9781618859594HerDeviantLordPimentel by Layna Pimentel Page A

line of business. If you do not cease, I will have words with
Martine, and I am certain you do not want me to entertain that idea.”
    “My lord, you
would deny me of the only thing I want? It is I whom you do not want to cross.
This discussion is not over, Bastian. We will finish it, and soon. Mark my
words!” she cried out.
    The earl knocked
on the carriage to send it on its way. He pitied the next man that sought her
services. On second thought, perhaps it was a good idea to discuss these
intrusions with her employer, and the sooner the better.
    Bastian walked
around the exterior of the house until he saw his Cordelia under the tree. He
walked half way up the hill and wondered if perhaps he could sneak a quick
glance at the child. Would Matthew have his dark eyes and small nose? He’d be a
handsome devil if he had his mother’s soft, delicate features too. The need to
settle his curiosity rolled beneath the surface. For now, my love, I leave you in peace, but you have much to answer
for.
    The earl slowly
approached the sleeping mother and child. With her eyes closed and shoulders
relaxed, she cradled the babe, who stirred in his sleep. He came closer, and
when he bent down, the baby opened his eyes, as if instinctually. After he
blinked a few times, the bundled up infant puckered his lips and made infantile
sounds. He stuck out his tiny hand from beneath the blanket and held it out for
Bastian to touch.
    To think, he is mine . Bastian’s heart
swelled, and he found himself flooded with emotion. Tears welled up in his eyes,
and he could not help thinking how beautifully motherhood suited Cordelia. But
then the baby scrunched up his face and wailed so loud, as if to alert all of
England that the earl had stumbled across them.
    Cordelia opened
her eyes, and even though she appeared surprised to see him, she cooed the
child back to calm.
    “I am sorry for
disturbing your rest, but the marquess mentioned
about something he had to talk to you about.”
    “Oh! Did he say
why?”
    “No, he did not. I
am curious Cordelia, when did you starting watching children?” he asked
quizzically. The last thing he wanted her to know was that he was already onto
her little charade.
    “Err… The
housekeeper had errands to run, and I-I volunteered. Yes, I occasionally do
find it good practice to learn such lessons in mothering.”
    Bastian muffled a
laugh. “How about I escort you back? It would be rude of me not to.”
    She nodded and
began to walk ahead of him. He had loved the swagger of her hips before, but
now that she had filled out from being with child, he could not wait to take
her from behind.
    Easy man. You still have a long way to go. First, you have to
convince her to marry you.
     
    * * * *
     
    Embarrassment
washed over Cordelia. What would everyone think of her? Well, not everyone,
just a particular earl with a penchant for deviant copulation. The more she
thought on the subject, her need to be joined with him again rushed through
her. Her desire more intense than anything she had yet experienced.
    If they were even
to consider reacquainting their former flame, would he receive her the same
way? Much of her body had changed since giving birth to Matthew. Her hips were
wider, bottom rounder, and her bosom… Good
Lord . Her amiable bounty of a handful had exploded into a corset-busting
situation.
    “Slow down,
Cordelia. I do not seem to recall this being a race.”
    “No, but if you
said that the marquess wishes to speak with me, I
should not keep his lordship waiting.”
    “Of course not,
but we could use this time to talk as well.”
    “And pray tell, my
lord, what is it that you wish to speak with me about?”
    He stopped and
faced her. His lips pursed, and his posture rigid. “I wanted to let you know
that I have my men out, making inquiries regarding Richard’s whereabouts. There
is a distinct possibility he is on his deathbed, but that is unclear. I should
know by the day after next.”
    Cordelia’s