Page 29 of A Lyon’s Promise (The Lyon’s Den)

“Gavin.” The way she murmured his name softly, with an urgency that could not be denied, was his undoing.

He had vowed not to let himself be distracted, or share any more passionate kisses until after they were wed.

But it was just the two of them, and they were to be married that afternoon.

What they did behind the closed library door would remain between them.

He would treasure every meeting of their lips, knowing no one else had tapped into the well of sweetness and love inside this incredible woman.

“May I kiss you?”

Lucretia lifted to her toes, wrapped her arm around his neck, and molded her mouth to his.

The soft moan had him answering in kind, increasing the pressure of his lips, sliding the tip of his tongue along the rim of her mouth until she parted her lips.

At last, he was able to fully taste what she offered to him.

Her flavor went to his head, snapping something inside of him into place.

This woman, he thought, was his to have, to hold, to love.

Lost in the taste of her, he poured what he felt into the kiss. In response, she pressed her fulsome curves more firmly against the hard planes of his body—increasing the hardness of one particular part of him that should not be reacting this swiftly to a mere kiss.

“Bloody hell.” He eased his hold on her and lowered his forehead to hers.

“No woman has ever had me reacting this swiftly to a kiss, Lucretia. It should worry me that you have the power to drive me to the edge of my control, but instead it fills me with a contentment I never sought, nor felt I needed in my life.”

“I’m sorry, I did not mean to—”

“I hope you meant what your response implied—that our kisses have a similar effect on you. God, Lucretia. I want to strip you bare and bury myself to the hilt inside of you.”

Her sharp intake of breath had him cursing and easing a step back from her, though he could not bear to let go of her.

“Forgive me, Lucretia. I am not a gentleman, and never claimed to be. My ways are rough, my speech rougher when I am aroused. God help me, woman, you have me tied in knots to the point where I feel as if I’ll explode if I have to wait any longer to make you mine.”

The whisper-soft touch of her fingertips to his jaw had him closing his eyes. Digging deep, he wrestled with his rampant desire until it was once more under control. The feel of her hands cupping the sides of his face soothed him.

He opened his eyes. He had to see. Had to know.

“There,” he rasped, “just now, the golden ring is shining brightly. The glow is back in your eyes, love. Dare I hope that you are anticipating the pleasure I plan to give you, the need I know I will arouse in you, and the ecstasy that will follow?”

“Gavin…” Her voice sounded strangled. Her hands slid to her sides. “I do not understand the sensations and suggestions that you have been teasing me with, but I have to confess, I am anticipating what the night will bring.”

“May I show you?” When she trembled, he added, “Just a brief sample. I promise I will not compromise you before we say our vows.” He lowered his gaze to the base of her throat, where her pulse beat madly.

“I want to sample the scented flesh right here.” He touched the tip of his finger to the hollow of her throat, and she moaned.

Encouraged, he continued, “And trace the tip of my tongue along your collarbone.” Her moan deepened.

“My goal is to see if you taste the same here.” He brushed a fingertip along her collarbone and higher to just beneath her ear.

“Oh my!” Her breathy reply was music to his ears. If she reacted this way to his words, and the barest touch of his fingertips, how would she react to his lips and tongue as he savored and sampled her scented flesh?

The knock on the library door had him muttering a curse as he regretfully released her. With a hand to her elbow, he helped her to sit, more than pleased with the flush on her cheeks.

When the knock came a second time, he chuckled. “I believe you need to invite whomever it is inside.”

Lucretia did not smile at him, nor did her expression indicate that she appreciated his laughter or his reminder. He’d positioned the table with the remains of their tea between them by the time she got around to it. “Come in,” she called.

The door opened slowly as if whoever was on the other side of it was hesitant to intrude. “I beg your pardon,” Lizzy said. “But breakfast is ready and your men asked me to come and fetch you, Mr. King.”

“Oh,” Lucretia murmured. “I thought Weston was going to come for us.”

Lizzy’s face turned scarlet. “He er…tried, but said to give you ten minutes more before I attempted to disturb you.”

King could not contain his snort of laughter.

“Thank you, Lizzy, and do please thank Weston for his discretion. As you can see, we have finished our tea and Lucretia is weak from hunger.” He slid a glance in her direction and was more than pleased to see her cheeks still stained a delightful pink.

King sensed Lucretia needed the sustenance her heart cried out for, something only he could give her—his touch, his love.

Offering his hand, he helped Lucretia to her feet. “We’d best not keep my hungry men waiting.” As they joined Lizzy in the doorway, he asked the maid, “Have you eaten?”

“I will after I have seen to her ladyship and you, Mr. King.”

“Have I thanked you for the care and friendship you have bestowed upon Lucretia?” Before he flustered the maid further, he added, “If I have, then let me say it again: I am beyond grateful. I trust you will be accompanying Lucretia once we marry.”

Lizzy shrugged. “I would hope that I could continue to serve her ladyship, but that is not up to me, as Mrs. Riddleton has been reminding me every opportunity she has.”

