Page 32 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“That was good of you,” Miss Crenshaw said.

He grunted. “Hardly. I never liked Halifax. I’ve been looking for a reason to put him in his place. He took a great deal of the fun out of the prospect by being such an ass. I had hoped for more.”

She laughed, not a girlish titter or a sensual throaty sound, but a delighted laugh that surprised him by warming his insides.

“He does lack a certain amount of character,” she said.

“I thought you had the same opinion of me,” Erroll said.

“As you said, sir, you do not seduce children.”

Oddly, he was glad she noted that difference, however slight a gain.

“You are a man of intelligence,” she said.

“Indeed?” He would have thought she saw him as the worst sort of idiot.

“Oh yes,” she said. “Most men would have issued a dawn appointment at being called a seducer of children. You were wise to let the slur pass.”

“You know very little about male thinking, madam. I did not let the slur pass.”

She patted his arm as if talking to a child. “Forgive me, I did not mean to offend your masculine sensibilities.”

“Masculine sensibilities? I do not possess any sort of sensibilities.”

“Of course not. I see that now.”

“Do not patronize me. Are you always this contrary?”

“Now you are being unkind. I apologized. “

“Never mind the apology,” he said. “I have never had much use for them. I have something far more pleasant in mind for our walk.” Like picking up where they left off in the parlor. Erroll stopped and swung her into his arms. Her body met his in an explosion of soft and hard, and his cock throbbed with long-denied need.

“My goodness,” she said.

“My sentiments exactly.” He lowered his mouth onto hers.

Her body melted in his arms and he suddenly feared he would be apologizing after all. She deserved more than a tumble in Lady Grendall’s garden…didn’t she? Her mouth parted and he flicked his tongue against the moist tip of her tongue. She gasped and his erection thickened. He slid his tongue inside, forcing gentleness when he wanted nothing more than to thrust—hard—in every way.

She clutched his shoulders and he envisioned her hold tightening even harder when he brought her to pleasure. He felt his pulse in his private parts and knew once the throbbing reached his head he would be done for. He had nearly passed that point when they’d been in their hiding place. He became aware of her palms on his chest and thought of them sliding lower to cup his erection. Erroll broke the kiss and buried his head in her hair.

“You tempt me beyond reason,” he said in a hoarse voice. “I cannot resist you much longer.”

“I-I did not mean to, my lord.”

She shifted and he realized she was snuggling her nose against his neck. A strange prickle slid along his shoulders. He stilled, curious as to what she intended—and wanting more of whatever it was. Her breast expanded against his, then she exhaled and the feather light breeze of her breath tickled his skin. He shuddered. She stilled. Erroll slid a hand down her back and over her buttocks. She squeaked and jerked against his cock. He groaned and pressed her closer.

She fisted the material of his coat. “I-I am wrinkling your coat.”

He gave a strangled laugh and kissed her neck. She gasped again. If he didn’t stop, he’d have her down on the ground, skirts over her head in another moment, which would make him almost as much of a beast as Halifax--almost. But he didn’t stop, and instead kissed lower on her neck, then lower until his mouth was pressed against the curve of soft flesh above her bodice. Then he was sucking a nipple into his mouth through the fabric of her dress.

“Oh my.” She seized his shoulders.

He suckled harder.

“My lord…”

He heard the breathless surprise in her voice and was astonished to realize he felt the same way. If he could get her into his carriage…

“Lord Rushton.” She quivered.

“I am right here, love,” he whispered against her creamy flesh.

Erroll’s mind vaguely registered the rustle of a hedge behind him. Miss Crenshaw gave a startled cry and he jerked his mouth from her breast.

Her eyes were on something—someone—behind him.

“Not again.” He cursed.

Pain knifed through the back of his head. Light flashed across his vision, then all went black.