Saved By A Siren: Spencers in Love Book One (31 page)

            Elise found his face with hers, her tongue
brushed against his lips and began tracing. Gilles tried to keep his eyes shut.
He felt her teeth nip and tug at his lower lip.

            "I want to be out of my mind." She
pouted and began sucking on his lip. Elise released him and slid her arms up
and took his face in her hands. "Please!" She whispered as she draped
her leg over his and pressed herself against him. Gilles hissed as he felt the
scalding heat of her glide against his cock.

            That was it. Gilles gripped her thigh and pulled
it higher, he slid his hips back as he parted her. When he slid his hips
forward, he pressed into her tight heat. Elise's lips curved in a smile and a
moan drifted from her throat. Gilles let his hand glide over her thigh to cup
her backside as he continued to rock into her. She tilted her hips and kissed
him hungrily. Elise pulled away and arched her back as she pulled his head to
her breasts. Gilles responded greedily.

            Elise was so demanding yet her every move was
heavy and slow with fatigue. Gilles feasted on her breasts and filled her while
letting her float along a gentle, sensual current. He let her ride his thrusts
and pandered to her needs until he felt the pressure of his release building
within him. Gilles deepened his strokes and reached between them. He stroked
her with his fingers as he took her nipple between his teeth. Elise hauled in a
breath, a long moan escaped her lips and she flew apart. Her climax was deep
and long, Gilles let it drag him under. He groaned against her breast and
shuddered against her.

            She was asleep before the last of his spasms
faded. Elise sighed and curled into him. Gilles wrapped his arms around her and
closed his eyes. As his breathing started to slow and he felt his mind go blank
he felt fear and dread roll through him. He squeezed his eyes shut and breathed
through his nose, trying to cling to the scent of Elise and the feel of her in
his arms. The more he did the more paralyzed he became at the idea of losing
her. Gilles slowly untangled himself and sat on the edge of the bed until until
his chest wasn't tight and the nausea passed. He suddenly felt drowsy and weak.
He crawled back to the pillows and wrapped himself around Elise and welcomed
unconsciousness.

Chapter 50

            The day before the ball at Clerendon House,
Elise waltzed through the empty ballroom. It would have been the perfect way to
pass the afternoon if she'd been in the right man's arms. But as far as
substitutes went, Alastair was more than adequate. He proved to be as skilled a
dancer as Gilles had promised. Elise smiled as he led her through a turn.

            Gilles, Lucien and Alastair took turns
throughout the week, helping Elise memorize the steps into the ballroom,
finding the dance floor and waltzing. Of the three, Elise preferred Gilles but
she knew that she was biased. But she was glad that it was just her and
Alastair at the moment.

            "I'm worried about Gilles, have you noticed
anything different lately?" She asked as they moved through the room.

            "I have. He's distant at times and looks
worried. It's only when he thinks no one's looking. It's almost like..."
Alastair turned Elise and stopped.

            "What? It's almost like what?" She
tapped his arm and he sighed.

            "Like before he went to Longwood. It's not
as constant but I'm afraid something has returned, within him. Is he sleeping
well?"

            Elise chewed her lip.

            "I fall asleep so quickly now but he
doesn't wake me like he used to. He keeps having these panics, Alastair. If I'm
not where he expects me to be he gets so distressed. Now, I'm afraid to move
through the house and cause him to worry."

            "Then it's to do with the attack at
Longwood. Perhaps because we don't know why it happened or if there's still any
danger." Alastair led Elise up the steps and then turned her and led her
back down and to the dance floor.

            "What do we do?" She raised her hand,
he took it and she curtsied before they began revolving around the room again.

            "Attach a bell to you?" He said.

            Elise smiled. She liked when Alastair made
jokes. He was always so serious and logical, it was always a surprise when his
sense of humor made an appearance.

            "Perhaps, if all else fails..." She
responded.

            "I don't know what else we can do. You know
that I'm useless when it comes to emotional matters." Alastair admitted.
"As far as I can tell the only thing we can do is hope that we stumble
upon an answer or he finds a way to control how much he worries about
you."

            "I don't think you're useless. Perhaps you
don't understand where emotions come from or what causes them but you're
wonderful at helping others deal with them." She squeezed his hand and
smiled at him.

            "I suppose that's something." He
mumbled as he brought them to a flourishing halt.

            "Mirabelle's planning to make sure you're
on the floor for every dance tomorrow night. I thought I'd warn you."

            "She can plan all she likes, I'm not
dancing with anyone outside of the family." He sounded so serious, Elise
tried to keep a straight face. "I need to get you back to Spencer Place.
Do you think you've prepared enough for tomorrow night?" Alastair led her
back up the steps.

