Stone couldn’t help but watch Theo as she dozed in the carriage on their way to the Hawksbury house party a week later. She had remained gloomy for days as she waited for her man of affairs to solve the mystery of the “Land Thief,” as she’d dubbed the buyer. Guilt twisted in his gut, creating a nauseous feeling that his wife seemed to share of late. At first, he’d thought she was coming down with an illness as she appeared a bit green most mornings, but then in the last few days, she had returned to her normal chipper self. However, these were not the only pressing concerns.

Less than a day’s drive, Hawksbury Grange was close enough to London to allow for a shorter weekend visit. Its proximity did nothing to ward off Stone’s concerns about the many accidents he’d recently been having. And the thought of possibly entangling Theo in the matter—even by accident—rankled. But by hour four, he’d settled down after a distinct lack of calamity. No broken axles, no rogue wheels, and no startled horses.

Instead of watching for assailants to leap from behind every bush or bend in the road, he now focused on his lovely wife. How had he been so fortunate as to marry the one woman strong enough to be both his countess and his lover? He couldn’t fathom it, but he knew he would take further advantage of it while they were at the house party.

Other than bending Lord Townsend’s ear about the railway, his main goal was to teach his wife some new naughty games. He fully intended to take her for a private picnic and make love to her in the great outdoors. He could just imagine how the dappled sunlight would decorate her pale skin as he kissed her from head to toe. The image of her breasts bared in the wide open had his cock stirring in anticipation.

Yes, his marriage had been more fortuitous than an actual love match. He liked spending time with his intelligent wife. Enjoyed hearing her take on political issues and business ventures he pondered investing in. Often as not, she had a perspective on things he had not considered himself. He felt a tug in his chest, just under his breastbone, that once more reminded him of emotions he’d long ago shut down.

The carriage jolted, and his wife woke up with a start. She sat up as they hit another bump, and this time landed in his arms. “Really, darling. You needn’t arrange to have potholes in the roadway just to gain my attention.”

Theo blushed and then wiggled against him, settling down. “Don’t be so arrogant, my lord. How do I know you didn’t have those potholes placed there to create this very scenario?”

He growled, his restraint wearing thin after his lusty musings. “Because, pet, I would simply take what I want without the need of artifice or games.” And then he swooped in and kissed her. Slipped his tongue past her lips to explore the warmth of her mouth. It occurred to him they had yet to have a go at sex in a carriage, and this provided some rather excellent opportunities.

Theo sank into his body, a sweetness in the move he had not expected from his independent wife. Lips still firmly locked, he shifted his free hand around to her back, where he worked the laces loose. When he had enough undone, he broke their heated kiss. “Sit up and straddle my lap, pet.”

“What naughtiness does my master have in mind?” Her query came out in a husky voice that had his cock growing even harder. She did as he asked, pushing her skirts out of the way so her thighs pressed against the sides of his.

“Very naughty things come to mind. Now, if you would please take hold of the straps on each side of the windows…” He pointed to the two leather loops dangling from the ceiling of the conveyance on his side. A matching set hung on the other side of the small space to accommodate passengers seated opposite.

“Yes, Master.” Theo followed through and slipped a delicate hand and then wrist through each loop. Being a taller-than-average woman, her arms easily spanned the distance while thrusting her breasts forward and into his face. With a pleased grin, he reached inside the neckline of her dress and lifted her breasts from the confines of her corset. In the cool darkness of the carriage, her nipples puckered into tiny berries ripe for plucking. He leaned in and wrapped his lips around one nub. She moaned as he sucked gently on the already swelling flesh. Satisfaction surged through him, mixing and swirling with his own lust to create a heady cocktail to pump through his veins.

Then he shifted to the other tip and repeated the attention. With her legs spread and her body wedged against his, her pussy rubbed over him with each mindless grind of her hips. Her passion stole his breath and reminded him how lucky he was to have her to wife.

“Master, please…” she begged. While she still may not be able to say what she needed, he knew. But it was too soon to allow their fun to end. They had at least another hour before they arrived at Hawksbury, and he intended to make it an enjoyable ride. For both of them.

---

Theo’s breath caught as Stone sucked harder on her nipple, sending jolts of delicious electricity down her frame. She figured it was far too early for him to give her release. He tended to enjoy drawing things out. But she also knew he loved hearing her beg, and as lust rode her hard, she had few qualms about doing as he preferred. In the end, the pleasure would be worth the effort.

