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“Oh, but it is not.” He pulled her hair to the side and deposited a kiss on her neck. “I’m not giving you up, even if I am married.” He nibbled her neck. “What do you say to that?”
“You’re a scoundrel.” She breathed faintly.
“I can’t behave properly where you are concerned.” His fingers sought her womanhood. Her breath caught.
“You can’t behave properly. Full stop.” Somehow, they had reached her canopied bed.
He chuckled huskily. “You’re absolutely right.”
To show it, he made her hold the bedpost, lifted her chemise and took her, to her amazement. She arched her body, seeking more of him and he granted her all he had.
Chapter 14
A good thing Philip spent his days at Parliament and sometimes made it to his club in the evening, Selene thought. It made her live her own days in a more serene frame of mind. His presence always unsettled her, made her self-conscious and…giddy. The nights never let up though. In the silent household, he would come to her chamber and emblaze her to incineration point. This whole thing engulfed her and she couldn’t help it. She didn’t know where they were heading. Frankly, when he took them both to that special place only he could, she lost all awareness and the future seemed unimportant.
Jenkins caught her in the middle of these thoughts. “Excuse me, Your Grace.” He bowed. “This invitation has just arrived for you.”
She took it and opened. The Cunninghams had invited her for tea that afternoon. “Thank you, Jenkins. I’ll accept.”
“Very well, Your Grace” He bowed and left.
It would be good to go and chat a little. It’d distract her from her fretting.
She turned to prepare to leave. It had to be a little funny this…courting the earl performed. His mother unfailingly present, watchful, prying. What would it be like to be the countess? The poor lady that married him, would be marrying his mother altogether. Another reason to evade any possible proposal that he might make. Still smiling, she called for the carriage and left Crompt
on House.
“Hello, Jenkins.” Philip gave him his hat, gloves and coat. Mid-afternoon, Parliament over, he’d decided to come home and have dinner with Selene. “Where is Her Grace?”
“At the Cunninghams, Your Grace.” He arranged the coat over his forearm “They invited her for tea.”
Upon hearing that, a volcano spit fire in his blood. The blasted earl would not let go! “Thanks, Jenkins.” He said with difficult politeness. “Please, send her to the study when she arrives.” And headed to the study.
What did the pauper think he was doing, bloody hell! Couldn’t he go find another heiress or something? Of course he couldn’t be infatuated with her, or could he. Young, beautiful and rich, Selene had everything a man could possibly wish! The nights with her would be… Damnation! No other man would know what the nights felt like! Not with her!
He’d been fuming and trying to do some book keeping when someone knocked quietly. At his invitation, the door opened. Selene. If possible she looked even more tempting today in a dark green dress that hinted at her perfect breasts, the afternoon light falling on her rich brown hair, drawing copper streaks on it. Her orange flowers perfume ensnaring his senses.
He lowered his clove eyes to the book again. “Has he proposed yet?”
“Proposed?” Her silky voice had a hint of vexation to it. Clearly, no proposal would come while she bore half-mourning.
“The pauper earl seems desperate for some cash, don’t you think.” His peripheral vision saw her lifting her hands to her waist.
“Stop interfering with my social life and mind your own duty of marriage and heirs!” Her voice low, firm.
He lifted his clove eyes and met her vivid green ones, flashing fire. Oh, but she aroused him to unbearable point. “I asked you to marry me!”
Her torso inclined towards the desk. “I said no!” Her chin lifted. “I am not suitable.”
He stood up, hands propped on the desk. “To the devil with suitable!”
She placed her hands on the desk too. “You cannot postpone it forever!”
“I can and I will!” Damn, but it was difficult to stand up to her when he wanted her so uncontrollably
“In that case, I exhort you to fulfil your duties as a duke.” Their gazes clashed firm and stubborn.
“You have no place exhorting me to anything. I am the duke!” His tone came huskier than it should.
