She was safe with him. He’d not harm her, but should Gabriel decide he’d take her right there on that stone bench, Celia knew she would not stop him.

In a haze of morbid curiosity, she watched as he deliberately licked his finger clean of her essence. Why did she feel this sudden compulsion to take his finger into her own mouth? To lick and suck any part of his body he’d allow her to devour? She wanted to taste him as he’d tasted her.

Gabriel’s whiskey-hued eyes glittered as though every dirty thought in her head was being screamed aloud. “Soon, sugarplum. Soon.”

The husky promise sent another stab of lust curling through Celia’s body. If he asked it, she knew she would fall to her knees and take him into her mouth. He could teach her the many ways of pleasing him, and she would gladly accept the tutelage.

She should be mortified. Scandalized. Humiliated by this public display of Gabriel’s hold on her. But Celia could not muster up even a smidgen of outrage. Even as he proved his ownership, she wanted more.

And that would be her ultimate downfall.

Falling for a man who would eventually despise her.

CHAPTER 18

Lady Darby did not appear very upset over the fact her daughter was recently ruined and would be expected to marry as quickly as possible. The fact her daughter would become a marchioness no doubt eased the sting of scandal.

“These matters must be taken care of with the utmost haste,” Lady Darby commented with a serene smile.

“Of course, my lady,” Gabriel murmured. “My intentions are to leave at first light to meet with my father’s barristers. He has already petitioned the queen to recognize the marquess’s will, but I shall see to it personally as well.”

“I have every confidence you will see to every detail.” Lady Darby nodded in approval for Gabriel’s haste. “I must say, however, you are a most unexpected marquess, Lord Rosenthorne.”

Gabriel frowned when he realized his future mother-in-law was calling him by his father’s title. “I am not Rosenthorne yet, Lady Darby.”

“A small matter of details.” Celia’s mother laughed with a wave of her hand. “And you’ve always been Rosenthorne. It has merely taken a bit longer for that fact to be acknowledged. Will you accompany him, Lord Banbury?”

Gabriel’s half-brother was in the process of yawning behind his hand and quickly recovered his composure. “I hope to avoid it, if that’s possible. Having just arrived a few hours ago, I thought I would stay a few days and enjoy Lord and Lady Ravenswood’s gracious hospitality.”

“You are welcome to stay as long as you wish, Banbury,” Sebastian agreed. “And we do apologize for disturbing your rest this late in the evening for these unexpected circumstances.”

“Thank you, Ravenswood. I hope my time here will afford me the opportunity of becoming better acquainted with my new sister-in-law. And soon enough, my brother as well.” Heath smiled at Gabriel. “We’ve much to catch up on after your return from London.”