His Countess for a Week Read online

  ‘Mrs Roffey!’

  Ran explained briefly, ‘She has had a narrow escape from that scoundrel Teddington. Her gown suffered a tear and needs a small repair.’

  ‘Of course. I shall see to it immediately.’

  Ran grinned in relief. ‘Good man, Joseph. I knew we might rely upon you!’

  ‘If you will come with me, ma’am, I will take you to His Lordship’s dressing room and we will find you something to wear while I mend your gown.’

  Chapter Ten

  When Arabella returned to the sitting room, Ran had drawn two chairs close to the fire. He had removed his coat, and his silk waistcoat hugged his lean body, a direct contrast to the white shirtsleeves that billowed out over his shoulders. She wondered if she should be worried by such informality, especially after what had happened at Sweigne House, but a glance at his stockinged feet was strangely reassuring. Surely one could not be afraid of a gentleman who was not wearing his shoes.

  He was stirring a pan hung over the fire and the comforting scent of spices filled the air.

  ‘Mulled wine,’ he said, waving his spoon towards the chairs. ‘Come and sit down.’

  ‘Thank you. Joseph has taken my gown away to his room to mend it.’ As she came closer, she saw his brows rise. ‘Yes, I am wearing your banyan,’ she told him, pulling the heavy folds of the colourful dressing gown more securely around her knees. ‘Please do not laugh.’

  ‘I am not tempted to laugh,’ he replied, a pronounced glint in his eye. ‘I do not think I should tell you what I am tempted to do!’

  She blushed, but pretended not to hear him. She put her hand up to her curls, which had been returned to some sort of order.

  ‘He also found me a brush and comb to tidy my hair.’

  Ran grinned. ‘Very resourceful fellow, Joseph.’

  ‘He has been with you a long time, I think.’

  ‘Since I was a boy.’ He filled a cup with hot wine and handed it to her. ‘Joseph knows all there is to know about me. It is thanks to him I survived transportation.’

  She sipped her wine and watched his face as he filled his own cup from the pan. The flames gave his sun-bleached hair a golden glow, but the light also showed the creases about his eyes and the deeper lines beside his mouth. It belied the boyish smile he so often wore.

  ‘That must have been terrible for you.’

  He glanced at her.

  ‘Do not be thinking I was wrongly convicted, Arabella. I assisted a counterfeiter and that is a treasonable offence. Men and women have been hanged for merely having a single false coin or note in their possession. At one time there were sacks full of forged notes at my house in Liverpool. The villain I called friend followed me to Fallbridge, when I moved there to live with my sister, Deborah. It was only by the greatest good luck that my actions did not destroy her.’

  He stopped and she saw the shadows flicker over his face, clouding his eyes. It hinted at suffering beyond her comprehension.

  ‘But you did not destroy her,’ she said softly. ‘I read that she is now Viscountess Gilmorton.’

  ‘Yes, and very happy, thank heaven. But I caused her such distress that I wonder she could ever forgive me. She says I was so besotted with laudanum and wine that I could not help myself, but that is no excuse.’

  Arabella cradled the cup in her hands, but even its warmth could not prevent her from shuddering.

  ‘I cannot imagine what it must be like, to be sent away from England, from everything you love. And the journey. All those months at sea.’

  ‘I was too ill to know much about that. Joseph nursed me through it. He kept telling me how fortunate I was to be given another chance of life and eventually I believed him. With his care I avoided the deadly diseases of typhus and cholera that beset many of the convicts on board ship. And once we arrived in Sydney Cove I adapted very well to my new surroundings.’

  She sat back in her chair, distracted from her own problems.

  ‘I remember you told me something of it, when we were at Beaumount. How the heavy showers clear quickly and the sun makes the rocks steam.’

  ‘Yes, it is warmer than England, but not at all arid. The winds come in from the sea, too, most of the time, which helps to cool the air. I was fortunate, because I could read and write and keep accounts, I was not put to manual labour like most of the poor wretches. They suffered much more than I from the heat.’

