“I’ve forgotten what I asked...”
He laughed as she pulled him close. “Do that again??”
Some time passed as Dorothea explored the numerous wonderful sensations that could be experienced in the arms of a man who knew not only what he was doing but also how to do it extremely well.
Finally, she leaned back, catching her breath. “Silas,” she whispered. “Oh my word, Silas...”
He seemed equally affected, staring at her, stroking her face with his fingers. “Thea...what did I do to deserve you?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. What did you do?”
He took a calming breath. “You first.”
Dreading this, Dorothea gathered her thoughts in order to be as logical as possible. “You are correct as to my family name,”she began, taking his free hand in hers. “I am Dorothea Langley, and my parents are the Duke and Duchess of Renslow.”
“I’m honoured to make your acquaintance, Lady Dorothea.” He kissed her quickly and grinned. “I don’t believe I’ve ever kissed the daughter of a Duke before. But do go on...”
“There’s not much to tell, Silas. My parents—well, I’m sure they love me. In their way. My brother is the heir, of course, I’m simply the...prize, I suppose you could say, to be awarded to the most worthy suitor. And by that I mean the man my parents will handpick for me. They’ve paraded an incessant stream of coxcombs, idiots, and nitwits in front of me, hoping I’ll pick one. All of them were financially suitable, of course. And I couldn’t stand any of them.”
“It’s not an unusual story, Thea,” said Silas reasonably.
“I know,” she nodded. “But they drove me to the edge and then announced that they were going to pick my future husband. I would be engaged at Christmas, married soon after, and sent away on some kind of fancy tour, during which I was supposed to get pregnant and return ready to bear the first Renslow grandchild.”
She wrinkled her nose in disgust. “And that plan, cold-blooded, designed as carefully as a business proposition, is what pushed me out of Renslow House and into the tunnels. Until I ended up here.”
“I can understand that,” said Silas. “Of all the people to push into an arranged marriage, I cannot imagine anyone less likely to accept it than you.”
“I am so glad to hear you say that.” She stroked his cheek gently. “I am sure they’ve announced that I’m on holiday or something, and that when I return their plan will be ready to go into effect.”
“It’s possible,” he agreed.
“That’s if I return, of course. And right now, I’m seriously questioning whether I should even think about it, let alone consider such an action.”
“It’s been one amazing day for both of us, hasn’t it?” He held her close. “And you’ve done so much, probably more than you’ve done in weeks up above.”
“I’ve loved every single minute, Silas. And I wouldn’t have had any of it without you. You took a chance on me, you let me work on a very valuable machine without question...I’ve never had anyone put that kind of faith into my abilities. But you did.”
She leaned toward him, and once again their kisses were sweet and loving, and growing in passion.
Finally, Silas drew away and slid her off his lap. “You must get some sleep, Thea. It’s well past midnight now, and tomorrow we have to prepare for the Turning of the Green.”
She nodded. “You know I don’t want to leave you, don’t you?” Unafraid, she turned her face up to look directly at him.
“I know. And I feel the same. But before we can explore this...this whatever is happening between us, there are business matters we must settle. Once they’re done? You and I will spend a great deal more time together, and discuss what lies ahead.”
“I would like that very much.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Goodnight, Silas. And thank you for everything.”
*~~*~~*
The rest of the night passed much too quickly for Silas’s liking, and it involved far too much thinking about Thea, and not enough sleep.
But he managed to stumble out of bed at his usual early hour, only to find Nelson waiting with his customary cup of hot tea.
“Blessings upon you, Nelson.” He patted the tickerkin between his ears, knowing it irritated him.
“Thankyou, sir,” he replied. “It’salwaysa pleasure to serve you, as you know.”
“Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, lad.”
