Page 13 of Seducing the Marquess (Lords and Ladies in Love 1)

“Yes, I am rather looking forward to it,” he answered. “The fireworks are always a surprise even though you know they are coming.” He cringed at the use of that word.

Two red dots appeared on Eugenia’s cheeks, along with a soft smile, but he would never consider her relating what he’d said to sex. The more he dwelled on these thoughts, the harder he became, until it was almost difficult to sit still. He glanced out the window and sighed with relief when the Vauxhall Gardens came into view.

Hopefully, he would be able to walk comfortably.

They joined Lord and Lady Melrose at a supper box. The viscount and his wife were a decade or so older than Devon and Eugenia. He was a rotund man, mad for riding to hounds. His wife, a tall, thin woman, almost a foot above her husband, had a long, narrow face and huge teeth, almost reminiscent of a horse. But she was a pleasant woman, and when engaged in conversation, her lively personality tended to diminish her looks.

“Good evening, Devon, Lady Devon,” Lady Melrose offered as they reached the couple already seated.

Lord Melrose took Eugenia’s extended hand. “You look lovely, as always, Lady Devon.”

“Thank you.” Eugenia sat in the chair Devon held for her.

Once they were settled, the waiter poured wine for the party. Eugenia took a sip of her wine and licked the corner of her mouth. The sight of that tongue coming out, slowly, oh so slowly, licking at the drop, had him staring at her, and—for the love of God—panting!

“Melrose, how is the new gelding from Tattersalls?” Devon burst out. The other three jumped and stared at him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. I apologize.” He gave the group a wan smile.

“Good, good. I think he is a fine addition to my stable.” Melrose took a stab at the whitefish the waiter had placed in front of the four of them.

With the piece of fish speared on his fork, he waved it around, threatening to drop the morsel down his wife’s bodice. “You must come to the country this fall, Devon. We can do some hunting while the ladies do whatever it is the ladies do.” He burst out laughing at his own joke.

Feeling somewhat calmed, Devon worked his way through the dinner courses, all the while listening to Melrose go on and on about his hounds and horses. The recitation was boring enough to calm his body. He made sure to keep his eyes on the man while he spoke, so as not to find Eugenia doing something else that would have him wanting to lay her down on the grass and have his way with her.

“I say, the fireworks should start soon. We would do well to walk a bit.” Devon placed his napkin alongside his plate and extended his hand to Eugenia. Melrose assisted his wife from her chair, and Devon directed Eugenia to follow the older couple onto the pathway.

Instead of Eugenia placing her hand on his arm as she’d done any number of times, she opted to loop it around his upper arm, hugging her body close to his. He closed his eyes and moaned inwardly, all his blood relocating to his cock. He broke into a sweat at the feel of her soft breast pressed against his arm. Torn between pushing her away—the height of rudeness—or suffering in silence, silence it would be.

Dozens of couples and small groups strolled the grounds, chatting. Some pairs wandered off the path to darker corners, their heads bent, murmuring softly to each other. After about ten minutes of walking, Eugenia seemed to stumble and tightened her grip on his arm. “Oh.”

He slid his arm around her waist and held her up. “What is wrong?”

“I think I twisted my ankle.” She looked up at him with huge eyes, chewing her lower lip. Plump lip. Pink lip. Moist and delicious lip. He shook his head to clear it. “Allow me to move us off the path to that bench and I can take a look.”

She leaned in to him, her warm, soft breast smashed up against his chest, limping alongside him the few steps. He glanced back and saw nothing that she would have stumbled on. “Here, sit down and I’ll see what you’ve done.”

He squatted in front of her as Eugenia settled on the bench and proceeded to pull her skirts up, practically to her knee. “What are you doing?” He glanced around and tugged it down.

“I just wanted you to see my foot.” She regarded him with an innocent look. But something in her eyes told him she’d done it on purpose.

Nonsense. This was Eugenia, after all. The quiescent lady. Yet he couldn’t help but notice the silken stocking covering her alluring calf. Well-curved, and leading to her slender thigh, where…

Best to get the examination over with before he did something to offend her. He moved her foot out, and he placed his hand on her ankle. “How does that feel?”

“A little sore. Perhaps you should feel around to see where I’ve damaged it.” She flexed her foot, and then placed her slipper on his thigh. She inched the skirt up once more. “Do you see anything, my lord?”

Yes. I see a beautiful leg covered with a silk stocking that I want to smooth my hand up until it reaches…

“Nothing to see, my dear. If you’ve twisted it, we should return home so Sally can put ice on it.”

She sighed. “I’m afraid I cannot walk, my lord.”

He stood and looked down at her luminous eyes and delectable lips, and swallowed. Hard. “I shall carry you.”

“Oh. Do you think that is proper?” She pulled her fan out and waved it with enough enthusiasm to blow leaves off the tree above them.

No. Considering where my thoughts have been all night, holding you in my arms right now will be torture.

“It matters not, Eugenia. You cannot walk, and I shan’t have the carriage come here to fetch you. You will simply have to dismiss this unseemly state of affairs, as it cannot be helped.”