Page 82 of The Moonstone Governess
This would also give him time alone with Brenna. He had tucked a change of clothes for himself in his pouch because he was going to work on her fear of water today. Since he had not completely taken leave of his senses, he was not about to strip down naked. He’d brought along a pair of old breeches to cover his privates, and a fresh set of clothes to change into after the swimming lesson.
Jax’s plan worked out well, because Daire did not want Matthew, who also could not swim, with him as he was teaching Brenna. Having to keep his eyes on both of them would prove difficult, especially if Matthew jumped into the water as Brenna was fearfully clinging to him at the same time.
Daire knew that sharing a swim with Brenna was also a major step for himself. He knew the consequences if they were discovered. She would be compromised. He would be honor bound to marry her.
In truth, hewantedto marry her.
She was probably right about his never being able to hurt her. All he wanted to do was love her and protect her.
Love her.
Yes, this was what he was—in love with her.
He chose a moment when Simon and his workers headed back to town to gather more supplies. Daire’s staff had been with him for years, first when he was a viscount and now as a duke. Not one of them would talk if they happened upon him and Brenna in the water, although the glade was fairly remote and no one was likely to wander by there.
Nor would Juliana ever gossip about such a thing if she found out what they were doing.
Brenna hurried to the glade with her own pouch that doubtless contained a clean shift and gown. He had already stripped down to his old breeches and was waiting for her. “Shall I help you off with your gown?” he asked, trying hard not to cast her a wicked grin, because she was shy and probably doubting the wisdom of her decision.
She blushed. “I can manage it.”
“All right, Brenna. I’ll be here whenever you are ready.” She was as skittish as a filly let out to pasture for the first time.
He stepped into the water and waited for her to join him.
After several minutes, she poked her head out from behind the trees.
“Ready yet, Brenna?”
“I don’t know. This might be a mistake. My shift…”
“Little dove, there is nothing you can show me that I have not already seen.”
She gasped. “On me?”
“No, love. On other women.” Well, he’d seen a bit of her, too. But this was not the time to admit he and Jax had been spying on them in the glade. “Don’t change your mind. You need to do this.”
“All right. I know. Give me a moment.” He heard her inhale softly, and then she stepped out from behind the trees.
Daire was glad he was in the water up to his waist, for his response to Brenna was one of immediate arousal. Did she realize just how sheer the fabric of her shift was? And how beautiful her body appeared beneath it?
She set his blood on fire.
There was something quite sensual about having only glimpses of her, a dark shadow between her legs, and softer shadows at her bosom.
He was glad the water was on the cool side, because he needed to calm the heated mess she was making of his body.
This was about Brenna conquering her fears, not his notching another conquest.
He held out his arms to her. “Come to me, love. Don’t be afraid. The water will not be over your head.”
“You have to hold on to me, Daire.”
“I will, love.” He nodded. “I won’t ever let you go. All right? Today, we are just going to have you stand in the water. No swimming. No floating on your back.”
Dear heaven.
He would expire if she ever went on her back with her breasts thrust out, the wet shift clinging to her body, and those stiff little buds straining against the fabric.
