Page 11 of Her Wicked Longing
“Help how?” Gillian’s voice was soft and slightlybreathless.
“You’ll permit me to touch you?” He lifted his hand to her cheek but didn’t touch her until she nodded. This was different than a stolen kiss in the bookstore. She was hurt and alone with him, and she needed to know he would neverhurther.
He reached up and placed his fingers on her shoulders and moved them down to her neck, gently massaging the little knots of tension he found there. He’d had a mistress once who had been very clever at massage and had taught him exactly where to applypressure.
“That feels wonderful. How did you know it would make thepainease?”
“It will calm your muscles if you massage them lightly where they have been strained.” He trailed his index finger along one taut tendon in her neck, indicating where he would continue to touch her. “Relax. Face away from me. I want you to draw in a deep breath and let it outslowly.”
Gillian hesitated for a moment before she tucked up her legs on the seat and offered him her back. He carefully kneaded her neck and shoulders, even rubbing his fingers into her hair at the base of her skull. Her little moan of pleasure made his body tighten with arousal and shame. He promised himself he would be a gentleman for a few minutes longer if hecould.
How was this woman so bloody tempting? He could have almost any woman in London, yet this quiet, intense, and mysterious beauty had him enraptured. It had to be the cloak of danger she wore. That was what drew him in. He loved a good adventure. The coach came to a stop, and the driver called out that they had reached the Sheridantownhouse.
“Thank you, my lord. It feels much better.” Gillian turned toward him, and he reluctantly let goofher.
“Miss Beaumont, I really should make sure you see aphysician.”
She shook her head. “My friend can send for one if I still feelunwell.”
Gillian collected her reticule and reached for the door. He beat her to it, opening it for her. She blinked as though she were surprised he would open the door for her. Were there no gentlemen in Lothbrook? He assisted her down, relishing this last chance he had to hold her waist and feel her hands on his shoulders before he had to setherdown.
“You are certain you don’t wish for me to go inside with you?” he asked, hoping she would changehermind.
“No, please. I must visit my friend in private. The driver will see you home.” She started to wave to the coachman and pull a few extra coins from her reticule, but James caught her hand, gently pulling it to his lips forakiss.
“No need. I believe I could use a walk.” There was no doubt he needed to clearhishead.
“Thank you, Lord Pembroke. Truly. I do not know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t come after me.” Her lips trembled, but she didn’t seem to be a weak, delicate creature to him. She was brave, and to have endured what she did with such grace wasastonishing.
“May I call upon you?” he asked. The thought of this mysterious woman returning to Lothbrook and never seeing her again made his chesthollow.
“I…” She bit her bottom lip. “I don’t think that would be wise.” She seemed like she wanted to say more but changed her mind and rushed up the steps. She didn’t bother knocking on the door, but burst inside, vanishingfromview.
James stood at the bottom step, staring at the lion’s head knocker and trying to ignore the odd ache beneath his ribs. Only a few minutes had passed when he began to walk home and realized the book he bought for her was still in his coach withLetty.
* * *
“Is he gone?”Gillian asked Sean, who was peering discreetly out the window at the sidewalk where she’d left Jamesstanding.
“Yes. He’s just started to walk down the street. What happened?” The young Irishman lookedconcerned.
“It’s a long story, and I really need to rest a moment. Is MissSheridanback?”
“Not yet. The League is in the parlor having tea. Our mistress took one look at Mr. St. Laurent when he arrived and fled the house. Didn’t even take her bonnet.” Seanchuckled.
“What?” That was certainly unlike Audrey. She never left the house without a proper bonnet. She loved them too much to be seenwithoutone.
“Of course, there was quite a scandal among thestaff.”
“What? Why?” Gillian followed Sean down the stairs to the servants’ kitchens, where she eased into a chair by the fire and stole a biscuit from a tray when the cook had her backturned.
“Well, Mr. St. Laurent sees her go and asks me where she ran off to. I tried to tell him I had no idea, and then he rushed after her. No one has seen either of themsince.”
“Oh dear…” Gillian rubbed her eyes. Audrey had run off, and St. Laurent had pursued her? That was bound to lead to trouble. “Was Lord Sheridan veryconcerned?”
The footman blushed. “He doesn’t know. He’s been busy,yousee.”
“Busy?” Gillianechoed.
