Royle - How To Propose To A Prince Part 19

Ashebentoverheragain,shecouldnothelpbutskimherfingersalongtheshallowtrenchesofhisbare,rippledabdomenandupoverthefirmmoundsofhischest.

Sumnerclosedhiseyelidsandsighedwithpleasureasherfingersskippedlightlyoverhisnipples,turningthemtostonebeneathhersofttouch.

Heleanedoverherandbrushedhermouthwithhislips.Notkissing,butratherteasingher,makingherchasehismouth.Buthedidnotsurrenderdespitehera.s.sertiveadvance.

Elizabethgroanedas.h.i.+shardnesspressedagainsttheplaceshewantedtofeelhimmost.Itwasmaddening.Shewantednothingmorethantoatlastfeelhim,nothisfingersorhismouth,him,insideofher.Herthighspartedslightlya.s.sheraisedherhips,forcinghimagainsther.

"Sumner,"shebreathed,"Ineedyou."

Hiseyessparkledmischievouslyashegraspedherand,withoutaword,easedhersummergownandherchemisefromhershoulders.Thenheyankeditdowntoherwaist,makinghergaspwiththesuddenrushofaironherskin.Hismouthsettledoveronebreastandsuckleditroughlywhileheloweredhergownfarther,toherhips.

Hebrokethebondbetweenthemtoslideonehandbehindher,claspingonesideofherbottomandliftingher,justlongenoughtopullthegowntoherknees.Amomentmoreandhergownpuddledbeneathherfeet.Shekickedherslippersoff.Herbodywaslitwithexcitementofwhatwouldcome.Shewasreadytofeelherselfjoinedwithhim.Wantingsobadlyforhimtoeaseinsideofher,tofeeltheirbodiesmergeintoone...atlast.

Hedidnottouchherforseveralmomentsmore,andsheliftedhereyelidstoseethathewaslookingappreciativelyathernakedbody.Sheflushedatonce,andevensawthecolorofherembarra.s.smentriseinherb.r.e.a.s.t.s,thenfelt.i.tjourneyupwardtoheathercheeks.

Shecrossedherarmsoverhernaked,pinkedb.r.e.a.s.t.s,butSumnerwouldnothaveit.Hecaughtherwristsandliftedherarmsaway,settlingthemoneithersideofherhead,shakinghisheadslowly.Hewouldnotallowhertohideherbodyfromhim.

Sumner'sgazefellfromhersasheranhispalmsdownherwrists,herarms,andoverhernipples,makingthemhardenalmostpainfully.Hisfingersdriftedonward,trailingdownthesensitiveskinathersides,sendingwavesofs.h.i.+versovertheentiretyofherbody.Hishandscontinuedtheirleisurelyexplorationofherform,slippingtoherhips,thendownherstockingsheathedlegs.

Therewasonlyoneplacehehadnottouched,andknowingthisgaveElizabethathrobbingtwingeofexcitement.

Leaningback,Sumnersurveyedherhungrily.Hesaidnothingashetracedthecurveofherquiveringleguphersilkstocking.Thenhecuppedhishandbehindherkneeandlifteditsohewasnowkneelingbetweenherspreadthighs.

Hisfingertipsbrushedthefurlattheapexofherlegs,makingherbodytremblewithdelicious antic.i.p.ation.Oh,please,please,letmefeelyou.Now.

Elizabethleanedupjustenoughtocatchthebackofhisneckwithherhandandpullhimharddownatopofher,feedingathismouthastheyfellbackagainstthesoftcarpettogether.

SheclungtoSumnerashekissedher,touchedher,droveherintoafrenzy,madeherwritheinsweetsensation.b.u.t.therewa.s.somethingmoresheneeded."Sumner,please,makemeyours."

Hepausedforamoment,thenseemedtoglanceathiscoatfoldedneatlyonthesettee,butwhateverthoughthadbeeninhismindwasfleeting,forheturnedbacktoherandkneltlowerbetweenherspreadthighs.

