Page 36 of Marrying a Marquess (Widows of Mayfair #3)

N o matter how she tried not to, sharing caresses beneath the table with Nick had her cheeks heating. Her eyes moved around the table hoping nobody noticed. Especially her mother. Thankfully, she was engrossed in conversation with Nick’s mother as usual.

Eventually, the ladies retired to the drawing room, and the men stayed for port and cigars or cheroots, whatever struck their fancy.

“Excuse me, Lady Priscilla,” Lady Grace said softly, a blush staining her cheeks. “I want to apologize if my actions while courting Hollingsworth caused you any undue discomfort.”

Touched by Grace’s words, she smiled. “Not at all, but thank you for saying so. Now that you and he are no longer courting, is there a gentleman you are sweet on?” By the added color to her cheeks, Priscilla had her answer.

“There is.” She went on to relate her conversation with Nick about Middlebury.

“I was introduced to him during my first Season, but I don’t really know anything about him,” Priscilla said. “However, according to Hollingsworth, he is an amiable gentleman. I wish you both well.”

“Thank you,” she said nodding her head.

“You are most welcome. Can I ask you a question, Lady Grace?”

“By all means,” Lady Grace replied with a friendly smile. “But please call me Grace. ”

“I will if you call me Priscilla?”

“I hope we can become friends, Priscilla.”

“I would like that. Meanwhile, what do you suppose the men talk about when we ladies leave them to their own devices? They are always mysterious about the goings on.”

Grace giggled. “Mother says they discuss Parliament, investments, and their mistresses.” She frowned. “Do you really think they talk about their mistresses?” Her pretty light-brown eyes widened. “Do you think Middlebury has one?”

Priscilla couldn’t imagine Nick ever discussing anything about Anne when she was his mistress.

What a mistress shared with her protector should always remain private.

Though she knew better than to think all men were loyal and considerate.

Latham came to mind. She hoped she was wrong about his character for Lady Faith’s sake if anything was to come from their flirting.

“I do not know. I do believe they talk about Parliament, perhaps business investments, and what ails the citizens of England. Here they come.”

Nick and Middlebury joined them. “Lady Priscilla, Lady Grace,” Middlebury said as he bowed. “How wonderful to see you both.”

One glance at Grace and the panicked look on her face had Priscilla stepping forward with a curtsy. “Lord Middlebury, I’m pleased to see you. Do you know His Grace well?” What a silly thing to say. Of course he knew Blackstone, or he wouldn’t be here.

“Yes. He belongs to Gentleman Jackson’s Club, as do I.”

“I see.” She stared at Grace with her eyes wide open in a prompting look, hoping to untie her tongue for her. She knew they’d sat beside each other at dinner. Had there been no conversation between them?

Finally, Grace curtsied. “Lord Middlebury,” she said so softly that Priscilla had a hard time hearing her.

Middlebury’s face softened, and he smiled genuinely at Grace. “I hope it wouldn’t be forward of me if I asked you to join me in a stroll through the gardens?”

The transformation in Grace was amazing. The mouse, afraid to speak, became a lioness. “I would like that.” She took his offered arm. As they walked away, she looked over her shoulder and smiled shyly at Priscilla.

“Well,” Nick said as he watched them stroll away arm in arm, “that went well. I declare there will be a marriage contract and proposal within the month.”

Priscilla giggled. “Three weeks and not a day longer.”

“Ahhh, you may be right. Lady Wilmington will not allow Middlebury to get away. He is perfect for Lady Grace in every way. Would you care to visit the gardens, as well?” Nick suggested with a sly grin and a twinkle in his eyes.

“What do you have in mind besides admiring the flora?” she teased.

“Perhaps I can steal a kiss or two?”

“From the flowers?” She couldn’t help herself, and she burst into giggles. “I hope you aren’t allergic because if you are, you will sneeze, and your eyes and nose will get runny.”

He wrapped her arm around his elbow and chuckled, making her head tingle. He was in a good mood this evening, and she loved him that way. She loved him in any mood, but lighthearted and flirtatious was her favorite.

