Page 44 of A Tempest of Desire
She brought his greatcoat more tightly around her to ward off the chill of the wind that wasn’t strong enough to blow them off course, but offered a bit of a challenge when it came to reaching the other shore. It had taken them a while to bundle up her balloon and secure it with rope so it wouldn’t unfurl and become ungainly. It also made it easier for Langdon to haul to the boat. She’d offered to carry it with him, but he’d insisted on doing it alone, as though he needed to show off his masculinity. Much to her chagrin, she’d quite enjoyed his efforts and the way in which they’d made his muscles bulge. He hadn’t even breathed heavily, had simply carted the monstrously large item that was composed of yards and yards of cloth as though it was no bother at all. Although once he’d settled it in the boat, he’d rubbed his lower back before reaching over to assist her in climbing aboard.
“Were you part of the rowing team while you were at Cambridge?” she asked.
He nodded. “I was. It is easier when there are more hands at the task.”
“I offered to row. You said you only had the one set of oars.”
“I wasn’t complaining. Merely making conversation.”
“You like your outdoor activities.”
“I do.” He grinned devilishly. “Indoor ones as well.”
“Those that involve ladies, I suppose.”
“Depends on the lady.”
She shouldn’t ask. It was absolutely none of her business, and yet—
“Do you have a mistress?”
“Don’t now, never have.”
She was beginning to wish she hadn’t started down this path, and yet she was curious. “I suppose there’s no shortage of women willing to warm your bed.”
“Are you one of them?”
She definitely shouldn’t have started down this path. “I’ve never been unfaithful to Hollie.” She felt her cheeks go pink. “Although I suppose last night might count.”
“Only partially. I wouldn’t feel guilty about it. Whatever happens on that bit of rock stays there.” He glanced over his shoulder. “We’re almost where we need to be.”
She wasn’t certain she knew where she needed to be any longer. Although thoughts along those lines had been plaguing her for a while. It was part of the reason she’d recklessly gone up that evening in spite of dark clouds brewing in the distance.
Twisting around, she looked back at the small castle-like structure and wondered why she wished she was still there. It certainly wasn’t the fanciest of dwellings or even the most welcoming, and yet she’d had an odd sense of belonging there.
A sudden lurch had her gasping and struggling to catch her balance. They’d hit shore.
With one smooth, easy movement, Langdon leapt out into the shallow water, took hold of the bow, and dragged the boat onto the sand before securing it with a rope to a post beside another boat. She supposed this was a favorite mooring spot for his family.
Returning to her, he helped her stand. “Place your hands on my shoulders,” he ordered.
When she did so, he circled his strong hands around her waist, lifted her out, and carried her beyond reach of the waves before returning for the balloon.
“This way,” he indicated with a nod, and she began to follow him up a series of wooden steps.
At the top, she stopped to admire the front of the massive manor house. A large drive circled in front of it. A time would come when Langdon, his wife, and children would live there. When his heir would row across to the small island and wander the halls in the fortification as she had. She’d once thought that eventually she’d live in a house such as the one she now studied, whether it was her father’s or her husband’s. She’d loved her father, and yet he’d irrevocably hurt her. And the path she’d chosen to travel put marriage beyond reach.
Turning, Langdon continued walking, only backward. “You coming?”
She hurried to catch up and he swung back around to face the manor. “It’s quite impressive,” she said.
“To the right of it, at the bottom of the cliff, is another cove. Within the residence is a secret passage that leads down to it. Stuart and I spent many an hour playing within it, pretending we were pirates.”
They reached the pebbled drive, and he turned toward the house.
She staggered to a stop. “Wait. Where are you going?”
He walked back to her and dropped the parcel he’d been carrying. “To change out of my wet trousers and boots. And to have a carriage readied in which to transport you to London.”
