But she was interrupted by her mother’s voice. “Yes, I am the mother of the bride–the Duchess of Axwick, that is, of course, what I must call her now. Yes, I am very proud…”
Richard chuckled and released her from his grasp as Tabitha rolled her eyes. “Honestly, I do wish she were not quite so ridiculous.”
“Everyone is a little ridiculous,” he countered, leading her by the hand into the house through the large French doors in the drawing room, and inclining his head at even more guests who filled each room. “Even you.”
Tabitha arched an eyebrow as they meandered from one room into another. “Me? I think not. What do you–oh!”
Without any warning, Richard pulled her through a door into the servant’s corridor and shut it behind him, silencing the noise of their guests.
“What the–”
“Shh!” Richard placed a hand on his lips and leaned against the door with his ear, listening closely. What could he be thinking?
Her curiosity got the better of her, and she stepped forward to lean against the door. “What are you listening for?”
In a swift movement and with a dark smile, he pushed her so she fell against the door and crushed her lips with his own.
Laughing through the kiss, Tabitha batted him away and glared with a mocking air. “Ah, so that is your game, is it?”
“Of course it is,” he growled with a devilish spark in his grin. “Do I have any other?”
She did not reply in words, but pulled him up the stairs to the servants’ bedroom. He knew exactly where she was leading him, to the same sort of place where they had first made love. It was just as sparse, but as she closed the door behind them and leaned against it, she smiled wickedly.
Richard groaned and rushed toward her. His lips possessed her, teasing her with the temptation of greater pleasure until she moaned, and he gifted her by ravishing her mouth with his tongue.
“I have been longing to do this all day,” she muttered as he kissed her neck.
His hands had moved from her waist and pushed at her skirts, holding them up to reveal that special place of hers. With a hungry look in his eyes, he asked, “Do you think we can be quiet enough to make love against this door without anyone finding us?”
A spark of excitement rushed through Tabitha as she looked at the man she loved. Then she smiled at her husband. “I am always willing to find out.”
His next kiss overwhelmed her, but it was nothing to his words. “Never a bridesmaid again, you delicious duchess. I think I may have an addictive soul after all.”
She pulled away, her heart pounding, yearning for his touch. “You do? Why, what do you think you have an addiction to?”
He smiled. She fell in love with him all over again as he fumbled with the buttons on his breeches, freeing himself and thrusting inside her, making her gasp with pleasure. “You, of course.”
Wondering whether Lady Charlotte, the eternal chaperone will ever find her happily ever after? Find out now in Always the Chaperone.
Make sure you grab the rest of the series to follow the stories of many of the other characters of this book, including Miss Emma Tilbury, Lady Letitia Cavendish, Miss Priscilla Seton, Miss Theodosia Ashbrooke, and Miss Sophia Worsley.
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About Emily E K Murdoch
If you love falling in love, then you’ve come to the right place.
I am a historian and writer and have a varied career to date: from examining medieval manuscripts to designing museum exhibitions, to working as a researcher for the BBC to working for the National Trust.
My books range from England 1050 to Texas 1848, and I can’t wait for you to fall in love with my heroes and heroines!
Follow me on twitter and instagram @emilyekmurdoch, find me on facebook at facebook.com/theemilyekmurdoch, and read my blog at www.emilyekmurdoch.com.
Always the Bridesmaid Page 16