A Lady's Lessons by Jade Lee

Author:Jade Lee
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ePublishing Works!
Published: 2012-12-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Anthony woke quickly. It was an old army habit he found hard to break. Every morning he woke instantly, his senses alert, cataloging his every impression as his mind sorted them into a coherent order.

He lay on a straw pallet in a dank, musty gaol. His back hurt and his leg ached, but he was filled with a wondrous contentment that warmed him inside and out. And that, no doubt, was due to the single sensation that overrode all of his other senses: the feel of Sophia, pressed intimately to his side.

He opened his eyes and turned carefully so as not to disturb her. He saw nothing. There was no light, their candles having long since burnt out. But still, in his mind's eye, he saw it all as clearly as if daylight illuminated the room. Her skin would be like fine porcelain, but it was warm, not cool. Her face would be relaxed in sleep, her golden hair spread like a halo around her. Her lips would no longer be kiss-swollen, but perfect dusky rose bows that would forever tempt him to forget reason, honor, everything so long as she was his.

Last night, he had meant to resist her. His goal had been to tempt her, not take her. But now that the deed was done, he could not regret it. Indeed, how could he ever regret something so beautiful it had literally overwhelmed him?

She had been like a living flame in his arms. He always knew that when he finally coaxed her into releasing her rigid control, her passions would surprise him. But last night he had been more than surprised. Thunderstruck was a better word. Astounded. Enraptured.

She had been incredible.

And he loved her.

Anthony leaned down, about to drop a light kiss on Sophia's forehead, when his last thought returned full force.

He loved her.

He froze.

He loved her?

His hand trembled, and suddenly he collapsed backward on the pallet. Of course. Why had he not seen it before? He had told himself he wanted to marry her because of her lineage, her regal carriage, and because of the damned wager. Because she would be a significant asset in the foreign service. Because he'd been grateful for her visits during his convalescence. Because he had long since guessed at the passion that simmered underneath her cool exterior, which meant they would have lifelong enjoyment in their marriage bed. Because he found her wonderful and beautiful and...

Love?

He had not even considered that.

He lay beside the woman he would marry, suddenly aware that he adored her.

The thought was so stunning, so literally breathstopping, that he could hardly believe it.

He curled up behind Sophia, drawing her deeper into his arms. He wanted to tell her, could not wait to share the news with her. But the words would not come. The thought was too new, the feelings too potent to express. He would find a way to tell her. A special, romantic moment to reveal himself. For now, he would be content to hold her, to feel her luscious body pressed against his own.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.