Saved By A Siren: Spencers in Love Book One Read online

  "My hands are my eyes, in a way. Sometimes, they have a tendency to wander and explore. I don't always realize what they're doing."

  "Mmhhmm..." Gilles was currently exploring one of her hands with his lips and tongue. Nipping his way down a digit and then licking along the seam back towards her palm. Had women's hands always been this sensual, or was it just hers? Elise gasped.

  "May I touch you?" She asked, her voice trembling.

  Gilles stopped. "Darling, you can touch me as much as you'd like but you're going to have to undress if you're going to touch me like that."

  "Not like that. Can I touch your face? I want to know what you look like."

  How could he say no? Gilles sat up and faced her. Elise scooted in closer, her hip rubbed against his thigh and they were nearly face to face. She brought her hands up and tentatively touched his cheeks, orienting herself. Her hands rose and her fingertips brushed across his forehead. Elise found the faint furrow and traced it. Her thumbs brushed along his brow and down over his eyelids. Then swept gently along Gilles' lashes and she sighed.

  "They are lovely."

  "Excuse me?" Gilles' voice was barely there.

  Elise shook her head, dismissing the question and continued studying him. She found the creases by his eyes and smiled.

  "You used to laugh a lot." Gilles nodded as her fingers skimmed along his cheeks, just under his eyes, tracing along his cheek bones towards the sides of his face. Elise followed his jaw down to his squared chin. She ran the backs of her hands back up, letting the light stubble scratch the softer skin. Her thumbs went back to the bridge of his nose and followed it downwards. Her fingertips brushed over his lips, learning the dips and contours. Gilles' heart pounded in his ears, it seemed unnaturally loud and slow. His heart nearly stopped as a thumb pulled on his lower lip gently and traced along the inside, rubbing along his teeth. He remained still, afraid of doing anything that might cause Elise to stop. This was easily the most intimate and erotic moment of his life, Gilles felt intoxicated and she'd only touched his face. He opened his mouth slightly and her thumb slid in, found his tongue and stroked it. He let his tongue lick the pad of her thumb and Elise gasped. Emboldened by her response, he closed his lips and began to suck. Gilles heard her moan and her face swayed towards him. She was within inches of his lips when she stopped. Elise shook her head and retreated. She withdrew her thumb and rubbed the moisture along his lips. Her fingertips cruised down his chin and splayed as they continued down the length of his neck until they reached his collarbone. They skimmed along it towards his back and around to his nape then back up to his shoulders. Her hands explored the hollows and sinews of his shoulders and Gilles stifled a groan.

  "Anna was right, they're very nice."

  "Anna?"

  Again Elise shook her head and he could tell she was pondering something possibly naughty when she bit her lip and turned her face away. Her hands slid along his shoulders and came together at the base of his neck and started to drift through the thin dusting of hair across his chest. His heart started to beat faster and Gilles covered her hands with his.

  "Your clothes, if you wish to continue. There's much about you I'd like to learn as well." Gilles knew as soon as he'd said it that he wasn't just referring to her body. He leaned back and assessed the situation. Inwardly, he cursed. He didn't want a dalliance, just a few weeks of shared pleasure. Even if he did, that in itself would create too many complications. Gilles wanted Elise in his bed every night, for the rest of his life. He was shocked at how much more he wanted from her beyond sex. That meant he needed to play a much longer game, which meant that bedding her immediately wasn't the right move. He sighed and rearranged her robe.

  Gilles sensed Elise's confusion. He took her face in his hands and kissed her gently.

  "I think we've gone far enough tonight. We'll talk in the morning."

  She nodded and rose.

  "Do you need me to show you back to the door?" Gilles swung his feet to the floor.

  "No, I know the way." Elise was already rounding the bed and heading towards the door, her fingers snapping softly.

  Gilles frowned. He wasn't pleased with the idea that she'd been back forth between beds enough to know her way without help.

