Page 15 of Snowbound with the Earl (Snowbound #2)

NOELLE LOOKED DOWN at Graham, his tousled hair falling over his forehead, and his muscled chest gleaming in the candlelight.

She’d never done this before, but she understood the mechanics.

He settled his hands on her hips, guiding her over his erect manhood.

She balanced on her knees, lowering herself until he was comfortably inside her.

The angle was...delicious. She could rock back and forth and press herself where she liked, taking as much or little of him as she desired.

She experimented with taking him deeper, until her body adjusted to the length of him.

She leaned over him, her breasts brushing his face as she rocked her hips until she began to feel the first stirrings of pleasure.

Graham took her breasts in his hands, fondling them and licking them, as she found her rhythm.

The pleasure began to intensify, and she pushed up, taking him so deep that it was almost painful.

But when she slid up and down along the length of him, the friction was delicious.

She moved faster, eliciting a groan from him.

His hands clutched at her hips, not to control her but to hold on.

His breathing grew faster, matching hers.

Her breasts felt heavy, and a thin bead of sweat trickled between them.

She was panting now, moving her hips fast then slow, when Graham pressed a hand to her abdomen a few inches below her belly button.

She could feel the added pressure now from where he swelled inside her.

The sensation was heightened from the outside as he tightened their connection.

Noelle saw stars at the edge of her vision as the pleasure built.

She gasped and panted, grinding against him and finally coming apart with a cry.

She threw her head back, allowing the orgasm to rip through her, trusting Graham to keep her from falling.

She closed her eyes, succumbing to the dark bliss.

She was vaguely aware of Graham rolling her over.

He withdrew, which caused her to cry out in frustration, but then he thrust back inside her and she was mindless with the hedonist gratification of the act.

He thrust again, and she could only manage to cry, “Yes. Please. Yes.”

He withdrew almost completely, making her gasp, then filled her again.

She ground against him as he spilled into her.

She looked up at him, and his eyes were on hers as he found his release.

She saw so much more than the expected satisfaction in his eyes.

He looked at her with wonder and tenderness and joy.

Slowly, he lowered his mouth to kiss hers, then rested his forehead on her shoulder.

She held him, feeling the way they breathed together.

Her entire body shook and not simply from her release.

Her emotions churned inside her. She wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry.

Her mind reeled when he finally drew away and pulled her close.

His lips brushed her forehead gently. She’d never been held like this, skin against skin, breaths mingling, hearts thudding against the other.

“You are amazing,” he murmured. “I don’t ever want to leave this bed.”

She chuckled. “The way the snow was falling when last I looked, we may never go home.”

“Good. I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

Noelle smiled and burrowed into him, closing her heavy eyelids just for a moment. What seemed like only a few minutes later, she heard Graham’s voice. “Not right now, Battersea. Come back later.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Noelle grabbed the covers and pulled them over her head, not peeking out again until she heard the door close. “Did he see me?”

“Probably, but he won’t say a word. Battersea is a vault.”

“Thank God.”

“The charwoman, on the other hand.”

“The...the...”

He turned to face her and brushed her hair off her cheek. “She came in this morning to build up the fire. I didn’t even wake until she was making her way out.”

“Oh, no.”

“Oh, yes.” He kissed her briefly. “Noelle, no one will care as long as we are discreet.”

“That won’t stop them from gossiping about me and calling me a fornicator. My parents will—”

“Forget your parents. You are an independent woman. You don’t answer to them any longer.

You can fornicate all you want. Speaking of which.

..” His hands slid down her body to cup her buttocks and draw her against his hard length.

Her mouth went dry, and she felt the familiar heaviness of desire pooling in her belly.

“I really should go back to my chamber before the rest of the house wakes,” she whispered against his lips.

“I won’t stop you.” His mouth trailed down to her neck even as he pulled one of her legs over his hip, bringing her sex even closer to his manhood.

“Then I’ll go,” she said. “In just a moment.” She rocked her hips, pressing against him. Graham stroked her with a hand then slid inside her. “Just one more moment,” she said on a sigh as he filled her.

