She wore no undergarments, and he felt a pleasurable surprise …
It reverberated in his brain: she wore no undergarments. Had she hoped for this moment? The notion spurred his primal need, and his libido took over, completely banishing all logic, all thought as he bent and suckled at her breast, fondling the other, He heard the rumble in his throat and felt almost violent as he took what she offered.
“Oh!” she gasped. “I never knew how—oh …”
Her words thrilled him. She wanted him, even as he wanted her, and then out of nowhere …
A clap of thunder!
When had the sky gone black? Where had those clouds come from?
He took her hand and the horses’ reins and rushed towards the shabby barn they had passed only a moment ago.
***
Sir Frederick sat up and stared at Miss Bretton as she adjusted his sling to make him more comfortable. “There,” she said with a soft smile. “Shall I bring you a light lunch?”
“Not if you have to leave me,” he said quietly.
She felt her cheeks grow hot. “Well, as to that, only for a little while …”
“Not even for a moment,” returned the gallant.
She peeped a smile at him, and he patted the bed with his free hand. “Come, sit near me …”
“That would be most improper,” she said as she dragged a ladies’ chair near the bed. “This will do without raising eyebrows, for you must know my aunt will look in on you any moment now.”
“Will she? How kind,” Frederick said, sincerely touched. “But you won’t leave … please do not leave.”
She laughed. “I shall use the time she spends with you to fetch you a bite to eat, sir. You must keep up your strength.”
“There is nothing wrong with m’legs, you know. I can walk just fine, and did so in the early hours.”
“Yes, well, that is all well and good, but has nothing to do with—”
“I can fetch m’own food, my love … is what I am trying to say. I don’t want you waiting on me like this … not the courtship I had in mind.”
“Sir Frederick!” Corry murmured. He was so open, so forthright, so bold, and the quiet Miss Bretton was very much impressed.
“Have I spoken out of turn?” He frowned. “I thought you could not doubt my intentions.”
“I … I … but you have sustained a head injury and—”
He barked a laugh. “And you think I don’t know what I am saying?” He shook his head. “I know, but what I don’t know is does my plan … offend you? I’ve made a botch of it. It was my dream to go down on one knee in a garden of spring flowers and ask you if you would do me the honor of becoming my bride.”
“Oh—oh …” whispered Miss Bretton.
“Has my clumsiness offended you?”
“Offend me? I am so completely honored and overwhelmed …”
He grinned like a boy, and Miss Bretton admitted to herself that Babs was quite correct. She was hopelessly in love with Sir Frederick.
“You might not think so when I tell you more about myself,” he said, suddenly looking grim.
“All I need to know—I see … I feel,” she said breathlessly.
“I am humbled,” he answered.