Part 31 (1/2)
Her wide skirts were weighted down by the water, and it took longer than he would have liked to leave the warehouse. Even though he knew she-they-were in no danger, he had a distinct feeling of dread. A feeling he hadn't had in years and one impossible to ignore. Surely it was due to nothing more than having a taste once again of a world of intrigue he had long left behind. Still, he refused to let his guard down until they were safely in the carriage and very nearly home.
”Adrian.” She snuggled against him and he tightened his arm around her. ”I think you were extraordinarily brave tonight.”
Again guilt p.r.i.c.ked at his conscience. ”I only did what was necessary.”
”I have always known you would do anything for me, but I have never considered you an adventurous sort. Not the kind of man who charges into danger. That you did so, for me ...” Her voice caught. ”You saved my life.”
”I would have no life without you.”
For a long moment she didn't say a word. Then she sighed. ”There are things I need to tell you. Things you should know.”
He stared down at her. ”Do you love me?”
”With all my heart.”
”Then that's all I need.”
”I want to go home.” She reached up and kissed the side of his neck. ”To our home, our bed.”
”Yet another excellent idea. But I should warn you.” He smiled. ”Regardless of refurbis.h.i.+ng in the future, I do not intend to allow you to ever leave again.”
She laughed. ”You will not allow me?”
”No. Even if it means a certain amount of pleading and”-he winced-”groveling, there will be no more leaving.”
”Yes, my lord,” she said in an obedient manner that didn't fool him for a minute. ”I do still want to know my price.”
”And as I said, you are priceless.”
”And so, my dear husband, are you.” She reached up and pressed her lips to his, and desire at once welled within him. But then it always had, always would, with her.
He was under no illusions that their life would be perfect from this point forward. Neither of them was perfect after all. And certainly at some point, he would have to tell her he was Sir, but not tonight.
Tonight, the love of his life had confirmed in no uncertain terms that he was the love of hers. The world, the future, had never looked brighter.
Chapter 21.
It would have been most awkward to tear Adrian's clothes off the moment they stepped into the house. Evelyn wanted-no-needed to reaffirm life and love. Besides, she had missed him more than she could say. But the servants would surely notice. Although tonight they might well have forgiven such an overt display of affection. The relief on the faces of the staff was evident when they arrived.
They were all most solicitous and obviously pleased to see her alive and well, if somewhat disheveled. Her maid accompanied her to her room, and while she helped Evelyn out of her ruined gown, another ran a bath. As much as she would have loved to soak for hours, she had no intention of lingering. Quickly she washed the scent of dank cellar and docks away and pondered the odd evening. At long last she had met Sir. She had put into words how very much her husband meant to her, and she had been abducted by thugs who obviously knew what they were doing. She was, in addition, rather proud of herself for keeping panic and fear at bay. There had been moments when it hadn't been easy.
Her kidnappers had been most efficient, and if the one carrying her hadn't tripped, she would have been completely unharmed. They had obviously contacted Adrian without the least hesitation, possibly even before she had been left in the cellar. There was no doubt in her mind: they were fast, they were organized, and it was clear they had done this before. If she had been inclined to admire nefarious acts, her kidnappers would have won her admiration. The only thing that could have gone wrong would have been for Adrian not to pay the ransom. She might well have been selected in the first place because it was a.s.sumed Lord Waterston would pay without question, as, of course, he had. She wondered if she had other acquaintances who had been in this position. If so, it was something the department might well want to look into. She still wanted to know what she had cost her husband, but he would tell her eventually.
Her maid helped her into her pale blue dressing gown, Adrian's favorite, then Evelyn dismissed her for the night with her grat.i.tude. It was nice to have people who cared for you. She'd been more than a little touched by the concern of the entire staff. And more than a little impressed with her husband.
She'd never thought her husband was weak in any way, but she'd also never imagined he was the type of man to plunge headfirst into danger. Before tonight, if asked, she would have said he'd give due amount of consideration to all the eventualities and, perhaps, would orchestrate her rescue rather than leaping into it himself. It was a side of him she'd never seen, never truly imagined. She couldn't have Sir and, in truth, didn't want him, but it struck her now that, when called upon, Adrian might well have a touch of Sir in him. It was most exciting.
Evelyn tightened her wrapper, stepped through the dressing room connecting her room to Adrian's, and pushed open his door. He had taken off his blue coat and his shoes and was in the process of untying his complicated cravat. She walked over to him and pushed his hands away. ”Allow me.”
