Saved By A Siren: Spencers in Love Book One (19 page)

            Most importantly, Lady Elise appreciated and
accepting the family as a whole. Lucien was surprised at how important that
was. When he was finally ready to look for a wife, that would be a requirement.
He looked at Mirabelle. She was sitting next to him arguing with Alastair about
a chess game they had been unable to complete. Alastair thought he'd had the
superior strategy. If he had been playing anyone other than Mirabelle, Lucien
might have assumed he was correct.

            Lucien was about to dig into his potatoes when
Mirabelle handed him the pepper shaker. Never taking her eyes off of Alastair
as she did so, she described her strategy and how Alastair favored sacrificing
his bishop. Alastair paused and mumbled then became absorbed in his plate.
Everyone laughed and teased. Lucien tasted his potatoes and agreed that they
hadn't enough pepper. She always knew.
Unsettling, that...

            When the lunch plates were removed it was agreed
that "Lady Elise's sitting room" was to be their destination. Lucien
found himself very curious. Due to Lady Elise's blindness, the main hall was
draped in tapestries and the floors almost totally obscured by rugs. Alastair
had explained that it was to prevent echoes and that Lady Elise had learned to
see with sound. He had yet to see her travel on her own, so he was particularly
looking forward to learning how she accomplished that and how other rooms were
altered for her purposes.

            As they exited the dining room, Lucien saw
Gilles pull the butler, Holderson to the side. He didn't hear most of the
exchange but Daniel's name was mentioned. Lucien was looking forward to seeing
the puppy presented to Lady Elise. The group continued through the hall,
Mirabelle and Lady Elise were at the front of the group. Mirabelle didn't offer
her arm and Lady Elise glided forward easily. Lucien noticed she snapped her
fingers rapidly as she turned through a doorway to the right. As he rounded the
corner, Lucien stopped.

            A grand ballroom unlike any he'd seen before was
filled with a forest of marble sculptures on pedestals, that for him, displayed
items at waist height. Again, rugs of various sizes and styles covered the
floor. The room was lined on two sides with glass doors and floor to ceiling
windows. Many of the doors were opened, allowing the mild afternoon air to
drift in. The scent of flowers and herbs from the garden added to the tranquil
atmosphere. As she made her way through the room, Lady Elise reached out and
touched various sculptures as she and Mirabelle discussed their gowns for
dinner. Lucien marveled that Lady Elise did indeed move as if she could see. He
followed the party as they progressed into a small hall and immediately into a
small parlor.

            This truly was Lady Elise's room. Draped almost
entirely in cream and gold velvet and upholstery and lit brilliantly with the
afternoon sun, it was the perfect sanctuary. Longwood, Lucien decided, was
pulled from a romantic fairy tale and Lady Elise was the perfect fairy tale
princess. Gilles, the brave and dashing knight. Lucien watched as she easily located
a chair that everyone understood was hers and sat. She curled her feet beneath
her and smiled in his direction. He had the distinct feeling that she had known
he was watching her.

            Lady Elise's head jerked towards the open French
doors. Lucien looked but saw nothing. He saw her inhale as if she smelled
something other than the garden.

            "I believe we have visitors. One is an
animal of some sort."

            Astonished, Lucien watched as Gilles rose from
his seat next to hers and walked out. A moment later, he returned with the
puppy in his arms. A ball of wrinkles and a black snout, Lucien had picked a
smaller silver female. Smaller. With flopping ears and tremendous paws, she'd
only grow to be the size of a small pony. Celine and Mirabelle both dissolved
into adoring hysterics while Elise's head tilted to the side as she tried to
decipher their reactions. She turned her focus towards the hall. Lucien turned
to see Holderson approaching silently with a tray of glasses and two bottles of
champagne.
She was remarkable
, Lucien thought.

