Wicked in His Arms
Page 23
“I have sent word for our town house to be prepared. With Parliament opening, we must return to London, then travel to the country when it is close to your lying-in.”
He tugged her even closer to him, nestling her head under his chin.
“Do you think the scandal has abated?” she asked with an indelicate yawn.
“Most assuredly.”
“You sound confident.”
“That is because I’ve had cause to read a scandal sheet, specially delivered to our doorstep this morning. My curiosity got the better of me as to why Wolverton would believe I read such claptrap. I could not wait for you to rise, wife, though the duke’s note was addressed to both of us.”
With a gasp, Livvie wiggled and shifted so that she faced her husband. His eyes were glowing with amusement.
“There is another scandal!”
“Yes.”
“Oh do not keep me in suspense any longer. It is quite nice to think the scrutiny around us will be abated.”
Tobias dipped his head and brushed a kiss across her lips. “It seems our friend the Marquess of Westfall was caught with Lady Evelyn, the earl of Gladstone’s daughter.”
She stared at him in shock. “Caught doing what?”
“The sheets report they were alone together on the outskirts of London, after midnight.”
Oh dear. “We must lend our support to Lady Evelyn when we travel to Town. Society may be unforgiving.”
“We will,” Tobias reassured.
Livvie thought of Westfall and winced. He did not present as a man inclined to bow to society’s expectations. “Do you think he will marry her?”
“I could never deduce what Westfall is thinking. He despises high society, but he’s always possessed a particular weakness for Lady Evelyn.”
Livvie’s eyes rounded. “He does?”
“Hmm,” her husband muttered distractedly, and it was then she realized he had been inching her night rail from her shoulders.
“I will talk no more of Westfall when I am trying to ravish my wife.”
Her giggle turned into a husky moan of desire as he gently drew her up and flicked his tongue over her sensitive nipple. Oh! The pleasure was electrifying. He trailed kisses up, over to her collarbone, her flickering pulse to her lips. His mouth was sweet and sultry, flavored with a hint of coffee he must have drank while she was sleeping.
He loved her gently, passionately, and nothing else intruded in Livvie’s thoughts as she reveled in being wicked in her husband’s arms.
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Acknowledgments
I thank God every day for loving me with such depth and breadth nothing can take his love from me.
To my husband, Dusean, you are so damn wonderful. You’ve read all my drafts for Wicked in His Arms and without your input I would never have found the strength to continue in the face of being ill. You reminded me that I am a kick-ass ninja and I love you for it!
Thank you to my wonderful friend and critique partner Gina Fisovera. Without you I would be lost. Thank you for all the messages asking “Have you finished the damn book?” I have! Thank you for the amazing feedback, and I promise to sort out my plurals. LOL. I love you, and I thank you for your continued encouragement and kindness.
Thank you to my amazing editor, Alycia Tornetta, for being so patient when I miss my deadlines and overall a kick-ass, amazing, wonderful, and stupendous editor.
To my wonderful readers, thank you for picking up my book and giving me a chance! Thank you.
Special THANK YOU to everyone who leaves a review—bloggers, fans, friends. I have always said reviews to authors are like a pot of gold to leprechauns. Thank you all for adding to my rainbow one review at a time.
About the Author
I am an avid reader of novels with a deep passion for writing. I especially love romance and enjoy writing about people falling in love. I live a lot in the worlds I create and I actively speak to my characters (out loud). I have a warrior way “Never give up on my dream.” When I am not writing, I spend a copious amount of time drooling over Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead, Lucas Hood from Banshee, watching Japanese Anime, and playing video games with my love—Dusean. I also have a horrible weakness for ice cream.
I am always happy to hear from readers and would love for you to connect with me via Website | Facebook | Twitter
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Happy reading!
Stacy
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