Heaven Made (21 page)

 "Sabrina, Sabrina, you are so perfect," he
whispered while nibbling her ear, swirling his tongue around the delicate shell
of flesh.

Trembling beneath him her hand tightened around his length.
He couldn’t stand another second of that if he was going to make this last
longer than a few minutes. Reaching between them, Ford pulled her fingers away,
locking her wrists above her head with one hand. This was much better, now he
could taste and touch Sabrina to his heart’s content without worrying about
ending this encounter before he’d had his fill of her succulent sweetness.
Although, he couldn’t imagine that ever actually happening. He would never tire
of this woman. Which of course brought certain subjects to his recollection he
didn’t want to think about right now. Like the deathbed promise he’d made to
his mother. Pushing such thoughts forcibly to the back of his mind, Ford
returned his concentration to making Sabrina writhe beneath him in pleasure.
Skimming his free hand lightly over her pebbled nipples, then following with
his mouth, tasting and teasing Sabrina as she arched against him, using her
legs to try to pull him closer.

"So eager, so hot, so wet," Ford breathed, his
voice husky with his own passion.

Finally he pushed himself between Sabrina’s thighs, but he
didn’t enter her yet. Ford allowed her to squirm a bit more, until he couldn’t
stand it for another second, then he sheathed himself inside her in one smooth
motion. He was home. Ford couldn’t imagine ever wanting to be anywhere else.
This moment was perfect, without equal. And he wanted to savor it for eternity.
But then Sabrina moved beneath him, sending the fire racing through his veins in
an inferno. That was it; he lost control of the situation and gave himself over
fully to her. She took full advantage of Ford as well, pushing him over onto
his back and straddling him, her smooth rhythm and eager sensuality giving him
exquisite pleasure. At first she was wild, and he would have come right then,
but she suddenly slowed down, allowing Ford to catch his breath and rein in his
body. Or so he thought at first, because Sabrina wasn’t done with him yet.
Although her rhythm was more leisurely, her actions were a thousand times more
sensual. She lifted her breasts and fondled herself, pushing her nipple to his
lips. Her hips swirled in a way that made Ford call out her name in pleasure,
then return to suckling the pebbled peak of her bosom. Taking Sabrina’s bottom
in both hands, he urged her on. But he couldn’t maintain the facade of being
relaxed for long and with an easy movement, he was back on top. In control of
their rhythm again, he began by pulling almost all the way out of Sabrina’s
hot, wet center. Then slowly he slid back in to her. Ford was able to maintain
that for only a few more strokes before his body demanded satisfaction.
Speeding up like a train pulling out of the station, he let himself go
completely and spilled himself into Sabrina’s willing softness. She clenched
and squeezed him with her body, making the spectacular moment last and last.

It seemed as though hours passed and they still lay entwined
on the bed. Ford was so exhausted and satiated, he could barely feel his limbs.
All he knew was that the woman he loved was cradled in his arms and he never
wanted her to leave. Ford came fully awake instantly. He was in love with
Sabrina. It was a fact, not a theory or a thought or an idea. It was the God’s
truth, he loved her. Sabrina moved in his arms, snuggling closer.

"What’s wrong?" she murmured. "You’re tense,
all of a sudden." She moved her hand seductively down over his chest,
dangerously close to his growing desire. "Do you want me to help you relax
again?"

"Minx." Ford laughed and grabbed her fingers,
entwining them in his so they could do no more damage. "What will it take
to satisfy you?"

"Only you," Sabrina whispered, nibbling his ear
lobe. "I just want to make you happy. Let me help you forget your
troubles, whatever they might be."

"I wish you could help," Ford said, pulling
Sabrina close and stroking the silky skin of her back. "Some things are
beyond all of us, though."

"I thought that for a very long time," Sabrina
said, sounding serious now. "When Edward first started drinking and
gambling, I went to his brother for help. He refused to have anything to do
with Edward unless I warmed his bed. Then when Edward died, I thought I had no
choice but to succumb to him. And when I ran away, I was sure that I would have
to go back. I couldn’t manage to take care of Alice the way things were going.
But then a miracle happened. Cassie found me and you saved us. If not for the
two of you, I would be married to Gerald today."

