Page 11 of Miss Harvey's Horribly Lovable Fiancé
The grin he gave her put her heart beating anew—and all her fascination with him set her mind aflutter. This man would be hers. To have. To hold.My, my.How had she become so fortunate?
He bowed, courtesy demanding it as well as the presence of the Courtlands’ butler and a footman. “Good morning, my dear,” he said but his hazel eyes danced in a kaleidoscope of merriment as he took her hand and kissed the back. “You look wonderful. How are you?”
Better now that you’re here.“Very well. Happy to see you.”
“As am I—” He squeezed her hand, his grin saying more sweet things in welcome than any words could tell. “To look upon you is always a boon.”
The butler cleared his throat. “Your staff, my lord?”
“I took the liberty to tell them to drive round the back with my luggage as per my previous visit. Take good care of my horse, will you?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“You’ve put my men all together, I presume, as last time?”
“Yes, sir. Up in the stable quarters. Save your valet who is lodged in your private bathing room, sir.”
“Good. Ralston,is it?”
“Yes, my lord.”
With a nod of his head, Northington sent the butler and his man away.
With their disappearance, he drew her right up against his torso. The warmth of him, the strength, the virility sent her doubts scurrying away like testy little mice. And when he circled his arms around her waist and nestled her against him, she felt bold evidence he had missed her. And wanted her. “Hello, my sweet Miss Harvey. Baking bread, were you, my darling?” He thumbed away something from her cheek, lifted her chin and spoke on her lips. “May I kiss the bride?”
She hugged him close. “I wish you would!”
It was no quick affair. But a slow meeting of gazes and a delightful melting of breasts to chest and loins to hips and thighs to thighs, and only at long last the graze of his lips on hers.
“Giles,” she sighed his name, her eyes closing in want.
“Yes, my darling.”
“Do kiss me properly before I drift away.” And she sank her fingers into the soft mess of his hair.
“Esme.” He seized her mouth as if it were the last thing he needed in this world. His lips were hot, hard and insistent. He broke away too soon. “I’ve missed you.”
Did you?she wanted to say and yet, not. But his next kiss devoured all her qualms, giving her the torrid pleasures of his desire.
He broke away once more abruptly but she clung to him, defiant. On a ragged breath, he put his hands to her forearms and stepped back. “That is best saved for tomorrow.”
“I don’t want it to be saved.”
“Oh, Esme.” His brows arched in objection. “Soon enough, my darling. Then it will be legal, too!”
They both laughed.
“Where’ve you been?” She had to know. “I worried.”
He smoothed a curl from her cheek and pushed it behind her ear. She reeled with the tenderness of his touch. “No need to, sweetheart. I had business. Too long it took me, dare I say.”
“I wished you’d written with an explanation. I was hard-pressed to excuse your absence.”
He frowned. “I do regret that. My father’s demand that I attend him had me standing in his parlor.”
“I see.” She’d always seen how mention of his father brought stiffness to his spine and displeasure to his countenance. “And will he be joining us?”
“I am happy to say no. He will not.” Giles’s gaze locked on hers. “He chose it thus. To irk me. But truth be told, Esme, I do not want him here.”
