A Taste of Paradise (28 page)

Sophia was quick to notice how easily Amanda used Chris's given name.

“Amanda,” Agatha chided, “you're embarrassing dear Sophia.”

“Oh, pooh, Auntie, we both know I hated Dartmore; he was thirty years my senior. The marriage was arranged by my parents, I had no choice in the matter.”

“I'm sorry your marriage was an unhappy one,” Sophia said. “Have you known Chris a long time?”

Amanda's eyes gleamed. “Long enough.”

Flustered, Agatha shot Amanda a startled look and abruptly changed the subject. The three women exchanged small talk until the men returned to the parlor for lunch. Sophia excused herself to see to the preparations and order a table set up on the patio overlooking the garden. When she returned, she noted that Amanda had Chris cornered and was conversing earnestly with him. The Chesters were noticeably absent.

“What happened to Lord and Lady Chester?” Sophia asked.

“They were summoned home,” Chris said. “One of their children had sustained a minor injury, and Lady Agatha wished to return to Orchid Manor immediately.”

“I preferred to remain and enjoy the company of people closer to my own age,” Amanda explained. “Christian generously placed his carriage at my disposal. I hope you don't mind, Sophia. Chris and I have a great deal to discuss.”

“Of course I don't mind,” Sophia replied, resisting the urge to grit her teeth. They repaired to the patio. Sophia saw to the removal of two place settings and joined them at the table.

“Weren't you Sophia Carlisle before your marriage?” Amanda asked presently. She tapped her chin. “Now, why does the name sound familiar? Perhaps it will come to me.”

“Drop it, Amanda,” Chris warned. “How long ago did Dartmore pass? Were you with him when it happened?”

Amanda batted her eyes at him. Apparently, Chris and Amanda had been intimate friends at one time, Sophia deduced, and jealousy reared its ugly head.

Amanda sent Chris a beguiling smile. “You know perfectly well Dartmore and I weren't close. I was in Town and he was in the country when he passed four months ago. Like most married couples, we found it expedient to live separate lives. That's the best plan, don't you agree, Chris?”

Sophia waited for Chris's answer. Would he prefer to live apart from her like Amanda and her husband?

“If that arrangement worked for you, then I'm pleased you and your husband found a measure of happiness in your marriage.”

His noncommittal answer pleased Sophia.

Amanda batted him playfully. “I commend you on your diplomacy, Chris, but I found no happiness whatsoever in my marriage.” She stared pointedly at him. “There were some advantages in being married to an older man, however, as I'm sure you're aware. Was yours an arranged marriage? You never mentioned you were getting married when you visited me in London before you sailed off to Jamaica.”

Chris could almost taste the hostility between Amanda and Sophia and wondered if his wife suspected that he and Amanda had been lovers. He had to warn Amanda to keep their past to herself.

“One might call our marriage arranged, but not in the way you probably think,” Chris said truthfully. “I chose to wed Sophia, but neither of us expected to end up married to each other. It's complicated.”

Amanda looked confused. “I don't understand.”

“Perhaps Chris can explain,” Sophia said, rising abruptly. “Please excuse me, there's something in the kitchen I must attend to. I'm sure my husband will entertain you in my absence.”

Chris stared after Sophia, aware of her displeasure. What had she expected him to say? Did she want him to declare his undying love? Avow that theirs was a love match?

Amanda grasped his arm. “I would enjoy a stroll through your garden, Christian. It's lovely. I've never seen such an array of flowers. The colors are magnificent.”

“It's grown rather wild, but Sophia and I like the untamed look.”

Amanda licked her lips, rose on her toes and kissed him on the mouth. “Untamed, yes; you always were one to enjoy the taming of wild things. We were good together, weren't we, Chris?”

“That was a long time ago, Amanda.”

He guided her along the winding garden path, only half listening while she chatted about anything that popped into her head. When they reached the place where the jungle encroached upon the garden, she stopped and pushed her breasts suggestively against his arm.

“I might be convinced to remain in Jamaica,” she purred, “if you gave me a tiny bit of encouragement.”

