Touching her had been everything he’d hoped for when he staggered into her room that night, knowing he shouldn’t and yet unable to deny himself.

Thomasina was a responsive lover. She liked his touch, she welcomed it, she had asked questions and given answers freely, though her upbringing had surely told her that ladies weren’t interested in such things. He had no doubt that once they were married, she would become an enthusiastic bedmate.

Which was more than he had ever dared hope for when he realized that he would have to arrange a marriage for monetary gain.

Even now he leaned on his elbow, watching her in that blissful state of pleasure, and he wanted so much to push her legs wide, to fit his extremely hard cock into her and take her. To find release deep inside of her as she clung to him and called out his name.

What would be the harm in that when they were to be wed in days? Hours, almost. He could count the hours if he cleared his addled mind enough. Didn’t that mean he could have her and find the same release as she had?

He looked at his hand on her stomach and clenched his fingers gently against her flesh. She made a soft sound of pleasure and the decision was made for him. He leaned in, kissing her gently as he let his hand move to his trousers. He was about to loosen the fall front when there was a light knock on the door across the room.

Thomasina’s eyes flew open and she jerked her face toward Jasper. “Oh no!”

“Thomasina?” came Juliana Shelley’s voice from behind the door. “May I come in?”

“The door isn’t locked and she won’t take no for an answer,” Thomasina gasped, jumping up and tugging her tangled chemise over her head.

Jasper got up to move to the dressing room door where he could depart through the other adjoining chamber, but the door was already being opened. He had no choice and dove under the bed.

He lay there flat on his stomach with dust pluming up around him and watched as Thomasina’s still-stockinged feet padded toward the entrance to the chamber her sister was so rudely breeching.

“Are you well?” Juliana’s voice said, similar to Thomasina’s, certainly, but not identical. Thomasina was more musical, perhaps a little more halting.

“Of course,” Thomasina replied, breathless from both shock at being interrupted in such a state, but he thought also from the lingering pleasure. His poor cock, which was now pressed against the hard and dusty floor, twitched in painful response.

“Why are you in your chemise and stockings?” Juliana asked, confusion lacing her tone.

Thomasina gave a nervous giggle. “Oh, I-I just wanted to lie down after supper. This was as far as I got by myself.”

“How did you manage to unfasten your dress?” Juliana asked. “I’ve worn that one before, I would never be able to unfasten it by myself.”