Free Manor of Pleasure: An Erotic Historical Romance by Debra Sheridan

against him.
    "Mission accomplished." Desmond smiled. He grabbed her hands. "Come and sit with me," he said and led her to the nearest settee. Desmond held her hands in his. "I've spent the afternoon thinking about us, about our future." Rebecca tilted her head and looked into his eyes expectantly. He continued, "I've decided. I cannot wait until June to marry you." He searched her face for some sign of agreement. Rebecca's lips broke into a shy smile.
    He looked down at her hands. Her fingers were so soft, elegant and slender. She wore the ring he had given her earlier that day. The gems sparkled and the garnet seemed a darker red against the paleness of her skin.
    "When I am away from you, I long to be with you. And when I am with you, I dread the moment when I have to leave you." He shrugged his shoulders. "I have never felt this way with anyone. I guess I always suspected that it would be like this...with you." He looked at her. "So there it is. Then there is that other matter."
    "Other matter?"
    "Rebecca, I know you do not want to think about it, much less talk about it." He stood up and walked to the window. "I can't help it. Even now that he's gone, he has this power to torment you. It's maddening. I want to wring his bloody neck." He turned and looked at her. "I'm sorry, Rebecca."
    "Don't be." She joined him and linked her arm with his. "I'm quite over it, you know. You've made me stronger. I feel like I can face anything now as long as you're with me."
    Desmond turned to her. "That may be and I'm happy for that. But our marriage will send him a message. You are out of his reach. His threats are meaningless. He can't hurt you any longer." He put his arms around her waist. "So let's do it, Rebecca. Let us be wed as soon as we can."
    "I agree," Rebecca replied with a sure smile. "I think that's a lovely plan."
    "I hoped you would agree." Desmond reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece paper.
    "What is that?" Rebecca asked him.
    "What do you think it is? It is our marriage license." Desmond grinned. He gave it to her and she opened the folds to read it.
    Rebecca brought her hand up to her mouth. There was no doubt of her pleasure. She returned the paper to Desmond. It was one step closer to a reality that she never dared dream of.
    "So when are we to marry?" she prompted. Her smile was radiant.
    "In four weeks?" suggested Desmond. "That will allow for the publication of banns. We can be married on the fourth Sunday." He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it.
    "Four weeks it is then," rejoined Rebecca, smiling still. "Mother will go into shock." She laughed. She placed her hands about his neck, leaning back and pressing her lower torso into his hips. "Can I see you later tonight?" she asked of him demurely. "We can celebrate."
    Desmond looked down at her, smiled and said nothing.
    "Desmond?" she chided.
    He held her gaze and grasped the back of her neck in both of his hands. What power she possessed over him. Did she even realize it? He lowered his head to hers.
    "Would you like me to come to your room after dinner?" he asked her softly. Then he kissed her. His tongue slipped between her lips and ran along the rim of her tongue.
    Rebecca felt faint with desire. She melted her curves against the hard straight lines of his body, her hands on his shoulders.
    Desmond slid his hands down her back, stopping at the side of her hips. He pressed her against him as they kissed. He was already hard.
    She caught her breath. "Yes, Desmond."
    The dinner bell sounded. Desmond touched his forehead to hers. "We'll see."
    He took her hand in his and led her out of the library.
     

CHAPTER TWELVE
     
    When Desmond and Rebecca entered the dining room, everyone was already settled. Desmond sat between Lady Garway and Lady Louisa, while Rebecca placed herself by her grandmother and Mrs. Baines.
    "Thank heaven,” said the elderly Countess light-heartedly, "We were on the verge of sending out a search party." She smiled at