Seduction

SIXTEEN

Sophy watched, torn between love and a seething anger, as the last of Julian's clothes hit the floor. He kept his grip on her wrist as he finished the process of undressing himself and then he tumbled her down onto her back.

Naked, he loomed over her, caging her between his strong hands. His eyes gleamed and his hard face was set in the stark lines of masculine arousal.

"I will tell you this once more and once more only," he said as he began the process of removing her clothing. "I have never mistaken you for Elizabeth. Calling you a mad woman was a figure of speech, nothing else. I meant no real insult. But it is imperative that you understand I cannot allow you to seek your own vengeance."

"You cannot stop me, my lord."

"Yes, Sophy," he muttered as he tugged her gown off, "I can and I will. Although I understand very well why you're skeptical on that point. Thus far I have given you little reason to believe me capable of fulfilling all my duties as your husband. You have cut a blazing swath through town, have you not? And poor, blundering creature that I am, I always seem to be following about ten paces behind, desperately trying to catch you. But this mad dashing about is at an end, my dear."

"Are you threatening me, Julian?"

"Not at all. I am merely explaining that you have finally gone too far. But you needn't worry. You have my word that I will do whatever it takes to protect you." He untied the tapes of her pleated cambric chemisette.

"I do not need your protection, my lord. I have learned my lesson well. Husbands and wives of the ton are supposed to go their own ways. You are not to involve yourself in my life, nor I in yours. I have told you I am willing to live by the codes of so-called polite Society."

"That is nonsense and you know it. God knows there is no way I could ignore you, even if I wished to do so." He finished removing the last of her clothing, and paused to sweep the length of her with his heated gaze. "And, my sweet Sophy, I have no wish to ignore you."

She felt the passionate hunger in him and the answering response in herself and knew that he was right. In bed, at least, neither of them could possibly ignore the other. A sudden suspicion came to her as his hand smoothed the curve of her thigh.

"You would not beat me," she said slowly.

"No?" He smiled, a brief, flashing, wickedly male smile that was as sensual as the movements of his hands on her body. "Beating you might be interesting." He gently squeezed her buttock.

Sophy felt herself warming quickly under his touch and shook her head with grave certainty. "No. You are not the type to lose control over your emotions and resort to violence against a woman. I told Lord Waycott as much when he claimed you had beaten your first wife."

Julian's captivating smile vanished. "Sophy, I do not wish to discuss either Waycott or my first wife just now." He lowered his head to close his teeth gently around one taut nipple. His fingertips brushed the tawny fleece below the gentle swell of her stomach.

"But while I am certain you would not use a crop on me," Sophy continued breathlessly as she felt his finger part her with great care, "it occurs to me that you might not be above using other means to… to ensure I do your bidding."

"You may be right," Julian conceded, apparently unconcerned by her logic. He kissed her throat, the curve of her shoulder and finally her lips. He lingered over her mouth a long while until she was moaning softly and clinging to him. Then he raised his head slightly to meet her eyes. "Are you worried about the tactics I might use to convince you to follow my advice, my sweet?"

She glared up at him, struggling to think clearly while her body concentrated only on the pleasure it was receiving at his hands. "Do not think you can control me in this fashion, my lord."

"What fashion?" He slipped two fingers deeply into her and separated those two fingers very slowly, opening her completely.

Sophy gasped and felt herself tighten with excitement. "This fashion."

"Never. I would not presume to believe that I am such a skillful lover that I could actually convince you to abandon all your fine principles for me." He withdrew his fingers with excruciating slowness. "Ah, sweetheart. You flow like warm honey for me."

"Julian?"

"Look at me," he whispered. "Look at how hard and ready I am for you. Did you know that the mere scent of you is enough to arouse me like this? Touch me."

She sighed with longing, unable to resist his sensual plea. When her fingers curled gently around his thick shaft she felt him pulse in reaction. She nuzzled his chest. "I still do not think this is a proper way to settle our differences, my lord."

He sat up and put his hands around her waist. "No more conversation, Sophy. We will talk later." He lifted her up and held her so that she knelt, facing him. "Spread your legs and mount me, sweetheart. Ride me. I will be your stallion and you will be the one who controls the passion in both of us."

Sophy clung to his shoulders, her eyes widening as she adjusted to the new position. She braced herself as she felt his manhood brush her softness. She liked this position, she decided. It was exciting to be on top. "Yes, Julian. Oh, yes, please."

"Take as much or as little as you wish. Take it as quickly or as slowly as you wish. I am at your command."

