“Shush, my sweet. I wouldn’t have let anything happen to you.” He brushed his lips over her neck. “You are safe with me.”
She stayed against him as he stroked his hands over her back, trying to calm her the best way he knew how. Slowly, the trembling in her body subsided and she sighed heavily.
“What happened back there?” she asked, lifting her head to look into his eyes. Her arms dropped from around his neck.
“I wish I knew.” He caressed her cheek, wiping away a few tears. “But I thank the good Lord that you are safe now.”
“What…” She looked over his shoulder in the direction where they had been. “What happened to your brother?”
“I believe he was shot.”
She sucked in a quick breath and met his gaze again. “Shot?”
“Yes, but I think he is all right. He was knocked off his horse, but I didn’t see very much blood before I took off after you.”
“Oh, Adrian.” She relaxed, laying her head on his chest again. “I’ve never been so frightened.”
“Neither have I.” He kissed her forehead, keeping her in his arms, relishing the warmth their bodies shared at this moment.
Several minutes of silence passed between them. Closing his eyes, he inhaled her intoxicating flowery fragrance. Suddenly, the memory of them in the kitchen’s pantry filled his thoughts. He would never forget her unique scent.
“Adrian? I think we should return to the others.” She pulled away and looked into his eyes. “I’m certain they will want to know about my welfare.”
Indeed, they should return, but he didn’t want to let her go. He didn’t want to stop staring into her lovely blue eyes, either. “Yes, we should get back.”
A shaky smile came across her face. “Th-thank you, Adrian. You… risked your life to save mine.”
He cupped the side of her face. “I would do it again if it meant seeing your heart-melting smile once more.”
Her face went red, and she dropped her gaze to his chest. “I… thank you, my lord. I don’t know how to repay you.”
“Please, call me Adrian,” he whispered. “Hearing my name from your angelic lips is the only thanks I require.”
She lifted her gaze again, and her smile grew a little wider. His heartbeat hammered so fast that he was certain she could feel it too. Dare he hope he was finally softening her heart toward him? Would she finally forgive him for lying?
She twisted on his lap and faced forward, which was her silent request to return to the others. Without another word, he guided the horse back around and headed toward where they had left Collin, Priscilla, and Aunt Beatrice. Adrian purposely rode his horse slower just to spend more time with Bridget.
Even though he couldn’t see her face, at least he could smell her enchanting scent. His arm stayed around her waist, holding her against him.
For now, this would do. But soon, he would want more. So much more.
Chapter Ten
Bridget paced thefloor in the sitting room, wringing her hands against her middle. She should be worried about Collin and check on him to see if his injury was healing from where the bullet grazed his shoulder yesterday. Yet the earl was not on her mind. Instead, her thoughts were kept busy replaying every minute… every earth-shattering second that she had been with Adrian once he rescued her.
She had been so afraid, but the look of determination in Adrian’s eyes when he reached for her gave her comfort. She had hesitated to trust him, but when she took the chance, he came through for her. The realization rattled her, and she hadn’t known how to act.
Perhaps she shouldn’t have clung to him the way she did, or let him hold her so tightly or kiss her forehead, because the feelings she had wanted to squash, from when they were in the pantry the night of the ball, had returned in full force. While he comforted her on his horse, her body came alive with memories, reminding her how much she had enjoyed the way his hands stroked her back, and the way his muscular chest felt against her palms. She recalled his manly scent of leather and spice, and his soft expression as he caressed her cheek. When he brushed his lips across her forehead, she longed for that moment with him in the pantry, kissing him so passionately.
But it had been so very wrong then, and it was certainly wrong now—especially since his older brother was practically courting her, although he had yet to speak with her father and make it official. Part of her hoped it didn’t happen, but the other part of her knew she needed to marry a wealthy man.
The scent of biscuits wafted through the air, and her mind became alert. Gasping, she rushed into the kitchen, scolding herself for not remembering she was making biscuits. Priscilla stood by the stove, taking out the long pan of freshly baked treats. Bridget sighed, grateful that her sister’s thoughts were not preoccupied.
“Did you get the basket ready?” Priscilla asked sweetly.
Inwardly, Bridget groaned. Apparently, her mind was all over the place today. “I forgot, but I shall get to it now.”
She moved to their small pantry and took down a basket from the shelf. Immediately, her thoughts moved back in time, putting in her in another pantry and in a very handsome and charming man’s arms…
