He chuckled, enjoying the light musical lilt to her voice. Her flirtatious remark affected him in ways he never could’ve imagined.
Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulled her body closer to his, nearly quaking in his Hessians. “I know exactly what I’m doing here, my goddess.”
“And what is that?” she asked breathless.
“I’m here for you.” It was the truth, and he hadn’t known it until the moment he saw her. Richard leaned in closer, hesitating briefly. “I’m here to please you…” He pressed a chaste kiss to her cheek, loving the way her breath caught, and breasts heaved. “To kiss you…” he whispered bending lower, his sizeable height a hinderance.
He paused, nearly hunching over her, giving her the opportunity to stop him, but she did not. Instead, the goddess shocked him and pressed her lips to his.
It was heaven.
Savoring the pressure of her lips against his, Richard basked in everything that was this woman, her smell, the curve of her breasts pressing against his chest. The weight of them had his mouth watering to taste, his hands shaking to explore.
Dragging his hand up her spine, Richard took hold of her nape, taking control of the kiss. It felt wonderful to dominate her, to lead her where he wanted. No, where he needed her. She followed, sinking her body into his, opening for him. His tongue traced her plump bottom lip, teasing it, before he took a small nip with his teeth. She whimpered, opening to him, giving him what he needed. His tongue dipped, hungry and searching. Dammit, she tasted divine.
Her flavor awakened parts of him he didn’t know existed. The need was primal and raw, urging him to claim her and make her his forever. It assaulted him, and suddenly he wanted to be alone with his goddess. To take her away to his home where she would be cherished and worshiped.
She clutched the lapels of his black tailcoat, pulling him closer, a wanton moan leaving her as his hand roamed her womanly curves. He deepened the kiss, lifting her up, as he stood to his full height, her legs dangling off the ground. Richard’s mouth slanted over hers. Nothing mattered, not air, not the other occupants of the ballroom, just her.
Fingers gripped his hair, pulling him impossibly closer. His cock pulsed in the confines of his breeches, and Richard knew that was a sign that he should take their encounter somewhere more private.
Not wanting an audience, Richard released her, trailing slow kisses down her jaw. “What room are you in?” he whispered against the shell of her ear, giving it a playful nip before licking it.
“Dear heaven…” She moaned the words. “Gretna Green.”
Richard stiffened at the news. Quickly he set her down on her feet, standing and searching around the room for his friend. He found his friend in the front of the ballroom near the orchestra where a certain madam also stood.
The twinkling sound of a bell signaled the end of the ball portion of the evening. Madame Delcour stood commanding the attention of every occupant in the room. Her dark skin glowed in the candlelight, her signature white mask adorned with gold decorations sitting tight against her face. At every party that Richard had attended, she had always worn the white mask.
He could see the attraction his friend had to the woman. She was beautiful to be sure, but Richard had never been attracted to Madame Delcour. To him, she had always been the owner of a fine establishment, a brilliant businesswoman with a sharp mind.
“I’ll be there,” Richard said, pressing a quick kiss to those full lips that he would kiss the rest of the night.
He took quick steps toward Hendershot who was waiting patiently for Madame Delcour as she addressed the ballroom.
“Gentlemen, if you would go to your appointed rooms. The ladies will join you momentarily,” Madam Delcour called out.
The room erupted in excited murmurs as the men rushed out of the room. They were like boys, the thought of bedding a woman the only thing on their minds.
Richard shook his head as he reached his friend and the madam.
“Will I find you in my room tonight?” Hendershot asked her, as Richard reached them.
“I’m afraid not. There is someone very special in your room, my lord,” Madam Delcour said.
Her words caught Richard by surprise, as if she had purposely assigned his goddess to Hendershot.
“There is no one as special as you,” his friend whispered, making Richard feel as if he was intruding on an intimate moment between them.
Madame Delcour turned away from Hendershot, a hint of color on her dark cheeks. She noticed Richard, her dark eyes going wide under her mask. “Your Grace, it has been a long time.” He did not react to her greeting, knowing that even with a mask on that he was still recognizable, by his size.
He watched as her eyes shifted nervously around the room, locking on someone on the other side. “I was shocked when I received word you were to attend, but I must admit I am still shocked to see you.”
Giving her a quick bow, Richard walked over to her taking her gloved hand. “Madame, it is always a pleasure.” Pressing a quick kiss to her knuckles, he gave her a smile. “I was forced to attend.”
“I don’t believe ‘forced’ is the correct word, at all,” Hendershot called out to him, his eyes alight with mischief.
“Gentlemen, if you will excuse me, I must attend to my ladies.” Madame Delcour walked away as if Napoleon himself was after her.
