Intimate Betrayal Page 11

  Alyssa accepted his kiss, parting her mouth slightly so his tongue could slip inside. She felt the tremor of passion jolt her body as Morgan deepened the kiss, his hands reaching out seductively to cup her breasts.

  Even through the thick material of her riding jacket, Alyssa could feel her nipples harden with passion, and she pressed her body intimately to his.

  “Come, love,” he coaxed, leading her away from the trees to the soft grass of a small, secluded clearing. “I’ve a grave hunger for you.”

  “Morgan,” she protested quietly, “we are in the middle of the woods.”

  “Yes,” he remarked huskily, removing his riding coat and loosening his cravat with each step. “And we are all alone. Isn’t it marvelous?”

  Alyssa could see Morgan’s rippling muscles clearly through his white linen shirt, and her hand reached out to caress his arm.

  “You are so very beautiful,” she said in awe. The last time they were together in darkness, but today’s afternoon light hid none of the duke’s sculptured body.

  He gave a small laugh. “Handsome, Alyssa,” he corrected. “Men like to be told they are handsome.”

  She shook her head in disagreement. “You are beautiful, Morgan,” she insisted.

  She placed one palm on his shoulder, and he stood perfectly still as she ran her fingertips experimentally across his solid chest. Laying her palm flat for a moment she whispered, “I can feel your heart pounding.”

  “It beats for you, love,” Morgan responded automatically, surprised to discover his words were indeed the truth.

  Continuing her explorations, Alyssa’s hand traveled across his flat stomach. Morgan sucked in his breath sharply, the anticipation almost unbearable. She did not disappoint him, and he gave a groan of pure pleasure as her hand slid below his waist and encircled his hard erection.

  “It is so very large,” Alyssa said in a solemn voice.

  “It’ll become even larger if you continue doing that, my love,” he said raggedly.

  “It makes me feel very odd touching you this way,” she admitted. Tentatively, she caressed him, and felt him growing beneath her hand. “Tingly and breathless.”

  Morgan groaned at her innocent admission, nearly losing control. He suppressed a wild urge to throw her to the ground and take her. His hand reached down, closing over hers, and he pulled her arm up around his neck. She raised her other arm and then clasped herself tightly around his neck, pressing her body wantonly against him.

  A quiver of pure delight speared his entire body, and Morgan knew he had to do something quickly before he lost all control. Pulling them both to the ground, he insistently pressed Alyssa onto her back.

  “Now it is my turn, love,” he told her. His hand reached down and lifted the skirt of her riding habit to her waist, exposing her lower body. He pulled at her underthings, searching feverishly for her bare flesh. Alyssa’s eyes widened in shock as his hand slipped inside her pantaloons, lightly caressing the moist, silky curls at the top of her thighs.

  Morgan kissed her deeply, his tongue delving into her mouth, his fingers moving in sensual rhythm across her most sensitive spot.

  “You are already wet for me,” he murmured, his breath hot in her ear. Alyssa clutched helplessly at his shoulders. Her skin felt hot, and every nerve in her body was on edge.

  “Morgan, you must stop,” she gasped.

  “Hush, love,” he whispered. Placing his hands beneath her firm buttocks, Morgan lifted her to his lips and kissed her intimately.

  Alyssa cried out with shock and abruptly sat up. “My God, Morgan!” she screeched in horror. “Whatever are you doing?”

  Morgan knew he was rushing her, but couldn’t help himself. “Lie down, Alyssa,” he commanded in a deep voice. “I am not going to hurt you.”

  Skeptical of his actions, Alyssa waited, not moving until he gently pressed her down on the grass. Alyssa felt the cool breeze on her flesh as Morgan opened her legs. She held her breath tightly as his head returned to the same sensitive spot. His tongue softly laved her and her hips jerked up in response. Alyssa arched her back, moving her body from side to side, quivering at the unfamiliar intimate stroking of his tongue.

  Alyssa moaned. The pleasure was intense, almost painful, the feeling nearly unbearable. She whimpered as the stroking increased, mindlessly thrusting her hips forward to match the rhythm of his mouth. An unintelligible sound fell from her lips as the pressure peaked and Alyssa felt herself cross over the threshold of passion.

