Her Convenient Husband's Return by Eleanor Webster

Author:Eleanor Webster
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-05-02T18:13:05+00:00

Chapter Twelve

A single wall sconce lit the narrow hallway, casting elongated shadows. Beth stood attired only in her nightgown. Her hair hung in a single braid down her back like a rope of molten gold. The white cotton of her gown was cut low, her nipples visible, dark circles pushing against the cloth. His gaze was drawn to the cleft between her full breasts, a darkly shadowed ‘V.’

‘Ren?’ Her free hand reached forward, outstretched, as though to orientate herself in space.

He took her fingers. He felt their tremble. ‘You are cold,’ he said.

In that moment, he was aware of their isolation, of her uneven exhalations, the thinness of the fabric, the dark areolas pressing against the cloth. ‘Are you unwell?’

‘No.’

‘You should go back to bed,’ he said, aware that the words came out jerkily.

‘I couldn’t sleep. I was going to the balcony.’

She made no move and stood quite close. He still held her fingers and she did not pull them free. He could feel the cloth of her nightdress against his arm. Her hair touched his chin. It smelled of lemons.

‘Ren, I think I may not have been entirely honest with myself or you. I thought I was worried for the tenants, but now I realise I do not want the Duke to have any reason to spend more time near to us.’

‘I do not want that either.’

‘I fear him,’ she said. Her lashes lay against her cheek, casting long intriguing shadows, her features just discernible in the low light.

‘I know.’

‘I wanted to be honest,’ she said.

Slowly, he bent towards her. With his free hand, he ran his fingers against her chin, angling it upwards.

‘You are the most honest person I know.’ He touched her lips with his own, gently. She didn’t retreat. A slight rosiness touched her cheeks. Her lips parted, moist.

‘Beth.’ He caught her lips again, no longer tentative.

His hands went to her shoulders. Her nightgown was loose so that it fell off her shoulder, exposing her pale skin, gleaming in the lamplight.

‘You are so beautiful, so perfect.’ His thumb grazed her chin as his other hand slid down her spine. She stepped into his embrace.

His kiss hardened, his need grew. His hands tightened on her waist, pulling her against him. He wanted her to feel, to know.

His bedchamber door was ajar, opening inwards. He stepped backwards, opening it with his body and half-carrying her inwards. She held him tightly as the door shut. He could feel her warmth and the soft yielding of her body against his own. The room was dark, save for the amber glimmer from the fire. Very gently, he placed his fingers against her face, tracing her lips, her jaw line, the place at the base of her neck where her pulse beat.

‘Is it dark?’ she whispered.

‘Yes.’

‘You are seeing with your hands.’

He bent, his lips following his hands. He felt her tremble. ‘Hmm... I think I’d like to see some more,’ he muttered.

Scooping her into his arms, he laid her on the huge four-poster bed.

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