Chapter Ten #2
Letitia pulled away from his arms and looked at him. “You would never neglect your duties, so you don’t have to convince me otherwise. Go. Take care of whatever needs tending. I will be waiting when you return.”
He brought both her hands to his lips, kissing one, then the other, before returning them to her lap. “Thank you for understanding.”
“Did you think I wouldn’t understand?” Everything he said rang true and was what the lords of estates did. They often visited their country estates. Why did he think she wouldn’t understand?
“I knew you would. It’s just that we’ve finally begun courting, and I have to leave.”
“Are you afraid some other gentleman will come into my life, sweep me off my feet, steal me away to their castle, and ravish me?” She was only half teasing.
Part of her believed he thought that way.
Which was silly, since she hadn’t seen him for months after Newmarket, and no gentleman had come calling on her. Not even once, and he knew this.
“Yes and no,” he exhaled. “At least I hope not. And if some other man calls on you, I’d hope you’d send him away with his self-esteem bruised and a shattered heart.
” He kissed her gently. “Because you are mine.” He kissed her again, and she tried not to fall off the bench in shock at hearing him say those words.
He jumped up, his hand out. “Come, my princess. I need to make sure Warren hasn’t ruined my sister. If he has, that double wedding will happen quite quickly.”
Letitia was glad to hear his voice; his expression and demeanor were back to normal. She took his hand, and they strolled back through the gardens, swinging their joined arms back and forth like children. “Do you think Hunter proposed yet?”
“Bloody hell, I forgot about them. You make me lose myself in your lips. And to answer your question, yes. It was probably the first thing he did when he got her alone. I hope they’re either back inside the drawing room or will be soon. I’d hate to have to go looking for them.”
“Yes. That could get awkward.”
“Please, don’t remind me.”
“Greyson, I’m shocked,” she huffed. “You can pull a lady into your arms and kiss her senseless, but you can’t accept Hunter doing the same with Anastasia?”
“I know. I know. It sounds ridiculous, but she’s my sister.”
“With one of your best friends, about to be married to him.”
“Once again, I know. I wouldn’t want her married to anyone else. It’s still . . .” He paused.
“Hard to think about and witness,” she said.
“Exactly.”
“I don’t understand men. Oh, look,” she said softly with a smile, and her insides warmed with joy.
“What?”
“Shh. Look who’s on the veranda.”
“They look happy together,” he murmured, tightening his grip on her hand.
“They do,” she sighed.
They ascended the stairs, and only when they stood on the veranda did Hunter and Anastasia notice they were no longer alone.
“Jacob proposed,” Anastasia said with exuberance.
Letitia kissed Anastasia’s cheek. “Congratulations to both of you.”
“Yes,” Greyson said, kissing his sister’s cheek and shaking Hunter’s hand. “Congratulations.”
Anastasia looked positively glowing in the lantern light. “Can we marry as soon as the banns are posted?” She reached for Hunter’s hand and intertwined their fingers. “We don’t want to wait or have a large wedding. Only close family and friends.”
“That sounds perfect,” Greyson said with a wide grin. “Let’s go inside, open a bottle of champagne, and toast the newly engaged couple.”
The four of them entered through the double glass doors and straight into the elegant navy drawing room, laughing and chatting. Warren and Aurora were sitting on the settee, their heads together as they shared some intimate words, if Letitia had any guess, by the blush staining Aurora’s cheeks.
“Hunter proposed,” Anastasia said to Aurora, who hurried off the settee and over to her sister, hugging her.
“How exciting,” she exclaimed. “I’m so happy for you. Can I help you plan?”
Letitia watched Warren closely. He looked slightly uncomfortable, but otherwise like his usual affable self.
She really hoped he would propose to Aurora soon.
She wouldn’t want any jealousy to come between the two twin sisters, who at times seemed like two halves of one soul.
If Letitia were in Aurora’s place, she would be ecstatically thrilled and happy for her twin, yet wish it were herself instead.
