Free A Lady's Plight (Lords of Sussex) by Katy Walters Page A

veracity of the wedding, especially as heir to a dukedom. However, it is only a formality and no-one will agree to anything he has to say.'
    Vaughan frowned. 'But he is a proclaimed villain, he and his dandies - ignorant brutes.'
    The earl nodded. 'That may be, but they have not been charged with any offense. The blighters were masked, and as such, we have no right to ban him from the church.'
    The wrangling went on for a few more hours. Isabella thought of the night before her, Alex would join her within the hour. She wished to make ready for him, she'd already picked out her most alluring nightrail, mainly a slip of translucent silk with lace panels. She looked across at Phillipa and Henrietta regarding her with weary eyes. Rising she said, 'Papa forgive me for intruding, but I fear we are wearied with the long hours. Would you give us leave to retire?'
    The earl raised his eyebrows with astonishment. His renegade daughter was actually begging permission to leave the table. He beamed. 'Of course my pet, of course. Come kiss your papa good night.' Turning to the gentlemen still seated, he said, 'I think we have covered everything gentlemen. Let us all retire; it's been a long night. Please ring for refreshments if you have need of them.'
    Vaughan smiled inwardly, now he could escort his beautiful girl to her room. As he rose, pushing back his chair, Alex sidled up to him. 'Just a whisper. You know of the secret passageways?'
    Vaughan grinned. 'Indeed and I intend to make full use of them this very night.' Grinning, Alex strode away to take Isa's arm.
    Vaughan stopped outside the door to Henrietta's room, her pretty violet eyes looked up at him as she whispered, 'Rest well my love. I cannot wait to see you in the morning.'
    Vaughan smiled, as he bowed and kissed her gloved hand. Little did she know she would see him in her bed room, within the next half-hour.
     

Fourteen
    Seeing a nightrail already placed on the bed for her, Henrietta waited patiently whilst the maid untied the strings of her dress. Once in night attire, she sat at the dressing table, as Bessie unbraided and brushed the waist length mass of golden waves.
    'Oh milady, tis pretty hair you have.'
    Henrietta smiled thinking of her beloved Vaughan. Soon they would marry, and he would trail his fingers through the white blond curls and lead her to the bed. She quivered, as she thought of his hand on her bottom. She must break that train of thought; it was quite naughty and unbecoming of a lady. 'Thank you Bessie. That will do for now.'
    Before climbing into the silken sheets, she warmed her hands over the small fire in the grate. Luxuriating in the soft down of the mattress, again Vaughan intruded upon her thoughts. What would it be like to have him beside her? What would they do? Her mama refused to discuss anything that happened in the bedroom, saying it was unseemly for women to discuss such carnal matters. Her only advice was she be dutiful, and suffer her husband to have his way, to be obedient to his whims, however tiresome or foolish. Her duty was to bear him children, to produce the next heir to the title. However, what were those whims, and how did she produce a child?
    A light tap on the wood panelling beside the headboard startled her. As she stared, a panel slid open to reveal Vaughan, his blond curls a burnished gold in the candlelight. Shocked, she almost screamed, but he put a finger to his lips. Leaping out of the bed, she stood panting before him, her pert bosom heaving. 'You should not be here, tis sinful. Leave now.'
    Vaughan grinned opening his arms, stretching out his hands, as he advanced toward her.
    Stretching out her hands to ward him off, Henrietta said louder, 'Get out - you can't do this - it isn't right.' Her gaze travelled over the shirt open to his waist, the hard muscles bronzed and glistening, the thick mat of blond curls across his chest, the narrow waist.
    He wanted her badly - now. This virginal girl, this pretty little thing