The Daring Miss Darcy (Lost Ladies of London #4)(80)

Ross looked immaculate in a dark blue coat and gold waistcoat. Their gazes locked, and he mouthed I love you. His eyes held a look of promise that warmed her core and left her anticipating what the night would bring. There was a glimpse of the younger man about him. The happy, carefree lord who’d chased her about the orchard and swore to love and protect her until his dying day.

Afterwards, they dined in the great hall in what proved to be rowdy celebration organised by Mackenzie. Fabian’s men joined them, as did Wickett.

“Look at Wickett,” Ross said, leaning in and whispering in Estelle’s ear as they sat at the long table on the dais. He took the opportunity to kiss her cheek, pressed another on her jaw. “Fabian’s men are plying him with drink. I might see if one of them can get him to sing or dance. It will give me ammunition when he attempts to tease me.”

“You have rather an unconventional relationship with your coachman,” Estelle said, sliding her hand under the table to grip his muscular thigh. She found she could not keep her hands off her husband.

Ross sucked in a breath as her hand edged higher. “The man has saved my life on more than one occasion though I would never tell him that.”

Estelle’s fingers settled on the fall of his breeches and caressed him in slow, sensual strokes. “Perhaps he’s not the only one with the ability to tease you.”

“Then you should know I’m a man with a hunger for revenge.” He met her gaze and whispered, “Would you like me to make you come in front of all these people?”

Had she been sipping her wine, she might have choked. “How would you do that?” She had to admit to being a little excited.

“Trust me. No one would know.”

“That is simply not possible.”

Ross raised a brow. “Is that a challenge, Lady Trevane?”

Estelle loved this playful side of him. He looked so different from the dangerous devil who had dragged her into a coaching inn and forced her to tell her tale. “I cannot see how you would have an opportunity.”

Ross gestured to the men setting up the music stands in the far corner. “In a minute, Mackenzie has arranged for Fabian to play his fiddle while everyone dances. We don’t have to join them on the floor straight away.”

“I highly doubt our guests will let us sit out.”

Ross placed his napkin on the table, stood and moved to speak to Fabian. Her brother looked at her and then nodded.

“What did you say?” she said when Ross returned to his seat.

“I said you were feeling a little hot, a little overwhelmed by the events of the day, and we would sit out for the first dance and join them for the second.”

Ross proceeded to tell her exactly what he wanted to do to her in bed that night. The precise details fired a heat between her thighs that was soon a blazing inferno. How was it she was panting with arousal and he’d not even touched her yet?

When Mackenzie stood, banged his gavel and instructed them the dancing was to commence, Ross placed his hand on her thigh.

“Cross your legs,” he said with supreme confidence in his ability.

She did as he asked, and the sensation only heightened her need to find her release. Good Lord. She was liable to stretch out on the table and let him take her there and then. That thought sent another pulse of desire shooting to her core.

Fabian stepped down from the dais to join two other men. They played a country tune and their guests piled to the floor. Everyone danced, though the Erstwhiles were lauded for their stamina when they managed to keep pace with Mackenzie’s jig.

The music was loud. The crowd were laughing and singing as Ross’ fingers delved between her thighs and played her through the fine material of her dress as easily as Fabian stroked the strings on his fiddle.

Estelle struggled to sit still.

Ross’ gaze never left her face. “I’ll not wait until tonight to be inside you.”

That was it. She came apart then. The muscles in her core clamped down, missing the feel of having him to grip on to, though still sending pleasurable shivers to her toes.

Ross waited until the tremors subsided and then sat back with a huge grin on his face.

“So,” she began, a little breathless. “It seems you have found yourself another opponent as well as Wickett. Now, I shall have to think of new and novel ways to tease you.”

“Then I shall look forward to the event with bated breath. Perhaps you may get your first opportunity in an hour or two. Mackenzie has hidden a chest of coins with clues how to find the treasure. I imagine most people will go on the hunt.”

Estelle smiled. “But not you?”

Ross took hold of her hand. “No, not me. I have the only treasure I want right here.”



THE END