Eight for Losing, One for Loving (Wicked Sons #9)

Chapter 14

Dear Cat,

I have received a letter from Lady Belinda Madox-Brown commanding me to attend her regarding a business matter, the details of which I am not to know unless I appear. Yet I am to arrive in the guise of a morning caller, so her father, the earl, does not know what I’m about. Apparently, you have vouched for my trustworthiness and discretion. What the devil have you got me into, you wretched creature?

The Earl of Keston is not a man I wish to make an enemy of. He’s a wicked old devil who likes to control everyone and everything. If I come a cropper, I shall murder you, and so you may tell that husband of yours, too.

―Excerpt of a letter from Mr Felix Knight (son of Mr Gabriel and Lady Helena Knight) to The Most Hon’ble Catherine ‘Cat’ St Just, Lady Kilbane (daughter of The Most Hon’ble Lucian and Matilda Montagu, the Marquess and Marchioness of Montagu).

25 th June 1850, Mrs Fanshaw’s Modiste Shop, Newmarket, Suffolk.

Leo was enjoying himself enormously, Vi thought with a sigh. Having already put her to the blush by choosing a variety of undergarments and nightwear which Vi considered nigh on indecent, he was now compounding matters with his ideas on appropriate gowns.

“It’s red,” she replied, stating the obvious. It was also daringly low cut and clung to her curves in a way that made her look like someone she hardly recognised. Good lord, she might be his mistress in this getup!

“It is.”

Vi turned away from the looking glass, unable to read the strange note to his voice. It became clear as she met his eyes. Oh . Vi swallowed, turning back to the looking glass and surreptitiously studying Leo in the reflection. He looked… hungry, she thought, with an odd sensation uncoiling low in her belly. Heat rushed over her skin, and she felt suddenly breathless. Goodness .

“Well, Mrs Hunt, will you take the red gown? I know it’s a rather daring choice, but—”

“Yes!” Vi said before the woman had the chance to persuade her. Her voice seemed alarmingly high and squeaky and so she cleared her throat and said a little more calmly, “Yes, I will take it.”

She glanced nervously back at Leo. He was smiling at her, but it was a somewhat alarming, predatory smile that did not help her with the sudden lack of air in the room.

“If you would help me, Mrs Fanshaw, I believe I have enough gowns now.”

And I believe my corset is laced too tightly, she added silently, hurrying from the room to change her gown.

Leo chuckled to himself as Vi fled. She was such a darling. Bold and brave enough to tell him he was an idiot and put him in his place, he had only to look at her without disguising the desire in his eyes, and she turned into a blushing schoolgirl. It was quite delightful. Not that he wished for her to be made uncomfortable, or afraid, certainly not that, but he did not believe it had been fear in her eyes. She had ordered the red gown.

He congratulated himself on having bribed Mrs Fanshaw an extraordinary amount to change whatever orders she had made for other clients to fit Vi. There were going to be a few annoyed ladies who would have to wait a little longer for their orders, but it had been worth it. He’d have paid five times as much just to see Vi in that red gown, never mind the other things he’d bought for her. Happily, the redoubtable Norton had brought Leo’s own belongings back from town with him, so he needed nothing himself.

Sitting back in the comfortable chair provided for husbands or protectors, Leo sipped the surprisingly decent glass of brandy. No wonder Mrs Fanshaw was popular. She was not only clever with her designs, but she made every effort to make the male visitors to her shop welcome. The latest racing journals lay in neat piles on the table, alongside scandal sheets and a tray bearing pastries and sandwiches.

Leo ignored the journals, more interested in considering Vi. God, to see her in that gown only confirmed everything he had known and yet underestimated, for she had taken his breath away. She had been hiding her light under a bushel. Oh, she had always dressed beautifully—elegant and with style—but she was not as bold as she might be. Her choices always trod the line of what she deemed proper for a woman ‘past her prime’ as she insisted on believing herself. What tosh. He had never seen Vi look more beautiful. As a young woman she had been pretty indeed, lovely in fact, but now, with a little more maturity and her figure a touch fuller, she was stunning.

He took another sip of the brandy, his thoughts drifting to the lovely bits of nothing he had insisted she buy as nightwear. Leo grinned, aware he had shocked her but entirely unrepentant about it. In his opinion, it was time Vi woke up and realised just what kind of woman she was. Somehow, despite being loved and cosseted by Kitty, who was a woman of fiery passions herself, Vi had come to see herself as something less than she was. Leo intended to change that view entirely, and he was going to thoroughly enjoy himself in the process.

