Page 78 of The Captain Claims His Temptress

His passionate words tipped her over the abyss. Instead of hitting the bottom, she soared.

“Stephen!” she cried as her body left the earth.

He thrust one last time. “Fuck!” He shuddered and his warm liquid shot into her.

Her walls convulsed, kneading him until he finally softened. He rolled off her and wrapped her in his arms.

Wishing she could see him, she cradled his face. “I love you too.” She snuggled into him. “Get a good night’s rest, my love. We have a long ride ahead of us tomorrow.”

“Us?” he asked.

“There has been a change of plans. I am leaving with you in the morning. I do hope that you don’t object.”

“Nothing would make me happier.” He pulled her closer and his lips cupped her ear. “I am truly terrified. More than anything I ever experienced on a battlefield. Now, I have so much to lose.”

“You will be absolved. You will not lose your freedom,” she assured him.

“I do not want to lose you,” he said.

Lose her?That was preposterous. She faced him. Maybe her eyes had adjusted to the dark for she was certain she could make out vulnerability in those emerald irises. “Never. I promise.”

And she meant it. She would stand by him no matter the consequences. Which of course would be that he was exonerated and would remain the Crown’s brave hero.

“Now, let us sleep,” she said.

“Sweet dreams, my beautiful Madalene,” he whispered.

Chapter twenty-seven

October 8th, 1817

Whatagloriousday!Stephen had awoken in Madalene’sarms and then eaten a breakfast fit for a king. And now, the rustling leaves provided the background orchestra for the chirping birds. He filled his lungs with the crisp air and exhaled long and hard.

“You look quite happy this morning,” his sister said. “In fact, you are glowing.”

’Twas hard not to be ecstatic afterplayingwith Madalene the previous evening.

“Please let this game involve scandalous taboo things,” she’d said, and he’d done his best to oblige.

Since a man should not flit around on his tiptoes giddy, he schooled his joy. Moreover, he still had to face both His Royal Highness and Lord Fudgie. Hell and damnation. What if he also had to defend himself to the prime minister? He tensed as he inwardly moaned. At least now he wasn’t fluttering about like a lovesick fool.

While the duke and duchess drooled all over each other saying their goodbyes, he helped Madalene onto Stormy’s back. He was about to mount when Georgie approached and hugged him.

“I hope next time you can visit longer.” She stared into his eyes as she fiddled with his lapels. “You were so happy a moment ago and now you look as though someone pissed in your favorite boots.”

“I dare say, you have mastered unladylike language.” He kissed her nose.

“Well, you overthink everything.” She bopped his nose with her index finger. “Do not worry about Dupont beating you to the secretary of state, for you will have HRH on your side, and he is easily charmed. Just—” She frowned. “Never mind, I do not think you can show up dressed like a voluptuous pirate.” She held a finger in the air and grinned. “Or maybe you can.”

Stephen snorted. “I will leave the disguises to you, for I would make one blazes of an ugly female pirate.”

“I think you would make a lovely woman.” She tilted her head and studied him. “So enchanting. You would look just like me.”

He tapped her shoulder in jest. She punched his chest so hard he took a step backward. Her eyes sparkled as she hunched low, one fist protecting her chin, the other preparing for a game of Eaton punchy punch.

He dismissed her with a chuckle. “Another time.”

“Well, then…” She engaged in her theatrical sulk. “As I was saying, stop fretting. You will send yourself to an early grave. No one will believe Dupont. You probably have his own words as proof of his deceit.”