Chapter Fourteen

December 23, 1818

“There is quite a crush here tonight,” Samantha whispered to Cornelius as they sat in a couple of chairs with gilded legs and mauve crushed velvet cushions. He had been invited to attend a musicale evening hosted by a viscount and viscountess and had asked her to accompany him.

“Agreed. My mother should have attended tonight but she and Aunt Beatrice have far too much to do since they’re usurping Annabelle’s dinner party with a rout tomorrow night.” He huffed as he glanced about the music room at the people still milling around. “I think she assumes our engagement will flounder, and she wants to have a lady waiting in the wings so to speak she can throw at my feet.”

Samantha snickered. “She is determined to see you wed soon, and frankly, I don’t think she cares for me in this role.” Yet ultimately, it didn’t matter, for after Twelfth Night, they would find some reason to break the false engagement. The thought of Cornelius with another woman on his arm or in his bed sent chills down her spine and heated jealousy through her chest.

Yesterday, after she and Cornelius had talked about him being jilted by his former fiancée, they’d kissed, and since the servants had been occupied for a time with the makeshift ice skating in the entry hall, she’d let him carry her away with passion. Not that they’d gotten up to scandal—much—and even though she would have liked to have been bedded again, the only bit of naughtiness they’d indulged in had been a few caresses and pleasurable fondling before observing propriety again.

What sort of woman did that make her since she lived for those touches?

“How can you tell? My mother doesn’t care for anyone.” He leaned closer to her, and the heat of him sent a wave of awareness over her skin. “I’d hoped Annabelle announcing her pregnancy would have occupied Mama’s attention, but that woman is like a dog with a bone.”

“Perhaps she only wishes for her children to find happiness where she didn’t have any,” Samantha whispered back. His sandalwood and citrus scent teased her nose and reminded her of the times they’d spent alone together.

“Clearly, you don’t know her, for when you do, you’ll find she simply likes to criticize. It’s her greatest talent, I think.”

She pulled slightly away from him but couldn’t help her budding grin. “For shame, Cornelius, maligning your mother like that.”

His own lips twitched. “You’ll see.”

How would that even be possible unless he meant at the rout tomorrow night instead of an extended future. Either way, her smile faded beneath the weight of worry. Did she want this engagement to be of the permanent kind? And if so, how to convince him of the fact? Since there were no answers, Samantha tried to shove the thoughts away as the recital began.

Then he winked. “However, what I’m seeing of you now in that green velvet gown, dear God, Samantha, you are beautiful.”

She ducked her head as heat went through her cheeks. “Thank you. I have a couple of gowns fitting for the holiday season and didn’t wish to repeat wearing them, so Annabelle gave me the loan of this one.”

“I’ll have to remember to thank her, for it suits you wonderfully well.” Once more, he put his lips near to her ear and whispered, “In fact, I wouldn’t mind removing you from that gown in order to do very wicked things to you.”

She gasped, but there was pleasure in her chest from his flirting. “Lord Timelbury, behave!”

A few people around them tittered or glared, depending on their mood.

The Viscount of Brookshire went to the head of the room. He tugged at the bottom of his festive waistcoat of red satin. His head of thick, gray hair glimmered beneath the candlelight. “Thank you for coming this evening. My wife and I are glad to be among friends. Tonight, we’ve assembled a good pool of talents musicians and singers, so settle in and enjoy.” He grinned at the company. “Refreshments will be served in the corridor outside the room at any time you wish.”

A few pianists ranged from outstanding to mediocre. Then there was a flutist followed by a vocalist. Then the viscount returned

“Unfortunately, one of our singers didn’t arrive tonight, so there is a hole in the schedule. Unless there is someone in the audience is who vocally or musically inclined, we will pause for a brief intermission.”

Whispers and snatches of conversation circled through the room.

Cornelius glanced at her. “Do you know how to play the pianoforte,” he asked her in a whisper.

“I do, but I am not nearly as accomplished that I want to play in front of a room full of strangers,” she whispered back. “Can you?”

“Sadly, no, but I do possess a skill I haven’t told you about.” Slowly, he stood. “I believe I can assist in this manner.” Then, before she could question him, he left her side, but she didn’t understand why.

