Page 4 of Crash Landing
“Thank you,” he said, and threw them a good distance into the shrubbery.
“Aubrey, you clot!” she whispered with a mingled gasp. “What did you do that for?”
“He’ll know it was you spying on him if he finds the binoculars on you.”
“But—”
Another gunshot tore past, directly above them, sending leaves and twigs falling atop their heads.
“Quiet…he’s close now, and he is not alone.” He grabbed her hand and ran with her away from this spot, for the broken branch that had sent her tumbling out of the tree was at their feet, and would give them away if they were so foolish as to remain at the spot and try to bluster their way out of trouble.
Since he had spent this past week exploring Gull Hall, he was familiar with the manor house and its surrounding land. This thicket of trees offered sufficient coverage as they made their escape. However, they were slowed by the fact they had to crouch down and make as little noise as possible while running along the narrow trails.
Trajan took pains to avoid twigs that might snap under their feet and be heard, but the ground cover offered by the lush foliage was enough to keep them out of sight and their footsteps mostly muffled.
The woodlands on his property tapered to a gentle downhill slope as the tree line ended, and the slope continued for a short distance to asharp drop-off onto a sandy beach.
There was another path before the drop-off, and that path led straight back to Gull Hall. Unfortunately, it was open air and not at all sheltered. They could not make a run to the house without being seen by anyone emerging from the woods.
The only sensible plan was to take the stairs that led down to the strip of golden-sand beach and the blue cove waters beyond. He had inspected those stairs only yesterday and knew the wooden planks were sound enough to hold them both.
“This makes no sense,” she said between panting breaths as they sprinted down the length of those sturdy steps. “Why are you taking me toward the water? Shouldn’t we be running to your house?”
“The house is too far and he will spot us easily on that exposed path. Do you trust me?”
“I’m not sure.”
Not the answer he was hoping for. “Well, you should. You and I are to be found cavorting on the beach.”
“Cavorting? What exactly does this entail?”
He paused once they descended the last step and their boots sank into the soft sand. “Forgive me, Florence.”
“What for?”
He circled his arms around her and drew her up close.
“What are you doing? Is this your idea of cavorting? If you think I am going pause midway in our escape to put my arms around you, then you have another thing coming.”
“Just do as I say. I am not trying to be amorous.”
“Then why are your arms around me and why are you holding my body plastered to yours? Oh, you have nice muscles. What are you planning to do? You—”
“Stop talking, Florence. I need to kiss you.”
“Kiss me? What madness is—”
He pressed his mouth down on hers and kissed the daylights out of her.
Chapter Two
Florence had neverfelt anything so exquisitely good in her entire life.
But why was Trajan Aubrey, the former Lord Aubrey and now Duke of Weymouth, kissing her with such possessive heat? Or any heat at all?
Dear heaven.
His mouth felt gloriously good on hers.
