The Lord's Lover

By Isadora Rose

In the backstreets of Victorian London, the Queen’s word holds no sway. Everyone knows the men who truly hold the power in a world of violence and treachery, and chief amongst them is Jasper Lynch. When he sets his sights on Adelia Byrne, she fights to not be drawn into his world, but the irresistible attraction between them and the dark secrets of her past are impossible to defy...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Isadora Rose
• Release date: Apr 9, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370015672

Isadora Rose

Isadora Rose is a nom de plume for this author to unleash some of her darker tales upon the users of Smashwords. You won't find PWP here - if that's your thing, then great, but I believe that the experience of reading erotica is enhanced by a story woven throughout that pulls you in just as surely as the erotic encounters themselves. My stories are written with that aim in mind. I make no apology for the dark twists and turns they might make, and I only hope that you enjoy the journey in every way. All reviews are gratefully read and much appreciated.

Book preview

The Lord’s Lover

By Isadora Rose

Copyright 2017 Isadora Rose

Smashwords Edition

License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for the recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter One

Adelia Byrne loved the adrenalin rush of darting all around their bustling inn in the very heart of London, weaving between tables with a smile as she gathered up empty tankards and effortlessly dodged the lewd words – and often grasping hands – of the rowdy patrons who were barely keeping them afloat. Her uncle never let her serve on the bar at night before, but tonight he had no choice. Their only barmaid failed to show for the Friday night shift, and with a badly sprained ankle Uncle Colm had no hope of managing alone.

The steady stream of respectful patrons during the sunlit hours was nothing compared to this crowd. She understood now why her aged uncle had always refused her offers of help with the evening shifts. Every customer held the potential to cause trouble, and her head automatically turned towards the door to assess the newest one when a sudden gust of wind whipped her hair back from her face.

Before she even realised what she was doing, Adelia retreated behind the bar to place a physical barrier between herself and the newcomer. To the casual onlooker, he posed no threat. He was smartly dressed, from his perfectly polished boots to his pristine coat and hat, but she saw the way he looked directly at her when he entered the inn. She knew enough to understand what he meant by the arch of his dark brows and the way his eyes narrowed as they came to rest on her, and some primal instinct made her breath quicken as she looked around in vain for her uncle to serve him instead, for too late she realised her mistake. Behind the bar she was trapped, and it seemed he knew it as well as she did.

She watched the stranger warily out of the corner of her eye as he strode towards the bar with his hands in his pockets. The heaving crowd parted before him with no conscious command, and no wonder. There was something about him that demanded obedience, and the stilled hush that followed in his wake spoke volumes.

Adelia drew a shallow breath as he came to a halt directly in front of her. Though she usually managed to sidestep any suggestive comments with ease, she sensed she would have to be on her guard with this man. Already he set every one of her nerves on edge. The chiselled contours of his clean-shaven face were far too intriguing, and she feared it would be all too easy to let him distract her. She steeled herself as she reached out to wrap one hand around the nearest pump to hide the way her hands were trembling as she spoke.

What do you want, mister? she said calmly.

The stranger set his hands against the bar and leaned forward until she could see nothing but him. "I want you."

Adelia thought for a moment she must have misheard him. His words were so bold and direct that they could have only one interpretation, and it was one that made her redden with seething, silent fury and indignation. Perhaps the normal weekend barmaids took the opportunity to earn a few extra coins, and if it were so she wouldn't judge them for it. Around here people had to do anything necessary to make ends meet. Adelia, though, resolved when she was barely more than a girl never to sell herself in such a way, and this man certainly wouldn't be the one to break her.

He tilted his head to the side, lifting one brow again as she fought to look at something that wasn't him. Lost for words, my lovely? he said, his low voice resonating somewhere deep inside her.

She shook her head, barely resisting the urge to let her tongue dart out across lips that were suddenly dry. No. And you should know that I'm not for sale.

A mirthless, slow-burning smile drew back the corners of his thin lips. I wasn't offering to pay.

Stunned, she froze where she stood. Excuse me?

