Page 66 of Only Pleasure Will Do

“Miss Forrester? This came for you just now. I’ve put the gentleman in Lady Dalbury’s small receiving room.” The butler stood at attention while Maddy slowly unfolded the single sheet, her heart in her throat.

My dearest Maddy,

I am defying Dalbury and Katarina’s decree that we not communicate with one another before your debut, but I wish desperately to speak to you. Grayson will tell you where to find me. Will you come?

Your servant in all things,

Reginald

Trembling so hard the paper shook, Maddy scrambled up off the floor. She’d steeled herself to wait until the night of the ball to see Reginald again. But he was here! Now. Wanting to speak to her. Her elation dimmed. What if he wanted to tell her he didn’t wish to escort her to the debut? What if he didn’t want anything to do with her anymore? Staring at the letter, she took a deep breath and made herself calm. Panic never solved anything.

She read through the note again and her tension ebbed even more. If he was defying Kat’s edict that they have no contact, it must be something truly desperate. If he’d only wanted to cry off the ball, the note would have said that. There’d be no need to see him in person. She was creating a tempest in a cream pot for nothing.

“I’ll be down directly, Grayson. Please tell the gentleman to wait.”

“Very good, miss.” The butler bowed and left.

“Mama must go see Sir Reginald, my love.” She peered down at Pearl’s woebegone face. “I promise to come back directly, with cakes for your tea.”

Once Pearl was settled, Maddy started at a run for her room. She straightened her hair, pinning her lacy cap more securely. Glancing down at her serviceable beige gown with an embroidered stomacher, she paused. Should she change her gown? She’d deemed it fine for the morning as she would not be receiving anyone, but now…She shook her head. No, there was really no time.

Dalbury was at his club this morning, likely continuing the rumors about Amorina Vestry. Kat had gone to pay a call on her Great-Aunt Harriet, from which Maddy had cried off, asking for time to spend with Pearl. She and Reginald must be quick if they were not to be caught and censured.

Snatching up her white silk shawl, she ran back into the corridor and toward the staircase. Moments later, she stood panting before the receiving room door, invitingly ajar. Maddy closed her eyes and said a swift prayer. She’d prayed more in the past two weeks than in the seven years previous. Squaring her shoulders, she grasped the handle, eased the door open, and walked in.

Reginald stood beside the fireplace, gazing into its flames, looking more handsome than she remembered. Tall, muscular, broad in the chest and back, with narrow hips and shapely legs. Good enough to eat. Maddy shook her head. No. Those thoughts must be locked away until…later. She put on her best smile and said, “Reginald.”

He whirled toward her, his face brightening as soon as he saw her. “Maddy, my God.” Taking her in from top to toe, his eyes widened as he walked slowly toward her. “You are even more beautiful than I remember.”

The warmth of his voice, after not hearing or seeing him for so long, made her throat clog with tears of happiness. Blinking to keep the tears at bay, she extended her hands to him, reveling in his touch. “I…I’ve missed you.”

His shoulders relaxed and his smile widened. “I am glad to hear it. I almost persuaded myself you had forgotten about me.”

“How could I ever do that, Reginald?” She squeezed his hands, as if he might suddenly try to pull free. “You rescued me, saved my life and Pearl’s.”

The light in his eyes dimmed, his smile turned wooden. “I was happy to be of service to you.”

“Of service?” The cool, impersonal words brought her up short. “Is that how you think of it? As being of service?”

“Is there any other way?”

“Of course there is.” What was he trying to say, or not say? Perhaps she needed to revive Amorina Vestry for a moment and talk very plainly. Dropping his hands, she tilted her chin up and stared him in the eyes. “Unless that is all it was for you. You had persuaded me there was something more on your part, other than the single service of saving mine and my daughter’s lives. If I was mistaken, then I will thank you for your service and we need speak no more on this. If not…”

“If not, Maddy?” A flash of tenderness warmed his tone again. “What if you were not mistaken about ‘something more?’”

That staggered her so she could make no reply.

As well she did not try, for then his mouth was on hers, his strong arms crushing her to his chest. Oh, but she had longed for this moment for too many days, alone in her room in Dunham House. No matter how elegant, or expensive, or comfortable the chamber was, it did not compare to the dirty basement with the uncomfortable cot and scratchy blanket, because something had been missing. He had been missing.

Now he plundered her at will and she pressed forth her attack, greedy to consume him as well. He tasted of sweet wine, so potent she might become intoxicated. Had become intoxicated by his presence, his touch. She wanted more. Keeping their kiss unbroken, she leaned into him, touching as much of his lean body as she could. Deprived of him for so long, she couldn’t help but feast on every inch of him.

At last, Reginald groaned and pulled away. “Maddy, we must stop.”

“Only to lock the door.” She would have run to it had he not grabbed her hand and pulled her back to him. “Reginald.” Panting with desire and longing, she turned her face up to him. “Please.”

“There will be time for all of that and more, my love. But later. We dare not trespass further on Lord and Lady Dalbury’s patience. If they find us thus, the piper’s fee will be bad enough to pay.” He chuckled and drew her against his chest again. “If they happened upon us in flagrante delicto, I would scarcely expect to escape with my life. Dalbury would serve my head to Katarina without a qualm.”

“And yet I burn, Reginald.” She gazed up at him, so hungry for his hands on her she might actually be willing to risk Dalbury’s wrath. “So what do you propose to do?”