Wronged (The Cuvier Widows Book 1) Read online

  “Friends are nice to have,” Marian said, a relieved expression on her face, though why he didn’t understand. She had nothing to fear from Evette. They sat down on the loveseat and sipped their champagne.

  “You know, we really should mingle.”

  “Later,” he said not wanting to share her for some reason. He picked up one of her loose curls and ran the soft dark lock of hair between his fingers. “I don’t think I’ve seen you with your hair down before.”

  “No. This is the first time in years I’ve worn it loose.”

  “So you decided to let your hair down tonight?” he asked. “Is there something you’re not telling me? A particular gentleman you wish to pursue?”

  She smiled up at him her eyes twinkling. “I’m not the pursuing type. That’s you. Though I’ve recently decided that I need to change. I need to become bolder, go after more of what I really want.”

  “Oh really,” Louis said surprised, noticing the flirtatious air that suddenly surrounded her. “I thought you were already doing that with the shipping company.”

  “Yes, I guess I am,” Marian acknowledged. “But there are other areas of my life that I’ve neglected. Areas that are just as important”

  “Like what?” he asked curiously.

  She leaned closer to him and whispered in his ear, her soft breath tickling him. “I’ve decided to take a lover.”

  Louis gasped just as he took a sip of champagne. He started to choke.

  “After all, I am a widow, I can do that now.”

  Louis sat coughing, trying to catch his breath, unable to speak, only stare at Marian. My God, was she serious?

  Marian pounded him on the back. “Are you all right? I guess I should have waited until you weren’t drinking to let you know my plans.”

  “You are joking, right?” Louis said, as he gasped for air, the image of her naked with another man causing him sudden discomfort

  Oh, God, he had to save her from herself. He was going to have to protect her from a lecherous man who would only use and abandon her.

  “No,” she said, her face an innocent mask. “I’m serious.”

  Before Louis could recover from the shocking news Marian had just delivered, Evette found them, her gown rustling as she bustled about “Darlings, there you are. Everyone is here now, so we’re going to the dining room. Louis, I’ve seated Marian next to you. Take good care of her.”

  She hurried off to hustle more people toward the dining room.

  Louis, who could finally breathe again, stood and helped Marian to her feet. Who could she intend to seduce?

  Jean had been dead for almost three months and already she was searching for someone to take his place. Yet she hadn’t said remarry. She specifically said she sought a lover. So why was Marian suddenly interested in a man’s touch? Could Evette’s theory be true, that she’d never experienced passion?

  He took her by the arm and they walked into the dining room. He seated her at the table, his mind cataloging all the men who worked at Cuvier Shipping, their customers, and the men he met at Jean’s funeral. None of the candidates were worthy and the thought of her with another man left an unpleasant taste in his mouth.

  He leaned close to her ear and whispered. “So just who are you planning to seduce?”

  She smiled at him, her gray eyes sparkling in the candlelight from the table. “Now that, dear sir, is something a lady does not disclose.”

  Louis stared at her stunned for the second time that evening. For a moment he couldn’t move. Could her refusal to answer him mean that she intended to seduce him?

  The blood seemed to drain from his limbs into one area of his body, the area that didn’t need to be reminded of the beautiful woman sitting at his side.

  Who was he kidding? He’d wanted Marian for months now and suddenly it seemed as if he might be going to get his opportunity. Tonight.

  The reasons for her dismissal of the servants and the children’s overnight stay at Claire’s suddenly became clear. Everyone was conveniently gone so they could have a night of passion. If he went back to the house on Josephine Street, he could probably make love to Marian. Hadn’t he been considering this for weeks? Suddenly he knew he wanted this more than anything. He wanted Marian.

  The thought tantalized him, and left him hungry with desire. Part of him wanted to run out the door and take Marian now, while another part of him warned of the complications this could create. He pushed the thought aside, he wanted Marian.

  He swallowed, his gaze returning to the woman who’d just given him something to contemplate during dinner. She sat there smiling coyly at him and suddenly he knew without a doubt Yes, she’d decided to take a lover, but it wasn’t anyone he didn’t know.

  She meant to seduce him.

  “Eat quickly, Marian,” he whispered. “Eat quickly, so we can leave.”

  ***

  On the walk home, tension wrapped around them like a cloak. Marian felt so aware of the man walking beside her, she could barely think. She felt like such an idiot for divulging so much information to Louis at the party. She hadn’t meant to tell him that much, just tantalize him a bit. But the more she thought about the elaborate scheme she and Claire had hatched, the more ridiculous the plot seemed.

  In fact, the closer the moment came, the more Marian just wanted to back out. Obviously she had never pleased Jean with their lovemaking. How did she know Louis wouldn’t feel the same? What if Louis wanted nothing more to do with her? What if she couldn’t go through with the act? Or what if she did?

  Dear God, she was mad. A sane and rational woman would never consider intimacy with a man known for escorting so many different women. But that was exactly the reason she wanted him. No other man she knew would be suitable for her experiment tonight. Marian could be intimate with Louis without worrying about ties being forged between them. After all he did this with other women all the time. With him she could prove to herself that she was desirable.

