Saved By A Siren: Spencers in Love Book One Page 6

  Both read:

  Maman,

  Longwood is better than I had hoped. I plan to stay indefinitely. I find myself in desperate need of a chaperone and beg you to come at your earliest convenience. I hope that Mirabelle, Alastair and Lucien will join us for as long as they desire. Please extend my invitation to Madeline as well. I miss you all more than I expected.

  Yours,

  Gilles

  Lucien looked up to find two sets of eyes staring at them expectantly. He turned to Alastair, hoping he'd divined more than the obvious from the brief letter. He wasn't disappointed.

  Alastair's pupils flickered quickly back and forth over the words for a few seconds more before he looked up. All three leaned in, suspense holding them all taught.

  "He's planning to marry soon." Alastair stated as if he was saying the sky was blue or stars shone at night.

  Mirabelle sat slowly, reaching behind her to make sure the chair was still in close proximity. Maman gasped and covered her mouth, her eyes as wide as saucers.

  "Why do you think so?" Mirabelle asked carefully. Not because she doubted him, Alastair knew she didn't.

  "A number of reasons," Alastair began as he held up the letter. "He desires to remain at Longwood and is undeterred by the presence of an unattached lady. Longwood belongs to him, he could send her away if he did not enjoy her companionship or if he did not want to be linked to her romantically. Clearly, he does not want her to leave. She must be a lady of breeding and expectation, or he would not have to worry about a chaperone. He must care for her, he's greatly worried about her reputation. Why else would he have underlined "desperately"? Why would any sane man keep a woman under his roof that would require a chaperone if he was not emotionally involved or matrimonially motivated? He must have matrimony in mind, if he did not care for her but found himself unable to send her away he could have hired any number of appropriate women to chaperone her. No. He wants you, maman. Because he wants it known that her virtue and reputation matter to him personally. And then there is the matter of you, and us. How many women has he introduced to us? How many people in general? He's had friends and mistresses, how many has he made known to us? He wants all of us to travel to Surrey to live under the same roof as this woman. He would not request this if she were inconsequential or inappropriate. He would not participate in a scandalous affair at Longwood, the seat of the Earls of Cambroke. Again, there is the matter of Us as a group. He has never invited anyone into our midst. Never to dine with us for breakfast or dinner. He considers us sacred. He wants us to take all of our meals with her, to accept her into our fold, if you will. If he did not, he would not have requested Lucien and I attend as well. Nor Madeline. He's all but declared her part of his family."

  "Oh. My. God." Mirabelle whispered as she rose.

  Maman ran for the bell pull.

  Bennings appeared and was quickly inundated with requests. Ten minutes later, he withdrew, a list of directives in hand. Preparations were to begin for the trip to Longwood. Word was sent to Burton Place as Alastair would be leaving with the ladies. They would leave first thing in the morning.

  The party made their way to the dining room though little attention was paid to the meal. Lucien assured the women that he would leave for Longwood as soon as "this Whitrose business" was concluded, probably by the end of the week.

  "Who could she be?" Maman wondered.

  "I would guess that she is a relation of, or attached to the late Lord Cambroke's widow." Alastair offered.

  Maman nodded, her gaze suggested she was plotting, planning.

  Mirabelle was more present. She seemed to track Lucien's progress through the meal, handing him the salt shaker before he requested or applying condiments to his plate. Alastair took note of her actions. Did she still hold a tendre for him or was this a product of familiarity? Lucien seemed to be less aware, nodding at her offerings but more focused on the discussion at hand. Did he take it for granted or was it an acceptable aspect of their friendship?

  Alastair monitored both closely throughout the meal. In the end, he was unsure. He was out of his depth. He decided that he'd leave it to Gilles. Mirabelle and maman would would be under his care again by tomorrow evening. He'd share his observations and Gilles could do what he wished.

  Chapter 9

  Back at Longwood, Gilles mounted the steps as he made his way to his chambers. Elise glided beside him. They turned into the hallway and Gilles felt his nerves draw tight. He escorted Elise to her door. He took her hand and savored the silken softness of the back of her hand against his lips.

