Then Came You (The Gamblers #1)(94)

Surprisingly, the elderly woman smiled. “It won’t be easy for you, naturally. You do have a struggle, a worthwhile struggle, ahead of you. I believe I speak for a great many people in saying it will be quite interesting to watch.”

Lady Lyon arranged for the two of them to attend a series of private soirées, at which their marriage was announced in a quiet and seemly manner. There was no way to avoid the appearance of scandal, not when the details of their “courtship” were being bandied about London. But at least Lady Lyon had managed to water down the disgrace somewhat. At her insistence, Lily wore modestly becoming gowns to these affairs, and took care to associate mostly with dowagers and respectable married women.

To Lily’s surprise, the men she had gambled with, traded friendly insults with, drank and joked with at Craven’s treated her with unexpected deference at these gatherings. Occasionally one of the elderly gentlemen would give her a surreptitious wink, as if they were engaging in a pleasant conspiracy. Their wives, on the other hand, were only marginally friendly. But no one dared to cut her openly, since Lady Lyon and her revered cronies were always at her side. It also helped that Lily possessed an impressive title and the backing of an even more impressive fortune.

With each gathering she navigated through successfully, Lily became more “established.” She couldn’t help noticing the change in the way others regarded her, the courtesies and attentions they paid her. In fact, some of the aristocrats who had been only coolly polite to her for years were now complimentary, even affectionate, as if she had always been a great favorite. Privately she denounced this entire procedure of becoming respectable as a great indignity, which amused Alex greatly.

“I’m being trotted forth for their inspection,” Lily told him while they pored over a list of invitations in one of the upstairs sitting rooms. “Like some pony with ribbons braided through her tail. ‘Look, everyone, she isn’t quite as heathenish and vulgar as we feared’…I sincerely hope this is all worth the effort, my lord!”

“Is it really such a trial?” he asked sympathetically, his gray eyes gleaming with laughter.

“No,” she admitted. “I want to succeed. I’m terrified of what your aunt will do to me if I don’t.”

“She likes you,” he assured her.

“Oh, really? Is that why she’s always making remarks about my behavior and my eyes and my gowns. Why, the other day she complained that I was flaunting my bosom—Good God, I hardly have one to speak of!”

His brows drew together. “You have a beautiful bosom.”

Wryly she glanced down at her small, pert br**sts. “When I was a girl, Mother always made me splash cold water on my chest to make them grow. They never did. Penelope’s bosom is much better than mine.”

“I never noticed hers,” he said, shoving the pile of invitations to the floor and reaching for her.

She evaded him with a quick laugh. “Alex! Lord Faxton will be here momentarily to discuss the bill he wants to propose.”

“Then he’ll have to wait.” Catching her around the waist, he pulled her beneath him on the sofa.

Lily laughed and wriggled in protest. “What if Burton shows him upstairs and he discovers us like this?”

“Burton’s too well trained for that.”

“Really, my lord, the pride you take in him makes me wonder.” She shoved at his shoulders and twisted under him. “I’ve never seen a man so attached to his butler.”

“Best damn butler in England,” he said, and pinned her down, enjoying her energetic grappling. For a woman of her diminutive size, she was remarkably strong. She giggled uncontrollably as she tried to fend him off. He let her nearly succeed in pushing him away, but then he collected her wrists in one hand and stretched them over her head. His other hand roamed boldly over her slender form.

“Alex, let me up,” she said breathlessly.

He pulled her sleeves down and tugged at her bodice. “Not until I convince you how beautiful you are.”

“I’m convinced. I’m beautiful. Ravishing. Now stop this at once.” She gasped as she heard the sound of delicate fabric ripping and stitches popping.

Staring into her eyes, Alex continued, to pull away the dress until her br**sts were exposed. His fingers brushed against her bare skin, sending tingles of delight through her. Gently he traced around the delicate peaks with a fingertip, his gaze smoldering as it fell on the slight curves of her br**sts. Her playfulness vanished, and she began to breathe deeply. “My lord, we can wait until later. It’s important that…” Her mind swam with sensations, and she almost lost her train of thought. “Important to see Faxton when he arrives.”

“Nothing’s more important than you.”

“Be sensible—”

“I am being sensible.” His mouth opened over her nipple, drawing the taut bud tightly inside.

Lily trembled as he held her down and kissed her br**sts with leisurely sensuality. Her head turned listlessly to one side, then the other, her wrists flexing within his firm grip. Alex pulled her skirts up, the warmth of his hand seeping through her fine silk stockings as he caressed her legs. “I’ve never wanted any woman as much as I want you,” he murmured. His mouth played over the side of her neck, and he licked the inside of her ear. “I could devour you. I love your br**sts, your mouth, everything about you. Do you believe me?” When she refused to answer, he rubbed his lips over hers, coaxing a reply. “Do you believe me?”