Julian had forgotten how dogged his brother could be when he latched on to something. “All I can say is beware of ladies attempting to open umbrellas in closed carriages.”
“Ouch.” Aragon made a face.
“Indeed.”
“Who was the lady?” Aragon chose the best seat in the box and sat down. For once, Julian didn’t mind, because he’d already decided to sit out of the sight of any but the most determined viewer. “Anyone I know?”
“No,” Julian said. “And, as she was unaware that she had caused me any injury, I’ll keep her name to myself.”
“That’s probably best,” Aragon agreed. “You don’t want to appear any more foolish than you already do.”
The door to the box opened, and Allegra came in followed by Carenza, Mrs. Sheraton, and Mrs. Cooper.
Julian bowed. “Good evening, ladies.” He waited for a moment as they all studied him intently, then he raised his hand to touch the scar on his forehead. “As you can see, I am quite well.”
“Apart from that black eye,” Mrs. Sheraton said.
Julian shrugged. “A mere nothing.”
“Lover’s quarrel?” She looked over at Carenza.
“I told you what happened, Olivia.” Carenza approached Julian and smiled at him. “Good evening, sir. I am glad to see you in good health.”
His gaze drifted down from her face to her bosom, which was magnificently displayed in a gown of cream patterned muslin edged with gold lace. The sudden burst of lust that ran through him reminded him that he hadn’t had the pleasure of bedding her for far too long and that he wanted her very badly.
“Good evening, my lady.” He brought her gloved hand to his lips and deliberately bit her knuckles. Her eyes widened, and she uttered a little gasp that did nothing to suppress his desire. “Always a pleasure.”
“Not often enough,” she murmured. “But we persevere.”
He turned to greet Lady Allegra, who winked at him and immediately went over to speak to Aragon. Mrs. Cooper looked rather miserable.
“Is Mr. Cooper coming?” Julian asked.
“No, he’s still at work,” Mrs. Cooper said. “He sent his apologies.”
“Perhaps he’ll be able to come next time,” Julian said.
“I doubt it,” Mrs. Cooper said flatly. “His work is too important for him to indulge in such frivolity.”
Julian was far too adroit to involve himself in a matrimonial dispute and merely smiled. He pulled out a chair for Mrs. Cooper next to Lady Allegra and Aragon in the front row, then steered Carenza toward the seat next to his in the second row with Mrs. Sheraton settling on the other side of him. The loud conversations in the theater dimmed when the director of the opera came out to announce that they were ready to begin. Some of the candles were extinguished, leaving the stage illuminated in the darkness.
He loved opera, but tonight his interests would be focused in his own box and not on the stage. He angled his chair away from Mrs. Sheraton’s until his knee brushed against Carenza’s. She stiffened as he placed his hand on her thigh, his fingers tightening as he caressed her through the thin fabric of her dress and petticoat. He slid one arm along the back of her chair, his fingertips brushing the back of her neck and the lace of her bodice as he leaned in close.
“I burn for you,” he breathed against her skin.
She shivered, her fingers closing over his hand on her thigh, whether to embrace his ardor or to forestall it, he wasn’t yet sure.
He winced as Mrs. Sheraton jabbed him in the ribs with her fan and hissed. “If you intend to become amorous, might I ask that you find somewhere else to cling to each other? I was rather hoping to enjoy the opera.”
“I do beg your pardon,” Julian murmured.
He took Carenza’s hand and led her out of the box, noticing only Allegra’s startled face before he shut the door behind them. He pulled Carenza into a small anteroom behind the box, where refreshments would be served at the interval. After locking the door, he practically flattened Carenza against the wall.
“This is becoming a habit,” he whispered as he rucked up her skirts. “But I cannot wait any longer.”
As her fingers were already frantically undoing his breeches, he guessed she had no objection to being taken against the wall and acted accordingly. The moment she released his cock he lifted her up and over it. She stifled a scream against his shoulder as she sank fully onto him and immediately climaxed.
He stayed still, his cock desperate to join her, resisting temptation until she’d finished. Then he took advantage of her suddenly weakened state to fuck her as roughly as he could. He came fast and groaned through his teeth, aware that they were not really alone and that anyone who came in would know exactly what they’d been doing.
