As he moved his lips over hers seeking a response, she made a noise in her throat,encouragement or protest?He nudged her lips with his, a flick of his tongue on her lower lip to encourage her. He ached for her response.Kiss me, Sarah, please!
A gasp parted her lips, and he took full advantage, invading her mouth with his tongue, teasing and persuading her with his lips.And there. The response I have been after.She moved her lips, kissing him back, taking his tongue and replying with her own. Desire surged in him, making him pull her closer, kiss her with deepened fervor. If she had doubts,hedid not—he unequivocally desired her.Miss Sarah Watson should be in no doubt that I want her for more than her fortune.
*
The pressure ofhis mouth on hers shocked her to the core. She had read his intent in his eyes as he leaned toward her, and her every instinct screamed at her to pull away. But something mesmerizing held her in its grip, and instead she leaned inwards and pressed her lips to his. The explosion of tingling delight that radiated outward from the touch of his lips robbed her of breath and sense.
The kiss at Vauxhall had just been a taster. Since then, she had fantasized about him kissing her properly, but her imaginings were nothing to the real thing. As his lips moved over hers, she felt a languorous heat pervade her limbs and settle between her legs. Her heartbeat kicked up and her breath came short.
He let go of her other hand and wrapped an arm round her waist, pulling her closer against the hardness of his chest. He angled his head to kiss her more deeply, his tongue teasing her lips, and she parted them instinctively. This kiss was so much more than the brief tantalizing brush of his mouth at Vauxhall. Nothing in her experience had prepared her for this avalanche of feeling and sensation. Her hands slid up his chest to his shoulders. He was big and solid and masculine, and his taste and smell made her dizzy with delight.
She pressed into his kiss, losing herself in the pleasure of his mouth and his hands on her body.I am wicked, but oh I want more...
“Sarah!” Daphne’s shocked accents broke into her reverie, and she and the duke sprang apart guiltily as she turned to stare at the doorway where three ladies stood. Daphne and, horror of horrors, Lady Castlereagh, their hostess, and Mrs. Drummond-Burrell, two of the highest sticklers among the patronesses of Almack’s.
The duke rose immediately and bowed, his color high and a look of barely concealed fury on his face.
“Ladies,” he said.
“Your Grace, what is the meaning of this?” asked Lady Castlereagh.
He pulled Sarah gently to her feet, and he said, “You must be the first to congratulate us, Lady Castlereagh, Miss Watson has done me the honor of accepting my hand in marriage.”
Sarah stiffened, her heart thudding. He squeezed her hand gently and glanced down at her. His expression seemed to sayit will be all right.
Easy for him to say! He has what he wants now, doesn’t he?She threw a furious glare at Daphne.He has conspired with her to spring this trap. Tears stung her lids and she blinked rapidly to clear them. Betrayal cut her to the quick.I will not cry like a ninny.
Daphne came forward wreathed in smiles. “Your Grace, how glad I am to hear it.” She glanced over her shoulder at the other two women. “A newly affianced couple can be forgiven one kiss, can they not?”
Lady Castlereagh’s lips twitched. “I think we can forgive His Grace a little ardor, can we not, Clementina?”
Mrs. Drummond-Burrell sniffed. “I suppose so, Amelia.”
Chapter Twelve
Madeleine was sippingher tea when her eyes alighted on the announcement in the morning post.
. . . the betrothal of the Duke of Troubridge to Miss Sarah Watson . . .
The tea went everywhere and the wave of nausea she had been battling all morning sent her flying for the chamber pot.
Madeleine sat clutching the chamber pot, tears running down her cheeks, as the fantasy she had been nurturing for months was well and truly punctured.
She really did need to find another protector, because the duke had indeed found a wife as he had said he was going to do. He wasn’t coming back to her as she had hoped, even persuaded herself, that he would.
*
“Robert, you cannotbe serious! It will be impossible to pull together a wedding in only a month, and besides, it is the middle of the season. What of Ava’s come out ball? It is scheduled for next week! Are you trying to ruin your sister’s debut?”
“Not at all. We can still hold her ball before we leave for The Castle. You know very well that the wedding will become an event of the season. Any of Ava’s beaux worth their salt will make the trip just for the chance to steal a march on his fellows.”
The duchess regarded him with an arrested expression. He could see the thoughts ticking away behind her eyes as she considered his comment.
“You are perfectly correct!” Mama’s eyes lit up with a sparkle. “In fact, we will make ittheevent of the season.” She touched his arm. “It will be so exclusive that everyone will want to be invited!” She clapped her hands, taking a pace about the room. She turned back to him. “But a month is still not long enough!”
He smiled. “That’s the dandy, Mama. You will contrive to manage it—you have an army of servants to do your bidding. And it will also give you the opportunity to put Sarah in the way of things, introduce her to the staff, and get her comfortable with her responsibilities, by being able to observe how you pull together a big event without her being responsible for any of it.”
“That is very thoughtful of you, Robert.” She paused and sighed. “If you are set on its being held in a month’s time?”
