Winning a Lady's Heart (Danby #1)(20)

Nathan’s hands traced a path over her body, the pale blue wrapper and shift she wore offering little hindrance to the heat of his skin on her own.

His hand cupped the underside of her breast and gently flicked the swollen tip as her head fell back on a guttural moan. Her legs went limp and she collapsed in his arms, but he was guiding her back to the table. The cool, hard wood of the table met her buttocks, and he settled himself between her legs.

Then his lips were tracing a seductive trail from the corner of her lips, down her cheek, along the sensitive skin on the inside of her neck. Her head fell back on a whimper.

He made to lay her down and—

Crash!

The thunderous sound of shattering crystal rent the midnight silence, and they parted, breathless, frantically searching around for the intruder.

When no cries or shouts met their scandalous actions, Nathan dropped his forehead atop hers and rubbed it back and forth, chuckling.

“I suppose that was a reminder that with all Danby’s done, I should not disrespect his household.”

Alexandra groaned in protest but wrapped her arms around him and held tight. She pressed her cheek against the crisp, clean, white linen shirt and felt the steady thump-thump-thump-thump of his heart.

“My grandfather has never been a romantic. I’ve never felt like anything more than a troublesome child to him. He’s always been a stickler for propriety and respectability, and I can never know why he was so accepting of our scandal.”

Nathan’s fingers traced a patterned circle over her back. There was a stretch of silence before he spoke. “Danby had a man in London following our courtship. His man learned of your father’s efforts as well as my reasons for complying with—with…” He trailed off, unable to speak of his role in betraying her. “When he summoned me here to Danby Castle, he asked me two questions: why did I do it? And whether I loved you?”

Alexandra leaned back and tilted her head to look at him. “And you said?”

“I can enumerate a thousand and two reasons I love her.”

And he proceeded to do just that.