Married by Moonlight Read online

  “I did everything I could to avoid becoming a pudgy country vicar. The volume of food the parish wives delivered to my housekeeper for the poor lonely bachelor was quite staggering.”

  “What did you do with it all?”

  “Invited those with less to dine with me most nights,” he whispered.

  Anna’s fingers had reached his throat, and then she touched the point of his chin, high above the collar of his crisp white shirt. “That was good of you,” she told him in a voice she almost didn’t recognize. She licked her lips. “You’re a good man.”

  “I certainly try to be,” he promised. “But being good is a struggle right now.”

  He dipped his chin and her fingers came to rest on his lips. She brushed them, remembering how often he’d touched her lips the night of their first kiss. She felt a quiver of sensation between her legs as his tongue darted out to lick her. He looked at her sharply then smiled and did it again.

  That same strange sensation caused her to shift to a more comfortable position. She rested against his thigh, bracing herself against him. She laughed suddenly. “I don’t normally behave like this.”

  “I believe you,” he promised, lips curving into a smile. “Please continue to misbehave with me,” he whispered. “Come closer. Touch me some more, Anna.”

  Boldly, Anna swept her hand over his cheek and tangled her fingers into his hair. The color fascinated her, as did the texture. Coarser than hers but still very soft and clean. She’d never actually caressed a man’s head before, not even her father’s when he was unwell.

  Lord Sorenson leaned into her touch, turning his face so that his lips brushed across her exposed inner wrist. He kissed her there, a playful smile hovering on his lips.

  “I thought I was supposed to be exploring you,” she complained.

  “My hands haven’t moved,” he promised with a wink. “Come and kneel beside me,” he begged.

  “Why?”

  “I’d like to be beneath you, at your mercy some more.”

  Anna laughed softly. She didn’t think he could ever be at her mercy, but she liked the idea. She moved to her knees on the sofa, and as promised, Lord Sorenson kept his hands to the sides. He rested his head back on the cushion and smiled up at her. “You are so lovely. Come and claim your kisses.”

  Slowly, suddenly unsure of herself, she hesitated. She’d never kissed a man. Lord Sorenson had started both prior kisses. How did one begin exactly?

  “Anna?”

  Lord Sorenson stretched up suddenly and stole a quick kiss before she could decide how to take her own.

  He lay back again, grinning hugely. “Couldn’t wait another moment.”

  She laughed at his antics, bending closer to him as she did, then turned her lips to his grinning ones and kissed him.

  Sorenson groaned darkly, parting his lips to capture her in a deeper kiss than she’d first thought to share with him straight away.

  Anna drew back. “Was that all right?”

  “Very right, actually.” He made a show of reestablishing his grip on the furniture, knuckles white as he held himself to the rosewood. “I’m ready for more kisses, please,” he said.

  Anna put a bit more effort into the next kiss and felt the soft brush of Lord Sorenson’s tongue against hers. Her lady parts quivered and she drew back. “You did that before. Why?”

  “Did you like it?”

  “Yes.” Very much. She bit her lip. She liked the feelings he stirred in her body.

  “Then do it to me, too,” he asked. “Let me taste you again.”

  Anna dropped her lips to his but kept her eyes open, watching his face. His dark lashes closed slowly as the kiss intensified—as if he relished each moment with her. She did her best to mimic his kisses and they seemed to please him, given the little noises he made.

  Kissing Lord Sorenson was wonderful, even when he was doing nothing to seduce her. Her body felt strange, restless. Thinking of how much better it would feel, Anna found his right hand, pulled it from the armrest and brought it to her waist.

  His fingers slid around her as he dragged her sideways onto his lap. Half lying atop him, Anna searched for his other hand. She tugged at his arm until she was fully in his embrace. Sorenson moaned softly against her lips again, and then completely swept her under his pleasurable spell as he kissed her witless once more.

  True to his word, he made no move to exploit her weakness and growing excitement. He simply held her and kissed her thoroughly and slowly.

  Anna wound her arms about his shoulders, holding herself to him as she accepted that her response to him felt right and more. She threaded her fingers into his hair and traced the shape of his ear.

  But she was very restless against him. Sharing every breath and soft exhalation with him.

  “It’s become very heated between us,” he whispered in her ear when their lips finally parted. “We should not let this go too far.”

  Anna whimpered. “But…”

  “I know exactly how you feel, sweetheart.” He drew back and caught her eye. “If this continues apace, I fear I won’t be able to keep my promise to you.”

  “What promise?”

  “You deserve better than to be tumbled on your father’s settee the first time we make love. I don’t want to ruin you but your kisses are driving me wild.”

  Anna drew back, smiling at that admission. “They are?”

  “You have every right to gloat. I did say I wanted a wife who would share my desires, and we do. I want to continue. I absolutely do. But further intimacies should not be rushed.” When he brushed her hair back from her cheek, Anna gave him another kiss. She did not really want to stop. She felt so very wonderful but strange, too.

  Anna pressed her legs together firmly and moaned softly at the pleasurable tenderness pulsing at the apex of her thighs. She was feeling very warm now. Gilbert’s kisses had awoken her body in a way she’d never experienced before or expected. She ached for…something more from him. Something a wife would have.

