Page 67 of A Kiss Of Lies

The Duke looked at him in surprise. “You did?”

“William came to me privately. He said he owed Christian his life and he was adamant Lord Markham could never have harmed Harriet.” Simon extended his hand. “I am ashamed of what we did to you. We should have listened to you. I quite understand if you’d like satisfaction.”

Christian looked at the hand before him and slowly reached out and shook it. “I’d rather you helped me ascertain the truth. Let me talk with Harriet in your presence. What harm can it do? Wouldn’t you like to catch the real perpetrator?”

The Duke sighed and ran a hand over his face. He hesitated somewhat, then looked Christian in the eye. “If Harriet agrees to meet you, I’ll allow it. But I won’t force her; she’s been through enough. I’ll send word tomorrow.”

The relief coursing through Christian’s veins was like water to a parched man. He shook the Duke’s hand. “Thank you, sir.” After they took their leave, Christian wanted to shout the news from the rooftops, but the need for discretion prevailed. And the one person he particularly wanted to share it with wasn’t there with him.

He reentered the box, and Marisa smiled up at him. “I hope you don’t mind if Lord Rothburg joins our party.”

Here was his chance to escape. “How fortunate, for I have just received an urgent missive from my ward’s governess and must depart. Rothburg, may I entrust you to keep Lady Hawkestone company until Hadley can see the ladies home?”

Marisa’s tried to hide her smile of delight under false concern. “I do hope your ward—Lily, isn’t it?—is not ill.”

“I suspect it is nothing more than a touch of homesickness. Lily has only just lost her parents and is now in a new country. It will take her time to adjust.”

The relief on Rothburg’s face was not feigned. He stood and shook Christian’s hand. “Leave it to me, old boy. It shall be my pleasure to keep Lady Hawkestone company for the rest of the evening.”

Christian pulled Hadley aside and shared his news regarding the Duke agreeing to a meeting with Harriet. “I’m leaving Marisa with Rothburg. You don’t need me to help you see the ladies home.”

“You’ve fallen badly, haven’t you? You can’t go one evening without Serena.” Hadley shook his head. “I can’t say I’m surprised. You were the only one of us who always wanted a home, hearth, and family. I’m pleased for you, truly I am.”

Serena was already asleep when he crept quietly into her room. She’d obviously tried to stay awake, for a book she’d been reading had slipped from her hand and was lying open on the covers. He quietly picked it up, closed it, and put it on the table beside her bed.

In the dim light from the one candle still burning, he stood for a moment soaking in the innocent beauty of her in sleep. He frowned as he noted the dark shadows under her eyes. He took a second look. She looked tired, and he also observed that she’d lost weight. Her exposed arms looked as if there was no flesh on her bones.

The urge to wake her to share the news regarding a possible meeting with Harriet, his accuser, warred with his conscience, which was telling him he should allow her to rest. The news would still be well received in the morning. She’d be happy for him.

He stood contemplating the temptation of her and he was unable to resist.

Serena moved, rolling over. Half awake, she asked, “Is that you, Christian?”

He brushed the hair off her face and tenderly kissed her cheek, “Shush. Go back to sleep. I’ll be here in the morning.”

“What time is it?”

“It’s just before midnight. I left the theater early.”

“I missed you in my bed,” she murmured before she turned over and with a contented sigh went back to sleep. Those were the sweetest words he’d heard from anyone in a long while.

Christian slipped quietly out of his clothes, slid soundlessly into the bed beside her, and thought, as he gathered her in his arms, that he knew the perfect way to wake her in a few hours’ time. He loved the feel of her in his arms. He craved the intimacy and knew that he’d not be able to sleep anyway, not unless she was by his side. He fell asleep with a smile on his lips, dreaming of the morning’s pleasures to come.

ChapterSixteen

Serena awoke in the soft predawn light to the pleasant sensation of butterfly soft caresses fluttering over her stomach. Was she dreaming? The sight of Christian worshiping her body with his hands and mouth sent that singular warmth she recognized as desire building between her legs.

“It’s almost morning. I should throw you out of my bed,” she murmured, sleep still befuddling her thinking.

He raised his head and moved back up her body. “Not quite the response I’d hoped for my efforts,” was the reply. “I couldn’t stay away. I’ve waited all night to make love to you. You looked exhausted when I came home.”

“Oh.” She smiled at him. “I’m not tired now, so don’t let me stop you.”

“As always, I’m yours to command, my sweet.”

She sank lazily into the mattress and let him love her. His mouth settled on hers for a thoroughly ravishing kiss. Her breathing became short and she could feel her body respond to the call of his hardness. His mouth trailed down the contours of her neck, nipping at the base where her pulse pounded. As he bestowed kisses all down her body, her nipples puckered. She adored the sensation of them brushing against his muscled chest. As she arched beneath him, he took one ridged peak into his mouth and she moaned. He suckled and feasted, building her need for climax to the point of exasperation.

Then she almost cried out in disappointment as his hot, wet mouth left her breast, and his lips skimmed down to the tense muscles of her abdomen and he stroked his fingers through the soft curls at the juncture of her thighs. Then excited anticipation gripped her. He was going to love her with his mouth again. She needed no encouragement to part her thighs wide for him. She opened willingly, a testament to how much she trusted this man.

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