More Than Charming Read online

  She pushed him down onto his back and straddled him. She took him in her mouth and her skill brought him to orgasm so quickly, it took him by surprise.

  When his breath slowed, he opened his eyes and swore softly. “Forgive me, Lizzie.”

  “Nonsense, m’lord.” Lizzie grinned as she came to her feet and stripped off her gown. She crawled over him on the bed. “Now we can take our time.”

  His laughter soon grew into groans of pleasure.

  Much later, in his bedchamber at his townhouse, James stripped off his own clothes. Despite the lateness of the hour, he ordered a bath and some brandy. He’d need help getting to sleep tonight.

  As he sank into the steaming water, he thought about his encounter with Lizzie. He’d assured her pleasure before taking his own that second time, but he’d felt empty afterward. As usual, no tenderness or emotions were exchanged, implied, or expected. But for the first time in his adult life, James gained no real satisfaction from the act.

  He got out of the bath and readied for bed. The bath had soothed him, body and mind, and after he drained his glass of brandy, he felt he could finally get some sleep. He got into the enormous four-poster and let sleep claim him. He dreamed of a girl, whose face he couldn’t see clearly. She pledged him her love and sweetly asked for his in return.

  A smile curved his lips as his breathing grew deep and even.

  Chapter 2

  James awoke the next morning and stretched, ignoring the slight headache rapping in his head. His dream came back to him, the sweet girl reaching out to him once more.

  He shook his head at his foolishness. “Of course, James. She’s merely waiting for you to sweep her off her feet.” If he hadn’t found such a girl in all his years in society, he wouldn’t find her now.

  As he stood beside the bed, his mind went back to his vague dissatisfaction at the pub. Perhaps he should take a mistress. No. Although many gentlemen kept women tucked away for the sole purpose of seeing to their pleasure, James had no desire to use a woman in such a way.

  “Better to take my pleasure with the wenches at the pubs,” he muttered as he went into his dressing room to ready for the day. At least no lasting attachment was expected or desired on either party’s behalf.

  Once dressed, he went down to the breakfast room and helped himself to a hearty meal from the sideboard. Despite his overindulgence of the previous evening, he was ravenously hungry. He thought ahead to Chester’s wedding and smiled. He set upon his meal with relish, his mind on the pleasant time he was certain to have with his good friends if not with a girl who couldn’t possibly exist.

  * * *

  Catherine opened her eyes to find her sister flitting about her chamber. It was the day of Lord Chester’s wedding, and obviously the girl was in a fit about something. What now?

  “Elizabeth.” She rubbed her eyes. “What on earth are you about?”

  “Oh, good morning, Catherine,” her sister said. “I need to borrow something of yours, something that will complement my gown for the wedding celebration.”

  Catherine sat up in her bed and yawned. “What is it you need?”

  “Where are your ribbons?” Elizabeth asked, rifling through the drawers of Catherine’s vanity.

  “Come away from there,” Catherine said without anger.

  She rose and padded over to the vanity. She pulled open a drawer on the right and waved her hand. “The ribbons,” she said, turning toward the dressing room.

  Elizabeth gave an exaggerated sigh of relief and picked out two long peach ribbons. She fairly skipped from the room, her mind certainly focused on her attire for that evening’s bash.

  Catherine emerged from the dressing room, wearing a day dress of light rose. Unlike Elizabeth, she didn’t give much thought to the coming festivities. She’d set aside a gown of deep blue, the cut quite daring. It was part of the wardrobe that was created for her after her engagement, and made her appear quite worldly. But seeing as she was no longer a young girl in her first Season, the gown was appropriate for her use now. As she glanced into the drawer that Elizabeth had left open, she spied ribbons of precisely the same shade of blue. She suddenly remembered her dream, the mystery lover speaking his wonderful promises.

