Chapter 24
The carriage slowed, causing their easy sway to halt—though it did not deter Eli’s lips from continuing their path along the exposed mounds of her breasts.
He nipped softly, and her resulting shudder of pleasure was all the confirmation he needed to reach between them and tug the neckline of her dress down to reveal more of her expansive porcelain skin.
She was on the cusp of utter inhibition, her breaths coming in ragged bursts, matching the beat of her heart that pounded against his trailing lips.
Elijah knew the folly of his actions, the deplorable nature of his thoughts, and the ruination that could soon follow if they continued down their chosen path of pleasure.
He should set things to rights; return her to the bench across from him, right her gown, and repair her hair, hoping that her swollen and red lips returned to normal before she entered her home.
However, he was long past rational thought. Even if he spoke to the subject, it was unlikely Sam would hear him—her need matched his.
He allowed his mouth to travel the final few inches to take her dusty rose-colored nipple between his lips. He sucked gently, and she rewarded him with a deep moan, her head still thrown back in ecstasy.
Eli pulled away, enchanted by the raw, pure beauty of Sam.
She was perfection.
A flawless goddess he desperately needed in his life.
The drive to hold her, keep her, protect her consumed him.
But what must he protect her from?
“My lord,” Mathers’ call waded through his desire-filled daze. “We have arrived.”
Suddenly, protecting Sam from his lust-filled longings was paramount. She was a lady, and deserving of far more respect than he’d shown her thus far.
While he coveted her, and his need to possess her and make her his was almost overwhelming, she was not his. The liberties he’d taken went far beyond what was proper and acceptable, even for a couple in the throes of a courtship.
Eli stilled Sam’s hips as they ground against his manhood. “Sam,” he murmured, attempting to gain her attention, to stop her hands from their wildly enticing path down his sides to the waistband of his trousers. “The carriage has stopped…outside your home.”
The grave nature of his words—and the repercussions that could follow—did not so much as slow her exploration of his body.
He clamped his eyes shut, concentrating on the feel of her hands through his shirt. He desperately wanted to shout for Mathers to continue around the block…through town…and on toward to the country. Anything to gain more time with her.
“Who in the blasted hell is blocking the drive?” Eli’s eyes sprang open at the angry bellow at the same time Sam stiffened in his lap. “You, man, whose carriage is this?”
“Lord Ridgefeld, sir.” Mathers called in response.
“If he is within the house, kindly take your vehicle round to the stables.”
“My master is still within.” The hesitant tone in his servant’s voice had Eli quickly lifting Sam and setting her on her own seat.
She righted her gown with trembling hands, though she did not make any move to depart.
“Your hair,” Eli said, feeling around on his seat and collecting her scattered pins that’d been freed from her curls. Several tendrils hung loosely about her shoulders. “Here.”
Sam took the pins from him and expertly pushed them into her hair, repining her curls. They were not as precise as when she’d departed her home, but Eli hoped her brother would not notice.
There were many expressions he’d expected to see on her face: eyes wide in shock, lips pressed tightly together in fear, or even her posture slumping in disbelief.
But she kept her eyes locked on his as she worked hastily to right her appearance. Her tongue darted across her lower lip as her chin lifted a notch and her lids lowered. She was the picture of sensuality, all flushed cheeks and plump lips.
Eli hardened further. An almost painful arousal.
“Either instruct Ridgefeld to depart his carriage or move aside.”
“It is my brother,” Sam whispered after her hands had appraised her hair. “And he is livid. How does my hair look?”
“Almost as it did when I collected you.” He’d wanted to make a good impression on her family. He’d planned to woo Sam sisters with his charm. The only thing he’d managed to do was infuriate her brother.
“Wonderful,” she said, her coy smile returning. “I will distract Garrett while you depart. I look forward to our next outing.”
Their next outing? Eli was uncertain he’d make it out of her drive without Garrett challenging him to defend his sister’s honor.
Sam pressed a kiss to his lips and flung the door wide, giving him no opportunity to respond as Mathers stepped into view to place the steps before Sam hopped from the carriage unassisted.
“Thank you for a wonderful afternoon, my lord. I do look forward to our phaeton ride in Hyde Park on the morrow. I will await your arrival at one sharp.”
She spoke far too loudly, and there was no chance her brother did not hear every word.
“Of course, Miss Samantha.” The carriage was empty and cavernous without her. “I look forward to our next outing.”
She glanced over her shoulder and winked before addressing her waiting brother.
“Good day, dear brother.” Her husky tone was smooth as honey, and Eli could see from his vantage point within the carriage that Sam gave her brother her most charming, sweet, and unassuming smile.
“I did not know you were visiting today.”
“I visit every day,” he said gruffly as the carriage door swung closed. “What is Ridgefeld doing here? And why are you in his carriage? Where is your lady’s maid?”
“He is returning me home, silly.” Her muffled reply drifted through the curtained window, and the carriage jostled as Mathers took his perch.
Eli noted she’d avoided his other questions.
“Now, tell me, Garrett. I saw you dancing with the beautiful—and highly desirable—Miss Mallory Stewart…can the family expect her and her parents for supper soon?”
Eli chuckled at her skill for distraction.
A splinter of light shone through the slim crack between the curtain and the window frame.
Sam’s brother looked between the carriage—his eyes bulging—and his sister.
The man was certainly suspicious, though Eli wasn’t sure if he questioned his sister’s presence in a man’s carriage without a proper chaperone, or if his worries lay closer to Eli’s intentions where Sam was concerned.
She slipped her arm through Garrett’s and tugged. With one last look at the carriage, her brother allowed Sam to pull him toward the townhouse.
“The chit hasn’t a single thought of value in her head. I assure you, we shall not be entertaining her or her hoity-toity parents…ever.” Garrett chuckled. “Though she is blessed with a bosom and hips that have many men falling all over themselves to touch.”
“Garrett!” Sam’s voice hitched on the word. “That is highly inappropriate for a gentleman to comment on. At least until the pair is wedded and bedded.”
“And what do you know of being wedded and bedded, my dear Samantha Eugenia Constantine Pengarden?”
A part of Eli longed to be with the pair, laughing and bantering alongside them—sharing in a rare moment of camaraderie; however, he sensed it was a private occurrence that could only be enjoyed and embarked upon by siblings.
Something forbidden to Eli. No matter how much he tried to deny it, he longed for the closeness of kin.
He wanted to stay to hear Sam’s response to her brother’s question, but the siblings had journeyed into the house, disappearing from sight.
“To the museum,” Eli called when the front door slammed shut.
“Of course, my lord,” Mathers shouted. With barely a jingle of the reins, the carriage started its slow trek toward the British Museum—and the days of work that still lay ahead for Eli.
Cataloguing, organizing, and preparing his grandfather’s treasures for display.
Thankfully, the work was a mindless task and would give him ample time to think over all that had transpired between him and Miss Samantha Pengarden—and ponder what tomorrow would hold for them.