Chapter 7

Lilah couldn’t sleep. She’d been tossing and turning in her bed for hours now. Nothing seemed to help her find rest. Her mind kept whirling with all that had happened. The ball hadn’t been the disaster she’d predicted it to be. It had been much, much worse…

Never would she have imagined that not only would Henry, because he was no longer just Lord Harcrest to her, would have kissed her. She wouldn’t have even believed she would want him to. He’d been the enemy. The one person she should and had hated. Her feelings for him were far more complex now. Lilah didn’t fully understand what it was she did feel for him.

He’d charmed her for certain. She believed him when he expressed remorse, and now that he’d brought up the incident, she wondered as well if he had uttered her name that night. Why else had everyone assumed he’d been speaking of her? What made them believe he’d disparaged her character so ruthlessly when they had barely known each other? He must have mentioned her specifically. Nothing else made any sense.

She was coming to know him well. They had been at the house party now for a sennight and he’d made an effort to speak to her often. He even handled her constant sniping with grace. His sister had plotted with them to bring him to his downfall. Lilah didn’t understand any of it. She thought back to what Emma had said about her brother. Her brother was failing to do his duty. He had to marry. The title demanded an heir. What he’d done to her was awful and he should pay for that.

Not once had Emma claimed to not love her brother, or that she wanted to harm him. It had all been about what he should do for the title, and it would be for his own good. As if she was helping him get out of his own way. But wouldn’t Emma want her brother to have a happy marriage? Why was she so determined to have him find a wife? Perhaps it was time to have a private conversation with Miss Emma Collins. There were some things that just did not add up…

For now, though, sleep remained elusive. She would go down to the library and find something to read. It might help her become drowsy. Perhaps a tome on farming equipment or another book of that sort she’d find dull. Lilah rose from her bed and donned her wrap. She secured the tie around her waist and then lit a candle to help guide her way. Lilah took the candlestick in her hand and strolled out of her room. She’d become familiar with the abbey during her visit. It helped to explore it and avoid some of the unpleasantness the guests bestowed upon her.

As she strolled down the hallway, Lilah considered the evening. The reasons she had trouble sleeping. Why her mind continued to whirl like the motions of a well-executed waltz. From that tantalizing dance, to the not so soothing walk in the maze, right down to the toe-curling kiss that left her breathless, and feeling a little wanton. It all came back to one man. The one man she shouldn’t desire. The one man she now wanted desperately, but could never admit as much. That would mean accepting what he had done, and Lilah couldn’t ever do that. Could she?

She entered the library and set the candle down on one of the tables near the bookshelf she believed had all the boring tomes. She nibbled on her bottom lip as she looked them over. Lilah plucked one off of the shelf and grimaced. A Gentleman’s guide to Agricultural history… Wholly sleep-inducing reading material. It was perfect.

“Late night reading?”

Lilah froze. How did he always manage to find her? And at this ungodly hour… Slowly, she turned to face him. “Hello, my lord.”

He shook his head and sighed. “I thought we were done with that, my lord, business. No one is around, love. Use my name, and I do not mean my title.”

It was her turn to sigh. “It’s not proper and you know it. Why are you encouraging me to adapt bad behavior?”

“A little inappropriate behavior never hurt anyone.” He winked. The candlelight did wonderful things for his handsome face. “I fully endorse a little naughtiness. It’s good for the soul.”

She rolled her eyes. “You would say that. Do you ever stop and consider what that type of behavior does to innocents?”

“Like yourself, you mean?” He strolled farther into the library until they were standing directly in front of each other. “I wronged you by my actions.”

“You did,” she confirmed. “And while we cannot change that…”

“I can stop myself from repeating that mistake again.” He nodded. “I agree.”

“You do?” She’d thought he couldn’t surprise her again, and yet he continued to do so. At every turn, he said or did something that made her have to reconsider what she believed of him. “Tell me something, Henry.” She used his name as he had asked. It even felt natural to do so.

He grinned. “That wasn’t so terrible now, was it?”

“What?” She lifted a brow. “You haven’t even heard the question yet.”

Henry nodded. “And I’ll answer whatever it is you wish to ask, but that’s not what I was referring to.” He leaned a little closer and brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Say it again.” His tone was soft and coaxing, and she found herself wanting to give him anything he asked. But she couldn’t.

