“I realize, of course, my husband is not present to do whatever it is men do to defend their daughters. But I assure you thatLilly—Miss Bridge to you, sir—will not be taken advantage of without severe repercussions. She is agentlewoman, Captain, and I insist you treat her as such. If there are any…any…further improprieties at this house party, than we shall pack up the carriages and depart as quickly as we arrived.” Mrs. Bridge had worked herself into something of a temper. In the past, she had always been quiet and amenable.
Michael quite respected this side of Mrs. Bridge. There were not many women who would take on an army captain so handily.
“Is that understood, Captain Redmond?” she asked firmly.
Michael stared her straight in the eyes and answered in the affirmative. “Please accept my apology, madam. You have every right to expect proper behavior from me. I respect your daughter immensely and would never willingly do anything to tarnish her reputation.” He paused a moment to choose his words. “I would reassure you my intentions are honorable toward your daughter.” Ruefully, he glanced toward Lilly’s chamber. “Despite earlier…evidence…I will admit that it has been…somewhat—” Captain Redmond cleared his throat, which suddenly felt as though it were closing up. “—difficult to not see Li—Miss Bridge…as it were…”
Mrs. Bridge narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“Honorable intentions?” she asked, expecting more of an explanation.
Michael took her hands in his and affirmed, “Very honorable.”
After contemplating him for a long moment, she nodded, seeming to find his response acceptable. “Well then.” She cleared her throat. “That’s all well and good then.” With that, she turned away and reentered the bedroom.
With Mrs. Bridge gone, Michael discovered his heart was beating rapidly. This surprised him, and yet, hehadjust declared himself to her mother.
He’d been stupidly reckless to lie upon that bed with Lilly. Admittedly, it had beenshewho had tackledhimin an abandoned display of exuberance and passion. A wry smile twistedhis face. Touching one another again had stoked them both into a blazing inferno.
That was no excuse, however. He would need to keep his—and her—impulses under better control.
Overhearing the ladies chatting and laughing within the room, he decided it was a good time to search out Harris and Danbury.
He strode down the hallway with a little extra bounce in his steps.
Lilly was here.
The next morning,Lilly appeared delightful and prim in the scarlet riding habit she had told him she’d purchased special for this occasion. Her hat tilted to the side, and a jaunty feather caressed one side of her face.
The younger guests were to venture out on horseback and explore the estate. Lilly, Michael knew, had no experience riding, so he’d acquired a gentle, well-mannered mare for her. He planned to teach her. It was a pleasure of his, and he wished her to share it with him.
Lilly’s hand tucked into his arm as they strolled to the stables, and although she was smiling, she was quiet. Michael, himself, had been more reserved the night before in an attempt to quell her mother’s concerns.
“You’re not nervous about riding, are you?” he asked.
“Oh, a little, I suppose. Although I am looking forward to it.”
They continued walking toward the stable, an unusual silence between them.
“You are out of humor with me?” Michael asked, attempting to decipher the cause of this uncommon lack of chatter on her part. Not that Lilly talked more than she ought to, but sheusually bubbled with enthusiasm. He’d grown used to her gaiety, her normally effervescent personality. “You are unwell?”
Lilly dropped his arm and stepped away from him. She then glanced all around, not wanting to be overheard, took a deep breath and said, “I have been too forward, too loose with you. My mother says I ought to be ashamed. She says if I continue in the manner I have, then—I—you will, well, you will not respect me. You will decide I am—that I am—” Obviously distraught from her mother’s words, she refused to meet his gaze. Instead, she stared off across the fields.
Her mother had chastised her.
She had embraced Michaelon a bed.
She hadthrownherself on him.
He had loved every moment of it!
Michael grasped her shoulders and turned her to look at him. He then spread his legs wide, lowering his height, so he could see directly into her eyes. He massaged her shoulders and then slid his hands down her arms.
Tension emanated from her. She was doing her best to hold back tears.
The last thing in the world he wanted was for her to be unhappy.
“Ah, love”—yes,love—“Iloveyour passion. All of this is new and, in truth, perhaps even…frightening for you. It is for me.” He swallowed hard as he searched for the right words to explain himself. This was uncharted territory. “When I see you, I ache to touch you. I ache to kiss you. I want to do much more than that. You are the first thought in my mind when I wake and the last before I sleep.” He smiled ruefully at her. “Remember? I am your captive…” He tipped her chin up to be sure she listened with her heart. “I think you feel the same for me?” At her nearly imperceptible nod, he continued, “This is love that we share, Lilly. Please don’t be ashamed. Never be ashamed with me.”
