Chapter Eleven

G iven the choice of hiding out from his cousins in his grandfather's study or his library, Julius would choose the library every time. Not only was it more comforting—the bookish smell of hundreds of volumes, soft leather chairs that cradled you like a newborn, the blessed silence that encompassed one like a warm cloak—but the spirits kept there in the finest crystal decanter was only ever the best cognac his grandfather could find. Little wonder then that Julius had retreated to this sanctuary after saying goodbye, for all intents and purposes, to Lady Augusta.

He'd been more than delighted by her elation at their little adventure this morning. Nothing could have given him more pleasure than seeing her awe, her amazement at the ruins. Well, nothing save having her agree to marry him.

Julius sighed. If he could not give her the wonders of the world that she so desired, at least he'd given her this one brief happiness. Hopefully she would remember it, and him, fondly always.

Glass of brandy in hand, Julius perused the various volumes, looking for something to distract him from further thoughts of Lady Augusta, or worse the thought that tomorrow he must accompany his mother back to Town and begin the torture of trying to find a bride. If he weren't part of the marriage wager, he would likely leave that task for some years in the future. However, he couldn't let his cousins down, not when so much was riding on this wager. They all had to marry in order to win.

The library door clicked open.

"I'm still sure I do not wish to join you for billiards, Francis." His brother had importuned him to play not five minutes ago.

"Then I certainly won't attempt to persuade you to do so, my lord."

His head shot up, the spirits in his glass sloshed over the side as his gaze locked with Lady Augusta's dark-blue eyes. Julius's heart hammered in his chest. "What…what are you doing here, my lady?"

"I was…um…I was looking for Emma." She stood in front of the door, her back pressed against the dark panel, her deep-gold gown seeming to glow beside the darker wood.

"She's not…here." His mind had ceased to work clearly. "Perhaps you can find her upstairs." Much as he loved the sight of her, he knew instinctively that she should go. It had taken all his willpower to say goodbye to her earlier. Even though he was a man who prided himself on his self-control, at this moment he didn't trust himself to be alone with her.

"Yes, I suspect that is where she is." The lady continued to stare at him, not moving.

"Did you need…something…else?" The urge to grab her and wrap his arms around her had reached the point where his legs actually trembled with the desire to go to her and he had to physically stand his ground.

"Yes, I did." In one smooth motion, she turned to the door but instead of opening it, she seized the key in the lock and gave it a quick twist.

The click of the lock sounded like the snap of a trap being sprung.

"Lady Augusta, what are you doing?" Horrified, Julius stared as she held the key in her hand, gazing about as though looking for a place to put it. "My lady? What are you doing with that key?" Panic seized all of Julius's faculties. The two of them were literally locked in the room together. Alone. If anyone discovered them together like this…

Julius darted toward her, intent on grabbing the key.

Giving one more agonized glance around the room, Lady Augusta pulled the neckline of her bodice open and dropped the key down inside it.

Skidding to a stop directly in front of her, Julius gazed into her frank, determined eyes. "What the hell have you done?"

"I needed to talk to you, my lord. Without interruptions."

His gaze flitted down to her heaving bosom, imagining the key nestled there behind the layers of silk and cotton and boning. How bad would it be if he made a grab for it?

The idea of his hand fumbling between her breasts—her soft, white, perfectly round, previously untouched breasts—sent a shudder of lust tearing through his body. By the time he extracted the key, he'd no longer desire to leave the library.

He lifted his gaze back to her face just as she slid her hands around his neck and launched herself at his chest. Julius caught her as she pressed herself tightly to him, then her lips met his.

His first instinct was to protest this outrageous behavior, but that idea met a coward's death, swift and totally unsung. Instead, he slipped his hands behind her head, cradling it gently, luxuriating in the feel of her exquisitely soft hair, paired with her equally soft mouth, a touch that even now wreaked havoc in his breeches. Oh, but he'd dreamed of this moment for the past six months and by God he was going to enjoy it.

Pressing his lips to hers more urgently, he opened his mouth enough for his tongue to emerge and test the seam that sealed her lips. Was she desirous enough of him to grant him access once more?

Throughout their encounter, her hands had been busy stroking the short hairs at the nape of his neck, each caress more exciting than the last. When he pressed on her sealed lips however she gave a strangled squeal, then parted them immediately.

With a groan, Julius plunged his tongue into her willing mouth, sheer delight filling him at being allowed to possess that much of her once more. He withdrew only to thrust in again, exploring this very intimate part of her until she began to moan plaintively in the back of her throat. Good lord. This had to stop. He disengaged and thrust her from him. "We cannot do this, my lady. It's bad enough that we are here alone. If someone should come in—"

"They would have to break the door down to do it." Her chest was heaving, her glazed eyes dark as night. "I don't think they'll try it." She leaned toward him again, but he stopped her.

"Why are you doing this, my lady?" Julius couldn't fathom why she was behaving in this manner. "You cannot wish for me to compromise you. Then we will be forced to marry."

"I know." She reached up and cupped his cheek.

