He lowered his face, brushing his jaw along her cheek and whispered into her ear, “I don’tpity fuck.”
A bolt of lightning might as well have struck her as something hot spread through her body. The coarse nature of his words reminded her of the night behind the Willoughbys’ gazebo, and she stumbled so hard that she would have fallen if he hadn’t been holding her up.
She’d only heardthat wordspoken out loud on two or three occasions, by her father once, and then by her brother. Neither of them had realized she was present at the time. She’d had a most excellent hiding place in her father’s study. A small table had been set up beside one of the settees, a velvet tablecloth draped over it. She’d spent many evenings huddled beneath it.
But she was no longer a little girl, overhearing the word coming from her father or brother. She was a grown woman—a married woman—and her husband’s meaning couldn’t have been any clearer.
“Good,” she finally answered as the orchestra finished with a flourish.
Chase leaned down a second time. “Then let’s see what we can do about getting out of here early. Unless you’d prefer to wait.”
His words left her speechless so she simply nodded.
Unfortunately, as it turned out, leaving early wasn’t really an option.
If they hadn’t had to deliver her mother home, and if her mother hadn’t insisted upon making her goodbyes to every person with whom she’d ever been acquainted, in addition to the twins, and His Grace, and of course, Lady Ravensdale… Well then, they might have made it home before two in the morning.
Nonetheless, by the time they climbed the steps to Byrde House and practically sleepwalked through the door, the hour was already half-past three.
“Remind me next time to bring along a second coach for your mother.” He sounded as though he was only half-joking. As tired as she was, the heat of his breath invigorated her.
She stifled a yawn even as Chase placed his hand on her lower back, half pushing her up the staircase.
She’d learned from his staff that he rose early every morning to run various errands. Perhaps he was tired too. He might be as tired as she was.
“How long shall I wait before joining you?”
Then again, perhaps he was not.
She’d wanted this,badly, but now that the time had come… her bold declaration from earlier seemed to taunt her.
If it’s something Lady Starling enjoys, wouldn’t any woman want to try it?
A burst of either excitement or fear lurched in her belly. There wasn’t much difference between the two.
“Ahem.” She cleared her throat. “I’ll need a while, I suppose, getting out of this gown. I don’t want to wake Polly.” If she took long enough with that, maybe he’d simply fall asleep.
If he hadn’t halted at the jib door, she’d have walked right past her own chamber.
Warm arms slid around her from behind, and he drew her back against his front.
“I can be of some assistance in that area.” His lips brushed the shell of her ear. “If you’d like.”
He had grasped one of her sleeves and was tugging it down her arm. His other hand was drawing lazy circles over the ridges of her stays—just below her breasts.
“I’ll unbutton you.” His voice rasped. He kissed the spot just behind her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. “Untie you.” This kiss landed below her earlobe. “And unlace you. Do you have any objections so far?”
“No.” Her voice came out sounding unusually throaty.
Her knees weakened. Without consciously doing so, she’d covered his arms with hers and leaned into him. When his mouth moved to her jaw, she tilted her head in the opposite direction, unable all of a sudden to hold her head up.
In one swift motion, her feet left the floor and she clasped him around the neck to keep herself upright. This was the second time he’d swept her up and into his arms in as many days.
But this was different.
He pushed at the door and carried her into the garish chamber. It was dark but for a slant of moonlight sliding across the room. Chase crossed the carpeted floor but then halted at the bed and groaned. “I thought I could do this, but I can’t.”
All the air swooshed out of her lungs. Was her worst nightmare going to come true? She slid her arms from around his neck and squirmed.
