Chapter Thirty-Seven
Lady Amelia, Duchess of Hayesford
I sat at my desk in the drawing room, while Oliver was in a chair near the fireplace. Since seeing Noah this afternoon, I had thought of him nonstop.
A knock sounded, and the butler entered. “Lord Peterson to see you. Are you in?”
Oliver looked at me, lifting one brow in surprise. “He’s here for me or for us?”
“He asked for you, your grace,” the butler said.
My stomach sank, and I nodded to Oliver. “Go to him.”
“Yes, my dear,” Oliver strode out into the hall after the butler.
I tried not to let myself become choked up over being left out.
I had brought this on myself. It still stung.
The door opened once more, and Oliver returned with Noah.
I clenched my fingers on the desk, my heart in my throat.
Had he forgiven me, or would we exchange more harsh words?
Mother and I surprised him in the park, and while he hadn’t railed at me, he hadn’t been overly friendly either.
“Noah,” I said, my voice tight.
He strode to my side, lifted my hand, and kissed the back of it. “I am sorry, Amelia. I should never have said what I did to you.”
“Oh, Noah.” I jumped from my seat and threw my arms around him. “It is I who am sorry. I wanted to protect you, and it was wrong of me to assume you needed protecting.”
He cupped my jaw and rubbed his thumb along my bottom lip. “You weren’t wrong, Amelia. I erected a wall to block my heart from harm, and now I am ready to tear it down. Oliver, please come over here. I have something to say to both of you.”
My husband joined us, a huge grin on his face. I rested my cheek on Noah’s chest, my arms still around his waist. The happiness I had before returned.
“I spoke to Lady Ellen. She told me everything she told you, Amelia, and more. She also gave me some sage advice. Le’s remember how Sally lived, not how she died.” He placed a lingering kiss on my lips. “I truly am sorry for what I said to you. It wasn’t fair.”
“You were hurt, and you were right,” Oliver said.
While Oliver supported me, he had agreed with Noah on that score. I still didn’t agree one hundred percent, but being right wasn’t important. “I should have told you. If I had it to do all over again, I would have.”
Earnest brown eyes met mine. “We both said and did things we regret. I don’t wish to fight with you, Amelia. You’re my friend, and I am lost without you.” He turned his head to look at Oliver. “And you.”
Oliver grazed his mouth over Noah’s. The sight of the two men kissing seared my blood the way it tended to.
Noah pulled back, earnestness in his gaze. “I want you both to know that I love you. I have for a long time. I simply refused to accept it.”
“This might come as a surprise to you, but I’ve always known that you loved both of us. But loving someone and being in love with them are two different things,” I said. Noah was a careful thinker who used logic to consider every angle before he decided. Love wasn’t logical.
Noah shook his head, kissing me once more. “I love you, and I’m in love with you. Both of you.”
My heart swelled, jubilation bringing tears to my eyes. “Thank you, Noah. It is an honor, one I believe calls for a celebration.”
He stepped back as the light in his gaze dimmed. With a heavy sigh, he produced the diary. My stomach sank.
“I have one more thing I want to do.” He walked to the fireplace, determination in his erect frame. “I think we should burn the diary. There’s no use in keeping this poison around. I would be devastated if the twins saw it and thought the worst of their mother.”
“A wise choice.” I followed him, positive he was making the right decision. Sally’s last words would be forever burned in my memory, but I didn’t wish to pass them on to Sam and John.
“Oliver, would you do the honors?” Noah’s anguished expression had disappeared, and an inner peace shone in his eyes. I wanted him to be at peace, and I was certain Sally would wish that as well.
Noah looped his arm around my shoulders.
Oliver lit a match, the flame a brilliant orange against the dimness of the room. Hand steady, he held the burning match beneath the book. “Are you certain?”
“Yes,” Noah and I said at the same time. We shared an amused glance. I leaned into him, glad to be back in his good graces during such a monumental moment. The woodsy scent of his shaving soap cut through the sulfur smell, and I inhaled the tantalizing aroma of musk and man.
Oliver touched the match to the diary. The pages smoked before a red glow appeared, subtle at first, before flaming to life. He dropped the book into the fire, and with a pop, it ignited.
