To Tempt a Scandalous Lord by Liana De la Rosa

Chapter Twenty

Grasping the weed near the base of the plant, Alicia gave it a strong tug, grunting in satisfaction when the dirt-covered roots dangled from her hand.

“Well done, my dear. You have become a most effective weeder.”

Dusting her gloved hands together, she beamed her pride at her husband. “I believe it’s my greatest accomplishment.”

“Even greater than landing a future duke and a Prime Minister hopeful?” Niall asked, expression severe, but his magnetic gray eyes twinkling.

Since they had consummated their marriage, their wariness for each other had been abandoned for playfulness. Flirtation. Instead of sniping at every offense, valid or otherwise, they gave each other the benefit of the doubt. The more they learned about the other, the more they had kissed, the more they had made love, bringing them closer together. He’d invited her to attend social events with him, introducing her to his many colleagues and friends with a note of pride in his voice. For the long years of their marriage, Lindsay had only ever made Alicia feel like a toy he took down from her shelf at his fleeting whims. Niall engaged her as his equal every day.

Alicia could not think of a time she had been happier, and that knowledge frightened her. This idyllic honeymoon could not last. Especially because maintaining her secret became more taxing with each day that passed. Until a child labor law passed, and other legislation was drafted that made the welfare of children a priority, Alicia would not relax her critiques. She was determined no child would face the fear she had experienced, however briefly, as a girl.

The urge to tell Niall her secret grew each passing day, until the weight on her chest became almost unbearable.

She tapped her chin as she forced her attention back to the moment, scrunching her brow as though she considered his question seriously. “Well, I don’t rightly know. Some have said our marriage has undercut your ambitions, and I don’t see how that’s any different than weeding.”

A dark cloud passed over Niall’s expression, and he dropped the shears in his hand and came to her, assisting her to her feet. “I don’t agree with that nonsensical assessment. In fact, several MPs have told me my popularity has gone up since I wed the ‘pretty countess’, as you’re referred to.”

“We both know your surge in popularity is due to your recent illness.” But his words eased some of the tension that coiled in her chest. “I would hope those who truly know me would use other adjectives to call me besides pretty.”

“What’s wrong with being called pretty?” he asked, stripping her dirty gloves from her hands and tossing them on the bench behind him.

“Nothing, if it’s coming from you.” Alicia rested her forehead on his chest for a moment and then pulled back. “But why must women always be described in terms of their beauty? Is beauty all we have to offer? Is it all we’re worth?”

“Of course not. Flora could sink an entire armada with the arch of one of her wee eyebrows.” Niall sobered, his gaze outlining her face. “I hope I’ve shown that to me, you have always been so much more than your beauty. It was your sharp rejoinders, in fact, that first caught my attention.”

“And yet we wouldn’t be in a position to call each other husband and wife if my grandmother’s broach hadn’t snagged your coat.”

Niall nodded, even as a hand settled on her waist. “I thank God for that broach every day. Do you suppose your grandmother would have approved of me if we had met?”

The old tabby would have loved him. Alicia knew this as she knew the sun would rise in the east the next morning. Still, there was no reason to inflate her husband’s handsome head any more than she already did when she was in the throes of passion.

“I’d wager so,” she mused. “She always told me that Scotsmen wore kilts to tempt women to ask what was under them, and I’ve wondered ever since.”

“I thought I showed you well and good what lies under a Scotsman’s kilt.”

Niall’s heated gaze made fire percolate in her blood, and she licked her lips. “Did you? I don’t recall seeing anything memorable.”

“Is that so? Well, I seem to recall you being quite intent on putting your pretty mouth on my—”

Alicia slapped a hand over his mouth, her face blushing so fiercely, it would go up in flames at any moment now. Yet even through her embarrassment, tingles of arousal flickered through her core.

Pulling her hand from his mouth, Niall pressed a lingering kiss to her palm. “Should we retire for an afternoon nap, my dear?”

Alicia’s lips curved into a pleased smile. “I think that sounds…very invigorating.”

Choking on a laugh, Niall stroked his finger down her cheek. “You have dirt here.”