She found herself sitting beside Warren while Greyson and Hunter popped open the champagne bottle at the sideboard. “How wonderful for Lady Anastasia and Mr. Hunter,” she said, hoping to gauge what Warren was thinking.
“It is,” he said, leaning close and lowering his voice. “May I confide in you, Lady Rutherford?”
“Why, yes. I’m a wonderful keeper of secrets.”
“I’m surprised Hunter beat me to it. I was going to call on Lord Greyson to ask his permission to marry Aurora.” He paused and exhaled. “What should I do now? Should I wait until after their nuptials?”
“No,” Letitia blurted out so fast she almost made her head spin. “Greyson mentioned just this evening that he hoped you would be approaching him soon and that a double wedding would be perfect.”
“Oh.” He cleared his throat and smiled. “Well, then, I’d better tell him to expect a visit from me on Tuesday. I’d come before then, but I must escort my mother to her sister’s house and won’t arrive back in London until then. A double wedding. Aurora will be so thrilled.”
“Did she tell you that?”
“I may have let it slip that I was going to ask her brother for permission to marry her. I wanted to be sure she wanted to marry me first.”
“You and Aurora will be very happy together.”
“Thank you.” He stood. “Excuse me, but I must congratulate the happy couple.”
As soon as Tuesday, there could be two happy couples planning a wedding.
After the bottle of champagne was empty, Warren and Hunter took their leave. Anastasia and Aurora left not long after, leaving Letitia and Greyson alone in the drawing room.
“Well, what a fitting end to the evening,” Greyson said as he closed the drawing room door after his sisters left.
When he reached the settee she sat on, he held out his hand.
She immediately took it, and he pulled her to her feet and into his arms. “Warren asked for a meeting with me on Tuesday afternoon, and I can guess what it’s about. ”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his. “I’m sure you can.”
Her not-so-subtle hint had him wrapping her in his arms and taking her mouth in a gentle kiss that quickly turned demanding and carnal.
The man knew how to kiss, making her entire body quiver with need.
His hands skimmed up her waist, his thumbs brushing the outside of her breasts, and she moaned into his mouth.
Abruptly, he pulled back and kissed his way down her neck.
One of his hands tugged down, first her little sleeves, then the front of her dress, freeing her breasts to the open air.
He leaned back, taking in her exposed flesh and pebbled nipples, then met her gaze with a lopsided grin. “You are beautiful. I can’t wait for the day I make love to you. The masquerade ball is coming up. Will you be ready?”
His hot tongue laved one of her nipples, and he cupped her other breast with his warm, large hand. Her head dropped back, and she breathed, “Yes.”
His teeth clamped down, and a jolt between her thighs made a moan escape her parted lips.
“You like that?”
“Hmmm,” was all she could manage. Words weren’t needed as he nipped her again, sending another lightning strike to her core.
He lavished attention on her breasts for several more moments before stepping back, his shaky hands running through his hair. “We must stop before I take you on the fine Aubusson rug.”
The cool air settled on her wet nipples, and she shivered as she righted her clothing. She’d yet to meet his gaze, knowing her face was aflame with desire and embarrassment.
He picked up her shawl from the settee and wrapped it around her shoulders. “The carriage is ready to take you home. I think it’s best if I remain behind.”
She was disappointed he wasn’t accompanying her, but she understood from the prominent bulge in his breeches. Something she couldn’t wait to investigate when the time was right. That would be Monday night at Club Knight’s masquerade ball.
With Greyson’s help, she entered his carriage. “Thank you for a wonderful night.”
He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I think that’s my line. Good night. I’m going to dream of you. Forgive me, but I have family matters and business to attend to for the next two days. I will pick you up at half eleven on Monday night.” He shut the door and knocked on the roof.
The carriage started, and Letitia whispered to herself, “I’m going to dream of you, too, Greyson, as you’ve stolen my heart and soul.”
And when she climbed into bed not long after leaving Danbury Hall, snuggled beneath the coverlet, she did indeed dream of her brown-haired, green-eyed prince.