UnexpectedChristmas (6 page)

“I’m so sorry, my love. That was inexcusable of me. Give me
a few moments and I’ll try to do right by you.”

She said nothing but her eyes still searched his face.

Finally she sighed. “I much enjoyed the first part,
Sebastian. Don’t feel bad.”

She could not have said anything more provocative if she’d
tried. Or more humiliating. He grinned in spite of himself. Thank all the gods
that be she had no idea of the power she could have over a man.

“I see I’ll have to redeem myself, my beautiful Caro. No,
don’t move. You’re so lovely I want you again.”

Looking down at her puzzled face, he wondered if he would
ever stop wanting her. Her cunt had gripped his prick with a tightness he knew
he’d long remember. Never had a woman brought him such pleasure, and he
wondered if another woman ever could. Shutting off such unwelcome thoughts, he
moved over her once again.

“Sebastian?”

“This time you will find more pleasure, Caro, I promise you.
Let me kiss you, love. Part your lips and let me in.”

He kept a ruthless check on his desire to plunder her like a
savage. Dear saints and devils, what had happened to his famed nonchalance when
dealing with beddable females? The answer flashed into his mind, although he
tried to push it away. She was no ordinary female. She was his love.

He set himself about the pleasurable task of bringing her to
the peak of desire. He used every skill he possessed, stroking and kissing his
way down her body. He focused first on her breasts, sucking her nipples while
she moaned in pleasure. Then he kissed any part of her flesh he could reach.
Her skin fascinated him, with its soft texture and the unconscious way she
flushed when he caressed her hips with knowing fingers, stroking the smooth
curves and then moving to the enticing hollows under her knees. He flipped her
over and kissed the soft skin there and then turned her on her back again,
sucking and laving her navel with his tongue.

Her body was writhing as she sobbed out a small, “please”,
although he guessed she didn’t even know what she wanted.

“Soon, love,” he managed. “Soon.”

Finally he concentrated on the small button of her desire
between her passion-splayed legs. He circled it with knowing fingers,
stimulating her response with all his skill until her rotating hips began to
rise and she clutched him with tight, panicky hands. Her breathless moans added
to his problem of keeping his self-control but he relished them.

Delighted, he focused again on her mouth. He kissed her lips
hotly, sucking her tongue while teaching her to swipe her own tongue around the
inside of his mouth as his fingers kept stroking her clitoris. When he felt her
body begin to quiver without control he increased his pace. This time he
focused only on her pleasure, reveling in the way her hips seemed to
involuntarily clutch him in the tightest response he could remember. He shut
his eyes. She taxed all his resolve without even knowing it when he wanted to
concentrate only on her finding the ultimate relief lovemaking could bring.

His vision blurred and he felt his control slipping. He
drove into her with all his force, staying in her as she convulsed around him
and he let himself go.

Their mutual climax was even more powerful to him than his
first.

He rolled her beside him, his cock still in her as they both
shuddered and reveled even as they drifted back to more normal breathing.

By god and by thunder, this was a woman who could forever entrance
him. Her body seemed made for him. He wanted to stay in her and make her know
she was his. Indisputably his. For once he wanted to be loved for himself
alone, and only this girl had seen his true self. He could not remember ever
being so natural, so much less an earl and so much Sebastian as he had been
with her these few days.

He turned even more to his side, taking her with him and
pulling the covers over them. They held each other without speaking. Sebastian
thought she’d fallen into a light doze but he had never felt so wide awake.

Why had he found this girl, this girl who was meant for him,
when he could not have her? He’d finally found the place he’d been seeking for
years.

The very thought of his father accepting a teacher as his
son’s countess was ludicrous.

What the hell was he to going to do?

He wanted her. He needed her. Yet he could not have her. His
family would reject her and make her miserable. That was the one thing he could
not control. If he thought he could make her happy he might do differently than
he knew he had to do.