“Wonderful! Thank you for your kindness, Lord Timelbury,” the viscount said with an easy and grateful smile. “You may begin at any time.”

Cornelius cleared his throat. “I appreciate that, and bear with me. It has been some time since I’ve last done this.” Good natured chuckles moved through the room. But when he sought out Samantha’s gaze and locked eyes with her, he gave her a grin that sent a host of heated flutters through her lower belly. “Tonight, I’ll sing Largo al factotum from Rossini’s The Barber of Seville .”

The second the first words of the aria burst upon the air, Samantha was enthralled. His baritone soared and dipped, and there was such power in his voice that even the people at the back of the room could no doubt hear. As he sang, Cornelius punctuated the song with hand movements and expressions, so even though she didn’t understand Italian, it didn’t matter, for with the dips and sways and emphasis he used, the gist of the song was understood.

By the time the aria ended, there were a few seconds of profound silence before the room burst into wild applause, with a few people calling for another song.

As for Samantha, she stared in shock at the man she thought she knew. Why had he not told her that he could sing? The words had wrapped themselves around her like the most intimate of caresses and left her with a longing for something deep in her soul she didn’t quite understand.

He raised a hand for silence then gave the room at large at wide grin. “Because you asked so nicely, I will now sing While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night , since it is the Christmastide season.”

During the performance, Cornelius once more met her gaze with his, and for the remainder of the song, he kept his focus solely on her. She couldn’t look away, not that she wanted to, and they communed without conversation as he sang the familiar Christmas carol, which had been one of the songs her father had entertained her with in recent years, until his mind failed, and he could no longer remember it. A piece of her heart flew into his keeping for no other reason than she was proud of him and delighted he had this talent.

By the time he was finished, tears overflowed her eyes and spilled onto her cheeks.

But he wasn’t done with the evening. Oh, no.

As the applause faded, he held up a hand. “I appreciate the support. As I said before, I has been some years since I last performed like this, but I now remember why I adore singing so much. Thank you for letting me indulge in this passion of mine.” After throwing a glance about the room, his gaze once more fell to her. “However, I would be remiss on this night if I didn’t at least mention this. Christmastide, as I have been recently reminded, is a time to gather family around us and to show our gratitude for them.” When he grinned, shivers of need twisted down her spine. “It is a time to remember others more unfortunate than ourselves. If anyone here tonight should want to donate to a worthy cause, please send coin or supplies to Barrett Street Orphanage, or seek out my fiancée Miss Marchington after the evening’s entertainments conclude—” he pointed her out and the heat in her cheeks intensified— “because she works for that charity and is taking donations. In fact, that is how we met.”

Everyone in the room stared at her.

Oh, it was quite embarrassing, and she gave a tiny wave and nod to the people around her that promised funding, but above everything, she was grateful someone like Lord Timelbury with his connections would draw attention to the plight of the orphanage.

When the brief intermission occurred, separating the halves of the musicale evening, Samantha immediately left the room, for a crowd of well-wishers crowded around Cornelius. She required time and space to compose herself after being singled out as well as discovering her false fiancé had a talent for singing.

She fled to the host’s darkened library. It was as good a place as any to compose herself. A single candle guttered in a silver holder on one of the tables. Shelves full of books lined the walls, but unfortunately, she couldn’t read the spines in the dim light and neither did she want to, for that would mean a distraction from what she’d just heard.

Why hadn’t she seen it before? Possibly because she’d never had cause to recognize the signs since this had never happened to her, but there was every possibility she was in love with Cornelius. Confused beyond reason, Samantha drifted to a window between two tall shelves. After unlatching it, she pushed open the panel and breathed in the sharp, cool winter air. At least it helped to cool her overheated skin.

I think I truly do love him.

It continued to be a revelation.

“Finally, I’ve found you.” The soft snick of the door closing followed Cornelius’ interruption.

Samantha didn’t turn around. Of course he found her. “I apologize for hiding. I didn’t mean to be away for so long, but I needed some air.”

“No matter. It’s only been about ten minutes, but I brought you some champagne.” The low tone of his voice grew stronger as he approached her location. “The intermission is over, and everyone has returned to the music room, but there are plenty of people who wish to meet you once the performances end.”

