But the choice was still hers. He would not force her into doing something she did not want to do. He refused to pressure her. Such an act would not be in his nature.
Nay, he would offer her an exit clause, just in case she was only telling him what she thought he wanted to hear because he was standing right in front of her.
He pushed open the door to her room and tilted his head. “Go on inside, Lass.”
Confusion marred her face, and she looked crestfallen. Dejected.
With a finger under her chin, he lifted her face to his. “Dinna fash. Ye control your fate. Speak with Mary. Think on what ye really want. The choice is yours and there is no right or wrong answer. Whate’er ye decide, I will abide by and ’twillna change my feelings. If ye still want to spend the night in my bed, come to room 11. But remember, only if ye are sure. Because I guaranteeye, if ye show up at my door, I dinna think I will e’er be able to let ye go.”
He bent and kissed her forehead. “Now go. And if I dinna see ye later, I bid ye good night and will see ye in the morn.”
Turning on his heel, he made his way up the stairs to his own room. Sitting on the bed, he cradled his head in his hands and blew out a steadying breath. Not daring to hope that he would get a knock on his door.
His luck had already blessed him ten-fold today with everything that had happened. He’d be a fool to think his streak would continue through the night.
And he wasn’t mad about that. Nay. If Lizzie wanted to wait until their wedding night, he had no qualms about that. As he’d told her the choice was hers and he wouldn’t push her one way or another.
He was still sitting on the bed, contemplating all the events of the day, when the slightest knock sounded.
His breath caught in his throat.
Was it Lizzie?
Were the saints again blessing him on this day? He stood and pushed his hands through his hair and took a deep breath before letting it out slowly, trying to calm his racing heart.
The knock came again. A little louder this time.
Hurrying to the door, he swung it open, and his heart melted at the sight standing before him.
There Lizzie stood, in her night dress and robe. But the ties of her robe hung at her sides, allowing him to see the outline of curves through the thin material of her night dress.
A moan escaped his lips, and she smiled.
Before he allowed her entry, he needed one more confirmation. Just as much for him as for her.
“Are ye sure, Lass?” he whispered.
She nodded, licking her lips. “I have ne’er been more sure of aught in my life.”
That was all he needed to hear.
Grasping her hand, he pulled her inside the room, flush against his chest and kicked the door shut with his boot and crushed his mouth down on hers in a searing kiss that let her ken there was no going back now. Before this night was over she would be claimed as his in the most intimate way possible.
Her hands snaked around his neck, and he was frustrated at the barrier of material stopping him from feeling the crush of her breasts against his chest.
Breaking the kiss, he shrugged out of his jacket, then loosened his cravat and threw it the floor. His shirt followed, and he smiled proudly at her rounded eyes. She reached out tenderly and palmed his chest, running her hands up and down his skin. Over the ridge of muscles of his abdomen.
He sucked in a breath and blew it out in a hiss.
“Ye are wicked, Lass,” he taunted.
She looked concerned.
“In the best of ways,” he quickly added, cradling her face in his hands, rubbing his thumbs along her cheeks. He dipped his head and captured her mouth once again, dropping his hands to the curve of her buttocks and pulled her closer, reveling in her nearness. The feel of her ample breasts against his chest.
Without breaking the kiss, he walked her back to the bed. Once there, he stepped back, enjoying the sight of her. He caressed her cheek, and she closed her eyes, leaning into his touch. She bit her lip, and it was one of the sexiest things he’d ever witnessed. He hooked the collar of her robe and slid it down her slender arms and marveled at the way her skin pebbled as it was exposed to the air.
And to him.
