Page 69 of The Widow’s Christmas Surprise

“With pleasure, my love.”

* * *

Drowsy and warm, Maria lay cradled in Hugh’s arms, contemplating how much longer she could steal him away for herself. Christmas dinner was due to begin at three o’clock sharp and unfortunately, as hostess, she must be there. How much more she would prefer to stay in bed with Hugh, but duty would call them all too soon.

They had spent the better part of the afternoon in bed, exploring, tasting, touching one another, learning what each one liked, and what drove them wild. Why she wasn’t still asleep after so much vigorous activity was a mystery.

“Is it time to dress for dinner?” His breath tickled behind her ear.

“The clock struck two just now.” She scooted back toward him, so her entire length pressed against him.

“Shall I take that invitation as a no?” He nuzzled her neck, producing gooseflesh all over her body.

“I think we may indulge once more. We do need to make up for lost time. Ahh, like that.”

He’d drawn her leg up and over his, then entered her with a quick thrust that filled her completely.

Hugh, she’d found, was a rather inventive lover, never doing the same thing twice. Life with him was going to be very satisfying.

Thrusting vigorously now, he slid his fingers down to her mound, brushing through her curls to find the little nub he knew just how to play with to bring her to pleasure time and again. Circling his thumb around her as his thrusts pounded deep inside, caused the tension at her core to coil quickly.

Moaning deep in her throat, Maria pushed back against him, straining to reach the tipping point into pleasure. A little bit more . . . a little bit more and she shattered deep inside, pulling him farther in even as he cried out, spilling his hot seed once more.

Relaxing into the mattress, Hugh disengaged, then rolled her over to face him. Panting, he pulled her to his chest, his heart hammering loudly in her ear. “I have a confession to make.”

“What?” She was panting too, although the drowsiness threatened to take over.

“I may not be able to walk into dinner.”

Maria giggled. “I may not either. Do you think the hostess can be indisposed tonight?”

“If it were any dinner but Christmas, perhaps.”

“Then you have to get up too. We can lean on one another.”

Hugh chuckled. “And you know where that kind of behavior will lead.”

“Right back here.” She kissed him and sighed, perfectly content. “What a wonderful thought. But first we have to get up.”

“Shall we do it together?” He sat up, bringing her with him.

“Always.”

Epilogue

Christmas night the festive family drawing room was full of Maria’s friends once more, with one precious addition that made the company complete.

Georgie sat at the pianoforte, playing “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” as everyone stood around the instrument singing carols. Later there was to be dancing and cards, and last but not least, the snapdragon. Tomorrow everyone would have singed fingers, but tonight they would have fun.

As the carolers began on “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” Maria took Hugh’s hand and quietly led him over to the tea table.

“Can I help you with something, my lady?”

She shook her head and poured tea into two cups. “There is one thing we have not had a chance to discuss.”

“And what is that?” He stirred milk into his tea, then sat on the sofa next to her.

“Since you never got my letter, I need to tell you that it invited you to this party, but it also said that . . . that I had something in particular of a private nature I needed to discuss with you.” Maria stirred her tea, and waited.