“I think that is wishful thinking, my love.” Mary reached up and kissed him. “Did you forget the wedding breakfast?” She couldn’t help but giggle as he heaved a dramatic sigh. “Give you one night away from social obligations, and you’ve already become spoiled.”
Kit gave her a wicked grin. “It is you who make me not wish for them.”
His hand slid down over her derrière, and her breathing hitched. “Once we’re back at Rose Hill, we’ll have a great deal of time together. After all, your family won’t come until after the Season is over.”
“I’m not sure a lifetime of being with you is going to be enough.” His other hand caressed her breast as he nibbled her chin.
Never in her wildest dreams—well, perhaps in her very wildest ones—had she imagined being the sole desire of any man. That it was Kit made it all the better. The more time they spent together the more comfortable they became with one another, and the sillier all her previous doubts seemed. “You’re an evil man for attempting to seduce me when we must see our hostess.”
“You mean I haven’t accomplished it?” His voice was low and sensual. “I could swear your heart is beating faster. Perhaps if I slide my fingers between your lovely legs . . .”
Oh God!She was ready to fall into bed with him. They’d never get where they needed to be at this rate. “Cease.” Reluctantly she stepped out of his embrace. “Let’s see what she wants.”
They arrived in the breakfast room to find all their friends, and Lord Simon’s family, present.
“I’m sorry for your confrontation with Lord Freskin,” Lord Titus said. “We knew he’d be angry when he was denied admission to the house, but I never thought he would attempt to assault one of our guests.”
Kit shrugged. “You can’t be responsible for his actions. How do you plan to get your brother and his family away?” After they told him what they’d decided, he said, “I believe you should allow Cormac and Finella to appear at the breakfast. Enough people will be here that they can slip away unnoticed while one of you creates a distraction, perhaps by having another round of toasts, giving them time to change into traveling clothing and sneak out the back.”
“You might even disguise them as servants,” Mary suggested.
Caro leaned forward. “A different hat and cloak would be all that is needed. Huntley and I can go out with them, as if they worked for us, and put them in the carriage.”
“Have the luggage on it,” he added, “and send outriders. After all, no one wishes their possessions to be stolen.”
“Armed outriders,” Simon said in a grim tone.
Mary glanced at Marcus and Phoebe, who were in quiet discussion. They seemed to have come to a decision, and Marcus said, “Instead of bringing the coach back here, we can rearrange our travel to compensate for the lack of one carriage and meet up with it at the tower.”
“That would certainly draw less attention if the house is being watched,” Huntley agreed.
“One more thing.” Marcus turned his attention to Lord Simon. “How many people know you have returned?”
He shook his head. “Hardly anyone at all. I was not announced at the only entertainment I attended, and we left early. What are you thinking?”
“This scheme would be better served by you not attending the wedding breakfast. It will make it easier for you and your wife to leave undetected. Otherwise, you’ll be the main focus of attention.”
Lady Theo fiddled with the strand of pearls around her neck as she took in the suggestions. “I’d almost think you had done this type of thing before, my lord.”
Marcus gave her an enigmatic smile, and Kit whispered in Mary’s ear. “He worked for the foreign office during the war.”
After several moments, Lord Simon nodded. “I believe it will work.”
A half hour later, Kit was finally alone with Mary in the small parlor next to their bedchamber. Her tub was being filled, and he thought back to the day she’d seen him in the corridor after his bath. He’d have to order a much larger bathing vessel for Rose Hill.
She laughed lightly as he slowly pulled her to him. “How much time do you think we have?”
“I’m not sure.” A teasing smile graced her lips as she rubbed her palms over his bare chest, where the banyan was unfastened. “Did you have anything in mind?”
He covered her mouth with his. “When it comes to you, I always have ideas.” No other woman had ever made him want her so badly. She was his sun and his moon. He walked her back to the desk. “I thought you might like to learn something new.”
“My lady, your bath is ready.”
Hell and damnation.
Mary sighed. “I’d better go. We don’t have much time to change, at any rate.”
He held her fingers until they slipped away.
