She pulled back, and I had to resist the urge to bring her closer. Surprisingly, she didn’t leave, but rested her head on my shoulder, her face hidden against the fine linen of my shirt. The way she snuggled against me made me feel uneasy, yet humbled in a way that bothered and intrigued me. I drew my hands slowly up and down her back, unwilling to release her just yet.
“I won’t wait forever.” I forced my hands to stop. No caressing. No comforting. She needed to understand what this relationship would be: a business arrangement. “You have nowhere else to go. You are attracted to me. Don’t deny it.”
“I won’t.”
Her honesty pleased me. No games. I cupped the sides of her face and forced her to look at me. “Be my mistress.”
She dropped her gaze and sighed once more. “I don’t…I…”
She wasn’t ready. Not yet. I scooped her up and stood. “You have time to decide.”
With determined steps, I carried her to the bed. She watched me with those curious, wary eyes as I placed her on the mattress. And just because I couldn’t help myself, I leaned over and kissed her forehead. Lord, she looked so sweet and innocent against those white sheets.
“I’ll give you a couple days to think about it. For now…sleep.”
Before I changed my mind, I forced myself to leave her room, shutting the door behind me. It was only once I was outside that I could breathe with some normalcy. I leaned against the wall, and tried to calm my racing heart. Hell, I wanted to tear open the door and pounce on her. To show her what it could be like between us.
Mine.
My hands fisted. She was mine. She’d become mine the moment she ran into me at the Landcaster library.
Desperate, I shoved away from her door and started down the hall. I wanted her with a passion that I’d never felt before. And if there was one well-known fact in life, it was that I would do whatever the hell it took to get what I wanted.
Chapter 8
Ginny
For three days I’d been sitting in my chamber, mulling over Gabe’s indecent offer. Two of those nights he’d come to my room late in the evening to play cards, ply me with more questions, and leave me a quivering mess of unfulfilled desire.
I’d laughed with him more than I had laughed in years, argued too often about everything and anything, and found myself in his arms, being kissed, more than I should. Our meetings were fraught with excitement, intrigue, and a sexual tension that I couldn’t deny.
I sighed, staring into the flames, trying to understand my emotions, my desires, where he was concerned. Everything was a muddled mess. But the fact was…I enjoyed his company. Delighted over our conversations. Craved his kiss. His touch. His body.
The maid across from me shifted, sliding down wearily in her seat. Poor girl, forced to be the nanny to a grown woman. She’d provided me with clean nightgowns in the morning, but offered no day clothes. They claimed I was no captive, but without a proper dress, how could I possibly leave? And so, every day I was left to think over my dangerously handsome captor. And every night, after he’d retired, I was left to mull over my attraction to him.
I lacked for nothing. I hadn’t gone hungry. In fact, the amount of food they heaped upon me could feed all of the house. I’d even been offered a bath daily. Yesterday and today, flowers had arrived. In the evening chocolates and cakes.
This afternoon I’d stepped around the changing screen only to find a small box on my pillow. A necklace with three tiny diamonds. I knew immediately the jewels were not paste. Small jewels, but a necklace that probably could have kept me fed for months. As much as I’d hated to do it, I’d closed the box and told the maid to return it to Gabe’s study.
I couldn’t help but admit I felt a slight thrill every time I spotted one of his gifts. I was not immune to being bribed. However, if I was excited about his gifts, I was even more thrilled when I’d hear his footsteps outside my door in the evening.
I could not live my life waiting for his visits. Happy only when he appeared.
I glanced down at the letter from Violet.
Oh Ginny, why did you go to him? What were you thinking…