Baron of Clubs: Lords of Scandal Page 3

  That did tug the smallest smile from her lips. He loved that smile and the secret places it hinted existed. “You’re a baron.”

  He grimaced. Of course, title was a factor, but… “And?”

  She squeezed his forearms. “You’re very handsome.”

  Now they were getting somewhere. He shifted the slightest bit closer. “Anything else?”

  “You seem very strong.” Her lips parted, the soft dewy flesh tempting beyond belief.

  His pride crowed from deep inside. “You like that?”

  Her teeth caught that plump lower lip. “I think so.”

  “What does that mean?” He pulled her closer then, wishing to display some small piece of that strength.

  “We don’t know each other very well. I suppose…” She looked up at him, her eyes softly pleading for him to understand. “A woman has to put herself in the care of a strong man carefully, lest she end up…” Her words tapered off again, but suddenly he understood.

  She worried he might be the sort of man to hurt a woman.

  Everything in him protested and he found himself pulling her against his body, his hand flattening out on the small of her back.

  He knew men who acted like that. Ones who beat the women in their care. He also knew the types that never lifted a finger but hurt the women around them just the same with their callous disregard for their well-being. “Lizzie, I need you to know that I will care for you with every tool at my disposal. From muscle to coin, you will always be protected and safe.”

  Hell, her safety had been one of the factors that had spurred him into action, even if it had been a bit foolish on his part.

  Her answering smile melted his insides. “Thank you.”

  He gave a simple jerk of his chin, slowly easing himself back. “I know that you’re ruined already, but I think it best that we delay intimacy until after we’re wed.”

  Relief flooded her features, her shoulders drooping as the tension left them. “That sounds wonderful.”

  His jaw tightened. Had he been hoping she’d offer otherwise? Ridiculous. She was a tender virgin who’d only just left home. Which was why he’d made the offer in the first place.

  So, he gave a simple good night and then made his way to his own room through the connecting door.

  It was only after it closed behind him that he leaned against it, closing his eyes. Had he really just promised to afford her the entire journey? While his mind understood that it was best, smart even, his body raged at him that he played the fool.

  He forced his baser urges to heal, knowing full well she’d be a much more enthusiastic participant with some time to adjust to her new circumstances.

  A knock on the door he leaned against had him bolting up once again. “Lizzie?” he asked as he turned to look at the wooden door. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” she called back, her voice muffled by wood. “It’s just...”

  “What?”

  “My dress,” she said. “A maid buttoned it up the back and now I can’t get it undone.”

  His cock twitched even as he let out a low curse. He’d just brought his body back to heel. After all, he didn’t want to frighten her, he wanted to woo her, to earn her trust and maybe, one day, while love might not be possible or even preferable, respect and mutual admiration could be so. Still, this trip was bound to test the limits of his control.

  With that in mind, he opened the door.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Lizzie held her breath as he stared at her, his expression unreadable, his shoulders broad. So broad…

  This was why he’d frightened her in their short relationship. That look, as though he was chiseled from granite, his jaw square, his eyes mysterious, his muscles…rippling.

  No wonder she’d acted like a bumbling ninny every time he was near.

  There was always something a touch dangerous about him and even more alluring.

  The idea of his hands along her buttons…

  She turned, glancing over her shoulder to see if he moved toward her. “It will only take a minute. I just can’t reach them all on my own.”

  When he’d closed the doors between their rooms, she’d expected to feel a bit relieved. He unsettled her. But the moment the door closed, she’d experienced disappointment. She wanted to be near him.

  He wasn’t the sort of man she’d pictured in her girlhood fantasies. Besides his light brown hair and hazel eyes, he was a closed book, his features shuttered, his words few and far between.

  She’d thought to marry a charming dark-haired fellow who perhaps sang her songs or read her poetry or…

  Her nose wrinkled.

  When had that fantasy become all wrong?

  Suddenly, she pictured a brawny light-haired hero who silently wielded his sword and slayed her dragon with a single sweep of his weapon, and then lifted her onto his horse and carried her away.

  She pushed down the fantasy, attempting to dispel these thoughts from her mind.

  The whole purpose of eloping was to be an adult.

  To take on the burden of determining her future so that her brother might have his.

  It was not to fall into some girlhood fancy about knights and dragons, no matter how much Lord Purewater reminded her of the perfect hero or the sultry villain. She hadn’t quite decided yet.

  “You want me to unbutton your gown?”

  He’d moved closer and his breath whispered across the exposed skin of her neck, making her shiver with the tickle of it. “If you wouldn’t mind. I’d prefer not to sleep in it. Again.”

  He brought his fingers to the tiny row of buttons, and with a deftness that belied the size of his hands, he made quick work of the tiny row of pearls, the gown slumping forward, exposing her chemise and corset underneath. “Done.”

  “Thank you,” she replied, holding the fabric up in the front. “The other gown I brought buttons in the front. I’ll be sure and wear it tomorrow.”

  “Is that what’s in that trunk you brought? I’m surprised you had time to pack.”

