Page 74 of Sinfully Daring

Rosamund gave a huff of laughter. “You could say that. My word, poor Mrs Belvedere. It sounded like there was a riot going on as we left.”

Sebastian shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know. She’ll be able to dine out on everything that happened tonight for years. If I know anything about society hostesses, they want their parties to be memorable. I suspect she’ll consider a bit of wear and tear worth it.”

“Memorable,” Rosamund repeated, shaking her head. “Well, it was certainly that. Oh, but poor Miss Morcombe. She’ll certainly never be able to show her face in society again, but do you think she’ll go to prison?”

“No, love. It won’t come to that. Montagu and your father agreed she had suffered enough. They’ll intervene to stop it from going to court. It was obviously an accident and, as sorry as I am for what happened to Adelia, her cruelty was what killed her in the end. Montagu promised he would settle Miss Morcombe somewhere she could live safely and happily with her baby. He’s a man of his word, you know that.”

Rosamund nodded. “Papa promised his help too, so I know she’ll be safe, but I’m so sad for her. And I know she will carry the guilt about what happened to Adelia for the rest of her days.”

Sebastian moved closer, pulling her into his arms. “That is certainly punishment enough without having her child born in prison. She has been ill used, and she made some bad choices, but she is not alone in that. I’m glad she has a chance to start over and do better this time. There aren’t many of us who get a second chance, but for my part, I know I am blessed indeed.”

“You have nothing to make amends for,” Rosamund said firmly. She smoothed her hands over his chest, still surprised that she could do that now, that it was her right. “I am so glad I married you.”

Sebastian put his hand beneath her chin, tilting her face up to his. “Are you certain? Now our reputations have been restored, don’t you wish you had waited? Perhaps—”

Rosamund stood on tiptoe and pressed her mouth to his, kissing him hard, grasping the back of his neck to keep him in place as she pressed her body against his. She did not wish for him to have the slightest doubt that she regretted her decision, that she might not want him. Her fingers sought the buttons on his waistcoat, undoing them as quickly as she could before tugging his shirt free of his trousers. Her hands slid underneath, coasting over his bare skin as his breath hitched. He deepened the kiss, tugging at her hips until she could feel the shape of his aroused flesh, hard against her. Desire surged through her, making her bold enough to take what she wanted.

Sliding her hand between them, she caressed his rigid length, delighted by the moan that escaped him. She searched for the buttons to release him from the confines of his trousers as he broke the kiss to stare at her with surprise. Rosamund flashed him a smile before pushing his trousers down his hips, her own breath coming faster as his cock sprang free, demanding her attention.

“You don’t ha—” he began, and then clamped his mouth shut as Rosamund knelt before him and nuzzled into the thatch of hair at his groin. She inhaled the purely masculine scent of him, clean linen, soap and male musk.

“You always smell good enough to eat,” she murmured, only realising how he might interpret her words as he let out a strangled sound and closed his eyes, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

Biting back a giggle, she returned her attention to his arousal and pressed her mouth to the hot, silken skin. He jolted under her lips, which she took to be a good sign and so carried on, pressing kisses down the hard length of him. Emboldened by the way his breathing sped up, she licked her way back up again. Sebastian shivered.

“Take it in your mouth,” he pleaded, staring down at her, his eyes dark with desire.

She obeyed willingly, wanting to please him, to learn how to bring him as much pleasure as he had given her since they’d married. Carefully, she slid her mouth down over him as far as she could and back up again.

“Like that?” she asked.

“Don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop,” he commanded through gritted teeth.

Apparently, that worked, she thought happily, repeating the move over and over until he’d tangled his hands in her hair, holding on to her, guiding her as he gasped, his hips rocking as she worked him with her mouth.

“Stop! Stop now,” he begged, and pulled her to her feet.

Before she could ask why, his mouth was on hers, hard and demanding. He lifted her, carried her through to the bedroom and deposited her none too gently on the bed. With no preamble, he tossed up her skirts, his fingers sliding between her thighs.

Rosamund squirmed under his skilful caresses, already hot and ready for him, wanting him.

“Please, Sebastian. I need you. Now,” she demanded, pulling him closer.

He tugged her hips to the edge of the bed and thrust into her, joining them in one smooth movement that had Rosamund throwing her head back, eyes closed as the pleasure of it made her cry out.

Sebastian braced himself on his arms over her and she wrapped her legs about his hips, holding on whilst he thrust harder, faster, until she trembled beneath him, clutching at his coat she shattered with a harsh cry.

“Rosamund,” he rasped, succumbing to the same fate with a shout that tore through him as he spent, over and over, flooding her with all he had, his love and his joy and the very essence of him.

They came back to themselves, still dressed but clothes awry, staring at each other in shock as they tried to steady their breathing.

“Rosamund,” Sebastian said unsteadily, frowning as he stared down at her. “I’m so sorry, I… I ought not to have….”

“What on earth are you sorry for?” she demanded, before he could say anymore.

“I didn’t even undress you!” he exclaimed. “I mean to be tender with you, romantic, not… not….”

“Not exciting and demanding and perfectly wonderful?” she asked, tilting her head to regard him curiously.