Still thinking frantically, he could come to no sensible
conclusion. When someone knocked on the door he shut his eyes for an agonized
second. Caro sat straight up in bed.

Sebastian, shocked to his very toes, still had the presence
of mind to protect Caro. He put his hand over her mouth and whispered for her
to be quiet.

“Who’s there?” He called out in a sleepy tone, realizing
with despair his delightful time with Caro was over.

Now he had to protect her reputation.

“Bates, my lord.”

“Are you all right, Bates? And Trujax and Suleiman?”

“Of course, sir. I had to ride for over an hour during that
storm but I found a farm and the family took us all in. I regret not staying
here in your stead. My accommodations were much nicer than this hole of an
inn.”

“But if you recall I was suffering from a migraine and
needed to sleep.”

He made no mention of the fact saving a damsel in distress
had banished all other concerns. In fact, looking back, saving Caro had even
banished the migraine, an unheard of occurrence. If he’d stopped to think he
would have known at once her importance in his life.

And now he must let her go.

“Go downstairs and see if you can find something for
breakfast, Bates. It won’t be easy.”

“Oh, my lord, has it been that bad? I—”

But Sebastian cut him off. “Go, Bates.”

He turned, meaning to take Caro in his arms for one more
kiss, but found her standing by the bed, that miserable cloak pulled tightly
around her.

“You will be fine now, my lord. Now I must put on a more
decent outfit. The last clean one, incidentally. It is a very good thing we’ve
been rescued, is it not?”

“Caro, will you let me kiss you one last time? Please?”

She stiffened even more.

“I think not, my lord. What would be the point? Now will you
please check the hall and make sure I will not be observed? This is your room
after all.”

Sick at heart, he nodded, went to the door, checked and then
nodded again.

Without meeting his eyes, she swept into the hall, her cloak
dragging slightly. Still she impressed him as the proud, independent, beautiful
woman she was. Impressed him, hell. He wanted to follow her, take her in his
arms and thrust his cock into her once again.

Even if it was the last time he’d be so privileged.

* * * * *

Sebastian washed as best he could, put on the last of the
clean shirts in his valise and went downstairs to a now busily throbbing inn.
He dealt with the innkeeper’s profuse apologies, inquired after his wife, was
told the innkeeper had a new son who was the handsomest child in all of Britain
and congratulated him. He ate the hearty breakfast put before him without
tasting a bite. He sat at the table, not surprised when he saw Caro emerge,
deal with more effusive apologies from the innkeeper and decline breakfast.

At that Sebastian rose to his feet. “You will eat a little,
Miss Manchester, before I convey you to your destination.”

“I’m sure the innkeeper can find me transportation, sir. But
I thank you.”

“Nonsense.” His voice was curt with anger at her blasted
independence. “I am quite determined to escort you. After all, what would my
sister say if I deserted her friend?”

Even though his sister had nothing to do with it, as they
both knew, he could almost see her mind click into action. They’d been alone
for three days. Her reputation would be completely shattered unless she went
along with the last of this farce.

“Very well, sir. Minta would indeed be shattered did you not
take care of me as you have so gallantly done this week. I accept your offer.”

The little minx. Now he had a sister. Minta? Short for
Araminta, perhaps. He smothered a grin. He hated to think what his true sister
would say if he called her Minta instead of Marianne. But Caro had done what
she could to stop gossip.

He’d do more. He bowed over her hand.

“We have not gotten along well these few days, madam, but at
least we survived. I regret the times I lost my temper and offer my apologies.
I do not take to hardship well. We will leave when you are ready.”

There. He too had done what he could to squelch gossip. The
innkeeper’s eyes flickered from one to the other of them, noting Caro’s
disdainful glance at him. Hopefully he was surmising this lord had finally met
someone who’d rebuffed him. The respectful glance he gave Caro seemed to prove
this and Sebastian breathed a little easier. Gossip had a way of transcending
class lines.

“As soon as you finish breakfast will be fine with me, my
lord.”

