"I cannot."

She gave a breathless laugh, so enamored with his attentions she wished she were naked as well. Her blood thrummed in her veins, her body softening and relaxing into his. "What are you doing?"

"Making up for my lack." Marcus pulled away only slightly, his hands occupied, one at her waist, the other fighting uselessly to feel her breast through her corset.

"We'll be seen," she cautioned.

"You cannot dissuade me." He licked her lips.

"You cannot mean to ravish me here."

"Can I not?" He tugged at her silk bodice and the threads popped in protest. "I 'm nigh desperate."

"Marcus." She swatted his hands away.

"I want you." The look in his eyes gave proof to that statement.

"Now?" She bit her lower lip, pleased that he had no control over his desire. "I don't understand your mood. Can you not wait?"

He shook his head and the simple denial filled her heart with joy.

"I want you, too," she confessed.

His grip tightened and the scorching heat of his gaze made her blush. "I never thought you would, not truly." His voice lowered. "But you do, don't you?"

Nodding, Elizabeth pressed her lips to his chin. "I ache for you. I 've missed you so much."

"I have been here." He drew her as close as her skirts would allow.

"I 'm selfish, Marcus. I want the entirety of your attention."

"You have it." His smile was wicked. "Now, would you like the rest of me as well? We can slip away, find somewhere private."

"Can I bind you? Tie you down? Keep you to myself for hours, days?"

Marcus drew back with widened eyes. "Are you serious?" He couldn't hide the sensual interest that deepened the curve of his smile.

The image in her mind made her wet. "Oh yes."

"You have five minutes with which to find a bed and disrobe. Any longer and I will cut that dress from you with my blade."

"You wouldn't," she protested, laughing. "I adore this gown."

"Four and three-quarters."

Elizabeth turned and fled. "Don't forget to collect my papers," she called over her shoulder.Lifting her hem, she hurried up the stairs. Halfway to the top, she saw the butler emerge from the upper floor gallery. He descended to meet her.

"My lady, the post has arrived."

She reached for the missive on the silver salver, recognizing the familiar Langston crest stamped in the wax. "Thank you."

Breaking the seal, Elizabeth scanned the brief contents, and then reread them.

"Margaret has had the baby early," she cried. "A boy!"

"Two minutes," Marcus drawled, his deep voice coming from just below her.

She stilled instantly. "Did you hear? I must go to them."

"Come here, Lady Westfield." His purr was ominous as he ascended the staircase with predatory grace. "You wanted my attention. I vow, you have it. Your nephew will have to wait."

Elizabeth laughed aloud. "You will have to catch me first," she challenged as she flew up the stairs. She gained the landing and ran down the hallway, the precious letter in one hand and her skirts held in the other. Marcus was fast on her heels.

Elaine watched the antics from the lower parlor doorway. She spoke to Paul who stood next to her. "I have never seen him so happy.

Marriage has done wonders for him."

"So it has," he agreed.

She looked up with an affectionate smile. "You, dear son, are next."

Chapter 22

Because of the need for secrecy, it was after midnight when the hired hackney arrived at Chesterfield Hall. Exiting the carriage at the rear of the mansion, Elizabeth and Marcus then entered through the delivery door.

"Is this level of prudence truly necessary?" Elizabeth complained as she shivered in the chill night air.

Marcus tossed his cloak over hers and wrapped his arms around her, sharing his warmth. "I refuse to take chances with your life. You are too precious to me."

They made their way up to Elizabeth's former room by way of the servants' staircase. "How precious am I?" she asked softly, preceding him down the hallway.

"Priceless."

Closing the door behind them, Marcus removed both cloaks from her shoulders before turning her to face him. He lowered his head, his eyes staring deeply into hers. His kiss was soft and generous, his lips clinging with obvious affection.

"Do you love me, Marcus?"

She had promised herself never to ask him how he felt about her. He showed her in a hundred different ways every day how much she meant to him. But somehow the need to hear the words could not be denied.

His mouth smiled against hers. "Do you even have to ask?"

Elizabeth pulled back to search his face. "Would it pain you so greatly to say it?"

His mouth parted to speak just as a soft rap came at the door. "Come in," he called out, unable to hide his relief.

William poked his tousled blond head inside. "Lady Barclay heard you arrive. She would like Elizabeth to meet her nephew now. You will have to wait until morning, Westfield."

"Of course I 'll come now." Elizabeth stood on tiptoe and waited until Marcus lowered his lips to hers. "I am not finished with this conversation, my lord."

He nuzzled his nose against hers. "I await your pleasure, Lady Westfield."

As Elizabeth left the room, William stayed behind.

Marcus regarded his brother-in-law carefully, noting the dark shadows under his eyes. "You look exhausted."

