Free Lynne Connolly by Maiden Lane Page B

Duke of Newcastle, had ended. Now different parties were jockeying for position in the Lords and the Commons. Our neighbour in Derbyshire, Lord Hartington and his father, the Duke of Devonshire, bade fair to control the Lords, but Fox and Pitt were still fighting it out in the Commons. Any advantage, in or out of the House was a great victory, and Thompson’s would be a jewel in the crown of either party.
    “Hartington will soon be Devonshire. His father is, I fear, too ill to recover this time.” Richard had me almost naked now, standing before him in shift and stockings. I determined to redress the balance and fingered the buttons on his waistcoat. He smiled and watched me, his hands resting on my waist. “I will investigate the Cytherean Club, but for our own sake rather than anyone else’s.”
    “You will join?” I hated to think of him in that place, although I knew he had indulged in that and similar activities in the past.
    “I will make enquiries. However, I promise—”
    I laid my finger over his lips to prevent him speaking. “You don’t have to promise me anything, because I know.” He wouldn’t betray me or what we shared.
    He kissed my fingers and drew back a little. “Shouldn’t you be resting?”
    I moved closer to him, felt the smooth silk of his waistcoat under my cheek. “Soon.”
    He chuckled. “My love, you’re shameless.”
    “Hardly. And in any case, you like me that way.”
    “I adore you any way.”
    I loved the flame burning deep in his eyes, demonstrating his desire for me.
    Then I decided it was time Richard showed some flesh and pushed his waistcoat off his shoulders. He released me long enough to let it fall. That was my declaration of intent. The neckcloth came next, and he drew the long strip of fine fabric through his hands, watching me closely. I swallowed. I wasn’t sure what he had in mind, but I had some ideas, and if they matched his, gentle lovemaking would be off the cards this afternoon.
    He looked at me from under half-closed lids, his eyes glittering dangerously. “You should be careful, sweetheart. Open Pandora’s box and you never know what you’ll find.” He laid the cloth over the end of the bed, its careful placement a suggestion. It was enough, and he knew it. Under my petticoat and shift, my cleft dampened. I pressed my thighs together to bring some sensation to the bud of passion now blooming and wet, yearning for his touch. He paused in the act of undoing his sleeve buttons, growled low in his throat, an animalistic sound that sent my arousal into presto tempo.
    Richard made short work of his shirt, loosening the ties and buttons and dragging it off over his head. I loved his chest, strong with muscle and sinew, and now I flattened my hands against it, enjoying the warm flesh and his heart throbbing under my palm.
    “This is supposed to be my rest,” I said, my voice coming out huskier than I’d planned. A pathetic attempt at a tease, but all I could manage just now.
    “My lady, I guarantee you’ll rest well. But not just yet.” He gripped my stays and pulled open the first few hooks at the front. My breasts spilled into his hands, and he pushed my shift down to bare them completely before he bent his head to feast.
    His attack made me gasp and my head went back, but I didn’t lose my balance, because he had his arm around my waist, holding me safe. A long, succulent draw of his mouth and then another reduced me to the consistency of jelly. I reached out blindly, finding his shoulders, but he pulled away and his feverish expression told me he was as aroused as I was. He dragged me close, took my mouth in a devouring kiss, plunging his tongue deep to take possession.
    Sometimes I took control of our lovemaking. This would not be one of those times.
    He tore his mouth away and I caught a glimpse of his face, his cheekbones flushed, his eyes bright with desire. He stole another kiss before he spun me around to face the bed. The neckcloth