by Stacy Reid
“It took me a while to recover," the wry reply. "I am truly sorry. I thought...I thought I was helping, but I should not have interfered. Will I see you at tomorrow's dinner?"
"I'll be taking my wife to Derbyshire this weekend. I never gave her a honeymoon." How silly of him. "I believe we'll be doing a spot of traveling. Paris and Vienna, I think."
There was a long pause. “Don’t hide any side of yourself from her,” Percy said. “For so long you thought you were foolish to want a lady so far above us...you in everything. But I can see that she loves you, and you are just as captivated by her. I will apologize to Fanny most sincerely when I next see her and let her know I never meant it and that I only wanted to prod you both to act. I will see myself out."
Sebastian made no reply, and the soft footfall of his friend retreated. He poured another brandy in his glass and sat down upon a comfortable chair that had been set at the side of the room. He sipped his brandy, rolling the liquor around in his mouth to fully appreciate its quality. He had a lot to think about. Fanny had never told him she loved him. I love everything about you was not what he wanted from her. He wanted so much more. He smiled, recalling how she had silenced his declaration with passionate kisses. She hadn’t been ready to hear those words, and he found he wanted to hear them from her, quite desperately.
A rueful smile curved his lips, he was never the desperate sort. But in this too he would be patient. A knock sounded, and he turned around.
“Enter.”
His wife’s lady main bobbed a quick curtsy. “Lady Shaw has asked for you to attend her my lord?”
“Thank you, Mary,” he said finishing his brandy, before setting it down with a decisive clink atop his desk. He made from the library, down the hallway, and up the stairs. He knocked on her door once, open it, strolled inside, and faltered. His wife was not in her chamber. He glanced at the connecting door.
Then the soft smell of lavender floated on the air, and he knew his wife was behind him. He turned, and just like that he’d forgotten how to breathe. There his wife stood, evidently fresh from a bath, dressed in a flimsy dark blue silk banyan which clung alluringly to her damp curves, her glorious mane of blonde hair tumbling to her hips in wild disarray. She was a beguiling clash of innocence and provocative temptation.
Heat pulsated along his cock. “Fanny, I thought we were going for a ride,” he suggested hoarsely, for if he gave in to her at this point, he would surely send her running back to her Mayfair family home.
She took a deep, steady breath, then reached behind her, and twisted the key in the door, shutting them in, the key went into the pocket of her banyan. His heart roared because she was committed to her evident intention, and he had to rein in the dark lust that rushed through him. He sat on the edge of her bed, splayed his legs outward, silently willing her to come to him. Though he wanted to grab her into his arms and kiss her senseless for being so brave and loving, he remained seated. All of this had to be her decision, and if she changed her mind, he would understand. He’d always thought it impractical how sheltered ladies of the ton were kept about intimate relations, but now he understood how significant a step this was for her. Her trust and love for him humbled Sebastian, and he knew then with every part of him that she loved him as much as he adored her.
A smile lifted her lips and then she sauntered toward him, such innate sensuality in her movements his breath hitched, and blood rushed to his groin. She stepped between his splayed legs and met his gaze. Her eyes raged with such emotions, anxiety, embarrassment, and love. He gripped the edges of the mattress to prevent himself from reaching for her.
She leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I am falling in love with you, Sebastian. Please, let me rephrase. I am hopelessly in love with you.”
All his warnings to himself telling him to move slowly with his wife burned away like ashes in the wind at her earnest declaration. Desire swept through him.
Her lips curved. “I love—”
He kissed her, hotly and with a will he hadn't known he possessed gentled his mouth. "You must know that you own my heart. I love you, Fanny, desperately."
Her tongue darted out to moisten her rose-tinted lips. “You will have to help me, husband, I am in unchartered territory,” she teased, her breath fluttering against his lips.
He released his death grip on the edge of the desk and trailed his fingers along the line of her neck to the hollow of her shoulder. “It is daytime,” he said softly.
Amusement lit in her eyes. “I know.”
“I will devastate your sensibilities, my sweet. We can go slower. Light candles tonight and remove your gown. Then we will take it from here.”
There was a breathless pause. Their gaze collided, and his gut tightened. His cock hardened on a surge of need so painful his hands trembled against her cheek.
“Devastate me.”
Sebastian watched her with an unreadable intensity that sucked all the air from her lungs. An almost cruel sensuality harshened his features and nerves fluttered in her stomach, taunting her earlier confidence that had seen her determined to shock his senses by seducing him. She wanted her husband to know that she could be as bold and adventurous as him, and the excitement that had burned through her veins had prompted her to act.
