Page 25 of The Chef and the Countess (The Duke’s Bastards #2)

Liam opened her door and peered into the hallway. “All clear,” he whispered.

Taking her hand, they ran toward his flat at the end of the hall. Once inside, he closed the door with a quiet snick, then swiftly gathered her in his arms and kissed her passionately.

The kisses grew more frantic as they headed toward his bedroom. His insides were aflame, and so was his desire. Taking her arms, he gently pushed her against the wall, then lifted her right leg to rest on his hip. Liam thrust against her, and Celia moaned.

He wanted to be inside her—now. But, patience. A frantic joining had its place, but not here. First, there was Celia’s injury. Second, Liam wanted to bring her the pleasure she had never experienced in her marriage. He wanted to be the man who made her come entirely apart.

Liam dove in, thrusting his tongue into her luscious mouth in concert with the thrust of his hips. “What are you feeling,” he growled. “Tell me what you want.”

“I want,” she said breathlessly, “I want—everything. Touch me.”

“As my lady commands,” Liam replied huskily. His hand tunneled under her wool skirt, making a slow descent up her shapely leg. Celia responded to every slide of his fingertips across her skin with a combination of sighs, moans, and trembling. As he surmised, Celia was passion incarnate, all of it pent up and awaiting release. He located the slit in her drawers and then felt the wetness. Oh, so ready. “You’re wet. For me.”

“Only you,” Celia whispered as she caressed his cheek.

He quickly thrust two fingers inside of her, and she gasped. So tight. Liam started slow, moving his fingers in and out of her feminine core while brushing the pad of his thumb across that sweet nub. In increments, he moved faster, and Celia responded by grasping his shoulders and digging her nails into him. Her breath came in sharp pants, intermingled with moans of such longing that Liam thought he would spill in his trousers. “Come for me,” he urged. “Let yourself go. Look at me.”

Celia gasped but did not look up.

“Look. At. Me.”

She raised her head, meeting his gaze. “I want to see you fly. Feel it.”

“Oh. My God,” she rasped. “I’ve never—” With a piercing cry, she reached her peak. Celia looked beautiful with her head thrown back, a look of awe and satisfaction on her lovely face. She shuddered, her inner muscles clutching his fingers as if they did not want to let go.

Liam laid kisses across her cheek, then captured her lips. After releasing her, he grabbed her rear, lifting her far enough so that he could carry her to his bed. He lowered her onto it, then pulled his white shirt over his head without unbuttoning it. He continued to undress, tossing his clothes in a heap on the carpet.

He stood before her, completely exposed, inside and out. His desire was plain, his love tangible and potent. Celia’s gaze leisurely wandered over him, and she smiled. “You are entirely gorgeous.” She stepped closer, and when she laid her hand against his chest, it was his turn to moan and tremble. Bloody hell, he was putty in her hands. She touched him all over. Her fingertips left his skin aflame. And when she ran the tip of her finger along his hardened length, he lost all patience.

“Your clothes… Allow me.” Liam slowly but swiftly undressed her, and when she stood naked before him, he drank in her beauty. All thoughts of patience left him.

He. Could. Not. Wait.

Taking her hand, he led her to his bed. “Lay on your uninjured side. That’s it, love.”

He opened his bedside table drawer, located a sheath, and slipped it on. Then he lay beside her, his arm curling about her waist. His erection prodded between her legs, and she lifted her leg enough he was able to seat himself at her entrance. “I’ll take it easy, love, because of your injury.” Slowly, he thrust inward.

“Yes, Oh, how I have waited for this,” Celia moaned.

“Aye, love. So have I.” He clasped her breast, his thumb brushing across her nipple as his slides took on a more urgent rhythm. “If it’s too much, if I hurt you, tell me,” he whispered, laying kisses on her neck.

“More. Give me more.”

He pounded into her, the crescendo building. It had never been like this with the few women he’d been with. Not even close. Celia cried out first. He held her closer, riding the wave of her release. Then, he let himself go. Colors burst behind his closed eyes, and every muscle in his body tightened from the overwhelming rush of his climax.

But what amazed him more than the intensity of their lovemaking was the wave of complete and utter bliss that followed.

Liam was in love for the first and last time in his life.

