To Kiss a Highland Rose (Kiss the Wallflower #6) - Tamara Gill Page 0,29

her hands in her lap. "I'm listening."

He took a fortifying breath. "I do not wish to wait for your brother or the banns to be called. I want to marry you now. I want you to be mine and no one else's. From this night forward."

For a moment, Elizabeth fought to control her racing heart. The idea of being his, of him wanting to marry her now and not in several weeks, soothed the small amount of anxiety she had had over his request to wait.

It seemed his lordship had a change of heart. "Why do you wish to marry me now? I haven't even told my brother that you asked me. Do you even have a special license?"

He glanced down at her hands in his, studying them, playing with her fingers. "I do not do this to steal you away from your family, but why wait, Elizabeth? The Season is young, and I do not want to spend it having to keep my hands off you. Being careful how I touch you and what I say. I want you, more than you'll ever know. More than I thought I would ever want anyone."

His words melted her heart, and she sighed. "This is all such a rush, Sebastian." Her stomach churned in knots. "You're not trying to deceive me in any way, are ye?" She had to ask. She would be a fool not to.

He swallowed, reaching for her face. "No, of course not," he managed. "Know this for it is true. I want to marry you because I adore you. I want you to be my wife, my countess. I want you because I desire you so dearly. The thought of anyone touching you, Lord Fairfax in particular after his wandering hands this evening, made me want to throttle the bastard. Never doubt those words for they are true."

Elizabeth met his gaze, trying to settle her nerves over what he was saying, hoping he wasn't playing her the fool. "So we're to Dalmahoy then?" she asked, smiling a little.

"If you say yes to my proposal, my plan, then yes."

She thought about it a moment, but she already knew what her choice would be. "Yes, let us elope, and then I can return home and celebrate with my family. They will be overjoyed to know that I'm married. We can always take our vows again in the chapel at Moy Castle."

He kissed her quickly, meeting her eye before he said, "I would adore that, just as I adore you."

Sebastian pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard. She opened for him immediately, no fear, no hesitation, and his body roared with need. He should be kissing her with sweet, luring strokes, but he could not. His body, his mind had other ideas. Tonight when he'd seen her dancing with Lord Fairfax, he'd all but had to force himself to remain where he was. It would be impossible for him to stand aside, watch her be courted by other men this Season, and all the while be secretly engaged to her.

No. He could not endure it. He wanted to dance, to flirt, and be inappropriate with her if they wished before society. He did not want to watch his manners or his conduct. If he wished to kiss her in the middle of a waltz at a ball, then he damn well would.

She pushed into his arms, her breasts grazing his chest, and his wits spiraled, crumbled into a pile of rubble.

He wanted her with a longing that would take out his knees had he not been seated. His body burned, hardened, and he wanted her to touch him, to run her hands over his body, clasp, and stroke him, give him pleasure.

She moaned, and he realized his hand was kneading her breast, rolling her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. He needed to see it, to taste, and revel in her warmth.

Sebastian broke the kiss, pleased when she lay her head back, pushing her breast into his hand. He ran his finger along the top of her gown. "Your skin is so unblemished, like milk." He slowly slipped her bodice down with patience he did not know he possessed, exposing her flesh. He could not wait a moment longer. He dipped his head and kissed her pebbled peak, licking its pinkened surface, making it bead farther.

Her fingers spiked into his hair, pulling him near. He fought for control. He would not take her here, in a carriage of all