An exuberant thrill coursed through Sophy as she realized that it was up to her to set the pace. She lowered herself carefully over his thrusting hardness, savoring the slow penetration. She heard his deep, muffled groan of desire and her hands tightened on his shoulders.

"Julian."

"You are so lovely in your passion," he whispered tightly. "Soft and flushed and so willing to give me everything." He covered her throat with damp, warm kisses as she continued to lower herself until he filled her completely.

Sophy waited a moment, letting her body accept him, feeling herself tightening around him. Then, cautiously at first, she began to move.

"Yes, my sweet lady. Oh, God, yes."

She felt Julian swelling within her, felt herself growing unbearably taut. She clutched at him, her nails raking his shoulders and her eyes closed with the delicious tension. She concentrated only on finding the perfect rhythm that would unleash the wild, soaring release. Nothing else mattered in that moment but the joy of taking her own pleasure while she pleasured Julian. She felt infinitely powerful, brimful of a woman's unique strength.

"Tell me of your love, sweetheart. Say the words." Julian's voice was soft and coaxing and urgent. "I need the words. It has been too long since you said them. You give me so much, little one, can you not give me a few simple words? I will treasure them forever."

A tight, hot tingling sensation began to uncoil within Sophy. She was beyond reason, beyond thought, beyond everything but her own emotions. The words he sought were ready on her lips.

"I love you," she whispered. "I love you with all my heart. Julian"

She convulsed softly around him, the small tremors of her climax rippling outward, sweeping her away on a golden tide. In the distance she heard Julian's answering growl of response, felt the sudden rigidity of the bunched muscles in his shoulders and, finally, the shattering power of his own release.

For a moment they hung suspended in a timeless realm where nothing could interfere with the pure intimacy of their union. And then, with a low, satisfied groan, Julian sprawled back onto the pillows, bringing Sophy down across his chest.

"Do not ever again think that I could possibly confuse you with Elizabeth," he said without opening his eyes. "With her there was no peace, no satisfaction and no joy to be found under any circumstances. Not even… never mind. It's no longer important. But believe me when I say she gave nothing of herself. She took everything and then demanded more. But you give yourself so completely, my sweet. It is a special kind of enchantment. I do not think you can even imagine how good it feels to be on the receiving end of your generosity."

It was the most he had ever said on the subject of his first wife. Sophy decided that she did not really want to hear any more. Julian was hers now. They were bound together. And if what she had begun to suspect this past week were true, she even now held a part of him within her.

Sophy stirred, crossed her arms on his chest and looked down at him. "I am sorry I threw the swan at you."

He opened one eye at that and then grinned up at her. "I am certain that in the years ahead there will be other times when you will be obliged to remind me that you do, indeed, possess a woman's temper."

Sophy widened her eyes innocently. "I would not want you to ever grow complacent, my lord."

"I am sure you will save me from such a fate." He laced his fingers through her hair and pulled her face close to his. He took her mouth in a brief, rough lass and then freed her. His eyes grew serious. "Now, then, madam, as we are both in a calmer state of mind, just as I predicted, it is time to conclude the discussion we began earlier."

A great deal of Sophy's languid pleasure vanished as reality returned in a rush. "Julian, there is nothing more to be said on the subject. I must continue with my inquiries."

"No," he said quite gently. "I cannot permit you to do so. It is far too dangerous."

"You cannot stop me."

"I can and I will. I have made my decision. You will return to Ravenwood tomorrow."

"I will not go back to Ravenwood! Shocked and furious, Sophy pushed herself away from him and scrambled to the edge of the bed to retrieve her clothing. Clutching her gown in both hands, she faced him warily. "You tried once before to banish me to the country, my lord. It was not a successful effort then and I warn you it will not be successful this time." Her voice rose. "Do you think I will surrender to your dictates just because of what transpires between us in bed?"

"No, although it would certainly make matters easier if you did."

The calm in his voice was far more alarming than his earlier anger had been. It occurred to Sophy that her husband was at his most dangerous not when he was in a temper but when he was in this mood. She shielded herself behind her clothing and watched him uneasily. "My honor demands that I complete my task. I intend to find and punish the man who caused Amelia's death. I thought you understood and accepted my feelings regarding honor, my lord. We had an agreement."

"I do not deny your feelings on the subject but there is a problem because your sense of honor puts you in conflict with my own. My honor demands that I protect you."

"I do not need your protection."