            Elise felt a fluttering in her stomach.

            "As prepared as I can be. You've all been
so wonderful. My nerves would be destroyed if we hadn't practiced so
much." She heard the front door open and the sounds of the street drifted
in.

            "Thank you, Joss. We'll see you tomorrow
evening."

            "Very good, sir, my lady." Elise
smiled and dipped her head. Alastair helped her into the carriage for the short
ride to Spencer Place.

            "Couldn't we walk?" She asked as
Alastair tapped the roof.

            "Perhaps, when we're sure the threat has
passed." Elise heard him check his pocket watch. "You and Gilles will
remain in one of the upstairs sitting rooms until the appointed time. He'll
lead you down just before the first waltz. You will dance with the three of us
and then Lucien will make his announcement. There will be a champagne toast.
After that, Gilles will waltz with you again and you will leave as soon as it's
over."

            "I still can't believe all this is
happening. I never imagined I'd come to London, that I'd get to take part in
The Season. I've been to tea with grande dames, the opera and now a ball. None
of this would have worked without you." She nudged him affectionately with
her elbow.

            "Possibly not." Alastair teased.

            "It's been a gift to feel this close to
being a normal young lady." Elise smiled and sighed happily.

            Alastair shifted and turned her.

            "You misunderstand a great many things,
Elise." His voice was very serious, she cocked her head. "Even
"normal young ladies", whatever that might include, cannot function
in London on their own. Do you imagine they are born, fully formed (or
malformed) as a debutante and simply walk into Almacks? All "normal young
ladies" required hours of dancing lessons. I've heard of some needing
lessons to do asinine things like walk properly and use a fan, for some ungodly
reason." Elise giggled, he was quite offended over a fan. He continued,
"These "normal young ladies" devote nearly every waking hour
preparing for some event or another. When they are finally ready they are often
dull, contrived and miserable specimens of human beings. Why would you ever
wish to lower yourself to their ranks? Everything about you that is so unlike
them is what makes you special."

            Elise pressed her hand to her chest, she was
surprised and touched.

            "I love you, Alastair. I'm so lucky that
you're my brother." She said and kissed his cheek.

            It was his turn to be overcome. He cleared his
throat.

            "I consider myself fortunate to have you as
a sister and I... I love you too."

            The carriage stopped and Alastair helped Elise
out. Bennings greeted them at the door and informed them that tea would be
served shortly. Alastair deposited Elise in the parlor with Mirabelle, Celine
and Madeline and went to the study to join Gilles. The ladies discussed Elise's
lessons and preparations for the ball.

            Elise smiled when she heard Gilles approaching
and smelled him as he entered the parlor. A moment later she felt him brush
against her and his lips touched her cheek.

            "How was your afternoon?" He asked as
he sat next to her.

            "Lovely! I think I'm as ready as I'll ever
be. I'm not sure what I'll do the day after tomorrow, I'll have so much extra
time." Elise commented as she picked up a scone. She took a bite and
decided she wasn't getting up until she had at least two.

            "Rest?" Gilles suggested.

            "Oh! That would be decadent." She
sighed between bites.

            "Very well. I'm making it mandatory. You
will rest the day after the ball, and the day after that. You deserve it."
Gilles did something to her plate.

            Elise bit her scone and tasted clotted cream.
She moaned as she chewed and licked her lips.

            "More?" He asked.

            Elise nodded.

            "Yes, please!"

            "You two are almost disgusting."
Mirabelle interrupted.

            "Sorry!" Elise said as she brought her
finger to her lips to lick off some stray cream.

            "Actually, I think I need to have a word
with my wife." Gilles' voice sounded strained. He tried to relieve Elise
of her plate but she hung on to it. He tugged and but she was determined.

            "I want another!" Elise complained.

            "Very well, bring it with you." She
felt something fall on her plate. "And now you have two more. Come
along." He helped her stand and turned her towards the door.

            "Will we see you at dinner?" Mirabelle
asked as they were just through the door.

            "I wouldn't count on it." Gilles
answered over his shoulder.

            "Gilles!" Elise exclaimed as she felt
her face flood with heat.

            The parlor erupted with laughter.

Once in their room, Gilles was
urgent. He made quick work of her dress and had Elise down to nothing but her
stockings in minutes. She was surprised when he insisted she keep them on. It
didn't take her long to decide that she liked the effect they had on Gilles. He
lifted Elise and perched her on her dressing table and ran his hands and lips
up and down the length of her legs for several minutes before he parted her
thighs and took her with his mouth, his hands caressing her limbs through the
silk the entire time.

