Chapter Nineteen
‘Leo…’ Florence murmured, letting the past melt away as she slid her hands over his shoulders and opened her mouth to his.
And then the rest of the world seemed to fade away too and there was only the two of them as her senses unravelled and something clicked into place in both her head and her heart.
He was right, this was where she belonged, no matter what anyone else said—or wrote.
This was what she wanted too, this sense of shared understanding and closeness with him.
He wrapped his hands around her waist, lifting her up and over his lap, deepening the kiss as she settled her legs on either side of his thighs. It felt so intimate, so shockingly new and exciting, she couldn’t hold back a moan from escaping her throat.
‘Can I take this off?’ He bunched his hands in the fabric of her dress, his voice a rough scrape of sound that sent tingles of vibration along all her limbs.
‘Yes.’ She pulled back, lifting her arms for him to draw it over her head.
‘I’ve been thinking about this all day, ever since I saw you in that nightdress.’ He moved his lips to her ear, touching the lobe softly with his tongue. ‘I wanted to carry you to bed right there and then.’
She sucked in a breath, glancing towards the door at the mention of bed. ‘Should we go…?’
‘If you want.’ A wicked smile spread across his face. ‘Although these cushions look quite comfortable. It’s up to you.’
‘Oh…’ She caught her bottom lip between her teeth, feeling as if a fire had just ignited inside her, shooting hot sparks along every nerve… ‘In that case… I think I like it here.’
‘I was hoping you’d say that.’ He reached behind her, pulling at the lacings on her stays, but she arched away from him, curving her hands over his shoulders and squeezing tight.
‘Wait.’
He froze. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing.’ She splayed her fingers, relishing the feel of the muscles beneath. Her breasts felt heavy with want and her whole body was coiled tight with desire, but she only had a vague idea of what she was doing and she wanted to prolong every sensation for as long as possible.
‘Forgive me.’ He pressed his forehead to hers. ‘It’s your first time. I didn’t mean to rush you.’ He started to lift her off his lap. ‘We can wait.’
‘I don’t want to wait.’ She clenched her thighs around him, refusing to go anywhere. ‘But it’s my turn.’
‘Turn?’ He sounded confused.
‘Yes.’ She licked her lips, looking pointedly at his cravat. ‘That looks so tight. It must be uncomfortable.’
His eyes widened before flaring with heat. ‘It is.’
‘I’d better remove it, then. May I?’
He made a sound of assent like a growl.
She leaned forward, pressing her breasts against his chest as she slowly unravelled the knot, then slid the fabric from around his neck and tossed it aside. ‘Now you.’
‘Thank you.’ He grinned, holding eye contact as his hands moved back to her stays, hurling them in the same direction as her dress.
‘Mmm. What next?’ She tapped a finger lightly against her chin for a few seconds before slipping her fingers beneath the shoulders of his jacket and pushing it down his arms. ‘How about this? And this…’ she moved her hands quickly to his waistcoat ‘…since you’re wearing more clothes than me.’
‘I’m aware.’ He made a low rumbling sound, waiting until she’d finished before smoothing his hands along her thighs and down her legs, slowly unrolling her stockings.
‘Then I’d better hurry with this…’ She moved on to his shirt, her fingers fumbling a little with the buttons.
‘Let me.’ He wrenched it over his head, while she did the same with her chemise, then lowered his head to one of her breasts, tracing his tongue around the nipple in a way that sent a thrill of sensation shuddering straight to her core, causing a rush of molten heat between her legs.
She tipped her head back, her heart pounding so heavily, she thought he must be able to feel it through her skin, but she didn’t care.
The touch of his lips felt so good, she didn’t want him to stop.
Ever. It made her feel shameless too, so much so that she couldn’t even bring herself to blush as she writhed and strained against him.
He stiffened at the movement, muttering something she couldn’t understand before lifting his head again. ‘Florence…’ his breathing sounded as ragged as hers ‘…did your mother or Lady Wadlow tell you what to expect?’
