eyes widened, her lips parted. And for a moment she looked surprised to find him in such a state. But then she smiled.
‘Desist or I am going to have a very large and obvious problem when this dance comes to a close.’ He spoke the words low and quiet by her ear, his jaw tight as he struggled for control.
‘Is there nothing you can do to alleviate the situation?’ she asked and looked at him with such an innocent expression that he did not know whether she understood the suggestive nature of her question.
‘There is, but I doubt we could ever show our faces in society again if we did it here on the dance floor.’ He met her gaze boldly and held it, watching her. His wife blushed but did not look away, and again there was that contrast between the temptress and the good girl, exciting him all the more.
‘What are you then to do?’ She arched an eyebrow.
‘Contrive to think dampening thoughts.’
She digested that in silence and he wondered if he should have been quite as honest about his struggle. The minutes passed. The music played. The dance wove them tighter with its steps. There was no change in his state and, if he were honest, there was only one manner of relief that he wanted.
‘It does not seem to be working.’ She smiled; a knowing, teasing smile.
‘And neither will it, madam, if we continue as we are,’ he said and opened up a distance between them. It sounded as pompous as something his father would say. His father… The problem resolved itself in an instant.
He tried to get Ellen to leave the ball early. There were matters that needed to be discussed between them. And there were other things, too. Things that, being faithful to his marriage, he had gone too long without. But Ellen was adamant that leaving early would cause offense, and would not hear of such a thing. She had returned to enjoy London and it seemed she was determined to do just that. The ball went on so late that by the time he got her home she was tired and went straight to bed.
Marcus sat on his bed and stared at the closed door in front of him. It was the door to the connecting bedchamber. He felt the pull of temptation. His body was humming with desire. Aching with it, giving him little chance of sleep. He thought of the tease of her body against his on the dance floor and knew she was as aware as him of the attraction that crackled between them. He wanted her but given how their marriage had started he was not about to make the same mistake again. He wanted to get to know her. He wanted to actually talk to his wife before he climbed into her bed and made love to her.
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