She turned from the mirror as she heard his deep voice. "Are you ready, Beauty?" The sight of him stopped her breath in her throat. His black evening clothes contrasted with his immaculately starched shirt and neckcloth. In formal clothes he looked every inch an earl of the realm. His attraction was magnetic. Desire raced through her blood like wildfire.

She wanted him to pick her up, carry her into his bedchamber, and kiss her all night long. A sigh escaped her lips as he moved forward, lifted her satin-lined cape to her shoulders, took her hand in his, and said, "Come."

In the carriage he sat her on the seat opposite him. "I want to look my fill and drink in your beauty."

Being enclosed in such an intimate s.p.a.ce with him made her heart hammer and her pulse points throb. She watched his pewter eyes smolder as his gaze licked over her, moving slowly, sensually, from eyes to mouth to upthrust b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Emerald found herself doing the same thing. Her eyes lingered hungrily on his mouth, then dropped to his powerful black-gloved hands. She longed for both his mouth and hands to take possession of her. The s.e.xual tension between them built until Emerald was ready to scream from excitement, then his deep voice broke the tension.

"What would you like to see tonight? A play, an opera, or perhaps the music hall?"

She explained how vastly ignorant she was about the theater. "I'm sure I will enjoy whatever gives you pleasure."

Her words made him smile. "I promise you shall enjoy it," he murmured intimately. Emerald suspected he wasn't speaking of the theater. He made love to her with his eyes, he teased her with His words, yet the only physical tiling he'd done was kiss her fingers.

Emerald longed for him to do more. She closed her eyes and imagined his mouth on hers. Surely he knew she wanted to be kissed? When she opened her eyes, twilight had fallen and the interior of the carriage was very dim, but she imagined he had withdrawn from her. Was he tempering his desire for her because she was forbidden fruit?

Sean had seen Emerald's eyes close, hiding her desire beneath lowered lashes.

And he knew that slight curve of her lips betrayed her antic.i.p.ation of his kiss. His hunger for her grew hourly, along with her growing sense of freedom and her willingness to turn her back on all the things her father and husband represented. But he wanted Emerald's need for him to turn to craving. When her desire turned to hunger and her ache became insatiable, then he would take her, body and soul, and make her his.

At the theater Sean paid for box seats, the best in the house. Before the lights went down they were on display for the entire audience. The men openly admired the beautiful woman and envied the earl, while the women trained their opera gla.s.ses upon her, envying both her gown and her lover.

Sean could see that Emerald reveled in the attention. It gave her confidence in herself and the confidence made her more beautiful, if that were possible. As the lights dimmed, the orchestra played the overture, and the curtain lifted. Sean watched Emerald lean forward and focus all her attention on the stage. He couldn't take his eyes from her. She was so lovelya"how her husband must be longing for her. Imagin ing the pain Jack Raymond was suffering over his loss gave Sean deep satisfaction.

Rumors would fly back to London about this night at the theater, and Sean hoped it would be like twisting a knife in Raymond's gut.

Emerald was enjoying her night out so much, Sean couldn't resist raking her to a restaurant close by the theater for a late champagne supper. He guided her into one of the private alcoves curtained off from the main room and gave her his undivided attention while she raptly told him how much she had enjoyed the performance.

This time he did not sir across from her, but took the seat beside her, which was tar more intimate. As he watched her talk, he saw that her eyes sparkled and she had a glow about her that was new, tempting him as never before. The candlelight in the alcove cast flickering shadows all about them, turning the supper into a romantic tryst.

Their fingers entwined and he fed her champagne. "Have you any idea how beautiful you are tonight? Look at yourself." He nodded toward the mirrored wall.

When Emerald raised her eyes to see their reflection, he dropped a kiss upon her bare shoulder. "What is making you so radiant, my own beauty?" he murmured.

"It's because I'm so happy."

When they were ready to leave he slipped her cloak about her, then captured her shoulders in possessive hands to pull her back against him. He dipped his head to whisper against her ear, "We won't go all the way to Greystones tonight; we'll sleep at the town house in Merrion Row."

Emerald felt as if the bubbles from the wine were flowing through her veins.