‘No.’ She gave a shuddering laugh at the idea. Her mother probably hadn’t thought it was necessary before she went to London and she didn’t suppose Lady Wadlow would have said anything even if she had been talking to her.
‘Oh.’ He swallowed, his expression taut.
‘But…’ she put a finger to his lips as he opened them again ‘…I grew up on a farm. I have a rough idea.’
‘You have no idea how glad I am to hear that.’ He gave a ragged laugh, his muscles loosening again with relief. ‘Only our game isn’t over quite yet. I’m still wearing too much.’ He tilted his head. ‘Maybe you should make yourself comfortable?’
She smiled slowly as she slid off his lap, laying herself down on the cushions to watch as he removed his boots and breeches.
It wasn’t the first time she’d seen him naked, but the sight was just as stirring as it had been that morning, the broad lines of his body so toned and chiselled, she felt her fingers twitch with the urge to reach out and stroke them.
‘That’s better.’ He threw the rest of his clothes aside and then lowered himself on top of her, one hand on either side of her body, his gaze roaming over her face as if he was searching for the answer to some question there.
In response, she threaded her fingers into his hair and drew him towards her.
And then there was no space, no air, no anything between them.
Their tongues met, tentatively at first, then hungrily, tangling and sucking and tasting each other, while his hands smoothed a path over her skin, exploring and caressing her in such places that it made her feel light-headed, coaxing out sensations and sounds she’d never even imagined making before.
‘Leo?’ She gasped as his fingers slid between her legs, stroking her gently.
‘Is this all right?’ His voice was so deep, it seemed to vibrate all along her spine.
‘Yes.’ She nodded frantically. ‘Don’t stop.’
‘I won’t.’ He kissed her again, even more deeply than before, while his fingers moved in slow, tantalising circles that made her mind reel.
‘You feel so good…’ He released her lips finally in order to slide downwards, touching his tongue to the hollow at the base of her throat.
‘So do you.’ She was panting now, her skin so hot, she thought her blood must be boiling in her veins.
‘It might hurt a little at first.’
‘I know.’ She dug her nails into his back, squirming against him. ‘I don’t care.’
Although maybe she did care a little, she thought, crying out as he settled between her legs, nudging gently at her entrance before pushing deep inside, causing a sharp, stinging sensation. He was too much and she was too tight, even though she had a feeling he was holding himself back.
‘Florence?’ He sounded as if he was the one in pain.
‘Wait a moment.’ She took a deep breath, letting her body slowly adjust to the feeling of him inside her, then cautiously rolled her hips, pulling away before pushing herself up again.
‘Florence.’ His voice was more urgent now.
‘Yes,’ she breathed as she wrapped her legs around his waist, drawing him deeper inside her.
There was another moment of pain, but then it eased and the friction between them transformed into something else, a wet heat that soothed the ache and enveloped her in pleasure from the very top of her head to the tips of her toes.
Their pace increased and the pleasure became even more intense.
And then she couldn’t—wouldn’t—stop, so caught up in the feeling, she thought she wouldn’t even have noticed if all their guests had burst into the room at that moment.
There was only the two of them and the friction still building between them.
‘Leo!’ She screamed his name as her inner muscles spasmed and contracted around him suddenly, making her whole body shake. Wave after wave of sensation flooded through her, tipping him over the edge too. He gave an incoherent shout, shuddering violently before collapsing on top of her.
It was some time before he twisted his head, pressing his lips into her hair.
‘Yes.’ She answered his unspoken question, still panting. ‘Yes, it was.’
‘Do you think anyone will notice if we don’t show our faces again?
’ Leo drew Florence back against him, holding her close as he pressed a trail of kisses slowly along her shoulder blade, amazed by how relaxed and content he felt.
No matter what his father would have thought, being with her felt right.