"If you believe that, then you are more hopelessly naive than I had thought. Sophy, what you are doing is extremely dangerous and I cannot allow you to continue. That is all there is to it. You will tell your maid to begin packing at once. I will finish my business here in town and join you as soon as possible at Ravenwood Abbey. It is time we went home. I am weary of the city."

"But I have barely begun my detecting work. And I am not at all weary of the city. In fact, I am learning to enjoy town life."

Julian smiled. "That I can well believe. Your influence is showing up in all the best ballrooms and drawing rooms, madam. You have become a leader of fashion. Quite an accomplishment for a female who was a disaster during her first season."

"Julian, do not try to put me off with flattery. This is a matter of the greatest importance to me."

"I realize that. Why else would I risk making such an unpopular decision on your behalf? Believe me, I am not looking forward to having more table ornaments hurled at my head."

"I will not go back to Hampshire, my lord, and that is final." Sophy faced him with stubborn determination.

He sighed. "Then I shall undoubtedly soon be obliged to keep an appointment of my own at Leighton Field."

Sophy was dumbfounded. "What are you saying, Julian?"

"That if you stay here in town, it is only a matter of time before I will find it necessary to defend your honor in the same way you once attempted to defend mine."

She shook her head in wild denial. "No, no, that is not true. How can you suggest such a thing? I would never do anything to make it necessary for you to call out another man. I have told you that. You said you believed me."

"You do not understand. It is not your word I would doubt, Sophy. It is the insult to you that I would be obliged to avenge. And make no mistake. If I allow you to play dangerous games with men like Utteridge and Varley and Ormiston, the insults will soon be made."

"But I would not allow them to insult me. I would not put myself into such a position, Julian. I swear to you I would not."

He smiled fleetingly. "Sophy, I know you would not willingly do anything dishonorable or compromising. But these men are quite capable of manipulating events so that an innocent woman does not stand a chance. And once that had happened, I would have to demand satisfaction."

"No. Never. You must not even suggest such a possibility. I cannot bear to think of you engaging in a duel."

"The possibility already exists, Sophy. You have talked to Utteridge, have you not?"

"Yes, but I was most discreet. He could have had no notion of what I was trying to learn."

"What did you talk about?" Julian pressed quietly. "Did you mention Elizabeth by any chance?"

"Just in passing, I swear it."

"Then you will have aroused his curiosity. And that, my naive little innocent, is the first step toward disaster with a man of Utteridge's character. By the time you have finished questioning Varley and Ormiston, I will be up to my neck in dawn appointments."

Helplessly, Sophy stared at him. She recognized a trap when she saw one and this particular trap had no exit. She could not possibly allow Julian to risk his life in a duel over her honor. The very thought made her shudder with fear. "I promise you, I will be most extremely careful, my lord," she tried weakly, but she knew the argument was useless.

"There is too much risk involved. The only intelligent course of action now is to get you out of town. I want you safe in the countryside with your friends and family."

Sophy surrendered, tears burning in her eyes. "Very well, Julian. I will leave if you feel there is no other way. I would not have you risk a bullet because of my actions."

Julian's gaze softened. "Thank you, Sophy." He reached out and caught a teardrop on the end of his finger. "I know it is a great deal to ask of a woman whose notion of honor is as strong as my own. Believe me when I say I do understand your desire for vengeance."

Sophy impatiently wiped away her tears with the back of her hand. "It is just so blasted unfair. Nothing is going the way I had thought it would when I agreed to marry you. Nothing. All my plans, all my dreams, all the things I hoped for, the things we contracted for between us. All has come to naught."

Julian watched her in brooding silence for a long moment. "Are things really so bad, Sophy?"

"Yes, my lord, they are. On top of everything else, I have reason to believe I may be breeding." She did not look back at him as she fled toward the screen at the other end of the room.

"Sophy!" Julian surged up off the bed and went after her. "What did you just say?"

Sophy sniffed back a few more of the wretched tears as she stood on the other side of the screen and tugged on her dressing gown. "I am quite certain you heard me."

Julian swept the screen aside, ignoring it as it clattered to the carpet. His gaze riveted on her stubbornly averted face. "You are with child?"

"Quite possibly. I realized this week that it has been much too long since my last monthly flux. I will not know for certain for a while longer, but I suspect I am, indeed, carrying your babe. If so, you should be quite content, my lord. Here I am pregnant and off to the country where I cannot cause any further disturbance in your life. You will have gotten everything you wanted out of this marriage. An heir and no trouble. I trust you will be satisfied."