As the carriage rolled through the streets of Dublin on the short ride, she experienced a giddy excitement and a feeling of expectancy. He had stopped calling her "Irish"

and started calling her "Beauty." She adored the things he said to her. Tonight, would he tell her that he loved her? She hoped with all her heart that it would be tonight. What could be more perfect?

Sean opened the street door with his own key and waved back the manservant who had been in charge of the town house for a decade. Then he swept Emerald into his arms and carried her upstairs to one of the bedchambers.

Her arms slipped about his neck and she clung to him, weak with desire.

When he set her feet to the deep-piled carpet she swayed slightly. It wasn't the champagne that affected her, she was dizzy from the feel of his hard body. Emerald did not see the elegant Sheraton bedroom suite made from rosewood as he lit the lamps; she had eyes only for Sean.

He took her hand in his and drew her toward the cheval gla.s.s. "I want you to see yourself, Beauty."

In Emerald's eyes the couple reflected in the mirror were deeply in love. He towered behind her, a dark figure in powerful contrast to her vivid crimson velvet.

He took the cloak from her shoulders and let it slither to the carpet. Next he removed her mask, then his hands lifted to take the pins from her hair. The heavy ma.s.s fell to her bare shoulders.

"You are a true Irish Beauty," he declared, and for the first time in her life Emerald realized how vividly attractive she was.

Sean led her to a dressing table and sat her down before its mirror. "I want to get you ready for bed," he said huskily. His dark eyes held her mesmerized in the looking gla.s.s. Finally, her eyelashes fluttered shyly. "I have nothing to wear to bed."

It was the merest whisper. He pushed a flacon of perfume toward her. "This should suffice." Emerald's b.r.e.a.s.t.s rose and fell with her efforts to breathe. She watched him take up a silver brush, watched his hand poise above her head.

"When I first saw you I thought your hair was a cloud of smoke. It lures me to touch it. May I brush it, Emerald?"

She nodded wordlessly, all ashiver with antic.i.p.ation. The long slow strokes made it crackle beneath the brush. "Take off your gloves?"

Her plea scalded his heart. Slowly, he peeled the right glove from his hand, then buried his naked fingers in the silken ma.s.s, touching, caressing, toying, and teasing until the black curls wrapped possessively about them. He lifted a handful to his cheek and nose, nuzzling and inhaling the scent of her. Then he scooped it away from the nape of her neck and set his lips to the exposed place that was usually hidden from the world.

Emerald drew in a quick breath as she felt his fingers undo the fastenings of her gown. She wore nothing beneath it and wondered if he had guessed her secret.

Then she felt his hot mouth trail down the curve of her back and knew this was the way a man should make love to a woman. She felt a tingling thrill run down the entire length of her spine and closed her eyes to savor it.

Emerald's lashes flew up as his hands moved from behind, inside her gown, to cup her naked b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Seeing him do these things to her in the mirror added to her excitement. His eyes held hers with an intensity she'd never seen before. They were black with pa.s.sion as he watched her face reveal the sensual cravings of her body.

His fingertips stroked her nipples until they niched into tiny jewels.

The feel of his hands on each breast was different and she realized with a little shock that one breast was being caressed by his naked palm, while the other was being fondled by fingers encased in black leather. The gown concealed from her view what his hands did beneath it, but her imagination painted such an erotic picture of black leather and creamy flesh, she felt a wetness start between her legs. When she moaned deep in her throat, Sean's powerful hands, still beneath her gown, dropped to her waist and lifted her.

She watched, panting, as the crimson velvet fell away and she saw herself completely naked in the mirror. He swept her up against his heart and she buried her face against his wide black shoulder as he carried her to the bed.

He laid her back, spread her hair across the pillow like a black cloud of smoke, then lowered his mouth to hers.

She had waited so long for this kiss, her mouth softened in welcome while her body arched from the bed in wanton, raw l.u.s.t. The taste of him made her ravenous!

Sean's hot mouth moved down to her throat. His words vibrated against her skin. "Good night, Emerald."

She felt a scream building in her breast as he quietly moved across the room and disappeared through the adjoining door. The scream turned into a low sob and ended on a whisper. "Love me, Sean, love me."

