Page 15 of Seducing the Marquess (Lords and Ladies in Love 1)

She entered her bedroom and rang for Sally. Wandering to the window she stared out at the darkness that mirrored her mood.

The Ice Queen.

Even though he said otherwise, apparently Devon had taken that moniker to heart. She straightened her shoulders in determination.

We will just see about that.

…

Eugenia stood back and examined the new gowns that had been delivered while she’d performed her morning toilette. The beautiful rich tones of red, green, and blue, with their lower necklines, brought a smile to her face and scandalous images to mind. The fabrics were soft and silky and embroidered with gold and silver threads. Her favorite was a silver muslin with a small train, which would sparkle and rustle as she walked. Perfect for the ball at the house party.

She’d also ordered a cream silk night rail with a matching dressing robe. Placing her hand behind the material, she could clearly see her skin. She rubbed it against her cheek, closing her eyes at the softness. If only she could think of a way to have Devon actually see her in the gown. Not have him merely take her in the dark as he had done since their wedding night.

Her mother had given her instructions on how to conduct herself. She was not to cry out or show displeasure in any way. It would all be over in minutes, she’d been assured, then her maid would help her clean up, and she would be free to enjoy a good night’s rest.

She’d done her duty, and although she’d been left with a sense of disappointment, she had thought nothing about it until she’d seen the book. Apparently, there was a lot more she could, and should, be doing, if she intended to keep Devon from engaging another mistress.

Heat flooded her entire body at the mere thought of behaving like a courtesan. At the same time, her heart thumped, imagining Devon doing some of the things she’d seen in her book. Her nipples hardened, and dampness grew between her legs. At one time she would have ignored the sensations, but now she knew what they meant and experienced a great deal of curiosity about how her body worked.

“My lady, I am told the carriage will be ready for us to depart in two hours.” Sally entered her room with several items of clothing looped over her arm. “The packing should be finished well before then.”

“Excellent. Is his lordship still at home?”

“Yes. I believe he just entered the library.”

“I wish to speak with him before we depart.” Eugenia headed toward the door but her gaze came upon the edge of her book that she’d slid under her bed that morning. She stopped and stared at her maid, her mind in a whirl. “Sally, I believe once we arrive at Wentworth Manor you may take a few days off from some of your duties.”

Sally’s brows rose. “My lady?”

“Yes. Some time off to tend to the injury to your foot.”

The maid looked at her feet, her confused expression growing. “There is nothing wrong with my foot.”

“Ah, but there will be.” Eugenia smiled brightly and left the room.

A soft knock at the library door brought forth a deep “enter.” Devon sat behind his desk, writing in a ledger. He looked up and gave her a warm smile. That action had always released hordes of small butterflies in her stomach.

Her husband looked so handsome sitting there, a welcoming expression on his face. His perfectly starched and tied cravat in bold contrast to his tanned skin drew her eyes as he stood and waved to the chair in front of his desk. “Good morning, my dear.”

As always, she sat at the edge of the chair, her back straight, her hands folded neatly in her lap. Devon leaned back in his chair, his chin resting on his index finger and thumb, drawing her attention to his hands.

Devon had wonderful hands. She’d always admired them when he’d first begun to court her. Long, aristocratic fingers, but strong at the same time. She’d always imagined him caressing her with those fingers. Now that she’d read her book, she thought of other delicious and naughty things he could do to her body with those remarkable fingers.

Several pages had been devoted to a woman’s pleasure from a man stroking and caressing her in places that made her face burn with excitement and nervousness. What would that feel like?

“I will be ready to leave for Wentworth in about two hours.” Lord, she wished he would stop tapping his cheek with his index finger. Her eyes glued to his movements, she felt heat rise from her toes all the way to her face, envisioning that finger stroking her, plunging into her moist warmth.

“I wish you safe passage. It appears I will finish up earlier than I had planned, so I will be arriving tomorrow afternoon instead of Friday.” His other hand rested on the desk in front of him. He toyed with the quill he’d been using when she’d arrived. She sat, mesmerized, as he twirled and fondled the instrument.

Eugenia cleared her throat. “Yes. Well that is good news, my lord.” She stood, as did he. “I will see you tomorrow, then.”

He seemed to step forward, then hesitated. Feeling a bit daring, she rounded the desk, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him on his cheek. His eyes grew wide and, before she recovered from her boldness, he wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her to him. Lowering his head, he cupped her cheek and kissed her, lightly at first, and then with more fervor than he’d ever kissed her before.

The bones in her knees weakened, seeming to melt. She clung to his muscular arms, the only anchor in this strange world his lips had thrown her into. A hint of bay rum and oranges drifted to her nostrils, making her dizzy. She’d never noticed the scent before when he’d come to her in the dark of night. Now her fingers itched with a fierce desire to run through his hair and feel the silkiness.

Thank goodness his grip on her waist was strong, since she feared she would dissolve into a puddle at his feet.

He released her mouth, and she pulled back. “I, ah, will see you tomorrow, then.” Eugenia backed up, trying to still her heart and give her legs time to strengthen enough to carry her from the room. Devon nodded and smiled once again. She turned abruptly, afraid of what she would do next if she didn’t escape.