3. Chapter 3

Chapter 3

T heodore Pratt, the Marquess of Camden, or Theo as most of his friends called him, had found himself at a house party full of either eager marriage-minded chits or married couples. Neither would make for pleasurable company for a fortnight. He may be a rake, but dallying with innocents or married women typically led to far more drama and scandal than he wished to be embroiled in. There was the widow Lady Preston, but it was only a matter of time before she lost her heart again given how strong the love match between her and her husband had been.

It was far easier to take his pleasure from the women of the night, where they didn’t ask questions. For a few extra coins, they also let him draw them. And as much as he loved fucking a beautiful woman, he might love drawing her just as much. Well, perhaps not quite as much, but close.

If he could dispense of the title and could pick anything he wished to do with his future, it would be to draw. To focus on his art and live the carefree life of an artist. That has been exactly what he planned to do until his older brother died and everything changed. Thomas had taken ill from pneumonia two years ago at the age of six-and-twenty and didn’t survive the illness. Theo had been close to his older brother, even though they were three years apart in age. He mourned his brother’s death for years and struggled daily with Thomas’ voice in his head and how he missed him.

In some of his last moments with Thomas, his brother asked him to make a promise he never wished to make.

“Promise me, little brother,” Thomas had said. “Promise me you will take care of our tenants. I know it isn’t the life you want, but I need you to do what I shall be unable to do.”

“I’ll never fill your shoes. You will get better, and you shall continue to be the perfect marquess,” he had replied, holding his brother’s hand and fighting the ache in his heart.

Thomas had gripped his hand, using some of the last strength he had left in his then sickly body. He had once been a strong, broad-shouldered man. It had pained Theo to witness Thomas’ decline.

“Protect our title, brother. We have always been a powerful, noble family. It’s up to you to carry on our legacy.” Thomas coughed a few times. “I need you to promise me.”

“I promise, brother,” Theo had said, his heart crushed at the impending loss of his dear brother.

Thomas was the one who had been born to be a marquess, not just in birth order, but for his sense of duty. Theo had never wanted any of it. Theo was the mischievous, wild child, living a devil-may-care life, even in his youth. His brother should have been the one to bring honor to the title. Theo could never be the man his brother had been.

But Thomas left him, and since he had never married, Theo was the marquess. He had a daunting set of responsibilities and expectations to live up to. In the eyes of society, he was expected to marry, sire an heir, and ensure the estates prospered. That would leave little room for him to pursue his true passion.

And his responsibilities held little appeal to him. Taking a wife would limit his ability to continue to practice his art, especially the type of drawings he completed as of late. Besides, he needn’t be in a rush to take a wife. There would be someone willing to wed a marquess when he was ready to accept his fate. He’d be content to let the title go to some distant relative if he hadn’t promised Thomas.

He did his best to do what he believed his brother would have wanted. He ensured the estates fared well, and he kept the title free from scandal. Sure, he was known as a rake, but as a man with a title, that hardly cast him out of society. Then, as often as he could in secret, he honed his artistry.

As much practice as he had, he still hadn’t gotten it quite right on the page. There was always something off about the finished drawing. It left him with the same level of dissatisfaction as if he were worked up and ready to spend his cock but unable to do so. It was beyond irritating, indeed. At least he didn’t possess the same issue when it came to actually spending his cock. A man could only take so much.

He continued to move on to the next woman, drawing her form—among doing other things—and hoping he might finally achieve what he had been looking for with his art and what he longed to capture on paper. He would know it when he saw it.

Theo glanced back at the lovely, tempting Lady Juliet. She didn’t give him a second glance, which was abnormal for the simpering misses of the ton. There was something different about her, something he couldn’t quite pinpoint, and he found it intriguing. If he were honest with himself, everything about her was enticing. It wasn’t just her beauty, which any man with eyes could easily identify. There was something about her presence that drew him in.

She was voluptuous in all the most perfect places, and he’d never been with a woman shaped like her. Her breasts were far more than ample, and he imagined her bottom was like a perfect, ripe, juicy peach, just waiting to be bitten into. More importantly, he longed to draw her above all else. Well, perhaps not above all else, but it was high on the list.

Not that such a thing would be possible. She was an unmarried young lady of his society, and it would be far too scandalous to strip her clothes from her. But her beautiful face and her luscious body were that of a siren, calling out to him and luring him in with its song. Theo imagined that her chocolate-colored hair, with strands that almost shined gold, would fall down her back in delicate waves that reached just above her lush bottom.