"But you have told me time and again you did not wish to marry me. That you did not wish for the only type of life I could give you." Staring into the beautiful face, flushed with obvious desire, he knew with absolute certainty that if he didn't find a way to leave this room immediately, he wouldn't able to stop himself from kissing her senseless. And God only knew what would happen after that.

"A lady is allowed to change her mind, isn't she, Julius?" The soft words, spoken with a plaintive note, wrenched his heart. Could what she said be true? The fact she'd used his given name, quite unexpectedly, lent credence to it.

"Then you would not mind eventually becoming the Countess of Winwick?" A spark of hope flamed up in his heart.

"If it meant I could marry you, I would become the Queen of England." She squeezed his hands. "Today you made me realize…I love you."

Julius ceased to breathe. Never had he thought to hear those words from her. "You do?"

"How could I not, after you found such an exceptional adventure just for me? Because you knew what it would mean to me." She ducked her head. "You are the epitome of the gentleman I have been looking for all my life."

"Not Mr. Burton?" He tried to peer into her face, but it was hidden from him.

"No, not Mr. Burton." She flung her head back, a tear trickling down her cheek. "You are far above that gentleman in every possible way." She sighed. "I am only sorry it has taken me this long to realize it."

Without hesitation, Julius seized her and crushed her against his chest. "Apology accepted."

She laughed and slipped her arms around him.

The simple motion made his groin ache. Everything she did, every word, every touch enflamed him as never before. He tilted her head up, her eyes shining as she gazed at him as though she'd found her hope of heaven. God knew he had.

Without pause he sank his mouth onto hers again, thrusting his tongue between her already parted lips, and reveling in the welcome he found there. Lost in her sweetness, he kissed her lips, moved to her cheek, strayed to her ear, his desire mounting all the while. "Do you want me to stop?" he whispered, his voice raspy now with his need for her.

"No." Panting, she frantically shook her head. Grabbing his hand, she tugged him toward the large leather sofa. "I want more."

Julius's eyes widened, even as he allowed himself to be propelled forward. Was this the proper Lady Augusta who had led him on such a chase? The woman would surprise him until he had one foot in the grave.

Suddenly, the great brown leather sofa loomed large beside them.

Lady Augusta stopped before the roaring fire, hot desire flickering in her eyes. "I want you to take me, Julius. Make me your own right this minute." Then with a plaintive tone, she added, "Please?"

Flushed and aroused as he was, Julius had to make certain she understood what she was asking. "Lady Augusta, do you know what you're saying?"

"I think if we are having this conversation, Julius, you understand you have my permission to call me Augusta." Her mouth puckered in a smile, but her steady gaze assured him she did indeed know what she was doing. "But to answer your question, yes I do. And I know I want you as I have wanted no other man before."

Heart beating frantically at a confession he never expected to hear, he gazed down into her beautiful, eager face and knew, as he'd known all along, this was the woman he loved beyond all reason. "I love you too, Augusta. More than anything in this world."

Tears sprang to her eyes. "Oh, Julius. I didn't think you would ever say that to me. Not when I've been such a fool."

"Shhh." He gathered her to him tenderly. "All that matters now is that we love one another." He kissed her ear, then continued to trail kisses down her neck, delighting in the shivers that wracked her body the lower he came to her decolletage.

Breathing in erratic little gasps, her whimpers grew louder with each brush of his lips. "Oh, Julius, I feel so…so strange."

"A good kind of strange, love?"

"Oh, yes." The low, guttural tone of her voice sent a renewed shiver of lust down to his groin.

Boldly, Julius ran his hands over her breasts, stroking them through the bodice he wished would magically disappear. What he wouldn't give to be able to tease her nipples into hard little points and then gently taste them. Well, that would have to wait for a later time. With heartfelt regret he removed his hands from her bodice. "Augusta, we should stop now. We can do nothing more here today."

"Oh, but I think you can, Julius." She stepped back and sat down on the sofa. Then sprawled back on it, her head pillowed on the arm, looking like a terrible wanton. "I think there is much more you can do."

"Augusta!" Shocked and aroused even more by the shameless display before him, Julius stared speechless at the luscious body lying before him. Her wide eyes glistened in the fire's light. "How do you know anything about what occurs between a man and a woman?"

A knowing smile spread across her face. "Emma told me."

"Told you what?" A suspicion dawned that his lady truly had learned more than she should have about the married state.

Her eyes beckoned to him. "Everything."

Julius caught his breath. If what Augusta said was true…if Emma had told her all about the most intimate acts of man and wife…dear God.

She reached her hand out to him. "Come show me, Julius."

"Show you…what exactly?"

"How you will make love to me." Stretching out fully on the sofa, she arched her back, thrusting her breasts toward him in blatant invitation.

Oh, damnation. Julius licked his lips and swallowed hard. After yearning for Augusta for so long, the temptation to do as she asked was almost impossible to refuse. They would be married shortly, in any case. No real harm done. And they'd certainly not be the first couple to anticipate their wedding night. Julius's cock strained against his trousers in full agreement.

