Lockhart broke contact, knowing he had to do something real, something honest, something true. He stared into her eyes, drew on the warm feeling that flooded his chest whenever he thought of her. Cupping her cheeks, he kissed her forehead, kissed the salty taste of tears off her cheeks, kissed her mouth in the tender, affectionate way that resonated deep in the depths of his soul.
“Let me take you home,” he said with a level of devotion reserved only for her. He didn’t mean Falaura Glen or Russell Square. Home was anywhere he could take her in his arms and drift off into a peaceful slumber. “Let me show you how much I adore you, why I will always choose you.”
Claudia nodded.
He ignored Selina when he took hold of Claudia’s hand and made for the door.
He grabbed Valentine’s shoulder as he passed. “Forgive me. Please express my sincere apologies for dragging you all here this evening.”
“You do not have to apologise to your friends.” Valentine clutched Lockhart’s arm, a gesture of brotherly affection. “We’re more than familiar with the situation. If you need anything at all, advice, assistance, anything, you know where to find me. I’m sure I speak for Drake and Greystone, too.”
Lockhart smiled. “Anything?”
“Anything.”
“What if I asked you to look after Claudia’s pet monkey?” he said, unable to resist an opportunity to tease the viscount.
Valentine’s lips twitched in amusement. “For you, my friend, I would of course oblige. But don’t be surprised if you return to find the creature locked in a crate on a ship bound for India.”
Chapter Eighteen
Let me take you home.
Hudson’s words replayed over in Claudia’s mind as she sat huddled next to him in the carriage. Inside, her heart still ached from the shock of seeing Selina’s hand curled around his neck, from seeing the look of desperation swimming in her eyes. The woman was a spiteful wildcat, and yet Claudia couldn’t help but pity her a little.
Let me take you home.
Home was Falaura Glen, a place of love and comfort, a place she had always cherished, and yet her heart no longer resided there. The time spent with Hudson these last few days—days that felt like months—had changed her in some inexplicable way. Falaura Glen would always be missing something—missing the enigmatic man who made her body ache and her soul soar.
The sudden realisation that she must make every second with him count forced her to wrap her arm around his waist and shuffle closer.
Hudson kissed her hair as he held her in an embrace. “I feel nothing for Selina,” he reminded her for the fifth time in as many minutes. “You do know that?”
“I do,” Claudia said with confidence as she inhaled the notes of exotic incense clinging to his clothes. What really worried her was what would happen when this was all over. But worrying wasn’t living. And had she not just decided to treasure every moment? “You haven’t forgotten we’re to visit Dr Hewlett before returning home?”
“No, I’ve not forgotten. It’s almost eight hours since we left him, so he should have some news to impart.”
Claudia prayed the doctor had something positive to say. Selfishly, she couldn’t wait to get Hudson home to Russell Square, to take him by the hand and slip into bed. Of course, she would demand he strip naked, demand he press his hard body on top of her, demand he claim her in the possessive way that brought immense pleasure.
The fire between her legs flamed with each illicit thought. Heat flooded her entire body. It took every effort not to beg him to touch her, to massage her sex, to bring relief to this addiction. She was addicted to the woody tones of his cologne, the taste of his mouth, the warmth of his skin. The rhythmical rocking of the carriage only heightened her desire.
With her mind lost in a sensual haze, she wasn’t sure what happened next.
One minute she was cupping his cheek, making him kiss her in the wicked way that drove her wild. The next, she was gathering her gown to her waist and straddling his muscular thighs.
“I need you inside me, Hudson.” Uncontrollable passion and mindless lust dragged the words from her mouth. She yanked down the blinds. “If only until we reach Berwick Street.”
Looking somewhat bewildered, yet equally excited at the prospect of joining with her, Hudson fiddled with the fall of his evening breeches and positioned himself at her entrance.
“There’s no time to pleasure you as I did in the rotunda,” he growled. “Are you sure you’re ready for me?”
“Oh, I’m more than ready.” Tonight, she was a milk-maid in need of a quick tupping.
The first thrust into her body tore a moan from her lips. He was so large, so hard and hot.
“Christ, Claudia.” He grabbed hold of her hips and showed her how to move. “Ride me, love. Ride the hell out of me. Hold nothing back.”
Driven by an intense hunger unlike anything she had exp