Enticing Miss Eugenie Villaret (21 page)

Damnation!
Fate had it out for him. Doing the only thing he could under the circumstance, he bowed. “Until morning.”

Eugénie cast him a forlorn look. He took her hand and kissed it. “Dream of me.”

She raised his fingers to her lips. “I shall.”

His aunt’s expression hadn’t changed from polite indulgence.
Drat
. Somehow Aunt Sidonie had found them out. How much longer was he going to have to wait for Eugénie?

O
nce more in his chamber, Nathan pulled a chair to the door, sitting heavily. If he heard footsteps coming his way, he’d bolt into the bed. The sounds of two pairs of booted feet pounded up the stairs. The main door opened, and Vincent greeted the new arrivals. He played a dangerous game keeping Conrad in the main salon for the visitors to see.

“Good afternoon, messieurs.” Vincent’s voice was a mix of haughtiness and welcome. “How may I assist you?”

“We are searching for a runaway slave.” There was a pause. “He is hard to miss.”

“Yes,” said a second man. “We believe he was aided by a mulatta.”

“I have not seen such a person. In fact, I have not left my house to-day, and the only gentleman I have seen is my old friend, Baron von Miskolc.”

“May we speak with him?”

“You can, of course, try, but he speaks nothing but Hungarian. The only French he has been able to learn are curses.” Silence reigned for a few moments, and finally one of the men said, “If he is very large, we would like to see him.”

“
Naturellement
, but understand he is old and has been quite ill. His greatest wish was to visit our islands, but he fell sick a few days after he arrived. I have arranged passage for him back to Europe this afternoon. Please do not indicate by your expressions how poorly he looks.”

Conrad erupted in gibberish. If the stakes hadn’t been so high, Nathan might have laughed. As it was, he held his breath. If they passed this test, the rest would be easy. A few moments later, someone grunted as though he’d been hit.

“Excuse us, monsieur,” one of the men said. “We will bother you no longer.”

“I understand. Quite appalling, is it not?”

The upper door closed. Shortly afterwards the bottom door slammed shut as well. Nathan let out the breath he’d been holding.

He moved the chair back just before Vincent entered. “You heard?”

“Yes, what made them leave in such a hurry?”

Vincent’s lips twitched. “Conrad hit one of the men in the stomach with his cane, and really the maquillage is such that he appears quite gruesome.”

“Let’s get the others out and ready.”

Miss Marshall was fitted with a stylish wig in light brown, and gown to match, and the others in the street clothing of servants to a wealthy aristocrat.

“Nathan,” Vincent said, “you will escort Miss Marshall along the promenade while Monsieur le Baron and his servants board the ship. Take the stairs on the north side. A dory will await you.”

Nathan clasped his friend’s hand. “I can’t thank you enough for all you’re doing.”

“We are not done yet.” Vincent grinned. “I shall accompany you on the voyage. I have a great desire to see your lovely wife and daughter again.”

Nathan shook his head. “Eugénie?”

“Alas, no, my friend,” Vincent said in a tragic tone as he placed his hand over his heart. “Jeanne has captured my heart. Eugénie is too savvy for an old man like me. She would try to change me.”

Vincent was right. Eugénie was a force to be dealt with. Nathan hoped her uncle had not got to her yet. Instead of giving himself over to circumstances he had as yet no control over, he gave his friend a look of mock sternness. “Be careful you don’t make my youngest promises you can’t keep.”

“Ah,
bah
,” Vincent scoffed. “I will be dead before she comes out.”

“Not unless you plan on dying in the next twelve years,” Nathan retorted.

His friend’s jaw dropped. “She is that old already? Time moves too quickly, my friend.”

“It does indeed.” Nathan clasped Vincent’s shoulder. “When it is time for Jeanne to marry, she could do worse than a man like you.”

Vincent grinned. “But much younger than I am, I hope.”

“Yes.” Nathan smiled. “Much younger.”

Vincent’s valet joined their small party. “The baggage has been sent to the docks, monsieur. I shall collect the papers on my way there.”

