“Oh, yes,” she assured him. Admittedly, there were not many packages to be carried, but he did not want her to tire herself out. “I am perfectly fine. It is just a bit of candy and pastries.”
He nodded, satisfied with her answer. They continued on for some time in silence, and Edward was not certain what he should say to her if anything. The day had been…lovely. He had not known what to expect when Lily had first begged him to join them. He had still been upset with Miss Clifford, but he had realized some of his anger toward her had been irrational.
He had been reacting to his lingering betrayal from Cressida, which was not fair to Miss Clifford. Whatever she had been writing, it likely had been those letters she had had in her satchel. He had noticed them poking out of the bag but had not thought much of them at the time.
“I am glad you joined us today, my lord,” Miss Clifford suddenly said in a soft tone.
Surprised, Edward looked down at her and replied, “Oh, well…I was happy to have been invited. It was a very nice day overall.”
She gave him a small, almost shy smile. He rather liked making her smile. It was not something he would admit to, but he knew it was something he would try to do again and again despite himself.
“Lily seemed to have enjoyed herself as well,” she said at length, grinning at the little girl.
Edward chuckled. “Yes, it seems she did. She wore herself out.”
“I am glad she had such a nice day,” Miss Clifford sighed, sounding content.
“You really care for her,” Edward said. It was not a question but an observation he had been all too happy to make.
Miss Clifford nodded. “I do. She is a rather special child, is she not?”
“I cannot argue with that,” Edward replied with a chuckle. “As rambunctious as they come, but I would not change her for anything.”
“Nor I,” Miss Clifford agreed. “I am lucky to be able to care for such a sweet girl.”
Edward thought they were the lucky ones to have Miss Clifford, but he kept that to himself. They fell into silence once more, but it was strangely comfortable. He took a moment to steal a look at Miss Clifford out of the corner of his eye. She looked gorgeous with the sunlight streaming down on her. Her cheeks were pink, and wisps of hair had come loose from the knot at the back of her head and had fallen to frame her face and soften her appearance.
She looked young and almost carefree. It was a state he had not really seen her in before…at least not when he was around her. He supposed she could not be blamed for that. He had not made it easy for her to relax around him. For whatever reason, he could not seem to control his emotions around her. He could go from the most intense happiness to the edge of his temper and everything in between.
He did not particularly like feeling so out of control, but he could not deny that he felt wildly alive when he was with her.
They reached the estate and made their way into the manor and up to Lily’s room. Miss Clifford pulled the covers back from her bed, and Edward laid the little girl down. They tucked her in and stood gazing down at her for several moments. Edward glanced toward Miss Clifford.
The room was half-dark with the curtains drawn, and the way the shadows played across her face made her so alluring heat bloomed within him. He had been trying to ignore her pulsing desires all day, but looking at her at that moment, he could not resist her any longer.
Reaching out, he took her hand in his. She turned her gaze up to his, her eyes wide with surprise.
“Lord Harford?” she murmured in a breathless tone.
Edward did not say anything. He did not think he could form words at that second.
Instead, he cupped the side of her face and pulled her closer until she was pressed up against him. She offered no resistance as he lowered his head and locked his lips onto hers. She gasped in shock, her mouth opening just enough that he could sweep his tongue in to lap at hers.
After a few moments, she released a moan and melted into him. She lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck, holding him even closer against her. Her soft curves against his body made him ravenous for her. He cupped her face with both hands and tilted her head to deepen the kiss. With each moment that passed, he felt himself losing his grip on his control, but he could not stop himself.
He could not get enough of her.
Her taste. Her scent. Her softness.
Edward could lose himself to her and was not certain that he really cared.
***
Victoria
She did not know what was happening to her, but she could not seem to think straight in Lord Harford’s arms. All she could do was feel, and she could not remember a time when she had felt so much. He was driving her wild with his hungry kiss and roaming hands. He touched her in ways no one ever had before, and while a part of her knew this was highly improper, she could not seem to make herself stop.
Lord Harford moved her backwards until she was pinned between the wall and his body. Heat poured through her, and she felt a tingling between her legs that startled yet intrigued her. She did not want him to stop. She wanted to feel his hands on her bare skin…she wanted to lose herself to him completely…
