Sweet Rogue of Mine (The Survivors #9) - Shana Galen Page 0,91

Pru said.

“I’m sure you have.” Mrs. Northgate looked past Pru, and she realized Nash had come out of the parlor to stand behind her. His hair was still mussed from her hands running through it.

“Welcome, Mrs. Northgate,” he said. “I’ve heard a great deal about you, and though I cannot see Miss Howard’s new dress myself, I hear it is quite fetching.”

“It is, if I do say so myself. I must commend you, Mr. Pope, on the state of the house. I was given to understand it was in ruins, but it looks very much the way it did the last time I was here. Perhaps a few improvements here and there.”

“Thank you.” He gave a formal bow. “If you’ll excuse me.”

Pru watched him start up the stairs and wished she could follow him to his bedchamber. Instead, she turned a smile on Mrs. Northgate. “Would you like me to show you around a bit?”

“Certainly, since you are so much at home here.”

Pru nodded and gestured for Mrs. Northgate to follow her. There were still some rooms not ready for public viewing, but she could steer her friend away from those. The truth was, she did feel at home at Wentmore, but her time here was coming to an end. She and Nash had made every excuse they could think of to be together these past weeks. But the festival would be over soon and so would their time together.

Nineteen

Nash waited until he heard the Northgate carriage depart before he made his way downstairs. Mrs. Northgate had taken the vicar and Mrs. Blimkin in the carriage with her, and Nash feared Pru had gone as well.

Except the house had a different feeling when she was about, and he could still sense her presence. The Cloud of despair that always seemed to hover on the horizon was banished when she was near. He couldn’t sense it at all right now, which meant she was here...somewhere. The front door closed, and he made out her form coming toward him.

“I was afraid you’d gone,” he said.

“I made an excuse to stay a bit longer.”

He raised a brow. “Without your chaperone?”

“The vicar didn’t even seem to realize he was leaving me without one. He was so anxious to have a quarter hour with Mrs. Northgate in order to convert her.”

“And Rowden?”

“He sent the workmen home and went riding with your land steward. Clopdon was supervising the laundress washing your shirts. I believe Mrs. Brown went to lie down as Mrs. Blimkin wore her out. The footmen are here somewhere.”

“Probably smoking in the yard while they have the chance. I really do need a butler.”

“But you don’t have a butler,” she said. “And you know what that means?”

“Tell me.”

“It means there is no one to see me run into your bedchamber. I will meet you there.”

And before he could grab her, she’d run past him and up the stairs.

With a smile, Nash followed her, his pulse pounding as he imagined what he would do to her when he had her behind closed doors. They didn’t have long. Dinner was in an hour or so, and he didn’t want to waste any time.

Nash reached his bedchamber and pushed the door open. “Pru?” he said.

“I’m on the bed. Naked.”

That revelation jolted his body, making his cock go hard instantly. He imagined her lithe body sprawled on the bed as she lay on her side with one hand propping up her chin. His hands ached to run a path from her shoulder, down to the dip in her waist, and over the curve of her hip. “How did you manage that so quickly?” He loosened his neckcloth and tugged off his coat.

“When I was young, we never had enough coal to use for anything but cooking. Anne and I learned to undress, wash, and scurry under the bedclothes very quickly else we’d freeze. She is actually even faster than I.”

“A talent I’m sure her husband appreciates.”

“I can see you appreciate it too. Come here and let me help with that waistcoat.”

He moved toward the bed and she grabbed his neckcloth and pulled him in for a kiss. He reached for her and felt bare skin, warm and soft. With a small groan, he ran his hands up and down her back, finally gently squeezing her bottom. She was naked, as she’d claimed, and he wanted desperately to join her.

She made quick work of his waistcoat then helped with his cuffs, tugging the shirt over his head even as