He had managed to get an introduction, then chastised himself for doing so. Theo was playing with fire, and his body would continue to be as unsatisfied as he had been with each of his finished drawings. He released a low growl behind his snifter of brandy. It was going to be a very long fortnight.

The next morning, he entered the breakfast room. He didn’t take note of who all was seated and went straight for the sideboard. Theo made his selections, loading his plate. He’d always had a healthy appetite, especially at breakfast. A good day began with a good meal. He turned to take a seat and noticed Lady Juliet sitting at the table with an open seat to her right.

Unable to resist the opportunity to be in her presence and gaze upon her, and ever a glutton for punishment in the form of pain between his legs from unsated desire, he set his plate in front of the open seat.

“Might I join you, my lady?” he asked, pulling the chair out so he could sit.

She looked up at him, and something stirred in his ungentlemanly places—or very gentlemanly, depending on how one might look upon it. She was even more beautiful beneath the light of day than the lowly lit salon from the previous evening. And he had been practically ready to play the fool throwing pebbles at her window last night .

When he caught her gaze, he decided that he’d be content to fall into and swim in her grey eyes, which in the morning light took on an almost light purple color. He would sweep their plates to the floor and lay her across the table to feast on her if he weren’t in better control of himself. She was alluring, to say the least, and he had to take his seat before she saw the telling ridge growing in his breeches.

“Of course, my lord.”

Her voice was melodic and further threatened his good sense. He nodded to her and took a seat. Taking a bite of his eggs, he willed his desire to subside.

“I planned to ride this morning, my lord. Are you going to come?” she asked.

He choked on his bite of egg and took a drink of the glass of water in front of him on the table, pushing aside thoughts of what a ride from her might be like. “What was that?” he asked once he recovered, losing all wits to understand what she meant to ask about him. He didn’t dare to hope she had asked about straddling him.

“There is a riding party departing after breakfast,” she replied, eyeing him curiously. “I was just asking if you were going to join.”

He drew a deep breath, clearing his mind of the nefarious thoughts that had crossed his mind at her previous words. “I believe I shall,” he replied before he could think of the consequences of doing so. “Do you think you might wish to accompany me on the ride?”

What was he doing? She was erasing all of his good sense. Putting himself in her presence would not help the tension he now carried in his neck and shoulders. Horseback riding with a steel rod between his legs would be uncomfortable, to say the least.

“I would, my lord,” she replied.

“Do you ride often, my lady?” he asked. His cock throbbed from the question. It was almost as if his dim-witted brain was torturing him on purpose, not allowing him to relent on imagining her in all manner of salacious positions.

She smiled at him, and his powerful reaction to such a simple expression bothered him far more than the notion of her taking a ride on his cock. He wouldn’t allow himself to ponder that for a moment.

“I do. There is nothing quite like the wind blowing in one’s hair and galloping across a field.”

“I quite agree.” He took a bite of his toast, doing his best to avoid the visual of her long hair flowing in the wind.

“Other than perhaps painting,” she said. “That is the one thing that keeps me from spending as much time outdoors. ”

“Oh, so you paint?” he asked, genuinely curious to learn more about the subjects of her art.

“Juliet,” Lady Eliza said from beside her. “We must change if we are to go on the ride.”

Juliet nodded. “You are right,” she said to her friend before returning her attention to Theo. “I shall see you shortly, my lord.”

The ladies took their leave, and he sat at the table with a few other gentlemen. He kept his attention trained on his plate, not wishing to speak with any of them. His thoughts were consumed with the woman who became more intriguing to him by the minute, and he wasn’t certain he cared to acknowledge it. No, he was certain. He didn’t care to acknowledge it.

A half an hour later, Theo stood beside a large grey stallion that had just been saddled by a groom. Juliet stood nearby, holding the reins of a brown gelding. He watched as she used the mounting block and climbed atop the horse to sit side saddle atop the beast. Her movements were some of the most graceful he had ever seen. She had a fluid way in which she moved, and he found he couldn’t look away from her.

