Last Dance in London (Rakes on the Run #1) - Sydney Jane Baily Page 0,49
home already?” she asked, seemingly unalarmed, but glancing back to make sure the two other riders followed. “It was a shorter ride than I’d anticipated.”
“We don’t have to end our visit yet. We could share some coffee or a glass of wine?”
“That would be most agreeable,” she said. “My sister has very good claret.”
“Mm, yes, I know she does. I recall tasting it that night over dinner.”
Miss Sudbury fell silent, thinking, if he guessed rightly, of what they might have done. Hopefully, her body would start to hum with anticipation of what they could, in fact, still do.
To that end, he steered them toward his own home, a few streets from the park. Miss Sudbury said nothing to deter him. Soon, the party of four, appearing innocent to any onlookers drew up outside his house. Still without speaking, he assisted her down, knowing she would be unknown to any prying eyes peering from neighboring windows.
While his footman led the horses away, Mrs. Crowley walked up the three front steps and through the door behind them. It all looked perfectly benign. Once inside, however, as soon as his butler had closed the door, Mrs. Crowley disappeared to the rear of the house. And after Mr. Greer had taken Jasper’s hat and riding coat, he, too, vanished without a word.
“Come into my drawing room,” he invited Julia, who looked neither entirely willing, nor frightened. A measure of curiosity stole over her fine features before she preceded him.
The fire was lit in the hearth, a tray with a carafe of wine and two glasses was laid out on the low table before the sofa, and the curtains were drawn. It could be evening as easily as a sunny afternoon.
“A setting of wine. How contrived of you,” she said with a hint of humor.
He smiled. She had spotted his premeditation.
“I like to be prepared. Also, as you chastised me for lack of smooth deceit the last time I invited you over, I thought I would handle it more gracefully this time. Your sister is none the wiser, correct?”
“True. However—”
“Don’t say you’ve changed your mind.”
“I didn’t realize I’d made a decision in the first place,” she said, but to his delight, she took a seat on his pale-gray divan.
“I detected an invitation when I had dinner with you,” Jasper told her. “Moreover, you seemed to enjoy yourself in the garden to the point I believe you would like to repeat the experience.”
It had been bold of him to say any such thing, to make mention of his pleasuring her. Yet that was his nature — to be bold where females were concerned. It usually served him better than skirting his intent with vague intimations.
Luckily, the blush to her cheeks and the way her lips parted expectantly proved he was on the right path.
Not to mention how her gaze dropped to the front fall of his breeches.
He had guessed correctly, and her subtle response enflamed his desire.
She reached for the wine with a noticeably shaking hand, and he rushed to her side to take the carafe from her and finish pouring for them both.
“Here, in my home, we will be undisturbed to enjoy one another as men and women are meant to do.”
Her eyebrows arched at his words. She sipped, pondered, and sipped again. Then she set her glass down.
“Kiss me,” she demanded.
Chapter Fifteen
“Stunning two gentlemen from White’s Club today who swear the veracity of this tidbit, Lord M__ was seen pawning family jewelry at Rundell, Bridge and Rundell’s fine establishment. Could this be the end of the M__ family fortune?”
-The Sun
Jasper’s glass was raised to his lips, but he set it down with a clunk upon the table and wrapped his arms around her, drawing her close. Without hesitation, he claimed her upturned mouth, taking in her citrus and floral scent. A soft lick across her lips, and they parted for him to plunder.
With their tongues dancing, he reached down, lifting the heavy fabric of her riding skirt with its train for modesty upon the saddle. This he bunched upon her lap before going down for another handful. It would take more work than with a light, gauzy ballgown to expose her soft skin, but he was up for the task.
Yes, his body was quite up for this woman.
She let him continue until his fingers trailed across her silken stockings, and then she drew away from him.
“No,” she whispered.
“No? Not here, you mean. Shall we go up to my bedroom?”