  Something she could have every day of her life if she accepted his proposal.

  Anna drew back, struggling to catch her breath.

  “You’re biting your lip again. What is it?”

  “Hmm, you might be right.”

  “About which matter?”

  To feel this way again, to discover the rest of what pleasure means, she might be wise to marry Lord Sorenson sooner rather than later. Marrying this man had a greater appeal, now she knew the power of his kisses and her own. He’d kept his word. Allowed her to make love to his lips without rushing her or attempting to lift her skirts to take what might be his one day soon.

  But could she live with him keeping secrets? If they did not affect her, as he’d promised, she’d only be depriving herself of a future she’d always hoped for. To marry well, to have a home. To have a husband who was comfortable to be around.

  She took in her current position perched on his knees. Lord Sorenson was quite nice about allowing her to sit there still. His arm was loosely wrapped around her and she could flee at any time.

  She stayed exactly where she was because she felt safe…and perhaps a little loved.

  Her friends had always aspired to capture the attention of a titled gentleman for a husband, though Anna hadn’t really believed she could do the same. But she had Lord Sorenson at her mercy now, an earl with a great estate in far off Kent, and he might just be the most appealing fellow she’d ever met, too.

  Marriage was always a delicate meeting of two lives. She did not expect perfection. So far, aside from not knowing what Lord Sorenson was up to with Carmichael, he seemed an open book about everything else. He liked her, was curious about her interests, and desired her. He was waiting very patiently for her to explain her last remark, too. That meant a great deal to her—and she decided it worth the risk to accept him now.

  “I would be honored to marry you, my lord.”

  She kissed him quickly to seal their bargain.

 
His grin when released was immediate and genuine. “It is I who is honored, Anna. Thank you.”

  Anna bit her lower lip, staring down into his eyes. She teased his ear again and he turned his lips to kiss her wrist once more. “Now what do we do, my lord?”

  “To begin with, my name is Gilbert when we are alone.”

  “Gilbert.”

  He brushed her lips with his fingertip until she flicked out her tongue to touch him. Gilbert’s eyes darkened further. “I’ll need to speak to your father again now. For some reason, he didn’t seem to believe I really meant to offer for you last time.”

  “He was only looking out for me,” she conceded. “We hardly know each other.”

  “Trust me, Anna. You will know me better than anyone ever could.” The pitch of his voice dropped, low enough to excite Anna, as it had the first night they’d met.

  He set his hand to her hip and slowly skimmed down her leg and back up. Anna was nearly breathless by the time he stopped.

  He chuckled softly at her response. “After the events of the past twenty minutes, I believe we’ll be very happy living as man and wife.”

  “Twenty minutes have passed?”

  He nodded. “Yes. Why?”

  “Oh, dear. My father could be back at any moment.”

  “Good. I’d like to speak to him today and have the matter of our betrothal settled.” His eyes twinkled with excitement but he lifted her up from his lap, stood and, after pulling her to the nearest looking glass, helped her straighten her gown and hair into some semblance of neatness. His lips strayed to her throat and when he kissed her there, Anna’s legs nearly buckled under the onslaught of sensation that tore through her body. She may have even moaned out loud a little.

  Then Gilbert suddenly stepped back and, staring into the mirror, raked his fingers through his own hair. He straightened his coat and waistcoat so it looked as if they had not just almost made love on the settee. That would be their secret forever.

  He led her by the hand to a nearby grouping of chairs. “Now, tell me more about you. Have you ever visited Kent?”

  “No,” she confessed. “I was to go to Gloucestershire for Christmas with my father this year. That of course will change, now we are to marry, so tell me about your home and the families who live nearest to you.”

  When her father returned, they were laughing together, discussing the delights of his home in Kent and Anna’s preferences for keeping dogs and cats as pets.

  To say Father was surprised by Lord Sorenson’s presence was an understatement. They were unchaperoned, and that fact utterly compromised her in her father’s eyes. Anna did not feel she had been ruined by their private interlude, but she felt enlightened and excited. Her suitor was an equally honorable and wicked man.

  And all hers now.

  Father became instantly agreeable to a marriage between them when Lord Sorenson asked for her hand a second time.

  Chapter 15

  Gilbert struggled to hide his amusement. Gentlemen seemed surprised by the news of his betrothal to Anna, and there was consternation among even her acquaintances that Gilbert had proposed so quickly. Was everyone in London half-witted when it came to Anna’s appeal?

  She was delightful, soft and warm and very, very kissable. She was remarkably eager and that pleased him immensely. He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Our dance is about to be called.”

  Her smile slipped a little. “We don’t have to dance tonight.”

  “Of course we do. I intend to dance with you twice, too.”

  He wanted the killer to hear, see, that Anna Beasley was a woman off the market, even if she was not married yet.

  A frown grew over her face at hearing his intentions, though. That Anna did not appear enthusiastic for a second dance with him meant he still had some ways to go in reassuring her, despite her acceptance of his proposal. He would repair the damage he’d unwittingly inflicted on her confidence if it was the last thing he ever did in his life.