  He reached out and took her cup from her to refill it, and a memory stirred.

  ‘What Charles Teddington said tonight. About you being afraid of wine. Is that true?’

  ‘I was wont to drink to excess and I know the harm it can do. I never drink anything other than small beer now.’ Her eyes went towards his own cup and he added, ‘And the odd cup of mulled wine. I shall not get foxed on this, I promise you.’

  She found herself smiling in response. The warmth from the drink and the fire had driven away her chills and fears. She felt safe, comfortable. It could not last, she knew that, so she must enjoy this moment. However, she could not prevent her mind going back over what she had learned that evening. Silently she stared into the fire, lost in her own sombre thoughts until Ran said gently, ‘You look troubled, Arabella. Will you tell me?’

  ‘I owe you an apology. You were right. George was taking laudanum, only I would not admit it. But tonight, that man—’ she could not bring herself to say his name ‘—he told me much the same as you had done. He—he also said that G-George did not love me.’

  ‘Bella, if your husband was in the grip of laudanum then even the very deepest affection would not help him. I am sure he loved you very much.’

  ‘No, he did not. He could not have loved me.’ Unhappiness was lodged in her throat and she had to force the words out. ‘He—he said George only m-married me for my money.’

  ‘Teddington is all bluster. He was trying to turn the situation to his advantage.’

  Arabella shook her head.

  ‘I think it must be true,’ she said sadly. ‘You see, there are so many occasions, things George said and did. Things he did not do. It all makes sense, now I look back. I do not think he ever truly loved me. Not as a man should love his wife.’

  Her voice broke, and although she blinked rapidly, a rogue tear escaped and ran down her cheek.

  ‘Ah, Bella, don’t cry!’ Ran slipped to his knees in front of her. He took the cup from her shaking fingers and wrapped her hands in a warm, comforting clasp.

  She choked back a sob. ‘He was all I ever wanted. All I ever dreamed of. But when Teddington said that tonight, I realised it was true. George and I talked of marriage, but for all his honeyed words, he held off. There was always some reason why we could not be wed. And the last few years he spent less and less time at Revesby. T-Teddington said he would never have married me if he had not needed my money and I think he must be right.’

  He said fiercely, ‘If that is so, then Roffey was a blind fool. He did not deserve you!’

  ‘Oh, pray don’t say that.’ She pulled her hands free and jumped up. ‘He deserved someone far better. I see that now. I was gauche, inexperienced. Until this year I had never left Lincolnshire while he had travelled, made the Grand Tour, lived in the world.’ She turned away, not wishing him to see her anguish. ‘I quite understand now that he did not want me, that he did not desire me. I m-must have appeared very naive and gawkish compared to the beauties he met in town.’

  She felt his hands on her shoulders.

  ‘There is nothing gawkish about you, Bella. You could have all London at your feet if you wished!’

  She dashed away her tears and gave a shaky laugh. ‘Now you are being foolish, my lord.’

  ‘No, I am not.’ Gently but firmly he turned her to face him. ‘You have wit, intelligence and beauty.’ He smiled down at her. ‘A rare combination.’

  ‘But not enough.’


  ‘Hush now.’ He put a finger against her lips. ‘It is more than enough, I promise you. For the right man.’

  Arabella leaned against him, grateful for his kindness. It did a great deal to soothe her distress. But when she looked up, what she saw in his eyes made her heart swell and stopped her breath. Desire.

  There had been something similar in Charles Teddington’s face, but then it had alarmed and repulsed her. Randolph’s sea-blue gaze had quite the opposite effect. It awoke a deep, primal ache inside her. She wanted comfort and tenderness and something more. Something she knew he could give her.

  ‘Kiss me,’ she whispered. He hesitated and she placed her hands on his chest. ‘Kiss me now, Ran. Please!’

  Slowly, slowly, he lowered his head. She turned her face up, eyes half-closed. His lips skimmed her mouth, light as a breeze. She shivered with pleasure. He gathered her in his arms and brought his head down again, capturing her mouth in a long, sensuous kiss that sent chills running down her spine. She pressed against him, her lips parting instinctively to allow his tongue to explore, drawing a response from somewhere deep inside.

