Seducing the Marquess (Lords and Ladies in Love) Read online

  Moving back, Devon took her hand and drew her away from the wall. With frantic movements, he spun her around and undid her gown. Unable to stand still while he ministered to her, she moved her hand behind her and grasped his erection, resulting in a very satisfying groan from her husband.

  Once she was free of the gown, she kicked it away from her feet, turned and undid his cravat, almost choking the poor man as she wrenched it free from his neck. Then she began the frenzied removal of their clothing. Garments were dropped, flung, torn from eager bodies until their apparel was strewn about the room as if a storm had passed through.

  Devon picked up Eugenia and none too gently tossed her onto the bed. She laughed as she bounced, and he followed her down, anchoring her to the mattress. His hard body rested on hers, his devilish grin raising her temperature further. “I am going to do all the things to you I’ve dreamed about for months.”

  “Please do,” she breathed.

  Making good on his word, he lowered his head, taking a firm nipple into his mouth, loving the tip with his tongue. Eugenia moaned, her legs shifting restlessly. With his mouth busy, Devon used his skillful hands and fingers to seek all her pleasure points, teasing her to a fevered pitch.

  “Yes,” she moaned as he touched, caressed, and played with her body. Everywhere he stroked heightened her need, tightening the spot between her legs that cried out for release.

  Unwilling to seek only her own gratification, she slid her hand between their bodies and grasped his erection. Hard and soft at the same time, she marveled at the wonder of its formation.

  …

  Devon started when Eugenia’s soft hand encircled his cock. Now that he had no worries about where she’d gotten her experience, he enjoyed every moan, caress, and movement she made.

  Feeling particularly wicked, his tongue made a path down her ribs to her stomach, both his hands busy massaging her breasts, his fingers plucking the nipples into hard beads. The sound of her moans and light squeaks, along with the shifting of her body beneath his, brought him to a state he’d never before reached with any other woman.

  But then, he’d never before made love to a woman he loved. And loved her he did. Her beauty, her scent, the softness of her skin, her caring, trust, and ability to make him laugh and free him from the constraints he’d dealt with all his life.

  He slid farther down her body and, cupping her bottom, lifted, to bring the very essence of her to his mouth, taking a slow lick that had her crying out and fisting her fingers in his hair.

  “Devon. Oh, God.”

  “What page, Eugenia?” He used his tongue to enter her, tasting her, relishing in how wet and hot she was for him.

  “Page?” she panted.

  “On what page does this activity take place?”

  “F-f-forty-seven.”

  He chuckled as he bestowed one final kiss on her feminine sweetness and moved up to once again take her mouth in a slow drugging kiss. He knew she tasted herself on his lips, the scent of her arousal in the air, begging him to take her.

  “Your turn,” she murmured as she wrenched herself free of his mouth and moved down, taking his cock between her exquisite lips. He closed his eyes and groaned. God, how he loved her. And to have her this way, totally and completely, was simply paradise.

  He rested his hands in her hair, fingering her curls, fisting it when he grew close to losing control. “Eugenia,” he groaned. “No more, love.” He released her hair, grasped her under her arms, and pulled her up, rolling them both over. He smoothed the hair from her face. “I love you so much.”

  The tears in her eyes told him she had never expected to hear those words from him.

  “And I love you. Ever so much. For now and always.”

  With a gentle kiss, he positioned his cock at her entrance and slid into her warmth, her sigh as he filled her matching the groan from his lips and the love coming from his heart.

  Their movements grew frantic as he thrust in and out of her, her hips matching his rhythm as she strained and ground against him. She reached up and cupped his head, pulling his lips down for a searing kiss.

  “Devon, please,” she begged, kissing his chin, jaw, cheeks, and eyes.

  “Relax, love, let me help you.” He reached between them and, with his thumb, circled the slick rigid flesh where they were joined. He whispered in her ear, words of love, her beauty, and how much he desired her. Once he felt her muscles beginning to contract, he let himself go and poured his seed into her, throwing his head back with her name on his lips.

