“Earth-shattering?”
“Possibly.”
He nuzzled her.
“It was exactly what I needed,” she said. It was. It had been. “Thank you.”
He laughed. “You’re quite welcome, My Lady. And might I add that I am ever ready to please?”
Would it happen again? She wanted it to. “You are leaving then?” She’d already asked him that… before. The thought of not seeing him again caused a stabbing in her heart.
He turned so that he was sitting on the floor, his back to the settee, and then arranged her on his lap. “Do you want me to?”
Why would he ask her this?
“Eight days remain before the house party is over,” she said almost to herself. He was holding her like a child now. She walked her fingers up his chest. But then she could not contain her answer. She had decided she was not going to be strictly proper henceforth. “I want—We….”
“I will stay for you.” His lips found hers. Softly, tenderly. “I will make love to you in all manner of fashion.” He tasted her slowly. “Right side up.” He ran his tongue along her teeth. “Upside down.” He bit at her lip. “Sideways and every other way, if that is what you wish.”
She nodded, her heart already racing again. But they would have no misunderstandings. “And afterward, you must leave.” He must go ahead with all of the plans he’d made, and she would have no expectations. “You will sail the seas and learn about the world so that you can come back and make changes to your own.”
He drew back to stare into her eyes. How had she ever compared George’s eyes to his? But for the color, they were not alike at all. Sebastian’s were filled with strength and honor… and excitement for all that the future held for a handsome young man like himself.
“And you shall return to London and do whatever it is that you please because you are no longer going to concern yourself with doing all that is proper.
She nodded.
“And I will write to you, Maggie. Because it is not proper but also because I want to share the world with you—you deserve a little adventure.”
“I would like that very much.” And she would. It would allow her to hold on to him in a very small way. “Perhaps I will fly in one of those balloon contraptions.” She exhaled as his lips trailed down her neck. She would return to London and perhaps hire a painting master to teach her. Or she would do something more useful. She could help at one of the foundling homes. Leaning back, feeling his even deep breaths, she relaxed into him.
“You will stay eight more days.”
“I will.” His voice rumbled beneath her. She nuzzled her face against his shirt and just as she closed her eyes, angry pounding sounded on the door, causing both of them to jump.
A pause, and then more violent pounding, making the door shake. “Who’s in there?” Hugh demanded from the other side.
Sebastian grinned at her, almost as though he found the notion of being discovered hilariously entertaining. She scowled and slapped at his arms so she could escape his embrace. He helped her to stand, however, and then handed her a handkerchief as he scrambled to his feet.
If it wouldn’t be so horrifying, it would almost be amusing to see her brother’s expression upon discovering his very proper and dignified sisterin flagrante delicto. The door pounded again. Most definitely not amusing. “Open up at once.”
Sebastian fumbled with the fasteners she’d undone earlier and then went to adjusting his cravat.
“It’s just me! I… er… fell asleep,” she called out. Margaret smoothed her skirts but then reached out a hand when her knees nearly buckled beneath her. She felt weak from the drink, the vigor of their lovemaking, or perhaps both.
Sebastian caught her before she could fall. “Are you all right?”
She nodded.
“But why would you tell him that?” His voice was half laughter, half hiss. “He’s going to want to kill me!”
“Oh.” Margaret realized her mistake immediately. But it was no matter, she had a plan. “Follow me.”
A few rooms in this old manor had been designed with secret passages between them, and of course, the study was one of them. Sebastian followed her to where she pushed at the molding. The wainscoting in the shape of a small door sprang open. “Take the first right and then follow to the end. Make sure no one is in the library when you come out.” She bit her lip to keep from giggling, What would Penelope’s guests say if Lord Rockingham were to appear from inside the wall?
He ducked down but then poked his head out again and grasped her by the shoulders. “I will come to you tonight.”
“My maid would hear us. I will come to you. Do not,” she commanded sternly, “change rooms with anyone.” And then she lifted onto her toes and pressed her lips against his.