***

NOELLE HADN’T RETURNED to her chamber until almost an hour later. Swift was waiting for her with a hip bath and pails of warm water. The maid asked no questions but prattled on about how it had finally stopped snowing, and the other servants were talking about a frost fair.

“A frost fair?” Noelle asked as she sat in front of her dressing table and allowed Swift to comb out her damp hair. “Like the fair on the Thames a couple of years ago when it froze over?”

“Something like that, my lady. Lady Dorsey invited the people of the village to come and skate on the pond. Now that the snow has ceased, the shopkeepers will try and see if they can transport stalls to sell pies or hot drinks and mittens or hats. Others will host games with prizes.”

Noelle glanced in the mirror and noted the way Swift’s blue eyes lit up. Her maid was a few years younger than she, and undoubtedly a fair with sweets and games was very tempting. “I will ask Lady Dorsey about it at breakfast,” Noelle said. “If it’s true, then you must go with the other servants.”

“Oh, thank you, my lady! I’ve laid out your green dress. It’s the warmest.”

Once dressed, Noelle made her way to the dining room, where she accepted a cup of tea.

Graham was not in the dining room. She hadn’t expected to see him as he seemed to prefer reading in the morning to socializing.

She wished she could seek him out and join him. Reading by a cozy fire sounded lovely.

“Everyone must dress as warmly as possible,” Lady Dorsey said as she swept into the dining room. “Lord Dorsey was able to reach the village this morning, and he’s invited everyone to the pond for the frost fair.”

Miss Edmonton and Miss Rummage, who were seated on either side of Noelle, both began to clap and exclaim with excitement. Even some of the gentlemen smiled and nodded in approval. After a day or so of being inside, a bit of fresh air was welcome.

“Will you attend the fair, Lady Bonneville?” Miss Rummage asked.

“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it.”

“I hope someone sells roasted nuts. I do adore roasted chestnuts.”

“I hope someone sells hot tea,” Noelle said.

“It’s freezing outside.” Soon, she followed the other ladies out of the dining room and returned to her bedchamber to don appropriate outerwear.

Just before noon Lady Dorsey announced that the fair was ready, and the guests gathered in the foyer.

Noelle didn’t expect to see Graham but was pleasantly surprised when he smiled up at her as she descended the stairs.

In his charcoal greatcoat and a black scarf, with his tall hat tucked under his arm, he cut an imposing figure.

She hardly noticed anyone else. But when she reached the bottom of the stairs, Mr. Turlington stepped before her and offered his arm.

“May I escort you, my lady?”

Well, she could hardly say no. She shot Graham a disappointed look, but he shrugged and offered his arm to Mrs. Edmonton.

The party set out, and Noelle was pleased to see the sun shone down on the sparkling snow.

Though the temperature was well below freezing, she was warm enough with the heat of the sun, her thick pelisse, and her hands tucked securely into her muff.

Turlington chatted about nothing as they followed Lord and Lady Dorsey to the pond.

Ahead of her, Lord Jersey escorted Miss Halifax.

Noelle wished Graham was at her side so she could point out the couple and perhaps scheme ways to ensure the two spent more time together.

But she had her own challenges with Turlington.

He stayed at her side no matter what she did or where she went.

When she joined Eva in browsing the stalls, Turlington followed her.

When the other men ventured out onto the pond to push the ladies in sledges, Turlington stayed at Noelle’s side as she sipped hot tea, even though there were not enough gentlemen for all the ladies hoping for a ride.

Noelle watched Graham push Miss Rummage and Miss Edmonton while Lord Jersey pushed Miss Halifax. This was promising, indeed.

Finally, Lord Dorsey engaged Turlington in conversation, and Noelle used the distraction to slip away.

She made her way toward one of the cooking fires and stood nearby to warm her hands.

The scent of spices in the pot of mulled wine heating in the fire wafted over her.

Mrs. Redmond, a widow and dear friend of Eva’s, came to stand at her side.

“Why aren’t you on the ice being pushed by one of the gentlemen? ”

“I’m cold enough here on the ground,” Noelle said. “Why aren’t you vying for a place in a sledge?”

