Closing his eyes, he let her words settle into his soul.
“I love you too.”
****
True to his word, after a short time of dozing in each other’s arms, Vivian felt the hard press of Jack’s erection against her hip. He stroked the curve of her derriere and nuzzled her throat. Smiling, she ran her fingers through his dark hair. This man made her feel so desirable, so precious. He caressed one breast, taking the tip into his mouth, gently sucking. She sighed with pleasure and arched her back to give him better access. Then he moved to the other breast, lavishing attention on it as well. Meanwhile, his clever fingers were buried in the curls of her mons, rubbing her pearl in tight, little circles. She immediately went damp with desire. He shifted up and captured her mouth, his tongue mimicking the thrusting of his fingers.
“Are you sore, darling?”
She shook her head. “Jack, I need you. Make love to me.”
He pushed her legs wide and entered her with a soft sigh. He loved her slowly this time, bringing them both to their peak with his smooth, powerful thrusts and deep kisses that swallowed their moans of desire as they came to completion together. Afterward, they lay wrapped around one another, breathing heavily, staring up at the canopy.
She just might need to keep him naked in her bed every day. She planned to be a very demanding wife indeed.
She sat up. “Oh my, I totally forgot.”
“What, darling?”
“The list, I pinched the list from Moreau’s jacket. I brought it tonight in the pocket of my dressing gown.” She scrambled off the bed and crossed the room to the rug by the fireplace where her dressing gown had ended up on the floor.
Jack got out of the bed and joined her in front of the dying fire. “Here, let me see.” She passed him a piece of foolscap, folded and sealed with wax.
“We may be in luck,” Jack said. “See here; the wax seal hasn’t been broken. It appears Moreau put the list in his pocket, but hadn’t read it yet. This is the seal of the Earl of Granger…interesting.” He slid a finger under the wax seal, pulling open the note, then scanning the names.
He cursed. “I am familiar with all four of these agents, all good men working for the crown in various parts of the continent. No other information, just the names.” He threw the paper into the fire, watching the flames consume it. “I need to send a missive to Lord Winters right away and tell him what we found out about Moreau and Lady Granger.”
“What about Lord Granger?”
“That’s a bit trickier. It looks as though Lord Granger is not aware of his wife’s betrayal, but they will both have to be questioned. Lady Granger will be charged with treason most likely. I don’t think even her husband’s status can save her at this point. We will let them head back to London before we bring them in. I don’t want there to be any connections made to my family or me with this whole sordid business.”
He tugged her close to him, holding her loosely around the waist. “Shall we announce our engagement today at breakfast?”
She smiled. “Yes, but I must tell Gabrielle first. She has been championing you this whole time, you know.”
“I would like to get married as soon as possible. Two weeks from now, maybe?”
“Two weeks?” Vivian squeaked. “Jack, I can’t plan a wedding in two weeks.”
“Three?” He slid his hands down and squeezed her backside, the tricky blighter. “The sooner we marry the sooner we can spend every night together.” He gave her a smoldering look. The man did have a good point.
“Three weeks it is!” She frowned. “I wish I knew where my father was. He should be here to walk me down the aisle.”
He put a finger under her chin, lifting her eyes to him. “I will redouble my efforts to find him. I promise to do my best to get him to the wedding, all right?”
“I best get dressed and get back to my room before any of the staff are up and about.”
He helped her back into her shift and dressing gown. Smoothing her hair back from her face, he kissed her deeply one more time. “Until breakfast, my love.”
She smiled up at him, and then, peeking out the door, careful to make sure she saw no one in the hallway, she slipped out and hurried to her room. Once inside, she threw herself down on the bed. Grinning like a fool, she let out a squeal of happiness.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Gabrielle found Vivian a couple of hours later, lying on the bed, and smiling at the ceiling.
“Vivi, let’s go down to breakfast. I am starving.”
She bounced off the bed and straight into Gabi’s arms. She hugged her and twirled her around in a huge circle. “Gabi, I’m in love.”
