“I did, yes.” Holly leaned over and moved the eyepiece. “Around here, I think… take a look for yourself.”
He paused for a brief moment, inhaling the delicate fragrance of flowers that her warm skin radiated as she stood next to him, then bent to the lens. “Ahh. Yes.” He sorted out what he was seeing. “Although the snow is obliterating most of the landmarks, it’s quite clear where the river is, isn’t it?” He straightened, humbly aware of the chance observation that had kept him alive.
She nodded. “It was sheer luck, Richard.” Her expression betrayed her emotions. “If I hadn’t…”
“You did.” He stopped her from going any further. “And you saved my life. For which I shall be forever grateful.”
Holly looked up at him, her beautiful blue eyes shining in the dim light. “I don’t want your gratitude. I did what any right-thinking person would do.”
He managed a slight chuckle. “I beg to differ. Anybody else in your situation would have gone running to their parents, or their footmen. There would have been a great hullabaloo, and by the time anyone had actually paid attention enough to do anything, I’d probably be dead.”
She sighed. “Perhaps.” Resting a hand on the telescope mounting, she gazed from the window for a moment, then turned her face back to him. “Anyway, it has worked out well, don’t you think?”
“Better than I could ever have imagined,” he whispered, leaning closer, feeling the warmth of her radiating against his skin.
She swallowed. “Richard…”
“Hush…”
He couldn’t have stopped himself if his life had depended on it. Her lips were lush and slightly parted, her eyes widening as he bent his head toward her.
And the kiss?
Strangely, it felt like the first kiss he’d ever had, which was, of course, quite ridiculous.
But her taste was unique, her mouth warm, soft, even welcoming as he urged those luscious lips to part and allow his tongue to slide between them.
Within moments, she was in his arms, her hands around his neck, eagerly pressing her body to his.
He couldn’t help the groan of need as he held her tightly against him, losing himself in her taste, her scent, her warmth…
“Richard,” she pulled away a little, and whispered against his lips. “Richard…more…”
How could he refuse her? The simple answer was he couldn’t.
“Holly, sweet Holly,” he touched her mouth delicately with his, then—in response to her murmur of pleasure—swept her up into his arms and carried her to the couch near the corner of the fireplace.
The wood was dry, and the kindling sat ready for the flame, but at present it was dark, the room cool as snow fell steadily outside. However, the heat generated between them more than made up for any chill in the air.
He laid her across his lap, his heart beating fast as she easily settled against him, her arms lifting to pull him down over her. “Richard—oh God,” she gasped as his hand found her breast and delicately caressed it.
“Holly,” he muttered, losing himself completely as she responded so intensely to every touch, every movement he made. “Kiss me again.”
Obediently, she raised her parted lips, let her eyelids drift closed as he claimed her mouth once more. This time, he stroked her body, moving her close against him as his hand roamed from her knees upward, ruffling her skirts and baring her legs.
He sensed her shiver as his fingers found her thigh and knew it wasn’t from cold but from the heat they were generating between them.
His body demanded more, much more, but his brain told him he had to slow down. This was some form of madness, insanity, she was the daughter of a Viscount, he but a lowly solicitor. And they’d known each other for a mere instant in their lives.
Her fingers tangled in his hair, and he opened his eyes to see her watching him, an expression of mixed joy and amazementon her face. “I like this, Richard,” she said slowly. “I like this very much.”
His heart thudded and turned over in his chest at the look she was giving him. “As do I, Holly. Make no doubt about that.”
She watched him, her features relaxing. “I sense there is a ‘but’ about to emerge…”
He managed a small, painful grin. “You’re quite right. I need not point out that we cannot take this any further, and that we have already behaved in an entirely improper fashion. Your Papa would be within his rights to shoot me.”
She snorted. “He’d have to go through me first. Besides, he is not a violent man in any way.”
