Regency Rakes 02 - Rescued By A Viscount (25 page)

Standing, Claire moved towards him, then lifted her hands and placed them on his chest. “I-I want to touch you again, Simon.”

He took one of her hands and kissed it. “I want to touch you more.”

His fingers stroked her hair as she ran her hands over his chest, and when she leant forward and placed a hot, open-mouthed kiss just above his heart, the fingers clenched briefly. Moving to his nipples, she circled and sucked, causing the breath to hiss from his lips. She smoothed a hand down his stomach until she felt the jut of his arousal. Trailing her fingers down the rigid length, she caressed him.

“Ah god, Claire, that feels so good.” He wrapped her hair around his hands and tugged her head back for a kiss as she stroked him. Soon, he began to thrust against her fingers, and then his hand covered hers and he eased hers free and lifted it to his neck. “I cannot take much more, sweetheart.” Leading her back to the bed, he sat on the edge and then urged her to straddle his legs. “Now, Claire, take me inside you.”

Claire let him guide her onto his lap, her knees straddling his thighs, and she felt the tip of his arousal push against her.

“There will be pain, sweetheart.”

She didn’t speak, instead, slowly eased herself down onto him. Claire could feel him stretching her, filling her. She felt Simon’s hands on her breasts as he began to caress her again, the sensations stirring her passions. Lowering herself, she felt the sharp stab of pain, and then he was inside her.

“Easy now, love–adjust to me.”

His jaw was clenched and his body tense beneath her. Claire knew he was trying to remain still until she was ready to move, and she loved him all the more for thinking of her. Slowly, her body adjusted, so she rose up and lowered herself again, enjoying the feel of him sliding deeper inside her. It was wonderful. It was as if they were one, and the sensations had her doing it again and again. He moaned beneath her, his hands gripping her hips, and suddenly she was lowering as he was thrusting upwards, and lord, it was magnificent.

“Claire, Claire.” Her name was a chant on Simon’s lips as he drove up into her, creating sensation after wonderful sensation inside her. Suddenly, he rolled and placed her beneath him, and she was surrounded by his big body. Her legs wrapped themselves around his hips, and suddenly she felt the wonderful sensations of before begin to build inside her again.

“Let go, Claire–I’ll catch you.”

She did, and a low, keening sound came from her lips as she scaled the heights of ecstasy once more, and with two more thrusts, Simon followed, then slumped down on top of her. Their limbs were tangled; their bodies, dampened by sweat. Claire kept her arms wrapped around his neck as their hearts thudded against each other.

“Let me go, Claire. I’m too heavy.”

She did so reluctantly. He pulled the covers over them and then settled her onto his chest.

“Sleep now. Tomorrow is soon enough to think again.”

She felt him relax, and soon, the gentle rhythm of his breathing told her he slept. Of course she would not do the same, she thought with a big yawn.

Claire woke as the sun began to rise. Turning her head on the pillow, she looked at Simon for long minutes, committing his handsome face to her memory. He had given her so much already, but last night he had shown her the wonderful things a man and a woman could experience. She loved him, of course, and could acknowledge that to herself here in his bed. However, it was now time to set him free.

Slipping from the bed, she pulled on her nightdress and then hurried back to her room. She would never regret making love with him, yet in doing so, she had complicated matters more. He was an honorable man, and she had no doubt he felt something for her, especially after what they had shared. However it was not love, and whilst she was once prepared to settle for less, she would not do so now, not knowing she loved Simon. It wasn’t a startling revelation. She had simply avoided acknowledging it until last night. However it was because she loved him that she would not allow him to settle for less in his future wife.

Hurrying into her room, she pulled her riding habit and boots from her luggage. The rest would have to stay here until she returned. Once she was dressed, she checked on Louis, who opened his eyes as she entered the room.

Claire knelt beside the bed and ran her hand gently over his head. After his bath, his hair had dried to the exact color of Anthony’s. “I must go to London briefly, Louis, and then I will return for you. Simon is here and his aunt and uncle, and they will care for you until I return.”

