He chuckled as he stopped his horse inside. “I do. I still need to paint it, but at least it’s erect and can give my horses a place to call home.”
“It’s beautiful.”
He dismounted first before reaching up to lift her off the horse. She wrapped her arms around his neck, staring into his shadowed eyes. He smiled so lovingly.
“Actually, you are the one who is beautiful,” he said before dropping a kiss on her nose and setting her on her feet.
Vincent quickly removed the saddle and bridle before walking his horse into the stall. He turned back to her and took her hand in his, leading them toward the manor.
“Vincent? Are your sisters here?”
“No,” he said, looking down at her. “They were so upset by the fire, they decided to stay with their cousins for a while.”
“Then we will have all the privacy we need,” she whispered, her voice shaking.
Was she scared or just looking forward to their intimacy? Either way, she trusted Vincent. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her. So far, he had been so very tender with her, and she knew he wouldn’t change that.
She just hoped she would have the courage to continue what they had planned. After all, she was still very innocent in a lot of things.
Inside the house, a few lamps were lit in the corridor. He took one as he started up the stairs. Her heart jumped in her throat, and her limbs began to tremble. She cursed her body’s weak reaction.
He glanced down at her and smiled, then lifted her hand and brought it to his mouth, kissing her knuckles. “My precious, you are safe now.”
She nodded. “I know. I’m exactly where I want to be.”
Another small lamp was lit in the corridor where the bedchambers were located. Three doors stood on each side of the hall. The wait was nearly killing her.
He stopped in front of the last door on the right, turned, and faced her. “Are you ready?”
She swallowed the lump the size of a cotton ball that must have been lodged in her throat. “Y-yes.”
He bent his head and captured her lips. She threw her arms around his neck, participating fully in the passionate kiss. He must have set the lamp down, because both of his hands were circling her waist as he pressed her against the wall.
They kissed this way for the longest time, and she wondered if he would ever take her inside his room. Did she need to be the one who suggested a morecomfortableplace to go in order to continue this moment?
His lips moved away from hers and trailed over her cheek and to her ear. Lightly, he suckled her lobe, bringing goosebumps over her flesh. He then kissed down her neck, to the collar of the boy’s shirt she wore. Chills ran rapidly over her, warming her body very quickly.
Vincent pulled away and looked at her. His breathing was as heavy as hers. He stroked her cheek before moving away from her to open the door.
Finally!She tried not to grin too wide. He picked up the small lamp before taking her hand and pulling her into the room.
She glanced around…and stalled. This wasn’t his room. There was nothing that indicated a man slept here. Not even his scent lingered. This looked more like a guest room.
He set the lamp on the bedstand before turning to look at her. “I hope this room is to your satisfaction.”
Disappointment washed over her. Deep down inside, she knew he didn’t have any intentions of being intimate with her tonight.
*
Vincent had neverdesired any maiden as much as he did Ellie. And being with her now, he felt like a nervous schoolboy. A few shadows danced in the room from the flickering lamp, but the discontentment on her expression shone through it all. His speeding heart clenched. What had he done? But in an instant, he knew the answer.
He licked his dry lips. “Forgive me for not taking you to my room. Because I’ve been busy building a stable, my room is filthy, and I still have dirty clothes lying around. I cannot afford servants yet, so I’ve been doing all of this myself.” He glanced toward the bed before returning his focus on her. “That is why I brought you here. I hope you don’t mind.”
Her shoulders sagged, and a smile graced her face once more. “Oh, Vincent. I feel like a fool for being disappointed that you didn’t take me to your room.” Chuckling softly, she moved to him and slowly slid her hands up his chest. “I thought you were going to kiss me passionately only to tell me goodnight and leave me in this room.”
Warmth from her touch melded with his clothes, making him wish he didn’t have these barriers between them. He grinned. “My precious Ellie. Have you forgotten I was once a defiler of women? Why would I give up the chance to be with the maiden who holds my heart?”
Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. “I-I…hold your heart?”
