The Formidable Earl (Diamonds in the Rough #6) - Sophie Barnes Page 0,61

grinned when he repeated the motion.

Simon’s heart soared. This was good. He loved that he’d managed to make her laugh. It boded well for their relationship and for the future.

Continuing his upward progress, he helped her raise one arm, then the other, while easing the chemise over her head. It caught on her ear for a second until he carefully pulled it free and managed to toss it aside. Inhaling deeply, he did his best not to think of the fact that Ida was presently standing before him without a stitch on. He desperately wanted to open his eyes, to take a small peek, but feared doing so would ruin the progress he’d made.

“Can you give me the nightgown?” he asked.

She did so, her fingers carefully guiding his until they found the opening for her head. He lifted the garment until she told him to stop, then lowered it until it was time to help her get her arms through the sleeves. It was a slow-going process, but it was also more intimate than any other activity he’d ever been a part of. With anyone. When the nightgown finally slid into place, he exhaled a breath he’d not known he’d been holding.

“You can open your eyes now,” she said.

So he did.

It was just as he had predicted. Even in the darkness, the thin fabric hid little.

Simon’s heart raced. His fingers itched with the need to reach out. A ravenous ache settled deep within him, and before he knew what he was doing, before he could even think, he’d taken a step toward her. She sucked in a breath, the sound like a siren’s call to his ears, driving him closer, beyond the bounds of all reason.

He lowered his head and was met by velvety softness.

A tiny gasp sounded – not the sort wrought from pain or discomfort, not even the kind meant to push him away, but rather a pleasurable sound inviting him to continue. So he wound one arm round her back, securing her there while he deepened the kiss, just a little – just enough to sample her sweetness.

Her lips parted without hesitation, a soft throaty moan answered his advance, and Simon was lost – lost in the glorious flavor of her, in the dream he’d been having ever since they’d met, in the woman he craved more than his next breath.

His movements were unhurried and tender, a slow exploration intended to give her a sense of what he felt but could not express in any other way. Easing back, he pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, then to her cheeks, and finally to her forehead. Without a word, he swept her up into his arms and laid her carefully on the bed. Climbing in beside her, Simon pulled her securely against his chest and drew the eiderdown up around them both.

“Rest now,” he whispered.

She answered him by squeezing his hand.

The oil lamp’s glow lent a soft golden hue to the room the next time Ida woke. Unlike the previous time, Simon was there, right beside her. Propped on his side, he was gazing down at her when she opened her eyes. A smile curved his lips, reminding her of the kiss they’d shared right after he’d helped her get changed. It had been lovely. The rightness of it had made her knees a bit wobbly.

“I’m glad you’re awake,” he said while tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “You’ve been asleep for almost twenty-four hours.”

She blinked. “Really?”

“I even had Redding come check on you earlier today to make sure you were still all right. He said you just needed rest.” He studied her for a moment. “I’ll have to change your bandage again, but I’m thinking you might be hungry. Would you like something to eat first?”

“I would appreciate that. Thank you.”

When he returned a short while later, Simon brought a selection of various fruits, a slice of kidney pie, and some roast chicken. Everything had been piled onto a much-too-small tray which he placed in the middle of the bed.

“You frightened the hell out of me,” he said once she’d had a few grapes and selected a chicken leg to munch on. “I’m glad you’re all right.”

“Me too. I think I was rather lucky.”

His eyes met hers with regret. “I’m so sorry, Ida. This shouldn’t have happened.”

“It wasn’t your fault.”

He looked like he wanted to argue the point. Instead he said, “Huntley has tried to find out who pushed you, but no one