“Only once before,” he murmured, his gaze shifting from the breathtaking view to the equally captivating woman by his side. “And she stands beside me now.”
Skye blushed at his words, her heart racing as she met his intense gaze. The world around them seemed to still, leaving only the two of them standing on the precipice of something truly extraordinary.
“Bradford, I...”
“Shh,” he interrupted gently, lifting a gloved hand to brush an errant curl from her cheek. “Words cannot capture this moment—let us simply savor it.”
She tilted her head up, her lips slightly parted.
As they gazed into each other’s eyes, the air between them crackled with anticipation. It was as if each snowflake that drifted between them contained a universe of possibility, and they were both acutely aware of the sense of magic that hung thick in the air.
Without a word, he cupped her face in his warm hands and drew her in for a kiss. It was soft at first, an exploration of breath and texture. But then it deepened, becoming something more primal and urgent. Her arms wound around his neck, pulling him closer as their tongues flicked against each other’s, like fire touching ice.
When they finally separated, Skye’s chest heaved with a mixture of shock, desire, and a deep sense of connection. It was as if they had bridged some enormous divide between them, and she was acutely aware of how alive she felt in that moment.
“Bradford...” she whispered, her voice throaty with emotion. “I... I do not know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything,” he murmured, his hand slipping down to take hers. “Just know that you are the most remarkable woman I have ever met.”
Skye’s heart swelled with a mixture of euphoria and trepidation at his words. She knew they were venturing into dangerous territory, for society would not look kindly upon a Marquess and a widowed lady engaging in such scandalous behavior. But the pull between them was undeniable, and she found herself powerless to resist.
As they stood there together, their hearts beating in unison beneath the weight of their shared longing, Skye and Bradford stumbled upon something rare and precious—a connection that defied reason and threatened to consume them both.
“Come,” he whispered, offering her his arm once more. “Let us return to the inn and see what the fates have in store for us.”
“Indeed,” she agreed, her voice barely a whisper as she placed her hand in his.
And off they went, arm in arm, their hearts filled with anticipation and longing, eager to discover what the future held for two souls bound by destiny and desire.
Five
The moon cast its silvery glow upon the Rosewood Inn as the snow continued to blanket the surrounding grounds, leaving all inhabitants of the village nestled in a world of their own. Bradford stood outside Lady Skye’s chamber door, his heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. He raised his hand, hesitating for a moment before finally knocking softly on the wooden panel.
“Who is it?” came the muffled voice from within.
“Lord Greenwich,” he replied, his voice barely audible.
The door creaked open, revealing a vision that stole Bradford’s breath away. Skye stood before him, her golden curls cascading around her delicate shoulders, framing her porcelain face. Her sapphire eyes held a hint of surprise, but also something else—an unspoken yearning.
“Bradford,” she whispered, her lips forming the words with a tenderness that sent a shiver down his spine. “What brings you here at this late hour?”
“I... I needed to see you, Skye,” He admitted, his gaze locking with hers. “May I come in?”
She stepped aside to allow him entry.
As he crossed the threshold, he extended his hand. Skye hesitated, her heart racing as she placed her trembling fingers in his strong, warm grasp. The sensation was electrifying, sending shockwaves through her body. She had never imagined such a simple touch could hold so much power.
“Your hand is cold, my lady,” Bradford murmured, his concern genuine. “Have you been near a window?”
“Indeed,” she confessed, her cheeks flushing at the thought of being caught gazing longingly at the moonlit garden below. “I find the beauty of the snow-covered grounds quite captivating.”
“Yes,” he agreed, his fingers gently squeezing hers as if to warm her chilled skin. “The snow has a way of transforming even the most familiar surroundings into something magical.”
“Indeed,” she echoed, her eyes flickering down to their entwined hands before meeting his gaze once more. “But sometimes, it is not just the scenery that changes, but the people within it.”
“Very true,” Bradford replied, sensing the weight of her words. “Sometimes, the most unexpected circumstances can reveal aspects of ourselves we never knew existed.”
“Or aspects of others,” she added softly, feeling as though she were standing on the precipice of a great revelation.
