“They are, and they like you, too. They think you are my nicest and politest guest.”
This came as no surprise, since he had been here often enough over the years, and was always on his best behavior. In fact, Fiona’s staff often turned to him for assistance when some of her other guests turned loutish during her own popular summer house parties. Tempers could flare when the weather turned sour and there was little to do other than drink. He was always the one to keep matters from getting out of hand.
Surprisingly, this had happened even when Shoreham was alive. He’d always stepped in to help, for Shoreham was a gentle soul and did not have the physical build to grab a hotheaded drunkard by the nape and toss him outdoors to cool off.
“Fiona, have you planned anything for us today?”
“No,” she said with a shake of her head. “I wasn’t certain you would show up.”
“Still, you dressed for me. You look very pretty.” She had on a gown of palest pink muslin that seemed to brighten the bluish-green swirls of her eyes and put a blush on her cheeks.
“Oh, this old thing?” She glanced down and patted her hair with a feigned casual air.
He leaned forward and grinned. “Yes, thatoldthing which happens to be in the latest style of fashion. Not to mention, I have never seen you wear it before.”
“Oh, haven’t you? How odd. Well, I suppose we haven’t seen much of each other lately, have we? But as for this afternoon’s plans, as I said, I’ve made none for us, since I wasn’t certain when or if you would arrive.”
She glanced up at the sky. “It is a spectacular day and should not be wasted indoors. We could have a picnic lunch on the beach. Does this meet with your approval?”
He nodded. “Great idea. The shadows will be starting to stretch along the sand within the hour and provide shade if we sit by the stairs. We can take a walk along the beach after we eat, if you don’t mind. I could do with stretching my legs a bit.”
“Sounds perfect.”
She escorted him upstairs once his room was declared ready. It was inconveniently located at the opposite end of the hall from hers. For the sake of propriety, of course. Still, it gave him some concern, since he would be forced to come and go from her bedchamber using the hallway. There was a risk he would be seen by a passing servant.
Well, they would figure out a solution later.
Not that it mattered. Fiona wore her feelings on her sleeve. Everyone would know by the satisfied glow on her face once he had bedded her.
Nor was he being full of himself to think he could make her quiver with passion. He could do it because of the strong bond of affection that already existed between them.
As for him, all she had to do was smile and he was lost.
He used the ewer of fresh water and its matching basin to wash the dirt off his face and body, then put on fresh clothes before returning downstairs. Since they were heading down to the beach, he did not bother to don a jacket or cravat. A linen shirt, buff trousers, and walking boots would do.
Fiona had not changed out of her pink muslin gown, but now wore a large straw hat trimmed with a matching pink silk ribbon to protect her skin from the sun.
He liked her in that hat, which was far prettier than a bonnet that would hide her face and dull her eyes. But under this hat, her eyes were big and bright.
“Shall we go?” she asked.
He grabbed the picnic basket and nodded. “Lead the way.”
She took the blanket Mrs. Harris now handed her.
They said nothing to each other, nor did they exchange a touch or look, while they made their way along the path and down the steps to the beach.
Nevertheless, sparks flew between them. Rob knew she had to be feeling these same jolts of excitement.
Perhaps their lunch was not the only thing he would taste while on the beach. He longed to put his mouth on hers and taste the sweetness of her lips. He ached to put his mouth anywhere on her body she would allow, for he had always adored her scent, which was never stale or overly perfumed but always fresh and natural as newly picked apples.
But he would wait and see what Fiona wanted. This week was not about sex, but love.
Although the path to love was going to be through having sex with her.
If Fiona thought they would have their fill of each other by rutting like rabbits and then be done, she was naïve. He meant to make their lovemaking hot and shattering. His plan was to turn himself into an essential need for her, one she could no more do without than air in her lungs.
But today was not a day for action. Reconnaissance first. Check out the territory.
