“Iwould never marry by proxy,” he growled as his lips traveled down her neck to the curve of her collarbone. “Iwould miss out on your kisses—and that would be a terrible shame…”
Aterrible shame?Hiswords played over in her head.Ohmy.Lucyrealized she was in danger of falling head over heels in love withRowanGarrison, the newEarlofScarborough.Infact, it might already be too late.
CHAPTER EIGHT
THE NEXT MORNING
Heavyfootsteps and deep voices sounded from the front door, andRowanstirred from his sleep and sat up, feeling a little out of sorts.HeandLucyhad stayed awake long into the night talking about their childhoods—the differences and similarities.Hehadn’t tried to kiss her again after they’d read the letters.Althoughhe’d wanted to.Desperately.Buthe knew if they’d continued, he might have gone too far.Hemight have seduced her.Hecouldn’t allow that.Lucywas too innocent and too sweet, and he could not be responsible for breaking her heart when he couldn’t give her what she wanted.Marriage.Afamily.Love.Hecould see that vulnerable yearning in her eyes.
He’dwrestled with himself.God, how he’d wrestled.Buthow could he take advantage of such a lovely, wonderful young woman who deserved to be cherished by a man who deserved her love.
Andthat could not be him.He’dled the life of a scoundrel.Somany years of taking what he wanted from women who’d known the ground rules.Lucyhad no idea what her innocent sensuality was doing to him.Andbecause of that, they’d argued yesterday evening.
They’dwashed and put away the dishes after dinner, and he was adding more wood to the fire in the parlor.Lucyhad been staring out the window.
“Thesnow seems to have stopped,” she said. “Doyou think we’ll return to theLatham’stomorrow?”She’dturned to look at him and his breath had caught at how beautiful she looked in the glow of the firelight, her satiny hair over her shoulders, her lips full and still swollen from their kisses.He’dhad to stop himself from sweeping her up in his arms and making love to her on the floor in front of the fire.
“Yes.Thehorses are well rested.Theroads will still be covered in snow, but it will be manageable,” he’d said abruptly, turning away from the vision of her standing just a few feet away. “Howis your ankle?I’venoticed your limp isn’t as pronounced.”
“I’mfeeling much better,” she’d said walking up to stand beside him.
He’dglanced up at her and almost groaned at the shy, sweet smile she’d given him.
“MayIgo with you to feed and water the horses?” she’d asked.
“No.You’renot going out there.”He’dpractically growled at her then turned back to close the grate. “It’scold and icy.Thelast thing we need is for you to fall and reinjure your foot.”
“Isee.You’reback to making decisions for me again.”
“I’mtrying to keep you safe,” he’d countered, defending his position.
“Iappreciate that, butI’mnot a child,” she’d said.
She’dturned away from him, and he could hear her sniffling.
He’dcursed.Thelast thing he’d wanted was to hurt her.He’dwanted to say something but thought better of it.Perhapsit was better this way.
“Isuppose we should get some rest,” she’d finally said. “I’msure you plan for us to leave early.”
“Ido,” he’d said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Lucy…”
“No.It’squite all right,Rowan.Goodnight.”She’dpicked upAshe, given him a goodnight kiss, and then settled into her makeshift pallet on the floor in front of the fire.
Sleephad eluded him until later, much later, but eventually, he’d fallen asleep a few hours before dawn.
“Garrison, are you awake?”Lathamcalled out, stepping into the parlor.
“We’vecome to save you,”Slicesaid in a teasing tone, following behind.
“Eventhough nothing could save you,”Nelsonadded.
Rowansat up, rubbing his bleary eyes.
Heglanced up at his friends and saw the shock on their faces.
Damn.Damn.Damn!
Rowanwas suddenly wide awake as he realized what his friends were seeing, what they were assuming.
