Healing Her Heart Read online

  Marcus covered her hand with his and halted her tender ministrations. His free hand went to the tie at her waist. The prudish robe fell to the floor within seconds. Marcus took a steadying breath as his hot gaze took in Abigail’s sensuous curves.

  Normally, Abigail felt uncomfortable when men gawked at her figure, but she was totally at ease under Marcus’s blistering perusal. She wanted to offer herself to him completely. She wanted to be taken and used to give him any pleasure he desired. With the boldness of an experienced temptress, she slid the satin gown off her shoulders, leaving it in a puddle on the sheepskin rug.

  Marcus matched her bravado by stripping away his shirt and revealing his brawny chest. The sight of his muscular arms made Abigail feel safe and protected. Her hands slipped up his chest. “You are beautiful, Lord Everton,” Abigail remarked.

  Marcus cupped her bottom and pulled her against him. “I think you should leave the flowery remarks to me. Otherwise you will make me blush,” Marcus teased, but the joking remark did little to diminish the raw sexual tension between them. “I am going to make you scream my name. Perhaps it will forever teach you to use it and we can finally dispense with such formality.”

  “I look forward to learning my lesson, my lord,” Abigail whispered. She could feel his throbbing manhood pressed against her stomach. The junction between her thighs quivered with the crude need to be filled. “I will be an eager pupil.”

  His mouth came down hard on her lips. She became aware of his frenzied hunger as his mouth trailed down her neck into the deep valley of her breasts. Marcus massaged her breasts and she felt her nipples contract into hard peaks. He began to suckle one of the crimson tips with an intensity that made her whimper. The combination of bliss and agony was astonishing. She felt entirely at his mercy.

  Marcus lifted her into his arms and laid her down on the center of his bed. His eyes traced every inch of her body. “You are more perfect than I could ever have imagined.” He rose from the bed and stripped off the rest of his clothes. Abigail had never seen an aroused man before. He was enormous. Surely, this is going to be more painful than pleasurable.

  Marcus must have seen her eyes widen with panic. He joined her on the bed and whispered words to alleviate her concern. “Don’t worry, my sweet. I will make sure you are ready to take me.”

  How is he going to achieve that? Abigail questioned before her mind went blank.

  She suddenly felt his chin against her inner thigh as he slowly made his way toward her inner heat. “You aren’t really going to...?” Abigail lost all ability to speak as Marcus’s tongue began to manipulate her tender nub. She ran her fingers through his coal black hair, urging him on. His mouth teased her with expert precision, switching between a slow and fast tempo. She could not find her breath. Her thighs trembled as her body felt an earth-shattering release. She could never have dreamt of such ecstasy, every part of her tingled. In that moment, Abigail knew she belonged to him.

  “I must not have done my job properly if you did not scream my name,” Marcus mentioned in a husky voice.

  Before Abigail could answer she felt Marcus kneading her smooth backside. Familiar heat burned through Abigail’s soul. She wanted to give him the same exquisite gratification she had experienced.

  Abigail drew back her hips and wrapped her legs around Marcus’s waist, insisting on fulfilling his yearnings. A groan escaped from Marcus’s lips as he poised himself at her damp entrance. With one swift thrust he filled her completely.

  Abigail cried out. The pain of his sudden invasion quickly subsided, leaving her only with a dull ache. Her eyes flashed opened and she met Marcus’s stunned gaze.

  “But how could you be a virgin? You are a widow for God’s sake.”

  Apparently, her body betrayed her secret. How am I going to explain this? She chose to tell him the truth, even if it was not the whole truth. “I did not mean to make you angry, but I was at a loss of how to explain my situation.” Abigail closed her eyes shut, as if she was too embarrassed to utter the words. “My husband was physically unable to perform his duties in the marital bed.”

  “I am not angry. I am just surprised, and I am rarely a man who is ever surprised.”

