A Breach of Promise (12 page)

Lydia was first to move, shifting tentatively, searching his eyes. At her silent urging, his hands gripped her hips. He began to rock his own. She ground against him and her mind went blank with the ripples elicited deep in her belly. He pulled back and returned with an experimental thrust. On instinct she rose to meet him, watching him as they began a slow, deliberate rhythm. His face was harsh in the dim firelight, his brows deeply furrowed over hooded eyes.

“Am I pleasing you, Marcus?” she asked.

“God yes,” he groaned with a deeper thrust. “I am engulfed in hot silk. You are exquisite.”

“You are not hurting me,” she said. “Don’t hold back your need.”

His lips curved as if she’d granted an unspoken wish. His eyes shut and Lydia followed suit, closing out the world to drown in the ineffable feeling of being filled. The plunge and drag of his shaft, the movements of his hips came quicker, harder, deeper. The friction increased, the tension in her belly coiling tighter. His breathing was harsh and ragged, her own coming in short gasping bursts.

He drove into her harder. She raised her hips, bucked against him, her body seizing, her sheath gripping and convulsing around him in spasm of rapture. Marcus cried out with short, jerky movement followed by a hot, liquid sensation, sending her tumbling into that blessed place of heavenly release.

Wordlessly he collapsed beside her, pulling her into his arms where they joined together in an exhaustive, well-sated slumber.

* * * * *

“What the devil can you mean by this, Marcus?” His Grace, the Duke of Bedford, thundered. Marcus knew better than to breathe a word of reply until the passionate tempest waned. “I spend years grooming you, paving your way in the most elite circles, only to be treated with insolence, with contempt? This Congress was to have made your career, yet you could not deign to make a punctual appearance for dinner? You’ve lost it, b’ Gad! Sandwich has promoted Edward Montagu to First Secretary—with my blessing, I should add.”

Marcus winced at the news he should have expected, but the stab to his pride was no less painful than the duke’s continued tongue lashing.

“You all but had it in your ill-begotten hands! It confounds me how my brother could have sired such an ungrateful whelp. Well?” the duke demanded, his gaze black and ominous. “Have you nothing to say for yourself?”

“I am wed.”

“What?” the duke scowled.

“Uncle, I got married yesterday.”

“Married? Who the devil gave you leave to marry?”

“You and my father both. Six years ago when I was betrothed to the daughter of Sir Timothy Trent. Do you not recall?”

“Sir Timothy? A capital man and a good, solid patriot. His presence has been sorely missed in the House of Commons.” The duke’s expression softened marginally. “His daughter, you say?”

“Aye, Miss Lydia Albinia Trent is now Lydia, Lady Russell.”

“Why the devil wasn’t I made aware of this?”

“I can only plead your forgiveness. It was an impetuous act on my part.”

“And damnably suspicious. Did you fill her belly, Marcus?”

Remembering the night before, he struggled to suppress his smile. “If you mean did I get her with child, the answer is no.”

“Then why such haste?”

“Sir Timothy’s passing left Lydia in uncomfortable circumstances, a situation I only learned of with my recent return to London.”

“Sir Timothy has been gone at least a six-month, and you only learn of it now?”

“I was a very remiss bridegroom.” Marcus looked abashed.

“A damned fool, you mean!”

“That too,” Marcus replied, suitably contrite. “I nearly lost her for it. Thus, you understand my haste in tying the knot.”

“I
understand
nothing of the sort! What a bungling mess you made of it. I would have expected far better of you after your work at Breda. Yes, yes,” the duke waved a hand. “You impressed the hell out of the Dutch and Bentick insists your return with Sandwich.”

“You mean I am still to join the delegation?”

“Against my first inclination, but our second Ambassador Robinson still has need of a secretary. He is not nearly as able a man as Lord Sandwich, however, and now you have a wife to settle. What will you do with her? I suppose your mother will care for her in your absence?”

