“I beg your pardon, old chap,” came the voice on the other side of the door. “I didn’t intend to intrude. Carry on.”
The fellow sounded foxed, which was just as well. He would likely wander off in search of other amusements, leaving Aubrey to attempt to tidy up the mess he had just made.
He cleared his throat, willing both his racing heart and his hard prick to calm. “Thank you,” he called to the man, gratified when he heard footsteps receding down the hall.
Rhiannon was still leaning against the door, looking rumpled and rosy-cheeked.
Damn it all to hell.
What had he just done? Worse, what had he beenaboutto do? He had surrendered to his base instincts, casting all thoughts of conscience and loyalty from his mind. How easily he had been overcome. But then, was it any wonder with a temptation like Rhiannon so near to him? For Christ’s sake, he had brought her to observe another couplefucking.
He was mad.
Madder than mad.
He had been about to make her come on his hand whilst the two of them were standing up and fully clothed. She was Whit’s sister, for Chrissakes.
“Forgive me,” he managed to say past the agonizing, pent-up lust roiling through his blood and roaring in his veins. “I do believe your education went a bit too far.”
“Is it over already?” she asked, sounding disappointed.
He ground his molars. “It must be.”
Her blue eyes were on his, searching. “Why?”
“Because I went beyond the pale.” His fingers were still wet from her cunny.
It was all he could do to resist bringing them to his mouth and sucking them clean.
“Well.” She straightened, moving away from the door and smoothing wrinkles from her silk skirts. “I certainly don’t hope you think this was a deterrent. I’m more determined than ever to remain here.”
“You can’t,” he said quickly.
Too quickly.
He had no intention of revealing the effect she had on him to her. The minx would use the knowledge against him like a weapon.
“The longer you remain here, the more likely it is that your brother will discover your presence. And what will you do then?”
“Let that be my worry.”
Then the minx moved past him, her skirts brushing his trousers as she went, leaving a cloud of her heavenly jasmine perfume in her wake. Too late, he realized she was going to the observation window. By God, she was likely to see far more than he was willing to allow.
“Rhiannon,” he started, “don’t.”
But she was already looking before he could intercept her, rendered too numb by his own stupid lust to react in time.
“Hmm,” she hummed, her voice muffled against the glass pane, tinged with fresh dismay. “It looks as if our friends have concluded their efforts.”
Thank God.
He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to gather his wits before opening them again. “Your education is at an end, I’m afraid. Time to return to your chamber. I’ll send the packing maid.”
She turned to him, her eyes snapping with fire. “You’ll do nothing of the sort, Richford. I’m not leaving.”
“Yes, you bloody well are.”
She gave him a beatific smile. “If you want me to leave, Your Grace, you’re going to have to throw me over your shoulder and carry me out of here whilst I’m kicking, screaming, and cursing you to the heavens. Otherwise, please do keep your distance. Thank you for the afternoon’s entertainment. It was most enlightening.”
