Page 52 of A Rogue to Reform

They hugged, sniffing, and then burst into laughter when a crying Ana hurried in with handkerchiefs in each hand. “Stop at once.”

*

The candlelit room at the top floor of the Grand Central hotel overseeing the beautiful pleasure gardens that had been recently opened to the public was resplendent. Felicity had never seen something so breathtaking as the plush suite she and Evan were to share.

He poured brandy, meeting her gaze as he held out the small crystal glass. “Are you happy?”

Admittedly, at the moment, she was more nervous than anything. During the wedding ceremony, which was now a total blur, her emotions had run the gamut from happy, to worried, to nervous.

Her gaze followed the lowering of the fabric when Evan removed his coat, folded it, and draped it over the back of a chair.

She was curious to what would happen between them that night, while at the same time, trying to decide when to ask him about what Sorcha had said.

“What is happening in that beautiful head of yours?” Evan neared and touched his glass to hers.

They drank, and it being her third glass of brandy, it immediately warmed her from the inside out. Tomorrow, she would inform him of her request that he not receive her dowry. Today, she’d not let anyone, especially Sorcha, ruin anything.

“I am considering what you look like bereft of clothing,” Felicity stated. It was true. Since they’d walked into the splendid room, she’d begun undressing her new husband in her mind.

“Is that so?” Evan’s lips curved. “You will find out very soon. First, let us toast.” He held up the glass. “To our happiness, complete honesty, and many years of joy.”

Their gazes clashed at the same time as their glasses. The toast shook Felicity. Why had he included honesty? It was strange.

She sipped the brandy only to have the glass removed from her lips and replaced with his. His mouth took her with familiarity, and yet it felt so very different because this night would end with intimacy.

When his lips trailed down the side of her face to her neck, Felicity clung to him, her legs threatening to give out.

The heady combination of his kisses and very masculine scent made her mind whirl.

“Oh, Evan,” Felicity whispered only to let out a breath when his mouth traveled to the top of her breast.

He’d deftly undone some of the buttons that ran down her back, but the trail was long, so he turned her, his mouth never leaving her skin.

As he unbuttoned each pearl, the coolness of the air caressed her skin. Felicity kept her eyes closed, fascinated at the sensations something as simple as air stirred within her.

Finally, he’d unbuttoned enough of the fastenings that her dress slipped from her shoulders, helped further down by Evan until the beautiful creation pooled like a cloud at her feet.

He lifted her from it and carried her to the bed. He lowered Felicity to stand next to it.

“For each item you remove, you will be rewarded,” he stated, a playful light in his eyes.

Unsure what exactly he planned, Felicity decided to test him. She bent, unfastened her right slipper, and slid her foot out.

He sat and removed his right shoe, then he looked to her other foot.

With a wide smile, she removed the other shoe and he followed suit.

“Interesting game you play, sir. Even with my dress removed, you are wearing less clothing than I am.

His right eyebrow lifted. “Is that so?”

She unfastened the ties to her petticoat and allowed it to fall to the floor, leaving her in a stay and silky shift.

He stood, removed his cravat, and threw it over his shoulder.

Next, she removed her stockings, and he did the same. Felicity laughed when he comically tossed them to the floor.

“I believe we are still completely covered. You have not fulfilled your curiosity as of yet.” Evan gave her a challenging smile.