“Cuthbert,” she huffed his name. “Why must Cuthbert shadow my every move, my lord?”
“Because I wish it.” His tongue now probed the valley of her breasts. “And if he tells me you behaved yourself I might even let you accompany him on a visit to your family next.”
“You would?” Charles could barely contain her delight. “Thank you, my lord. I should like to see them again, perhaps on my day off.”
“There are no days off, Charles.” He pushed her to her knees. “And if you wish me to grant you favors you must grant me ones in return.”
She was shocked and aroused, a bundle of conflict. He angled her face to look up at him, and the storm in his eyes met her own with lust.
Charles knew what he wanted, and was shocked to discover she wanted it too. It was less a chore, and more a pleasure, now, to please him. She began to unbutton his fall.
“My mistress learns quickly.” Wellesley’s hands gripped her hair as he inhaled a breath.
Charles bent her head and readily acquiesced.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“’T’ain’t right,” said Tom, banging about the pots. “They’re at it all the time now. Ruttin’ beasts, those two. Why shouldheget all the fun while we get none?”
“She ain’t fit t’ call ’erself housekeeper, orderin’ us about when she’s friggin’ ’im at all hours. ’Tis a wonder anythin’ gets done on ’er watch at all!”
“Aye, an’ if he’s payin’ her t’ keep house when she’s but earnin’ on ’er back, I says he?—”
John cut them off. “Oi, shut up now, all o’ you!” He scowled at the men. “Miss Merrinanisnow housekeeper here and you’ll treat her as such. His grace orders it. And as for her duties as mistress”—his eyes blazed—“well, that’s twixt him and her, and none o’ yer goddamned business.”
The men all fell silent a moment before Tom piped up. “Sure, John, ’tis none ofourbusiness, only they’re loud enough, an’ often enough, as t’ make it our business, y’ ken?”
“Hear, hear!” and “’Tis true!” came the bevvy of retorts.
John’s lips pinched. “I’ll talk to him,” he grumbled. “But you’d best treat that gel with more respect, ’specially with a new cook comin’ on. Lest you want yon housekeeper runnin’ toCapt’n Wells with tales o’ yer abuse.” He knitted his brow. “Y’ know how he can get, boys.”
Which quieted the room, for they’d all borne his lordship’s anger at one point or another.
“Well, you tell ’im we’re sick of hearin’ her cries o’ delight at ’is lovemakin’,” Tom repeated. “’Tis enough t’ drive a man mad with yearnin’ ’imself.”
“Don’t I know it,” John muttered as he made a quick exit.
“My lord, please, I can’t!”
“Hush, woman, there’s no one about.”
“Yes but I’ve work to?—”
“It is as much your job to please me, Charles, and it pleases me to have you now.” Lord Wellesley had pushed her palms up against the dark hall paneling, lifted her skirts, and undone his fall all in a matter of seconds. Before she knew it he was inside her.
Charles sucked in her next breath, hands planted against the wall as he angled her hips back towards him.
“Now, Fox”—he nipped her neck before he let his tongue trail her cheekbone—“tell me what work you still have. Tell me what housekeeping duties make it so difficult”—he thrust again—“to enjoy”—he ground into her harder—“my attentions.”
The man made her moan out loud. “You cannot . . . I’m not . . .” Words failed her, for it was impossible to think coherently with his lordship inside her, demanding submission. She puddled beneath his touch, pure putty in his hands. For days now he’d taken her at will, all over the house, in impossibly indecent positions. Worst of all, she’d welcomed it. She’d wanted him as badly as he wanted her.
And clearly, this devil of a man knew it.
“Come now, housekeeper, obey my order. It is not your mouth I now occupy, so give your report while you’ve breath left to speak.”
And an almost guttural, low groan escaped her. Charles was furious at him and equally aroused by him, a state he knew well how to coax from her body, as she ground her hips deeper against him, urging him to give her what she wanted.
“Not yet, my sweet,” he breathed the words hot into her ear, unrelenting. “Not till you’ve given your report. Come, housekeeper, I wish to hear you talk. Speak.”