“I see.” Slowly, she faced him. “All because you publicly told everyone we’re engaged.”

“So I did.” When he flashed a grin, flutters once more erupted in her lower belly.

“Why?” In the dim light, she met his gaze but couldn’t read the emotions therein.

“Why not? I’m proud of you.” When he gave her a champagne flute, their hands brushed, and even though they both wore gloves, the connection between them was still strong. “And the charity needs more visibility.”

“I think so too.” As she took refuge in the bubbly wine, she giggled when the bubbles tickled her nose. “Thank you for bringing awareness to the orphanage. They are always in desperate need of funding. The world is a harsh place for women with no choices.”

He nodded. “You’re welcome.” After sipping his own champagne, he grinned. “Why do you stare at me as if you’ve never seen me before?”

“Why didn’t you tell me you could sing?”

“It didn’t come up in regular conversation, and what with everything else, there wasn’t a need to share that information.”

That made sense. “Well, you have a beautiful voice. So elegant and rich. I was swept away on your words. They burrowed under my skin, swept through my soul and were almost cleansing.” She took another sip of her bubbly wine. “It reminded me of when my father used to sing. Thank you for that connection.”

“It was my pleasure.” Quickly, he finished his champagne and then relieved her of her flute. He rested both of them on a nearby table. “Come with me.”

“Where?”

Taking her hand, he led her to one of the low leather sofas then he sat and tugged her down with him, arranging her legs so that she straddled his lap. “Here.”

Her pulse pounded hard in her ears. “What are you about?” Not that she cared. Being back in his arms was her idea of heaven.

“Showing you how much I appreciate you.”

“For what?”

He shrugged. In the dim light, the healing bruises on his face were hardly noticeable. “Being there for me when I need you. Accepting me with no questions asked. Letting me be myself without feeling the need to hide my imperfections.” It was the most honest thing he’d ever shared with her, and her eyes prickled with tears. “You have no idea how much all of that is refreshing even as I work to keep you safe.”

“From a threat that hasn’t truly made itself known against me.” Knowing exactly where she wanted the evening to go, Samantha quickly divested herself of her gloves. They fell to the sofa cushion next to him.

“That doesn’t mean it’s not real, and…” His voice broke as he trailed his fingers up and down her sides. “I couldn’t live with myself if something were to happen to you,” he finished in a broken voice.

“Oh, Cornelius, I—” Her words were stemmed when he claimed her lips, just as he’d done the first day they’d met. It was a tender kiss with emotions behind it she didn’t quite understand but they mirrored perfectly what she felt as well. Tears prickled the backs of her eyelids, and she kissed him back.

How easily she was lost in him.

In them together after what had already been a wonderful night.

Each meeting of lips, every touch and caress, each glide of tongues sent her closer to that sought-after edge before any clothing had been removed, which was odd because he’d yet to touch her intimately. Perhaps that didn’t matter, for if fate had put them together, there was a reason why. His sandalwood and citrus teased her nose and drove her further onward in the quest to claim him as hers.

I want this man as my husband, as a real partner instead of playing at this bit of fiction.

It was impossible, wasn’t it? Especially since he hadn’t given her even a hint of the same feelings? That didn’t matter either. Need and desire twisted down her spine. She couldn’t have enough of him. What had begun as a ploy to make the holiday season happy for her father—and for him to discover if she truly was a jewel thief—had grown, little by little, and had the potential to become a romance of a lifetime.

Please tell me you want that too.

But there were no words needed. Not truly. After tugging her skirting free of her legs, she lifted onto her knees, and holding his gaze, she slowly drew the bodice of the green velvet gown downward, and as he watched with desire darkening his gray eyes, she continued until her breasts were bared. The coolness in the air immediately tightened her nipples and she shivered, for she wanted his hands, his mouth on her person, warming her.

His chuckled reverberated within her chest as he wrenched off his own gloves. Only then did he take those globes in his hands. “When did you become such a tempting tease?”

“The company I keep is exceedingly scandalous, I think.” When she leaned into him, he sucked one of the erect nipples into his mouth, and she sighed.

