Page 38 of Rescuing a Tantalising Heiress
“I’m not disturbing you, am I?” she asked, but he shook his head.
“Not at all. I want you to disturb me,” he replied, rising from his desk and coming towards her, his hand outstretched, as she looked at him curiously.
None of this was right—the kiss, the moment they had shared together. Was it forgotten?
“It’s just, I was passing—I don’t know why…I just…wanted to see you,” Isabella replied, and she stepped into the study, taking his hand as Edward shut the door behind her.
To Isabella’s surprise, he slipped his arm around her immediately, drawing her into his embrace. But she did not pull back, feeling safe in his arms as though it was meant to be.
“I’ve thought about you every moment. I wanted you to return. I’ve been waiting for you,” he said as now the light grew brighter, and Isabella let out a deep sigh of relief.
“I was worried…I thought the same. I wanted to see you,” Isabella replied, and it was as though she had no inhibitions and nothing held her back.
He gazed down at her and smiled, bringing his lips to hers, his hands running down the small of her back as she arched her neck, and gently he swept back her hair to kiss her neck. A shiver ran through her; a shiver of delight at the sensation of his touch.
“And I wanted you. I longed for you,” he whispered as his hands slid over her thighs and up her bodice to her breasts.
“Just like this,” Isabella gasped, overwhelmed by the sensation of his touch.
He pulled at the shoulders of her dress, exposing her to his caress, his lips now tracing a trail across her neckline. Isabella had never known such feelings, as now the silk of her dress rustled to the floor, and she stood before him as only her maid had seen her, dazzled by the bright light surrounding them.
“You’re truly the most beautiful creature I’ve ever laid eyes on,” he whispered, and Isabella felt entirely at ease under his gaze, delighting in the way he looked at her, his hands running down the length of her body, as now he fell to his knees before her.
Isabella gasped at the sensation of his lips pressed against her. She had never imagined such a feeling, for it was almost too intense to bear. Her hands ran through his hair, clasping at him, as a sudden shudder ran through her. She let out a cry, hardly able to breathe as a sensation such as she had never known overwhelmed her…
When Isabella awoke, she did not know if she was still asleep or dreaming. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Edward and the kiss they had shared, even as that same feeling still coursed through her. She was breathless and sat up, rubbing her eyes, her whole body tingling with the sensation of Edward’s touch. Had it all been a dream? Yes, of course it had. There had been no study, no bright lights, no…
“Goodness me,” she exclaimed as Caesar leapt out of his bed and hurried to leap into her arms, wagging his tail as Isabella sat up.
“I know I’m awake now,” she said, smiling as Caesar barked.
Lingering in bed, Isabella again thought back to the events of the previous evening. That had not been a dream, but rather, a most pleasant reality. She had not expected to kiss the viscount—or had the viscount kissed her? It was hard to remember, but there had certainly been a shared moment of intimacy, one Isabella would not easily forget.
Nor did she wish to forget it, even as she did not know precisely what it meant. Her first kiss had not been as she had imagined it. A kiss was a formal declaration, and Isabella did not even know if a young lady should be known to have kissed her betrothed before the wedding.
Kisses happened—she had seen them, snatched in the shrubbery after a ball, or stolen in a quiet corridor after a soiree or dinner. But kissing the viscount had been quite different.
We weren’t really supposed to be together, were we? But then…I’m not really supposed to be here, either. My father entrusted the viscount to take care of me. How much harm can a kiss do?she told herself, smiling, as a gentle tap came at the bedroom door.
Caesar barked, running to scratch at the frame, and Isabella knew this meant the arrival of Anne. The maid entered the room at Isabella’s call, smiling at Isabella, who stretched her arms and yawned.
“Good morning, my lady. You must be ravenous by now. You’ll eat a good breakfast, I’m sure,” Anne said, busying herself with Isabella’s clothes.
For a moment, Isabella was confused until she suddenly remembered she had gone to bed with an empty stomach—the first time, at least. Her expedition to the kitchens had found her in the eventual company of the viscount, and now she nodded, placing her hand on her stomach in a mock display of hunger.
“Oh, yes, I’m terribly hungry,” she said, and Anne smiled.
“Well, why not get dressed, my lady? Then you can go down to breakfast. What are your plans today?” she asked, and Isabella smiled.
She thought back to the conversation with Edward—he had promised to walk with her in the garden and to allow her to assist with his correspondence.
“Oh, I’ve got plenty to do—we’ll walk in the garden this morning, and then I’m going to help the viscount in his study,” Isabella replied.
The maid raised her eyebrows.
“Are you sure that’s wise, my lady—walking in the garden? After what happened yesterday, I’m surprised…” she said, but Isabella waved her hand dismissively.
“It’s quite all right. Edward…the viscount is going to accompany me, and we’ll only walk across the lawn. I’ve seen no signs of danger since my arrival. I’m sure it’s perfectly safe,” she said, and Anne nodded.