Hisbodyseemedgolden,hisabdomen,his.h.i.+ps,almostdarkincontrasttothewhitenessofherinnerthighsoneithersideofhim.Bravely,Elizabethreachedoutherhandandfumbledwiththeb.u.t.tonsofhisbreechesuntilhisfrontfallopenedatlast.Hishardlengthbouncedintoherhand.Hiserectionpulsedandtwitchedinherpalm,excitingherasneverbefore.

Shedidnotknowexactlyhowtotouchhim,howtopleasehim,butherdaringwelledmuchliketheheatwithinherandshestrokedhimwitheagerfingers,pausinga.s.shenearedhisplumshapedtip,exploringwiththeringofherthumbandindexfingerthethickridgebeneathit.Hisp.e.n.i.sjerked,inawaythatseemedtopleasehim.Andsosheletherinstinctguideherfurther.Twistingherhandaround,sheallbutclosedherhandoverhimbeforeslidingitdownhislengthtothelightnestofhairat.i.tsthickbase.

Sumnershudderedandleanedoverheragaintokissherdeeply."Iloveyou,"hewhisperedagainstherlips.Hiserectionpulsed.Theurgencywas.h.i.+snow,andhenudgedherkneeswiderapartwithhisbody.

Heslippedhishandbetweenherthighsandstrokedher,dippinghisfingerintotheheatofher.Shearchedagainsthim.

Elizabethclungtohisbroadshoulders.Hisfirmp.e.n.i.sproddedgentlybetweenherlegsuntilshethoughtshewouldgomadifshedidnotfeelhiminsideofher.

Sumnerclosedhiseyesashemovedhistipjustbetweenherengorgednetherlips.Hegroanedasheskimmedherwetness.Hepressedintoher,onlyasmallbit,andherbodycinchedaroundthatpartofhim,wantingtodrawhimfullyinside.

"Iloveyou,Elizabeth,"hesaidagainasheleaneduponhisarmsandpositionedhimselftodriveintoher.

Hiseyeswerequestioning,butherreplywa.s.sure."Iloveyou,Sumner,withallmyheart.IwantyouandIneedyou."

Elizabethtensedashemovedintoher.Still,therewasnopain,aswiththefirsttimehetouchedherdeeply,onlyaslightstingasherbodyslowlystretchedtoaccepthimfully.Sheslidherhandsalonghisouterthighstohis.h.i.+ps,andthengraspedhis.h.i.+psandpulledhimdeeperinside.Shesigheda.s.shefelthimnudgeagainsther,deepinsideofher.

Sumnerslowlypulledback,thenmovedintoheragain,pus.h.i.+ngharder,deeper,witheachrockingmotion.Shefeltherbodycontractaroundhim,tingling,fillingherwiththeundeniableurgetoraiseherhipstohim,pressdownagainsthim.Tomeethiseverythrustwithoneofherown.

Shefeltasthoughshe'dhadtoomuchwine,andhermindbegantospin.Thoughtwasbeyondher.TherewasonlythefeelingofSumnerjoinedwithher.Sheclosedhereyesandletherselfbecomelostinthewildlyspinningcenterofmoltenheatgrowingwithinherwheretheirbodiesmetandbecameone.

Sumnersupportedhimselfandroseuptowatchherashethrustintoher,harderandhardereach time.Beadsofperspirationeruptedonhisforeheadas.h.i.+srhythmgrewfaster,hispumpingintohermakingherbodyb.u.mpandnearlyleapfromthecarpetwitheachthrust.

Elizabethclosedhereyesandbitintothefleshofherlowerlip.Shecouldnolongermeethismovement.Hewasdrivingtoofast,toohardforhertokeeppace.Herlegswereshaking,andshedrewthemuparoundhis.h.i.+ps,pressingdownagainsthishardb.u.t.tockswithherheels,holdinghiminsideofher,turningjustabittocontrolthedepthofhisthrusts,hispressure.

Shebuckedagainsthimandcriedouta.s.somethinginsideofherflared,sendingwildlickingflamesthroughhercoreandoutwardtoeverypartofherbody.

Sumnersqueezedhiseyestightly.Shefelthimstrain,andawhisperofdampheatspreadacrosstheplaneofhisbacka.s.sheclungtohim.Hegroanedonceandthenagainbeforeleaningdowntokisshertenderly,thenrestedatopofher.

