Page 51 of The Viscount's Code
Her breath caught at the sight of him, but this time she had prior knowledge – that he was able to fit. More than fit. He was the perfect size to allow her to feel everything she longed for once more.
His head dipped, and his tongue began to swirl against her, causing her to buck up off the bed, tears forming in her eyes as, even while she loved this more than she could properly explain, she was already sad at the thought that this might be her last opportunity to be with him like this again.
She pulled him up and he paused at her entrance, staring at her with a whispered, “are you all right?” as he must have seen her tears. She nodded, urging him forward, and he slowly slid into her with a groan.
His movements this time began as slow and unhurried as his kisses had, as though he was also aware that he must savor this. Before long, however, as their desire for one another grew in a crescendo, neither of them could hold back, and when Hope closed her eyes and allowed the rainbow of light and warmth to wash over her, he stilled before pulling out and spending on the sheet next to them.
This time, after he tenderly cleaned her up and tugged her into his arms, Hope could not turn off the thoughts that flooded her. The thoughts that pictured the two of them together like this, every night and every morning.
Thoughts that she would will away later.
But for now, she would simply enjoy.
CHAPTER20
Anthony had never been the most obedient of children. He had preferred to do as he pleased, even if it meant going against the rules that had been set before him. He had never been particularly worried about the consequences nor the disappointment he might meet.
But now, as he sat in the hard, scarred, straight-back chair in the inn’s dining room watching Lady Faith Newfield walk through the front door, he felt as though he was a guilty child waiting for his nursemaid to mete out punishment.
Lady Faith’s face was pinched in anger – and perhaps some worry – as her eyes set on him and Hope, who sat across from him with her hands folded in her lap.
“Why do you look so guilty?” Hope asked him in a loud whisper, to which his eyes flicked over toward her.
“Because Iamguilty.”
“Well, don’t let her know that!”
Anthony hastily stood when Lady Faith reached their table, his chair falling over behind him at his urgency. She crossed her arms over her chest and stared him down, causing him to swallow hard.
“What do you have to say for yourself?” she asked before issuing a greeting as she crossed her arms, and Anthony stuttered as he searched for a reply.
“Pardon me?”
“Faith,” Hope interjected, stepping forward between them, “Anthony did nothing wrong. This was all my doing, as I explained to you in the letter.”
“Anthony?” Faith repeated, turning to her sister with wide eyes. “Is that not rather familiar?”
“Faith,” Hope said firmly. “This was my decision. And, as it happens, it was a good one. For we were able to solve the clue. That will be the best wedding gift for Cassandra, will it not?” She fixed a smile to her face that Anthony knew he would never be able to deny, but apparently Faith was impervious to it.
“You are compromised now. You do know that,” she stated, staring her sister down, but Hope kept that smile fixed to her face.
“I do not have to be,” she said calmly. “You are the only one who knows of my deception. If you say nothing, all will be well.”
“What about Percy and her family? They might say something to Mother.”
“Did you tell Percy of the situation?”
“Yes.”
“Will she keep the secret?”
“Of course.”
“I thought her mother was out visiting her own mother,” Hope said with a smile that would have been devious on any other but was still rather sweet on her.
“She was…”
“Then all will be well,” Hope said brightly, although Faith did not appear convinced.