  "Darling, whatever you hear later, please stay in your room. I'll try to be as quiet as a I can." He had no idea how he'd make good on that but he needed her to agree.

  Elise leaned into him, brushed his cheek as her fingers sought his lips.

  "You're sure you'll have a nightmare tonight?"

  "It's the same every night." Gilles shrugged. "I'm used to it."

  She sensed the dread he felt, his tenseness. He didn't want to be alone but his concern for their reputations and his innate sense of honor drove him. Elise rose on her tiptoes and kissed him quickly before hastily retreating into her room. She'd made no promises.

  Gilles pressed his face to her door and imagined what would happen if he opened it, sent her maid, Anna, away. Would she let him tend to her? He pushed away from the door and opened his. It was silent and dark. He quickly peeled off his clothes and slid between the sheets of his bed as he listened to Elise and Anna as they went about their routine.

  Chapter 10

  An hour later, Elise leaned against the door that separated her from Gilles. He was lost in terror and torment, thrashing and moaning in his bed and she was close to tears herself. He'd asked her to stay in her room. Was he aware of how difficult it would be?

  "Please, wait!" His cry was hoarse and weak.

  Elise slid to the floor and hugged her knees.

  She heard a pillow or the coverlet fall to the floor.

  "Stop!" Gilles cried.

  She'd had enough. Rising, Elise turned the door handle and rushed in. She was by his bed before she'd thought it through. She tentatively extended her hand and it brushed against heated flesh. She carefully curled her fingers and was able to identify his shoulder. Gilles' head tossed against the pillow.

  Elise debated the wisdom of disobeying him until he cried out. She untied her robe and let it fall to the floor. She carefully lowered herself next to him and was immediately overwhelmed by the heat and hardness of his body. Gilles rolled towards her and his arms locked around her body. She wrapped her arms around him and found his mouth. Her tongue traced his lips and he sobbed her name. She gasped as she felt his cock, hard and twitching against her thigh.

  "Gilles, Wake up!" She begged, her lips pressed to his ear. She let her tongue explore until it found his ear lobe and she nibbled. "I'm here, come back to me." Elise whispered.

  She heard him groan groggily and his hands began to move. They pressed and kneaded her back and then down to her bottom. She stifled a squeal as one traveled lower and found the sensitive skin at the back of her thigh. The other traveled upwards and tangled in her hair. Gilles gathered her to him and claimed her mouth.

  "I told you not to come." he murmured against her lips as he nibbled and licked.

  Elise sighed and he rolled her on her back.

  Her hands threaded through his hair and she arched her back, begging him to continue where they left off earlier.

  "I couldn't stand it. You cried and begged, I had to do something." Elise returned to his ear and explored it with her tongue.

  Gilles growled and rocked his hips against hers. He was so hard, he didn't trust himself. His lips found her throat and he began laving and licking. His hands had somehow formed around her breasts. Elise moaned and pressed herself against his hands.

  "Please!" She begged as her leg wrapped around his hip.

  Gilles swore as he set his teeth to her delicate flesh. He grazed the
soft swells and dragged his mouth downwards. He grabbed the silk that brushed against his face and tugged. A moment later, his lips brushed against the puckered flesh of her areole. His tongue traced the outer edge and circled inward until it flicked her nipple. She stifled a scream and clutched his head against her breast. He wrapped his lips around her nipple and suckled and she lost all sense. His hand pinched the other nipple as his lips and teeth tormented her. He felt her buck against him and he ground his hips into hers, pushing her against the mattress. Gilles felt her tense just before her body began to quiver and she threw her head back in a silent scream. Elise held him against her as her body shuddered and she sighed. He felt her go limp beneath him. He placed his ear against her breast and he heard the galloping of her heart and held her close until it slowed.

  Chapter 11

  Gilles held her insensate form in his arms. He rolled and pulled her on top of him, ignoring his throbbing erection. He willed his body to relax. He tried to distract himself with her hair, fanning it across his chest and tickling his nose with the curled ends.