The time passed pleasantly enough, though he was getting impatient to see Vi again when a rustle of expensive fabric made him look up. He almost gasped when he saw the vision before him.

There she stood, the woman he was to make his wife. His heart gave an uneven thud and for a moment, his legendary charm deserted him. He could only gape. The walking dress was a spectacular deep yellow gold. He had known it was perfect for her the moment he’d seen it and asked Mrs Fanshaw to persuade Vi into it. The gown hugged her figure perfectly, and Mrs Fanshaw had paired it with delicate yellow kid half boots and gloves and a charming bonnet framed with yellow silk roses. “Good God,” Leo finally managed, which was a mistake.

Vi’s face fell. “I told Mrs Fanshaw it was too much,” she said in dismay. The glow that had been visible in her eyes just moments before faded at once. “It’s too dashing, too—”

“Shut up, you darling idiot,” Leo said, pushing to his feet and crossing the space between them. He took Vi’s hands in his, raising each in turn and kissing her knuckles. “Though I admit it was not my most eloquent comment, that was a compliment, love. You look splendid, glorious—” He paused, moving away a step to give her a slow, lingering look up and down. “Edible,” he added in a low, provocative voice.

She blushed scarlet but he could tell she was pleased all the same.

“You really like it, you don’t think—”

“I do not,” he said firmly. “I do think you are the most ravishing creature I have ever seen, and I have never been prouder of anyone or anything.”

“Thank you, Leo,” she said, meeting his eyes properly now, happiness shining there. Leo suddenly felt quite winded. He had put that look in her eyes. Him! How extraordinary! He was going to make her happier still before the night was over, though he rather suspected that would shock her a good deal, too. It was all in a good cause, he told himself, squashing any concerns about propriety. Kitty would certainly give him her blessing and they would be married as soon as they returned to Tadlow… though he had not yet asked Vi properly. That needed dealing with in style. Vi deserved the best of everything when she had missed out on such a lot of fun by keeping herself out of society.

“Ready to return to the inn?” he asked. “I’d love to show you off about the town, but I think we’d best keep a low profile for now.”

“Indeed, they might mistake me for your mistress,” she said mischievously.

Vi looked up at him and flashed a wicked smile, once again making him feel like he’d been hit in the head with a heavy blunt object. How had he spent so many years without realising this woman was the one he’d needed all along? God, what a fool he’d been. The idea that he might never have woken up, might never have come to his senses, struck him square in the chest, making him feel breathless and rather ill. He stopped in his tracks and turned to Vi, who stared up at him in alarm.

“Leo? Whatever is the matter? You’ve turned the ghastliest shade. You’re white as a milk pudding.”

“I love you,” he said urgently, holding her fingers too tightly. “You do know that, don’t you, Vi?”

Vi gazed at him as if he’d lost his mind, and then glanced around her at the passersby, who were staring at them with interest. “Leo, are you quite well?” she murmured under her breath.

“Perfectly well,” he said impatiently. “Just listen to me, will you? I love you, Violetta Spencer. I think perhaps I always have, I… I was just too stupid to realise it. But I’ve stopped being stupid, Vi. I’m going to be everything you need, whether that’s a sensible, reliable husband or a fun-loving fool who will take you on madcap adventures. Do you understand?”

Her face softened, her eyes suddenly bright and sparkling. “I understand, Leo and… and I love you too, though I think this is the most inappropriate setting for such a declaration, you ridiculous man.”

Leo beamed at her, not caring a damn for who saw or heard. He would quite happily have shouted that he loved Violetta Spencer to anyone within earshot, but didn’t like to push his luck. They weren’t married yet.

He guided her back to The Rutland Arms, feeling a swell of pride as he noted all the admiring glances she drew. Mrs Rogers came rushing up to them as soon as they entered.

“Mr Hunt, Mrs Hunt, your room is all ready for you. If you would come this way.”

She let them up the stairs and along to a large, handsome chamber resplendent with a massive fourposter bed with elegant green velvet curtains. The lamps had been lit, for the day had become grey and stormy, threatening rain and the room was cast with a cosy, golden glow.

“It’s our best room,” she said proudly. “I had the fire lit too, for it was a little chilly and, with the weather turning, I thought the evening might be somewhat cool.”

“Thank you, Mrs Rogers,” Leo said with an approving nod. “My wife and I will dine in our room tonight.”

“How is Jenny?” Vi asked before he could make any further arrangements.

