Chapter Twelve
David had not wanted to give into temptation.
But Justina’s mouth was so ripe. So perfect. It called to him.
And he could not resist . . .
The moment his lips touched hers, it was as if lightning had struck him.
He had kissed his fair share of women over the years, but they all faded into oblivion, compared to Justina’s kiss.
She eagerly opened to him, knowing what to do now.
As their tongues playfully mated, he encircled her in his arms, never wanting to let her go, inhaling her violet scent.
He drank from her honeyed sweetness, a deep yearning being filled. She seemed to complete him in some unspoken way. He had been missing something in his life, and this woman made him feel whole again.
Perhaps whole for the first time ever.
Her fingers plunged into his hair, holding tightly, spurring him on. He tilted her head back, deepening the kiss, wanting more of her. From her.
Breaking the kiss after long minutes, he trailed his lips along her jaw and moved down the long, slender column of her throat.
He reached the edge of the lace fichu tucked into the neckline of her gown and paused for a moment before lifting his head.
He yanked it from its place. Now, more of her flesh was exposed to him, the round globes of her breasts calling out for attention.
He lowered his lips, grazing the top swell of her breasts, hearing her sigh.
His tongue began tracing the upper curve of each breast, and her fingers tightened in his hair.
He would do anything for a taste of her breast, but this was madness. He must stop. Now.
Before it was too late.
Lifting his head, his gaze met hers. In her eyes, he saw fire.
And determination . . .
“I know there is more, David,” she said, her voice low. “I want it. I want you.”
“I want to give more to you, but I—”
“Touch me,” she urged. “Taste me.”
He doubted she knew what she asked for, simply being caught up in the moment.
It was time to put a stop to things, but his will crumbled, bending to hers.
His hands cupped her full breasts, his thumbs brushing back and forth over her nipples.
He felt them harden against the pad of his thumbs.
His gaze continued to hold hers as he moved his thumbs slowly, back and forth, teasing the nipples into a peak.
Then he tweaked them, hard, causing her eyes to widen.
A small squeak sounded from her perfect lips, the most delightful, wonderful sound he had ever heard.
“I will not hurt you,” he promised. “I just want a taste.”
Slowly, he pulled on the neckline of her gown, slipping his hand inside and freeing one breast. It was high and firm, the nipple standing at a peak, begging for his attention.
He moved his mouth to it, taking in her breast, laving it.
She murmured something, but he was not interested in talk.
His tongue circled the nipple, teasing her into a frenzy.
He blew softly on it and licked around it again, circle after circle.
Her arms went about him now, fingers locking at the small of his back, making him her prisoner.
Quickly, he swiped his tongue back and forth against her nipple, causing her to sigh deeply.
Then he began sucking, hard, taking in all of her.
Her breast swelled as he continued to draw it deeper into his mouth.
Her whimpers told him how much she was enjoying this.
He was, as well. David wanted to possess this woman. Hold her dear.
Make her his . . .
Easing her breast from his mouth, he slipped it into her gown again, lifting the other one out and giving it the same care.
His cock began to stir, and all he could think of was how sweet it would be to plunge into her tightness, untouched by any other man.
He sucked and laved, knowing this was all he should do with her—and even then, he knew this was wrong to lead her down this path of seduction.
Then a voice called out from downstairs. “Are you here, Mr. Rochester?”
For a moment, David froze. Then he quickly sprang into action. He broke away from Justina, claiming her fichu from the floor and tossing it at her. He took a few steps to where the crowbar sat and dropped it on the floor. It hit with a thud.
“There you go, my lady,” he said cheerfully. “That should be the last of it. I will be back to check on you in an hour or so.”
She, too, had regained her senses, tucking her exposed breast back into her gown and arranging the fichu.
With a look of regret, he left her, raking his fingers through his hair as he bounded down the stairs. The moment he saw Mrs. Cress, his heart sank. Mr. Winkler had warned him that Mrs. Cress was the village gossip, and he only hoped she would not spread any malicious words regarding Justina.
“How may I help you today, Mrs. Cress?” he asked brightly.
“I heard a loud noise,” she told him. “From upstairs.”
