Page 24 of A Wager With A Rake (Wicked Widows #32)

Theodosia

T heodosia settled into the plush leather chair behind hers and Court’s shared desk in the study at Rosewood.

They had settled into Court’s primary estate as their home, but Rosewood had become their own private escape.

The place they went to when they celebrated special moments and where they went to spend time alone together, and with their son.

Each visit was a cherished memory and continued to bring them closer together than they ever thought possible.

Sifting through the pile of correspondence that had arrived that morning, a smile tugged at her lips as she recognized the writing of Lady Camden and Lady Powis.

After Theodosia had grown calluses from penning heartfelt apologies to the many ladies of the ton she had wronged, she hadn’t been certain that any of them would deign to reply, let alone forgive her.

And she wouldn’t have held any ill will if they hadn’t.

As she had promised, her days of interfering and complicating the lives of others were no more.

After she and Court had married, returning to Rosewood to enjoy an extended honeymoon, letters arrived.

The women she had been the most envious of and convinced herself she had hated replied with kind words and acceptance.

She continued regular correspondence and when she and Court attended their first London season together, they received invitations to tea and dinner gatherings with the very group and their husbands.

Rebecca and Harrison were always invited, too.

The ladies she had once antagonized became true friends.

She often wondered what her come out might have been like if she had befriended the ladies instead of terrorizing them.

Theodosia’s heart swelled with gratitude as she read their warm missives, sharing the latest on dit and confirming the details for a house party they would all soon gather at.

How dramatically her life had changed since marrying Court.

Where she once schemed and manipulated to fill an aching void inside her, she now felt complete, cherished, and redeemed with Court at her side.

Theodosia breathed a contented sigh, marveling at the unexpected joy and fulfillment this path had brought her. She couldn’t wait to share exciting news when she saw them. Once she finally told Court, of course. Rebecca was the only one who knew the secret she carried.

Picking up the next missive, she saw it was from Rebecca.

She and Harrison had since had three children, all beautiful little redheaded girls.

Harrison joked about how outnumbered he was, but anyone who truly knew him was aware that he wouldn’t have it any other way.

For as wild as he had been in his past, he was smitten with all of his girls.

And Theodosia expected Rebecca to share at any time that she was with child again.

Breaking the seal, she unfolded the parchment and scanned the words on the page.

Rebecca shared Eli was doing well at Eton and said in his recent missive that he couldn’t wait to visit during break.

She also shared that June had given birth to a baby girl.

She had married a tenant at Court’s estate, who was a wonderful man who treated Eli like his own son.

Court had to command that she stop thanking him every time she saw him for how he had given them a new home and life.

It brought them all so much joy to see their little family growing and doing so well.

She folded all of her correspondence carefully and tucked them away in the drawer, intending to respond later.

Glancing over at the table where she and Court had spent hours playing chess and cards, she lost herself in the memories of how their love grew.

She would be forever thankful that she was silly enough to place that wager with Court, which made her redemption and her life with her husband a reality.

The study door swung open, and Court strode in, his face alight with the roguish grin that never failed to quicken Theodosia’s pulse.

“Harry is down for his nap,” he announced, crossing to perch on the edge of the desk.

As much as Rebecca had wished to have their child named after her, Theodosia and Court had a son and named him after his uncle Harrison.

Something Harrison adored teasing his wife about.

“Which means, my darling wife, it’s the perfect time for that game of Piquet you promised me.

” He arched a suggestive brow, then returned to the door and locked it.

Theodosia leaned back in her chair, an impish smile playing about her lips. “A wager, or should I just tell you what I want now? You already know how this is going to go.”

Court threw back his head and laughed, a deep, infectious sound that warmed Theodosia to her toes. “You know what your confidence does to me. And that is exactly why I shall be the victor.”

Theodosia’s cheeks flushed with pleasure, even as she tsked in mock reproval. “Believe what you wish, my lord. We both know I’m the superior Piquet player.” She made to rise, but Court caught her hands, pulling her flush against the solid plane of his chest.

“One game. Winner takes all, and our usual terms.” The wicked gleam in his eyes sent delicious shivers skittering down her spine.

“You’re on, Handsome.” Theodosia looked up at him from beneath lowered lashes. “You know what our terms do to me.”

“That I do.” Court’s hands skated down her back to cup her bottom, the heat of his touch searing her through the layers of her dress. “In fact, I’m suddenly feeling quite… motivated to ensure my victory.”

Theodosia’s pulse quickened in anticipation. “Then by all means. Let’s see what you have.”

“Are we still talking about the game, or are you admitting defeat already?”

She pushed him away playfully. “Get the cards.”

The next hour was spent in a flurry of playful banter and heated glances. They dueled with cards rather than swords, their playful rivalry only fueling the blaze that burned between them. Each hand brought them closer to the moment of reckoning, the tension mounting with every discarded card.

Finally, it came down to the last hand. Theodosia’s heart hammered in her chest as she examined her cards. A wicked grin curled her lips. This round, she would emerge victorious.