  Her spirit took flight; she almost swooned as their tongues danced together. It was all new. She had never felt like this before, so beautiful, so desired. Her bones were melting beneath the onslaught of their combined need, and when at last he broke off the kiss and raised his head, she remained in his arms, breathless, her head thrown back against his shoulder.

  ‘Ah, Bella, forgive me.’

  The words were barely a whisper, his breathing ragged and uneven, but she was too shaken to speak. She put a hand up to his cheek and pulled his head back down, desperate for him to kiss her again. This time there was no gentle prelude. His kiss was urgent, even savage, and when it ended, she gasped for breath while his mouth roamed over her face and neck.

  ‘We should stop now,’ he muttered, his lips grazing her face and neck, sending little darts of fire through her skin with every touch.

  ‘No.’ She clung to him. Even her voice was shaking with the unexpected passion that was raging through her. ‘Take me to your bed, Ran.’

  He raised his head then and stared at her. His breathing was ragged and instinct told her he was barely in control of himself. She pushed against him, revelling in the feel of his hard, aroused body. He wanted her, she did not doubt it, but she knew that, even now, she had the power to stop him with a word. Only she did not want to stop. She clutched at his shoulders.

  ‘I am in earnest, Ran. I want you to take me to bed. Now.’

  His eyes burned into her, hot blue flames. Resolutely she held his gaze, answering his unspoken question. She was sure she wanted this. More sure than she had ever been of anything in her life.

  Finally, without a word, he scooped her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. No candles burned, the golden glow of the fire providing the only light. He laid her gently on the bed and she watched as he recrossed the room. She heard the soft click of a lock, then a second click as he secured the door to his dressing room.

  ‘Just making sure we are not disturbed,’ he murmured.

  Bella kept her eyes fixed on Ran as he came back to her, but when he entered the deeper shadows of the bed, for a moment she could not see his face and she felt a sudden panic.

  He hesitated, saying gently, ‘We need not do this, Bella.’

  ‘No, I want to.’ She reached for him, and when he took her hands, she pulled him closer, all doubts forgotten. ‘I want this, Ran. Very much.’

  He measured his length beside her, kissing, caressing, until her momentary fear had disappeared and once again she forgot everything except the pleasure of his caresses.

  His hand slid over her, the touch warm, sensuous, even through the layers of silk and cotton that covered her skin. Then he was pushing the dressing gown from her shoulders and his hand smoothed across her skin to cup one breast, his thumb stroking and teasing until she was gasping with pleasure. He deepened the kiss still further and his roving hand moved on, tugging free the knotted tie at her waist. Then there was only her thin chemise between his hand and her body. She kissed him back eagerly, their tongues dancing while his fingers roamed over her hip, then slowly, slowly moving lower, towards the hot aching core of her desire.

  She shifted restlessly against him, wanting more. His palm cupped her and his stroking fingers roused in her an exquisite pleasure she had never known before. Her body was moving now with its own rhythm. Excitement rippled through her, building like a wave. She gasped, tried to speak, but her senses were so disordered all she could do was clutch at the bedcovers, moaning softly while he continued his gentle but inexorable pleasuring.

  Her senses were swimming; she was adrift, being carried along on a wave of pure pleasure. It was beyond anything she had known. She thought she might fly away, or drown from sheer delight. She cried out, bucking beneath his hand as the wave crested. Her body was gripped in a shuddering climax and Randolph held her close against him until the ripples faded and she was left exhausted, barely conscious.

  Arabella clung to Ran, breathing deeply, drifting away on the smell of his skin, a hint of musk overlaying the clean, spicy fragrance of soap and fresh linen. All too soon he eased himself away from her. She opened her eyes to see him standing beside the bed, a black shadow. He shed his waistcoat, then threw off his shirt. As he discarded it, she saw the flash of firelight on his chest, a rippling landscape of sculpted muscle. Desire stirred again, unfurling within her. She had tasted the delights of his lovemaking and she wanted more. She wanted to feel that naked flesh against her own.