What in the devil was wrong with him? He wasn’t the type of man who pined after a woman. He drew their form on parchment, he fucked them—sometimes twice—and he moved on to the next one. But his siren—no, not his—drove him to distraction, and he hadn’t even had a taste of her sweet flesh. And as much as it pained him, he never would. She was a virgin, an innocent, and the most forbidden fruit if he wished to avoid scandal or marriage. Even if this particular fruit could be compared only to ambrosia.

Theo mounted his own horse, hoping that being in the saddle would give him something else to focus on. No such luck when she directed her horse to come up beside him, and he took notice of the way her chest moved as she trotted. He was a cad, looking at her as such, but he mentally defended himself in that he was equally drawn to everything about her, not just the large globes floating beneath her riding habit.

“It’s a beautiful day, is it not?” she said, joy radiating from her. Her energy drew him in, and if he weren’t more careful, he’d hang on her every word like one of the simpering misses he was so skilled at avoiding.

“It is,” he replied. “Looks as if it might rain later, but we should have a pleasant ride. ”

The group departed and their horses fell in step together.

“So you mentioned you paint,” he said, still curious about her art. “What kinds of subjects do you typically use to create your masterpieces?”

“I don’t know if I would call them masterpieces, but anything really. I started with landscapes and inanimate objects and am focused on painting scenes with people now.”

“Have you always painted?” He was curious if it might have been the same for her as it was for him. He hadn’t personally known many others dedicated to art.

“As long as I can remember. I am at my happiest when I have a brush in my hand. I love to paint people and the world the way I see and feel it, not just recreate what it is in front of me.”

His heart almost stopped beating at the way her eyes sparkled when she discussed her passions.

She shook her head, her cheeks adorably pinkened. “I’m probably not making any sense,” she said.

He shook his head. “No, you are making complete sense,” he replied. She understood, which was rare to find. “I feel the very same.”

“Do you also paint, my lord? ”

“I draw. Sketches. I bring my sketchbook with me almost everywhere I go.” He gestured to his horse. “Perhaps not while horseback riding.”

“I would love to see some of your work,” she said.

He grinned. “Perhaps. But I shall need to see your work first to know if I would be too embarrassed by my lack of talent to match your own.” He couldn’t show her his drawings. Showing her drawing after drawing of the naked female form wouldn’t be acceptable in the least. Neither was imagining her experiencing her first climax, and several more after that, on his cock, but that was beside the point.

“I am working on a piece here, actually,” she replied. She glanced to see if anyone was listening to them before speaking again. “I shall sneak you into my chamber to see it if you wish.”

He swallowed hard, not certain that it was the best idea to find himself alone in a bedchamber with her, but he was quickly losing control over himself to make sound decisions. Something else within him had taken over his responses. “I would very much like to see your painting.” And so much more.

After riding for at least an hour, they reached where a picnic had been set up near the water. He remained enamored with her the entire time. They selected one of the blankets with a basket, and no one had joined them. She told him all about some of her paintings, what paints she preferred, and the best lighting for her to do her work.

He shared how he had been fascinated with drawing since he could first hold a charcoal and some of his techniques. He described some drawings he had completed as a boy since those weren’t scandalous to discuss in her presence.

Conversation came easily, and the time passed in an instant. He wasn’t certain he had ever had such a lengthy conversation with a woman, nor revealed so much about himself to anyone besides Thomas.

When the entire group had finished their picnic, Theo went to stand. He brushed off his breeches and turned to help Juliet. He found Viscount Duncan already clasping her hands. He wasn’t even certain where the man had come from.

“My lady, allow me,” the man said. Theo looked at her delicate hands clasped around the man’s and found he didn’t care for it at all.

“Thank you, my lord,” she said, smiling up at the man.

Duncan put her hand in the crook of his arm and escorted her away from the picnic area back towards the horses. Theo followed behind them, listening as best as he could.

“Are you having a pleasant afternoon, my lady?”

“I am, my lord. Are you? ”

“It is not as enjoyable as partnering with you in Pall Mall yesterday, but it appears to be looking up.”

“Indeed,” she said, glancing back towards Theo.

Duncan glanced over his shoulder and smirked at Theo, then returned his attention to Juliet. “I hope to get to know you better over the next several days,” Duncan said, looking down at Juliet’s chest, but Theo was almost certain she hadn’t noticed. He had the urge to shove the man into the grass and refused to think about where such a notion came from.

“I would enjoy that, my lord,” she said. Theo noticed she didn’t sound overly eager about the notion, so perhaps she was merely being polite.

