Page 27 of A Rogue's Downfall
“There is no point in ruining them as well as a perfectly serviceable quizzing glass,” he said when Caroline paused in her work to watch him. “Besides, I rememberfrom some nameless outing in childhood that there isnothing more delectable than the feel of sand betweenthe toes.”
“Oh,” she said with a sigh, “I have been trying to ignore similar memories.” And off came her shoes andher stockings. Some of the pins had come out of herhair so that it looked like an untidy and glorious auburnhalo about her head.
Half an hour later, hot, sticky, and sandy, the viscount sat back on his heels to view their creation. He could not recall an hour he had enjoyed more. Whichwas a strange and absurd admission to make. Carolinewas on her knees, one cheek almost resting on the sandas she worked with a delicate finger at the arch of agateway. One lock of hair trailed in the sand. Her derriere was nicely and invitingly elevated. He could havereached out and patted it, but did not. She was clearlyenjoying herself as much as he had been doing.
They had been telling each other, between bouts of quiet concentration, about their childhood. He had remembered incidents and escapades that he had notthought of for years.
He spread his coat on the sand and lay back on it, one arm behind his head, watching her lazily. He hadset himself to win a wager. He had twenty-four hoursin which to make the woman admit that she had fallenin love with him. And yet he was wasting at least oneof those hours building a sand castle with her and exchanging stories of childhood. He must be losing histouch.
But he liked her. He could not remember liking a woman for years. Not to the extent of seeing her as aperson anyway and enjoying merely talking and laughing with her. And building a sand castle with her. Hepictured himself suggesting such an afternoon’s entertainment to Lady Plumtree and chuckled aloud.
Caroline turned her head and lifted herself onto her hands and knees. “I am glad I afford you some amusement,” she said. “Lazy workers will not be tolerated,you know. They will be dismissed without reference.”
“Does that mean I will never be allowed to workagain?” he asked. “Do say yes.”
She sat back on her heels and admired their handiwork. “It is rather splendid, is it not?” she said.
“It is indefensible,” he said. “There is no moat.”
She sighed. “Should we dig one?”
“Then we would need a drawbridge,” he said. “Besides, Caroline, it is built of sand. Sand castles are impregnable only in dreams.”
She swished her hands together in a vain attempt to remove all the sand. “But it is a lovely dream castle, isit not?” she said. “Think of all the glorious knights whowould ride in and out of my gateway.”
“And all the lovely ladies on my battlements,” he said stretching out one hand toward her.
She set her own in it and gazed down at him. “Was this a silly idea?” she asked. “Do you think me veryfoolish? Have you been unutterably bored?”
He considered. “No to all three,” he said. “Come here.”
“ ‘Here’ being the sand beside you?” she said.
“Yes.” He tightened his grip on her hand and smiled up at her. She looked remarkably untidy and sandy.She looked delicious.
“It would be very improper,” she said.
“Yes.” He grinned.
She withdrew her hand from his, got to her feet, and then very deliberately sat beside him and lay down, herhead on his coat. “I always loved lying down outdoorson a warm day,” she said. “Especially on a beach.Watching the clouds, feeling the sun, listening to thewaves breaking, and smelling the salt air. But it wasnever allowed a great deal. Ladies just do not appearwith sun-reddened faces, it seems.”
He raised himself on one elbow and leaned over her. “There,” he said. “I’ll shade you from the sun and theignominy of a red face.”
He was back in his own area of expertise, of course. It would be the easiest thing in the world now to winhis wager. He smiled at her and she looked warily back.
“This is very improper,” she said.
“Yes.” He lowered his head and rubbed his nose against hers. “You may very well have to marry meafter all, Caroline.”
“No,” she said.
“What if I tell you tomorrow morning that I have fallen in love with you?” he asked. “And what if youtell me the same thing?”
“But neither of us will,” she said, “because we are both on our honor to speak the truth.”
Gad, but she was damnably pretty. Even when she was disheveled and sandy. He lowered his head andkissed her, preparing himself as he usually did to losehimself in the pleasure of an embrace even if it was onethat could not be taken to its logical conclusion. But helifted his head again after just a few moments andlooked down at her.
The earth would move, she had said. They would hear the music of the spheres together, he had said. Iftwo persons made love instead of just two bodies, thatwas. If the pleasures of a man and a woman were combined and shared. If they were aware of each other asthey gave and took pleasure. What would it be like? hehad wondered then. Whatwouldit be like? he wonderednow.