Exquisite sensation washed over her the longer he played with her breasts or teased the sensitive buds. For a distraction, she nuzzled the crook of his neck, nibbled a line of kisses beneath his jawline. The rasp of his stubble enhanced the desire already ricocheting through her body, and she shivered.

“How much time do we have until the musicale ends?” She wanted to feel him moving inside her, wished to have his thick length in her palm, taste him on her tongue. In short, she wanted him in every way a woman could have a man, because she hadn’t been afforded enough of that the last time they were together carnally.

“Perhaps twenty minutes?” His eyes glittered with unreadable emotion. “Clearly you wish to get up to scandal, at least a bit, and I’m completely willing to lend my support.” With a lick to the side of her neck, he whispered, “I like this amorous side of you.”

“Something about your singing voice has apparently set me off.” As if she had all the leisure time in the world and they weren’t in their host’s library where anyone could come upon them, she manipulated the folds of his cravat. As soon as skin was somewhat bared, she pressed her lips to it and laughed when his muscles clenched and he dug his fingers into her hip.

“Bloody hell, Samantha.” But he didn’t bid her nay in the explorations.

“Mmm.” It took next to no time to manipulate the buttons of his frontfalls, and when his engorged length sprang free, she sighed. “You are truly a gorgeous man.”

He snorted. “You would say that about anyone with rampant equipage and you in this mood, I think.” Teasing threaded through the words as he caught a hand into her hair and plucked out a few pins until the mass tumbled down her back.

“You are the only man I have been with, and you are the only man I…” Allowing her words to trail off due to confusion and a shyness at confessing her feelings, she shrugged. “Well, let’s just say I have wished for this since we came together the last time.”

“Who am I to say you can’t have it?” He followed the question by rolling one of her nipples until she moaned with pleasure.

“Cheeky man.” Delighting in the freedom he allowed her, she kissed his lips. The scrape of his clothing against her sensitive nipples only heightened her need. “What should I do, I wonder?”

“This teasing will truly be my death.” When he delved a hand through her skirting and then between her thighs, she shook with anticipation, for that was where she’d wanted him all along. “Let’s see how much you can endure before you fly.”

“To be honest, it might not be much since thinking about you in this capacity has already put me on edge.” The moment he spread her open and found that tiny nubbin, Samantha shuddered. Soon those feelings of being undone would overtake her.

“Your honesty is refreshing. There is something comforting knowing where a man stands with you.” He claimed her lips and at the same time worked that swelling button at her center with various levels of friction until she squirmed. With each pass, her heartbeat raced and her breathing labored.

With a hum of encouragement, she yanked his shirt tails from the waist of his evening breeches then shoved her hands beneath his shirt. The rasp of that hair on his chest against her palms only increased the sensations pinging wildly through her. Naked or half-dressed, it didn’t matter. They were together in the moment, come what may.

For long moments, they communed with kisses and touches. Then the unrelenting pressure that stacked inside her broke. Heated waves of pleasure caught Samantha up in their vortex, and she gave herself over to them. A keening cry of surprise and enjoyment ripped from her throat despite her efforts in stifling them.

“Do you know how fortunate I am?”

“What? Why?”

He held her gaze. “Because you are beautiful when you find release,” he whispered then kissed her again. “But as much as I adore looking my fill at your breasts, we need to put our clothing to rights.”

“You won’t couple with me tonight?” If there was a slight whine to her voice, she couldn’t help it. That longing deep inside her body hadn’t been assuaged with this heated interlude.

“Perhaps if we weren’t here.” Cornelius kissed her again, lingered at her lips for the space of a few heartbeats. “However, I do want you to meet some of those potential donors. You have worked so hard for the orphanage already. It would be lovely if they were to have a happy Christmas.”

If she wasn’t already in love with him, that would have done it. “Thank you. It means so much to me that you did this.”

“How could I not?” With one last brush of his knuckles along her nipple, he helped her off his lap. “You rejoin the guests first. I’ll follow once certain… things have settled.”

A giggle escaped her. “Perhaps next time I can finally handle your equipage.”

“Most assuredly,” he said in a barely audible voice, but when she glanced at him again, he was intent on fixing his mussed cravat.

Promising herself she would tell him what she was coming to realize tomorrow at his mother’s rout, Samantha turned away and righted her own clothing.