Page 94 of When the Viscount Seduces
Gwen had never been more grateful. Her heart was full.
It was after midnight when Lazarus practically raced up the stairs to his bedchamber. He was so eager to see his wife that he’d thrown off his hat and gloves without a care. Presumably, the efficient footman would retrieve them from wherever they’d landed in the entrance hall.
The debate had lasted hours, and then there’d been other business. Lazarus had resolved to skip tomorrow’s session in favor of bestowing all the attention his wife deserved and didn’t receive today. He felt horrible for arriving so late on their wedding night.
He threw open the door to his chamber and closed it firmly, then began disrobing immediately. He scanned the chamber, but didn’t see Gwen. It was awfully late. Had she fallen asleep?Would she be disgruntled if he woke her? He’d no idea what sort of sleeper she was.
Wearing just his breeches and shirt, he padded toward the bed on his bare feet. Then he stopped cold at the sight that awaited him.
Gwen lay amidst the rumpled bedclothes wearing nothing but a…cravat? Had she donned that because of how she’d been dressed the other day when they’d first shared a bed together?
“I’m so sorry I’m late,” Lazarus said, his body tight with desire.
Her lips curved in a seductive smile that made his cock jump. “I expected that.”
“And why the cravat?” he asked, taking his shirt off.
Eyes widening slightly as she fixed on his chest for a moment, she stroked the end of her cravat. “I was wearing this earlier today when I visited the House of Lords. I thought you might like to see how I looked in it.”
He goggled at her. “You were there today?”
“I was. Along with Tamsin, Min, Ellis, and Jo.”
“All dressed like men. Because you had to be, of course.” He shook his head. “I’d no idea. I did see your father, however.”
“I wasn’t too far to the left of him—from your perspective.” She continued to stroke the silk of the cravat, and Lazarus was becoming most distracted. His cock somehow grew harder.
“You’re going to have to leave that cravat alone if you expect me to carry on a conversation.” He drew a deep breath, but the haze of lust remained. “It’s good I didn’t recognize you. I would have been more distracted than I am right now.”
Her hand stilled, and she sat up. “I can’t believe what you said today.” Her eyes shone with admiration. “I’m so very proud of you.”
“You can’t know how much that means to me,” he said quietly. “When I lost my father, I never thought I’d havesomeone who would support me as you have. To know that you are proud of me is the most wonderful gift.”
Her gaze met and held his. “Icanknow. All I wanted with this silly Season was to make my parents proud. Yes, I wanted a marriage, but in large part because that was what they wanted for me. I wanted their approval and praise, but I realize what I wanted more than anything was a love of my own. And you gave me that. Now tell me why you said what you did in the Lords today about your reading problems. You didn’t have to share any of that.”
“I know, but I wanted to. Mostly, because I want the world to know how brilliant you are and how much I adore you. I don’t want anyone to doubt that I would ever dishonor or hurt you.”
“There is little chance of that now, but I would never doubt it. You sounded so wonderful today. Your delivery was outstanding.”
He grinned. “Our scheme with the short passages was the key to my success. And I have you to thank for that. How did I get so lucky to find you? And for you to choose me?”
“I have asked myself the same questions multiple times this past week. Let us lay them to rest. We are both lucky, and we chose each other because we were simply meant to be.”
Lazarus’s heart soared. “I can see you have seduction in mind, and I have no quarrel with that.”
“It is our wedding night,” she said.
“How is your arm? Wedding night or not, I am not going to cause you pain or discomfort.”
She gave him a saucy smile. “You won’t because I am going to be on top. I believe you said I could ride you, is that correct?”
“Yes,” he rasped, quickly unbuttoning the fall of his breeches. He climbed onto the bed and kissed her, gently cupping her face.
Pivoting, she pushed him lightly backward, not that he needed direction or encouragement. “I recall I said I wanted toexplore this magnificent chest last time we were together like this.”
“You did,” Lazarus managed despite the need building to a crescendo within him. How had he lasted four days without her? He wasn’t sure he was going to make it through the next four minutes.
He closed his eyes and focused on her hands moving over him, each caress driving him deeper into desire. Then her mouth followed, spreading kisses over his flesh and flicking her tongue to taste him.