  Marcus wore an unreadable expression on his face. She had never felt more vulnerable in her entire life. Maybe he is irritated to deal with a novice in bed. She worried that he probably expected a woman more trained in the arts of lovemaking. “If you do not want to continue, I will understand.”

  Marcus tucked an errant curl behind her ear and looked deep into her eyes. “I would have been gentler if I had known. Are you alright?”

  Abigail’s worries diminished when she heard the genuine tenderness in his voice. “It hurt at first, but now it feels rather nice.” Abigail tightened the slick passageway that held his hard arousal. “Like the most natural thing in the world.”

  “I know I should be a gentleman and stop, but I can’t. I want you too badly.”

  Marcus pulled himself halfway out of her moist warmth and slowly slid himself back inside her snug heaven. He repeated the soft stroke several times until he heard her moan with enjoyment and then he quickened the pace.

  Her body was taut with excruciating bliss. Her hips met each powerful thrust. When she thought she was on the brink of madness, he started to rub the peak of her femininity. She lost all control and her climax made her cry out.

  Marcus drove himself deep inside her and his body shuddered with its own violent release. A wonderful sense of calm came over Abigail. She smiled ironically to herself.

  Lord Everton screamed out her name.

  Chapter 13

  Marcus breathed in the familiar scent of cigar smoke and whiskey that filled Jordan Stockdale’s parlor during their usual poker nights. He stared at the cards in his hands, but he was not formulating his next move. It seemed impossible to concentrate when all he could think of was the erotic memories of the previous night. The image of Abigail’s dark, satiny hair cascading over her heavy breasts was not a picture that he could easily bury in his mind.

  In truth, his desire for Abigail had been barely sated. Normally, he would have spent the entire evening making mad, fervent love to her, but that was before he discovered Abigail was an innocent and therefore restrained himself from taking her again. She would have been much too sore to engage in any further intimacy.

  A part of him still couldn’t believe that Abigail was a virgin. It would have been impossible to know. She had been a married woman after all. Thus, he had assumed she had slept with her husband. Marcus could not fathom a man that was unable to get aroused by such a lovely creature. Even now his body stirred thinking about the next time she would be in his bed.

  Marcus would admit he was rather pleased with the realization that Abigail had never been with another man. He always shared his bed with experienced women, who were well versed in the erotic arts, but for some reason Abigail’s innocence ignited his lust like nothing he had ever experienced before. It would be his responsibility to foster her sensual knowledge, a concept that excited him beyond reason.

  Of course, his pesky conscience was getting in the way of fully enjoying the moment. Prior to last night, he had already started feeling guilty because he was bound to wound Abigail when the affair ended. However, that alone didn’t stop him from pursuing her; previously he had viewed her as an experienced equal, a mature woman with sexual needs. Now, everything had changed, and he couldn’t help but feel unsettled. This, quite frankly, was the most disturbing part of the entire situation because he actually cared about hurting her.

  And that was the rub. He cared. Him, Lord Marcus Everton III actually cared, and it bothered the hell out of him. Ever since Marissa, he had specifically chosen lovers he felt little for, other than physical attraction. Marcus realized Abigail was not the maniacal witch that Marissa was, but it still troubled him that she was starting to mean something to him. After his brother’s death, he had sworn he would never allow a woman to have any power ove
r him.

  “Are you in, Marcus?” Robert Sunderland asked again after receiving no response from his first inquiry.

  Marcus folded his cards. “I am sorry gentleman, but my head doesn’t seem to be in the game. You deserve a far more attentive competitor than I.”

  “Is everything all right? You don’t seem like yourself today,” Jordan observed with genuine concern. “Is it the collapse up north that has you rattled? I was under the impression that no one was seriously injured.”

  Marcus looked at the other three men at the table. He considered Robert and Jordan amongst his closest friends. The fourth player was new to their regular poker game. His name was Liam Stone. Liam was the owner of a highly regarded private investigation firm and Jordan always spoke highly of him. In fact, Liam had invested his own money in several of their joint business ventures. He sensed Liam was a man that could be trusted, but it still was not his usual practice to so readily discuss his personal life. “No, it is nothing to do with business.”

