Despite Blent’s heroic protestations, he would never find Jessica.
Oh, why had Blent not shared his concerns?
Why in heaven’s name had he not explained his suspicions?
Finlay strode over to her as she waited by Blackborne’s wrought-iron gates. “We won’t be much longer.” He drew her close and wrapped his powerful arms around her to ease her anxiety. “Another thirty minutes and we’ll be ready to leave. Turton said
we can’t push the horses too fast and will need to stop at least once en route.”
In the dark, Turton and Anne’s brother had removed the horses’ harness, walked the bays and brushed them down, while Anne heated the bricks for the foot warmer.
Sophia drew back and looked at Finlay. Oh, her heart swelled with love. Lord help her if she should ever be parted from him again.
“What is this devilry about, Finlay? We’ve been running in circles for days, and still, we’re none the wiser.”
He cupped her cheek. “We’re making steady progress. Each new piece of information builds a picture. I spoke to Anne. Dr Goodwin’s face turned ghostly white the moment he discovered we’d left during the night. Fear turned to panic, and he bolted from Blackborne as if the devil were chasing his heels.”
“He must know we suspect him of plying Jessica with laudanum unnecessarily. That we know he needs funds.”
“Hmm.” The sound held a narrative of doubts.
“You think Dr Goodwin has other motives?”
“I think it’s unwise to let our minds construct stories. We should continue to uncover evidence and follow the trail. It’s the only way to achieve the desired results.”
She pressed a feather-light kiss to his lips, inhaled his natural, earthy scent. “I long for the day our troubles are behind us, when we are free from distractions.”
He returned her kiss. The chaste melding tugged at the muscles deep in her core. “I long for a bedchamber and a few hours of peace.”
“And what would you do during those precious hours?”
His mouth curled into a wicked grin. “Make love to you thoroughly, the way I’ve imagined doing for years.”
The need to banish Anne’s terrifying words from her mind encouraged Sophia to say, “How exactly? Give me something to fan desire’s flames, something to keep the cold at bay.”
Finlay moistened his lips and drew her closer, squashing her breasts against his broad chest. “I shall part your legs, caress your soft thighs, slip my tongue back and forth over your sex until you’re hot and wet and bucking wildly.”
Good Lord!
“I shall look forward to it immensely,” she croaked.
Oh, but he wasn’t done yet. He pressed his mouth to her ear—the heat of his breath sending shivers to her toes—and drew her lobe between his teeth. “Then I shall make you come again while you’re full with my cock.”
Merciful Mary!
She might have melted to a puddle were she not locked in his embrace.
“Will the imagery keep you warm, Sophia?” he drawled. “How are desire’s flames now?”
“Raging.”
A discreet cough from behind forced Finlay to release her. Turton approached. “We’re ready to leave, sir. I know you’re desperate to be on the road.”
“Thank you, Turton.” Finlay turned to her. “While my blood pumps hot with the need to make love to you in the carriage, you should sleep. Besides, anticipation heightens one’s arousal.”
Lord! She doubted she could be more aroused. Still, he was right. When this was all over, they would have a lifetime to indulge their whims.
The bays took to the road at a slow, steady pace. Despite Sophia’s fears for Jessica, the rocking of the carriage helped lull her to sleep.