“Miss Clark has seen the doctor, and it’s only a sprain, though she is to rest it for a few days. She has ordered dinner, which I shall take up to her myself presently,” she said, at which Vi smiled.

“Wonderful. I’m so glad she’s all right.”

Leo walked Mrs Rogers to the door before she could continue talking. In an undertone, he instructed her to bring a bottle of champagne with their dinner.

“In half an hour, sir?”

He nodded, and Mrs Rogers took herself off. Relieved to have got rid of the woman, Leo turned back to Vi. She’d gone to stare out of the window, undoing her bonnet as she looked outside.

“I think that was lightning,” she said, as a low rumble sounded in the distance. “Goodness, but we were lucky with the weather today. I dread to think what it might have been like keeping that fiend in check in a thunderstorm.”

“But you managed him?” he asked, watching her laid the bonnet aside and began tugging at her gloves.

“I did,” she said with obvious pride.

Never had he taken such pleasure in watching a woman in such a way. She wasn’t even taking off any interesting items, only gloves! Yet desire stirred all the same and he rather wished he could have put off dinner, but Vi must be famished and Leo did not want his lovemaking interrupted because she was faint from hunger.

“When shall we be married?” She blurted the question out so hurriedly he did not think she had intended to say it at all. The colour that crested her cheeks confirmed his suspicions.

“As soon as we return to Tadlow. Your mama rushed off to get a special licence with Reverend Harbottle. I suspect they’ve had a wonderful day together; they’re both as tricky as each other.”

Vi laughed, though he detected a note of anxiety in the sound. “Oh, indeed. Reverend Harbottle is a wonderful man, and rather wise, I think.”

“I think so too,” Leo said with a smile as he crossed the room to her. “I’m afraid I have something to tell you, though, Violetta.”

Her smile dimmed at the use of her full name, and the serious tone of her voice.

“Oh?”

“Mm-hmm,” he said, pulling her into his arms.

“What is it, Leo? You don’t h-have a lovechild somewhere, do you? I mean, it would make no difference to me if you had, I suppose. I know these things happen, it’s not uncommon, and I would not judge you harshly, well, so long as you’ve made provision—which I know you would do, for even though you are sometimes reckless, I know you are not irresponsible with anyone else’s life, only your own, and—”

“Devil take you, Vi!” Leo said in consternation. He gave her a little shake. “I’ve got no children. Good Lord, woman, the things you say.”

“Oh, thank heavens,” she said, letting out a breath.

“I thought you said it would make no difference,” he remarked dryly.

“Well, it wouldn’t, but I cannot pretend I liked the idea.”

Leo shook his head and laughed. “Fair,” he agreed, pulling her more firmly against him. “Any other questions?”

She hesitated for a moment before she spoke again. “I won’t share you with a mistress, so if you still have one—”

“You’re very hard on a fellow’s self-esteem, love. I broke things off before I began courting you, and I will never put you in such a position. Next?”

She gave a sigh and shook her head. “That’s all.”

Leo snorted, gazing down at her.

“What did you wish to tell me, then? It isn’t anything dreadful, is it?” she asked nervously.

It was the hardest thing to keep his face grave, but he returned a soulful expression, saying regretfully, “Well, it is rather dreadful, I’m afraid.”

“Oh, dear,” she said, before taking a deep breath. “Go on then, I’m ready.”

“I am afraid,” he said, bending to whisper the words in her ear. “I am afraid, Miss Spencer, you will not be a virgin on your wedding night.”

“I-I won’t?” she stammered, and it was almost impossible to keep his countenance when he saw the delight in her eyes. Struggling not to laugh, he shook his head.

“You have got yourself entangled with a rather desperate fellow, you poor little innocent, and I fully intend to debauch you and take your virtue. You will be quite thoroughly ruined by morning.”

“I w-will?” she stammered, sounding quite breathless now.

“You will,” he agreed solemnly.

“Oh, Leo!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck. “How wonderful. Thank you!”

Leo burst out laughing, hugging her tightly. “Wicked, wicked girl. I always knew it. The quiet ones are the worst,” he told her confidentially.

“Are they?” she asked, gazing up at him with such love and trust in her eyes it was no longer difficult to pretend to be serious.

“And the very best,” he whispered, and lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her softly. He cradled her cheek, stroking the silken skin with his thumb as she melted into his embrace. “Vi,” he whispered.

“Yes?” she managed, in between his kisses.

But there was nothing to say, nothing to tell her that couldn’t be spoken with the press of his lips to hers. The kiss went on, lingering, tender, an expression of love and hope for the future and of the promises he would keep.

