What a Vulgar Viscount Needs (Romancing the Rake 5)

With one quick thrust, he broke her maidenhead. She tensed, crying out underneath him and he stilled, allowing her to adjust. Instead, he kissed her face, her neck, the spot behind her ear, until she relaxed underneath him. Then, he began to move.

He felt the moment she relaxed, the pain having receded. And then, blessedly, her hips began to meet his, her limbs tensing again. Not with pain, but with pleasure as her legs tightened about his hips.

He was barreling toward the finish but, with sheer force of will, he held off until he felt her spasm around him, her channel gripping his manhood as she cried his name again. Then, he let go.

“Cordelia,” he groaned, his seed spilling as he came apart in her arms. Collapsing on top of her, he gathered her close, their hearts beating together.

She was his forever.

Chapter Sixteen

In the first rays of the morning light, Ash walked Cordelia to the kitchen door. She didn’t even bother going to bed. Instead, she made her way to the music room, and sat in front of her pianoforte.

She’d hardly played for the past few days, but now, music itched through her fingers. Plunking at the keys, each bar flew from her hands and she pulled out empty sheets, grabbing a quill to write the piece.

She lost track of time, the sun rising high in the sky as she worked.

“Have you eaten?” Ophelia asked, as she gently set a plate of food next to Cordelia.

Cordelia rubbed her eyes. “Oh. I didn’t see you come in. What time is it?”

“Nearly eleven,” her sister answered. “You’ve been at it for hours. Inspired?”

“Yes.”

Ophelia sat on the bench next to Cordelia, handing her sister a piece of toast. “Eat.” When Cordelia had taken a bite, Ophelia leaned back. “Does this have anything to do with Lord Dashlane talking to father in his office?”

She started. “He’s talking with father? Now?”

Ophelia raised a brow. “Take another bite and answer my question first.”

“Yes. It has everything to do with him.” Heat climbed up her cheeks. She didn’t tell her sister what they’d done but she could tell her about his proposal. “He’s asked me to marry him and I’ve accepted.”

Ophelia clapped. “And you’re playing? What does he think of you pursuing a career as a composer?”

Cordelia looked down at the keys. “He supports it. He knows I will not just be his wife.”

Ophelia drew in a gasp. “Oh, that is wonderful.” Then she threw her arms about Cordelia.

She returned her sister’s hug. “If I eat the rest of this toast, can I get back to work? This piece. It’s crying to come out.”

Ophelia nodded but made no move to get up.

Cordelia raised a brow as she took another bite. “You’re not leaving?”

Ophelia slowly shook her head back and forth. “Not until the toast is gone. And—” She wagged a finger. “I’m going to have to warn Lord Dashlane about your propensity to forget to eat and sleep when you’re invested in a project.”

Cordelia smiled at that and dutifully finished her toast and then turned back to her instrument. Ophelia cleared her throat. “A sip of tea too.”

With a soft sigh she did as her sister commanded, knowing it was the quickest way to return to work.

The day passed with her family coming in and out, feeding her, making her take short breaks.

By nightfall, she’d gotten the bones of the piece on the paper and her fingers relaxed. Her composition wasn’t done but it was getting there.

She heard someone enter the music room and she wrinkled her nose, knowing that either Bianca, Adrianna, or Ophelia was going to make her eat.

“I know. It’s dinner time,” she called over her shoulder, writing down the series of notes that would be the crescendo.