Royal Weddings(24)

She arched her head back against his pillow as he bent his head and kissed her throat. She closed her eyes, raking her fingers though his hair while he reacquainted himself with her breasts. “God, look at you,” he breathed as he ran a fiery palm down her thigh. “What a fool I am.” He kissed his way down toward her navel. “I’m afraid I’m done sparing your modesty, woman.”

“Good.” With a decadent smile, she raked her nails lightly over his broad shoulders. “I’ll be your mistress and your wife,” she whispered.

“Yes.” He teethed her neck lustfully, tracing his fingertips lightly over her belly and then down between her legs. “Take me for your lover, Lady Archer. Everybody wants you, but none so much as I.”

“Oh God, Archer, please,” she gasped. “Haven’t I waited long enough?” She pulled her to him.

“Indeed,” he breathed in a hoarse rasp, and then he took her. She surrendered to his lovemaking in utter joy, his arms around her, his lips against her ear, his lightly furred chest rocking against her breasts.

Neither of them had realized until now how much they needed this. She wrapped her legs around him, moving with him in rampant welcome. She was breathless as he pleasured her with his solid length. She kissed his hard face again and again in between moaning his name, and the night turned into a wicked satin dream . . . from which she never wanted to wake.

Rosy sunlight filled Archer’s room the next morning as Elle awoke alone in his bed. The last thing she remembered was pulling the covers over her husband in the middle of the night. He had fallen sound asleep after his delicious exertions, and he hadn’t wakened once.

Smiling in heated remembrance, she glanced over, but his side of the bed was empty. When she looked at the clock, she was startled: half past nine!

Goodness, she had slept in so late. By now, no doubt, the industrious Lord Archer would be hard at work.

She let out a rueful sigh and got up, pulling on his velvet banyan robe, which he had left at the foot of the bed for her. “Where is that man of mine?” she murmured playfully as she sauntered out to the adjoining sitting room.

He was not there, but an open letter on the table caught her eye. She went over, picked it up and skimmed it.

Her dreamy expression sobered.

Just then the new Paymaster of the Forces walked into the sitting room bringing their breakfast on a tray. “There she is.” His eyes glowed as he set it on the table, then he lowered his head to greet her with a kiss. “Good morning, lovely.”

“I see congratulations are in order.” She flicked the letter. “You got the post.”

“Yes, well,” he answered absently, pouring out their tea, “I’ve turned it down.”

“What?”

“I’ve recommended someone else for the task. An honest man. I don’t think you know him. Doesn’t matter.” He shrugged at her stunned look. “As long as that scoundrel Hayes didn’t end up with the post, I’m perfectly happy to pass it by.”

She stared at him in shock. “You’re sure?”

“Oh, yes.” He put the usual two lumps of sugar in and stirred it before handing it to her. “I’ve also resigned this morning from all but two of the boards I serve on, and one of the committees. It should be a much more, er, manageable schedule.”

“You’re really willing to give up all that power for us?”

“It’s not just for you. It’s for me, as well. That slap you gave me really woke me up.” He paused. “Too much striving, too much busyness. I need some time. I have . . . some things to think about,” he said rather gingerly. “Things I need to face.”

She lifted her hand and cupped his face, all tenderness. “I know, darling. I’m here for you.”

He captured her hand and kissed her knuckles. “I’m a very blessed man, you know. I have a wife who loves me, and two fine sons who need me. I’ve no desire to gain the world and lose what matters most along the way.”

Elle gazed at him. “You’re a wonder.”

“Last night was a wonder,” he corrected with a devilish look, then he presented her with a pastry.

She laughed aloud, refusing the apple tart and opting instead for another taste of his lips. She slid her arms around his neck and pulled him down to kiss her, loosely clasping her fingers at his nape.

He caressed her lips with his own, then rested her hands on her waist with an appreciative squeeze. “Mmm. So, what do you want to do today, beautiful? I’ve canceled my appointments. I’m all yours.”

“Now I know this is a dream.”