"Sophy, I don't know what to say." Julian raked a hand through his hair. "If what you suspect is true, then I cannot deny I am well pleased. But I had hoped… that is, I had thought you would perhaps—" He broke off and fumbled awkwardly for the rest of his sentence. "I would have had you happier about the whole thing," he finally managed lamely.

Sophy glared at him from under her brows, the last of her tears drying up in the face of his typical male arrogance. "You assumed, no doubt, that the prospect of impending motherhood would turn me into a sweet-tempered, contented wife? One who would be quite willing to give up all her personal aspirations in favor of devoting herself full time to running your country houses and rearing your children?"

Julian had the grace to redden. "I had hoped it would make you more content, yes. Please believe me, I would have you happy in this marriage, Sophy."

"Oh, do go away, Julian. I want a bath and a rest." Fresh tears burned in her eyes. "There is much to be done if I am to be carted off to Hampshire tomorrow."

"Sophy." Julian made no move to leave the bedchamber. He stood there watching her with an oddly helpless expression. "Sophy, please do not cry." He opened his arms.

Sophy glowered at him a moment longer through her watery eyes, hating this new lack of control over her emotions. Then, with a gulping sob she walked straight into Julian's arms. They closed tightly around her as she proceeded to dampen his bare chest with her tears.

Julian held her until the storm subsided. He did not try to cheer her or soothe her or scold her. He simply folded her tightly against his strength and kept her there until the last of the wrenching sobs had faded.

Sophy recovered herself slowly, aware of the comforting warmth of Julian's embrace. It was the first time he had ever held her other than to kiss or to make love to her, she realized, the first time he had offered her something other than passion. She did not move for a long while, savoring the feel of his big palm moving soothingly up and down her spine.

Finally, with great reluctance, she pushed herself away from him. "I beg your pardon, my lord. I do not understand myself lately. I assure you, I hardly ever cry." She did not look at him as she stepped back. Instead she busied herself groping for the handkerchief that ought to have been in the pocket of her dressing gown. When she could not locate it, she muttered a small oath.

"Is this what you are looking for?" Julian scooped up the square of embroidered cotton from where it had fallen on the carpet.

Chagrined at the thought that she could not even manage to keep a handkerchief properly placed in her pocket, Sophy snatched it from his hand. "Yes, thank you."

"Allow me to get you a fresh one." He walked over to her dressing table and found another handkerchief.

When he handed it to her with an air of grave concern she blew into it with great energy, wadded it up and shoved it into her pocket. "Thank you, my lord. Please excuse such a depressing display of emotion. I do not know what came over me. Now, I really must have my bath. If you will forgive me, I have a great many details to attend to."

"Yes, Sophy," Julian said with a sigh. "I will forgive you. I only pray that someday you will forgive me." He picked up his clothes and walked out of the room without another word.

Much later that night Julian sat alone in the library, legs outstretched before him, a bottle of claret on the table beside him. He was in a devil of a mood and he knew it. The house was quiet now for the first time in hours. Up until a short time ago it had been busy with the bustle of Sophy's travel preparations. The commotion had depressed him. It was going to be lonely here without her.

Julian helped himself to another glass of claret and wondered if Sophy was crying herself to sleep. He had felt like a brute this morning when he had told her he was sending her back to Ravenwood Abbey but he also knew he had no choice. Once he had learned what she was up to, he'd had no option but to get her out of the city. She was wading into dangerous waters and she had no knowledge of how to keep herself front drowning.

Julian swallowed a mouthful of claret and speculated on whether or not he ought to feel guilty for the way he had manipulated Sophy that morning. At the very beginning of the confrontation in her bedchamber he had quickly realized there was no way she would respond to logical arguments about her own safety. Her personal sense of honor overrode such considerations. And he could not bring himself to use physical force to get her to do the reasonable thing.

He had, therefore, fallen back on the only other approach he could think of even though he had not been at all certain it would be effective. He had used her feelings for him to maneuver her into doing as he wished.

It had been a heady shock to watch her stalwart defenses crumple so swiftly when he had warned her that her actions might force him to risk his life in a duel. She must truly be in love with him. No other emotion could be powerful enough to overcome her deep sense of honor. For his sake she had abandoned her quest for vengeance.

Julian felt at once humbled by the obvious strength of her feelings and simultaneously exultant. There was no doubt but that Sophy had given herself to him—belonged to him, in ways that, until now, he had never believed possible.

But even as he gloried in that realization, he was grimly aware that she was very unhappy and he was the cause. It is just so blasted unfair. Nothing is going the way I had thought it would when I agreed to marry you.

