Finlay smoothed his hand from her waist to her hip and back again. “I remember these delicious curves so well.”
“I intend to make sure you never forget them.”
His dark gaze raked over her. “Perhaps I should familiarise myself with them some more.”
“Perhaps you should.”
His hand ventured in a different direction, skimming the curve of her left breast. Through the fabric of her nightgown, her aching nipples hardened before the pad of his thumb grazed the p
eak. The sudden jolt of pleasure shooting to her sex made her gasp.
An arrogant smile played on his lips. “There are so many ways I want to pleasure you, but I promised you a dance.” Giving her breast one last caress, both hands moved to the small of her back.
“Is this not a waltz? Are we not to clasp hands, Finlay?”
“It’s a waltz of sorts,” he said, pulling her so close her breasts were squashed against his chest. “Move with me.”
Desire for him beat such an intoxicating rhythm it wasn’t hard to hear music. With barely a hair’s breadth between them, they waltzed slowly around the fountain. And while her body craved pleasure, craved the intimacy that came when he entered her body, her heart wished for nothing more than to lay next to his.
Chapter 19
As intended, they arrived at Blackborne during daylight hours. They’d covered the twenty miles on horseback, Blent being charged with ferrying Jessica so Finlay could observe their interaction.
The couple were in love.
It was there in the way Jessica settled back against Blent’s chest as she sat sidesaddle. Love lived in their smiles, in their mingled breath, in the comfortable conversation flowing back and forth despite the woman’s nausea. And as Jessica’s mind fought through the headaches and confusion, she made no secret of her disdain for Mr Archer.
“Can you tend to the horses?” Finlay asked Blent when they dismounted in Blackborne’s courtyard. “I must speak to Mrs Friswell and put plans in place before Sloane arrives with the doctor.”
Sloane and D’Angelo were tasked with taking Goodwin to St John the Baptist churchyard in Windlesham to leave a note behind the tombstone. Then, they were to bring Maud and Goodwin to Blackborne under cover of darkness.
Blent glanced at Jessica briefly as Sophia led her sister to the house. “You may leave the horses in my care, sir.” The nervous edge to his voice echoed his earlier sentiment. Jessica should have remained at Keel Hall in Noah Ashwood’s safekeeping.
“Blent, you don’t need to call me sir. We are both sons of gentlemen.”
“My father lost his fortune at the gaming tables. That makes him a scoundrel in my book.” He grabbed his mount’s reins and stroked the horse’s neck. “I know you’re of military stock, Mr Cole. I’m sure you’re used to games of strategy, but the doctor is a devious devil.”
Love made a man fearful.
Love made a man panic for the future.
But Blent was right to be suspicious of Goodwin, especially now Finlay had explained the depth of the doctor’s duplicity.
“I have no intention of letting Jessica leave the house. You’re welcome to sit with her while I hunt Archer in the woods.”
Blent’s sigh spoke of relief. “Then I’d advise you to keep a watchful eye on Goodwin.”
Finlay patted the man’s upper arm. “Trust me. I have a raven’s eyes.”
“And Goodwin has Lucifer’s heart.”
Finlay left Blent in the stables and returned to the house. He waited for Sophia to settle Jessica in her chamber, for her to come to the drawing room, before summoning Mrs Friswell.
As they sat waiting in the seats they’d occupied on the night he first arrived at Blackborne, Finlay took a moment to consider how his life had changed in such a short time.
Joining the Order had been the first positive move towards regaining his life. The friendships he’d forged with his colleagues, and the satisfaction gained from helping victims of crimes, had given him a purpose. But he had always held a deep-rooted anger towards Sophia, had struggled to understand why she married so quickly and not grieved his loss. Now he knew about Jessica’s plight, it all fell into place.
“Are we being honest with Mrs Friswell, too?” Sophia asked from her fireside chair.