A Scandalous Affair (Completed)

Chapter 8. 1856 

As the waltz came to an end, Nicolas escorted Amelia out onto the terrace, away from prying eyes and into some privacy. He was wanting nothing more than to kiss her. Once they were alone, he moved them toward a corner of the terrace, where they were covered by large hedges. He smiled at her, caressing her cheek with the back of his hand. "You do realize that we are the envy of the ton this evening."
Amelia giggled. "I'm quite aware of that your grace, and I'm glad we are. I am even more glad that we can be free with our affection now that I am no longer Baroness Tristan."
Nicholas leaned towards her, his dark eyes intent on her face. "I'm very glad of that as well. This way, we can have a free courtship without any scandal."
Amelia felt her heart flutter at his closeness. Good Lord, this gentleman was breathtaking. "Yes, we certainly can."
Nicholas smiled deviously, his eyes glittering. "And now that you are a free woman, I can do this."
Before Amelia could ask what he was talking about, she felt his lips on hers, and she responded immediately. Her arms went around his neck, her lips parting ever so slightly. At last, she was kissing him. He was kissing her. They were kissing each other.
Nicholas enveloped her in his arms, pressing her tightly against him as his tongue dove into her mouth, twisting sweetly with hers. He realized that she wasn't an expert at kissing, but was willing to learn.  He growled softly with pleasure, feeling his cock pressing eagerly against his trousers. Her curves fit perfectly with his. Bloody hell, he was wanting to take her right then and there, against the wall of the terrace. But he wouldn't do that. He was a gentleman, not a rake. Not anymore.
After several minutes of passionate kissing, they came away from one another, their eyes dancing. Fire and passion sparked between them like fireworks. Their breathing was heavy and their hearts were pounding like wildfire.
Nicholas caressed her cheek. "My dearest Amelia, will you allow me to court you? To show you my unwavering affection and piercing desire?"
Amelia smiled radiantly at him, reaching one gloved hand up to caress his cheek. "My dear Nicholas, you may do that and more."
Their lips came together again for more sweet kisses, their arms intertwining around one another. Their breathing became heavy once again, and they closed their eyes as passion consumed them once more. But just before they could deep in the kiss, they heard the sound of someone clearing their throat, quite loudly, behind them. they both froze, realizing they had been caught. Slowly turning their heads, they saw a gentleman standing 5 feet away from them.
Robert smiled deviously. "So my dear sister, you have gone from being George Tristan's wife, in name only might I add, to being Nicholas Stratford's whore. How scandalous."
Amelia became pale, turning to face her brother. "What are you doing here?"
Robert crossed his arms over his chest, his gray eyes staring at his younger sister. "I came to ask you for a favor."
Amelia glared at him, her eyes becoming narrowed. "I'm not going to give you more money Robert. You happen to be Viscount Morgan, you have father's inheritance to pay off your debt."
Robert rolled his eyes. "Are you mad? I'm not going to use my inheritance to pay off my debt. No, I have something better in mind. And I believe you have just the trinket that I need to pay off everything."
Amelia instantly wrapped one hand around her mothers pendant that was around her neck. Her eyes went wide. "There's no way in hell I am giving this to you. You've already sold fathers watch from your last gambling debt. And if you remember, I gave you some money to pay off your other gambling debt."
Robert waved one hand dismissively. "Yes yes I know. However, you only gave me 5000 pounds for my last payment. My new gambling debt has put me at 20,000 pounds."
Nicolas. "Lord Morgan, I do believe that you are going to remain single for the remainder of your days if you don't man up and pay everything yourself. Why do you need Amelia's assistance?"
Robert. "Because she isn't my full sister. And her mother had more money than my mother did."
Amelia felt her heart stop as she met Nico's eyes. That was one detail she hadn't told him yet, and was trying to figure out when the right time was to tell him everything. She took a deep breath. "Robert, I don't believe now is the right time to bring up that little topic, especially in front of his grace."
Robert. "And why not? He should know that he is going to be involved with the bastard of a Viscount."
Nicholas grabbed Robert by his cravat, lifting him up and pinning him against the wall. "You selfish bastard! How dare you call her such a thing!"
Robert glared at him. "It's true, I was the product of my father and his first wife Melinda. Amelia what is the product of our father and her mother Elizabeth. From the moment Amelia was born I hated her. My father adored her, and Elizabeth. I became jealous, being five years old at the time."
Nicholas punched him across the face, sending the 24-year-old Viscount to the ground. "I don't need to hear it! Get out of my house this instant!"
Rising to his feet and nursing his broken nose, Robert turned his attention to Amelia. "I expect that necklace to be given to me by next week, sooner if possible."
Amelia. "I'll never give it to you."
Robert. "Then I suppose I'll have to take it by force."
Nicholas stepped protectively in front of Amelia. "If you lay one hand on her, I promise you that you'll receive more than a broken nose."
Robert took a step back, suddenly realizing exactly who he was dealing with. "Very well, but I expect that necklace to be given to me soon."
Amelia and Nicholas watched him turn away and walk back into the ballroom. They didn't move for several minutes, neither of them having anything to say. What could be said at that moment? Nothing.