Page 24

Chapter

Twenty-Four

A ngelica reached for Benedict's falls, knowing what she wanted. Him.

He did not protest her actions as she unclipped the buttons keeping him from her nor when she clasped his hardened manhood that pressed between her legs.

"Angelica," he moaned, his fingers clasping her hips and holding her fast. "I want you so much."

She wiggled up her nightdress and moved to take him into her.

He was so deliciously hard, and her body ached to feel that sweet release only he could give her.

She slowly impaled herself on his length, breathing deep as sensation threatened to overwhelm her.

She closed her eyes, focused on the sweet friction, the fullness, the delicious heat of their joining, fighting not to make any noise that would rouse suspicion from the house.

"Yes," she sighed, lifting herself and taking him entirely. "I know, it's impossible to get enough of you."

He sat up and before she knew what he was about he'd flipped her onto her back and thrust into her, taking her deep. Angelica was powerless to stop the moan that slipped past her lips. She wrapped her legs about his hips and rolled herself against him as he made love to her.

"You're everything to me. I long for you to be my wife."

His words kindled a wild and bright fervor within her chest, sparking heat beneath her skin. She adored his kindness, his sweet nature, and knew he was the kind of man she’d always dreamed of.

A man who loved her unconditionally, unlike anything she had ever known before.

"I cannot wait to call you husband," she whispered back. He kissed her, long and hard, their tongues tangling, their teeth clashing. Fire raced through her limbs, and the delicious ache between her legs grew with each joining.

Benedict leaned back on his heels, pulling her into him, watching her from above from this new and different angle. He pressed within her, hitting a spot that sent stars to flutter before her eyes. He rolled his thumb over her sensitive flesh, watching her, gauging her enjoyment of his actions.

He thrust into her, slower now, more controlled but in a way that left her breathless and all at sea. The action teased, built a pleasure within her that grew and taunted to be freed before it was subdued, only to build once again, leaving her wanton.

She reached up and clasped one of her breasts, squeezing her nipple to try to alleviate the desire that swarmed within her. He was so handsome, towering over her, a man in control of their lovemaking, making her sing to his wicked instrument.

"I want to make you scream my name," he breathed, his eyes heavy with need and a promise to make what he said come true.

She breathed through the onslaught of desire. She worked herself against him, desperate for release, to gain what he wanted from her, what they both wanted. "Make me scream, Benedict."

He growled and came over her, clasping her hands above her head and pinning them onto the cushions. He thrust hard, his other hand lifting one of her legs to ensure she did not move.

She was completely under his control, and never had she ever wanted anything as much as she wanted this moment to last forever. The pounding rhythm of his body against hers, the pressure, the sensation of being possessed completely—it all mounted into a wild, trembling crescendo.

Her body tightened, bracing for the final moment, her senses igniting with every thrust. Her body was not her own and the sweet tremors rolled through her, a kaleidoscope of pleasure that pulsated between her legs, spiraling her into a world where it was only Benedict and herself who resided there.

He moaned her name, the sound mingling with her cry of release as they found the pinnacle of gratification together. Benedict slumped beside her, his breathing ragged as he pulled her into the crook of his arm, his hand idly stroking her back.

She lay against him, her leg lazily over his and she closed her eyes, reveling in the warmth of his skin, the solid weight of his thigh beneath hers, and the strong thrum of his heartbeat.

"I shall inform the church this week and start the process of leaving. I promise."

She leaned up on his chest and studied him, her fingers tracing a faint line across his collarbone. "What will you do when you leave the church? Will you continue in the church but with the Church of England, or do you not believe that life is for you at all now?"

Benedict looked up into the night sky a moment in thought.

"I have the means to live a life of a country gentleman, and I will not make that choice until we’re married and settled.

I want to be your husband, just you and me for a time and then we shall decide if my becoming a local vicar is something we want.

” He kissed the top of her head, his hold on her tightening.

"After we’re married I want to travel, to live, and enjoy our time together.

I do not want to be committed to a church service every Sunday.

I would much rather be snuggling with you in our suite of rooms somewhere in the world. "

She chuckled at his suggestion and did not have to imagine how lovely those days with him would be. "Forgive me for sounding vulgar, but is that type of life even possible for us? With you being the second son, I know sometimes fathers do not do as they should for all their offspring."

"Ah, you're concerned." A wistful smile crossed his face.

"My father was a very good man, and so too is my brother.

I was left a considerable fortune for myself, no matter what I choose to do as the second son.

There is an estate in Kent that is mine, and we shall never want for anything.

I never thought I would have anyone to share such fortune with, but I'm glad that it will now be with you. "

Angelica nodded, and while she was pleased to hear they would have enough funds to feed and clothe themselves, it was a relief to know that they would never have to worry when it came to monetary concerns.

"Your father sounds like a much better man than mine had been. How lucky you were."

Benedict's arm tightened around her, and she wiggled closer to him, wanting to feel his warmth. "I promise that should we have children, I too will be a good father for our offspring. I assure you with everything that I am that it will be so."

Angelica reached up and clasped his jaw, kissing him softly. "I do not want you to leave. I want to marry you tomorrow so we may never part again."

"I will speak to the church and then Lord St. George and we will be wed soon, very soon. I promise."

"And I shall hold you to that promise."

A ngelica woke in her room and stretched under the morning sun that beamed in through her bedroom windows. After Benedict snuck out of their gardens in the early hours of the morning, she too had tiptoed back into the house and had promptly fallen into a deep sleep.

Before she could rise, her sister bustled into the room, carrying a box along with her maid who had several more.

"Dearest, your new dresses for the remainder of the Season have arrived. I thought this evening for the Groose ball you could wear the emerald dress and perhaps the diamond earbobs that Rosalind gifted you as your coming out."

Angelica threw back her blankets and rose, picking up a cup of hot chocolate that had been left beside her bed when her maid had opened up her curtains earlier.

"That would be lovely." She glanced in the box that the green silk dress lay within and pulled it out and placed it on the bed. "Oh, how darling it is." And she hoped that Benedict too would find it charming.

"It'll bring out the color of your eyes," Evangeline continued. "Please leave us, May," she said to the maid, who promptly left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.

Evangeline turned back to Angelica, the look on her face one of concern. "Sit, Angelica, we need to talk," she said, moving over to the settee before the fire.

Angelica did as she asked, giving her sister her full attention, hoping she would not bring up what she had done last evening in the gardens with Benedict. Not that she regretted her choice, but she also did not want to cause scandal for the family.

"I heard back from Rosalind regarding father's illegitimate daughters in London. Rosalind thought she was doing the right thing by keeping that information from us, but understood why we wanted to know the truth after what Lord Hedding said to you at dinner the other evening."

Relief poured through Angelica that her sister's conversation had nothing to do with her or Benedict. "What did Rosalind say?" she asked.

"The same that St. George explained the other evening, but she has suggested that we do not seek them out, for that is what was agreed.

They would keep out of society's way and allow us to have our Seasons. Apparently, they wish to distance themselves from their mother’s employment and wish to live an honest life. "

The news made Angelica want to meet them all the more. How kind and thoughtful they sounded. "I still think we should meet them. We share a father, and they do not sound unpleasant. I do not know why we cannot be friends."

"Because Rosalind has said so, and for now we must adhere to her rules, but never say never, dearest. We shall work on her and see what comes of it."

What comes of it? Yes, them having three more sisters, with any luck.