Theylaythatway,bodiesbereftofenergy,restingineachother'sarms,forseverallanguorousminutes.SumnerfinallyrolledontohisbackandElizabethturnedonhersideandnestledagainsthim,restingherheadonhisshoulder.Hewrappedhisarmaroundherbodyandheldherthere.Andwhatshefeltthen...well,itwasperfect.Itfeltlikedestiny.

Sheturnedherheadjustenoughtolookupathim.Blissfilledhiseyesandhewa.s.smilingdownather.

"Tellmeitwillalwaysbethisway,"shewhispered,neverwantingthemomenttoend.

Heedgedupandrestedhisweightononeelbow."Itcanbe.Ifyouwillhaveme."Heflunganarmbehindhimandreacheduptothesettee.Hefumbledwithhiscoatandthentossedthegarmenthehadtakensuchcarewithearlier,allowingittofallinacrumpledheapnearthecoldhearth.

Shelaughed,notgraspingatallwhathewasabout.

Hekissedhersoftly,thenhisardorseemedtogrowandhiskissesbecamemorepersistentasheclaimedhermouth."Idoloveyou,Elizabeth,andIwishtoalwaysbewithyou."Heleanedback,liftedherwristandslidontoafingeronherlefthandagoldringemblazonedwithasparklingcutemerald."AndIhopeyouwishthesame.Ifyoudo,Idesirethatyouwearthisring,thatsomatchestheloveIseeinyoureyes,asasymbolofmytroth."

Elizabethheldherhandupbeforeherfaceandblinkedupat.i.t."Areyouaskingmeto-"

"Iamaskingyoutomarryme,Elizabeth."ThelookinSumner'seyes,sowantingyetsounsure,movedherdeepwithinherheart.

"Ihaveneverwantedanythingmorethantobeyourwife...tobewithyouforever."Shewrappedherarmsaroundhisneckandtheirlipsmetandlocked.

Herdreamwascomingtrue.

HydePark Theskywasredwithlicksofbrilliantgoldasthesunset.ThedarknessoftheSerpentinereflectedthevibrantcolorsoftheeveningsky,makingitlooklikeanendlessswathofripplingcrimsonsilk.

SumnerstoodwithhisarmaroundElizabethattherailofthebridge,gazingatthebrightpinksunasitgracefullybowedcloserandclosertowardthehorizon.

Helookeddownather.

Sensinghisattention,Elizabethturnedherheadandlookedupathim."Whatisit?"sheasked.

"Iwasad.a.m.nfool.IshouldhavetoldyouwhoItrulywaslongago."Sumnerremovedhisarmfromhershoulderandleanedforwardtoresthisforearmsontherail."Iputbothofusthroughsomuchneedlessheartache."

"Whydoyoudwellonthat?"Shewrappedherarmaroundhisbicepsandsteppedcloser,thesideofherbodypressedagainsthim."Weareherenow,andwehaveeachotherandalwaysshall."Shec.o.c.kedherhead."Andbesides,youwouldnotbethemanIloveweredutysomethingyoucouldsimplysetasidewhencirc.u.mstancesbecametoodifficult.Butyoudidn'tdothat.Youcouldn't.YouguardedPrinceLeopoldandensuredhissafetyforSaxeCoburg,evenwhenitmeantpossiblysacrificingyourownlife.HowcouldIeverfaultyouforyourbraveryandsenseofresponsibility?"

Sumnerthrewhisheadback,drewinalong,deepbreath,thenexhaled."Thereissomethingmoreyoushouldknow.Somethingthatonlytwootherpeopleareawareof-andLeopoldisnotoneofthem."

Elizabethlookedupathimquizzically."Tellme."

Hepausedamoment,sincehe'dneveroncespokenthesewordsaloudandwasnotquitesurehoworwheretobegin."IhaveheardofyourpossiblerelationtothePrinceofWales,Elizabeth.AndIknowthat,asmuchasyoutriedtodiscountSirHenry'scommentsatthedinnerparty,theremaybesometruthtoSociety'schatter.YoumaybePrinny'sdaughter."

HecouldfeelElizabethtense.

