Joining with her like this was better than he’d imagined it would be. Her breathing was hitched, and as he renewed his penetration, she began meeting his thrusts. He gripped her hips with both hands, increasing the pace as he suckled at her breast.
Her fingers gripped his hair, and when she moaned again, he lost his control and emptied his seed within her.
Damn it all.
She went pliant against him, her face tucked against his neck. He was frustrated that he hadn’t lasted as long as he’d wanted to. Though he’d brought her to a climax earlier, he’d wanted her to find a second release while he was inside her.
He reached down to touch her, while he remained embedded within her. She shied away the moment he began to stroke. Against his shaft, he felt her body tighten.
“David?” she whispered.
He rested his weight on his arms and met her gaze. With their bodies still joined, he saw the uncertain look in her eyes.
“I’ve not finished yet,” he said. He continued caressing her, and he returned his mouth to her other breast. She appeared confused, but she didn’t deny him. Then abruptly, she began to tremble.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what I—”
Her words broke off when he found the swollen nub, arousing her further. He kept the pressure light, never ceasing the rhythm, until she cried out, her body shattering beneath his touch. Her womb clenched his shaft with aftershocks, and the languid expression on her face revealed her pleasure.
Seeing her fulfillment made him want to keep her here, learning her body’s needs and watching her find release, over and over.
Like a siren, he would fall beneath her spell, until he lost all sense of reason. He couldn’t keep her here, or he would succumb to physical needs. And it wasn’t fair to use her like that.
Slowly, he extricated himself and helped her to sit up. “You should return to your room now and sleep. It’s been a long day.”
Amelia drew her knees up, suddenly shy. “Can’t I sleep here with you?”
He shook his head and brought her the fallen clothing from the floor. “You’ll be more comfortable alone.”
“I won’t,” she said softly, “though I know why you’re sending me away.” She tried to dress herself as best she could, but her hands were trembling.
Amelia stared at him for a long moment. He refused to apologize, for this was what she’d wanted. He’d consummated their marriage, hadn’t he?
“Nothing has changed,” he assured her. “We’re still friends.”
But Amelia shook her head. “No, David. Everything has changed.”
Chapter Nine
After a few days of marriage, the day arrived when Amelia had invited Lady Sarah to tea. Although her sister Victoria had offered to have her husband, the Duke of Worthingstone, handle the matter, Amelia felt responsible for the situation. Today, she intended to put the matter to rest, once and for all. It was time to confront the woman about her blackmail note.
When Lady Sarah entered the sitting room, the woman looked as if she hadn’t slept in days. Her hair was pulled back in a knot, and a strand hung limply against her face. Her gown was the faded color of smoke, and in spite of herself, Amelia pitied the woman.
Even so, she had to put an end to this.
“The Duke of Worthingstone has enough evidence against you to have you arrested for blackmail,” she informed Lady Sarah. “If you continue these demands, it will end badly for you.”
The young woman had gone deathly white, but she met Amelia’s gaze squarely. “I need help, Lady Castledon. I don’t truly wish to harm your family, but I will do what I must. I cannot be anywhere near my cousin.” She gripped her arms and stared down at her lap.
“If I arrange to help you disappear, will you let this matter go?” Amelia asked. “I cannot arrange a house and servants, but I can giveyou a small pension. It would only be enough for you to travel far away and to begin a new life. If you demand anything further, His Grace will have you brought up on charges.” She leaned forward, adding, “I convinced them to wait until after I’d spoken with you.”
Lady Sarah let out a slow breath. “This isn’t the sort of woman I am, you know. I never thought that my life would end up like this.” Her brown eyes filled up with unshed tears. “Brandon always said that no man would ever want me as a wife. I suppose he was right.”
A pang caught Amelia in her stomach, but she could give the woman no reassurance.
“Help me to leave, and you’ll never see me again,” Lady Sarah promised.
Amelia passed over the small parcel containing banknotes and a few inexpensive jewels the woman could sell. Although it was a grave risk, giving in to Lady Sarah’s demands, she wanted to believe that the woman was telling the truth. “All of this ends, right now. You cannot ask for anything more. If you break this promise, not only will you be arrested for blackmail, but I shall tell them that you stole those jewels from me.”
