Page 54

M ary stood in the copper tub as it glinted in the afternoon sun, looking like a nymph emerging from the sea.

Water droplets glistened on her creamy skin.

Kit had been tempted to debate the merits of waiting a while longer before making love again, yet when she had stared at him and his shaft answered, he had to have her.

He lifted her from the vessel placing her feet gently on the floor, then picked up the towel from a nearby stool and slowly dried her before carrying her to bed.

He let down her hair, fisting the curls in his hand and burying his nose in them. Kissing her eyelids, the corner of her lips, his other palm roamed freely, paying close attention to which spots elicited the deepest moans and breathiest sighs.

They’d got off to a rough start, but he prayed they were making up for it now. Mary mumbled something about riding a horse, which didn’t make a lot of sense, but gave him an idea. This time he’d let her control the penetration. He lifted her on top of him.

She straddled him, her hot, wet core touching his nether parts. “Can we do it like this?”

“There are a great many ways to do it.” He took advantage of his position, cupping her breasts. She cried out when he licked each one, and began rocking on him.

“I want . . .”

“I know.” He lifted her up, slowly lowering her onto him, until she could manage it herself. “Better?”

Biting down on her lip, she nodded. Her divine face was a mask of concentration.

His love for her hit him like one of Jackson’s punches.

She was everything. His life, his home, his future.

No mistress or lover had made him feel as possessive as he did now.

How he’d thought he could have a companionable marriage, he didn’t know.

All Kit wanted was Mary’s happiness, and he would do anything for her. He touched her tender nubbin.

Waves of pleasure washed through Mary. This time she could feel Kit as she convulsed around him.

Tears of joy pricked her eyes. Just as he had in driving the carriage, he encouraged her to take what she wanted.

Yet he knew exactly what she needed at the right moment.

She trembled and fell over him as he finally took his own relief.

His arms enclosed her, holding her tightly.

She’d known she loved him; still, this lovemaking brought them together in ways she’d never dreamed of or known about.

She couldn’t imagine her life without him, and knew she’d fight for him and their family.

His fingers winnowed through her hair as he kissed her forehead and the tip of her nose.

Against her head, his lips curved. “Have I told you lately that I adore you?”

Snaking her tongue out to lick his nipple, she smiled when he groaned. “No, I don’t think you’ve ever told me that.”

“I do, and I will forever.” He moved her off his chest, brushed her hair back, and kissed her. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I might even forgive our grandmothers. Though, if you’d come to London, I would have courted you without all their machinations.”

“Would you have?”

“Indeed. I’d already been searching for Barham to ask where you were. You were the only lady who never left my mind.”

She kissed him. “I had no idea. My first Season, I held dances for you, yet you never asked.”

“I thought you hadn’t noticed me.”

Mary reveled in the feel of his hard body against hers. Them, together, was so incredibly delicious. “And you believe you would have courted me this year?”

“I’m older and wiser.” He grimaced. “But I can understand why our grandmothers might not have believed I’d do it.” He touched his lips to hers. “What I’d like to know is how long they had been planning for you to go to Rose Hill.”

“Hmm. You know, that is a very good question.”

His stomach rumbled. “Are you hungry? ”

Even if she weren’t, she would have said yes, only because he was. “I am.”

Kit pushed himself off the bed. “Wait here.” Grabbing his banyan from the floor, he padded into the other room. “We have been provided for.” A few moments later, he returned with a large tray. “At least they were not going to make us ask for food.”

Cold meats, more cheese, fruit, and fresh bread were arranged on the tray. He placed it on the bed, then went back to the parlor. This time he came back with wine and lemonade.

She picked up a serviette and realized she had no clothing to protect.

“Whatever you drop on yourself, I’ll be more than happy to clean off.” Kit gave her a wicked smile, his deep blue eyes warm with desire.

Oh my God! That’s what it was. All the times he’d looked at her, and she hadn’t understood. Even to the point of thinking she had spilled something on her gown. What a pea goose she’d been.

Plucking a grape from the bunch, he held it out to her.

She took the fruit between her teeth, chewed, and swallowed. How decadent this was, being naked in bed with him while eating, but she couldn’t bring herself to feel the slightest bit of shame. “I’ll do the same for you.”

