Gentlemen Prefer Spinsters (Spinsters Club #1)(30)
The wind blew fiercely, and she pressed a hand to her bonnet, but the day was not cold. The sea covered the horizon, broken up only by a few fishing boats. Even with a heavy covering of cloud, the cove was beautiful. The semi-circle beach offered up almost white sand and the sea was known to be bluer here than many other places in England. Sometimes she forgot how wonderful Lulworth was and how lucky she was to have such beauty a mere walk away.
Harry released her hand. She could feel him watching her while she eyed the scenery and drew in calming breaths. Finally, she turned to face him. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For...” she waved a hand back toward the village. “For that. For being so snippety.”
“For crying? For being defensive? I do not think you have anything to apologize for, Merry. Mr. Langford was trying to take advantage of your situation.”
“What did you say to him?”
“That I was not impressed with him taking advantage of a grieving young woman and that I would take Lulworth Castle’s business elsewhere if he did not rectify the situation.”
Merry gave a soft smile. It was still aggravating that Mr. Langford would only negotiate with Harry but, for the moment, she would take the reprieve. It was one less thing for her to worry about.
“Thank you.”
“I am sorry you are having to deal with these things alone.” He stepped close, touching a finger to her cheek. “If there is anything I can do...”
“I am sure you have enough work, looking after your own estate. I knew it kept my father busy, but I did not understand quite how much work was to be done. And I am certain I could manage it,” she said hastily, “but I was never taught any of it. I am having to learn as I go.”
“You always were a quick learner.”
“Not quick enough. I fear the whole estate will have crumbled to pieces in the fleeting time Daniel has been away.” She clamped her bottom lip under her teeth as another swell of emotion rose up within her.
He reached for her and she was powerless to resist. Harry drew her against his chest. He smelled of spice and soap, and he was warm, oh so warm. Muscular too. She knew all this, of course, but her mind would not let her forget that fact. In Harry’s embrace, she had never felt so protected, so...so unalone. She closed her eyes and listened to the steady heartbeat as she pressed her cheek to his chest.
He rubbed a hand up and down her back in a soothing motion. All the anger and frustration fizzled away, leaving her relaxed but...well, slightly achy and hot. Once the emotion had died down, she became too aware of that muscle, too wrapped in the scent of him. She should pull away and yet she could not. Her limbs were utterly useless, rooting her in place.
He eased back and used a finger to lift her chin. His green gaze searched hers. A little wind riffled his hair and she found her gaze dropping to his lips. They looked soft and warm. From memory, they probably would be. Suddenly, it did not matter how windy or exposed it was, she was too damned hot. Somewhere inside her, a voice whispered. It warned her to flee. To tear from his arms. Unfortunately, that voice was overpowered by another. Stay, it told her. Stay and kiss him.
The loud voice triumphed. She remained in his arms and let him smooth a hand across her cheek.
“You have no idea how beautiful you are, do you, Merry?”
The words created something warm and fluffy inside her. Which was ridiculous. She had never much cared about her appearance. Her hair was too curly and hard to maintain and after a good bout of sun, her freckles grew too dark. No one had ever called her beautiful. If anything, she was...acceptable. Nothing more.
But, damn the man, the words took their intended effect. She almost felt beautiful as he eyed her, his gaze tracing what had to be every inch of her.
His other hand rested on her lower back, keeping her close.
“Every time you speak, every time you look at me, I feel as though I am powerless.” His words were slightly husky. “All I can think of is how much I want to kiss you.”
She could create no words. Her mind tried to wrap itself around Harry’s confessions, but it could not. Instead, she gaped up at him, utterly lost to the magic of his voice and his body.
Harry tilted his head. Breath held, she waited. He’s going to kiss you, Merry. She wanted to argue with that stupid voice. She knew very well he was going to kiss her. And God help her, she wanted to be kissed. It didn’t matter that this was Harry—a rake of the highest regard—or that they were out in public and all it would take was someone to walk by to ruin her forever. Had she learned nothing from her friends?
Apparently not. She closed her eyes and absorbed the feel of his warm palm, then the brush of his breath over her lips. Behind her closed eyelids, Harry was just a man, a friend, a gentleman, and they were not out in public but somewhere secluded and safe.
His lips upon hers galvanized her. It was a sweet kiss for a mere moment, until the torrent took hold. When she latched her arms around his neck, he made a raw sound in his throat that sent thrills through her. The feeling of being beautiful remained. The sensation of being wanted and adored and capable of stirring such passion in this man made her feel powerful.
Stop, that quiet voice muttered somewhere. She searched for the louder voice, the one that urged her on and discovered that it had been her all along. Once Harry coaxed apart her lips with his own and brushed her tongue with his, the voices were gone, and it was only her and Harry.