He withdrew, then rammed himself back in.
“Ah!”
He repeated several times until she clutched the sheets beneath her. Her climax began to build. He quickened his pace. She marveled that he could exhibit such force from this part of his body. The bed shook and creaked from their actions. Her breasts bounded up and down.
As her ecstasy loomed, she wondered that she could ever be with any other man. Her abdomen clenched as the most divine sensations ricocheted wildly inside of her. Her body could no longer contain them. She screamed as they raked through her.
He shoved himself at her, his cock seeking her womb. She felt something hot spilling into her. He shuddered, then bucked his hips against her a few more times. Perspiration glistened upon his brow. After withdrawing, he collapsed onto the bed beside her, his breathing hard. She pulled her legs onto the bed.
“Much obliged,” she murmured.
She felt spent but triumphant. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her to him.
“Chateau Follet suits you well, Miss Herwood,” he replied.
Chapter Sixteen
“VOTRE MADEMOISELLE EST si jolie,” Marguerite remarked to Halsten, who stood overlooking the grounds from the veranda where the lady of the house was hosting morning tea for several guests.
He turned to look where Miss Herwood sat at the table. The sun had found its way through the clouds at that moment. Miss Herwood seemed to radiate the rays that shone upon her. Her eyes sparkled with uncommon brightness and her cheeks bore a natural flush. When he had first spotted her in the gaming hall over a year ago, he had thought her rather plain, but the more he observed of her, the more she intrigued him. This morning, he thought her uncommonly pretty.
In many ways, he wanted to forget as much of last night as possible. The vision of Lord Devon atop Isabella would make him cringe for years to come. But there were moments he would come back to over and over again. Surprisingly, one of those moments was when he held Miss Herwood in his arms while she slept, listening to the rhythm of her breath, feeling it upon his chest. The full sensation blossoming in his bosom was not one he had felt since he was a young man who had fallen in love for the first time.
The desire to hold Miss Herwood forever troubled him. He had hoped his time with her at Chateau Follet would satiate his craving for her, not enhance it. He had the sinking suspicion it would be even harder to overcome his feelings this time, but overcome it he would, in time. As if to prove this fact, he had extricated himself from Miss Herwood, dressed, and returned to the East Wing to see Isabella safely ensconced in her own chambers.
As if sensing his gaze upon her, Miss Herwood looked up and smiled at him over her teacup. He felt his heart swell and would return her smile, but Lord Devon appeared with Isabella upon his arm.
“Blasted bright out here,” he cried and seemed strangely pleased by this pronouncement.
Halsten felt his jaw tighten as he watched the pair sit down. Miss Herwood, perhaps recalling the events of last night, shifted in discomfort and placed her attention upon her tea.
“Ah, Miss Herwood,” Lord Devon noted, “I take it you slept well after the events of last night?”
Halsten went to stand near Miss Herwood.
“And you, too, Halsten,” Devon smirked.
Isabella covered a large yawn. “I was fatigued beyond words. I think I could have slept for two more hours if one very naughty gentleman had not disturbed my slumber.”
Halsten clenched a hand but was saved from further distress by the appearance of a footman.
“A letter for Lord Devon arrived by courier,” the man said.
Startled, Devon took the letter and opened it. His countenance darkened as he read its contents.
“Bad news, Lord Devon?” Marguerite inquired.
“No, no. It is a note from the Earl,” Devon explained, rising to his feet. “My father wishes to speak with me. I regret that I must end my stay earlier than I would have wished.”
Isabella looked incredulous. “You are leaving? Now?”
“Yes. My sincere apologies.”
“But—”
Devon bowed to her, then to the hostess, and hastened from the veranda. For the first time since Halsten had set eyes on Devon the chateau, he took in a peaceful breath.