Chris pushed her away. “I'm married, Amanda. Why did you come to Jamaica?”

“I came for
you
, obviously. I had no idea you were married.” She glared up at him. “You don't love your wife; you as much as admitted it. Besides, if I remember correctly, there is a scandal associated with her name.”

Chris scowled. “Shall we change the subject?”

She moved closer to Chris, until he could smell the musky scent of her lust. He felt as if he were being stalked by a predator. Not only was Amanda a beauty, but she was an enthusiastic lover. Some things a man never forgets. His cock gave an involuntary jerk, and he cursed his body's involuntary response to her sexual overtures. It wasn't as if he wanted Amanda; he just couldn't stop his spontaneous reaction.

“You've always known how I feel about you, Chris. Just say the word and we can be lovers again.”

“Amanda, you are an alluring woman, but I think you should set your sights elsewhere. I don't need a lover, I have a wife.”

She laughed. The grating sound set Chris's nerves on edge. “I've already set my sights on someone, do you have any objections?”

“None at all, as long as it isn't me.”

Reaching up, Amanda wound her arms around Chris's neck and pulled him down for a kiss. Her lips were soft, lush, the promise in them apparent. Chris fell into the kiss reluctantly, wondering why this she-devil had picked him to torment when London was full of men.

When she came up for air, she sent him an enticing smile. “It
is
you, Chris.” Then she pulled his head down for another kiss.

A bush rustled. “Excuse me—am I interrupting something?”

Chris pushed Amanda away, searching his mind for an explanation.

“Oh, no, Sophia, you're not interrupting,” Amanda purred. “I was just enjoying the garden and your husband's company. We
are
intimate friends, after all.” She sent Chris a seductive smile. “I hope to continue our . . . conversation at a later date.”

Chris groaned inwardly. He couldn't be alone with Amanda again. The woman was a troublemaker, and he had enough trouble for one lifetime.

Chris did the only thing he could think of to get himself out of an uncomfortable situation. “It's time I returned to the distillery, ladies. We lost valuable time during the hurricane and its aftermath, so every hand is needed. It was a pleasure seeing you again, Lady Amanda. My carriage will be waiting to take you home whenever you are ready. Sophia, I'll see you at dinner tonight.”

“The pleasure is all mine, I assure you,” Amanda replied. “I'll see you again soon, Chris.”

Turning on his heel, Chris made a hasty exit.

Amanda regarded Sophia with cool composure. “I suppose you saw your husband kissing me.”

“It seemed to me that you were doing the kissing,” Sophia shot back. “How well do you know Chris?”

“Intimately, if you know what I mean.”

Sophia bristled. “I don't care what you were to Christian in the past. Keep away from him. I'm not going to stand by idly while another woman seduces my husband.”

“I know men, and believe me when I say Chris is ripe for seduction.”

“I'll thank you to stay away from him in the future.”

“Stay away? Indeed no. I'm finding Jamaica to my liking. Shall we return to the house? It's time I left.”

As far as Sophia was concerned, it was past time. How had Chris become involved with a wanton little vixen like Amanda? Why were the Chesters not aware of her wicked nature? Was she the only one who saw Amanda for what she really was? Now she knew why a woman of Amanda's sophisticated tastes would leave the comforts of London for Jamaica. She had followed Chris.

Sophia postponed dinner when Chris failed to return to the house and she finally ate alone. She retired immediately afterward. Lady Amanda's visit had left her exhausted and feeling inadequate.

Kateena was brushing Sophia's hair when Chris entered the bedroom. He must have just bathed, for his hair was wet. He dismissed Kateena with a wave of his hand. She bobbed a curtsy and left.

“I'm sorry about dinner. A piece of machinery broke down and I couldn't leave until it was fixed. I ate leftovers from the kitchen when I returned.”

“Would you like to explain about this afternoon?”

“If you're referring to that little episode in the garden with Amanda—”

“Little episode? Is that what you call it? The woman followed you to Jamaica to continue your affair. You were kissing her. What does that say about our relationship?”

