Chapter Eight
Gregory’s pulse pounded in his temples to echo the throb of need through his shaft as he carried Constance up the stairs.
When she directed him to the appropriate door, he set her down, and barely had her feet found purchase on the floor before he’d pressed the handle and shoved open the wooden panel, ushering her into the room at the same time.
Since the opera earlier tonight, he’d wanted her in his bed.
Had it been the gown with the low bodice that had caught his attention?
Or perhaps it had been the elusive floral scent he was beginning to associate with her that arrested his regard.
But most likely, it was simply that he found her fascinating.
Beyond the opera, spending time sharing food with her from the hand carts in Covent Garden had satisfied something lacking in his soul, and had been for quite some time.
Though he knew Biddleton had been curious about her, he was proud that Constance had been welcoming and polite with the earl and his wife.
Would they accept her even though she wasn’t of the ton and was a mistress besides?
God, he hoped so, for he had a feeling he would keep her in his life for the foreseeable future, or until he couldn’t stall his mother’s matchmaking attempts any longer.
Wrenching himself out of those thoughts, Gregory closed the door with a foot.
Shadows jumped along the walls due to the two candles burning—one at the bedside table and another atop a bureau across the room.
Constance had edged away from him, removing her cape as she went.
With care, she folded the garment then rested it over the back of a winged-back chair.
A matching chair waited near a window that had been covered with sage green drapes closed over it.
With her brown hair tumbling in a jumbled waterfall about her shoulders and back, and her dark eyes wide with anticipation as she stood in that peacock green gown, she was spectacular.
“Why do you stare at me like that?” she asked in a soft voice that sounded overly loud in the hushed space.
“How am I looking at you?” As he waited for her reply, he stalked her across the floor, and he rather enjoyed the power in such an action.
“Like you wish to devour me as if I were a feast and you are starving.”
Interesting way to describe it, and she wasn’t far off. “That is because I do, and I will do my best to make that happen.” When he closed the distance between them, he caught her hand. “You have tempted me beyond reason tonight.”
“As you have with me.” When her gaze dropped to his mouth, a shudder moved through him.
“Good.” After kissing the back of her hand, he set out to remove bits of his clothing.
In short order, his tailcoat was tossed in the direction of the other chair, closely followed by his cuffs, collar, and cravat.
Lastly, he divested himself of the waistcoat, which slipped to the floor, unheeded.
“Now, let’s see what sort of scandal we’ll get up to, hmm? ”
“What do you have in mind?” When she met his gaze, the anticipation there once more fired his excitement and ramped his desire.
“Everything and anything.”
A nervous giggle escaped her. “I can believe it, if what you did to me last night is any indication.” Before he could respond, she removed her gloves then brushed her fingers along the side of his face in a fleeting gesture.
“By the by, I’m certain carnal endeavors aren’t the only thing you excel at.
By being a barrister, you are making a difference in people’s lives, and that is something I find interesting—and attractive—about you. ”
Warmth filled his chest. It was absurd how her praise made him feel as if he could do anything. “Well, I’m not exactly making a fortune.”
“There is more to life than coin, Gregory.” Then she grinned and he couldn’t help but return the gesture, for she really was quite enchanting.
“But you are improving lives. I’m certain the people you defend appreciate the hours you spend on their cases.
” She sighed. “I want that for my life—to make a difference, to leave a memory so I won’t be forgotten. ”
“Ah, Constance.” After removing his gloves, he tossed them in the direction of the rest of his shed clothing.
“It’s true. I realize that after my mother and husband died, I shut myself away in this house, hoping life might find me, but that was silly, because I needed to get out for something to happen.”
“Something did. I rescued you from that attacker, then we met.” He must tread carefully before he found himself tumbling tip over tail.
She could easily become everything he had ever dreamed of having in his life, but that would never be possible.
They came from two different worlds… and there was no place for her in his.
But they’d known that when they agreed to this relationship.
