Treacherous Temptations(31)

Chapter Twelve


Hadley Blanchard knew women. Had known many of them. Physically. Intimately. First schooled by cold and conniving Barbara, whose sexual appetite and experience put most courtesans to shame, he had furthered his education with passionate and hot-blooded Italian women, women who expected much of their lovers. The Italians, he’d quickly learned, had raised seduction from a pleasurable diversion to an art form, with subtlety being the hallmark of a connoisseur. With little else to occupy his time, Hadley had become a master of such erotic arts.

Mary, however, knew nothing at all and was helpless against his sensual assault.

He thought he’d had the brunt of his own lust in hand, until his gaze dipped to the rapid rise and fall of her breasts, and then returned to Mary’s face. She returned his gaze with a look of abject longing that stirred the blood to his loins in a sudden surge.

He cupped her sex with his palm and kissed her voraciously while with masterful and merciless fingers he circled, stroked, and teased. He had done this countless times and in innumerable ways—pleasuring women in coaches, in opera boxes, and once even under the table during a lengthy supper party.

Deftly and swiftly he brought her to a shuddering, whimpering climax, watching it unfurl in her eyes, the desire, the shock, and finally the euphoria—and he reveled in it, for Mary in the full flush of rapture as he stole her innocence was an utterly enthralling sight. Her honest and ingenuous response stole the very breath from his body.

She came apart in his arms, sobbing out his name as her body racked with convulsive tremors. The sheer force of her climax filled Hadley with eagerness for the moment she would fully embrace her sensuality; and when she gazed afterward into his eyes in speechless wonderment, Hadley was moved in a strange and unsettling way.

…

Mary was utterly shaken, devoid of words, thoughts, or even bones in her body as they lay side-by-side on the grass, drying in the warm sun. She had entered the pool in girlish innocence never knowing that she would emerge with the beginnings of a woman’s knowledge. Yet following the rapture, she felt strangely confused and somehow incomplete.

She still couldn’t comprehend what he had done to her. For a time she had lost all sense of herself, yet the realization struck her that he had stopped short of taking her virginity. Wasn’t that his design? If not, what did he want from her?

After a while, they donned their outer clothing over damp undergarments and joined Jenny, who had laid out a picnic in the cool shade of an ancient oak commanding a view of the cascade. It was a veritable feast of cold roasted fowl that Mary thought might be pheasant, a variety of fruits, cheeses, and sumptuous pastries. Mary only picked and refused to meet his gaze while oblivious to her distress, Lord Hadley enjoyed his fill, along with a bottle of wine.

Now he napped against the tree, sprawled in a posture of perfect peace. But the sun indicated that the afternoon was already well advanced, and they still had at least a two-hour drive back to Hanover Square. While she hated for this day to end, Mary had promised to return in time for supper with Sir Richard and would surely need time to freshen and change.

“It must have been that wine that has put him out so soundly,” Jenny interrupted her thoughts with a sly smile.

“Mayhap,” Mary replied, biting her lip. “I do hate to wake him until we must. Jenny, do you suppose you could locate James and the coachman at Bushy House, and have them bring the carriage to us?”

“Aye, miss,” Jenny said. “I can find my way right enough.”

“Very well then. I think I’ll just let him rest a bit longer.”

“I’d wager he’ll rouse soon enough after I’m gone,” Jenny giggled behind her hand, and then picked up her skirts to trip across the green toward Bushy House.

…

Cheeky baggage! Hadley had to suppress a chortle of his own at the maid’s parting remark. A knowing one was that little wretch, but then again she had proven an excellent co-conspirator. Experience had taught him the value of a cooperative ladies maid in a seduction.

While he hadn’t known precisely how the last hour would play out, had Jenny not departed, James would soon have come for her under some creative ruse. He’d been instructed to distract Jenny for at least an hour, not that it would be any hardship on the man based on the clandestine looks and sly smiles the two servants had exchanged earlier in the day.

With his head tilted against the tree trunk, Hadley stole glimpses of Mary through barely cracked lids. The frolic in the pool had done much to prepare the way, for he had roused her passion and allowed it to simmer. He could have taken her in the pool, and had been sorely tempted to do so, but he sought more than that. He demanded her full and complete capitulation. So now he waited for her to take the next step.

She studied him, hands on hips, worrying her lower lip, and then seemed to come to a decision. She reached out to jostle his foot. Damn! That craven act afforded no opportunity at all. But then her hand halted. She glanced back at his face and he swore he heard her sigh—the wistful sound of desire. Now how much further would she dare to take this? He didn’t have to wait long. She ventured so close he could detect the faint lavender fragrance that scented her hair, and the soft sough of her breath wafting over his skin.

No, his intuition hadn’t failed. He strongly suspected she would now embrace a properly managed seduction. Come along little puss, he silently encouraged, and I will be delighted to oblige you with the most intimate of kisses.