            After, Gilles sat on her stool and pulled Elise
into his lap. He freed himself from his trousers and lifted her as he thrust
upwards. Elise was shocked at the feel of her naked skin against his fully
clothed body. The fine wool of his coat against her arms, stomach and back, the
texture of his brocade waistcoat against her nipples, the buttons of the falls
of his trousers against her thighs... And Gilles' strong, solid body beneath,
Elise couldn't feel enough. She touched him everywhere with her hands and
pressed her body against him wherever she could.

            "The bed?" Elise panted.

            "Here. I want to watch us in the mirror. I
need to see your legs wrapped around me." Gilles' voice was deep and raspy
against her ear. Heat exploded and Elise felt herself become wetter. "I
don't think I've ever been this hard in my life." He groaned as he pulled
her hard upon him.

            Elise let her head fall back as she moaned.
Gilles was so hard and she felt so full of him. She squeezed, causing him to
curse and pull her harder against him. His mouth closed around her nipple and
Elise screamed. She felt her nerves coiling and her muscles tensing, she rocked
her hips against him. Gilles' hands gripped her bottom, helping her rub harder
against him. Elise felt herself start to shiver.

            "That's it, my love. Come for me, I'm so
close, let go." Gilles growled against her breast. He pulled her in and
suckled hard. Elise pulled his hair and held him to her as her nerves exploded,
her body taken over by cascades of sensation, she arched and writhed against
him as she sobbed his name.

            A moment later, she felt Gilles' body tense and
freeze as his cock swelled with her. He arched his back and Elise felt heat
erupt from him within her as he shouted "Yes!" and her name and
God's.

            Elise's bones and consciousness melted away as
she slumped against Gilles. They remained on the stool, in front of the mirror
with Gilles' arms wrapped around her and his head on her shoulder for what must
have been a very long time. Long enough for Anna to assume they were asleep or
no longer in the room.

            The door opened softly and she marched in
carrying what sounded like several garments. Gilles' head snapped up.

            "Oh, my!" Anna gasped. "That's a
new use for a dressing stool..." Her voice was pointed away, most likely
because she'd turned away from them. Elise heard her move across the room and
felt Gilles lean sideways. A moment later, her dressing robe fell over her. She
buried her head against his neck as she pushed her arms into the sleeves.

            "I'm just going to hang this. I won't have
it wrinkled. My lady is going to be a vision tomorrow night!" Anna
announced as she went about her business.

            "Anna." Gilles said flatly.

            "Yes, my lord?"          

            "Our lady is always a vision but if you
don't leave now, you're going see some things you probably shouldn't." He
threatened. Elise bit her lip. That was the least likely thing to scare Anna
off.

            "Don't mind me, then! If you want to strip
down to your skin, it won't bother me one bit, my lord." She teased.
Gilles chuckled.

            "Make yourself scarce, Anna. After you
bring her ladyship some tea to have with her scones. We'll be dining in here
tonight, so she won't be needing help later." Elise buried her face deeper
and hissed his name in mortification. He stroked her back soothingly.
"Would you like a bath later, darling?" Elise nodded.

            "Please." Her reply was muffled. Anna
laughed as she departed.

            "Very well. Tea, dinner and a bath. Sounds
like a lovely evening. Try not to overtire her, my lord. She's got a big day
ahead of her." Anna chided as she shut the door.

            The evening had been lovely. Gilles undressed
and relaxed in his robe while Elise finished her scones and tea. Both napped
for a few hours and rose for a lazy dinner. After, they relaxed in the tub
until the water began to cool. Gilles carried Elise to the bed and made love to
her tenderly. As she drifted off to sleep, she decided that excluding the
moment when Anna walked in on them, the entire afternoon had been perfect.

            Elise hadn't been asleep for long when she
shivered and reached for Gilles. He wasn't next to her. Groggily, she sat up
and cast her senses out. He was on the far end of the bed. Carefully, she
crawled towards him. Elise could feel he was shaking and warmth flowed from
him. She reached out and touched his back. He jumped and gasped. He was wound
so taut and sweating.

            "What's wrong?" Elise asked as she
wrapped herself around Gilles. His arms covered hers and he shook his head.

            "It's nothing. Let's go back to
sleep."

            "You felt like you did when you had the
dream. It's a lot more than nothing."

            "I promise, everything is fine. I think all
this preparation is taking it's toll on me too. I worry about how much of a
strain all of it is on you. Let's get some rest." Elise could feel how
tired he was. She nodded and let him guide her back against the pillows.