Needs ignited, and Garrett began to forget himself. Momentarily succumbing to desire, his hand explored her waist, her abdomen, and then the undersides of her breasts. Their seeking mouths mingled mint and whiskey. She trembled, pulled her mouth away, and buried her face in his neck. He gave her a moment to catch her breath. She was gasping.
His own chest rose and fell quickly as well. He traced a path down the side of her neck to her shoulder. Garrett felt his self-control slipping away.
He need not have worried.
In another inspired effort to be closer to him, Natalie made to turn her body to straddle him. Lacking experience in these matters, however, she misjudged the width of the chair, and the point of her knee struck Garrett’s person in a most catastrophic location.
Her knee, like a piston, became the deadliest of weapons and slammed into his full arousal with unfortunate accuracy. The red haze of desire he’d been fighting vanished and was replaced with a white-hot flash of agony. Unthinking, Garrett shoved her off his lap onto the carpet and doubled over in excruciating pain.
“What is it? What is the matter?” she asked, crawling over tohim. He put a hand out as though to stave her off. Breath hissed between his clenched teeth. His motion was enough to stop her from coming any closer.
“Dear God, what have I done?” she implored.
He took a few deep but labored breaths. “A moment, please.”
He waited for the pain to recede before addressing his attacker again. But, once able to look back at her, his breath caught. Her lips were swollen from their kiss, and her hair fell disheveled around her face. On her knees, in nightclothes, she looked at him in deep concern. If Lady Natalie Spencer, dressed and pressed for a ball, was beautiful, then this Natalie, sultry and awakened, was the most gorgeous woman he’d ever beheld.
Was he going mad?
“What happened?” she asked, sounding impatient. Exasperation replaced her concern.
“You kneed me.”
She looked at him in obvious confusion. “Well, I realize I am a bit…wanton, but I don’tneedyou. I like you, though.” She tilted her head and smiled hesitantly.
He raised his brows at her. “Your knee, you struck me with it.” He would not spell this out for her. Good Lord, she had brothers; she must have some understanding as to the sensitivity of the male anatomy.
Awareness dawned. “Oh.”
He knew precisely what she was going to say next.
“Blast.” And then she added, “I’m, er, sorry?”
Garrett grunted. His most vulnerable parts were still throbbing.
“Did I…damage you?” she asked.
“For now, yes, thank you very much.” He forced himself to stand and tied the belt around his waist more securely. Protecting himself from any sudden move she might make, he somehow managed to present his hand to her so she couldstand as well. He didn’t think he could suffer any more of her surprises. “And it’s off to your own room now. I believe I have kept my part of our bargain. I’d appreciate it if you would keep yours.”
She stared at his outstretched hand in consternation and then allowed him to pull her to her feet. With his hand on her back, Garrett steered her toward the door. He did so cautiously, all the while prepared to defend himself from another “attack.” Mindful of her reputation, he peeked out to ascertain the corridor was empty and then pushed her into the hall. “Good night, then.”
She placed her hand on the doorframe, effectively keeping him from closing the door. “You are not angry with me? Are you? Remember, that is why I came here in the first place.”
“I am not angry with you, but I will be if you do not leave quietly.”
She blinked once, then again, before leaning in and placing a quick kiss on his cheek. “Good night,” she whispered. With no further ado, she twirled around and disappeared into her own room.
Wincing, Garrett closed the door behind him and hobbled back to the chair to collapse—not before reaching for the bell pull to summon Marcus, though, for he was going to need some ice.
NOT ONE TO SLEEP IN
Not one to sleep in, Garrett arose at dawn and went downstairs in search of breakfast. Pleasantly surprised, he met a group of gentlemen guests preparing to embark upon a tour of Ravensdale’s estate. They would look over the earl’s irrigation system with Ravensdale as their guide. Apparently, this outing had been planned far in advance and was one of the primary reasons some of the gentlemen were in attendance. Eager to escape the house and Lady Natalie, Garrett joined them without hesitation.
Last night, he’d made one mistake after another. He’d be wise to avoid the troublesome minx for the remainder of his stay. If he could not succeed at that, then perhaps he would simply cut his holiday short and return to Maple Hall. But for today, he embraced the reprieve gratefully.
Busy stable workers assisted the gentlemen guests, lugging saddles out of the barn and tightening girths. Ravensdale’s estate extended for miles and the expedition would last all day. Garrett refused assistance and saddled Rumble himself.
Forcing himself to be patient, he waited atop his mount watching the kitchen help rush to the stable with packages ofrations. Lady Ravensdale stood talking with her husband as his guests took their mounts. Garrett was not surprised to see the couple exchange a brief kiss before the earl bid her farewell. Other gentlemen present were the Duke of Monfort, the Baron of Riverton, the Earl of Blakely, Stone, Darlington—Ravensdale’s heir—and another son, Peter. In addition, several other gentlemen had lined up with whom Garrett was not acquainted. As they headed out, Garrett urged his horse away from the manor and away from Lady Natalie.
