What happened?she wanted to ask. Instead, she held her tongue, pulling up part of the coverlet as her skin cooled off.
Justin looked over at her, his chest heaving.
“That was…” she began, but stopped short.
“I know,” he replied.
They were both silent for a few moments. Whether they were collectively shocked or relishing the afterglow of pleasure, Cordelia wasn’t sure.
“I think I understand why empires have risen and fallen over this,” she found herself saying.
Justin immediately grinned, gathering her in his arms and flipping her around, so expertly she didn’t have a moment to protest. He pressed her into the mattress and kissed her. He chuckled, and Cordelia liked the rumbling it produced against her chest.
“Intoxicating, isn’t it?” he said.
“Especially when it’s likethat,” Cordelia added.
“If you enjoyed that, I have a hundred other ideas for what we can try.”
“Surely not!”
Justin raised his eyebrows. “I assure you, my lady, I take thisveryseriously.”
Cordelia giggled. “Well, you are a most excellent teacher. I’d be willing to suffer a few more of your lessons if they produce similar results.”
Justin laughed at that, brushing a curl away from her face. He cupped her cheek, his gaze becoming more serious. “Have you had any more time to think of what I asked you that day, in the vicarage?”
The question felt as though someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over her head. Cordelia struggled to sit up, but Justin’s body stopped her. “Must we do this now?” she asked, sighing heavily.
“When else would you like to?” he asked.
“Preferably when we’re both clothed.”
“Cordelia,” Justin said, his tone becoming more impatient.
Cordelia swallowed, trying to rid herself of a lump that had risen to her throat. She was flushing again, but for a different reason. “Well,”’ she began, trying to find the right words. “Rhys has also made an offer for me.”
Justin’s eyes narrowed. “I expected as much.”
“But,” Cordelia said, “I haven’t given him an answer.”
Justin retained the same expression in his face, though she could have sworn she saw his jaw unclench a little.
“He’s also offered to purchase Hollyhead House, as a wedding gift to me.”
“Has he? Sly bastard.”
“I beg pardon!” Cordelia said. While he was momentarily distracted, Cordelia sat up, hiking up the stiff material of her corset so it once again covered her breasts.
Justin didn’t reply. Instead, he ran a hand through his thick, mussed hair.
Cordelia busied herself by sliding back into her day frock. She did up the buttons, watching his face the entire time.
“And what if I offered to keep Hollyhead?” Justin asked.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Cordelia said. “You’ve told me multiple times you have no wish for it.”
“Well,” he said. “The estate is broke, and we’d be living like paupers while I sacked off a paying job and burned through my life savings. Yet you think Rhys will make a better living for you here?”