  Wouldn’t it be marvelous if she actually met such a man? Surely she wouldn’t tonight, not at an event attended by so many people already of her acquaintance. Nevertheless, she felt a tingle of excitement for the coming evening and smiled as she set the ribbons aside for her lady’s maid to later twine in her hair

  The day passed predictably if not quickly, and the time soon arrived for Catherine to ready for the party. Elizabeth had driven her mad with her impatience and Catherine was glad to retire to her room to make her own preparations. After her lady’s maid Annie dressed her upswept, glossy brown curls with the blue ribbons, she gazed into the mirror. The style served to make Catherine’s eyes appear larger, the lashes framing them long and thick. She could almost see a flicker of anticipation in their bright blue depths. Hmm.

  She stood, clad in her chemise, petticoat, and stays as Annie stepped out of the dressing room with the lovely blue gown. The maid assisted her into the gown and deftly fastened the hooks in the back.

  Catherine gasped as she looked into the cheval mirror. “Oh, my. This dress is quite revealing.”

  Annie shook her head. “Nay, my lady. Ya’ look absolutely splendid.”

  Catherine’s eyes fell on her bosom, a large portion of which was visible above the bodice of the gown. She tried to tug the gown upward to no avail. She pulled on her long satin gloves and sighed, prepared to wait for her sister to join her.

  * * *

  James dressed himself with care for the coming evening. After shaving, he donned the crisp white shirt left out by his valet and tied his cravat precisely. He pulled on black breeches, shining boots, and a waistcoat of silver-gray. A well-fitting jacket of black finished his dress. He checked his appearance in the mirror atop his washstand, raked his fingers through his black hair. Satisfied, he took himself downstairs and called for his carriage.

  The party was a huge affair, as the Earl of Chester boasted many friends. He and Constance, his wife of but a few hours, greeted the guests as they entered the salon. The main salon served as a grand ballroom this evening, its polished floor gleaming in the light of hundreds of candles.

  James entered the home and sought out the couple. “Lady Chester,” he greeted Constance, The new bride was a picture, her golden hair upswept and her gray eyes sparkling. “May I say that you make an exceptionally beautiful bride.”

  Constance accepted his compliment with a blush, at which her husband placed a tender kiss on her temple. James watched the simple exchange with a twinge of envy. Obviously, Chester had made a love match.

  His charm reasserted itself as he shook his friend’s hand with warm regard and bowed to the new bride. “Pray do me the honor of a dance this evening, Lady Chester?”

  “Of course,” she said with a shy smile.

  James stepped into the ballroom. An orchestra was at one end of the space, and there were chairs set up around the perimeter. He spied Paul and his wife, Michelle, well away from the orchestra. Paul saw him as well, and waved in greeting.

  James joined them. “Leed,” he said in greeting. He turned to Paul’s wife, a beauty with hair of golden red. “Michelle,” he said, grasping her hand and bringing it to his lips.

  Michelle curtsied as James bowed to her.

  James turned to find that Paul’s father, the Earl of Talbot had joined them, along with Elizabeth. James favored the girl with a smile and turned to greet her father. “Lord Talbot.”

  “Hello, Roberts,” Talbot said in his booming voice. “How’s your father?”

  “Still ailing, I’m afraid, sir.”

  “Pity,” Talbot said. “Do give him my best?”

  “Certainly,” James said. He turned to the earl’s youngest child. “How are you, Elizabeth?”

  The girl curtsied quickly a
nd smiled up at him. “Very well thank you, Lord Roberts,” she gushed. “Isn’t the wedding just splendid? The music is lovely and I believe I’ve never seen so many happy people in one place.”

  James chuckled at the girl’s exuberance. “But what of Catherine’s wedding? Surely it was as lovely as this affair.”

  Elizabeth paled and lost her smile. “Oh, you don’t know! Catherine never married.”

  “What?” James asked in confusion.

  “Lord Waltham eloped with Lady Joan Banister scarcely one week before the wedding.”

  James turned to Paul. “Leed?”

  “Elizabeth,” Paul scolded. “I’ve told you repeatedly not to speak of it.”

  Elizabeth blushed. “I’m sorry, Paul.”

  The Earl of Talbot shot his youngest daughter a look of vexation, at which Elizabeth lowered her eyes in acute embarrassment.

