However, he merely glanced at the bed, which was wide enough for two and covered with a blue-and-yellow quilt patterned with flowers. While shedding his jacket in favor of shirtsleeves, he made no mention of the sleeping arrangements, leaving her uncertain about what the night had in store and wondering how they would pass the time until then. He spoke as if reading her thoughts. “Let us go outside where it will be cooler.”
Kate was more than happy to oblige, since the cottage was a trifle warm. As she led him to the kitchen, she asked, “Would you like something to drink? There is ale in the pantry, along with several bottles of wine.”
“I’ll have an ale, thanks.”
“Gabrielle will send supper within the hour.”
“You are on a first name basis already?”
“I don’t want her as an enemy. In fact, I hope to win her confidence and make her an ally.”
“I noticed your effort to make Louvel an ally. He lapped up your flattery. Little did he know your show of acquiescence was a sham.”
“I had no choice. He would have hated to have his masculinity challenged by a woman.”
Deverill’s mouth curved. “Make yourself useful and serve me an ale, woman.”
Kate shot him an arch look. “You are enjoying my pretense of submissiveness far too much. Don’t expect it to last.”
Deverill chuckled. “I won’t. I know better.”
Kate poured his ale while he opened a bottle of wine for her. They carried their glasses through the parlor and out the rear door to a portico shaded from the bright sunshine by a sloping roof and pine trees.
A wicker table and chairs provided a comfortable spot from which to view the sea behind the house. The Gironde estuary boasted sandy beaches similar to the southern Atlantic coast of France but with warmer water and much calmer waves.
Taking a deep breath of the fresh air, Kate listened to the waves washing upon the shore below. The temperature was extremely pleasant, as was the next hour. Indeed, she couldn’t remember a more relaxed time with Deverill, which bolstered her hopes for the next few days. Sharing the cottage like this, alone together without the hovering presence of family or servants, could only increase their chances of becoming acquainted on a deeper, more intimate level.
Her hopes were fulfilled for the first part of the evening at least—an amiable, almost domestic intimacy spent learning little details about each other. As pledged, Gabrielle sent a servant with supper in a basket: a delicious roasted chicken, potatoes in a cream sauce, a medley of vegetables, and a loaf of warm bread.
Eventually, the sky grew pink and gold, then turned to dusk, promising a beautiful summer night. Kate drank in the spectacular view of the moonlit sea, with the soft thunder of the ocean tide as a musical backdrop.
Some half hour later, Deverill rose. “I’m for bed. Would you care to join me?”
His gaze locked with hers. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but surely he intended for them to share the bed.
“Yes,” she murmured, accepting his assistance in rising.
They carried their dishes into the kitchen. While Kate saw to the remnants of their meal, he lit a lamp.
He took her elbow, sending a tingling shock down the length of her arm, and escorted her to the bedchamber, where he began to undress. First his cravat, then his boots and stockings, then his shirt.
Kate stared a little breathlessly at the hard-muscled chest on display in the lamplight, but she tore her gaze from the snug fit of his breeches before he shed those as well.
A moment later he called to her. “Kate, love…”
Her heart gave a lurch in her chest when she caught sight of his naked splendor. Deverill had the dark, dangerous good looks that made women go weak, and she was certainly no exception.
The look in his eyes, too, made her recall the night of the storm, his magnificent lovemaking, his amazing body moving over her, between her thighs.
Stop ogling him at once, you moonling. The last thing she needed was Deverill knowing how much his nudity affected her—but apparently her goal was hopeless.
“Come here, sweetheart.”
When she complied, he slowly bent his head. His lips were tender, soft, as they found hers…but apparently he was only teasing her, for instead of embracing her, he stepped back.
“Now your turn,” he commanded softly.
He leaned a shoulder against the door frame and watched as she removed her own clothing. His naked body was distracting her, all bronzed skin and defined muscle, but judging from his scrutiny, he seemed to enjoy the distraction she provided as well.