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Author's Notes</center>
Eve: Thanks for the feedback! The encounter is coming up between Beth and Evan. Not Max and Liz, just yet. LOL, if that wasn't a confusing reply, I don't know what is.
BehrObsession: LOL, yes, it is fortunate for Liz to have Martin to talk to. Pretty soon though, Maria's brothers are going to show up and she'll have them to talk to.
Michelle17: Thanks for the feedback!
Elle: I'm glad you're enjoying it!
roswellluver: She meets Evan in this chapter! Thanks for your feedback!
Katia: I really love your feedback. LOL, it's always so fun and eoncouraging. I will definitely include the parens in this fic. Mostly this part is just an Evan/Beth scene. I have two ways that I'm deciding on going with this fic and the scene is needed either way. Oh, by the way, I emailed you! It took me forever
but I did email you. Thank you for sticking around and for your feedback, really, I appreciate it!
Pegleg: They
are going to recognize each other. LOL, if you met Jason Behr, and he was wearing a mask, would you still be likely to forget him?
Thanks for the feedback!
PunkSk8ter: Thanks for the feedback!
AznGurl87: Liz and Max (Beth and Evan) meet up again in this chapter! Thanks for your feedback, I'm so glad you were interested enough in this fic to catch up in it. LOL.
Isis: Your feedback blew me away. You said my fic was wonderful then you guessed one of my plot lines. LOL, you're too good. I'm sorry that I didn't hurry with this chapter, but I swear the next one will follow within a week or two. Thanks for sticking around!
cherie: You and Isis both are figuring out my plot line. LOL. Thanks for the feedback!
sunrise102: Haha. Your feedback had me cracking up. But no, Max doesn't ditch out on the party. His mom would probably kill him. While Liz and Max won't be meeting, Beth and Evan definitely will.
And, yes, I'd love to have Max fall hard too. Did you get over the flu yet? I just got it again and I've had the sniffles. It sucks! LOL.
Alien614: Thanks for the feedback!
care bears: You'll just have to wiat and find out what happens when Max and Liz meet!
Thanks for the feedback, and the bump. I AM sorry I took so long. You're feedback has me writing like crazy though!
funquejunque: I came back! Granted months late. But, I did come back. I *hope* there are fireworks in this part.
Clari: Thanks for your feedback. Here's the new part!
Antarian Pixie: Thanks! I'm glad that you like this! Feedback always makes me appy. Especially feedback where people actually enjoy what I'm writing!
CoLliNLoVeR: Thanks for the feedback!!
SarahWhitman: I was going to do two parts instead of one, but then I wouldn't have made them all that long. LOL. So, instead I just did this one and then started on the next chapter. Thanks for the feedback!
Anna: I love your avatar! LOL. And yeah, 'sexyness' is right! LOL, thanks for the feedback.
Now, on to the Chapter. And guys...really, I am sorry about the wait. Not gonna happen again. Promise. If it does happen, I promise a big ass nookie scene. LOL.
Chapter 6
“Why are you in such a bad mood?”
“When has he ever not been in a bad mood?”
“I’m not one of his mistresses, I can’t really say.”
“You’re all in my carriage, and my foot won’t be aching after it kicks you out,” Max replied grumpily. Kyle James Evans was sitting next to him, while Alexander Charles Evans sat next to Michael across from them. Last night had been the first time Max and Michael had seen the ‘younger ones’ in months. They hadn’t had more than two words pass between them when Alex and Kyle had informed them that they would be staying at Parker Hall for the next two weeks along with their parents and other guests. Elizabeth Parker among them. It was now that Max was regretting saying yes.
“Cheer up, old man, you get to spend an entire two weeks with your betrothed…and it isn’t like she’s not a beauty. She has the looks of a goddess. From what I remember I couldn’t take my eyes off of her,” Kyle stated.
Alex grinned, “Yes, she is beautiful.”
“You’ve yet to see her?” Michael asked Max. He was the only one of Max’s brothers who hadn’t seen Liz yet, “It’s been eight years and you haven’t seen her?”
“I knew traveling with the three of you was a bad idea,” Max groaned, twisting in his seat to face the window.
“Yes, you’re starting to make me feel as depressed as you,” Kyle joked. When Max didn’t reply Michael, Alex, and Kyle all exchanged looks.
“Is the lass so bad?” Michael asked of Kyle and Alex. Max turned his head back slightly back around, his attention on the conversation at hand. While he had never met Liz, or shown any sign that he wanted to, he had to admit to being curious about what kind of person she was. Kyle and Alex knew how he felt about her and how any attempt their mother or father made talking about her was useless so they had never mentioned her before.