            Celine gasped and covered her mouth, her eyes
filling with tears. She looked back at Gilles as she slowly sat down. Alastair
stood behind his mother and put his hands on her shoulders. He smiled and
nodded. Lucien felt Mirabelle slip onto the couch next to him and grab his
hand. He looked down at their joined hands and up at her. Her eyes were fixed
on Gilles and Lady Elise, she was trembling. He squeezed her hand. She smiled
at him and for a moment he was stunned. He shook his head and looked around the
room and then at Gilles and Lady Elise. Lucien was suddenly overwhelmed as
well. He felt so honored to be present at what was a very important moment for
their family. They were all his and he was so grateful.

            Lady Elise chewed her lip as she tried to figure
out what was going on. She was about to ask when Gilles cleared his throat and
kneeled before her. He placed the puppy in her lap and she startled. Her face
lit up and she was incandescent. Her hands searched and stroked the sleepy pup
and she seemed overcome. The puppy licked her hand, causing her to jump. She
giggled and lifted the bundle to her face, nuzzling it's side.

            "Everyone, Lady Elise has done my the
extraordinary honor of agreeing to be my wife." Celine fanned her eyes and
Mirabelle sighed. Gilles rested his hands on Lady Elise's and continued.
"While I intend to give her a ring and numerous pieces of jewelry, I
thought I'd present her with something she'd enjoy more as an engagement
gift."

            Lucien was moved as Lady Elise carefully reached
for Gilles' cheek and he shut his eyes and kissed her palm.

            "Oh, Gilles!..." She whispered, her
voice wavered. "I love... is this a boy or a girl?" She laughed.

            "It's a girl. Lucien delivered her for me.
I wanted you to have someone to watch over you when I'm not around."

            "She's precious! I didn't think I could be
any happier..." Lady Elise waited for her voice to steady before she
continued. "This is so much more than I ever thought possible. Thank
you!" She leaned forward and kissed Gilles. In front of the family and the
butler, she kissed him.                Lucien looked at the butler and saw that
he was beaming, tears washed the man's face. No one else seemed shocked.
Shaking his head again, he sat back. He decided he liked Gilles' fiancée very
much. She wasn't capable of being coy or insincere. She was generous and cared
for everyone around her. It was obvious that people had a tendency to adore and
protect her. Including the staff of Longwood, it seemed. Lucien found he wasn't
immune.

            Finally remembering the room around them, Elise
turned her attention to Lucien.

            "Does she have a name, Your Grace?"

            He shook his head.

            "Lucien, please. She did not come with one.
I can tell you she has bouts of feistiness and is extremely fond of having her
belly rubbed. She like cheese and apple slices."

            Elise laughed and hugged the puppy as Gilles
stood.

            "I think we should be grateful that Lucien
didn't keep her. He says he's fallen in love." Gilles grinned in Lucien's
direction. Alastair made a comment under his breath, something about an
improvement. Lucien scowled, Mirabelle and Celine stifled giggles.

            "Lucy! I'll name her Lucy!" Lady Elise
announced. Everyone agreed it was a perfect name and rose to congratulate the
new couple. The ladies hugged and the men shook hands as the butler poured
champagne. Lucien was even more impressed when Lady Elise crossed to Holderson,
took his hands and kissed his cheek. She would fit in very well with their
clan, he thought.

            Later that night, Lucien stared out the window
of the bedroom he'd been provided and thought back on the events of the day. He
could only have been more content if his mother had been there. She'd be sad to
have missed out but delighted for Gilles. She loved the Spencer children as if
they were her own. The Fathers had died within a few years of each other and
the families had fused. Lucien had excused himself to write to her as soon as
he could. He described Longwood and it's lovely mistress and how she was also
to be the new mistress. He described the change in Gilles and how taken the
family was with Lady Elise. When he returned to the sitting room, she played
the piano and he was fascinated anew. The men broke from the ladies and
returned to the study. Occasionally, the women could be seen in the garden
walking Lucy and laughing. As the men lounged, Lucien was filled in on the
details of Lady Elise's past. Her seclusion and ill treatment by the local
gentry infuriated him. He was surprised at her initial refusal of Gilles,
though truthfully, he respected her more for it. He was glad that Gilles had
won.

