The Earl's Stowaway. Krystina Daryl

until her back pressed against the wall. "Christopher, please stop. I can't allow you to do as you wish anymore. Your grandmother is teaching me how to be a lady and you just ruined most of what I've learnt with one kiss."

      She looked appetizing pressed against the wall. His body cried to have her, to taste her as he marked her as his with his kisses. Her eyes darted below his waist and he saw her eyes flash as she licked her lips. He felt himself tighten even worse.

      He groaned, moving to sit on the chair. Damn his good sense! Leaving her with his grandmother had become a nightmare! His hands craved touching her, his lips craved kissing every inch of her skin and he wanted to be buried so deep inside he wouldn't know where he began and she ended. But Melanie was not going to go against his grandmother. It was a good thing he had ambushed her a few minutes ago, otherwise, he would still be filled with want.

      He groaned. Who was he kidding? The only thing his kissing her had accomplished was to make his want increase!

      She took the seat next to him. Her back was straight and her hands were crossed on her lap. She seemed nothing like the Melanie he had left a month previous.

      "Did you find my siblings?" she asked anxiously.

      Christopher sat upright, a lump of guilt stuck in his throat. "They don't live on your father's land anymore. The home and the little land he had left were seized by creditors."

      Melanie's expression showed her fear and her erect posture dropped. She slumped in the seat, her trembling hand over her face. "They are gone?" she whispered.

      Christopher rushed to her. He knelt beside her and took her hand in his. "I searched everywhere. No one knows where they are. It is assumed they went to Geraldine's mother."

      Melanie's hand dropped, exposing her wet tears. "Is that true?"

      Christopher heard the hope in her voice, and presumed the information was a good thing. "Yes."

      She pressed a hand over her chest. "Then they are safe! Lyly will take care of them."

      "Who is Lyly?"

      "My step-sister. She was raised by her grandmother when Geraldine abandoned her to marry my father. There was no one for me to be taken to, so she tolerated my presence. Lyly and her grandmother will take good care of them, I'm sure of it."

      Christopher smiled. "I'm glad you've stopped calling her mother."

      She nodded. "I realized I was disrespecting my true mother, by allowing her that title." She slid off the seat and joined him on the floor. "Your grandmother told me about your parents. I'm glad she took you from them."

      Christopher felt his chest tighten. He wasn't sure how he felt about Melanie knowing about his parents. He would have felt shame if they didn't share the same fate. "Not as glad as I." He kissed her hand and quickly changed the subject. "Do you know where Lyly lives?"

      A cloud came over her face and she shook her head. "Geraldine said they kept moving around. She is the only one who knows."

      Christopher drew her in his arms and hugged her to his chest. "Then, until we find out more, we will have to be content with the knowledge that they are safe."

      She nodded, holding tight to his jacket. "Thank you, Christopher. I can sleep peacefully now."

      He pulled away and arched a brow at her. "And what is my reward?"

      "A smile.... and a kiss." Her hands slid up to his neck as she reached up to kiss him. "Just one," she warned.

      "Just one," he repeated, lowering his head, shortening the trip and capturing her lips. He sighed at the contact, wrapping his arms around her frame and holding her tightly against him.

      She tasted so good. Like honey full of hope and love. He could only imagine what the rest of her tasted like. At that thought, he pushed his tongue into her mouth deepening the kiss. She moaned, pulling him closer to her.

      Just one... just one long one... He thought.

      Christopher's hand sank to her ass and pushed her up his knee to his thick thigh. He rolled her hips against his thigh releasing a shivered gasp that quickly turned into a heated moan. She lifted her thigh to press against his arousal. Christopher's member jumped at the contact, sending a fierce heat rushing through him. He lifted his thigh a little higher and pushed her parted thighs to his hip to increase the contact.

      She whimpered, rolling her hips again and pressing her thigh harder against him. Christopher felt his control leave him. He wanted her, then and there, damn the consequences!

      As if to counter his resolve, he felt a chill rush down his head and down his back. Melanie screamed, pulling away.

      Christopher stood to face the heavy familiar chuckle. "Nicholas!" he hissed, pushing his wet hair back.

      "Chris, five more seconds and you would have taken her in your grandmother's studio," Nicolas announced in a whispered laugh.

      Nicholas then turned to Melanie and took her hand; kissing the back of it. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Monroe."

      She pushed her wet hair off her face and curtsied. "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Lord Townson. I've heard so much about you, and I am relieved it was you and not the Countess who found us."

      Christopher turned to her with a betrayed look. "You are glad?"

      She glanced at him with a familiar look. He'd seen it on many well-bred ladies and it annoyed him. "I know what taken means Lord Ashworth." She pulled her hand out of Nicholas's. "Please pardon me, but the water has added weight to my hair which is painful."

      She stepped away and tilted her head. She pulled out several pins and her hair cascaded to the side. Christopher felt his groin tighten at the sight of her combing her fingers through her hair.

      That dark mane was one of the reasons he loved her. He staggered, Love?

      "Yes, brother, love," Nicholas whispered with a chuckle.

      Christopher turned to him alarmed. "Did I...?"

      "Say that out loud?" Nicholas finished. "Yes, you did, but she didn't hear you."

      Feeling a little safer, he let out a breath and turned back to Melanie. She was standing up straight, combing her long wet hair to the side and twisting it in a rope.

      "Melanie Monroe!" His grandmother's voice filled the room, making them all jump. She moved towards Melanie. "Why is your hair down? And why is it wet?"

      She turned to Christopher with an alarmed look, which he returned. There was no way he was going to give an explanation, not on his life!

      Nancy turned her attention on him. "Your hair is wet as well? What were you two doing?" The suspicion in her voice was loud and clear.

      Christopher swallowed hard, begging his mind to work quickly.

      Nicholas stepped forward, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles. "Countess, you look lovelier than the last time I saw you."

      She smiled. "Your flattery is not going to dissuade my curiosity as to why my grandson and my lady in waiting are soaked."

      Nicholas stepped back. "I aim for no such thing, but to explain it myself."

      Please don't let it be something foolish! Christopher thought.

      His grandmother gave Nicholas an impatient glare, prompting him to speak. "I wished to play a prank on Chris and he shielded himself with Miss Monroe." He turned to Christopher with an amused smile. "His drenching was intentional," and then he turned to Melanie with an apologetic smile, "hers was accidental."

      Christopher watched to see if his grandmother bought the falsehood. She was quiet for a moment before she nodded. "Have you apologized to Miss Monroe?"

      "Yes I have. And have also offered my services to teach her how to dance."

      Christopher cut his eyes at him and Nicholas laughed in response.

      "If it is fine