It was also thrilling to have him begin shucking off his clothes as if he couldn’t wait to bed her.
To bed her.
A yearning formed between her legs. Her breasts took on fullness. What sort of wanton creature was she? Had she lost all pride?
Yes, parts of her screamed. Her body longed for the closeness she had found in his arms.
Leonie struggled for sanity and she did so by reaching for complaints. “You described a much different house.”
He paused in unbuttoning his breeches. The lantern light made his body appear as if it had been cast in molten metal. His clear gray eyes met hers. “What I told you is what I know it will become. Bonhomie will be everything I said and more.”
“And more?”
“Yes, Leonie. Those were onlymydreams for Bonhomie. I hope in time you will add your mark to it. Then it will beourhome and it will be even more magnificent. We can make this house whatever we wish. I want you to be happy here.”
To be happy here...
Leonie didn’t know if she had ever been happy anywhere. She wasn’t certain she knew what happiness was.
“Come here.” Roman sat on the bed and motioned for her to join him. He was naked and very much ready for her.
And she was ready for him.
Yes, he’d made her furious, but this joining between them, well, it could right many wrongs. She’d felt content in his arms last night. She’d even been happy to let him carry her up the stairs because, instinctively, she had known it would lead to this.
Leonie came up on her knees and pulled off the thin chemise. She untied her petticoats and tossed her clothing aside.
“That is exactly what I was hoping you would do.” His voice was a husky purr. “Come here.” He smoothed the place next to him.
Leonie crawled on the bed toward him. His eyes lit up at the sight. She had only traveled a foot when he met her halfway. Taking her by the arms, he lifted her against his body and kissed her with such force, such passion, any resistance melted. She wanted to wrap herself around him, take him into her, and hold him forever—
He broke off the kiss.
His brows came together. He leaned into her as if sniffing her breath. “You have had something to drink.”
“No, I—” Dazed from the onslaught of his kiss, Leonie had trouble grasping the accusation, until he released his hold—and then she understood. He had smelled the wine on her breath.
He placed his legs over the side of the bed, giving her his back. “Where did you find something to drink? And why?” He reached for his breeches.
“What are you doing?” she asked. She came up on her knees. “I’m fine.” She was. She wasn’t at all tipsy. She was clear of eye and mind.
“Haveyou had something to drink?” He fastened the top button of his breeches.
“You were at dinner with me—”
“Youdidn’tdrink any cider at dinner but you’vehadsomething.”
“No—” Leonie broke off. She had been about to deny it, but then realized it would be an outright lie.
Roman would not appreciate a lack of honesty. That was not the sort of man he was. She was better off to say nothing. She sat back on her heels, her hair falling around her shoulders.
He started for the door. “Where are you going?” she asked.
“To find the bottle.”
There is no bottle, she wanted to shout.
And he would listen to her and come back to bed and everything would fine—except it wasn’t true. The damning bottle was downstairs waiting for him. He charged from the room, not bothering to take the lantern with him.
