He waved a dismissive hand. “Family. They won’t be shocked.”
“And Mr Shorncliffe and his wife, and Thomas Jenson and his recent bride?”
He shrugged. “You worry too much. They’re all in the throes of new love. They wouldn’t blink an eye if they caught us.”
“Nevertheless, Sebastian, I need you to hang the kissing ball before they arrive. The servants are too busy with preparations for dinner. And we must change in good time.”
He pulled his pocket watch from his waistcoat and checked it. “Let’s go up now. There is more than enough time for me to pleasure you before dinner.”
Violet’s pulse increased at the thought, but she put on a mock frown and pursed her lips. “Hang the kissing ball first, please.”
Sebastian sighed and pulled a chair beneath the hook already attached to the ceiling.
With the task completed, Violet wrapped her arm around Sebastian’s waist and paused to admire their handiwork before guiding him from the room towards the staircase. “See, plenty of time to complete the decorations and have our reward.”
He grinned. “I like how you think.”
“That’s because I’m older and wiser.”
“That must be it. While I’m younger and spontaneous.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.
“And I’m very glad you are.” she said, urging him faster up the staircase.
Sebastian whisked her into their bedchamber and the door clicked closed behind them. Sebastian embraced her bloated body, holding her tenderly. Their lips melded and her desire turned into a conflagration. They stripped the clothes from each other, then subsided, naked, upon their bed.
In the aftermath of lovemaking, wrapped in Sebastian’s arms, Violet’s eyes grew weary.
A knock on her door startled her from sleep. She blinked her eyes open.
“Madam, shall I help you dress?” her maid called from outside the door of her bedchamber. Your guests will be arriving shortly, my lady.”
Violet looked over at Sebastian who lay, with his head propped on his hand, gazing at her.
He shook his head.
“My husband will assist me to dress, but please come back in time to do my hair.”
Sebastian reached for her and gathered her into his arms. “Have I told you recently how much I love you, Violet?”
Violet chuckled and stroked his jaw as she gazed into his darkened eyes. “Yes, Sebastian, you have. In so many ways. We are lying here naked and sated. There is a never a day that I doubt it. And I love you more than ever.”
He kissed her palm. “I’m glad. Shall I write you another verse in commemoration?”
Violet snorted. “Totally unnecessary, but don’t let me stop you trying to outperform Byron, Shelley, and Wordsworth with your contributions to British poetry.”
“Ha-ha, my love.” He slid from the bed and helped her to her feet.
Sebastian ‘assisted’ her with her toilette. After many delays and slapping away of his hands as they strayed over her body instead of sticking to their task of assisting her dressing, she was ready for her maid to style her hair. They arrived downstairs just in time to greet their first guests.
Sebastian’s father and his new wife, the former Mrs Sperling, were ushered into the sitting room almost interrupting another stolen kiss by Sebastian.
Violet hurried forward, gave a swift curtsy and embraced each of them. “Father, my lady. How wonderful to see you. Congratulations again on your marriage.”
Sebastian shook his father’s hand and kissed his new step-mamma on the hand. “Welcome back. I must say you look happier than I have ever seen you before, father.”
The Earl put his arm around his wife’s waist. “That’s because I am.”
“Then I’m happy for you. How is mother?”
