CHAPTER NINE
Carter Beckett, the Earl of Wainwright, was one of Audsley’s best friends. They’d gone to school together, enjoyed their time in London as young lords and had had many a good conversation through the years. But now, Audsley wanted nothing more than for Carter to stop talking.
Audsley had arrived at Emma’s home a quarter of an hour early for their walk that day. She’d been ready and, judging by how quickly she’d answered the door, had obviously been in the sitting room waiting. He’d been heartened that she’d been looking forward to their outing just as much as he had.
They’d set out on their walk with the same companionable silence as the way they’d eaten their meal the previous night. Being with Emma had rarely been peaceful and he was glad they had settled into this ease together, though there was nothing easy about the way his body thrummed when he was near her. It had been a long time since they’d shared any intimacies, but his body had memorized each kiss, each caress and the incredible feeling of being inside her. Those sensations had become embedded deep within him, like a second soul.
Today’s walk had been so enjoyable that Audsley had been tempted to pass Carter’s home and continue onward. He might have done so if Patsy and Victoria hadn’t started barking excitedly as they’d neared the house, which alerted Grace to their presence. As she rushed out to hug her sister, Audsley was thinking it might be smarter to leave the dogs home the next time, though he was growing quite fond of them.
The four of them had had a pleasant enough visit, except for the fact that Audsley was fairly certain Carter and Grace had been in bed not long before their visit – Grace’s skin was flushed and Carter had an abominably cheeky expression. From the way they kept brushing their hands against each other, it was likely they’d be heading back to the bedchamber as soon as their company left. Audsley didn’t envy too many men, but he wished he had the relationship with Emma that Carter had with Grace.
Carter finally finished his damned story – which Audsley hadn’t paid a bit of attention to – though the sisters had laughed several times. It was a bit annoying that Carter was quite so entertaining around Emma when Audsley often found himself lost in contemplation when he was with her. He didn’t have Carter’s ease of address even in the best of circumstances, which was all the more frustrating since he would dearly love to make Emma laugh. Perhaps, Audsley should just be happy that Carter made her laugh since she had few enough diversions in her life. But he would be just as happy giving his friend a swift kick in the arse.
When he could tolerate his friend’s stories no longer, Audsley asked Emma if she might like to leave. Fortunately, she said yes, which was a welcome development. Less welcome was how quickly Carter showed them the door, obviously in a rush to be alone with his bride. It wasn’t the leaving which bothered Audsley. It was knowing his friend was free to make love to his wife when Audsley couldn’t even hold hands with the woman he loved.
Audsley hoped the man stubbed his toe on the way to his bedchamber.
But his day improved as he and Emma stepped out into the beautiful summer weather. Instead of walking directly home they meandered a bit, sometimes talking, sometimes not. It was hard to believe this was happening. For years, things had been tense with Emma, not right. Now they suddenly found themselves in this comfortable pattern and it was almost too much to hope for. If they continued along this way, perhaps…
A rabbit darted out in front of them, which immediately set the dogs on its heels. As the three animals ran across the field in the opposite direction of where they’d been walking, Emma called after them, “Patsy! Victoria!”
But the dogs had just as little discipline now as they’d had the night before at dinner. Without thinking, Audsley took Emma’s hand as they ran after the dogs. They turned a corner and found themselves at the maze. Not recognizing this was a sacred space, the dogs ran straight into it and soon enough Emma and Audsley found themselves, once again, in the center.
They were both a bit winded when they finally came to a stop, with the rabbit long gone and the dogs busy sniffing their new terrain. Patsy found a warm patch of sun to sleep in and it looked like Victoria would soon follow her lead.
Audsley couldn’t believe he was with Emma at the place of his dreams. One look at her showed she was just as shaken as he. “Emma, I…”
“Audsley, I…”
Those were the only words either of them was able to get out before they came together and kissed. Despite the fact they’d been careful to not let their hands brush together on their walk, they were now devouring each other with as much passion as the last time they’d been there. They fumbled to take each other’s clothes off and as soon as Audsley removed his jacket, he threw it on the ground, then lowered Emma onto it. He touched her wherever he could and she was just as greedy. He lifted up her gown as she undid the placket of his trousers. Her wicked hand came around his cock, just as his found the heart of her. Once he made sure she was ready for him, he eased into her with at least a bit more finesse than the last time. She was tight, but this time he made sure to give her a chance to relax around him. Then he began to move.
