Caroline sucked in a breath and then he touched her just as he lowered his mouth to hers once again.
As before, she was the most responsive woman to his caress, which only further heated his blood, while he tried to bring her close then back away, prolonging her pleasure instead of sending her over the edge too quickly, she was not patient and each time he shifted, she followed until her body convulsed with her release.
Only then did he break the kiss, stand, and undo the placket on his trousers.
Caroline sat up, reached out, and wrapped her hand around his length. Sterling groaned as his knees nearly buckled. He needed to make her stop or this would end before he joined her and with that, Sterling lifted her hips and thrust forward. Caroline fell back on the bed with a moan then clutched the coverlet as he remained standing, filling her over and over until she put a fist in her mouth to keep from crying out as her climax racked her body again. Only then did he allow himself to follow and pulled away at the last minute.
As Caroline lay there panting, he fell to the side of her while alsotrying to catch his breath.
“I think I like having a lover,” she said quietly.
Sterling leaned over and kissed her. “I know that I do.”
*
Caroline awoke witha smile. After she and Sterling had been intimate, they shared brandy and talked on several topics from the Season in London to Trade Wynd and he spoke of their other vineyard in Madeira, which he had never visited but his younger brother managed. They discussed politics in England and in the Cape Colony, and books, and his brothers until they both tired. Afraid that he would fall asleep, Caroline made him get dressed and go home. Only then had she crawled into bed and fallen asleep instantly. Now she was awake with the sun, happy and content.
She did like Sterling. She liked him very much, but they were lovers and becoming friends. That was all they would ever be. Nothing more. It was far more than friendship, but she was reluctant to call it love. Except, she feared that it was too late.
Maybe she just didn’t want to admit it to herself yet, and likely never would. There was no place for love between them when their relationship was of a short duration. Besides, gentlemen like Sterling did not fall in love with their lovers and that was all they would ever be.
With those thoughts, she pulled herself from the bed and prepared for the day then joined her daughter and Beatrix for breakfast before she went over to see if Lady Wyndham needed anything today. When she entered the sitting room, Caroline was surprised to find Sterling there as well.
For a moment, she wondered if Sterling had confronted Lady Wyndham about why she kept sending him away even though she wanted him to remain in the Cape Colony. She suspected that wouldanger him, but the two appeared to be amicable, without the tension that usually emanated in the room when the two were together.
“Ah, Caroline, you are just the person I was hoping to see this morning.”
“You did not greet me in such a manner,” Sterling complained. Caroline would have thought him angry if she hadn’t seen the quirk at the corner of his lip.
“Good morning, Mrs. Sutcliffe.”
“Lord Wyndham,” she nodded before she returned her attention to his mother. “How may I be of service, Lady Wyndham.”
“I am to understand that the grapes may be ready as early as tomorrow.”
Sterling straightened and looked to Caroline for clarification, but she was as surprised as him. “My father did not mention it to me.”
“He and I spoke of it yesterday while the two of you were at Boulder Beach.”
Why hadn’t her father told her? She needed to make certain that all was prepared. Were there enough baskets? Had the vats been thoroughly cleaned? Had the remaining barrels been delivered?
She had been gone for four days because Lady Wyndham brought her into her plans to see that her son remembered where he came from and she had neglected her duties.
“I will go speak with my father directly to see how I may be of service.” Caroline smiled and tried not to rush from the room, but she could not help the panic that stirred. If everything wasn’t prepared, then they could suffer a setback. It was imperative that everything be done in a specific and timely order.
“Shall I go with you?” Sterling suggested.
“That is not necessary, Lord Wyndham. I will report back any news that my father has that he has not shared with your mother.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Sterling poured anothercup of coffee and looked over at his mother. “Was Mrs. Sutcliffe acting strangely or was it my imagination?”
“She always gets anxious before the harvest,” his mother dismissed with a wave of her hand. “No doubt she will return after she has spoken with her father.”
“Why would she be anxious?” He asked out of curiosity. “It is her father who is the estate manager and oversees the harvest and I assume he’s training his son William to take over when he is ready to enter retirement.”
“That is correct.”