The very idea of being so wicked and daring, had a familiar ache settling low in her stomach. She also felt ridiculously vulnerable. Holding his gaze and willing herself not to blush, she stepped back a few paces, and shrugged the silken robe off her body, standing naked before Sebastian.
A sharp intake of breath pierced the air.
“Sebastian?”
He remained silent, his eyes devouring every dip and hollow of her body. “You are perfect,” he said reverently.
Her cheeks suffused with heat. “Take me, my love.” Fanny leaned into him and gently into his bottom lip she said. “I am not afraid of your passions, nor am I delicate. I am your lover, your wife, your friend. Love me until I scream your name,” she whispered shyly.
With a groan, he slanted his mouth over hers fiercely as if the tether on his control had snapped. Their tongues tangled wildly, and a long, low moan broke from her lips.
“I want to lick you,” he whispered against her lips, a dark flush accentuating the sensuality of his face.
She trembled as agonizing need coiled in her belly. “Then lick me,” she purred, her heart beating so fast she felt faint. Fanny gasped when he lifted her into his arms and within a few strides lowered her onto the wingback chair, and with very deliberate actions splayed her legs wide, and then urged her to recline into the cushions forcing her to rise onto the tips of her toes with each foot to keep her legs wide. The position was very provocative, and her entire body flushed at the raw hunger which leaped into his eyes as he slowly perused the carnal way in which she sat in the chair.
She cleared her throat delicately and gripped each side of the padded armchair, ensuring she kept her legs widened. “Sebastian...I am in a chair, and the bed is over there.”
“This is where I want you.”
Fanny waited, her heart a pounding mess, anticipation skittering against her nerves as he shrugged from his shirt and trousers, dropping them carelessly onto the floor. Her eyes widened, and she stared at the masculine beauty of him. “Oh Sebastian, you are so beautiful.”
Her breath hitched when he sank to his knees in front of her.
“You are a goddess who deserves worshiping, you are so beautiful and sensually formed Fanny,” he murmured, his eyes devouring her. “You are blushing all over.”
She wetted her lips. “We are being very decadent.”
Her husband leaned forward, and she dipped slightly, so their mouths melded together in the softest kiss he had ever given her. It asked for trust, and it also reassured, and with a sigh, she surrendered her inhibitions. He released her mouth to press kisses against her shoulder, her chin, down to the sensitive hollow of her throat, and even further down. He flicked his tongue over a hardene
d nipple, before rolling it gently and sucking. The pleasure was so sharp she wailed before slapping a hand over her lips.
He released her aching nipple to peer up at her. “I want to hear every cry, Fanny. Hold back nothing.”
She breathed roughly, her breasts rising and falling with her quick breathing.
One of his hands gripped the armchair right where she held on and the other...dear God. He glided his fingertips as he stroked over her aching sex. She was already shamelessly wet for him, and he groaned his pleasure. He shifted, lowered his mouth to her sex and licked. A wild cry tore from Fanny, and she gripped the armchair even tighter.
“I’ve dreamed of this,” he whispered against her sensitive flesh.
His tongue teased her over and over, until something hot and powerful coiled low in her stomach. Fanny burned, sweat trickled down her breast, and she lifted her hips helplessly against his wicked mouth as he tugged her nub between his teeth and lashed it with his tongue. All her modesty vanished, and a wild delight overwhelmed her senses.
“Sebastian!” Her entire body convulsed as she splintered apart, pleasure cresting through her in waves.
He stood and swept her into his arms. They stumbled toward the bed, and he laid her down as if she were precious. She smiled, understanding just how much he cherished her. Holding her gaze, he spread her legs wide with his, fisted the length of his manhood, and breached her opening. Her body was wet, soft, and yielding and she welcomed him as he thrust deep inside of her. The impact of his penetration jarred her, and the edge of pain rode the pleasure that tore through her body.
Her hands stroked over his shoulders, his hair, the powerful muscles of his back as he loved her with deep, rough, and wonderful strokes. He whispered carnal encouragement, promising her all the different ways she would be worked onto his cock, and that she would love every moment of it. She believed him, for bliss was tearing her apart.
She took a deep, steady breath, which released on a long wail of exquisite pleasure as he rode her long and hard. Her fingers gripped blankets beneath her, her head twisting against the pillow. He lifted her legs higher across his back, causing him to sink deeper into her aching sex. Pleasure grew inside Fanny until it expanded and burst forth in white-hot bliss, cascading delight through her body. With a deep groan, he tightened his hands and emptied his release inside her still-shivering body. He gently pulled from her and wrapped her securely in his arms. They stayed like that, their breathing heavy, then laughter spilled from her.
