Page 73 of Earl, Enemy, Husband?

Gently, carefully, he lifted her up onto the bed and lay down beside her, taking her hand in his and placing it against his member, encouraging her to stroke him before stroking her slit and finding the place that made her bones melt and her body writhe with painful pleasure.

Unable to bear it a moment longer, she rolled on top of him, looking down into his softened features and hazy eyes, before easing him inside her.

His eyes widened in surprise and then he pulled her hard against him.

‘Yes,’ she said and began rocking against him, feeling her pleasure rise to unbearable heights.

For long moments they hung between heaven and earth and then she fell apart and she felt him drive into her one last time.

His wife had promised to have breakfast with him this morning. He couldn’t wait to see her over the teacups, looking wifely and well-satisfied.

Graydon hummed softly as he held his chin high while his valet tied his neckcloth.

She’d been sleeping when he’d awoken some time shortly before dawn. He’d been tempted to wake her with a kiss and more…but she’d looked so peaceful, he had simply enjoyed gazing at her for a few moments, then had left quietly for his own room.

Now, he wished he had stayed.

‘Anything else, my lord?’ his valet asked.

A scratch at the door and Powell came in. ‘Your man of business is below, my lord. Said he had urgent business. I took the liberty of showing him into your study.’

Damn. He saw the promise of breakfast with his wife disappearing before his eyes. Perhaps this business of money for Eloise would not take too long and he could be back before Florence awoke. The sooner he was done with Eloise, the better.

He thought back to the ball the previous evening. Was that what George had been about—trying to win money for Eloise, his goddess? He wouldn’t put it past the foolish, besotted fellow.

He felt a tightness in his chest, anger for his friend. The poor fellow didn’t seem to be able to see the truth about Eloise. He would have to try to talk to him, make him see that he was worth ten of Eloise.

In the meantime… ‘I will be down at once. Please tell her ladyship I apologise, but I may be late for breakfast this morning.’

This would be the very last time Eloise interfered in his life. Upon his honour, it would.

When he entered the study, his man of business, Green, a man of middling height, a rotund belly and receding grey hair cut short, turned from gazing down into the small garden between the house and the mews.

They shook hands. ‘Not a pretty sight, is it?’ Graydon said, gesturing to the broken statue and the weeds growing between paving slabs. ‘I will put Foley to work on it as soon as he is finished at Blackwood Hall.’

‘Is that likely to be soon, my lord?’ Green asked. ‘We are already a great deal above the original estimate presented by Mr Foley.’

They were, but everything Foley had added had been necessary.

‘Three more weeks, according to his last letter.’

‘Your lordship will be glad to have it finished but today I come about this other matter.’ Green looked uncomfortable, as well he might.

‘What did the bank say?’

‘They have released the funds requested, of course, sir, but they advise caution. Such a large sum in gold… They asked that you relieve them of the responsibility of it as soon as possible. It is unusual, to say the least.’

Unusual, but he had given his word and, no matter how he felt about Eloise, he could not see her come to harm.

‘When can I pick it up?’

‘This morning. I said it was urgent and they ask that you pick it up at eleven o’clock.’

Barely half an hour from now. Damn it. He would have to forgo his breakfast. ‘Very well.’

‘Shall I come with you, my lord? Such a large sum to be carrying about…’

He ought to take someone with him, but Green was not the man. ‘Thank you, Green, for your concern. I have someone else in mind for guard duty. I will see you at our regular meeting next week.’