Prince of Ravenscar (Sherbrooke Brides 11)

“I shouldn’t want them in my pockets, either,” she said. “It sounds very exciting, but I will tell you I am relieved this is your final time.”

He watched her. He was coming to know her so well, since now he knew exactly what she was thinking. He lightly tapped his fingers to her nose. “No, you may not come with me. I mean it, Sophie, it is simply too dangerous. No.”

She looked like she would argue with him, then, suddenly, she gave him a fat smile. “Very well, Julian, whatever you say. Can we explore?”

“There isn’t anything more, only this one huge room.”

“When is your last shipment coming in?”

“I must contact my man in Portsmouth, give him instructions. I’m thinking ten days from now. There will be no moon, and given we are in Cornwall, it is likely to be very overcast. No, my girl, you will not even consider trying to sneak here.”

Sophie gave him a beatific smile, rubbed her hands together. “Of course not. Now, I know smuggling is dishonest, but goodness, Julian, what adventures you’ve had.”

“Usually, everything goes very smoothly. The goods are moved days later to London, and my man Harlan Whittaker sells to our particular buyers.” He studied her face. “You’re lying to me, Sophie. I can see that clever brain of yours working out how to sneak to the beach.”

“Do you know, I’ve never had a single full-bodied adventure before in my life? I am twenty years old, Julian. Think of all the adventures you had before you were my age. You were in the battle at Waterloo! Come, one time, that’s all I ask. There won’t be any danger, you said so yourself. One real adventure for me and I shall be content for the rest of my days. It will be safe. No excisemen know about this cave. Richard won’t find out about any of it.”

She saw he was wavering.

“I am so tired of reading about other people’s adventures. Just one for me.”

He didn’t believe it, but he actually nodded.

“Yes! You are wonderful; nothing will happen.” She threw her arms around him.

Julian remained frozen to the spot. He felt her warm and soft against the length of him. “No,” he said, and took a step back, but Sophie didn’t release him, she simply stepped with him. She looked up at him, smiled. “You are not my uncle, Julian. You are my partner.”

Partner? Well, that sounded better than—what? Lover? Husband?

“A partner, Sophie?” he asked carefully.

“Yes, I will help direct in the boats, perhaps help unload contraband. Or if you prefer, I could keep a watch for excisemen. I can do it all, Julian; you will see how very useful I am.”

She still hadn’t released him. He felt the excitement in her. She was so young, so protected. She was a lady; she wasn’t meant to have dangerous adventures like men—well, maybe men weren’t, either. He took her arms in his hands, intending to set her away from him, but his hands didn’t obey him. His hands, attached to his arms, went around her and drew her in close, too close, so close, in fact, he could feel her heart pounding against him. She was tall, and that was quite fine, every bit of her against every bit of him, a perfect fit.

He lowered his head, but not all that far. “No,” he said, even as he lightly touched his mouth to hers. “No, I can’t do this. It isn’t right. You are far too young, you—”

“Be quiet, Julian,” Sophie said against his mouth, and this time she kissed him, her warm breath feathering over him. His mouth opened, something he hadn’t planned, but she didn’t jump back, horrified, as surely an innocent maid should do. No, Sophie let out a little sound of surprise, then opened her own mouth. Not all that wide, but a little bit, enough to make him forget he should be running out of this cave as fast as he could. But he said the words, and they actually hurt. “Listen to me, Sophie, this will stop now. Keep your tongue in your mouth. Move back three steps. Maybe four.”

She drew back three inches, stared at him. “My heart is pounding rather loudly. Can you hear it? Can you feel it?” And she moved back in, nearly as close as his shirt.

He could both hear and feel her heart. He lowered his forehead to hers. “Keep your tongue in your mouth.” He made the mistake of looking down at her mouth, her lips slightly parted, soft.

She said, “If your tongue doesn’t stay in your mouth, then why should mine? Shouldn’t our tongues be together? I mean, I’ve never thought about tongues before—doing this—I suppose it is considered a magical addition to a regular kiss?”

Magical? She didn’t know the half of it.

“You know, Julian, I think I would like to do it again. Can we perhaps try a little bit?”

“Be quiet. It is not a good idea. No, obey me on this.” And he raised a finger and placed it over her mouth. “Don’t argue with me about this tongue business. It is always a prelude to other sorts of things—”

“Like what?”

“Be quiet.”

“But how will I learn anything if these other sorts of things aren’t explained to me?”

“It will be up to your future husband to explain other things to you. It is time we left here.”