Noah pressed a kiss against my temple, his fingers on my shoulder pulling me closer to his side. The secrets of the past were gone, and I prayed Sally rested in eternal peace.
A distant chime from the cathedral down the street sounded. I turned to look at Noah. He was staring into the fire, his face cast in the soft glow. Oliver draped his arm around us, his chin resting on Noah’s shoulder. We stood watching the flames lick the book until it was hardly recognizable.
“Rest in peace, Sally,” I said, knowing the ache of her loss would forever be in my mind and in my heart.
Noah turned to me and closed his eyes before he repeated my words. “Rest in peace, Sally.”
A knock sounded, and we broke apart. I shared a concerned look with Oliver. Lady Gwendolyn’s health was at the forefront of our minds. “I’ll see who it is.”
I left the two men and strode to the door, a slight quiver to my hand.
Burning the diary had been a cathartic exercise to help us all on the road to healing.
I prayed whoever was on the other side of the door didn’t bear bad news.
The butler smiled at me. “Your grace, would you be needing refreshments for your guest?” he asked.
“Noah, would you care for some refreshments?” It had been a trying evening, and I wanted to make sure he was seen to. For too long, he’d been the one watching out for all of us. It was time to return the favor.
“I believe your husband has some French brandy he’d like to share with me,” he said in a husky tone, which piqued my curiosity.
“I believe we are fine.” I smiled at the butler, eager for him to leave so I could return to what I desired most, a night with my two lovers.
Oliver strode over and rested his hand on my lower back. “Lord Peterson will stay with us. See that the green room is made up for him.”
“The green room? It is rather small—”
“It is a perfectly acceptable room, my love. Charles, the household may retire for the night once the task is complete.” Oliver said to the butler. “I believe we have everything we need for the rest of the evening.”
“Very good, your grace,” he said with a respectful nod and bowed out of the room.
“Really, Oliver, the green room is tiny and—”
He placed a fingertip to my lips and shook his head, mischief in his eyes. “It used to be part of the master suite and has a connecting door to my room.”
“You clever man.” I unbuttoned my bodice, my nipples constricting with need. Sadness had shrouded us for too long. It was time to explore the brighter side of life. “Now, where were we?”
“Where would you like us to be?” Noah asked, watching my hands with avid interest. The tightness in his frame had faded, and expectation took its place. “Obviously, we can’t go to our rooms yet, so...”
“I believe you owe Oliver a buggering—or he owes you.” Anticipation made my knees weak, and my pussy flared to life with unfulfilled desire.
While Oliver and I coupled enthusiastically almost nightly, we were still new to the pleasures of the flesh.
Noah was more experienced, but it had been ages since he had been with us.
My pussy ached with the promise of what was to come.
Hopefully, I would be coming. Many times.
“I seem to recall when we discussed our future trysts, I was promised no less than three, um, whims. I will let you know right now, I will insist on that and more.”
“That can be arranged,” Noah said, kissing my neck while Oliver lowered my bodice.
My blood hummed with anticipation for what was to follow.
Air touched my chest, the shirtwaist hanging loose.
I still wore a chemise, which I desperately wanted off.
The sooner my breasts were bared, the better.
“Once we’re upstairs, Oliver and I can explore his desires, but for now, I think we should get a start on those whims.”
“Indeed.” Oliver skimmed his mouth over the swell of my breasts, placing warm kisses down the valley between them.
He hadn’t performed the same intimacies as Noah had during our night together.
His confidence was gaining, but I suspected he would welcome more guidance from Noah.
I wanted whatever Oliver was comfortable with.
Noah’s nimble fingers unfastened the waistband of my skirt, allowing the material to fall to the ground.
He tugged at my earlobe with his teeth. Oliver pressed his mouth lower, circling my nipple with his tongue before drawing it into his mouth.
Not to be outdone, Noah skimmed his hand down my belly, fingers splayed over my chemise-covered stomach.
Pulling the fabric up, he bunched it in his fist. “I believe Amelia needs your attention, Oliver.”
