“And what is that for?”
***
“For asking after my wellbeing, my lord.” Charles decided in that instant that what Lord Wellesley needed most from her this night was not more fight but more accord. Perhaps that’s what he’d needed all along.
“Well, I suppose Iamin charge of your wellbeing,” he grumbled.
She snuggled deeper into his embrace, backing her hips into his, feeling him rise behind her in arousal. She slid his hands lower to her thighs, saying coyly, “I thought of you today, my lord.”
“Did you?” He seemed surprised.
“Yes,” she purred and felt him harden more.
“I thought of you too, Fox.” His tongue dipped into her ear while one hand slipped lower still, making her slowly exhale. “All day I have sworn to do better by you, if you’ll still have me.”
It was another shocking attempt at apology, which made Charles respond to his touch only more. “You can be mostpersuasive when you wish, my lord.” She twisted herself around to plant a kiss upon his lips.
He looked again surprised, and pleased. Perhaps he needed a softer woman than she, one who would accommodate and anticipate, rather than one who perpetually riled. Perhaps she could be this for him. She must at least try.
He returned her kiss with gentle pressure, his tongue questioning almost, and she responded with more intent. When she broke off, he stared at her a moment, as if unsure, until she smiled, eliciting a smile from him in return.
“I take it you are no longer angry with me, Fox?”
“I have forgiven your lordship,” she told him firmly, “and mean to prove myself more than just your housekeeper.” She turned around in the bath to straddle his lap, a little worried he might laugh at her for this, but he did not.
“Then I am indeed pleased, Fox.” His smile deepened, hands now cupping her buttocks, drawing her only closer to his crotch until she felt him notched beneath her.
“And will this please my lord too?” She lowered herself, inch by daring inch.
“God, yes,” he exhaled.
“Your Grace,” she whispered, impaling herself now fully, “take me to bed.”
***
With one swift move Wells lifted her, still joined to him, out of the tub and onto the bed, where he lost not an inch as he laid her down, throbbing inside her, wishing only to undo her utterly. He did not care that she’d flaunted the damn title. Did not care if she did it again. This time he’d give her what she wanted. Thistime he’d satisfy his mistress by granting her a less frustrating, and far more pleasurable, end.
He’d grant himself a better end too, he hoped: a more willing mistress in future whom he might play with more vigorously. One who would desire him as much as he desired her.
He bent his head to her lips and tasted possibility.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Charles awoke again to the familiar male prod of morning virility, tensing a moment before a hand gripped her hip.
“I swore I’d not abuse you, Fox,” his lordship’s voice rumbled, “and I meant it.”
She relaxed as she rolled over to face him in the bed. “You were most gentle last night, my lord.” She kissed him timidly. “I enjoyed your attentions.”
“Did you?” He grinned back, kissing her nose in return. “I enjoyed you too, Charles.” He moved to taste her lips. “You make a fine mistress, Miss Merrinan.” His hand stroked the dip at her waist. “I look forward to teaching your lovely body more ways it might enjoy my own.”
She tried hard not to smile in return, but failed, his grin infectious.
“Ah, she laughs. See, she is no stone after all.” His eyes crinkled. “You are beautiful when you smile, Charles.” His hand stroked her cheek, making her blush.
“Please do not say that, sir.” She looked away. “We are not lovers; I am but your servant in bed.”
“And that precludes tenderness?” He frowned, turning her chin to look at him. “Surely kind words between master andmistress are allowed, Charles. One needn’t be in love to show affection.”