  When they arrived at the house, Marian fumbled in her reticule for her key, her hands shaking nervously. Oh God, what must she do now? Marriage had not prepared her for seduction.

  He reached for her handbag and withdrew the key, placing the metal in the lock and opening the door easily.

  They moved into the darkened hallway, awareness running like a taut wire between them.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  He stepped up to her and before she could turn away, he pulled her into his arms and pressed her back against the door, his hardened body clearly indicating what he had in mind.

  His mouth covered hers in the darkness, consuming her in an exciting, demanding kiss that left her clinging to him as he expertly savored her. His tongue parted her lips, searching, exploring her mouth as his hands slid down her torso. Just when she thought she would expire in his arms, he broke the kiss, his breath harsh-sounding in the darkness.

  The doubts came rushing in and she wanted to tell him to hurry before she changed her mind.

  With one hand he gently held her chin and turned her face back to his gaze. In the darkness she was unable to see the expression in his eyes, but she could feel the strength and power in his limbs. She leaned into him, absorbing his might.

  “Do you want to do this, Marian?” he asked, his voice so deep and warm touched a chord deep inside her that left her hungry and wanting. Still pressed against the door, the dark house surrounding them, he touched his lips to the side of her neck. “Be certain.”

  Wherever his lips touched her flesh, she felt a tingle, causing her to shiver in anticipation. “I do...but I’m afraid.”

  His teeth found her earlobe and then his breath grazed her ear, his tongue sending warm shivers through her, as her breath quickened.

  “What are you afraid of?” he asked, taking his time, nibbling on her ear, his hands caressing her through the silken dress.

  “I...I just am.” She couldn’t tell him the truth that she was so undesirable that her husband had not been to her bed in ma
ny years. “It’s been such a long time,” she finally said, pressing her breasts against his chest, feeling them crushed and aching against him.

  He kissed her temple, her face, moving closer to her mouth, taking a lifetime to reach her lips. God, she’d waited what felt like an eternity to feel his lips again, and now, all she wanted for him to do was take her.

  He released her and pulled her through the darkened hallway into the family room, with its comfortable sofas and tall chairs.

  “Have you ever made love in this room before?” he asked, his voice low and breathy.

  Stunned, she pulled back and gazed up at him. “No, of course not. Why?”

  In the moonlight from the window, Louis stared at her as if he could see deep down into her soul. A shiver of anticipation went through her at his gaze.

  “Because the first time I take you, I want no memories coming between us.”

  For a moment her breath ceased and whatever last bit of hesitation she’d had disappeared. Suddenly she wanted Louis more than anything. The implied promise of no memories was enough to convince her the time for hesitation was over.

  “But, what if I—” she said, her breath coming in fast rushes.

  He put his finger against her mouth. “Hush, Marian.”

  Louis slanted his mouth over hers, his lips covering hers and the kiss she had dreamed of for so long was suddenly upon her, whirling her away. The damp heat of his mouth engulfed hers and she gave herself to his expert mouth.

  Was she doing this correctly? Did Louis feel the same sense of pleasure? Did he understand that she wanted to experience passion only tonight, that there were no promises for tomorrow?

  He wooed her mouth, her body straining against his, aching for the promise of fulfillment, while slowly he tasted her as if the moon would never set on this night. Marian swayed against the rock hardness of his chest, her limbs sluggish, her mind swirling with numbing pleasure.

  Maybe she wasn’t giving him pleasure the correct way, but he certainly had no problem providing her gratification.

  She dropped the shawl from her shoulders, letting it slide to the floor. She reached up to encircle his neck, holding on to him as if she were afraid she would fall.

  With the silk shawl removed, the tops of her shoulders lay exposed to his gaze. His mouth left hers to explore the bare skin at his perusal. Her lips were bereft without his, and she sighed with regret, wanting only the return of that sweet plunderer to bring her delight.

  This night of passion belonged to her and she reached out a tentative hand and pulled his mouth back to hers. She wanted to experience more of the way his lips explored her own, parting them, sending tingles to the tips of her toes.

  He laughed, the sound deep and vibrant as his mouth covered hers once again, his obliging lips spiraling delight through her. His fingers reached for the buttons on the back of her dress and he undid them one by one, until his arms could reach no further. Releasing her lips, he placed both hands around her waist and spun her around. Pulling her in tight against him, her back fit snugly against the hard length of him. He moved his hips against hers, letting her feel his erection hard against her buttocks.

  God, he did want her and she thrilled at the realization!

  His lips traced the curvature of her neck, while his fingers began to work on the rest of her buttons.

  “Do you like to be kissed here?” he asked, as his lips grazed the top of her shoulder.

  “Or do you prefer it here?” he asked, kissing the bare skin along her spine.

  Marian shivered. “There! There!”

  “Here?” he said, his voice low and breathy, his hands still struggling with her buttons.

  “Yes,” she gasped, arching her back.

  “Like this?” he teased, feathering a light kiss across her sensitive flesh.

  “Oh, yes,” she said, her voice almost a whimper.

  “What about here?” he asked, kissing a little lower, pushing down her dress until a smoky silk pool appeared at her feet Her petticoat followed, falling to the floor in a rustle of netting and lace.

