He gathered her up and laid her on top of him, so her breasts and face pressed his chest, not only her hand. She felt good and right in his arms like this, all feminine softness and warmth. Her breath tickled his chest and slowly revived other sensations.
“I do not agree. Even from a distance I thought you the greater prize. As soon as we met I knew it for certain. You are nothing short of magnificent, darling.”
She raised her head and looked down at him. A thick tress, freed from its pins, hung down her face on one side. “Do you really think so?”
“I am not one for false flattery.” Yes, magnificent. He should tell her more. He should find words to explain how rare she was in the way she opened her whole being during passion. In how she made choices on her own terms. She was not immune to the opinions of the world, of course. The elaborate subterfuge to get her here proved that. But in the end, shewashere, without guilt or worry, enchanting him with her body and mind.
“You appeared like a visitor yourself when we toured the house,” she said.
“I have not been here in years. Since I came back, I have visited the main estate at Drewsbarrow, but not here.”
“Yet it is so close to London.”
“I was busy with other estate matters. Then I was busy chasing you.”
“We never visited the garden. It is unusual in its plan. I will venture out in the morning, before we leave for the race.”
“Wait for me, or else stay in the garden proper. I don’t want you getting lost.”
She laughed. “I do not think that will happen.”
“We will go together.” He pressed a kiss to her crown. “Do you remember what to do tomorrow?”
“If I should forget, Althea will remember. She is being very protective. Very motherly.”
“You must find that annoying.”
“Her care for me is disarming. All of her concern comes from a good place. It is not the same as scolds and lectures from family members who are really thinking about themselves.”
“If her care is all for you, she probably does not approve of me. Of this.”
“She has not said so. Also unlike my family, she does not treat me like an idiot. She assumes that I have already thought of any cautions or warning she could voice.”
He knew what those would be. She did not have to itemize the questions that must wander into her mind sometimes. Maybe they did so often. Like right now.
There was no good way to talk about that. Certainly not now and not here. She had to wonder sometimes if she had misjudged his reasons for pursuing her, however.
“Do you not find it at all odd that we are here like this? Everything in our lives would say this was impossible.” She spoke in a tone of curious wonder, as if she had heard his thoughts. It impressed him that she broached this subject. She was braver than he was, it seemed.
“Desire makes its own arguments, I suppose.”
“Is that what this is? You could leave once that was satisfied. Yet you did not. Unless you wanted to but felt some obligation to stay here with me. Or perhaps you tolerate this other intimacy while you wait for desire again.”
Nothing in her voice indicated she sought a particular answer. She merely voiced things she wondered about. Or at least some of the things.
“I felt no obligation. I will admit that I intend to have you again, but being with you is not something I only tolerate until then, Clara.”
“Perhaps more than desire binds us, then. Perhaps friendship does too.”
It was not the word he would use. If she chose that one, he would not object.
She raised her head again, then glanced down her side. Naughty sparks entered her eyes. “I have not moved, but methinks you just did.”
“I have not moved at all.”
“Grew, then.”
He pretended deep contemplation. “Ah. Yes, I do believe you are correct about that.” His cock swelled more and pressed against her stomach.
