Page 52 of Rescuing a Tantalising Heiress
She looked up at him and smiled, closing her volume of a history of the Scottish clans, and rising from her chair by the window.
“I’ll be happy to help you—I’m sure we can work it out,” she said as Edward looked around him in surprise.
“I thought you’d be with Augusta,” he said, but Isabella shook her head.
“She’s gone to walk on the moor with Hugh. They were meeting below the ha-ha at ten o’clock,” she replied.
Edward looked suddenly concerned.
“I don’t like her spending so much time with him. I’m fearful for her happiness, Isabella,” he said, and Isabella rolled her eyes.
She did not think it necessary for the viscount to be concerned about his sister’s growing relationship with Hugh. As far as Isabella knew, their neighbour had behaved as nothing but a gentleman, and she was only too glad to think of Augusta finding the happiness she deserved.
“But it’s her happiness that matters. You can’t forbid her from falling in love,” Isabella replied, surprised to think of Edward’s opposition to what was obviously his sister’s happiness.
“No, but…I just don’t want to see her heartbroken. Hugh’s a decent enough man, but…” Edward began, even as Isabella interrupted him.
“And Augusta’s a grown woman. Besides, haven’t you found your happiness?” she replied, approaching him and slipping her arms around his waist.
He kissed her forehead, and she looked up at him and smiled.
“You know I have, but…well, I suppose you’re right. I can’t begrudge my sister the happiness I’ve found for myself,” he replied, and now he leaned down and kissed Isabella on the lips.
“What if Marston or one of the other servants walks in?” she said as he ran his fingers through her hair, kissing her on the neck as she arched her back, enjoying the sensation of his touch.
“Oh, let them…we won’t have to hide forever. Isn’t it more…enjoyable with a little risk?” he said.
Isabella smiled as he slipped his arms around her waist and began to kiss her on the neck. Isabella arched her back as now he pulled at the shoulders of her dress, exposing her breasts, as one hand was slipped around her shoulder, the other tracing a trail up her leg and beneath her skirts. Isabella gasped as he sought her out, pressing his lips to hers as he did so.
“I didn’t think…” she exclaimed, hardly able to control the feelings now rising in her, as Edward’s lips went to her neck, his fingers now pleasuring her with such intensity as to make her cry out.
“Don’t think. Just enjoy it,” he whispered, bringing his lips to hers, as a sudden wave of heat shuddered through her body.
It was like nothing she had ever known before—not like in her dream, not like her imagination, but such pleasure as she had never thought possible.
“Edward…I…oh…” she said, opening her eyes to find him smiling at her.
“We weren’t caught,” he said, straightening his breeches as he rose to his feet.
Isabella sat back and smiled.
“I hope we don’t need to pretend for too much longer,” she said, knowing they were bound to be caught sooner or later.
She could hardly believe what had just happened—it was just like her dream, but more intense—more so than she could ever have imagined. He offered her his hand, and she rose to her feet, slipping her arms around him and resting her head on his chest, still with the last shivers of sensation running through her.
“It won’t be long, I promise,” he replied, running his fingers through her hair.
“But how long? I don’t want us to hide. I don’t see why we need to,” she replied, even as Edward raised his eyebrows.
“Come now, Isabella. You know why. We can’t reveal anything until it’s certain you’re safe. Too many people know of your presence here already—albeit as our cousin. But rumours spread, and I’m fearful as to what might happen if…well, what we’re doing is widely known,” he said, blushing a little, as Isabella sighed.
She knew he was right, even as she would gladly have told everyone she was in love with him.
“But it will be, won’t it?” she asked, and now he smiled at her and nodded, drawing her further into his embrace and kissing her.
“Yes, it will be. Once it’s all over, once we know the true identity of the kidnappers, we’ll make our courtship public. There’ll be nothing to stop us then—no one to hold us back. We can be Lady Isabella Burlington and Lord Edward Talbot—a courting couple, in love,” he said as he now ran his hands down the small of her back, kissing her neck, as she clung to him, never wanting to let him go.
“I’ve never…it’s all so new to me,” Isabella admitted, for she really knew nothing about courtship or romance.
