She nodded mutely at him, not trusting herself to speak.
The door shut behind him as he left the room. Jillian sagged against the bed, her legs unable to support her anymore. His effect on her was mind shattering. A few moments in his presence and she was reduced to a weak-kneed mass of raw nerves.
She wanted the kiss to go on and on. Even now, if she closed her eyes, she could feel his warm lips on her neck. Her eyes flew open in sudden realization. Not once during the entire kiss did thoughts of Lucas enter her mind. She smiled. The only image that played out in her memory was that silky lock of hair resting so carelessly across Justin’s brow.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
As Jillian stood at the door watching Case’s carriage roll up the long winding road from the gates of Whittington, she felt a pang of guilt. She wasn’t terribly sad he was departing so soon, though she would miss him. She wanted time alone with Justin to discover what was behind his recent overtures—and her own startling reaction to them.
She quietly closed the door and turned back into the house, stopping short when she saw Justin standing in the doorway to the sitting room. He was watching her, an indecipherable expression on his face.
“I have a surprise for you,” he spoke up.
“A surprise? Oh, now I am intrigued. What is it?”
Justin smiled at her. “Get your cloak and meet me at the stables.”
“This doesn’t involve me riding a horse does it?”
He laughed. “No, I can assure you, you won’t be required to mount a horse. Now hurry, I’ll be waiting.”
Jillian dashed up the stairs and quickly donned her pelisse. Moments later she hurried through the snow to the stables. Justin was standing in front, next to two horses harnessed to a sleigh.
“Would you like to go for a ride?”
“Oh, how marvelous!”
He assisted her in and then slid in beside her. He pulled a blanket up over her legs and tucked it securely around her waist. A flicker of excitement curled in her stomach as she watched Ben climb into the driver’s seat and take up the reins.
“All ready, your grace?”
Justin nodded, and the sleigh eased forward. She smiled in delight and leaned forward eagerly as they set out over the grounds of Whittington.
“This is a wonderful surprise,” she said, favoring Justin with a smile.
“I am glad you are enjoying it.”
She shivered as the brisk cold air sent a chill down her neck. Justin wrapped his arm around her, pulling her against him. She didn’t take time to ponder the appropriateness of his action, it felt natural, and, secretly, she thrilled to his touch. The warmth from his body seeped comfortingly into her, and she edged closer still to him, relaxing against his side.
A light snow began to fall, and she stuck out her tongue to catch the large flakes as they drifted downward. She giggled as one landed and quickly melted on her nose.
Justin watched her, riveted by her enchanting smile. She looked like a snow princess with her head thrown back, cheeks rosy from the cold. Her lips parted in a smile as the snow danced upon her face. His breath quickened when the tip of her pink tongue flicked out to catch another icy drop. Pearly white, perfectly straight teeth flashed as full sensuous lips arched and opened wide, inviting the falling flakes inward.
Shaking his head, he abruptly ended his stupor. He couldn’t remember ever being this content in another person’s company. He loved her laugh, her smile, and her quick wit. He lovedher. Dear God, he was in love with her! Was it possible? Something indescribable gripped Justin. Some warm, wondrous feeling sprung from the depths of his soul. Helovedher!
In shock, he stared straight ahead as the sleigh sliced smoothly through the snow-covered ground. Good God, he was in love. What was he supposed to do about it? He certainly couldn’t allow Jillian to slip away from him now. A fierce wave of possessiveness swept through him. She was his, or at least she would be if he had anything to say about it.
A feeling of foreboding nagged him. He had to first delve into the details of Jillian’s marriage. Was she still in love with Penroth? Was her unconventional reaction to his death just a shield to hide the true depth of her mourning? Or worse, was there some dark secret lurking beneath the projection of confidence?
Would she trust him with that part of herself? Somehow he had to win her over, her trustandher love.
“Stop! Oh do stop,” Jillian said excitedly.
Justin was jerked from his thoughts as the sleigh slowed and stopped. Jillian laughed in delight and bounded from her seat. She grabbed his hand, pulling him out as well. “Come on,” she urged.
He allowed her to pull him along, still marveling in his newfound emotion. She gazed back at him her eyes twinkling and her face flushed with joy. He felt as if they were moving in slow motion and the world had stopped around them. They were the only two for miles, the only two people in the universe.
Abruptly, she stopped and flashed him another impish smile before flinging herself backwards onto the snowy ground. She waved her arms up and down madly and then carefully got up to survey her handiwork.
