Page 10 of The Lady (Daughters of Dishonour #3)

Lady Flora moved nearer to him, boldly closing the distance until she was before him.

“I realised I did not care if it was true or not. It is the past, and what I care about is the future.” She was so close now he could see the paleness of her lashes, the curve of her pinkened lips, and the shades of grey and slate in her eyes.

It was torture of the deliciously tempting kind.

How much he would like to wrap his arms around her, pull her close, and kiss her.

“That’s why I have come here today, to say what I should have said earlier.

But now I think actions are better than words. ”

With decided movements, Lady Flora placed her hands on his shoulders, one twisting amongst the curls at the back of his head, and rose on her tiptoes so only an inch separated them, their lips so near.

Philip was not sure who closed the distance, but their mouths met.

The kiss started as a curious pressing of lips, tentative and gentle.

Then Philip, driven by desire, affection, and need, pulled her flat against his body as his arms curved around her slim frame.

The taste of her mouth was lush and maddening.

As an inelegant tangle of limbs and bodies they staggered backwards and into the nearby squashy armchair.

He eagerly pulled Flora on top of his body, his fingers lacing through her hair, tugging loose the blonde strands, luxuriating in the silken finest. They continued to kiss.

His tongue insistently rubbed and pressed against the seam of her lips, so when she sighed and her mouth eased, his tongue slipped inside, exploring her.

The pressure became intense, all-consuming, as they learnt how the other moved.

She filled his senses, and he realised he had been dreaming and hoping for this kiss for over a month, perhaps far longer.

He could not remember feeling more excited, pleased alongside the mounting feeling of relief at having Flora in his arms.

When she stretched and let out a little moan, Philip dipped his head and kissed his way along her hairline, tasting her skin, enjoying her wriggling reaction as she fidgeted and gasped.

With a snaking hand, he hugged her close to him as Flora adjusted herself more securely atop of him.

When their eyes met, she nodded as his free hand eased between the folds of her green skirt, moving past her chemise and finding the gap in her drawers.

His fingers touched against the split in those flimsy undergarments, seeking the warm wetness which seemed to be calling to him.

When his fingertip stroked through her curls, Lady Flora gasped against him.

“I never have—” His mouth sought out hers, giving a reassuring kiss.

“We can stop, all you need to do is tell me so.”

“Lud, no I came here for this.”

He kissed her again, so pleased to hear such affirmation from her. His fingers continued stroking with more strength as he learnt what might make her gasp. Or groan. The little mewing noises and kisses she gave him were more illicit and lovely than he could ever have imagined.

“Flora.” Her name slipped from his mouth as her own curious fingers started to slip between the folds of his trousers.

Those soft hands running this way and that over his rumpled clothes, exciting him more than his fantasies ever had.

There was something about having the live, real, breathing woman in his arms—but it was this woman, Lady Flora, who defied all expectations.

“ Ahem ,” came an amused little cough, startling them both out of their explorative kisses and touches and forcing them out of the armchair and onto their feet. There in the middle of the study was the handsome form of Philip’s older half-brother, Lord Langley.

There was a highly amused look on the earl’s face as he stared between them, a decided twinkle in his eyes. He was dressed immaculately, although it was clear he had been travelling given his cape.

“What a surprise,” Langley remarked lightly as Lady Flora turned hastily around and moved across the study, repairing her outfit. Philip forced himself to stare at his brother, daring his lordship to say more.

“I hardly think, given your previous reputation, we should expect any comment from you, my lord,” Lady Flora snapped.

“Oh. Indeed.” Langley laughed, and Philip could have murdered his brother. Langley seemed to find the whole situation quite the most amusing lark he’d seen in quite some time.

“This is most ill-timed. But you can be the first to congratulate me on our engagement,” Philip said, hoping to limit the damage.

“Oh, Pip that is wonderful,” Langley said with real affection, using the nickname he had always preferred for Philip as he clasped his brother’s hand in a warm handshake.

“I thought I had simply interrupted a nasty little affair, and that would have made the next family Christmas or christening terribly awkward. Especially if I had to play at being the strict moral one.”

“Not a role you were born to play,” Philip said, wishing his brother would leave them in peace.

“Yes,” he said, looking over towards Flora, who still had her back to them, and wondering how she might feel at the announcement of their engagement. “Might have stung of hypocrisy on your part.” Taking a step closer, he lowered his voice, “Flora?”