Eager to progress to that point, Blayne popped the first button at the top of her gown and proceeded from there. He kissed his way along the side of her jaw while easing the sleeves down over her arms, then along the length of her neck as he went to work on the laces holding her stays. His mouth traced the curve of her shoulder, eliciting lovely mewls from deep in her throat. And she was no passive bystander either. Her deft hands had already pulled his shirt free from his trousers and snuck their way underneath. The effect was so provocative, he struggled to think straight.
“Blayne?” Her voice was a sensual murmur of pure enticement.
“Hmm?” he purred against her skin.
“Take off your jacket, waistcoat, and shirt.”
How could he deny her? Without hesitation he shucked his jacket and tossed it aside. His waistcoat and shirt swiftly followed.
“You’re stunning too,” she whispered with so much awe he felt like Zeus himself. And then she reached out and trailed the pads of her fingers across his chest, over his arm, and toward his back.
Blayne stiffened in response to her intake of breath. Lord help him, he knew he wasn’t perfect. He’d also known his wife would see the ugly welts crisscrossing his flesh. Perhaps he should have better prepared her so she’d not be put off?
“Your father did this?” Her fingers carefully traced the scars.
“Aye.” There was no denying his past any longer. No matter the shame.
“I don’t think I’ve ever hated anyone more. Not even Seamus.” Her voice cracked. “Perhaps I’m awful for saying this, but I’m glad your father’s dead.” She pressed a hot kiss to his back.
Pleasure ignited within every cell of his body. A groan rumbled through him. He turned, and caught her in his arms. “Charlotte.”
A smug smile of pure satisfaction curled her lips. “Feel good?”
“Aye.”
As if emboldened, she leaned in and kissed him again, right over his heart. Blayne wrapped his arms more fully around her and hugged her close for a moment, until her hands slid to his waist and dipped inside his trousers. At which point he lost all reason.
Her clothes were completely removed in seconds, the rest of his own discarded immediately after, and then they were on the bed, his skin against hers.
Blayne kissed her deeply while letting his hands explore every glorious curve she possessed. He reveled in her own attempts to familiarize herself with his body. This was what he’d dreamed of, unguarded vulnerability made possible due to their love. In the end, it was good she knew all there was to know about him, because this – this connection they could now share – was more honest and open than it would have been if he’d managed to keep his past secret.
Lord, he’d been wrong to think doing so would be right. He planted a series of kisses along the length of her torso while sliding one hand up over her hip. Thank God she’d been wiser than he. Thank God she’d chased after him all the way here. And thank God she still loved him in spite of what she now knew. It was miraculous, and he loved her all the more for it.
“Blayne,” she gasped when he settled himself between her thighs a short while later and nudged his way forward.
“Aye?” Heaven have mercy, she felt incredible. Taking a deep calming breath, he braced himself above her and tried to keep in check the vigor with which instinct told him to take her. Charlotte deserved to be bedded with gentle movements. She would need time to adjust and acquaint herself with this new activity.
Her fingertips curled into his shoulder and her legs wound around his hips. “I love you.”
“I love ye to,” he managed to say while gritting his teeth. She really was testing his sanity and his control.
“Then make me yours, Blayne. I promise I’m ready.”
“Are ye sure?”
“Yes.”
He needed no more incentive. Lowering his head, he kissed her to distract her from the sharp pain he knew she might feel. And then he continued to kiss her. Because he could, because she was his, and because he loved her beyond all reason.
21
“Your friend, Miss Avery Carlisle, is here to see you,” Daisy said when she located Charlotte in Blayne’s study at The Black Swan. After returning from Scotland two days earlier, Blayne had made temporary arrangements for everyone to stay at the tavern until he and Charlotte found the right property to purchase. They’d begun making inquiries the previous morning.
Surprised, Charlotte shared a quick glance with Blayne before addressing Daisy. “Please show her in.”
Avery entered the room a moment later, her somber expression cause for instant concern. Following in her wake, his face downcast, was Albert. Charlotte stood and greeted them both. Blayne followed suit.
“I’m so glad we’ve finally found you,” Avery said. “When we went to your house, or rather your parents’ house, they gave us no clue at all of your whereabouts. But then a footman chased us down the street as we walked away. He said you’d gone off to Scotland and gotten married – felicitations to you both, by the way – and we learned you moved here upon your return.”
“Daisy, would you be kind enough to bring us some tea?” Charlotte asked. The rush of words pouring from Avery’s mouth suggested they’d all need a fortifying cup very soon. To their guests she said, “Please, come have a seat. You look like you’ve run all the way here and need a rest.”
Avery pushed out a heavy breath and sat in one of the proffered chairs. Charlotte noted her hands were trembling. She cast a look in Blayne’s direction and saw that he’d noted this too. Contrary to his sister, Albert appeared more angry than anything else, which was curious.
“Mr. and Miss Carlisle,” Blayne said, his calm voice easing the agitated atmosphere Avery and Albert had created. “It’s good to see ye both again. I trust yer business has recovered from the break-in ye suffered?”
Avery responded with a tight nod while Albert’s expression tightened.
“Did ye ever figure out who was behind it?”
A gulp was the only sound Avery managed in response to that question. She promptly burst into tears.
“Now look what you’ve done,” Albert said while glaring at Blayne.
Baffled by Albert’s clipped manner, Charlotte stared at him for a moment in dumbfounded silence before she managed to collect herself. She turned her attention to his sister. “Avery. Whatever is the matter?”
“I’m so sorry,” Avery sobbed. “I should have known. I should have realized what was going on sooner.”
Daisy arrived with a tea tray and quickly distributed cups which she then proceeded to fill.
“Take a deep breath, Avery,” Charlotte instructed. She turned to Albert. “Do you have a handkerchief you can give her?”
When he shook his head, Blayne retrieved one from his jacket pocket and handed it over.
“Now then,” Charlotte said once Daisy had gone and Avery had finished dabbing her eyes. “Why don’t you have some tea and tell us why you’re so distraught?”
Avery pressed her lips together and gave a tight nod. She drank the tea as instructed, which thankfully seemed to soothe her. “As it turns out, the robbery wasn’t random at all. Nor was it carried out by strangers, but rather by my very own brother.”