Then he swept her into his arms and bent her backwards, one hand supporting her neck, the other cupping her waist. Her lips gave way beneath his, and he kissed her deeply, his mouth moving over hers in a lazy, sensual exploration. Her lips opened fully, and he pressed her closer to him. Deeper. Deeper. There was heat and pain and sweetness, an intoxicating sweetness ... A small moan escaped her throat.
He tore his mouth away and buried his face in her hair to catch his breath.
There was silence in the room.
Lord Benton had dropped his quizzing glass.
Miss Anne stared at them with her mouth wide open.
Lady Gosford had one hand clasped over hers.
Lady Cynthia's eyes flashed with fury.
Ellen looked up at him, her mouth red and raw, as thoroughly kissed as a woman could be, her eyes wide and dewy.
"That, ladies and gentlemen, was a proper kiss." His voice sounded somewhat hoarse.
Monteroy clapped slowly.
The others followed.
Edmund ran his hand through his hair. Poor Ellen, redder than a strawberry, pulled on her shawl and did not know where to look.
Edmund threw her an intense look, then announced, "I'm sure you'll excuse us, now, for a newlywed couple has more important things to do than play parlour games all night."
And amidst a great deal of hooting and whistling, he lifted Ellen into his arms and carried her out.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
"You can put me down now." Ellen's voice was not quite steady.
He lowered her carefully, but held onto her hand as he quietly led her up the stairs and into their room.
As the door closed behind her, Ellen remembered with a jolt the arrangement of their room.
Just one bed.
Someone had pulled back the covers, plumped the pillows and made the bed ready for the night.
Edmund leaned his back against the door and sighed.
Ellen whirled round to face him. "Did you know it was going to be like this?"
"Of sorts," he admitted.
"Of sorts! I know these games are all too common in certain circles, but I didn't know it would be this bad."
Edmund looked at her wearily. "Why do you think I insisted on coming here married? Louisa is hell-bent on coupling everyone who is here."
After a moment's silence, Ellen said, "Lady Cynthia seemed unpleasantly surprised that you were married. I wonder if she herself had certain expectations?"
Tewkbury looked up quickly. "Lady Cynthia? Expectations?"
"She seems to think you had some sort of understanding."
"Does she? She's commonly known to be a fortune hunter, and I count myself lucky that she didn't have a chance to sink her teeth into me. Besides, it hardly matters now that we're married. "
He was right. Something relaxed in Ellen.
