Page 98 of The Duke's Forbidden Bride
She stopped short. Behind them, Theodore was chattering to Charlotte and her aunt about how his great-grandfather had gone sailing for a particular kind of exotic rose and brought it back through wind and rain. It sounded like a frivolous but captivating story.
“What is it?” Spencer asked.
“You,” Eleanor answered, frowning. “I just remembered something you once told me. In fact, I believe it was the morning we returned to Everdawn after our wedding. You told me you always sleep well. But that is not the truth.”
Spencer hesitated, glancing at her. “Ah.”
“Ah, indeed. You did not have to tell me the truth, but you did not have to pretend.”
“Are you upset I lied to you?” He sounded defensive.
Eleanor quickly shook her head. “I am trying to remember the moments when you pretended in front of me,” she answered. “I am trying to remember when you started to trust me.”
At that, he looked surprised, as if he had been braced for blame or accusation. “I am very good at wearing masks, depending on the situation. However, with you, the mask is falling away more and more. I feel more myself whenever I am with you.”
The unexpected confession made her heart flutter, and she mustered a smile. “I do not expect full vulnerability. I can ask for it, yes, but I do notexpectit. I do, however, wish to know if something is false about you so I can correct my knowledge.”
Spencer considered for a moment and nodded. “There is something.”
“Go on,” she urged, her nerves rising.
“I once told you that I can speak very good Italian,” he said, after a moment’s pause. “That was a lie. I simply wanted to impress you.”
Eleanor scoffed, shaking her head. “Oh, you are so very typical. I mean deep things! Meaningful things.”
“That is meaningful.” He laughed, and the sound had been so absent lately that it made her heart pound. “What if we attended an event where we conversed with Italians, and you looked to me, only to find me struck as dumb as anything? It would be humiliating. At least now we may both flounder in that situation.”
Eleanor could not help but laugh along, loud enough that Theodore called out to them, “What are you two sniggering at?”
“Italians,” Spencer called back without missing a beat.
Eleanor laughed harder as Theodore waved him away as if used to his humor.
Once again, she took Spencer’s arm, and he tugged her closer, moving his mouth to her cheek. “Forgive my crudeness, but there is a very secluded pathway behind these gardens, and I have it on good authority that there is a very shaded alcove hidden from sight.”
“Oh, truly?” Eleanor hummed, feigning innocence. “Whatever for?”
“Perhaps my wife might let me pleasure her,” he murmured, the request sending heat through her veins. “All these delicate scents make me craveyourscent, your taste. I find myself ravenous. Let me satisfy us both enough until I can take you properly.”
Eleanor glanced back at where the others stood looking at another rose bush and nodded eagerly.
While the others were still distracted, Spencer tugged her off the main path and deeper into the garden. When they were far enough away that the canopies covered them, in that alcove he had mentioned, he dropped to his knees before her.
“He will have my head for this,” Spencer muttered, laughing as he pushed her dress up. “But I find myself not caring a whit.”
And then his mouth was on her, his tongue plunging inside her. Eleanor had to muffle her sounds but couldn’t when she wanted to find purchase on Spencer’s hair to ground herself against the pleasure that weakened her knees. In one swift motion, he yanked off his cravat and held it up to her.
She took it curiously.
“As much as I do not wish to muffle your pretty noises, it is necessary right now.” Mirth danced in his eyes.
He stood up again, long enough to push his cravat between her teeth. It was a strange sensation, the silk coating her tongue, but she gazed up at him, and he held her face.
“Pinch my ear if it is too much,” he told her, kissing her over the fabric.
She nodded as he kissed his way back down her body, his hands skimming over her gown hurriedly. And then he was back inside her, his tongue working delights between her legs.
Her eyes rolled back in ecstasy as she pressed him closer with a tug on his hair. He drew wicked, torturous circles against her core, bringing her closer and closer to a quick release. The silk in her mouth only added to the sensation, still warm from his neck, smelling like him.
