She looked so free and open and giving. Damien felt captivated by the sensual warmth radiating from Isabella’s expressive face. Her invitation was simply impossible for him to resist.
Against his better judgment, the earl leaned down and drew her carefully into his arms. She moaned her approval and pressed herself closer to him. Damien felt himself starting to tremble with anticipation. His long suppressed passions momentarily overtook his common sense as his mind conjured up erotic sexual images of the two of them. Shaking his head violently, he threw those wicked thoughts aside. Yet he could not help himself from wondering. Could he steal a kiss before she awoke?
Encased in her delightful dream, Isabella sighed contently and snuggled closer to the earl. She could feel his warm breath in her hair as his lips pressed fervent kisses on her temple. Isabella shifted her body and tightened her grip around his neck. In a faraway voice, she whispered to him urgently, “Kiss me, Damien. Please, kiss me.”
Isabella’s sensual request ignited the banked fire within Damien. He grasped her chin firmly in his fingers, lifted her head, and brought his mouth swiftly down on hers. He kissed her hard, torn between his sense of honor, hoping she would awake, and his raging passions, praying she would not. Isabella automatically parted her lips for him, and his tongue eagerly penetrated her mouth. She responded immediately with her own tongue, and Damien softened the kiss, skillfully stroking the escalating tension between them.
Nearly overwhelmed by her response, Damien regrettably broke the kiss. “God only knows how much I want you,” he muttered thickly.
He was breathing fast, and his body felt heavy and taut with arousal. Unable to resist, he nuzzled her delicate throat and flattened his large palm on her shoulder. Isabella again responded to his touch, lifting herself against his hand, moving her body under the warm strength of his fingers. Slowly, with a will of its own, Damien’s hand inched toward Isabella’s chest. When he softly touched her breast, she moaned and moved closer.
Sweat broke out on Damien’s forehead. He should stop. Now. This very instant. Yet he could not. Again he caressed her rounded breast, and her nipples tightened. Caught up completely in the moment, Damien’s fingers deftly unfastened the tiny buttons down the front of her nightgown, exposing her glorious breasts.
His mouth went dry as he viewed the creamy white flesh. He tightened his hold across her back and lifted her eagerly to his mouth. Just one small taste, he fiercely promised himself. His tongue darted out, and then he took the entire nipple in his mouth and suckled her gently, his groin hardening painfully as he tasted the sweetness of her flesh.
Isabella suddenly felt a darting blaze of heat throbbing deeply within her body, centering on a growing dampness between her legs. She groaned loudly in restless excitement, thrashing her head from side to side. The sharp movement, coupled with the sound of her own voice, abruptly woke her. Isabella’s eyes flew open in surprise. Confusion reined within her as the compelling fantasy of her dreams suddenly became a startling reality.
Nearly lost in his passion, Damien nonetheless felt the change in Isabella’s body. She stiffened noticeably in his arms, and he knew she had awakened. He muffled a curse and lifted his head to look at her. Isabella stared back at Damien in total shock, an expression of horrified bewilderment etched on her beautiful face.
Isabella’s unbound hair was tousled, her lips puffed and red from his kisses. Her nightgown was open to her waist, and Damien could see the creamy flesh of her breasts peeking out. His fully aroused manhood tightened painfully.
“Isabella.”
The sound of his husky voice unfroze Isabella, and her violet eyes widened even more. She opened her mouth to scream. Correctly reading her intentions, Damien reacted instantly, covering her mouth with his large hand. Her eyes darted frantically to his face as she struggled to dislodge his grip. Damien could feel the terror radiating from her as she fought to free herself, and in desperation he uttered the words he felt certain would control her outburst.
“If you make too much noise, you will wake Catherine and Ian.”
His words had the desired effect. Slowly Isabella ceased her struggles, but the wild fear did not leave her face. When he felt certain she would remain silent, he removed his hand.
“I’m sorry,” he said finally, not sure how he could begin to explain his bizarre behavior.
Isabella blushed furiously, her hands clutching the ends of her nightgown closed. She barely acknowledged his apology, she was so flustered. She edged away from him toward the center of her bed, traces of fear still in her eyes. Her wary expression clearly indicated that she expected him to pounce on her at any moment.
Damien retreated from her, watching her struggle to conquer her fear with anguish in his eyes. He felt like an utter cad for allowing his raging desire to overcome his inbred sense of decency and honor. In retrospect, his humble apology seemed almost as insulting as his physical advances.
“What are you doing in here?” Isabella’s voice was raspy with emotion.
“It’s Maggie,” Damien replied softly, thankful he was able to provide a legitimate excuse for invading her room. “Her labor has begun.”
Isabella lifted herself off the bed in concern, her thoughts momentarily distracted. “Has the midwife arrived?”
“No. We can’t ride into the village to fetch her. The creek has overflowed from the rains and flooded the bridge. It is impossible to get across.”
“Merciful heavens! Is Mrs. Amberly with Maggie?”
The earl grimaced slightly. “Mrs. Amberly has been suffering badly with a toothache for two days. Unfortunately, she chose this evening to douse herself with brandy. I’m afraid she’s passed out cold. Neither Jenkins nor I could revive her.”
“My God.” Isabella gave a nervous giggle. “I find that a difficult picture to imagine.”
Damien briefly returned her smile, then leaned forward and spoke soberly. “Maggie is very frightened. Fran is with her now, but she is more terrified than Maggie. Can you help?”
“I have no experience with childbirth.” Isabella’s eyes went dark with fear. “When I was about nine years old, there was a dreadful carriage accident on the village road. There was lady in the coach, and apparently the accident triggered her labor. I remember the shouting and screaming and two men carrying her into our house. They brought her into my bedchamber. I hid behind the draperies and dared not reveal myself all through the long hours that followed. I shall never forget the raw pain and shear agony of that poor woman as she struggled to give birth.”
Damien’s eyes were sympathetic. “What happened?”
“The child was stillborn. The mother died the following day.” Isabella bit her lip. “I don’t think I can be of much help, Damien.”
“There is no one else,” Damien replied carefully. “Please, Isabella. Will you come?”
