An Unconventional Bride, page 4
“Yes, Your Grace,” Emma answered quietly, and slowly stepped toward the door.
William nodded, his jaw clenched as James motioned toward the hallway.
He could not believe this turn of events. In silence, he led the way to the upstairs study, Emma’s reluctant footsteps sounding behind him.
He didn’t say anything else. It was obvious they had pushed James too far already.
As expected, James stopped in front of the door to the study and opened it. He gestured to Will and Emma to enter, which they did swiftly, yet carefully.
“James, before you close the door, can I state that this is highly—”
James ignored Will and slammed the door shut before he could even complete his sentence. “Sort it out,” his brother barked through the door, before he heard the snick of the key turning in the lock from outside.
Will heard James and Kitty’s footsteps recede, until only silence was left.
Will pressed his fists against the door and inhaled a few slow breaths. He was so full of indignation that he felt as if he might burst. He closed his eyes briefly before opening them and turning around. Emma stood by the window with her arms crossed, perfectly still, staring out.
From up here, it would be impossible to escape, unless one or both of them was willing to shimmy down a drain pipe.
Will might have chanced it a few years ago, but not now. And of course, no matter what Emma said about the wonderful abilities of women, he doubted she would be able to shimmy down a wall in her voluminous skirts.
He unclenched his fists and slowly approached the large bookcase that was so familiar to him. There had been a few occasions when Will had held James against the bookshelves as they settled their differences and unleashed their frustrations toward one another in a physical sense.
James had quite a temper when he was sufficiently provoked, and William would grab him by the collar, holding him against the bookshelves in order to calm him down.
“This is all your fault,” Emma said bitterly, finally turning to look at him.
I don’t think so.
“And why is that?” William scoffed.
“If you had not been so insensitive toward poor Frances, I wouldn’t have gotten so upset, and we wouldn’t be locked in here at all.”
“I was not being insensitive. You were downright rude. Especially yesterday, when you humiliated me in front of my friends and family,” William defended.
“You humiliated yourself while being foxed, my lord. I had nothing to do with that. You did it all on your own,” Emma pointed out.
“I did not have as much to drink as you think,” William muttered under his breath.
“My eyes did not deceive me. I have experience of such things,” Emma answered quietly, and turned away.
William glanced at her sudden dejection with a furrowed brow. What did she mean?
For the briefest moment, remorse filled him. Had his behaviour reminded her of something unpleasant from her past?
He tried to read deeper into her words. Had she been in the company of intoxicated men before? Had those experiences been terrible and upsetting? Had she lost a family member due to the demon drink?
Will was on the verge of asking her more, but he realised the questions were too personal, especially given their lack of knowledge of one another.
It became clear that, due to his intoxication at the wedding, Emma had purposely distanced herself from him. So, it made sense that, despite the reluctance he felt inside, he deemed it necessary to apologize, regardless of whether or not it was needed.
“I am sincerely sorry, my lady.” The words formed softly on his lips.
Emma blinked as if shocked. “What on earth are you apologizing for?”
“Anything and everything,” he answered, pleased with his answer.
“You cannot be sorry for everything because then your apology does not stand for anything,” Emma muttered.
“Very well, I shall be more specific.” William sighed. This woman truly was hard work. “I apologize for being intoxicated, as it obviously displeased you from the start. It was not my intention to make you feel anxious.”
Emma cocked her head and an expression of disbelief formed on her beautiful face.
“What are you saying?” Emma exclaimed. “That is not...”
A frustrated sigh escaped her throat and she shook her head, the red tendrils around her face brushing her cheeks. “My lord, it wasn’t your intoxication that... oh. I don’t even know how to respond to that.”
William glanced at her expectantly, wanting her to continue.
“You know nothing about the world, and nothing about me,” Emma said quietly, after a minute or so. “It wasn’t your intoxication, but your view of women as merely appendages rather than people in our own right, that vexed me so.”
She sighed again. “You then compounded that this morning, speaking to your maidservant in such an uncaring manner.”
Will began to pace, trying to understand what she was saying, but failing to identify what, in his behaviour, she had found so abhorrent. “Then I will apologise for that, also.”
He felt he was being quite magnanimous.
“But you do not mean it! That makes your apology have no meaning.”
“I cannot please you, it seems.” He couldn’t help the scowl that brought his brows together.
She studied his face and scowled straight back at him. “You will never comprehend what it is like living as a woman in this world.”
“Once again,” William threw his hands up in the air in agitation, “we return to this damnable subject.”
“Hold your tongue. You shall not speak such profanities in my presence.” Emma’s voice rose.
“This is my home, and I shall do as I see fit!” William’s voice echoed through the study.
Emma stomped toward him, pointing a delicate yet deadly finger at his chest. “And I am your guest. One day you will fall to your death from that pedestal you have placed yourself on.”
He huffed out a breath. “And you? Just because you are a friend of Kitty’s, does not entitle you to think you are better than others,” William said. “ You are simply a woman with a precarious mouth and preposterous opinions, whom no man would ever wish to marry!”
