Page 13 of My Lady Rake

He realized Verity had likely mentioned who she was spending the day with yesterday. “Good morning. I believe Mrs. Stanhope would enjoy a tray in her bedchamber.”

“And will you be dining with her?”

St. Ervan nodded. He wouldn’t leave before he was certain Verity didn’t regret their evening together.

He heard quiet shuffling sounds drift from the bedchamber upstairs, and knew she was awake. He trotted up the steps, eager to see her.

“Morning.” Her eyes were puffy, squinting in the sunlight pouring in through the window where they’d left the curtains open.

“Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

She mumbled something he couldn’t understand.

“Are you hungry?” he asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“I guess. It’s too early to tell.”

“I asked your housekeeper to bring up a tray.” Planting a kiss on the top of her head, he walked around the foot of the bed and drew a chair close where he could sit. It occurred to him how comfortable he was in her bedchamber.

That in itself should be nothing new at his age. Yet he didn’t normally spend the night at a woman’s home, unless he was a guest at a party. And he’d never had breakfast in his bedchamber with his inamorata.

The housekeeper brought in a tray with a pot of coffee, two cups, milk and sugar, then returned with another tray laden with toast, eggs, and sausages. St. Ervan waited for Verity to serve them, then ate as if he hadn’t eaten in days. Given that they’d eaten nothing since their picnic the afternoon before, that wasn’t surprising.

On the other hand, Verity nibbled at a piece of toast spread with a bit of berry jam. She’d swallow the toast, take a sip of coffee, then nibble off another bite of toast.

“I clearly didn’t love you well enough last night, if that’s all the appetite you have.” He offered her a teasing grin.

Her answering smile didn’t linger, but she continued to nibble and sip.

“Not a morning person, are you?”

She shook her head. Her hair, wildly curled and unbrushed, floated around her head and shoulders, and her face was still slightly puffy from sleep. He didn’t like the look of the shadows beneath her eyes, but they hadn’t slept for much of the night. She wore a silk wrapper that clung to her curves. He’d love to slip it off her and explore her body once more.

But he had business to attend to, and his secretary was probably pacing the office wondering when he’d arrive. He rose slowly, arching his back in a stretch, then put his plate, cup and saucer on one of the trays.

Verity set down her toast and watched him approach, her expression revealing nothing of her thoughts. He hoped it was a lack of sleep that had her so quiet this morning, and not regret.

St. Ervan bent down to kiss her. Verity cupped his cheeks in her palms and pulled his face down, lifting her mouth to his. He ate hungrily of the passion she offered. Would he ever have enough of her? His hands roamed her curves, gliding over the silky fabric of her wrapper. He tugged at the belt, loosening the front, allowing him access. Soft flesh filled his hands. Warmth radiated from her body, heating his insides.

Letting her lean back on his arm, he lowered his mouth toward her breast, its full ripeness too tempting to pass up. His hand roamed lower, over the curve of her belly and down one thigh.

With a groan he forced himself to pull back. “If I don’t stop, we’ll spend the entire day in bed.”

“And that’s a bad thing?”

He stroked his fingertips up her inner thighs. “You’re not sore?”

“I suppose I’m a bit tender.” She stood up, wrapping the robe around her.

Her scent remained in the air when she turned, and he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. Then he sighed. “I must be away. I’m uncertain how long my business calls today will take me. If it’s not too late, may I call on you this evening?”

Verity smiled. “I’d like that.

CHAPTER6

After a quick bath, Verity dressed in a gown suitable for morning calls, but she had no one to call on. She desperately needed someone to talk to, a woman, naturally. A widow, preferably. No one else would understand the guilt and conflict she bore.

How could she have betrayed Levi in such a way? She’d given so much more of her body to St. Ervan than she’d intended to, and if she thought about her feelings…