Free Jo Beverley - [Rogue ] by Christmas Angel Page A

remembered his remark about her dancing naked before the fire and wondered if he'd been serious. Even that would not be too high a price to pay.
    Somewhat hesitantly, she raised a hand and touched his cheek.
    He relaxed and turned to kiss that hand. Then he frowned at its roughened, reddened state. "We will have to give this poor member some loving care." Holding her eyes, he pressed a kiss into her palm.
    Nothing like that had ever happened to Judith before, and she found she was well and truly relaxed in his arms, as limp as a rag. She gasped as his moist, warm tongue tickled her, tracing up from palm to fingertip. Goodness gracious! It must be his European upbringing. Everyone knew they were a strange lot abroad.
    He placed her hand against his heart, and raised her slightly to put his lips to hers. They were not puffy and moist, but dry and firm. The taste of him was not unpleasant. Unlike Sebastian, his teeth must still be good. She just lay there in a daze, allowing him to do as he willed.
    Then she realized his other hand had released hers in order to touch her breast. She tried to gasp a protest, and his tongue invaded quickly then retreated. Returned, then tickled her lips. It was all strange but Judith recognized wickedness. Vague whispered scandals of the goings-on in London came to mind, and even the ancient stories of the Hell Fire Club.
    As she had been warned as a child, however, wickedness was not without its attractions. Judith felt the power of something...
    She knew she should close her mouth and clench her teeth tight, but with a clever mouth on hers and a hand teasing her breast, she was trapped in a surge of hot, inexplicable sensations. She closed her eyes and let the feelings take her. When he drew back she kept her eyes closed, afraid of what they might reveal to him.
    That she was shocked? That was certainly true.
    That she had wanton impulses? That was true, too, but he had no one to blame but himself for discovering it.
    That she was afraid of this difference, this newness? He must never know that or he might withdraw his offer.
    She was set on her feet and only then did she open her eyes to find the room unsteady around her. "My goodness."
    "My sentiments entirely."
    She looked up, startled, to see he was both flushed and amused. "I promise not to challenge you again until we are married, Judith, but I am satisfied that we are compatible. Are you?"
    Judith wasn't sure , but she was determined on this marriage. She cleared her throat. "Er... entirely."
    "I thought so."
    She flashed him another wary glance. "You still wish to marry me, my lord?"
    "Most definitely." He shrugged on his coat. "Will we have banns read, or would you prefer a license?"
    "Banns," she said. With a license they could be married in days and she needed time.
    "In three weeks then," he said.
    "Three weeks," she repeated numbly. "That... er... does not give much time to notify people. Will you not want to invite anyone?"
    "I hadn't intended it, no. Do you have family whom you wish to be present?"
    Judith seized on this point, like a person dragged by a runaway horse digging their heels into the dirt. "Yes. You haven't asked me about my family."
    "They don't have any bearing on my decision. You're more than welcome to have them at your wedding."
    "I have three brothers and two sisters," she said in a rush. "My father's the curate at Hunstead, and I wish him to perform the service."
    "Very well. Perhaps we should drive over there soon, and tell them the good news."
    Judith bit her lip. Would he change his mind when he met her impoverished family? But he knew her to be poor. Would her family reveal what a silly romantic she had been at sixteen? He would think all that sentiment expended on Sebastian.
    "That would be pleasant," she said, gathering her well-practiced composure around her like a cloak.
    He put his stylish hat on his head, achieving a precise, elegant angle without apparent effort. "I'm sure the Ardens will allow a