  She moaned her low and throaty response. Marian stepped out of her dress, and then stood with her back to him, in a lacy corset cover, her French drawers covered by her chemise, feeling exposed and vulnerable. Doubt crossed her mind. There was still time to back out

  He must have sensed her hesitation, because he pulled her tight to him, so that she fit snug against him, her back to his front. He feathered hot moist kisses, and his fingers skimmed her body, pausing when they reached her breasts.

  Marian felt stirrings deep within her belly and urgency for him to take her began to build.

  “Louis, do this quickly!” she whispered in the dark.

  He laughed softly, his breath sending shivers down her back. “We’ve got all night, Marian. I’m not going anywhere.”

  All night? What might he do that could take all night?

  Desire curled inside her tighter and tighter, making her breathless with want for him. He pulled her corset cover over her head and tossed it to the floor where it joined her dress. She stood feeling naked and vulnerable. When would he back out if he found her unattractive? When would he tell her he’d changed his mind?

  She wanted this so badly, but still fear mixed with her desire. She was determined not to give in to her fright, but to experience everything that Louis offered her tonight.

  He took her hand and pulled her to the nearest settee where he sat down and placed her between his legs. Wearing only her corset, her French drawers, and chemise, she watched him reach for her stockings. Slowly he pulled down first one stocking and then the second one, caressing each leg as he removed the silk from her limbs. That simple caress left her muscles feeling like liquid, hot to the touch.

  His hands glided up her stomach not stopping until he found her swelling breasts. He held her breast in his palm like a precious piece of gold and then placed his mouth on the pebble-like kernel that stood up through the material.

  Lovingly, he suckled her breast through her chemise, until she thought her knees would buckle beneath the onslaught of pleasure. When he released her, she sagged against him, gasping for air.

  The corset cinched her ribs and her waist, pushing up her full breasts to spill over the top of the whalebone.

  “Hmm,” he said, gazing at her appreciatively in the almost dark. “Let me remove this thing from you.”

  He turned her around to untie the strings of her corset and she realized that soon she would be naked before him. A shiver of fear went through her, but she pushed the doubt from her mind.

  He released her corset and then tossed the torturous piece to the floor. She stood in her chemise and drawers, her nervousness beginning to build. Was she mad?

  In the darkness she heard the rustle of clothing and knew he must be removing his own clothes. She pictured him naked in her mind and her pulse accelerated, wishing she could see him in the darkness. Knowing it was mere moments before they would be joined.

  For the first time in her life, at the risk of her reputation, she was taking action to find out if she were indeed a woman desirable for lovemaking and she wanted this night more than anything.

  Tonight, this moment was her chance to learn about herself. If she really were a desirable woman. In the last few months Louis had become so important to her and it felt natural to be here with him at this moment.

  His hand gripped her drawers, when she stayed him again.

  Dear God, wait, was all she could think.

  “Wait,” she said suddenly, fear overwhelming her.

  He kissed the top of her head. “Oh, Marian I’ve wanted you for so long.”

  “Me? You wanted me?” she asked, her breath coming in little gasps.

  “Yes, you,” he said, and as he lifted her, she felt his nakedness as he carried her to the sofa. He sat her down and then his mouth covered hers once again. The anxiety that had almost overwhelmed her disappeared under the onslaught of his lips against hers.
His tongue swirling and building a need that she’d long since forgotten.

  Years had passed since her last lovemaking experience and she couldn’t remember this mounting pleasure, the pulsating desire and onslaught of emotion.

  She felt dizzy and flushed and parts of her body were more alive than she could remember. And now she wanted him to hurry to reach the end of the race, but Louis moved at the slow pace of a field hand on a hot summer day. Lazy and slow, each caress building until her body trembled with readiness.

  He released her lips, pulling her chemise over her head, and tossed it into the darkness.

  His hand found her bare breast and she arched her back giving him easier access. She cried out as his tongue sought her nipple and she grasped his head holding him still.

  This time when he pushed down her silk drawers, she helped him and soon the garment landed on the floor with the rest of their clothing. Soon she lay sprawled on the sofa, naked and waiting. He lay on the edge, his body half covering hers, their naked skin touching from chest to toe.

  “God, you feel so good,” he whispered in the darkness, his breath a feathery caress across her flesh. “So soft, so smooth.”

  She felt his heated flesh pressed against her, strong and vibrant and oh-so-ready to take her.

  Tentatively she ran her hand down his back, lightly tracing his ribs with her fingertips. He shivered and she grew bolder. Reaching down to touch his passion, kissing the curve of his neck she stroked him, half waiting for him to tell her to stop, that no longer did he want her caresses but instead the only sound that came from his mouth was a moan of pure pleasure. Amazing, how a single sound can make you feel joyous, can confirm you are a woman who can rouse a man’s passion, and build your own excitement to new heights never before attained. An expanding desire centered between her thighs left her wet with anticipation.

  She was no virgin and she knew what happened next, but still she had never experienced this restlessness, this sense of need, but still he lingered, caressing her breasts, his tongue ravishing her. She was almost past the point of wanting him inside her.