“Mrs. Riddleton no longer has a say in this household,” Lucretia stated. “I hope you are not thinking I would leave you behind. I would be lost without your assistance and friendship. There are times when I swear you know more about me than I do!”

Lizzy’s worried expression softened. “I would be honored—if Mr. King approves.”

King smiled. “We’re hoping to convince Weston to join our household too. As to that, would you supply a list of those you feel would welcome the chance to follow Lady Montfort as well?”

“I will. Thank you, Mr. King.”

“You are most welcome.” He motioned for Lucretia, then Lizzy, to exit the room before him.

As soon as they were in the hallway, the sound of heavy footsteps approaching had him grinning.

“That will be Greeves and Thompson. I’ve learned over the years that hunger unchecked has their normally pleasant natures turning quite surly.

The combination of hunger and temper is quite lethal to those they are interrogating. ”

“We thought you were hungry,” Greeves remarked, arriving.

Thompson’s steady gaze had King accepting that his second in command knew exactly what had kept him.

For the sake of Lucretia’s reputation, and to keep the household murmurings to a minimum, he remarked, “Forgive us for not answering Weston’s summons, men.

We were deeply engaged in a serious discussion. ”

Thompson snorted, then coughed as if there were a chance in hell it would disguise the fact that he was laughing. “We’d best feed the two of you. Cannot have the both of you fall ill. Jackson will not be up to his normal duties while he heals, and Franklin is on another case.”

His men mumbled a reply that had King adding, “I depend on the four of you to be an extension of my eyes and ears. While the other men under my direction are all excellent investigators, they have yet to prove what yourselves, Jackson, and Franklin have.”

“Oh?” Lucretia said. “And what would that be?”

“We’ve bled for King,” Greeves replied.

“Broken a bone or two,” Thompson added.

“Thank you, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Greeves, for your duty and dedication to your positions working for and with Gavin. I shall have to convey my thanks to Mr. Jackson and Mr. Franklin as well the next time I see them.”

King nodded as he led the women into the dining room, followed by his men, who hesitated on the threshold.

Lucretia immediately spun around. “Lizzy, please stay and join us. Mr. Thompson and Mr. Greeves, please, let us eat while the food is still warm. That way Gavin can discuss the next steps to be taken today before we dress in our finery to be wed this afternoon. You both will be there to stand up for Gavin, won’t you? Jackson and Franklin, too?”

Before either man had a chance to answer, Lucretia turned to her maid, who had finally relaxed enough to eat in the dining room.

King knew it was not the norm, but Lucretia had a way of urging those to do as she bade.

Why, then, had the housekeeper or cook managed to ignore her?

He had a feeling Bancroft was the key to finding the answer.

King knew he would have to return to Bow Street soon, but wanted just a bit more time to admire Lucretia’s courage.

She had gone into the Lyon’s Den and nearly been kidnapped before accepting him as the man she would marry, confronted the crooked solicitors and nearly been caught in a fire that had been set to destroy the evidence King needed, only to face the depth of the fraud within the walls of her household, and all of it due to coin promised… coin received.

Weston appeared in the dining room, announcing Lieutenant Sampson’s arrival. Lucretia turned to frown at King, but then must have remembered she had agreed to let the physician examine her hand. “Weston, before you show him in, I need to ask you and Lizzy a favor.”

“Anything, your ladyship,” the butler said.

“What do you need?” Lizzy asked.

“I need you and Weston to bear witness when Gavin and I say our vows this afternoon.”

Neither one could hide their surprise, nor the joy that followed. “It would be an honor,” Lizzy replied.

“Mine as well,” Weston answered.

King handed Lucretia his handkerchief. She dabbed at her tears while thanking Lizzy and Weston.

“If you will excuse me, Lieutenant Sampson seemed a bit worse for wear, as if he too had not slept a wink,” King interjected.

Lizzy jumped up from her seat. “Your ladyship, shall I set another place for the lieutenant? It sounds as if he too could use a meal and strong cup of tea.”

“The stronger the better,” a deep voice intoned from the doorway to the dining room. “I would be in your debt, your ladyship, but I do not want to intrude. Allow me to examine your hand, and I shall be on my way.”

“Without a meal or at least half a pot of tea—from the looks of things, both would do you a world of good,” Lucretia replied.

When Sampson hesitated, she stood and walked over to the physician.

“As a particular friend of Gavin’s, it would be remiss of me not to offer to feed you, lieutenant.

Especially as you took care of Jackson for us. ”

Us . The word reverberated through King and touched his heart.

Lucretia knew how important Jackson and the others were to him.

He understood what she had not said, but knew as truth: those who were important to King were important to her.

God—and Bessie Dove-Lyon—had changed his life for the better in less than twenty-four hours.

A rare thing occurred, and there were a handful present to witness the event—the solemn-faced former lieutenant slowly smiled. “In that case, Lady Montfort, it would be my pleasure.”

She grabbed hold of Sampson’s outstretched hand, winced, and tried to hide the fact.

Sampson frowned. “I take it this is the hand that br—”

King interrupted, “Best to leave that discussion for after you eat, Sampson.”

The physician inclined his head. “Rest assured that I shall return to the subject while examining her ladyship’s hand.”