She shook her head. “Jacob has never… He doesn’t think…”
“It’ll be my pleasure then to be the first.” He dipped his head and kissed her deeply, enjoying her gasp and her hips jolting.
He lapped at her and stroked her nub with his tongue, adding his fingers to her tightness. Her thigh muscles closed in on him in a lemon-scented hug as he dug his tongue deeper. The scent of her arousal drove him crazy with need and hardened him in a second.
She screamed again, louder than the first time, gripping the edge of the bench. Her fingers seized his hair as she pushed her hips towards him. He didn’t stop kissing her until the little pulses finished and she fell silent. She was a vision. Her eyes were clouded with pleasure, her lips reddened and kiss-swollen, and her nipples hard and puckering.
When she sagged, panting, he adjusted her skirts and cleaned her with his handkerchief. “Next time, I want you in my bed for an entire night.”
She smiled and snuggled closer to him. “Next time, my love.”
twenty-one
AT DINNER, CORA couldn’t remain still after what happened in the gazebo. She hadn’t had an enjoyable tumble in a decade, as her deliciously sore, intimate parts proved it. It was as if Ethan was still inside her, and she loved it. Ethan sitting next to her didn’t make the situation lighter. Her face flamed every time their gazes met, and a pulse started between her legs. When his leg brushed hers, she had to suppress a moan. When his hand touched hers under the table, she wanted to kiss him.
“Did I show you how to turn a fork into a catapult?” Harry asked David.
“No. How?” David said at the same time as Ethan said, “Don’t try, Harry.”
“I’ll show you tomorrow when we are alone.” Harry winked at David.
Tomorrow. They would meet Judge Quigley. Her stomach churned with worry. Ethan held her hand. As usual, he sensed the shifts in her mood.
Mrs. Parker strode into the dining room. Her chatelain swung from her belt, clinking with each step. “My lord, an urgentmessage from London.” She placed the folded piece of paper on the table.
His fingers tensed over Cora’s hand as he read.
“What is it?” she asked.
“A message from my solicitor about Lord Roxbury.”
At hearing the name, David fell silent and stopped eating. “Did he find us?”
Ethan shook his head. “He started a motion of no confidence against me to have me removed from the ownership of the land of the Royal Veterans’ Society.”
“His revenge.” Cora’s voice shook with anger. “He knows about David and me. He knows we’re with you. This is his way of forcing us out.” She glanced at the door, nearly expecting Jacob to barge inside.
“Sooner or later, he was bound to do something like that anyway.” Ethan folded the message, his jaw muscle bunching. “Lady Kingsley will support me.”
David pushed his plate aside. “I don’t want to see him ever again, but I don’t want to leave either.”
“Your mother and I will protect you.” Ethan patted David’s shoulder from across the table.
“Trust my father,” Harry said, stealing a piece of roasted potato from David’s plate. “He’s a good copper. He’ll get Lord Roxbury arrested.”
“If you’ll excuse me. I have to write to my solicitor.” Ethan rose and stopped Harry from taking another piece of David’s dinner. “Harry, ask for a second helping. Don’t take David’s food.”
“Yes, sir,” Harry muttered.
“I’ve lost my appetite anyway.” David pushed his plate towards Harry.
“You need to eat, darling. Please.” Cora had to admit her appetite was gone as well.
“I’ll see you later.” Ethan bowed to Cora before leaving the dining room.
They finished eating in silence. The fact that Harry encouraged David to eat and didn’t joke was a testament to the heavy atmosphere.
After dinner, Cora knocked on the door to Ethan’s study, finding him at his desk. A deep frown marred his brow as he wrote.