“So brush it off when you take off my corset.”

Darting his gaze about, he cradled her chin in his large hand and claimed her mouth with a fierce kiss. “Don’t tempt me to do so here. It wouldn’t do to scandalize the staff.”

Alicia mashed her lips together to keep from laughing. He was darling in a pique.

Niall hustled her up the terrace steps, and when the butler appeared, a tray in his hand, Niall cut off whatever the man intended to say with a swish of his hand.

“Not now, Stewart. You can fill me in on everything when I return to my study in a half hour.” Sliding a glance to Alicia, his expression darkened. “Make that an hour.”

Alicia did laugh then, but it was cut off when Niall grabbed her by the hand and escorted her upstairs. Although she tried to walk at a stately pace, he did not allow it, all but hauling her up the staircase. A hot flush spread over her cheeks, and she was certain the whole house would know what they were up to.

Bursting through the door of her chamber, Alicia’s gaze fell on Jane, who was just emerging from the dressing room. The maid’s eyebrows disappeared into her hairline when she caught sight of them, quickly departing without another word.

Niall flicked the lock, and pivoted to face her, his back against the door. Embers of lust burned in his gray eyes, and while her limbs felt like porridge, Alicia was determined to not give in too easily.

“Do you suppose Medlinger will be at the Hamilton dinner party tomorrow evening?” she asked, slipping off her hat and pivoting to place it on her vanity table. She slowly began working on the buttons lining her bodice. “I have not had the pleasure to meet him.”

Niall grunted, stripping off his coat and pulling on the knot of his cravat.

“I’ve heard he’s a pleasant fellow. But in a tight race, I’d imagine he’ll have his guard up. A man’s ego can be so very sensitive.”

Niall came to a stop behind her, his hands falling on her shoulders. “And have you found me sensitive?”

“Hmmmm.” She suppressed the wicked grin teasing her lips. Reaching back, she cupped him. “I’ve found you to be a bit sensitive here.”

His hiss filled the silent room, and Alicia experienced a thrill of excitement to have this incredible man quite literally in the palm of her hand.

“Not as sensitive as I plan to have you,” he rumbled.

Gathering up her skirts, he nudged her in the direction of the bed, until she fell forward onto the mattress. His hands traveled up her thighs to her waist, where they grasped her pantalettes, and pulled them slowly down her legs.

Alicia trembled in anticipation, her breath coming in rapid pants. When his palm rested against the small of her back, she arched into it, and then shuddered as he trailed his fingertips over the curve of her bottom and finally drifted them slowly over her folds.

Niall laid his forehead on her back as they moaned in unison.

“You’re already wet for me,” he said, his voice rough.

“Of course I am.” She bit back a mewl. “I’ve been since you kissed my palm in the garden.”

“You naughty minx.” Niall continued to stroke her, coaxing sounds of pleasure from her lips.

“Please, Niall,” Alicia begged, clawing at the counterpane while pushing her hips back.

“Oh, you want relief when you’ve been teasing me for the last hour?”

She choked on a laugh. “I did no such thing. I was weeding and chatting with the gardener, nothing more.”

He kissed the delicate spot under her ear, his tongue darting out to taste her skin. “And did you think I wouldn’t be tempted by the way the sun touched your cheeks, or your husky laugh, or how you paid no heed to how dirty your gloves or skirts got?”

Niall pulled away, but his arms looped around her waist, pulling her upright. Tucking his face into the crook of her neck, his hands made quick work on the remaining buttons of her bodice until it sagged open. He roughly yanked it down, and then pulled her chemise up and over her head. Before she could say anything, Niall gently nudged her back onto the bed.

“My darling, your innate allure steals my breath away sometimes,” he whispered, lightly scratching his nails down her back.

Rather than respond, Alicia tried to follow his touch with the curve of her spine.

“Life has dealt you many blows…including marriage to me,” he huffed a laugh, “and yet you are still kind. Patient. So very generous.”

She had not expected that. Craning to look at him over her shoulder, she frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“Of course you don’t, because you treat all people with the same courtesy.” Niall nipped at the base of her neck. “To you it makes sense to crouch down so you’re at eye level when the children speak with you, because what they have to say is worthy of your attention. You’re a singular woman, Alicia Campbell, and I feel so damn lucky you’re my wife.”