  Gilbert held his hand out to Anna, and with her father’s permission, led her across the dance floor.

  Anna fit perfectly in his arms and as the musicians began, he smiled upon her upturned face. “You look lovely tonight,” he promised. “I think I might be the luckiest man alive to have won you.”

  “If you’ll forgive me, I must confess there wasn’t much competition,” she told him in a whisper with apparent discomfort.

  “And are they not idiots to have not seen your appeal?” he whispered. “They’ll never know the thrill of holding you in their arms like I do.”

  “Now you are determined to make me blush,” she chided.

  “Just reminding you of how pleasant the occasion of your acceptance of my offer was for me.”

  She looked up then, shy, eyes sparkling with desire. “And for me.”

  He spun her about the room, fascinated by the light flaring in her eyes. She’d felt desire when they’d kissed. He’d noticed her little moans and how she had drawn her thighs together tightly.

  Other men might have taken advantage but Gilbert was playing the long game, a game he needed to win for her sake. He wanted Anna to want to make love to him after they wed. Preferably on their wedding night but if not, sometime soon after, he hoped. Once she felt secure of her place in his affections, he saw no reason why they couldn’t have a very satisfying marriage.

  He was so swept up in Anna’s expression, he nearly missed Carmichael slipping from the ballroom alone and out onto the terrace. He frowned when he didn’t immediately return. There were Bow Street men outside, keeping watch over the house in case a stranger tried to slip in or out.

  He glanced down at Anna, noticed her attention fixed over his shoulder, too. “May I escort you into supper tonight?”

  “Isn’t Carmichael expecting you to help him find this person he seeks?”

  “He can wait. I’d rather be with you.”

  She glanced up, her lips lifted into a smile once more. “He hates waiting for anyone.”

  “He’ll have to become used to coming second to you in my affections from now on,” he promised.

  She bit her lip and Gilbert laughed softly. “He can pout all he wants. I won’t change my mind.”

  When the dance concluded, he was disappointed to have to let go of Anna. But he consoled himself that as an engaged couple, he could linger in her presence most of the night and, in due time, he could dance every dance with her after they married. People might be scandalized but what could they do about the behavior of a married couple?

  When they were married, he’d be very happy to create any sort of scandal to prove to Anna she was dearest to him.

  He curled her arm about his possessively and slowly strolled with her back to her father. The older man hadn’t quite accepted their future marriage as fact and may never do so, Gilbert had already concluded. Mr. Beasley was much too fond of the idea of Anna and Carmichael marrying one day to consider anyone else might suit her better.

  “How did I do?”

  “You danced very well.”

  “But did you feel you had all of my attention?”

  “I did.” She looked up at him shyly. “I loved dancing with you.”

  He beamed at her, glad to know she was satisfied. “May I claim the honor of escorting you and your father home tonight?”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  He didn’t have to but he wanted to. “I think your father and I need to become better acquainted, too, and I wanted to show him the new carriage I’ve purchased for your use.”

  A look of wonder crossed her face. “You purchased me my own carriage?”

  “I would buy you anything you might require for your comfort.”

  “I need very little.”

  “I’m sure that is not entirely true.” He smiled again. “A second carriage will ensure you may visit anyone, should I be out in the other.”

  After a moment, Anna leaned into him. “I’m sorry about father. He just thinks he knows what is
best for me.”

  “He wants Carmichael to be in my current place. That is not possible now.”

  “His dream was never possible.” She shivered. “I’m so sorry if you feel slighted.”

  “Over Carmichael, never. Carmichael would not have agreed to marry you anyway.”

  “Do you say that because of the problem you are solving together?”

  “Because Carmichael fell in love with someone else,” he confessed.

  She looked at him sharply. “Carmichael? In love?”

  “I cannot say more,” he confessed.

  Anna frowned. “Is that part of the secret you share?”

  “It is.”

  She bit her lip and then smiled up at him suddenly. “My father will come around eventually but…I don’t suppose you fish, my lord?”

  “I do. Why?”

  Her smile widened. “Are you any good at it?”

  “Fair.”

  “Then you should tell my father about the river that runs through the Kent estate and ask him if he fishes. My father loves nothing more than speaking to other anglers. I’m sure that will help him see the benefits of our marriage very soon afterward.”

  He beamed at her. “Very clever. I will do as you suggest and see if that does not improve my appeal.”

  Gilbert and Anna joined her father, and Gilbert remained at Anna’s side. He resisted the urge to watch young women slipping away from the gathering, even though it was again Friday evening. Bow Street had hired more men than ever for tonight and Carmichael was somewhere outside, too. He was sure his absence from the patrol for one Friday would not hinder the investigation one little bit. After all, he had a betrothal to celebrate with Anna.

  He posed Anna’s question to her father and soon they were discussing the best fishing grounds they’d each tried, the size of their catches, and the delights of the Kent estate’s nearly private river to fish on. Mr. Beasley was an avid angler, far better than him, too. At least they had a love of fishing in common, so he made sure to invite the man to come visit them in Kent as often as he liked so he could fish to his heart’s content.

  Just as he was beginning to really enjoy the discussion, a terrified scream rent the air.