Realm 02 - A Touch of Velvet (24 page)

“At least the roads were dry,” Crowden added.

Bran caught Kimbolt’s arm. “Can you tell me what you know of Eleanor’s role in Lady Amsteadt’s delivery? My aunt will want specifics.”

“Why not ask your sister?”

They both glanced back to see Kerrington coaxing Eleanor close to his side and then caressing her cheek. “The Captain seems preoccupied.” Bran grinned as he turned his attention to the Linworth staff, waiting to serve him.

“Let us find something refreshing to drink. I have had to fend for myself over the past few days. Between Kerrington and your sister and Lord and Lady Amsteadt, love rules this household. I have spent a great deal of time with your Miss Aldridge’s sister.” Lexford pointed the way to Worthing’s private study.

“How did you find Miss Cashémere?” Although he had complained of the “hardship” of spending time with Cashémere Aldridge, his friend’s demeanor said something else, Bran made a note of Lexford’s silly grin.

Allowing Crowden and Lowery a few steps progress, Lexford stopped suddenly. “Actually, I found Miss Cashé quite interesting in a provincial sort of way.”

“Really?” Bran’s eyebrow rose in amusement.

Bran’s tone caught Lexford’s attention. “Do you think that odd?”

The viscount silently asked for Bran’s approval so he acquiesced. “I believe you should listen to your heart, as well as your reasoning. You have served your country. Now, you should serve your own needs. If Cashé interests you, pursue it.”

“Thank you, Fowler. I needed someone to confirm what I already knew.”

*

Kerrington arranged an alfresco picnic that evening for the houseguests. They played croquet and quoits and pétanque, as well as a rousing game of cricket. The women cheered, and the men rolled up their shirtsleeves as the competition increased. Bran outrageously flirted with Velvet, offering to hit a long ball and dedicate his success to her. She laughed and flushed with his attention, but she did not look away. Velvet gave him a bold “come on” when she playfully pursed her lips.

He knew the purpose behind Worthing’s “impromptu” bonfire, noting how he and Eleanor slipped Sir Louis’s diaries into the roaring fire. Everyone enjoyed wine and cheese and the warmth of the evening. Cashé entertained with a stint on the pianoforte. They opened the house’s windows and allowed the music to drift into the night. Bran thought it appropriate that Lexford sat beside Cashé to turn the pages for her.

Kerrington and Eleanor shared a chaise lounge, and the viscount constantly held Ella’s hand or touched her shoulder. Bran found it amusing that his friend had given his complete self to Eleanor, and she had become a different person with Worthing. She was happy, and Bran thanked the Fates that had brought them together.

Keeping that image of happiness before him, Bran approached Velvet. “Would you care to join me for a walk in the gardens?” Bran extended his hand to Velvet, taking her from her uncle’s side.

She glanced at Viscount Averette, who nodded his agreement. Bran felt his stomach twist. Velvet had already given over control to her uncle. “Thank you, Your Grace,” she murmured.

They walked silently, enjoying the torch-lit passageways. “What a surprise to find your family in residence at Linton Park!”

“You and Ella are my family,” she insisted. “I love the Averettes and Cashé, but I have never known them, and they do not know me. This is the first time I have seen them since before your father’s illness. I do not wish to speak poorly of my uncle, but I shall speak the truth. You have given me a Season and a chance to find my own way. The Averettes do not believe in such frivolity.”

Bran impulsively pulled Velvet into the darkened shadows. “I wish very much to kiss you.” His index finger touched her bottom lip. “But I will permit you to decide. May I kiss you, Velvet?”

She smiled fully. “Of course, you may.” She slid her arms about his neck. The kiss began tenderly. Bran teasingly brushed his lips across her lobes before pressing his mouth to hers. Velvet opened her lips, and Bran’s tongue plunged in, carrying them on with a rising passion.

Velvet tilted her head to the side, and Bran’s lips slid down the length of her neck. He ran his teeth over the indentation of her neck–where it met her shoulder blade. “Your skin is so soft,” he murmured.

Velvet’s groan spoke the words she could not. “Bran,” she gasped when he stroked the nipple of her breast. “Someone might see.”

“Meet me in the library once everyone is asleep,” he pleaded.

