Her eyes, glinting from beneath weighted lids, met his. Deliberately, Devil anchored first one hand, then the other, on either side of her head. He was beyond thought, far beyond any concept of control-the force that drove him, consumed him, compelled him to possess her. Completely. Utterly.

The slick heat between her thighs bathed his throbbing staff; he nudged her thighs wider-she complied, but even in that, she managed to shake him, settling her hips deeper, perfectly positioned for his penetration, letting her thighs relax, leaving herself open. Vulnerable. Inviting him to take her.

The emotion that rolled through him was so powerful, so deep, Devil had to close his eyes briefly, holding back the storm. Opening them, he drew a deep breath, his chest pressing against her breasts, and bent his head to hers.

Their lips met, then melded; their fires ignited. With one powerful thrust, he joined with her-and the conflagration began.

He moved on her, within her; she moved beneath him, about him. Her body caressed him in so many ways, he lost the distinction between him and her. He stroked deeply within her and felt her rise, felt the fiery flight start.

Honoria surrendered to it, to the elemental heat that burned between them. It consumed them, a pure fire that burned away all pretense, leaving only truth and emotion forged in its searing flames. She felt him within her and accepted him eagerly, taking him in, both possessed and possessing. The sunburst rose and drew rapidly nearer; their bodies strove, racing to their fate.

Then it was upon them. It caught them in its heat, in its unquenchable delight, in sensation so exquisite she screamed. She clutched him tightly and he was with her. Locked together, they soared, gasped, then fractured-into a selfless void of aching peace beyond the reach of human senses.

Devil returned to the mortal plane first. Slowly, every muscle heavy with sated lust, he lifted away, then settled the pillows about them. His gaze roamed Honoria's face, serene, softly glowing. Gently, he smoothed her hair, drawing his fingers through the silken mass, letting it slip free to lie across the crisp linen. For long moments, silent and still, he studied her face. Then his gaze drifted down, skimming her body, fair skin glowing in the silvery light.

Seconds later, he reached for the covers, drawing them up to her chin. He settled on his back beside her, one arm behind his head, a frown tangling his black brows.

He was in that pose when Honoria stirred; from under heavy lids, she studied his face, dark features etched by the moonlight. He seemed pensive. Pensive herself, she let her gaze roam the broad expanse of his chest, dark hairs shading its width, each muscle band sharply defined. The covers reached to his waist; beneath them, she could feel the hair-dusted hardness of his leg beside hers.

She smiled, a cat savoring cream. Her skin was warmly flushed, her limbs deliciously weighted. She felt at peace, fulfilled-possessed. Deeply, thoroughly, possessed. Just the thought sent a frisson of pleasure through her.

The day was behind her. The unsettling uncertainty which had seized her the minute she'd regained her room after scurrying like a wanton maid through the corridors in the half light of dawn, had disappeared, eradicated by the night's fire. Her lips curved; she could still feel the inner glow. On the thought, she glanced up-Devil was watching her.

His hesitation was palpable, then he shifted, raising a hand to lift a lock of hair from her forehead. "Why weren't you in my bed?"

Honoria held his gaze, even though his eyes were too shadowed for her to see. "I didn't know whether you wanted me there."

Fleetingly, his frown deepened, then eased. But his lips did not curve as, with one finger, he lightly brushed her cheek. "I want you-and I want you there."

The deep words all but shimmered in the moonlight; Honoria smiled. "Tomorrow." She heard him sigh and saw his quick grimace.

"Unfortunately not." He lay back, his eyes still on hers. "While I'd much rather have you in my bed, until we marry, I'll have to suffer the restrictions of yours." He lifted one foot, demonstrating that even high on the pillows as he was, his feet reached the footboard.

Honoria frowned. "Why can't we sleep in your bed?"

"Propriety."

She opened her eyes wide. "This is propriety?" Her sweeping gesture encompassed his naked presence, which took up quite half of her bed.

"You can't be seen wandering the corridors in your peignoir every morning-the servants wouldn't approve. If they see me wandering about in my robe, they'll accept the sight with unimpaired aplomb-this is, after all, my house."

Honoria humphed. Wriggling about, she settled on her side, facing away from him. "I suppose you know all the correct procedures."

