The Perfect Gift Read Online Free PDF

inside. His rod jerked at the proximity to his intended haven, and she giggled.
    “You may giggle now,” he whispered. “Later you will scream. In heaven or horror remains to be seen.”

C HAPTER F OUR
    Judith had no time to answer him, or ponder on his statement, even as her clit tightened and razor sharp stabs of excitement hit her. Stephen set her on her feet in front of a beaming Mrs. Clegg.
    “Now then, my lady.” Mrs. Clegg made an awkward curtsey, and Judith stifled the urge to giggle. The housekeeper was doing all that was proper, but it seemed wrong when Amanda had explained the high regard she and her brother had for the motherly woman. “I have taken the liberty of sending your maids to bathe and eat, for they were cold, wet, and hungry,” Mrs. Clegg explained. “I trust you don’t mind my high-handedness, my lady. The Doctor will check they have sustained no injury before he comes to you. I also asked Kitty to aid you into your bath. The water is hot and ready for you.”
    “Ah, Mrs. Clegg.” Judith was so chilled, so thankful, she could have embraced the other woman. It seemed both she and Stephen had high consideration for all the staff. “It sounds like heaven. Please show me the way. And I do not need the Doctor. No,” she added as the kind woman seemed about to protest. “I am fine. I just need to get warm.”
    It’s all right, Cleggy,” Stephen interposed. “If I think it necessary, I will make sure her ladyship is seen.” And how. “Now as I have to go and change, I’ll escort her ladyship to her rooms and introduce her to Kitty. Shall we say dinner in ninety minutes? Will that be acceptable?” he asked Judith.
    She nodded and allowed him to guide her to the grand staircase, conscious of all eyes on them.
    “They saw you carry me over the threshold, are they expecting an interesting announcement?” she asked him in an undertone as they mounted the shallow steps.
    “They will be disappointed,” he said and put his hand to the small of her back as he stepped behind her and stroked the soft curves there. “The only announcements I intend to give for the foreseeable future will be to you. And they, my dear, will be orders.”
    Judith knew her jaw dropped at his casual observation, and felt wetness coat her thighs. Was he really about to give in and introduce her to his world?
    She had no time to ask. They had reached the upper floor, where a smiling fresh-faced young girl waited. She was dressed in the height of fashion, and Judith wondered about her place in the household. It seemed she was no servant.
    “Judith, this is Kitty,” Stephen said, and smiled at the girl who waited with a quiet grace. She grinned back.
    “About time S…my lord. The water is waiting for her ladyship, and I know Walker is drawing your bath for you as we speak.” It was evident there was very little ceremony at Carrland Hall.
    “Kitty will attend to you until your maids are warm and fed,” Stephen informed her. “I will come and escort you to dinner. Enjoy your bath. I intend to do so as well.” With that, he left her, images of his naked body uppermost in her mind. Not that she had ever seen him, or indeed any man, naked, but Judith was an avid reader of books and blessed with a very vivid imagination.
    She curtsied slightly, her eyes open and fixed on his face.
    “Thank you my lord, I look forward to seeing you later.” She put a slight emphasis on the word ‘seeing,’ knowing he would understand and assuming the young girl who waited with studied patience for her would not. He inclined his head.
    “Indeed.”
    Judith watched his back for a moment before she turned to the young girl standing next to her. “Kitty? I am ready for the bath. My body is so cold, I fear I may never be warm again.”
    Kitty smiled, and her plain features became beautiful. “Then follow me, my lady, and let us give lie to that statement.”
    Judith nodded, and followed her into a large exquisite bedroom, decorated