Page 25 of The Earl's Heiress
“Such as?”
“I would rather not repeat them; suffice it to say they cast their aspersions about my fitness to be your wife based solely on the fact that I’m American.”
“I detest these unconstrained conversations and reports about other people, which usually involve details that are not confirmed as true. I don’t perceive a moral and social benefit to all this gossip. Regrettably, people engage in this activity for a variety of reasons and rumors spread wildly through thehaut ton.”
“Sadly. I’m beginning to have doubts about whether I want to be in London for the season.”
“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
Arabella’s head whipped around, and their eyes locked. “Truly? My parents may have something else to say about it.”
“Your parent's wishes will not trump mine when I’m your husband. I know we haven’t known each other for very long, and we have been thrown into this situation, but I find that I enjoy your company. You are a woman who is happy with her true self, even if it’s not what everyone expects. You’re witty, and I mustsay a delight to look at.” Temple felt the tension begin to flow from his body now that he told Arabella how he felt about her, and he had more to say.
Arabella chuckled, and Temple sighed inwardly. He was pleased to see her tears had dried. He reached down and lightly brushed her lips with his.
“After my father died, I didn’t care much for anything, didn’t feel anything. I didn’t leave the estate and engage with thehaut ton. My mother wanted me to return to society, but I wasn’t particularly keen. Now everything is different. When I’m with you, I feel and care about everything. I’ve thought about all the things I should have done while I was locked away. I’ve given a great deal of thought to modernization, and I’m looking forward to instituting the changes.”
Arabella's lips parted, but before she could speak, his thumb brushed against her lips.
“You’ve made quite the impression since you literally fell into my life. I know you weren’t keen to marry and leave your family halfway around the world, but I feel confident that we can have a future together. We can go through life together, weather the storms. I will care for you, and I will protect you. We will be good friends, and I believe that is important in a marriage. You’re far more important to me than thehaut ton, and I would much rather see you happy. How much time we spend in London, or whether we go at all, will be up to you.”
Arabella neededto get away from the crowd and the noise to think, so she escaped to the garden. She didn’t expect Temple to come looking for her. As soon as he arrived, he seemed to take up all the space around them in a way that no one else could.Looking up, Arabella found him gazing at her. His eyes shone with an intensity that made her heart pound. Why should she push him away when all she wanted to do was bring him close? He was warm and safe, and it felt so right when he held her. She felt protected and untouchable.
He listened and didn’t come to the lady's defense, and his voice was filled with empathy and patience. He provided the reassurance she so badly needed, and Arabella began to let go of the anger that was burning in her stomach. It was difficult for her to remind herself of the decisions she made only a few days ago. She couldn’t think clearly when he held her in his arms. Now that she was safe in Temple’s embrace, she wanted to be even closer to him. It seemed impossible for her to behave correctly with him.
“I know what draws me to you, Temple. It is your kindness and compassion. I feel safe in the knowledge you will stand with me.”
She held her breath as if she had said too much, and now she felt exposed. Why did his mere presence cause her to lose all rationality? Temple’s gaze had not left hers. His eyes were filled with warmth and something else that burned deep in their depths. Desire. The warm intensity of it caused her skin to flush. His lips had never looked more kissable, and she was intrigued by the thoughts he invoked. She could tell that he wanted to kiss her lips.
“We shouldn’t,” a soft whisper left her lips, but her eyes held something else. His stare said he was tempted to kiss her. She was thrilled at the prospect that he wanted to.
“Why not?” A hesitant smile touched his mouth.
“Self-preservation.You were reluctant to kiss me a second time as you wouldn’t be able to stop.”
His voice was a low hum that made her shiver. “Self-preservation? So, you want to save yourself from me?”
“You were the one who seemed to think that I needed to be protected.”
“If only you knew what your kiss did to me.”
When the words tumbled from his lips, she gave a soft gasp of surprise. A strange warmth radiated through her core. She was drawn to him, and the more she tried to fight it, the stronger it became. She wanted to know what her kiss did to him. Did he feel the same tension in his belly, the fluttering of his heart?
A mischievous smile touched her mouth. The temptation was too great. “I’m daring enough to ask. What does it do to you?”
Words rushed from his lips. “I can’t say. I must show you.”
As he leaned in just a bit closer, the air seemed to grow thin, and she could feel his shallow breath, a wisp against her lips, which were parted and waiting. He hovered for a moment, and it was only when Arabella’s eyes shot open that she realized they had closed. Her gaze flicked upward and her tongue darted out to wet her lips. A devilish glint sparkled in his eyes before he surged forward and captured her lips. When his lips touched hers, for a moment, she couldn’t breathe or think. The entire world around them faded into obscurity, leaving Temple and her. She savored the moment.
His lips were warm and welcoming. Her hands slid up his chest, and she could feel his thundering heartbeat. Her own heart froze, and then it pounded. His low growl sounded as if it was far away. She was happy they were sitting down because her knees felt so weak that she did not think they could support her. Arabella collapsed against his chest and gripped his shoulders.
He whispered against her lips in between kisses. “By God, I’ve wanted to taste you for so long.”
Me too.Her mind screamed as a soft moan escaped her. She had lain in bed, imagining what it would be like when he kissedher again. They seemed too far apart, and she wanted to erase all the distance. Her hand was in his hair as she pulled him closer and deepened the kiss. Instinctively, he pulled her body tightly to his as his tongue wreaked havoc against her senses. His fingertips traced the outline of her jaw. Temple’s taste and scent filled her before he trailed kisses down her neck, nuzzling her. The sensation was exquisite, and Arabella felt a tension building between her legs. Her core throbbed, and she desperately wanted him to explore the inside of her thighs. She ached for him to explore that secret part of her.
Temple pulled her onto his lap, and she draped perfectly against his hard form. He stirred such emotion in her. She drew in a deep breath, and her muscles tightened. The sharp longing in his kiss aroused her and set off a wild need she never knew existed. She was aware of her moan as his kiss grew fevered. Her fingers trembled as she ran her hands through his hair. She clung to him, not wanting him to stop tasting her. She was on fire, and it was a raw heat.
Arabella froze. She was certain she heard her name being carried by the gentle breeze. The voice grew closer to the garden. Temple broke off the kiss and swore softly under his breath.
