Page 18 of Read To Me, Lyon

Shannon and Jack both frowned at her. Jack asked, “Should we call Lord Everly?”

“No!” she said. “I will handle this on my own.”

Shannon turned to her husband. “Would you give us a moment, my love?”

He departed. Her secretary smiled at her. “What did you agree to?”

“Nothing.”

“Your father found himself embroiled in the same situation. Whatever he asks won’t satisfy him for long.”

Her worry exploded from her. “He threatened to tell Oliver or even go to the courts. I can’t ruin my husband’s name. He doesn’t deserve that.”

“Maybe you should tell him.”

“I plan to. I just want us to become better acquainted with each other. I will pay this once and never again,” Kitty insisted.

“Lord Everly seems like a good man. Even your father needed someone he could trust, and that was your mother.”

She nodded, and Shannon departed. Selfishly, Kitty wanted a small amount of time to learn about her husband and for him to learn positive things about her before she revealed some of the less savory secrets she held. She liked Oliver. Honestly, Kitty thought she might be able to love him someday, even though she barely knew him.

Oliver walked with Kitty in Hyde Park. He glanced at her. She was a vision in a light blue dress that highlighted her chestnut hair and hazel eyes. He wanted her, and his desire grew more and more as they spent time together. Yet, truthfully, they’d been married less than a week.

She bit her plump lower lip, and his eyes shifted to her mouth. He hungered to kiss her in the middle of the park with everyone around. Hell, he wanted to plunge his fingers into her hair and draw her in for a kiss that left them both breathless. His cock begged to know her.

“Good day, Lord and Lady Everly,” two daughters of Viscount Hawthorne said in unison, curtsying as they walked by.

He nodded, and then Lord and Lady Tennison greeted him and Kitty. “Hello, Lord and Lady Everly.”

“Good day,” he said.

Kitty sighed deeply as they continued. Oliver suspected the title and all that came with it overwhelmed her. “It will get easier.”

They stopped and watched children racing paper boats along the Serpentine. “Do you ever become tired of being so well known or admired?”

The prestige that came with his family had always existed. It was something he couldn’t fathom being without. The Everly family had weathered many scandals and heartache, but they always presented a polished front to society. “My family’s title and our role in society are something I’ve always accepted. I do not expect you to be anyone but yourself. I can’t imagine any other woman whom I’d want for my wife.”

She smiled up at him. “You’ve just met me.”

They faced each other, and Oliver tucked a curl behind her ear before grasping one of her hands. He drew her fingers to his lips and gently kissed them. “You are the most interesting lady I’ve met in a long time.”

Her gaze darted to where he still held her hand. He placed another smattering of kisses on her fingers. “I desire you and often wonder what it would be like to hold you in my arms.”

She gulped, and his eyes shifted to her lovely, smooth throat and bosom. He craved to worship her body. He stepped closer to her and pressed his mouth lightly to her ear. “I yearn to have you in my bed.”

Kitty grasped his arm almost as if she wanted to keep him in place. His hand slid to her hip, gently squeezing it.

“Lord and Lady Everly, good day. Congratulations on your recent nuptials,” Lady Wilcox said, startling him and Kitty.

He moved back, forcing himself not to groan in frustration. “Good day. Kitty, this is Lady Wilcox.”

The older woman beamed at his wife. “I will send you a missive to have you over for tea. I know all the appropriate ladies you should spend time with and those to avoid due to their family’s being embroiled in scandal.”

Kitty stiffened but smiled. “Thank you, my lady.”

Lady Wilcox added, “The right connections are so important, especially for an Everly.”

His wife flinched, and Oliver studied her. She seemed uncomfortable. He’d grown accustomed to Lady Wilcox over the years, but worried she would overwhelm Kitty. “We must continue on, Lady Wilcox.”