Emerald tossed and turned in the wide bed; sleep a million miles away. All her senses were heightened to such a degree that even the feel of the sheets against her skin was arousing. It seemed to take hours for her blood to cool and her heart to stop racing.

Gradually she realized that her feelings and her longings were totally out of character for her. Wasn't she the one who hated the physical things men expected of women? How could she abhor being a wife, yet long to be a mistress? Her conscience lightly p.r.i.c.ked at her. She had been frigidly cold to Jack. The accusations he'd thrown at her were all true. Yet here she was panting after Sean O'Toole.

She was profoundly grateful to him. Not only had he given her freedom, he had given her back herself. She could no more stop loving him than she could stop breathing. Emerald's mouth curved into a soft smile. She trusted him completely.

Should she allow him to set the pace or should she do her very best to heat matters up between them? When the time was right for him to make love to her, he would know. Sean would make everything perfect!

When Emerald awoke she was heavy eyed and felt she hadn't slept at all.

Before she could leave her bed, Sean came in with a tray.

She eyed his riding breeches and linen, open-necked shirt.

"I'm sorry you don't have a change of clothes, Emerald."

She waved a dismissive hand. "Flaunting convention seems to come quite naturally to me these days."

"Am I creating a monster?" he teased.

"Perhaps, but I'm a very sleepy monster this morning." She pushed back a ma.s.s of disheveled black hair, brilliant against the creamy white pillow, and cast him a languid look from beneath her lashes.

He sat down beside her on the bed. "You have Irish eyes this morning. The dark smudges look as if you've been rubbing them with sooty fingers." He bent toward her and she wedged the breakfast tray between them.

"Don't you dare to kiss me," she murmured provocatively. "Don't start something unless you're willing to finish it," she said lightly.

Sean threw back his head and laughed. "So, Beauty, you've suddenly developed a mind of your own!"

She shrugged prettily and let the sheet fall a fraction. "I've simply decided to make a few rules of my own for this delicious game we are playing."

Later, in the carriage, when Sean was about to take the seat opposite her, Emerald said imperiously, "No, no, you must sit beside me.

He cast her an amused look, deciding to humor her.

She pulled her cloak more snugly about her and leaned into his shoulder. "I didn't get nearly enough sleep; you may awaken me when we arrive hack at Castle Lies." She yawned prettily, covered her mouth with her hand, then let it drop to rest on his chest. She imagined his mocking look and the words that ran through his head. You are learning to play the game well.

Before long, however, the swaying of the coach and the warmth of his body lulled her into more than pretend sleep. When he felt her completely relax against him and saw her shallow breathing, he was amazed that she felt secure enough to fall asleep in his arms. What a foolish little female she was to trust the prince of h.e.l.l.

With gentle hands he moved her into a more comfortable position, cradling her in his lap. Almost immediately he realized his mistake. The feel of her soft body against his sent desire flooding through him. Though he tried to control his response he could not. His erection was instantaneous and marked. Sean shifted imperceptibly on the seat to ease the pressure of his tight riding breeches, but that only made his situation worse. Pressed against the cheeks of her bottom, his shaft now grew longer and harder with every heartbeat.

Her cape had fallen open and her b.r.e.a.s.t.s swelled against his arm as it lay draped over her body. He couldn't take his eyes from her; she filled up his senses.

The scent from her warm body stole to his nostrils, making his desire rampant. What a fool he had been last night. He'd had her naked in the bed, her body so willing and responsive, it had arched against his when he kissed her good-night.

He spread his legs and she slipped down between his thighs, pressing against his testes until the sweet ache became almost unendurable. The heat from her body mingled with his, flooding his whole groin, then began to seep into his blood until he pulsed and throbbed in an agony of need. He knew he wouldn't be able to hold out much longer before he claimed her body.

As he cradled her in his lap he saw how small she was and a protective feeling rose up in him and threatened to engulf him. He ruthlessly crushed it down. He would not allow his heart to become entangled in this seduction. Perhaps he had made a tactical mistake. By holding off until Emerald craved him, he'd let his own craving become that of a ravenous beast. If he wasn't careful she would become an obsession, and he could not afford that.

Should he undress her now and take her right here in the carriage? He glanced out the window and realized there would not he enough time. He cursed beneath his breath. How would he he able to deny himself until afternoon?