  Chapter 6

  The next morning, Elise took her time rising and dressing for breakfast. She'd considered requesting a tray but she'd never done so before and didn't want to make anyone suspicious. She supposed Spencer would think it was because she was ashamed of her behavior and she hated the idea. Truthfully, she didn't regret going to him and she certainly didn't regret the physical intimacy. It had been lovely and she'd never felt as whole as she did when their bodies were touching as they kissed. Her nerves were in chaos and she was pacing the floor because she was afraid that he'd sent her away because he hadn't enjoyed it as much as she had. She was dreading whatever it was that he wanted to talk about. What if he wanted to tell her that she shouldn't have been in his room and he didn't want to kiss her again?

  Elise understood that nothing lasting could come of whatever happened between them. Spencer needed to marry and produce an heir. But he didn't seem in a rush and as she'd waited for sleep to claim her she had decided that she'd been granted an unusual opportunity. Why couldn't she have an affair with him? He was handsome, kind, experienced and conveniently in the next room. She was a widow. Isn't that what widows did? Weren't they expected to have affairs with rakes? Wouldn't a rake expect that? One moment he was doing wicked things to her hand with his mouth, making every bone in her body turn to jelly. The next, he was offering to show her the door. Something had changed his mind. She had to find a way to change it back.

  When Elise finally entered the informal dining room, she found it empty. Normally, her plate was prepared and waiting, at her seat. Instead, covered dishes waited on the sideboard.

  Shortly after she sat, Holderson entered and began arranging her plate.

  "Has his lordship come and gone?" She couldn't smell any trace of him.

  "No, my lady. He went for a ride. He said he prefers to engage in exercise before breaking his fast"

  Holderson set the plate before her. Eggs, toast, ham and berries. Her usual breakfast arranged in the usual way. Coffee was set off to the right, the handle pointing out.

  "His lordship left quite some time ago, he should return soon, I think." With that, Holderson took himself off and she was alone with her thoughts.

  Elise sighed. She hadn't realized how tired she was of being alone with her thoughts until Spencer arrived at Longwood. Her life hadn't seemed so bad when she sat down to breakfast the day before. She thought her life was ideal. She was comfortable and safe. She had all her needs tended to by a caring staff that took great pride in their work. And she cared for them deeply. Her hours spilled away at the piano with occasional breaks for tea, walking in the garden or visiting the horses in the stables. Of course, she had worried about leaving Longwood but that would have meant starting over at Harwood Grange. It would have been difficult and slightly terrifying but she wouldn't have been homeless and she'd still have Holderson, Anna and much of the staff with her. She'd thought her life was as perfect as could be expected.

  Now, it felt so empty. What did she have, really? A piano to play, some marble statues to visit with, a few horses to pet and a bloody lot of tea to drink. Her days amounted to nothing and she could see no alteration to her schedule in the foreseeable future. Cold eggs. Cold eggs were in her future if she didn't stop feeling sorry for herself and start eating. Elise picked up her fork and was about to dig in when she heard the sound of a door and footsteps on tile before they were muffled by rug. The stride was long and determined. It was Spencer and he was quickly approaching. Elise felt her hand shake and put her fork down. She rested it in her lap and looked up as he entered.

  The room felt smaller with him in it. It sounded as if he was bowing.

  "Good morning, Lady Elise. I trust you had a peaceful night?" He dismissed Holderson
and began opening dishes and filling a plate. She felt her face grow warm. What could he mean by that?

  "Did you enjoyed your ride, Spencer?" With the addition of a hint of horse and a lot of the outdoors, his scent had her inhaling rapturously. It was already so familiar to her. Bergamot, spice, soap, mint, leather and in the evening a mingling of brandy. Especially when he leaned in close. Elise nearly jumped when she felt his cool lips against her cheek. Spencer took the seat to her right, at the head of the table. First, that question about her night and then what she hoped was a discreet kiss. She let her senses stretch. She sensed no one else.

  "It was brilliant! Lucifer was overjoyed to get the chance to stretch his legs and the estate has plenty of space for it. It's a beautiful property and the morning's perfect."

  Elise smiled. She sensed Spencer's content and heard his fork scraping as he attacked his plate. She picked up her fork.