"And,Iwishforyoutoknowthatwhetherornotyouareofroyaldescentmattersnottome.IbelieveIhavelovedyoufromthemomentIsawyouwalkintothejewelers...lookingabitdrowned."

Sumnerlookedtoherandsmiled,thengazedoutoverthewater."Ihopemybackground,mytruehistory,doesnotaffecthowyoufeelaboutme,either."

Elizabethrelaxed."UnlessyouaremysecretbrotherbyPrinny,nothingyoucouldtellmewouldchangemyplanstomarryyouatourearliestopportunity.Iloveyou,Sumner.You."

Heswallowedhard.Itwastime."Leopold'sfamilytookmeinwhenIwasbutaninfant.Nooneeverspokeofthecirc.u.mstancesofwhosechildIwasorhowIcameintotheCoburgfamily.Soon,Ilearnednottospeakofitsincethesubjectseemedtoupsetmyadoptedparents.AllIknew,afteryearsofsearchingforthetruth,wasthatmymotherhaddiedinchildbirthandmyfatherhadnotbeenable,orperhapswilling,tocareforababy."

"ButyouandLeopoldalwaysrefertooneanotherascousins."

"Yes.AllmylifeIwasalwaysreferredtoasacousin.Whowouldeverdisputeit?LeopoldandIlookedsomuchalike.b.u.t.therewerealwayswhispersthatwewerenotsomuchdistantcousins...ashalfbrothers."

"Isittrue?"

"Idonotknow,exactly."Sumnersighed."ButwhenIreachedmymajority,Iwasinformedthatmysupposedfather,Lansdowne,haddiedandIwastobecometheMarquessofWhitevale."

"Soyouneverknewyournaturalfather?"

"No.Ineverevenknewifhewasmynaturalfather.ThesimilaritiesbetweenLeopoldandmyselfarestriking.Wewereraisedtogether,schooledtogether,foughttogether.Tome,Leopoldismybrother."

"Andthisiswhyprotectinghimwa.s.soimportanttoyou."

Sumnersighedyetagain."Yes."

Elizabethturnedhimtowardherand,notcaringwhomightsee,kissedhim."Noneofthismattersatall,Sumner.But.i.thankyouforexplainingyourextraordinarybondwithPrinceLeopold."

Shewasright,Sumnerdecided.Circ.u.mstancesofbirthdidnotmatter.

Whatdidwasthathewouldsoonmarrythewomanhelovedwithallofhisheart.Hefeltbuoyanttohaveshedtheweightsofhispastfromhisshoulders.

"Iwasthinking,"hebegan,turningElizabethforastrollfromthebridge."ImayleavethemilitaryandretiretoWhitevale.Ihaveneverseenit,canyoubelieveit?Youwillbemywife,sothedecisionistrulyourstogether."

Elizabethlaughedastheysteppedoffthebridgeandintothegra.s.s."Asyoursoontobewife,Iwouldchooseanythingthatwillremoveyoufromthelineofgunfire...andknifepoints.ButIwonder,"sheadded,"howyouwilladapttothestaid,calmoflifeinthecountrywhenyouareusedtododgingbulletsandcannonb.a.l.l.s."

"Withyou,mydear,Idonotthinklifewilleverbe'staid.'"

Therewasaflashoflightfromtheshadowsofthetrees,andElizabethheardthechilling,alltoofamiliarwhizofabulletpa.s.singbetweenherandSumner.

"Getdown!"heshouted.Insteadofretreatingforcover,hechargeddirectlytowardtheflash,disappearingintothedarknessofthetrees.

Elizabethgaspedandbroughtherfingersworriedlytoherlips.Sheremainedcrouchedforonlyafewmomentsandslowlycametoherfeet.Thesunhadjustsettledbehindthetreeline,thelightintheskyrapidlydissolvingintonight.

Herwholebodytenseda.s.shewaitedforSumnertoemerge.Herearswereprimedforanysound,anyhintthatherlovewa.s.safe.b.u.t.therewasnothing.

Shestartedwalkingatfirst,thenrunningtowardthetrees,worriedforSumner.

Andthentherewasanotherflashoflightandthesoundofgunshot."Sumner!"shecriedout,duckingunderbranchesandpus.h.i.+ngleavesfromherfacea.s.sherantowardthesound.