“Come back soon?”

She smiled at his little voice. “Very soon, my darling. Now go back to sleep.” She wasted precious seconds until she was sure he slept again before making her way out of the house.

The stables were a small distance from the house, and she hoped, given the early hour, there was someone awake in there. She kept off the paths where she could, to avoid the noise her boots made on the stones, and did not stop to examine the lovely flowers before her.

A sleepy man greeted her as she entered. Lifting her chin and using her no-nonsense voice, Claire said, “Could I please have a horse saddled at once? I am an experienced rider, therefore your strongest, fastest horse, if you please.”

Claire kept her expression cool as the man looked at her. “Would you be wanting company on this ride, my lady?”

“Oh no, indeed, I will not. I am quite capable of a good morning gallop, thank you.”

“The problem is, my lady, we don’t have a side saddle on account of no ladies ride here.”

Claire felt her stomach plummet to her toes.

“I shall ride astride, then.”

He looked briefly at her legs encased in her habit but said nothing further, shrugging he moved to do as she requested. Soon she was seated on big-boned black horse that looked like he could run all day.

“He’s a lovely boy. What is his name?”

“Gus,” the man said, nudging her leg forward. He then shortened her stirrups.

“Well then, thank you very much for your assistance, sir, but I must be on my way now.” The man stood back and let her leave, and Claire felt him watching her as she walked from the stables. She made her way to the driveway, praying that no one had woken and was looking out the windows. Releasing a loud breath upon reaching the gate undetected, Claire then touched her boots to the flanks of her horse, and it sprang forward. She had ridden astride before, and tucking her skirts securely around her made it comfortable, plus she could ride faster.

She knew what had to be done and knew it was her family that must hear first. Society would no doubt turn their backs on her, but she would make sure Simon’s name remained untarnished.

Turning, she blew a kiss at the house in the distance–to the man she loved and the boy who was now hers to cherish. And then, urging Gus forward, she did not look back again.

“Where is Claire?”

His aunt and uncle looked up as Simon walked into the room. He had woken smiling and had reached for her, and she hadn’t been there. She had also not been in her room or with Louis, who was sitting at the table eating toast slathered in jam, though much of it was smeared on his face.

“I have not seen her this morning, Simon. I had thought because of her ordeal that she may have slept in, and that is why I went to Louis’s room to help him wash and dress before bringing him to breakfast. Do you think perhaps she is walking through the gardens?”

“Perhaps, aunt, yet I don’t think so.” Simon’s eyes fell on Louis, who was now watching him intently.

“Do you know where your aunt is, Louis?”

He nodded and then took another bite of his toast. Simon moved to his side and pulled a chair closer so he could look the boy in the eye. He looked rested today. Some of the shadows in his eyes had gone. He knew it would take time for Louis to become comfortable with them and the lifestyle he would now lead. However he believed, given his age and the love both he and Claire would give the boy, he would adapt.

“Where is she, Louis?”

The little boy thought about his question briefly and then said, “London.”

Simon literally shook his head. He hadn’t heard that word correctly, surely. Claire would not just leave, especially after what they had shared and not after the way he had spoken to her the last time she had run from him. “Pardon?” he questioned the boy politely.

“London.”

Simon felt the color quite literally drain from his face. “Of all the irresponsible, foolish—Pardon me.” Simon stopped when his uncle cleared his throat. She’d done it to save him, of course–gone to London alone to confront her brother and break the betrothal, believing he wanted this. If she’d just waited until this morning… He’d planned to tell her he wanted her as his wife, needed her in his life as much as the deep gulp of air he’d just inhaled. Bloody woman! Always charging off without thinking. When he got hold of her, he’d shake her until her teeth rattled. Had she thought last night meant nothing to him? Christ, the thought of her traveling to London with only a coachman for protection made his stomach churn. He wondered how she had coerced one of his drivers to accompany her and prayed it was Merlin. The man would make sure she stayed safe until he reached her.