The hand progressed and Theodosia could practically taste the sweetness of victory, among other things, on her tongue. Just one more turn…

Court’s chair creaked as he leaned back, a cocky grin on his face. “I’m afraid this round goes to me, beautiful.”

“Damn,” Theodosia muttered under her breath.

So close. She had been so close. Court would remind her of this win triumphantly for days until they played again so she could best him.

Rising to her feet, she made her way over to Court.

“I guess that means it is I who is at your mercy,” she purred, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Court held out his hand, helping her to her knees in front of him. “I’ve been waiting all day for this,” he growled, his voice thick with desire. Whomever lost their little wagers pleasured the other one first. An arrangement that always ended with both of them more than satisfied.

Theodosia’s heart raced as she unbuttoned his breeches, wondering what he would do to her after she gave him his winnings.

Slowly, teasingly, she revealed her husband’s arousal, her thighs dampening as his heavy length sprang free.

She leaned in, brushing a featherlight kiss just beneath the head of his shaft, relishing in his sharp intake of breath.

“Tess,” he groaned, his hands gripping the chair.

“Mmm,” she hummed, her lips finding his pulsing vein, her tongue tracing delicate patterns along its length.

Up and down, she explored every inch of him, savoring his taste, his scent, his heat.

She loved this power she had over him, the knowledge that she could reduce her strong husband, the man who had once been a notorious rake, to a quivering mass of need.

Closing her eyes, she took him into her mouth, her tongue swirling around his girth, her lips caressing him as if he were a cool treat on a hot summer’s day.

Court’s groans spurred her on, and she increased her pace, bobbing her head faster and faster, her hands gripping and massaging his thighs just how she knew he liked.

“You are far too good at that,” he said, pulling her off him. “But I have plans for you.”

He rose from his chair and pulled her to her feet, dragging her with him to the desk.

A low growl escaped his lips before he took hers in a searing kiss.

His tongue invaded her mouth, mimicking the possession he sought.

Pulling back from her, he swept his arm across the top, pushing papers to the floor.

“Now are you going to be a good little wife and bend over our desk?”

Yes. Yes, she most certainly was.

She immediately braced herself over the desk, feeling the cool air reach her thighs and core from where he had lifted her skirts. Court slid two fingers inside of her. As his fingers worked their magic, her body ached for him, craving so much more.

“You are so ready for me.”

Wiggling her bottom to tease him, she glanced over her shoulder. “But are you ready for me?” she asked, knowing what taunting her husband would get her.

Court gripped her hips, pushing his entire length inside of her in a single thrust. He continued to take her hard, entering her as deep as he could, the way she always preferred. She loved when he wanted and needed her so much that he became primal and claimed her as his over and over.

He slipped one hand to the front, his fingers quickly finding the sensitive flesh above her opening and teasing while he pounded into her front behind.

She bucked beneath him, her climax building quickly as she pushed back with intensity, taking all of him as she came.

Her body shook and her eyes closed, feeling her orgasm through every nerve in her body, hardly coming down from the high before Court grunted and groaned, gripping her hips even tighter as he stilled to release inside of her.

Sinking her torso against the cool wood, Court withdrew from her.

He righted her gown and then wrapped his arms around her, pulling her upright so her back was pressed against his front.

“And I’m not even done claiming my prize,” he whispered against her ear.

She shivered from the heat of his breath and the words of his promise.

“I should let you win more often,” she replied, teasing him.

Spinning her around to face him, he gripped her hips. “You did not let me win. That was skill, my darling.”

“That”—she motioned her head toward the desk—“was skill. But the card game, I most certainly let you win.”

“And why would you do that?” he asked, his tone indicating he didn’t believe her.

“Because I wish for this to be a wonderful day.” The most perfect, joyous day.

Court kissed her brow. “Any day I wake up with you in my arms is a wonderful day.” And he meant it. It wasn’t falsehood or pretense. Her husband’s actions showed her every day that he well and truly meant every word he spoke to her.

“So does that mean you don’t want your surprise?”

He eyed her curiously. “I didn’t say all that.” Then his expression shifted to deep thought. “I’m certain I haven’t missed a birthday or our anniversary. So what are you up to?”

Theodosia grabbed his hand and placed it on her stomach. “Court…”

Before she could get another word out, an excited grin formed on his handsome face. “Truly?”

“Yes, my love. I am carrying another precious babe. I had the doctor confirm it before we left for Rosewood. Just as I did with Harry, I wanted to tell you here.”

Court swept her into his arms, cradling her as he placed several kisses along her jaw. “Cancel whatever you had planned for the rest of the day. We won’t be departing from our chamber for quite some time.”

“I love you, Court,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck, beaming at him with all the love in the world.

“And I love you, Tess. And for the next several months, I am going to spoil you beyond your imagination.”

She laughed as he unlocked the door and carried her from the room.

“You can’t possibly spoil me more than you already do.

” Her first marriage may have been a disaster, and she spent far too many years afraid she would never know love, but the man before her was worth every bit of the pain and the time she spent waiting to find her happiness.

He winked at her. “Want to bet?”

Be sure to continue onto the next few pages for a sneak peek at The Earl and the Vixen, too!