Page 57 of The Mysterious Lord Ballantine

*

The feeling, thefriction, increased in rhythmic time as he pushed deeper. Diana raised her legs around his hips, holding him tightly, feeling the rasp of his chest hair against her breasts. His thrusts quickened. Their panting breaths filled the room, and a tightening in her belly heralded another climax. It soon carried her away.

Feeling deliciously languid, her knees flopped wide, and she moaned, loving the loud growl Damian made as he came. For a moment, he stilled, his panting breath stirring her hair, and then he rolled away to gather her close beside him.

Diana rested a leg over his stomach, sated and sleepy.

His hand stroked the length of her calf.

“Damian?”

“Mm?”

“Tomorrow, shall we ride over and visit Luke? See how he’s faring? He will be sad now that Miss Brentwood has become engaged to another man.” She frowned. “How awful of her father to insist she marry the baron when she and Luke loved each other. Fathers can be so ruthless with their daughters.”

“My brother can perfectly handle his own romances, my love. Without our interference.”

She rolled over on top of him, her breasts flattening against his chest. Aware of the flare of desire in his eyes, she smiled. “I rather thought we could invite Penny to stay? She is in the doldrums after the man she hoped to marry failed to come up to scratch. I believe she and Luke would like each other.”

“Hush.” He lightly smacked her bottom, then circled it with his palm, rubbing it better. “A man needs his sleep if he’s to keep his woman satisfied.” He reached over and snuffed out the candle.

Diana giggled and nestled into his side. Her head against his chest, she closed her eyes.

*

Returning from breakfast,Diana met the butler in the hall.

“A letter has arrived for you, my lady.”

“Thank you, Barron.” Surprised, she turned the slim missive over in her hands as she went upstairs. At her desk, she took out the mother-of-pearl letter opener and slit it open.

It was a bare few lines.We have a daughter! We’ve called her Diana. I wish the same for you, dearest. A long, happy life with your love!There were several kisses but no signature. Diana lowered the letter and sobbed. Anne had a daughter.

Damian came in and found her wiping her eyes with her handkerchief.

“What is it, my love?” he asked with concern.

She handed him the letter, and with a frown, he read it. He glanced up. “It’s from Lady Anne?”

Diana nodded. “I thought never to hear from her. Perhaps we could visit her again sometime? I know she was worried about her secret being divulged, but you already know about her, and we’re skilled at traveling discreetly. When we can trust the groom,” she added, still annoyed with Peter. “I shall write and ask her.”

Damian drew her up and wrapped his arms around her, his hand on the back of her hair. “It is good to hear from her, yes?”

She nodded again and sobbed against his chest.

He raised her chin and kissed her lips. “There are certain things about women I will never understand. A man would be happy for good news,” he murmured against her hair. “Then he would put the letter away in a drawer, his cheeks perfectly dry.”

“Men.” She pushed him away with a laugh.