Oliver released my nipple, indecision flittering across his brow. Noah removed my chemise as my husband dropped to one knee before me. He spread heated kisses along my abdomen, his exploring mouth weakening my knees.
“I will let Oliver taste your sweet nectar while I play with these.” Noah massaged my breasts, his thumb and finger applying enough pressure on my nipples to further incite my need for more.
“Yes, please do.” I waited, breath held as Oliver spread my pussy with his thumbs.
“I am unsure what I am doing, but I will try my best to please you, wife,” he said.
Anticipation for his next move stole the air from my lungs, but he hesitated. “You needn’t do anything you are uncomfortable with, Oliver.”
“I wish to learn. Do you intend to deny me the opportunity?” he asked.
“I suggest we use the material of her skirt to blanket her back while she rests on the carpet. I will show you what to do. What say you, Amelia? Will you let the two of us pleasure you?” Noah asked with a suggestive leer.
“Yes, please.” I couldn’t stay upright even if I wished to. With the men’s help, I lay on the thick carpet, my skirt acting as a blanket against the scratchy surface.
Noah’s heated eyes met Oliver’s before he clasped his hand. Noah brought their combined hands back to me and used a finger to guide one of my husband’s. He placed the tip on the engorged nub that had arisen between my folds.
“See how she swells under your caress? Unlike men, a woman requires wooing. While her sheath cradles your cock for your ultimate pleasure, this is the place where she receives most of hers.”
My husband had become quite proficient at pleasing me, however, always under cover of darkness and with more fumbling than finesse.
Oliver picked up the rhythm of Noah’s fingers and stroked in lazy swirls across my nub, but his full attention stayed on the man next to him, looking for guidance.
Noah dragged his mouth along my belly. His gaze softened the slightest bit before he seemed to catch himself.
He clasped my thighs and pushed my knees farther apart.
“Now parrot that with your tongue. Like your cock, the nerves are extremely sensitive,” Noah said.
His words unto themselves were erotic.
He smiled at me and licked his lips as Oliver dipped his head, his tongue gliding over my nub.
“Very good. Let me show you how to add a bit more to send her over the edge.” Noah said, kneeling next to Oliver.
Noah swirled his tongue over my aching flesh before drawing it into his mouth.
The suction sent tiny moans to the back of my throat.
He sucked then released, darting his tongue out to swirl my aching nub.
Liquid eyes held mine, and I willed myself to breathe.
“Yes, please,” I said.
Noah’s mouth glistened from my excitement, his eyelids heavy. He caressed Oliver’s cheek and pressed a kiss to his mouth. “A man should always bring his wife fulfillment before he finds his own. When seduction is played the right way, the rewards will far outweigh the effort.”
“I will do my best.” My husband obliged by applying everything Noah taught him, each sweep of his tongue ambrosia. Noah crawled up my body, his lips latching onto my nipple, drawing it deeper into his mouth. I could hardly be still from the force of their sensual assault.
“Noah, I want you to kiss me.” I wanted much more from him, but bedding me wasn’t an option for him. Oliver was my husband and would be the father of my children.
He leaned over me and, brushing the hair back from my face, plied me with sweet kisses. Light caresses that stole my breath. Oliver slipped one finger into my body, and I gripped the thickness, my senses bombarded with need. These two giving men were about to drive me mad, and I loved every second.
Noah continued to roll my nipple between his fingers, adding to my mounting desires. He ran his tongue along my moist lips, and my tongue came out to duel with his.
Tiny cries emanated from deep inside me, and I dug my heels into the carpet, my breasts swelling beneath his palm.
I screamed out my pleasure, the sound muffled by Noah’s mouth.
The muscles of Oliver’s shoulders bulged as he held my bottom in his hands, his mouth still moving across my nub until the last convulsion left my body.
My chest heaving, I sank more heavily onto the cushion of my skirt.
Glassy-eyed, Oliver lay on my other side. Noah released my mouth and pressed kisses to my neck. Oliver clasped my jaw and lightly kissed my parted lips. He tasted of my essence, the hard feel of his cock pressing against my side.
“That was lovely. I think we should go upstairs and see where the night leads us.” I knew exactly where that would be. Back in each other’s arms. A place we all belonged.