The inevitable knock at the door sounded.

“Oh, drat the woman,” Vi said crossly.

Leo chuckled and gave her one last kiss. “Don’t worry, Vi. Nothing will interrupt us once dinner is out of the way.”

“Well, hurry up and let them in, then,” she said, giving him a little push.

Leo grinned at her and did as she suggested. “Yes, ma’am,” he said, as eager as she was for the meal to be over.

Dinner was an exercise in torture, as far as Vi was concerned. Beside herself with a combination of excitement and anxiety, she ate little and tasted less. Leo seemed equally distracted, his gaze drifting to her mouth on several occasions and remaining there. When she had licked a small drop of cream from the corner of her lips, the look in his eyes had been both wonderful and daunting. She could not help but wonder what she had got herself into. Well, she’d find out soon enough now.

Though it was exactly what she had wanted, she still could not quite believe he would make love to her before they were wed, and half expected him to prevaricate and change his mind. If he did, she was going to kill him, she decided.

Finally, the meal was done, and Leo went away to have a quiet drink in the taproom to give her some privacy to prepare herself. Without Jenny to help it was a little difficult, but the new gown and corset unfastened in the front which made a great difference. In the corner of the room, Vi had made a little nest for Mau, who had thankfully curled up and gone to sleep after finishing much of the dinner to which the two of them had not been able to do justice. The soft sound of his snoring reassured her, for the idea of having an audience for the coming night, even if it was only a cat, was most disconcerting.

Vi poured warm water from the jug she had ordered and washed herself, pleased with the delicately scented soap she had found at the apothecary’s shop. It smelled of vanilla, sweet and enticing, and she hoped the scent would linger on her skin. Choosing what to wear was difficult, as the little slips of nothing Leo had chosen were all lovely. Mrs Fanshaw had confided that they were French, sent over from Paris. Vi could well believe it, for she had seen nothing of the sort in any of the shops in London she’d visited before.

Whilst the nightgown fell to the floor, it was made of a delicate silk that clung lovingly to her body, almost sheer, revealing more than it covered, the fabric cools against her skin. Around the bust, which seemed moulded to her breasts, it was embellished with lace that curved over her décolletage. Vi unpinned her long blonde hair and brushed it out, letting it fall in a sleek cascade down her back. She stood, looking at herself in the small hand mirror, holding it up and angling it this way and that.

Colour rose to her cheeks as she saw the dark shadows of her nipples pressing against the silk and her breath caught as she imagined Leo looking upon her. What would he do? Her imagination provided the answer as she gazed at her reflection, feeling wicked and desirable in a way she had never known before, making her heart thud in her chest so hard she did not hear his soft knock, nor the opening of the door. It was only as she allowed the mirror to travel back up her body that she saw him, her breath catching at his expression, which was everything she had imagined and more. Raw desire burned there, his blue eyes dark with need.

Violetta turned, the mirror still in her hand as Leo’s gaze raked over her.

“You like it?” she ventured, knowing very well that he did. The answer was so obvious that a smug smile played at her lips.

Leo let out an uneven huff of laughter. “God, Vi. If this is what I’m going to be treated to every night, I’m going to be putty in your hands. You can have anything you want, do anything you want, I don’t care. I’ll give you anything, only for heaven’s sake, come here.”

She laughed, setting the mirror down and running into his embrace, throwing her arms about his neck as he kissed her, hard and deep and with no reservations. This time he did not hold back, his hands sliding down her back to her waist, pulling her firmly against him. Vi’s breath hitched as she felt the press of his arousal against her belly and then his hands fell lower still, grasping her bottom. She gasped, but he stole her breath, deepening the kiss and taking more. Vi could do nothing but hold on, tangling her hands in his hair and following where he led.

Finally, he broke the kiss and Vi let out an unsteady breath, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “H-Heavens,” she managed.

Leo flashed her a wicked grin that made her heart feel light and insubstantial, as though happiness weighed less than air and it would simply float off into the sky.

“So beautiful,” he whispered, nipping at her ear. “If you only knew how I have longed for this, dreamed of it, you would realise how much power you have always had over me. I ought not tell you, I think, for you might abuse it.”

“I never would,” she replied reproachfully, though the idea that she could was tantalising. Did he really desire her so very much? It seemed unlikely and yet here was the proof of it, visible in the dark hunger burning in his eyes, in the proud jut of his arousal that seemed to beg for her attention.

