Her breath hitched as she arched, pressing her other breast to his eager mouth. “I’ve never known a woman like you, sweetheart.”
Her fingers speared through his hair, as she panted. “So good.”
“I’ll make it better still.” Using one hand to steady her, he trailed his fingers up her stocking, over her frilly garter to the bare skin of her thigh. It amazed him how something this simple could make him harder than he’d ever been before.
When he stroked the soft curls of her mons, she buried her head into his neck and cried out, “Now. Please now.”
Patience thought she would die waiting for Richard to claim her. She had never in her life been so ready, or wanted a man more. Finally, hard and hot, he filled her, and the tension and need that pounded through her broke on a cry.
A moment later, Richard groaned and shuddered in her arms. Their hearts beat a tattoo as they hung on to each other, not wanting to let go. What had she ever done to deserve a life that denied her either her children or the man she loved?
Several minutes later, he drew back and kissed her gently. “We should probably go down.”
“Yes.” She nodded, not wanting to leave his arms. “We shall be missed, and that would cause talk.”
Silently, he tied her tapes. She glanced in the mirror and was surprised to find that other than her lips appearing slightly plumper, she did not look as if she’d been ravished within an inch of her life. That was for the best, of course. Yet strangely, it did not make her feel better. Now that she had made love with Richard, she would have been perfectly happy to return home.
This must be why people had honeymoons. So that they did not have to mingle with others. An image of them sitting together in some sort of study rose in her mind, and her throat closed painfully.
He turned her around. “Pae, we’ll find a way.”
Closing her eyes, she nodded, knowing it wasn’t true, but that he felt better thinking he could wrest control of their future from fate.
She gave her skirts a shake. “We should leave.”
“I’ll go first and wait for you.”
“That would be best.” At least then she would have a chance to collect herself. She forced a smile. “I shall see you soon.”
Patience waited five minutes before departing Richard’s chamber and making her way down the corridor to the public areas. She had attained the first floor and was walking through the gallery leading to the ballroom when she heard the sharp click of boots on the polished wooden floor. She glanced up and saw the one person she wished to the devil.
“My lady.” As Sir Grant ambled toward Patience she was put forcibly in mind of a slithering snake. “Surely you have some time to spend with another of your admirers.”
Straining her ears, she listened for the sound of footsteps, low voices, anything that would indicate someone else was around. But there was nothing but the faint notes of the orchestra coming from the ballroom, which was too far away for her comfort. Raising her chin, she gave him her iciest stare. “I beg your pardon?”
“Come now. There is no use playing the chaste widow with me. I know what you’re up to. I saw you in that inn near Hammersmith, and I have no doubt you have just come from another tryst.”
The closer he came to her, the more she wanted to run. The only problem was that she would have to pass him to get to where the rest of the guests were. Why had she agreed to Richard going ahead of her? “Excuse me. I must get back.”
Raising her chin, she began to make her way around him as rapidly as possible.
He grabbed her arm, jerking her to a halt. “I don’t think anyone will miss you for the short time it will take me.”
Her mind blanked for a moment. He could not think that she would . . . ? Anger and fear surged.Oh God! Where is Richard?She yanked her arm. “Let me pass.”
Sir Grant’s brandied breath assailed her nose. “I like my women buttered.”
“Buttered?” Her voice was so faint she didn’t think he’d heard her.
“They are easier to please, and if there is a brat, no one will know whose it is.”
At first all she could do was stare at him, when what he had said finally hit her. He wanted to have relations after she and Richard had . . . “That is the most vile and disgusting thing I’ve ever heard. Release me now!”
His fingers dug into her skin above the edge of her glove. “But effective. Just do what I say, and your reputation will remain intact. I merely want a piece of what you’re giving away so freely.”
She whirled around, pushing him as hard as she could. He stumbled back, but caught himself in time to imprison her other arm. Patience’s back hit the wall. Holding her wrists together, he pinned them above her head. His other hand went to his breeches, and she kicked out, and screamed.
Please, someone hear me!
