Page 43 of Rescuing a Tantalising Heiress
Isabella had wanted him to kiss her, just as now she desired it again. He had protected her, and she saw no reason he should not still do so—even after they had shared a kiss.
“I thought I had, but…oh, I was a fool. I’m sorry, Isabella. You must’ve thought me a dreadful rake. To kiss you, to make you a promise, and then to break it. I don’t deserve your forgiveness,” he said, turning away from her.
But Isabella shook her head.
“I was uncertain, too, but I’m not anymore. I wanted you to kiss me, and I want you to again. You’ve done so much to protect me, and we’ve grown close, haven’t we?” she replied.
He nodded, and she slipped her hand into his as he drew her into his embrace.
“I’ve tried my best to protect you, Isabella. I promise you that—and I’ll go on protecting you for as long as it takes,” he said, and now their lips met, not in the hesitation of a first kiss, but in the mutual pleasure of desire.
Isabella thought back to her dream, pulling Edward closer into her embrace and feeling that same sense of desire overwhelm her. She did not know where it came from, and she knew of nothing to compare it to. But in her mind, Isabella wanted nothing more than for his touch, his caress, the feel of his lips against hers.
“I’ve thought of little else,” she admitted, as their lips parted.
Edward rested his forehead against Isabella’s and smiled.
“You’re so very beautiful,” he said, and now he pushed back the hair from her cheek, kissing her neck, just as he had done in her dream.
A shiver ran through Isabella, and she arched her back, enjoying the sensation of his lips against her neck. The shoulders of her dress were bare, and now she imagined him pulling at the material, allowing it to fall to the floor. She could feel his arousal against her, and she pulled him closer into her embrace, desiring his pleasure as much as hers.
“I’m glad you think so,” she whispered, caught up in the pleasure of his touch.
“I know so,” he replied, and Isabella ran her fingers across the outline of his arousal, causing him to shudder, his eyes closed in ecstatic delight.
He gently pushed her hands away with a faint smile.
“Isabella, I crave your touch, but we shouldn’t. I wouldn’t want to besmirch your honour. Please forgive me for allowing this to go so far.”
“There’s nothing to forgive,” she said as he smiled at her, shaking his head as though still reeling with the pleasure she had bestowed on him.
He laughed, leaning forward and kissing her on the neck.
“I enjoy spending time in your company. It’s just…well, you’re something else. You’re…remarkable. I hope I haven’t…well…upset you,” he stammered, but Isabella was not worried.
She was glad to have shared that moment together, even though it had been his pleasure and not hers she had discovered. He took her hand in his, raising it to his lips.
“But promise you won’t change your mind?” she said, for that was something she could not bear the thought of.
“I promise I won’t run away again, but we should keep the matter secret for now,” he said, and it seemed there was still something tentative in his words and the suggestion of doubt.
“In case my father finds out? Yes, I suppose you’re right. But I don’t care if he does. Why shouldn’t we do…whatever we’re doing?” Isabella asked.
She said this because she felt confused as to what was actually going on between them. A courtship was a staged affair, managed in such a way as to be respectable. There were certain rules to follow and ways of behaving to adhere to.
But this was different—there had been no formal introduction, no expression of interest, no marking of a dance card or invitation to dine. Circumstances had brought them together, and now there was no doubting the feelings they had for one another.
“Whatever we’re doing,” Edward replied, smiling at her as he leaned forward to kiss her again.
But at that moment, Augusta’s voice came from the hallway, calling for Edward to say goodbye to Hugh.
“Edward, where are you?” Augusta called out, and Edward sighed, raising his finger to his lips.
He cleared his throat before opening the study door and stepping out into the hallway, leaving Isabella hiding in the study.
“I was just seeing to some correspondence,” he said as Isabella now heard Hugh calling out his farewells.
She smiled to herself at the thought of what had just passed between them—a pleasant reconciliation and the prospect of something more to come.
