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Clear reason started penetrating Jarvis’s fog of lust. He was standing in the Duke of Kensington’s study during the most crowded masquerade ball of the year. Olivia was in his arms in the aftermath of her orgasm. Her bared quim was pressed against his thigh.
How the devil did he let that happen?
Anyone could have walked in and witnessed them. He’d risked her reputation and his own standing in society. More than that, he’d risked Olivia’s life. What if his pursuers found them in this condition?
He carefully disengaged himself from her and took a step back. Jarvis winced at the ache in his cock. He rummaged in his pockets for a handkerchief and put it on her lap before turning away. He adjusted his clothes, covering his wet crotch—wet with her fluids—with his coat, and massaged the aching muscles of his neck.
His bare neck. Jarvis looked around, trying to find his cravat.
Olivia jumped off the desk with a soft thump. Then there were sounds of the rustle of clothing as she put herself to rights. He didn’t want to imagine what she was doing there, imagine her wiping the passion off her sweet, wet—
He turned to her abruptly. She was running her hands over her skirts, trying to smooth out the wrinkles, but she raised her head at that moment and met his gaze.
“I am sorry,” he said.
Olivia’s eyes widened. “You are sorry?”
“This shouldn’t have happened.”
Olivia’s mouth slacked open.
“At least not like this. I-I put you in danger while trying to assuage my thirst for you.”
A faint smile adorned her lips. “The thirst was mutual.”
Jarvis let out a chuckle. He came closer to her and caressed her silky cheek. Olivia leaned into his touch.
Damn it. The woman was a damn siren. One touch from her and he was a puddle at her feet.
“Jarvis—” she started, but at that moment, he heard the noise from the ballroom. People were gasping in panic. He thought he heard someone scream and then loud murmurs.
“Something’s wrong,” he murmured absently, peering toward the door. He turned to Olivia then. “You stay here, I need to check what’s going on.”
Olivia gripped his forearm with both her hands. “I am going with you.”
She took him by the hand and led the way out of the study.
A small group of people were gathered next to one of the rooms.
“I didn’t kill her! She was already dead when I found her!” a male voice yelled frantically. “There was a man, dressed in all back, with a mask and a handkerchief over his face. He ran out of the room before I reached it.”
A whisper of shock and gasps of horror ran through the crowd followed by several ladies swooning.
Olivia looked at Jarvis, her eyes wide. “Does he mean you? But you were with me?”
Jarvis just shook his head, unable to comprehend what the devil was going on.
“Step aside!” The authoritative voice of the Duke of Kensington rang through the corridor.
The crowd parted, and Jarvis could see more of what was going on. The Duchess of Kensington was kneeling by a woman in a black cloak marred with blood. A few people were standing beside them, but as soon as the duke reached them, they all drew away.
The duchess stood, met his gaze, and then took a step back.
“Your Grace,” he said loudly. “I think it is better if you don’t witness such a disgrace and neither do our guests.”
The duchess gave a slight nod and proceeded to usher everyone away from the corridor.
Jarvis turned to Olivia. “You have to go with them.”
