Chapter Nine
Wylder
Wylder stalked away from Lord Jacobson’s study, acutely aware that the last waltz prior to the midnight meal was nearly over.
Would Emily still be waiting for him? She’d better be. And if she were angry, well, he would handle that later in the evening in the privacy of her room.
One glance in the area where he’d left her revealed she was gone.
“Bloody hell,” he muttered. If Lord Jacobson hadn’t pulled him aside for an impromptu discussion regarding his father’s debt, he would have kept his promise to lead her in the waltz.
His gaze swept the ballroom, and there… a flash of sapphire blue and dark hair exiting through one of the doors leading to the south corridor.
A predatory thrill sank into Wylder’s bones.
It was so potent that it swept away the lingering frustration he had when it came to his father’s debts to one of their peers.
The fact that he’d agreed to cover the money rankled him.
It wasn’t the first time he’d had to do so in the past three years, and if his father continued his reckless gambling, it would not be the last. Having already determined he would speak with the duke regarding the estate’s dwindling resources, this incident tonight only strengthened Wylder’s resolve.
Another look around the room, and he spied Simon waltzing with Penelope True.
The pair looked individually miserable, but one could not deny the striking image they created as they swirled around the floor.
Simon’s height, his dark handsomeness, was well complemented by the small, curvaceous girl he held in his arms. She was an elegant, tiny bird caught in the grip of a raven…
and if his friend would only allow himself to truly look at her, Simon might very well see she possessed the innately submissive nature he craved in a woman.
But that was Simon’s problem, and Wylder appreciated that his friend appeared to be well occupied. He would be expected to escort the lady to dinner following the waltz. Which meant the earl could not keep track of Emily and Wylder’s whereabouts.
Stepping back into the corridor, Wylder knew that if he continued straight ahead and took a left at the end of the passageway, he would intersect with the hall Emily had taken.
After a few moments, he came across her standing with Lord Gregory Grant.
The man gripped her elbow in his hand, and Emily looked furious.
“You may have ruined my chances with Penelope, but know this. I will not give up so easily,” Lord Grant hissed. “And you will pay a dear price if you continue meddling in our affairs.”
“I’ve ruined nothing, Lord Grant,” Emily replied with exaggerated calm. “I don’t know why you would think I’ve anything to do with—”
An ugly expression crossed the man’s features.
“Do you think I don’t know you were behind her escape from the Lindens’ library?
Or that it was it simply chance when you appeared on the terrace tonight?
” He angrily jerked her closer as Emily gasped in shock at his vehemence.
“I suspect you’ve been doing this same thing with other gentlemen since last year. ”
“Please remove your hand from my person, or I shall be forced to call for assistance, Lord Grant.” Her voice trembled a bit now, her fear evident in the higher pitch of her tone.
Wylder’s hands squeezed into fists. He’d stayed hidden up to this point, hoping not to escalate the situation, but bloodlust surged through his veins. That this man dared touch Emily was unacceptable. She was his.
“I’m not a fool, Lady Emily, and I won’t stand for your interference again.”
“The assertion you are not a fool is debatable, but it is a certainty that if you don’t take your bloody hands off her, you are a dead man,” Wylder said, approaching from the end of the corridor, his stride hard and purposeful.
“This is none of your concern, Wyldewood,” Grant sputtered as he released Emily and took a step back.
“That is where you are wrong. Not only is it my concern, but Lord Camden’s as well.
Shall we send for him and gauge his opinion on the threats you’ve made to his dear sister?
” Wylder tsked, pushing his way between Grant and Emily.
She thankfully remained silent, although her chin jutted upward in a display of stubborn independence that Wylder easily recognized.
Grant glared at Wylder, but how he retreated indicated the man had no interest in challenging either the earl or Simon.
“There is no need for that. Lady Emily, I apologize if our conversation upset you. Now, if you will please excuse me. I am expected to escort Lady True to dinner this evening in the absence of her husband.”
