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“The Duke of— Is that who you danced with at the royal ball? No, Calliope. Your brothers will put him in an early grave. He’s a scoundrel!”

Calliope shrugged. “All I care about is getting information.”

Sebastian shook his head. “All right. But you must promise to call on him with Preston or me present.”

Calliope nodded. “I promise.”

Sebastian sighed. “You’re in luck. I know Kelford and have, indeed, heard through mutual acquaintances he is assigned to the Conscription Office.”

A mischievous smile spread on Calliope’s face. “Well, isn’t that a marvelous coincidence…”

Jane stared at her. The dashing blond gentleman had pretty much swept Calliope off her feet, while she was usually calm and collected. A twitch of worry for her new friend churned in her stomach.

“Calliope, you will go with Preston or Sebastian, won’t you?” asked Jane. “Please?”

“Certainly!” Calliope gave a dismissive shrug of her shoulder.

But that didn’t ease Jane’s concerns at all for some reason.

A wonderfully warm and heavy hand landed on the small of her back.

“May I steal you, love?” Richard’s silky voice brushed against her ear.

“You most certainly may,” she said as she turned to him. “Husband.”

He chuckled and looked at Calliope and Sebastian. “Excuse us, please.”

Then he took her by the hand and led her out of the dining room and into the sitting room, which was, for now, empty. He closed the door and locked it, then spun her around and brought her to him with a whoosh. The feel of his hard body against hers, the scent of his cologne—sandalwood and pepper—wrapping around her felt like a homecoming.

“Finally, I can kiss you,” he said.

He leaned in, his lips just inches from hers, waiting. She closed her eyes and lifted her face, then their lips touched. The butterflies in her stomach came to life, and her knees buckled, but his strong arms held her.

His kiss was gentle and sweet at first, sending shivers up her spine. His tongue caressed hers, their kiss deepening in intensity.

Jane wrapped her arms around his neck, and he walked her back until she reached the wall. His lips tasted of tea and strawberries. She drew her fingers through his luscious, silky hair as her whole body kept saying yes, yes to him. Yes to his touch. Yes to his soul. Yes to being one.

Then he left her lips and was kissing her jaw, down her neck, to her neckline, and her breasts.

She gasped, unable to think anymore, basking in pure pleasure. How could she have a single thought when he was licking and tugging her breasts out of her dress and out of her corset, and she could feel his lips on her flesh, gentle and reverent?

Then his tongue flicked around her nipple once, twice, sending the most delicious jolts of pure sweetness through her. And how could she do anything but make a surprised, astounded “oh” when he put her nipple right into his mouth and sucked on it?

She melted as a wave of tingling warmth rushed through her body, weakening her whole being, making her as pliable as warm wax.

The apex between her legs felt hot and aching. A small surge of wetness released from her sex, and she squirmed, relieved to know now that this was a sign of her readiness.

Her insides squeezed, wanting for his long, hard erection to enter her, stretch her, take her just like that night.

She hooked her leg around his waist and rubbed herself against him, feeling his length, hard and very hot and pressing against his pantaloons. When she rubbed herself against it, she felt such pleasure, she began whimpering and moaning like an animal. He did also, growling like a wolf, moving his hips up and down, bringing her even more pleasure. Faster…closer…

“Jane…” he growled. “You’ll be my undoing.”

He moved to her other breast and began licking her nipple.

With a glint in his eyes, he left her breasts and sank to his knees.

“Richard?” she asked.