Page 21 of A Lady's Curves
She sighs. “I should go to my bed. If we are discovered, it would be disastrous.”
Part of me wishes we would be found and the things she worries about would no longer be in our hands. I know Everton ladies are not meant to have relations with their clients. The organization would be sullied. Even though her reasoning is clear to me, I don’t like the idea of being considered a mistake. “Stay a moment longer, please.” I hold her tighter and snuggle against her luscious breasts.
Hugging my neck, she says, “Just another moment.” There’s a dreamy quality to her voice.
This woman will be my ruination. Still, I would risk everything to stay as we are right now. “I would like to show you my home in Scotland. I think you would like it there.”
“I think we must go to Devonshire.” She lets out a long breath and pushes off of my lap. She crosses to her nightgown and pulls it over her head.
As she ties the bow at her throat, I long to sweep her into my arms and carry her to my bed. I have to close my eyes to keep the urge at bay. “Of course. Kensfield Manor is a fine holding. It is only that the nature of Scotland is magnificent.”
Putting on her wrap, she again is angelic, though I much prefer her wanton and pressed against me. Her voice has lost its softness. She is back to being an Everton Lady. “I will have the books for this house and the one in Scotland sorted within the week. There was little damage to the finances in the north. You are fortunate to be very wealthy. You will survive this situation.”
I pull on my trousers and shirt. “I will walk you to your room.”
“No. Someone might see us. You should stay here until I’m gone for a few minutes. I can make my own way.” Looking at the door and the desk, she avoids my gaze. “I will see you tomorrow, my lord.”
Before she can make her escape, I cut her off and touch her chin so that she will look at me. “I am Oscar, Ann. We have shared something quite beautiful, don’t become formal to protect yourself. You need no protection from me.”
A warm smile lightens her face. She cups my cheek. “Good night, Oscar.”
I kiss her forehead and breathe in her scent before stepping aside and watching her leave the study.
Returning to my bed, I can think of nothing but Ann. However, now all my thoughts are warm and wanting. Somehow, I will find a way to make this right. Though for the life of me, I can’t see how. She deserves a man who will give her back the life she gave up.
She already turned down a life full of all the things she was raised to believe were important. She did so in the name of love. Then that love was proved false. If I could find that blaggard, I would call him out.
I suppose the question that must be answered is how do I prove that my feelings are sincere?
Determined to do everything in the right way, I consider a plan. It would be wise to refrain from any more intimacies. Though I’m only human and she is a goddess. It’s foolish to make promises which I know I cannot keep, and turning down Ann’s luscious body is impossible.
Perhaps it would be smart to let things cool off. I can busy myself outside the house. At least until it’s time to go to the country estate.
Sure that my short-term plan is right, I close my eyes and consider a longer campaign.
Chapter Nine
Ann
Morning came far too soon. It took a long time to fall asleep after making love with Oscar. I can hardly believe what I allowed to happen and yet find it impossible to regret it.
Staring down at my work, the numbers all blur as my mind drifts back to how wonderful it felt to be naked in his arms.
“Ridiculous.” I must be sensible. It was never likely that I would experience sexual intercourse, and I must treat the moment as a past adventure. There’s no point in looking forward to more.
According to Mrs. Jenkin, Oscar left the house just after dawn. He clearly doesn’t wish to have the awkward moment of seeing me this morning.
It’s for the best. Still, my chest hurts.
Refocusing on my work, I shake off the useless feelings and add the ledger column.
For a few hours, I managed quite nicely and even the soundof the front door knocker and talking in the foyer is only faintly registered.
The study door swings open. Mae Bartholomew stands on the threshold beaming. “You did it!”
Placing my quill in the holder, I stand. “What did I do, my lady?”
The normally standoffish countess rushes forward and throws her arms around me. “Thank you. I can’t thank you enough.”
