And then he kissed her lips, and Eliza forgot all about Mrs. Oliver and her book.
“This is quite outrageous,” Nicholas said that evening after all the guests had left and Lady Haynesdale had retreated to her room and her garden plans. He was standing in his nightshirt in Eliza’s chamber, examining the pages given to her earlier that day by Mrs. Oliver. Eliza had taken the liberty of reading them before he joined her. Her mother had assigned Nicholas the chamber next to her own, one that Frederick had occupied on those few occasions when they visited London while married.
Eliza was glad to have so few memories of Frederick here or at Haynesdale Manor, for she wished to think only of Nicholas. Indeed, her first marriage seemed a distant dream, and certainly not one that stirred her as much as her current situation. Just having Nicholas in her chamber, his shirt open, his hair tousled, was sufficient to give her palpitations.
He flicked her a glance, his eyes very blue. “Scandalous even,” he added in a low rumble that made her toes curl.
“What is outrageous is that I had to resort to such tactics,” Eliza said, moving to his side. “Intimate advice from strangers. That is scandalous. Particularly when you could have simply proposed to me yourself.” She turned her back to him. “Will you unfasten this necklace for me, please?
“Was your maid remiss in her duties?”
Eliza chuckled. “Simply unable to complete them because I dismissed her.”
His fingertips landed on the back of her neck, then slid across her skin in a slow caress. “Whyever would you do such an impulsive thing, Mrs. Emerson?” he murmured, then replaced his fingertips with his lips.
Eliza closed her eyes and tilted her head back in satisfaction. “So, I could be better prepared for your arrival, of course.”
“By reading this? My lady, you have no need of such counsel.”
“Why not?”
The necklace was removed and dropped to the table, then his arms closed around her waist. He leaned against her, his lips on her ear, his breath making her shiver. “Because you are utterly seductive already. No one need advise you on the merit of a forthright touch.”
She turned in his embrace, sliding her arms around his neck. “But when we met again in the breakfast room just weeks ago, I had no notion you were susceptible to my presence, Captain Emerson.”
He grinned. “Be assured that I am utterly and completely so.” He drew Eliza closer. “You truly have my undivided attention, now and forever.” He lowered his head and captured her lips beneath his own, giving her a kiss so slow and thorough that she nearly forgot her own name. When he lifted his head, satisfaction lighting his eyes, she nigh did forget the topic of their conversation.
“What of your nightmares?”
He shrugged. “They are less frequent and less vigorous, thanks to you. I will retreat to the other chamber later to ensure that I do not disturb your sleep.”
“You will do no such thing,” she said fiercely, holding him fast.
Nicholas’ smile was slow and lit his eyes. Eliza was pleased to see that the shadows were vastly diminished. “Perhaps you liked the result of awakening abed with me.”
“Perhaps I did, sir, and that had nothing to do with the book.” They smiled at each other for a long warm moment.
“That drawing,” he said, nodding toward the discarded pages from Mrs. Oliver.
“What of it?”
He coughed lightly. “It shows a male member.”
Eliza smiled, then pulled back slightly to look down between them. “Rather smaller than the actual one before me,” she said playfully, then reached down to caress him. She felt uncommonly bold, but he rose to her touch in a most encouraging way, just as foretold. “Your recovery appears to be complete, Captain Emerson.”
“I believe we should check thoroughly to be certain,” he growled, gripping her waist and pulled her against him. He kissed her more urgently this time, his hunger feeding her own. He swept her into his arms to carry her to the bed without breaking his kiss, then stepped back to look upon her. Recalling the merit of a bold invitation, Eliza pulled her chemise over her head and discarded it, shaking out her hair so it fell over her shoulders.
“It appears I have wed a temptress,” Nicholas said, his admiration more than clear.
“Oh, I hope so. It has been my dream to become one.”
“You?” He feigned astonishment. “Such an upstanding and respectable lady?”
“Me!” she replied playfully. “You are over-dressed for seduction, sir.”
He removed his own nightshirt and watched as she surveyed him, then moved onto the bed. His anticipation was palpable, but she liked that he moved slowly, drawing out the moment. He kissed her hand and then her elbow, flicking a glance up at her as he trailed kisses to her shoulder. “Is it possible, Mrs. Emerson, that your choice of reading material has led you astray?”
She shook her head, smiling. “It has led me to precisely the place I most wish to be.”