She glanced back at Theo as if she were looking for him. Unfortunately, Duncan took note.

“My friend, Camden, here, has no intention of marrying,” Duncan said, “while I am hoping to find a great love.”

Theo wanted to punch the sweet smile off the man’s face. He would appear churlish if he mentioned he wasn’t friends with the man, but Duncan wasn’t wrong that Theo didn’t have any intention of marrying. Not for a very long time, if ever. Although, based on some of the man’s evening companions, Theo wasn’t certain he believed a love match was the reason for Duncan’s interest in Juliet .

Juliet glanced at Theo, and he fought to keep the scowl from forming on his face.

“Unless you have changed your mind about marriage, Camden?” he asked. The bounder knew what he was doing, attempting to make himself more appealing to Juliet, while reminding her that Theo was nothing but a rake. And Theo couldn’t even argue that point, although he hadn’t ever taken an innocent to his bed. He had some honor, even if it were hanging on by a very loose thread the more time he spent in Juliet’s presence.

“I can’t say that I have, Duncan,” Theo said, grounding out the words with a tight smile.

Duncan laughed. “Best to look out for this one, my lady.”

She glanced at Theo and offered him a small smile.

“Lord Camden has been nothing but a gentleman in my presence,” she said, giving Theo a kind nod.

“I am glad to hear it, my lady,” the man said. “Here, allow me to assist you with your horse.”

He placed his hands on her hips and helped to lift her into her sidesaddle. Theo groaned to himself, mostly for the man’s hands being on her, and to tamp down his own desire to feel her lush form.

“Thank you, my lord.”

Theo hopped into his saddle and walked his horse next to hers to ensure he would be beside her for the ride back. But the odious Duncan caught up to them, joining her on the other side. The man kept her focus on him, asking her about her country home and how her father fared. Theo couldn’t get a word in, but he also didn’t wish to discuss the things he had shared with her in the presence of another, especially Duncan.

Juliet’s horse began to slow its pace. “I believe my horse will struggle to keep up, as I must slow down.”

Theo took his opportunity. “Duncan, will you ride ahead and alert the stables that we may need another horse? I shall stay with the lady in the event she needs assistance.”

As if they had planned it, Juliet smiled at the man. “I would be most appreciative of your assistance, my lord.”

Theo couldn’t help himself and smirked at the man where Juliet couldn’t see. The man smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “It is no trouble, my lady. I am happy to be your white knight.”

Duncan rode off, and Theo was left alone with Juliet. The rest of the party created further distance between them, given the slow pace that Theo and Juliet now traveled.

Theo noted the dark clouds in the sky and hoped they would make it back before the rain began and soaked them .

He wasn’t certain if Juliet might have an interest in Duncan and decided to take the high road and not speak poorly of the man. Even though he wished to rearrange the chap’s face.

“It is surprising that your father allowed you to attend a house party on your own,” Theo finally said.

She shrugged. “Papa knew Eliza would be with me, and he thinks highly of our hosts,” she replied. “He made sure to give me a lecture before he left.”

“What is it that fathers lecture their unwed daughters about?” He had an idea, and he was almost certain her father wouldn’t appreciate Theo being anywhere within his daughter’s presence.

“No sneaking off with a gentleman, avoid men who defile innocents, only accept a man who will love and respect me as I am,” she said, waving her hand. “Things like that.”

“So your father hopes for you to find a love match?” he asked. Such a thing was rare in their society. Theo wasn’t certain he was even capable of the emotion any longer. Losing his brother hardened his heart to feel much for anyone or anything, other than the promise he made and his art—and a good tup. He wasn’t fool enough to mistake passion for love .

She nodded. “Very much so. He was very much in love with my mama.” She paused and glanced over at him. “In truth, I’m not certain I wish to wed.”

“I’m not certain I have met a young lady who didn’t have her heart set on marriage.”

“I have my painting and my own dreams and plans. I couldn’t marry a man who would interfere and not allow me to pursue my craft.”

Theo could relate. He had similar feelings about his drawing. Society would frown on a titled peer publicly pursuing his art, but what he did away from the eye of the ton was of no consequence. He had promised his brother he would protect the title and estates, and being ostracized from society for being paid for his drawings would not uphold that promise. So he drew in private. Only Juliet was aware—to an extent—of his secret, if you could call it that. He imagined it was far worse for a woman set on pursuing such things.

