Page 25 of Drowned in the Pleasure of a Devilish Baron
“Sarah, do you know how beautiful you are?” His voice was soft, caressing.
“You don’t have to flatter me,” she said. “Beauty has never been my strength, and I’m all right with that. I would rather be strong than beautiful, and so I try to follow that path instead.”
He leaned closer to her, stroking the bare shoulder above her cap sleeve. “You don’t truly believe that, do you? I mean about your beauty.”
“It’s the truth and I have long since accepted it. I have never cared for the latest fashions, never wanted to sit still so Rebecca can create an elaborate, fetching hairstyle. I dress for comfort and utility, not for beauty.”
“The way you dress only deepens your beauty. You don’t need an elaborate hairstyle, or a fancy gown, you are beautiful without those things.” He moved his hand to her hair, lightly stroking her hair. “Your hair is the deepest brown, rich like cocoa.” His thumb traced the tender skin below her eyes. “Your eyes are bluer than the sky we are sitting under.”
Sarah could not take her eyes from his, drinking his words in like a flower in the rain.
The back of his hand slid down her bare arm, making her shiver.
“Your skin is perfect,” he murmured. “Softer than silk, the color of fresh cream.” He leaned forward, bringing his face close to hers. She could smell the clean scent of his skin. “And your lips,” he said. “Your lips.” He touched his to hers in the softest kiss.
“My lips?”
“Your lips are the sweetest of anything I’ve ever tasted.” He kissed her again, slowly. “Sweeter than honey.” Another kiss. “Sweeter than berries.” Their lips lingered together for this kiss, slower to draw back and part from one another.
Sarah felt a tight heat shoot down her belly, a feeling she had never experienced before.
With a soft groan, Felix deepened the kiss, his tongue touching hers, turning the skin of her arms to gooseflesh. She lost herself in his touch, his arms, feeling nothing but him, thinking of nothing but him.
Then Felix sighed and pulled away, leaning his forehead against hers. “If we don’t stop here, I do not believe I will be able to stop at all.”
Sarah closed her eyes and said nothing, because the same was true for her.
From below came the sounds of a happy baby gurgling, two voices speaking, all growing closer.
“That’ll be Juliet,” Felix said, kissing her on the forehead and reluctantly sitting back.
Sarah carried the warmth and tenderness of that day with her for the rest of the week. Every moment with Felix at the Cunningham Manor she held tight to her chest, and thoughts of these lulled her into peaceful sleep each night, tied with the anticipation of the prospect of the next day with him.
Chapter Twelve
While Sarah had spent her days bent over her needle, hard at work on a gown that would impress her mother and leave her days free to spend with her beloved, Felix was busy doing his part to earn her hand.
The first day of the week, he rose early and was on the road, headed to speak with a man he trusted. Philip Winston was a friend he had known nearly all his life, though not as long as he had known Sarah and John. Philip’s father, an earl, had been very kind to Felix when he was in school. After he lost his parents, the Earl had made it clear he was available to provide advice.
Today, I’m finally taking him up on that offer.
The butler at the Camden’s country estate led Felix to the family’s drawing room and he was told to wait for the master of the house. Philip came down first.
“Andrews!” He came in, hand extended. “I thought I heard your name. You’re here for Father?”
Felix stood and shook his hand. “I am indeed. I want to speak with him about something important. You know I have always trusted your father’s advice.”
“He’ll be pleased you’re asking for it. There’s nothing Father loves more than to give advice. He thinks he knows everything.” Philip laughed.
“That’s because I do know everything,” boomed a good-natured voice.
The Earl entered, his hair a bit more white than Felix remembered it being.
“Good morning, my boy,” he said warmly, putting a hand on Felix’s shoulder. “It’s very good to see you.” He gestured for them all to sit. “Can I send for some tea for you?”
“No thank you, My Lord. I don’t want to be a bother.”
The Earl waved his words away. “How could you be a bother? I’m glad you’re here. I imagine whatever you came all the way here for is important. Philip, my boy, give us a bit of privacy, will you?”
