Page 45 of The Virgin Duchess

Cordelia and Kitty will be so happy to see me. It has been so wonderful getting to see them so much more. And with far less pressure surrounding the visits.

Charlotte readied herself in the mirror, going over her hair and making sure she hadn’t knocked free any of the strands as she packed up the box for Kitty.

The sweet gift would be so appreciated by her, and Charlotte did already possess a lovely set that she’d been given as a wedding present by Ethel before she left. By offering it to Kitty, Charlotte hoped that she would encourage the girl to practice her reading and writing since she didn’t have a proper tutor coming to visit her.

Inspecting the package, Charlotte nodded, happy with her work, and picked it up delicately before heading for her door. She was going so much earlier in the day than she was used to, but withFrederick aware of what she was doing, it wasn’t to be relegated to only nighttime visits.

Her steps created a short rhythm as she practically jogged down the stairs, and when she passed the breakfast room, she saw Frederick sitting there with this morning’s newspaper.

Hmm…I shall let him know that I’ll be out.

Charlotte flitted into the room, walking up to where Frederick sat and greeting him with a smile as he looked up from the center fold.

“Good morning. I wished to inform you that I’ll be visiting Cordelia and Kitty. I’d like to give her this delightful gift from last evening. I know Kitty will adore it.”

He smiled up at her, tilting his head. “This is the first time you’ve ever said anything about going to visit them.”

There was no hiding the surprise in his voice, and Charlotte ducked her chin, feeling her cheeks heat slightly.

“Oh, yes. Well, we are being more open with each other, are we not?”

Setting the paper down, Frederick nodded. As he leaned back in his chair, he slipped his fingers through the loop in his cup, bringing it to his lips to sit at the dark coffee inside.

“We are. Still,” he took his drink, allowing his words to hang there because he knew it set her on edge, “it sounds as if you are asking my permission to go? Is that what you’re doing, dear Charlotte?”

“Why would I need?—”

But her words were silenced as Frederick’s other hand found her, sliding up over her wrist and slipping beneath the fabric of her sleeve. His touch was warm, reminding her of how much warmer it could be. Before she knew it, he was on his feet, standing breaths away from her, with his dark eyes set on her with ultimate focus.

“Sweet Charlotte,” his fingers danced up her arm, making the fabric covering her arm snap back into place as he wound them up, up, up, “you know I do delight in hearing you ask for what you want.”

Her stomach clenched, Frederick’s words going straight to her primitive mind. She felt her cheeks flame, no doubt turning a bright pink, and she cursed herself for enjoying his torment so thoroughly. As it was, Frederick appeared to relish the way her skin darkened, the look of embarrassment painted across her.

“Look at the lovely flush of your skin, precious.” He leaned down toward her, placing his lips gently on her cheek right near Charlotte’s ear. “And how beautiful it must be as it colorsallyour flesh.”

He’d seen so much of her, and his reminding her of the fact sent Charlotte into a spin. Frederick’s caress of her arm moved higher still, his fingers wrapping around the back of her neck as he held her closer. His kisses went to the side of her neck, his warm breath on her sensitive skin making goosebumps flitter over her.

“Frederick,” Charlotte pleaded, “if I am to be leaving, I cannot very well get into the carriage looking like this. The entire staff will think that you’ve…entertainedme right at the breakfast table.”

“And?” He nipped at her ear lobe before doing it again right over her quickened pulse. “I can think of far worse things to be seated on my table than your fine rear.”

Giving her backside a firm pinch, Frederick hummed in her ear, and Charlotte was inches from losing her composure and any desire to leave the house. She could allow herself to be delayed, but God, she did wish to visit Cordelia. The trip was not a short one. If she dallied much longer…

Frederick’s other hand was now pressing between her legs, and Charlotte’s eyes shot wide. There was no one in the room, no one to see them, but he was being incredibly daring. Still, she could hardly complain when the heel of his hand found her slit through the layers of fabric and pushed into her hard.

A whimper left her, and Frederick just chuckled, that lilting sound that always had Charlotte melting a bit.

“Frederick, I…”

But the words were not there. All Charlotte could think about what the growing need in her blood and the way it felt to have Frederick use such pressure on the very tip of her seam, right where that bundle of nerves sang loudest.

And then he pulled back, leaving Charlotte to nearly pitch forward and land on the spread of food before her.

“I should not keep you.” Grinning like the devil, Frederick held her cheek, sweeping over her bottom lip with his thumb. “Go see your family. I am certain you are right. Kitty will love the writing supplies.”

Charlotte just nodded, walking away with a breathless smile and a nod. She went straight for the door and the phaeton that was waiting for her outside. It took everything she possessed to keep her mind from dwelling on the slick that now coated her thighs.

“This is gorgeous!” Kitty’s eyes were as wide as saucers, her excitement plain as day as she opened the box.

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