The Passion (Notorious 2)

When she didn't answer, Nicholas sat up. Lifting his fingers to her lips, he brushed them with the lightest of pressure. Aurora shut her eyes as a dizzying wave of need rushed through her. Her desire for him was a physical ache, throbbing and urgent.

She feared the strength of that desire, and yet the simple truth was she couldn't deny herself the pleasure of his touch.

When he started to draw her into his arms, she stopped him with a hand on his chest. Glancing around, she realized how revealing the moonlit darkness was. Though largely concealed by willows, they were still too visible for Aurora's comfort. "Not here, Nicholas…"

"You're right. We should find a bed. Where do you want to go?"

She took a deep breath, throwing prudence and caution to the wind. "Take me home."

"Gladly."

With a faint smile, he rearranged his clothing and fastened the buttons of his various garments. Then getting to his feet, he held his hand down to her. She took it with trembling fingers.

Scooping up the blanket, Nicholas led her to the curricle and handed her up. When he settled himself beside her and took up the reins, he gave one last look at the shore of the shining lake.

"After this evening," he murmured without any trace of amusement, "I will never see this place in quite the same way."

Nor would she, Aurora thought. From this point forward, whenever she visited the park, she would always remember this moment with Nicholas.

They were mostly silent on their way home. Aurora felt her heart hammering in conflict as she questioned the wisdom of her decision. Inviting Nicholas into her bed was like unleashing a caged tiger: she was very likely to be wounded.

Already her emotions were greatly at risk. And becoming even more intimate with him would blatantly endanger the serenity she'd striven so hard to find.

Yet she had taken this course and would see it through to the conclusion. She only hoped that her calculations had been right. That once he claimed her as a conquest, he would abandon the chase. And that he would tire of his pursuit before she was too badly hurt.

When she reached home, however, worries about her plan were driven out of her head as they turned into the drive at the rear of the house. She could see lights blazing from many of the rooms.

"Something has happened," Aurora murmured, trying to stem her alarm.

The moment Nicholas drew the curricle to a halt, Aurora scrambled down and ran up the back steps. Nicholas's tiger, who had been waiting patiently for their return, came to hold the horses, leaving Nicholas to follow her inside the house.

She was met in the hallway by her butler, who looked as if he'd been roused from sleep. Danby wore a dressing gown over his nightshirt and a cap over his gray hair, while his elderly face sported a grave expression.

"My lady, is aught amiss? We were concerned for you when we could not find you anywhere in the house."

Aurora lifted her chin, determined to brazen out her actions. She had no reason to cower before her servants in shame. "I went for a drive. What has happened, Danby? Why is the entire household awake?"

"The Earl of March has arrived, my lady."

For a moment Aurora's heart seemed to stop. Geoffrey could not have called, for he had perished at sea nearly a year ago. Then she remembered that his ten-year-old brother, Harry, had inherited the title.

"Harry is here? In London?"

"Yes, my lady. He is currently in the kitchens. He was… er… hungry after his travels."

"His travels? What do you mean? Did his mother bring him?"

"No, my lady. Only young Lord March – "

Just then a blond-haired boy came bounding into the hall from the stairway that led to the kitchens. He was dressed in breeches and jacket, but his hair was mussed and his young face that looked so much like Geoffrey's was actually dirty.

"Rory, am I ever so glad to see you – " When he spied Nicholas, the boy came to a halt. Much to her surprise, his hands curled into fists, and he stood there glowering at Nicholas. "Who are you?" he demanded angrily.

"Harry," Aurora said sharply in protest. "Where are your manners?"

"I am Lady Aurora's cousin by marriage, Brandon Deverill," Nicholas said mildly.

"You have no right to be here!" the boy nearly growled.