The Making of a Marquess by Lynne Connolly

Author:Lynne Connolly [Connolly, Lynne]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Published: 2020-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

The sharp gasp woke Dorothea. She sat up. A man stood in the doorway of her room. Her involuntary squeak as she dived beneath the covers woke her lover.

The male groan next to her shocked her into dropping the sheet she’d pulled up to cover herself. Her thoughts froze.

“Oh, Lord.” He sat up to join her and flipped a hand at the man. “I want discretion, Rougier.”

The tall, thin man bowed. “I will ensure you are not disturbed, sir, madam. I beg your pardon. Considering recent events, I was concerned for my lord’s safety so I came to find him.”

He left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

Dorothea turned on Ben. “Why didn’t you order him not to tell anyone?”

“It would make no difference. If he spoke about this in the servants’ hall, that disobedience would undermine what authority I have in this house. He was probably curious as well as concerned. After all, his employment depends on my being alive. Consider this a test. If he speaks, he’s gone. If he doesn’t, he stays.” He tugged her back down, the light in his eyes kindling. She had completely forgotten that she was naked, but she recalled it now. “The staff here belong to Louis, apart from the ones the guests have brought with them. If Rougier does tell anyone, I’ll dismiss him without a character. I did not have to say that—he will understand.”

“Except Schultz.” The butler had been here long enough to remember Ben.

“Except Schultz, and a few others. This house should hold fifty servants, including gardeners. It did in my father’s day, but there are only twenty now.” He stirred, rubbing against her, and she came to life. Eagerly, she reached up for his kiss, and he gave it.

“Good morning, sweetheart. I’m sorry I didn’t leave when I said I would. I honestly meant to go.”

“But you’re tired.”

“And I wanted to care for you. Yes, I was tired, too. However, here I am and here I’ll stay.”

“What?” She was startled enough to pull back.

“Why hide it? That would be ridiculous now. I don’t want to go around hugger-mugger, ruffling up an unused bed.”

Heat tinged the tips of her ears. “I don’t know...”

“It happens more often than people care to admit, anticipating the wedding.” He pulled her back. “Now sleep, and I swear that this time I’ll get up. I’ll order you tea, toast, and a bath. You’ll ache a little after what we did last night.”

“We shouldn’t have.” What was she thinking? She buried her face against the strong column of his neck, unable to cope with the events of last night and this morning.

“Yes, we should. You were magnificent, sweetheart. We will marry the Monday after the banns have been called. Do you hear me?”

She nodded. “We have to go to church.”

“Yes, we do. And it’s usual to walk.”

Oh Lord, yes it was. He was right, she did feel uncomfortable in the place between her legs.

“Of course,” she said, as if the prospect did not concern her in the least.

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