Chapter 21

Chapter

Twenty-One

T he warmth of the morning sunlight streamed through her curtained windows, and the sound of her maid slipping about the room, preparing her for the day, woke Charlotte from her sleep.

She stretched, her muscles sore, her body different after last night's adventures with Alexander. A fire cracked in the hearth, taking the chill from the morning air. She was different now—a woman who'd come to know the touch of a man.

Her man.

She rubbed her eyes and lay there for a moment or two, relishing the memory of his touch, the pleasure that still lingered through every fiber of her being. She longed to feel the same again. However would she keep away from him?

Another maid entered the room, carrying a breakfast tray. "Would you like to break your fast before the fire this morning, Lady Charlotte?" Jane asked her. "A storm rolled through overnight, and I thought eating in your room this morning would be warmer."

Charlotte sat up and spied the toast, hot pot of tea, ham, and eggs that Cook had prepared for her. "That will be lovely, thank you. And if you could also have a bath prepared for me this morning."

"Of course, my lady. I'll go downstairs now and have the footmen bring up the water."

Charlotte pulled on her robe and sat before the flickering fire, stretching her feet out to warm them. Her mind continued to vault back to last night—the hunger, the ferocity with which they came together.

Her stomach clenched and tumbled deliciously, and she clasped her abdomen, unable to wait to see Alexander this morning. Was he working in his office already? Would he be pleased to see her?

Of course he would be, and the realization that she loved him and had told him so made her smile. Giddiness overwhelmed her, and she devoured her breakfast quickly, thankful the footmen brought up her water, so she didn't have to wait long before she bathed.

Charlotte slipped into the bath, relishing the feel of the hot, rose-scented water that removed the last of her aches while her maid took her breakfast tray away. She would go downstairs and sneak in to see Alexander if her parents were not about.

She quickly washed and finished her morning ablutions. She dressed in a delicate pink morning gown made from soft muslin. The gown's modest, round neckline was trimmed with lace, and elbow-length sleeves adorned with soft ruffles finished off her pretty apparel that matched her mood.

The house was busy when she left her room, and she greeted several servants with a good morning.

Heading down the staircase, she could see her father's library door was open, and the low murmur of muffled voices of Alexander and her papa carried to where she stood.

She debated heading directly to the drawing room and waiting to see if her father left the house, giving her a moment to see Alexander, but she couldn't wait that long before she saw him again.

She knocked on her father's door and smiled when her papa stood, gesturing for her to enter. "Charlotte, dear, I was just telling Mr. Richards that Lord Livingston called this morning when you were indisposed and asked for an audience to see you, but not before seeing me and asking for your hand in marriage. It seems you're quite the diamond this year, my dear."

"Lord Livingston?" she repeated, trying to place the gentleman since he'd not made himself known to her before now. "I do not believe I've been introduced." She went to her father, who took her hands, clearly happy with this news.

"They live in Norfolk and have only traveled to London this week, but his lordship saw you last evening, before you returned home, and was quite smitten. I've asked Mr. Richards to look into his financials and see if there are any past scandals we should be aware of before you consider his offer." Her father looked down his nose at her. "Since I hear Lord Anson does not suit you."

Charlotte's heart sank at her father's words, and she hedged a look at Alexander and found his mouth settled into a displeased line, his eyes narrowed in annoyance.

She wanted to go to him and tell him she didn't care about any lord from Norfolk or anywhere else. She only cared for him.

"And if I do not wish for Lord Livingston to court me?"

Her father waved her concerns aside. "He's a marquess. Why would you not?" Her father sat, putting an end to their conversation.

Charlotte left the room and heard Alexander excuse himself before closing the duke's door behind him. His footsteps were heavy behind her before his hand took hers and he pulled her into his office.

He slammed the door and pressed her up against the wood, his hot, hungry mouth on hers before she could say a word of good morning. His soft lips, brutal in their need, stole her breath, and she gasped, reaching for him, pulling him close. The firmness of his chest teased her through the material of her gown, and images of them naked and entwined bombarded her mind.

"The hell I'll allow you to marry anyone but me," he whispered against her lips. His words were raw and laced with truth.

Charlotte shivered, enjoying the jealous side of Alexander she'd evoked. "I do not wish to marry anyone but you. No matter what my father thinks."

Alexander reached past her, the snick of the lock loud in the room.

"What are you doing?" she asked, unsure of the hunger, the determination that burned in his eyes.

"I need to remind myself that you're mine."

She ran her hands through his hair, pulling him close. "I'm yours, and you're mine. Do not take any heed of what Father says. I will not be told whom I ought to love and marry."

"Promise me that you will not be persuaded otherwise."

Charlotte shook her head. "I know I will not."

"Still, I think I need to remind you what I can do for you, my lady."

His lips lifted into a wicked grin, and she tipped her head to the side, curious about what he meant. "How will you do that?" she asked.

He kneeled before her, his eyes gleamed with determination. He lifted her skirts, and she slumped against the door, her breath hitched, unable to stop him from whatever he would do.

A wicked part of her wanted to know what he would show her next. Something told her it would be worth the instruction.

Charlotte bit her lip when he slipped her leg over his shoulder, moving closer to her sex. "Alexander," she gasped, her heart beating far too fast. "What do you mean to do?" she whispered.

"You'll see."

His tongue slipped along her inner thigh, tickling her skin before he stopped before her mons. He opened her with his fingers, exposing her to him in a way that ought to shame her, and yet, she looked down at him with fascination.

The feel of his tongue, his lips closing over her sex, suckling her, teasing her in a way she'd not known was possible, threw her world into a spin. She surrendered to his onslaught of bliss, wantonly opening her legs farther in submission.

She pressed against the door, her knee threatening to tumble her to the floor. Alexander held her other leg on his shoulder. His hand secured around her thigh, his fingers digging into her flesh with claim.

He laved her sex, kissing her deep, rocking her toward the same exquisite release she'd been catapulted into last evening. He did not stop, did not give her a moment of reprieve.

Not that she wanted this moment any other way. The coiling of release teased her, and she covered her mouth with her hand to stop herself from screaming his name. He suckled her, and she lost all control of her senses.

Pleasure spiked through her, whizzing out into every part of her body. She rocked against him, riding out her orgasm and relishing every glide of his tongue upon her sex.

She slumped against the door and fought to calm her breathing as Alexander settled her skirts around her slippered feet. He stood, took out his handkerchief, and dabbed his lips. "Only I will ever do that for you. You are mine, do you understand?" He clasped her jaw, tipping her face up to meet his hard features.

"I understand," she said, placing her hand against his cheek. "Just remember that you're mine in return."

"I will not forget." His gaze devoured her, and never had she felt so consumed, body and soul.

"When will I see you again?" The thought of spending the day alone, away from him, was unbearable.

"Is this evening too soon?" he asked.

Charlotte shook her head. "Too soon? Is it not too long to wait?"

He kissed her quickly and unlocked the door. "It is too long, but you best go before someone comes."

"Did I not already?"

Alexander growled and stepped back several more paces, his hands fisted at his sides. "You're a wicked minx."

She grinned. "After what you just did, it is no wonder." With those words, she turned on her heel, opened the door, and started for the drawing room. The quiet of the hall after their intense coming together was in contrast to the overwhelmed emotions rolling through her. Charlotte chuckled at the shock that rippled across Alexander's features at her words.

Well, he had started their wicked morning, and two could play at his game.