  She shook her head. “It was packed already. Remember? We went to Arabella’s to try and hide from the thieves and then…” She didn’t need to say more. “I never thanked you for saving me yesterday. When those men attacked the house.”

  His fingers brushed over the exposed skin at the base of her neck and goosepimples broke out on her flesh. He might have the mystique of the antagonist, but he always acted the part of her savior.

  “You’re welcome,” he answered, the low timbre of his voice making her breath catch. And then his voice dropped even lower. “I’d never allow anything to happen to you.”

  Did he know just how dreamy those words said in that voice actually were?

  Another piece of her hair fell from her pins, the coif horribly disheveled. Her hair had always been finer than most and after that nap on his chest, it was hopeless.

  “Thank you,” she whispered back, that dragon-slaying fantasy rearing up in her thoughts again.

  He skimmed his fingertips up her neck, sliding his fingers into her hair, and pulled out one of her hair pins, a large section of hair tumbling down her back.

  “There isn’t a proper mirror,” he softly murmured close to her ear. “Let me take these out for you.”

  Her scalp tingled, the feeling running down her spine, shivering across her skin as he slowly and gently withdrew several more until all her hair tumbled down her back in loose waves.

  And when he leaned in, brushing his hand through the hair to pull it to the side and kiss the column of her neck, her heart stuttered in her chest.

  “Anything else you need before you retire?”

  She needed him to kiss her like that again. While the intimacy that happened between a married couple, whatever that was, frightened her, the way his light kisses made her skin feel went a long way in calming her nerves. “I don’t think so.”

  “All right, then.” And then he turned and was gone again, the door closing behind them.

  Disappointment, sharp and fierce, swept through her as she let the gown fall forward. How would she sleep after that interlude?

  The carriage ride had been…tense.

  That was the only word that Colton could use to describe the air in the confined space, and he was a man used to long silences.

  But perhaps Lizzie was not.

  She shifted in her seat and gave him a long, assessing glance punctuated with a sigh. Was that an indication that he was supposed to speak?

  He’d never been particularly good at small talk. Rolling his shoulders, he attempted to think of something to say. “Glad it hasn’t rained.”

  Her brows lifted as she stared at him.

  And then, as if nature herself mocked him, a splatter of water hit the roof with a decided thump.

  And then another.

  And in moments, rain pummeled the roof, causing such a ruckus that they couldn’t have talked if they’d wanted.

  Which he hadn’t really.

  He didn’t mind if she spoke. He’d just never been much for starting conversation or breezing through those awkward pauses that inevitably cropped up over the course of an exchange.

  She looked up at the ceiling of the vehicle, her lips parting. “Where did that come from?”

  He looked up too. “God’s likely striking me down for daring to attempt small talk.”

  She smiled at that, her hand coming up to cover her mouth. “Is that your greatest sin? Being a poor conversationalist?”

  He had to return the gesture, his own lips curling up. “I wish.”

  The rain continued its cacophony. “In that case, mine must be immaturity.”

  Did she consider herself immature? He’d only ever seen her as a beautiful woman. She’d been frightened, of course.
r />   But what woman wouldn’t be? After being chased about London by thieves, she’d set off on an elopement with a man she hardly knew. “I think you’ve been quite brave.”

  “Thank you.” Her cheeks flushed in pleasure. Then her chin tucked into her chest, her gaze fixed on her lap. “But I’ve relied on my brother for nearly everything.”

  He hardly heard the words with the rain beating the carriage as it did. “You’re a gently bred woman. Society hardly allows you any other position than to rely on your male relatives. It’s a system that’s flawed at best.”

  Her chin snapped up and her eyes met his. She opened her mouth to answer when the carriage slid to the right, tipping wildly.

  In an instant, he was off the seat and next to her. Fear pumped in his veins as her arms flew out to try and hold herself steady. The carriage tipped again, swinging the other way even as he wrapped his arms around her body, pulling her torso against his, tucking her head into his chest.

  One of the horses made a loud bray, the carriage skidding again so that they were tipped to a wild angle and then a new fear pumped through his veins. They could tip and that might prove disastrous. He slid into the wall, Lizzie coming with him, her body slamming into his as he thumped the heavy wood panels with his back.

  He tightened his hold, his breath holding in his throat as he waited, but the carriage ground to a stop.

  Her arms were flung about him, her head tucked under his chin a small whimper falling from her lips.

  “Lizzie?”

  “I’m all right,” she returned in a husky whisper. “It just frightened me.”

  He pulled her closer still, resting his cheek on the top of her head. “Me too.”

  Her chin tilted up, her large brown eyes holding his as her lips parted. “Are you hurt?”

  “No.” He couldn’t help himself, his thumb swiped across her full bottom lip. “Like you, just scared.”

  “I can’t imagine you frightened by anything.”

  He had to smile at that. “I was worried you’d be hurt.”

  “Really?”

  Colton noted just how close Lizzie was, her breath fanning his face as she continued to stare up at him.

  He wanted to kiss her.

