Page 29 of The Best Marquess

“So you’ll inform Gigi there is no chance of her wedding that cad?” said her father, brightening. “Wonderful. Much obliged, Pippa. Now I can breakfast with a lighter heart. Enjoy your outing.”

As he wandered off toward the dining room, she swallowed a bloodcurdling scream. That would only bring more relatives downstairs and one was quite enough.

The sound of horse hooves outside was a welcome distraction, and not even waiting for the butler, she threw open the door and bounded down the steps to Finn’s elegant dark blue curricle. The fawn leather seats looked wonderfully comfortable; she approved of the practical dark leather cover that could be folded down or pulled up depending on the weather, and the matched pair of grays were clearly eager to be on their way as they stomped their feet and tossed their heads.

With one hand holding the reins, Finn leaned down with his free hand to help her up onto her seat then cover her with a thick traveling blanket.

“Good morning, my beautiful betrothed,” he said with a grin, albeit a slightly hesitant one, as he clicked the reins to move away from Hanover Square. “Did you sleep well?”

A blush heated her cheeks. “Not overly. I ended up reading a few more chapters of A Wicked Comte.”

“Ah. Which part are you up to?”

“The princess is giving herself a sponge bath after being…anointed.”

Finn burst out laughing as he skillfully navigated the curricle around a cart loaded with fruits and vegetables. “A delicate turn of phrase for such a bawdy event.”

“Speaking of bawdy events…where are we going?”

“I do have somewhere in mind, but I wanted to make sure you still wish to try things. Last night was rather a lot, and I certainly wouldn’t hold you to a promise made on a freezing balcony late at night.”

“Oh, I definitely want to try things,” said Pippa, deliberately covering his hand with hers. “Under this delightfully thick blanket.”

He sucked in a breath. “We’ll go to Hyde Park, then. Not many people at this hour, and plenty of secluded spots under the trees. I can put up the cover as well.”

It wasn’t far to Hyde Park, but it seemed like everyone in London had decided to travel.

Pippa squirmed on the seat. “How much further?”

“Not long. I’ll find somewhere private where we can see others approaching.”

Soon they had the perfect place. Finn jumped down and hitched the horses to a tree branch, then gave them a scoop of oats each from a small wooden bucket. When he climbed back onto the curricle, he pulled the black leather cover up and secured it, creating a cozy half-cocoon.

Perfect for wicked deeds on a cold winter’s day.

“So,” said Pippa. “How and what? Because I must admit that although I greatly enjoyed the kissing last night, I would really, really like an orgasm.”

Finn quirked an eyebrow. “Only if you ask nicely.”

Oh.

Pure excitement fizzed in her blood. “Pretty please may I have an orgasm, Lord Knighton? My very own betrothed?”

“Take your bonnet off and sit on my lap, Pippet,” he said gruffly. “One leg either side.”

Soon she sat balanced on his hard thighs, her back against his chest and his arms around her, with the blanket covering them both. How odd that in this position, in a curricle seat high up off the ground, she felt completely safe. “Now what?”

“I’m going to lift up your gown and touch you. But you must say if you don’t like it or want to stop.”

“I will,” she replied firmly. “Now do attend to my clitoris. It is feeling sad and lonely and underappreciated.”

A laugh rumbled in his chest. “Can’t have that.”

In no time at all, Finn’s nimble fingers rucked up her gown and began drawing circles on the silken skin of her inner thigh.

Pippa whimpered as the circle leisurely—far, far too leisurely—approached her throbbing pussy. “Don’t tease.”

“Patience is a virtue.”