Page 25 of An Affair with a Notorious Heiress
But even as the words served as a sinful siren, she knew not any gent would do. Only Rexton. The gloriously beguiling man whose mere presence kept her warm and on edge.
She’d been on this earth a mere quarter of a century and she was living as though her life were over, secluded away as though she could infect people with some strange disease. As uncomfortable as it had been going to the theater, she’d still felt a measure of triumph. She’d survived. She wanted to attend more plays and have more interaction with people. It wasn’t a possibility here in London, but once Gina was situated, she could return to New York. She’d never planned to stay here. The memories were too unpleasant, the people equally so. But she’d promised her father she would see to Gina’s happiness. Had vowed to her mother she would do all in her power to see Gina married a titled gentleman.
She wanted to help Gina find the right man to wed. She wanted nothing more than she wanted her sister’s happiness. Rexton didn’t suit. She knew that deep within her heart, but what could she point out as an example of his unfitness? His dazzling blue eyes? How when they twinkled with mirth they made her want to laugh when she couldn’t remember the last time any man had caused her to feel anything beyond unhappiness?
His broad shoulders that called to a woman to snuggle against them? His sturdy arms that provided support? His smile that came so easily as though he was skilled at warding off troubles?
That he noticed things like cuts, even when they weren’t directed his way? That he had served as her champion when he could have left her to languish in humiliation as Downie had done? Although she did have to give Downie credit for not making his humiliation of her public. But it had flourished in the private corners of their lives.
She couldn’t imagine Rexton treating his wife with anything other than respect. Even knowing her past, he’d never thrown it into her face. He treated her with deference as though it were her due. Even when he said naughty things he shouldn’t, she couldn’t seem to think of him in a bad light. If anything, she was the one in need of chastisement because she couldn’t seem to escape the image of him posing nude.
Which was the very reason she needed a man. Tonight. This very moment.
While she had no basis for her certainty, she did not doubt he would be an exceptional lover. If he could send desire dancing through her veins without even touching her, what the devil would it feel like to be caressed and stroked by his large sure hands? What sensations would be stirred to life if his mouth traveled along her throat? If he suckled on her breast, a breast that ached for a touch as it never had before?
Her nipples were hard, her breasts heavy with want, with need. And it was Rexton’s fault, damn him. She couldn’t stop thinking about him, couldn’t stop envisioning the pleasure it would bring her to take his full lower lip between her teeth and draw it into her mouth, to release it and dart her tongue between his parted lips. To hear his groan, to feel the rumble of his chest.
Even as she cursed him, she cupped her breasts, flicked her thumbs over the taut pearls that ached for something she couldn’t deliver. It was wrong, so wrong to have these thoughts, to be encouraging these sensations, to be touching herself in a sensual manner, imagining his hands, his tongue, his mouth bringing her pleasure in a myriad of ways.
It was wrong, so wrong, to slowly gather up her nightgown until it was pooled at her hips and she could feel the cool air gliding over skin she never exposed. She rested her hands on the inside of her silken thighs, the tips of her fingers creating tiny circles. She’d never done this before, never teased herself. Even now she didn’t feel as though she was the one doing the teasing. It was him. The Marquess of Rexton.
He was the one calling to the wanton in her, the one setting her on edge, the one tempting her, demanding she reach for release. Slowly, hesitantly, she parted the folds, surprised by the heat, the dampness, the sensitivity that greeted her. She’d never been so bold but neither had she ever been quivering with such need for release.
Closing her eyes, she saw him standing before her, his shirt gone. Although she’d never before seen his bared chest, she could envision quite vividly how Rexton might appear. Gloriously. Everything firm. Everything taut.
Slowly, she stroked, pressed, circled around the sensitive area. She imagined him going down to his knees—
The rapture came swift and hard, her screech an unexpected sound she’d never before made. Quickly she lowered her nightgown, having a ferocious need to hide the evidence that anything untoward had occurred within her bedchamber, within this chair.
Good Lord. Obviously she couldn’t serve as an objective observer when the man caused such exciting stirrings within her.
Her chaperoning days were definitely behind her.
Chapter 5
Everyone had expected Rexton to attend the Lovington ball. But his appearance at the Ashebury affair caused a few startled glances to be cast his way, a few mothers to smile with glee, and a few additional ladies to be introduced to him. He used the occasion to mention offhandedly to the mamas that he found Miss Hammersley to be charming. With any luck those with unmarried sons would nudge their offspring toward her in an effort to thwart Rexton’s perceived plans to court her. He’d seen it happen before. The matrons of thetoncould teach a general or two about strategy when it came to dividing and conquering. If he were truly courting a lady, he’d be a bit more discreet, concerned with protecting her reputation, but he was in a hurry to see his part of the bargain completed.
Not that he didn’t enjoy Gina’s company. But he was having a devil of a time stopping her sister from haunting his thoughts. His body had never suffered through such unfulfilled need, yet he could work up no enthusiasm for any other woman. He enjoyed sparring with her, teasing her with inappropriate suggestions. He liked the way she stood up to him, called him out on his improper behavior. And here he was, thinking of her again when his focus should be on Gina. He hadn’t rushed up to her immediately, but once the mothers had veered away, he’d retreated to the shadows, striving to get a sense of who was and wasn’t here, who would make a good catch for Gina. Knowing Lady Landsdowne’s exacting standards, not just anyone would do. He needed someone with a title, a modicum of wealth, and a sterling reputation. Someone capable of falling in love. He did like Gina enough to care that she was happy.
“What are you up to, Rex?”
Turning on his heel, he gave a sardonic twist of his lips to the former Miss Minerva Dodger, who had broken a good many hearts when she’d fallen for the Duke of Ashebury, and effectively taken her immense dowry off the marriage market. Because he considered her more family than friend, had spent a great deal of time in her company since her father and his mother had been pals on the streets, he was aware she knew him better than most and was terribly skilled at judging men. It was one of the reasons fortune hunters had failed miserably when courting her. “I have no idea to what you’re referring.”
“Liar.” Her directness was one of the reasons bachelors had been more interested in her money than her. As much as he liked her, even he often found that particular aspect to her character irritating. “You’ve never before attended one of my balls.”
“Yet you continue to send me invitations so I thought it high time I did.” And he’d known Gina would be in attendance because Garrett Hammersley had sent Rexton a note alerting him that he’d be escorting his niece to the affair.
Narrowing her eyes, Minerva gave her head a subtle shake. “No, something is going on. I’ve heard rumors that you’ve been seen escorting Miss Hammersley about.”
He raised his brows in innocence. “Is she in attendance tonight?”
“You know damned well she is.”
“Then I’ll give you more fodder for gossip, as I’m going to dance with her. Feel free to confirm that she—and not your much talked about affair—is the reason I’m here.”
She gave him a scorching once-over. “Why?”
“I beg your pardon?”
