Page 44 of Claiming His Estranged Viscountess (Rogues from War 2)

“So…?” He murmured on her tender skin.

“Appetizing.” She breathed weakly, her head falling back.

He rumbled a laugh and shifted to give attention to her other sensitized breast. If he was appetizing, she was a banquet to feast on with every sense.

The craving for her soared sky high. When he leaned all his body on her curvaceous form, his hardness became evident. ”I cannot help it.”

“You arrogant beast!” She mumbled before he plundered her mouth.

Chapter Fourteen

“Lady Strafford.” Hughes bowed at the housekeeper room’s threshold, where Aurelia and Mrs Hughes planned the chores management, over tea.

Conrad had already ridden back from the fields, she saw him walking in the direction of the study.

“Yes, Hughes.” She turned to him absent-mindedly, attention still on the chores on the list.

“I came because I thought you might want to hear it.” This time Aurelia focused all her attention on him. “Mrs Somersby came to visit Lord Strafford, my lady.”

That woman in this house? A flash of pure anger crossed her. “And you allowed her entrance, Hughes?” She asked appalled.

Mrs Hughes’ chin fell, as flabbergasted as her husband.

The butler made a helpless gesture. “She just strode inside when I asked her to wait, so I could announce her.”

Barely containing her fury, she turned to the housekeeper. “Excuse me, Mrs Hughes; I must see to this.”

The middle-aged woman nodded, understanding.

Aurelia darted from downstairs as a lioness ready to fight. Oh, no! Not in her territory! There would be no other pernicious people in her home. She bore enough of such people for a lifetime.

She literally scampered to the study where her husband had been for tea, and crashed the door open, without even knocking. And froze. So immovable, she would be mistaken with the garden statue of Persephone.

The woman’s alien arms snaked around her husband’s neck, her generous body glued to him. Her eyes looked up to him; mouth provocative and ajar in a half smile. His head down, eyes no doubt able to peer in the widow’s agape neckline. His back to the door, his hands on her shoulders in mid-movement. His head turned to the door instantly, dark eyes knotted to hers.

Unrushed, Mrs Somersby’s common blue eyes met Aurelia’s, and took on an amused glint. With irritating slowness, her arms slid from his broad shoulders and she used several seconds to separate from his tall frame.

“Oh, Lady Strafford.” Her contemptuous flossy tone unruffled. “Timely, as usual.” The woman did not bother to curtsy.

She dressed expensive garments, if not elegant. A dark-blue dress that made justice to her ashen blond hair.

On the corner of her eye, she perceived Conrad take distance from her, but Aurelia drove her attention fast on the widow.

He motioned to speak. “Nothing hap…”

“I know.” She interrupted, eyes unblinking on the other woman.

“An assertive lady, to be sure.” The widow issued in a dismissive tone, a seductive smile on her comely face.

“I am afraid you’ll have to find… gratification somewhere else, Mrs Somersby.” Aurelia’s level voice blunt.

The woman should not be blamed for aiming her… inclinations at the Viscount of Strafford. She understood better than anybody else did how her husband was capable of relieving cravings as much as inflaming them. She herself found it impossible to remain cold when he touched her at night, squabble or no squabble. And, drat, she revelled in it, mortification be damned!

For sure, Aurelia would not stomach anyone of his old troupe in her presence, let alone in her residence. Often enough she caught gossip of his debauchery which got her in a state of dismay, shame and self-reproach she did not care to repeat.

“Of course, not.” The widow responded insolent. “One can go back to a mistress arrangement!” She smiled and tilted her head smugly.

Conrad again. “I did not…”

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