Eliza took the earl’s arm as the entered through the assembly hall. She hadn’t expected the volume of parishioners present. They were greeted by their gracious host as they entered.

“Lady Winston! I am ecstatic you joined us this evening,” Lord William said.

Eliza curtsied. “Sir William, allow me to introduce you to the Earl of Chisholm, Lord Evan Radcliffe.”

William faced him. “A pleasure to finally meet you, my lord. On behalf of my family, we welcome you and wish you an enjoyable evening.”

She watched on as the Sir William praised Evan. He was even more dashing this evening. His blue eyes sparkled in the lighting and whenever they passed through a group of folks, she could hear the whispers of the unmarried misses hoping for a dance.

“Lady Winston.” Mr. Robbin’s approached from the opposite direction. “I am glad you came. I cannot tell you how thrilled Mrs. Robbins and I are that you attended after all.”

“How could she not?” Evan added as he joined her at her side.

“Has she told you the good news yet?”

“Lady Winston, what news?” He lifted a quizzical brow.

“I had been pondering on how to raise some funds for the orphans and his lordship has agreed to host a charity picnic at his estate.”

The vicar’s eyes lit with glee. “That is such joyous news, my lady. I hope you will tell us more when you stop in on Monday for the children’s lessons.”

“Of course.”

“Most excellent. A pleasure to see you again, my lord.” The vicar went on his way to socialize with others present.

Evan leaned close. “Would you care for a dance, my lady?”

Excitement welled up in her. “Yes, I would be glad to, my lord.”

The rest of the evening became such a blur of activity and introductions. Nearly everyone she and Evan met simply would not leave until they had personally introduced themselves.

“Lady Winston!”

She turned to find her stepson’s wife stopped beside them with a few other ladies in two.

“Mrs. Winston, how nice to see you again. I hope Aubrey is well?” Eliza said.

“He is indeed. Allow me to introduce you to my sister, Mrs. Hanover, and Miss Jane Abernathy.”

Eliza angled her head. “A pleasure, ladies. Is Aubrey with you this evening?”

“He is. I believe he is with your companion. Pray tell who that impeccable specimen is.”

Eliza cleared her throat. “My friend is the Earl of Chisholm, Lord Evan Radcliffe. I can introduce you, if you would like.”

Her daughter in law fanned herself. “As much as I would enjoy that, I do not think Aubrey would appreciate it.”

The comment caught her by surprise. “Why is that, Catherine?”

“Well, I am certain you have heard by now about that messy business with Lady Amelia in London, and oh my! How could I forget… and his sister? She was ruined by some rake who ran off to the America.”

Eliza had never want to slap a woman until now. She envisioned knocking the woman over until her heels were where her head stood now.

“My dear, Catherine, allow me to put you at ease. Lord Radcliffe is one of the most respectable men I have met in recent weeks. As for his delightful sister, she is as beautiful as she is caring and compassionate, and is happily engaged to a viscount. Gossip is really a terrible thing. In your condition, one mustn’t trouble themselves with such matters.” Eliza paused and smiled. She opened her fan and waited.

Catherine’s face reddened. “If you will excuse me, ladies. The air in here is quite warm.” She turned to walk toward the terrace. Eliza would wager she had she been more insulted.

Eliza slipped in behind a curtain off one of the back terraces and opened the door. Air. That is what she needed. Her conversation with her daughter in law was pointless. Were it not for the fact her husband had arranged her income well in advance, she was sure that woman would have reduced her to a beggar.

She had barely a moment to herself when Evan joined her on the terrace.

“Why Lady Winston, why do you elude me so?”

“Elude you, no. Avoid stupid women and their gossip, always.”

“Dare I ask what has you so infuriated?” He plucked two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter.

“My daughter in law sought to lay aspersions of your history with Amelia and then thought it would make for pleasant conversation by including your sister’s unfortunate history with Wickham.”

He frowned. “I see. I must admit I overheard your entire defense, again. I would also like it noted that I made the same mistake with your stepson. Your stepson’s wife is not with child.”

Eliza felt her bottom lip drop, and gasped rather loudly.

He laughed. “Believe me, that final insult was perfect. I have never seen a woman so unraveled. I owe you more satisfaction for tonight for this evening’s entertainment.”

“Really, Evan, it was a terrible thing I said.”

“Yes, but the woman deserved it. Now if you have had enough of this crowd we can return to the inn.”

Yes. What she needed was a distraction from her embarrassment. She had no idea what possessed her to say such a foolish thing, much less to her daughter-in-law. Eliza could only imagine what would be said about her by morning, not that it mattered.

“We will leave, but we must thank our host first. If you leave the terrace first, I will follow along. I only need a moment.”

“Very well, love, but do not keep me waiting. I have so much planned for us tonight.”

Eliza smiled and watched as he left the balcony and  vanished from sight. Before she left she would have words with her stepson and caution him on interfering with her life.

She left the terrace and did not have to venture further than a few meters when Aubrey found her.

“Lady Winston. I want to apologize for anything Catherine might have said.”

“Aubrey, you married her to spite your father. You then bring her to a ball where she maliciously set out to discredit my friend and his sister. Did your father not teach you no humility? Is it not enough to satisfy one’s thirst for social situations without reducing oneself to the lowest common denominator of meddling.”

