A Husband for Mary

“Scandal is what it implies, sir, if you don’t mind my opinion?” Brown grumbled as he limped back to his post beneath the stairs. “Best watch out, or you’ll be on your way to the altar.”

Mary grinned after the butler. “I certainly hope so, Brown.”

Ellis stood slowly, pulling Mary close. “What do you mean by that?”

She smiled. “I do like you, Ellis, but I never liked the things Douglas said you’d done.”

“I’m decidedly annoyed with your brother right now. I have also to explain something that is essential and unavoidable.”

“You’re the next Duke of Levinson. I know.”

He winced. “I wanted to tell you myself.”

“I apologize on my brother’s behalf if I was not supposed to know, but really, what was the harm in telling us? You’ve been part of the family for so long. I must admit I was a little thrown by your cousins’ deaths and annoyed by Douglas being so happy about it. It’s hard to know what to say, but I don’t believe you’re eager for the title.”

“No, I am most assuredly not. Douglas has no idea what I really want for my life. All he sees is the income I’ll have in the future, and the estate. A future that is probably very far away, I do hope. My great uncle is in perfect health, and he was always kind if a little distant.”

“You’ll make a generous duke one day,” Mary said, cupping his face. “You can marry any woman you want.”

His heart sank again, and he closed his eyes. “Is that why you are saying yes to me? Because one day you’ll be a duchess?”

“Of course not, silly,” Mary laughed and pulled. She dragged him into his study and closed the door. “I said yes because I do want to be with you in public, but I especially want to be with you in private. Society only accepts that sort of thing if we’re married or going to be.”

She untied the sash on her gown and tied the two door handles together. “That ought to hold for a while, should anyone have followed me,” she mused. “Now where were we?”

He backed toward the chaise, stunned by the wicked glint in her eye. If she was attempting to seduce him, it was working. He was beginning to feel rather excited by what might happen next with her. “Should I call for someone to save me?”

“Why would you want to do that?” She paused, boldly eyeing him, and then glanced down at herself. “Hmm, we have far too many clothes on for what I have in mind.”

She lifted her hands to her bodice, and his breath caught as she commenced to undress, flinging her clothing left and right until all that remained was a thin shift and corset.

Growing hot, he loosened his cravat. “Your reputation will be in tatters if anyone learns you were alone with a known rake.”

His words of caution did not prevent him removing his boots and breeches. He fumbled with the buttons on his waistcoat and shirt as Mary drew near, provocatively swinging her hips a little. She rested her warm little fingers on his chest and caressed his pectoral muscles in the exact same manner she had last night. Proving his identity didn’t have the least impact on her fascination. “For the first time, you might actually be one, or is it me who’s the rake, and you’re the innocent I’m about to seduce?”

“The latter I hope,” he said hoping she meant to do just that.

Mary smiled, shoved him backward onto the chaise, and sank down on his knees. “I’ll need help to get naked.”

He pressed his lips to her shoulder, unable to believe his luck. Mary meant to have him. Right now and forever. “Hmm, I recall we both seemed to enjoy being naked.”

“It was lovely. Dear Ellis, hurry.”

“Yes, Devi.” He made short work on the lacings, and when undone, set his hands on her bare hips. He swept his hands upward, taking the clothing as he caressed her lush body.

Naked now, she swiveled around to face him. “Centurion,” she sighed.

“Lead me astray, into all sorts of rakish wickedness, and let me worship you.” He drew her closer, struggling not to shout out his happiness. “Only you.”

Mary twined her arms about his neck. “Only me,” she agreed.

“I live to serve.” He kissed her lips boldly, stroking his tongue into her warm mouth. She brought his hand to her breast, and he laughed at her happy little moan. “Patience, goddess, you’ll never be denied my devotions now.”

“My hero,” she sighed, quite dreamily, and it was music to his ears.

Ellis eased her to the cushions, and then he settled over her carefully. He grinned down at her flushed face. “This position seems vaguely familiar.”

Mary widened her legs, took him in hand, and drew him up until the head of his cock nestled against her sex. “There, that is where we stopped last night.”