Chapter Eleven
Elias
Elias chastised himself for allowing an innocent to wrap her sweet lips around his cock. Even if it had been the most thrilling experience of his life. But he was trying to be less of a rake, and the first time he got her alone again, he had his head between her legs and pulled his cock out.
He had already decided he was going to offer for her, having realized that they would suit perfectly for a contented marriage. There wasn’t a single other person whose company he had enjoyed more, and they were obviously quite compatible when it came to the more physical aspects of a marriage.
A strong marriage could be built on those things, even if love wouldn’t play a part in their future.
He’d appreciate her and value her, but love was the only thing he couldn’t give her.
Or wouldn’t give her, rather. Surely she would be content if she had everything else from him.
He’d honor their marriage vows and remain faithful to her.
After the time they had spent together over the last few days, even if it was fast, there wasn’t a doubt in his mind that he wouldn’t want another woman.
If he could allow himself to love any woman and give her his whole heart, it would be Lydia. Perhaps that is how he could explain things, and she’d understand.
She never said she wanted a love match and admitted she hadn’t loved the man she had been temporarily betrothed to.
Elias groaned to himself at the recollection of Durham. He was still another matter for Elias to handle. As Lydia’s husband, Elias would make the man’s life miserable if he should dare to speak to her.
He and Lydia were almost back to the house with the bundle of greenery that they had collected. Elias couldn’t help himself when they reached the mistletoe and had to pull her in for a kiss or several.
Diana would surely give him her annoying knowing look when they returned, but she wouldn’t make a show of it to the other guests. He knew he could count on his sister for that.
When they reached the back of the house, another group of guests were just ahead of them going inside, so at least they weren’t too far behind.
Once they were inside, and a servant had taken their outer garments, Elias dropped the basket down beside the others. Diana got everyone to work making kissing balls and stringing garlands together with the greenery so that she could direct the servants where to place them.
Elias settled into a chair beside Lydia and watched her delicate fingers work to craft the decorations.
“You could help, brother,” Diana said, waving for him to see how the others were all working. Jenny and Grace were the most excited, since it was one activity they could be present for.
“Come now, sister, you know I am no good at this,” he groaned.
“What I know is that you use that excuse every year to get out of helping.”
He put his hand over his heart dramatically. “You wound me, sister.”
She smirked at him. “But that reminds me. I owe you both a prize. And your prize is that you two get to be the ones to direct the placement of the kissing balls. You can make them as easy or as difficult as you wish for our guests to get caught under them.”
While he liked the idea of knowing where we could pull Lydia whenever he wanted, his eyebrow arched. “Is that your clever way of being able to feign ignorance if I catch you beneath one with one of these gents?”
“Still worried I’m after Jude, brother? Perhaps I’ve tired of him and moved on to Matt now.”
Elias pinched the bridge of his nose. “Leave all of my friends alone.”
Diana lowered her voice where only he could hear her. “Perhaps it’s you who carries the guilt of dallying with one’s friend, brother.”
“Don’t,” he ground out.
“Then get it through your thick, bacon-brained skull that your friends are like brothers to me, and that is it.”
He was inclined to believe her. She didn’t possess her usual telltale signs that she was hiding something, and she had never acted as if she had an interest in any of them. It was hard to stop playing the role of the protective older brother, and he felt it would continue even after she had wed.
After what felt like hours, they finally had all the decorations ready to be hung. Diana directed various servants on where she wanted the garlands to go. Elias noted that someone must have collected the yule log since it was decorated and waiting by the grand fireplace in the drawing room.
Once all the decorations were in place, except for the kissing balls, Diana sent the rest of the guests to rest and refresh themselves after the morning’s exertions, but she’d asked Lydia and Elias to stay back with her.
After everyone had departed, aside from a single servant, Diana pointed toward the balls with mistletoe. “I shall leave you both to these.”
Diana departed, and then a footman followed Elias and Lydia around while they pointed out the spots that they wanted the balls hung.
When there was only one ball left, they found the most perfect secluded spot in a small alcove.
“This shall be our secret hiding place,” Elias said, dismissing the servant after they hung it in place.