  "I think my eggs have gone cold." She took a small bite and grimaced.

  "Let me get you a new plate." Spencer removed her food before Elise could stop him. She heard him working at the sideboard.

  "You weren't waiting for me, I hope?" He set the plate in front of her and squeezed her hand gently.

  Elise held her fork in her hand, not certain how to proceed.

  "They'll get cold again." She felt Spencer stare.

  "I'm not sure where anything is." She said softly, not wanting to offend him. It had been kind of him to prepare a new plate but Holderson always did her plates. He knew how to arrange everything so she knew where each part of her meal was. She didn't want to seem picky or ungrateful but it enabled her to eat as normal people did. Having to feel her food before she used her fork made her self conscious.

  "What do you mean? I put the eggs at the top, the ham just to the right, berries at the bottom and the toast on the left. Nothing is touching."

  "You did? How did you know to do so?"

  "I noticed that Holderson made your plates at tea and dinner yesterday. This morning, the layout was similar. Main course at the top, fruits and vegetables at the bottom right and the toast was on the left just as your roll and potatoes were last night. Your drinks are always set on the right, just above your plate with handles outwards." He took a bite and began chewing.

  "Thank you, Spencer. That's was rather perceptive of you." She dipped her fork in her eggs and took a bite. Her eyes began to water. It had been a long time since anyone outside of the staff had been so thoughtful.

  Spencer swallowed and chuckled. "I wouldn't have been very good at my job if I hadn't been very perceptive." He drank some coffee and set his cup down. Elise felt his fingers brush hers again and she suppressed a shiver.

  "I like knowing things like that about you and I like doing things for you. I want to learn and do more." He'd said it so softly but it felt as if someone had fired a pistol in the room.

  Elise's heart raced and she felt a little dizzy. She was so confused. This morning she'd been afraid that he might regret what had happened the night before. Instead, Spencer was cheerful and treating her like... Like a lover. Also, it was quite hard to eat a decent breakfast when her stomach kept flipping over.

  Elise took a steadying breath and whispered, "But last night..."

  Spencer interrupted her. "Last night was one of the best nights of my life. But also quite frustrating and highly improper." She heard him shift in his seat.

  Elise was relieved and flattered that it had meant as much to him as her and she understood why it had been improper. "Why frustrating?"

  Spencer took a deep breath and leaned forward, once again his fingers stroked hers. "Thanks to these hands of yours, it took quite a bit of time and a letter home to relax enough to go back to sleep."

  She felt her face flood with heat as she recalled the feel of him in her hands. He'd been so large and extremely hard, yet surprisingly soft. Like silk over marble. His entire body had been hard and almost too hot. Her palms and fingertips itched to touch him again.

  "I'm sorry. My intention had been to help you relax. Do you usually write letters when you're frustrated?"

  Spencer laughed. The sound rippled through her and left warmth it's wake.

  "Darling, I'm rarely frustrated. And there's no need to apologize, I would endure far worse if it meant waking up with you in my arms."

  There went her stomach again. Elise pushed her plate away.

  "It gave me plenty of time to consider our situation."

  "Our situation?"

  "Yes. I don't want you to leave Longwood. This is your home as long as you choose to stay. I want to stay here, indefinitely. I can't explain it but between the house, the land and you, I feel I could find myself and be happy again. Something happened when I came to Longwood. I haven't felt this calm, this content in years. I need to be here. And that leaves us with a problem, especially after last night."

  Elise's head tilted to the side.

  "A problem? But you said you enjoyed it."

  Spencer shifted again.

  "You can't imagine how much I enjoyed it and how much more I'd like to enjoy." He said in a voice that was suddenly very low and much deeper. "The fact remains, the two of us living alone will raise too many eyebrows. You getting caught in my bed would ruin both of our reputations."

  It was Elise's turn to laugh.

  "Spencer! I have no reputation. Even if I did, I'm a widow. It's not as if anyone assumes I have any virtue to protect. And you're a rake! You can't expect me to believe that society isn't aware of any of your past affairs or mistresses."