Too curious to pretend maidenly shyness, Vi’s hand covered the rigid line visible beneath his impeccably tailored trousers and Leo sucked in a sharp breath. She snatched her hand away, startled by his reaction before she realised he had not wanted her to stop. Of course, Kitty had given her some rather indelicate advice in the past and now it came back to her, and she felt eager to put it into practise. Cautiously, she returned her hand and gently squeezed.

Leo groaned, resting his head atop hers, his eyes closed.

“You like that,” she said, feeling rather pleased with herself.

He snorted and nodded his head. Biting her lip, Vi dared to unbutton the fall of his trousers and slide her hand inside, searching for entry beneath his smallclothes. Leo’s hands fell to help her, but she batted them aside.

“Hurry,” he said urgently, the rough edge to his voice giving her a little thrill of excitement.

Finally, she found the access she needed, and her hand touched his flesh, blazing hot and so very hard, the skin finer than anything she had ever known. He made a strangled sound as she closed her hand around him and stroked.

“I’ve died,” he murmured. “Died and gone to heaven.”

Violetta smothered a laugh against his chest, uncertain it was the moment for laughter but then she glanced up and saw the mischievous glint in his passion-dark eyes and she laughed out loud, delighted by him, and by this, which was not at all what she had expected.

“I love you,” he told her. “I love to hear you laugh, even if you are laughing at me, and I want to make love to you so much I feel I shall run mad.”

“I’m not stopping you,” she pointed out, firming her grip on the hard length of his arousal. His breath caught, and he bent his head, kissing her ferociously, devouring her like a man starved. Leo’s arms pulled her hard against him until she was aware of every button on his clothing, every curve of muscle and line of bone, and then, just as suddenly, he released her.

“Take it off,” he commanded, the need in his voice making her react at once.

She let go her hold on him, her hands flying to the tiny pearl buttons at the lowest point of her neckline. Somehow her shaking fingers got them undone and she shimmied the silken nightgown down to her hips, but he could not wait, tugging at the fine fabric, yanking it down her body until he could gaze upon her nakedness.

Vi shivered under the heat of his gaze, her skin prickling, nipples tightening into hard little buds as his eyes took in every detail.

“Perfection,” he whispered, before his head lowered, his mouth closing over her nipple and sending darts of pure delight charging through her body. The tugging of his mouth seemed to tug at another, secret part of her that had never before experienced such a tumult of sensation.

“Oh, L-Leo,” she stammered.

He raised his head in enquiry but Vi caught hold of his hair and guided him back, not wanting him to stop. A soft huff of laughter fluttered over her skin, but he did as she asked of him, lavishing attention on her breasts until her entire body was alive and tingling with anticipation. Finally, he raised his head, gazing at her as though he would eat her in one bite.

Finding it suddenly hard to stand, Vi took a few shaky steps backwards and felt the mattress behind her. Bracing herself against it, she leaned back, her breath catching as Leo fell to his knees before her.

“This is how you ought to be viewed,” he told her, staring up the length of her body, his eyes vivid with desire, the black of his pupils swamping all but an electric flash of blue around the edges as his gaze settled upon the place between her thighs. “A goddess, ready to be worshipped.”

Vi gave an unsteady laugh. “Don’t be s-silly,” she scolded him, but her words died as she registered the look in his eyes.

“A goddess,” he told her firmly, a tone to his voice that would brook no argument. “And I your willing supplicant, come to worship at your altar.”

He pressed his mouth against the darker gold triangle of curls between her thighs, pressing a kiss there, their eyes still locked.

Vi felt the blush rush from her toes, up her body, her cheeks scarlet, and yet there was power in it too, despite her embarrassment. He really meant it, she realised, meant to worship her, to hold her above all others and love her as he loved no one else.

Her breath hitched as his mouth drifted lower, the kiss pressing in a place that made a soft exclamation escape her lips. His tongue darted out, licking softly, and Vi melted into a puddle, her legs giving out as she collapsed back onto the mattress.

“Like that, do you?” he asked, getting to his feet and sounding very pleased with himself.

“It’s the wickedest thing I ever… ever… good heavens, Leo.”

Leo stood over her, grinning now. It seemed positively indecent that he should stand there fully dressed, gazing down on her nakedness, yet Vi realised in that moment that she liked it. She liked the way Leo looked at her, liked to see the desire in his eyes, relished the fact that he wanted her badly, so very badly.

“Answer the question, love,” he pressed her, amusement lurking in his dark gaze.

“Yes, Leo,” she whispered, smiling up at him. “I like it, I like it all, and I love you very, very much.”