Page 65 of A Countess of Convenience

“He will or I will ruin him. I have the means to do it and will not shirk the duty to protect my own.”

She shivered against him. “I had no idea you could be so ruthless, John.”

“Does that trouble you, my dear?” He cupped her dear face. He’d not have her uneasy.

“No, it doesn’t. I’m just glad I married the right man, my love.” She leaned into his hand. “Even though I wasn’t certain at the time, deep down I knew I chose the perfect man for me. You were the one.” She ducked her head. “I think you were always the one I should have married.” She gazed up into this face, love shining there as he’d never seen it before. “I do love you, John. Truly, deeply love you. I need you to know that.”

“I do, my love.” He dropped a kiss on her upturned lips, a sweeter kiss he never hoped to have. “I love you too, sweetheart.” He sat holding her close, reveling in her newfound love. If they could only stay like this, allow the world and all its heartache to roll past them, he would be eternally happy. But the wickedness perpetrated by Lord Downing would not go away. And Judith must know the worst, though he would rather die than tell her. “Sweetheart, I saw the magistrate this morning. He had news for us.”

“Of Lord Downing?” Judith sat up quickly, her face suddenly all eagerness. “What did he say?”

When he’d told her the worst, she buried her head in her hands and sobbed. “She is a child. How could he do this to Anna? It was bad enough that he did it to Dora, his own daughter. I cannot bear it, John.” She dissolved into tears again.

“It will be all right, my love. Sir Reginald assures me a girl cannot be wed before the age of twelve. We have years to fight this if necessary.” Would that he could stage a raid and simply take the child by force. When had he become so bloodthirsty? One look at Judith’s trusting face gave him the answer—once he had a wife and child to protect.

“Did Sir Reginald have any more information?” Judith wiped her eyes with a handkerchief that looked rather bedraggled.

“Yes, yes, he did, love.” At last, news that would cheer her as no other would. “When I left Sir Reginald, I went directly to Blanchard and requested he draw up a petition for parental access.”

Judith sniffed and frowned. “What is that?”

“The Court of Chancery can apparently require that a parent be granted access to the child, even if she lives with a guardian.” He took her hands, smiling at her incredulous face. “If the court grants access, Lord Downing cannot refuse to let you see Anna.”

“Oh, John!” She grabbed him around the neck in a stranglehold. “Oh, John, you are the most wonderful man in the world. I cannot thank you enough for doing all this for me and Anna.”

“That is all the thanks I need, my love.”

She sat back, eyes glistening. “When might they rule on the petition?”

“Blanchard was delivering it today, so I am hopeful by the end of the week we will know something. I should be hearing from Sir Reginald as well. He is making more inquiries about Lord Downing and will contact me if he finds out anything else.”

“So this could be considered a happy day.” The hope in his wife’s face touched his heart.

“Every day is a happy one when I am with you, my love.” He kissed her again, pulling her against him, reveling in the feel of her body. But he wanted more. Deepening the kiss, he plundered her mouth, his body stirring with need for her. Still, he continued the kiss, exploring the taste of her, even though his member had begun to make its wishes known. There was so much he wanted to do, kiss her, taste her, feel her skin against his. One more prod from below, and he ended the kiss abruptly. “Judith, we should go upstairs.”

She lay back on the sofa, one arm draped over her head, looking windblown, the prettiest wanton he’d ever seen. “I know. I want to make it true.”

Unable to resist her breasts, which seemed ready to overflow her gown, he leaned over her, kissing the cleavage between them, exploring the expanse of delicate skin with his tongue. “What do you want to make true, love?”

“That I am increasing. You told Miles I wasn’t, although after last night I think I could be.”

He chuckled and slipped his hand into her bodice, pulling her breast up until the pretty pink nipple sat atop the edge of her stomacher. “Yes, I would say that after last night,” he swirled his tongue around the suddenly taut peak, “and this morning,” he paused to take the entire nipple into his mouth and gently draw on it before continuing, “you could indeed be increasing.”

“Ummm, that feels exquisite.” Her low throaty voice played havoc in his breeches, but her face had taken on the glow of a well-contented woman. “But we don’t know for certain I am, and won’t for some weeks or months— Oh, do that again.”

“As you wish, my lady.” Smiling, he grazed his teeth lightly over the very tip of her hardened peak once more. He so loved to make her moan.

“Oh, yes, that’s it. Yes, I think we should go upstairs now.”

The need in her voice reflected the urgency in his cock. He rose and helped her up. “Best move quickly.”

“I agree.” She tucked her breast back into her bodice and grabbed his hand. “I think we should do this until we are quite, quite certain I’m increasing.” Cheeks pink, she smiled up at him. “But that’s just my opinion.”

He hurried them out of the receiving room, hoping to God they made it to the bedroom before he had to stop and take her right there on the staircase. But he agreed with her. Oh, yes, he did agree.

Chapter 26

Sunlight streamed into the receiving room early Friday morning, illuminating the path Judith had worn in the Aubusson carpet as she paced from window to door incessantly since eight o’clock. John sat on the sofa, feigning a relaxed manner, but his clenched jaw and fisted hand belied his seeming composure. Mr. Blanchard had written late last night to say he would arrive in the morning with good news.