She wanted to change that.
“I want you,” she whispered against his mouth. “Inside of me.” His eyes went wide and he stared at her as if he weren’t certain. She wanted to make him certain, so she dropped her hand between them and unfastened the fall front of his trousers. When it fell away, his hard cock pushed free into her hand. She stroked him once, twice. “Please.”
He made a garbled sound at that and cupped her backside with both hands beneath her gown. She buried her head into his neck as he aligned their bodies and took her with one long, smooth stroke. She was so sensitive from her earlier orgasm that every slide of him was heaven. She ground up, rubbing her clitoris against his pelvis every time he fully filled her and soon enough she was on the edge again.
She cupped his cheeks and kissed him deeper, harder as she shattered around him. He gasped against her tongue, her name like a plea and a surrender that took her orgasm to new heights.
And then he was gone, pulling from her to spend against his hand as he cursed until she blushed. He dropped his forehead to hers, and for a little while they just panted together, hands still smoothing along the lines of the other, pleasure still flowing between them like a current.
She never wanted to break that connection, she wanted to stay in this fantasy world forever, bound only by pleasure to his remarkable man.
But they would be in London soon. And she couldn’t truly start her future, whatever that might be, until she resolved her past. Even if that meant putting herself in danger to do so.
CHAPTER 21
Flora had felt Roarke’s anxiety before. It had been evident when he told her about the lies he’d used against her, about his relationship to her stepchildren. And again after the attack, when he couldn’t hide his terror on her behalf, even when he was injured.
But now, sitting in Theo’s parlor in London just a short time after their party’s arrival in the city, she felt it pulsing through him like a heartbeat. While she sat on the settee, hands folded in her lap, he paced the room, unable to stay still as he watched the door and waited for the arrival of his mother.
Flora didn’t know what to expect. He’d told her about Mrs. Desmond, of course. And he’d reminded Flora that she was not clear of mind even as they arrived. But now the door to the parlor opened and a small, frail woman was led in by a taller lady with a sweet, kind face.
Flora rose and caught her breath. Theo’s bright green gaze had come from his mother. Seeing his eyes on her face immediately made Flora feel warmly toward her, but she held back in her greeting. She didn’t want to confuse Mrs. Desmond any more than she already seemed to be as she looked around the room, her brow furrowing with concern.
“Where are we, Hilde?” she asked, and Flora’s heart broke as she watched Roarke’s smile fall slightly.
“We’re still in the Duke of Lightmorrow’s home, Mrs. Desmond,” Hilde said with an apologetic look for both Roarke and her. “Remember, he’s so kindly let us stay here the last few days.”
Mrs. Desmond’s brow wrinkled a little and she nodded. “Oh.”
“Look who is here,” Hilde said.
Roarke stepped forward and Hilde’s face fell at his bruised countenance. It made Flora look more closely at it. His purple bruises were beginning to heal, but there was no doubt he’d been injured in a grievous fight. He made no mention of it but said, “Good afternoon, Mama, Hilde. May I present the Duchess of Sidmouth?”
Hilde seemed to have pulled herself together as she gave a brief curtsey in Flora’s direction. “Good afternoon, Your Grace.”
“Good afternoon,” she said back, and then she moved toward Roarke’s mother. “And Mrs. Desmond. I have heard so many lovely things about you from your son. I’m so pleased to make your acquaintance at last.”
Though Mrs. Desmond didn’t seem to fully comprehend that statement, she held out a hand regardless. “You are very pretty.”
Flora took her hand and gently guided her to the settee. “Oh, you’re too kind. May I get you some tea?” Hilde glanced at her and Flora nodded. “I assume you might wish to talk to Roarke a moment.”
Roarke swallowed. “But—”
“We’ll be fine,” Flora assured him gently. “Speak with Hilde.”
Roarke held her gaze a moment and then motioned Hilde into the hallway. As he left, Flora turned back to his mother. “How do you take it?”
“Two sugar and lots of milk,” Mrs. Desmond said.
“Excellent, I like my tea extra sweet also. And I see that the duke’s people put out some wonderful biscuits. Raspberry is my favorite—would you like some of those, as well?”
Mrs. Desmond nodded, and Flora went about the business of preparing the tea. She came back and sat next to her companion, examining her closely. She looked tired, and Flora wished in that moment that she could do everything in the world to make her comfortable and safe. Not just for Roarke, although knowing she could protect someone he loved so deeply was all she could wish to do.
But just for this lady herself, who hadn’t earned this difficult time.
Flora took her hand gently. “I’ve heard you have a son, is that right?”
Just as she suspected, Mrs. Desmond made no glance toward the door where Roarke had gone. She didn’t recall who he was, and it was heartbreaking. “Yes, little Roarke. He’s just five, you know.”
“Is he,” Flora said, and blinked at tears. “What a lovely age. I’d like to hear all about him.”
And so Mrs. Desmond told her everything about Roarke as a little boy, about her husband the dreamer, about their life together. And Flora listened to it all in rapture…and tried not to cry.
As Roarke stepped into the hallway with Hilde, he drew in an unsteady breath. “I was told you were harassed while I was in the countryside.”
Hilde’s eyes filled with tears and she wobbled a bit before she said, “Yes. I was walking with your mother in the park by the house. When she’s able, I try to take her to get air as often as possible. We had entered a quiet part by a pond she likes when your cousin showed up.”
Roarke tensed, his hands gripping at his sides. “Which one?”
“Not the duke,” she said. “The—the other one. I don’t know his name.”
“Philip,” Roarke murmured. So, Thomas had made his younger brother his weapon not once, but twice. And it seemed Philip took his duties very seriously, though of course he would. He’d always been short-tempered and ready to bruise to make a point. “What did he do?”
“He raced up, screaming at me, screaming at her. He told me he could have things…done to my son? He’s trying to find a place in the army, you see, since he can’t work. Your cousin said he could have him booted out or worse.” Now the tears flowed. “He was hateful. Your mother was weeping, I was shaking and trying to get away from him. He shouted us all the way into the house with the neighbors staring before he got into a carriage with the ducal crest and thundered off.”
Roarke shut his eyes. “It’s my fault.”
Hilde stepped closer and shook her head. “It isn’t, sir. I know you would have done anything to prevent that from happening.”