“Marrying me is enough good fortune,” I said with a tongue-in-cheek grin as we passed one of the large trees that lined the walk. We were moving deeper into the shadows of the park.
“Now you sound like Noah.” Amelia leaned her head against my arm, the ornament on her hat tickling my cheek. “You two have been thick as thieves of late.”
“He’s my friend.” And lover. I was glad for the darkness because she could surely see the rush of heat that burned its way up my neck. The magical night I’d spent with him in my study still held my imagination and since I’d be cancelling our tryst, those memories would have to last me a lifetime. “And yours.”
“He is. I, um, well, I will miss him because of the boys. I will miss the boys. And Noah, I suppose.” She righted herself, tension in her slender shoulders.
The way she fumbled her words was telling. I had noticed the way she looked at him. The man oozed appeal, and it was natural for her to be enamored of him. “You can always visit them whenever you wish.”
“That’s what I told Ethan. He wants you to come live with us,” she said, releasing a telling breath before she shook her head. “It broke my heart to tell him no.”
“Perhaps Ethan and the boys could stay with us at the country estate for a while,” I suggested, knowing it was foolish to even offer. Being in close quarters with Noah would be a temptation unto itself, and I couldn’t continue the affair with him after the wedding. That would be the height of selfishness to disrespect Amelia in her own home.
I pulled Amelia behind the closest tree, earning a squeak of surprise from her. It was time I followed Noah’s advice and focused my desires on my bride-to-be. I caught her mouth, snagging her around the waist. She slipped her arms around my neck, her breasts a soft cushion against my chest. “Oliver, whatever has gotten into you?” she said between slow, sultry kisses.
“We are engaged, Amelia.” My heart continued to race, the stirring in my blood a promising start. She parted her lips, and I slanted my mouth more fully against hers. She tasted of sultry woman, her silky smooth tongue gliding along my own. Amelia had been the one to instigate our first kiss. She’d always been bolder than me and often led me on a merry chase.
Desire continued to spark my blood, and I pressed her back to the tree, my thigh coming to rest between hers. The skirt hampered my ability to get closer to her tantalizing frame. If tonight was any indication, my desire for her would only grow.
Someone nearby cleared their throat. I pulled back, glancing around for the intruder. A man walked out of the shadows, a plume of cigar smoke following him.
I turned my back to Amelia, intent on protecting her, when I recognized the intruder. “Noah, why are you lurking about?” I asked, my pulse increasing to a full-out gallop.
“I’m not lurking, I’m simply out for a smoke. Is that Amelia you are ravishing?” he asked with a mocking tone bordering on sarcasm. He sounded upset. Perhaps he was jealous of Amelia and me. Last night he was the one I was kissing.
“Who else would it be?” she asked with a breathy laugh, moving from behind me to stand by my side. Her hat was askew.
“Who indeed?” Noah dropped the cigar and crushed it under his heel.
Silence followed his comment, heavy with expectation. I felt a blush coming on, and I was unsure why. She was my fiancée, after all. “I was walking Amelia home.”
“I want to see the boys before they fall asleep.” Amelia slipped her hand into mine and tugged me forward. I didn’t protest the opportunity to be with two of my favorite people.
“Come with us,” she said to Noah, holding out her other hand to him. She tucked it into the crook of his arm.
He fell into step beside Amelia. “Ethan went to bed early. It would seem he stole four cherry tarts from the kitchen and now has an upset stomach.”
“He’s upset over me moving out,” Amelia said, her mouth turned down. She adored her nephews and was a very attentive aunt. Soon, she’d bear my children and be able to shower them with love.
“It is unavoidable, but you live close enough that he’ll see you every day.” Noah met my gaze over her head, sadness, along with resignation, reflected in his eyes. He would miss her as much ashis children would. I wanted to comfort him, yet it wasn’t my right. He had his own path to follow, and I had mine.
Chapter Twenty
Lord Noah Peterson
