Page 80 of To Bed the Bride
“Eleanor...”
“Logan.”My love.
Once her bodice was unfastened, she grabbed her skirt with both hands, pulled it over her head, and threw the garment onto the nearby chair.
Bruce barked at it, thinking this was a new game.
She laughed, glancing at Logan.
“I would say that we should put him out in the hall,” she said, “but I know Bruce only too well. He would bark to be let in.”
“That he would.” Logan hadn’t moved. His eyes were still fixed on her.
Her fingers went to her corset cover, removing it without one hint of embarrassment. That garment joined her dress on the chair. Bruce barked again.
“I have to admit, however, that when I considered this moment, I never thought that a dog would be witness to it.”
“You considered this moment?” he asked.
She nodded. “In a general way. When I was growing up. I think girls always visualize their first time. It’s exceedingly important to us.”
His hands reached out to hold hers.
“Eleanor...”
She pulled free, unfastening the busk of her corset before letting it fall. There were only a few garments between her and nakedness.
His gaze hadn’t left her, but he was shaking his head slowly from side to side.
“Oh, yes,” she said. “I sincerely wish to be deflowered. Isn’t that what they call it? I want you to be my lover.”
He didn’t respond.
Good, she didn’t need him to speak. All she truly wanted was for him to kiss her again. Kiss her and then rid her of her virginity.
When he didn’t move, she went to him and began to unfasten the buttons of his shirt. His hands came up to stop her, but she shook her head.
“No, on this I am quite insistent. Pretend that I am one of your constituents and I’m demanding that you act on my behalf.”
“My constituents are men, and I doubt one of them would come to me with this demand. If they did, I would have to respectfully decline.”
“Then just pretend I’m a fellow Scot who has it in her head to be loved by you. No one is here. No one would know.”
“I would know,” he said.
She dropped her hands and stepped back, looking up at him.
“I’ve never felt this way with anyone, Logan. If you truly wish me gone, say it now before I humiliate myself further.”
“You don’t understand, Eleanor.”
She turned and reached for the corset on the chair. She would simply get dressed, get back in her carriage, and pretend that this afternoon never happened.
He placed his hand on her upper arm and gently turned her to face him.
“You don’t understand. This moment is the culmination of a great many dreams, but I can’t take advantage of you.”
“Take advantage of me? In what way? Didn’t I kiss you back? Did you take my clothes off, Logan? Or did I? How would you be taking advantage of me?”
