hisfairskinbecomingwiththecolor . “ No , Imean , we ’ reallinvited .”
“ Ah , Isee . SoIgettogoonTitus ’ sarmandpretendI ’ mnothingtoyou .” Camilleheardhervoicebreakattheendofthestatement .
“ Itwon ’ tbelikethat . We ’ llkeeptoourselvesmostly — thefourofusImean .”
“ Perfect . Yes , let ’ sgothen . ItwillgivemeachancetomeetMissCaldwellandseehowworriedIshouldbe .”
Knollsmiled , butitwavered . “ She ’ snotanythingtomenow . Iwantonlyyou .”
“ I ’ mgladtohearit . JustthinkofourprivatepartybackhereattheHallafterthepicnic . I ’ mgoingtoremindyouofwhyyouwantonlyme .”
Heclosedhiseyes , andshesawhisarousal . Camilleletthesheetdrop , showingherlargebreaststohim .
Hewalkedtowardher .
Sheshookherhead . “ No . Ithinkweshouldwait . Iwantyoutowantmemorethanyou ’ vewantedmeforsometimebytomorrow .”
“ Yes .” Heblewherakissandleft .
Camillecollapsedagainstthesheets , laughing .
Chapter 5
Thenextdaydawnedbreezyandcoolwithananemicsun . Camillehadsentallthemenawayfromherchamberwhentheyhadshownupthenightbefore . Shehadpromisedthemaneveningoffunafterthepicnic . Brillahelpedherdressinagauzy, flower-dottedwhiteandperiwinkle silkdechinedress . Sheworeherbeststrawhatandtookspecialcarewithherperfumeandjewelry . “ Mylady , you ’ reavision .” Brillaclappedherhands .
“ Ihopeso .” Camillegrimacedatherreflection , rememberingthesmall , darktemptresswhohadbeenintheHalljustyesterday .
“ Neverdoubtit . LordTremontisablessedman .” Hereyestwinkled , andCamillegaveherawickedgrinback .
Theywerereadyforthepicnic , andtheyjustneededtowalkoverthehillandasmalldistancetogettotheneighbors ’ sprawlingestate .
“ Areyousureyou ’ refittowalk ?” Knoll ’ sbrowwasknitinworry .
“ I ’ mcertain . AtleastI ’ mnotcarryingthebaskets .” Shesmiled , holdingTitus ’ sarmtightly . Hehadn ’ tspokenmorethanfivewordstohersofar .
Theotherbrothershungback , notwantinganyonetoseethemasagroupinthewaytheyreallywere . Itwouldbetoomuchofascandal , atleastthisearlyinthemarriageandwithapregnancyalreadyongoing . Havingababyjustmonthsintothemarriagemadeenoughtongueswag , thoughitwasquitecommon .
“ Titus , areyouquiteangrywithme ?” Camillespokeinawhisper , leaningclosertohim .
“ No . Iwassurprised , though , andabitjealous .”
Shesqueezedhisarm . “ Iunderstand . Itonlyhappenedafewtimes , anditstartedwhenyouandKnollwereoutoftownawhileago . Mortimerhadguessedmysecret ... aboutthebaby , Imean . AndthatwashiswayofgettingwhathewantedfrommeinexchangeforhimkeepingsilentuntilIgotreadytotellyou .”
“ Andyoudidn ’ twaitlong ?”
“ No , Itoldyouadaylater .” Sheleanedover , kissinghischeek .
“ Thankyou , Camille . Icanunderstandhowthatmusthavebeendifficultforyou . Mortimerissuchacad .” Hesmiled , andCamillewasrelievedtoseehimrelax .
“ Thatheis .”
“ Butdoyou ... doyouenjoyit , sweetheart ?”
Herheartdippedattheendearment . Howshelovedhim ! “ Yes , Idoactually .”
“ DidyoulikeitwhenIjoinedin ?”
“ Yes .” Camilleblushed , heattravelingthroughherbody .
“ Ah .” Heclearedhisthroat .
“ Let ’ snotspeakofitmorenow , orI ’ llwanttoreturntotheHallandskipthissillypicnic .”
Titusroaredwithlaughter . “ Iagreewithyou , mysweet , butIhaveideasnow .”
“ Ohdoyou ?” Shetiltedaneyebrowhiswayastheneighboringestatecameintoview .
“ Yes , Ido .”
“ Wonderful .”
Hestoppedandkissedherfullonthemouth . “ Mypreciousprincess . HowdidIlivewithoutyouforsolong ?” Sheclosedhereyes , surrenderingtohistenderness .
“ Allright , lovebirds . Let ’ sgetamoveon . Theparty ’ sdownthereoverthehill .” Mortimer ’ svoicewasroughwithjealousy , andashepassedCamille , hegrabbedherbottomthroughthesackdress .
“ Mortimer ! Youmustbehavetoday .”
“ I ’ lltry .” Hegrinnedastheywalkedtowardtheparty .
Camillegrewseriousastheyreachedthegroupassembledonblankets . HereyesrestedonMiaCaldwell . Theyoungerwomanwasavisioninarose -