"I can’t bear the thought of you in his bed," Ford
growled. "But then I think I don’t deserve you either."

"What’s wrong?" Sabrina sat up and looked into his
eyes. "Why are you being so hard on yourself?"

"It’s nothing," he said. He couldn’t possibly tell
her about his promise. Not yet anyway.

Someday he’d be forced to confess the truth to her, if he
couldn’t figure a way out of it. That séance of O’Neill’s was looking more and
more interesting. Not that Ford believed in such things, but if he did—it could
be a way out. Ford pulled Sabrina back into his arms, kissing her passionately
and rolling her onto her back.

"I will make this promise to you, Sabrina," he
said, looking tenderly into her beautiful blue eyes. "You will never want
for anything and you will never ever have to sacrifice yourself to any man for
your security. I give you my word on that."

Sabrina smiled at him with such love in her eyes, Ford was
afraid he might lose control of his emotions. To cover his reaction, he kissed
her again. This time with his heart tightening in his throat. He would have
confessed his love for her right then, but Sabrina had other plans. Her clever
fingers brought him to immediate readiness and before he knew what was
happening, they were making love again. This time it was fast and hard, but
equally as satisfying. Afterward, they fell asleep, both too tired to even turn
down the lamp. Sometime in the wee hours of the morning, Ford woke long enough
to extinguish the light and pull the covers snugly around them both. His last
thought as he drifted off to sleep was a silent appeal to his mother to somehow
give him a sign on Saturday.

****

When Ford awoke, Sabrina had already left. She was probably
concerned about the staff discerning what they had been doing. A ridiculous
effort, he knew. Servants had a way of knowing literally everything about their
employers. Sooner than later, they would realize what he and his lady help were
up to. He sighed in despair. What would he do when that happened? He wouldn’t
be able to keep Sabrina in his house once their affair was public knowledge. He
would have to find a place for her and Alice to stay. He hated the idea.
Besides the fact that he wanted her around all the time, he also despised the
thought of treating her like a common mistress. He was disgusted with himself.

"Ready to meet the day, Mr. Northcliffe?" Freddy
asked, pushing open the bedroom door and setting a tray of steaming coffee on
the table near the window. "It’s good to see you keeping normal hours,
sir."

Ford didn’t answer. He was not in the mood for idle
chitchat. He had life changing concerns on his mind and was suddenly in a very
foul mood.

"All right then, I’ll ‘elp you dress and shave and you
just let me know if you need anything else." Freddy at least knew when to
hold his tongue and proceeded to do his duties without another word.

Ford entered the breakfast room with a scowl on his face,
but his mood instantly lifted when he saw Sabrina sitting there, sipping tea.
She was so radiant, and the shy smile she sent his way melted his heart. He
would figure out a way to make this right, no matter the cost.

"Good morning, Mr. Northcliffe," she said, very
properly not using his first name.

It crushed him, reminding him of their respective places.
Blindly he filled a plate from the sideboard, and sat down opposite her.
Sabrina giggled behind a piece of toast.

"And what is so funny this beautiful morning, Mrs.
Tremaine?" Ford could play proper too.

Sabrina pointed to his plate. "Hungry this morning?"

Ford looked down and laughed. He had piled ungodly amounts
of food on the china. Enough for three very hungry people, not just one.

"I built up quite an appetite last night," he
said, watching with satisfaction as Sabrina turned a flattering shade of pink
and squirmed a bit in her chair.

"What are your plans for today?" she asked, appearing
to regain her cool demeanor.

"I thought I’d check in on Alice," he answered. "She’s
made remarkable progress and I want to make sure it continues. I thought I
might teach her a card game or two while I’m about it. If you don’t mind, that
is?"

"As long as you don’t teach her to gamble,"
Sabrina said.

"She would probably clean me out anyway," Ford
answered. He looked around to make sure they were completely alone. "Will
you dine with me tonight?"