“Oh, ice and I are not on good terms. A few years ago, I slipped and sprained my ankle. I was in bed for a fortnight. I won’t risk that again.” She looked back at the pond. “Of course, I don’t have a handsome gentleman like Lord Evergreen looking over at me every few minutes.”

Noelle felt her cheeks heat. “I’m sure Lord Evergreen—”

“Didn’t he court you when you made your come out? Mr. Redmond was still alive then, and I seem to remember seeing you two together at the opera. You were so very young and so very pretty.”

“Thank you.”

“I was sorry to see your parents arrange a marriage for you with Viscount Bonneville. Criminal how young women are sacrificed to the god of their father’s ambition.”

Noelle blinked. “It wasn’t like that.”

Mrs. Redmond arched a brow. “Wasn’t it? Don’t look now, dear, but Mr. Turlington is headed this way.”

Noelle groaned. “Excuse me.” She might have started out onto the ice, but she knew Turlington would follow.

A line of stalls was nearby, and she decided to slip behind those, walking behind them until she could emerge at the start of the line.

Hopefully, Turlington wouldn’t spot her again for a little while.

Noelle darted behind the first stall and waited, holding her breath and hoping Turlington didn’t appear.

She counted to fifty then heaved a sigh of relief.

She lifted her skirts and walked toward the next stall, hurrying past the gaps between stalls.

But when she reached the second to last stall, Turlington stepped out of the gap and blocked her path.

“Why, Lady Bonneville, if you didn’t want my company, you might have simply said. ”

Noelle took a step back. “Mr. Turlington, I don’t know what you mean.”

“I think you do. You practically shrink away from my touch, all the while making doe eyes at Evergreen. I’m beginning to believe you weren’t lying when you claimed to spend the night with him.”

“What if I wasn’t?”

Turlington gave her a slow smile. “Then I’d invite you to my chambers so you might experience the benefits of a younger man.”

“No, thank you.” She tried to push past him, but he sidestepped and blocked her again.

“Is it because he’s an earl or do you actually prefer elderly men?”

At five and thirty, Graham was hardly elderly, but she would not allow Turlington to ruffle her. “Neither, sir. I simply do not care for you.”

“Why, you little minx. You’ve spent all week flirting with me—”

A figure appeared behind Turlington and settled a large hand on the rake’s shoulder. “Mr. Turlington, Lady Dorsey was looking for you,” Graham said.

Turlington lifted his shoulder, attempting unsuccessfully to dislodge Graham’s hand. “Rubbish. She’s out on the pond with Dorsey.”

“Then find someone else to bother. Lady Bonneville said she was no longer interested in your company.”

“Why don’t you find a book to read, Evergreen, and leave—”

In one swift motion, Graham shoved Turlington against the back of the stall, rattling the structure. “I don’t think you heard me, sir. I said you are not welcome.”

Turlington’s eyes narrowed, but he nodded. “Fine. Unhand me.”

Graham released him and the rake made a show of straightening his coat. Then, without a look back, he strode away.

Noelle took Graham’s arm. “That was quite chivalrous, though unnecessary. I was in no danger.”

Graham shrugged. “I didn’t like seeing him stalk you, and then when I heard him accuse you of leading him on, I lost my temper.”

“Is it wrong that seeing you slam him against that stall made me want to kiss you?”

Graham gave her a long look. “Come here.” He pulled her close and backed her against the stall, lowering his warm mouth to hers. Her face was chilled, but his touch sent heat spiraling through her. When he pulled back, their breaths mingled in the air between them.

“I wish we could go back to Dorsey House and your chamber,” she whispered.

“Not possible today.” Graham took a breath and blew it out. He closed his eyes then opened them and met hers. “I know a way we could spend more time together. Every night, in fact, and every day.”

Noelle felt as though all the heat from their kiss dissipated, replaced by an injection of ice in her veins. “Graham, don’t.”

“Why not? You are free of your parents now. You can do as you like. Marry me.”

Noelle closed her eyes. Until he’d said the words, she had hoped they could pretend this wasn’t happening. But the words hung between them—an informal proposal, but a proposal, nonetheless.

She swallowed. “I’m sorry, Graham. I can’t.”