  Slowly, Elise became conscious. She sighed and stretched against him. He gripped her hip, trying to prevent any friction against his groin as her face found the corner of his neck. She purred just before she licked him.

  Sweet, Jesus! What had he done to deserve this?

  "Easy, Darling." Gilles whispered as he tried to shrug away, blocking her mouth's access to his neck. He readjusted her so that her head was on his chest.

  Elise shifted and rose on her elbow.

  "Are you alright? You were loud and so upset."

  "I assure you, the dream is not what pains me right now."

  "Good. Can I help you with what pains you?" She asked as her hand trailed down his chest.

  Gilles grabbed it as it passed his belly button and brought it up to rest on his chest.

  "Stop taunting me, minx." He growled. "In fact, I think it's probably best if you went back."

  "Must I? I'm so nervous about tomorrow. All I can think about is your family arriving."

  "We'll just have to find something else for you to focus on. Do you have any plans?"

  "Plans? I never have plans."

  Gilles tried to imagine what her days had been like and he suddenly felt ashamed that he'd asked. He knew. No one called and she never left. Her life encompassed everything he'd observed since he'd arrived. Gilles thought of his plans and an idea took hold.

  "Do you ever ride?" He knew she visited the stables regularly and loved horses.

  "How could I?" Her voice sounded so fragile.

  Gilles proceeded carefully. He knew that she couldn't ride as freely as he did but there had to be an alternative.

  "You could ride with someone. Or, if there was a horse trained for it, you could ride with a guide. Have you tried?"

  Elise shook her head.

  "Lucifer could carry us. I'll take you tomorrow." Gilles decided as he stroked her back.

  "Truly? We could ride together?" Elise giggled.

  Again, Gilles realized he had the opportunity to present her with something she'd enjoy more than jewels.

  "Be ready, early tomorrow. Dress warmly." He wrapped her in his arms, inhaling deeply.

  Elise shook her fists, kicked her feet and wiggled her shoulders against him and squealed with joy.

  "I'm going riding!" She exclaimed and jumped from the bed. She vibrated and hopped in place then reached for him and placed a kiss on his lips. Elise bounced up and rushed from the room.

  That worked, Gilles thought as the door shut behind her. His body protested that he'd let her leave while he was still aching with need. At lease she was content. He'd never known a woman to achieve an orgasm so quickly, she was so sensitive and responsive. He stared at the canopy and his hand brushed his erection. Why the hell not? He thought as he gripped his cock.

  Chapter 12

  Elise had managed to sleep soundly the rest of the night and woke up just before Anna entered to lay out her clothes. She took great delight in informing her that she needed something appropriate for an early morning ride. Obviously, she didn't have a riding habit but Anna assured her that she could put together something suitable. As her maid searched her wardrobe, Elise thought back on the night before. She'd left hastily, excited at the prospect of a ride. Once she was in her own bed she had listened carefully for any sounds of distress from Gilles' room. She'd heard a few moments of rapid breathing and a very serious sounding moan and had considered going back but he'd become silent afterwards. Shortly after, his breathing became regular and drowsiness had settled upon her.

  As Anna dressed her in her heaviest velvet dress, Elise tried to maintain her most aloof demeanor. She obediently sat and allowed her hair to be tightly coiled.

  "His horse is named Lucifer. Can you imagine?" Elise asked, casting about for any topic.

  "You should see him! He's magnificent, my lady! It only makes sense that a man like that would ride such a beast. I've heard that no one but his lordship can ride him and he's wrecked his stall twice."

  Suddenly, Elise wasn't as brave about this ride.

  "Oh, my!" She exclaimed as she checked the buttons at her neck. "This doesn't sound very safe..."

  "If his lordship suggested it, then I'm sure it's alright. If you get to the stables and Jameson doesn't stop you, then you're fine. He said that Lord Cambroke was as sure in the saddle as any man he'd ever seen. He won't let you go if he's concerned. Just think, if you enjoy yourself, we can get to work on a riding habit!"

  Elise nodded and stood. Her knees knocked as she departed her room, passed through the hallway and descended the stairs. She heard a swift stride approaching the main hall and stopped once she reached the floor.