            After dinner, Alastair and Mirabelle had invited
him to walk in the gardens. Celine had already retired and he assumed it was to
give the new couple time alone. Instead, they told him about events a few
nights earlier. A distraught Lady Elise frantic for help while Gilles screamed
like a dying animal in his chambers. Lucien was deeply disturbed. Especially
knowing that it had been happening for so long and no one knew.

            "Gilles said that she stops the
dreams." Alastair said softly. Both Lucien and Mirabelle looked at him.                

            "So she has been with him at night!"
Mirabelle grinned. "I knew it! I'll bet that business about cutting
himself was nonsense."

            Lucien looked at them both, waiting for an
explanation.

            "I'm sure he did cut himself. After the
fact." Alastair stated.

            "Cut himself?" Lucien asked, tired of
waiting to be included.

            "Apparently, Gilles' was in quite a state
when his valet found him this morning. The bed was coved in blood and so was
he. Seems he was run through with a tiny saber and suffered a gory little wound
to his stomach."

            Lucien merely blinked and stared.

            "So... There was all this blood and they
were quite peculiar this morning. I'm assuming that means she was a... and
they..." Mirabelle stopped and waited for them to confirm her suspicions.

            "You're mad if you think I'm touching that
one!" Lucien exclaimed.

            She looked at Alastair and he shook his head.
He'd already participated in the discussion as much as was going to. His mind
was occupied with other matters. Mirabelle and Lucien knew how he was. She took
his arm and they walked towards Lady Elise's room, leaving Alastair to make his
own way back. He had no need of them.

            Once inside, they seemed content to enjoy the
silence. By unspoken mutual agreement, they entered the ballroom gallery and
studied the marbles. They wandered about, sometimes standing together at the
same piece, other times observing different subjects. Now and then, Lucien
would study her when she wasn't aware. She seemed the same as always yet he
kept finding himself watching her, noticing things he already knew. He didn't
understand it. When she yawned and bid him goodnight he was a bit sad. He
decided to check on Alastair and found him at his desk in the study, absently
tapping his outstretched fingers together. Deciding he would be too preoccupied
to be decent company, Lucien made his way to his room.

            Smiling, Lucien undressed and went to his bed.
Content that all was as it should be in his world he started to drift off. The
last thing he was conscious of was the vision of Mirabelle's trembling hand in
his.

Chapter 33

            The following morning the men were relaxing in
the study. Alastair was pouring over a map and accounts of one of the final
battles of the war. Lucien was at Gilles' desk writing to his solicitors and
various retainers, putting matters in motion so he could operate out of
Longwood. Gilles was accomplishing nothing. He lounged on the couch, his booted
feet stretched out on the seat in a manner that would no doubt infuriate maman.
His mind was in his bedchamber. More specifically, his bed the previous
evening.

            Gilles had fallen on Elise like a starving man.
He'd hauled her into his arms as soon as she stepped across the threshold. He
had meant to carry her to the bed and seduce her with words before he joined
with her. Instead, he'd backed her against the door and attacked her with his
mouth. Gilles had craved the taste of her and the kiss in the sitting room had
only whetted his appetite. He'd started with Elise's lips and worked his way
down. He'd gorged himself on her breasts before he lowered to his knees and
devoured the sweet core of her. He'd draped her leg over his shoulder and
feasted on her until she exploded against his tongue.

            Then, he'd carried her to his bed. Gilles
gathered her in his arms with the intent to make love to her slowly, mindful
that she was probably sore. Elise wouldn't allow it. She writhed beneath him,
urging him on. He'd risen on his knees and placed her feet against his chest.
Gilles hadn't lasted very long, seeing her on her back, her breasts bouncing
while she screamed against the back of her hand had pushed him over the edge.
He'd almost fainted with the force of his climax.

