Part 27 (1/2)

As for her staff, a note could be sent to London so they would not worry when she didn't return. And it was only one night. She rather doubted she would be needing any night attire, not if Leo had any say in the matter.

”Yes,” she sighed against his lips. ”Let's stay.”

Leo awakened hours later, tired but replete. A narrow band of sunlight crept under the sheer draperies, casting the bedroom in a gentle gloaming. At his side, Thalia was slumbering deeply, her head pillowed next to his, one of her legs bent upward between his own.

He considered rousing her. Now that she was becoming accustomed to his touch, she was amazingly responsive. A few pa.s.sionate kisses, some well-placed strokes and caresses, and her body came alive, instinctively craving the pleasure it hungered for, even if Thalia herself was still learning exactly how to deal with the depths of her newfound desire.

Curious, but when he'd started his pursuit of her, he'd a.s.sumed she would be the more knowledgeable one when it came to s.e.x. But in spite of being several years her junior, he was the one teaching her. The one leading her down unexplored paths of sensuality, paths that surprised and delighted-and, yes, shocked-her with the breadth of their power and the completeness of the satisfaction they gave.

Yet he was learning too, taking pleasure from her pleasure, testing boundaries of physicality and need that surprised even him.

And they'd barely even begun their affair. If he could find such extraordinary union with her after only two days, just think what the next weeks would bring.

His shaft stiffened, aching with renewed longing despite the night they'd just spent.

He ought to be exhausted. Instead, he wanted her again.

It would be easy to slide her thigh up and over his hip so she would wake to find him buried thick and deep inside her as he tupped her awake.

He groaned at the very idea, his shaft pulsing with need.

But he'd worked her hard during the night, exactly as promised, taking her repeatedly before he'd shown her another new position that had left her screaming with wild release into her pillow.

She'd sunk into a heavy sleep afterward and he'd followed, holding her close.

But now he was awake again.

Hungry for her again.

He could wait, though, for a little while at least.

Closing his eyes, he willed himself to concentrate on sleep rather than his throbbing s.e.x. He was just drifting off nearly twenty minutes later when a soft knock came at the door.

Scowling, he opened his eyes. Careful not to wake Thalia, he rose from the bed. He pulled on his trousers and s.h.i.+rt, leaving the latter only partially b.u.t.toned, then padded barefoot to the door. He found the caretaker's wife waiting on the other side.

”Sorry to awaken you, my lord,” she said, keeping her eyes at a respectful level, ”but this just arrived from London by messenger. He said it were urgent, so I thought it best not to delay.”

Leo took the note. ”Quite right. Thank you for bringing it directly to me.”

”Shall I put on some tea for you and the lady?” she asked helpfully.

”Not yet. I'll ring should we require anything.” Murmuring his thanks once again, he shut the door.

Turning, he broke open the wax seal and began to read. When he had done, he shook his head, unsure whether to laugh or groan. Keeping as quiet as possible, he went to don the rest of his clothes.

Thalia drifted awake to the quiet scratching of what sounded like pen on paper. She forced her eyelids to lift. ”Leo?” she said on a whisper.

He stood across the room in front of a small writing desk. He was also fully dressed.

She called his name again.

This time he heard her and turned his head her way. ”I'm sorry. I was hoping you'd keep sleeping. I was just writing you a note.”

She squinted. ”Why?”

”I have to leave immediately for London. My brother Lawrence has landed himself in a bit of a fix and needs my help.”

”Oh,” she said, pus.h.i.+ng her hair away from her face as she tried to shake off her sleepiness. ”Is he all right?”

”Yes. At least I think so. I guess I'll find out for sure once I get there.”

”Where is there?”

”The Giltspur Street Compter.”

”What?” She sat up, the sheets falling to her waist. She s.n.a.t.c.hed them back up to cover her bare b.r.e.a.s.t.s. ”Your brother is in gaol?”

”So it would appear.”

”I shall go with you.”

”No, you stay and sleep some more,” he said, meeting her eyes. ”You must be tired after the night we had.”

A sudden warmth curled inside her at the reminder, but she didn't look away. ”I am a bit weary, but I'll never be able to fall back to sleep now. Besides, how will I get to London if you leave?”

”I shall return to pick you up, of course.”

She gave a small shake of her head. ”Who knows how long you will be occupied with your brother? You could be away for hours. No, I shall come with you now.”

His golden brown eyebrows drew together in thought. ”I suppose I could drop you at your town house first, then go on from there.”

”Lord Lawrence would not thank me for the delay. I shall accompany you to the gaol. You can take me home afterward.”

He scowled. ”Gaol is no place for a lady.”

”I'll wait outside.”

”In Giltspur Street? I think not.”

”No one will accost me, but if you are worried, then I shall accompany you inside. I find myself rather curious to see the inside of a gaol.”

”Don't be. They are miserable places.”

”Then we must stop arguing and hurry to get Lawrence released. Now, hand me my s.h.i.+ft, please.”