“That was amazing, not that our times together haven’t been wonderful,” she said, still laughing, “I never knew. I feel I should write a book and send it to all the ladies of society. I suppose only mistresses know?” she asked softly.
“Those lords are idiots.”
She grinned. “Yes, they are. I really must write that book.”
"Then you will need all my knowledge," he said huskily, shifting, so she splayed atop his chest, dragging her up for another kiss.
And with shock and delight, Fanny realized he was starting the madness all over again.
Epilogue
Two years later...
Selbourne Manor, Derbyshire
Fanny laughed in delight as her nine-month-old son, the honorable Nathan Rutledge, gripped onto his father’s finger and took another wobbly step, then another. Nathan was such an adorable cherub with wayward dark brown curls that she loved playing with. She was so proud of him. Fanny pushed up to her knees on the thick blanket on which they picnicked, a hand pressed to her chest, silently cheering him on. Pride burst into her heart when he released his father's finger and took several steps unassisted. Sebastian cheered, which startled their son who paused, then dropped down onto his backside. His angelic face scrunched into a frown, but when he perceived his parents were pleased, he bestowed upon them a toothy smile.
“How outrageous,” her mother whispered, glaring at the scandal sheet as she read. "People are buying this...this...book!"
Fanny pinkened as Sebastian looked up at her and winked.
The dowager countess huffed, narrowing her eyes. “A lady’s guide to love, happiness, and pleasure? I will certainly not be reading this bit of depravity.” She slapped the papers onto the grass her eyes filled with outrage. If it were ever revealed her daughter was the author of the scandalous book that was taking society by storm she would expire from apoplexy.
“I believe I shall take a walk with my precious grandson by the lake.”
“Yes, madam,” Sebastian said laughing, handing over their son.
The second he was in her mother’s hand, her querulous expression vanished, and a look of pure loved suffused her face. She walked away, telling him stories of a grandfather he would never meet, but would one day respect.
Fanny tipped her head to the sun valiantly peeking from behind the clouds.
“A shilling for your thoughts,” Sebastian murmured, tugging her scandalously to rest against his chest so they both stared into the clouds.
“Only a shilling?”
“Greedy wench. A pound then.” Then he kissed her, uncaring that her mother might see, or Darcy and Colin who strolled with their daughter in the distance.
"I'm so blissfully happy, Sebastian, I cannot believe how blessed we've been," she said with a happy sigh resting her hand on her stomach lovingly.
Her husband seemed to understand the gesture, for he stiffened, and rested a trembling hand atop hers.
“You are already with child again?”
Joy burst inside her. “Yes. Isn’t it wonderful?”
They shifted onto the blanket, so they faced each other. Powerful emotions darkened his eyes. “I love you, Fanny. Each day you complete me.”
“And I love you,” she murmured, kissing him, and silently thanking God for her beautiful family.
The End
Thank you for grabbing a copy of The Viscount and I! I hope you enjoyed it and will consider leaving an honest review on Amazon.
The Marquess and I
Lady Willow Arlington, hauntingly lovely, is also blind and known by the ton as the dowry-less daughter.
Alasdair Morley, the Marquess of Westcliffe, is in need of an heiress, and Lady Willow should be the last person he craved because she had been persuaded to reject his offer of marriage when he was a mere third son.
Passion reignites between them, and he makes an enticing offer she cannot resist, drawing them into a dance of lust and love despite the misgivings in his heart.
The Duke and I
Far be it for a lady to desire, hatch, and execute a daring seduction of a notorious duke at a masquerade ball. But Miss Emmaline Fitzgerald, a wallflower with no decent prospects, was on such a path, and her quarry was her brother’s best friend, Elliot Winthrop, the Duke of Ashbrook.
One moment of sin, stolen pleasure and irresistible passion, that was all it was supposed to be….
Little did Penelope realized everything about her was imprinted in Elliot’s heart and mind, and her scandalous ruse was about to change and challenge everything she thought she knew about herself and the devilish duke.
Also by Stacy Reid
Forever Yours series
The Marquess and I
The Duke and I
The Viscount and I
The Kincaids
Taming Elijah
Tempting Bethany
Rebellious Desires series
Duchess by Day, Mistress by Night
The Earl in my Bed
Wedded by Scandal Series
Accidentally Compromising the Duke
Wicked in His Arms
Kidnapping the Marquess
Scandalous House of Calydon Series
The Duke’s Shotgun Wedding
The Irresistible Miss Peppiwell
Sins of a Duke
The Royal Conquest
The Amagarians
Eternal Darkness
Eternal Flames
Eternal Damnation
Steamy Reads
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