Page 120 of Aurelia

He grinned. “I am a naturalist, darling. You will soon learn that I adore talking about such fascinating subjects as sexual organs and the finer points of reproduction.” He looked down and stroked his fingers through her slick, swollen folds. “Mmm, nice and wet.” He lightly caressed her opening and Aurelia winced.

“You are sore,” he said, his hand stilling. “I would love to celebrate by taking you again—making you climax until you scream my name—but…” he sighed and removed his hand. “Not today.” He gave her an ingratiating smile. “You see how considerate your husband-to-be is?”

“Yes, I see that,” she said dryly.

He nodded at the window and she saw the rain had lessened. “I suppose we should take advantage of this lull to go back to Crewe.”

Aurelia was disappointed when he drew her chemise back down. She was terribly sore but would have gladly endured some discomfort to have him inside her again.

He suddenly caught her up in his arms and kissed her breathless. When he pulled away, he wore a smug, satisfied smile. “I cannot wait to shout it to the world that you are mine. I shall take special pleasure in telling Talbot the news personally.”

Aurelia laughed. She knew she should take the opportunity to assure him that he had nothing in the world to worry about from any other man—as he had done with her—but she suspected she would be robbing him of some primitive pleasure if she did.

And perhaps she also enjoyed his possessive masculine display.

Just a little.

Chapter 26

Aurelia hadn’t known what to expect from Celsa when Roland made the announcement at dinner that night.

Instead of anger or elation—either one of which would have been in keeping with her mercurial temper—Celsa merely shrugged and said in a bored tone, “I am not surprised. Anyone could see it.”

Roland gave his daughter an exasperated look. “Yes, well, thank you for your heartfelt congratulations, Celsa.”

“What a… surprise this is,” Arthur said, a hint of sadness in his gentle smile.

Aurelia knew Arthur believed she was making a dreadful mistake marrying Roland when she could have been with a man like Sir Gideon. He would see, in time, that she had made the right choice.

“There is something else,” Roland said, nodding to Aurelia.

Aurelia looked from Celsa to Arthur. “My name is not Burton, it is Bellamy. My father is the Earl of Addiscombe.”

Genuine shock shone on both faces.

“But… why did you lie?” Celsa asked.

“Because the countess was not best pleased with my decision to come here.”

“No, I can imagine she was not,” Arthur said, looking every bit as disapproving as Aurelia’s mother had.

She cleared her throat. “I also lied when I said that my father was dead.”

Arthur’s disapproving expression became scandalized and horrified. “Aurelia,” he murmured in a chiding voice, shaking his head.

Roland reached across the table and took her hand, fixing Arthur with a flinty look. “Regardless of what name Aurelia used, she will soon be my countess.”

There was a moment of uncomfortable silence and then Arthur nodded. “Of course. Congratulations, I am happy for you both.” And if the words sounded a bit forced, Aurelia decided she had earned it with her lie.

“When will the wedding be?” Arthur asked.

Roland’s expression softened when he turned to Aurelia. “I would like it to be as soon as possible, but Aurelia and I are going to discuss the matter this evening.”

“Surely you would want to wait until you could have your family here?” Arthur asked.

“We will let you know once we’ve made our decision,” Roland said firmly, giving her hand a squeeze.

***