Page 58 of A Lady's Past
“I don’t want you to stop.” Her whisper shot another bolt through him and he pressed the evidence against her pelvis. Clutching at his shoulders, she let her head fall back, giving him access to that lovely neck.
He kissed her throat where he’d often admired her swallowing down whatever she’d wanted to say. Where her shoulders connected, her skin was like fine-woven silk. The scent of roses drowned him like excellent wine on a winter night. “You are everything, my goddess of the moon.”
“Be careful. You’ll put me up so high, you won’t be able to reach me.” Running her hand up his back, she smiled, then threaded her fingers through his hair.
The black ribbon holding his hair in a queue fell to the floor. “I shall climb quite a ways if need be.”
Her soft lips were honey, and he the bee unable to stay away. His blood burned too hot for an encounter in a public room. It took a force of will, but he pulled back. “I think it best if we hold these feelings for a more private moment, my sweet.”
Lowering her gaze to the floor, she flushed the most delicious pink.
Jacques kissed her forehead, then pressed his against hers. “Please do not be shy or embarrassed, Diana.”
“Only at how wanton I have become. Nice ladies do not pant and kiss in the library or out of wedlock.” Her blush deepened.
“Of course they do,” he said. “They just do not talk about it. Trust me, you are not in the minority, though you are extraordinary. Besides, there is no one to know but you and me, and I assure you all your secrets are safe in my care.”
“I fear one day you will find out that I am just a simple girl who was put into strange circumstances. You will realize I’m nothing special.”
How could she think such a ridiculous thing? He stayed close, not wanting her to run from him, but giving her enough space so as not to feel trapped. Skimming his fingers along her arm to her fingers, where he entwined his with hers, he reveled in the warm softness. “Most women of gentle birth would have withered under such trying events. It would have broken them. Yet you became stronger and smarter than your captors, allowing you to escape. A fact for which I am eternally grateful. Some nights I thank the snow for falling on that night I found you.”
Tears set her eyes aglow. “Why the snow?”
“If not for that unexpected snowstorm, I would not have held you in my arms that first night. I might never have learned how remarkable you are. Our story could have ended with me taking you to London and never seeing you again.” The possibility had kept him awake more than one night.
“If that had happened, you would have a far less complicated life. I would never have attended that ball and might be safely hiding somewhere.”
Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed her knuckles before turning her hand over and pressing his lips to her palm. Her sigh was all he would ever need for happiness. “To hide you away from the world is a tragedy that we will soon remedy. I admit I am not happy about the possibility of using you to lure Caron, but I abhor you being trapped. It is time to set you free, moon goddess. If you could become this remarkable in captivity, I can only imagine what you will evolve into with freedom.”
Her laugh was music. “You are too romantic by far. You do realize that?”
“Of course.” He chuckled. “Still, everything I say is the truth.”
“Only in your mind, Jacques.”
He loved the way she looked at him as if he were as special as she. “I can only know my own truth. I leave the rest to men like Alexander Lynds. He seeks a greater truth, and I imagine it is a tiring life.”
Drawing a full breath brought her breasts to the edge of her day dress. It was maddening to watch those lovely globes rise and fall and have to wait to feel them in his hands.
She said, “He is a hard man to trust or understand.”
“We need only endure this place for a short time. I hope to be out of here before Christmas Day.”
Eyes wide, she said, “That’s only a week away. Don’t you think it a bit too optimistic?”
“Perhaps, but a man can hope.” Happiness like he had never experienced before filled him from the inside. When she was safe, he would let her know what was in his heart.
Honoria’s voice echoed down the halls as she called Diana’s name.
Jacques backed away, regretting having to release her hand.
Blushing, Diana called, “I’m in here, my lady.”
The library doors swung open and Honoria breezed in. “We have an appointment to take a stroll with Mrs. Fallcraft in twenty minutes. I thought you might like to change into something warmer. But perhaps you are warm enough?”
Honoria’s gaze and smirk fell on Jacques.
He followed Diana down the stairs. “I am sure you will enjoy Mrs. Fallcraft. I have known her all my life, and have a great deal of respect for her. I will see you both at dinner.”
