English Rose Ch. 02

Sabrina shattered, her body bucking once as she came. Biting her lip against crying out, she rode waves of pleasure as Douglas continued to suck at her breast, his fingers stroking more gently between her thighs until she collapsed against his chest.

Douglas held her for several moments hoping that no one would pick that moment to enter and check on them. She was sprawled across his lap, her head resting on his shoulder, her breasts still bare against his chest. The scent of her spent desire hung lightly in the air but hopefully wouldn't linger for long. His own passion still raged and he wondered what possessed him to start something that he knew he couldn't finish in truth until their wedding night.

Above him, Sabrina shifted and groaned softly as her tender flesh brushed against the front of his slacks. Embarrassed and unable to look at him, she spoke against his neck. "Is there something I can do for you?"

Douglas' laugh held little humor. Sitting her up, he eased the front of her dress back in place before looking up into her eyes. "There are many things you could do that would give me some ease but I won't ask it of you until we're married. This was as much for me as for you."

Sabrina felt herself flush, "I'm not sure what came over me. It seems, when I'm with you, I forget myself."

Douglas smiled up at her with a very male satisfied look on his face. "I'm pleased to hear that. I too seem completely unable to keep my hands off of you." She looked away from him then and he could see something didn't sit well with her. "I hope," he said, "that you don't think that this anything to do with you coming to our marriage without your maidenhead."

Surprised, Sabrina's eyes flew to his face. "I did wonder if perhaps you thought that I..."

"You're wondering if I find you less virtuous or expect to take greater liberties with your person then I would if you remained a virgin," he put it plainly. At her nod, he continued. "No. First, let me state unequivocally that I do not now nor will I ever blame you for what happened. Nor do I believe that your situation entitles me to access to your person I wouldn't other wise afford myself." Douglas ran a hand through his hair and smiled. "What I will say is that I feel a certain amount of...possessiveness now that we are engaged and find it very hard not to sample your charms. I fear that I would feel the same even if you were still a virgin and would probably meet with the same level of success at staying away as I currently do."

"Oh," was all Sabrina could think to say but he could tell that she was pleased. Quickly, before he changed his mind, Douglas lifted her from his lap and set her on her feet. Her dress was terribly wrinkled and her hair slightly mussed. She looked like a woman that had enjoyed herself and he was hard pressed not to continue.

Standing, he said, "I had intended that we talk about tonight's events and decide on which one to attend. However, I think it best if I take my leave and let you decide where you would like to go tonight." Tugging his coat into place, he tried to cover his obvious arousal. He was startled when Sabrina stepped forward and straightened his cravat and smoothed down the front of his shirt. Nodding his thanks, he said, "I'll be by at eight to pick you up; you can give me our direction then."

Sabrina nodded and watched as he started to walk from the room. "Douglas?"

"Yes," he said, turning to see her still standing beside the couch.

"I had a lovely time today but next time I want to pick up where we left off." She felt herself blush at her boldness but his earlier assurances suggested that he would be pleased.

Douglas felt his mouth go dry at the image that came to mind and nodded. "Very well," he said and left before changing his mind and taking her with him.

At eight o'clock Sabrina stood in front of her mirror nervously regarding her appearance. Madam Lisette had managed to send over another dress, this one created especially for Sabrina. Colored a deep burgundy, it was elegant in its simplicity. The heart shaped bodice followed the natural curve of her breasts and was cinched down the back corset style. The skirt hung heavy, accenting the natural flair of her hips before flowing into a small train. The train could be bustled at the back later to allow for dancing and walking in a crowded ballroom. Leaving her arms and shoulders bare, Madam Lisette had fashioned a pair of matching gloves that ended above the elbow.

After reviewing the invitations for the evening, Sabrina had decided on the Hodgins' Ball. It was an annual event, held at the end of the Season and thought by many to be the ball to attend. Lord and Lady Hodgins were also long time friends of her father and therefore less likely to give Sabrina and Douglas the cut direct. Even more importantly, they were genuinely good people and Sabrina liked them. It would be considered quite a coup for the hostess of whatever ball they attended tonight and Sabrina wanted that honor to go to someone she liked.

"My lady?"