After executing a hasty bow, the man hurried down the same corridor Wylder had used, leaving him alone with a visibly relieved Emily.
“Thank you, Wylder, for coming to my rescue. I certainly did not expect to see you—”
In stony silence, Wylder snagged Emily by the arm. Without a moment’s hesitation, he dragged her into the closest room.
“What the devil?” she exclaimed as he pushed her into the darkened space and locked the door behind them.
“You persist in placing yourself in dangerous situations, Emily.” His hand closed over her wrist like a shackle when she would have fled.
“How could I know the man would follow me? He’s angry over a perceived obstacle to his courtship of my dear friend. But as you no doubt heard while eavesdropping, his accusations are unfounded and irrational.”
“I found a bit of truth in the man’s statements.
Indeed, I suspect you’ve been doing exactly what he accuses you of.
” He deliberately kept his voice calm, but the icy undertones had her shivering.
“But that is a conversation for another time. I wish to discuss something of greater interest to me right now.”
“Whatever might that be?” Emily scowled up at him, her false bravado making him smile.
“This is twice in one evening you have not obeyed me, minx,” Wylder murmured as he pulled her to the room’s window seat. The moon had finally appeared from behind the clouds, illuminating the room enough to recognize that they stood in an unused parlor. “And I find my patience has reached an end.”
“Your patience?” Emily scoffed. “What of my patience while I stood like a ninny waiting for you to reappear?” She tried yanking free, but it was a useless endeavor. Wylder refused to let her go, instead spinning her around so that she now faced the window seat with her backside to his front.
“I told you I would return for you. Why did you not wait?” Still holding her wrist, he wrapped a muscled arm around her slender waist. Now she was trapped against him.
“Your impetuous nature placed you in that situation just now with Lord Grant. I expect a bit more gratitude for my intervention and the restraint it took to keep from beating the man to a bloody pulp. Gratitude, minx, and I will get it from you. One way or another.”
“Let me go, Wyldewood,” she demanded in a frosty tone. “I have the beginnings of a dreadful headache.”
“A headache? And where were you intending to go to alleviate this headache of yours?” Holding her so closely affected Wylder quicker than he would have thought possible.
Her sweet scent tickled his nose, her perfectly curved arse brushing against his groin.
A whimper escaped her when he dipped his head, his mouth hovering around her ear. “I’m waiting for an answer, Emily.”
“You cannot order me about like this, Wylder. I’m not yours—”
Wylder nipped her earlobe, eliciting a sharp cry of alarm from his prey. “Where were you going?”
“Home,” she gritted between clenched teeth. “Blackthorne Manor, to be precise. Mother will make my excuses for the remainder of the evening.”
“Well, that is fortuitous. I shall be at Blackthorne Manor as well.”
“What are you talking about?” Emily breathed.
“I planned on discussing this with you during our waltz. Unfortunately, I missed that opportunity.” Dropping his head, Wylder nuzzled the tender curve of her neck, focusing on the area where it sloped down to her shoulder.
He pressed a kiss there, following that with a grazing of his teeth.
Emily shuddered in response, leaning back against him and allowing him to support most of her weight.
She moaned almost silently… but loud enough that Wylder knew she was as affected as he was.
“Wylder… we shouldn’t be doing this. It’s too dangerous for us both.”
Wylder rested his forehead against the back of her bowed head, breathing deeply of her sweet lemon and sugar scent.
She was like cool lemonade to his darkly parched soul.
And it was becoming apparent that he could drink until he overflowed with her essence and it would never be enough.
How the hell had he managed to stay away from her for the past three years when she was a balm that soothed him?
“I know, Emily. I know. But damned if I can stay away from you now that I’ve tasted you.” He sighed heavily, releasing her wrist and moving his hand to encircle her throat gently. His other arm remained wrapped around her waist, anchoring her in place.