“We’ll come immediately,” Vincent responded. “Do you have the carriage ready?”

“Oui
.
”

“Very well, Baron, we must depart.”

Conrad leaned heavily on his cane, giving every impression he could barely walk.

Vincent grabbed Nathan and kissed him on both cheeks. “We shall see you soon. Be careful.”

“You as well,” Nathan said.

Miss Marshall watched, concern etched in her features, as the rest of their little group left. Getting to the ship was the most dangerous part.

“They will be all right,” Nathan assured her.

She turned to him. “I can only trust in God.”

A half hour later, the dresser fussed with Miss Marshall’s gown and placed a wide-brimmed bonnet on her head before stepping back. “
Bon
. You will do.”

Nathan held an arm out to her. “Are you ready to take the air, ma’am?”

“Yes indeed.” She placed her hand on his arm. “Lead on.”

When they reached the street, the hairs on Nathan’s neck pricked, but he stared straight ahead. They were being watched, and it wouldn’t do for anyone to see his concern.

Eugénie flopped back in her bed, then punched the pillow. Mama’s talk consisted of the information that Eugénie probably wouldn’t enjoy her first experience in the marriage bed as there would be some pain, but with a considerate husband, she would grow to enjoy it. Then one of the nursemaids brought Jeanne up to her mother. She’d had a bad dream and wouldn’t settle, giving Eugénie the excuse to repair to her own chamber. Unfortunately, William was probably on his way back to the hotel.

This was so unfair. When she finally wanted William’s attentions with her whole heart, and he wanted her, they were parted. If only she’d thought to give him the gate key. No, even that would not have worked. He thought she’d be spending the night with her mother.

She groaned and tried not to think about his caresses and kisses. Yet her breasts swelled with want and a strange throbbing started between her legs. She let out a low moan.

“I hope that was for me.” Humor tinged William’s voice.

Eugénie struggled to free the sheets entangling her legs. “How did you know I’d be here?”

“Andrew and I were on the steps talking, when I heard one of your sisters cry out.” He found the overlap in the mosquito netting around her bed and sat. “Having younger brothers and sisters, I knew it was just a matter of time before you’d return to your chamber.” William took her hand and kissed it. “I waited until I was sure your maid was gone.”

“How clever of you.” She took his palm, pressing it against her cheek. “Will you stay with me?”

“If you still want me.” He lifted her onto his lap. “What did your mother tell you?”

Eugénie burrowed her head in his neck and breathed in. The scent of the salve was still present, but under it was his own very male musk. “That I would not enjoy marital relations the first time, but if you were a good husband, I’d come to like it.” She raised her head and trailed her tongue along his jaw as he’d done to her. “I still want you.”

“Let me see if I can make you enjoy our love making the first time.” She started to untie his cravat. “We need a light and a towel.”

Eugénie stopped. She hated to ask, then again, he knew she had no knowledge of the act. “Why?”

“The towel because you might bleed a bit.”

“Bleed?”
Maman had not mentioned that part.

“When your maidenhead tears.” William drew her closer. “I’m sorry, my love. Perhaps I shouldn’t have mentioned it. From what I understand the pain is not much.”

“No.” Why did it have to hurt at all? “I would rather comprehend what will occur.”

William’s tone roughened as if he were in pain. “We can wait, if you wish.”

Eugénie leaned back, trying to search his face in the dark. “Will that change anything?”

He shook his head. “No, but it might allow you to accustom yourself.”

Or make a mountain out of a molehill.
She took a breath. “I do not wish to wait.” She made herself smile. “Now tell me why you want the light.”

William kissed the corner of her lips, then nibbled his way down her neck. “Because I need to see you, my darling. God, Eugénie, it feels as if I’ve been waiting an eternity for you.”

His hard, firm lips pressed on hers. She opened her mouth to him, reveling in his taste. He lifted his head, breaking the kiss.

“Flint in my bedside table.”

Papa had built the netting on frames that stood out a few feet from the beds, so that one could move around at night and not set the fabric on fire or trip over it.

