inside Adrian. “Did he hurt you?”
“Not really. He grabbed my arms and gave me a good shaking. I don’t know what he might have done to me if Gran hadn’t stepped in and used her cane like a fencing foil.” A faint smile hovered about Venetia’s lips. “After that, we knew we had to leave. I have no doubt that he has some wretched scheme to marry me off when we return.”
Adrian was quiet a long moment. He understood Venetia’s predicament. She had to marry quickly and couldn’t afford to choose her husband poorly. But the thought of a man marrying her, even a decent one like Peregrine Sherman, made Adrian’s stomach turn. For a moment he imagined himself carrying Venetia across the threshold of a small country cottage bedecked with flowers and sprawling ivy, a wedding bouquet grasped in her hands. She would be safe with him, safe in his world, far from her cousin. But that was a foolish dream that he couldn’t indulge in.
“I need to get up,” he sighed.
Venetia feathered kisses on his bare chest. “Perhaps you could stay another few minutes?” Venetia giggled as he rolled her beneath him. He parted her thighs and sank into her welcoming flesh, sharing a soft moan with her as he kissed her passionately. It was so easy to love her, both with his heart and his body. He rode her slowly, enjoying the soft gasps and quickened breaths that escaped her as he claimed her. When he started to feel the rush of a climax, he tried to pull out of her.
“No, not yet.” She wrapped her legs tighter around his waist.
“But—”
“Adrian.” She spoke his name with an intensity that confused him. “Please . . .” She stroked the back of his neck, and he was lost to her plea. He continued to move within her, and she cried out so sweetly with her pleasure that the sound of it alone broke him of his restraint, and he joined her in that headlong rush of physical joy.
He collapsed upon her, breathing harshly, just barely stopping himself from crushing her as he buried his face in her neck.
The shock of what had just happened sank in. He’d released himself inside her. She could be with child soon—his child. The thought brought both agony and joy to him all at once.
“What have we done?” he whispered.
She stroked his hair, seemingly unconcerned. “Whatever comes, I have no regrets. Not with you.” She met his gaze, and he saw that she had made a decision about something, though he didn’t know what. He started to speak, but she covered his lips with hers, blanking all thoughts from his mind as he lost himself in her kiss.
“You had better go. I will see you tonight.”
She kissed him once more, and he tasted a promise there, but the meaning behind it eluded him.
He left the bed, dressed, and pressed one more quick kiss to her lips before he left the room. His keen eyes searched all the hallways, but he found no one watching. Only then did he feel safe to make the quick dash belowstairs. Once in the servants’ hall, he began his day, and he had only just finished his breakfast when Mr. Reeves came into the kitchens, grumbling.
“Bloody rain. It will keep them all indoors and in foul moods,” the butler muttered.
“It will,” Adrian agreed. “Best to have the drink carts filled and ready.”
“Yes, good idea, Adrian. Please see to it.” The butler went into his office.
Adrian saw to his duties about the house. As Mr. Reeves had expected, the gentlemen spent the day inside playing cards and drinking. The ladies joined them for some of the card games when they were not gossiping over tea.
He did his best not to look in Venetia’s direction, but he could feel her gaze drifting toward him a little too often. It was impossible to ignore her—she was so beautiful it hurt. And her beauty had very little to do with her fair hair or brilliant brown eyes. It was the way she smiled, the way she laughed, the way she spoke of the things she loved and was interested in. She was beautiful, and he would have given her the world if he’d been able to. He carefully avoided looking back. He would have to remind her to be careful. The languid heat he’d seen in her gaze when she looked at him might be noticed amongst these watchful women.
Midafternoon, Mr. Reeves appeared