Page 58 of Love Abandoned

“Enter,” he said, not taking his eyes off her beaming face. It was deeply satisfying to see her happy.

Hastings entered with two footmen Richard didn’t recognize. There’d been a plethora hired for the party, which had not only ensured a seamless event but also boded well for a quick cleanup of the ballroom. They moved a table in front of the sofa and covered it with linen.

“Shall I unpack the basket, my lord?” Hastings asked, discreetly averting his glance from Elizabeth, who had quickly tucked her feet under her skirts but could not so easily fix her disheveled hair.

“I’ll do it,” Elizabeth said. “Another bottle of champagne, and you need not worry about us for the remainder of the evening.”

Richard raised an eyebrow at her and was rewarded with an impish smile. He sipped his brandy, waiting as servants ran in and out, setting dishes and flatware, distributing several of the large bouquets Sophia had provided, and placing lanterns around the room. When the champagne chilling on shaved ice arrived, Hastings bid them good night and left the room.

Richard took in the space. “It seems the picnic has come to us.”

“Indeed it has,” Elizabeth said, smiling coyly.

Warning bells went off, but he ignored them. It had been far too long since he’d enjoyed such intimacy with Elizabeth. He would relish it for a time and excuse himself when they were through with their meal.

“Come sit.” Elizabeth patted the seat beside her. “It is far easier to eat side by side.”

As much as his mind screamed no, her invitation was like a siren song, and he followed its call.

*

Richard sat besideElizabeth, his spine stiff as a board as he leaned forward pensively. She assumed they must both relearn how to be physically comfortable in each other’s presence. Although, she’d been entirely at home on his lap when she’d bombarded him with truly appreciative kisses, and she was sure he’d not been adverse to her sudden burst of gratitude. She smiled to herself. It was a bit like getting Sebastian to walk—encouraging movement in small but enthusiastic increments.

She tugged the linen off the basket. “Oh, I do believe you shall be pleased,” she said, rifling through the contents. Cook had conspired with her, ensuring she provided all Richard’s favorites. “Pork loin, roast beef, pigeon pie, eggs, bread, gingerbread cakes.” She set them out on the table as she named them. “Oh,” she said, digging in again. “And cheese and grapes. Note not a vegetable in sight.”

He chuckled. “Horrid things, vegetables.” His shoulders relaxed a little as he sat back on the sofa.

Elizabeth prepared a plate for him, aware of his eyes upon her. She wanted to lure him in as she did it, but there was truly nothing enticing about preparing a plate of food. Or so she thought, until she turned toward him. His eyes had darkened with a promise she’d not seen in over two years. She hoped it was not a fancy of her imagination.

He took the plate from her and held her gaze for a moment before finally dropping it and devoting his attention to food. She almost laughed out loud. Food would always supplant her in his life. She suspected food would supplant everything in his life. He glanced at her and smiled in a way so reminiscent of William when he’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t but knew wasn’t really that bad. God, but she loved the men in her life.

She’d eaten a little bit with Catherine and Sophia, although it had been difficult to swallow at times as Sophia regaled them with the trials and tribulations of the duke’s pursuit. She wished she had Sophia’s freedom, toying with men as though there were no consequences, laughing at their antics as though they held no sway over her. She looked at Richard. He had the power to destroy her. She’d given it to him freely, not knowing he would come dangerously close to using it. She shook her head. They’d changed course. He would not be here tonight had they not.

Richard set his plate on the table, and she picked up the cluster of grapes. Time for the next stage of her plan. She slowly pulled a single grape from the bunch and looked at him. He watched her, and her body tingled with anticipation. She put the grape in her mouth and opened her mouth slightly so he could see her pop it. She chewed excruciatingly slowly and pronouncedly swallowed, then chased the taste across her lips with her tongue. He groaned audibly. She thought of the fish in the barrel in the ballroom and smiled. Hook. Line. And sinker.

*

Richard shifted uncomfortably.He’d adjust himself, though not only did he not wish to appear crass, but he also didn’t want to draw attention to the erection pressing against his pants. Elizabeth held far too much power as it was. If she knew she had him dangling at the end of the line, she might try to reel him in. And that would not do.

“Walford tells me they will be withdrawing to the country next week,” he said, sitting back again against the sofa. He took a sip of his brandy and a bite of the gingerbread cake. The marrying of the two flavors would normally be exquisite, but tonight the only deliciousness he wanted to taste was his wife.Hell and the devil confound it.His mind was absolutely beastly tonight. He shifted again.

Elizabeth, too, sat back, tucking her knees up and angling toward him. “Yes, Catherine told me. I cannot blame her, but I will miss her dear companionship.”

He nodded in both agreement and sympathy, for he would miss Walford’s company. And his sensible guidance. If the Home Office followed through on their threat, Richard had the legal background to pursue them, but Walford had the field experience and knew how best to approach them. He only hoped a resolution was found before the Walfords left London.

“Richard?”

Doubt hovered in her eyes, and he cursed himself for it. He’d promised her this day. “My apologies,” he said, taking her hand in his. “You were saying?”

“I’d like to visit Woodfield after the baby has arrived. I remember how important it was to see caring faces.”

Richard’s stomach contracted as though he’d been kicked. He had not been among the caring faces. Once he’d known all would be well, he’d run. He was overwhelmed with the urge to withdraw his hand from hers and his person from the room, and keep on going until there was ample distance between them once again.

But her eyes held no accusation, only hope. The muscles in his abdomen slowly released.This day, he said to himself,this day. A mantra to be repeated as necessary so he stayed by her side and made things as right as they could be between them.

“I wager it would be a far better visit to Woodfield than our last,” he said, glancing toward the door one last time, deciding to stay firmly put.

She smiled. “They are proof you can overcome great adversity in a marriage.”

He contemplated the truth of that as he sipped his brandy, watching her enjoy her champagne. It had always been a favorite of hers. Her tongue dipped tentatively into the glass, her eyes creasing with pleasure as the bubbles teased her tongue. After what seemed an agonizing hour of watching her tongue playfully bobbing about the glass, she finally tipped its contents into her mouth. He observed the muscles in her pale throat working to swallow the liquid. He stifled a groan. He’d like to swallow her.

“Richard.”

It would seem he had not successfully stifled the groan. Her voice was gruff and thick with need. He set his brandy on the table and held out a hand for her glass, which she willingly surrendered. He tugged her hand, pulling her close, and rested his forehead against hers.

“Elizabeth,” he said, ready to tell her it was impossible to go further.

She drew back and put a finger on his lips. “Shh,” she said. “I don’t want to hear…” She ran a finger under the fabric at her shoulder and pulled it down, revealing her breast cradled in her stays. “But I’d like,” she continued as she slipped out of her left sleeve, “to feel…”

Her full breasts glowed alabaster in the lantern light, her nipples discreetly cresting the cotton, a temptation he had no strength to resist. He groaned loudly, and she smiled seductively. He must forfeit his own, but there was nothing to prevent him from giving her pleasure. He leaned in and freed a breast, taking it in his mouth. Her moan was his reward. Lord give him strength.

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