Saved By A Siren: Spencers in Love Book One (6 page)

            "I'm sorry. As you can see, I don't have a
very high opinion of my neighbors and they certainly don't hold me in high
esteem."

            For a moment, Elise thought he'd left. She'd
been so lost in her tirade, he could have without her notice.

            "Spencer?"

            The next instant Elise was crushed against him.
Spencer's arms surrounded her and he shook with rage. His chin rested on her
head. He released a string of curses that Elise was certain no lady was meant
to hear. Her heart felt like it would burst.

            "I'm so sorry, love. I had no idea, I
wouldn't have pushed if I'd known it was that bad." He stroked her hair
and began rocking gently. "I'm even more convinced that I've done the
correct thing in writing to maman. It's even more important that we don't let
them think they were right about you by creating a real scandal. I won't have
them spreading more cruel rumors. And once they see that you have the support
of some of the most powerful families in England, they'll think twice about
wagging their tongues. I'd horsewhip the lot of them, if I could."

            In that moment, none of it mattered. Elise
didn't care about what they thought or what had happened before Spencer came to
Longwood. He was holding her in his arms and he cared enough about her to
horsewhip the Surrey elite.

            "How is writing to your mother going to
prevent people from talking about what goes on here, between us?" Elise
asked before pushing her face into Spencer's waistcoat. How would anyone
believe a woman could resist a man that smelled like this? 

            "I've asked her to come and stay here with
us, for as long as is convenient. I've also extended the invitation to
Mirabelle, Alastair and Lucien."

            Elise was stunned. Spencer's family, here?

            "Surely, they can't all just up and leave
to chaperone us."

            "I doubt that maman and Mirabelle have
anything interesting on the horizon. The season has just a few months left and
has been unremarkable so far. They'd all be at Winthorpe if Madeleine wasn't
visiting her sick cousin in Bath. Alastair has been out of sorts, work's been
slow since the war ended. Lucien will be tied up for a week or so, but once he
clears up a bit of business, he should be free for the near future."

            Apparently, they could just up and leave. They
all could. Elise gripped the arm of the couch. Her head was pounding and her
skin felt prickly.

            "Are you alright?" She felt Spencer
move closer, his hand gripped her shoulder.

            Elise waved him off.

            "I'm fine. It's just a lot to take
in."

            She felt him stand, he turned her and placed a
pillow behind her back. Spencer pushed her shoulders back gently until she was
reclining. He returned to his seat.

            "Give me your feet."

            "What? I'll be fine. Really."

            "You've gone as pale as a sheet. Give me
your feet. You'll like this, trust me."

            Elise lifted her feet towards him and he placed
them on a pillow on his lap. Spencer began kneading the soles of one foot with
his thumbs and her muscles turned to water.

            "Oh, dear lord!" Elise moaned and she
gripped the couch to keep from falling off.

            "Just relax." Spencer worked his way
up the pad of her foot and her head lolled back. "I sent the letter as
soon as I could this morning. I would have liked to discuss it first but it
needed to be done and I had no idea when you'd be down. We can't be here alone
longer than absolutely necessary. Truthfully, I should have sent it as soon as
I arrived."

            Spencer began kneading her calf and she felt as
if she'd float to the ceiling.

            "I've been too distracted to think
clearly." His voice was low and gravelly again. It did things to her
insides. Her lower insides. "After last night, it became clear that we
needed to handle this properly."

            It was rather unfair, him trying to have an
intelligent conversation while rendering her brain useless.

            "I understand. I do. It's just... I don't
think..." Elise couldn't think! "This can't be proper." She
sighed.

            "It's not." Spencer murmured as he
rotated her foot at the ankle. "But it's not nearly as improper as last
night."

            "True." Elise admitted. "We've
become unusually familiar with each other in just a day. I don't quite
understand yet it makes perfect sense. If that makes sense?"

            She felt Spencer nod.

            "I'm not so certain it will be as easy with
your family."

            "Will it feel like an intrusion, do you
think?" Spencer's hands stilled and he sat forward.

            "Not at all! Your family sounds
lovely." He relaxed and resumed his assault on her ability to speak.
"I'm scared they won't like me. What if I make them uncomfortable?"

            Elise felt his chest shake.

            "Darling, if anything, I'm worried they'll
make you uncomfortable. They're a bit overwhelming at times."

            "Surely not!"

            Spencer switched to her other foot.

            "Mmmm. Maman is at best of times, a force
of nature. She will adore you. Mirabelle is a slightly milder version of maman.
She has a sharp tongue and a quick wit. But she's unfailingly kind and when she
loves someone, she loves them with her entire being. Alastair is a lot like
you. He's aware of everything around him and incredibly perceptive. But
sometimes too perceptive. He has a habit of objectively pointing out things one
would rather he didn't. He can be too pragmatic and can seem detached. In
reality, he's just highly logical and very guarded. Lucien is the complete opposite.
Always charming and light hearted. At least on the surface. He has hidden
depths that very few ever see. I expect he'll flirt with you because you're
lovely and it will annoy me to no end. When we're all together, we can be
boisterous to the point of appearing uncivilized. I'm worried that you won't
accept them."