Dipping her head, she clenched her jaw as she tried to hold back her tears.

“And that, my dear, is why I’m desperate to have you. Desperate to possess you, as if all your goodness could somehow be transferred to me.”

Niall rubbed his knuckles against her core, and he grunted with satisfaction. A second later, something much larger nudged at her entrance, and Alicia moaned loudly. He stroked a hand down her spine, before resting it on her lower back.

“Shall we see how much of your goodness rubs off on me?” Niall rasped as he sank deep.

Gripping her hips, he thrust into her, his every stroke pushing her farther up the bed. Alicia hid her face in the bedclothes, desperate to smother her cries. The servants already knew they had retired to her chamber, and they didn’t need to hear her moans to add more fuel to the gossip.

But Niall wasn’t satisfied with her muffled exclamations. Jerking her hips back, his fingers digging into her flesh, he leaned over her to whisper in her ear, “That’s it, my love. Show me you want me as much as I want you.”

“You know I do,” she gasped.

“Do I?” He reached around to her breasts, clasping them tenderly. “I seem to recall the coy looks you sent my way as you weaved between the roses.”

“Coy looks?” Alicia could barely say the words with her senses overwhelmed. “I did no such thing.”

Niall smacked her bottom. “Yes, you did. And should you do so again, expect just this sort of punishment.”

She looked at him over her shoulder, her mouth slackened as she panted. “You are such a tyrant.”

“I know.” He reached forward to run his finger along her mouth, groaning when she nibbled on the tip. “But you deserve such punishments and more.”

Oh God, Alicia would not allow her guilt to intrude upon this moment.

“Show me more,” she bit out, thrusting back against him.

Niall groaned, a shudder shaking his frame as he dragged his hands down her overheated body to grasp her waist.

“I’ll always have more to give you,” he snarled, thrusting deep and making her keen. “I’ll always demand more. Want more. Want everything.”

Alicia dropped her head to the mattress with a long moan, her fingers twisting the cover pane urgently in her hands as she attempted to moor herself under his ministrations. For Niall showed her, with every delicious stroke, with every kiss and sigh, how much he wanted her. And when she teetered on the precipice of bliss and frustration, he sent her over the edge with a press of his thumb and a forceful jerk of her hair.

Sometime later, he lay pressed against her back, his skin sweaty against hers.

His arm was wrapped tightly around her waist, his hand resting just below her breast, where his finger stroked softly against her skin. These were the moments she loved. The lovemaking was indescribable.

Niall was an impassioned lover, and Alicia could not get enough of his bold tongue and scandalous words, reveling in his authority in ways she would never countenance outside the bedroom. But it was the aftermath, when they cuddled and talked, that contained all the intimacy she had craved in a marriage.

His fingers traced a pattern on her skin, and she stretched under his touch. “What are you thinking about?”

“About how content I am,” she said truthfully.

Niall shifted until Alicia lay flat on her back, looking up at him. Running the pad of his thumb over her bottom lip, he said, “You are?”

“Of course I am.” Her brows drew together. “Considering our inauspicious start, I feel we’ve found a pleasant routine. Do you not agree?”

“I do.” He threaded his fingers through her hair. “I just feel…relieved to hear you feel the same. You know I did my best to maintain some distance between us, and I regret my behavior deeply.”

A pounding built behind her eyes, and Alicia clamped them closed.

“What is it, Alicia?”

His tone was so gentle. So coaxing. She opened her eyes and licked her lips; the urge to confess, to tell him about the new essay she would be delivering to Effia on the morrow, was almost overwhelming…

But she couldn’t do it. She wasn’t ready to pop this idyllic bubble they lived in, where Niall stroked her cheek so tenderly and looked down at her with his heart in his eyes.

Reaching up, Alicia wrapped her arms around his neck and claimed his lips with her own. When they pulled back, panting, moments later, she smiled. “There’s nothing left to regret.”

And she hoped she could say the same for herself soon enough.