            The two of them discussed Lucy and the horse
that Lucien had arranged until Elise decided to catalog the various scars on
Gilles' body. He was by no means disfigured but he had more than his share. She
would trace each one with her fingers and lick at them while he recounted how
he'd acquired it. By the time Elise made it to the long slash at his thigh
Gilles was nearly undone. Seeing her take his cock into her mouth as she
fondled his balls had been too much. He'd tossed her on her stomach and raised
her so she was on her knees and took her from behind. She'd gone wild, biting
the pillow to keep from crying out. She'd ripped the sheet beneath her when she
shattered. Gilles had been mesmerized by the sight of her beautiful bottom
slapping against his stomach and seeing his engorged cock swallowed by her
tightness. He had been holding off until he felt the excruciating pleasure of
her muscles tightening around him as she found her release. Elise pulled him
into her, forcing him to pump his seed deep within her. He'd nearly fallen off
the bed when he withdrew from her, still spasming and dizzy he'd had to grab
the post and wait until he stopped convulsing. In his clumsiness, he'd grabbed
a panel from the canopy, tearing it.

            Gilles laughed as he imagined his valet and the
chamber maid the next morning. His bedroom truly was beginning to resemble a
battlefield. He and Elise were going to have to be more careful, it could get
expensive, having to constantly replace the bedding in his room.

            Gilles held Elise until she fell asleep and
watched her sleep until he felt himself getting drowsy. He carried her to her
room and tucked her in. She might have been a light sleeper the first half of
the night but once she fell into a deep sleep, it was nearly impossible to wake
her.

            "I told you, it's unmanly." Alastair's
voice ripped Gilles from his reverie. Both he and Lucien had taken the chairs
opposite the couch and were studying him.

            "Whatever it is, it must be quite good to
cause him to hum like milkmaid." Lucien replied.

            Gilles looked at them and blushed. Lucien and
Alastair became hysterical, laughing until they were gasping for breath. Gilles
thought it would serve them right if they choked.

            After they had regained their composure,
Alastair sobered and made the "question face", as they'd come to call
it. They knew he had an uncomfortable or upsetting question when his brows
pulled together and he repeatedly opened his mouth, as if he kept changing his
mind as to whether to ask or not.

            Gilles rolled his eyes.

            "What is it, Alastair?"

            Alastair leaned forward, setting his elbows on
his knees.

            "Given Lady Elise's sensory... That is, I
assume that since she is more sensitive in general... Well, do the skills that
she's used to adapt..." It was his turn to blush.

            Gilles and Lucien stared at him. Once Alastair
decided to ask a question, he was generally blunt. He never prevaricated. And
he certainly never blushed.

            Lucien leaned in.

            "I think he's trying to ask how making love
to Lady Elise is different because of her blindness."

            Alastair nodded. Gilles was shocked. If it had
been anyone else, he would have considered the question vulgar and too
personal. Knowing Alastair, it was a purely academic question. As it was
Alastair and Lucien, Gilles felt comfortable sharing. He sat back, rubbing his
knuckle against his lip. Considering how best to explain it.

            Once he had it, he leaned forward. Both
followed.

            "She uses everything. Her hands, her feet,
her legs, her mouth... Her hands, they're everywhere trying to see in her
way."

            "Like when she asked to feel my face
yesterday?" Lucien asked.

            "Similar but much more intense."

            "That was pretty intense." Lucien
returned.

            "Trust me, if it had been the same, we
would be having a very different conversation. It's like she's trying to pull
something from my skin. She's very tactile. She feels with every part of her
body and she scratches a lot." Gilles paused and glanced at the sideboard
and shook his head. It was too early.

            "Jesus." Whispered Lucien.

            Gilles nodded and continued.

            "It's like plucking a violin string. You
touch or kiss or whatever one area and she feels it everywhere. She's sensitive
and more responsive than anything I've ever encountered. She's very aware of
her body and uses everything. She has no inhibitions and remarkable
instincts."

            The room was silent for a moment as Lucien and
Alastair digested all that they had heard.

            "What to do mean by uses everything? You
said that twice." Alastair asked.

            Gilles struggled to find the words. Finally, he
smiled.

            "Do you remember the woman that was famous
at Madame Le Strader's?"

            Lucien's eyes widened.