“No, silly. Not the flowers. There is a young lady who has lips as soft as rose petals and tastes as sweet as dew drops. Her skin smells like the air after a rainstorm. All clean and fresh. Her hair is as soft as snow and smells of a wildflower field that’s never been disturbed.”

“Nick?” she murmured.

“Yes, my dear?”

“Will you kiss me now?”

Nick, relinquished her arm, took her hand in his instead and hurried down a garden path. When they stopped, Priscilla realized they were alone in a dimly lit section and she could no longer hear any voices.

Nick pulled her into his arms, and right before he kissed her, he whispered, “To answer your question, I thought you’d never ask.”

He kissed her delicately as if she were a rose petal that could bruise easily.

His lips were full and soft and tasted of port.

Her arms circled his neck, and she flattened her body against his, causing a moan to escape his mouth.

The delicate kiss suddenly vanished, and in its place was a kiss full of need and desire that ran out of control until they were clinging to each other and gasping for air.

“Your lips fit mine perfectly. I will never tire of kissing you,” he said as he nuzzled the sensitive spot behind her ear, causing her to melt in his arms.

“Me either,” she sighed as he nipped her neck with his teeth, and her knees threatened to buckle. She gripped his shoulders to keep from falling to the ground. “Nick. Will you come to me tonight?”

He stopped cherishing her skin, cupped her cheeks, and looked deeply into her eyes. “Nothing would please me more.”

“But?” she murmured when she witnessed the concern in his eyes.

“For two nights this week, I was lucky. We were lucky. I’d hate to be seen and the household gossip about you. Or for your mother and father find out.”

She took one of his hands, placed her lips on his palm, and felt his body quiver. “I don’t care what the household sees or says or does. And Mother knows. She saw you leaving this morning. She promised she wouldn’t tell my father.”

“Your mother knows?” he chocked a brow.

“Yes. But don’t worry. She isn’t shocked or upset.

” She smiled up at him. “Forget about Mother and let’s go back to talking about us.

” She placed a hand on his cheek, feeling a little bit of stubble.

“After last night, I crave you. Did you slip something in my wine so you are the only man I desire? ”

“Never. You desire me as I desire you.”

His words made her heart pound. For he admitted he desired her. He cared for her and perhaps even more. He knew she loved him, and she didn’t want to say too much or do too much to scare him away from her. She honestly didn’t know if she could ever get over another rejection from him.

“Do you think your mother will mind if I escort you home? And perhaps she could give my mother a ride?” He took her hand in his, entwining their fingers.

“Since your mother knows about us, she won’t be shocked by the request, and I believe my mother will be beside herself with excitement.

” He tugged on her hand. “Come. The sooner we are inside my carriage, the sooner I can kiss you again.” As he led the way through the gardens, her pulse soared with how happy and enthusiastic he sounded.

It would take some time to convince herself that Nick wanted to be with her—not as friends but as a couple courting and in love. Her foot caught on a rock, but with Nick’s help, she quickly recovered her footing.

“Did you hurt yourself?” he asked with concern.

“No. You caught me before I could fall forward and land on my face.” She glanced at him sideways, and her face heated. “Thank you, by the way.”

He brought their joined hands to his mouth and placed his lips on her knuckles, and she melted on the spot. “You are very welcome. I’ll save you always.”

*

Once they entered the drawing room, Nick eyes moved around until he found their mothers sitting on a settee with Emmeline’s mother, Baroness Connolly.

Bowing, he said, “Your Grace, Mother, Baroness.” He was surprised to find he had bowed while still holding Priscilla’s hand.

“If acceptable, I would like to escort Lady Priscilla home. Your Grace, would you mind bringing Mother home?”

“Not at all, Nicholas. We are ready to leave as well.”

They bid goodnight to all their friends and thanked the Duke and Duchess of Blackstone for a wonderful evening.

Nick couldn’t wait to get Priscilla alone.

