Page 42

A fter Caldwell, Langford, and Lilly left, Andrew awoke briefly.

Long enough for Clayton to help him with his personal needs and deliver broth for him to drink, which he did right before his eyes rolled back into his head and he fell back asleep.

Emmeline knew sleeping was the best thing for him, to fight infection and allow his body to heal from being bruised and battered.

Winters had personally delivered a missive to her mother explaining everything. He also picked up Amanda and some of her belongings. She didn’t plan to leave Andrew’s side until he was up and mobile with no sign of infection from the bullet wound. Having Amanda in the house would ease her burden.

Emmeline stripped down to her chemise and climbed beneath the covers, snuggling up against Andrew’s good side as a sigh escaped her lips.

She still had the scrapes and bruises, but with all that had happened to Andrew, she had forgotten about herself and her injuries.

Although now that she was resting comfortably beside the man she loved, little twinges of pain from her tight muscles reminded her she had a body to heal.

Exhaustion, both mental and physical, tightened its hold on her.

Her head ached from the events of the past days.

Today’s events were the worst. Exhaustion had seeped inside her bones; only a deep sleep would alleviate it.

Snuggling closer against him, she closed her eyes and let the pull of sleep take over. Her breathing evened out, and her body became weightless as she entered the place of dreams.

*

Both Andrew’s valet and her maid entered the chambers the following morning.

Emmeline didn’t need to open her eyes to know which footsteps belonged to whom.

Amanda parted the curtains to a miserable rainy day while Clayton spoke to a third set of footsteps and ordered a fire started in the hearth.

Emmeline was grateful—the chill from the night and the morning air had her shivering deeper into the covers and against Andrew’s body, hoping to get warm.

Before they left the room, Amanda said, “Your breakfast trays will be up shortly. Is there anything you need now?”

“No, thank you, Amanda.”

After Amanda left, Emmeline rolled onto her side and smiled at how young and innocent Andrew looked in sleep. Neither of them was yet thirty, but both had lived full and tragic lives up until now. She prayed their future held calm, tranquility, and happiness.

“Are you going to stare at me all day?”

The teasing in his voice sparked warmth inside her body. “Only if it doesn’t bother you.”

“Not at all.” He slid his uninjured arm around her and hugged her to his chest. “This is much better, don’t you think?”

She rested her hand on his bare chest, wrapped a leg across his, and snuggled into his side. “This is even better.”

“Yes, it is.” He kissed the top of her head, his body relaxing against hers.

“Thank God the drama with the Earl and Countess of Hartford is over, and we can get on with our lives. Whitcomb’s quick thinking made my life easier.

I didn’t have to see Lord Hartford and threaten him myself.

” He kissed the top of her head. “No more speaking of them. It’s over, and we can plan for the future.

” He kissed the top of her head again. “I love you.”

Just as Emmeline went to straddle Andrew’s waist, a knock on the door had her lying back down. Two servants entered with breakfast trays, placed one on each bedside table, and left as quietly and quickly as they appeared.

“Do you think those young kitchen maids were scandalized finding you in bed with an unmarried woman and neither of us wearing much clothing?”

Andrew’s carefree chuckling was music to her ears. “They better get used to it, because from this day forward, I expect you in my bed every night for the rest of time.”

This time, she succeeded in straddling his waist, easing up her chemise so nothing existed between them except his drawers.

Moans escaped his mouth, coming from deep inside his chest. “Are you trying to seduce me?”

Bending forward, she nuzzled his neck. “Yes. Do you have an issue with that?”

“Hell, no,” he grunted. “Do that again.”

This time, she giggled. She nibbled his neck and continued to do so until his one good arm gripped her chin, guiding her mouth to his, and he kissed her as if he were indeed a dying man and this was the last taste of a woman he would ever experience.

Thank goodness it wasn’t true. Emmeline kissed him back, letting him know how much she loved him.

With one of Andrew’s hands and one of hers, they pushed down his drawers, freeing his erection.

Breaking the kiss, she hovered over his waist and took him in her hands, lining his manhood up with her entrance, and lowered, taking him inside.

