Page 77 of A Bride for the Rakish Duke

Her shaky knees gave way slightly, causing her to stumble at the shock of what he had just said—that one word she had never expected to hear from his lips—love. But he grabbed her before she could fall and sank back on his haunches, settling her on his thighs, holding her close.

“L-Love?” she breathed, dizzy with the power of that word.

He dipped his head, not quite kissing her, but his lips were so close that just a slight movement of her mouth or his would bring them together.

“Love,” he confirmed, his breath caressing her lips, “if you will allow me.”

She swallowed thickly and nodded, looping her arms around his neck. “I… give you permission to… love me and to… be loved by me,” she gasped, surprised she could even muster the ability to speak when he was so close and had just confessed his feelings. After all, it was all she had ever wanted.

“What a relief,” he whispered and kissed her.

His mouth was soft and warm against hers, grazing in a slow, sensual ebb and flow that made her tingle all over. She kissed him back with equal fervor, not caring that every press of their lips robbed the breath from her lungs. Indeed, who needed air when there was love? And not merely love, but the kind that people wrote longingly about?

He held her tightly, one arm sliding around her waist to pull her flush against him. She melted into his embrace, already alight with the electric excitement that he never failed to conjure within her. But as something shifted between them, and the air crackled with the promise of what they had enjoyed the previous night, she remembered with dismay that they were not at Stonebridge.

“It is a warm night,” he whispered breathily, as if reading her mind. “I spotted a pagoda on the farthest reaches of the garden, where I doubt anyone shall disturb us.”

Lydia pushed against his chest. “I could not do that.” She hesitated. “Go to the stables and have the driver prepare the carriage for an immediate departure. I shall meet you at the front of the house in… ten minutes.”

“You torment me,” he groaned, flashing her a wicked smile. “And I cannot get enough.”

In one powerful movement, he got to his feet, still holding Lydia in his arms. She felt every muscle flex and strain, a flush of heat rushing through her as she thought of the athletic physique beneath his clothes that allowed him to do such things.

“Does the anticipation not make it all the more exciting?” she teased. “That is what I have been told.”

He narrowed his eyes playfully. “Yes, I had forgotten about the naughty company that you keep.” He set her down on her feet. “Ten minutes. If you are not there, I shall have to come and find you, and when I do, there shall be no restraint. Even if I happen to find you on the staircase, I will make love to you right there. You have been warned.”

She gaped at him, fully believing the delicious threat. “I shall keep my promise.”

“See that you do, kitten.” He flashed a wink and turned, running off along the terrace that wrapped around the manor.

Lydia watched him go, fanning herself with her hand as her body called out for her husband. But that would have to wait, for she would not throw Joanna and Edwin’s hospitality back in their faces by slipping away in the night without so much as a farewell.

Once she was certain that she was no longer scarlet in the face, she ducked back into the manor and headed off in search of the Duke and Duchess of Bruxton while her heart screamed out,I love you.Wolfie, I love you!

The carriage turned the corner from the stable yard and rattled across the gravel, turning to the front of Bruxton Hall. William sat on the squabs, his blood still roaring in his veins, his loins ablaze, his hands itching to grab hold of his wife once more, his lips burning for a taste of her.

And there she was, waiting impatiently.

He threw open the door. “Get in.”

“You are late,” she replied, arching an eyebrow.

“The driver was asleep, and it took longer to prepare the carriage than I expected. Do not make the poor fellow feel guilty, forI doubt he was expecting to have to make a return journey tonight,” William replied with a sly grin.

Lydia was about to step up into the carriage when she paused. “What of your horse?”

“You are worried about my horse at a moment like this?” He had to laugh. “The stablemaster has agreed to have one of his boys ride the gelding back tomorrow. Now, get in!”

He reached for her, pulling her into the carriage.

The moment the door was closed, his lips found hers in a frenzied rush, his arms wrapping tightly around her. And as the carriage pulled away, he held her that little bit tighter so the sway of the carriage would not knock her over.

She kissed him back with the ravenous desire that he had relished the night before, and as he sat back on the squabs, she straddled his thighs and pressed herself against him.

“Never leave me again,” he growled, running his hand up the soft fabric of her stocking, sliding his palm underneath the skirts of her nightdress. He was grateful that she had not paused to change her attire.

“I will not if you do not,” she replied, breathing hard as she kissed him harder.

---