As if he knew exactly what she wanted, his fingers moved into her wet folds. She widened her eyes at the intense sensation, unable to do anything but press her hips upward.
His nostrils flared at her reaction. “Kiss me.”
At his command, she realized it was what she wanted. She wrapped her arms around him and did as he commanded.
His tongue swept into her mouth, demanding she surrender as he played with one spot between her legs, the feelings growing stronger there. She found herself holding on to him, his lips, his body, as she spiraled out of control, his touch taking her beyond mere reality to another realm of existence. Just when the sensations seemed as good as they could possibly be, she exploded into ecstasy, finding a bliss she’d never known existed. He held her there, her pleasure unimaginable, exciting and satisfying at the same time. Finally, the feelings slowly subsidedlike leaves falling from a tree in autumn, leaving her limp and tired as she had never been before.
His lips left hers, and she opened her eyes to gaze at him with pure gratefulness, but she couldn’t seem to muster the energy to speak.
As if he knew how she felt, he rolled away, pulling the covers over her from the side as he did so, leaving her in a warm cocoon. He stood gazing at her with no expression, as if contemplating something of great importance. Then he turned and strode out of view, the belt of his dressing gown dangling from his waist.
She closed her eyes and smiled. She no longer felt she was in a muddle. No, everything was crystal clear. She loved the Earl of Harewood, and though he may think her fit for another man, he would see that he loved her back. All would be well.
Chapter Fifteen
Rushing through hertoilette, Dory quickly dressed, no doubt giving the maid much trouble, but in short order, she was at Rose’s door and being bid enter. Walking in, she found Rose still abed. “Oh, you must hurry. We need to go down before the men leave for the hunt.”
“The hunt? There is no hunt today. Remember, we are preparing for the play.”
She’d forgotten. “But I saw the groom bring a horse around out my window. I thought it was for a hunt.” She shrugged. “Then I guess there is no rush.” Though she wished to see Fen as soon as possible. Had he awoken this morning realizing how much he wanted her for a wife? She couldn’t wait to talk to him.
“But I do know Cook was planning brioche buns for this morning. Shall we sneak down before anyone breaks their fast and steal some?” At the mischief in Rose’s pretty, blue eyes, Dory knew there would be more to this stealthy expedition than it appeared, but if that meant she could see Fen sooner, she was ready. “Yes, let’s.”
Rose jumped from her bed and called her maid. Still, it was a good thirty minutes before they were quietly rushing down the stairs. No one was about except the servants, so they needn’t have been stealthy, but Rose insisted on peeking around every corner before moving down a corridor and opening the door to the kitchen.
Once inside, Rose ducked to hide behind a table and put her finger to her lips. Then she pointed toward the fireplace and a long table piled high with brioche buns. Staying low, she skittered over and without looking, put her hand up and pulled a bun from the pile. Unfortunately, the rest tumbled down after it, some falling to the floor, but a few she caught and handed off.
Dory dropped the hot bun into her skirt folds, just before a voice sounded above the bustle of the kitchen.
“Lady Rose Ambrose, don’t you think I don’t know you’re stealing me buns.”
They both giggled at being caught. Rose stood. “How did you know?”
“I know everything that goes on in me kitchen. Who you got there with you? I know it isn’t your brother, as he already came in and took a basket for his trip.”
Hearing that Fen had gone on a trip, Dory stood, losing the buns in her skirts. “A trip?”
Rose stood as well at that. “Lady Dorothea, this is Mrs. MacManus. Mrs. MacManus, this is Lady Dorothea Ansley. She’s my good friend.”
The older lady was as wide as she was tall, with a head full of white hair, a large nose, and a lopsided frown that she was desperately trying to hold. “Thick as thieves you be. Now come over here and eat those properly.”
Rose led her to a small table, where Mrs. MacManus set a plate piled high with brioche buns along with jam, butter, and a pot of tea. Rose immediately poured. “One day, I am going to sneak in and out of here and you will be none the wiser.”
Mrs. MacManus clucked her tongue. “Not likely, lass. But I admire your persistence.”
Rose bit off a large bite of warm bun.
Dory took a sip of tea and turned to Mrs. MacManus. “Did you say Lord Harewood went on a trip? That is odd in the middle of a house party, is it not?”
Mrs. MacManus yelled to a young boy to take out the slop before answering. “That boy always did what he wanted.”
Rose, having finished her first bun, started spreading jam on her second. “Where did he go? Did Mother send him on another errand?” She wiggled her brows as she took a large bite.
“I dinna know nothing about her ladyship, but he did say he was off to Denton Hall. Took a good dozen of my buns with him, he did.”
As Mrs. MacManus strode off to instruct a maid in tending a large pot that hung over the open fire, Dory looked to Rose. “Where is Denton Hall and why would your brother go there in the middle of the party?”
Rose stopped buttering her third bun. “I don’t know. That’s his own estate. I can’t think of a reason why Mother would send him there, unless he received word that he was needed?” Her brows lowered. “Though why, I wouldn’t know. He has a rather apt steward and the place is always perfect when I visit.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Maybe he just wanted to check to make sure everyone was doing what they were supposed to while he’s gone. That’s something he would do.”