“Yes, I dropped the crowbar I was using to pry open the last crate of books. Why, I believe you were in the crowd yesterday and saw them being delivered.”
“I was,” she said, a sour look upon her face.
“You were not one of those who signed up to be a member of my lending library. I hope you intend to do so.”
She shook her head. “Reading is not for me, Mr. Rochester. I look upon it as a waste of time. Who is upstairs?” she demanded.
“Lady Justina Fulton,” he said innocently. “She is a most efficient young lady and offered to help organize my bookshop and lending library. Lady Justina arrived early this morning and has been working all day.”
“I heard you dined at the inn together.”
It seemed nothing escaped this woman. “You are well informed, Mrs. Cress. I thought it only right to feed Lady Justina a meal since she has been working so hard on my behalf and that of Kidsgrove. With her help, my lending library should begin circulating books much sooner than I had anticipated.”
“I will see what you are doing there now,” the woman said, heading to the staircase and quickly ascending it without an invitation.
He only hoped Justina had heard and repaired her appearance.
He arrived seconds behind Mrs. Cress and saw Justina sitting on the floor, next to a bookcase. In her lap, he saw the list of books for the lending library and a pencil in her hand.
She looked up, appearing to have only realized someone was present. “Why, Mrs. Cress. I have not seen you in a good while. I hope you are well.”
“What are you doing up here, my lady?” the older woman questioned. “And sitting on the floor. It is most undignified for someone of your social standing.”
Justina smiled sweetly and came to her feet before David could offer his assistance.
“I am going through these wonderful books,” she said with enthusiasm. “Lord Traywick and I are such diligent readers, and we are thrilled that Mr. Rochester will use this floor of Mr. Shaft’s shop as a place for books for our community to read and purchase.”
“Why are you helping him?” Mrs. Cress asked bluntly.
“I am happy to volunteer my time to this project. Because my brother and I enjoy reading so much, we are happy that Mr. Rochester is giving that opportunity to others in Kidsgrove and beyond. I am currently arranging the books in the lending library, and I am eager for others to sign up to be a member of it. Why, Mr. Rochester is going to have members all read the same book, and then they will come together and discuss their impressions of it. I suggested that he hold this discussion at Mr. Winkler’s inn.
That way, we could partake in refreshments as we enjoy discussing a book we have all had a chance to read.
I do hope you will join us, Mrs. Cress.”
The older woman sniffed. “Reading is a waste of my time, my lady. It is something the gentry does. I doubt you will get everyday farmers and merchants to participate in such a discussion.”
“Oh, I do respect your opinion, Mrs. Cress, but I still hope you will be proven wrong. As I said, I have enjoyed reading so much over the years. And Mr. Rochester will even carry children’s books.
I cannot wait to purchase some for my cousin’s children.
Have you met Lady Cressley? She has twins and a younger child, and she and Lord Cressley are also raising his niece. They are such lovely children.”
David decided that Justina could more than hold her own with this woman and said, “If you will excuse me, ladies, I must get back downstairs. I do not wish to miss any customers.” He looked to Mrs. Cress.
“Once you and Lady Justina finish your conversation, I can help you look for whatever items you wish to purchase.”
He returned downstairs, standing at the bottom of the staircase so that he might listen to their conversation.
Justina talked to Mrs. Cress about several other topics, making her feel perfectly at ease.
That was a true gift. He knew the old gossip would not be able to say anything untoward regarding Justina.
When he heard their conversation coming to an end, he went and busied himself, rearranging merchandise.
Mrs. Cress appeared and said, “It seems Lady Justina is doing all your work for you, Mr. Rochester.”
He caught her disapproving tone and said, “Well, I did open the crates for her and helped remove the books, but Lady Justina shooed me away. She told me that she had a system and did not wish me to hover over her and make a mess of things. I have gone upstairs once an hour to check upon her progress, and I see she was correct. She has accomplished far more than I ever could have in the same amount of time. If she were not an earl’s daughter, I would offer her a position on the spot, one running the bookshop and lending library.
Alas, she has better things to attend to, from running her brother’s household since her mother’s passing, to socializing with others in the neighborhood. ”
Mrs. Cress nodded, absorbing what he said, and David decided to give her something innocent that she could gossip about.