She matched his thrusts and was even more passionate this time than the last, though he’d wager she hadn’t been with another man. He had obsessively watched her on her few forays in the ton, but no gentleman had been smart enough to see the amazing woman she was.
He was the one who knew with certainty how special she was.
Further thought was lost to sensation as they moved faster and faster against each other before finally exploding.
He collapsed onto her, lost in pleasure. That part was a repeat of their last encounter, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to repeat his mistakes afterward.
* * *
Emma’s first thought upon regaining her wits was she couldn’t believe how good she felt. She had no words to describe the power of her release, and she enjoyed the warmth of the late afternoon sun, with the smell of roses around her. If she could have stayed like that for days on end – perhaps longer – she would have. Unfortunately, she needed to face what would happen now and that wasn’t nearly as appealing to her, given what had occurred after their last encounter.
But this time when she opened her eyes, Audsley wasn’t fully dressed and seated on a bench, his head in his hands. He was lying next to her. Or, more specifically, she was draped over him and he was on his back. She was afraid to speak, certain it would break the spell which had brought them to this place – not just to the maze, but to the place they were in their friendship. She was even more afraid that he would speak and say something which would drive them apart again. But neither of them said a word, as if the companionable silence between them had reached this sacred spot.
They lay like that without speaking. Audsley lazily rubbed her back from time to time, and she periodically shifted upon him, trying her hardest not to kiss him. It was only when the sun was noticeably lower in the sky that they both dressed for the walk home.
Victoria was ready to race to the cottage, but poor Patsy had thoroughly tired herself out. “My love,” said Emma, as she bent down to pet her beloved dog. “You’ve had a very exciting day.”
“I believe we all have,” said Audsley, as he picked up Patsy, cradling her in his arms. “I’ll carry her.”
“I can do that.”
“Please, let me.”
If Emma hadn’t already been in love with Audsley, and she had to admit she’d been in love with him for quite some time, she would have fallen hard at the sight of him gently holding Patsy in the center of their maze, surrounded by the smell of roses.
They spoke little on the way back to Jasmine Cottage. Just a few observations about their visit with Grace and Carter, along with pleasantries about the weather. It was a bit ridiculous that they would remain silent about their wonderful interlude, though it was certainly preferable than their conversation the last time. But Emma didn’t want to broach the topic and Audsley showed no inclination to do so, either.
“Would you like to come in for supper?” Emma asked, when they’d reached the cottage and Audsley had put Patsy back on her feet.
“I would like that more than anything, but I have to meet with my steward and fear I have already kept him waiting too long. I travel to London in the morning.”
“Oh,” said Emma, feeling as if the breath had been knocked out of her.
He took her hand. “But I’ll be returning as soon as possible, likely within ten days. I would like to call on you when I’m back.”
“I’m certain we’ll see each other at Grace and Carter’s.” She didn’t want him to see how disappointed she was that he was leaving. Their joined hands felt connected all the way to her heart.
“Not just there. I’d like to see you here, as well.” For a moment, it looked like he would say more, but didn’t. “I didn’t plan this today, Emma.”
“Nor did I.”
“I enjoyed it very much.”
“As did I.” She could only whisper the words.
“We have matters to discuss but, as before, if you are with child, we must marry. Can you promise me that?”
She nodded. “Yes, Audsley, I promise.”
That seemed to satisfy him. He leaned down and kissed her. He lingered for a moment before pulling away. “Good-bye. I shall see you soon.”
Emma watched him leave, wanting to call him back to her for another kiss, but knowing it was foolish. He was a responsible landowner. She wouldn’t keep him from his steward, though she’d hoped all day that they could have another picnic in the back garden.
Perhaps they would when he came back from town. Perhaps there was the chance of a future.