Page 48 of Real Earls Break the Rules

“I’m sorry,” he moaned against her throat a moment before he thrust deep and embedded himself to the hilt. She cried out.

He stilled. “Are you all right?”

She managed a weak nod.

She was so incredibly tight and wet. He’d never felt anything so good. “I have to move, love.” He began to move, thrusting in and out. He reached between their bodies and found the sensitive bud between the crest of her sex. She arched her hips, seeking more. Intense pleasure built at the base of his spine. He tried to hold off, tried to make it last, but the need was consuming. He plunged deep, and a moan of ecstasy slipped through her lips as she threw her head back and reached her climax. With a hoarse groan he pulled free from her body, and his hot seed spurt across her soft belly.

He stood panting above her, gasping for breath. Never in his life had he experienced such intense sexual satisfaction.

She slowly opened her eyes, stared into his soul, and smiled.

He felt it again—an uncomfortable tug in the center of his chest. He kissed her, long and deep. Helping her rise, he fetched a handkerchief from his jacket pocket and cleaned from her the evidence of their lovemaking.

She turned to look at the mantle clock. “I must return to my chamber.”

For the first time, he had a ridiculous urge to hold a woman through the night. He’d never look at his desk the same way again. Suddenly the mountain of paperwork and ledgers waiting for him didn’t matter. All that mattered was the next time he could hold her, kiss her, and possess her.

He helped her dress. Things had changed between them. She may not realize it, but he did and he prayed she wouldn’t have second thoughts tomorrow. He brushed his lips across her forehead.

“Thank you, Amelia. It was a gift I’ll treasure.”

She opened the hidden panel, but just before she slipped inside she glanced back at him. “I know what you’re thinking, but you’re wrong. I don’t regret it.”

Chapter Sixteen

The following afternoon, the guests gathered in the vestibule to wait for the carriages to be brought around to transport them to the village fair. Chloe, Helen, and Caroline, along with Huntingdon’s sister, Sara, chatted beside the fountain in the graveled drive. The first carriage was occupied with the duke, the marquess, and his brothers, Weston and Emmett.

As soon as Brandon stepped outside, he immediately spotted Amelia standing by a rosebush. She looked beautiful with her upswept auburn hair and gown of pale-yellow muslin.

As long as he lived, he’d never forget the image of her beautiful body spread across his desk as she reached her first orgasm. Or the feel of her slick heat as he thrust inside her. Christ…she was sensual enough to make any man lose control.

He’d desperately wanted to see her this morning, but she’d been with the other women and there was no opportunity to steal a moment alone. Had she dreamed of him? Now that she was within reach he wanted to stride to her, take her into his arms, and kiss her with every fiber of his being.

For the first time, he noticed that Eliza was speaking with Amelia. He approached the pair and bowed. “Miss Somerton, will you do me the pleasure of riding in my carriage to the fair?” He looked at her sister. “With Lady Huntingdon as a chaperone, of course.”

Amelia’s eyes widened at the request. He knew it was forward and could easily be misconstrued. A bachelor didn’t invite young, unmarried females into his carriage without causing tongues to wag and gossip to ensue, but he didn’t care. Logic fled when she was in his presence.

Brandon waited for her answer. Her lips parted, but before she could respond, Eliza interrupted. “I’m sorry, my lord, but we are riding with the duchess and her daughter.”

A swish of skirts alerted him to the presence of another. Brandon glanced to the side to see the duchess approach. Lady Minerva followed, a wide smile on her face as soon as she spotted him. Minerva was dressed in a gown of cream satin, with rows and rows of bows. No doubt the duchess wanted her daughter to appear innocent, but the dress was inappropriate for a simple country fair. He wondered how she didn’t perspire in the warm weather.

“You must join us in our carriage,” the duchess said to him.

It was far from what he’d planned. The thought of spending time in the company of the duchess and Lady Minerva made his skin itch. But it was a request he could not easily refuse.

He bowed. “Of course.”

He’d wanted Amelia to himself. He wanted assurance that she felt well after last night. It was her first time, and despite his best intentions, he had not been gentle. Most of all, he wanted to kiss her again. He glanced at Amelia. Her complexion had paled a shade, and he knew she wasn’t pleased with the seating arrangements.

Theirs was the second carriage in line to leave the manor for the fair. At the last minute, Huntingdon called out for his wife to join him, and Eliza made her excuses and left for her husband’s carriage. Brandon was forcibly placed beside Minerva, and her mother sat across from him. Amelia had no choice but to settle in the corner.

“How many years has the fair taken place?” Minerva asked.

“For as long as I can remember,” Brandon said. “Even from the time I was a young boy, I have fond memories of the fair. Peddlers travel from all over Hampshire to sell their goods alongside the local villagers and tenants from both Rosehill’s and Huntingdon’s estate.”

Minerva’s eyes widened. “Traveling peddlers? I daresay is it safe?”

“Very safe. I wouldn’t allow my guests to attend otherwise,” he said.