Her eyes grew wide as she neared her peak.
“Simon!” Her fingers dug into the back of his shoulders as she slammed herself down on him harder and faster.
Her mouth opened as she called out, but still her eyes stayed locked on his. It took every last thread of control he possessed not to spill as she contracted around him. When it became impossible to hold on any longer, he flipped her onto her back on the bed and pulled out of her, but he continued to look into her eyes as he brought himself to completion. His orgasm was violent as it ripped through him. More powerful than any he’d ever experienced.
His arms shook as he held himself over her. She didn’t speak, but her eyes said so much.
After cleaning her up, he collapsed into bed and pulled her pliant body back against his. She snuggled into him with a satisfied sigh. When she’d reached her climax, he’d seen more than lust and pleasure in her eyes. In that moment, she’d been giving him her heart.
He was a vile bastard.
Taking her body was bad enough, but he wasn’t supposed to take her heart.
They lay together in silence, but they didn’t sleep. Not for a long while. He was too much of a coward to ask her about her thoughts or to share his own.
Everything he’d found about Mrs. Appleridge pointed to her being a good person. Her late husband had left her a home and enough money to live without having to rely on another man. She’d never had any children of her own, and she’d responded to Simon’s telegram with enthusiasm at the prospect of meeting Madelene, and had shown her such kindness in the short time they’d spent together. She would give Madelene a good life. A better one than he could.
Madelene’s body was warm against his, her soft, even breaths whispered over his arm. At some point, she’d drifted off to sleep.
This was never supposed to be his life.
He’d left a trail of bodies in his wake. That inevitably came with consequences. Consequences that could very easily become hers to bear.
He pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head. Sending her away, where she could live a safe, happy life, was the right thing to do.
Chapter
Fifteen
After making himself presentable, Simon sat in the chair across the room, watching her as she slept. He sealed the perfect picture into his memory.
It wasn’t long before her eyes slowly fluttered open. The smile that grew on her lips was dazzling. God, how he would miss that.
“When I leave for Scotland, who’s going to make your morning tea?”
He laughed. “Whoever made it for me before you arrived, I suppose.”
She sat up, the blanket pooling in her lap, a tantalizing sparkle in her eyes.
He stared at her breasts for a moment before closing his eyes. With a quick breath, he cleared his throat and got up from his chair.
“Why don’t I go down and prove I’m still capable of making tea, while you get dressed.” He had to leave before she lured him back into bed.
A half hour later, she came down to join him. “Were you able to find a valise up there? I believe there’s one in the bottom of your armoire.”
She shook her head. “I don’t have anything to pack, Simon. Even this gown isn’t mine, but at least it’s the one I arrived in. I was hoping I might take the books with me, though.”
“Those books are yours. Of course you may take them with you. But I’m not sending you off with nothing, Madelene. All the clothes up there are yours to take, as well.”
“But they belong to your sister.”
“I'll buy her new ones. I should have bought you some. I’m sorry.” How had he not thought to buy her some gowns of her own? He sighed. Just another example of why she’d be better off with Mrs. Appleridge. “You are taking them, and that’s an end to it.”
She smiled, but there was still so much sadness in her eyes. It didn’t matter. It was for the best.
They finished their tea in silence and then he accompanied her upstairs to find a valise and help her pack. He had to make sure she didn’t try to leave it all behind.
When it was filled and closed up tight, she looked up at him. “I was hoping we might be able to leave a little early and stop for some scones and jam before going to the station. I’d really like to say goodbye to Suzy before I go.”