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‘You must stop, Sebastian!’ she protested agonisingly from behind her fan. Her knees seemed in danger of buckling beneath her.
His only reply was to tighten his hands about her waist as he held her more firmly in place and his lips explored the bareness of her shoulder, licking, gently sucking.
Juliet was in no doubt now—this was pleasure!
Unimaginable, indescribable pleasure.
It was a sensation unlike any Juliet had ever known before.
A sensation she wanted to continue ….
Sebastian knew that he should stop. That he must stop soon or risk exposing them both to a scandal that the ton would never forgive or forget.
But finally being able to kiss Juliet, to touch her, to feel her pleasure in his caresses, to hear her little panting breaths and feel the response of her body, was feeding his own desire, so making it impossible for Sebastian to do anything other than continue the wild, illicit caresses.
Her skin smelt of spring flowers and tasted like silken honey as he continued to explore its smoothness with his lips, feeling the arch of Juliet’s back as he ran his tongue down the ridges of her spine. Her bottom was pressed against him, and the hardness of his throbbing, aching arousal fitted perfectly against her.
That Juliet was completely naked beneath her chemise Sebastian had no doubt, and he allowed one of his hands to glide lower down over her stomach, to cup her between her parted legs. He was able to feel her dampness through the thin material that was the only barrier to his questing fingers.
A barrier Sebastian pushed impatiently aside, skilfully drawing the material of her chemise up to her waist.
Growling low in his throat, he was finally able to touch, to explore the soft and downy thatch where the hard bud of her arousal was hidden.
She was swollen.
So swollen.
And so responsive as Sebastian lightly stroked, above and below, never quite touching that engorged nubbin as his fingers became wet and slick.
‘Please …!’ Juliet’s groan was so low and aching that Sebastian felt a leaping response between his own thighs. ‘I want—Sebastian—I need—’
Sebastian knew what she wanted, what she needed, what she craved.
What he craved, too.
But not here.
How could either of them enjoy complete pleasure when they were standing here so publicly?
When anyone in the room might turn at any moment and see them together?
Juliet’s slippered feet no longer touched the floor as Sebastian placed a strong arm about her waist, and she felt herself being lifted, carried backwards out of the room and into the dark shadows of the terrace before he lowered her to turn her in his arms. His mouth claimed hers hungrily.
The new, craving sensations in Juliet’s body caused her to return the hunger of that kiss as she silently pleaded, begged for an end to the tormenting, unbearable ache between her thighs.
Her lips parted to the hard invasion of Sebastian’s tongue, and those moist, rhythmic caresses once again pushed her to the brink of—Of what …?
Juliet didn’t know.
But she wanted to know.
She needed to know!
‘… was most enjoyable. But I am so warm after all the excitement that I simply must go outside and take some air.’
Juliet barely had time to register that she and Sebastian were about to have their privacy interrupted before he wrenched his mouth from hers to place silencing fingertips against her lips. He swiftly manoeuvred her backwards, even further into the shadows.
Only just in time, too, as the elderly Duchess and Duke of Sussex strolled out onto the terrace before crossing to stand at the balustrade.
Juliet looked up in the gloom at Sebastian face, to find the darkness of his gaze glittering down at her.
In laughter, or in triumph?
Chapter Five
‘Personally, I fail to see what is so funny in the two of us nearly being found together in such a compromising situation.’ Juliet stood in the middle of her bedchamber, frowning her consternation as Sebastian, having refastened her gown for her, stood before her, clutching his sides with laughter. ‘Lord St Claire, you must desist!’ She glared at him reprovingly when her previous admonition had no effect.
His laughter finally ceased, although his eyes continued to gleam with merriment as he looked at her, and a grin still curved those sculptured lips. ‘I apologise. I simply found myself imagining how the Duke’s jowls would wobble and the Duchess’s mouth gape open like that of a fish if they had happened to turn and see us as we made good our escape!’
‘That is most unkind, My Lord.’ Although Juliet could not deny that their flight from the terrace had been in the nature of an escape.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had stood at the balustrade for several minutes, talking softly together on the success of the evening, before the Duchess had linked her arm with her husband’s and the two had begun to walk down the terrace.
Thankfully in the other direction from where Juliet and Sebastian had still been hiding in the shadows.
An occurrence which had caused Sebastian to take a firm clasp of Juliet’s hand before pulling her down the steps into the garden, to stride around to the side of the house.
And all that time Juliet had clutched at the front of her unbuttoned gown in an effort to stop it sliding completely from her body, her mood one of horror as she imagined what a pretty sight she would look, with her gown about her ankles and wearing no more than her chemise and her stockings!
Luckily that had not happened, and the two of them had been able to find access to the house through one of the servant doors. They had then proceeded to sneak through the house and up the back staircase to Juliet’s bedchamber. Much like two thieves in the night!