“I am sorry if my wife has offended you, madam. It will not happen again.”

Eliza smiled. “Of course it will not. Laying aspersions at one’s front door without firsthand knowledge of those situations reduces one’s credibility. Good evening, Aubrey.”

She curtsied and strode toward the entrance never prouder in her entire life. She found Evan waiting on the front steps.

“At last,” he said. “I will not let you go again this evening.”

“No, my lord. You have my full attention.”

“Take my arm and let us return to the inn.”

Never had she been gladder to leave a gathering. She’d had her fill to last at least a year.

* * *

Evan closed the door to their room. He leaned against the door and watched the most beautiful woman in all of England. She sat at the edge of the bed slipping off her shoe. She tugged off her earrings.

“You were glorious tonight, my love. What did I do to deserve you?”

Pride swelled in his chest. This woman who he rescued and she took him to safety. She defended his honor and that of his sister’s. No words could describe his adoration for her. He was unworthy of her generous and caring soul.

She frowned. “Is there anything the matter, Evan? You are still by the door.”

“I am taking in the scenery is all, love.”

She smiled. “Since you are standing there doing nothing, the very least you can do is help me with my laces.”

“With pleasure, my lady.”

Evan crossed the room to her. This moment, a tiny fragment of time he had yearned for weeks now, finally came to fruition. He wanted to devour her like an insatiable beast, but would instead savor her like an exotic fruit, perfectly ripe and sweet.

He lifted her dress over her head and tossed it over a nearby chair, then he pulled on the laces one by one, eager, he was one step closer to licking the beautiful and pert peaks concealed beneath her corset. At last, he loosened the last bit of lace, then removed the corset and lay it on the chair with her dress. Next, a petticoat followed, then another. Damnation, how could women wear so many layers of clothing? Another layer left her standing in her chemise and stockings.

Eliza looked at him with uncertainty.

“What is the matter, love?”

“I should have had my servant come along.”

“Nonsense, love. As you can see, I am an apt lady’s maid.” He raked his gaze down her body. A beauty in the firelight in nothing but the muslin chemise, she was a goddess in the flesh.

“My God, Eliza,” he murmured, and with shaky hands lifted her chemise over hear head and dropped it on the floor.

Her delicate skin covered with goose flesh and she shivered as he traced his knuckles down her neck to back.

“I am honored to share this moment with you, love.”

Evan could not help himself and he pulled her in for a kiss. A long, head-spinning kiss. He cradled her head with one hand while his free hand caressed her breasts with gently kneaded the soft flesh and he flicked the tight rosy bud of her breast.

His manhood hardened and need coursed through hm ‘til his skin lit a flame. Evan pulled away quickly undressed.

“Love, lie back on the bed.”

She did as he requested and the moment his breeches were off, he knelt on the bed over her.

“You are as divine as a Goddess, and this evening I will worship you as you should always be.”

He plundered her mouth as she wrapped her arms around him. Her soft moans would escalate into squirming and cries of pleasure. He teased her mouth while he continued toying with her senses down her body. Such an exquisite piece of art; he licked, nipped, and kissed his way down her form until his lips reached the apex of her thighs.

“My love, you will enjoy this very much.”

She tensed. “Evan, you do not mean to…”

“I do. Close your eyes, just like in the carriage. I promise you will enjoy it.”

When she eased beneath him, he gently parted the folks shielding her sex and began to suck and lick. He savored her taste with every swipe of his tongue and then began to finger her in a tempo matching his licking. How he looked forward to many more nights like this one and the sensual practices he’d delight her with. This moment, the one and only he’d longed for now was suspended in time. He’d never forget this gift, this beautiful woman, or the passion they shared. He’d had plenty of women before, however, Eliza was different. Something more precious than life itself.

Her thighs tensed and he continued until she cried out. Evan lapped up her juices with pleasure until she settled into the haze of satisfaction.

As she stilled he rose onto his haunches, and quietly took in the moment as He wanted to plunge himself deep inside her but Eliza was at ease, probably the first time in a very long time. Evan would indulge himself in the morning but for now he would take care of the matter himself.

He began stroking himself. Eliza had fallen asleep and with every rise and fall of her chest he imagined it was her stroking him. Then she had taken him with her mouth; those incredibly pouty, full lips. Red with desire, sliding up and down his length. She would look up at him for approval and he would nod back.

Evan’s sac tightened and his head hung back as the pleasure washed over him in waves. Warm spurts of pleasure landed on his belly and when they ceased, he quietly rose from the bed to clean himself off. He did not deserve her but he would never give her up, not even for King or country.

Evan cleaned himself at the wash basin. He tossed another log on the dying fire then climbed into bed next to her. He drew the blanket over them and pulled her close..

He lay there for an eternity before slumber took him. Loving the elusive Lady Winston was going to be the death of him. An exhausting endeavor that had him running all over the country side seeking her out. He would do it all over again and as many times as needed. He would do anything for the woman he was madly in love with.

Once his sister and Emberly were married, he would set in motion the necessary tasks to ensure he and Eliza were wed, as well. Eliza would be a lovely fit for their family and would change the usual coolness that shrouded their family for far too long.

The sun began to lift from the horizon. If he could manage at least two hours of sleep, he would rest in the carriage on his way home. He nuzzled Eliza finding comfort in her sweet feminine scent and finally dozed off.