"Yes, Tilly." Sabrina checked to make sure her necklace and earrings were secure before slipped a large amethyst onto her finger.

"Lord Radcliff has arrived and is waiting."

"Thank you," Sabrina said. "Oh, and Tilly, don't bother waiting up. I'm sure the ball will go late and Lord Radcliff and I will stay for most of it."

"Of course, my lady."

Sabrina fought off a blush, not wanting to think about the real reason she didn't want her maid waiting up for her. She could still feel Douglas' mouth and hands on her, the memory bringing with it a fresh flush to her skin, and she hoped that they might pick up where they left off. She had to admit, she was intrigued with the idea of the things he left unsaid, of what she could do for him. Giving herself one final glance, Sabrina turned and went to greet her fiancé.

Douglas stood at the bottom of the stairs watching as Sabrina glided towards him. She was a vision; her dark hair piled on top of her head but with several locks left to dance upon her bare shoulders. He noted the difference between the dress she wore last night and tonight to the day dress of this afternoon. During the day she seemed content to wear the more simple styles of a young woman while at night she slipped into the skin of a lady. Both suited her and he found the contrast intriguing. "Good evening, my lady."

Sabrina stopped half way down the stairs and stared; her finance was severe in black and white and devastatingly handsome. For a moment, realizing that he belonged to her, it was all she could do to breath. "Oh my," Sabrina sighed in appreciation and walked the rest of the way down the stairs. "You look amazing."

Douglas smiled, pleased by her compliment. "Thank you, but I pale in comparison to your loveliness." Helping Sabrina with her wrap, he led her to the waiting carriage and assisted her inside, waiting until they were under way before saying, "I must admit I was impressed when you sent your note regarding the Hodgins' Ball. I don't think I could have picked better."

"Thank you," Sabrina said.

Douglas noted that she was staring out the carriage window, her attention somewhere else. "Are you nervous about tonight?"

"What? Oh, a little," Sabrina turned to look at him. "Are you?"

"No, but I think I'll have an easier time of it. I'm used to the gossip, after all." Douglas took her hand in his, "I would spare you this is I could. Unfortunately, neither one of us is in a position to remain hidden for long. Besides, the sooner we get this done and over with the easier it will be going forward."

"I know," she said. "You forget though, I've been the subject of much gossip and speculation over the past year. I just never really grew accustom to it."

"What about you," he asked. "Growing up, were you one to gossip?" Douglas was surprised to realize that he wanted to know, was curious at the kind of child she had been growing up.

Sabrina shook her head. "No, well, I suppose that isn't entirely true. I was never one to talk but I think that's mainly because of Ellie." She smiled at the thought of her best friend. "Ellie knows everything there is to know about everyone. I honestly don't know how she does it."

Douglas nodded, encouraging her to continue.

"Oh dear, I wouldn't want you to think badly of Ellie," Sabrina said, realizing how she was making her friend sound. "She never meant any harm and I'm the only one she ever talks to." They were nearing the Hodgins' townhouse and Sabrina found herself once again feeling nervous. She had no way of knowing what kind of reception they would receive; for the first time in her life she was unfamiliar ground.

Douglas gave Sabrina's hand a squeeze and waited for the carriage to pull in front of the townhouse. Liveried servants stepped forward to open the door and lower the stairs before escorting the couple up the front steps and in to the foyer.

Douglas had timed their arrival on the early side of fashionable. He wanted to make sure that they were seen by many but already announced and in the ballroom before the majority of the ton arrived.

Making their way through the receiving line, they were greeted warmly by both Lord and Lady Hodgins. Stepping to the stairs leading into the ballroom, Sabrina and Douglas waited to be announced. Their names, announced together, brought an expected hush to the room.

Douglas glanced down at Sabrina and was surprised when she flashed him a brilliant smile. He was sure there had been a hit of mischief in her eyes as she turned to face the crowd. "To hell with it," she said so only he could hear. "I say we stop taking this so bloody seriously and maybe even give them something worth talking about."

Unwittingly, Douglas did just that when he threw his head back and laughed. "Absolutely, my dear, shall we start with a dance?" At her nod, he led them directly to the dance floor and into his arms.

