Chapter 311: Chapter Three Hundred And Eleven
Rowan looked at Carcel. Carcel’s face was flushed, and his eyes were wide with embarrassment. His large hand was still clamped firmly over his wife’s mouth. Ines was wiggling slightly, trying to pull his hand away so she could finish her scandalous sentence about how their private honeymoon went.
Carcel let out a nervous, awkward chuckle. It was a sound Rowan had not heard from his serious brother-in-law in a long time.
"We are going back to our room," Carcel spoke rapidly. His voice was slightly higher than usual. He was trying very hard to sound perfectly calm and polite. "We need to be really prepared before we leave for Carleton. Yes. A long preparation ."
Carcel slowly, very carefully released his hand from Ines’s mouth. He immediately wrapped his arm securely around her waist, completely trapping her against his side so she could not run back to Delaney.
Ines opened her mouth, taking a deep breath of air.
Before she could speak a single word, Carcel squeezed her waist firmly.
"Let’s go, darling," Carcel said quickly, offering a tight, forced smile. "Let’s not disturb the newlyweds any further. They have a very busy morning."
He did not wait for Ines to agree. He simply turned around and dragged her away from the foyer. He pulled her toward the grand staircase, moving with incredibly fast strides before she could say something scandalous again. Ines let out a small noise of protest, but she followed her husband up the stairs, completely disappearing from sight.
Rowan watched them leave. He let out a long breath. He shook his head slowly, entirely amazed by the daily chaos his sister caused.
Then, Rowan slowly turned his head. He looked down at Delaney.
Delaney was standing completely frozen in the middle of the foyer. Her face was completely, entirely red. The bright flush covered her pale cheeks, traveled down her neck, and disappeared beneath the delicate white lace collar of her peach morning dress. She was still holding her hands firmly behind her back, hiding the explicit drawings Ines had shoved into her fingers.
Rowan’s eyes softened instantly. He saw how deeply embarrassed she was. He stepped closer, completely closing the space between them.
"Are you alright?" Rowan asked softly. His deep voice was entirely gentle and completely free of any teasing.
Delaney kept her eyes fixed firmly on the floor. She took a slow, deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. She nodded her head quickly. She forced herself to stand up straight, composing herself exactly as a proper Duchess should.
"I am fine," Delaney whispered quietly.
Rowan did not say another word. He simply reached his hand out. He gently took her left hand, completely ignoring the crumpled papers she was holding in her right hand behind her back. His large, warm fingers wrapped securely around hers.
He led her away from the open foyer. He pulled her gently down the quiet, carpeted hallway.
Delaney followed him silently. Her soft shoes made absolutely no sound on the thick rugs. She did not know where he was taking her, but the firm, warm grip of his hand made her feel completely safe.
Rowan stopped in front of a pair of doors. It was his private study. It was a room where no servants were allowed to enter without a direct invitation.
He turned the brass handle and pushed the door open. He led Delaney inside and followed right behind her.
With a soft, firm click, Rowan closed the door. He turned the small brass lock. They were completely alone.
The curtains of the study were pulled back, allowing the bright morning sun to warm the quiet room.
Rowan turned to face her.
Delaney stood in the center of the room. She was still blushing. She looked incredibly beautiful in the morning light.
Rowan began to walk toward her. His movements were slow, deliberate, and focused. He looked entirely like a hungry, focused predator moving toward his chosen prize.
Delaney felt her heart skip a beat. As Rowan stepped closer, closing the distance between them, Delaney instinctively took a small step backward.
Rowan took another step forward.
Delaney took another step back.
She kept moving backward until her shoulders gently hit the cool, solid plaster of the study wall. She was completely trapped.
Rowan stopped exactly one inch in front of her. He did not touch her body. He raised his hands and placed his palms flat against the wall on either side of her head. He leaned his tall, broad frame forward, completely caging her in with his arms.
He looked directly into her wide hazel eyes. His brown eyes were entirely dark and burning with intense heat.
"Did I not satisfy you enough last night," Rowan asked softly, "that you had to ask my sister for bedding advice?"
His voice was a low, rough gruff. It was a deep rumble that vibrated entirely through the quiet air of the study and sent a sudden, sharp thrill straight down Delaney’s spine.
Delaney’s breath hitched in her throat. She gripped the crumpled drawings tightly in her hand. She felt completely flustered and entirely overwhelmed by his intense closeness.
"It’s..." Delaney stammered nervously. She could hardly think clearly with his face so close to hers. "It’s not like that, Rowan."
Rowan did not step back. His gaze slowly dropped from her bright eyes down to her soft, pink lips. He stared at her mouth with undivided attention.
"Then what is it like?" Rowan asked in a low whisper.
He slowly lowered his head. He moved his face past her cheek. He completely buried his face in the soft, highly sensitive curve of her neck.
Delaney closed her eyes. She felt the incredible warmth of his breath washing over her skin.
"You left me all alone, this morning," Rowan murmured softly against her neck. His voice held a tiny, completely genuine hint of pouty disappointment. He had missed waking up beside her.
He took a slow, deep breath, pressing his nose gently against her pulse point.
"God, you smell so intoxicating," Rowan whispered hoarsely.
Delaney felt a massivebwave of pleasure wash completely over her body. She let out a very small, highly helpless moan as his warm breath tickled her sensitive skin. Her knees suddenly felt entirely weak.
"Rowan," Delaney said, her voice shaking slightly.
