A quarter hour later, he climbed in his carriage. “Take me to the corner of Hill Street and Waverton Street. I’ll make my own way back home.”
“As you wish, my lord.”
After he’d done everything he could think of to protect Vivian’s reputation, Rupert leaned back against the soft black leather squabs, but he couldn’t relax. It was almost as if he’d never had a liaison before. He wondered if Vivian was equally nervous.
The coach rolled to a stop. “We’re here, my lord.”
He stepped out, took his bearings, and turned right. The small town house was two buildings down. The door opened as he approached. A stern-looking woman, likely in her forties, eyed him appraisingly.
Trying to shrug off the feeling that he was not wanted, Rupert smiled. “Good evening.”
“Sir. If you will follow me.” She led him up one flight of stairs, down a corridor to a largish chamber in the back of the house. “In there.”
Rupert opened the door and stopped.
Whatever he’d been expecting, it was not this. Standing in the center of the room, Vivian was once again gowned in the costume, and trembling like a virgin sacrifice might. Any remaining thought that she could be an experienced seductress fled.
He ambled forward until he stood in front of her. “Your Majesty.” Taking her hand, he kissed each finger. “Thank you for seeing me.”
She gave a tight little nod. Wide eyes searched his face. “You came.”
Her tone held surprise and something else. If he didn’t know better he would think it was a hint of sadness. Yet why would she be unhappy that he was here? She blinked rapidly. Was she going to weep? Good God, anything but that. “I could not have stayed away.”
She jerked her hand from his. That was obviously not the right thing to say. A tray with two glasses and a carafe of red wine stood on a small rectangular table. “Shall we have something to drink?”
Once more she nodded.
“I believe we are both a bit nervous.” He snoodled to the table, poured two glasses, returned to her, and pressed the goblet into her hand. “Take a sip.”
He set his glass on the table as she gulped down most of her glass. Much more and she’d be in her altitudes. “Here.” He took the goblet from her, placed it next to his, then bent his head, touching his lips lightly to hers. “We will take this slowly. If you wish to stop, you have only to say the words.”
Gradually, her lips opened to his, and the heat that had been between them the first time rose. Careful not to alarm her, he placed his hands on her slender waist.
Her palms slid up his chest to his shoulders, and soon wrapped around his neck, as her firm breasts pressed into his chest. Rupert groaned, and deepened their kiss.
His shaft was already hard, and he wanted her with a fierceness he had never felt before, yet rushing her wouldn’t help either of them. First he needed to know how experienced she actually was. He trailed his fingers down her back, closing them over her bottom. She moaned, pressing into him more fervently and rubbing against him. Did Vivian even know the effect she was having on him?
He palmed one breast, flicking his thumb over her nipple, causing her to squirm. Toeing off his evening pumps, he walked Vivian backward to the large bed filled with so many pillows it wouldn’t matter where they landed. “I want you.”
“I want you too.” Her voice was breathy and full of desire.
He found the clasp to her costume, but the second he began to release it, Vivian froze. “No, I don’t wish to undress.”
Rupert slowly moved his hand down her back. “Very well. Whatever you wish.” What the devil had her husband done to her? He pressed kisses to her neck as he eased her onto the bed. “Tell me what you like.”
A tiny sob escaped her. “I don’t know.”
Christ, she was going to break his heart. It was a damn good thing her cur of a husband was dead, or he’d see to it himself. “There is no need to worry. When I touch you, let me know if you enjoy it.”
“My lord—”
“Under the circumstances, I would rather you call me Rupert.”
“Rupert.” Vivian’s heart pounded out of control. “I am sorry.”
“Don’t be. Let me pleasure you.”
What else he could possibly do to give her more delight, she didn’t know, yet he seemed to want to be with her. “All right.”
