Page 36 of Drowned in the Pleasure of a Devilish Baron
“Up here, Rebecca!” Juliet called, exceedingly loudly. “I amsograteful you are willing to help. My new nursemaid has really struggled to understand what I mean. Surely you can help…” her words trailed away as the two disappeared up the stairs toward the nursery.
Taking his cue, he slipped from the dining room and moved quickly, soundlessly, down the hall to Sarah.
Chapter Seventeen
She was standing before the fire, dressed in a simple white gown that he had not even noticed until now, being so intent before on the movement of her lips and the sound of her voice. Her shoulders were low as she stared into the flames.
“Feeling a bit low, Miss Marlow?” he asked, a smile in his voice.
She whirled around at once, color rising into her cheeks as she saw him there at the doorway, watching her.
“Oh, Felix!” she cried. “I thought for sure that you had left. Thank goodness you made Rebecca believe that your arrival here was by chance alone.”
He knew he should resist, that it was a risk with her chaperone just up the stairs, but he could not keep himself from touching her. She looked so soft, so worried, her skin pale even against the whiteness of her gown. He pulled her into his arms, stroking her pink cheek gently.
“I would do anything to protect you,” he said quietly, looking intently into her eyes. “And I plan to protect you for the rest of my life. We will not have to live this way for much longer. I am doing all that I can to make you my wife.”
“Are you? Truly?” Her eyes were soft, full of hope. To those eyes, he would promise the world. They could not be denied.
“I swear to you that I am. I will not let you become someone else’s. I cannot imagine watching you at the side of another gentleman, unable to hear your voice or see your smile every day of my life.”
Though a part of him knew this was a selfish desire. Perhaps it would be better to take a step back, to allow her to become another’s. She could find a husband with a title and wealth and live in comfort the rest of her life, far better than he could provide for her.
I am simply not strong enough to walk away from her.
“Sweet Sarah, we will never be rich. You will not have all of the wonderful benefits my sister enjoys by being a Marchioness. But you will never go hungry, and you will know that you are beloved. We will raise out children together in the warmth and happiness of our little home, and create a life that is full of joy. I know it is selfish to want that with you, when you could do so much better than me. Would that life be enough for you?”
There was nothing but raw sincerity in her face when she answered. “Felix, nothing could make me happier than a life spent with you. Money means nothing to me, for what can it give you? My mother and brother have spent their lives chasing it and have only caught unhappiness and a burning sense of inferiority they cannot overcome. I do not even believe that they would overcome it even if they suddenly were dripping with money and jewels.”
She took his hand in hers, and he felt that he could feel the love between them in even the simple touch.
“I would rather live in your little cottage and fill it to the seams with light, laughter, and love than to live in the grandest estate in all of England. That choice to me is easy. It is not giving up something, it is gaining something. And your sister is the same. Juliet would never have been happy with Leonard if she did not love him. Felix, I love you more than I could ever love anything money could buy.”
“You are a rare breed of lady,” he said. “Your strength of spirit never ceases to amaze me. How could I ever bear to let you go? It is hard enough to let you walk out of this door each day, even knowing that I will see you the next.”
Her breath hitched at his words, sending her breasts rising above the thin neckline of her gown.
He could not tear his eyes away from the movement, as a surge of hot need almost brought him to his knees.
Her breathing quickened further, a spread of pink now flushing down her elegant neck, her collarbone and lower. Moving without thought, he put his hand to her neck and traced the color down, feeling its heat. She gasped, but did not pull away.
“Felix…” her voice was equal parts hesitation and urgency.
He pulled her closer to him, bringing his mouth down to her ear. “If you do not walk away now, I cannot promise I can control myself.”
He felt her tremble in response, and he knew it was the same desire that had him in his grip that set her body shaking. The feel of her body against his, her soft curves and silky hair, her lightly floral scent he would recognize anywhere, drained away the last drop of his reason, leaving behind nothing but a roaring desire.
“Walk away,” he warned quietly in her ear. In contrast to his words, his hands gripped her more tightly, begging her to stay.
She pulled away just enough to look him in the eyes. “No.”
The word broke down the last barrier between her and his need for her, and in the space of a breath, his mouth was on hers. She tasted sweet, her lips petal soft against his. He was unable to keep the kiss chaste, exploring her with his tongue, delighting at the feel of hers. His hand drifted from her shoulder to her lower back, and then lower still, cupping the sweet softness of her curves. Instead of being shocked by this, she yielded further to his touch, softening in his arms.
Emboldened by this, his other hand moved to her neckline, skimming the thin material lightly, and then dipping below to feel the warm flesh there, so invitingly warm.
Mine. All mine.
A feeling of possessiveness, of the urge to make her his and his alone pushed him further. He took his mouth from hers, kissing her neck, her delicate collarbone, and then the area where her skin met the material from her gown at her chest.