  Michelle apparently took pity on the girl. “It’s all right, Elizabeth. Thankfully, Catherine didn’t hear you.”

  “Oh, yes.” Elizabeth nodded vigorously, her brown curls bouncing. “Thank goodness!”

  “Is this true, Leed?” James asked Paul.

  “Yes,” Paul said, his voice clipped. “I apologize for not telling you last year, but I thought it best to keep the matter as quiet as possible.”

  “Understandable.” James shook his head. “What Catherine must have gone through.”

  Paul simply nodded.

  James had always thought Catherine a sweet girl, with never a bad word to say of anyone. She giggled as freely as Elizabeth did, finding something pleasant in everything. And to think that Waltham could treat her so shabbily? Bastard. If Waltham had been there just now, he’d have happily throttled him.

  He turned to Elizabeth once more. “And where is Catherine, Elizabeth?”

  “Why, she was just speaking with a friend,” she answered. “She should join us momentarily, I imagine.”

  James heard only half of what Elizabeth said to him, for over her shoulder he spied the most beautiful young woman he’d ever seen. Her glossy brown curls were upswept, several tendrils left free to fall about her shoulders and frame her face. She was dressed in a gown of deep blue, the color complementing her striking eyes. The cut of the gown accentuated her lovely figure; her full breasts and slender waist drew his appreciative glance. My God. Surely this beautiful creature couldn’t be Catherine Talbot!

  James watched her approach, noting that she carried herself regally, her hips swaying gently. She no longer flitted about the room like her sister. He’d always thought her pretty, but the past year had matured her looks. She’d lost her girlish countenance, but it was replaced with breathtaking beauty. If Waltham’s betrayal had this effect on her, perhaps he should thank the man before he throttled him.

  He glanced at Elizabeth, then back at Catherine. They were no longer twins.

  Catherine came to a stop in front of him, a small smile on her face. “Lord Roberts,” she said softly, curtsying.

  James blinked. Even her voice held a sultry note he’d never heard in it before.

  He bowed to her. “Lady Catherine,” he said, using her formal address for the first time.

  She cocked her head to the side and smiled widely, the effect startling him. The dimple in her cheek only added to her appeal.

  James recovered himself and took her gloved hand in his. “You look very much the lady this evening, Catherine.”

  She stared up at him for a moment, and when her pupils dilated, he felt it like a caress.

  “Oh, Catherine,” Elizabeth gushed. “There you are.”

  Catherine turned her head and smiled at her sister, and James released her hand with regret. Geoffrey and Becca soon joined them, and talk became quite animated. James returned his friends’ comments absently, his eyes continually settling on Catherine. What was the matter with him? She was his friend’s little sister, and he’d never thought of her in any other way. But she was a woman now. As desirable as any he’d ever known.

  As they all took themselves into the supper room, he vowed to put her, and his troubling reaction to her, out of his mind.

  * * *

  Catherine returned to the ballroom after supper, with Elizabeth in tow. The younger girl was chatting about how lovely all the ladies’ dresses were, at which Catherine nodded absently. She tried to put her strange reaction to Lord Roberts out of her mind. Not likely. He looked incredible this evening. His breeches hugged his long muscular legs, his black jacket made his shoulders impossibly wide. His silver waistcoat nearly matched his incredible eyes. How could he have grown even more handsome since she’d seen him last?

  When he’d taken her hand in his, she’d felt a spark shoot through her fingers and down to her toes. She’d stared into his eyes for the longest moment, seeing affection in their silver depths as she always had in the past. But had there been something else there, as well? It was something she’d never seen before. An awareness, as though he were seeing her for the first time.

  She declined an offer to dance given by an awkward young gentleman and chose to sit in one of the gilded chairs lining the walls of the wide room. Michelle joined her there after Elizabeth ran off to speak to a friend.

  “Catherine,” Michelle said with a smile. “That dress is simply stunning.”

  “Thank you,” Catherine said. “I daresay Paul would never have let me wear such a thing when he was escorting me to the bashes.”

