He gave her quim one last gentle, closemouthed kiss. Ethan traced his fingers from her ankles up to that ribbon garter, then back down again. The shakes of her body were quieting.
Under his fingers, her legs were smooth and strong. At last the quivering in her thighs settled, and the silence beyond this dark haven let him know it was safe to emerge. Ethan shimmied out from under the cover of a wide pannier and stood as if he’d been leaning beside her against the railing all along. Dragging a hand down his waistcoat, he tried to set himself to rights and hoped the erection tenting his breeches would abate soon.
Beside him, Lottie’s fingers held the balustrade in a death grip. A flush covered her chest, visible in the light from the single flickering lantern nearby. Ethan covered one of her hands with his.
She cocked her head, then froze when the wig slipped at an awkward angle. “That was…marvelous. But what about your satisfaction?”
“I’m not worried about me. I wanted tae make it good for you. I promise I always will.”
Lottie squeezed his hand, then straightened the costume ears he wore. “The Big Bad Wolf, indeed. If they only knew what a kind man you are.”
Ethan grinned, letting her see his teeth. “I promised tae eat you up, didn’ I?” Lottie’s husky laugh loosened the lingering knots of worry in his chest.
She stood on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear. “Darling will let you in the side entrance after the guests are gone. Find your way to my room tonight and do it again.” Her hand slid up the line of his hard thigh to close over the length of his erection.
He glanced at her sharply. “Are you suggesting what I think you are, lass?”
“We’re going to be married. What’s the harm?”
It tempted the fates to say as much out loud. So many things could go wrong tomorrow, but tonight…she offered everything. And standing on that balcony, with her skin glowing from the pleasure he’d just given her, he couldn’t say no.
Chapter Twenty-One
The gaslights outside Lottie’s window dotted the lane to the mews, which finally showed signs of settling after a busy night. Their last guest had departed over an hour before, but her body hummed after the assignation on the balcony. That orgasm had left her with weak knees and shivers under her skin whenever she’d spied Ethan’s knowing smile throughout the rest of the evening.
Darling entered the room, singing to herself. “First things first, milady. You’re probably ready for that wig to come off.”
“I hope to never wear another wig for as long as I live.” Finding the small bench at her vanity table with her skirts obstructing the view turned out to be a chore in itself. Behind her, Darling giggled, lined her up with the padded seat, then pressed gently on Lottie’s shoulders.
“Thank you, Darling. What would I do without you?” Lottie removed her earrings while her maid withdrew one hairpin after another from the wig. When Darling lifted the heavy thing off her head, Lottie sighed. “I feel as if my head is floating somewhere high above my shoulders.” Lottie fiddled with the clasp of the necklace, removed it, and ran her fingers over the bejeweled pendant. Darling motioned for Lottie to stand, then set about unpinning the bodice and removing the layers of the gown.
“I have a rather personal request. Do you have those French letters we discussed purchasing in Kent?”
Darling’s smirk spoke volumes. “Aye, milady. I’ll just set one out in a bowl by the bed, shall I? How’s he getting inside the house?”
Lottie would bet her mother’s pearl earbobs that her cheeks were twin flags of flaming pink. “I told him you’d let him in the side entrance.”
“I’d be happy to deliver him right to your door. But after that it’s your responsibility. I’ll leave you to tie the bow on him.” Darling’s eyes were alight with humor as she folded away the night’s costume for storage.
Lottie wasn’t sure what Darling meant about the bow, but she really didn’t want to ask questions right now. She stepped out of the pile of fabric, letting the petticoats and shift settle on the floor, then she shrugged into a pink satin dressing gown. Out the corner of her eye she saw Darling fill a small bowl with water and open a packet, preparing to soak the French letter so it would be soft for use later.
Lottie folded the remaining pieces of the costume, then began her nighttime routine.
“Shall I draw you a bath, milady?”
The clock on the mantel struck the hour. “Do I have time for a bath?” It did sound lovely.
With a shrug, Darling gathered the lemon bath oil that had become a favorite. “If milord finds you naked in the tub, I doubt he’ll mind. Might help you relax a bit. You’re fluttering about like a nervous bird.”
Leave it to Darling to find the perfect relaxation aid and seduction setting. After pinning her hair up, she sank into the tub in front of the fire. Lottie closed her eyes and took a deep breath, filling her senses with citrus-scented air. Hot water soothed her muscles. Dragging that heavy dress around all night had been a far more physical experience than the average evening entertainment, and her neck ached from the weight of the wig.
The soft swish of wooden door against carpet, then the snick of her key in the lock alerted her to Ethan’s presence. She kept her eyes closed, waiting to see what he would do next. Having him near, knowing where the night would lead, sent a ripple of excitement through her.
A kiss as soft as a butterfly landed at the corner of her eye, above her cheekbone. “Good evening, my lord. Would you like to wash my back?” She smiled at his low chuckle, and she finally lifted her lids. The