“Do-do you think this hunger between us will be satisfied if we continue to feed it?” Her voice was softly questioning, seeking his guidance in matters she was terribly innocent of.
“What I mean to say, if you were to satisfy my curiosity about such things, allow me to explore and experience it without expecting you to bind yourself to me, would you do it? It would be almost like you are giving me lessons. And no one would be harmed by our actions.”
Wylder groaned at the explicit images exploding in his head.
She had no idea what she was asking of him.
And he doubted he had the necessary strength to resist taking her in all the ways he craved.
But still, he found himself nodding his head.
“It’s said familiarity breeds contempt. Perhaps it is possible to grow tired of one another. ”
I will surely go to hell for that lie. If I had my way, I’d take her a dozen different ways every day for the next century and never tire of her breathy little sighs of satisfaction.
Emily relaxed even more. “Then I would like to try that, please. Because this attraction between us is just as inconvenient for me as it is for you.” She shivered a little, and Wylder moved closer, wondering if she was chilled.
“You will truly teach me how things are between a man and a woman? Explain why my blood races so fast when you hold me like this? Why do I feel as though I’m melting inside when you kiss me? ”
“Yes,” Wylder agreed hoarsely. “I will show you those things with one exception. And this is an ironclad rule, Emily. One that cannot be bent or broken. I will not take you completely. You will remain a virgin, and I will not fuck you like I want to. If you agree, then we may proceed.”
“Would you have proposed the same arrangement had I not asked this of you first?” Her voice contained a hint of a smile, although he could not see her face. “Why else would you come to Blackthorne tonight? What did you expect to do in the dark of night?”
“Bend over, Emily. Place your hands on the window seat, and I will show you just a few of the things I planned for you tonight.” When she hesitated, Wylder tightened his fingers around her throat just enough that she gasped with arousal.
“Another rule, minx. When I command, you obey. Without question. Without thinking. Without hesitation. When I conduct these lessons, you will do as I say. And if you are afraid or unsure, you will utter a single word, at which point we shall stop and discuss your concerns before proceeding. But you are only to use this word in cases of true fear or pain beyond simply being uncomfortable.”
“A word?”
“Yes, a word. Something that does not fit the situation. Something out of the ordinary but easy for you to remember.” He traced her ear with the tip of his tongue, and she sighed in the most delightful way.
“Raincloud,” Emily murmured in distraction. “The exact color of your eyes…”
“Hands on the window seat, minx. Now.” Wylder’s cock hardened into something resembling stone. This slip of a girl would surely be the death of him.
She obeyed at once, the motion resulting in her arse pushing harder into his groin.
“Spread your legs apart, my sweet. And arch your back for me. There’s a good girl.”
With deliberate intent, Wylder slid his arm from around her waist and used his hand to grip handfuls of her skirts.
Inch by inch, he dragged the material up until swaths of it were bunched around her waist. He kept his other hand on her throat, his fingers applying enough pressure that her head was forced to tilt back toward him.
He wished he could see her like this in a fully lit room, although the way the moonlight bathed her figure was sinful enough.
“Let me explain what is going to happen, Emily.” He traced his fingers over the curves of her bottom, covered in the thin muslin of her underdrawers, then slipped them between her legs until he found the opening in the material.
He stroked the softness of her quim, entranced by the way she moaned and pushed back against him for more.
“You will come on my fingers. You will thank me, and I will help ensure you are once again presentable. Then you will leave this room, find your coach, and go home. Upon your arrival, you will immediately retire. Undress completely and dismiss your maid. You are to remain nude with a single lamp burning beside your bed. Most importantly, you will unlock your balcony doors for me. Is any of this unclear to you?”
“N-no my lord.” She was breathless now, her back arching more as Wylder’s fingers circled and swirled in the honey softness of her excitement. “I understand.”
“Excellent. Now, grip the seat as hard as you like and stay in this position as I pleasure you. And Emily? Try to be as silent as possible when I bring you to completion. It would not do for anyone to discover us in here.”