  Breathing hard, Morgan continued to caress her gently with the palm of one hand while impatiently tugging at the stubborn fastenings of his breeches. Pulling himself free of his constricting clothes, Morgan gathered her in his arms and covered her with his heated body.

  “I can’t wait any longer,” he told Alyssa in short, choppy breaths.

  Hard and throbbing, Morgan’s manhood slipped easily inside her. He felt her body stretch and open to accept him.

  “Wrap your legs around me,” he commanded hoarsely. She obeyed his command, and they moved in unison, locked together in an all-consuming passion. Alyssa could feel him thickening inside her, growing large with each deep thrust. Threading her fingers through his hair, she forcefully pulled Morgan’s head to her lips and kissed him hungrily, just as his seed erupted inside of her. Panting hard, he collapsed atop her in total exhaustion, sated and fulfilled.

  Alyssa stroked the back of Morgan’s neck with a steady hand, enjoying the smooth feel of his dark hair. She could still feel his manhood deep inside her, and she squeezed her legs tightly around him.

  “Am I too heavy for you?” Morgan asked in a sleepy voice.

  “No, I am fine,” Alyssa answered, wanting to hold on to the moment a bit longer. She closed her arms tightly around his back.

  “The sky looks so blue.” Alyssa sighed contentedly. “As much as I would adore spending the remainder of the day here, we had best think about returning to the manor. Mrs. Stratton has prepared luncheon for us.”

  “Mmmmm,” Morgan uttered, gathering only enough energy to shift onto his back. His mind and body were far too complacent to consider moving. “I’m cold.” He shivered slightly as a strong breeze blew.

  “Well, if you buttoned your breeches, sir, you would stay much warmer,” Alyssa said with a sly grin. When he made no move to do so himself, Alyssa tenaciously buttoned the pants.

  She smoothed down her skirt and snuggled next to Morgan, deciding it wouldn’t hurt to stay a while longer. It would afford them an opportunity to discuss their future together.

  “What sort of plans have you made concerning our wedding?” she asked conversationally. When no answer was forthcoming, Alyssa repeated the question. More silence.

  “Morgan?” Alyssa called his name softly. She raised herself up on one elbow only to discover the duke was fast asleep. She made a feeble attempt to rouse him, but he looked so peaceful and content she concluded it wasn’t worth the effort to wake him.

  With a resigned smile she curled closer to his warmth. “I suppose Mrs. Stratton will have even more interesting news to gossip about after today,” she muttered before closing her eyes.

  Alyssa heard a distant voice calling. Her eyes opened instantly and she felt the panic rise in her throat when she noted the lateness of the hour. Morgan slept peacefully, sprawled out on the ground beside her, oblivious to the noise. She rose stiffly to her feet as the voice drew nearer.

  “Morgan,” she called out, searching the ground for her discarded riding hat and hairpins. “Morgan, wake up.”

  Concerned when the duke did not respond, Alyssa bent down and began shaking him.

  “Morgan, you must wake up,” she insisted loudly.

  At her rough touch Morgan awoke, bolting to his feet.

  “What is wrong?” he cried in alarm. “Is there danger?”

  “Only of being discovered in our little trysting place,” she answered with a laugh. Morgan looked so fierce, standing there ready to do battle, yet still not qui
te awake.

  “I fear we both fell asleep, and were gone too long from the estate. I just heard someone calling. It must be Ned, sent out to find us.”

  “Ned?” Morgan questioned, running his hands through his disheveled hair in confusion. He shook his head roughly in an effort to clear his sleepy mind. “I guess Tris was right about my sound sleeping.”

  Quickly they readjusted their clothing and gathered the few discarded pieces. “Let me help,” Morgan offered as he saw Alyssa struggling with her hair.

  Morgan twisted her long hair expertly and managed to secure both the hairpins and the hat. He does that better than I do, she thought with a twinge of dismay, not wanting to know why he was so deft with women’s accessories. Brushing the leaves and grass from Alyssa’s riding habit, Morgan declared they were presentable.

  “We look none the worse for wear.”

