She lifted a finger and traced the outline of his brows, the slope of his cheekbones. “We are lovers,” Theodosia whispered. “Do not assume because I was a virgin I want more. I enjoy my freedom.”
An unexpected and unbearable aching weight settled against his heart. “Are you saying if I should offer for you my suit would be rejected?”
A startled laugh escaped her. “Areyou offering?”
“No.”Not yet.
Shadows shifted in her eyes. “Perhaps I would.”
“Why?”
“Because a husband…especially one of your eminence would try to clip my wings. I am free to do as I please as a wealthy widow.”
“You speak of your club.” As a duchess…or the wife of any lord she would not dare keep such a club operating under her largesse. Theodosia lived to her own beat, alive in a way many others were not. The duty of marriage and the expectations of a husband would stifle her dreams and freedom. A burning curiosity drove him to ask, “Do you not dream of a husband…of children? You are incredibly young.”
She touched the corner of his mouth with hers, and he wrapped his arms around her.
“Of course, I do,” she murmured against his mouth, shifting a little on the bed. “I have yet to find a gentleman who would fit perfectly into my life.”
Fuck. Those wry and soft regretful words wrenched through his heart. Was she saying that he, as a duke, had no part in her life. What the hell was he thinking? The odd emotions tearing through him felt nonsensical. Sebastian took a long breath, trying to gather his wits and his logical sense. He already had a list of eligible ladies to select from for his wife. Theodosia was his lover…perhaps eventually his mistress. He would keep it simple and uncomplicated.
Foolish…for she was the antithesis of simple and uncomplicated.
Several hours later,Sebastian stared at his lover, observing the nuance of her expression. Curled by the fire in the library on several plush throw blankets, they had been playing chess for almost two hours. She was a brilliant player when she suffered no distraction. After tasting her mouth about a dozen times, she looked tousled and rosy. He loved her hair, and at his request she had left it to flow over her shoulders and down to her back. Today she smelled of roses. He wanted to splay her on the carpet and lick her all over. It astonished Sebastian how much he wanted her, considering he had made love to her twice more in the long night past. “Checkmate,” he murmured, moving his knight into c3.
Her lips parted on a silent gasp, and she sat up, the hem of her blue day dress pushing scandalously up her shin. Of course, she was without shoes or stockings. Sebastian never imagined he could enjoy staring at bare toes. Hers were exceptionally pretty and he was tempted to nibble at one. It would probably shock her silly if he acted on the impulse. He chuckled when Theodosia tossed a piece from the chess set at him.
“What poor sportsmanship is this,” he drawled mockingly.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “You cheat!”
He huffed out a breath, not quite a laugh. “Careful, I might challenge such an affront to my honor.”
“Do you deny it?”
“Of course! My honor is beyond reproach.”
“Then what were those kisses in between our moves,” she demanded in an undertone, throbbing with outrage.
“Kisses, of course. Are you addled?”
She surveyed them over the rim of her glass which was filled with sherry. After taking a demur sip, her lips curved, and her eyes glittered brightly. He wondered if that smile was for his benefit. Perhaps not. She was plotting some diabolical revenge upon him for his distracting kisses.
He lifted his glass to his mouth and gave her a look of mocking inquiry. “What are you plotting?”
She was nibbling on her lower lip and for all appearance seemed like she attempted to solve a complex equation.
“I was wondering how do lovers behave. I want to explore your body and was wondering how to get you out of your trousers. I am new to these sorts of dalliances. Do I just demand it…or must I seduce you from it?”
Sebastian choked on his brandy.
Her laughter was beautiful, wild, and rich. “I love that I can startle a man of your self-assurance and grace.”
“What a shocking want of delicacy.”
Sebastian, observing her blush said, “I tease you.”
She sniffed. “So, you’ve learned the art then.”