Page 50 of The Not So Perfect Duke

Althea tilted her hips upward, crossing her legs across his back as they rocked and bucked. Their mingling moans and whispers, the scent of their lovemaking, and the sounds of their bodies coming together were not something he would soon forget.

This would take little time as he was past the point of no return. But he held back, waiting for Althea to reach her peak first. “Come for me, now,” he demanded.

With a loud, piercing cry, she did precisely that, and Damon reveled in her inner muscles clutching him tightly. Throwing back his head and grimacing, his climax tore him asunder. Intense, all-consuming. He moaned and collapsed at her side, pulling her into his embrace, breathing hard.

He kissed her forehead. “Stay with me a while longer?”

“Yes.”

Chapter 16

The sun was shining later in the morning when Damon picked Althea up at Cleveland Street. It took all his inner restraint not to tumble her in the carriage as they headed to the East End to collect Doctor Buchanan, for the sensual doings of last night still saturated his thoughts. Mainly since she stayed beyond the stipulated one hour.

Besides the intense and earth-shattering lovemaking, what he enjoyed almost as much? Althea cuddled in his embrace, telling him of her day, the discovery of Chloe’s mother at Newgate, and the conversation that had transpired. Damon also spoke of his luncheon with his friends. He relayed part of their discussion but kept their conversation regarding love to himself. By God, his friends were correct. He experienced everything that they had discussed.

“How are you?” he asked, staring at her fixedly from the opposite side of the carriage. “Hopefully, not too sore.”

Althea blushed prettily. “Perhaps a little, but happily so. It was a night to remember.”

“And the first of many. There is much for us to share and explore, and it will only get better; I know it.”

“I don’t see how it could possibly get better,” Althea smiled teasingly. “You are very thorough. Skilled would be the appropriate word.”

“Thank you. These are just the words a man longs to hear. When can we arrange more time together?”

“I am not certain. There is not much more I can pursue regarding your case. I suppose we should wait until we open the safe. I should have word from Archie later this afternoon.”

“Althea,” Damon smiled. “I was not speaking of time together on my case.”

“Oh, of course. Soon? In a day or two?”

They came to a stop in front of the Bethnal Green Police Station. Before Damon could even respond, the door opened, and Corbett Buchanan climbed in, sitting next to Damon. Grunting, Damon slid down on the cushioned seat to make room.

The doctor set his kit at his feet, along with another parcel. “Some treats for the children, as it assists with smooth examinations if there are delicacies as an inducement.”

“Is that how you court Miss Sybil Norton, Doctor?” Damon asked sardonically.

Buchanan laughed, taking it in good spirits, which had Damon liking the man all the more. “Perhaps. How many children are there, Your Grace?”

“Chellenham is fine. There are seventeen,” Damon replied. “And you must examine Mrs. Seddon as well. Not only has she been deprived of decent food for months, but she was also attacked by a bully.” Damon explained about Silas Browning.

“The man escaped?” Buchanan asked.

“To points unknown. Hopefully, Browning stays gone.” Damon caught Althea’s gaze. “But I have Miss Galway and her trusty revolver to protect me.”

“That you do,” Althea responded, giving him a sly smile. “I have it with me now.”

“Completely ferocious. I truly admire that.” Damon gave her a heated look. “To change the subject, my man, MacClery, traveled to the home yesterday to start an assessment of the place and its viability. I already have donors lined up.”

“This may become a permanent venture?” Buchanan asked. “I hope so, for there are more children in need than there are facilities to accommodate them.”

“It may well become that. I should give you a little more information regarding Chellenhome.” Damon gave a brief narrative of the discoveries and his father’s part in the scheme.

“The former duke? Your father? My God,” Buchanan muttered.

Althea reached into her satchel and passed Damon a folded piece of paper. “A list of the children currently at Chellenhome with the initials EC next to their names.”

He took the note. “My half-siblings, at least, are the ones we know of now.”