  “Not quite,” Alyssa disagreed, looking pointedly down at the duke’s breeches.

  He followed the line of her lovely green eyes to the front of his breeches. Grinning, he rebuttoned his misbuttoned pants.

  “I, unlike yourself, am not that well acquainted with the clothing of the opposite sex,” she told him primly as she untethered the horses.

  “You’ll soon learn, my pet,” Morgan responded, helping her mount the gray gelding. Once they were mounted, Morgan led them carefully out of the woods.

  As they emerged from the forest, Alyssa spotted Ned in the distance. Morgan flagged the boy down.

  “The gray pulled a muscle in his leg. We were walking him back to the estate to prevent the muscle from stiffening,” Morgan told the young boy smoothly.

  Ned nodded his head in acceptance of the flimsy excuse. His knowing eyes did not miss Alyssa’s breathless expression or slightly disheveled look. Still, it was not any of his business what other people did, and he was not one to gossip. Truth be told, he was happy to learn of the relationship between the duke and Lady Alyssa. Ned always thought she was a good and kind person, and he felt she deserved some happiness in her life.

  “Shall I take the gray back to the stables for you, Your Grace?” Ned offered in a neutral tone.

  Morgan hesitated a moment, appearing to consider the lad’s suggestion.

  “I don’t believe that will be necessary, Ned,” he said. “You may ride on ahead. Lady Alyssa and I will follow at a slower pace.”

  Alyssa turned to Morgan after Ned obediently departed.

  “Do you think he suspected anything?”

  “Probably,” Morgan grunted. “The boy is no fool, and you do look rather. . . um . . . satisfied.”

  Alyssa groaned. “I just hope he keeps his tongue. I don’t fancy being the topic of conversation in every household in the county this evening.”

  “I don’t think he will say anything. He seems like a sensitive lad.”

  Morgan insisted they ride at a sedate pace, intent on giving credence to the story Ned had been told.

  “You spoke rather convincingly to Ned,” Alyssa commented. “I’m not sure I liked how easily you lied.”

  Morgan regarded her intently for a few moments. “You would have preferred I told him the truth?”

  “No, of course not. It is just that. . . well. . . you won’t ever lie to me, will you, Morgan?” Alyssa asked in a serious tone.

  “Never intentionally.” He turned away from the somber look in her eyes and took in the passing landscape. “The land is well maintained through here,” Morgan observed. “You have done a credible job of caring for the estate, Alyssa. Tristan will have a formidable task keeping up the high standards you have set.”

  Alyssa inclined her head, flattered by the compliment. “I hope Tristan won’t resent all the hard work involved in running the estate. Of course, a competent bailiff can handle the more mundane tasks, but Tristan will be expected to listen to the concerns of the tenants and the problems of the laborers.”

  “Don’t worry. Even though he is a younger son, Tristan was brought up knowing the responsibilities of a landowner.”

  “That doesn’t sound like much fun. What was your childhood like?” she asked.

  “Happy and carefree.” Morgan sat back in his saddle, relaxed and comfortable. “My parents have been dead over ten years, yet I still miss them. They were very indulgent of their two sons. If not for the occasional discipline enforced by my grandfather, Tristan and I would have been insufferable brats.

  “As the older brother, I was usually the leader of our escapades, but Tristan had his share of brilliant ideas. I remember one summer we decided to sail the ocean in search of pirate treasure. Since we needed a large sum of money to purchase a ship and hire a crew for our adventure, Tristan suggested we become highwaymen.”

  Alyssa grinned, eyeing Morgan with new interest. “Were you successful in your criminal endeavors?”

  “No. All the inbred tenacity of two young boys is no match for a disgruntled coachman. After tooling hard for an entire day, we were unable to waylay a single coach.”

  Alyssa laughed. “Make-believe is such a marvelous childhood escape.”

  “If only real life were so simple,” he mused.

  Alyssa was surprised by the remark. Morgan had always struck her as a man who did what he wanted, not what was expected, and damn the consequences. She glanced over at him and he gave her a warm, friendly smile. Her heart thudded instantly and she felt a surging of hope. She could easily come to love this man. The thought of living with him and sharing a life together brought her a feeling of restless yearning.