“N...No,” she stammered. “You come to my room.”

Bran pulled back to look closely at her. “Velvet? Are you certain?”

“I am certain, Your Grace.” She bit her bottom lip, and her voice trembled, but Velvet did not look away. “I want time alone with you, Bran.”

“Leave the door unlocked. It will be late. I will make certain no one else is about.”

*

Well past midnight, Bran slipped into Velvet’s room, locking the door behind him. He wore only his breeches and a loose-fitting shirt. A single candle burned on the bedside table. A quick glance about the room told him Velvet rested across the bed. She lay curled in a tight ball, hugging one pillow and sleeping on another.

As he strolled closer to the bed, he went instantly hard. Her tossing and turning rucked her nightgown up to her thigh on one leg, displaying a muscular calf and creamy white skin. Images of those thighs wrapped around his waist caused his manhood to jerk in desire. Her waist-length hair spread out behind her in luscious black waves of darkness. Bran’s fingers itched to touch it.

He stood beside the bed and simply stared at Velvet for long minutes, drinking in the beauty of her. Although she had invited him to join her, he now debated on whether he should leave her be. She was an innocent–did not really understand what she asked of him. Yet, despite his reasoning, Bran could not convince himself not to touch her nor could he convince himself to depart. His eyes simply devoured her, every inch of exposed skin and some veiled areas–the dusky-rose nipples, as well as the dark “V” below her navel. A muffled groan escaped his lips.

Slowly, she rolled to her back and opened her sleep-induced eyes. Velvet stared at him, but her mind had not engaged in reality. A stretch sent the nightgown to above her knees on both legs, and Bran felt his erection lengthen. Finally, she recognized him and smiled. “You are here at last,” she murmured.

“I was simply enjoying the view.” Bran placed a knee on the bed’s edge and reached for the pillow she hugged; the desire rose so quickly, he had to forcibly swallow to control his breathing. “You are a vision of pure loveliness,” he whispered. Now, he knew the real danger of having acted on his dreams and having come to Velvet’s room in the night’s middle. Over the years, as he had grown into manhood, he had envisioned making love to her in nearly every position possible and few impossible ones. Now, he could taste the need as it swelled in his gut and blocked his next breath. “You should tell me to leave,” he cautioned.

Velvet’s eyes grew in size–an unrecognizable intensity hiding there. “I do not want you to leave, Bran.” She extended her arms to him.

“Velvet, you must understand.” Although his knee remained on the bed, he purposely straightened his stance. “I have thought of this for years. I am not certain I can exercise control if I join you on this bed.”

“Then why did you come?” Her voice held a bit of hurt; she lowered her arms to her side.

Bran half shrugged. “I have no idea. I think of you all the time; I could do nothing else.”

She sat up suddenly and scrambled to her knees, moving to where she was directly before him. “Bran, you promised me when I was still a child that you would return for me. I have waited patiently, knowing I wanted no one but you. Then you returned home, and I thought my world had come to an end because I discovered that you chose another.” Bran frowned and fisted his hands at his side. “Now, you tell me you chose her because she reminded you of me. I am confused. You took Ashmita repeatedly as your wife and left her with Sonali. And as much as I would like to say that does not hurt, I would be offering a lie. When I think of it, it rips at my heart, and I want to hurt you in return.”

“I am sorry,” he muttered. Bran reached to caress her cheek, but dropped his hand in frustration. “If I could change things, I would.”

“Did you love Ashmita?” she demanded suddenly.

“No.” He answered honestly for the first time in a long time. “I never loved her. She needed me; someone illused her, and I could do nothing else. I saw in my wife’s face all those women my father defiled, and I wanted to wipe away the hurt she had endured, but it was never love.” This time he did touch Velvet’s cheek. “Ashmita’s dark eyes and hair caught my attention immediately because you had haunted my dreams. Then I discovered her abuse, and I did what I thought best; I rescued her and took Ashmita to some place safe.”

“My knight in shining armor,” she said with some sadness, before turning to kiss his palm. Then Velvet looked at him–staring deeply into his eyes, seeking the truth of which she sought. “Do you think you could ever love me? I want to marry for love, Bran. I know you think I am a hopeless romantic, but I want love–I need love and lots of it. I want a man who will not treat me as an afterthought. Can you do that, Bran? Can you make me an essential part of your life?”