“Hardly. Most of the ton mamas are out for any eligible gentleman for their daughters. It‘s been worse lately and you‘re lucky to walk into a ballroom and not have a least five push their daughters towards you,” Michael and Max shared a disbelieving glance that Kyle caught, “and it being that Alex and I have been the only ones to go to any of the ton gatherings we should know.”
“Now, before we left for Venice the two of you had no trouble avoiding the ton when you wanted to,” Michael replied with a smirk on his face.
“Yes, lads, blaming others isn’t really your style.”
“Well before you left for Venice the Season hadn’t even gotten into full swing,” Kyle said bitterly, “and if we hadn’t attended the coming out of Elizabeth Parker, our older brother’s betrothed…well our lives would have been on the line. Bad enough you weren’t there.”
Max scowled at his younger brother, “I was occupied.”
“Well you missed out,” Alex stated. He grinned, “Liz is ever the sweetheart. Made sure the ton mamas stayed away from us and kept them busy in conversation if we did decide to dance once or twice with their daughters. Or in Kyle’s case, take them on a walk to the conservatory.”
Kyle grinned. Alex continued. “If she wasn’t with us her cousin, Maria DeLuca, was. Feisty one she is.”
“They aren‘t like most of the other court ladies either. They won‘t be fooled by any charms - rake or otherwise. They know their way around the ton.”
As Alex and Kyle continued to describe the change in ton court life since Max and Michael had been traveling, Max tuned them out. He had been thinking of nothing but Beth Martin all morning and the narrative of Maria and Liz made the thoughts of trying to think of something else disappear. He leaned back towards the window with a sigh. He had kissed virgins before, had tempted them to toe the line their mamas had set for them, and had never left them wanting. He had never dealt with one like Beth Martin. She kissed as if she had been kissed before, and he wasn’t at all sure she hadn’t. He knew nothing about her at all in fact.
Feeling agitated, Max tapped on the top of the carriage. It came to a halt and he called for his horse.
“Going for a ride?” Max could hear the sarcastic tone in Michael’s voice. Max stepped out of the carriage and turned back to look at his brother, “I’ll see you at Knighton’s.”
Max shut the door and turned to the footman holding the reins of his horse. His jaw clenched when he heard the laughter from inside the carriage. It took him less than a minute to get atop his horse and head away from the path and into the surrounding fields.
---
“Beautiful,” Liz mumbled, a smile on her lips. She had been sitting on the bench beneath the willow tree for over half an hour. She was overlooking Spider Lake, a part of the land of Parker Hall and she was completely content. When she was a child, she had loved coming here with her cousins. They had spent hours playing in the lake or in the woods nearby it. It was a calming place for her, one where no one else spent much time.
Her party had arrived over an hour ago, but Liz had opted to ride Monty around the grounds instead of taking a nap as her mother would wish. She had heard a carriage pull up awhile ago, but had not bothered to greet it. Surely, when Max Evans arrived, she would be informed. The only real good thing about his coming was that his brothers, Alex and Kyle, would be with him. Alex and Kyle’s obvious love for life, good spirits, and humor had won Liz into believing not all Evans were bad. She was, in fact, looking forward to seeing the two of them again, along with the second oldest Evans - Michael. She and Maria had not heard much about him, only that he was the most rebellious of the family. There were rumors of him being a pirate which Alex and Kyle had laughed off. To be truthful, Liz wished he were, much as it wouldn’t help. At least there would be a reason for the Parkers to not want to be associated with the Evans. No matter how hard she tried though, it would never happen, her engagement would not be broken.
“Well, I must say I am surprised, I didn‘t expect to see you here.”
She froze. The voice had sent shivers up her spine, and there was a feeling of excitement in her. Slowly, she stood up from the bench and looked at the figure in front of her. She couldn’t help but look him up and down, taking in the way his trousers hung to his muscular thighs, and the way the sight of his hands sent a shiver down her spine. Looking into his amber eyes, she saw amusement in them and fought hard not to blush.
“Lord Carmichael, I believe the surprise is entirely my belonging. I had no idea you would be here.” Liz held out her hand as Evan reached for it. The moment his lips touched her knuckles she remembered the feeling of them pressing against her own. The memory had her licking her lips before reaching for her hand back.
“Are you disappointed I am here?” Evan asked. Looking into his eyes, Liz was sure she’d get lost in them. They were so intense. Most men she could read easily, but not Evan. She got too wound up in looking at him to really see what he was feeling. Whenever she did try to read him, he put up a mask that was hard for her to get through. He was an enigma, one Liz desperately wanted to explore but knew she couldn’t.
“How have you been, Lord Carmichael?” Liz asked instead, ignoring his question.
He offered her his arm, “Shall I tell you while we stroll?”
---
Max watched her consider him. He had been sure upon arriving that his entire two weeks would be spent wooing Elizabeth Parker. He had been informed she was on the grounds and he had set out to find her. Instead he had been pleased to see Beth Martin. He had not been lying when he had said he was surprised to see her there, he had been. Now he would be able to mix his family business with his own pleasure…and Beth’s of course.
