Page 52 of Love Abandoned

“A small sip,” he cautioned with the hint of a smile.

Elizabeth did as he instructed. The strong spirit was smoothed by the sweetness of the orange, the combined flavor filling her mouth and warming her body as it flowed down her throat and heated her stomach. “Oh,” she said, enjoying the sensation.

“Oh,” he said, shifting and looking off into the darkness before returning his gaze to hers. “It is always best to savor in small increments. It is a richer experience.”

His hazel eyes were dark in the dim light, but she didn’t need to see them fully to feel the fevered intention from his body. She could throw herself on him now, such was the depth of her own need. Tumble with him like a streetwalker. Would he enjoy that? She took another bite of her slice of orange and a sip of brandy, licking her lips to catch the sweet juice that escaped. This time his groan was audible.

He tossed back his entire glass of brandy and grasped the decanter. He hesitated, set it down, and pulled her close. His kiss was not tentative. Nor was it gentle. It was a siege. She was a fortress, and he had breached her defenses. Or was it the other way around? She moaned when his tongue met hers, the taste of him far more satisfying than the sweetest of oranges. He devoured her, and she savored him. When he pulled back, she was both satisfied and bereft.

“Oh, Richard,” she said on a happy sigh and tugged at his jacket, wanting him pressed against her once again.

“Oh, Richard.” Her voice echoed back at her, and they both stiffened. “Oh, Richard.” It rang out again in perfect imitation of hers.

Richard got to his feet, and Elizabeth followed suit, her heart pounding. He glanced around the room but stood stock-still listening. Their breathing filled the air. Her skin prickled when she heard breathing echo from the far side of the room. Richard clearly heard it too, as he grabbed a lantern and moved cautiously toward the sound. She followed close behind.

“Oh, Richard.”

Richard took several strides and, holding the light high, whipped the linen off the birdcage. The parrot looked at him and cocked its head, its imitation of their breathing filling the space. “Oh, Richard,” it said again in Elizabeth’s voice.

“What the devil?” The bird stared back at Richard, unperturbed.

Elizabeth could not squash a bubble of laughter, and when Richard heard it, he joined her. They both laughed until Elizabeth was on the verge of crying, all the emotion of the evening channeling through her. She knew the moment she’d been dreaming of had been within reach but was now lost. As if sensing her grief, Richard pulled her close and hugged her snugly.

“This was a lovely evening. Thank you.” He kissed the top of her head. “It’s a big day tomorrow,” he said, repeating her words to William. “You must get some rest.”

She watched him stroll through the ballroom and into the hall that led to his bedroom. And hers. Which had used to be theirs. She longed for it to be so again. She sighed and slowly followed, swallowing her disappointment. Tonight she’d won a battle. She would regroup, strategize, and be prepared for the next skirmish. The war was not lost. Not by a long shot.

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