He nodded. ‘And I am sure that she will enjoy riding outside with the groom.’
Grace swallowed as she thought of those hours she might spend alone with Lucian in a carriage. Kissing him. Touching him. Having him kiss and touch her in return. Having his words of this morning become a reality. The whole idea of it was so tempting…
She was aware that this time the shaking of her head lacked conviction. ‘My aunt needs me…’
‘I need you more, Grace.’ Lucian found using this deliberate seduction of Grace as a means of distracting her attention distasteful. Not insincere—never that—just distasteful.
But what other choice did he have? He and Darius had decided that it would be better if Grace did not remain here for the next few days. It would be better if the Duchess were not here, either, but her removal tomorrow to the Dower House would serve equally well. The delivery of Hawk’s letter this afternoon telling Lucian of his nephew’s birth could not have arrived more opportunely, giving Lucian the perfect excuse to take his leave and to take Grace with him.
Her eyes were huge luminous pools as she looked up at him—so deep a grey Lucian felt he might drown in them. He reached up to curve one hand about her cheek, running his thumb lightly over the full pout of her lips, parting them. Her breath was a warm caress against his skin.
‘Please say you will come with me tomorrow, Grace.’
Lucian’s hand was warm against her face, his thumb a sensual caress. Grace’s body was suffused with heat as he dipped that thumb suggestively between her lips. It was a temptation Grace could not resist as her tongue stroked lightly against the intrusion, her breathing light and uneven as the bodice of her gown suddenly felt constricted against her breasts.
Her lips remained parted as Lucian removed his thumb to replace it with his own lips, claiming hers in a long, exploratory kiss that rendered Grace weak at the knees, clinging to the broadness of his shoulders when he finally raised his head to look down at her with smouldering dark eyes.
‘Say you will, Grace,’ he encouraged throatily.
Grace could no longer think straight, let alone recall the reasons for her objections to his suggestion.
‘Just think of it, Grace,’ Lucian prompted softly. ‘All those hours alone in the carriage in which to indulge our every fantasy.’
Her cheeks coloured heatedly. ‘I doubt that a carriage is the place for—for such activities, My Lord.’
His grin was wolfish. ‘You can have no idea how perfect a place it is, Grace!’
She blinked. ‘It is…?’
Lucian nodded, his smile teasing. ‘Remember I once described to you how I imagined having you sit astride me…?’
Of course Grace remembered! Achingly. Shockingly.!
Lucian saw the answer to his question in her modestly lowered lashes and the delicate blush that appeared in her cheeks. ‘In a carriage there is no need for you to ride me, Grace, merely to take me inside you. The movement of the vehicle will do the rest for us. Very slowly. But equally as satisfactory.’
Her throat moved convulsively. ‘You are— That is— I do not know what to say!’ She looked flustered as she stepped away from him, desperately trying to recapture her scattered wits.
‘You only have to say yes, Grace, and our lovemaking can become a reality,’ Lucian pressed huskily.
She looked up at him frowningly, more tempted than she could say. And yet… ‘No,’ she said firmly. ‘I really cannot abandon my aunt in this way when she is grieving so. It would be unfeeling of me to do so,’ she added stubbornly, when she could see Lucian was about to argue with her. ‘My mind is made up, Lucian.’
He looked less than pleased at her obvious determination. ‘In that case I too must stay.’
‘That is completely unnecessary.’ Grace gave him a reproving frown. ‘Your brother and sister-in-law will be expecting you home to meet your new nephew.’
‘Then they will have to expect,’ Lucian announced arrogantly.
Damn it, he had almost had her agreement. He was sure that he had. Then at the last minute, the very last minute, her indomitable will had taken a stand. Not that Lucian didn’t admire her strength of will. In fact, it was one of the things he was coming to most admire about Grace. Her loyalty and devotion to her aunt were also qualities he could not fault.