Juliet knew she had never behaved in such an undignified manner in the whole of her thirty years. And as for finding the situation amusing, as Sebastian St Claire so obviously did …!
‘Can you not imagine it, my dear Juliet?’ he prompted with an irrepressible smile. ‘The Duke’s jowls a-wobbling and the Duchess opening and shutting her mouth like a fish!’ He went off into another bout of laughter.
Juliet could imagine it—she would just rather not. What had happened this evening—especially her own behaviour—was no laughing matter. ‘Do you ever take anything seriously, My Lord?’ she murmured critically.
He sobered immediately. ‘Of course I do. Family. Honour. Loyalty to friends.’
Family. Honour. Loyalty to friends. They were indeed fine sentiments.
They did not signify where Juliet was concerned, however. She was neither friend nor family to Sebastian St Claire. As for honour—Juliet’s own honour was in shreds!
‘I think it better if you leave now.’ She spoke softly, avoiding so much as looking at him as she rearranged her perfume bottles on the dressing table. ‘This evening was—’
‘I trust you are not going to say regrettable?’ Sebastian cut in sternly.
Regrettable? Of course Juliet regretted it! Her only consolation was that it had not been the complete success Sebastian had hoped for. ‘I was about to express my doubts that this evening’s little adventure would be enough to win the wager for you!’ she said scornfully.
‘What wager?’ He frowned down at her.
‘Oh, come, My Lord.’ Juliet gave a disdainful grimace. ‘It is common knowledge that young gentlemen such as yourself enjoy certain wagers at their clubs. Escapades like curricle races to Brighton at midnight? Or the seduction of a certain woman …?’
Sebastian winced at the accusation. It was true that many such wagers took place in private—at least he had thought it was in private!—at the gentlemen’s clubs. It was also true that a year or so ago Sebastian had entered into such a wager himself, concerning another Countess. Although he very much doubted that was the wager Juliet referred to …
‘To my knowledge there is no such wager in existence where you are concerned,’ he denied. ‘And what do you mean by a man such as I …?’ he grated.
Juliet gave him a pitying look. ‘You are nothing but a rake, sir. A scoundrel. Indeed, a privileged fop, who meanders his way through life, imbibing too much alcohol, seducing women and laughing at anything or anyone who does not share those excesses!’
As set-downs went, this was certainly the harshest that Sebastian had ever received. In fact, it was the first of its kind that he had ever received!
He was a St Claire. The youngest brother of the Duke of Stourbridge. As such, he was untouchable—both in word and deed.
Except Juliet Boyd’s opinion of him had touched him in a way he did not care to dwell upon. Perhaps because he suspected that essentially she had only spoken the truth …? He had made such wagers as those she had accused him. He was also a rake, and often behaved the scoundrel. And, as his two older brothers were so fond of telling him, his profligate lifestyle left much to be desired.
But he was the youngest son of a Duke, damn it, and had been left his own estate in Berkshire and a veritable fortune to support it and himself on the death of his parents more than eleven years ago. More wealth than even Sebastian could run through in a dozen lifetimes.
What choices did a third son have but the church— for which he had no inclination!—or to live the life of a profligate?
Sebastian’s intention, his interest in Juliet Boyd, had been no more than the light-hearted seduction of a woman who had so far proved elusive to all men but her husband. He had certainly not expected to have his very lifestyle brought into question by that lady.
He gave a stiff bow. ‘Once again, let me assure you that I know of no such wager where you are concerned, Lady Boyd. I apologise if I have offended you with my unwanted attentions. I assure you that it will not happen again.’ He turned abruptly to cross the room and open the door before stepping out into the hallway.
Juliet felt as if her chest were being squeezed, making breathing difficult and speech impossible, as she watched him leave her bedchamber. The grimness of his countenance had erased all evidence of his usual handsome good humour, making him instead every inch the aristocrat he was.
Juliet remained standing in the middle of the bedchamber as the door closed behind him with a loud click of finality. At which time Juliet ceased even trying to maintain her dignity and instead collapsed weakly onto the bed, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably as tears fell hotly down her cheeks.
It really did not signify whether or not a wager concerning her seduction did or did not exist when her own behaviour this evening had been so shocking. Scandalous, even. The sort of behaviour that only a woman of loose morals could possibly have enjoyed. Women of breeding, of decency, did not—should not— feel physical pleasure in the way that she had earlier, when Sebastian had caressed and touched her in such an intimate way.
‘It would appear, Sebastian, that you have been scowling at my other guests in such a way as to cause them to completely lose their appetites!’
The darkness of Sebastian’s scowl did not lessen in the slightest as he turned to look at Dolly as she entered the dining room to sit down beside him at the breakfast table. A deserted breakfast table apart from the two of them, he now noticed. Although he seemed to recall there had been several other people present when he’d entered the room ten minutes or so ago …
He grimaced. ‘I doubt it will hurt some of them to miss a meal or two.’
