Page 73 of The Lady’s Great Escape

When morning finally came, she went down to breakfast too early for Gray to be there. Not yet hungry, she retrieved a book from the library just so she would have a distraction.

Kit arrived before Gray and being alone with him made her need worse instead of better.

When the footmen left the room, Kit slanted a questioning look at her. “What’s amiss?”

Damn him for being able to read her so easily. Not that she would try to hide her discontent.

“I find myself…uneasy. Do you ever suffer the same affliction?”

He laughed and then settled at her glare. “Uh, no. But only because I take care of my discomfort myself.” He frowned at his plate. “I’m courting a debutante, I shall be caring for my own discomfort for some time, I think.”

“Yourself?” she questioned.

He held up a hand and wiggled his fingers. She shook her head once, not understanding and then—“Oh. I didn’t realize…”

He looked over his shoulder toward the door and leaned in as he whispered. “You’ve never touched yourself, Celia?”

“No. I was always told I was to remain untouched for a husband.”

“Clearly there’s no reason to hold back now.” He sat back in his seat with a smug grin. He was so handsome she felt her blood heat, which didn’t help her condition at all.

“You’re quite right.” She nodded and set her napkin aside. “Excuse me. I must go now. Thank you.”

She got up to leave the room and stopped at the sound of his groan.

“What is it?”

“I must go on about my day knowing you are in your bed pleasuring yourself?” He shifted uneasily in his chair.

“Unless you’d care to join me and we can pleasure each other.” She said it in jest, but a part of her hoped. That part was set to be disappointed.

He hesitated as if considering for only a few seconds.

“No. I cannot. I am to go riding with Willa in the park since it looks to be a nice day. I must be true to her as she may one day be my wife.”

“Of course, I understand.” She did understand, but when her body was on fire with need, as it was now, it caused her mind to become muddled. It seemed she could only think of the one thing she craved. “Enjoy your ride.”

“Enjoy your…” He motioned toward the door and sighed.