“That’s right, darlin’. Moan my name,” he breathed into her mouth. “And while I love these lips, there’s somewhere else I can’t stop thinking about kissing, how you tasted against that tree. I want my mouth there again.”
He braced her lower back against his hand and sank down, bringing her with him until they were on the thick carpet of herfloor. He’d likened her to fire, and right now every inch of her skin blazed. He couldn’t draw her any closer, yet she had to have more, needed to feel every part of him. She wished he could witness her blood coursing through her veins, the chaotic turbulence he’d ignited within her body.
She wanted to discover what else he was capable of. A hairpin slipped loose, releasing a cascade of curls. Her skirts were hiked up past her knees, but she paid that no mind. In that fleeting moment, nothing else in the world mattered except the weight of Tuck pressing down on her, the roughness of his jaw grazing against her cheek. It was exhilarating, yet not enough. She craved more. Each kiss felt like a beginning and an end, and she clung to every fleeting moment like a dragon hoarding its treasure.
He broke away, his hands braced on the floor on either side of her head. “I’m sorry,” he ground out, eyes closed. “I shouldn’t have— I can’t have you on your bedroom floor for your first time.”
“It’s all right.” She licked her lips. They were so swollen. “I suppose it’s my fault.”
His lids flew open and he stared at her with confusion. “It isn’t. Not at all.”
“Oh, but I’m afraid it is.” Her mouth crooked in the corner. “Because I’m so extraordinary. How are you meant to help yourself?”
This time, he didn’t groan from hunger, but annoyed amusement. “Goddamn. How are you this good?” He nipped her neck.
She gasped. “I’ve always been a quick study.”
He hummed his assent, deep in the back of his throat. “Gifted and talented, baby.”
There came a knock at the door.
They exchanged a surprised glance, eyes wide.
Lizzy cleared her throat. “Who is it?”
“Your dearest mother.” Mamma’s voice had lost the earlier sweetness from the drawing room; it was sharp now. All business.
Hell’s bells. Just because Lizzy was a married woman didn’t mean she should roll about on her bedroom floor the moment the door clicked shut. Had she lost her wits? She glanced in the mirror, attempting to tidy her loose hair, but it was futile. Her eyes appeared glazed, her lower lip slightly swollen, and her complexion flushed.
She grabbed a handkerchief off her desk, and gave Tuck a glare that meant she was deadly serious. “Follow my lead,” she whispered. “And play along.”
She walked to her door and took a shuddering breath as she opened it.
“Y-yes,” she whispered, pretending to dab her eyes. Better to look like she’d been up here devastated and getting some small comfort from Tuck as a reason for her dishevelment, and not that she had almost given up her maidenhead on the rug.
“Compose yourself, my dear,” Mamma admonished as she strode into the room. “You know better than anyone how Mr.Alby is—especially when it comes to the Americans. What, pray tell, did you expect from him?”
“I—I’m sorry for upsetting you.” Lizzy blew her nose for good measure.
Tuck watched the show with barely disguised confusion.
“Upset me?” Her mother’s laughter rang out, genuine. “Oh, my dear, I truly didn’t think this day would ever arrive. Do you have any notion of the countless sleepless nights I’ve endured, pondering your future? Each of these lines”—Mamma gestured to the creases beside her eyes—“is a testament to you. And as for my gray hairs, don’t get me started. But now, my dear, you are married. It may be unconventional, but such matters can berectified with good manners. Cousin Georgie wrote about your dowry. And the Crawfords’ ball is in a few days’ time. Good news is all around!”
“You can’t be serious.” Lizzy dropped her hands to her sides—too surprised to keep up the fake-crying ruse. “We can’t attend that.”
“You not only can, you will. I have had a dress made for you in your absence and I’m confident Henry will be able to outfit Mr.Taylor.”
“Mamma, come. Be reasonable. A ball at the Crawfords’? That’s the lion’s den for the ton.”
“Then you better be ready to roar, my darling little lioness.” Mamma’s smile was tight but deadly. “Because we have one chance to do this right. You were in the south on holiday when you fell madly in love with this... this American man of business and married in a whirlwind romance. Of course, we are all in raptures, and Mr.Taylor is very respectable in his trade. What is your line of work again, sir?”
“Dry goods. I’m here expanding trade contacts in teas and ceramics,” Tuck said by rote.
Lizzy smashed her lips to prevent a smile. Jane and Georgie would approve.
“Ah. Yes. Very well then.” Mamma’s eyes glazed and she gave her head a small shake, refocusing. “While the circumstances may not be entirely ideal, there is no denying that a fortuitous path opened for us. Oh, Lizzy, marriage. It shall grant you the privilege of knowing your place in society is secure. That is what truly matters for a woman, my dear. Why, you might even have the unparalleled bliss of cradling a son in your arms one day, and my, there is no joy in this world quite like having your own little boy.”
“I can’t begin to imagine,” Lizzy rejoined crisply. Mammaloved rhapsodizing over the pleasure of mothering sons as if she’d never had a daughter.