            "The one that could get a man to... without
either of them having to move?" He asked incredulously.

            "That one." Gilles had to shift in his
seat. He was becoming uncomfortable.

            Alastair and Lucien stared at Gilles.

            "And she'd never... until a few nights
ago?" Lucien asked in disbelief.

            "Until he fell on his sword." Alastair
added.

            "No. I'd assumed that because she'd married
DeVere, she had, but their marriage had been in name only. Basil had married
her to protect her." With that, Gilles sat back.

            Lucien and Alastair sat in stunned silence.
Every now and then Lucien would shake his head. Finally, he saluted Gilles.

            "Congratulations." He said with a
broad smile.

            Just then, there was a knock at the door.

            "Enter." Gilles answered.

            The door opened and Elise stood at the
threshold. Gilles looked at Alastair and Gilles and willed them to act normal.
He met her at the door.

            "Celine and Mirabelle are being fitted. I
was bored." Gilles led her to the couch and sat next to her. The room was
silent for several moments. Elise blinked rapidly and her brows drew together.
"Is this a bad time?"

            "No. Why?" Gilles asked.

            "You're all so tense. Alastair won't be
still and you're all staring at me." She tilted her head. "I heard
laughing not too long ago, now it's as if I've disrupted some sort of
cabal."

            "Everything's fine. How's Lucy?"
Gilles took Elise's hand in his and began stroking her palm with his thumb,
causing her to shiver. Alastair's eyes widened and Lucien coughed.

            "She's lovely. Daniel helped me walk her
and we played in the garden. Her teeth are so sharp and I adore her
breath."

            "Good." Gilles responded, clearly not
listening. He was imagining her teeth, the way she'd bit his thigh just before
she...

            "Gilles?" She was frustrated. 

            He focused on her face.

            "I'm sorry. My mind wandered."

            She stood. Gilles jumped to his feet.

            "Lead me to the door. The three of you are
terrible company right now. I'll play my piano until lunch." Gilles took
her elbow and led her across the room. Once she was safely at the door, he
kissed her cheek.

            "I'm sorry."

            She shrugged and walked off. Gilles waited until
the sound of snapping fingers faded and trudged back to the couch and collapsed
with a groan.

            "I've got to pull myself together."

            Alastair nodded as he sat at his desk.

            "Perhaps it will pass after you've been
married for a while."

            Gilles looked at him dubiously.

            "Do you think so?"

            "No." Alastair admitted as he picked
up a letter and began reading.  His interest was engaged elsewhere.

            "When do you plan to have the
ceremony?" Lucien asked as he settled back into his seat.

            "Tomorrow. I have a plan and I expect she
won't like it." Gilles brushed his fingers through his hair.

            Gilles waited until lunch to share his plan.

            "I've invited the vicar and his wife to
visit us tomorrow. His name is Tibbet, I believe." He looked up at Holderson
who nodded in confirmation.

            Elise dropped her fork and began breathing
rapidly.

            "Why?" She jumped when Gilles took her
hand.

            "Because I want him to marry us
tomorrow."

            She shook her wildly and stood. Gilles held on
to her hand.

            "Sit down, Elise." He tugged and she
sat hesitantly. Everyone at the table stared as he reached for her chin and
turned her face towards him.

            "Do you trust me?" He asked.

            She nodded. His gut clenched when he saw her lip
tremble.

            "Mon petite!" Celine whispered as she
took Elise's other hand.

            "Anyone but him, please! Don't let them
ruin our day!" She begged.

            "Ruin it? It's going to be your
vindication. I want him to do it specifically and I want his wife there too.
They will see you on the happiest day of your life and know that you are the
most beautiful, talented and cherished woman in all of England."

            Elise gasped and smiled weakly.

            "That's perfect, Gilles!" Mirabelle
sighed.

            "Oui! It will show them that you have won
and they are fools."

            "Indeed." Gilles lifted her hand to
his lips. "Tomorrow they will see your triumph and learn their
place."

            "Excellent." Alastair stated.