Of course, the setting for this seduction wasn't ideal. They were in his grandfather's house with servants running all about, not to mention his cousins in a nearby room, some of whom might come in search of him at any moment. Still, he didn't wish to deny Augusta's passion for him, nor his for her. God, no. But the ultimate act of marital pleasures should be performed in a more private place, where no one could hear them.

So for now, he would give her as much pleasure as he could and let the other wait for another time. Say their wedding night.

"Very well, sweetheart." He moved to the sofa and knelt down beside her. "I will show you one way we can have marital congress and give you the greatest pleasure of your life. Will that satisfy you for now?"

"Oh, yes. I'm sure it will." She sighed with such longing, he wished it were possible to take her here and now. That moment, however, he wanted to be truly perfect.

"Here." He took her hand and laid it on his cheek. "Keep your hand here so you can feel me when I touch you." He peered into the deep blue eyes that did not waver. "You do know where I will touch you?"

"Yes, I do." She nodded, stroking his cheek and sending his desire licking through his whole body.

He certainly hoped she did know something about what he was going to do. He didn't want her to be frightened. Slowly, he slid his hand beneath her skirts and laid it on the smooth stockinged calf of her leg.

She drew a sharp breath but nodded. "It's all right. I trust you."

Skimming upward, Julius quickly reached the split in her pantalettes. Drawing the material aside, he slid his hand inside the garment, resting it against her thicket of curls. Her rapid breathing brought his attention back to Augusta's face, her eyes now round and wide as a startled deer—and staring straight at him.

He smiled encouragingly, and she cupped his cheek. So far so good. Not taking his gaze from her face, he began to stroke her mons lightly.

An array of emotions flitted across Augusta's face—surprise, shock, trepidation, wonder, and lastly, pleasure. He continued his gentle strokes, swirling his fingers all around her tender flesh. Her hips began to twitch, her eyes closed, and she began to pant and moan.

"Does that feel good, love?" he crooned to her as he brushed against the hidden nub of her pleasure center.

"Yes, oh, yes, Julius." Her hand dropped from his face and found his other hand, which she grasped and squeezed. "This feels so…"

"What, Augusta? What do you feel?"

"Wonderful." Her deepened voice had acquired a guttural tone that spoke of her need.

In response, Julius stroked more quickly, gazing at her face, watching eagerly as the tension in her body built.

"What…what is happening?" She clasped his hand in a frenzied grip. "Ahhh, Julius!" Her body arched as she shrieked, her hips bucked wildly, her face aglow with wonder.

"Shh, love. You're all right." Julius leaned over and kissed her trembling lips. Every part of her was trembling now. "Did you like that? Did it make you feel good inside?"

Flung back on the sofa, limp and panting still, she nodded. "I never felt anything that good before."

"I am glad to hear that, love." He slipped his hand from beneath her skirts, then helped her to sit up on the sofa.

"Must I get up? I'm so very tired." Her lids were scarcely open and she looked as though she would curl up in a ball if he took his arm from around her.

"In future, we will remain in bed afterwards, but we are not in bed now nor in a very secure place." Julius gave her a wink. "You can give me the key now, my dear." At last he'd managed to put her in check, a feat he'd not been able to do often at the chessboard. He rose and pulled her to her feet, then dropped a fleeting kiss on her lips. "I think no one will be the wiser to our téte-a-téte if you go quickly upstairs to your room."

She busied herself pulling the key out of her bodice. But as she handed it to him, she gave him a meaningful glance. "Just think, Julius, two adventures in one day. And I am hard put to say if I enjoyed our forbidden interlude here more than our visit to the ruins." She swayed closer to him. "Perhaps I need another adventure like this last one to help me decide."

"My love, we will have plenty such adventures once we are married." He smiled as he rearranged a curl that had become dislodged during their interlude.

"But this secret interlude has been especially thrilling because of the risk of discovery." She gave him an arch look. "Couldn't you arrange another one for tomorrow?" There was a wheedling tone in her voice now. "One that would continue what we did today?"

"Augusta." She had that look on her face he'd come to know all too well. The one like a horse with the bit in its teeth.

"You can arrange it, can't you, Julius?" Her eyes were liquid blue pools. "So we can share everything between us?"

She wore that pleading look again—the one he'd have to get used to giving in to. He'd wanted their wedding night to be special, but perhaps, knowing his bride, an "adventure" would be more special to her. But where could they meet for this sort of tryst with no one the wiser? An inn was too public and too common. The ruins would be dark, cold, and uncomfortable, although he could see the appeal that might have for Augusta. What else was nearby yet remote and somewhat rustic? A glimmer of an idea occurred, and he smiled. "Very well, my dear. I'll meet you in the foyer to go riding tomorrow afternoon. Can you arrange that?"

Eagerly, she nodded. "Emma said a secret rendezvous was the most fun of all."

Julius chuckled. He might have to speak with his cousin Alex about his wife telling tales out of school. "But I assure you, my love, Emma was right."