She tilted sideways as he reached to close the curtains of first one, then the second window. His arms held her securely in place, but she kept a tight grip on his shoulders just in case.
“We’re not?” Had her voice ever been so breathy before that moment?
“No. I’m taking you to my town house.”
She was filled with questions. Why had he changed his mind? She’d known pleasure at this man’s hands, and that brief glimpse of everything she’d been missing all these years had only served to whet her appetite.
But Holbrook had remained steadfast in his determination that he would not make love to her unless she accepted his suit. She’d worried he would continue to keep her at arm’s length as long as they weren’t legally wed.
So why now?
One of Holbrook’s gloved hands caressed her cheek. Their gazes locked, and she could see concern reflected there.
“If I’m presuming…”
She shook her head. “No, of course not. I was simply wondering why you’d changed your mind about the two of us being together.”
“I realized that my stubbornness might cause me to lose you altogether.”
His words were spoken with earnestness, but she couldn’t hold back her laugh. Holbrook was delusional if he thought she was even slightly interested in any of those men who seemed intent on pursuing her.
“I’ll tell you a secret, my lord.”
His thumb caressed her lower lip, and a shiver went through her. “I do like the sound of that.”
One small corner of her mind tried to warn her that it was unwise to place her trust in a man again. She ignored that inner voice. “I have no intention of propositioning another man.”
One corner of his mouth quirked up. “That might be true today—and I’m heartened to hear it—but one never knows what the future holds. And you should know that I haven’t given up on trying to change your mind. I’m still courting you.”
He kissed her then, and she sank into him, drowning in the feel of his strong arms pulling her close. The hard length of his arousal pressed against her hip, telling her without a doubt that he wanted this as much as she did.
Holbrook had shown her that he knew just how to touch her to stoke her desire. But right now she wanted to show him that she was willing to share that pleasure. Today wasn’t going to be about her but about the two of them. Together.
She worked one hand down to cup his hard length, and his breath hitched out in obvious surprise. She wanted to take time to explore him, unwilling to wait a moment longer, but the carriage was already slowing.
He lifted his head and stared down at her for several long seconds.
Slowly her senses began to clear, and she realized she’d almost gotten completely carried away in a carriage.
“Do you think it will be fine for the two of us to enter your town house together? I’m sure rumors are already swirling around us, but…”
“But you want to be discreet. I want that as well, which is why I instructed the carriage driver to bring us around to the mews at the back of the house.”
She let out a sigh. That was marginally better. The servants would still know, but they always knew what was happening. Some might consider them invisible, but Lucy had always been aware of their watchful presence.
The carriage pulled into the small stable at the back of the house, and Holbrook climbed down first. When he helped her from the vehicle, she tried to ignore the stablehands who glanced their way before quickly looking away again.
She wondered if he made it a habit to bring women to his town house, but her mind shied away from the thought. She didn’t want to know. They’d already agreed that while the two of them were together, there would be no other liaisons. She wanted to trust him to keep his word. More than that, she needed to believe he’d be faithful. She saw evidence that men were capable of fidelity in the relationships of her friends and family.
And if he wanted to see other women, they would end their affair.
A pang of something she chose not to examine speared through her at that thought.
She followed Holbrook along a paved path to an entrance at the side of the house and was relieved their arrival wouldn’t be witnessed by his neighbors.
He opened the door, and she found herself on a small landing. The inner door on the other side of the landing would open to the rest of the rooms on the main floor. The stairs going down would lead to the kitchens. She was curious to explore his house, but that would have to wait for another time.
He took her hand and led her up the second set of stairs, which would take them to the bedrooms.
