Free The Theft of a Dukedom by Lyndsey Norton

her legs with his other arm, turning her
away and shielding her body, just as the punch bowl
shattered on the floor. The noise was so shockingly
sudden that she squealed, along with the rest of the
ladies in the ballroom. Richard held her to his chest and
said a prayer of thanks.
An army of footmen appeared to help clear up
the mess and Richard carefully walked out from a glass
infested punch lake. When he reached Charles and
Thomas, he carefully stood Kitty on her feet.
‘Are you alright, My Lady?’ he enquired
solicitously.
‘I think so. What happened?’ she gasped,
bewildered.
‘It would appear Lord Richard has just saved you
from tonight’s disaster.’ Thomas said and turned to
Richard. ‘I can’t thank you enough. She would surely
have been cut by the glass.’
‘It’s a good job I’ve got boots on, or I would have
been cut too.’ Richard said jovially. He turned to Kitty.
‘I’m sorry I handled you the way I did, but haste was
necessary.’ Kitty had turned to look at the mess and was
very grateful he’d been there. ‘Do you need to sit
down? You look quite pale.’ Richard asked and Kitty
nodded.
Both Thomas and Charles inspected the table,
along with most of the male population at the ball. Lord
Henderson was most indignant and Lady Henderson
was beside herself with embarrassment that such an
event could occur at her ball. ‘I’ll have all the tables
checked in future.’ She said scathingly.
After that incident, Kitty wanted to go home
again, even though her gown didn’t have a single spot
of wine on it.
‘Allow me to accompany the ladies.’ Richard
offered as Agatha was making ready.
Both Thomas and Charles smiled in relief, as
both of them had an assignation after the ball. Charles
sauntered off to one of the card rooms so he could sit
down. Richard escorted the ladies to the plain Landau
and Thomas gave the driver instructions for returning to
collect Charles. Thomas also called the ducal coach for
Victoria and himself, because all he wanted to do was
take her to bed.
‘Are you in a hurry, my love?’ she asked with
raised eyebrows. ‘It is most unusual for us to leave a ball
this early.’
‘As far as everybody is concerned we are going
home with Kitty to comfort her in her near miss.’
As the footman held the door open, Thomas
whispered. ‘Round Hyde Park until I bang on the roof,
then back to Berkley Square.’
‘Yes, Your Grace.’ The footman murmured as
Thomas scrambled in the door. He dropped onto the
seat opposite Victoria and stretched out his legs.
‘What are you planning?’ Victoria asked with a
quirk of an eyebrow.
‘I plan to ravish you thoroughly in this carriage!’
Thomas said salaciously as he reached forward and
swept her onto his lap. She gasped as he kissed her
cheek and then traced his lips to her mouth. Delicately
brushing his lips across hers he asked. ‘Do you have an
objection, my love?’
‘No.’ Erupted from her mouth in a gusty sigh as
she stroked her gloved hand around the back of his
neck.
Oh so slowly he kissed her, gently opening her
lips with his, like the petals of a flower. Gently he
probed her mouth and fenced with her tongue as his
fingers released the back of her gown. He broke away
from her maddening lips and whispered ‘I want you,’ as
he traced his lips over her cheek, along her jaw and
down her throat. He paused on her pulse for a moment
feeling it throbbing rapidly and then he traced his lips
over her collarbone, as he pulled the gown from her
shoulder. She gasped as her breast was revealed and he
gasped as he saw her erect nipple spring from the
restraining material in the dim light. His lips found it a
moment later and he tormented it with his lips, then
stroked it with his tongue and in the end he engulfed it
with his mouth until she could feel his soft palate and
the fierce suction. It made her moan as she relaxed
across his lap.
‘Yes, Tommy.’ She murmured and inflamed him.
He hefted her onto the seat and dropped to his
knees on