Page 20 of A Bonny Pretender
Don’t be ridiculous.
He laid the unconscious woman gently on the ground, noting she still clutched Miss MacNaughton’s apricot bonnet, and centered himself below the pair. The auburn beauty had returned to the lowest point. “George, I’m a friend of your heroine. I want you to let go of her neck and reach for me now.”
George peeked at Frank, his red, swollen eyes apparent from this distance. He slowly removed one arm and then the other. He turned his body and hurtled himself at Frank. The viscount caught him with a loudhmmphand set him on solid ground. The boy clung to his legs.
The governess groaned. Frank helped her to her feet. She shoved the crumpled bonnet into his hands and brushed off her pelisse and skirts. “I’m very thankful, but we must be off. We’re already late. Please, I beg you, keep this our secret.” Then she took the boy’s hand and hurried off, brushing a few dead leaves from her hair as George struggled to keep up with her.
“See if I rescue her charge again,” huffed Miss MacNaughton from above. “Will ye help me too?”
Frank grinned and reached up. “Only if you throw yourself at me like George did.”
“That wouldn’t be verra proper.”
“I’m not sure how proper tree-climbing is.”
She slipped down into his arms, her breasts sliding against his chest. Her curls tickled his nose along with the scent of heather.To the devil!She felt so good against him. His member hardened, those dreams coming back to haunt him now as the real Brigid wiggled against him. Suddenly, fantasy blurred with reality when her face tipped up to his. The tip of her tongue ran along the seams of her lips.
Frank groaned and dipped his head, his mouth covering hers. She tasted of lemon and honey, and the combination seemed fitting for the woman in his arms. His second groan was louder and rumbled against her lips. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and without thought, he pulled her flush against him. The throbbing between his legs spiraled into molten heat. A hot, consuming desire he’d never experienced before.
“Brigid,” he murmured against her neck, breathing in her sweet floral scent, her breath hot against his ear. “By God, I’ve wanted to do this.”
He bent his head again and feathered kisses along her jaw and back to her mouth. His lips brushed hers, his tongue running across them, asking for entrance. They parted, and he dipped inside for a better taste. Her body tensed at his exploration, revealing her innocence, even as her fingers dug into his scalp.
Breaking the kiss, he touched his forehead to hers, both of them panting. “I’m sorry if I offended you. I’ve wanted to kiss you for weeks.”
She shook her head. “I’ve been waiting for weeks.”
Frank leaned back and tipped her chin up. “You surprised me today. It took great courage to go up after that boy.”
“He was frightened. That buffleheaded governess couldn’t get him down.” Her eyes were dark and the lids heavy with desire. Add her mussed chestnut hair, and Frank found himself still struggling for control.
“Brigid?” called Lady Brecken.
“Miss MacNaughton, are ye well?” Wilkens’ voice boomed through the trees.
“Here,” she called, pushing away from him. Her hands fumbled at the knot in her skirt. It fell to her ankles just as her friends appeared. He squashed the bonnet over her hair. She tried to tie it below her chin, but it was set at an odd angle. He felt like he was back at Eton, and the schoolmaster had just caught them at something.
“We saw the governess and her charge leave—” Wilkens’ eyes slowly took in Frank and Miss MacNaughton’s disheveled appearance, a smirk growing on his face. “It must have been quite a chase.”
“Indeed! The little rapscallion scrambled up the tree and then couldn’t get down.” He took another subtle step away from Miss MacNaughton, noting the suspicion that lurked in both their friends’ scrutiny. “He was meek enough when he clung to someone’s back to come back—”
“You climbed up to get him?” Wilkens asked. He looked at the oak and back at Frank, doubt evident in his brown eyes.
“Surely ye believe a mon as fit as Lord Raines could save a lad in a tree?” defended Miss MacNaughton.
“W-well, I…”
Lady Brecken tucked her hand in the crook of Wilkens’ elbow and steered him toward the walking path. “I think you’re in deep water here, Charles,” she said cheerfully over her shoulder, casting a wink at Miss MacNaughton.
Frank waited to let the distance between the couples widen when Miss MacNaughton pulled on his sleeve.
“Why didn’t ye tell them I was the one who climbed the tree?”
“To save your reputation.” He looked down and found her brows drawn together, deep in thought.
“Is my reputation that important to ye?”
“It’s the priority of any lady I’ve ever met. A ruined woman can never attain a suitable match.” He leaned down and whispered, “Why did you come to my defense?”
“To save yer pride,” she said smugly. “It seems to be the priority of every gentleman I’ve ever met.”