‘True,’ Dolly acknowledged with an amused laugh.
Sebastian gave up even the pretence of eating his own breakfast and leant back in his chair. ‘Dolly, I am thinking of taking my leave later this morning—’
‘You cannot!’ Dolly looked shocked at the suggestion. ‘I really cannot allow you to even think of doing such a thing, Sebastian,’ she continued lightly. ‘You will quite put out the even number of my guests. Besides, we are to have a ball tomorrow evening, and I am sure you would not want to deny the daughters of the local gentry the opportunity to see and perhaps dance with the eligible Lord Sebastian St Claire!’
Sebastian did not return her teasing smile. ‘I am sure they would be all the better for being denied it!’
‘What is wrong, Sebastian?’ Dolly looked at him in genuine concern as he stared down grimly into his teacup. ‘You do not seem at all your usual cheerful self this morning.’ She gave him an encouraging smile.
‘You mean, my usual privileged and foppish self? Given to excesses and licentious behaviour?’ Sebastian didn’t attempt to hide his displeasure concerning Juliet’s opinion of his character.
Dolly looked taken aback. ‘What on earth do you mean, Sebastian?’
He grimaced in self-disgust. ‘The description is entirely fitting—do you not agree, Dolly?’
Sebastian had indulged in much deliberation over the last twelve hours. Since Juliet had told him exactly what sort of man she believed him to be. The sort of man he undoubtedly was, Sebastian had realised during those hours of reflection.
‘Of course it is not—’ Dolly broke off to consider him closely. ‘Who has said such things—surely not Juliet?’ she exclaimed. ‘Have the two of you argued?’
Sebastian gave a hard, humourless laugh. ‘I do not believe it can be called an argument when I merely listened as she told me exactly what sort of man she believes me to be.’ His expression darkened. ‘It did not paint a pretty picture.’
‘No, I would not think it did, if it was the one you have just told to me,’ Dolly conceded. ‘What she thinks of you bothers you that much?’ she asked shrewdly.
Sebastian’s scowl turned blacker than ever. ‘Only in as much as it appears to be true!’
Dolly shrugged. ‘Easy enough to change if you wish it, surely?’
He snorted. ‘And how would you suggest I go about doing that? Hawk is the Duke. Lucian is a war hero. And I very much doubt the church would suit me, or I it! No, it appears I’m stuck with being the profligate rake.’
‘I believe Bancroft mentioned he is in need of another gamekeeper … No, perhaps not,’ she said hastily, as Sebastian’s gaze became steely at her levity.
Sebastian took advantage of Dolly’s introduction of the Earl into the conversation. ‘Bancroft expressed a wish to talk to me this morning. Do you have any idea what it can be about?’
Dolly shook her head. ‘I am sure Bancroft will tell you that himself shortly.’
‘In other words you have no intention of discussing it with me even if you do know?’ Sebastian guessed wryly.
‘I would rather not,’ Dolly admitted. ‘What did you do to Juliet to make her say such hurtful things to you? Dare I ask what had happened shortly before this … exchange?’
Sebastian shifted uncomfortably. ‘No, Dolly, you may not.’
He had no intention of telling Dolly—or anyone else, for that matter—what had transpired between himself and Juliet prior to the verbal tongue-lashing he had received from her that had resulted in his present foul mood. He might be all of the things Lady Juliet Boyd had accused him of, but he was also a gentleman, and a gentleman did not discuss with a third party his relationship with a lady. Or the lack of it!
‘However, I do not believe I am being indiscreet by confiding that she is of the opinion that my marked interest in her is due entirely to a wager amongst the gentlemen at my club.’
Dolly raised an eyebrow. ‘Such wagers do exist, do they not?’
‘To my knowledge, none that concern the Countess!’ Sebastian glowered fiercely.
‘Did you inform Juliet of that?’
‘I did.’ He gave a humourless smile at the memory. ‘She chose not to believe me.’
‘Hmm.’ Dolly nodded thoughtfully. ‘You know, Sebastian, I am not at all convinced that life can have been particularly pleasant when spent with a man of such high moral reputation as Admiral Lord Edward Boyd …’
‘You think perhaps he was not so perfect in his private life?’ It was something that Sebastian was also beginning to suspect ….
‘I offer it merely as an explanation for Juliet’s condemnation of your own licentious behaviour,’ his hostess said airily.
Sebastian’s gaze narrowed. ‘Dolly, I do not suppose that you and Boyd ever—’
‘No, we most certainly did not!’ She laughed huskily. ‘My dear, he was far too much the paragon to form an alliance with one such as I. And I am sure his sort of perfection must have been very tiresome to live with on a daily basis.’