  “Then what is it?” Jordan asked. A look of recognition next appeared on his face. “It isn’t the lovely Miss Jenner, is it?”

  Liam Stone spoke up before Marcus could respond to Jordan’s loaded question. “Perhaps Lord Everton does not feel comfortable discussing such matters with a virtual stranger in the room.” Marcus could have sworn that Liam Stone seemed unusually uncomfortable at the mention of Abigail’s name. He could only conclude that Liam Stone was a man that had a genuine respect for another’s privacy.

  “Come now, Marcus. Spit it out. I need something to distract me from worrying over my wife,” Robert insisted.

  As Caroline’s time drew near, Robert had become a basket full of nerves. Marcus had always admired Robert for his ability to stay calm and collected in any situation, but the fear of something terrible happening to Caroline had him in a panic. I guess I could do my part to distract my suffering friend. What harm could it do? “It is the lovely Miss Jenner. She is not like any other woman I have ever known. She is smart and kind. I have come to have a great respect for her.”

  “And this is a problem?” Jordan asked as he puffed on a cigar.

  “I wouldn’t call it a problem, exactly. It is all just very foreign to me.” The problem was, he wanted her so damn much. The problem was, he wanted to be in her company this very moment. The problem was, a woman was never supposed to have any power over his life. “Besides, I should be concentrating on finding a wife and a mother for Olivia, not thinking about her governess. Miss Jenner has become a real distraction.”

  Robert shot Jordan a meaningful look and then focused on Marcus. “With all due respect. You were never the kind of man to care about social standing and Lord knows you do not need a bride for her dowry. So why isn’t this Miss Jenner person in the running for bride? It seems you have feelings for the woman.”

  Marcus was at a loss for words. It was as if Robert was speaking a language he did not quite understand. “Feelings have nothing to do with this. My wish to marry was meant to clean up my reputation for Olivia’s sake and provide her with a loving mother.” Marcus poured himself a drink. “I have no desire or need for a union that is based on anything else, especially some silly notion of love.”

  “Do you have any idea how ridiculous you sound?” Jordan asked, as he rolled his eyes heavenward. “Believe me, I am the last person in the world to sanction the idea of marriage. It makes my skin crawl just thinking about spending my life with one woman, but I do agree with Robert, some measure of feeling should be involved.”

  Before Marcus could respond, Robert erupted in laughter. “Mark my words, Jordan, the day will come when a woman will shake up your world and you will not know which way to turn. And when that day comes, I will enjoy every minute of it.”

  “I highly doubt such a scenario will ever happen, so do not hold your breath, Robert.” Jordan smirked as he turned to Liam Stone. “So let’s have an impartial opinion on the matter.”

  All three men turned to the newcomer at the table. For some reason Marcus wanted his unbiased opinion.

  Liam Stone’s expression turned serious. “I think Lord Everton just needs more time to consider the situation. For better or worse, things always have a way of working themselves out.”

  “I must thank you for the advice, Mr. Stone,” Marcus said with a grin. “Jordan and I are meeting later this week to discuss a very profitable business venture. Would you care to join us? We will be taking on only a few very lucky investors.”

  “There is no need to thank me,” Liam said. “But I would welcome the investment opportunity.”

  “Capital,” Jordan said as he looked down at his cards. “I do believe we should get back to the game if I am ever to recoup my losses.”

  ∞

  Liam Stone’s townhouse appeared completely dark expect for the candlelight that could be seen from his office window. His eyes were fixed on his best investigator, Matthew Rogers. Matthew was a large man, with a bald head and a thick grey beard. His intimidating appearance made it easy for him to pry information out of people.

  Liam rarely did any fieldwork these days. His business had grown tenfold in the past few years and he mainly delegated the assignments to his trusted men.

