The Perfect Arrangement (The Not So Saintly Sisters #4) - Annabelle Anders Page 0,33
the journey up had taken.
Christian had insisted upon wooing her now and Lillian was perfectly happy to comply. They were doing precisely what they had promised not to do. They were coming to care for one another. Not knowing how much would change when they got back to London again, Lillian pushed her worries away and simply… lived.
Lillian raised her legs and cinched them around his waist as he filled her. She’d long lost count of how many times he’d made love to her and would have thought the pleasure would ebb, but, in fact, receiving him into her body satisfied her more each time.
Even the loud creaking sounds the bed made faded away as he increased his pace and thrust.
“Lilly,” he breathed into her neck, sweat dripping from his brow. “Lilly.”
Tingles turned into bolts of pleasure as she met him stroke for stroke. It was better every time.
Impossible.
“More,” she begged, throwing her head back, wanting to clutch at his head but loving the feeling of her hands being trapped by him. “Harder.”
As though riding a wave onto shore, she surrendered to him in every way she never could have imagined. She might as well have been tumbling, drowning, crashing. All that mattered was their two bodies moving together.
He was close, but she was closer.
She let out a garbled scream and then he stiffened above her with an almost silent groan. When he finally collapsed atop her, all she could think was that she wanted this forever.
Instead of mourning what could not be, she cleaned, dressed, and climbed into the carriage beside him, willing to accept what was going to happen.
Because she wanted a lifetime but that wasn’t a part of their arrangement.
Christian’s butler’s demeanor was considerably different than it had been the day she had presented herself in response to the ad—the ad that had never been meant to be an ad.
“Your Grace. Your Grace. Welcome to Master’s House. We were expecting you two days ago—and then yesterday. Simmons told us not to worry though…” He bowed and then assisted her with her bonnet and gloves. “I’m so sorry, I would have had the servants lined up to present to the duchess.” Lillian cringed at the title. She was going to have to get used to it.
“Perhaps I can meet with them later this afternoon?” She addressed the somewhat flustered looking gentleman, “I feel as though I’ve all the dust between Scotland and London on me.”
And then another servant, a woman, rushed into the foyer, curtseyed hastily and then swept Becky away along with Lillian’s valise.
“Lady Bernadette is in the drawing room.” The butler’s voice held a hint of warning.
Christian, however, didn’t seem to sense anything amiss. Smiling enthusiastically, he squeezed her hand. “Excellent.”
His lack of concern ought to have been comforting, but Lillian wished she had met his sister before they had married. “I hope she likes me,” she whispered.
“She will adore you.” Lillian hoped he was right. Although a sensitive and intelligent man, the male species, she had come to realize from having an elder brother, could be obtuse where women were concerned.
Oblivious to her misgivings, Christian led her up the stairs and into a large room that faced the front of the house.
Two women sat inside. An older woman, who must be the governess, immediately jumped out of her chair, and curtsied. The younger woman grimaced as though their appearance was an annoying imposition. She made a dramatic show of setting the book she’d been reading aside, and then rose, tilting her chin up. With the same color hair as Christian and eyes that were almost as blue, the younger girl was taller than Lillian with a trim figure.
“Bernadette,” Christian said gently. “This is Lillian... my wife.” He nearly tripped on the word. “Lillian, may I present my sister, Lady Bernadette Masterson.”
Lillian curtseyed to the young girl, who dropped into a brief curtsey as well. Her eyes weren’t as friendly as her brother’s. They held more than a hint of suspicion.
Lillian did not blame her. How might she have felt if Cameron had simply shown up with Louella rather than introduce her to their family and allow them to take part in the wedding?
She would have been resentful. Angry.
Hurt.
“I’m so pleased to meet you.” Lillian hoped she could smooth the aftermath of such a betrayal over in time. She needed to be a positive influence on this girl.
There would come a time when Lady Bernadette would need her.