  Devon collapsed on top of her then, with sluggish movements, rolled to his side, pulling her slick body up against his. The sounds of their heavy breathing filled the room, along with the scent of their mating.

  Perfume for the soul.

  True, he hadn’t much sleep the night before, but never had he been so drained, so satiated by a coupling. He felt as though all his bones had turned to water.

  He leaned over and kissed her on her forehead, then smoothed her hair back. “My dear, even though it has given me a number of sleepless nights wondering what you were up to, I am eternally grateful for your book.”

  Once they ate the hearty breakfast sent up from the kitchen, they made love twice more before they fell into such a deep sleep that Sally banged on the door for some time before they regained consciousness.

  They sent Sally ahead in a rented carriage so he could have Eugenia all to himself. And to that end, Devon instructed the driver to take his time on the trip to Devonshire.

  They stopped along the way for a picnic, and most likely shocked the driver with the rocking the carriage did as they continued to discover new ways to pleasure each other.

  They sat side by side in the coach, Eugenia’s head resting on Devon’s shoulder.

  “I believe we will stay in Devonshire for a while, my love.” Devon kissed the top of her head.

  She raised her chin to look at him. “What about the bill you are sponsoring in Parliament?”

  “I withdrew it.”

  Shifting to sit up straight, she said, “Why?”

  “I believe you made a good point about the nobility not making the life of the underclass more difficult.” He gave her a sheepish grin.

  “Truly? So it appears I am not the only one who has changed.”

  Indeed, there had been a great deal of changes between them, and many more to come, he was sure. Dwelling on that, an idea popped into his head.

  …

  Devon stood in the center of his bedchamber at Devon Manor and slowly turned to take in all the work everyone had done. He and Eugenia had arrived earlier in the day, and he’d had a devil of a time keeping her from detecting his plan. He’d spent time with Cook, Sally, and the gardener to make sure all was perfect.

  Now the room glowed with numerous candles, and vases of flowers were scattered around the space. Champagne sat in a bucket of ice. He’d told Eugenia to enjoy her bath and then to dress in a nightgown and dressing gown for a very informal dinner in his chamber.

  He’d heard her and Sally speaking in her room, but now things were quiet, so he knew she would arrive at any moment. With his heart thudding like a youth, he poured himself a brandy just as the door between their rooms opened, and Eugenia entered.

  She had never looked so beautiful to him. Her hair had been brushed to a shining gloss, the blond waves resting on her slender shoulders. Her dressing gown clung to her curves in a way that had his mouth watering. Her eyes grew wide when she gazed around the room. “Oh, my.”

  Devon walked toward her and took her hand. “Welcome to our dinner, my lady.”

  She grinned, a slight blush rising to her cheeks. “This is lovely, Devon. You’ve gone to a great deal of trouble.”

  “Well.” He took her hand and kissed her fingers. “Our staff had a small part in it.”

  He took the bottle of champagne from the bucket and poured them both a glass. She took a sip and grinned. “The bubbles always tickle my nose.”

 
; Taking her by the hand, he led her to a chair and she sat. He placed his glass on the floor and went down on one knee. “Eugenia, I wish to offer you a proposal of marriage.”

  Her eyes grew wide. “My lord? Perchance it has slipped your memory, but we are already married.”

  Devon removed her champagne glass and took both of her hands in his. “I am proposing a different kind of marriage, my love. I want a marriage where no one dictates to either of us what we should do, how we should feel, and how we should go about our lives. No rules about how husbands and wives should conduct themselves.”

  Her eyes brimmed with tears as she gazed down at him. “Are you proposing a very un-ton marriage, my lord?”

  “If un-ton means loving one’s wife, and wanting to spend the rest of one’s life showing her the many ways that can be done, then, yes, that is precisely what I am proposing to you.” He kissed her fingers again. “Do you accept?”

  One lone tear slid down her cheek. “I accept your offer of marriage, my lord.”