“I have heard that Lady Justina has become quite friendly with the Duke of Norville’s daughter. In fact, she mentioned to me that she was taking tea at Norwood tomorrow afternoon.”
Mrs. Cress’ jaw dropped at that news, and David believed she would spread that tidbit of information far and wide.
She quickly recovered and said, “I have heard that His Grace’s son is home from war on the continent.
Perhaps His Grace has invited Lady Justina to tea not only because his daughter is friendly with her.
” She gave him a sly smile. “Norville might be trying to make a match between Lady Justina and his heir apparent.”
Her words were like a knife plunged into his gut, twisted for the maximum pain. Still, it would keep any thoughts of Justina’s reputation being compromised by this woman if he allowed her to believe the duke was planning for his son to offer for Justina.
“You just might be correct in your assumption, Mrs. Cress. I went to school with Lord Marbury, and he will make a fine husband. Whether that is to Lady Justina or another fortunate young lady, it remains to be seen. Now, you came to my shop to purchase something. What might I get for you?”
He doubted she had anything she needed to buy and had merely stopped by out of sheer nosiness, but he was going to push her into a sale.
“Some thread,” she finally said, grudgingly.
He led her to the section with fabrics and sewing notions. “You should find everything you might need in his area, Mrs. Cress. Let me know if I can be of further assistance.”
David returned to his place behind the counter and picked up his pencil, writing down Mrs. Cress’ name in his ledger and again on a bill of receipt which he would present to her upon completion of her purchase.
She came back with a spool of black thread, acting as if she did him a favor by purchasing it.
He noted the sale in his ledger and on the receipt, and handed it and the spool to her.
“It is always good to see you, Mrs. Cress,” he lied. “I know you were a loyal customer of Mr. Shaft’s. I hope you will continue to patronize my shop, as well. Good day to you.”
“Good day, Mr. Rochester,” she said grumpily, exiting the shop.
Moments later, he heard footsteps on the stairs. Justina appeared and came toward him.
“Mrs. Cress is a vicious gossip, David. You handled her well.” A wistful look crossed her face. “I am only sorry she interrupted us.”
“It is a good thing she did so, Justina,” he said, his voice tinged with sadness. “We cannot continue to do what we did upstairs. It would only lead to . . . other things.”
Frowning, she told him, “I would like to explore those other things with you. You are opening an entire new world to me, David. A world which I wish to investigate. With you.”
He shook his head. “Nothing good would come of that, Justina. I cannot wed you. I am in no position to offer marriage to any woman, least of all someone of your social standing.”
Her hands fisted, going to her hips. “Who said anything about marriage?” she demanded.
“It is not something I am interested in. Yes, my cousins seem to have made a good number of love matches, but I have never seen marriage as a part of my future. I want to concentrate on my art, hopefully finding success.” She paused. “And I want to learn more from you.”
“You do not know what you are asking. I can tell that you have a passionate nature, Justina. When you meet the right man, you will—”
“I do not need a man to be satisfied with my life.
I am happy with myself. But I would like to explore these new feelings within me.
It might even help me as an artist. Please, David.
I know you are being kind, trying to protect me and my reputation, but I do want to learn from you.
Learn more of this passionate nature which I am only beginning to discover, thanks to you.
I understand it will not in any way lead to marriage between us.
That is something neither of us wishes for.
“Please,” she implored. “Teach me a bit more. I will not hold you to any promises because I refuse to allow you to make any to me.”
Giving in to her would not only be weak on his part, it would also most certainly lead to heartbreak for both of them. Still, he could not resist such an offer. To be able to kiss her. Hold her. Even pleasure her in small ways.
“All right,” he agreed. “We will add a bit to your knowledge. But we will only take things so far, Justina. And when I say it is time for that part of our relationship to end, you must promise to accept it.”
“I will,” she said eagerly. Then she smiled tenderly at him. “Thank you, David. I hope you will not regret our time together.”
He would look forward to whatever stolen moments they might create—and he understood when he ended things between them, he would at least carry a piece of her with him for the rest of his life.