He was a by far the most incorrigible man she’d ever met. “Your name, you mean?” Lilah shrugged, as if it meant nothing. “You’re right. We are alone. I see no reason to deny your request in such circumstances.” She tilted her lips upward into a sultry smile. She didn’t even know she could do such a thing, but here she was. Doing it. Perhaps she could deny him nothing after all. “Henry.”

He closed his eyes and sighed. “Yes, love. Just like that. My name on your lips…” Henry opened his eyes and met her gaze. “It’s like a piece of heaven.” He smiled. “Now ask your question.”

“Why are you here? Now.”

“In the library?” he asked. He frowned. “If you must know, I’ve had trouble sleeping.”

“Me as well,” she admitted and held up the book. “I thought this might help.” She tilted her head to the side. “Why are you having difficulty resting?”

She would not admit to him that he was the reason she had been tossing and turning, but she was curious. Lilah had always been far too curious for her own good.

“Well,” he said, then sighed, again. “It is the darnedest thing.”

Lilah frowned. “What?”

“Ever since I’ve been here, strange things have been happening to me, and it is always at night. It’s as if someone doesn’t wish me to have any sleep while I am here. I may take to napping because of it. The first night I was here, there was a snake in my bed. An actual snake. It was harmless, but still…”

“Disturbing,” she supplied. She inwardly grimaced. Lilah had forgotten about the pranks that were going to be played on him. Emma had apparently stuck to that plan. “And tonight?”

“Something sticky,” he admitted. “I’m afraid to discover what that substance consisted of.” He shuddered. “I don’t wish to disturb the servants and have new bed linens brought up. Hence why I am here prowling the library in the dead of night.”

“How terrible.” Lilah frowned. “Do you know who is doing it?”

“I had thought perhaps it was you,” he said. That startled her. “But I’ve since reconsidered. You are far more direct.” He leaned a little closer. “Though if you would like to join me in my bedchamber, you’re always welcome.”

How dare he… Then she realized something. She wanted to join him in bed. Lilah had enjoyed his kiss, and she would never marry now. He had a reputation for a reason. What would he do if she took him up on that offer? Would he make love to her or run away in terror?

Lilah studied him for a moment and then looked down at the book still in her hands. Perhaps sleep wasn’t the answer. She glanced back up at him. “As your bed is currently a sticky mess, I must decline your generous offer.” Then she smiled at him. A sultry smile that was mischievous and full of promise. “But perhaps you can join me in mine.”

* * *

Henry blinked. Several times. He had to have heard her incorrectly. Surely she had just not invited him to her bed. This must be some sort of sleep deprived hallucination. This was a fantasy, nothing more. He wanted her. Desperately. He desired her beyond all reason. Especially after that kiss… The kiss he should not have stolen, but he didn’t regret for one moment.

“Join you,” he managed to force out those words. “In your bed.”

“Yes,” she said. Her tone was bold and firm. She didn’t stutter. “In my bed.”

He stared at her and continued to blink stupidly. “In your bed,” he repeated.

“What part of that is troubling you?” she asked. “The bed part or that it is mine?”

“The part where you’re extending the invitation at all.” Henry narrowed his gaze. “I don’t believe you wish for me to join you. In your bed. That is the two of us… Do you even know what you’re asking?” He hated that he even questioned it at all. Henry had to be certain of what she asked from him. There had to be no regrets. Not if he wanted it to be real between them, and he did.

“What do you believe?” She lifted her hand and cupped his cheek. “That I would lie to you? That I don’t know my own mind?” Lilah stepped even closer to him. So close he could feel the heat from her body and he wanted to pull her flush against him. His cock hardened and he wanted to believe her. He wanted to claim her. Henry needed to make her his. His forever. If that was even possible.

“I do not think you would lie to me,” he said. “But I have learned from my mistakes. If you regretted any of this…”

“I promise you,” she said. “I won’t. Are we going to continue to discuss this or will you come back to my bedchamber with me?” She tilted her head to the side. “Unless you would rather stay here.”

“Here?” Surely, she didn’t mean he should make love to her in the library. “Wouldn’t you be afraid someone would discover us?”

She shrugged. “Would it even matter? They already believe the worst of me.”

Henry shook his head. “If I am to do as you suggest,” he began. “I want to strip you naked and kiss you all over. We cannot do that here.” He closed his eyes because now that image plagued him. “Be certain.”

“I have never been more certain of anything in my life.” She ran her fingers over his shoulder. He shuddered from that light touch. “Are you coming with me or not?”