He grinned. ”With pleasure.”
”Did I tell you how das.h.i.+ng you looked in your costume?” She kept her gaze on the cravat. It was as tricky to untie as her ropes had apparently been. ”I felt as if I was being rescued by a hero from another century. Or perhaps someone less n.o.ble who would carry me off and have his way with me.”
He chuckled. ”Casanova perhaps?”
”Definitely Casanova.” The cravat loosened. ”Although I don't believe he ever married.” She pulled it free. ”And I think he said something about marriage being the tomb of love. Or the death of love. I can't recall.”
”Then he was a fool. Marriage, to the right woman, is the beginning of a life of love.”
She raised a brow. ”My, you are romantic tonight.”
”Casanova would be envious.” He pulled her into his arms. ”If he had seen you tonight, he might well have changed his mind about marriage. And considered me a very lucky man.”
”Then we are well matched.” She gazed up at him. ”For I am a very lucky woman.” She paused. ”Although I have been remiss in not making certain you know how very much I love you.”
”I have been remiss in that myself.” A shadow darkened his eyes. ”If anything had happened to you ...”
”But nothing did, thanks to you.” She smiled into his blue eyes. ”You are my hero, Adrian Hadley-Att.w.a.ter.” She slid her hand around the back of his neck and pulled his head down to hers. ”My knight,” she murmured against his lips. And then his lips claimed hers and pa.s.sion erupted between them.
Desire gripped her, gripped them. They tore at his clothes and he was soon naked. He yanked free the tie of her dressing gown and it fell open to reveal her as naked as he. He cupped one breast in his hand and kissed and sucked until she trembled and clung to him. He s.h.i.+fted his attention to her other breast and she moaned at the sensations surging through her. Slowly he sank to his knees in front of her, his mouth trailing a path of fire from between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s and lower, down her stomach, and lower still. Until he parted her legs, his hands running up the insides of her thighs. Her breath caught in antic.i.p.ation. Dear Lord, what the man did to her. What he made her feel.
He spread her legs and caressed her. She moaned softly with his touch. Her dressing gown slid off her shoulders to her elbows. She was already slick with need and wanting him. His fingers slid over her and exquisite sensation washed up from his touch. Her breath quickened. He opened her with his fingers, then leaned closer and blew softly. She s.h.i.+vered and waited. Her eyes closed, her head dropped back, and she gripped his shoulders.
The first flick of his tongue brought a gasp of delight from her. There was a great deal to be said for marrying a man of experience. A man who knew the most sensitive parts of a woman and knew precisely what to do with them. How to pleasure a woman until she thought she would surely not survive such delight. His tongue caressed her, and her hands tightened on his shoulders. He teased and tasted and sucked at her until her hips rocked toward him of their own accord. She ached and wanted and yearned. Blood pulsed in her veins and she wondered if he could feel her throb against his mouth.
”Oh, G.o.d, Adrian ...”
She raised her head, opened her eyes, and stared down at his dark head between her legs. It wasn't the least bit proper; indeed, it was no doubt a great sin. But, oh, what a heavenly sin. If eternal d.a.m.nation was the price for this, it was well worth it.
Her muscles tightened. Her world narrowed. She existed only in the feeling of his mouth, his tongue, his teeth. Tension coiled within her. He had brought her to release with his mouth before, but tonight she wanted to pleasure him as much as he did her.
”Adrian,” she whispered and reluctantly pushed him away. He glanced up, his eyes dark with pa.s.sion, his lips glazed with her. ”Come to bed.”
”Now?” He raised a brow.
Laughter bubbled through her. She moved to the bed and let her dressing gown slither to the floor behind her. She glanced at him over her shoulder. ”Yes, darling, now.”
He rose to his feet, and her gaze wandered over him. She'd never been particularly enamored with the naked male form, unless it was carved from marble. But from the first time she had seen her husband sans clothing, she'd been most impressed. With his broad shoulders, hard-muscled chest, and flat stomach tapering to narrow hips, he could have easily modeled for any marble statue. Her gaze slipped to his c.o.c.k. She swallowed. That, too, was most impressive.
He laughed and heat rushed up her face.
”I like that I can still make you blush.” He stepped to her, nuzzled the side of her neck, then tumbled onto the bed and pulled her down with him.
”Don't be absurd.” She scoffed. ”I do not blush.”
”It looked like a blush.”