She felt him shift; a second later, warm limbs surrounded her. The light stubble of his jaw grazed her bare shoulder; his lips touched her ear.

"Believe it." He settled behind her. "And speaking of correct procedures, I should send a notice to The Gazette, stating our wedding day."

Honoria studied the shadows. "When should it be?"

He kissed her nape. "That's for you to say-but I'd hoped for December first."

Four weeks away. Honoria frowned. "I'll need a gown."

"You can command any modiste-they'll scramble for the honor."

"Celestine will do." Honoria saw no reason not to avail herself of Celestine's flair just because he'd commanded the modiste's attention.

"All the other arrangements you can leave to Maman and my aunts."

"I know," Honoria replied with feeling. "I spent a wretchedly awkward morning-your mother decided to visit the old housekeeper who ran the Place when your parents married. The entire conversation concerned the hows and wheres of arranging a wedding at Somersham."

Devil chuckled. "How did she know?"

"I don't know," Honoria lied. It was, she was sure, her odd, utterly inexplicable blushes that had given her away. "I'll need to write to Michael."

"I'll be writing to him tomorrow-give me your letter and I'll enclose it with mine." Devil studied the back of her head. "Incidentally, I spoke to old Magnus this morning."

Honoria swung about. "Grandfather?" Incredulous, she stared. "Why?"

Devil raised his brows. "He is the head of your family."

"You don't need his permission to marry me."

"No." His lips quirked. "However, the Anstruther-Wetherbys and Cynsters go back a long way. We've been scoring points off each other since the Ark beached."

Honoria studied his face. "How did he take the news?"

Devil grinned. "Philosophically, in the end. He knew you were living within my household, so it wasn't a total shock."

Honoria narrowed her eyes, then humphed and turned her back on him.

Devil's grin dissolved into a smile. Leaning forward, he planted a kiss behind her ear. "Go to sleep-you'll need your strength."

His words held a definite promise. Smiling, Honoria settled her cheek into her pillow, snuggled her back against his chest-and did as she was bid.

The next day, their letters to Michael were duly dispatched. The day after, a notice announcing the marriage of Honoria Prudence Anstruther-Wetherby, eldest daughter of Geoffrey Anstruther-Wetherby and his wife Heather, of Nottings Grange, Hampshire, to Sylvester Sebastian Cynster, duke of St. Ives, appeared in The Gazette. The marriage would take place on December 1 at Somersham Place.

Despite the haut ton's preoccupation with departing London, the news spread like wildfire. Honoria gave thanks that the only social events remaining were small, select afternoon teas and "at-homes"-farewells to friends before society adjourned to the shires for the shooting and subsequently to their estates for Christmas. The dustcovers had been placed over the chandeliers-the ton was in retreat from London and would not return until February.

As she and Devil had foreseen, his mother and the other Cynster ladies threw themselves into organizing the wedding with undisguised relish. The Dowager warned Honoria that it was family tradition that the bride, while making all the final decisions, was not allowed to do anything-her sole role, according to all precepts, was to appear to advantage and keep her husband in line. Honoria quickly decided there was much to be said for tradition.

Devil watched from a distance, reassured by her readiness to take on the position of his wife. She'd already impressed his aunts; with their encouragement, she took up the matriarchal reins-his mother was ecstatic.

By the end of five whirlwind days, they were ready to leave London; Devil's final chore was to reel in Viscount Bromley.

When the enormity of his losses, the perilous nature of his finances, was fully explained, Bromley, a hardened case, philosophically shrugged and agreed to Devil's terms. He was in a position to ascertain the truth of "Lucifer's discreditable rumor," to identify the Cynster involved and learn all the facts. All this he agreed to do-by the first of February.

Satisfied, on every count, Devil laid aside his black armband and, with his wife-to-be on his arm, retired to Somersham Place.

Chapter 18

The ballroom at Somersham Place was filled to overflowing. Afternoon sunlight poured through the long windows, striking glints from the curls and coifs of damsels and dowagers, rakes and rogues, gentlemen and haughty matrons. Gowns of every hue vied with bright jewels and equally bright eyes. The full flower of the ton was present-to see, to witness, to appreciate.