  While Ran slipped off his breeches and stockings, she shrugged her arms from the banyan and quickly dragged off her chemise. When she would have removed her stockings, he stopped her.

  ‘No.’ He placed a hand on her knee. ‘Let me.’

  His voice was low, rich, and she shivered with anticipation. She lay back on the bed, watching from half-closed eyes as he slowly untied the ribbon garters. He rolled down the stockings, one at a time, stopping to plant a kiss on every inch of newly exposed flesh. Arabella’s mouth dried. Every touch reverberated through her until her whole body was singing. He kissed her toes, the inside of her ankle. Then his mouth began a slow exploration up to the knee. And onwards.

  She closed her eyes and reached for him, wanting him to stop. Wanting him to go on. She tangled her fingers in his hair as he knelt between her legs and began to kiss her. Where earlier his fingers had worked to such devastating effect, now his tongue roused her to new heights. The wave was building again. She was losing control. He slid his naked chest up over her until they were breast to breast. Her hips lifted instinctively, offering herself up to him. He eased himself into her and she gave a cry, but the little pain was forgotten as he began to move, slowly at first, but gradually increasing the pace.

  She matched each thrust, her fingers clutching at his shoulders. She could not think, could not speak as wave after wave of bone-melting pleasure rolled through her. Her spirits were soaring, flying. Randolph gave a shout of triumph and held her fast, teetering on a pinnacle for one brief, heart-stopping instant. She clung to him, felt his body hard and rigid in her arms, every muscle straining. Then it was over. He relaxed with a sigh and dropped beside her, drawing her close, wrapping himself around her, warm and protective.

  Stunned, Arabella lay in the darkness, listening to Ran’s now-steady breathing. She had never felt like this before. So complete. She heard a clock chime in the next room and wonder became tinged with anxiety.

  ‘It grows late,’ she murmured, sitting up. ‘I should go.’

  ‘Not yet.’ He pulled her down beside him again. ‘Sleep with me for a while.’

  She did not have the willpower to refuse. He helped her beneath the covers, and the banyan, which had been lying beneath them, slid to the floor with a whisper.

  * * *

  Arabella opened h
er eyes. By the light of the single bedside candle, she looked about the unfamiliar room and memory flooded back. Randolph was sitting, naked, on the edge of the bed. Smiling, she reached out to touch his broad shoulders and run her fingers down his shadowed back. He straightened, but did not look around at her.

  ‘Why did you not tell me you were a virgin?’

  Chapter Eleven

  The bedside candle flickered as Arabella raised herself on one elbow. Ran turned towards her, holding up the dressing gown.

  ‘There is blood on here, from our first coupling.’

  ‘Oh.’ She sat up, clutching the sheet to her. His face was in shadow, but she knew he was watching her.

  ‘Did it not cross your mind to tell me you were a maid?’

  Yes, it had crossed her mind, but by then her body was crying out for him, so much that she had shut it out. As she had shut out all the horrors of the evening. For a short time she had allowed herself to forget everything, even her grief at the loss of her beloved husband. Now she was filled with remorse.

  ‘It was foolish, irresponsible.’ She hung her head. ‘I am very sorry, Ran.’

  ‘So, too, am I.’

  His voice was hard, cold, and her misery increased. She felt herself shrinking inside. The glorious euphoria of their union was gone.

  ‘You are angry with me,’ she whispered. ‘I did not mean to deceive you, truly. I did not think. I only knew that I w-wanted you to take me to bed.’

  He exhaled softly. ‘I am not angry, Bella. Not with you.’

  He slipped off the bed and went over to the hearth, where he stirred up the fire with the poker and added more coals to the hot embers.

  ‘Stay under the covers while I dress,’ he ordered. ‘I will fetch your gown. Heaven knows, Joseph has had long enough to finish it by now.’