“And if I cannot?” he whispered.

Velvet sighed deeply. “Then you should leave for I shall settle for nothing less. It is what I deserve.”

“I have never known the kind of love of which you speak–the happily ever after. It is hard to fathom whether it even exists.” Bran looked past her.

“But you have, Bran,” she insisted. “Aunt Agatha lost her Harold too soon, but they loved each other from the beginning. My own parents died in each other’s arms. Lord Worthing’s parents have loved one another for over thirty years. Now, Kerrington and Eleanor have found true love. Happily ever after exists all around us, and it is as real as we let it be. One year of such love would outweigh twenty of a marriage of convenience.”

Bran’s hot gaze returned to her countenance. “Do you believe we have a chance at this elusive love of which you speak?”

“I want to believe we do, and I am willing to see where this takes us. You say you have dreamed of me often; I did the same with you. We need to know whether that childhood love we declared has any merit, and we cannot do that unless we spend time together.”

Bran smiled deviously. “Well, this is certainly together.”

Velvet took his hand and pulled him toward her, leading Bran down to the bed. Surprisingly, he felt more comfortable with the situation. “We could just talk.” She laid her head on his outstretched arm.

“Or we could kiss,” he countered.

Her smile spoke the words she did not utter. “There is always that.”

“We cannot settle it all in one night.”

She lovingly touched his face. “Then come to me until you are certain.”

“Oh, Velvet…” Bran leaned forward to kiss her. “You are not what I had expected.” His mouth remained inches from hers.

“I hope I am more than you had expected.” She slid her arms about his neck. “We grew up together, but now we need to grow together.”

Bran pressed his lips to hers, quickly deepening the kiss, allowing his tongue to thrust into the soft recesses of Velvet’s mouth. Bravely, she mimicked his movement and traced her tongue across his teeth. Her mouth’s warmth enflamed his dreams, and Bran gathered Velvet closer to him, feeling how she molded to his body, as if she truly belonged there. Although he would later chastise himself for moving so quickly, his hands instinctively searched her body–her hips, her arms, her thighs, and finally her breasts. When she moaned, Bran left her mouth and trailed kisses down her neck. “May I see you?” he whispered. “I have thought of you for so long.”

Velvet ran her hand through his hair. “Is this what you want?” She stared deep into Bran’s eyes.

Suspended above her, Bran’s thoughts lacked coherence. “When I first entered this room, I thought of finally sating myself in you. I beg your forgiveness if my bluntness shocks you, but you had to realize your invitation would lead me to such thoughts. Now, I just want to know you at last. I want what you said–I want to know your likes and dislikes–your strengths and weaknesses–your successes and your failures, and I want to know every inch of your body.” Bran rested his hand lightly on the knotted ribbon at the base of her neck.

Velvet’s eyes searched his face; she understood what he asked. “I suppose it is a natural next step,” she conceded. “May I ask that you remove your shirt so I can learn something of you too?”

Bran’s smile turned upward. “Not what I expected,” he repeated. He sat forward and removed his shirt, pulling it over his head and tossing it on a nearby chair. When he heard Velvet gasp, he turned and taunted, “Do you like what you see?”

Velvet remained frozen for several long seconds, her mouth open in surprise. “Not what I expected,” she returned in a raspy voice.

He lay beside her again. “My turn,” he whispered before kissing behind her ear. His hand returned to her breasts, weighing one in his palm. Miraculously, Velvet reached up and undid the looped knot at her neck and the first three buttons of her gown. “Permit me,” he croaked in a broken voice. His eyes followed her hands.

Velvet simply nodded as his fingers replaced hers. Bran shakily released the next few buttons and lay open the white muslin before edging it off her shoulder. Hungrily, he memorized every freckle–every pore leading to his first glimpse of her breasts. He inched the material downward, tormenting both of them with his slowness. Velvet moaned when he kissed the spot between the swell of her breasts. Then he pulled the muslin down to her waist, fully exposing her to him. The perfection of her form shot lust straight to his manhood. Reverently, Bran lowered his head to taste her for the first time. For long, luscious moments, he relived his dreams.