Chapter 8

The more they walked, the better Victoria started to feel better. Perhaps he'd had been right to insist she leave her bedchamber and come outside with him. Not that she'd admit as much to him. That would be conceding he might know better, and that was a terrible precedent to start. The man was already too arrogant by far.

"How much farther?" Victoria had a sinking feeling they were headed in the same direction of Blake's little cabin. She did not know if her brother had returned to the manor yet or not, and she did not want to interrupt whatever lecherous activities he'd arranged for some of the gentlemen. She nearly wrinkled her nose at the very idea. Though she had wanted to explore that cabin and this might be the opportunity she'd been waiting for.

"Is this adventure not thrilling enough for you?" He arched one of those perfect brows of his. Why did he have to be so gorgeous? "Would you like me to do something to make it more scandalous?"

"I believe we have already entered that domain, my lord." She stared up at him. "Starting with our tête-à-tête in my bedchamber this morning."

"You make it sound as if we engaged in lewd acts," he said in an amused tone. "When it was far more innocent."

He didn't have to tell her. Looking back on it now, why hadn't he taken advantage of her? He'd carried her to bed and just left her? "Did you undress me last night?" she asked.

"Of course not," he replied in an offended tone. "I'd never take advantage of you in that fashion." He almost sounded hurt she'd even asked. "I rang the bell for your maid and left you slumbering in your bed." He grinned. "You were adorably foxed."

She did wrinkle her nose this time. Victoria did not want to be referred to as adorable. That sort of sight did not arouse passion in a man. So much for seduction… She was clearly failing in that regard. "I wouldn't know how I appeared," she told him. "And I'd rather not know."

They strolled into a clearing, and a cabin came into view. It was a simple hunting lodge meant for a few people to gather. It had originally been the gamekeeper's cabin before Blake had been the marquess. The gamekeeper had a larger dwelling now closer to the estate. One meant for a family if the man so wished. Though the current gamekeeper was only a few years past twenty and didn't appear to be in a hurry settle down.

But this cabin, it was Blake's pet project. She didn't quite understand why he'd felt the need for it. But then again, she didn't understand why gentlemen did a lot of the things they did, and she probably never would. The man walking beside her constantly confused her. She turned to him. "Why are we here?" Please let Blake be back at the manor…

"Because you needed time away from your guests." He motioned toward the cabin. "And few know of the marquess's private cabin."

"You're correct," she said. "But that begs the question… Does my brother know you brought me here? I doubt he'd like it."

"He knows I am here," he said.

"But not that you brought me." She shook her head. "He'll be livid if he discovers this. I hope you're prepared for his wrath."

She was almost amused that he had brought her to the cabin. But she had not been lying. Blake would not want her at his cabin. That would not have prevented her from exploring it on her own, but Lord Foxcroft would make a convenient scapegoat. Now she could explore it with a clear conscience.

"We will just have to ensure he never discovers that you were here." He winked. "But even if he does, I'll handle it." He walked over to the entrance and unlocked it. Blake must have given him a key to the cabin. He opened the door and gestured for her to go inside. "Make yourself comfortable while I start a fire in the hearth. It's a little chilly this morning." He set the basket he'd been carrying on a nearby table before he gathered the tinderbox for the fire.

Victoria strolled over to the settee and did as he suggested. She curled up on it and pulled a blanket over her shoulders. She was a little cold. The earl made quick work of setting the logs ablaze. She studied him as he fanned the flames. He looked good in the firelight. Quite decadent actually… Her heart skipped a beat. Was this her chance to try her hand at seduction? What would he do if she kissed him? The kiss she'd given him before had been disastrous, though. He had remained unmoved and lacked any sort of passionate response. Perhaps she should just leave things be and allow him to finish these rogue lessons.

He put one more log on the fire, and then he went and opened the curtains on the windows to let in some light. It was surprisingly cozy for a gentleman's domain. "Are you going to explain why I am here?" she asked him. "My patience is running low."

"I didn't realize you had any patience at all." He grinned. Then strolled over to the settee and sat beside her. "We're here for your final lesson."

She arched a brow. "I'm all aflutter with anticipation." She batted her eyelashes at him. Victoria didn't know how to lean on any coquettish skills. But she had to try… She wanted to seduce him, after all. "Impress me with your knowledge, my lord."