17.

When the coach jolted to a stop in the courtyard of Greystones, Emerald opened her eyes, stretched sensuously, then quickly extracted herself from Sean's lap. Miraculously refreshed, she sprang from the carriage and ran up the steps into the hall.

Kate Kennedy, hands on hips, said, "And about time!" She took in the evening gown. "Has the devil of a man kept ye up all night?"

"We stayed at the town house in Merrion Row."

Kate rolled her eyes. "Then my question still stands. Has the devil of a man kept ye up all night?"

Emerald was beginning to appreciate Kate's ribald humor. "Kate, I'm starving.

Go and raid Mary Malone's kitchen for me while I see how Mrs. McBride is coming along. Then you can come upstairs and help me change while I tell you what a grand time I had."

It took a few minutes before Sean was in any condition to climb from the coach. When he entered the house he went directly upstairs, his senses still saturated with the feel and the scent of her. Now he needed to taste her, to enjoy her to the full, and he intended to spend the entire afternoon indulging in carnal knowledge.

He moved swiftly across his room and opened the adjoining door between their bedchambers. He knew the first thing she would do was remove the crimson velvet gown, and he wanted nothing to impede his view.

He waited what seemed an interminable length of time, yet still Emerald did not come. What the h.e.l.lfire is keeping her? he wondered impatiently. He paced for another ten minutes, then decided to make good use of his time by undressing. He stripped to the buff, then adjusted the door so it was slightly more ajar; he didn't want anything to impede Emerald's view either.

Suddenly, to his great consternation, her chamber filled with chattering women. He heard Mrs. McBride along with her gaggle of sewing a.s.sistants and wished them all at the back of beyond. He took a deep breath, held on to his temper and schooled himself to cool his ardor for a short time. He was filled with dismay when he glimpsed armfuls of garments being brought in and piled on the bed for Emerald's approval.

Then Kate Kennedy came to the adjoining door that stood ajar. Her eyes ran up and down the length of the earl's lithe body, frankly admiring such rampant male splendor. "Ye might as well put yer clothes back on. She has a dozen outfits to try before she puts you on for size." Then she firmly shut the door.

"b.l.o.o.d.y women!" They were in a conspiracy against him. Slowly, reluctantly, Sean put his breeches back on and went to his wardrobe for a fresh shirt. He knew he must be patient a little while longer, and hadn't he attended the finest school in the world for honing patience? The trick was to focus on what you wanted, know with absolute certainty you were going to get it, and be ready for any opportunity pre- senting itself that would allow you to achieve your goal.

He laughed at his own folly. Surely f.u.c.king one small female wasn't a matter of life or death. He pulled on a pair of black leather gloves and went down to Mary Malone's kitchen. He had forgotten he had another appet.i.te to slake.

Two FitzGerald captains were holding court with the kitchen staff, telling tall tales about the peculiar items that were considered edible in the Canary Islands.

"An' if ye think that strange, wait till ye hear of their mating customs."

Mary Malone lifted her ap.r.o.n to wipe the tears of mirth from her cheeks.

The men sobered as Scan joined them. They had been on a mission and were eager to tell him all his plans had been carried out with amazing success.

"Both ships?" Sean asked sharply.

"Aye, the information you gave us was dead on," David confirmed. "The poor b.u.g.g.e.rs might never find their way back to the Ivory Coast, but free them we did."

"Any trouble selling the ships?"

"Nay, we flogged both in Gibraltar an' divided the money amongst the crew as ye ordered, but I think ye were too generous. We should have kept the ships."

"No, David. You can never get the stink off a slave ship." Sean's nostrils filled with the remembered stench of men imprisoned together aboard a ship, and suddenly he wasn't hungry after all. "Any worthwhile cargo?" he inquired.

David FitzGerald grinned like a Cheshire cat. "Forty-two-inch brown Bess infantry musketsa"a thousand of 'urn."

"Good work, Davie. We'll distribute them to our crews. Paddy Burke knows which ships need extra arms."

"He already gave us a list an' took one of the muskets to show Shamus."

"I'll have a few kegs sent down for your men. Tomorrow will be soon enough to give them their new orders."

"The more diabolical the plot, the more they enjoy themselves!"