Page 70 of Black Widow

Gideon stood and rolled his shoulders. Whatever else was true, he still believed Sir Clarence was behind the initial attacks. But he hadn’t conducted them on his own. There was the giant, the one that turned on him, and possibly someone else. A person able to castspells.

There simply wasn’t another explanation for everything he’dseen.

“Gideon?”

He turned to find a sleepy Amelia blinking up at him. “You slept through lunch, my love. I came to find you, but now I have a better idea. Why don’t I have cook prepare us a hamper and we can dine outside? A little fresh air should help if you’re still feelingpoorly.”

Her soft smile curled around his heart. “I’m much improved, thank you, but a picnic soundslovely.”

He nodded, touched by her enthusiasm. She was so easy to please, and he loved spoiling her. “I thought we could find that little stream on the other side of the orchardagain.”

Amelia beamed and gave him her hands. She didn’t appear to have an issue with dizziness, he noted as she got to her feet. Nevertheless, he would keep a watchful eye onher…

“This choice of picnic spots was inspired,” Amelia said, falling back on the blanket with a satisfied sigh after they had finished their meal. “What is it about the sound of running water that relaxes oneso?”

“Hmm, I don’t know, though I agree,” Gideon said, pushing away the plates so he could stretch out beside her. He leaned on one elbow and ran his finger down her cheek. “I’m just grateful for the unseasonably warm weather; otherwise, I couldn’t dothis…”

He opened the ties at the front of her gown, undoing herbodice.

“Gideon, we are out ofdoors!”

“Onmyestate.” He laughed, bending to tease her lips with a series of nibblingkisses.

“Yes, but thetenants—”

“Better stay away if they know what’s good for them,” he said, tossing up her skirts with agrin.

“What about the guards? Don’t think I don’t know you’ve had all my footmen shadowing my every step. They’ll be able to hearus.”

“Which is why I asked them to keep a wide berth this afternoon. None of them are near enough to hear us if we don’t shout…or rather, ifyoudon’tshout.”

Wrinkling her nose, she pinched him. “You are louder than Iam!”

“Fibbing is a sin, love.” He snickered, blocking her little fists when they flew at him. “But have no fear. The menarefar enough away. Plus, I secreted a brace of pistols in that hamper. We are perfectly securehere.”

Amelia’s lips parted at the news there were arms within reach, but she didn’t seem disturbed. Instead, she dismissed them with a shrug and opened her arms tohim.

With a husky laugh, he crawled over her, his hands gravitating under her skirts. After a few feverish minutes, he’d managed to rid her of her gown, leaving only her gossamer shift. Gideon loved the way her beautiful body appeared through the sheer silkfabric.

But not as much as I love touching her through it.He opened his shirt and pressed his chest against her swollen breasts as he shifted down to kiss and sucklethem.

“Oh, oh, stop. It’s too much!” Amelia said. Her hands trembled as she tried to shift himaway.

Of course, they’re too sensitive!“Sorry, love,” he murmured, drifting down to pay court between her legs instead. There his mouth was more thanwelcome.

Amelia moaned, arching under his touch. The sound heated his blood, and he increased the pressure of his lips, using his teeth to gently graze her soft inner lips and swollenbud.

She cried out, writhing in an attempt to escape, but he held her firm. Her taste was indescribable—and subtly different now. Combined with her other symptoms, there was only one conclusion. She was most assuredly withchild.

“Gideon, please stop,” she panted, shaking her head. “I can’t…I…”

“Yes, you can love. Now open your legs a little wider,” he ordered, nudging them with his broad shoulders. Twisting her bud slightly with his teeth, he worked two of his fingers in her sheath, curling them forward to stroke the special little spotinside.

Amelia gasped and put her hand over her mouth to muffle her own scream, so the guards beyond the orchard wouldn’t hear her. She was still trembling when he pulled open his breeches and drove intoher.

“My lord!” she sobbed, her arms clawing at hisshoulder.

Gideon didn’t know if it was praise or a plea. The moment his shaft entered her hot clinging passage, all thought had ceased. His lips parted as he slid to the hilt. It was like a velvet vise, the only home he’d ever known orwanted.

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