She gasped at the fullness and the feeling of being complete.

Andrew rested his free hand on her waist, and she rested both of hers on his muscular chest. Her hips ground against his, eliciting groans from them both.

“Deeper, faster, harder,” Andrew said as his fingers moved to her core, igniting her body.

Her hips rose, and she slammed down on Andrew repeatedly, taking him deep inside her.

Again and again, she rose and fell. She arched her back.

Her body tightened around his member until she collapsed lifelessly on his chest, breathing hard and spent.

While in the throes of her release, Andrew’s body tightened.

He growled and spent his warm seed deep inside her.

Emmeline lifted her hips, removing Andrew from her body, and lay back down on him with a deep and contented sigh. “I think I need a nap.” She laughed as she kissed his chest.

“Me too. Although, I can’t think of a better way to wake up and welcome in a new day.” His hand stroked her hair, causing her head to tingle.

Her fingers combed through his chest hair. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

“Absolutely not.” He chuckled. “I’ve never felt better.”

She kissed him, rolled off the bed, pushed her chemise back down, and said two words she’d never uttered to Andrew before, “Chamber pot?”

“In my bathing chamber, through my dressing room.”

Crossing the room, she ducked inside his dressing room full of his clothes and inhaled the familiar scent of sandalwood.

Her eyes rested on a blue banyan, and she slipped it over her chemise, rolling up the overly long sleeves.

She gripped the collar, inhaling Andrew’s pure masculine scent, and smiled.

She entered the adjoining tiled room with a large copper tub taking up half the space.

From there, she found a clean chamber pot sitting on a shelf.

Before she left the room, she washed up at a basin and pitcher resting on a small dresser.

Once back in Andrew’s bedchamber, she helped him sit up, put his breakfast tray on his lap, climbed in, and did the same with her tray. “I’m afraid everything is cold.”

“Not to worry,” he said as he sipped his coffee. There was no mistaking the smell wafting her way as she sipped her chocolate. “I see you found my clothes.”

“Do you mind?”

“Not at all.” He laughed. “Does my heart good to see you in my robe.”

“Not to bring up a very private and delicate subject, but your bathing chamber appears to be in the process of being remodeled.”

“Yes. My father started it but unfortunately died before it was complete. When finished, it will have a flushing toilet.”

She coughed as she inhaled her chocolate down the wrong way. “Really?”

“He wanted to be one of the first in his circle of friends to have one. It should be finished next month. “We can use the London sewer system now for drainage since the ban was lifted.” He suddenly roared out laughing.

“What is so amusing?”

“Us, having this conversation. Speaking of taboo subjects between a lady and a gentleman. Most ladies would fan themselves and swoon.”

“I am not most ladies. And I must say I look forward to a flushing toilet.”

He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “And thank goodness for that. The first comment—not the second. I love everything about you. Even during your first Season, you were never a delicate debutante. You were strong, opinionated, and not afraid to let it be known. Just like you are now.” He kissed her again.

“Please don’t ever change. I love you just as you are. Please get this damn tray off my lap.”

Emmeline removed both trays and went into Andrew’s welcoming arm. “I imagine the doctor will be here soon.”

“If he gets here soon, he can wait,” he said as he encouraged her onto his lap and kissed her until she gave him what he wanted.

*

Since Andrew had woken up with Emmeline beside him, his body had desired her.

He hadn’t expected to make love with her twice, and yet he could make it three quickly enough, except that she was dozing curled up against his side, making little breathy sounds, causing him to smile.

When she’d inquired if he was in pain, he had lied.

His head throbbed, and every muscle in his body ached and felt stiff, never mind the deep, burning pain from the bullet wound.

Making love eased the pain for a short time, but it was back now with a vengeance.

Even so, he would never regret the pleasure they’d both given and received.

He grinned again. Lying back and watching her do all the work was an aphrodisiac.

Imagining her face flushed pink, her eyes peeking through heavy lids, her breasts bouncing as she rode him, had him hard again.