The Mystery of Mr Daventry (Scandalous Sons 4)
But for now, he wasn’t interested in what tomorrow would bring. Now, he wanted to make love to his wife.
“I like it when you wear my shirt,” he said, dismissing the call to let sense prevail. He slid his arm around her waist, feeling every soft curve through the fine lawn. He kissed her deeply, his cock hardening as she slipped her warm tongue over his.
“I don’t suppose you know what’s significant about today.” She arched a brow as she pulled away from him. “It doesn’t matter if you don’t remember.”
Damn. Mild panic fluttered in his chest.
He knew he hadn’t forgotten her birthday.
“Think.” Sybil placed her hand on his bare chest, the tips of her fingers gliding over his left nipple, teasing it to peak. “What were we doing this day last year?”
“It’s not our anniversary. That’s in ten days.”
“Not our wedding anniversary, no.”
From the playful glint in her eyes, from the intimate way she touched him, the answer became apparent. “You gave me the first of many precious gifts a year ago today,” he said.
“Indeed.”
“Doe
s that mean you wish to celebrate?” Hell, he did. He reached under the shirt to clasp her bare buttock lest she mistake his intention.
“It’s past midnight. We have to leave for Bideford Park at eight.” The husky tone of her voice said she wanted him.
“If I remember rightly, this time last year we barely slept at all. The next day, we still managed to visit Newberry, the Wycliffs and make love in a carriage on the way home.” And she’d professed her love in the dark confines of his vehicle. Oh, that was another anniversary to celebrate.
“Hmm. We did.” She pursed her lips as she continued massaging his chest. “Would you indulge me? Would you mind if we played a little game?”
“Love, I would walk over hot coals if I thought it would make you happy.”
She giggled, barely able to contain her excitement. “Then put on your shirt.” Unabashed she drew the shirt over her head and gave it to him. “Wait for me in our attic room.”
God, she was beautiful. Her breasts were heavier now, but he had no complaint. “You present me with your naked body and expect me to leave?”
She pushed him towards the door. “If you want to make love to me, Mr Daventry, you will have to pander to my whims.”
Lovelust burned in his veins. He threw on his shirt, padded from the bedchamber and climbed the attic stairs.
On Sybil’s instructions, nothing in the room had changed. Jonah had brought up an ottoman filled with pillows and blankets, and Lucius had placed the books back on the shelves. Everything else remained the same.
He relaxed on the chaise as he had done on that stormy night a year ago. Then, his thoughts had been dark, angry, confused. After the heated kiss in the library, he’d been battling with his conscience. After meeting his mother in the mews, he had not been able to calm the rage.
And then an angel had appeared to soothe him with her celestial body. An angel who brought light to his life, a light that had never dimmed.
He glanced at the door, wondering what kept her.
Tonight brought another anniversary of sorts. A year had passed since he had trusted Damian Wycliff and accepted Dermot Flannery’s assistance. Sybil had convinced him of the need to share the burden of the Order. There were ways to focus on the truth without keeping secrets. And so he had rented an office, hired four ruthless gentlemen to investigate cases where clients lacked the funds to pay. Men whose grievances with the aristocracy gave them a hunger for justice. Dangerous men eager for a challenge.
“Lucius.” Sybil’s voice drew his gaze to the door. She entered the room, looking exactly as she had that night. Indeed, his heart skipped a beat as erotic memories flooded his mind.
“I see this is an accurate representation,” he said, his hungry gaze sliding over the green silk gown, moving to the swell of her breasts and the teasing pearl choker.
“Not quite. The gown is a little tight.”
“I find I’m rather obsessed with your curves.”
“And I thought to focus on the one thing missing from our first passionate encounter.”