Well done, Hannah.The man spent a fortune on you, and you cast it back in his face.
But she couldn’t let him do it.Not even if he had a fortune to spend.A ring like that, so personal, so precious.It was something she would treasure for the rest of her life.
If she accepted it, the gift would haunt her, reminding her of the feelings she held for him.
She sat up, suddenly afraid of where he’d gone.Michael couldn’t go out walking alone, not when it was such a risk.He’d been shot only two days ago.What if someone attacked him?
It was far too dangerous.Hannah pushed her feet back into her shoes, not even bothering to finish buttoning them.She flew down the stairs and hurried past the other guests who were enjoying their dinners downstairs.
She found the lieutenant inside the stables, tending his horse.With a sharp look toward the stable lad, she asked for a moment alone with her ‘husband’.The boy tipped his cap and waited outside.
Standing behind Michael, she wondered what she could say.The acrid odor of the stalls surrounded them, not exactly the best place for an apology.
“Michael,” she murmured, “will you come back inside?”
He didn’t turn around at first but kept brushing the horse’s back in slow, even strokes.
“Go back to our room, Hannah.It’s been a long day, and I know you’re tired.I’ll be up later.”
She couldn’t bring herself to leave him.By refusing his gift, she’d wounded his pride.She touched the sleeve of his coat, resting her forehead against his shoulder.“Don’t be angry with me.”A thousand excuses tangled up in her mouth, but all of them were a mockery of what she was feeling right now.
“I’m not angry.”His clipped voice belied the words.“It was an inappropriate gift.You were right.”
“It is a beautiful ring,” she said, stepping between him and the horse.Trapped in his arms, she gave him no choice but to look at her.“And if circumstances were different, I would be proud to wear it.”
“But they aren’t.”He set down the brush and let his hands rest at her waist.In his eyes, she saw disappointment, masked by duty.Didn’t he understand why she had refused the ring?Didn’t he know that she was trying to keep both of them from being hurt?
“Go back, Hannah.I want a moment to myself.”
She couldn’t do it.If she left him right now, the breach would only widen.He’d sleep on the floor and within another day or two, she would be inside a coach, bound for Germany.
He’s going to break my heart,she thought.But there wasn’t another choice, was there?
She stood up on tiptoe and kissed him.Her arms wrapped around his neck, while she tried to show him what she felt.The desires she couldn’t voice, the forbidden yearning to steal whatever moments she could.
At first, he didn’t kiss her back.But as she pressed her mouth to his, slowly tempting him to yield, his arms tightened.
His kiss was tentative at first, as though he wasn’t sure if she truly wanted him.Hannah gripped his neck, hoping he would respond to her invitation.
“Don’t hold back from me,” she whispered, when his mouth broke free from hers.“Not tonight.”
Michael brought her against the door to one of the stalls, lifting her up while he kissed her hard.“I’m no good for you, Hannah.”
“I don’t care any more.I need you.”She held on tight, shuddering when his thigh slid between her legs.Hard and firm, he nudged her, making her ride him.
Though anyone who happened upon them would only see a husband and a wife caught in an embrace, beneath her skirts, he made her feel completely vulnerable.
“Take me back upstairs,” she whispered.
“In a moment.”He claimed her mouth roughly, his hands dragging through her hair.Pins fell everywhere while he kissed her, his tongue teasing in the intimate act she feared.Her mouth was numb, swollen from his kiss, while she ached between her legs.When he pressed his thigh between her legs again, she couldn’t stop the shattered gasp that escaped.It was like the night upon the ship, only this time, the impact was far greater.
That night, she’d suspected they would not become lovers.But now, she wasn’t certain how far she would let him go.
Michael slid her down, touching his head to hers.“What are you doing, Hannah?”
She shivered, fighting to catch her breath.“I think you know.”
He grabbed her hand and pulled her outside the stable.Hannah knew the stable lad could have guessed what happened to her, for her hair was falling about her shoulders, her face flushed with unfulfilled need.
