Charles carefully traced the gash above his eye. “Promise you will let the doctor look at this, and your ribs, Roland.” She ventured his name again.
“Does this mean you care for me after all, Fox?”
“Of course I care for you.” She frowned. “Do you think me heartless, sir?”
***
“Do you thinkmeheartless, miss?” Their eyes locked and then Wells cupped her breasts, whispering, “I’ve missed you, Fox.” And he had, terribly.
“I’ve missed you too, sir.”
“No moresir, not in bed.” He nipped her ear, then suckled the lobe, drawing another gasp from her lips. “I like it when you are sweet, Charles, and you were ever so sweet to me last night, lass.”
Only she gently pushed him onto his back. “Shall I show you how else I can be sweet, my lord?”
His mistress’s eyes flashed as she straddled his waist.
“Charles.” He flinched, his ribs still tender.
“Yes, Roland?” His name was a caress as she notched herself above him.
“Go easy on me, Fox, I am sore yet.”
“I’ll be ever so gentle,sir.” She slowly slid herself down his length, placing barely any weight upon his lap.
“Christ, woman.” He sucked in his breath.
“Slow and steady, Captain.”
“How the devil . . . ?”
“Cuthbert your first mate, eh?” She grinned. “He spilled the beans about your seafaring ways.” Her smile deepened. “I knew that crew of yours were pirates, Wells, making you the prince of thieves.”
He gasped again to feel the slow burn of her, achingly hot and sweet. “Aye, lass.” He smirked. “And you my bounty, Charles, a most fine treasure to keep.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Apackage from London had arrived early by post, and along with it another embossed ducal missive John delivered to his lordship, curious as to its contents.
“Leave the box, Cuthbert, I’ll unpack it later.” Wells had a gleam in his eye.
“And the letter, sir?”
His lordship grimaced. “Leave that for later, too. I’ll not have my mother ruin a perfectly good day. And John,” he added as he exited his bedroom, “give my regards to our housekeeper’s family. I’m sure they’ll be pleased to see her.”
Lord Wells headed for the south wall, to put in his labor before what looked to be a gathering storm, while John hastened to the kitchen in search of Charles. Along the way he pondered his master’s mood, for his grace had gone from foul to fair-tempered ever since the accident. John suspected Wells had made good again with his mistress, though he’d heard not a stitch more grumbling from the men, nor fresh complaints from the new girls, regarding loud ‘activities’ about the house. In fact, now that more staff had come on, Charles seemed positively rosy herself.
Which made him think of the housekeeper’s sister, picturingherrosy demeanor. He wished Miss Eleanor were his to keep warm nights, engaged in all manner of sweetness.
“Ready, Cuthbert?” Charles sidled up, disturbing his reverie. “You do realize I might deliver this basket myself, sir.”
He sniffed. “His grace don’t trust you that much, miss. I don’t care how well you two now get along.” He pinned her with a look.
“We get along just fine, yes.” She grinned back. “Fine enough thathis graceis now letting me visit my family. So I dare not pick another fight with him, and least of all with you, John, who have been so kind to my father and sister.”
John blinked, afraid she’d read his thoughts about Eleanor, but then he straightened his spine. “’T’ain’t hard bein’ kind t’ folks what deserve it, miss.” He grabbed the basket waiting on Cook’s broad work table. “Come on then, let’s not dally.”
The walk went by quickly, and Charles reveled in the familiar steps that brought her ever closer to home. She was a little anxious, truth be told, for she’d not seen Ellie nor Papa for over two months. She also feared her face might give away too much of her new life at Almsdale; lately, she had only to think of Lord Wellesley before her skin prickled with awareness. Yet the moment she saw her sister standing at the doorstep, all fear vanished.
