Rose in Bloom (Sex and the Season #2)(12)

“For you, of course. Come on in.”

Eloise stood and entered her small dwelling. Cameron followed.

“I’ve been hoping you would come by to see me.”

“You have?”

“Yes. I think you’re the most attractive of all the single men around here. I’ve been yearning for you ever since you beat the duke in the archery challenge on May Day.”

“Oh?”

“The way you stared down your arrow. You had so much concentration and focus. It was powerful, that’s what it was.”

“I don’t know that anyone has ever described archery that way, Mrs. Warren.”

“Cam, call me Eloise. We don’t stand on ceremony here.”

“Of course, Eloise.”

She moved toward him, loosening the strings on her peasant blouse. She wore no corset, and soon her round breasts were tumbling free. She took his hands and cupped them around her bosom, as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her. Her lips were soft and wet, and she knew how to kiss. She plunged her tongue into Cameron’s mouth. Her mouth felt different than Rose’s. Eloise was fresh cotton where Rose was silk. He turned away from her and lowered his mouth to her neck, nuzzling her soft flesh. She smelled of soap, where Rose had smelled of strawberries. Slowly he lowered his head farther, to kiss and suck her breasts. Her nipples were paler than Rose’s, and the circles not as large. He brought one into his mouth, tugging gently.

“Oh yes, Cam, that’s the way,” Eloise sighed. “No one sucks my titties like you do.” She lowered her voice. “No one eats my cunny like you, either.”

He stiffened at her words, lusty words that Rose, a lady of the peerage, would never say to him. He tugged on her nipple, moved to the other, biting, sucking.

“God, yes, Cam. I can’t wait to have your cock in my wet * again.” She lifted her skirts. “I’m slick as warm honey for you. Care to take a taste?”

He let her nipple go with a soft pop. Rose had been slick as warm honey. Ambrosia, he’d called it. Ambrosia she’d made only for him. While Eloise’s heat might ease the physical ache, it wouldn’t take away his yearning for Rose.

Rose.

He wanted Rose. No substitute would suffice. He raised his head and looked into Eloise’s fresh pretty face as he tucked her breasts back into her blouse and tied it. “I’m sorry, Eloise. I don’t want to do this after all.”

“What’s the matter, Cam? Did I do something wrong?”

“No, no. You did nothing wrong.” He pulled a one pound note out of his pocket and handed it to her. “I want you to take this. It will cover your expenses for a few weeks.”

“I couldn’t.”

“Yes, please take it,” Cameron said. “And, Eloise, I would consider it a favor if you would not tell anyone I was here today.”

“Of course I won’t, Cam. My word’s as good as gospel. You know that. I do miss you, though. Are you sure you don’t want—”

“I’m sure.” Cameron strode toward the door, but then turned back toward her. “You don’t have to do this, you know. You deserve more.”

“Oh, Cam, this is my life. I’ve resigned myself to it.” She smiled weakly.

“You could marry again.”

“Who would marry me? I’m damaged goods.”

“There’s someone out there for you, Eloise. There’s someone out there for everyone.”

“I had my time, Cam. Lionel is dead. We could have had a good life. We were on our way, but he died young, leaving me without provisions. With my parents both dead and no brothers and sisters, what more is there for me?”

“I know life dealt you a bad hand. But there are options. Think about it, will you?”

“Sure, Cam.” Then, “I do wish you would stay.”

“I can’t. I’m sorry.” Cameron strode out the door, untied Apollo, mounted him, and started toward home. The May breeze blew through his hair as he thought about Rose. Sweet, beautiful Rose. He could never have her. Thank God she had stopped him last night. He was treading water in an ocean with no lifeboat. If he pursued her, he would surely drown. He still had most of the money left from his commission for Lily’s Waltz. He would leave the majority of it with his mother and sisters, and he would go to London and try to make a living doing what he loved most, composing music. He had two published songs to his credit, and even though neither had enjoyed a wide distribution, it was at least a start. He would pack up and leave on the morrow.

As he neared his cottage, he was surprised to see an ornate carriage out in front. He didn’t recognize the crest, but the horses hitched to it were beautiful, a perfectly matched pair of chestnut Morgans. Cameron stopped Apollo for a few moments to admire the horseflesh, and then rode to the stables and put him in his stall. He walked into the house from the back.

Mrs. Clementine Price sat on the sofa, but Cameron couldn’t see the visitor who was sitting in one of the chairs by the window of the small parlor. Cameron strode in nonchalantly, making deliberate noise.

His mother looked toward him. “Oh, here he is now, my lord.” Then, “Cam, you have a visitor.”

Cameron followed his mother’s gaze to the large man sitting opposite her. He sighed heavily. It was none other than Lord Evan Xavier.