  "Good morning, love!" Elise heard as she felt strong arms close around her and Gilles scent washed over her. She relaxed and sunk into his powerful body.

  "Good morning, my lord. Is everything ready for our ride, or shall we have breakfast first?" Was it obvious she was stalling?

  "Lucifer is saddled and awaits you. Shall we?" Gilles asked as he tugged on her fingertips. She let him place them on his sleeve and he led her towards the back of the house.

  Elise heard the clacking of their heels as the carpet ended and she felt them enter a smaller hall. They passed a doorway and she felt steam and smelled yeast. The sound of people rushing and crockery and metal told her it was the kitchens. She tried to smile in greeting in case anyone looked at her. A moment later, cool air ruffled her hair and warm sun touched her skin. She was outside. She smelled dirt and hay, heard the sound of wheels and horseshoes on cobbles. They were approaching the stables. Elise pressed against Gilles, to be sure she wasn't in anyone's way. She felt his arm circle her waist and she felt secure. Despite being terrified, Elise was excited and curious. She lifted her face towards the sun and inhaled. She smelled Gilles, hay and horses. What could be better?

  Elise smelled the horse before she sensed his presence. He was halted before her and she felt Gilles behind her. He took her hands and placed them on the side of the horse. Elise let them glide along until she came to the horse's front haunches. Without warning she felt a large muzzle hit her in the chest. She clutched it and stroked upwards until she found the ears. She began messaging behind them and she was rewarded by snorting and more pressure against her chest. Elise laughed and rested her head against a forelock.

  "Aren't you sweet?" She giggled.

  Gilles pulled her away and guided her towards waiting hands.

  "She rubs his ears and he turns into a giant puppy." Gilles grumbled as he mounted.

  "Aye. She has a calm nature and a gentle touch, they respond to that." Replied Jameson as he guided her back a step. "Alright, my lady! I'm going to lift you up to his lordship."

  "Jameson? You're sure this is safe?" Elise asked and quickly stifled a squeak as she felt herself being lifted.

  "Sure, lass! His lordship knows what he's doing and Lucifer is strong, he won't disappoint his master."r />
  "This is Lucifer?" She gasped as she felt her bottom settle upon something solid and a strong arm curled around her waist.

  "I've got you. Shall we be off?" She felt his question against her ear and shivered. Grasping his arm she nodded and she felt his thighs shift upon the horse. He sent them off at a trot and she couldn't contain the giggle that bubbled within her throat.

  They were quickly away from the stables and the smell of leaves and grass filled Elise's nostrils. She settled against Gilles and his arm tightened around her. She laughed and yelled "Faster!"

  A few moments later they were dashing across a wide expanse as the cool breeze stung her cheeks and made her eyes water. Elise felt tears spill from her eyes. Not from fear or the wind, but from joy. She'd never felt so free, so light.

  Elise felt Lucifer lean forward and Gilles matched him, pressing her towards the horse's neck. Soon she felt wind whipping her briskly, causing her hair to escape and flutter in the breeze.

  "Where are we?" Elise asked, her voice raised over the wind.

  "Atop Whistler's Peak, overlooking Longwood." Gilles spoke against her ear so he wouldn't have to yell. She shuddered and inhaled deeply. The wind smelled so sweet and her nose burned from the chill in the air.

  "It's beautiful here!"

  They descended and the horse galloped for several minutes. Soon, she heard the sound of running water and leaves shushing in the breeze. Lucifer stopped and she felt gloved fingers tilt her chin before cool lips brushed against hers. Elise set her hand to Gilles' cheek and slid it back into his hair, it was cold against her fingertips. She opened her lips and his tongue surged in and twisted with hers.

  After several minutes, Gilles lifted his head and sent Lucifer trotting again. Elise smelled the damp leaves and moss of the woods. Birds chirped and she thought she might have felt a butterfly float across her face. She closed her eyes and rested her head against Gilles' chest as she felt them cross a shaft of sunlight. His hand rubbed up and down her arm soothingly.