He bowed to Caro then beckoned to Bates. “When the horses
have been fed harness them again please. We will leave shortly.”

Bates gave him a reproachful look. “Of course, my lord. And
your horses have already been fed.”

Sebastian nearly rolled his eyes. Now he’d insulted his man.
Well, he’d be even more insulted soon, when he drove Caro to her school. Bates
would be forced to take the back perch, where he’d certainly never ridden
before. No help for that either.

It was not going to be a comfortable journey for any of
them. He longed for one more kiss from Caro but there would be no chance of
that with him driving and Bates looking down at them. Perhaps it was just as
well.

Still, for him at least, it was going to be one hell of a
sad trip. He was saying goodbye to the one woman he could have loved. She sat
stiff as a statue beside him, seemingly unperturbed. A glance at her hands told
him differently. She was silently pulling at a torn patch on one tattered
glove, her eyes fastened on the poor scrap as if it were the most important
thing in the world.

Ah, dear god and all the saints. His darling love, who would
slap him in the face if he tried to give her the money she so badly needed.

Caro.

How could he ever leave her?

* * * * *

Leaving her at the school was even more painful than he’d
suspected it would be. She’d said very little. Her hair was pulled back tightly
under a miserable bonnet and she’d merely stood there when the headmistress
came storming out to meet her.

Sebastian knew the minute her snapping eyes spotted the
crest on his carriage and she shifted her gaze to him. He didn’t doubt she’d
missed a detail of his appearance or that of his man, as Bates climbed glumly
down from his perch and reached for Caro’s valise.

Sebastian hoped he’d passed inspection. His boots would
never be the same, even though poor Bates had done his best.

He swept the dragon a bow.

“Ma’am, I’m pleased to being Miss Caroline back to you
safely. As a good friend of my sister’s her safety was important to me when we
were stormed in together. Luckily we all survived and here she is, ready to
resume her duties. You are fortunate to have such a learned teacher, but then
you know that.”

The dragon seemed a little mollified but still suspicious.

“My lord, how kind of you to take care of Caroline. And do I
know your sister, sir?”

“Oh I’m sure you do. The Countess of Hanover? Yes, I’m sure
you’ve met her.”

The stern face softened a little. “I don’t think I know her
personally, although of course I know of her. Well, if you and your man took
care of Caroline I thank you.”

He could still hear the suspicion in her voice so he decided
he might as well embellish his lie. Caro’s life would be hell if he did not.

“Oh, everyone at the inn took care of her. She was a vast
favorite.”

He turned to Caro and took her hand, kissing it briefly.

“It has been an honor, Miss Caroline. I don’t think I’ve
given you one of my cards. I want you to have one so you can reach me if
necessary. You were a valiant lady through these uncomfortable days. You can
count on me for any help you might ever need.”

He handed her his card. Expecting the dragon to seize it the
minute she had the chance, he’d also tucked one in Caro’s valise. He well knew
he might have left her pregnant. If so he’d insist on her accepting his
protection. The thought somehow lifted his spirits a little, in spite of the
fact he had little justification. Caro took the card, raised her eyes to his
briefly and then spoke so softly he almost didn’t hear her.

“Goodbye, my lord.”

She took her valise from Bates and went through the door of
the school. Even as he turned away he could hear the dragon’s scolding voice.

“You left us in a pretty pickle, Caroline. I always did
think you had little consideration for others. If you weren’t such a good
teacher I’d let you go on the spot. Now I want to hear every bit of what
happened with that handsome lord. Up to no good, I’ll bet…”

Her shrewish voice trailed off as she continued her rant.

My dear god, what had he done to Caro?

May the saints forgive him.

He doubted if he’d ever forgive himself.

Only the thought of his father made him turn away and leave.

He should have been delighted beyond all reason to be home.
His staff welcomed him heartily, which was nice since Bates had for some reason
turned into an icicle, refusing to speak except in curt answers.