Her horse suddenly stopped and slowed its pace, startled by another loud rumble of thunder. “I don’t believe he can continue, my lord.”

She climbed from her gelding, and Theo halted his horse and jumped down to join her.

“Please, call me Theo. I know it isn’t proper, but I give you leave to do so when we are alone. The formalities feel wholly unnecessary after all we have shared with each other.”

Juliet petted her horse. “All right, Theo,” she said, trying it out. He found he quite liked the way she said his name. “But you must call me Juliet or Jules. Only my closest friends do so.”

“Jules,” he said, “It suits you.”

There was another crack of lightning and then an enormous crash of thunder. Juliet jumped, and in a quick reaction, Theo pulled her into his arms. She smelled of jasmine, and he fought not to bury his nose into her neck and hair.

“I believe we are going to get drenched, Theo.”

The sound of his nickname on her tongue only heightened his desire to keep holding her against him.

Forcing himself to release her, he stepped back and looked up at the sky. “We must tie up your horse and send someone to fetch him. You shall ride with me, and I will try to get us back as quickly as possible.”

She looked up at him. “If you are certain.”

“I don’t want you to catch a cold from getting caught in the rain,” he said.

He looked back at his horse and the realization that she would ride on his lap hit him and his cock twitched in response. She was going to tempt him to distraction. It was as if the universe was testing him and his ability to maintain his honor. But he meant what he said, and he had to get her back as quickly as possible.

A raindrop hit her cheek, and he instinctively brushed it away with his thumb. An action that was far too intimate, and he wasn’t certain why he did so.

“I think you are right,” she said, glancing up at the sky.

He tied the reins of her horse to a nearby tree, ensuring it was safely under the cover its leaves provided, then grabbed Juliet’s hand, pulling her with him to his own horse.

“I will pull you up in just a moment. You are going to need to straddle me so we can return quickly.”

She nodded and wrapped her arms around herself as the wind picked up.

He drew a steadying breath and hopped into his saddle. Once seated, he reached down for her and pulled her to him. She swung her leg over the horse and lifted her skirts so she could straddle his lap. Once she was seated, he was far too aware that her cunt was pressed against his cock. The dratted fabric from his breeches served as a barrier. He was already half erect before he had pulled her up, so he could only hope she wouldn’t notice when the bulge grew harder.

She shivered, and he pulled her close. “Wrap your arms around me and hold on. ”

Juliet did as he said and her head rested on his shoulder, facing him, so his chin blocked some of the raindrops from her face. He glanced down at her, and his heart nearly leapt from his chest. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

“Are you ready?” he asked, his voice a gravelly whisper.

She nodded against him.

He flicked the reins and started his horse. Once he increased speed, he wrapped one of his arms around her to ensure she was secure against him. The scent of jasmine and the feel of her soft, voluptuous form against him drove him to distraction. With every canter, it bounced her on top of his lap, sending small waves of pleasure coursing through him. Part of him hoped she felt it, too. Part of him hoped the movement might give her a first taste of pleasure, even if an unorthodox one.

He was far too tempted to ditch the notion of returning to the stables and find one of the hunting cabins to take her to instead. Shaking off the urge and remembering his honor, he continued and resolved to return to the stables.

The rain picked up, and the droplets streamed down his face. She gripped him tighter and buried her face in his neck. He had some unspoken need to protect her. He tightened his hold on her and rested his chin on her head. The maddening rock of her hips on his being was just enough to make him acutely aware that a beautiful woman sat on his lap and stoked every flame of desire, but was not quite enough pressure to drive him to spend.

They caught up with the rest of the riding party just as everyone reached the stables.

Part of him was annoyed that he had to remove her from his hold, but he needed to get her warm and dry. He also needed to get his cock to settle, and that wouldn’t be possible with her in his arms.

He lifted her down to her feet, hoping the others wouldn’t notice how they rode in together. He hopped down and caught a groom’s attention to let him know about the horse they had left behind. Duncan must have ditched his mission to provide any aid when the rain began. Some knight , Theo huffed to himself.

“Please allow me to escort you to your chamber to seek dry clothes. It’s the least I can do, Jules.” Where was his mind to overrule the wants of his body and his heart? No, not his heart. That would be utter madness.