“You're making too much of it, Sophia. For your information, Amanda kissed me. And I didn't invite her to Jamaica. I said good-bye to her in London and thought that was the end of it.”

“Did you enjoy the kiss?”

Chris flushed. “Not exactly.”

“What
exactly
did you feel?”

“Surprise, mostly. Amanda was the last person I expected to see at Sunset Hill. You believe me, don't you?”

Sophia turned away. “The evidence was pretty damning. I don't want you to be alone with your former mistress again.”

“Hardly a mistress, Sophia. I only saw her during my occasional visits to London.”

“She's a man-eater. I don't know what the Chesters were thinking to invite a woman of loose morals into their home.”

A smile turned up the corners of Chris's mouth. “You're jealous.”

Hands on hips, eyes defiant, she glared at him. “You've given me sufficient reason to be.”

Curling his arms around her waist, he brought her against him, bent his head and kissed her, little nibbling kisses on her mouth and down her throat. She arched her neck, breathing deeply of his essence, of the clean smell of soap. He held her close with one arm about her slim waist and pressed his face in the hollow between her breasts. His tongue flicked out and he licked her skin.

“You taste delicious.”

Sophia's skin felt on fire. But she had to find the strength to stop him, no matter how difficult it might be. Breathless, shaking with suppressed need, she pushed against his chest. Chris backed away, cocking his head to stare at her.

“What is it now?”

“I want to discuss Lady Amanda.”

“Later.” He reached for her. This time she went willingly into his arms.

He bore her to the bed and began to make slow, sensual love to her, leaving no part of her body unattended. With hands and mouth and tongue, he aroused her until she lay quivering beneath him. But when he would have completed the act, she pushed him onto his back and lifted herself astride him.

Her blue eyes gleamed with wicked delight. “It's my turn to torture you.”

She felt his body jerk in response and smiled. Then she lowered her head and licked his flat nipples. He let out a curse. She didn't let his pained expression stop her as she slowly and thoroughly kissed and licked down the length of his body. When she took his engorged staff into her hands and ran her tongue over the tip, he nearly bucked her off the bed.

“You don't have to do that, love,” he gasped breathlessly.

She raised her head. “I want to.”

She continued to lavish her undivided attention on his throbbing sex until he roared an oath, lifted her up and thrust hard and deep inside her weeping center. She tightened her muscles around him, savoring the feel of him stretching her, thrusting deep and fast inside her.

She panted. She moaned. She lifted her hips to meet his passionate assault. Then suddenly the tempest building inside her burst into a thousand bright stars of shimmering joy. Every muscle in her body contracted. Dimly she heard Chris shout her name, and then she closed her eyes to savor his release and the aftermath of her own.

Arms and legs entwined, Sophia relaxed against Chris. She could tell by his even breathing that he was nearly asleep.

“Chris.”

“Hmmm?”

“What did Lord Chester wish to speak to you about?”

He sighed. “Can't it wait until morning?”

“No, you usually leave the house before I awaken.”

“Very well, what do you want to know?”

“Lord Chester. What did he want?”

“Trouble has erupted on his plantation. His slaves are upset about the long hours they've had to work to restore the plantation after the hurricane and have retaliated in small ways. He's afraid the situation will only get worse.”

“Did you tell him what Udamma said?”

“Telling planters to free their slaves is a waste of breath. In fact, they hold me responsible for causing dissatisfaction among the slave population because I freed my slaves when they didn't.”

“That's ludicrous!”

“Tell that to Chester and the others. This situation was a long time in the making. I'm afraid it's going to come to a head soon.”

“What do Lord Chester and the others intend to do?”

“Chester is sending Lady Agatha and the children to England on the first available ship. He thinks I should send you home with them.”

Sophia shot up. “I'll do no such thing! Surely you're not considering it, are you?”

“I'm tired; can't we discuss this later?”

“We most definitely will not discuss it later.”

“If you must know, I'm seriously considering it. You can stay with my brother and his wife until it's safe to return. Go to sleep; nothing is final yet.”