Sabrina's breath caught in her chest as she was captured in his arms and led through the steps. He held her closer then the dance called for, earning several comments from those close enough to see. Looking up into his face, she knew how they must appear with their dark heads held close together and their similar coloring.

"...dancing with the Devil..." Sabrina laughed at Douglas' raised eyebrow at the overheard comment from a passing matron. "If only they knew, my lord, just how dangerous you are to a young lady."

Douglas smiled; glad to see that she wasn't regretting their rash decision. "Only to you; there is no one else for me."

Sabrina saw that he was serious. It was something not spoken of openly and certainly never to an unmarried lady, but given his paternity shouldn't have come as a surprise. "I am relieved to hear it, my lord."

As the dance ended Douglas led them off of the dance floor; the ballroom had filled up while they danced and the crowd slowed their progress. Finding a space off to one side, Douglas sent a footman for champagne and then waited with Sabrina for the horde to descend.

It didn't take long before they were approached by the first of many couples. There were congratulations aplenty but not everyone was happy with the match. There were men that thought Douglas had stepped above himself and women jealous of Sabrina's position as a future duchess. Sabrina was cutting with both and it quickly become evident that she would let no one disparage her fiancé or her position by his side.

Douglas watched as Sabrina sent one woman scurrying before turning a gracious smile on one of his business associates. He realized that she was in her element. She may have never expected to need to but she'd been raised to handle any situation and did so with grace. She was beautiful to watch and he felt a moment of pride mixed with fear at the idea of ever losing her.

He knew that he would have to tell her sooner or later that he was the man from her past. But not yet, not tonight; he wanted to make sure that she was securely tied to him before he risked revealing himself.

Sabrina caught Douglas' frown. "Are you alright, my lord?"

Douglas mentally shook himself, now was not the time to be thinking about the past. "I'm fine," he said and smiled. "Isn't that the lovely Miss Mills coming this way?"

Sabrina turned in time to watch her friend's fast approach. Ellie, court in tow, practically threw herself into Sabrina's arms. "Congratulations! I was thrilled when I heard the news; though imagine my distress at not having heard it from you."

Sabrina knew Ellie wasn't cross, "I'm sorry, El. I didn't know myself until the news was published in the paper."

Ellie drew closer to Sabrina; it was almost impossible to have a private conversation surrounded as they were but the crowd was loud enough to drown out most of their voices. "Are you happy with the match? Word has it that you've cut off anyone dumb enough to disrespect Lord Radcliff but I know you, you would be loyal no matter your personal feelings."

Sabrina patted Ellie's hand and offered a reassuring smile. "I'll admit I was taken completely by surprise, but yes, I am happy. I think Douglas and I will get on quite well."

Ellie leaned in even more and lowered her voice to a bare whisper. "Is he...aware of your situation?"

"He is," came a low voice from behind them, causing both women to jump.

Sabrina turned to find Douglas standing behind them. "For the love of...don't scare me like that!"

Douglas smiled, not a hint of chagrin in evidence. "I couldn't help it; the two of you had your heads bent so close together I could only guess at the secrets you must be sharing." Turning to Ellie, he said, "I hear you're particularly good at ferreting out information."

Sabrina shrugged at Ellie's glare, "it's true," she said. Turning to Douglas, she said, "My lord, my I introduce my good friend, Lady Eleanor Mills. Ellie, this is my fiancé, Lord Douglas Radcliff."

Ellie couldn't help but sigh as Lord Radcliff bent over her hand. He really was devilishly handsome. While she would never begrudge Sabrina a moment of happiness, she couldn't help but envy her friend's good fortune. Most of her admirers were young men of the ton and while handsome none of them held the dangerous allure of Lord Radcliff.

"Am I to understand from your conversation that you are aware of what happened last year?" He asked.

Ellie felt herself caught in his eyes, so dark blue as to be almost black, and felt herself weighed and measured. She didn't doubt for a moment that they held both an invitation of friendship and a warning. Never without something to say, Ellie found herself suddenly speechless. Thankfully, Sabrina answered for her. "Douglas, Ellie has been my one source of comfort these past many months. She was the only one I could talk to about what happened and she's spent the better part of this past year trying to convince me to reconsider marriage."