“I think not. I intend to take her with me.”

The duke’s scowl returned. “Aix-la-Chappelle is no place for the daughter of a country squire.”

“She is not what you think, Uncle. I have complete confidence in her abilities. She will be a remarkable hit.”

The duke looked skeptical. “I say let Sandwich be the judge.”

“He will be charmed,” Marcus replied with a smile of utter confidence. “As they all will be.”

Chapter Nine

Aix-la-Chappelle—18 October, 1748

Catching sight of Lydia, the mincing little gentleman adorned in vibrant silks and elaborate white-powdered wig halted his progress through the crowded ballroom to make a beeline in her direction. In a manner bred exclusively at the court of Versailles, he placed his hand symbolically over his heart in execution of his bow, complete with an almost ridiculous sweeping flourish to accompany his words. “I lay my heart at your feet, Madame.”

“Ridiculous display,” mumbled Marcus.

Dipping into an obeisance to the Count St. Severin, she addressed her husband
sotto voce
, “Jealousy is both exceedingly ugly and unfashionable.” Lydia chuckled.

Brandishing his lace-trimmed handkerchief with a fatuous smile, the ambassador extended his hand to raise her from the curtsey, gushing as he took hers to his lips, “
La Bella Russell! Il mio cuore delizie.
My heart delights. Might I have the pleasure of the next dance?”

“Damned swarthy little popinjay,” Marcus hissed through his smile.

Casting Marcus a triumphant look, Lydia answered the count in his own native Italian. “
Il mio piacere, mio signor.
”

“My heart delights,” answered the count.

“Minx,” Marcus said in an undertone.

“I knew it would serve one day,” she laughed and departed on the little man’s arm.

“She needn’t encourage him,” Marcus mumbled, admiring the graceful sway of his wife’s departing form.

Witnessing the end of the exchange, Lord Sandwich remarked, “How now, Russell? Do you fear St. Severin aspires to poach your wife?”

“St. Severin is in good company.”

Sandwich raised a brow.

“Let us say I take particularly heed to cause no man affront these days. There are any number of gentlemen in this ballroom who would be well-pleased to make
La Bella Russell
an eligible widow.”

Making no attempt to conceal his own admiration, Lord Sandwich laughed. “I daresay you don’t exaggerate on that score. Your new bride is a charming and beautiful woman. No doubt she will prove a considerable asset in your new assignment.”

Marcus regarded him blankly.

“Although we today celebrate the signing of the peace, I fear our work in re-stabilizing Europe has only begun. The terms of the peace leave several diplomatic voids which must quickly be filled.”

“Indeed, my lord. The Austrians are far from happy in losing Silesia and there is much uncertainty in regard to the Italian states returning to Spanish control.”

“That is precisely the question I wish to address. With our Spanish relations still on shaky ground, we have need of a talented and trustworthy envoy at both the courts of Genoa and Modena.” Sandwich gazed out at the swirling lines of the dancers, catching sight of Lydia and St. Severin now talking with the restored Duke of Modena, whose expression appeared enraptured.

“It seems your lovely wife has found much favor with the Italians within our midst.” He tilted his head in their direction. “Thus I wonder if you might be the most suitable diplomatic candidate for the post at Modena?”

Marcus was astonished. “I don’t know what to say. This is so unexpected. I am honored.”

Lord Sandwich smiled. “Of course you will need time to put your private affairs in order, but don’t take too long. There’s much work to be done to reassemble the mess war has made of this continent. Pray convey my most sincere compliments to
La Bella Russell.
”

* * * * *

The next morning Lydia awoke to the earliest rays of sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows of their lavish palace bedchamber with the sensation of warm breath and soft lips tracing the contours of her belly. She opened her eyes with a slow smile and a lazy feline stretch to find Marcus propped on his elbows over her.

“You were magnificent last night, Lydia.” He traced a long finger around her navel.

“How so?” she asked.

