A Breach of Promise (The Rules of Engagement #1)(29)

“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.