Chapter Six #2
She shrugged again. “And I enjoyed the attention… but I didn’t want to be married.
Women in our world are raised to go from their father’s house directly to their husband’s.
I always wondered if there might be more to life than that.
Archery showed me many people from around the world doing the same things I was, and…
” Pausing to blow out a breath, she then said, “I wanted the freedom to explore that, to discover who I was before I lost that as someone’s wife. ”
Respect lay stamped over Laurence’s face. “Did you?”
“I thought I did, which is why I had four more Seasons.” Thoughts reemerged and circled about her mind like ponies on a loop. “Fate had other plans, though.”
He held her gaze. “What is the real reason you are at this estate, Rose? What is the real reason you’ve chosen to hide if life was so interesting and appealing to you before?”
It would be so easy to share with him, but she couldn’t bear to see judgment from him; it would undoubtedly follow.
Slowly, she shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about that right now.
” Especially since he didn’t want scandal attached to his name, and she’d been mired in it so badly she’d been banished from London.
“Sometimes, a person feels better if they talk to someone about what they’ve carried for far too long.”
A ball of tears lodged in her throat, but she nodded. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready,” she said in a whisper.
“Fair enough.” He didn’t drop his gaze from hers. “How do you spend your time here beyond archery and embroidery? Do you like being alone?”
“I have learned to like it.” That was one of the things she’d discovered about herself about being sent here, after losing her baby.
“Honestly, I don’t miss society life. It was all too loud and shallow and crowded after a while.
The attention dimmed, became annoying, but I don’t think I’ll ever acclimate fully into being alone.
The silence is too big and sometimes I don’t wish to be with my thoughts. ”
For the space of a few heartbeats, he remained silent.
Then, “I understand that. I’ve had more than enough time to think after becoming a civilian.
” When she didn’t respond, he moved from his chair to join her on the low sofa.
“I am here at this estate for a bit of time yet as I recuperate. Perhaps that will give you a brief reprieve from the loneliness.”
The proximity to him couldn’t be ignored; his presence seemed to fill the space, but she nodded. “I’d like that.”
“Good.” Interest lit his dark eyes. “In the meantime, what repairs do you need on the estate?”
At least he’d changed the subject. Relief shuddered down her spine.
“One of the fences needs fixing. A patch of roof on one of the outbuildings has a hole. Either from misuse or the last windstorm. I’d like to have a few rooms in the manor painted and papered—my room included.
” Did that sound too presumptuous or spoiled?
Worried, she rushed to explain. “I’m tired of looking at the same things day in and day out, so because my parents are in London, I’m changing it. ”
“I don’t blame you. Familiarity breeds contempt, as the saying goes,” he said with a wink.
Rose nodded. “There is a leak in the ceiling on the second floor in one of the rooms. I think something has gnawed its way in. Bats or rodents, I can’t tell. There is more, but I don’t wish to tax your strength.”
His chuckle reverberated in her chest to further stoke the small fires licking through her blood. “I promise I will start on the list in a couple of days, and I will pace myself. It’s the least I can do for all you’ve done for me.”
“Oh.” Dear God, his eyes were so kind. Was he aware that wicked promise twinkled in those depths? She was never certain after that which of them moved first, but suddenly, she leaned toward him and he scooted closer to her over the sofa cushions.
“Rose.” Again, his gaze connected with hers, and slowly, Laurence slipped a hand to her nape.
The other went around her waist to rest at the small of her back, then he drew her closer and claimed her lips in a kiss designed to bring her comfort.
At least that was what it felt like to her.
And good heavens how she wanted to lean on his strength!
Just like yesterday when he kissed her, those tiny fires changed into an inferno.
How was it that two pieces of flesh that could smile and frown have her longing for something she had no right to?
She didn’t know, but every time she was in his company, her resistance slipped, and she ended up in an embrace.
Not that she minded.
Still, she had the wherewithal to put a hand on his chest and pull slightly away as her mind reeled.
Nothing good could come from this connection, however powerful.
It didn’t matter how much she wanted him or that they shouldn’t tarry here where any of the servants could come upon them or even that she was a viscount’s daughter who shouldn’t court a dalliance with a former military man, baron though he might be.
To say nothing of the fact that she didn’t deserve to become tangled in an affair.
Not with this man with a sterling reputation.
Not after the last time.
“If you continue to look at me like that, we’ll both find trouble,” he whispered, and the warmth of his breath skated along her cheek.
“How am I looking at you?” Being with him was so much more different than the earl who’d swept her off her feet after a few meetings at social functions.
“With hunger, as if you can’t wait to eat me up like a favorite pudding.”
“Oh.” Apparently, she’d been reduced to one-word responses, but desire coursed through her veins, and her fingers curled into the lapel of his jacket.
The race of her heartbeat sounded overly loud in her ears, but she couldn’t help it.
She wanted another kiss, so she moistened her bottom lip with the tip of her tongue, and his gaze followed the movement.
“I can’t think of a reason to deny that assumption. ”
With a groan, Laurence wrapped her more securely in his arms and crushed his lips to hers, only this time, he didn’t keep it chaste.
And she didn’t bid him nay. Oh, he tasted sweet as if he’d had tea not long ago, and being this close to him was like walking into a warm house from a cold snowstorm.
When he encouraged her lips to part, she gladly did so.
The second his tongue slid against hers, the hold on her resolve to never get involved with a man again shattered.
“Dear God…” Rose kissed him back with an enthusiasm that matched his overture.
Satin slid over steel as they dueled for control, but when she surrendered to him with a small sigh and he pulled her a tiny bit closer, need shivered down her spine.
She encircled his shoulders with her arms, and the second her fingers caressed his nape, common sense fled.
There is no going back now.