Noah looped his arm around my shoulders.
Oliver lit a match, the flame a brilliant orange against the dimness of the room. Hand steady, he held the burning match beneath the book. “Are you certain?”
“Yes,” Noah and I said at the same time. We shared an amused glance. I leaned into him, glad to be back in his good graces during such a monumental moment. The woodsy scent of his shaving soap cut through the sulfur smell, and I inhaled the tantalizing aroma of musk and man.
Oliver touched the match to the diary. The pages smoked before a red glow appeared, subtle at first, before flaming to life. He dropped the book into the fire, and with a pop, it ignited.
Noah pressed a kiss against my temple, his fingers on my shoulder pulling me closer to his side. The secrets of the past were gone, and I prayed Sally rested in eternal peace.
A distant chime from the cathedral down the street sounded. I turned to look at Noah. He was staring into the fire, his face cast in the soft glow. Oliver draped his arm around us, his chin resting on Noah’s shoulder. We stood watching the flames lick the book until it was hardly recognizable.
“Rest in peace, Sally,” I said, knowing the ache of her loss would forever be in my mind and in my heart.
Noah turned to me and closed his eyes before he repeated my words. “Rest in peace, Sally.”
A knock sounded, and we broke apart. I shared a concerned look with Oliver. Lady Gwendolyn’s health was at the forefront of our minds. “I’ll see who it is.”
I left the two men and strode to the door, a slight quiver to my hand. Burning the diary had been a cathartic exercise to help us all on the road to healing. I prayed whoever was on the other side of the door didn’t bear bad news. The butler smiled at me. “Your grace, would you be needing refreshments for your guest?” he asked.
“Noah, would you care for some refreshments?” It had been a trying evening, and I wanted to make sure he was seen to. For too long, he’d been the one watching out for all of us. It was time to return the favor.
“I believe your husband has some French brandy he’d like to share with me,” he said in a husky tone, which piqued my curiosity.
“I believe we are fine.” I smiled at the butler, eager for him to leave so I could return to what I desired most, a night with my two lovers.
Oliver strode over and rested his hand on my lower back. “Lord Peterson will stay with us. See that the green room is made up for him.”
“The green room? It is rather small—”
“It is a perfectly acceptable room, my love. Charles, the household may retire for the night once the task is complete.” Oliver said to the butler. “I believe we have everything we need for the rest of the evening.”
“Very good, your grace,” he said with a respectful nod and bowed out of the room.
“Really, Oliver, the green room is tiny and—”
He placed a fingertip to my lips and shook his head, mischief in his eyes. “It used to be part of the master suite and has a connecting door to my room.”
“You clever man.” I unbuttoned my bodice, my nipples constricting with need. Sadness had shrouded us for too long. It was time to explore the brighter side of life. “Now, where were we?”
“Where would you like us to be?” Noah asked, watching my hands with avid interest. The tightness in his frame had faded, and expectation took its place. “Obviously, we can’t go to our rooms yet, so...”
“I believe you owe Oliver a buggering—or he owes you.” Anticipation made my knees weak, and my pussy flared to life with unfulfilled desire. While Oliver and I coupled enthusiastically almost nightly, we were still new to the pleasures of the flesh. Noah was more experienced, but it had been ages since he had been with us. My pussy ached with the promise of what was to come. Hopefully, I would be coming. Many times. “I seem to recall when we discussed our future trysts, I was promised no less than three, um, whims. I will let you know right now, I will insist on that and more.”
“That can be arranged,” Noah said, kissing my neck while Oliver lowered my bodice. My blood hummed with anticipation for what was to follow. Air touched my chest, the shirtwaist hanging loose. I still wore a chemise, which I desperately wanted off. The sooner my breasts were bared, the better. “Once we’re upstairs, Oliver and I can explore his desires, but for now, I think we should get a start on those whims.”
“Indeed.” Oliver skimmed his mouth over the swell of my breasts, placing warm kisses down the valley between them. He hadn’t performed the same intimacies as Noah had during our night together. His confidence was gaining, but I suspected he would welcome more guidance from Noah. I wanted whatever Oliver was comfortable with.
Noah’s nimble fingers unfastened the waistband of my skirt, allowing the material to fall to the ground. He tugged at my earlobe with his teeth. Oliver pressed his mouth lower, circling my nipple with his tongue before drawing it into his mouth. Not to be outdone, Noah skimmed his hand down my belly, fingers splayed over my chemise-covered stomach. Pulling the fabric up, he bunched it in his fist. “I believe Amelia needs your attention, Oliver.”
Oliver released my nipple, indecision flittering across his brow. Noah removed my chemise as my husband dropped to one knee before me. He spread heated kisses along my abdomen, his exploring mouth weakening my knees.
“I will let Oliver taste your sweet nectar while I play with these.” Noah massaged my breasts, his thumb and finger applying enough pressure on my nipples to further incite my need for more.
“Yes, please do.” I waited, breath held as Oliver spread my pussy with his thumbs.
“I am unsure what I am doing, but I will try my best to please you, wife,” he said.
Anticipation for his next move stole the air from my lungs, but he hesitated. “You needn’t do anything you are uncomfortable with, Oliver.”
