Maura gazed back at him mutely, her feelings an odd mix of embarrassment and confusion, intrigue and yearning. Doubtless it was shameful even to be discussing the subject of sexual positions, but she had always been highly curious about lovemaking beyond her pragmatic knowledge of equine breeding.
“My offer still stands,” he said, his tone a degree more serious.
The offer to become her lover, he meant.
Maura slowly shook her head, although with a large measure of regret. “I haven’t the luxury of expanding my limited sexual experience. Without benefit of marriage, I intend to remain a virgin.”
“There are other ways to make love that don’t involve penetrating your body or breaching your maidenhead.”
She hesitated. “Is that so?”
“Yes. I can give you pleasure without taking your innocence.”
When she was silent, his timbre dropped even lower. “Shall I show you, sweetheart?”
A shiver of raw sensation slid down her spine as she stood debating.
Beaufort must have noticed, for he held out his hand to her. “You are cold standing there by the window. Come here and let me warm you.”
Did she dare go to him? Maura wondered. She was indeed a little chilled, despite her blanket. And there was a blazing fire a mere few steps away, along with a man who could create a blazing fire within her. She knew what could happen if she crossed to him.
She knew what would happen between them.
Without conscious thought, Maura found herself moving closer. Then she was standing before the fire, staring up at Beaufort, at his sensuous mouth, the strong planes of his face, the sheer intensity of his eyes. She saw warmth there in his gaze … the promise of something thrilling. His expression seemed unbearably intimate, as if he could see into her very heart.
Perhaps he could, she thought when he murmured, “Do you want me, love?”
If she were honest, she had to answer yes. He aroused something fierce and passionate inside her. No doubt this wild desire she felt was madness, but just now she wanted to surrender to his spellbinding enchantment.
Even the practical, sensible side of her wasn’t protesting. He was right; she could act on her desire with relative impunity. After journeying across England with him and spending their nights together, becoming Beaufort’s lover could hardly taint her reputation any more.
Maura closed her eyes, knowing her decision was already made. It seemed the most natural thing in the world to step into his arms and let the heat of his body banish her remaining chill. As she pressed her face into his bare shoulder, she could smell the clean warmth of his skin, feel the silken texture against her cheek.
He held her that way for a short span. Then bending his head, he put his mouth against the side of her neck, where her pulse raced wildly.
“Do you want me, Maura?” he repeated more firmly, although still leaving her the choice.
She took a deep breath and lifted her face to his. “Yes,” she whispered.
He hesitated for another heartbeat, searching her face for any sign of reluctance. He must have been reassured by her expression, for he lowered his head and captured her mouth with an urgency that caught her by surprise.
Holding her against his fully aroused body, he kissed her hard, his mouth hot, wet, open against hers, giving her a tantalizing taste of his need, compelling her to respond.
Just as suddenly, he broke off the kiss and caught her arms, then stepped back, as if forcing himself to slow down.
“You will be the death of my willpower,” he muttered, his tone softening to rough gravel.
He had already annihilated her willpower, Maura thought dazedly. She could hear the racing thud of her heartbeat as he smiled faintly at her.
“We need to go slowly,” he said, more to remind himself than her, she suspected.
His first step was to cross to the bed and fetch a pillow. Returning to her side, he slipped the blanket off her shoulders and spread it on the floor before the hearth, with the pillow at one end.
Then he undressed her, removing her stockings and gown. When she stood naked before him, he unfastened the towel around his waist and let it fall to the floor. Maura’s breath faltered at his magnificent male nudity. The hiss and crackle of the fire seemed loud in the hushed silence as he drank her in with his eyes and she did the same with him.
When a shiver danced over her skin, an expression of regret fleetingly swept his features.
“I am neglecting my duty,” he murmured, his voice low and vibrant. “I promised I would warm you.”