Free Be My Lover by Cecily French Page B

the
other men did the same, returning their glasses to the table. Mallory bowed and
exited the room first, closing the door behind him.
    Anthony waited for the click of the latch before asking,
“You’re sure he’s trustworthy?”
    “Absolutely,” Amos assured. “It might take more time than
you’d like, Anthony, but you did just return. If the truth is out there, I’ll
find it. You have my solemn word.”
    Accepting his friend’s offered hand, Anthony said, “I know
you will, Amos. Thank you.”
    “And you be careful, as well,” Amos warned, buttoning his
great coat. “If criminal London is already talking, there’s no telling what the
killer might do.”
    “Let him come,” Anthony said grimly. “I’ll make him wish he were dead.”
    After Amos departed, Anthony poured another measure of
Calvados. Its taste of sweet apples warmed his tongue while Amos’ promise
hammered into his brain.
    If the truth is out there, I’ll find it. You have my
solemn word.
    Anthony put away his glass and returned to his suite. Emily
still slept, a smile on her face. Stripping off his clothing, Anthony climbed
into bed and lay beside her, wrapping his arms around her waist. She murmured
something and settled deeper among the sheets. The essence perfuming her skin
was as comforting as a lover’s sigh and he smiled against her hair. First thing
tomorrow, he would teach her about making love before breakfast.

Chapter Eight
     
    “Why is it so cold?” Emily muttered, reaching for the sheet
and coming up empty-handed.
    “Because I took all the covers off the bed, my dearest
Emily. Along with the blankets.”
    She opened her eyes. Morning light streamed through the
curtains, scattering sunbeams around the carpet. Outside, wheels clattered on
the streets and merchants’ cries announced a new day had arrived.
    And stretched out in front of the fireplace, sheets wrapped
around his lower region, lay a bare-chested Anthony, propped on one elbow, his
lips turned up in a grin of pure wickedness.
    “Good morning.” He crooked a finger at her. “Care to join
me?”
    “I need to clean my mouth first,” Emily said, sitting up and
swinging her legs over the side of the bed.
    He pointed at the dressing screen. “A wash for your teeth,
not to mention your hairbrush, are behind the screen. But hurry.”
    “Are we going to make love on the floor?”
    His smile became gentle. “Another first for you?”
    “Yes.” Emily headed for the screen and stepped behind it.
“Is there any place you haven’t made love?”
    “There are a few,” he admitted cheerfully. “The floor isn’t
so bad provided you’re with the right person.”
    Emily rinsed her mouth with a minty liquid from a glass
bottle and quickly brushed the tangles from her hair before stripping off her
nightgown and stepping around the screen. “I gather I’m the right person?”
    His sharp intake of breath as his gaze swept over her sent a
wave of pleasure rippling across her skin. She shook her head and her curls
bounced around her shoulders.
    “You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t,” he finally said.
“Feeling saucy, are we?”
    “Perhaps just a bit.” She pivoted and spread her arms. “Do
you like what you see, Your Grace?”
    He twitched back the sheet in answer and it was her turn to
gasp. His member quivered stiff and long as if it had a life of its own. “Good
heavens,” she breathed. “Do all men’s cocks do that?”
    “Not having seen many other men’s cocks—except perhaps when
swimming nude and I wasn’t really looking, mind you—I wouldn’t know. But this man’s cock does this when it’s waiting to make love to someone.” He patted
the floor. “Come lie down.”
    She lowered herself beside him and leaned in to kiss him,
running her fingers through the silken hair covering his chest before trailing
them down past his stomach to take his cock in her hand.
    “It’s so warm,” she murmured, dancing her fingers down its
length. “And so