* * *

Celia lay curled into Liam’s arms as they tried to catch their breath. How could she describe what had just occurred? It was more than she’d ever dreamed of. Every touch, kiss, and thrust were seared into her memory. “I never knew it could be like that,” she whispered.

“Neither did I,” Liam responded gruffly. “There’s so much more for us to explore, and we’ll have a lifetime to take and give pleasure.”

Celia sighed. “Liam.”

“Mmm?” he murmured lazily.

“I may not be able to have children. You should know that now.”

“Because you had none with old Winterwood?”

Celia nodded as her fingers caressed his chest hair. This may not be the best topic of conversation after such rigorous lovemaking, but Celia wanted him to know about it before they continued onward.

“Maybe it was because of him,” Liam said. “Even if it isn’t, we shouldn’t dwell on it. There is no blame involved, and don’t ever think it lies with you. Children are not imperative for our future happiness. Besides, I—we—have Tommy. And if we discover that we can’t have children? Love, there are orphanages and workhouses aplenty. There is also the foundling home Chellenham sponsors.”

“Your duke half-brother?”

“Aye, Damon Cranston. We can adopt one or two if you like. Or not.” Liam kissed her forehead. “What I want most of all is you .”

Celia kissed his cheek. “Thank you for saying that.”

“Celia, are you absolutely sure you want this life with me? It will mean giving up your upper-class standing. There won’t be much money—”

Celia gently placed her fingertip against his lips. “We have my nine thousand pounds. The interest alone will bring in 400 pounds a year. Perhaps a little less.”

“What?” Liam exclaimed. “Bloody hell.”

“You want to stay here and run the business?” Celia asked.

“For now. Will I feel differently in ten years? Possibly. Maybe in less time.”

“Well, now we have options. Let us say we stay here for ten years. We can use the interest we make to enclose the back staircase, refurbish some of the rooms, perhaps install a small kitchen for our use, and modernize the main kitchen further.”

“You’ve given this some thought?”

“Since Franklin made the offer. I always meant to ask what was on the floor above this one.”

“Nothing. Walter lived there, and I had a room there as well. The rest was used for storage. There are stairs to the upper level. It is not as spacious as this floor.” Liam pointed to the door on the opposite wall. “Go through there and up the stairs. The brothel was on this floor; the girls lived in these rooms, and the other rooms were for customers.”

“Then we have more than enough space to expand and make plans,” Celia enthused. Then she sobered. There was still her uncle and cousin. Surely, they would not make any more mischief. What would be the point? She hoped their criminal disruptions were over, especially now that the police were involved.

Liam caressed her arm. “The settlement must stay in your name. It’s your money.”

Celia placed all thoughts of her uncle and cousin from her mind. She kissed Liam’s cheek and embraced him. “That means the world to me. Thank you. I do love you.” Celia kissed him deeply, then whispered, “So, when will this wedding take place?”

“You tell me. What do you want?”

Celia thought about it. “As soon as we can arrange it. I want it here, right in the restaurant, and we will have a wedding breakfast. Timmy and Tommy can prepare it with assistance from Enya. We will invite the staff and Drew—” Celia sighed wistfully. “I wish Corrine, Mitchell, and Selena could attend.”

Liam smoothed her hair, pushing the tangled locks from her forehead. “We can wait until Corrine and Mitchell return from their honeymoon if you wish.”

“It’s a lovely thought, but I do not want to wait that long. I want our life together to start as soon as possible.”

Liam chuckled. “Good. I don’t want to wait either.”

“Let’s invite Drew over for lunch tomorrow. We will have him come just before the restaurant opens. I want us to tell him first. We can tell everyone else at the family meal tomorrow night.”

“Right you are. Now that we have that all sorted…” Liam gathered her close and then turned over so she was underneath him. “How is the injury holding up?”

“So far, all is well.”

“Then I will take it easy. Hand me another sheath.”

Celia boldly grasped his erection, eliciting a husky moan from him. “Don’t use one. We will be married in a couple of weeks anyway. I want to feel you inside me.” She guided him, and with an unhurried thrust, he was seated within. With measured glides, he built the sexual tension, moving a little faster with each pump of his hips. Celia wrapped her legs around him, her fingers digging into his back. After several minutes, they cried out in unison, whispering words of love as they held each other tight.

As Celia slid into that twilight stage of sleep, she smiled as complete joy took hold.

