Page 41 of A Bonny Pretender
She nodded, her eyes wide and glazed, dark and blue as the evening sky just before night claims it back from the day. He held her gaze, his finger and thumb lightly pinching one pink tip then the other before his other hand slid under her cotton gown.
“Saints and sinners,” she moaned as his thumb found and circled her nub. Her head fell back again. “What are ye doing to me?”
“Loving you, my sweet Brigid.” She was wet and pliant andhis. He dipped a finger inside her slickness, and her lids flew open. “Shhh, I won’t hurt you.”
Brigid shook her head and closed her eyes again as he continued the circles around her sweet spot. “No, ye’d never hurt me.”
Her hips moved in rhythm with his finger. He licked her nipple and took it into his mouth as he slid a second finger inside her. His rod was stiff and aching as he imagined himself sliding into her, moving slowly against her softness, increasing the pace until…
“Frank, oh, Frank,” she gasped as her hips bucked up. She clutched his neck, her nails digging into his skin.
His fingers moved in and out, centering on the spot inside her where his thumb circled the tight bead on the outside. Her muscles went rigid, her breathing shallow. He covered her mouth with his, swallowing her moans as she convulsed around his fingers. Her bottom pushed against his manhood, and he thought he might explode along with her. He slowed his rhythm, letting her body ease from the unaccustomed ecstasy, watching her face as she came down from the cloud of passion. Her body trembled with each light caress, her eyes glassy, chest heaving.
Frank cupped her mons and kissed her until the quivering lessened. He marveled at the contentment he felt, the fullness in his chest from giving her pleasure. Pulling her nightshift over her thighs, he pulled her against his chest and kissed the top of her head.
“I love you, Brigid MacNaughton.” It came from his heart. Simple, honest, hopeful.
“I thought we couldna put out my fire unless we were married?”
He laughed. A long, loud laugh. This woman filled him with happiness and made his world complete. “This is a temporary remedy. There’s so much more to lovemaking, my sweet.”
“But we need a piece of paper first.” She gave him a lazy smile, her hand moving slowly down his chest. “So, Lord Raines, how do I quenchyerfire?”
Frank pushed her off his lap with a chuckle. “That’s for another time, I hope. For now, I must leave before you become a doxy and I become a rake.”
“I dinna think it’s fair for me to feel like this…” She sighed. “And ye get nothing in return.”
He pulled her into his arms once more and kissed those sweet, plump lips before retreating to his room. “You’ve given me more than you know.” He opened the door and checked the hall, refusing to let anything dull his mood. Even the fact she had not returned his declaration of love. Perhaps she was overwhelmed, or she hadn’t heard him. She was an innocent, and he would not rush her. Yet the disappointment still hovered like a dark cloud on a sunny day.
Frank was halfway down the hall when he heard apsssst!He turned to see two sparkling sapphire orbs in a cloud of mahogany peeking out the door.
“I love ye, too, Lord Raines.” She blew him a kiss. “Propriety be damned.”
*
The next morning
Barker deftly tiedthe cravat and brushed several imaginary specks from Frank’s bottle green riding jacket. The man hadn’t said a word about the previous day. By God, he’d just ask. He was fascinated by this complex valet.
“I didn’t realize you carried a pistol, Barker.”
“That is one question you never asked, my lord.” He handed Frank his gloves.
“Where did you learn to shoot? That was a crack shot.”
“Hunting as a youth and the military.” Barker collected the previous day’s clothes and stopped at the door. “Will there be anything else before we meet with the parish constable, my lord?”
“So, you’ve killed men before?” Frank wondered if the giant cur he’d fought had survived the night. He didn’t know how he felt about taking another life, even if it was a bloody highwayman.
“Yes, sir. It’s unfortunate but excusable when necessary.” He cleared his throat. “Yesterday was required, or the ladies would have been harmed.”
“Of course.” His valet had been in the army. What other mysteries were beneath that lackluster veneer? “I wanted to thank you. You were instrumental in defeating those ruffians.”
Barker nodded, moved to the door, then paused with an almost imperceptible gleam in his dark eyes. “I’m happy to instruct you in target practice if you desire, my lord.” And with that, he was gone.
“That man was wasted on my stepfather,” Frank mumbled, his shoulders quaking with laughter.
The constable took their statements. Both men had been taken into custody, and all three identified. They fit the description, along with the boy, from several other victims in the area.