            "Now, I truly hope they like me because I
already love them."

            It was true, Elise realized. She'd never had a
family and his sounded like the family she'd always wished for as a child. She
could hear his love when he talked about them. It was because of them that he
was the man he'd become. Elise smiled and let the last of her resistance fall
away as he worked his magic on her feet. Her last thought as she drifted off
was that she was profoundly grateful to whoever it was that had taught him to
render a woman senseless and unconscious through her feet.

Chapter 7

            Gilles stroked Elise's feet long after she fell
asleep, he was loath to stop touching her. He leaned back against the couch and
softly caressed the tops of her feet as he stared unseeing out the opened
French doors. He looked over his shoulder as Holderson entered. He made no
effort to disturb Elise. Gilles trusted the older man and was confidant that he
understood his intentions.

            "May I get you anything,my lord?" He
whispered.

            Gilles looked up at Holderson. His expression
was soft and his eyes twinkled.

            "It's early, but I'll take a brandy. I've a
lot on my mind."

            "I understand." Holderson went to the
sideboard where a decanter had recently been placed. It seems he did understand
if he was adding amenities to make the room more comfortable for Gilles. He
looked around the room and spotted the books he'd brought from London on the
table next to his chair. His chair. He smiled. Elise's comment about how
familiar they'd become came back to him.

            "Holderson, that letter I sent this morning
was to my mother. I've asked her to come to Longwood to act as a chaperone for
Lady Elise and I. I expect that she'll arrive some time tomorrow and that my
brother and sister will accompany her. The Duke of Clerendon will most likely
come within a week. His mother as well, at a later date."

            "I look forward to welcoming them to
Longwood, my lord.", handing Gilles a generous portion of Brandy.

            Gilles took a long sip and sighed.

            "What do you think my greatest obstacle is,
Holderson?"

            The old man considered for a moment.

            "She will think she's unsuitable and that
you would be happier if you chose someone else."

            Gilles looked at her. Her hair had come loose
and the light was as content to hover around her as he was. She seemed to glow.

            "She couldn't be more wrong." He said
softly as he raised the brandy to his lips.

            "Indeed." replied Holderson as he
found a pillow and placed it behind Gilles' back.

            "You don't oppose this?" When had a
butler's opinion come to matter so much?

            "I do not."

            "How can you be sure I'm worthy in so
little time?"

            "For three reasons, my lord. One, you knew
you'd fallen in love before I'd brung the tea yesterday and you aren't trying o
fight it. Two, you are the kind of man that care's about how his staff regards
him and would humble himself to apologize over a misunderstanding. Furthermore,
you would consider a butler's opinion in a matter such as this."

            "This is a rather unusual situation. You're
a great deal more than a butler to her."

            "I am. And you recognize that. Would you
like me to bring tea and perhaps something more than scones? I noticed that you
didn't finish your breakfast."

            Gilles shook his head.

            "Just this for now. I don't want the tea
cold when she wakes up."

            Holderson smiled warmly.

            "Very good, my lord."

            "You said three reasons. What's the
third?"

            The old man picked up a shawl and draped it
across Elise.

            "I've taken great care in preparing her
meals since she was four. Any time she's needed a new plate, someone has sent
for me. No one else would think to try. This morning, there were two identical
plates prepared for her and I'd only been responsible for one. It's a great
comfort for me to know that someone else can do that for her when I'm no longer
here." With that he left Gilles to his thoughts.

            Later, Gilles examined the tapestries in the
main hall as he waited for Elise to come down for dinner and reflected on the
afternoon. He'd enjoyed watching her nap for almost an hour. After she rose,
they shared tea before she took to her piano. He read, occasionally stopping to
enjoy a particular song or just to watch her hands drift across the keys. He
learned that she favored Herr Beethoven and was able to learn a song by hearing
it played once or twice and that her solicitor would bring her new music from
London. Apparently, Mr. Bramford's father had been a vicar and he'd learned to
play the organ as a child. At the late earl's request, part of his duties had
been to bring new sheet music to Longwood. As he was able, he often played the
new pieces for Elise at the conclusion of his visit. Gilles found himself more
than a little curious about this Bramford and looked forward to sitting in on
his next visit. When he mentioned that Mirabelle played the piano well and
would probably be happy to play with Elise, he was surprised at her excitement.
She responded as if he'd offered to buy her the Crown Jewels. Which had him
wondering what one bought a woman that had no use for jewels.

            Gilles heard the light snapping of fingers and
looked up to see Elise at the top of the stairs. His breath caught in his
throat as his jaw fell, his body turned to lead. She had been transformed into
a Grecian siren. She wore a gown of draped ivory satin with a gold lace bodice
that hugged her tiny waste and accentuated her amazing breasts. Gold ribbon
laced up the front of the bodice and had been left unlaced at the top. The
effect was nearly too provocative yet still acceptable. The creamy mounds
looked as if they could escape with minimal effort. As she descended, the sheer
satin clung to her hips. Gilles hauled in a breath and tried to loosen his
cravat. Of all the nights to wear the navy velvet coat and matching brocade
waistcoat... He was beginning to perspire and felt his shirt stick to his back.
He'd never survive the evening.