  “He does still tend to be a bit overprotective of his sisters.”

  “Something you chide him about constantly, I’m sure,” Catherine said.

  Michelle laughed. “I fear Rose will have quite a time of it when she comes out.”

  “Indeed. Poor girl. But I’m sure Rose will be just as strong as her mama when it comes time for her debut.”

  Michelle reached out and squeezed her hand, smiling warmly at her. “I have faith that Rose will be just as strong as her beautiful aunt, Catherine.”

  Catherine’s eyes filled with tears. She was so lucky to have such a loving and supportive family through last year’s ordeal. And she was truly happy to have Michelle as her sister-in-law. She couldn’t have chosen a better bride for her only brother.

  Catherine turned her gaze back to the ballroom and saw Lord Roberts step out of the supper room and approach Elizabeth, his hand outstretched. As Catherine watched, Elizabeth put her gloved hand in his. He twirled her out onto the dance floor, nodding at whatever Elizabeth said.

  As they made their way across the floor, Lord Roberts spied her. His silvery eyes met hers for the briefest moment, sending a pleasurable shiver through her. She composed herself and returned her attention to Michelle.

  The number ended and he escorted Elizabeth to join Catherine and Michelle. He smiled at Michelle and turned to face Catherine. “Catherine, I would be honored if you would join me for a dance.”

  She stared up at him for a long moment. She’d danced with him so often in the past, and she shouldn’t have hesitated. But he evoked such strange feelings in her this evening.

  With both Michelle and Elizabeth watching her, she set aside her reservations and put her gloved hand in his. “I’d love to, Lord Roberts.”

  He led her out onto the floor. She matched him step for step and had never enjoyed a dance as much. It was over too soon in her opinion. He must have been of the same mind, for when the dance ended he held on to her hand a bit longer.

  He released her at last and smiled. “Why don’t we go out onto the terrace?”

  Catherine, still flushed from their ease and comfort on the dance floor, nodded. “Oh, yes. That would be lovely.”

  He waved at her to take the lead and followed her out the open doors. She came to a stop at the railing, staring out at the starry sky. He stepped behind her, joining her in her reverie.

  They stood quietly for a long while, until Catherine finally broke the silence. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

  “Incredible,” he answered, his voice low.

 
Catherine could sense him so close behind her, could feel his heat. She was certain that if she simply leaned back, her shoulders would come into contact with the hard wall of his chest. She was unable to resist the notion and gave in to her fancy, leaning back to brush against him. He wrapped his arms around her, cradling her as he exhaled. She felt his breath tickling her ear and it felt so wonderful. She closed her eyes and relaxed against him, relishing the sweet comfort of the moment.

  After too short a while, he dropped his arms from her. Catherine was shocked back to her senses. She straightened and gripped the railing tightly with both of her gloved hands. What was wrong with her? Her behavior was quite improper.

  Lord Roberts took a step forward to stand beside her at the railing. Fortunately, his easy charm saved her and the moment. “I very much enjoyed our dance, Catherine.”

  “I managed to keep off your toes.” She laughed, trying to calm her nerves.

  He smiled down at her. “I did think for a while there that I had gone quite deaf.”

  “Deaf?” she asked. “Why would you think that?”

  “After my dance with Elizabeth, my ears were fairly ringing.”

  Catherine laughed again. He smiled in response and brushed a stray curl away from her cheek. At his touch, she froze. He stared down at her, losing his smile.

  “Catherine,” he whispered.

  She stared up at him, her heart racing. His gaze settled on her mouth. He bent his head and brushed her lips with his. She stiffened for a moment. In the next she rubbed her lips against his and was rewarded as a delightful tingling spread from their point of contact. Suddenly, he pulled back.

  Catherine opened her eyes and blinked up at him. She brought her fingers to her lips and felt them quiver. Waltham had kissed her. Proper kisses that were pleasant. But this kiss . . . It was so warm and sensual. And was that his tongue that had brushed across her lips before he pulled away?