“Thank you.”
“He certainly looks like a man in love. We shall speak as soon as we return to our parlor,” Charlotte whispered as she and Louisa strolled into her mother’s bedroom. “We will find a way.”
At least, Louisa hoped there was a scheme that would make everyone happy.
Chapter Nine
A week later, Richard stood in a small parlor in Bellamny House waiting for Pae and the rest of the Worthington party to arrive. The day her fever had broken he’d returned here to sleep, but little else. He had visited Pae almost every day, yet they were always in the morning room, where an amazing number of people seemed to require something that had been left there. A man could barely manage a kiss, much less anything else, before being interrupted.
Today, however, he fully planned to take advantage of the fact that most of the guests would be outside enjoying the events planned for the Venetian picnic or in the ballroom, which had been decorated with a profusion of flowers and potted plants to resemble the garden. Strains of music from the quartet Almeria had hired had already begun to drift on the air.
It would be a simple matter to spirit Pae up to his chambers without anyone noticing.
He glanced at his timepiece.Will they never arrive? What if she’s had a relapse? Although yesterday she had been much better.
Finally, he heard Worthington’s voice.
A few minutes later, Pae entered the drawing room, glanced around, and smiled. “Almeria whispered to me that you would be here.”
A moment later his arms were around her. “I’ve missed you. Each hour is a day.”
“Each day a year.” Her hand cupped his cheek. “I cannot bear being away from you, my love.”
Pressing his lips to hers, he coaxed them open. She sighed, sinking into him as she explored his mouth. “I want you in my life permanently.”
“And I wish to be there, but how? I cannot think of anything that would allow us to—”
Not wanting to listen to her protests, he kissed her, taking ruthless possession of her mouth.
Naked lust lanced through him as his hands roamed her body. Cupping her lush bottom, pulling her against him.
He lifted his head, pleased to see desire swirling in the depths of her eyes as she fought for breath. “Come with me.”
Pae nodded.
Taking her hand, he led her to the door, glanced around the empty hall, then led her up the stairs and down the corridor.
When they got to his door, he kissed her again. She deserved more than a quick shagging while a party was going on. She deserved a life with a man who would love her, and, God help him, some way he would discover how to accomplish just that.
He pulled the door latch up, stepping through as the door swung open. By the time they reached the bed, her gown’s tapes were almost unfastened. Next went the petticoats and her stays. Richard carefully pushed down her fine linen chemise. His groin tightened as the fabric uncovered all but Pae’s nipples. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”
Eyes glazed, she watched as he reached out one finger and began tracing the line of her shift.
“Richard?” Her voice was as soft as a feather.
“Yes, my love.” Bending, he lifted one smooth satin breast and licked.
She moaned as a light shudder ran through her. “Richard”—she swallowed—“how do we do this without anyone knowing?”
It took a few moments for him to realize that she was referring to crushed clothing, and not being caught togetherin flagrante delicto.
Devil take it, he would never be able to rearrange her hair if he mussed it as he’d wished, and her gown would have to be saved as well.
Bloody hell!He had to worry about his own kit too, and he damn sure wasn’t going to take her against the wall or bent over the bed. He would make it work.
Glancing at the low dresser gave him an idea. “Trust me.”
He made quick work of retrieving her gown from the floor, hanging it carefully over the wardrobe door. Once he had her back in his arms, Richard carried her to the dresser, all the while pressing kisses down her jaw and neck until he once again took a delectable pink nipple in his mouth and sucked.