            Elise smiled and reached for him when she
stepped off the last stair. He lifted her hands to his lips and kissed the tops
of both.

            "You look stunning." Gilles said as he
placed her hand upon his sleeve.

            Elise let out a soft gasp as her hand touched
the velvet.

            "Oh, how soft!" She raised her other
hand and to his chest and ran her palm downward. Gilles hissed and pulled her
towards the nearest door.

            "What? Where are we going?" Elise
asked, confusion filling her voice. "What happened?"

            "I have some questions about this
room." Gilles ground out as he tugged her through the door.

            "What room is this?" Elise's fingers
snapped quickly as she pressed against him to keep from bumping into anything.

            "I don't care." Gilles whispered as he
backed her against a wall.

            He took her face in his hands and claimed her
mouth. Elise opened for him instantly and he growled in approval as she sent
her hands sliding up his chest, under his coat. His fingers skated down her
neck and traced her collarbone. She arched her back and thrust her chest
forward, begging him to continue.

            "Christ!" Gilles swore as he pulled
away from her lips and watched his shaking fingers caress the swells of her
breasts. Her skin felt like silk but as he traced along the edge of her bodice
she shuddered and goosebumps spread along the creamy expanse. He'd never held a
woman this responsive, this sensual in his arms. He'd never been so close to
losing control. Gilles cupped Elise's breasts and let his thumbs graze her
nipples through the fabric. She moaned softly and her hips rocked against him.
He took her mouth again and their tongues tangled wildly. Her hands clutched at
his waistcoat as she tried to pull him closer. He set his lips to her neck and laved
the spot under her ear and was about to lift her so that he could feast on her
breasts when reality intruded. Gilles swore again and stepped back.

            Elise whined and pulled him back to her. He took
her lips briefly and as he withdrew hers clung.

            "Don't stop!" She begged, her lips
pushed out to pout and he almost gave in.

            "Dinner, love. We have to go."

            "I'm not hungry." She whispered as she
reached for his face.

            Gilles let her pull him down and tasted her once
more.

            "Holderson will look for us if we don't
appear soon." He groaned against her lips as she grazed the nape of his
neck with her nails.

            With that Elise released him. Gilles stepped
back and looked her over. It was dark but her dress seemed in place and her
hair wasn't mussed. He tugged on his waistcoat and jacket. There was little he
could do about the front of his breeches. He took her arm and led her from the
room. In the light he could see that her lips were a touch swollen and she was
slightly flushed. Otherwise, everything was in order. Gilles wanted desperately
to have her in disorder. Starting with that dress. He wanted to untie the gold
ribbon and let her breasts spill out. He thought of pushing the silk up along
the length of her legs, revealing inch by delicious inch. Gilles had to think
of something else before he made a scene. He could push Holderson only so far.

            "Tell me, I know you rarely leave
Longwood..."

            "Never." Elise interrupted.

            "Never?"

            "I never leave Longwood. I haven't since
the day I arrived as a child."

            "That's... a long time." Gilles didn't
know how else to describe the revelation. Unimaginable? Sad? Lonely?

            "You were about to ask something before I
interrupted you."

            Gilles led her to her seat and pushed her closer
to the table. Holderson placed her plate and withdrew.

            He took his seat and waited until his wine was
poured and he'd nodded at the various dishes offered. Once his plate was
complete he continued.

            "I assumed you must visit a modiste
regularly and wondered if it was near by or you made trips to Town."

            "No, My Lord. Anna and Alice make all of my
clothing. I believe they are very talented. I'm rather fortunate but I fear
their skills are wasted here."

            "Ah, Anna again. She's your lady's maid,
correct?"

            Elise nodded as she chewed.

            "Her and Alice follow the latest fashions
and order whatever fabrics they need. I think they truly enjoy it so I indulge
them, though I'm certain I have far too many dresses and am probably a bit
overdressed most of the time. I often feel like a life sized doll."

            "You are quite a stylish little thing. And
you say they just order whatever they wish and you have no opinion?"

            "They are very careful to keep my
particular needs in mind and I'm always comfortable. I can't imagine what else
I'd be able to add to the process."

            "You misunderstand, they do excellent work
and I can't fault their taste. I just can't imagine any other lady of my
acquaintance trusting anyone so implicitly with their wardrobe."

            "I don't really have a choice. If you're
concerned with the expense, I assure you, I have all costs of my clothing taken
out of my allowance. I really have no other expenses. Mr. Bramford hasn't
seemed concerned so I assume they aren't putting me in the poorhouse."

            Gilles leaned back and laughed.

            "My lady, I assure you, the last thing that
would concern me would be the budget for your wardrobe. It can't be worse than
my own. I think your Mr. Bramford would swoon if he knew what maman and my
sister spend. As countess, it's within your rights to charge it to the earldom.
In fact, it would please me if you did so."

            As he let his eyes sink into generous cleavage,
Gilles realistically admitted to himself that he might be responsible for the
destruction of several of her garments and thus required to replace them. His
conscience would be soothed if he wasn't wasting her money.