“I find myself standing here beneath the kissing ball,” he said, waving her to him. “You wouldn’t wish to suffer any bad luck, would you?”
“You’re a sneaky one,” she said, grinning at him. But she hastened to him, close enough so he could pull her the rest of the way against him.
“I’m just resourceful, Beautiful,” he said before placing several tender kisses on her lips. What he felt for her might not be love, but whatever it was, was quite strong. He didn’t think he’d ever get enough of her, and he’d need to ensure that he made her his wife.
She pulled back to look at him. “We should both go freshen up. Your sister will surely want us all back down here soon.”
Elias groaned. “I see you already have a good measure of Diana, because you are quite right.”
He extended his arm to her. “I shall escort you upstairs.”
Suddenly, he had that feeling again that they were being watched, but when he looked around, no one was there. Perhaps he was going mad. It was the only explanation.
*
Half an hour later, there was a knock at Elias’s chamber door. Part of him hoped it would be Lydia, but it would be far too scandalous for her to appear in his chamber in the middle of the day.
Not as scandalous as enjoying how his cock felt in her mouth, he reminded himself.
Pushing aside the memory before he would be forced to take himself in hand again, he opened the door. A footman held out a note. “The lady asked me to deliver this to you.”
Elias took it and nodded, then closed the door. He unfolded the missive and read it to himself.
Come now and meet me in our secret hiding place.
All attempts to get his cock to settle went by the wayside. Elias grinned to himself that Lydia had needed to see him again so soon. He supposed he couldn’t wait to see her again as well, especially if the other guests hadn’t returned downstairs quite yet.
Hurrying, he donned his coats again, not bothering to ring for Flint to assist. If he had his way, his appearance would be quite mussed from their little rendezvous.
Elias departed his chamber and hurried down to the small alcove where they had placed the last kissing ball. It was a darkened spot, but he could see a figure already there waiting for him. He approached.
“I sure am glad to see you, Beautiful,” he said, pulling the figure to him.
“Elias,” someone with a familiar voice said from behind him. Lydia.
He turned to see her standing there wide eyed, watching the scene unfold. He jerked his head back to the other figure, and the gaudy perfume consumed his senses. “What in the hell do you think you are doing?” he said to Lady Billings.
“Better that she knows the truth about us now, don’t you think?” Lady Billings asked, running her hand down his chest and making his blood run cold. “It’s not as if you would ever remain faithful to the little doe-eyed thing, even if you ever had some bacon-brained thought of marrying her.”
Lydia hurried away.
“I’ll deal with you later,” Elias ground out at Lady Billings before taking off after Lydia.
“Lydia, wait,” he called after her. She had gotten a head start on him, but he caught up to her before she reached the stairs.
He was thankful that while there were several servants who poked their heads out to see what the commotion was, there wasn’t another guest in sight.
Elias grabbed her arm and pulled her into the closest room.
“That wasn’t what it looked like,” he blurted. He clasped both of her hands, but she pulled them away.
“Oh, so I didn’t just hear you referring to the very woman you’ve been intimate with in the past with the same pet name you use for me? Even though you promised me that things were done between you.”
He reached for her again, but she stepped back. “I thought it was you waiting for me.”
She laughed. “And you expect me to believe that?” Lydia drew a deep breath and tears formed in the corners of her eyes. “So is ‘Beautiful’ what you call all the women? Is it easier than remembering our names? Or perhaps so you don’t slip up and call us by the wrong name.”
“Lydia, I swear to you. I have never referred to another woman in that way. And I believed it was you who was waiting for me. I only want you, and I intend to marry you. I just wished to speak with your father and mine first so I could declare my intentions.”
“I don’t doubt you intended to offer for me, my lord. But I require a faithful husband. I believe I am at least owed that measure of respect, and you have already proven that won’t be you.”
He reached forward and clasped her chin, holding it so he could stare into her eyes. She didn’t move to get away from him, but the tears that had formed rolled down her cheeks and it made his heart sink into the pit of his stomach at how much pain the whole ordeal had caused her.