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“Why not?”
She paused before answering. “A massive family scandal happened when I was a girl. Ever since, we Chadbournes are not well received at the highest levels of society.”
“Your brother is an earl.” He frowned. “I thought that counted more than anything.”
“Not enough to overcomeanything. He’s only an earl, not a duke or marquess. Moreover, the scandal was rather something! Not the ordinary sort.”
“You were a child when some scandal befell your family, and they still exclude you? I don’t think I’ll ever understand these things.”
“Perhaps not. Don’t you know of the story? I’d have thought you knew whatever weaknesses my family has.” Her tone reflected no anger or sadness, only pragmatism.
“I know which of your brother’s employees is the most loyal, and who, with the proper motivation, would betray his enterprise’s secrets to me. But why your brother doesn’t receive the ‘best’ invitations from people who worry more about which fork or spoon to use than the child small enough to sweep their chimneys? I haven’t a clue. Because until now, I haven’t had a reason to give a damn.”
He stopped, having voiced more than he intended. He waited for her to deny his characterizations or react to his harsh language. She didn’t. “What sort of scandal was it?” he prompted finally.
“My Uncle Eugene.” He heard both sadness and fondness in her voice. “Father’s younger brother. I always adored him. He spoiled me. But now I haven’t seen him in fifteen years.”
“What happened?”
“He fell in love. With…someone of whom society could not approve.”
James rolled off of her suddenly.
“Have you heard this story?”
“No.”
“James, whatever is bothering you?”
He couldn’t answer. His mind whirled; this revelation could make his entire plan much more difficult. Her family had suffered already from someone making an unpopular choice.
Her brother had been a quandary in his own right—even before James realized he’d be the last nail in the coffin for the Chadbourne family honor!
“James, I’m worried about you. You’re exhausted but not sleeping, and now you’re behaving oddly.” Her hand fumbled on the table next to the bed, then a match struck precisely against a candlestick. “What is it?”
He shrugged, trying to banish the negative thoughts. “Too many difficult days of late, I suppose.”
Nodding, she moved back toward him, eyes as soft as her body. “May I be of any assistance?”
“Youareof assistance, lass. By breathing the same air as I am, being close to me.” He pulled her next to him until they lay stomach to stomach. Her ivory night rail had hiked above her knees; her bare legs slid against his.
Her toes caressed his ankle, and his body responded right away to the slight enticement. Staring into his eyes in the faint candlelight, Clara stroked him until he hardened to full length under her fingers.
He worked his muscular thigh between her legs, and she pressed against it. After a few minutes of kissing and touching, she sat up and he helped lift off her rail. He tossed it across the room, enjoying her look of disapproval at the gesture.
He slid down to align himself properly, and after a few caresses, his hand lifted her knee up onto his hip, keeping her open to him.
“Guide me in,” he demanded in a low voice.
She took him in hand. His breath caught as she squeezed his shaft, then did as she was asked.
James’s hooded eyes nearly closed when her hot wetness kissed his cock. He pushed his hips forward, shoving the bulbous head in.
He paused before sliding in all the way and joined their mouths. She groaned when his tongue caressed hers, and soon he felt more hot syrup bathe his cock.
The unfamiliar side position clearly frustrated her; her fingernails bit into his shoulder and she arched her hips against him, seeking full penetration.
He slid out of her completely. She grunted in protest.
