Page 67 of Much Ado about a Widow

Low, keening sounds escaped from deep in her throat. Then her gown puddled about her feet, and she stood naked before him. Afraid at first to meet his gaze, she hung her head, waiting for some sign or sound from him. When none came, she slowly raised her chin to find his rapt attention fixed on her, frank admiration in his eyes. “Oh, my love, but you are glorious.”

Flushed now, with relief and desire, she would have gone into his arms, but he resumed his kisses, scattering them across her chest. Suddenly, he drew one nipple into his mouth, laving it, then sucking on the tiny peak.

A bolt of desire streaked straight from that crest to her core, and she cried out, “Oh, dear God.”

A piercing yelp sounded from the dressing room as Lulu, barking shrilly, darted out the doorway and headed straight for Rob.

“Lulu, no.” Georgie pulled away and grabbed the spaniel before she could take a bite out of Rob. “I know you are trying to protect me, but this time it is not necessary.” With an apologetic look at her beloved, Georgie carried the still wiggling and growling dog back to the dressing room. “Go to sleep, Lulu. I promise you all is well.” After shutting the door, Georgie turned back to Rob, who had taken refuge on the bed. “She thought I needed protecting again.”

“I hope she learns the difference between me and Lord Travers quickly, or Miss Lulu will be spending her nights locked in the dressing room.” He lay relaxed on his side, head propped up on one hand, the other one rubbing the coverlet in invitation. “Care to join me?”

Still self-conscious, but not about to miss the offer, Georgie walked swiftly to the bed, climbed the three steps, lay down facing him, then twisted around. “Oh, I forgot to blow out the candles.”

“Leave them lighted.” Beginning at her shoulder, he ran one finger down her arm, over her breast, along her side, and around her hip, coming to rest lightly on her thigh. “Who would not wish to see everything about you? How you look in the candlelight, with your hair glinting rubies here and here?” He stroked the locks of red that lay between them on the bed, then touched the russet thatch between her legs.

Georgie gasped, the heat within her rising throughout her body.

“I want to see that faint blush on your cheeks, when I caress you here.” Covering her mound, he urged her to lie back, stroking gently, but firmly. “I want to see your face the moment I enter you for the first time. I want you to see me as well.”

More eager than ever, she nodded as he swung himself overtop of her. Opening her legs wide, she slid her hands up his chest, needing to touch him, wanting to see all of him at this most intimate of moments. Breathing raggedly, she raised her head to stare as he guided his member to her opening and thrust forward.

Georgie hadn’t quite expected the size nor the force of him. He stretched her wider than she’d have believed she could possibly accommodate, then filled her as he flowed forward, seemingly forever. She rocked back against the pillows, thrusting against him until he stopped, seated completely inside her. Panting, she looked into his eyes, touched his face as a look of wonder burst forth on it. A look she hoped was mirrored on hers.

“My love. Are you—”

“Shhh. I am fine. Show me more.”

With a groan, he shifted his weight and began a slow, measured rhythm that fed the need within her.

Faster, she silently urged him, not wanting to wait for the completion that seemed almost within their grasp. She thrust her hips up, meeting him each time he plunged in. Almost there . . . She cried out sharply as she shattered around him, and shattered again when he strained hard against her, his own cry triumphant as he spilled his seed deep within her.

Immediately, he slumped over her, then rolled quickly to the side. They lay panting, matching each other breath for breath until finally her breathing slowed to normal. “Did you see everything you wished, my love?”

“Everything and more. And the best part is”—he rolled his head to stare at her, a smile curling his lips—“in a little while I’ll be able to see it all again.” His smile turned lecherous. “And again.” He nuzzled her breast, bringing her nipple to attention. “We can’t leave the poor little thing out all alone, can we? She needs someone to play with.” He promptly sucked it into his mouth, making Georgie groan with pleasure.

It promised to be a long and passionate night.

Chapter Twenty-Two

The thin morning sunlight streaking through a chink in the curtains onto her face made Georgie turn over, reach for Rob, and encounter an empty bed. That brought her upright in the rumpled sheets with a vague remembrance of him kissing her as he left for his own chamber at dawn.

“No need to shock Clara with my presence,” he’d whispered, “although I highly doubt she will remain ignorant of our tryst, given the state of the bedclothes.”

Georgie lay back down, smiling as she pulled the covers up to her chin. A sense of peace and well-being stole through her, until she moved her hips. The soreness between her legs was a small price to pay, however. Her body would get used to the new activity, just as it had done years before when she and Isaac were first married.

Isaac. “Oh, my love.” Although he had never been very far from her thoughts, somehow he’d been overshadowed by the new romance in her life. Given her very loving marriage and her almost inconsolable grief at Isaac’s death, she was puzzled now at how she had fallen in love with Rob so quickly. Agreed to marry him and shared her body most eagerly with him. Should she have thought about Isaac more or about whether he would want her to marry again?

Perhaps this was the way mourning was supposed to end, with a new beginning. She could remain a widow and true to Isaac’s memory for the rest of her days, but what would that accomplish? Isaac was dead, but she was not. He had loved her enough that she was certain he would prefer her married and happy—pray God with children—rather than lonely and miserable, pining for him all her days.

She’d never even considered what Isaac would have thought about her marrying Travers, but that was because Travers would never have touched her heart. That marriage would have been done for family reasons alone, and Isaac would have understood that as well, though he’d likely not have approved of it because it would not have brought her happiness.

“You should be happy for me and Rob, my love.” She spoke aloud to no one, although she knew quite well to whom she spoke. “He is a good man who loves me, not as you did, but still a true love. I can be happy with him and keep your memory close to my heart.”

The feeling of peace blanketed her once more, and she drifted off until Clara roused her some time later, bearing a tray with tea and toast.

“Here you are, my lady. You’re lying abed late, given the importance of the day.” The maid set the tray on the bed and opened the curtains. “I’d have thought you’d be up and already dressed, champing at the bit, so to speak, to be gone.”

“What time is it?” Georgie stretched, trying not to wince. “I hadn’t even looked. Besides, Lord St. Just decided not to leave until after breakfast. It’s surely not past eight already?”