“As you wish, my lady.”
Punt left and Vivian set about arranging the candelabras away from the bed. She should leave instructions for them to be left where she put them each night. Still, it gave her something to do while she waited to be in Rupert’s arms again. A tear rolled down her cheek. She wiped it away and blew her nose. At least she had him tonight and for the next few days. She would depart as soon as Silvia was married.
Rupert slipped through the garden door in the back of Vivian’s Hill Street house, then into the corridor. Punt waited with a candle. “How is she feeling?”
“She says she is well. I tried to convince her to tell you who she is, but she won’t.”
That was not surprising. “Leave it with me.”
In silence they mounted the stairs.
This time he knocked, and waited.
A moment later the door swung open, and Vivian was in his arms. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Rupert gathered her to him. “There is no place I’d rather be.” He lowered his lips to hers. “Or anyone I’d rather be with.” Brushing his thumbs over her cheeks, a drop fell on his finger.Good Lord.“You’ve been weeping.”
“It is of no consequence.” Her voice was rough and thready.
Meaning that she was of no consequence. “It is to me. You matter to me.” He gently moved them to the table. “Let’s share a glass of wine.” He filled one goblet, holding it to her lips. “Drink a little.”
Vivian chuckled wetly. “Yes, my lord.”
Rupert set the glass down, sat on a chair, and pulled Vivian onto his lap. “Tell me what is troubling you.”
She toyed with his cravat, appearing to focus all her attention on his pin. “I must soon leave Town. I have some issues to resolve.”
Such as her father’s latest proposed marriage. “I see. When shall we depart?”
Her head jerked up and her eyes flew to his. “We? But . . . but you cannot. You have business here.”
“You are my only concern.” He nuzzled her gently curved jaw, and his chest tightened. There was no way on earth he’d allow her to leave without him. “Now that I’ve found you, did you actually believe I would simply allow you to disappear?”
“You cannot mean that.” She shook her head as if her denial could make it true.
Taking her chin between his thumb and forefinger, he kissed her again. “Yet I do. Have you no idea how much I care for you?”
Vivian’s tears flowed freely now. “No.”
Holding her firmly to his chest, he stood. “Then it’s time I proved it to you.”
Laying her down on the bed, Rupert undressed faster than he ever had before. In the mood she was in now, she might flee before he could kiss her again. The mattress dipped as he lowered himself beside her. “I want you to be mine forever.”
He claimed her lips, stifling her protests. Soon her body hummed with his caresses, and she held on to him as if she were drowning.
But when he tried to remove the nightgown, she froze. “No, please.”
What she was afraid of, he didn’t know, but, for now, he would honor her wishes. Instead he tasted her breasts through the fine muslin covering them. Soon she was moaning again. Her palms stroked his back to the top of his buttocks, and stopped. This was the first time he’d been naked with her. Not giving her time to think, he possessed her mouth again, exploring with his tongue as his fingers stoked her need higher.
Finally, she caressed his bottom. “It’s so firm.”
“I’m glad you think so.” Rupert moved over Vivian. “I want all of you.”
She bit her lush, swollen bottom lip and nodded.
Slowly, he trailed his tongue lower until he reached the silvery-blond curls of her mons. The only part of her she would allow to be uncovered. She tasted of musk and spice. His heart swelled with joy as she bucked against him, grabbing his hair, urging him on. She flung her head from side to side, as she cried out for relief before she shattered at his hands.
Rupert had never enjoyed pleasuring a woman so much, and he knew pleasuring Vivian would only get better with time.