Eugénie closed her eyes against the light when it flared. When she opened them Wivenly’s jacket and waistcoat were already on the foot of the bed. He untied his cravat. It was so intricate she would never have got it undone. The rash around his neck was already improved, but she renewed her vow never to allow his valet to do something like that again. What a thing to think of now, yet from this night on, she would be, in effect, his wife and responsible for him.

The cravat joined his other clothing. He toed off his evening pumps. Eugénie’s mouth dried. The shirt was next. She’d felt his hard, broad chest enough that she was now anxious to see it. He pulled the linen over his head. Golden-brown hair curled over his muscles, tapering down to his breeches. She licked her lips.

A wicked grin appeared on his face before he turned his back to her.

No no.
Eugénie wanted to see all of him. “What are you doing?”

“I do not want to scare you.”

She didn’t understand. “You are beautiful. How would seeing the rest of you frighten me? I have seen drawings of statues, you know.”

Even as Wivenly’s breeches dropped to the floor, his shoulders shook with laughter.

How dare he insult her at a time like this? She raised her chin. “I fail to see what is so funny.”

“Oh, my poor love.” Mirth caused his voice to tremble. “Not even a real statue. This is a bit different.”

He turned and the little thing that graced most of the drawings was much larger and sticking out straight against his stomach. “Oh.”

Before she could think of anything to add, he slipped into her bed. “As fetching as this nightgown is, I would much rather have you out of it.”

That was what he’d meant earlier. She squeaked, “Me?”

A warm glow lurked in his eyes. “Um-hm. You’ve had a look at me. Now it’s my turn.”

Fire lit her cheeks. “I am sure I cannot be that interesting.”

“For instance, I’d like to see how far down your lovely blush goes.” His lips touched the base of her neck. “Is it only to the top of your breasts?” The top button of her gown sprung free. “Or does it go lower?” By the time he’d finished speaking, all the buttons were undone. He moved one side of the nightgown off her shoulder. “Lovely.”

Her heart thudded so quickly she could barely speak. Maman hadn’t said anything about this either. “It is?”

“Even more than I’d imagined.”

Will could feel the tension in Eugénie. He kissed and licked his way down to her breasts, taking one already tightly budded nipple in his mouth. Coconut. He’d not known what it was before, but they’d had it at dinner this evening. “Relax, my love.”

Soon she pressed up into him. That was better. If only her mother hadn’t “prepared” Eugénie. He’d been told anticipating the pain was the worst part. Will moved to the other breast as he played with the first, rolling her nipple. Little mewing sounds escaped from her lips. “That’s it. Feel, my love, just feel.”

He kissed down over her slightly rounded stomach before moving between her legs. The moment he touched his tongue to the pearl hiding in her dark curls, her fingers gripped his head, and she moaned. It was a damned good thing they weren’t aboard a ship where everyone could hear them. He kept his tone low and soothing. “That’s right. Let me love you.”

Eugénie’s hips pushed up. Her musk swirled around him. She squirmed and tossed. When he entered her with his finger, her sheath clamped tightly around him, and she cried out. “Good. That’s good, sweetheart.”

When she was as wet and prepared as he could make her, Will moved over Eugénie, rubbing his member against her labia before slowly entering her. She gasped, and he took her mouth in a hard kiss, trying to stop her from thinking about the pain. Her maidenhead gave way easily, but she was so very tight, and he needed to ensure she had some pleasure from her first time. “Easy now, my darling.”

God, he hated hurting her. It was as if someone had stabbed a sword into his gut and twisted. Stroking her hair, he wished he’d had the forethought to take it out of the braid. He pressed kisses over her lips and face. “Are you all right, my love?”

For a long moment, Eugénie lay so still beneath him he was concerned.

“I think so,” she finally responded.

“Talk to me.” He prayed she didn’t hate what he’d done.

“It feels strange to have you inside me.” Her beautiful eyes met his and she smiled. “I like it.”

He let his breath out. “You’ll like it more the next time. I promise.”

“I suppose,” she said dubiously, “that is the way of it. What do we do now?”

Will wanted to laugh with joy. “We’re not done yet. You let me know when I can move again.”