Page 19 of Wicked Designs
Cedric trotted down the length of the wall to assist Godric, and when the two stood alone, he demanded to know what had happened.
“She distracted me and bolted for the wall. I didn’t think she would clear it but she did—by God, she did—and better than I did. Bloody horse threw me right in the water.”
“Are you all right? I lost sight of you both.”
“I was fine. Poor Emily. She thought I’d drowned and was trying to bring me back to life with those sweet lips of hers.” Godric laughed softly.
“You aren’t going to tell her you are an excellent swimmer?”
“The water was shallow, she thought I’d been knocked senseless. Besides, I’d rather have her believe that she saved me. Otherwise, what I did to her afterwards will get me slapped.”
“Oh, Godric, you didn’t! That poor girl. She’ll never save your worthless hide again. Tell me you didn’t take it too far.”
“A few harmless kisses… Maybe a few not-so-harmless caresses,” he admitted. But he had no regrets. He could never regret each kiss, each second that Emily’s touch reawakened the ghost of the man he used to be.
He used to treasure kisses, count them like a young man, waiting breathlessly to see again the woman who’d inspired such romantic notions in him. His first love, a miller’s daughter from Blackbriar, Annabelle, had taught him how to savor kisses. She’d seduced him, introduced him to the world of sensual delights, but she’d done it slowly, the chase and challenge perfect. Since then, anything rushed hadn’t been worth it.
He wanted that with Emily, the patient chase, the steady pursuit. Each kiss he’d take from her willing lips would be a sweet victory. Love seemed but a thin veil away from him now, instead of locked away inside himself as he’d always believed.
Emily leanedagainst the stone wall, shivering as the light breeze chilled her wet skin.
She shivered for other reasons too. When Godric had put his hands on her, his mouth on hers, his body on hers, she had lost herself. For a brief few moments she’d forgotten how angry she was and how worried she was about rescuing her crumbling life.
There was more to his embrace and kiss than the tender affection she’d witnessed between her parents. No, this was a bonfire, a blaze that drew her in to burn her to ashes. When he kissed her, they were man and woman, not lord and lady.
This dangerous game of escape and chase hadawakened her most primal instincts of survival. If Cedric hadn’t shown up, Godric might have taken her, there on the grassy embankment. The thought made her blush.
The men returned with the horses, and she masked her emotions with the expression of innocence she’d mastered during life with her uncle.
The thought stopped her cold.
What had her uncle done upon discovering her missing? Had he thanked the heavens, or run to Bow Street in panic? Emily couldn’t picture either option.
Tears burned in the corners of her eyes. She didn’t want to admit how much she’d suffered the past year, but she had, as life with a disinterested uncle hurt terribly. No one deserved to live with family who didn’t love or care about them.
Emily rushed to rid herself of her tears as the men drew up on the opposite side of the wall. Godric stretched out both hands to her, and she clasped them, surprised at the ease with which he pulled her up over the wall and onto his lap.
“Here, let me get over to my—” She reached for her horse, but Godric’s grip tightened around her waist.
“If you think I’m letting you back on any horse by yourself after your little adventure, you’re mistaken.”
“But…”
Godric’s iron grip kept her firmly on his lap as he urged his horse onward.
“I think it’s time we set some ground rules for your future escape attempts. Everything you try and fail will be removed as a privilege, ergo no more horseback riding and no escapes after dark. Too dangerous for you.”His condescending tone made her feel like a misbehaving child.Why didn’t I just let him drown?
“Godric.” She squirmed irritably against his chest as they headed for the manor. “I will walk if I must, thank you. There is no need for this.” The hand that held her waist slid lower to sharply pinch her bottom. She froze, her eyes lit with fire.
“Ow!”
“You nearly got my bloody neck broken, and I almost drowned.”
“Youdidn’t have to chase me,” Emily shot back.
“If I want to spank you clear until next Sunday, I’ll do it and not a man here will raise a hand to spare you,” Godric growled.
Emily surrendered to silence after that. She’d never been prone to pout or sulk, but today was as good a day as any to start.
