Page 60 of An Accidental Elopement

Cecilia was not the most vocal woman he had ever been with, but he had learned to interpret her little pants and moans. He was fairly certain that she was close but still had to ask.

“Yes, I am so...” she gasped, and then he felt her clench him tightly, both her arms, legs, and inner muscles. The feelings sent Archie over the edge as well and he tightened his hold on her just as she had.

They were clutching each other for a moment, panting and gasping, before he felt Cecilia’s chuckle against his neck.

“What?” he asked and could not hold back a smile himself, trying to pull back from her to look at her face, but her face kept following his shoulder as if she needed to hide for another moment. Archie let her.

“I do not know. I am just happy, I suppose,” she finally murmured.

“Me too,” Archie told her and kissed her hair.

The sound of feet and voices in the hallway caught his attention.

“Rosie, obviously this is a private moment where they want to be alone,” came from the hallway outside. Gregory’s voice.

“But my maid said that Lady Archibald had not returned yet. We are just going to make certain that he is properly prepared. I for one do not trust Archie to arrange the flowers properly. And have you ever seen him pour tea?”

Archie could hear his brother’s frustrated sigh, but Gregory did not protest any longer.

“Good thing, that the door is locked,” Cecilia muttered against his neck.

Archie looked frantically at the door. They had to be right outside.

“It’s not,” he whispered, and Cecilia practically jumped from her lap. Despite her dress covering the most essential parts, they would not be able to hide what they had been doing.

He saw Cecilia reach for one of the lamps on the wall and the secret door swung open.

“Brilliant,” he murmured as he scooped up her drawers from the floor with one hand, while holding on to his pantaloons with the other, and followed her. He closed the door behind them just as he heard the door to the room open.

“Oh, they are not here.” Rosie sounded disappointed.

“No, but clearly they have been,” Gregory said.

Archie’s mind raced over what traces they might have left as his hands landed on Cecilia’s shoulders. The hidden corridor was completely dark, and he wanted to make certain that he did not accidentally knock her over.

“I suppose they have reconciled their differences then and retired,” Rosie stated, and Archie could hear the grin in her voice.

Cecilia squirmed a little in his grip, making him think that she might be uncomfortable. Archie leaned forward and pulled her into his arms, pressing his lips against her temple.

“I’m certain they will leave soon,” he whispered.

“Cecilia forgot her jewelry,” Gregory stated. He sounded as if he was chewing. Blast it, he was eating Cecilia’s biscuits! Archie’s suspicions were confirmed a moment later when Gregory continued: “Cinnamon and vanilla, not what I would have chosen but it actually works.”

Archie tightened his arms about Cecilia. She certainly worked. In fact, she was perfect. He was not sure how Cecilia interpreted his embrace, because her hand inched between them, and he felt her starting to stroke him through his still-open trousers.

“Here?” Archie hissed.

Cecilia made a small sound of confirmation.

“Again?” Archie groaned against her ear.

The same sound.

“Heavens, Cecilia,” he whispered.

He was only vaguely aware that Gregory and Rosie were still chatting on the other side of the wall. His wife wanted him again and he was more than ready for her already. He gently backed her up against the wall and lifted her. Cecilia’s legs came about his waist, and he frantically moved her skirts out of the way as he whispered:

“Do you need me to touch you?”