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Theo laughed against his mouth. “This is madness. We are out in the open!”
“I confess no one has ever quite debauched me in this manner.”
He pulled from her, and she winced at the tender ache between her thighs.
“I hear laughter,” Theo gasped, peering over his shoulders.
She hurriedly fixed her clothes and patted her hair, testing her chignon still held. Since she could not see anyone, perhaps…
“What is going on?” a voice close by demanded.
Any faint hope that they might not be discovered perished.
It was the duchess.
Theo swallowed her groan and breathed a soft sigh of relief when Sebastian ensured he kept her hidden with his broad shoulders. He gave her time to tidy her hair before he turned around. The duchess’s gaze sharpened, and her lips flattened with clear disapproval. It was then Theo noted Lady Edith by the duchess’s side. By this time, Lady Edith took in every detail of Theo’s appearance and how close the duke stood. The lady was most displeased.
The duchess cleared her throat. “Sebastian, I did not expect to find you here with Lady Winfern.”
Sebastian smiled, except it did not reach his eyes. “As you can see, we are shooting arrows. What brought you to this side of the cottage?”
“Lady Edith and I were simply strolling. She is a delightful girl with the most amusing anecdotes.”
“Ah, shall we continue walking together?” the duke said.
The duchess gave him a pleased smile. Instead of joining them, Theo excused herself, pleading a mild headache from too much exposure to the sun. She hurried away, feeling everyone staring at her back. She would remain the duke’s lover for as long as possible, but it was time to leave this perfectly peaceful cottage. Arrangements needed to be made for her immediate return to London and to her ladies. Though Charity and Louisa were capable of running the club in her absence, Theo missed everyone dreadfully.
She glanced back and faltered. The duke and Lady Edith walked ahead while the duchess remained a few paces behind. He would eventually marry, and Lady Edith was a clear choice. Theo swallowed down the ache.Do not be silly. It is not as if I want to marry him. No, to be his duchess, she would most certainly have to give up her lady’s club. Not that he would ask her! But what if he did?
I’d say yes.
She was shocked into stillness for a few moments. “Silly, Theo, what are you thinking?” For a chance at a family so very unlike the one she grew with…They’d be bound by love and laughter and loyalty to each other instead of mere duty. Would she dare to give up the friendships and her unorthodox family at the club, the family she had come to rely on and loved? What if they should grow closer, and he demanded it of her?
I could not…
Theo closed her eyes briefly.I am overthinking the matter. She had truly thought herself beyond the possibilities of such yearnings. Over the years, she had grown to be practical, a lady living in reality, accepting that whimsy was no longer apart of her existence.
Until the duke…
You evoke so many longings within me…
Theo blew out a soft breath and turned around. She’d not think of such matters anymore. They would remain lovers, and when they eventually tired of each other, they would part as friends and return to their respective lives.
Simple…and uncomplicated. Except the stirring hunger in her heart mocked Theo mercilessly.
Chapter Eighteen
Sebastian pressed a kiss to Theo’s brow and tried to slip from beneath the sheets. It was early, not yet midnight. He thought it prudent to return to his chamber and not run the risk of falling asleep in her bed until dawn. Theo murmured sleepily and flung her legs over his hips, pinning him in place.
He’d come to her room right after dinner, leaving his mother, Lady Edith, and the marchioness in the drawing-room. He should have exercised restraint and not made love to her tonight, but they agreed she would return to Town tomorrow until they met again. That might be a few weeks while he sorted out whatever was happening with Perdie. At the moment, she merited his complete attention.
Knowing they might not see each other for a few weeks, Sebastian and Theo had been insatiable in their passion, made all the more erotic with him trying to keep his lover quiet. He still had bite marks in his palm to prove what Theo thought about that.
Careful to ensure she remained undisturbed, he unentangled himself and came off the bed. Picking up his trousers, he put them on and shrugged into his shirt. He stood there in the dark, staring at the rise and fall of Theodosia’s chest. Sebastian grinned when she tossed and muttered, kicking the blanket from her body. She was a terrible sleeper, and he loved that even in this, she was so delightfully improper.
His Theodosia also had a backbone worthy of a duchess. At luncheon and dinner, his mother had been chillingly pleasant, and Lady Edith and her mother indifferent at best. They had acted as if they owned no particular civility to Theo. She had been amused, and for that reason, he had not rudely tossed the lot from the cottage. Theodosia had a charming, unaffected manner that allowed her to find humor in the sly barbs tossed her way. She was also possessive and did not play coy or hide her jealousy. An odd thing to like, but he enjoyed that about her immensely. She was handsome, amusing, clever, and a caring and giving lover.
Earlier, when she had suggested ending their affair, coldness had suffused his entire body, and he’d felt hollow. He’d had lovers before, and whenever a liaison ended, it simply ended. With her, it was different.
