Page 27 of The Lady's Guide to Well-Endowed Dukes
Resting her head upon her hands, she closed her eyes while he stroked from the crease of her behind, down her thigh.
“And were you just as annoying as a child as you are now? Always thinking you had the right of things, and telling others how they should carry on?” She peeked at him over her shoulder, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
“Minx!” He delivered a playful slap on her rump. She laughed throatily at that, then sighed, as he brought his hand lower, to rest upon the still damp place between her legs.
Sighs became moans, as he showed her once more that there were some things he most certainly didn’t need her advice upon to do very well indeed.
The hour was wellpast midnight, and he lay asleep in her bed.
His cock was beautiful, and it tasted sublime. She’d done her best to satisfy him, with kitten licks and nibbles down his shaft, taking his pliable testicles into the warmth of her mouth and humming there, stroking the tender place beneath.
He’d spent far more time on her pleasure, sending her tumbling over and again into a blissful state.
They had not performed the full sexual act though, more than once, she’d tried to coax him. He feared hurting her, of course—but what could one know, if one didn’t try? If sheer desire were enough to make it possible, she had that in abundance.
Rising, she went through to the bathroom, where the water remained in the tub. Carefully she lowered herself in, though it was cool now, causing her to goosebump all over.
She exhaled, trying to clear her mind of the hundred thoughts jostling for precedence.
He was a darling. Quite different from how she’d first imagined. She was coming to like him very much. Was he rethinking his betrothal? She sensed he was.
Dipping her hands into the water, she splashed it upon her face.
At heart, he was an honorable man.
There was the crux.
If they continued this affair, what then?
This was no ordinary passion, at least on her side, but even the brightest flames died at last. What if, in a few months from now, he discovered she was not all he thought her to be?
Would he come to resent her?
Could she bear that?
However much she wanted to pursue this, was she only heaping fuel on a fire that would burn her at last?
CHAPTER 10
The dining salonwas arranged tonight for dancing, the tables placed close upon the perimeter. The music of the orchestra soared into the great glass dome, while couples glided across the marble floor below.
Estela sat beside Margaret and the Titby-Tittons, watching as Rockley waltzed Oona sedately. It was kind of him. In his formal attire, moving upon light feet, he was a graceful dancer. Ladies outnumbering the gentlemen, he was much in demand.
All day, she’d felt a nagging doubt.
With the ship having sailed through the night, they’d docked in Sardinia, allowing a short excursion into Cagliari. She’d sent Antoinette with a message for Margaret and Oona, letting them know she was indisposed.
She and Rockley had spent the time closeted in her cabin.
Was it so wrong? To shut out the world and enjoy this moment?
He’d spoken nothing of his plans when they reached England, as if to do so would break the enchantment. They conversed on many topics but any mention of Miss Maitland he diverted.
The waltz came to an end and the dancers drifted off to take refreshment. Rockley led Oona—quite pink from the exertion—back to their table.
“Mrs. Bongorge”—he bowed in courtly fashion and extended his hand—“Would you do me the honor of partnering me?”
For some reason, she found herself hesitating. They’d enjoyed almost every intimacy, but the thought of them dancing in public made her self-conscious. She did wish for it, of course. She would simply pretend the room was not crowded with others observing them, seeing how she looked at him, how she trembled to be close to him again.
