The shocked heat she remembered from the yew maze had nothing on the inferno in her belly now.
“Now, we are going to stop,” he whispered roughly. He adjusted her chemise and retied her rail. “And you are going to go back upstairs. And you’re going to bolt the damn door in case the devil in me takes charge, and I follow you up.”
That he would even suggest such a thing warned her how far they’d gone.
“Yes, Augustus,” she said meekly.
He braced himself on the chair, rose to his feet, and then helped her stand. As Sarah had done earlier in the night, he tucked away stray locks of her hair. Then, he adjusted the wrapper over her shoulders and secured its ties.
Presumptuous, perhaps, but she liked his fussing.
“Before I go, may I tell you something first?” she asked.
He looked wary. “Tell me what?”
“I’m not teasing,” she said. “I promise.”
He placed warm hands against her shoulders. “Very well, then.”
“I want you to know I feel as safe with you as I felt in Mr. Winter’s shadow.”
He cocked his head. “I’m afraid you’ll have to explain.”
Oh?She thought she had told him about the hiding. Or maybe she only thought she had because he had been treating her with such tenderness.
“Mr. Winter was the gamekeeper who used to help me hide from my father.”
He got that red-eyed look again. “Oh, Millie.”
“He put me to work, though. He not only taught me how to clean and prepare a firearm—how to pack a pan—he helped me improve my aim. ‘Steady hand, even gaze,’ he’d say, ‘if you’re determined to make a hit, you will not fail.’”
“You haven’t.” He placed one hand on his heart. “You hit me here.”
She glanced away. “Look what you’re doing to me!” She sniffed. “And you, too.Tears!I should think you would be happy.”
“I am… contented in a way I didn’t think possible.” He sucked in. “Contented, frustrated, and terrified.”
“I understand the contented, and the frustrated, but terrified might be a bit overstated.” She said lightly, even though she was terrified herself. “This is only a wedding, after all.”
“Only a wedding,” he repeated. Again, he cupped her face. “Calm my fears. Tell me again you only want me.”
“Only you. Desperately. But you just won’t oblige! Here I am in my sister’s night rail. She did say it was her thickest—
He silenced her with an urgent, hot kiss.
“Now,” he panted, “If we don’t stop, Iwilldeflower you on the ducal floor. And before you argue the merits of sucha blunder, please take into consideration that I would never forgive myself for the insult both to your person and to Harbury’s hospitality.”
“You’re a good man, Auggie Merriweather.”
“Yes. Very good.” He scowled. “Too damn good. I want you like… like…”
“Don’t trouble yourself seeking a comparison.” She gave him a small, secret smile. “I know what you mean.”
“Then”—he kissed her forehead—“you had better leave.”
She nodded, then she turned.
She, too, was dizzy and full of longing, full of want. So full she could imagine announcing her change of heart to her family in the morning. So full she could imagine taking her vows in front of a solemn clergyman. So full…