"The future Earl of Langston has a voracious appet.i.te and Lady Barclay has refused a wet nurse. I attempted to dissuade her, but to no avail. She stands firm."

"Congratulations." Marcus extended his hand and William clasped it firmly. "You are a most fortunate man."

William ran his hands through his hair. "You should not have returned to London."

"I agree, but like your wife, Elizabeth could not be discouraged. Unfortunately, she has reached the point where she's willing to make herself a target to bring the situation to a head." Marcus sighed. "The woman shows a deplorable lack of fear."

"Yes, she always has. Don't look so grim, Westfield. I can see you are not in accord with her decision by way of your early morning arrival and avoidance of returning to your own residence. You don't want anyone to be aware of her return."

"Do you fault me for that? She is my wife. You must know how I feel. Have you not lived with the same fear these last four years?"

"I t was not like this," William admitted. "There was no journal to worry over and no knowledge of a spy within the agency. The danger is greater now, I 'm not blind to it or nonchalant. I love Elizabeth, as you well know, but I have a son. The time has come to conclude this chapter of our lives so we can all proceed."

"And what of my children? Should something befall Elizabeth I will be left with nothing. You both beg the impossible from me."

"Westfield..." William sighed heavily. "You and I will be prepared when the time comes.""When the time comes for what?" Elizabeth asked from the doorway.

"For you to be enceinte," William said with a smile that hid the true nature of their exchange.

Elizabeth's eyes widened. "You were discussing children?" She looked at Marcus. "Our children?"

He smiled at the thought. Every day he forced himself to believe she was his. I t was a gift he continued to marvel over.

William engulfed her in a quick hug.

"Your son is beautiful," she said with a soft smile. "He'd fallen asleep by the time I arrived. I look forward to holding him when we are both less weary."

Kissing her forehead, he yawned before making his egress. "'Til morning then."

The door shut with a quiet click and Elizabeth faced Marcus with shoulders squared. "We have never discussed children."

"There is no need." He moved toward her. "They'll come when they come, and not a moment sooner."

She looked away, biting her lower lip.

He frowned at the sudden chill of her features. "What pains you, love?"

"I don't wish to discuss it."

Chuckling softly, he ran a fingertip over her collarbone, feeling the flare of awareness flow from his touch to her skin. "You often say that, and then force me to pry your thoughts from you. But the hour is late, so I pray you'll spare me."

Her eyes closed. "Can we not just retire? I 'm tired."

"Tell me," he urged, his lips to her brow. He dropped his voice seductively. "There are ways I can make you. Would you like that?"

"Perhaps..." Her chin lowered, as did her volume. "Perhaps I 'm barren."

He pulled away, stunned. "Where do you find these ridiculous notions?"

"Think of it. I was married a year to Hawthorne and-"

"He didn't put any effort into it," Marcus dismissed with a snort.

"You have put more than enough effort into it these last months," she argued. "And still my courses come with clockwork regularity."

Frowning, Marcus stared at Elizabeth's downcast head. Her tangible sadness caught his breath. "Ah, sweet." He reached behind her and began to loosen her garments. "You worry without cause."

"With every month that pa.s.ses I fear I 've failed you." She rested her cheek against the velvet of his coat.

"How odd. With every month that pa.s.ses I 'm thankful I can have you to myself for a little while longer."

"Please don't jest."

"Never. I have two brothers. The Ashford line is in no danger."

"Surely you want your own offspring and it is my duty to provide them."

"Enough." He spun her around to facilitate undressing her. "I only want you. In all my life, I 've only ever wanted you."

"Marcus-" Her voice broke, as did his heart to hear it.

"I love you," he said gruffly, his throat tight. "I always have." Beneath his hands he felt her crying. "I f it is meant to be just you and I alone, I would die the happiest man. Never doubt it."

She turned and caught him, tugging his mouth down to hers, pressing tear-covered lips to his. "I don't deserve you," she sobbed, her fingers frantic in his hair.

Marcus absorbed her a.s.sault with a crushing embrace, unable to speak now that he'd said the words he'd once sworn not to say, not to even think. She pressed forward, her movements so wild he stumbled backward. Her hands slipped into his coat, shoved it from his shoulders, tore at the ivory b.u.t.tons of his waistcoat.

"Elizabeth."

She was everywhere, clawing at the many layers of his clothing and the placket of his breeches until all he could do was help her. He understood her, perhaps better than she understood herself. She was cornered, trapped by feelings she had run from since she'd met him, and shewas running again, only this time it was to him, rather than aw ay from him. And he would give her the solace she needed, and take what she offered in return, because he loved her with every breath in his body.

"Take this off," she cried, ripping at her bodice. "Get this off me."