Douglas held Ellie's eyes for a moment more before bowing once again. "It would seem I owe you my thanks."

"I didn't do it for you, my lord," Ellie said quietly. "Sabrina is my best friend; I would see her happy despite what happened."

Douglas wondered if Sabrina had, in fact, told her best friend everything. "Well, whatever your reasons, thank you. I hope that you will be a frequent guest whenever you're in town."

"My lord, I suspect you will eventually tire of finding me around and under foot." Ellie said and turned back to Sabrina with a inaudible sigh of relief. "Now, you really must come for lunch tomorrow, we have a lot of catching up to do and I want to hear all about the plans for the wedding."

Sabrina smiled. "Of course."

Douglas, watching Ellie with Sabrina, couldn't help but notice how different the young women were. Not only was Ellie pixie-like with blonde hair and blue eyes, she was a bundle of barely contained energy. She had arrived with half her court of suitors and was busy directly them, all the while maintaining a conversation with Sabrina and ferreting out new bits of gossip. Sabrina, standing at the center of all that energy, appeared the calm to Ellie's storm. The two seemed to compliment each other and it was obvious that there was an enduring friendship there.

"Well," Ellie announced a few moments later, "I really must be off. By the way, mother and father wanted me to convey their congratulations. Mama is a bit under the weather and father refuses to attend these things without her."

It was after three o'clock in the morning when Douglas found Sabrina and led her willingly to the waiting carriage. The ball was still in full swing but both were tired from the stress of the past few days and he longed to be alone with her. With her head resting on his shoulder, Sabrina looked up at him. "Did you enjoy yourself?"

"I suppose you could say that; I enjoyed being there with you, the rest of it..." Douglas waived a dismissive hand. "I've never much cared for the ballrooms of London. Unfortunately, it is where most of the business takes place."

Sabrina heard the bitterness in his voice, "and that bothers you?"

Douglas frowned in the dark. "What bothers me is that most of the gentlemen consider it beneath them to do business, and not just with me. They consider themselves morally superior to me simply by accident of birth." Douglas shrugged, hoping to dismiss the topic. "I suppose that is a consequence of my birth. I've seen what it takes for men and women to work for a living and none of them judged me for my lack of breeding."

Looking down, Douglas caught Sabrina watching him. Lowering his head he brushed his lips lightly across her mouth. He had meant for it to be a chaste kiss, quick and light, but the moment their mouths met the heat between them ignited.

Sabrina turned toward him as his arms slid around her waist, pulling her up against his chest. Her softness yielding to the hard line of him, she braced both hands against his chest.

Douglas growled and slipped his tongue inside, exploring and exploiting the depths of her mouth. Her taste saturated his senses, calling forth images of her lying naked, tangled in his sheets.

Sabrina wasn't thinking about his taste or past nights experienced in the dark. She was too caught up in the texture of his mouth and the feel of his heart beating against her palms. His hands found their way into her hair and pulling the pins free Douglas sent her thick, dark locks cascading down her back.

Douglas had forgotten how long her hair was and didn't need to feign surprise as it settled around her waist. It was like heavy silk in his hands, warm and alive with the heat from her body. Breaking their kiss, he ran his hands through her hair. "One of these days, I want to see you wearing nothing but your hair."

Sliding his hands down her back, he gripped her waist and roughly pulled her onto his lap. Sitting slightly higher, her hair floated down around them enclosing them in a world where only they existed. His hands, moving again, slid up her sides until he came to her breasts.

Aching, wanting him to touch her and no longer able to wait, Sabrina whimpered softly.

Hearing her, Douglas ordered, "Tell me you want me."

Sabrina opened her eyes; looking down at him she could see the bright light of passion that mirrored her own. "Yes, I want you. Please, Douglas, touch me."

Douglas didn't bother with her ties; instead he simply reached into the front of her gown and grasping her breasts, freed them from their restraints. Hungrily, he lowered his head and took one hardened nipple into his mouth. Gently at first, he circled the tightened nub with his tongue.

Highly aroused, his touch came off as the barest of heat. Sabrina needed more. Twisting her fingers in his hair she pulled it free from the strip of leather he had used to tie it back and pulled him closer. Her entire body felt restless and she squirmed in his lap.