Page 32 of A Night of Forever
“Yes, but I probably won’t have had time to check the trunk again by then.”
He nodded, relieved. He really didn’t like her still living under Victoria’s roof, but he would see her tomorrow and would reevaluate the situation then.
He pulled her to him for a last, brief kiss. Then, after a final survey of the courtyard, he pushed her through the door and watched until she reached the house.
A smile played on his lips as she hesitated and sent him a small wave before slipping inside.
Filled with warmth—and still randy as hell—he was about to ease out the door himself when searing pain splintered his head, and everything went dark.
Chapter 9
Isobel knew she should wake up, but the dream was simply too delicious.
Arend’s clever, wicked tongue was on her, gently nibbling her sex between her thighs, softly licking, driving her wild with need.
Her back arched and her hands clutched his black curls, holding him to her, as she whimpered at the incredible sensations shooting through her body.
Just when she thought she could not take any more, he stopped. His hot breath caressed the sensitive nub that had hardened into a tight point. He was sending her mad.
His kisses moved upward, his lips branding her skin…her stomach, her breasts, her nipples as he sucked one into his mouth. Her body shuddered as his hard weight covered her. His swollen manhood pulsed between her thighs.
Her body tightened in anticipation. She wanted them joined. Wanted him to make her his—forever.
His caresses brought her to the edge of reason. Desperate to take the final step, she rubbed herself against his erection, begging him to take her.
And there was his breath on the curve of her throat, his husky whisper in her hair. “Don’t cross me. If you ever betray me, I’ll destroy you….”
Isobel jumped awake, her body throbbing with both need and fear.
Well, after the night’s adventure, an erotic dream was hardly surprising. But what an odd ending.
She flopped back onto her pillow, frustrated and uneasy. How could her mind take something so wondrous and turn it into a threat? She would never betray him. Not in any way.
She rose and splashed cold water on her face before ringing the bell for her Baxter. She needed to bathe and to dress for her visit to Evangeline.
Isobel sensed something was wrong the moment she arrived downstairs for breakfast. Dufort was not sitting next to Victoria, as he normally did, nor was he in the room or adjacent corridor. In fact, for the first time she could remember, he didn’t appear to be in residence, leaving Victoria alone.
She was about to comment on his absence, but stopped herself in time. It would not do to alert Victoria to the fact she and Dufort were under observation.
Instead she buttered her toast and said cheerfully, “Would you like to accompany me today? I’m taking Sealey to visit Richmond Park and the deer. Remember, I promised him last week. With his mother away, I thought I’d give Beatrice a break from minding him. I’ll likely take her ward, Henry, as well.”
Victoria gave her a preoccupied look.
“I’d love to, dear. However, Mr. Duckworth has arrived with papers he needs me to review. The need is urgent, and the matter is likely to take me all day. How unfortunate.”
Victoria would indeed think such a visit was unfortunate. Mr. Duckworth was the trustee for her father’s estate. From what she had seen of the interactions between Mr. Duckworth and Victoria, it was safe to say there was tension there. Isobel was grateful Victoria had no say about the funds her father had put aside for her.
She swallowed her mouthful of toast and reached for her tea. “They must be important if he’s come all the way from Northumberland. What a shame. Today is one of the few warmish days we have had. It seems a waste to spend it locked away inside.”
“It’s rather fortunate, actually, because Dufort is unwell. He’s on his sickbed, and you know how I don’t like going out without him.”
Dufort was sick? He didn’t look the type to get sick, but Isobel did not question it. She merely nodded, thankful that she hadn’t tried to slip into his room this morning on her way to breakfast. The thought had crossed her mind as she walked down the corridor and passed his room, but for some reason she’d hesitated. Thank goodness she had.
“It will be wonderful to have a night at home for a change. I don’t know what time I’ll be back from the park, but we didn’t accept any invitations for tonight, did we?”
Victoria wrinkled her nose, as if deep in thought. “No. It is going to be a busy few weeks. Your engagement announcement has brought a flood of invitations. We shall both have an evening at home—with perhaps a game of cards after dinner, and then an early night.”
“That sounds heavenly.” Isobel glanced at the clock. “Goodness, I must hurry, or Sealey will think I’ve forgotten him.” She rose, and as she left the room she called, “Good luck with your correspondence, I shall see you tonight.”