It will never leave me, not as long as I have Liam.

* * *

“You are going to be married?” Drew exclaimed. “When?”

Drew had arrived at the rear entrance at a quarter past eleven. Liam and Corrine swiftly escorted him to the staff dining area for privacy. Then they had told him of their plans.

“Well, we were hoping you would know how to do it quickly,” Liam said.

Drew smiled. “Because I assisted in arranging Corrine and Mitchell’s nuptials?”

“They took your advice,” Liam replied.

“Mitchell and Corrine discovered that marriage at the registrar’s office can take up to ten days or more, but only two or three days in a church and with a special license. They opted for the church. I gave them the name of Reverend Wilton, a friend of my father’s. He is the vicar of Bow Church in Stratford.”

“Oh,” Celia replied disappointedly. We were hoping to have the nuptials here. And we want it on a Sunday when the restaurant is closed.”

“I am sure James Wilton would travel here any other day, but Sunday is likely out of the question because of church services.” Drew scratched his chin. “He could marry you at the church early in the morning before services begin..”

“What do you think, love?” Liam asked as he slipped his arm about Celia’s waist. The plan sounded acceptable to him.

Celia smiled warmly. “I think it’s perfect. We will do it in two weeks. That will give Mr. Eckley time to make a wedding cake for us.”

Drew stuck out his hand. “Leave it with me, then. I will contact James Wilton this afternoon. May I offer my sincere congratulations to you both?”

Liam looked at the outstretched hand, and instead of taking it, he pulled Drew into a brotherly embrace. “Thank you—brother.”

Drew returned the sentiment, and then they patted each other on the back before parting. “Well met. I am pleased.”

Celia laughed and kissed Drew on the cheek. “You will come, of course?”

“I would not miss it for the world,” Drew replied.

“Will you stand up for us? Fiona will be the other witness,” Liam asked.

“Absolutely. I would be honored.”

“Do stay for luncheon,” Celia urged. “We have mutton with duchess potatoes and roasted carrots.”

Drew’s eyebrows shot skyward. “That’s quite the meal.”

“Chellenham sent two huge boxes of food yesterday,” Liam replied. “Here, let’s get you seated. We open in ten minutes.”

After seeing Drew seated comfortably with a cup of tea, Liam and Celia returned to the kitchen. Liam was relieved to have Morrigan assist him now, and he watched in appreciation as she busily stacked plates on the prep table. The kitchen was in full swing when a horrendous crash stopped everyone in their tracks.

“Morrigan, watch the stove.” Liam ran through the swinging door into the restaurant to find complete chaos. The two large windows on either side of his corner lot restaurant had been broken. Outside, Liam spotted three men throwing bricks. Customers screamed as spraying glass shards flew in all directions. Some had jumped to their feet, knocking over the wood tables. Food flew across the floor. When the men spotted Liam, they dropped the bricks and ran off in different directions.

“Drew!” Liam yelled.

“There are numerous injured people. I’ll tend them,” Drew replied.

Liam nodded.

A customer, a young man in his early twenties, stood. “I’ll help you catch them, guv.”

“Come on then.”

Liam, the young customer, and a couple more men fanned out onto Brick Lane. Inside, Liam seethed. This had gone too far. It had to stop--innocent people were getting hurt. As he swiftly gazed up and down the street, the young man pointed toward Chicksand Street.

“There’s one of them!”

Liam followed the young man; he had no idea where the other men had disappeared to. Liam and the young man caught up to the perpetrator, whose breathing sounded labored. The customer tackled the brick thrower to the ground.

“Get off me!” the brick thrower yelled.

Liam grabbed his collar and brought him to his feet. He looked like a wily little weasel, probably no more than five inches over five feet tall.

Liam turned toward the customer. “Thank you for the assistance, Mr.—?”

The young man removed his peaked cap. “Paul Tyler, guv.”

“Come, we’ll get this villain back to the restaurant. Lunch is on me.”

“I appreciate that and all, guv. What I want more is a job.”

“It just so happens that I’m hiring. Let’s go.”

Paul grabbed the brick thrower’s arm, Liam took the other, and they dragged him back to The Crowing Cock.

While they hurried along the walkway, Liam’s thoughts turned to his customers, especially those sitting by the windows. He hoped none had been severely injured. Flying pieces of glass were nothing to laugh at.