Her mouth dropped open and stayed like that a moment too long, before snapping shut. “I am still far more respected than you—a drunkard who plays second fiddle to his successful brother!”
He was so angry he couldn’t think straight. That was the only explanation he could find, when he realised he was marvelling at how beautiful she was in this moment. Her eyes flashed and her chest heaved heavily as her breath moved in and out.
She was infuriating. And insufferable. And altogether magnificent.
And her sharp stare woke feelings inside Will that he had not felt in a very long time.
Chapter Five
LORD WILLIAM WAS, QUITE simply, the most ill-mannered man Emma had ever had the misfortune to meet. His harsh words had caused her to momentarily freeze, and then throw back equally harsh words his way. She was disappointed in herself for allowing him the power to get a rise out of her.
She stared up into Lord William’s blue eyes. His huge stature towered over her, but strangely, while she hated the sting of his words, she had no fear of him in a physical sense.
She stepped away and shook her head, annoyed at the thoughts that suddenly rose in her mind. Lord William was a very handsome man, and there was something about him that desperately attracted her.
She did not want to feel that way. But she couldn’t deny that he made her stomach tighten, her heartbeat quicken, and unexpected warmth pool between her thighs. The sensation was more powerful than anything she had ever experienced.
And she hated that he was the one who had caused it.
“Your words are cruel, my lord, and I certainly don’t appreciate the fact that you think it appropriate to speak to me in such a manner,” Emma said, as she attempted to swallow down the lump in her throat.
“You give as good as you get, it seems,” William muttered.
Only when I’m provoked, she thought.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she glared at him, and despite the feelings of anger, there was something else that bubbled to the surface. An uncontrollable urge to step forward and touch him. The feeling had been building up inside her from the moment she’d first seen him, and her anger had, perhaps, been fuelled somewhat by her attempt to control an attraction she did not want.
She lowered her gaze for a moment, hoping he could not read the desire in her expression.
“I have encountered many women in my lifetime, my lady, but none are as stubborn or strong-willed as you,” Lord William said with a grimace.
Emma couldn’t help the small chuckle that escaped her. “It is certainly not the first time, nor the last, I will hear such words,” she conceded. “Though I will take your comment as a compliment, rather than an insult. I am glad to be strong-willed.”
Unexpectedly, William grinned. It seemed at odds with his previous raging demeanour and she stared at the transformation of his features.
When Lord William smiled, his countenance was transformed. He was already handsome, of course, but the disagreeable nature seemed to fade away in the force of that grin. “Why is it that you infuriate me so? May I call you Emma?” Lord William asked, raising a hand and ruffling his hair with a seemingly exasperated gesture.
She lifted her chin. Since they were already in a heated discussion that made all the politeness of their titles seem trite, she didn’t see why not. “Only if I may call you William.”
He nodded once.
“Easier to insult one another, without the titles,” she said, and he released a surprised-sounding guffaw.
She smiled, strangely pleased to have changed their familiarity and brought an edge of humour into the discussion. The raw anger of only minutes earlier seemed to have been defused somewhat. She returned to the other question he had posed. “And as far as me infuriating you... perhaps you have not met a woman with firm beliefs and values instilled in her by her parents, my lord. My grandmother was a powerful woman, the strongest I have ever met. She fought for her place in this world, until her very last breath.” Emma strove for composure as she spoke, but was weakened by the grief that still tugged at her heart every time she thought of her grandmother.
Surprisingly, William’s features softened. “My sincerest condolences, Emma. Losing a family member is... difficult, even if they left this world peacefully.”
His eyes were sad, and Emma realised suddenly that William had been through something similar to herself. Perhaps even more difficult, because he had lost both of his parents in short order. She could only imagine the pain he must have endured.
Was that partly why he behaved so insufferably? Was he guided by the pain of a grief that had yet to run its course?
“I cannot imagine how difficult it was for you, William, losing both parents the way you did,” Emma whispered, her angry thoughts forgotten.
She automatically held out her hand toward him. Much to her surprise, William’s fingers slid into the spaces between hers and their palms pressed against one another. The warmth of his skin caused her belly to tighten with need.
She gazed up at William, his blue eyes crashing over her like waves of the ocean and dragging her away with the current of his breath. Did he feel the same way? This strange, intense, hot desire to be closer?
She had felt their connection since the moment they met, but anything good and exciting about it had been derailed by their arguments. Now, though...
William gently squeezed her hand and Emma’s lips parted in anticipation.
He reached up his idle hand and lightly traced the line of her jaw with his fingertips. She closed her eyes.
“Emma?” His query was low and a little rough.
She didn’t open her eyes, but her mouth curved upward. She knew he was checking if this was what she wanted. He was probably as shocked as she was, at this abrupt turn of events.