Better than right. Perfect. And he wasn’t going to spoil the moment by thinking about his father any more…
‘I’m afraid they might,’ she murmured sleepily, turning around in his arms and slipping a leg over his thigh. ‘We should have at least one dance.’
‘I was afraid you’d say that.’ He pressed his lips to hers, plundering her mouth in a deep, searching kiss that made his body twitch with need.
‘Again?’ She broke the kiss as one of his hands trailed lower, curving over her buttock. ‘You wouldn’t be trying to get an heir in me, would you?’
‘I’m afraid my motives are more base than that.’ He caught her bottom lip lightly between his teeth.
‘Mmm, mine too.’ She sighed. ‘But we should dance first.’
‘You’re probably right.’ He moaned and pulled his hand away. ‘No regrets?’
She looked startled by the question. ‘None. Why? Have you?’
‘Only that we’ve wasted so much time. We could have been doing this two or three times a day for the past two months.’
‘Only two or three?’ She laughed, rolling away to reach for her clothing.
‘I meant at night. We could have been doing it during the day as well.’
‘Oh, really? Then maybe you should keep the chaise longue in your study?’
He gave a surprised laugh, though, as ideas went, it wasn’t a bad one. The thought of making love in what had once been his father’s study gave him a wicked surge of pleasure.
‘Do you think people will guess what we’ve been doing?’ she asked anxiously, pulling her chemise back over her head.
‘With any luck, everyone will have been too busy enjoying themselves to even notice we were gone.’
‘I hope so.’ She caught her reflection in a mirror and winced. ‘Although my hair might give me away. It’s a total mess, but if I call for Jane she’ll definitely know what we’ve been up to.’
‘You look beautiful.’ He propped himself up on one elbow to watch her. ‘But if you’re worried, maybe we should change your appearance completely. Why don’t you wear your ballgown from London?’
‘Do you think so?’ She opened her eyes wide. ‘Isn’t that a bit too much?’
‘We’re the marquess and marchioness. We’re acting our parts, that’s all. And I’ll wear evening clothes too. Then people will think we simply came upstairs to change.’
‘For two hours?’
‘Perhaps we’ve also been discussing philosophy?’ He chuckled and pushed himself to his feet, catching her eye in the mirror as he walked up behind her. ‘Besides, does it matter what anyone thinks?’
‘I suppose not.’ She tilted her head back, resting it against his chest as he coiled his arms around her waist and held her close. ‘You’re right, it’s our business.’
‘Then let’s get dressed and go dancing.’
In the absence of either a valet or lady’s maid, they helped each other to dress.
It was a surprisingly erotic experience, Leo thought as he tightened Florence’s laces, fully intending to loosen them again within a couple of hours.
Resisting the temptation to kiss every inch of her skin before covering it up with layers of silk and organza was driving him to distraction, but she was right, they needed to show themselves at least once more downstairs before he took her back to bed.
A real bed this time. One with soft pillows, a firm mattress and a warm eiderdown to pull over their heads and shut out the rest of the world while he made slow and steady love to her all night.
Just the thought of it made his trousers feel too tight.
He had to make a concerted effort to think unerotic thoughts as they descended the staircase, heading towards the sound of fiddles and dancing feet coming from the direction of the ballroom. Judging by the clapping, even those who weren’t dancing had found a way to join in with the music.
‘It sounds like everyone’s having a good time.’ Leo smiled as they approached the doors, where Rimmer was standing in the same place they’d left him. ‘How are things going?’
‘Very well, sir.’ If Rimmer thought anything about their change of attire, he didn’t show it. ‘As you can hear, the dancing has begun. I hope that isn’t a problem, only we didn’t wish to…ah…disturb you.’
Which meant he definitely knew what they’d been up to, Leo thought, quickly offering a hand to Florence as a faint blush stole across her cheeks. ‘Excellent.’ He made a deep bow. ‘Shall we dance, my lady?’
‘My lord.’ She cleared her throat, avoiding looking at Rimmer as she dipped into a matching curtsey. ‘I’d be honoured.’