  Slightly embarrassed at the direction of her thoughts, Alyssa remained silent, and they soon arrived at the stableyard.

  “Mrs. Stratton set up a late luncheon in the morning room, Lady Alyssa, since the workmen are repairing the dining room,” Ned informed Morgan and Alyssa when they arrived.

  “I will join you after I freshen up, Your Grace,” Alyssa said brightly. “It will only take a few minutes.”

  Morgan shook his head reluctantly. “I deeply regret, Miss Carrington, I am unable to stay. I am expected in London this evening at Lady Chester’s ball, and must leave immediately.”

  “Oh, I see,” Alyssa replied in a small voice. “Will you be returning soon?”

  “As soon as I can,” he promised. Morgan bent his head and whispered into her ear, “I enjoyed our little outing this afternoon more than I can say. Shall you miss me when I am gone, love?”

  “Not a bit,” she lied, smiling up at him. “Have a safe journey.”

  Alyssa turned swiftly and walked back toward the house, for some perverse reason not wanting to stay and watch the duke leave. Once alone in her room, she removed her grass-soiled riding habit and gently laid it over the chair so it could be cleaned. She shivered slightly from the chill in the air as she stood in the middle of the room clad only in her chemise.

  Seeking the warmth and comfort of her bed, she snuggled under the blankets and rested her head on the pillow. Her mind was filled with images of Morgan. She imagined him dressed for the ball tonight, ruggedly handsome in his black silk evening attire. She worried briefly why he had not suggested she accompany him to London; after all, they were engaged to be married. But Alyssa’s common sense prevailed, reminding her that she was still in mourning for her father. It would hardly be a proper time to be introduced into society.

  She suspected Morgan would inform her of their future plans once things were settled. He was far better versed in the matters of polite society than she. Still, Alyssa had every intention of discussing their wedding at length the next time they were together.

  Hugging her pillow tightly against her chest, Alyssa closed her eyes. I’ll rest for a moment before I go eat. Within minutes, she was fast asleep.

  Morgan’s thoughts were consumed with Alyssa as he tooled his matched chestnuts on the dusty road back to London. He truly regretted having to leave her, but it was necessary he attend a ball tonight given by Lady Chester in honor of Tristan and Caroline’s engagement.

  Besi
des the fact that he was the brother of the groom, it was also important to his mission for the government that he attend as many social functions as possible in hopes of flushing the Falcon out of his hiding place. So far, there had been no success in interesting the Falcon in the papers hidden at Ramsgate Castle or the duke’s London home.

  Morgan hoped for a lead in the case soon. Despite the assurances of Lord Castlereagh that the dowager duchess was not in any danger living at Ramsgate Castle, Morgan was worried about her safety. He would have a devil of a time convincing his grandmother to stay on in London after the party tonight. He doubted he would be able to keep her under his watchful eye much longer.

  His relationship with Alyssa was a further, albeit far more pleasant, complication. He fully realized today there was no privacy to be had at Westgate Manor while the renovations were under way. He decided the best solution was to set Alyssa up in a place of her own as quickly as possible.

  A house in London was out of the question. Alyssa was very proud of the work she was doing at Westgate Manor and Morgan knew she would not want to leave without being consulted. He laughed out loud, not believing he was willing to make so many concessions for a new mistress. But Alyssa was unlike any of his previous women, and she was entitled to special considerations.

  Morgan’s body tightened with excitement as he recalled their afternoon dalliance. Alyssa had clung to him with unbridled passion, fully matching his own ardor. She was an irresistible combination of innocence and sensuality, and he longed for the opportunity to explore this fascinating aspect of her character.

  Yet beneath her self-reliance Morgan glimpsed a soft, vulnerable woman, who touched a small corner of his heart. He was starting to care for her beyond the need to satisfy his lust. What they needed was time together alone. That pleasant thought put a smile on his handsome face. Alyssa certainly would not bore him, with either her body or her mind.

  Morgan flicked the reins and urged his team to a faster pace, anxious to reach London and conclude his business so he would be free to return. Return to Alyssa.