  Liam grimaced as he read Matthew’s complete report on Abigail Jenner, or rather, Abigail Bainbridge. “Is everything in here true?”

  “Every last word, Mr. Stone,” Matthew scowled. “I must say, I feel awfully sorry for the poor chit. The way her husband treated her was criminal. It isn’t any wonder she ran off.”

  Liam’s eyes scanned a page with detailed accounts Matthew had retrieved from several servants at the Bainbridge estate. The first account included a statement from Abigail’s lady’s maid. Apparently, the maid had to change Lady Bainbridge’s bandages for several weeks when the master of the house decided to burn her with cigars. The second tale revealed that Lord Bainbridge ordered his cooking staff not to prepare or serve any food to his wife, and if they disobeyed his direct order they would be banished from their employ. Liam began to read a paragraph about Clayton breaking Abigail’s wrist, but was too disgusted to finish. For very personal reasons, Liam deplored violence used against any woman. His stomach started to lurch from thinking about it, so at present he chose to focus on other aspects of the report. “So, everyone believes Lady Bainbridge is dead?”

  “As a doornail,” Matthew confirmed with a hint of admiration in his voice. “She fooled them all, and I must remark that Lady Bainbridge must have been well liked. Every servant I spoke with was near tears at the mention of her name. Quite remarkable, if you would ask my opinion. I must give the lass credit for pulling the whole thing off. I could only hope my daughter would be as brave as Lady Bainbridge if she found herself in the same situation.” Matthew studied his employer with a hopeful expression. “So, I guess you have to tell the Applewoods who she really is?”

  Liam would have laughed if the present situation wasn’t so disagreeable. Despite Matthew’s tough appearance, the big brute possessed a heart of gold. “I am not planning on it. I think it is best if you forget everything you ever learned about Abigail Jenner.”

  Matthew smiled, visibly pleased. “Abigail who?”

  “Exactly,” Liam said with a grin. “Now go home to your wife and children. I have kept you far too late already.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Stone.” Matthew rose from his seat and opened the door, then turned around to face Liam. “Have a pleasant evening, Sir.”

  As Liam watched Matthew leave, he thought his evening was going to be anything but pleasant. After all, he had the little matter of a Miss Abigail Jenner to deal with.

  When Lady Applewood first approached him, he had considered turning down the assignment because of Lord Everton’s involvement. Liam knew of the close ties between Jordan Stockdale and Lord Everton, and Jordan had always been an excellent friend to him.

  He owed Jordan a great deal, particularly since his investing advice had made him into a very wealthy
man. Liam did not think the best way to repay Jordan’s benevolence was to investigate the governess of his closest friend. Nevertheless, he had accepted the case because he knew Lady Applewood would just hire another investigator and for some reason his gut told him he should be the person in possession of the information that would be found.

  Liam had always regretted taking on a jewelry theft investigation from the Applewoods. His findings had put a man in prison who just trying to pay for his wife’s medical care. The Applewoods were ruthless people. Liam knew they would only punish Miss Jenner with the knowledge he had discovered and after reading the entire report Matthew had compiled, Liam felt Miss Jenner had been punished enough.

  Still, he felt uncomfortable hiding something from Jordan or Lord Everton. Especially since he had learned of a relationship brewing between Lord Everton and Miss Jenner. The man did have a right to know who he was getting involved with.

  Liam sighed. The Applewoods did not expect to hear from him for another fortnight, so at least he had time to come up with a solution on how to handle them. As for Lord Everton, he was just going to have to think of the best way to deal with such a delicate situation.

  Chapter 14

  “Olivia, are you excited to see Mrs. Brimley and her daughter?” Abigail asked. “They should be arriving any minute now.”

  Abigail already knew the answer to her question. The Brimleys were close family friends of Olivia’s mother and they were spending the next few weeks in London at their townhouse on Bedford Hill. Their daughter, Emily, and Olivia played frequently together before Audrey’s death. Olivia was overjoyed when she heard they were coming to visit and could hardly concentrate on anything else.