The taste of her lips remained on his, and he wanted to taste them again.

Their mothers joined them at the door. Nick and Priscilla escorted them to the Duke of Avery’s carriage and once Nick was assured they were settled in, he signaled the driver to be on their way.

His carriage was close by, and after he assisted Priscilla into the carriage and joined her on the seat, his arm went around her back, holding her close. “This is nice.” The palm of her hand rested on this thigh and the warmth from it radiated through the fabric of his breeches.

“It is nice.” Her head dropped onto his shoulder. “What do you suppose our mothers are talking about right now?”

Laughter echoed inside the coach, and Nick was surprised at how joyous he sounded, especially for what he would say next.

“After your mother confides in mine that I snuck out of your bedchamber this morning, no doubt they are planning our wedding.” Whenever he’d thought about marrying Priscilla before, he would break out in a sweat, and his body would tremble out of control.

Tonight? There was no sweat dripping down his back.

If his body trembled, it was with desire.

His heart raced, not in fear, but in excitement.

For once in his life, the idea of marrying Priscilla didn’t terrify him.

If anything, it filled him with joy and tenderness.

He found it odd that just last night he believed he wasn’t ready to marry Priscilla and give himself to her completely, nor did he want to burden her with his issues.

But he’d been mistaken. There was still work to be done on himself, but with her by his side he was convinced anything was possible.

He would declare himself to her soon. The time wasn’t perfect, and it had to be perfect.

She deserved no less for waiting so long for him to stop being stupid and admit what he’d always known.

He pivoted on the bench, cradled her face, and kissed her lips.

Never in all his life had he felt the things he did when he kissed her.

His needs, desires, and wants were strong, screaming at him to be fulfilled, but he pushed them back.

All of Priscilla’s desires, needs, and fulfillment came first. That was how much he cared for her.

He would take whatever scraps she had to give and be happy.

The kiss went on, and he tried to convey his feelings for her within the kiss. Her fingers combed through his hair, then he tilted his head as she took over, devouring him. Her tongue demanded that his dance with hers. Always and forever. He was never letting her go.

Her mouth disappeared and moved to his neck with a soft kiss. “If I’m not mistaken, the carriage stopped a short time ago.”

“It did?” He chuckled, then groaned as her teeth nipped his earlobe.

“Did I hurt you?”

“No.”

“Humm, perhaps I should try again.”

Before she could, he had her beneath him on the bench, his body over hers. He grinned down at her, showing his teeth, then licked his lips. “Perhaps I’ll flip up your skirts and have a late supper.”

Giggling and wiggling her hips, she said, “Don’t you dare.”

As he snaked his hand up the inside of her skirts, there was a knock on the carriage door. They both froze and looked wide-eyed at each other. “Let my daughter out, or I’ll come in there and get her.”

Priscilla’s mouth opened into a wide O .

Nick buried his head in her bosom, his body shaking with laughter.

“What’s so funny?” she asked, sounding nervous.

“Your mother. I’m laughing because she would come in.” He sat back on the bench and helped Priscilla up. “Where are your hairpins? I don’t remember plucking them out.”

“You didn’t—I did. They were stabbing my skull. Forget about them. I’ll get them another time.” She kissed him quickly. “You’d best let me out.”

Nick rapped on the roof, and footman opened the door.

Nick alighted first and then helped Priscilla.

Taking her hand, he walked her up the stairs and to the door, which popped open to Berkley standing there.

The duchess was nowhere to be seen. “Good night, my love. I think it’s best if I don’t visit you tonight.

I have a feeling your mother will be standing guard outside your chambers.

” He kissed her cheek, turned, and she was behind the closed door by the time he climbed inside his carriage.

Sighing, he leaned back against the squabs and closed his eyes.

What a strange night—first breaking off his courtship with Lady Grace, then Middlebury and Lady Grace hopefully forming one, then him and Priscilla.

He did not have the urge to run away and hide from her, which shocked him.

He would sleep well tonight. He had too many happy memories to let the horrific ones inside his head tonight.