September 1813
"You ridiculous man! Stop that, Lyon! You are cruel and I shall surely pay you back." Diana giggled and squirmed as he began tickling her.
"Hold still, wench." Lyon was nipping at her earlobe, his fingertips now lightly caressing her ribs. She bucked beneath him until he came over her, pinning her body beneath him.
He pressed his body against hers and felt her answering response.
"Lyon," she whispered, her arms coming about his back.
There were no more words between them.
"We must light a lamp. I can barely make out your self-satisfied, very smug female grin."
"Have you the strength, my lord?"
"No. I feel aged and used up." He pulled away from her and lit the lamp beside their bed. He sank down again, drawing her close.
"You're sweaty as a pig."
"You malign me, woman, after I make you yowl with pleasure?"
She smiled, pressing her lips against his shoulder.
"You are so sweet, Diana, but I imagine that you taste a bit salty yourself. I must investigate further." He ran his tongue along her jaw. "Sweaty as a piglette?"
"You are not gallant. Oh, dear, what is the time? Remember, Frances and Hawk are coming for dinner."
Lyon said something inelegant and Diana grinned. She raised herself on her elbow and peered down into his beloved face. "I love you, my lord."
Lyon grunted. "I think it is my house you love. You merely tolerate me because I am the owner."
"It is beautiful," she said. "I never saw an Elizabethan manor house before. It's also chilly. So I will keep you. You do provide warmth for me at night. And I must admit that Tanis is quite happy here."
"Ha! She is happy because she's been covered by Flying Davie. Just like a mare or a womansatisfy her in bed and she'll be happy anywhere."
"I think there must be some truth to that," she said. "I trust you will never lose your talents."
"Remember when I thrashed your bottom?"
She felt his hand stroke over her buttocks. "I will do anything to save myself," she said, and kissed him fully on his mouth.
There was a light knock on the bedchamber door.
Lyon groaned. "It's probably Kenworthy. We must bathe, I suppose, else Frances and Hawk will know exactly how we've spent our afternoon."
"And morning."
Lyon rose slowly and called toward the door. "Have hot water fetched, Kenworthy."
"It is, uh, here, my lord."
Lyon, because he was quicker, bathed first. He was dressing while Diana hummed to herself in the bathtub.
"Diana?"
"Hmmm?"
"Patricia will be arriving in three weeks or thereabouts."