He nodded. Henry had lost all ability to speak. This was going to happen. He gestured toward the book she had in her other hand. The hand that hadn’t been caressing him. “More poetry?”

“No,” she said as she glanced at the book. “Not even close.” She grinned. “I won’t need this after all.” She set it on the table. “Let’s go, Henry. I expect you to ravish me completely. I am already ruined. I may as well enjoy my sordid reputation.” She plucked the candlestick from the table and he followed behind her.

When they reached her bedchamber, she set the candlestick on a table and turned to him. She stared up at him expectantly. He closed the door behind him and enjoyed the sight of her for a moment. Soon he’d have her completely bare, but for now, he wanted to savor this moment. Then he prowled forward, intending to do all the things he’d imagined.

“Henry,” she said. “I don’t know what to do.”

He smiled. “Then it’s fortunate I do.” He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. He would have to take his time with her. She was an innocent. His first innocent. Henry would do all of it this right. She deserved far better than him, but she’d chosen him. He would not let her down.

Henry deepened the kiss and she moaned. He slid his hand down to her waist and pulled her flush against him as he had imagined earlier, then untied her dressing gown and pushed it off her shoulders. She wound her arms around his neck and moved against.

He slid his hand over her breasts and rubbed his fingers over her tight nipple. She moaned as he circled the tight bud. Lilah writhed beneath him and with each movement she pressed herself against his hard cock. He moaned each time as pleasure spread over him. “I need this off.” He pulled on her shift. She stepped back and pulled it over her head. He groaned at the sight. Her breasts were far lovelier than he could ever have imagined.

Henry had to touch her again. He moved toward her and then leaned down to suck one of those tight buds into his mouth. He licked and nipped at it until she squirmed, then he started all over again with the other breast.

“Henry,” she said his name breathlessly. “I need.”

“I know, love,” he said. “I know.” He lifted her into his arms and carried her over to the bed. The bed linens were rumpled. A sure sign of restless sleep. He laid her down and then trailed kisses down her belly until he reached the apex of her thighs. He kissed the inside of each thigh and then settled at her core.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Preparing you,” he said. “Kissing you.” Henry said nothing else. He just pressed his lips to that sensitive nub and sucked, then licked. She moaned with each swipe of his tongue. He pressed a finger into her and stroked as he licked. She put her hands on his head and he thought she’d push him away. Instead, she pulled him closer and held onto his hair as if she was afraid he would stop. Henry didn’t intend to do anything of the sort. At least not until she came apart under his kisses and he tasted her release.

When she found her pleasure, her screams might very well wake the entire household. He savored the sound. Then slowly he pulled away and stripped his own clothes off. He joined her in the bed and pressed a kiss to her lips. “Do you trust me?”

“Yes,” she said. “That cannot be all. But dear God, I have never felt anything so pleasurable.”

“I’m going to come inside you now, love,” he said. “I am going to go slow. If you need me to stop, tell me. I want this to be good for you.”

“It will be,” she said. “Because it’s you.”

He wanted to believe that. Lord knew he did. Henry slid into her. Just a little bit and waited. She didn’t tell him to stop, so he moved a little farther, and waited again.

“Must you go so slow,” she nearly whined with the need that seemed to plague her. She lifted her hips and then placed her hands on his arse. She pulled him into her and he couldn’t do anything to stop her. Hell, a part of him didn’t want to.

He moaned. “Lilah, love,” he said. “Are you all right?”

“Why wouldn’t I be,” she said as moved beneath him. “You feel so good.”

He groaned. She felt so bloody good, too. “You’re not hurting?”

“No,” she said. “There was a small pinch. I just need so much.”

He lowered his head and took a deep breath. Henry kissed her as he moved within her. He stroked his tongue over hers as he slowly slid in and out of her tight sheathe. Her moans of pleasure were like music that encouraged him to continue at that slow, repetitive pace. At least until he lost all ability to think and started to move faster and faster. Her channel rippled over him and drew his seed out of him with an intensity he hadn’t been prepared for. His climax hit him like a wave that nearly drowned him with pleasure. He fell limp on top of her, but he had enough sense to roll them to their side.

Henry should have regrets. He never should have taken advantage of her. He could not find a reason to have any of those regrets, and he damn well intended to make love to her again. Several times. Every day if he had his way. Because she might not know it yet, but he intended to keep her. She was his, and now he just had to convince her of that.