The strain of the past few days released in a torrent.
Leith cradled her, shushing her, soothing her, and saying all manner of comforting nonsense.
That he loved her.
That she was his own love, the only one.
That everything would come to rights.
Her fingers found the soft nape of his neck and her face buried into his shoulder.
When she pulled back, he used his fingertips to brush away her tears.
In short, she clung to him.
And as she quieted, she came to a terrible realization.
This man, the one who had just inflicted violenceforher, and then shown her such tenderness—she loved him, too.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Leith was stillpanting from the exertion of choking Mr.Gordstone.His blood was raging—and, with Beatrice in his arms, his cock hard.He had grown used to bedding her frequently and so, after the omission of last night, he was newly sensitive.
He had been worried that she would react badly to his interference.But he had been unable to tolerate that man speaking to her that way.This grasping, greedy, malignant man had no right to address his Beatrice, so honorable and generous, with such cruel words.Nor threaten her mother, who clearly wanted nothing of his suit.
“I can’t let you pay the debt,” Beatrice murmured, looking up at him, her dark eyes still swimming with tears.“It wouldn’t be right.It is too much.”
Truthfully, Leith saw no other way that the money would get paid.But he saw no point in arguing the point with her now.Not when he hoped no money would have to be expended on this excuse for a man.
“Let us not worry about it now,” he said softly.“It will take many days for the money to come.And, in the meantime, I hope that we may discover another way.”
“I will find a solution,” she said, miserably.In response, he merely brought her close again.She was so proud, he thought, and so strong.She wanted to control all aspects of her life, he realized, because she was afraid of being hurt.He understood it well, because that was how he had been.Before she had helped him.
“Come here,” he said, tipping her head up and kissing her.He did not want to quarrel with her.He did not doubt her abilities, but he saw no way that this little estate, while quite lovely, would ever give her ten thousand pounds in so short a time.She would have to accept the help of someone, in one way or another.
She responded to his kiss with a little grateful moan.
“We can’t.Not here.Come with me,” she said, taking his hand.
She led him out into the hall and towards the stairs, both of which were blessedly empty.They climbed the stairs and found the door to her room.
“Everyone else is out, I believe,” she whispered.
Then they were safely ensconced back in her bedroom.
He closed the door and then turned the key.Then turned back round to face her.
“Can we?Please?”he asked.
She nodded, rapidly, her face still wet from tears, but her eyes shining with what he now recognized as desire.
He kissed her once more, plumbing her mouth with his tongue, desperate to have her.She met him with equal passion, but it wasn’t enough.
Leith bunched her skirts in his hand.“I need this.Off.”
“Help me,” she said, turning to expose the buttons on her back.He made quick work of them, peeling off her dress and petticoat, until she was only in her shift.He brought the thin material over her head and then gloried in her bare form before him.Pert, succulent nipples; her breasts that were just a little too large for her frame; and the thatch of curls between her legs—all of her was so beautiful to him.
He pushed her backwards so that she was seated on a small bureau and kissed her hungrily, not having the patience to be gentle, and sensing that she didn’t want hesitancy, either.Luckily, the bureau was at the perfect height for them to join.