Now, on top of everything else, she was quite possibly pregnant. He winced as he recalled that one of the things she had asked of him was not to be rushed into childbed.

Julian sank lower in the chair and wondered if he would ever be able to redeem himself in Sophy's eyes. It seemed in that moment that he had done everything wrong, right from the beginning. How did a man go about convincing his wife that he was worthy of her love? he asked himself. It was a problem he had not ever imagined having to solve and after all that had passed between himself and Sophy there was every chance the tangle could never be resolved.

The door opened behind him. Julian did not glance around the wings of his chair. "Go on to bed, Guppy and send the rest of the staff to their rooms. I intend to stay in here a while and there is no point in any of you staying up. I will see to the candles."

"I have already told Guppy and the rest of the staff to retire for the night," Sophy said, quietly closing the door.

Julian froze at the sound of her voice. Then he slowly put down his glass and got to his feet to face her. She looked very slender and fragile in a pink, high-waisted gown. It was difficult to believe she might be pregnant, Julian thought. Her hair was piled high on her head and anchored with a ribbon that was already beginning to untie itself. She smiled her gentle, beguiling smile.

"I thought you would be in bed by now," Julian said gruffly. He wondered at her mood. She was not crying, nor did she appear about to argue or scold or plead. "You need rest for your journey."

"I came to say good-bye to you, Julian." She halted in front of him, her eyes luminous.

A rush of relief went through him. Apparently she was no longer as distraught as she had been earlier. "I will be joining you soon," he promised.

"Good. I shall miss you." She traced the folds of his carefully folded cravat. "But I would not have us part with ill feelings."

"I assure you, there are no ill feelings. At least not on my part. I only want what is best for you. You must believe that, Sophy."

"I realize that. You are very thickheaded at times and stubborn and arrogant but I know you truly believe you are trying to protect me. But most importantly, I will not have you risking your life for me."

"Sophy? What are you doing?" He watched in amazement as she began untying the snowy white cravat. "Sophy, I swear to you that your going to the Abbey truly is the best possible course of action. It will not be so bad there, my dear. You will be able to see your grandparents and surely you have friends you will wish to invite for a visit."

"Yes, Julian." The cravat came free in her hands and she began unbuttoning his jacket.

"If you are indeed with child the country air will be much healthier for you than that of the city," he continued, frantically searching his mind for other good reasons to encourage her willingness to leave.

"No doubt you are right, my lord. The air of London seems to be constantly brown, does it not?" She started to work on his white shirt.

"I am certain I am right." The novelty of having her undress him was affecting his senses. He was having trouble thinking clearly. His breeches were suddenly uncomfortably tight over his swelling shaft.

"I find that men are always quite certain they are right. Even when they are wrong."

"Sophy?" He swallowed heavily as her fingertips found his bared chest. "Sophy, I know you find me arrogant on occasion, but, I assure you—"

"Please do not say anything else, Julian. I do not want to talk about the logic of my returning to the Abbey and I do not want to discuss your unfortunate tendency toward arrogance." She stood on tiptoe and offered her slightly parted lips. "Kiss me."

"Oh, God, Sophy." He took her soft mouth hungrily, dazed by his good fortune. Her mood seemed to have changed completely and although he did not begin to comprehend why, he was not about to question the turn of events.

When she pressed herself more closely against him, he managed to collect his senses long enough to speak once more. "Sophy, darling, let us go upstairs. Quickly."

"Why?" She nuzzled his throat.

Julian stared down at her ruffled curls. "Why?" he repeated. "You ask me that at this stage of events? Sophy, I am on fire for you."

"The entire household is in bed. We are quite alone. No one will bother us."

It finally dawned on him that she was quite prepared to make love right there in the library. "Ah, Sophy," he said, half-laughing, half-groaning, "you are indeed a woman of many surprises." He pulled the ribbon from her hair.

"I would have you remember me well while we are parted, my lord."

"There is nothing on this earth that could ever make me forget you, my sweet wife." He picked her up and carried her over to the sofa.

He set her down on the cushion and she smiled up at him with timeless feminine promise. When she held out her arms, Julian went into them with unquestioning eagerness.

A few minutes later when he found the sofa too confining, Julian rolled off onto the carpet, taking Sophy with him. She followed happily, the curves of her bare breasts and throat blushing a delectable shade of pink. Julian lay on his back, his wife stretched out sleek and naked on top of him and made a mental note to try the entire process on the floor of the library at Ravenwood Abbey at the earliest opportunity.