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Gasping as his h the sheet, Elizabeth’s hand drifted to the war the poithin theht froue, he abraded the stiff peak, intuitively knowing how to led, knowing it rong to give in, fighting to regain control

With a lol, he released her breast and yanked the sheet out of the way He covered her body with his, hishers, the heat and hardness of his fra her to melt into hi her so well, ravishing her senses, coaxing away her tension

Until she dissolved in pleasure, falling fro even as she did so that the clier by the moment …

Chapter 9

Elizabeth entered the h not yet dawn, the kitchen staff would already be preparing for the day’spaths with one of theht and her skin so flushed

"Elizabeth"

Startled, she juhtened

"Yes, Williahing, she waited as he stepped into the room and closed them inside She braced herself

"What in hell are you doing with Westfield? In our guesthouse? Have you lost your wits?"

"Yes" There was no point in denying it

"Why?" he asked, clearly confused and hurt

"I don’t know"

"I’ll kill hirowled "To treat you like this, to use you so callously I told you to stay away from him, that his intentions were dishonorable"

"I tried, truly I did" Turning away, Elizabeth sank into a nearby chair

Muttering an oath, Williaan to pace in front of her "You could have had anyone If you were so set against e, you could have chosen a more suitable companion"

"Williarooman and I canas personal as taking a lover"

"Good God," he bit out "To have to speak of such matters with you--"

"You don’t, you know," she said dryly

"Oh yes, I do" He rounded on her "After suffering through your endless lectures about my licentious behavior--"

"Yes, you see, I learned from the best"

William stilled "You’ve no notion You are in over your head"

Elizabeth took a deep breath "Perhaps Or perhaps it is Westfield who is out of his depth" If not, he soon would be

He snorted "Elizabeth--"

"Enough, William, I’m tired" She stood andto escort ue, but Marcus insisted her safety was in question It was either with his escort or she couldn’t attend He’d been ada way

"Fine," William snapped "I’ll have a ith him when he arrives"

She waved her hand nonchalantly over her shoulder "Be uest Send for me when you’re done"

"This is odious"

"I gathered you think so"

"An abomination"

"Yes, yes" She moved out into the hallway

"I will thrash him if he hurts you," William called after her

Elizabeth stopped and turned to face hi out of love, and she adored hied his waist He crushed her close

"You are the ," he said into her hair "Why could you not be more pliable and even-tempered?"

"Because I would bore you to tears and drive you insane"

He sighed "Yes, I supposed you would at that" He pulled back "Be careful, please I couldn’t bear to see you hurt again"

The sadness evident on his handsoed at her heart, and re with Marcus was playing with fire

"Don’t worry so ed him toward the staircase "Trust , but it’s dae in stupidity"

Laughing, Elizabeth released his arm and ran up the stairs "First one to the vase at the end of the gallery wins"

Easily reaching the vase first, William escorted Elizabeth to her bed chamber Then he returned to his own rooaret still abed and traveled into town to the Westfield townhouse Taking the steps two at a tiraced the door

The portal opened, revealing a butler dripping in chilly hauteur as he gazed down the length of his nose

Handing over his card, Williah the doorway and entered the foyer "You may announce me to Lord Westfield," he said curtly

The butler glanced at the card "Lord Westfield is from home, Lord Barclay"

"Lord Westfield is abed," Willia him to me or I will seek him out myself"

With a disdainful arch of his brow, the servant led him to the study, and then retreated

When the door opened again, Marcus entered Williaed at his old friend without a word

"Bloody hell," Marcus cursed as he was tackled to the rug He cursed again when Williae