His words reminded of his mother’s, yetwhyhe was so hell bent on gaining entry to the gentry when he had enough wealth to?—
“I have worked very hard to prove myself, Lizzie.” He continued. “For thirty-five years I have fought and clawed my way to where I stand, and I will not give up what I’ve achieved. With you by my side, the mother of my children, I will forge a dynasty to last beyond my death, elevating my heirs to their rightful place.”
Wasthishis idea of success—heirs?
“And I will let no one, ever, harm you again, Elizabeth. That man was the exception, not the norm, at Miss Li’s brothel. My mother and Li take unparalleled care of the women who work there. They tolerate no violence or coarse handling, or any?—”
“Do you mean to say they run a respectable whorehouse, Milton, or merely a reputable one?” She could not help but nuzzle her nose deeper into the hollow of his throat to more fully savor his scent.
“Both. Li maintains the most respectable bawdyhouse in our fair city, with only the finest, most impeccably trained whores money can buy.”
“Whores you do not visit yourself?”
He stiffened, but then his hands began to tickle her beneath the covers. “You think I have not tasted of those fair courtesans myself?” He cupped her breasts through her night-rail, making her suck in her breath.
“No, I?—”
“Do you think I have notworkedthere, as one of Li’s paid male courtesans?”
Elizabeth froze.
“Because I have, Lizzie. It is where I learned how to service women deserving of pleasure. And you, my dear, are this night wholeheartedly deserving.”
Milton slipped low upon the bed and slid Elizabeth’s night-rail up her legs. He nudged his head between her thighs and proceeded to consume her in such exquisite, bawdy manner she took leave of all her senses, flesh succumbing to his skilled lips and tongue until she could not keep from crying loud his name in heady rapture.
She hadn’t known such act as Evie’s could be done to woman too, but oh the bastard did it well. So very, very well.
Elizabeth’s loins shook, her muscles trembling still, sapped of all strength. Miss Li’s maids had not lied, for Jasper Audrey did indeed know how to grant great pleasure. Yet the man also granted pain. Though she would forget that pain in this moment, and simply bask in his gift.
She shut her eyes, exhausted by bliss.
***
Milton crawled in beside Elizabeth and lapped beads of moisture from his betrothed’s flushed skin, then stroked her feverish forehead. He’d just broken her last defense, using gratification to overpower, sheer sensuality to persuade. She would marry him tomorrow; Miss Winthrop had been swayed.
He nuzzled her lovely neck, content. It was not a feeling he often experienced, especially not after disastrous events. He remained furious at himself for endangering her today, yet hopelessly aroused by her now sleeping form, wrapped snug in his arms, safe.
His.
Tomorrow could not come soon enough.
His hand stole possessively to her breast, the other gripping her hip as he stroked the lovely swell in anticipation of his wedding night. He pushed his cockstand against her lovely, round arse, desperate for contact. He did not deserve this woman for his wife, but he hoped he’d made herfeel deserving this night. Small consolation for all she had endured, yet how else was he to show her he wasn’t a complete cad?
Tongue her a pretty speech, rather than tongue her pretty cunny,he berated himself.
Milton cursed his crass, pathetic self. He vowed right then and there his wife would lack for nothing in their marriage, though the one thing he could give her least,was what he secretly wished to give her most: himself.
CHAPTER TEN
When Elizabeth beheld the bridal bouquet Annabelle delivered along with breakfast that morning, the Baron’s late-night visit still fluttered low in her belly, a reminder her bridegroom appealed on onelevel, at least. That she’d remained chaste for her wedding was a truth his white lilies could attest to, though severe misgivings still eclipsed her carnal interest in the man.
Better wedded to her books, than made his bride today.
While her sister hid her worry behind banal pleasantries, Elizabeth forced herself to eat from her tray. Her nerves were about to fail her when a knock announced the surprise arrival of Miss Li’s three maids. Rose, Evie, and Mae proceeded to help powder, perfume, and lace her into her bridal gown.
When they’d finished, Rose handed her a small box with a note from the groom.
My dear Elizabeth, I trust you are refreshed after last night’s rest. I admit I enjoyed watching you sleep. I enjoyed quite a few other moments even more. I hope you enjoy your wedding spectacles. Do try not to break them. You go through eyewear like other women go through gloves. Iawait you at the altar in eager anticipation of your vow of obedience, and in desire of all to come. Yours forever more, Milton
