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Chapter 20

Heather slipped inside her mistress’ room, pulling the curtains around the bed to shield her from the servants that bore water for her bath.  She picked up the discarded dress and undergarments that littered the floor – which in itself was unusual because her mistress was usually very tidy, even if she was rather strange for sleeping in that which God gave her. 

But, who was she to judge?  She’d been given a posh job, and had a roof over her head and food in her belly.  Her lord seemed agreeable enough, as long as you did your job and minded your business.  And, didn’t gossip.  The housekeeper had quickly explained to her that the Earl was an intensely private man and if anyone were caught gossiping to others outside their home, they would be met with a quick boot and no reference.  Something that didn’t worry Heather in the least.  She had no plans on imparting any kind of information about the lord and lady.  She liked her job. 

After the men had filed out of the room, the maid walked back over to the bed and drew back the protective curtain.  She shook her mistress awake, snickering as the girl burrowed deeper in the covers to avoid waking. 

“Come on, m’lady.  It’s time to wake up and get ready for the ball,” she coaxed. 

Elizabeth groaned deep in the coverlets.  She was having such a wonderful dream and didn’t want to wake.  But, the whining insistence of her maid proved too much; she blinked sleepily and she sat up in bed – clutching the covers tightly to her bosom when she realized she wore nothing beneath the covers. 

“I have your bath already drawn, I’ll leave you to it and will go grab a light tray from the kitchen for you to snack on.” 

“Yes… thank you.” 

Elizabeth heaved a sigh of relief when her maid left and quickly threw off the covers to race behind the screen, embarrassed yet again at being caught without a stitch of clothing on.  So worried about her state of undress she didn’t notice the ring on her finger until she’d settled herself into the tub, immersing her shoulders under the water. 

It was only when her hands emerged above the water and she reached for the soap that the blood red ruby winked at her.  In stark contrast to the pale skin of her fingers, the stone seemed lit from within and burned with a fire barely contained by the gem.  She stared agog, tears of happiness falling unheeded down her face to mingle with the bathwater. 

“Do you like it, pet?” he murmured from his reclined position against the wall beside her. 

The water sloshed in the tub as she turned around to gape at him.  How had he gotten in her room?  She hadn’t heard her bedroom door open or hear him walk across the room. 

He answered her unspoken question by showing her the small door in the wall that hid the secret passage to his quarters.  Tucked behind the screen, no one could see it or him, and it gave her all the impetus she needed to lunge out of the water and throw herself at him.  

Spike caught the Slayer as she plastered her wet, nude body against him, peppering his face with kisses as she cried tears of joy.  He stilled her movements by gripping the back of her neck, holding her in place so he could ravage her open mouth. His tongue slipped between her lips to duel lightly with hers, and he growled when he felt her timid response.  The feel of her wet skin against his bare chest had him entertaining thoughts of burying himself deep within her body yet again.  And, her eager responses indicated she wouldn’t be adverse to more of the same. 

Hidden behind the curtain, the two lovers continued their play.  Elizabeth dropped her hands from behind his neck and fumbled with the fastenings at his breeches – made more difficult by his drugging kisses.  She tugged and pulled until finally they gave way, allowing his jutting cock to break free from its constrictive bindings.  Her fingers grasped his hardness, marveling at the silky feel in something so hard and unyielding. 

He tore his mouth from her lips and released a guttural moan, thrusting himself in her tightened grip. 

“Just like that, baby,” he murmured as he pumped himself against her hand. 

Elizabeth squeezed harder, until he groaned again, and almost released him when she thought she’d caused him pain.  His hand snaked down and wrapped around hers, holding it in place over his burgeoning shaft.   

“I’m hurting you…” 

“In a good kind of way…grip me harder…ah…yeah… like that, kitten… just like that…”   

Elizabeth's grip remained tightened about his cock and Spike removed his hand and braced it against the wall behind her.  His hips pumped forward causing her fist to slide up and down along his length until she caught on to his movements and took over.   

His hands could no longer support his weight against the wall and he was reduced to using both forearms to hold him steady, his head coming to rest on her shoulder.  Her fingers were a delicious torment to his cock, her grip tightening then loosening, her thumb occasionally brushing over his weeping head.  Spike didn’t think he could take too much more…breathed a sigh of a relief at her softly spoken request. 

“Make me yours again, William,” she urged.  She couldn’t get enough of him…could never get enough of him. 

Spike pressed her back against the wall, then slowly lifted one leg around his hip.  Positioning himself at her moist opening, he thrust deep, sheathing himself within her welcoming body.  Her other leg came up to wrap around his hip, locking herself in place, and his hands moved to cup the soft globes of her ass. 

Just then, the door to her bedroom opened and he sensed her maid entering. 

“I’ve got your tray, m’lady.  Do you need help with your bath?” 

“Answer her, pet,” Spike whispered in her ear. 

“N-no.  I’m fine.  Just set the tray on the table, and I’ll get to it when I’m finished.” 

“Yes, m’lady.  I’ll just see to your gown then.  Make sure there are no wrinkles.” 

“Fine…” 

Behind the privacy curtain, Spike thrust himself into the Slayer’s wet pussy in a slow, lazy pace that was sure to drive her, and him, crazy.  But, he couldn’t afford for the servant to discover their liaison just yet.  God, he couldn’t wait until she was his in name too, so that they could lock themselves within his room for days at a time without fear of discovery.  His eyes crossed when he felt her grind her clit against his pubic bone with every surge into her core. 