He remained quiet for several moments. Anxiety flooded her and she started to fidget. Why wasn't he saying anything? What could be so difficult that he couldn't tell her? What was this lesson?

David probably should not have brought her to the cabin. She was correct that her brother wouldn't be happy she'd been inside. It was supposed to be the marquess's sanctuary. He couldn't find it in himself to care what Ardmore would or would not want. Because all he cared about was her. These lessons had driven a need inside of him he could no longer ignore. His desire for her consumed him.

"I brought you here to seduce you," he told her.

She stared at him for several moments. Then her lips tilted upward into a sensuous smile. "Have you now?" Victoria licked her lips. "Then, by all means, proceed. This is a lesson I wholly support."

He furrowed his brow. That was not a reaction he'd thought he'd receive. David thought she'd argue a little. But this? Acceptance? "Glad you approve." He titled his head to the side. "But we have all day. There is no need to rush. Are you hungry?"

David moved away from her to go retrieve the basket, but she stilled him by grasping his wrist. "I don't want any food," she told him. "I just want you."

He met her gaze and saw the truth there. She desired him. How had he never saw that before? Had this always been there between them? Instead of questioning it even more, he moved over to her and pulled her into his arms. "Then I think you owe me a kiss," he told her. "That is my prize from our game last night."

"Do you want me to kiss you?" She frowned. "You didn't seem to appreciate my first attempt."

"Then let me show you how a kiss can be." He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. It was light at first. Like the first taste of heaven and he needed to savor it. Then it became imperative that he deepen the kiss. She wound her arms around his neck as he slid his tongue against hers. The kiss became heated and frenzied.

She moaned as they continued to taste each other. The fire between them burned hotter with each touch of his lips against hers. He needed her closer. David pulled her onto his lap and cupped her breast in his palm. He'd never felt anything so wonderful as her. This wasn't seduction. He'd lost any finesse he'd had the moment that kiss had begun. There would be no slow burn between them. At least not this first time. There was far too much need.

Victoria pulled away from him and stared into his eyes. "All right, my lord," she said a little breathlessly. "I admit it. That was a much better kiss."

He grinned. God, he adored her… "I think it's safe for you to use my given name, love." He needed her too. "Can you please call me David now?"

"I'll consider it," she said. "If you kiss me again."

How was he supposed to argue with that logic? David gave in completely. He kissed her as if he might lose her if he didn't, and hell, he supposed he still could. They hadn't made any promises to each other. So he'd savor this moment with her, and make the most of these moments. David fully believed that he could convince her to be his. Forever. But just in case, he held her against him as if this might be his only opportunity to do so.

With that in mind, he lowered his head and kissed her neck. He needed to taste her. Every single inch of her delectable body. He needed her naked and at his mercy. As if she could read his thoughts, she wrapped her fingers around his cravat. "I need this off," she demanded.

"Oh, yes," he said. She pulled at it until it was loose. He reached up and yanked it free, and tossed it aside. She slid her nimble fingers over his bare neck, then yanked at his shirt until she was able to pull it free from his trousers. David stopped kissing her long enough to yank it over her head and throw it in the direction of his cravat. "Your dress has to go," he told her. "Stand so I can undo all these buttons."

She did as he instructed. It took far longer than he wanted it to, but he undid those buttons and pushed the dress down until it pooled at her feet. Her stays were next, until she stood before him in her shift. He lifted her and set her on the settee. He removed her boots first, then returned for her stockings. David slid his hands up her leg and loosened the ties for her stocking and rolled it down her leg. He trailed kisses down her thigh as he slid it off, then did the same for the other one. Her breath hitched as she demanded, "Do that again."

"I'll do that and more," he told her. He laid her down on the settee, then spread her thighs. David trailed kisses from her knee, then up her thigh until he was at her center. Then he pressed a kiss to the top of her mound before he moved farther down to slide his tongue over her sensitive flesh. She moaned as he sucked the nub into his mouth. He pressed a finger inside of her and stroked her as he sucked her. He licked at her as he continued to slide his finger in and out until she broke apart. Her screams echoed through the cabin. It was a damn good thing no one was around to hear her.

"Oh, David…" She moaned. "I…"

He grinned. She'd finally said his name. He stood and removed his breeches. David had left them on, so he didn't rush to press himself inside of her. This was her first time and he had to make it good for her. At least as good as he could. "Remove your shift, love. I want to see all of you."

