The Bachelor Earl - Darcy Burke Page 0,42
see.”
He lifted his hand to her breast and cupped her through the layers of clothing. His touch was firm but gentle and when his thumb flicked over the tip, Ivy sucked in a deep breath, her earlier sickness completely forgotten in a flare of lust.
It seemed they both came to the same conclusion at the same time.
“I’m with child,” Ivy said.
“You’re with child,” West said.
They both laughed, and it was a moment before Ivy asked, “How do you know?”
“Your breasts have a very distinctive feel when you’re carrying. It shouldn’t surprise you to hear that I know precisely what that feels like.”
No, it didn’t, given how fond he was of touching her there at every opportunity. Indeed, his hand still lingered against her, reminding her of the need pulsing between her legs.
“And how did you know?” he asked mildly, his thumb making another pass across her breast.
“As you know, I was particularly...insatiable. Indeed, if you don’t lift my skirts right this instant, I’ll be forced to throw you onto the bed and have my way with you.”
His brows darted up his forehead for a scant moment before settling low over his darkly seductive eyes. “I can’t decide which I prefer.” The words were a purr, rustling over her as provocatively as the incessant stroke of his thumb.
In the end, they opted for a combination of both, as Ivy lifted her skirts and climbed atop her husband, careful to be quiet lest they wake the baby, for one never woke a sleeping baby.
“The tree is beautiful,” Aquilla said as she stood back from the massive evergreen and surveyed their decorating progress. Fruit and sweets hung from the branches along with a collection of glass baubles. The candles would go on last, but Aquilla had to admit she wondered if the entire thing might catch on fire. She supposed it could if they weren’t careful. They’d just be careful.
“Not as pretty as you,” Ned, her husband, said softly as he came up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. He drew her back against him and sprinkled feather-light kisses against her neck.
A delightful shiver raced down Aquilla’s spine. “You’re biased.”
“I’m not. Everyone agrees the Countess of Sutton is one of the loveliest women in all of England. But they’re wrong. You’re the loveliest.”
Aquilla smiled, and a soft sigh escaped her lips as Ned’s tongue teased the sensitive spot beneath her ear. “Peregrine will be up from his nap soon.”
“Then perhaps we should take advantage of our free time...” His teeth caught her earlobe, arousing another shiver.
Aquilla turned in his arms, murmuring, “Perhaps,” as she stood on her toes to press her mouth to his.
They were, unfortunately, interrupted by the arrival of Lucy and her husband Andrew, the Earl of Dartford. Lucy held their son Alexander who was just eight days older than her and Ned’s son, Peregrine.
“Uh oh, we’re interrupting,” Lucy said.
Andrew laughed. “It’s a drawing room, not a bedchamber. They know where to go if they want privacy.”
Ned let out a frustrated snort but grinned nonetheless. Aquilla fixated on her godson and held her arms out. “Come see Auntie Aquilla!”
Lucy delivered her son to Aquilla who snuggled the boy close and dropped a kiss on his dark head. He lifted his rich, earth brown eyes to hers and smiled as he recognized her. “Gah!” he said in greeting.
Aquilla wrinkled her nose at him. “Gah yourself. I can’t get over how big he and Peregrine are already,” she said to Lucy. “Just think, next year they’ll be running around and pulling things off the tree.”
“Perhaps we ought to forego a tree,” Ned said. They’d already offered to host next year’s festivities. Since they’d spent last year together at Darent Hall—Andrew and Lucy’s house—and this year here at Stour’s Edge, it seemed they had a tradition and next it would be their turn.
Aquilla playfully smacked her husband’s bicep. “Nonsense. We are having a tree.”
“Don’t bother arguing with them once they’ve made up their mind,” Andrew said. “On second thought, don’t bother arguing with them ever.”
Ned nodded in agreement while Aquilla looked down at Alex and said, “Your father is a smart man.”
West and Ivy came in at that moment, their daughter Leah snuggled in her father’s arms. Her hazel eyes lit when they saw Alex. Upon seeing her, he squirmed in Aquilla’s arms. “Do you want to play with your friend?” she asked.
Ivy fetched a blanket and laid it on the floor. West sat Leah down and Aquilla set Alex in