against his chest. He began to stroke her hair. “Where did you go today?” she asked.
“Here and there,” Lucerne dropped a kiss onto her forehead. “Up onto Calver Hill.”
“It’s hardly picnic weather.” She craned her head upwards, and Lucerne kissed her again, this time on the lips.
“Sometimes one craves wide open spaces and solitude.”
“Except you weren’t alone.”
“Close enough.” His lips brushed hers, traced their seam, before teasing them apart with his tongue. Bella clove to him, while the fear of Vaughan realising what they were doing behind his back bestowed an additional edge to their naughtiness. It was a rare pleasure indeed to get the better of him in such a way. Could he really be so oblivious to their canoodling? What could he e’er do about it even if he was? Was Lucerne aware of the way in which Vaughan had threatened her?
“I’ve a mind for some mischief tonight, what think you of that?” Lucerne whispered low into her ear.
Bella quirked her head. “What manner of mischief?”
Still smirking, Lucerne pressed two fingers to his lips, then brushed them across the back of Vaughan’s neck, evoking a shiver and a groan of pleasure. Bella widened her eyes unaccustomed to hearing Vaughan make such a revealing response. Around her, he was always so damned controlled, irritatingly unflappable. Even in the throes of passion, there was an air of detachment, a sense that there were parts of him that she simply couldn’t reach.
“Your turn,” Lucerne mouthed. He kissed her fingertips, then guided her touch.
Twas a tender spot at the base of the skull, between the parting of his dark hair. Vaughan tilted his head forward as she stroked, granting her greater access. Bella trailed her fingers upwards into his hair, then down again, before following the ridge of his collarbone inside the open neckline of his shirt. If only it were always so easy to hold him in thrall like this. He’d threatened and tormented her so often, she’d give much to see him at her mercy for a change.
He arched his head to one side as he tugged loose the ties of his shirt. Bella took that as an invitation and ran her palm down his chest.