Victoria sat up in languid moves and slid her shift over her head. Her full breasts caught his attention and he wanted to taste them. David joined her on the settee and pulled her back into his arms. He leaned over and sucked one pink nipple into his mouth. She squirmed against him and drove him mad with desire. He stroked her sensitive nub as he sucked the other breasts. "David…"

"Sssh," he said. "Give in to it. Come for me, love."

She broke apart again. He continued to rub his thumb over her slick flesh. She was as ready as he could make her. He laid her back on to the settee and settle between her thighs. He positioned himself at her entrance. David kissed her as he slowly slid inside of her. He hoped to keep her distracted as he filled her. She wrapped her legs around him and slid her hands over his arse. Their kisses became frenzied and she pulled him into her faster than he'd intended. She inhaled sharply. He'd hurt her. "Victoria," he said between panting breaths.

"Don't stop," she ordered. "It feels so good."

God… He loved her. David had never loved any other woman. It had always been her. He thrust into her over and over again. The frenzy almost overtook him. Her breaths became more ragged as she neared her peak. She must come for him one more time. He had to ensure it… When she moaned and shattered around him, he let himself go and reached his own climax. Everything around him seemed to fall apart and go black. For a moment he became lost, but she brought him back.

David rolled to his side and pulled her with him. She was everything he'd ever dared dream of, and he never wanted to let her go. He'd tell her that. Soon. But first he had to rest and just revel in the feel of her against him. He held her against him as he gave in to his need to sleep.

Victoria woke in David's arms. She grinned at him. He was awake and watching her sleep. That had been more than she could have hoped for. This hadn't truly been about revenge. This was a homecoming. She'd thought that once she convinced him to become her lover, she could walk away. She knew better now. There was only once place she belonged. With him.

"I should move," she told him. She almost told him that she loved him. Only one thing prevented her from doing that. What if he wasn't ready to hear it? Would he leave and never come back? Victoria didn't want to lose him.

"Don't you dare," he told her. "I like you exactly where you are."

"We cannot stay here forever. Blake will want his cabin back." Her lips twitched. "And if he comes here and sees us like this, he might very well murder you."

"Doubtful," David said in an amiable tone. "I'm a better shot."

She arched a brow. "I'd prefer you didn't shoot my brother."

"So you'd rather he shoot me?" He sighed. "You're ready to dispatch me already, love. I'm wounded."

Victoria trailed a finger over his chest. She wanted him to make love to her again. Could she coax him into kissing her? He seemed to like that, and he was damn good at it. She didn't realize what a true novice she was until he'd kissed her with intention. "I don't want you to go anywhere."

"That's fortunate," he told her. "As I don't plan on leaving. In fact, I am considering abducting you. I hear Scotland is lovely this time of year."

"You want to take me to Scotland?" she asked. "Why?" Then it hit her. "You want to elope?" There was only one reason for them to take an unplanned trip there.

"I always knew you were brilliant, love." He pulled her closer and kissed her quick. "I love you. I've always loved you." He cupped her breast as he trailed kissed down her neck. "Now that I've thoroughly compromised you, it's time that I claimed you legally as well. That way no one can ever come between us."

She laughed. "I don't recall agreeing to marry you." Victoria gasped as he pressed his thumb to her sex. He did wicked things with his fingers. "Do that again."

"Say yes, first, love," David demanded. "You're marrying me. As soon as I can arrange it."

"Yes," she said. "Always. Yes." She moaned.

"And you're going to forget this nonsense about having lovers. You're mine." He rubbed her sensitive flesh and she squirmed. "Say it."

"I'm yours. I love you. I don't need anyone else. I just need you." The words came out breathlessly. He stroked her until she shattered.

"That's it, love," he told her. "You're so bloody beautiful. I adore you." He kissed her. "I suppose there is one more lesson." He pressed his lips to hers. "One we've both learned."

"And what is that?" she asked as he slid into her. He thrust deep and she moaned.

"That when a rogue falls," he whispered in her ear. "It's forever." The world split apart until it was only the two of them. She lost all sense of reason. When everything came into focus again, she met his gaze and found her happiness there.

Victoria wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. There were no sweeter words than hearing how much he loved her. They had the rest of their lives together. She had everything she had ever wanted, and more. She had the love of her life. The notion of a rogue wallflower had its purpose, and for her, it had been to win David's heart. Thank heaven it had gone as planned…