“I would be delighted,” Beth replied. She moved forward to place her hand on his arm. He took the opportunity to cover her hand with his and pull her body closer to his. Her thigh touched his. He felt her quick intake of breath. For a moment a smug smirk covered Max’s face before he began to lead Beth along a path through the woods. The past times he’d been here, forced by his parents to meet Elizabeth who had never showed up, he’d discovered a small summerhouse a little off of the path. At one ball he’d found it quite useful.
“I thought we were heading back towards the house.”
“We are. We’re just walking through the woods first. You don’t mind do you?”
---
“Not at all,” Liz said. She had in fact been hoping not to have to return to the house immediately. It was nice to not have to worry about Max, her betrothal, and what her life would be like once she married him. With Evan, there were times when she thought about Max, but most of the time she was happy. Blissfully happy to be in the presence of a gentlemen who didn’t treat her as if she was already married, and untouchable. And to be truthful to herself, she was highly attracted to Evan. She knew she shouldn’t be. He was a rake - there was a chance he had five other mistresses just waiting for him. But when he kissed her, the rest of the world had fallen away, and he had filled her mind until she had seen him again…and thinking about him had made her happy. She wasn’t about to throw her chance of happiness away.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Evan asked, looking down at her. Liz licked her lips, drawing his attention to them for a moment.
“Do you know the name of that lake?” Liz asked, leaning slightly against his arm. His forefinger was tracing circles on the hand that was on his arm.
Evan obviously hadn’t been expecting that question. His lips quirked and he replied, “Spencer Lake.”
“Right. I think I’m the only one who calls it Spider Lake,” Liz grinned. They were moving farther away from the lake and deeper into the woods. “One of the first times I ever came here, I wanted to go into the lake. I had lost one of my front teeth, though, so my pronunciation was a bit off. My cousins teased me endlessly when I called it Spider Lake instead of Spencer Lake.”
Evan laughed. Liz was immediately caught on his mouth. She bit her bottom lip at the ache to have them on hers. She didn’t know what was wrong with her. She was in the woods with a rake. Telling said rake childhood memories. Wishing said rake would kiss her. Ravish her. It had to be the fact that in a few months time she would be married to a man she didn’t know. That this was an act of rebellion. Yes, that was it. And why not indulge in it? A few kisses would do no one harm. And Liz did so enjoy Evan’s kisses.
No, bad idea. Liz’s conscious seemed to have taken on the voice of Maria. She wouldn’t be indulging herself, she’d be indulging Evan. Urging him on. Inviting him to ravish her. Besides, she had only had one kiss from Evan. How was she to know that she would enjoy all of them? That could have been a lucky night for him. What Liz should do was tell Evan she was not going to be a conquest of his and turn back around towards the house.
Opening her mouth to do just the thing, Liz paused.
So, instead she said, “Seeing as how I know nothing about you, Lord Carmichael, and you now know one of my childhood memories please, tell me something of your childhood.”
---
Max noticed the small path veering off to the side. It was the one that led to the summerhouse. He began leading Beth that way.
“My first time on a horse I was four. It was a pony, at my mother’s insistence, but I was still terrified. Once I got on him, I was fine. Until a bird flew close by, and scared the pony. As it was galloping I fell off into a nearby pile of mud. Lucky for me, my brothers were too young to even remember it.”
Beth’s laugh was loud and infectious. Max turned around to see her smiling widely. “Well, did I laugh at your childhood story?”
“I’m sorry,” Beth replied, “you’re right. I shouldn’t be laughing at your misfortunes as a child funny as they are.” There was still a smile on her face.
“My mother didn’t think it was quite as hilarious. She would have tried to keep me from riding altogether if she could have.”
Beth smiled. “I started riding when I was nine. My father was the one who wanted me to wait until later, but I was determined to ride. It was a pony as well. I never fell into the muck though,” with a smirk at Max she added, “must have been just yours.”
Max sighed, “I knew I shouldn’t have told you that. I should have just said I was an expert at riding since I was born.”
“Ah, yes, but then I would have thought you were arrogant.”
---
Moments later the summerhouse came into view. Surrounded by flowers and vines, it had a beautiful look to it.
Liz smiled at the sight, “I haven’t been here in years. This is my favorite part of the land.” She opened the door and set off down the hall before stopping in a room that contained four glass doors which led back outside. There was a daybed in the corner, two couches across from one another in the middle, a table nearby and two chairs near a fireplace.
She felt Evan’s presence behind her. “Brilliant place of seduction, Lord Carmichael.”
“As it so happens, this is my favorite part of the land as well. Seduction never even came into it.”