“I shudder to think of what would have become of me if you hadn’t.” Shadows reflected in her eyes. “I worry over the fate of the other women that man must have kidnapped.”
“I doubt he was working alone. Perhaps I can send out a few discreet inquiries through my connections to see if anyone can locate this man. If captured, we might discover who the next man in the chain is.” Or I’ll beat it out of him.
“Yes, please do.”
He nodded. “Perhaps helping other women in those circumstances will be where you find your own legacy. Widows have the power to change society; so do mistresses.”
“I don’t know.”
“You can start by ceasing to hide here.” Daring much, he tucked an escaped lock of hair behind her ear.
“That seems to be the key.” She wrinkled her nose in apparent distaste, and it was the cutest thing.
“You are quite fine when I take you out.”
“It is easier in your company than in others. Even Samuel, if I’m being honest.”
Never had he met a more honest woman, in truth. “Do you still love him?”
“I will always hold him in my heart but it’s not logical to carry a torch for a dead man. He was my first love; it is my hope there will be at least another.”
“It is good to have hope.” Relief coursed down his spine. Why the devil for? He’d only just met this woman. Yes, he’d done scandalous things to her, but that didn’t count.
Constance nodded. “He has been gone three years. I realize now that keeping myself aloof and away from life and society was probably not the best idea. I am trying, though.” A trace of tears welled in her eyes, and his chest tightened at her distress.
“There are certain things I miss beyond measure.”
“Such as?” The inquiry came out on the heels of a whisper.
“I have missed being held, missed feeling the solid security of a man’s arms around me.
In that absence, I realize how lonely I am, and that I have perhaps harmed my chances of making a second match or having any sort of normalcy again.
” One of those tears fell to her cheek. “Perhaps that is why I’ve had such fun in your company and why I want to dissolve into a puddle each time you kiss me. ”
If her chin hadn’t trembled, if there hadn’t been a nearly undetectable waver in her dulcet tones, if they hadn’t already shared confidences, he could have ignored all of that, but those things did happen, and they broke through his reserve.
Well, damn. In this moment, he let the invisible connection between them strengthen.
What harm would it bring for one night? He dropped into the winged-back chair.
“You needn’t be strong all the time, Constance.
I am here now; lean on me.” Without a second thought, Gregory pulled her into his lap so that she straddled him.
Her skirting bunched between them. “Let us resume what we started in the carriage. It will distract us both from thoughts we’d rather not dwell upon just now. ”
“I would like that.” Constance put a hand to his nape, furrowed her fingers through his hair, while the other she rested on his shoulder. Before he could do much of anything, she pressed her lips to the side of his neck, and his whole body tightened.
“What are you about?”
“Hush, and let me do this.” Her whisper sounded overly loud in the silence of the cottage. “This is something else I have missed over the years.”
“But I should guide this seduction—”
“If you can steal kisses or treat me to heated pleasure, then I can claim the same advantage. Yes?”
“Fair point.” When she placed a line of feather-weighted kisses beneath his jaw then under his ear, Gregory’s hold on his control was thoroughly tested. He didn’t need the distraction or the temptation, but since she was intent on driving him mad, he couldn’t sit idly by.
Instead, he played his hands over her back, following her spine, up and down.
The warmth of her seeped into his fingertips while the glide of her soft lips on his skin continued to chip away at his reserve.
The dratted woman would drag him beneath a wave of more than just desire if he wasn’t careful, and that would lead to feelings beyond lust and need, yet every brush of her lips, each exhalation of her breath pushed him closer to that edge.
“You must know that going further might have unintended consequences,” he whispered as he threaded his fingers through the brown waterfall of her hair.
The scent of lilies reached his nose, and he breathed in the sweet floral aroma, for it would always remind him of her. “I didn’t think to bring a sheath.”
“So I can feel.” She wriggled her hips, which worked to further arouse his shaft. “I suppose we shall leave it up to fate, hmm?” Her laugh was a throaty affair that went straight to his stones.
Hellfire and damnation.