  Devon stood and pulled her up. “And you will sleep every night in my bed. Or, perhaps once in a while in your bed.” He tapped her on the nose. “Both of us.”

  “As you say, my lord. The Ice Queen has officially melt—”

  The last of her words were cut short by Devon’s mouth descending on hers.

  Epilogue

  Two months later

  Devon Manor, Devonshire

  “Sweetheart, you must try to at least eat a little something.” Devon lowered his morning newspaper and frowned at his wife’s full breakfast plate.

  “I’m afraid I just cannot do it.” She studied the food, wishing it did not look so unappealing.

  “I don’t want my heir to arrive in this world a spindly little tyke.”

  Eugenia pushed the plate away and pulled her teacup toward her. “I visited with the tenants yesterday, and Mrs. Myers, who brought into this world five strapping sons, said morning discomfort generally passes after three months.”

  Devon counted on his fingers. “Then you are almost there, love.” He pushed the sugar jar and milk pitcher to her. “At least put some sugar and milk into your tea. You need some sustenance to get through the morning.”

  “Do not fret. I will surely make up for it at my other meals.” She glanced down at her slightly curved stomach. “If I keep eating the way I have been, I will be round as my grandfather’s globe before long.”

  “My lady, a letter has arrived for you with the morning post.” Bellows extended a tray to her. He turned to Devon. “I have placed your mail on your desk, my lord.”

  Eugenia broke the seal on the letter. “It is from Mother.” She began to read. “Oh, dear.”

  Devon lowered the newspaper again. “What is it?”

  “Mother is arriving tomorrow for a visit.” Her mother had never visited them in the country, being a lover of Town as she was, so something must be amiss.

  “Is that not good?”

  Eugenia looked up. “She is distraught. It seems Nash has gotten himself into some type of a dilemma.”

  Devon’s brows rose. “Nash? Your perfect—never does anything wrong—brother?”

  “So it seems.” She tapped the edge of the letter against her lips. “I will need to make some arrangements.”

  “Just as long as you do not overtire yourself. That is what we have servants for.” Folding his newspaper, he rose and walked to her, kissing the top of her head. “I am meeting with my steward today. We have a lot of issues to discuss, so I will see you later.”

  Eugenia nodded. “Yes,” she mumbled, her tone distracted.

  “Remember what I said, love. Do not overtax yourself.”

  It was frustrating that Mother hadn’t said any more than some trouble Nash had gotten himself into. She shrugged and tucked the letter into the pocket of her day gown. She pushed back her chair, frowning once again at her full plate, and stood. Her mind in a whirl on what needed to be done for Mother’s visit, she almost missed the note tucked under her plate.

  She pulled the missive out and felt the heat rise to her face as she grinned.

  E.

  Two o’clock this afternoon. My bedchamber. Page 82. I have everything we need.

  D.

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  Acknowledgments

  As always to my fabulous editor, Erin Molta, who after eight books together still smiles when I switch around my verbs. I couldn’t do it without her.

  To my Wednesday morning coffee buddies. Thanks, Heidi and Debbie, for your support.

  Thanks to the Unicorns, always moving forward.

  Thanks to my family who puts up with me nodding vaguely while I type away as they try to tell me something.

  Thanks to my grandbabies, Mason and Carson, who bring such joy to my life.

  About the Author

  Callie Hutton, USA Today bestselling author of The Elusive Wife, writes both Western Historical and Regency romance with “historic elements and sensory details” (The Romance Reviews). She also pens an occasional contemporary or two.

  Callie lives in Oklahoma with several rescue dogs, two adult children, a daughter-in-law, twin grandsons, and her top cheerleader husband of thirty-eight years (although thankfully not all in the same home!). Living in the Midwest provides plenty of opportunities for Callie to pursue her interests: researching American history, meeting readers, spending time with family, and discovering new adventures.

  Callie loves to hear from readers and welcomes the opportunity to become friends, both in person or virtually. Find her online: Facebook | Twitter | Callie’s Cohorts Street Team

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