“Yes. But what I found instead was that you were still in danger.”
“So you rushed back to save me.” She smiled. “Again.”
“Oh, this is a lovely scene,” Roxbury snickered. “But I’d like my leg seen to. I may press charges myself.”
Francesca took a step toward him. “That will difficult when your intestines are being ripped out.”
Roxbury sighed dramatically. “Are we back to this again?”
“Ethan, you said you needed proof. I think you will find exactly that in Dover. There’s a ship—” She glanced at Roxbury. ”TheParvenu, correct?—with the last load of smuggled arms waiting in Dover now to take Roxbury to France. I don’t think you’ll make it, Roxbury.”
“You stupid bitch!” Roxbury lunged for her, but his reach fell short, and he gripped his wounded thigh, crying out in pain. “This isn’t over!”
“Oh, yes, it is.” Ethan pulled Francesca out of the earl’s reach and into his arms. He tilted her head back and whispered, “Quick-witted, as usual.” With a smile, he kissed her.
“CLOSE YOUR EYES.”
Francesca closed them, shutting out the tempting image of Ethan, naked and reclining on the thick burgundy rug before the fire.
“Now, open your mouth.” His voice stroked her like plush blue velvet.
She raised her eyebrows but obeyed, parting her lips slightly. Her heartbeat sped as his arm brushed against her breast.
She wondered what sensual surprise he could possibly have for her now. They’d been locked in his room for hours as it was, making love, sleeping, then making love again. Outside, the storm unleashed snow and ice; inside, the atmosphere simmered.
She felt Ethan’s fingers caress her lips, then his touch was replaced by something else—something moist. She darted her tongue out and tasted sweetness and spice. The item was withdrawn, and she frowned, touching her tongue to her lips to taste it again. She heard Ethan groan and was pleased she was having as much effect on him as he was on her.
“Open your mouth wider,cara,” he murmured.
Curious, she did so, obediently keeping her eyes closed. The warm, moist object was pressed against her lips again. She took it into her mouth, biting into the sweet gingerbread, exclaiming with delight as she tasted the hint of cinnamon and, surprisingly, chocolate. She opened her eyes. “Chocolate?”
He was watching her, pupils black with desire. “Mmm.” He traced a finger against her lips. “I told Cook to add it. She was skeptical, but I know what you like.”
“You’re a bad man, my lord, tempting me like that.” She smiled and leaned toward him. “But youdoknow what I like.” She kissed him, running her tongue along his lips before delving inside to taste him.
“You taste like gingerbread,” he whispered into her mouth.
“And you taste even better.” She kissed him again, with more passion, but instead of deepening the kiss, he pulled her fiercely against him.
“God, I love you. Have I told you how much I love you?”
She laughed into his chest. “A dozen times now.”
As they’d had to deal with the doctor, the magistrate, and the distraught servants, they hadn’t managed to be alone together until almost midnight Christmas Eve. Daniel was recovering. Thunder had been found and coaxed back to the warm stable. Roxbury was gone, his fate sealed. But from the first moment she and Ethan had been alone, she hadn’t thought of Roxbury. She hadn’t been able to think of anything but Ethan’s soft voice—telling her that he loved her, that he’d been a fool to leave her, asking for her forgiveness. He’d repeated it over and again, showing her with his mouth and body how much he meant every word.
And she knew it was true, knew something had changed within him. The wall he’d kept between them was gone, a heap of ruins like the old Norman castle. In his eyes, there was no hint of suspicion or fear of betrayal. Only love
He finally sawher. He trusted her. And she trusted him. Not that the pain of their pasts was forgotten but, with love and that trust, she knew they could overcome it together.
“Should I stop saying it?” Ethan murmured into her hair now. “Stop saying I love you?”
She pulled back. “Don’t ever stop saying it. In fact, tell me again how miserable you were without me. Tell me how you were desolate in France and could think only of me.” She grinned. “I like that part the best.”
He gave her a wry look, and she bit her lip to keep from laughing. It seemed all she wanted to do now was laugh.
“I believe, madam, you are making fun of my suffering.”
“Never.” She shook her head. “I’m just glad you suffered as much as me.”