  But she’d been so tentative yesterday, he wasn’t certain he dared. What if she wasn’t ready for more? Bloody hell. He needed to find out…

  Holding her cheek in his palm, he bent down, softly brushing her mouth with his.

  In answer, her lips clung to his.

  Satisfaction roared through him. That had not been the reaction of a frightened woman. Not at all.

  And the kiss had been everything he’d dreamed about for the last fortnight. Soft, sweet, and full of lust, the light touch only stocked the flames of desire.

  He’d have this woman for his own.

  He’d fulfill his obligations to the barony and exercise his desire all in one concise move and hope Lizzie would be content enough with the arrangement as his wife.

  That nagging voice argued that she’d not likely to be so. Granted, he’d had ample opportunity to race in and be her hero these past few weeks, but when they settled into normal life, what would she think of him as her husband?

  Would she like him, or would she find him to be lacking?

  He pulled back, looking down at her stunning features from her full mouth, high cheekbones, adorable little nose and the dark smudges of lashes still on her cheeks.

  Such perfection.

  How could she ever be content him and the emotionless union he sought?

  He eyes fluttered open. “My lord?” she asked, her hand on his chest. But this time, she wasn’t pushing him away. In fact, her fingers danced over his muscles.

  “It’s Colton,” he answered, his thumb just stroking along the silk of her cheek.

  “Colton.”

  His name on her lips made his manhood turn to stone. He wanted her to repeat it again. And again.

  Perhaps while he was on top of her.

  Or she him…

  He held her tighter, leaning in to taste her again.

  “My lord,” the driver called from outside the door. “Are you all right?”

  “Fine,” he called back, reluctantly easing his face away from Lizzie’s. “What happened?”

  “Hit a sudden flood of mud,” the driver returned. “Carriage looks undamaged, but we’re stuck right good.”

  With a grunt, Colton shifted Lizzie over and then rose, snapping open the door.

  The rain still poured down, but he pulled his collar tighter and made a quick circle of the vehicle.

  “As soon as the rain lets up, I’ll get help.”

  Colton frowned at the wheel, half submerged in mud. “We’ll need several men to push this out.”

  The driver nodded. “Can I offer a bit of recompense to help motivate men to come to our aid? I can go back to that little village we just passed through.”

  “Good idea.”

  It took another quarter hour for the quick storm to pass and then the driver set off. Colton didn’t know how long it would take him to rally the men, but he’d guess a few hours at least.

  With a long breath of irritation, Colton settled back on the carriage seat. If they wanted to beat the Earl of Edgemere to Gretna Green, they’d have to ride through the night tonight.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Lizzie shivered in the quiet that had fallen between her and Colton once again.

  Colton.

  The name made her stomach fill with butterflies. It suited him. A strong, handsome name, she tested it on her tongue again, but her chattering teeth made the task difficult.

  The door opening and closing had let what little heat had been in the interior out and though she’d worn a coat, she wasn’t nearly warm enough.

  Colton had returned to his seat as he’d come back in from his assessment and informed her the driver was going for help.

  How long would it be before they started again? How long until she was in front of a warm fire?

  “Cold?” he asked.

  He’d shrugged off his wet jacket, laying it out on the seat next to him. His hair was covered in droplets of water, his cheeks a touch red and bright from the cool air. “You’re not?” she asked.

  “I run hot,” he answered, crossing over to her bench again. Lifting the seat, he pulled a carefully folded blanket from the compartment below and wrapped the wool around her shoulders. Then he picked her up without a word and settled her into his lap.

  Heat instantly seeped from his thighs to hers as she settled herself against his chest. This time she didn’t fight the contact at all, in fact, she welcomed it. Not only was he every bit as warm as he claimed, but with every touch, she grew more excited for the next.

  “Comfortable?” he asked, wrapping her tightly in his arms.

  “Quite,” she murmured, hardly able to contain the smile that curled her lips. She was. And warmer too.

  But those two emotions had faded into the background, desire and excitement pushing to the front.

  “That’s good. This may very well be your bed tonight.”

  She sat up, looking at him. “No inn?”

  He shook his head. “Depending on how long it takes the driver to return…”

  She frowned. “You’re worried we’ll lose too much time?”

  “That’s right. We’ve only a day on your brother. Maybe less.”

  Lizzie winced. Had her brother really followed? Likely he had. She wished he wouldn’t though. While she appreciated how much he loved her, she’d done this for him. He should enjoy his life.

  But as she peeked through her lashes at Colton, she wondered if she’d done this for herself too.

  At least a little.

  The more she knew her future husband, the more she realized that some of her initial fear had only been confusion due to a lack of experience.

  She hadn’t recognized the feelings and flutters he caused with hardly a bit of effort.

  She lay her head on his chest, the steady thud of his heart sounding under her ear. It was strong and confident, exactly like him.

  Lifting her hand, she traced a finger along the lapel of his coat.

  His hand covered hers, flattening her fingers on his abdomen.

  The intimacy of the gesture made her mouth fill with cotton as she swallowed. “What will we do if my brother catches us?”