Princess Charming (Legendary Lovers 1)

“Your motives matter to me,” Maura retorted. “As I said, I believe you are amusing yourself at my expense. I have no desire to be the plaything for a bored aristocr

at who is only searching for entertainment.”

“You are certainly a cure for my boredom,” Beaufort agreed. “But I am not merely thinking about myself. It seems a shame, all that fire and passion of yours going to waste.”

“What about your professed intention to be noble? You said last night that seducing me would be dishonorable.”

“So it would. But if you make the choice, the equation would change entirely.”

At the distinction, her brows drew together. “I am curious. Would you let your sister take a lover?”

The look on his face answered the question for her.

“I didn’t think so,” Maura said archly.

“As you mentioned last night, you are not my sister.”

“You are trying to protect me as if I were—at least when you are not thinking about seduction.” She returned to a familiar theme. “You know you don’t need to make this journey with me, Lord Beaufort.”

“I thought we settled this issue last night. I am not letting you hie off to Scotland alone.”

“I am quite accustomed to being alone.”

“A pity. That cannot be enjoyable for you.”

Maura had no response for his apt observation. It felt as if she had been alone for a very long time—first because her father had focused his love and attention on his second family, and more recently, with Katharine and Skye in London, living their own lives. Sometimes the loneliness had overwhelmed her.…

Maura shook herself out of her reverie. If she hoped to defend herself against Beaufort’s wicked charm, she had to keep her emotions in check. She couldn’t dwell on how much he eased her loneliness.

Or how fiercely she was attracted to him.

Or how wonderful it had felt lying with him last night, wrapped in his arms, safe and warm and protected.

“I think perhaps the horses need rest and water,” Maura announced abruptly.

From Beaufort’s knowing look, she realized the discussion was not finished, but she turned off the lane and headed across a meadow in search of a stream.

After dismounting, they allowed the horses to drink and graze while they ate the remainder of her provisions for lunch. The trouble came when they prepared to mount again. Maura had removed her floppy hat, and when she tried to replace it, some locks of her hair tumbled free of their pins.

“Allow me,” Beaufort offered.

She stood obediently as he repinned her tresses, but when he tucked a stray wisp beneath her hat brim, his fingers brushed her cheek. At the intimate gesture, the sharp sexual awareness lingering in her body returned with a vengeance; that same, tingling, nervous sensation Maura felt whenever Beaufort was near.

Her eyes locking with his, she saw hot sparks of desire flash there in the green depths. Then slowly he leaned closer, as if he might kiss her, and Maura dropped her gaze to his mouth.

A mistake, she realized, for she couldn’t help recalling how that sensual mouth had suckled her breasts with such exquisite tenderness this morning.…

The scorching memory made tension race through her, as did his caressing voice.

“Lovely Maura,” he murmured in the same husky tone he had used in the loft.

Maura swallowed hard, wondering if she would have the willpower to pull away when her own desire for him was so strong.

Beaufort himself, however, ended the enchanted spell. With a rueful smile, he lowered his hand from her cheek and turned away to see to the horses.

Back on the road again, they passed a small farmhouse and were hailed by the farmer’s wife, who mistook Maura for a real peddler. When the plump matron asked to see “his” wares, Maura had no choice but to stop. She wound up selling the housewife a rose-scented sachet and a pair of scissors, but it was Beaufort who turned the misunderstanding to their advantage.

Maura watched in awe as he sweet-talked the woman into supplying them mugs of ale right then, and for their evening supper later, two mutton pies, an apple tart, a loaf of bread, and a quarter rind of cheese.