Well, he’d done the best he could. He’d had no choice but to
deliver Caro safely and try to smooth her way. Still, her last quick glance at
him haunted his every thought.

He did not rejoin his usual group of jolly friends at
White’s. If they found out he’d been snowbound for three days he’d face no end
of questioning. Worse, ribald comments about buxom serving maids and the like.
For some reason the whole imagined conversation made him clench his teeth,
saddle Ajax, his favorite horse, and ride through Hyde Park at an early hour.
An hour when he’d be unlikely to see anyone he knew, and when he could let Ajax
loose. He’d always come home invigorated before. This time he was miserable
within half an hour. Nothing worked. Whether he tackled his correspondence or
performed his customary duties as an earl, Caro’s beautiful face appeared
before his eyes. Her eyes as she’d looked up at him when he held his ready body
over hers.

As if he were a king.

He slammed down his book just as his sister entered the
room.

“You might have knocked, you know.”

He startled himself with his low growl but his sister didn’t
seem to mind.

“I did. You didn’t hear me. You don’t know anyone else
exists lately, Sebastian. Do you want to tell me who she is?”

He glared at her and then lowered his eyes and surrendered.
He needed help, and he and Marianne had always been close.

“That’s just the trouble, Marianne. She’s a nobody. A
teacher. Can you imagine?”

Her sympathetic eyes flickered and then froze.

“Since when did you get to be such a damned superior person,
Sebastian? What’s wrong with being a teacher?”

“Nothing, by god. And I’m not a snob. I can imagine how the
ton
would treat her and it makes me ill. She won’t be my mistress, so I’d have to
marry her. They’d chew her up and spit her out. I don’t want her crushed by
those idiots.”

His sister stared at him. “I like her already. Tell me about
her, Seb.”

So for the first time he let himself free and described the
girl he loved. He did not go into detail about their nights together but his
sister was no slowtop.

She listened in silence.

When she finally spoke it was with a quiet certitude that
quite shattered him.

“You obviously have to marry her, Seb. Is she so dreadfully
ineligible?”

“She has no family of note, for God’s sake. She teaches
French in a school for girls. My god, that damned prissy headmistress. Her
contempt for Caro nearly made me forget I’m a gentleman. But that’s just how
the
ton
would treat her if I married her. They’d tear her to shreds. I
won’t have her hurt or insulted. And you know what our father, the
oh-so-irreproachable marquess, would say.”

“No, I don’t. And neither do you.”

“What are you saying, Marianne?”

“That I think you’re acting like a coward for the first time
since I’ve known you. As well as a snob. I don’t like you right now, brother.”

There was a moment’s silence while Sebastian stared at his
sister.

“You should go see her, Seb. Find out if the attraction is
still as strong as it seems to be. Let your heart guide you from there on.”

He rubbed his fingers across his tight forehead.

“And the hell to what anyone says?”

Marianne sighed. “I don’t know the answer to that, Seb. I
just know you’re miserable, and no one can help you but yourself.”

He lifted his head, showing a spark of life in his listless
eyes that hadn’t been there before.

“She might refuse to speak to me.”

Marianne grinned. “I wish you could hear yourself. You sound
like the veriest schoolboy worrying about his first dance. You, society’s most
notorious heartbreaker.”

“You’re right. Thanks from the bottom of my own anxious
heart. If I want her I’ll have to fight for her. Papa will have fits. But
probably Caro herself will be the biggest hurdle.”

Sebastian vaulted to his feet and kissed his sister’s cheek.

“Want to come with me, matchmaker?”

His sister laughed. “Hardly, you provoking man. What shall I
tell Father if he asks for you?”

“Whatever you want. I’ve got more important matters on my
mind right now.”

His sister hugged him.

* * * * *

Sebastian drove a small brougham to the school. He’d wanted
to take his gig, a small, light vehicle that might not be stylish but was
speedy. He knew somehow it was important to see Caro as soon as possible. But
he also wanted to bring her back with him, with her reputation intact, and that
meant he had to take a chaperone and a slower vehicle.

