She really had said more than she ought.
“It is not legal,” he said.
Lilly shrugged. “My father and the vicar have discussed this at length. Apparently, the vicar believes the law contradicts the Bible, and so he is willing to abide by my father’s wishes.”
Oh, dear. She’d told him far too much. For a moment, she thought his jaw clenched. At the same time, his arm went tense beneath her hand. She would change the subject. She ought not to talk about such things with him…even if it did feel as though she’d known him forever.
“What about you?” Lilly asked. “Does your father press you to marry?”
“No,” Captain Redmond answered, “I am not the heir. That particular expectation has been placed solely upon my brother.” He sounded irritated. Lilly wondered if he was offended by what she’d said about Lord Beauchamp, her father, and the vicar. She really must learn more restraint! Nonetheless, the whole of the situation was a sore spot with her. She had no wish to marry her sister’s widower.
“But—” He stopped and turned to look at her. His expression was serious, stern even. “—perhaps when I’ve found the right match…” He stepped closer and put one hand up to her cheek. Pausing momentarily, he glanced toward the hill behind them.
Not a soul in sight.
Lilly realized they’d stopped in a somewhat secluded location.
Lifting his other hand, he then tipped her bonnet back. Lilly inhaled the warmth of his scent. Nothing could stop this. Nothing could stop them.
Needing to be closer, she pushed herself up onto her toes and tilted her head back. Oh, yes, she thought, before parting her lips.
His face moved closer and blocked out the sunlight.
And then his lips were on hers.
It was exactly what she’d been craving.
“Oh,” she whispered at his touch. His lips nibbled at the corner of her mouth, and she tasted the essence that was him. Not sure what to do with her hands, she fluttered them at her side before placing them on his hips. His arms wrapped completely around her as he deepened their kiss.
Lilly was lost to all reason. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as she gasped for air. She clung to him, lest her knees give out.Breathe, she reminded herself.Breathe. She wasnotgoing to faint during her first kiss. She melted into him further.
Michael growled and explored her mouth. With their bodies pressed together, he felt hard all over, his arms like steel around her. And then his lips abandoned hers. Hot breath trailed from her chin, to her jaw, and then her neck.
Lilly had never felt anything like this. Surely, she was turning to liquid. Heat poured through her limbs and settled between her thighs. What was this? In that moment, she no longer felt she belonged to herself. She was a shared person, open to this man she’d only just met.
A cool breeze alerted her to the fact that she no longer wore her bonnet. A few strands of hair had tumbled out of her coiffure. The thought of her hair being down in public frightened her. Suddenly realizing their vulnerability, her vulnerability at being discovered in such a compromising position, Lilly stiffened.
“Captain,” she said, “Michael, we must stop.”
Michael stilled as they both sought to regain some composure. His head remained buried in her neck, but he had ceased whatever it was he had been doing to render her so unhinged.
“Lilly.” His voice was somewhat muffled.
“Yes, Michael.”
“You are definitely not going to marry your brother-in-law.”
“Of course not,” she said.
HELP FOR AN OLD FRIEND
1824
Why had Michael been so cruel?
Restlessness coursed through Lilly as she strode back to the chamber she was sharing with Glenda.
He had hurt her.
