Page 45 of The Duke of Aces
She didn’t step away at his answer, in fact, she brought his head down closer. “And my final question, if such activities take you abroad, will I or will I not be accompanying you?”
None of her queries were the ones he’d anticipated she might ask. He didn’t have to think too hard on his answer. He wanted her with him, always. “It would be my preference for you to accompany me. However, if you would prefer not to, I would not force you.”
She pressed her lips to his, and before he could dip his tongue to taste her sweet mouth, she pulled back and said, “I think I’m in love with you, Thomas Grandstone, Duke of Avondale, Earl of Harvey, and Count of Tourmaine.”
“That is indeed good to know, for I am in love with you Lady Isadora Malbury.” He brushed his lips over hers for a brief kiss. “Does this mean you will marry me?”
Isadora pulled back, “Aye, if it means you will kiss me, I agree to marriage.” She stepped out of his hold and took his hand. Tom was certain they were headed back to the ball, but when she changed directions and led him over to the settee, he released a sigh of relief.
“Tom, please take a seat.” It was the first time she had referred to him by his given name, and he didn’t hesitate to do as she bid.
She didn’t let go of his hand as he lowered himself onto the settee. Isadora stepped between his legs and dropped to her knees.
“Isadora, luv, what the devil are you doing?”
“Last time, you pleasured me until I reached my release. This time I want to pleasure you until you find your release.”
His cock instantly hardened at her words and pressed uncomfortably against his breeches. She reached for the buttons on his falls. “Don’t look so concerned. Chestwick Hall has a very extensive library. I studied the illustrations and believe it a fairly simple act. Although I’ll admit, it was difficult to decipher if the males’ faces were contorted as a result of pain or pleasure or a bit of both.”
He rolled his eyes heavenward. Lady Luck was indeed on his side. How he came to be so fortunate as to find the perfect woman for him, he would never know. “Would you care for a little instruction from me, or would you prefer to have full reign?” He lifted his hips as she shimmed the waistband lower until his cock popped out.
She licked her lips and studied his engorged manhood. “A little instruction, please.”
“Spit on the tip and then take me into your mouth as far as possible.”
Without debate, she followed his instruction. He was in heaven. Isadora applied just the right amount of pressure with her lips as her mouth glided down his shaft.
“Good, pet, now bob up and down.” His fingers weaved through her hair and tangled with the string of her domino. It wasn’t long before he felt his balls tighten. He was close to release, but he was undecided if he should come in her mouth or into a handkerchief. He reached into his pocket for the handkerchief, and the motion drove him deeper. Isadora reached between his legs and stroked his balls and then squeezed. He tried to pull out, but her lips gripped him.
“Pet, your about to make me come, luv. I need to…”
She stroked him at the base of his cock, and it sent him over the edge. His cock jerked as he found his release. She swallowed and sat back with a wicked grin on her face. “Minerva always said it was just as pleasurable to give as it is to receive. I don’t think I fully comprehended her meaning until now…now I understand.”
God how he loved this smart, beautiful woman. He helped her up from her knees, and he pulled up his breeches so he wouldn’t stain her gown when he tugged her to sit upon his lap. He bent and sought out her mouth for a kiss. “I want you. Promise to marry me as soon as possible.”
“I promise to marry you, but not before Minerva is happily wed.”
Tom pressed his forehead to hers. “What if it isn’t marriage Minerva wants?”
“I know my sister. It is her greatest wish to become a mother. She must wed. If we work together, pool our resources, we could have her standing before a reverend in short order.”
The idea of working together appealed to Tom. Then a thought struck him, and he said, “If Charlotte succeeds tonight, and Drake wins the chess match, it won’t be necessary for us to intervene.” Tom would rather not play the role of matchmaker if at all possible.
“Even if Charlotte convinces Drake to issue the challenge, he won’t win against Minerva. She may have loved him once, but her pride wouldn’t let her throw a game, and Drake, well he hasn’t played chess since we were children. There is no chance he’d defeat Minerva.”
Tom didn’t agree. Drake was a genius and, while it wasn’t a foregone conclusion the insolent pup would defeat Minerva, Tom firmly believed it was a possibility.
Isadora curled and snuggled against him. “We should return to the ball.”
“Aye.” He agreed but neither of them moved.
He was content to simply enjoy having her close and in his arms. But they couldn’t hide away the entire eve.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Trapped in thespacious ducal coach as it rattled down the still dark cobbled streets toward her parents’ townhouse, Isadora clasped her hands in her lap. She avoided Tom’s gaze even though she could feel it upon her.
Drake had been pacing up and down the corridor in front of the billiards room when she and Tom exited the card room. Thank goodness it was two doors down and the probability of Drake hearing anything was slight.