It was the week before Christmas and the snow from the last
big storm when he’d met Caro was still piled along the sides of the roads. A
most serendipitous storm, at least for him. Now that he’d tackled his inner
demons, he knew he loved Caro with a love that would not change. He’d face his
father down when the time came. They did not have to live in London if the
ton
showed the slightest sign of scorning her. There was always his country estate.
Was his kind of love not worth any task she might set for him to prove himself?

That he deserved some censure from her was a given. He had
dropped her off, leaving her to face that dragon of a headmistress. He’d made
no move until now to get in touch with her. She’d probably be living in a
species of hell, with no alleviation in sight.

As he neared the school in his smallest and fastest
carriage, drawn by Trujax and Suleiman, the clouds suddenly cleared and a
brilliant sun shone through. As he was rejoicing in this propitious sign, a
brisk wind sprang up and the sky darkened even more than before. Damn and blast
if he couldn’t do without this ominous omen.

He urged his pair on, his face set in lines of
determination. He wouldn’t acknowledge rejection from a capricious nature. Damn
if he would.

As he drove the lane to the school, he felt the sullen atmosphere
of the place closing around him. The gray stones were forbidding in themselves
and there was no activity at all. He stopped Ajax at the front steps and looked
around for a spot to tether his horse where he’d be happy. There was no grass
or water in sight, just gravel of the same melancholy gray. Had he really left
Caro in such dismal surroundings?

He should be horsewhipped.

He unharnessed the horses and walked them around to the back
to cool them a bit.

He’d started to return to the front when the back door was
flung open and the dragon stormed out.

“See here, you, what are doing invading my back garden?”

She stopped as she saw Sebastian, and recognition lit her
suspicious eyes.

“My lord, it’s you. What are you doing here?”

Her voice had changed to sugar but Sebastian wasn’t fooled.

“I’ve come to call on Miss Caroline. May I go around to the
front and enter properly?”

He flashed his sweetest smile. The dragon smiled back, a
near-grimace showing it taxed her to do so.

“Of course, my lord.”

A few minutes later he entered the front hall, ushering in
the maid he’d brought so she could warm herself a little. Not until the hall
was that warm. Then he turned to deal with the dragon. My god in heaven, what a
dreary place this was. When he asked for Miss Atterby to be told he was there,
the bitch of a dragon hesitated.

“I’m not sure that’s wise, my lord. I fear she was not
herself for some days after you returned her here. I can’t stand moping and
will not have it again. She claimed you had not led her on, so the silly girl
probably pined for things she’ll never have. You can want nothing from her she
should be prepared to give, so I think it best you leave her alone.”

If she’d been a man Sebastian would have had her on the
floor by now. With a broken nose, at least.

“I came with my sister’s invitation to spend Christmas with
us. We are at our estate near Bath for the month and Marianne longs to see
her.”

The dragon-bitch’s eyes widened.

“I fear that is impossible, my lord. I am about to leave to
visit my family for Christmas and Caroline is needed here. One girl whose
parents are in India has no place to go for Christmas and Caroline must stay
with her.”

He was about to blast her and her sanctimonious remarks to
kingdom come when he heard a slight noise and saw Caro had come down the hall.
He suppressed the desire to grab her and fold her in his arms. She was thinner
than when he’d last seen her. Her beautiful hair was stuffed into a mob cap and
she looked nothing as he’d remembered.

Then she raised those incredible eyes and he fell in love
all over again.

“Caro.”

He stepped to her and took her icy hand.

“My lord,” she said. “How kind of you to come check on me. I
am well employed here, as you can see. There is no need for concern.”

No need, when she did not meet his eyes and gave no sign of
the welcome he’d expected?

As she withdrew her hand from his she raised her eyes for a
moment. The pain in them nearly sent him to the floor. What had this monstrous
woman done to her? Helped by him, of course.