Sheheardthras.h.i.+ngahead,gruntsandthesmackoflandedpunches,thenthesoundoffootfallscomingdirectlytowardher.

"Sumner?"shewhisperedfeebly,knowingthatifitwasnothim,shewasingravedanger."Sumner,pleaseanswerme."

"Iamcoming.Gobacktothebridge,"camehisvoicefromtwentyorsopacesbeyondwhereshestood."Go!"

Turning,shedidasheaskedandhurriedintherelativelightatthewater'slappingedge.

AfewmomentslaterSumner'slarge,distinguishableformsteppedfromthecoveroftrees.Fromherposition,itappearedthathedraggedanotherman,whosearmhe'dpinnedbehindhisback.Astheyapproached,shesawwhotheothermanwas.

"Mr.Manton?"Elizabethsputtered."Itcannotbe."

"Itis,"Sumnerconfirmed.

"Hewasthegunman?DearMr.Mantonwasthemantryingtokillus?"

Mantonjerkedhisheadupright."Notbothofyou.Him."HelookedupwithdisgustatSumner.

"BButwhy?"Elizabethasked.Noneofthismadeanysensetoher.Mr.Mantonhadalwaysseemedsuchagentlesoul.

"HesupportsaunionbetweenCharlotteandWilliam.o.f.orange,Isuspect."AngersparkedinSumner'seyesashelookedatthismanwhohadrelentlesslytriedtokillhim.HewrenchedManton'sarmhigherbehindhisback,makinghimgroanwithpain.

"Idon'tgivead.a.m.naboutWilliam.o.f.orange,"Mantoncried.

"Thenwhydidyoudoit?"Elizabethsteppedcloser.Despitehisviolentdisplay,shecouldstillseetendernessinManton'seyes.

His.e.xpressionsoftened."Becauseofyou."

SumnerloosenedhisholdsohecouldturnenoughtofaceManton."Whatdoyoumean,becauseofher?"

"FromthefirsttimeIsawherataballayearago,IknewIlovedher,"headmitted,hiseyebrowsdrawingcloseashepeeredcoldlyatSumner."Andrecentlysheexpressedfondnessforme.b.u.t.thenyoucameintoherlife.HowcouldIevercompete,whenitwasclearthataprincesoughtheraffections?"His.e.xpressionchangedabruptlyandhelookedlonginglyatElizabeth."Inevermeantforyoutobehurt.Thatwasanaccident.Youmustbelieveme,MissRoyle.Iwouldneverharmyou.Notintentionally."

"YouweretheshooteratPallMallaswell,"shesaidflatly.Ofcoursehewas.Andthenitoccurredtoherthatshehadcomeuponhiminthepa.s.sagejustafterSumnerwa.s.stabbed."Andinthetheatre."

"Yes."Mantonloweredhisgaze,defeated.

"AndtheshotinthecrowdwhenwefirstarrivedinLondon?"Sumnerprodded.

Mantonshookhishead."Thatwasn'tme,thoughIdidreadoftheincidentintheTimesandthesuppositionsaboutthesupportersofWilliam.o.f.orangebeingatfault.So,whenIsawyou,IrealizedwhothemanwaswhohadsocaptivatedElizabeth.IknewthatifI...ifyouweredead,theblamewouldbesettleduponthesupportersoftheDutchman,agroupwithwhichIhavenoaffiliation.Itwa.s.socleartomewhathadtobedone."Hisfacedpulledintoafrighteningscowl."Onlyyoudon'tdie,doyou?"

"Andheshallnotforaverylongtime,nowthatyouhavebeenapprehended,"Elizabethfairlyspat.

"Comewithme."SumneryankedMantonforwardandbegantomarchhimupRottenRow."Wewillletyouanswertotheauthorities."Hisvoicegrewfirm."AnddonotdarespeaktoMissRoyleagain.Doyouunderstand?"Hejerkedhisarm."Notoneword."

"Yes,YourRoyalHighness,"Mantonwailed.

"LordWhitevale,ifyouplease,sir."Sumner'sfaceremainedimpa.s.sive,butathiswords,asmallsmiletiltedtheedgesofElizabeth'slipsupward.