The Convict's Bounty Bride by Lena Dowling

Author:Lena Dowling
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780857990327
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises, Australia Pty Ltd

Chapter Five

Sated, she nestled into him, taking in gulps of air.

James willed his hardness to subside.

The way her ladyship had responded to him pleased him. He had been unconcerned how his wife performed in the bedroom, but Thea’s curiosity and enthusiasm provided an unexpected bonus, sending his innards into improbable and unexpected contortions. It was everything he could do not to wrench back her skirts again and take her without mercy. She had turned him inside out, disembowelling him with lust, but he wanted her to know the rewards of lovemaking before the pain of her first time. He couldn’t have her hurt or frightened. To do so risked her bolting and sending her brother to the gallows sooner than submit to marriage.

As much as it killed him, he had to postpone his own gratification.

Pleasant as he found the warmth of Thea’s body against his, he knew that if he stayed like this any longer, breathing in her scent of cloves and orange blossom, her hair silken on his chin, he would give in and have his way with her and damn the consequences.

He breathed in heavily, gradually sucking the air in deeper, then feigned a snore, hoping Thea would take the opportunity to sneak out.

After a few more minutes she stirred, sliding across the mattress a little at a time. He ventured a look through feathered lashes. Moving with all the skill of a fairground mime artist, pausing between each change of position, Thea searched the room and then his trunk.

Impressive.

He bit his lip, stifling a chuckle of surprise.

So this was why the earl had tried, in his ham-fisted way, to press him into lingering for a port after dinner. This explained why Thea had come to his bedchamber. She was looking for the evidence that proved Lord Willers a blackguard to destroy it, and along with the proof, the bargain he had with Eastbourne.

He should have realised she hadn’t changed her view on marriage. Her position was simply an impossible one. He had her between a rock and hard place. He grimaced.

She wasn’t the only one.

Thea bent over the trunk, providing an outline of her firm behind, as she found the secret compartment built into his luggage. He fought the urge to adjust the bedclothes, which had worked themselves into an uncomfortable position.

Very impressive indeed.

The carpenter had assured him the compartment was virtually undiscoverable.

The woman was as bold as a highwayman on Finchley Common and a great deal smarter.

So, it had not been the prospect of bedding him that provided the enticement for her to enter his room after all. For some reason, disappointment nagged. He told himself it was merely because he hadn’t taken the opportunity to have his way with her, but nevertheless a knot formed in his stomach.

Then another realisation hit him and he smiled.

Unfortunately for Thea, the documentation she needed was many miles away in the safekeeping of Biggs. Fortunately for James, however, her ladyship would surely be forced back to his chamber for another look.

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