Page 10 of Highland Wishes And Dreams
After another hour, Lady Stuart stifled a yawn and excused herself. Leaving Finn and Galina alone.
The minute the door closed Finn rose from his chair and joined her on the settee. He cupped her chin and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “I’ve been wanting to do that all day.”
Her heart sang and she swore she could hear Wen’s teasing laugh. So she grew bold. She crawled into his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing close. “That was hardly a kiss to wait all day for. This is a kiss,” and she took his mouth, slipping her tongue deep, demanding entrance. It didn’t take long for his surprise to ignite into desperate passion. His tongue dueled with hers and his hands rose to cup her breasts, his thumb rubbing her hardened nipple through her gown.
Her hands tightened in his hair and he groan as she pressed her bottom against his erection.
Just when his hand began to creep under her gown and stroke her leg, he broke the kiss. Breathing heavily he whispered against her ear. “Not here. Not where Andrew could walk in.”
She scoffed and pressed closer. “He and Wen didn’t seem to care that I might walk in on them.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead and moved her off his lap to sit beside him. “But he doesn’t have Wen anymore.”
Her face heated with shame. For that one moment, when she was completely lost in Finn’s kiss, she had forgotten about Wen. “You are right. I’m so sorry for my behavior.”
He lifted her chin with his finger. “There is no need to be sorry. And I for one would love to continue kissing you but not here. We need privacy.”
She smiled at his words. “Have you got somewhere in mind?”
He took her hand in his. “My room is furthest from Andrew’s.” When his thumbed stroked her palm she could barely think. “We need a private place to talk. To talk about our future.”
“Just talk,” she teased.
“Don’t tempt me.” He leaned in for another kiss. She loved the taste of him. He broke the second kiss with a groan. “Will you come to my room at midnight?”
She rose to her feet eager to get to her bedchamber and organize a bath. “I could find my way blindfolded.” She skipped to the door. “I’ll expect more than talk. I’ve waited years for you. I am not waiting another twelve months.”
* * *
Once she’d leftthe room, he tried to get his raging body under control. Why had he never noticed Galina’s sensuality before? He laid his head on the back of the settee and closed his eyes, smiling at a memory of Wen and her teasing him about Galina. She was right. Galinawasperfect for him. Wen would have loved to be here to see him wake up to find the woman who would complete him had been in front of him all along. How he missed his sister.
He would have to maintain rigid self-control this evening. He wanted nothing more than to make love to Galina, but what if he got her with child? They could not marry for another ten months at least.
He was about to stand and take his leave when the door opened and Andrew entered. “I thought I would have missed everyone.”
Finn smiled a welcome. “The ladies have gone to bed, both of them exhausted from the day. Where have you been?”
Andrew poured himself a drink, and one for Finn, and then took the chair by the fire. “I’ve been sitting in the crypt with Wen. I wanted to tell her about her—our— son’s baptism.”
Finn didn’t know what to say to that so he said nothing, and merely drank.
“May I ask what your intentions are towards Galina. I did not know you’d developed such a tender for my sister.”
Finn smiled. “Neither did I until two days ago. It hit me like a rampaging bull.”
“Wen told me you would marry Galina. I thought she was mad, but my darling girl was always right—except about having an easy birthing.”
Finn’s smile died. “I will of course wait until after the mourning period to wed Galina.”
Andrew stared into the flames and swirled the whisky in his glass. “You asked me the other day about Wen’s ring.”
“My mother’s ring. It goes to her upon Wen’s death.”
Andrew ignored his words. “You asked me where it is.” Andrew loosened his cravat and pulled up a gold chain. Hanging at the end of the chain was the emerald ring. “Wen gave it to me the night of our wedding. She said as long as it was round my neck, she would always be with me.”
Finn’s stomach lurched. Now he understood.
“You don’t need a ring to know Wen is with you. You have loads of memories, and you have Jake.”