He turned to the dragon-bitch with one of his best smiles.
No matter she couldn’t see through to his raging heart.

“I believe I must change my plans a little. My sister has
charged me to bring Miss Atterby home with me. She’ll never forgive me if I
don’t. We have a jolly Christmas at my country estate. I’m sure the young lady
you mention will enjoy being at my home. There are always children around at
Christmastime and I will make it my personal responsibility to see that she
does.”

He paused and fixed his eyes on the dragon-bitch. “I’m
positive you can have no objection, madam.”

He kept his gaze on the headmistress, letting all the
authority he possessed as a powerful earl and man focus in his implacable
stare.

She flushed, glared at Caroline and then gave in, as he knew
she must.

“I see I have no say in this matter. Unless you do not want
to go, missy? You might wish to decline, Caroline?”

Her furious gaze promised retribution if she accepted but
Caro did not look at her.

“Madam, I do wish to go. It’s been so long since I’ve seen
my good friend.”

Sebastian could have kissed her on the spot but he kept his
silence.

“Then go.” The dragon-bitch had no choice. “Go before I
change my mind.”

She flounced out of the room.

He let his relieved gaze run over Caro’s tense figure. By
god, she’d lost too much weight, but her curves remained delectable. He could
hardly wait to make her his fiancée. And put her where she belonged. In his
bed.

“Go pack for you both before she changes her mind. I’ll wait
here for you.”

She finally looked him in the eye.

“Of course, my lord. Right away, my lord.”

Her tone was almost contemptuous and Sebastian smiled. This
was the Caro he knew and loved. He pulled up a chair, swung one immaculate
Hessian boot over his knee and prepared to wait.

He did not have long. Caro appeared shortly, a girl of nine
or ten clutching her hand. The child was as skinny as Caro and frightened half
out of her wits if her white-fingered clutch on the portmanteau she carried was
any indication. Caro also had a small valise with her. For the first time
Sebastian wondered if she had any clothes at all suitable for Christmas at an
earl’s manor. Damn if he hadn’t been thoughtless again. Not that he wouldn’t
have practically kidnapped her, even if she’d been dressed in rags. But he
should have consulted his sister about getting some suitable things for her.

“This is Becky Armstead, my lord. Her parents are in India
right now so we have the pleasure of her company for the holidays.”

Sebastian knelt in front of the child. “You will be my
honored guest too, Miss Becky.”

The child slowly smiled, her face softening as she looked at
the handsome man kneeling before her.

“Oh you’re pretty. I think I like you. Do you have horses?”

Sebastian stood and took her valise. “Then we like each other.
You’re pretty too. What a good beginning for your visit to my home. And yes, we
have lots of horses.”

Caro’s eyes met his for a moment and he thought he saw a
flash of pleasure. She liked horses too? And where had she learned to like
them?

Becky gladly took his hand and trotted along beside him. He
could only carry one valise so he took the child’s. Caro picked up her own
portmanteau and Sebastian escorted them all to the carriage. It was a tight fit
but Sebastian didn’t mind. He smiled ruefully to Caro in case she did, and to
his delight she half smiled back, although she didn’t meet his eyes. He wanted
to get her and this sweet child safely to his home, where he could convince his
love of his sincerity.

That it would not be easy, he well knew.

* * * * *

Becky was not Sebastian’s only surprise that day. They had
no sooner entered Sebastian’s impressive manor house than a beautifully gowned
figure came running down the stairs.

“Seb, I’ve been waiting for you. Do you intend to…?”

Sebastian rolled his eyes but stepped forward to grab his
sister’s hand.

“I didn’t know you’d still be here, Marianne.”

His tone was dry as he rapidly ran the advantages and
disadvantages of having his sister on hand. Could she help him in his
courtship? He damn well wouldn’t permit her to hinder him.

He looked up to see Marianne put her hands to her lips then
drop them and run to Caro. Throwing her arms around her and kissing her on both
cheeks, Marianne looked about to explode in excitement.