Ecstasy (Notorious 4)

An instant later, he dropped his gaze to survey her attire. The rakish gleam in his dark eyes told her clearly that he recognized the dressing gown she wore, and that he knew she was naked underneath.

Raven flushed and swiftly tucked her bare feet beneath the hem.

His attention turned to Emma. “I have a fencing match in a short while, and I need to dress.”

“Then you will wish me to leave,” the hostess said with a smile as she rose.

When the door shut behind her, Raven found herself unexpectedly tongue-tied. After their passionate encounter last night, she wasn’t certain what to say to him.

Kell, however, seemed perfectly at ease as he went to the bureau and fetched a length of starched linen for a cravat. “What of your plans for the rest of the day?” he asked Raven casually. “I can drop you at home on the way to my match…unless you prefer to remain here?”

The thought of staying here in his bedchamber made butterflies dance in her stomach. “No,” she said at once. She needed a bath but that could wait. “I intend to go home-but I should get dressed…”

She started to rise but Kell stayed her with a wave of his hand. “You have time to finish your breakfast.”

Raven sank back down in her chair, relieved that she wouldn’t have to dress in front of him. She applied herself to her food, but when Kell stood before the glass to tie his cravat, she found herself covertly watching him, fascinated by this routine male task. Then she realized what she was doing and averted her gaze. It was such an intimate act, a wife watching her husband dress…

“You seem to be extremely fond of fencing,” she remarked, anxious to break the private mood.

“I am. Beyond that, physical exertion tends to burn off sexual frustration.” He gave her a wry glance over his shoulder. “I’ve been fencing a good deal of late.”

Raven could feel her cheeks flush with heat.

“I wonder, did O’Malley teach you to fence?” Kell asked when she was silent.

“No, only to shoot.”

“And to cheat at dice.”

The mention of cheating brought to mind her own grievance with him. “I am not the only one to resort to duplicity when it suits me. You were plainly dishonest last night when you led me to believe Emma was your mistress.”

Kell raised an eyebrow. “Am I to blame if you leapt to such an erroneous conclusion?”

“Certainly you are to blame,” Raven retorted. “If not for your deception, I would never have agreed to…to what you proposed.”

His grin was slow and unequivocally rakish. “To satisfy my sexual needs, you mean?”

“Yes…that. I consented only to keep you from lusting after other women when you are supposed to be showering me with the attention due a new bride.”

“I hope you don’t intend to back out of our agreement now.”

“I would have every right! My decision was made under false pretenses.”

Having finished tying his neckcloth, he drew on a simple leather waistcoat. “I don’t see that the circumstances have changed since last evening. Regardless of Miss Walsh’s status, if you want me to show you fidelity, the surest way is to honor your conjugal obligations.” He gave her a penetrating glance as he fastened the buttons. “That’s more than you’ve promised me, vixen. I don’t see you offering to give up your fantasy lover for my sake.”

Raven’s brows drew together. “The situations are not at all similar. Having an imaginary lover cannot be compared to taking a real live mistress-which legally could be considered adultery.”

“Some men might consider it more insulting,” Kell said softly, “being cuckolded by a fantasy.”

“You know very well why I resort to fantasy.”

“I think I do. You’re acting the coward.”

Raven gave him a genuine scowl this time. Biting back a tart retort, however, she managed to say with remarkable calm, “I don’t intend to let you provoke me. And in any event, I won’t be able to see to your…carnal needs for much longer. I will be leaving at the end of next week to join my grandfather for the holidays.”

“I know. Luttrell said as much in his letter.”

“What