Page 81 of The Lord's Compass
Faith’s chest warmed at the dowager countess’ show of kindness, and she placed her hand on her arm.
“We would be happy to have you remain in the house with us,” she said, looking around her. “From what I can see there are more than enough rooms.”
“I appreciate that,” Eric’s mother said quietly. “I do not wish to make anything difficult for you, but know that whatever you need, I am there for you.”
“Thank you,” Faith said. “I am sure that I shall need some help transitioning to the lady of the house.”
She caught Eric’s warm smile as they continued inside, and after providing his mother with a version of the story that included the highwaymen but not that they had been chased from Spain, they eventually retired after their long day of travel.
Faith made for her bedroom when Eric held out a hand to stop her.
“Where do you think you are going?”
“To my chamber to undress,” she said, but he shook his head with a wicked grin.
“Our bedrooms might be attached, but tonight you will start with me. I think I became rather adept at undressing you during our travels.”
Faith allowed him to pull her in close to him. “Oh my, what will the servants think?”
“Let them think whatever they choose,” he said. “We are the lord and lady of the house. We can do as we please.”
She grinned at that, and together they entered his room. Faith could tell that he was trying not to lean on her as he hobbled in. They had not come together since his shooting, and while Faith had missed him, she worried that he might aggravate the injury.
“Why do you look nervous?” he asked.
“I’m not nervous,” she said even as a tremor shook through her. “I am worried about you. And, I’ll admit, excited.”
“Oh, my lady,” he said, “There is nothing for you to worry about. I have been looking forward to this more than you could ever imagine.”
“Show me?” she murmured, and he nodded, his smile wicked.
“With pleasure.”
“Perhaps you should lie down first so that I do not hurt you,” she said, and he grabbed her shoulders and looked her in the eye.
“Faith,” he said firmly. “If anything hurts, I shall tell you. But until then, we enjoy each other and do not worry about any wound I might have. Understand?”
“Do you promise you will say something if you are hurting?”
“I promise.”
“Very well,” she said, her heart beginning to beat rapidly at the thought of being with him again. “Do you need some help?”
“With what?”
“Undressing.”
“On one condition.”
“Which is?”
“That you do so only as part of seducing me andnotbecause you think I am insufficient in any way.”
“Oh, Eric,” she said, shaking her head. “You could be unable to walk altogether and you could never be insufficient. You must realize that you are more than the strong, unbreakable lord that you want everyone to think you are. You are more worthy than any other man I’ve ever met before. And I thank you for showing me that part of you.”
She stepped forward, lifting her hand and sliding it down his cheek as she stared into his eyes.
When they had first come together, it had been so passionate, so fiery, and while Faith knew that passion would always remain between them, she was now swept up in an emotion unlike any she had ever felt before. One that was tender, raw, vulnerable.
