Stephen came to bed late that night, sliding his hands beneath her nightgown as he kissed her. Against the thin fabric, she felt his warm male skin.

“I fell asleep,” she murmured, meeting his kiss with her own.

He removed her nightgown, covering her with his naked body. “You can sleep, if you’d like. But I’m still going to touch you.”

When he took her nipple into his mouth, arousal speared through her. He nibbled and tasted, his mouth moving over every inch of her torso. “I have to leave you at dawn, to return to London.”

His hard shaft teased at her wet entrance, and she grasped his hips, guiding him home. When he was deep inside, he began to move. Emily gripped the sheets as he slid inside with long, arousing strokes.

“Why do you have to go to London?” she asked, fighting to control the wild tremors building up inside. She didn’t want him to leave her for a single moment.

“It’s your brother. I received word tonight that his creditors are hunting him, and he’s in danger.” Stephen reached for her breasts, rolling the nipples with his fingertips. “I’ll take care of his debts and see to it that he’s safe.”

She shuddered when he changed tempo and entered her in short, swift strokes. “Bring him home, Stephen. And promise me that you’ll return as soon as you can.”

“I promise.” He forced her to arch her back, and drove himself harder against her aching center. The friction brought her to the edge of her climax, and she shattered against him, shaking as he claimed her.

He rolled her over, guiding her onto her hands and knees. From behind, he entered her womanhood, and the new position brought him even deeper, intensifying the pleasure of his lovemaking. With his hands at her hips, he fully sheathed himself, riding her hard until she came once again, crying out his name.

Moments later, he erupted within her, lying atop her and making her feel completely loved.

He withdrew and pulled her close, tucking her head beneath his chin. “As soon as I’ve found Hollingford, I’ll come back.”

“Don’t forget about me, while you’re in London,” she teased, bringing his hand to her heart.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

As they fell asleep with their limbs intertwined, Emily didn’t allow herself to worry about the future ahead or what his family would say when they learned about her. She had the man of her dreams, lying in her arms.

And it was even better than she’d imagined it would be.

Read on to find out what happened to Stephen after he returned to Emily in the full-length book, The Accidental Countess.

The Accidental Countess

Chapter One

Falkirk House, England—1850