AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“These trousers,” she murmured between their kisses. “They are still rather dirty.”
“Subtle, indeed.” He chuckled, then placed a kiss to her neck. “I suppose I should get rid of them, then.”
She smiled as he reached for his trousers, sliding them down his legs and revealing himself. His shirt was the next thing to go, along with his cravat; soon, his body was exposed to her completely. The appearance of his body had her distracted, running her fingers over the muscles exposed in his chest, right down to the subtle V-shape between his hips. He growled at that touch in her ear, then backed her up toward the bed.
Ophelia laughed as she was tumbled down to the bed, her dress lifted around her hips. They were both hurried, both wanting this, with such intensity that this time, there wasn’t much preparation. Ophelia didn’t mind. The way they held onto each other betrayed the need she felt for him, and the thought that he wanted her as much as she desired him was everything to her.
With her skirt around her hips, he kissed her briefly at the top of her legs, then kissed her core, reminding her of the pleasure he’d shown her. It made her wetter still, prepared for him. Then he stood up and moved his hips to hers.
With Ophelia laid flat on the bed and Elliot standing on the floor, their positions made it all too easy for him to enter her. It was sudden, fast, and Ophelia was shocked there was no pain this time, only pleasure. One of her hands gripped the bed beneath her as the other reached toward Elliot. She clung to his bicep as he placed that hand on the bed beside her, anchoring himself down to begin a rhythm.
That rhythm was fast, so quick that Ophelia became weak, small moans escaping her lips every few seconds. Each time Elliot moved, she felt that sensation begin to build in her core, created by just the way he pleasured her.
For minutes, they stared at one another. Ophelia’s eyes ran over Elliot’s bare chest and up to his face, watching as his lips parted and small guttural moans fell from him, too.
When Ophelia began to feel things changing, that pleasure building, she pulled on the arm she was holding onto. Elliot clearly understood, for he bent down over her and kissed her. Ophelia passed one hand into his hair, clinging to him and playfully tugging on those tendrils as her body was rocked over the edge of ecstasy.
As she reached that high, she bucked against him. He followed quickly, moaning into their kiss before his body fell still. They were connected as he lifted himself up a little, just enough so their gazes could find one another. They both worked hard to catch their breaths, clinging onto one another.
“Is each time going to be like this?” Ophelia asked, breathlessly.
“God, I hope so,” Elliot said then chuckled. Bending toward her, he kissed her sweetly on the lips.
“Tomorrow,” she murmured as he ran his fingers through her hair, “do you have to attend to business? Or will you stay home?”
“I can stay home for a day,” he whispered to her. “How about we go for a walk, just you and me? We can have a picnic.”
“I’d like that.” Ophelia wrapped her arms around Elliot, hopeful that this was the end of the confusion between them. He showed no hurry to leave her.
Chapter 17
“Are you sure?” Elliot was confused. He was standing by the door, ready to go with his frock coat on. He’d arranged for Yates to prepare a picnic for himself and Ophelia, but he had hardly expected Miss Barge to come and tell him the news now that Ophelia wasn’t coming.
“Yes, Your Grace.” Miss Barge nodded. “She just told me herself that she intends to spend the day with your sister. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I do not think she wishes to go on this walk you speak of.” The maid looked truly sorry for it.
Elliot stepped back, hovering in the open door in confusion. It didn’t make sense that Ophelia would change her mind. They had made love the night before with passion and she had stayed in his bed all night.
That morning, he had been careful not to leave her, but had woken her with more kisses. They had sat at breakfast talking together, and with Grace, too. How had all that affection and warmth slipped away into Elliot hearing a refusal from the maid rather than Ophelia herself?
“You are certain of this?” Elliot asked, looking back to the maid.
“I am, Your Grace.” Miss Barge offered another apologetic smile.
“Very well.” Elliot had no wish to stay in the house now. He didn’t know what he would say to his wife. How could he keep in this feeling of betrayal and upset that she would go back on her word?
I thought last night had meant something to her, too.
“I will go out for the day. Tell my wife and my sister I will be back later.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” Miss Barge curtsied.
Elliot left the house quickly. He crossed to the stable and saddled his horse as fast as he could, being extra careful to make sure the door was bolted behind him before he took off, galloping across the estate and heading for the drive.
He didn’t hold back from riding at speed, even when he reached the road. He crossed the bridge over the River Thames, barely looking at the water either side of him. He thought only of Ophelia and the disappointment of her turning him down that day.
When he reached the only place that he had thought of to escape to, he jumped down from the horse, left it with a stable boy, and rapped his knuckles on the front door so hard that when the butler appeared, he seemed quite ruffled.
“Your Grace! Come, this way. The master is just having his breakfast.”
