Page 43 of Betting on a Duke
“To answer your question, yes, I believe I just said so. We’ve spent time together, but I wouldn’t say close. I advised him on his horseflesh.”
“I see.”
“I was thinking, though, I hate having to hurry or sneak our marriage. I want us to be free to celebrate with friends and get married at St. George’s, Hanover Square.”
“Do you mind if we sit down on that bench up ahead?” Clarice asked, suddenly feeling overwhelmed and warm again. Perhaps she needed something to drink? It had been warm today, and she was parched.
“Of course, my love.” Once they sat, he turned toward her and took her reticle and parasol, placing them on the bench beside him. “Forgive me, I can tell I shocked you. I’m contradicting everything I said when we last spoke. But I hope Prinny has sent word to your father by now, telling him not to interfere. Even your father wouldn’t be foolish enough to go against the Prince Regent.”
Worry had her stomach clenching up tight. She wanted to believe Samuel, but something nagged her to be careful. Perhaps she was being silly. “I love the idea of a church wedding with our friends instead of sneaking off to Gretna Green or procuring a special license and marrying quickly and privately.”
He leaned forward and brushed his lips across hers. “Even though I’m confident your father will not take action, I don’t think we should flaunt our courtship out in the open. We can be seen together, but act casually, as acquaintances would, not lovers.” His voice dipped low for the last two words, and the grin on his face and the sparkle in his dark eyes had her insides tingling with awareness.
“I understand what you’re saying, but your expression is completely the opposite.”
He brushed her lips with his again. “I’m sorry, I know,” he said, kissing her more deeply. “All I can think about is taking you to bed and making sweet love to you all night long. Making love to you so often that neither of us has the strength to get out of bed the following day.” He kissed her again, this time wrapping his arms around her, cupping her cheeks, and kissing her with heat, passion, and love.
A moan formed in her throat, but didn’t escape as she joined her tongue with his. As the music inside her head beat faster and faster, so did the intensity of their kiss until she pulled back, gasping for air and smiling. “That was...” She swallowed the rest of her words as he caressed his hand down her arm. Most of her skin was covered by her short sleeves and long gloves, yet she felt his touch to the center of her being.
He nuzzled the skin beneath her ear. “You have the softest skin. I spent years hoping that one day I would get to touch you again, holdyou in my arms, and cherish you. And now that I have, I won’t let anyone take you away from me.”
A sigh escaped her lips, and her head tilted to the side, giving him better access as he continued to place featherlight kisses down her neck. Each time his soft, warm lips touched her sensitive skin, heat flared low between her legs. She wanted more than anything to take his hand and slide it beneath her skirts. “I’m boiling up inside, Samuel.”
He chuckled against her skin, and his hot breath had the same effect on her as his kisses. “If I put my hand between your thighs, will you be wet for me?”
Her head dropped back against the wooden bench, her lips parting in a deep sigh. “Yes.”
He reached down, his hand creeping up the inside of her dress. She wantonly parted her thighs, waiting and waiting until he snatched his hand away and straightened her skirts.
“Someone is coming down the walkway.”
Clarice sat up straight, her heart pounding erratically as she moved aside to put some distance between herself and Samuel. How had she not heard the crunch of gravel? She hoped it was only Letitia and Greyson.
