Page 91 of Unseen

“I did say that, and I still intend to. But good things take time.”

My playfulness vanished as quickly as it had arrived. “And what if I cannot? What then?”

Azriel shrugged, clutching my hand. “What then? Do you think I am going to toss you aside because you cannot bear me an heir?”

“Won’t you?”

His jaw ticked, and his eyes darkened. With a sudden rush, he rose to his feet, and I shrieked as Azriel climbed into the tub, fully clothed, water sloshing over the sides.

“What are you doing?” I cried, half laughing, half gasping. “Azriel, you are mad!”

He braced his arms either side of me, caging me beneath him, and gazed down at me. “I have told you before, and I shall say it again - nothing could make me give you up. Nothing, do you hear me? Children, no children, it matters not. You are the woman of my heart, the only thing I desire. Do you understand?”

I nodded, my hands curled under my chin. “Yes.”

“Good.” He removed one hand to reach down into the water, and I wondered for a moment what he was doing, when I suddenly felt his length pressing against my thigh.

I stared up at him with wide eyes. “What are you doing?”

“Reminding my wife who this pretty cunt belongs to.” He thrust into me, hard, and I gasped, clenching my eyes shut, my hands flying to his shoulders as he ground himself into me.

The water raged around us as he kept his rhythm, his mouth pressed to my jaw, kissing and licking my skin.

“Are you going to come for me, Evie?” He panted, groaning as I wrapped my legs around his hips. “Are you going to be my good little whore?”

“Yes,” I moaned, my head tipping back into the water. “My god, yes. Please.”

A frantic banging on the door had us both stopping, looking at each other first with halted lust, then confusion.

“What?” Azriel barked over his shoulder.

“Pardon me, sir, but your aunt… I mean, madam’s aunt… I mean, Lady Brimworth is here.”

“What in heaven’s name?” I pushed my hair from my face, shaking my head. “What is she doing here?”

Azriel growled out a breath between his gritted teeth. “We shall be along shortly!” He called, before smiling down at me. “We shall have to resume this later, beloved.” He rose out of the bath, sopping wet and dripping water all over the floor.

“What could she possibly be here for?” I asked as I climbed out of tub and wrapped a white robe around me. “Showing up unannounced in this manner?” My hand flew to my mouth. “Oh god, Azriel, perhaps my father-”

“Do not worry yourself, beloved.” He curled his hands around my shoulders and dropped a kiss on my forehead. “I am sure the mean old bat is merely here to land more of her empty threats. Nothing more. Wait for me, would you? We shall go down together.”

He left the bathroom amid squelching and squishing as his clothes dripped water all over the floor, and somewhere,Mary once again shrieked loudly. The poor girl was certainly not having it easy with us.

But I had no time to dwell on my humiliation at Mary overhearing our interlude in the tub, as the girl came rushing in to help me ready myself for my aunt’s visit. Mary fussed as she helped me into a burnished orange dress, and set about tidying my hair at least passably, fastening it with a gold and mother-of-pearl comb.

“There, that will have to do, we cannot keep her ladyship waiting,” Mary said, her eyes wide and her tone almost reverent.

A short while later, Azriel reappeared at my door, looking dapper in a suit that was certainly not soaked with water and lavender oil, a blue cravat at his neck that made his eyes even more startling. “You look stunning, beloved,” he said as he offered me his arm, completely cool and collected, not at all concerned about what this visit from my aunt could mean.

I, on the other hand, was a bundle of nerves.

Aunt Adelaide was sitting by the window in the drawing room, and regarded us both with pursed lips as we passed through the door.

“Aunt, how wonderful to see you,” I said as she rose to her feet. “We were not expecting you.”

“I thought it best not to announce my arrival.” Adelaide looked Azriel up and down, wrinkling her nose.

“Sometimes surprise is the best form of attack,” Azriel said with a charming smile, taking my aunt’s hand and bowing his head to it. “It is wonderful to see you, in any case. Beloved?” He gestured to another chair, waiting for me to take my place before sitting down beside me. “And how may we be of assistance to you today, Aunt?”

---