Free Darker Than Love by Kristina Lloyd

insistently, just above the swell of her pubis. A dart of pleasure pierced her and an aching sweetness pulsed low in her body. Tremulous moans echoed in her throat and then, to her shame, she realised she was rocking her pelvis, grinding herself against his swollen lust.
    Struggling to quell her passions, she pulled away from him, breathless and wanting. Her deep-blue eyes, full of needy frustration, looked into his.
    ‘No more,’ she pleaded in a whisper that shook, ‘I beg of you.’
    Gabriel stroked her face, his expression one of bemused confusion. ‘A few moments ago,’ he said, smiling faintly, ‘I was with a woman I assumed to be an innocent. Such a kiss tells me otherwise.’
    The night was warm but Clarissa’s skin prickled as if it were winter. ‘No,’ she protested. ‘Your assumption was quite true. Please, ask no more of me.’
    Gabriel’s playfully arched brows suggested he’d heard such coquettish games before. ‘Then why, innocent, do your lips speak so fiercely of lust and hunger?’ He lowered his head and pressed tender kisses to her neck. ‘And, even more difficult to explain,’ he continued, his tone mischievously challenging, ‘why do you associate with one such as Lucy Singleton? She’s hardly famed for the respecta –’
    He halted, took a step back, and stared at Clarissa. The amusement drained from his eyes and his jaw sagged with the shock of realisation.
    ‘Christ, no,’ he breathed, drawing out the words. ‘You’re not … You’re Lucy’s cousin, aren’t you?’
    Clarissa nodded, confused and fearful.
    Gabriel, his fists clenched, his eyes closed, raised his head skyward.
    ‘Dear God,’ he murmured. ‘Dear God, why?’
    In the ballroom, Lucy stood with a small, chattering group.
    ‘And do you know,’ gushed Lady Neville, fanning herself rapidly, ‘the wretched woman was actually received at court?’
    ‘And she was carrying Bertie’s child?’ exclaimed Augusta Pritchard, jubilant with horror. ‘Oh, the temerity of it.’
    ‘Quite shameful,’ added Lucy, feigning interest.
    She was vexed that Julian had not shown a spark of jealousy when Gabriel, handsome and brusque, hadappeared. But then, she reasoned, he’d little cause to. It was perfectly apparent that Gabriel’s interest was in her cousin alone. While that was all perfectly delightful, and Lucy had hoped for nothing less, it left her with but one lover, one married lover. Another beau was needed, someone whose attentions would make Julian more appreciative of her desirability.
    She scanned the milling crowds, half-heartedly searching for someone suitable, and caught sight of Octavia Hamilton, tall and auburn-haired, gliding towards her. Her brows were knit in a worried frown.
    ‘Lucy darling,’ she boomed, snapping on a smile as she edged her way into the group. ‘Do let me introduce you to Lady Tranter.’ Taking hold of Lucy’s elbow, she steered her away from the gossip, the smile dropping from her face. She glanced over her shoulder. ‘I think your charming cousin may have a slight problem,’ she said in a low voice.
    ‘Whatever is the matter?’ demanded Lucy, a little irritably. She could only think that Clarissa had done something foolish. Perhaps she’d swooned over Gabriel’s intensity, or cried out for help when his hands had grown too hungry.
    ‘Quite unexpected, I assure you,’ said Octavia, pressing her splayed fingers above the swell of her bosom. ‘But it’s Lord Marldon. I’m afraid he’s just arrived.’

Chapter Four
    LORD ALEXANDER MARLDON was known more by his reputation than his face. Yet people, some cross, some curious, still edged aside as the tall figure forged a path through the crowds.
    Lucy, although she hadn’t seen him for some years, recognised the earl at once. His hair, swept back from his strong angular features, was as thick as ever and, save for a few greying streaks about the temple, just as black. His dark, half-lidded eyes held the same cruel glint,