With a brow raised, Liz looked at Evan. He stared back with a mask of honesty on his face. She saw nothing else to do but accept his reply so she turned back to look at the window.
“Do you see that tree over there?”
She could feel his body behind hers and his breath on her neck. Her breath caught in her throat and she only hoped her voice wouldn’t sound strangled when she replied. “There’s more than one tree, you’ll have to be more specific.”
“The branches curl up at an odd angle. It’s one of the tallest trees,” One hand landed on her waist while the other moved up, caressing the side of her breast before moving on and stopping at her fingers. He lifted her hand with his and pointed to the tree. “There.”
The hand quickly pulled her back against him. She fought back a gasp.
“The tree?” Liz questioned.
Evan shifted his grip on her hand and drew it back down. Soon both of his hands were at her waist, slowing rubbing, caressing, feeling.
“It used to be my favorite part about the view.”
There was a burning feeling in the pit of her stomach as his hands drifted up, undoing the buttons of her dress as he went. She forgot to ask him what his favorite part of the view now was.
---
Max’s hand dove behind the cloth of her dress to rub along the silk of her chemise. Beth leaned her head back against his shoulder as he palmed her breast. He felt her nipple harden beneath his hand and she arched her back against him, only pressing her deeper into him. A groan filled the room. She turned her head to look at him, brown eyes burning with passion, desire, innocence.
Bending his head, Max took her mouth in his, still teasing her breast through her chemise. Silk was the only thing separating him from her flesh. He fondled it, wanting to explore her, to know every beautiful inch of her.
Her mouth opened in welcome and Max pushed deeper, wanting to taste all of her. Her tongue met with his in a dance all their own. He broke the kiss and turned her in his arms. Beth’s eyes met his. He had never wanted anyone more. He had to have her. She moved her hands up his back and into his hair where she pulled his head down boldly back to hers.
Max’s hands set back to work. Her arms fell from his shoulders in order for him to pull her gown down to her waist. He untied the laces of the chemise, wanting to see her breasts, feel them. His mouth lowered towards hers again. Her mouth opened again, his tongue plunged in. She wrapped her arms around him once more before the kiss was broken for him to move the chemise down.
In the distance the bell to get ready for lunch gonged. Max ran a hand through his hair, and moved to pull her chemise back into place, followed by her gown.
“We must go.” There was true regret in his voice. For some reason, Beth Martin had wedged a place in his mind. He figured it as pure want and lust. It wasn’t just on his part for he could feel the attraction from Beth as well. The ache inside him to have her was too consuming, too powerful. He wanted her in his bed. Tonight.
---
The betrothal was off. Or it would be. It was only a matter of time now. Liz waited in her room, pacing. Maria was supposed to meet her in her room before they both went down for lunch. Liz was debating on either telling her the plan or not telling her the plan. While Maria was recently a voice of DeLuca wisdom, Liz wasn’t sure she needed someone telling her that it wouldn’t work.
Most men of the ton wanted virgin brides. Maxwell Evans, was a man in his prime, a rake. He spent most of his nights in the beds of other women, who he probably had to share. Most likely he’d expect a virgin wife. What if Liz wasn’t a virgin? Max could easily call off the engagement leaving not only Liz, but himself, happy and free.
Evan, was one of the only men Liz had ever felt so highly attracted to. Had the gong not gone off while they were in the summerhouse, she hadn’t a clue what would have happened. Well, she knew what would have gone on, she just didn’t know how far she would have let it go.
Still, she didn’t mind going to Evan’s bed. She was
eager, in fact. Her father and uncle had once told her that men were extremely possessive about their women, they didn’t like other men to touch what was ‘theirs’. Max might get disgusted enough about Liz sharing her bed with another man that he might not even want to be married to her. From what she had been told, he already didn’t. Surely if any good reason not to marry her appeared, he would take it. Yes, surely.
After that, after the betrothal was called off, she’d have the choice of being Evan’s mistress or looking into the ton for a husband of her own choosing. All she had to do was somehow get Max to find Evan in her bed and have him quietly call off the engagement. Taking into consideration Evan’s status as a rake, what had happened in the summerhouse, and the strong attraction the two had it wouldn’t be hard to get Evan into her bed. How hard could it be to get Max to discover them? All she had to do was write him a note asking him to meet her in her rooms to discuss their betrothal and he would show up.
None of that was hard. What was hard was trying to plan how she would manage to get a moment alone with Evan that night to invite him to her room, keeping her parents away from her room, and spending the evening away from Max Evans in case he brought up the betrothal which would make her note entirely pointless.
There was a knock on Liz’s door. Taking a deep breath Liz knew it would be Maria.
“Come in!”
Biting her bottom lip nervously, she knew that she would need Maria’s help. But how the devil was she supposed to convince her?!
-Erin
What did you think? Worth the wait?
Have you read any good ones?
) Thanks guys!