Page 49 of Avenging the Earl's Lady
They were both candidates for Bedlam.
Only…She squeezed her eyes shut against a flare of panic.Was this his way of getting revenge?
“Jane.”
She opened her eyes and there he was, watching her.
“I stole your painting.”It needed to be said again.He must understand.“I wrapped up another and sent it north.”
“I know.”
“I meant…Imeanto sell it to the highest bidder.”
“And give the money to your son.”
“Yes, and if this is your way of…of getting revenge—”
“No,” he roared.
He flopped onto his back and pulled her atop him, skin to skin, hearts pounding together.He pulled the bunched nightgown over her head, tossed it aside, and locked his arms around her.
Gasping for breath, she struggled up onto her elbows and dodged his intent gaze, tracing a finger over a scar.This one was old, lined with puckers where the flesh had been stitched.
Everything he did had a risk and a purpose.
“Not revenge then,” she said, her breath tight.“What, besides a tumble, do you really want from me, Shaldon?”
He snaked a hand under her hair and sparked pleasure along her spine, down to her backside, making her quiver.
His hooded gaze raised an alarm in her.Shaldon’s will was indomitable.And where pleasure was concerned, she was almost a complete innocent.Since Reginald, she’d never flirted aimlessly—never flirted at all.The cost was too high.
She raised herself on one arm.“I’m not sure this is—oh.”Hot sensation snaked through her, rushing heat to her face.
The grin on his face made him look human.“Yes,” he said.“That’s what I want.Just that reaction.”
In a flash, she found herself on her back again.“What I want, Jane, isyou, well-pleasured.”He nibbled at her neck.“What I want is to earn your great heart.”A kiss to her jaw followed.“And your enduring loyalty.”He pushed a lock of her hair back.“I want all of you, honorably, and forever.”
Braced above her, he waited.
Her heart clattered inside her, Aunt Mildred’s voice rattling around with it and adding to the noise.Though it’s often enjoyable,men only talk of love when they want a woman to yield.She’d fallen once, believing sweet words from a rogue who had tricked her and died.
And forever?Shaldon might be hardy, but he was old; old enough to have a son past the age of thirty.
“No one can promise forever, Shaldon.”
“The rest of my life is yours, Jane.You have only to say yes.”
Why?Why did he want her?He could simply take the painting, now that he—
“You are thinking again.”His lips quirked.“Tell me what you’re thinking.Just speak…” His hand settled over her breast.“From this great heart.”
Her great heart felt ready to burst.She caught her breath.Bed sport between lovers might be prettied up with words, but it was rarely based in anything deeper than lust, Aunt Mildred had said.With a proper and considerate man, a woman would have much enjoyment.Go into the affair with your head on straight and you won’t lose your heart.And pay heed to certain other possible consequences.
Consequences like her son, Quentin.“I’m thinking, I would do better to speak from my great head.”She placed a hand over his.“Perhaps I am saying yes to tonight.”
She sighed and shook her head.Of course, she wanted this, wanted him, had been lusting after him.
“Iamsaying yes, but only to tonight.And I believe you know the consequences that could flow from one night of lovemaking, even at my advanced age?”
