Page 59 of The Confessions of a Lady
Penny took a bracing breath. If she was going to risk so much, the chance of proving Liam guilty and losing him, the chance of proving Liam innocent and losing the reward money to free her mother, the chance of being discovered and losing everything, maybe she was brave enough to claim something for herself. Tonight. Before everything changed.
Liam rolled over, trying to find a comfortable position on his feather-padded mattress.
Ridiculous. How quickly I’ve become a soft, pampered peer.
He’d slept soundly on the ground while cunning Afghan soldiers hungry for vengeance against the British invasion threatening their lands were camped one hill away. But lying in his huge bed, naked, safe, covered in a warm duvet, sleep eluded him. Because he couldn’t stop thinking about one mahogany-haired, hazel-eyed, sharp-fisted woman.
Penny.
He huffed out a sigh and punched his pillow, almost missing the sound of his door creaking open.
Liam froze. Held his breath. Tensed his muscles. Reached for the dagger tucked in a special leather holder nailed to the back of his headboard.
Quiet footfalls inched over the thick, wool rug.
Vanilla. Clove. Soap.
Penny.
His muscles relaxed as his cock hardened. He slipped the dagger back into its sheath and feigned sleep.
She stopped at the side of his bed.
‘I know you’re awake.’
Bloody hell.
‘How?’ Liam grumbled as he turned over, sitting up on the bed. It was a full moon on a rare cloudless night. His curtains were pulled back, letting the silver beams spill into his room. He could see her in the pewter light and knew she could see him.
‘A servant knows.’ Penny’s gaze drifted over him, a slow caress.
‘Why are you here, Penny?’ He knew why he wanted her to be there. But it was too good to be true.
She bit her lip.
Liam groaned as his hopeful cock grew even harder. Thank God the duvet cover hid his need.
‘I know worlds separate us. I know this won’t last beyond tonight. And I know what I risk by coming here. But no matter what tomorrow holds, no matter how impossible this is, I want you. Now.’
All the moisture fled Liam’s mouth. ‘Are you sure?’ His voice was harsh in the quiet room.
‘I’m unsure about so many things. But I’m sure about this, my lord.’
The shape of her mouth as she spoke did strange and wonderous things to Liam, warming him, hardening him, destroying his control.
‘Liam.’ He wasn’t requesting she used his name. He was demanding it. If they were going to take this step, she damn well wasn’t going to call him “my lord”. They would approach this as equals.
She glanced back at him. ‘Liam.’
‘I agree to your proposal under one condition.’
She thrust out her chin; the warrior in her was ready to battle.
Oh good. She’s about to say something blistering and honest and gloriously uncouth.
‘You made the proposal. I am simply claiming what you offered.’
‘What I offered?’