When she remembered how coldly she’d behaved toward Kit at times, Mary was amazed he had continued to court her. She believed now that he would have wooed her if she’d come to Town, and for reasons she didn’t understand, that gave her more confidence.

To-morrow, when they returned to Charlotte Square, she must remember to ask Anna about her book. Kit might like it as well.

For the second day in a row, Simon woke with Morna in his arms. He’d never allowed himself to think of them having a life together, and now he would fight to the death for her and their family.

She was still young enough, and she’d always got pregnant so easily, he wondered if they’d have a third child. One they would raise together. Not that it could lessen the love he had for Finella and Cormac. Simon’s heart was tied to them in ways he still didn’t fully understand.

“Good morning.” Beside him Morna smiled and stretched. “What time is it? ”

“Around nine o’clock.” He debated making love to her again and delaying the day a while longer, or getting up and ensuring they left Scotland before her father could cause them problems. Duty won. “We have a lot to do to-day.”

Her countenance shifted from happy to solemn. “You’re right. There are things I’d like to get from MacDiarmid Keep. Do you have any good ideas about how I should go about it?”

“If you trust your lady’s maid, I’ll send my groom to help her arrange the packing and transport.”

She gazed at him, a seductive glint in her eyes. “And what, my lord, will I do for a maid while she’s gone?”

Simon pulled her to him. “I’ve always been held to be a quick study.”

“That you are.” She raised her brows. “I’m well aware you can get me out of my gowns. The question is, can you get me into them?”

He rolled her under him. “We won’t know until we try.”

A knock came at the door. “My lord. Her ladyship asks you to attend her in the breakfast room.”

“We’ll be down as soon as we’re dressed.”

“Very good, my lord.”

“This will have to wait until later,” he said, slapping her gently on her bottom. He rolled out of the bed before he got distracted again.

Twenty minutes later, Simon and Morna were in the breakfast room. Theo handed him a letter. He opened the seal, spreading the sheet out. “My ship is in Musselburgh.”

“Why there and not at Leith?” Titus asked.

“There was a problem with the mainsail, and the captain pulled in there.” That might have been a better choice at any rate. Freskin would definitely not look in the small fishing village. He’d have to have the trunks sent down there.

Simon read down further, looking for when the ship would be ready to sail again. “He expects to be ready to sail in two days.”

“I’d hoped to be gone before then,” Morna said.

Simon placed his hand over hers. “I as well. By this afternoon, your father will know you and the children are not at the town house.”

They fell silent for several minutes.

Finally, Theo set her cup down. “I have an idea. ”

Titus groaned. “The last time you had an idea, it cost me a diamond necklace and a trip to England.”

She raised her brows. “That was your fault for not believing I could do what I said.”

Simon dearly wanted to know the story behind the necklace. “England?”

“We shall meet you at Hull.”

She rang the small silver bell on the right side of her plate. Before she put it down, Reed stepped into the room and bowed. “My lady?”

“Ask Lord and Lady Huntley to attend me. It’s time they were up and about in any event. We have a busy day ahead of us.”

The butler bowed again, closing the door behind him as he left.

“Morna,” Theo said in a sharp tone that had Morna jerking her head up. “Have you got everything from the house here?”

“We have, but there are some items I’d like from MacDiarmid Keep. Simon talked about sending my maid, as she’s known there, and his groom to fetch what we want.”

Theo nodded. “Make the list and send them off. They can meet us at Carberry Tower.”

“My love.” Titus’s forehead furrowed deeply. “You do know the Elphinstones are in London for the Season?”

“I am aware of that fact. However, our families have been friends for so long, I am sure of our welcome for a few nights. Even if they have only a skeleton staff.” She signaled a footman. “Bring me my writing paraphernalia.”

By the time the Huntleys entered the room an hour later, Theo had written to Carberry Tower, sent Morna’s maid and Oxley off to MacDiarmid Keep, written another note to Mr. Featherton and Lady Mary informing them it was time to return to Charlotte Square, and drunk two pots of tea.

As Lord Huntley took a chair next to his wife, Theo ordered a fresh pot.

“Now then.” She addressed Huntley. “We have a bit of a problem here. I’d love to have you remain longer, but we must all depart in two days.”

Glancing at Simon, Huntley took the cup his wife gave him. “I don’t foresee a problem. Is there anything we can do to help you?”