Page 51 of It's a British Christmas

Mama and Papa had retired over an hour ago, with Mama drawing her aside to remind her that God was in the room with them. Apparently, she had assumed a deity chaperone would suffice since she and papa were too tired to sit up and watch their every move. It appeared Mama did not trust the nobility any more than Eve did.

“Yes, in fact. I believe I would like that.” They walked toward the door, and she retrieved her cloak from the hook by the front door. Adam took it from her hands and placed it over her shoulders, pulling her close to his chest for a moment before he let go.

Her knees grew weak and she began to think maybe a walk in the dark with his lordship was not a good thing. Pushing the traitorous thought from her mind, she took in a deep breath and they left the house. “Don’t you want a coat over your jacket?”

“No. I tend to do better when it’s cold than when it is overwarm.” He cast a sideways glance at her, a smirk on his full lips. “Hot blood, don’t you know.”

Oh, dear. Yes, perhaps she should have stayed in the kitchen where God was looking over her shoulder. She offered up a quick prayer.

Adam took her hand, and instead of tucking it in his arm, he kept their fingers linked. Somehow that seemed a much more intimate contact, even though with her arm tucked into his, their bodies would be closer together.

They strolled for a while, the only sound their boots crunching on the dry ground. Puffs of mist came from their mouths, turning silver in the moonlight. Adam came to a stop just as they reached the end of the row of cottages. The wooded area that led to the Common loomed before them.

“I don’t feel safe walking any farther with you.”

“Yes, I don’t have my pistol.”

Adam threw back his head and laughed. “I have this image of you whipping out your pistol and protecting the two of us. Is there nothing of which you are afraid?”

Good Lord, yes. I am deathly afraid of you, and the feelings you cause. Of how easily you have fit into my life, how frightened I am of when you leave. But mostly I’m afraid of not remembering Becky’s mistake.

“Some things.”

He glanced over his shoulder, almost as if to see how far from her house they were. The curve in the road blocked them from view. He turned, as if to retrace their steps. Instead, he pulled her into his arms and looked down at her. “A beautiful woman, standing in the moonlight here in my arms. That is of what I am afraid.”

Not sure what he meant by that, she continued to stare, her heart speeding up, and butterflies taking flight in her stomach when he lowered his head.

He’s going to kiss me. What should I do?

It wasn’t necessary to decide, because once his lips touched hers, all coherent thought flew like a flock of birds after a pistol shot.

His lips were full, moist and warm. At first, he was gentle, then with a groan, he pulled her closer and his lips grew more demanding. He angled her head and cupped her cheeks, nudging her lips with his tongue. Surprised, she opened her mouth, and he swept in. Had he not been holding her so tightly against him, she would have slid to the ground, her knees refusing to remember their God-given duty to hold up her body.

He pulled away, both of them panting as if they’d run a race. He continued to hold her face, and kissed her nose, cheeks and forehead. “You have managed to get under my skin as no other woman ever has. What is it about you that intrigues me so? Are you magic? Have you placed a spell on me?”

She shook her head. “If I have, my lord, I must have cast the same spell over myself.”

With another groan, he pulled her close and captured her lips once more.

CHAPTER 5

Adam held Eve’s arm tucked into his as they entered the building near the Common where the assembly was to be held. A number of people had already gathered, standing together in groups of four or five, chatting and sipping on some type of drink.

Most heads turned in their direction as they cleared the entrance. Several young ladies, all dressed in their finest, left the groups they were conversing with and crossed over to where he and Eve stood.

Fluttering, curtsying, waving of fans, giggles, and inane conversation commenced, reminding him that assemblies were the same, whether in a small village or a London ballroom. Eve stayed by his side, even though a few girls tried their best to usurp her position. He grinned, inwardly, cheering her determination.

Only two days had passed since he’d kissed her in the moonlight after their chess game. That kiss had led to others, and before he knew it, he had worked his hand up under her cloak to massage and caress her breasts. Her innocent response to his touch had almost driven him mindless. Before things got too far out of hand, he’d pulled back and taking her hand firmly in his, walked them both back to the house in determined strides.

Eve had looked a bit disoriented when he gave her a light kiss on her forehead, wished her good night, and trod purposefully to his bedroom, wishing there was a lock on the outside, so he could not leave the room until morning.

Too great was the temptation Eve represented.

The orchestra began tuning up their instruments, and the MC waved his hands and called for everyone’s attention.

“I am glad to see such a wonderful gathering for our assembly. Before the dancing begins, I would like to welcome Lord Manchester, who, as most of you know, has been visiting us for a short time recovering from an injury.”

Everyone turned in his direction. He merely nodded and continued to stare at the man.