“Never fear, my love. You deserved to stay abed after the night you had.” I pressed a perfunctory kiss to her lips while inside I wanted to explore her mouth with more detail. “I am pleased you are here. Noah and I need your opinion on a most urgent matter.”
“Indeed, and what pray tell is that?” she asked, an airy quality to her voice that wasn’t present seconds before. Our kiss sparked my blood, and as a married couple, I was at liberty to kiss her whenever the desire hit me. I regretted that I didn’t have the same luxury regarding Noah.
“Oliver and I were simply debating if we should continue on as we did last night or sever the ties.” The corners of his mouth quirked, and Noah shrugged his broad shoulders. “According to him, I owe him a buggering, and he wishes to collect. However, he wishes for your blessing.”
“And your presence,” I said, needing to clarify the situation.
Noah turned to glance over his shoulder. The room’s inhabitants were raptly listening to Hortense as she regaled them with a scandalous story involving a Russian prince and a certain marchioness.
“So what say you, would you like me to bugger your husband?” Noah used his position as cover and traced one finger along the back of her hand and up the inside of her forearm. The spark of lust added to my own desires.
“And what do I get in return?” She lowered her lashes and placed her palm on my sleeve. The increased rise of her chest gave her away.
“Two men who will serve your every whim,” I said. “Or service your every whim, I should say.”
“My every whim?” she placed a finger on her cheek, her elbow holding Noah’s hand in place. He stepped closer, his thumb moving with more speed. “I think I will need at least three, um, whims fulfilled.”
“I think we can accomplish that. Oliver will make it his mission to please you while I please him. How does that sound?” Noah asked.
“Rather pleasing,” Amelia said on a laugh.
“What are you three whispering about?” Grandmama called out.
Amelia turned a pretty shade of pink, her good mood restored. Noah chuckled and dropped his hand. I cleared my throat and tried to think on my feet. “We were discussing the wedding. Amelia said the chapel was built in 1602, but Noah thought 1612.”
“Well, it was neither of those,” Grandmama said. A servant brought out a platter of delicious-smelling meats, and I used it as an excuse to avoid further inquiry. I was hungry after last night, and the conversation only triggered more of an appetite. Noah and Amelia were both on board, and I could hardly wait until night fell and we could be alone once more.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lord Noah Peterson
“Will my new cousins be at the party?” Ethan clutched my hand as we walked up the stairs to the ballroom of Hayesford Hall. We were late for the party because Nurse couldn’t find Ethan’s buckled shoe. Although it was a family gathering, the local gentry had been invited. The older children were allowed to attend. Ethan and Hortense’s son were of a similar age, and the two had become fast friends. “William isn’t truly your cousin, but yes, I assume he will be.”
“Can I have a cherry tart?” he asked, looking at me with great expectation. In a few short weeks, he’d turn five, and in three years, he’d be attending Eton like I had done.
Even the thought of my son leaving tore a little bit of my soul away. But that was in the future, and I couldn’t live on speculation of what might happen. Sally’s death had shown how volatile life was. “I would think you’d be sick of cherry tarts by now,” I teased, not wishing to dwell on it.
He shook his head and grinned. “No, Papa.”
I nodded. “I see.”
“Will there be cakes?” He giggled and jumped to the next step. I was certain his shoes, indeed his entire handsome outfit, would be a mess by night’s end. Ethan was a boy through and through.
“I am not sure what refreshments the duchess will provide for us.” This would be the first party Amelia would host as the duchess, and I had no doubt she was a nervous wreck. I had faith she’d rise to the occasion. My admiration for her knew no bounds, which was a slippery slope on my part. The intimacies we’d shared had been unforgettable.