As he rounded the corner, his heart sank to see a crowd gathered at the front entrance. They pushed through the mob, keeping a firm hold of the brick thrower, who wriggled and strained, trying to escape.

Liam stepped inside. What a bloody mess. This latest stunt could very well kill his business for good. “Please! Nobody leaves until the police arrive!” he yelled. The chattering ceased, and everyone looked toward him.

At that moment, the two customers who followed Liam outside stepped into the restaurant with another man in tow. It was the bloke Liam saw holding the brick.

“We’ve got him, Mr. Hallahan!”

Well, two out of three was not bad. “Brilliant. Could you please sit him there and hold him?” Liam asked.

“Liam!” Celia ran toward him.

“Here,” Liam said to Paul Tyler. “Hold this idiot.”

Liam held out his arms, and Celia jumped into his embrace, kissing his face. The crowd grew quiet, except for a few shocked gasps. Liam didn’t care. Let the whole world see how much he loved this beautiful lady. “I’m fine, lass,” he whispered. With a last peck on the cheek, he released her.

“Tommy’s gone for the police. Luckily, Drew says no one is seriously injured, at least so far,” Celia said breathlessly. “Morrigan is looking after the kitchen, Hannah and Enya are assisting Drew.”

Bruce walked up to Liam. “What can I do to help?”

“Fetch some rope. We’ll tie these idiots to chairs until the police come.”

Bruce sprinted toward the kitchen.

“Where did he come from?” Liam whispered to Celia.

“He was with Fiona. In her room.”

All night? Interesting.

With the suspects tied, Liam shook hands with the men who had assisted him and was about to ask them to please stay so they could talk to the police when Morrisey and his constables arrived.

“Not again, Hallahan?” Morrisey said.

“Aye. This time, we caught two of the three offenders. And we have plenty of witnesses. The bricks are outside on the walkway.”

“Northrup, disperse the crowd.”

“Aye, Sergeant.” The copper put the run to the people lingering about, then entered the restaurant, slamming the door behind him. He then turned the sign so the ‘CLOSED’ side faced the street. It took over an hour to take everyone’s statement, and once Liam apologized to his customers, the least injured ones were allowed to depart. The ambulance wagon was called for two older ladies who’d been sitting by one of the windows. They had glass fragments embedded in their face and hands and needed hospital care. It was lucky no shards had hit their eyes.

“We’ll take these suspects to the station to be questioned,” Morrisey told Liam.

“I’ll tell ya all,” the short one yelled. “Some snobby toff hired us.”

“We will continue this at the station.” Morrisey motioned to the men tied in the chairs. “Take them to the wagon.” After the officers escorted the men outside, Morrisey took Liam’s arm and led him away from everyone. “You will have to close. The pub, too. You will need that time to clean up the mess and board your windows. I will get to the bottom of this. And today—I promise you. I will come by as soon as I have any information.”

“Thank you, Sergeant.”

Liam stood among the wreckage, taking in the broken glass, the smashed chairs and food all over the floor. He felt heartsick.

Celia came to stand at his side. “We will clean it up, Liam,” she murmured as she slipped her hand in his. “Everything will be well. I have every faith in Sargeant Morrisey.”

God, how he loved her. He needed that love and her strength.

“You’re so right, love,” Liam whispered. Louder, he said, “Staff, meet Paul Tyler.” He let go of Celia’s hand and pointed at the young man near the door. “He’s working here now.”

The staff came up one by one and introduced themselves to Paul.

“Want to start work today?” Liam asked him.

“Aye, sir. I do.” Paul replied. Liam liked the look of the young man. Earnest, tall and good-looking, Liam could eventually use Paul for serving. But one step at a time.

“Then let’s all get to work. But first, Morrigan, is there enough salvageable food for us to share a meal?”

“Yes, Chef,” she replied with a smile.

“We should eat before attempting this cleanup. Morrigan, please direct everyone to cook and serve. Paul, Bruce, and I will board up these windows. Tommy and Timmy, you’d best hie off to school.”

In the past, an incident like this would have enraged Liam and made him gloomy for days. Not anymore. And not with Celia by his side, along with his restaurant family—particularly his son.

As Celia said, they could accomplish anything as long as they were together.