At Winter's Demand by Kirsten S. Blacketer

Author:Kirsten S. Blacketer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical romance, british romance, adventure romance, alpha hero, victorian romance, secrets and lies, late 19th century romance
Publisher: Kirsten S. Blacketer

Chapter Twelve

Simon could not remember the last time he had woken with a woman in his arms. Possibly never, he mused as he stroked her hair.

She nestled against his bare chest, her soft breaths puffing against his skin. Her arm lay across his chest, her leg draped over his. The rhythmic brush of his fingertips against her curly hair soothed him. This feels right. But deep inside, he knew it would never last.

The concern he had for her well-being had dissipated when she all but offered herself to him. He might not be a gentleman, but he had a sense of duty to women unlike most of the men in his profession. There were not many criminals who would put a woman before their own selfish plans.

He reached for his pocket watch on the nightstand. Nearly noon.

Judith stirred against him, his movement waking her. She smiled up at him, her eyes heavy with sleep, her tousled hair covering half her face. An angel...that is what she looked like to him.

"Good morning, Simon." Her grin made him stiffen with need. Would he ever get enough of this woman?

"Morning is nearly past." He brushed her hair away from her face.

She rested her chin against his chest and stared at him. "Probably the first time in all my life I have slept this late in the day. Feels wonderful."

"Judith," Simon began. Unsure of what exactly he was going to say, he chose his words carefully. "I shall return you to the inn today."

Her head snapped up, eyes wide and lower lip trembling. "Are you...discarding me?"

Simon sighed. "Edmund has returned your sister to the inn. I intend to restore you to her care."

Judith pushed away from him, dislodging the sheet that covered her nudity. His gaze flickered to her bare breasts and the desire she had stirred in him the evening before flared to life again. He slammed the lid and locked it away.

"You... We..." She brushed her hair over her shoulder and quickly braided it, unconcerned with her state of undress. "Why?"

Simon groaned. "Why what?" He sat up and ran his hand through his hair. "I did my part. Both you and the jewels have been recovered. I intend to restore both to their rightful place, and then return to my life."

He saw the tears in her eyes, and the guilt plunged deep in his heart like a dagger.

"So, what happened between us last night?" Judith asked. Her voice wavered, but she tilted her chin high and proud.

"Will not happen again." Simon crossed his arms to keep from reaching for her.

Judith jumped from the bed and ran into the adjacent room where she had bathed the night before. The slam of the door shook the room.

Simon hung his head. This was not how he had anticipated the news to affect her. He expected her to be pleased to be returning to her sister and her simple life...a life without danger, secrets, and treachery. He flopped back on the bed and laid his arm across his eyes.

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