Page 55 of A Raven Reformed

Slowly, she sat back down in the chair, feeling quite humbled by her realization. She rested her hands in her lap, staring at them for a long moment, feeling two sets of eyes focused on her.

“My apologies to you both. I’m not entirely sure what came over me, but of course I would like Isaac to act as my bodyguard. I can’t think of anyone who would be a better fit.” A strange feeling settled over her. For the first time since she’d married, she felt as if she actually was Lady Dalinridge. It was somehow both alarming and comforting.

Michael slid his open hand across the desk, and she gladly accepted the invitation, placing her own on top of it. He curled his fingers around and gave a gentle squeeze. It was his way of acknowledging her struggle and offering support rather than judgment. She appreciated it more than he could know and squeezed his hand in return. Perhaps it was time to start trusting him with more than just her body, but for some reason, it was so much harder to trust him with her heart.

“Good, that’s settled then. We’ll work our way through the particulars together as we move along. I understand that it will take some stretching, learning, and adjusting from all of us, and I will try to be mindful of that. But from this moment forward, Belle is to be addressed only by her title, and afforded the respect that is due her position.” He waited for Isaac’s nod before continuing. “If you’d like, I will allow you one final hug, to say goodbye to that old life. Perhaps that way when we arrive in London, you can start afresh.”

Isaac stood and opened his arms wide. Belle wrapped hers gently around his middle, not wanting to hurt him again. He embraced her shoulders and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Thank you, my lady.”

* * *

A creature of habit, Michael had easily fallen right back into his old routine, and it was all just as it should be. He still savored the sounds and smells of The Raven’s Den, the excitement and entertainment of overseeing the patrons, the time spent with his closest friends, and to make it all even better, he got to make love to his beautiful wife every day. Sometimes more than once. Everything was perfect.

So why didn’t it feel perfect?

His duty. It grumbled in the back of his mind, pestering him about all the ways he was neglectful. The only part of his duty he was adequately fulfilling was trying to produce an heir.

Unlike Ash, who hated everything about his title and would gladly let his own earldom crumble, if not for the people who relied upon it for their welfare, Michael felt a responsibility to his. Not that he’d done a very good job of seeing to it. Once he’d made it financially secure with the money from Belle’s father, he’d run off and left it to its own devices, just as he was doing now. He trusted his solicitor and his estate manager to keep things running smoothly, but it still wasn’t the same as having the master in residence. He’d witnessed that firsthand with his servants.

He sighed, his breath visible in the chilly evening air as he made his way home from the Den. They’d just concluded their second weekly meeting since returning from Glenwood. Everything was basically the same as it had always been, except that Giles now joined them at the table. Giles had thrown himself into his role as a partner, voraciously learning everything about everything. He’d taken ownership in all the right ways, never needing to be asked to take care of something without stepping on any toes or showing any sense of entitlement.

When he rounded the corner, he could see Isaac on duty. A sentry, standing guard beside his front door. His loyalty and dependability had been unwavering since they’d arrived.

“Good evening, boss.” He bowed to Michael as he approached. Usually, this exchange happened during the wee hours of the morning after closing up the club, but tonight was Michael’s night off.

“Isaac.” Michael gave him a nod and pulled a coin from his pocket. “Get yourself something warm to drink and take the rest of the night off,” he said as he slipped it into the man’s hand.

Isaac’s lips turned up in a grateful smile and he doffed his hat with a nod. “Goodnight, boss.”

Michael found Belle reading beside a crackling fire in her favorite chair in the drawing room. She closed the book and set it on the side table. “I wondered when you’d be back.” She got up from the chair and sauntered over to greet him with a passionate kiss. He would never tire of that.

Her warm hand wrapped around one of his and she led him from the room and up the stairs. “Where are you taking me, my dear?”

“Well,” she said, starting down the hall to their bedroom. “Your hands are cold, so I assume the rest of you needs to be warmed up, as well.”

“It certainly does.” He tugged her hand, pulling her around to face him. As he claimed her mouth, he walked slowly until her back was pressed against the wall. He moved his mouth over hers, devouring its softness, but then her hands were pushing against his chest. Reluctantly, he pulled away from her.

The smile on her face didn’t harbor a look of distress, but she still held her palm against his chest. “What is it, love?”

Her teeth nibbled nervously on her lower lip. “I thought perhaps tonight I could be in charge.”

“Oh, you did, did you?” He wasn’t sure what she had in mind, but he would no doubt enjoy every minute of it.

She nodded, an impish sparkle in her eyes.

“Very well then.” Michael gave her a flourishing bow. “As you wish, my lady.” He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her swaying backside as she led him into their bedroom.

Michael tried to help her to remove his coat and waistcoat, but Belle tutted at him each time he raised his hands, until she finally stopped and glared at him, her hands firmly on her hips. He held up his hands in surrender and allowed her to continue without his help. Slowly she opened his shirt, one agonizing button at a time. A hungry smile graced her lips as she pushed the garment from his shoulders. Belle fused her gaze with his as she flicked the tip of her tongue over his nipple. Michael’s stomach twitched. His teeth clenched as he watched her tongue glide slowly across his chest, her hot breath warming a path along his skin. His gaze was locked on her tongue with such focus, nothing else existed. When the tip was just about to flick his other nipple, she stopped. His chest heaved with an agonized groan.

Belle smiled wickedly before engulfing his nipple with her heavenly mouth. Passion clouded Michael’s brain. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to be lost in the sensations that swirled through his body. But then suddenly, her mouth was gone, and she was tugging at his boot. He opened his eyes to see her loosening the laces. She patted the back of his calf, and he lifted his foot so she could pull the boot off.

Once both of them were removed, Michael held out a hand to assist her to her feet, but she ignored it. She slowly slid her palm over the aching bulge in his trousers and a growl rumbled in his throat. Even through the layers of fabric, her gentle touch was divine ecstasy. Her fingers continued to send bolts of pleasure through his body as they inevitably brushed against him while working to open the buttons of his trousers.

When his manhood was free of the fabric, Belle simply ignored it and pulled the garments down his legs. He didn’t know whether to be disappointed or relieved. Direct contact of her skin might just send him right over the edge.

She pulled his trousers and drawers over his feet, followed by his socks. This was a change. She was normally naked while he was still fully dressed.

“Now it’s your turn, love.” He held out his hand again, and once more, she ignored it. She pressed her soft lips to the skin just above his knee. Every muscle in his body clenched as she kissed a meandering path slowly up his thigh, her hands following along until they gripped his hips. Ragged breaths rushed in and out of his lungs as her mouth moved toward his groin. His hands balled tightly into fists at his sides.

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