Page 59 of Captivating the Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 5)

They filled their plates and took their places at the table, with a pristine white tablecloth, polished silver, and glistening crystal goblets. After several toasts from Cam, they enjoyed the food and pleasant conversation. It was a rather quiet party, with only the bride, groom, Cam, and the vicar, but Lizzie laughed and chatted, and Cam was his charming self.

“So tell me, Hawk, once this mess is cleared up, where will you take your new bride for a honeymoon?”

Hawk looked at Lizzie. “Where would you like to go?”

“Goodness, I have no idea. I imagine Italy might be nice. Or now that the war is over, maybe Paris?”

Hawk leaned in close to her ear. “I understand there are beaches in France where one can bathe with no clothing.”

Lizzie gasped. “Certainly not!”

He continued, enjoying how she squirmed in her seat. He was more than ready to have her squirming underneath him. “Or perhaps we can just forego clothes while we are in our own private room.”

Lizzie’s face grew a bright red, and it took all his willpower not to burst out laughing. Except, if he did then he would have garnered the attention of Cam and the vicar, which might very well result in Lizzie locking him out of their room that night.

He bent to give her a kiss on the cheek. “I apologize, I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

The food had been eaten and two bottles of champagne drunk when Cam stood and held out his almost empty glass. “My last toast to the happy couple. I will leave you now, since I shall spend the next couple nights carousing the town, reminding myself why I enjoy bachelorhood.”

He gulped the last of his drink. “Vicar, if you will join me, we can leave these two to figure out how to entertain themselves without our company. I’m sure they can think of something.” He winked at Hawk. “I will be happy to drop you at the rectory on my way to Bond Street.”

The vicar flushed a bright red at Cam’s words, and Hawk’s body tightened. Cam was giving them the house for a couple of days. No better friend existed anywhere.

Hawk and Lizzie walked Cam and the vicar to the door and said their goodbyes. Once the door closed, Hawk took both of Lizzie’s hands in his. “Let us retire for the evening.”

“It is only two o’clock in the afternoon.”

“Ah, so late. Sorry for that, I am. Well, we will have to make the best of it with the little time we have left until Cam’s return.” He grinned and scooped Lizzie into his arms, careful with her still-healing wound, and carried her to the next landing, taking the stairs two at a time.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Lizzie giggled as Hawk raced up the stairs with her in his arms, her face hot with excitement. She had enjoyed their one intimacy before, and now that it was legal, and she needn’t worry about a scandal, she could relax and savor her husband’s attentions. At least it was a way to push the problems with the Home Office away for a short time.

He strode down the corridor and shifted her body to lift the latch on the door. Once inside, he kicked the door closed and again took possession of her mouth. Lizzie relaxed in his arms, her hands fisted in his hair.

This kiss was different than any before. Possessive, demanding, almost as if he were marking his territory. Her heightened senses were all focused on Hawk. His all-male scent, the touch of his tongue tangling with hers, the feel of his silky hair sliding between her fingers, and the sound of his heart thumping next to her.

Slowly he lifted his head and stared at her. “What do you say, Lady Hawkins, should we become more comfortable?”

She smiled. “What do you have in mind, Lord Hawkins?”

“Since you have no lady’s maid, which we will correct the minute we are able to take up residence in our own home, I shall assist you today.” He removed his arm from under her body, holding her steady with his other arm, so she slid down to land on not-too-steady legs.

Hawk cupped her cheeks and kissed her once more with soft, caring tenderness. He drew back and twirled his finger in the air. “Turn.”

Lizzie was embarrassed for the need to cling to his arms before she turned. His soft laugh brought another flush to her cheeks. She bent her head forward as he undid the buttons on the borrowed-from-Lady-Honora cream-colored gown. Not new and not hers, but one of Cam’s maids had retrieved it from her satchel and pressed it. Hardly the best in wedding attire, but she’d already reconciled herself to her lack of a proper outfit.

As the buttons released, the gown slid from her shoulders. She tried to ignore how easily Hawk removed a lady’s clothing. All thoughts vanished when his soft, warm lips kissed her shoulder, then moved up to the area where her shoulder and neck joined.

“You are as soft as I remembered. This time, however, we have hours to spend.”

“Hours?”

“Ah, yes, sweetheart. I will teach you all the wonders of the marriage bed. If I have my way, you will have trouble walking tomorrow.” He pulled her earlobe into his mo

uth and sucked. “But not to worry, I will draw you a warm bath and soothe all the parts of your body that ache.”

Her body came alive with wanting. The tips of her nipples tightened and swelled, and the area between her legs grew heavy and moist. She remembered the last time they’d been intimate and the pleasure of it.