But now that the anger had subsided, there was room for this other, more seductive side of their situation, to rise. “Yes, William.” She nodded. “This is... yes.” She couldn’t continue. The sensation of his touch on her skin was electrifying and pulses of desire filled her.
William continued to lightly touch her neck and décolletage. Gently. Almost reverently, taking his time. She grew impatient for more.
Her breathing became even more ragged as his touch grew more urgent, and finally, Emma opened her eyes, glancing up at him.
William leaned in and kissed her on the lips, gently at first, as though testing her response. When she didn’t protest, and instead pressed closer, his strong arms enveloped her in an urgent embrace. His kiss was filled with passion, and Emma relished the eruption of desire inside her.
Her lips parted and she allowed him access to her mouth at the same time that his hands ran down her shoulders, moving the fabric of her sleeves lower. She reached for the front of her bodice, which was interlaced with ribbons.
“Wait, my lady,” William whispered suddenly against her lips.
But she didn’t want to wait. She didn’t want to think or stop, only feel.
“Please, do not ruin the moment.” Emma sighed and kissed him once more.
But he pulled back. “I do not wish for your first time to be with someone you despise.” William whispered against her lips, his tone almost joking.
She backed away and smiled at him.
Her hands loosened the ribbons in the front of her dress as she gazed intently at him. How would he take this news? “Fear not, William. This is not my first time.”
“You really are a most unconventional woman.”
“I really am, William.” She wrapped her arms around him, her now bare bosoms pressed against his chest. “Now ravish me until I beg you to stop.”
The urgency in her voice was obvious even to her own ears, so she was grateful he gave up the notion of questioning her further.
With William, talking inevitably led to argument. She didn’t want to argue. She didn’t want to think. Not anymore. Not in this moment, when her whole body was crying out for more.
His hands reached down and searched for the hem of her skirt, lifting the material until she could feel his fingers running along the skin of her thighs.
Emma threw back her head and allowed him to kiss the soft skin on her neck. She panted for breath, her heart pounding. One of William’s strong arms wrapped around her waist and lifted her off the ground in a smooth and skilful movement.
He turned and took a few steps, before setting her down on the desk. Emma heard something crash to the ground with a loud thump. She glanced to her right and noticed a stack of books had toppled over and was now strewn across the floor.
She ignored them and fumbled with the front of William’s trousers.
“Allow me,” William whispered.
She watched him with desire pulsing through her as he loosened his trousers, and bit her bottom lip.
William ran his fingers up her thighs, ensuring her skirts were out of the way, and she parted her legs to give him better access. She grabbed his shoulders, pulling him closer to her.
His lips met hers once more in a passionate kiss, as he stepped between her open and waiting thighs. His fingers stroked her flesh for several moments, making her gasp with need and pleasure while he explored her.
She threw back her head and closed her eyes, focusing on the delight each touch of his fingers brought her.
Then he was lining his hot flesh up with her body, rubbing himself against her wetness.
Oh, yes please.
She was so ready her whole body was trembling with need.
William set himself at her entrance, grabbed her thighs and thrust inside her with one long, powerful movement.
Emma moaned loudly, as William’s hands gripped her hips to hold her in place.
“Come here,” William growled, and she forced herself up to meet his kiss.
The taste of his lips on hers allowed all her surroundings to fade into nothing. Suddenly, the only thing that mattered or existed was the two of them.
William’s rhythmic thrusts sped up, going deeper and faster.
Emma’s body was ready to explode into a burning inferno. Her loins quivered as William’s hands moved up to cup her bare breasts, his breathing ragged against her ear.
“Do not leave me on the edge, my lord,” Emma whispered.
“Never!” His thrusts became even harder and more powerful, unlike anything Emma had experienced before. The desire inside her reached a point of no return, causing her to press her fingernails into William’s back as she was thrown into ecstasy.
She shuddered and moaned in William’s arms, enjoying the equally loud groan from her lover as he clearly enjoyed the sounds of her release.
Suddenly, he moved back, pulling away from her, leaving Emma wondering what had happened.
Had he finished? She didn’t quite think so...
She opened her eyes and gazed at him, though her muscles still quivered and her breathing was still uneven.
He motioned to her to stand up, and she did, on shaky legs.
“What...?”
“Shh. Turn around.”
When she did, he placed a gentle hand on her back and pushed so that she was soon bending forward over the desk.
His hands ran up the back of her thighs and over her bottom. She shivered at the intimate touch, loving the feel of him.
How was it possible to still feel something, when he had already given her release?
The soft muslin of her dress caressed her skin as William exposed her bottom. He lingered for a moment, causing Emma to hold her breath in anticipation.
When he stepped up behind her and finally thrust himself inside her once again, her body jolted and she cried out. Her hands grabbed the edge of the desk, her bare breasts pressed against the cool wood of the desk.
There was no preliminary this time. William’s thrusts were instantly fast and even more powerful than before, jolting her against the desk with every move. Emma felt herself slipping over the edge once again. Her body tightened around him and she gripped the desk.