He felt the Slayer panting, could feel her pulse quickening as she neared her climax.  Felt her legs stiffen and her grip about his waist tighten, her fingernails no doubt making delicious crescent-shaped marks in his skin. 

Elizabeth knew she was going to scream her release.  Realizing that it was she that was going to be his wife, had released her inhibitions, and she no longer cared if the servants knew or heard.  Her eyes strayed to his – blue that faded to amber as his body became caught up in the act.  She nodded at him to let him know she felt the same. 

“Mine,” she mouthed before she buried her face in his neck and bit him to keep from keening her pleasure out loud – and alerting the maid to their assignation –  her body convulsing around him.  Spike closed his eyes and gave himself over as her inner muscles alternately grasped and released his cock, spilling his seed deep within her womb. 

Her grip about his neck tightened until he sagged against her on the wall, his face buried in her neck.  She never wanted to let him go. 

Spike finally managed to lift his head a few minutes later, and he looked down at the dazed expression of the Slayer.  Couldn’t help himself from placing a soft kiss upon her lips.  Then he leaned back and silently urged her to release him so that he could set her back in the tub to finish her bath.  He pulled his breeches up and fastened them about his hips, kneeling beside the tub so that he could speak softly to her. 

“Finish your bath, luv.  I’ll see you in a few hours.  Oh, and wear your hair up…” he told her, brushing his lips across her brow and slipping from the room via the secret passageway. 

Elizabeth sighed happily and leaned back against the tub’s rim, not even caring about the tepid temperature of the water.  Her skin was on fire right now anyway and could use a bit off cooling off. 

A short bit later, she called out to Heather to have the girl help her with washing her hair. 

~*~*~*~*~ 

Her hair had been brushed until it was dry, and then styled to the Earl’s specifications.  Piled on top of her head, a few stray wisps were left to dangle, framing her face.  Gazing at her reflection in the mirror, Elizabeth was happy to see no trace of the melancholy that had plagued her earlier in the week.  Instead, her hazel eyes shone brightly, secure in the knowledge that she’d soon be married to her guardian.  He was probably waiting for her parents to be located to formally ask for her hand, but she refused to remove his ring from her finger.  He’d put it there, and there it would stay. 

She rose from the sitting chair in front of the vanity, clad in only her undergarments.  Now that her hair was complete, she could slip into the gown she would be wearing for the Duke’s ball.  Flaunting convention yet again, this gown bore a similar pattern to the one she'd worn at the Marchioness’ gathering almost two weeks ago.  The lines were simple, yet elegant, and the numerous layers of ruffles that seemed all the rage right now were absent and didn’t swallow up her petite frame.  The fitted bodice hugged her cleavage, but rather than having a plunging “v” neckline, the dress’ top dipped low, but in a straight line across her breasts. The material gathered beneath her bosom to fall in a straight line to the floor.  The pale pink color was appropriate for an unmarried girl such as herself and went well with her dark hair and slightly sun-kissed skin. 

When her maid secured the last stay, Elizabeth rose and walked towards the full-length mirror to eye the results. 

“Oh, m’lady, you look simply divine!” Heather gushed.  

Elizabeth twirled this way and that to get a better view, and she had to admit, her maid was right.  The girl had outdone herself with the elaborate hairstyle, and the dress – while indecently low-cut – was a perfect complement to her tiny frame. 

“Thank you, Heather. You did a wonderful job with my hair.  I guess I should be off.  I’m sure the others are probably pacing away, waiting for me.” 

“I’ll carry your cloak down so that you can show off your dress first.” 

Elizabeth turned from the mirror and moved towards the door.  She was eager to see the Earl again, having taken great pains with her toilet to impress him.  

Male voices rose from the foot of the stairs and she paused at the top a moment to gather her skirts so that she wouldn’t trip over them on the way down.  Her eyes were cast downward and she carefully made her way to the bottom, therefore failing to see the lust-filled gaze directed her way.   

But she sure felt it. 

The silence of the others indicated their notice of her, and the sudden tingles that resonated from his mark had Elizabeth wanting to forgo tonight’s party and race back upstairs to spend the rest of the evening in the arms of her lover.  When she finally managed to glance up having reached the bottom of the steps, she noticed that her guardian seemed to have the same idea. 

An awkward silence descended over the small group until finally her chaperone broke in with their need to depart. 

Spike gazed at the Slayer’s bare neck before realizing he’d left her gift in his study.  He excused himself from the others and walked back to the room, pulling the matching necklace from the pouch on his desk and returning to their side.  Walking behind the Slayer, he draped the ruby necklace around her neck and fastened it for her. 

“I…William…I can’t take this…it’s too much…” she stammered, overcome by the Earl’s generosity, the gorgeousness of the piece. 

“Nonsense.  Nothing says I can’t buy trinkets for my future bride, is there?” 

“N-no…I don’t know what to say…It’s beautiful.” 

Beside them, Doyle gaped at the vampire, surprised that he’d finally broken the news to the girl.  Why he’d waited this long he’d never know… 

From his position behind the Slayer, Spike noticed the half-breed’s look and smirked.  Not for the world would he tell him why he’d wanted to wait, refusing to be ridiculed as a sap for wanting to have a ring to present the girl.  Better to let the other think it was just his snarky nature. 

Spike turned away from the Slayer to relieve her maid of his girl’s cloak, resettling it around her shoulders and turning her to face him so that he could fasten it. 

“We ready?” he asked the others. 

At their answering nods, the butler opened the front door to reveal his waiting carriage, intoning a “Good Evening, m’lords, m’lady” as they crossed the threshold and stepped out into the night.

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