“You had the Italians eating out of your pretty little hand.” He followed the same trail with his moist tongue. He looked up at her with a sly smile. “Do you think you would care to visit the duchy of Modena for an extended stay?”

“Modena? What are you saying, Marcus?”

“That thanks to the talents of my beautiful bride, I have just been offered the position of First Consul to Modena.”

“Oh, Marcus! How wonderful for you!”

“It pleases you then?”

“Immensely!” Her eyes lit up. “When do we go?”

“Since you are amenable, as soon as can be arranged. I imagine we will be in the Italian states by the new year. We’ll of course need to return home for a brief spell to attend to a few personal matters.”

She regarded him misty-eyed. “Marcus, you have made me so happy.”

“No regrets then?”

“No,” she said. “No regrets. And you?”

He studied her soberly. “Only one.”

Her gaze flickered. “And what is that?”

He moved lower, caressing her downy mound. “That I have been too occupied these last weeks to contemplate the many ways I have yet to make love to my wife.”

“Are there truly so many more?” she asked a bit breathlessly.

“Innumerable, my pet,” he answered with a diabolical grin. “Though not many women are as delightfully adventurous as you have proven to be.” He moved upward to ply a kiss to her sleepy lips. “Shall we try a new one, my dearest heart?”

Before she could answer, he flipped her over onto her stomach. Nipping at her nape, his teeth and tongue triggering rivulets of rapture down her spine, his hot open mouth worked its magic as Marcus’ big warm hands roamed the plane of her back to cup her bare buttocks.

Lydia squealed in erotic delight at the love bites that blazed a trail from her shoulder to her bottom where he squeezed and licked her softly molded flesh.

“You have the loveliest arse, Lydia,” he murmured hotly, cupping the full, twin globes. “I want to devour it.”

He angled her hips to slide a warm hand between her thighs. His fingers languorously loitered, tracing the lips of her vulva and working her slit until she writhed and coated his fingers with the slick and creamy proof of her arousal. Forgetting her earlier half-protest, Lydia gave herself up to the exquisite sensations. His fingers circled and tormented her clit, setting her empty passage clenching in eager, throbbing convulsions of need. Arching her back, she gave herself up to him until she could bear his teasing no longer. With a groan, she grasped Marcus’ thickened rod, frantic to guide him into her.

“Not yet, my pet,” he chuckled, grasping her wrist.

“Please, Marcus,” she moaned, panting and rocking her buttocks against him. Ignoring her plea, his clever digits worked her vulva and clit. He traced the cleft of her buttocks with deft fingers and moved on to her tight little hole, where he lingered with slow, attentive circles at the entrance.

Lydia gasped. “Surely you don’t mean to…” Her scandalized voice quivered with an erotic shudder.

“Fill your tight little arse?” he finished for her with a chuckle. “Oh, perhaps one day, my pet, if you’re amenable to the notion, but for now we’ll take things slowly.” She was already incredibly slick, yet her trepidation only increased her arousal.

Squirming her arse against his rock-hard length, she trembled in her desire. “I don’t care what else you do, just fill me now, Marcus!” Her voice was breathless and desperate with want. “Can’t you see I’m dying of my need for you?
Please
, Marcus.”

“Please?” Marcus’ voice was low and hot in her ear as he grasped her hip to position his swollen cock at her needy passage. “Why I live only to
please
you, my love.” He entered her, feeding her his length slowly. His pulsing staff entering her by the inch, stretching and filling. Marcus’ strong solid body leaned over hers, his free hand reaching beneath her, pressing upon her pelvis. Instinctively her back arched and hips rose to meet him, to take him the rest of the way to the mouth of her womb in a long, smooth, sensuous stroke.

“Good girl,” he murmured hotly against her skin. “How does this feel?” he asked, holding himself buried to the hilt and slid his thumb back again to circle her anus.

“It’s not enough, Marcus. I need more.”