She closed her eyes. During the few silent moments, he took advantage of admiring her features. Lovely, long lashes, perky little nose, kissable lips. Beautiful blonde hair he loved to stroke when she left it down. Skin so flawless, and so soft. On impulse, he lifted his knuckles and gently brushed them across her cheek. Louisa’s eyes flew open, but she didn’t pull away.
“I—I think I remember a man by this name. I recall he was my friend’s uncle.”
Confusion washed over him and he crinkled his brow. “Your friend’s uncle, you say? Do you remember your friend’s name?”
Her head moved slowly in a nod. “Eliza.”
“Your memory is returning. In time you shall remember everything.”
“I pray you are correct.”
“From the information I collect, Mr. Featherspoon was the man responsible for kidnapping children and selling them to Mr. Macgregor.”
Her eyes widened, but she didn’t speak. He continued, “I found Mr. Featherspoon yesterday and spoke with the man.”
She gasped and clutched his hands. “Indeed? What did he say?”
“At first he acted as if he didn’t kidnap children, but that he took orphans in and found them homes. However, I pointed out the boy I had talked with and found his family alive.” He rubbed his fingers across hers. “I kept questioning him about you. What I found out was that youwereborn of nobility.”
Tears glistened in her eyes. “Did he say who my parents were?”
“Unfortunately, no. The man met his Maker quicker than I would have liked.”
“He died? How?”
“One of the children he had recently kidnapped crushed Mr. Featherspoon’s skull. The boy had been listening to us and snuck up behind his kidnapper and killed him.”
A deep breath expelled from her mouth. “I have to admit, how relieved I am to hear that. Too bad the same fate could not come to Macgregor any time soon.”
“If I have my way, it will.”
A few more tears slid down her cheeks and he swiped them away with his thumb.
“If only I could believe that, but I know Macgregor, Trevor. He is a calculating, evil man. You do not want to cross him. Even now I fear for your life because you have been asking questions about him.”
“Shhh…” He pulled her against his chest, resting her head just under his chin. “No need to fear, my love. I shall protect you. Always.”
He kissed her forehead, his lips lingering. How could he help it? Kissing this woman became an addiction to him—one that he never wanted to leave. She lifted her head. Her moist eyes tore at his heart, and the frightened, empty look in her eyes worried him.
“Trevor, you are the most thoughtful person I have ever met. I feel so safe in your arms. I just wish I could feel that even when we are apart. Then, and only then, shall I truly feel safe.”
He smiled and kissed the tip of her nose. “If I could keep you in my arms all the time, I would. You are constantly in my thoughts and in my heart.” He cupped the side of her face. “Louisa, I’m completely in love—”
She cut off his words when she lifted her mouth to his, silencing him. The kiss was so very sweet, yet there seemed to be desperation to her actions that he couldn’t explain. She grasped his shirt, opening her mouth as she deepened the kiss.
Explosions shot through him, and he enfolded her in his arms tighter, meeting her demanding kisses. The palms of her hands wandered over his chest, then up his shoulders before she linked her fingers around his neck, bringing her even closer. He loved the way she caressed him. He loved the way he felt more like a man in her presence than he’d ever felt while married to Gwen.
He moved his hands over Louisa’s back, touching her everywhere, not resting in any particular area. Desires built inside him, hotter than before. Images of coupling with her as man and wife floated through his head, and he wanted more than anything to fulfill these dreams.
Her mouth left his as she trailed her lips over his chin and down his neck while her fingers plucked at his cravat thenloosened the buttons on his waistcoat. His heart flip-flopped, knowing she wanted what he did. Because his thoughts were in pure bliss right now, thinking rationally was not an option. Feeling—and loving—were uppermost in his mind.
Searching for the buttons on her gown, he frantically ran his hands over her back. When the tips of his fingers brushed across the first barrier, he fumbled to unlatch her dress. One button came loose, then a second. His heart pounded crazily against his chest, threatening to crack a rib or two.
Before he could get the third released, a knock came upon his door. Louisa froze in his arms.
He didn’t want to let her go. He wouldn’t. “Now is not the time. I’m busy,” he called out.
“Your Grace, there is an urgent visitor here for you,” Hobbs said loudly.
