Chapter 5 #2
She lifted her chin and grasped the latch on the door; the freezing metal could be felt even through her gloves. A part of her shouted to withdraw her hand and return to the manor, await Brigham therein. But another—much louder—part of her, willed her to push open the door.
And greet her husband as if they both belonged at the steward’s office.
An overpowering heat gathered at the apex of her thighs, and her breasts swelled, pulling the material of her gown tight across her chest.
Something about the entire situation was intoxicating, and her mind swam as if she’d overindulged in dinner sherry.
As soon as she entered the cottage and closed the door solidly behind her, she and Brigham would be alone, without a soul to interrupt them.
Her brow furrowed. This was possibly the first time since they were young children gallivanting between Hockcliffe and Tapton property that they would be unequivocally alone.
Even at Hockcliffe there were always servants close at hand, and Brigham’s sister and her family normally arrived with Brigham from London.
They’d shared sparse few moments in his study the day before, but they hadn’t been truly unaccompanied there either.
But here, in this cottage, they had no fear of a servant stumbling upon them.
Smiling brightly to hide her own nerves, Mellie pushed the door open and greeted Brigham. He no longer paced the room but sat behind the modest desk. “Good morning, my lord.”
His eyes narrowed behind his rounded glasses before widening. “Mellie?” He swallowed hard before continuing, leaning forward in his seat. “Ah, what brings you all the way out here? It is dreadfully cold outside.”
“I walk most mornings and noticed someone was here.” There was little reason to confess that she’d followed him to the cottage, when in fact, her daily walks did take her by the steward’s residence on most days.
“When I saw your horse tied outside, I figured I should stop and inquire if you were in need of anything.”
Their eyes remained locked when Mellie pushed the door closed at her back and stepped farther into the room, which suddenly seemed smaller due to her presence—and his.
Neither so much as breathed. Mellie stifled her breath for fear she’d startle him from his silence, and he’d send her back to the manor.
But as for Brigham, she was uncertain what kept him frozen before her.
He did not stand to greet her nor allow his eyes to release her stare.
Mellie was not versed in matters of the flesh; indeed, she’d never even so much as discussed the topic with anyone.
The hard stare locked on hers proclaimed she was to learn today—this very moment if Mellie had any say in the matter.
Brigham, the man she’d adored in her youth whom had given her everything in her adulthood, was the only one she trusted wholeheartedly.
He would not lead her astray nor cause her any harm.
“Thank you for your concern and thoughtfulness, but I am merely studying the ledgers”—he tapped his finger on the open book—“before Briars returns from holiday.”
Brigham’s head dropped, and he focused on the tome before him once more…however, he didn’t demand she leave.
And so, she slipped her arms from her cloak and deposited it on the chair across from the steward’s desk and then proceeded to remove her black gloves, one finger at a time until her hands were bare. She set the accessories on the chair beside her discarded overgarment.
Not once did Brigham glance up from his work, though the stiffening of his back indicated he was acutely aware of Mellie’s presence. To test her newfound power, she paced slowly around the desk he sat behind until she was at his back.
“Do allow me to assist you in your examination.” She leaned in close, certain her breath caressed his neck. “I have often wondered what kept the steward so busy nearly all year round.”
“Yes, busy man—much to do—“
Mellie placed her hands on Brigham’s shoulders, once more surprised at their broad width, as he tensed beneath her touch.
For a moment, she kept her fingers still, begged her hands to apply no pressure to him for fear he’d push her away, but when he remained silent and still for several minutes, Mellie gently kneaded his stiff shoulders.
Her heart beat erratically within her chest, her nipples hardening more than before as the material of her shift agitated the tender buds.
His entire body shuddered under her fingers.
Her breath hitched, and she leaned ever closer as his heady male scent surrounded her.
It was a tempting mix of the stables from his ride here and something far earthier, as if he’d spent time in the woods.
She knew this to be impossible, for he’d departed the manor and rode straight to the cottage, so she figured it must be a scent unique to him alone.
Instead of relaxing under the gentle pressure of her hands, his shoulders only became more rigid, and his head lifted from his work to stare out the far window.
The cords of his muscles flexed under her hold, causing a tingle to course down her spine, and her knees to weaken.
Why had they waited so long for this moment?
Her arousal at their mere touch was nearly enough to send her crashing to her knees. For her to beg him to remove his coat and unfasten the long row of buttons down her back.
Mellie remained silent, allowing her hands to wander from his shoulders to his upper arms, the cut of his jacket straining over his biceps. She wondered what other surprises he kept hidden under his proper attire.
Her cheeks flushed at the thought, but she refused to back down.
Glancing over his shoulder, Mellie saw that his eyes had drifted shut, his lips pressed tightly into a firm line.
Was it possible he did not welcome her advances?