  Elise felt him stiffen.

  "This is entirely different. A blind eye may be turned when it comes to affairs and mistresses as long as one is discreet. If it was thought that you were living with me here as my mistress, it would be scandalous. Especially since you are in my care. It would be assumed that I took advantage of you. Widow or not. I know that there are other estates and large households in the area. I understand that you don't often go out in society here but the ton has long arms and eyes and ears all over. This staff is loyal but eventually, someone would say too much to the wrong person and your reputation here would be destroyed. You would be shunned. What little company you have here would disappear entirely."

  Abruptly, Elise scooted her chair back and rose.

  "Truly, you have no need to worry about my reputation, Spencer. We haven't had social calls at Longwood since Martha fell ill. No one's ever called on me. I was shunned long before you arrived. Not that I've ever minded." With that she left the room.

  Spencer rushed after her. "No one calls on you? You're the Countess of Cambroke, the highest ranking person of nobility in Surrey. Why would they shun you?"

  Elise hurried through the ballroom, the fingers of one hand clicking while the other hand squeezed the bridge of her nose as a headache threatened. She didn't want to discuss how empty her life was or all the ways she was unsuitable. She cleared the small hallway and stormed into her sitting room. Elise flung herself into her chair. Spencer sat in the chair to the left. She waited for him to say something. She endured the heat of his stare for as long as she could before she bolted from her chair and attempted to rush towards the French doors to the garden. Elise got as far as the couch before she felt Spencer's hand lock about her arm.

  "Sit." She felt him lower to the seat, pulling her arm downwards. She followed and attempted a glare. "Why would your neighbors shun you?"

  "I don't know. Perhaps you should ask them."

  "Lady Elise." His tone made it quite clear that he wouldn't tolerate her present attitude. "Why on earth would decent, Christian people abandon a lonely, blind young lady? Especially if she was a countess and utterly enchanting?"

  Elise snorted. "Decent Christians? That's a clanker, if I've ever heard one. I remember ladies with children coming to visit when I first arrived. They were horrified when they saw that I was blind. I wasn't fit for their sons and daughters. A few came for Martha's funeral. Not because they cared for her or how hear
tbroken Basil was. They came to get a peek at me. I heard the whispers, Spencer. They said I was unnatural and that it was shameful that I had taken advantage of Basil and Martha for so many years. The only people that came when we married was the vicar, his wife and her sister. They whispered too. God, but they whispered! They said that I was probably happy when Martha passed away, I could finally trick the poor old earl into marrying me. They said I'd probably seduced him long before she died. Which was to be expected from someone like me. The rumor was that my mother was a fallen women and had been diseased when she'd given birth, which is how I lost my eyesight. It only made sense that I'd take advantage of a man that old, so soon after his beloved wife's death."

  Only when Elise stopped did she realize she'd been crying. Her hands were fisted in the fabric of her gown. She was furious. She'd never told anyone what she'd heard and had spent years avoiding the memories.

  "I'm sorry. As you can see, I don't have a very high opinion of my neighbors and they certainly don't hold me in high esteem."

  For a moment, Elise thought he'd left. She'd been so lost in her tirade, he could have without her notice.

  "Spencer?"

  The next instant Elise was crushed against him. Spencer's arms surrounded her and he shook with rage. His chin rested on her head. He released a string of curses that Elise was certain no lady was meant to hear. Her heart felt like it would burst.

  "I'm so sorry, love. I had no idea, I wouldn't have pushed if I'd known it was that bad." He stroked her hair and began rocking gently. "I'm even more convinced that I've done the correct thing in writing to maman. It's even more important that we don't let them think they were right about you by creating a real scandal. I won't have them spreading more cruel rumors. And once they see that you have the support of some of the most powerful families in England, they'll think twice about wagging their tongues. I'd horsewhip the lot of them, if I could."

  In that moment, none of it mattered. Elise didn't care about what they thought or what had happened before Spencer came to Longwood. He was holding her in his arms and he cared enough about her to horsewhip the Surrey elite.