Sabrina got up and closed the door to the room before she
answered. "Do you think that’s a good idea?"

Ford knew he was pushing things, but he wanted to spend time
with this fascinating woman. "We could say we have to discuss that dinner
party I was going to throw before Alice and I got sick. And don’t you have some
more correspondence to go over with me?"

"Yes, of course." Sabrina didn’t sound entirely
certain though.

"We will be discreet, my darling. At least until—"
Ford couldn’t finish his sentence because at that moment, Alice opened the door
and came bounding into the room.

He had been about to mention finding Sabrina a house, but he
was equally grateful that he didn’t have to make that decision right now. Alice
had saved him the trouble. Instead, he would spend the day with the girl and
her mother and pretend they were a family. However, that night when Sabrina
came to his room, there wasn’t time for talk of the future. They were far too
hungry for each other to worry about or discuss such things. The rest of the
week went along very much the same. Ford playing house with Sabrina and Alice
and both of them joyfully pretending along with him. The days were filled with
fun and games, and nights brimming with love and passion. His life was nearly
perfect.

Only one thing was missing, and tonight Ford was ready to
give the impossible a chance. He still couldn’t believe that he, a proud member
of the Royal Academy and man of scientific study was attending an honest to
goodness ghost party. Séance was the official word for it, but from his point
of view it might as well have been Dr. Frankenstein’s monster’s christening.
That’s about how realistic it seemed. He hadn’t told Sabrina where he was
going, just that a friend had invited him to dinner. She’d been confused
because it wasn’t one of the invitations in her files.

"No, it wouldn’t be," he quickly answered. "Lord
Suffolk invited me in person. We meet at my club occasionally."

"I see," Sabrina said. Then she looked around
cautiously before asking, "When will you return?"

"I honestly have no idea," Ford said. But he could
see he’d hurt her feelings. "I’ll tell Freddy not to wait up for me."

"I might wait up for you," she said with a look
that promised much more.

He leaned in and stole a quick kiss. Sabrina blushed and
pulled away from him. "We’ll see how tired I am," she said being coy.
"My employer works me very hard."

"I do and I enjoy every second of it," Ford said,
with a wink. "Every single wonderful second."

"You should go." Sabrina was turning bright red
now. "George brought the motorcar around half an hour ago."

"How do I look?" Ford asked pulling his cuffs
down.

"Delicious," Sabrina answered with a sexy wink of
her own.

"I’ll be home early," Ford promised, his voice
husky with desire. "Minx."

Sabrina’s laughter followed him to the foyer, where Roland
appeared out of nowhere to help him into his coat and hat.

"What did you say to make Mrs. Tremaine laugh like
that?" Roland asked, handing Ford his leather gloves.

Taken off guard by the question, Ford said the first thing
that popped into his head. "I told her I was going to a séance tonight."

"You? Sir?" Roland looked truly confounded by his
answer. Then he started laughing too.

A short while later, George pulled the motorcar up to the
front door of Lord Suffolk’s Trafalgar Square mansion. Ford told the chauffeur
to go get warm in the kitchen and he’d call for him when he was ready to go.

The séance was to take place in the library after a light
supper. The ladies and gentlemen gathered were mostly from the upper four
hundred, but a few non-titled people, like Ford himself, were present as well.
The ton preferred their own kind, but in this modern day and age, money was just
as important as a title, even if a man had an occupation. Although Ford had never
worked for his fortune, his father certainly had. Martin Northcliffe started life
as a simple salesman, and through hard work, determination and a few lucky
breaks become very rich through investments in the railroads, shipping and a
banking enterprise, that to this day still brought in more money than Ford or
his children would ever be able to spend. It was no wonder the cousin of a Duke
was willing to marry him.

O’Neill fussed over his guests and entertained them as they
ate delectable courses of chicken in white wine, quails in a light pastry case,
oysters poached in tarragon cream champagne, devilled kidneys, and for dessert,
a table filled with candied fruit, cakes and ices. After the plates had been
cleared and sherry, port and brandy poured, Lord Suffolk led the party to the
library where Madame Lou was already waiting for them.