The stranger laughed under his breath. You heard me. Is that all you have to say, though? I confess I expected rather more of a reaction than that – but perhaps you are saving yourself for later. I have no complaints if it is so, I assure you.

Please, mister! I don't know what impression you've received of me -

He leaned in closer still. What impression do you want me to have of you, my lovely?

Adelia shook her head firmly, feigning a confidence she didn't truly feel, for she knew she had to somehow wrest back the upper hand. I have had enough of your games, she said, all too aware now that even her voice was wavering. Tell me what you want or allow me to get on with my work unhindered.

She only meant for him to tell her his choice of drink, but he deliberately took a different meaning entirely from her words.

Very well, I shall tell you what I want, he said quietly. "I want your raven hair fanned out around your face, and your enchanting emerald eyes dark with lust as I strip away every last item of clothing so fortunate as to be kissing your body, then replace them with my hands and mouth. My lovely, I fully intend to not let you come for me until I have explored every last inch of your sinfully curvaceous body, until I know I possess everything that you are and I have you begging for my cock! That is what I want, and what is more, that is what I shall have."

Adelia could barely even breathe. The stranger's words painted such a vivid picture in her head that a deeply unwelcome fever was now searing her veins, but however talented he was with words, she had no intention of surrendering what he sought. She knew what the men were like in these parts, especially those as well-spoken and smartly dressed as this man was. He might see her only as a barmaid to be used and tossed aside, but she had enough respect for herself not to allow any man to treat her that way.

Silent again, beautiful stranger? he said, his smile widening and his confidence in his success all too clear. No matter. As long as you find your voice by the time we reach my bed, I will have no complaints. Shall we, then?

The stranger reached out and laid one hand on top of hers before she realised what he was doing, his fingers winding through hers in a gesture that was far too intimate. Adelia tried to pull back, shaking her head from side to side in a desperate, wordless plea, but he reached out again with his free hand and pressed one finger against her parted lips.

"Please, sir..." she said.

Hush, my lovely. Though his voice was low, she could hear nothing but him. I know what you want, and I swear you shall have it just as soon as you surrender yourself to me. My cock is rock hard and ready for you already, and believe me, I am just as eager as you are for you to see the proof of it!

There was no one else near enough to have heard his salacious words, and therefore no one near enough to realise what he was doing. An invisible barrier seemed to separate them from the rest of the crowd, as if the stranger carried an aura around him that nobody dared breach. Perhaps it was his calm and unshakable confidence, or maybe the slight curl of his top lip and the hint of danger in his cold grey eyes.

Adelia realised now the height of the peril she was in. Still, though, she couldn't summon up any words to defend herself, and the stranger seemed to take her silence for submission. With the greatest of ease, he vaulted over the bar and reached out to pull her into his waiting arms. She backed away from him, aware now how he towered over her slender frame. He advanced on her again in an instant, his hand coming to rest possessively on the flare of her waist and driving her fever ever higher as he lowered his head confidingly towards her.

So what do you say? he said softly

It was time to draw on every last ounce of her strength. Drawing a deep breath, she looked him straight in the eye. No, thank you.

A brief flash of astonishment passed across his taut face. No?!

"No. I want none of what you offer, sir, and so I would thank you to remove your hands from me now."

Oh, I think not! The stranger's face hardened, and his grip on her waist was so tight now he would surely leave bruises in his wake. I don't know you anywhere near well enough, not yet, but I've seen enough to realise that you're no fool, my lovely. You must know how this is going to go, and that it will be far easier and sweeter for you if you give in to the inevitable!

Panic spiralled deep inside her, and instinctively she pulled against his hold. Before she could break free, though, they both heard footsteps drawing nearer. Her heart in her mouth, she twisted towards the sound to see Uncle Colm limping along the length of the bar.

Adelia, go down to the cellar. One of the barrels needs changing and I cannot manage the stairs with my bad leg, her uncle said, his thick Irish brogue doing nothing to mask to unease in his voice.

Adelia swallowed hard as she glanced up at the stranger, unnerved and furious with herself to realise she was automatically seeking his permission to do so. His thin lips twitched,