Read Online Married by Morning by Linda Hays-Gibbs - Free Book Online

that is wonderful in a woman of her rank.”  “Um…I believe so my Lord Darby.  I cannot wait to explore her possibilities, I mean her personality.”  “I give you leave to stay a few days and make better acquaintance.  You er…must…need…have my blessings.”  “Thank you Lord Darby, I think that would be agreeable.”  Lord Thornton laughed and shook his hand.
         Stella flounced over to her mother’s side.  “Well, I see you making a perfect idiot out of yourself with that man.  Did you not tell us to behave ourselves?  Are we not to get rid of the chit tonight before the disastrous marriage?”
    “My dearest daughter you have no right to tell me what to do.  I have you know that I am a lady and your mother so address me with the proper respect. We will get rid of her, have no doubt but I have not had a suitor in thirty years.” Stella laughed under her hand.  “You are quite taken with him.  I scarce believe it.  In that case you shall have no objections to my flirting with the Duke of Avery.” Abigail rolled her eyes as her daughter swanned over to the man in question.  Stella floated over to the Duke and turned just to his left to stare out the window at the dark.  Her hands rubbed the sides of her arms.  The Duke of Avery stepped apart to her back and whispered. “Are you cold Miss Darby?  I have a lot of heat to give to a certain fiery redhead, I shall not name.”  He blew on her neck and ran a finger down her arm unnoticed by anyone but her.  She shivered and backed into his heat. He scanned the back of her body and smiled.  Her ball gown was black but low across her bosom and her back.  The lace just covered her back to her shoulder blades.  He feasted on her pale creamy skin, his eyes a burning blue flame of hot lust. “I want you, “he whispered into her ear blowing a warm stream of hot breath over her lobe. He clenched his fists as he wanted to pull her toward him. “We must meet later.  I cannot live until I touch you.”  She smiled and turned toward him with an impatient noise, “Your cravat is tied a little crookedly, Your Grace.  I could fix that for you, if you like?”  “Yes, please.”
    Stella turned and blew a sweet breath of rose perfume into him as she put her delicate fingers on his neck and pried into his cravat.  Her fluttering digits had Avery’s eye’s fluttering too. He reached down in front of her and untied a ribbon at the apex of her breasts. “Oh, my let me tie this for you Miss Darby.”  His warm hands on the tops of her breast feather light tantalizingly soft made her shivers increase. Her brother saw the closeness of their proximity and started to walk toward them.   “You see my point.  We must meet later to play our games in private. N’est-il pas alor?” “Your Grace, I concede that you want to have your wicked way with me.  I will not concede so easily.”  “At least take a stroll with me into the arboretum.  I promise to behave for just a little while.”  She nodded as her breath caught on his finger dipping just a little too low for comfort.  “Ah hum, Your Grace, I see you and my sister are becoming better acquainted.”  “I was just coming to see you Lord Darby.  Could I have your permission to have this lovely lady show me your famous arboretum?  I would be the perfect gentleman.”  He left his face a complete blank but squeezed the tip of Stella’s breast before turning to her brother.  “I can see no reason for her not to show it to you, unless she is opposed, Stella? Is it agreeable to you?”  “I would be honored to take His Grace on a tour.  This way please, Your Grace.”  He followed her out like a little puppy, his eyes slumberous with passion.  As soon as they took a door into the hall he whispered,” I want my hands on you.” Her step faltered and she turned immediately into an alcove.  She turned to face him and he grabbed her to him crumpling her dress in his clenched