And my, was there effort. Her thighs shook with the strain of holding her weight up. Her arms burned from the stretch and strain of unused muscles. And her pussy ached for that which only he could give. But then he shifted her skirts about as he sucked her nipple and burrowed his hand beneath her dress.

“Open to me, pet.” His demand, rough and wanton, speared straight to her core.

Spread and waiting, she could feel him search for her slit and silently praised herself for sticking to his demand she forgo the troublesome bloomers. To be honest, she’d done so out of habit, not out of any anticipation of what might occur. How she could have failed to realize a trip with hours ahead would leave ample opportunity for them to explore, she couldn’t be sure.

“You are not wearing bloomers. Such a good pet.” The rumble of his pleased voice did things to her. Unspeakable things, and she loved it.

“Take me, Master.” Urgent need overrode any sense of delicacy, both for her and for him.

His fingers caressed her soaking slit, matching the pulse of his mouth on her breast. And when he slid two digits deep into her hot core, she nearly melted from desire. He pumped in and out of her, pushed her to the brink of orgasm and then stopped. “Would you like to experience the pleasure of riding a man while traveling in a carriage?”

Excitement shivered through her, one part lust and one part anticipation. The forbidden quality of sex in their carriage as they rolled down the road tantalized and enticed. Clopping hooves of outriders and the occasional call between their coachman and their groomsmen added an air of risk that stirred her juices and made her feel all the more wanton for loving it. “Please, Master.”

“Then mount your ride, my lady. I believe the road is about to get bumpy.” Stone pressed his cock against her opening and guided her down as she released her handholds on the straps. The incredible sensation of being filled and stretched had her light-headed with desire. And then they hit their first bump. The jolt sent them both bouncing on the seat, though for her, mostly on his pole.

They both groaned in pleasure as they did, indeed, hit a rough patch of road. Theo relished the control Stone granted her as she lifted up and slid back down his cock until her orgasm ripped through her with little warning. “Yes, Master!” Her cry echoed through the carriage, and without a doubt, every one of their attendants heard. Her only saving grace lay in the fact that Mary and the other house staff rode in a carriage behind them and likely did not hear.

Beneath her, the man she was coming to love and treasure pumped into her until his own climax rolled through him. Together, they fell into a rumpled pile of exhaustion. Theo couldn’t help but doze as her husband wrapped himself around her as though she were the most precious thing in his world.

“My lord, we have entered the grounds of Hawksbury,” one of their riders called out, causing them both to stir.

She sat up and moved to cross back over to her side of the carriage when Stone stopped her. “Best stay here beside me so I can play lady’s maid. Though I fear your dress and hair may be beyond repair.” His wry grin told her he didn’t regret their interlude any more than she did.

“I daresay I can brazen through. I can’t imagine others haven’t passed the drive to Hawksbury in a similar fashion.” She grinned and, together, they worked on setting each other to rights.

Twenty minutes later, Theo swept from the carriage and onto the front drive of Hawksbury Grange to discover, to her horror, that not only were the Marquess and Marchioness of Hawksbury there to greet them, but so were her parents and Stone’s mother. She leaned into her husband and hissed, “For heaven’s sake, we aren’t the royal family. Why are they all here standing about?”

“Not sure, but I’d say you best get to brazening through, or one of our mothers is going to melt on the spot. Though come to think of it, that would redirect everyone from staring at you.” His ability to joke at that moment had her lost between hilarity and frustration.

She thwacked him with her fan and attended to the requisite greetings. “Lord and Lady Hawksbury, how kind of you to greet us when you have so many other guests at hand.”

“I do like to welcome each of our guests during these intimate little gatherings. Family and friends are so important.” And then Theo found herself in the arms of Lady Hawksbury. Well, it was better than her remarking on her very rumpled appearance.

“My lord.” She curtsied and moved on to her mother and father as Stone brought up the rear. “Mother, whyever are you out here waiting for us?” she whispered.

“Lizzy and Carlisle are just behind you. They sent word earlier when they had to stop at an inn after having wheel trouble.” Her mother eyed her up and down, one brow arching. “Perhaps you should have considered having carriage issues prior to arriving.”

Theo blushed but brazened it out. “I can’t imagine what you mean.” And then she moved on to greet Stone’s mother. “Dowager Stonemere, I am so pleased you were able to come.”

“Well, my dear. You do look pleased, but I suspect it has little to do with my presence.” The dowager winked at her and patted her arms as Stone sputtered and coughed behind her.

Oblivious to her guests’ dismay—and in some cases amusement—Lady Hawksbury ushered them all into the house.