This time when I catch you, Claire Belmont, I’m keeping a firm hold on you.

“I will need to borrow your carriage, uncle,” he said, storming from the room. Running down the stairs, he made for the stables, arriving in minutes.

“She’s riding to London on my horse!” he yelled minutes later as he faced Ned, his stable master. Merlin and Ben, he noted, were keeping their distance, both brushing horses and not meeting his eye.

“Said she was experienced, my lord, and in need of a strong horse, as she was a good rider. Thought she was heading out for a gallop and nothing more. I never would have given her a horse, had I known she was riding it to London.”

“Merlin, get out here!”

“My lord?” He appeared before Simon in seconds.

“Prepare my carriage at once. That bloody foolish woman has taken it upon herself to ride to London, and she’ll be lucky if she reaches it in one piece.”

“At once, my lord.”

Fear mixed with rage as he ran back to the house. Taking the stairs two at a time, he wondered if even now she was being chased by someone bent on harming her. No, he would help no one, least of all her, with those thoughts. His family was still at the breakfast table, and if possible, Louis had more jam on his face as he re-entered. “I must go to London but will return shortly with Miss Belmont.”

Louis slipped from his chair and moved to Simon’s side. Surprisingly, the boy then wrapped both arms around one of Simon’s legs. Picking him up, Simon held him close, knowing he, too, would now be covered in jam. “It is safer for you here for now, Louis,” Simon said gently. “My aunt and uncle will care for you until we return.”

“Don’t leave me.”

God, the look in those eyes nearly dropped Simon to his knees.

“I told Miss Belmont we would care for the boy, Simon, but it seems he does not want to stay with us, nephew, so take him with you.” His aunt came around the table with a napkin and proceeded to clean Louis’s hands and face.

“I want aunty.”

“My French is not as good as it was, Simon, but I think he said he needs his aunt. Take him to her and then bring them both back soon, darling.”

Giving his aunt a kiss, Simon then nodded to his uncle. “I will return as soon as I can, but if it is not in the next few days, I shall send word that all is well.”

Simon swung the boy onto his shoulders as he headed outside to his carriage. Merlin sat in the driver’s seat while Ben held the door. “As fast as is safe, Merlin, as we have Louis with us,” Simon said before climbing inside.

He kept his eyes on the windows as they traveled the short distance to London and prayed Claire had arrived there safely. He’d believed before the trip to Liverpool that his life was complete. Each day was filled with things he liked to do and the occasional one he didn’t. He had Eva and Daniel, and they had given him Georgia– what more could he ask for? He’d known there would be a wedding in his future, yet he had not been in a hurry to marry. Then Claire had changed everything. He needed her now. She was his future, the woman he would always love. She would challenge him, torment him, and make him want to strangle her, but she would love him, too. He knew she was capable of great love, and at the end of the day, it would be him she would use as her pillow. God, she’d been magnificent last night, with her lovely body and smooth satin skin. The scent of her had wrapped itself around him and held him tight. She’d not shied from anything he’d done. In fact, she’d loved it. Each touch and taste had resulted in delightful little noises that had hiked his passions higher.

“This is London?”

Good god, he was lusting after Claire with her nephew seated beside him. “I thought you were sleeping, Louis,” Simon said, brushing aside the hair that tumbled over the boy’s forehead as he shook his head. Eager to see everything, the boy stood on the floor between the seats and went from one window to the other.

“You must listen carefully to me now, Louis,” Simon said, intercepting him as he made another pass. Lifting him onto his lap, he looked into the boy’s eyes. “While we are here in London, you must stay close to me or Aunt Claire, Louis. Do you understand?” The boy nodded and then looked wide-eyed out the window once more. Minutes later, they stopped outside the Belmont townhouse. Simon had wondered if this was the right course of action, bringing the boy here, however, he’d had no other options. Holding Louis in his arms, he knocked on the door.