Page 42 of Almost a Bride
She wondered at such speculation, and wished she didn’t have to worry about his every motive. “Probably in the estate fields. There aren’t enough men on the island for a proper harvest, so they’re working dawn to dusk. That probably helped us in keeping your presence here a secret.”
“Ah, so you enjoy being alone with me.”
“You do yourself too much credit,” she scoffed, carrying the bowls to the cupboard. “They’ve been working too hard to visit much, is all.”
“So the brothers visit you often.”
“No, just—” She caught herself before mentioning John. “Let us be about this walk quickly, for I have to go into Shanklin later today.”
Thornton pushed himself up on one foot. “I’m ready.”
“Must we go outside? Surely—”
“Open the door, Roselyn,” he said sternly, but she thought she saw a wicked gleam in his eye.
When they stepped outside, the sun was so bright that he shaded his eyes with his hand. “Never again will I allow myself to spend this much time indoors.”
He’d given her the perfect opening. “From what I’ve heard, youlikethe indoors.”
“What doesthatmean?” he demanded.
She didn’t look at him, knowing she’d see only his dark frown. “I told myself we would not argue today. Just ignore what I said.”
He gave a little grunt, but said nothing else. That was fine with Roselyn; she didn’t want her curiosity to win out over her good sense.
This time she led him away from Wakesfield, south through the rolling meadows. In the distance were the high downs at the southern end of the island, covered in purple heather. Soon grasses swished about their lower legs, mixed with yellow vetches and thyme, forcing them to slow their pace.
Roselyn could usually tell when Thornton was tiring by his increasing grip on her shoulders. But not yet this day. Blue butterflies danced on the wind around them, and he watched it all with a small smile. Did he appreciate the beauty of Wight as much as she did—or was his smile one of ownership?
She was so busy trying to study his face that she didn’t watch the ground before her. Her foot caught in a hole, sending her down onto her backside. She tried to let go of Thornton—but he crashed down on top of her.
Chapter 13
The impact of Thornton’s body should have crushed Roselyn, but the grass and moss beneath her were like the softest mattress, cushioning her body—and his. She didn’t feel pain, only the width of his chest pressed to hers, his thigh nestled between her thighs.
She felt like a silly fool as her breathing quickened. Surely her heart only raced because she’d been startled, not because he smelled different from her—masculine, even with traces of her soap mingled in.
She didn’t know what to do with her hands, which rested on his back. They practically shared a lovers’ embrace, and when she tried to move, she felt the strangest sensation low in her belly and between her thighs, where he rested.
The sudden flexing of his arms and back made her feel as if she embraced a wild animal who struggled to be free. She lifted her hands from him, but he only propped himself up on his elbows and stared down at her.
Her hands fluttered like restless birds until they came to rest against his sides. She had touched more than this in caring for him, but it was no longer the same.
Thornton stared down at her with dark eyes full of secrets she couldn’t guess. His black hair hung towards her, and she wondered how it would feel brushing against her face. Again, she felt that strange heat move languidly inside her.
His gaze delved into her eyes and held her trapped, expectant with wondering. She took her first shallow breath when his eyes began a search of her face that felt as if he touched her. When his gaze lingered on her lips, a little gasp escaped her.
The high grasses made her feel as if she reclined in the most intimate, private place, where no one could see what she did.
Butshewould know.
Roselyn dropped her hands into the grass. “Thornton—”
“Spencer,” he interrupted.
As his low voice rumbled against her stomach and up through her chest, a little shudder swept through her.
His Christian name held the same intimacies for her that his body did; it wasn’t right.
