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CHAPTER FOUR

Madeline made it a point to avoid the party the next day.

She told herself it was because she didn’t belong to be among them as a member of the staff, but that wasn’t entirely the truth.

She just didn’t trust herself around Charlie.

The man was charismatic enough to make a sensible girl lose her wits and Madeline didn’t want to fall victim to it.

She had heard enough whispers among the maids and the female guests to know that he practiced those skills often.

There were no complaints or anger about his behavior, just wistful longing.

“You look lovely.”

Madeline wondered if thinking about him had called to him, because when she turned her head to the side Charlie was staring at her.

When the ballroom had become too crowded for her, Madeline escaped and went looking for some privacy.

She went to the library in hopes of being alone, but instead she found Charlie there in his evening clothes.

The suit was a dark chocolate brown, that stood out against the crowd of mostly black.

His vest was a bright red, with gold embroidery and matched his bowtie.

It had made him draw every eye in the ballroom, including hers.

He had been alone, playing a game of chess against himself. His expression was intense and so similar to the one William got when he was playing. She had said nothing, but he seemed to sense her presence.

“Thank you, my lord.” she said.

“No need to be so formal. You can call me Charlie when no one is listening.”

“There is always someone listening.” She only called him that in her thoughts because they were her own.

That made him chuckle, but she hadn’t meant it as a joke. No one was going to care for her reputation if she didn’t.

“Well, we are in my brother’s house, so no one hears anything they aren’t supposed.”

The man had the audacity to give her a wink. She wished she could stop the blush she felt across her cheeks. She pressed her lips together and turned her head slightly away in hopes he wouldn’t see.

“May I tell you how lovely you look, Madeline?”

The sound of her name in his deep voice made her want to smile but she didn’t want to encourage him.

“His Grace was kind enough to loan me gown that belonged to his wife so I could attend in case William needed my attention.”

“My nephew is very lucky, to have so much of your attention.”

“You don’t seem to be without plenty of attention from others.”

“Is that your way of flirting?”

Madeline wasn’t used to flirtation so she honestly couldn’t answer him.

“You look perfect in that shade of blue, especially when you blush.”

He lowered his tone and Madeline felt like he was whispering it in her ear, even though he was still across the room.

“Sir, I think you would find more success with your flattery elsewhere.”

“I prefer a challenge, which is why I enjoy chess.”

“I’m not going to be as easy to play.”

She stood frozen, watching as Charlie got up from his chair at the table and prowled towards her. He reached up to undo his tie and unbutton the top of his shirt. The sight of the skin at his neck disappearing into the white cloth mesmerized her.

“I think you would be surprised at how easy it can be to enjoy my company,” Charlie was speaking in a deep tone that made her skin tingle. “Don’t you want to enjoy yourself?”

She realized how close he was getting and tried to take a step back but realized her back was up against one of the bookcases.

She would have moved to the side, but he placed his arms on either side of her, gripping the shelves.

She was trapped, making her heart race. She just didn’t know if it was fear or excitement.

“Nothing to say?” Charlie asked, leaning in so close she could smell the mixture of brandy and a masculine scent on him.

“What do you want me to say?” Madeline’s mind is not working properly.

“Tell me what you enjoy.”

“Adventure.”

This was a moment that was never going to come again, and Madeline couldn’t let it pass.

She slid her hands up the front of his chest, wishing she wasn’t wearing the long silk gloves that kept her from feeling the fabric of his clothes.

She slipped them over his shoulders and pulled him in closer.

He gave no resistance, pressing his body against hers and capturing her lips in a searing kiss.

“Is this adventurous enough for you, or do you want more?” he asked when the kiss broke.

Against her better judgment, Madeline found that she craved to know what more he could offer.

“I want more.” Her voice sounded like it wasn’t her own as she said that in a sultry tone.

Charlie released the bookshelf, releasing her but she no longer wanted to escape.

He kissed her again, only now his hands were cupping her breasts and kneading them until her nipples were straining against the fabric of her corset.

She gasped, not in alarm but in relief when he pulled them out from the low-cut neckline of her gown.

The feeling of air across her bare skin was delightful until he began lavishing them with his tongue.

Madeline had never felt such a delicious sensation.

“It seems the tutor has somethings to learn after all,” he murmured into the skin between her breasts.

She wanted to tell him to stop talking and continue his skillful nibbling but all she could manage was a moan.

Charlie’s hands slid down her ribcage and over her hips, to grip the fabric of her skirt and begin pulling it up. She was so distracted that she ignored what he was doing until he stopped and realized she was exposed below the waist. Suddenly fear of her lovemaking made her body tense.

“Madeline don’t be afraid. I promise this won’t hurt.”

For no logical reason she believed him when he said that.

She closed her eyes, trying to prepare herself what came next, only it wasn’t what she expected.

Charlie dropped down to kneel in front of her, letting her skirts drape over his head.

Beneath the fabric, he parted her thighs, then gripped her hips.

First, he stoked at her opening with his thumb, opening her folds and making jolts of desire shoot through her until she had to lean against the bookshelf to keep from falling.

Then she felt his mouth against the most sensitive part of her body.

He licked and suckled her until she felt she was going to burst from the pleasure.

Only clamping one hand over her mouth kept Madeline from crying out as she felt something ripple through her body in the most amazing way.

With her eyes closed, she struggled to calm her breathing to a normal pace again.

“I believe you enjoyed that,” Charlie said, as he came out from beneath her skirts and stood in front of her with his hair wildly disheveled. “If you would like me to walk you to your room could continue our lessons.”

He was grinning with smug satisfaction even though his cheeks were flushed with unsatisfied desire.

“Uncle Charlie?”

Those words were heard only seconds before William turned the corner and Madeline’s stomach dropped.