Redemption of a Fallen Woman Page 0,59

any man making suggestive remarks to his wife was an affront, he was glad that he'd been able to nip the situation in the bud and so avoid a very public confrontation. Villanueva had evidently been of the same mind. Having been warned off he wouldn't try and renew his addresses to Elena.

'I'm sorry,' she said. 'I didn't mean to cause trouble.'

'You didn't create that situation. He did.' Harry put his arms around her. 'You have no need to apologise and no need to be afraid. He can't hurt you.'

The gentleness in his voice was like balm and she relaxed against him. 'It was his manner I found so disagreeable.'

He dropped a kiss on her hair. 'I won't let anyone hurt you again.'

She looked up quickly and her gaze met his. The intensity of that piercing look caused her pulse to quicken. Very slowly he bent closer until his lips brushed hers.

Harry checked a little then, suddenly afraid that, after all she had endured at the hands of men, such advances might not be welcome from him either.

She felt him hesitate and gently returned the kiss. Thus reassured, he drew her closer. Immediately, all thought of Villanueva was swept away by a flood of sensation in which chill was replaced by delicious, glowing warmth. The glow kindled to flame. Elena pressed closer, her body moulding itself to his, and the kiss became deeper. Now there was no fear, only increasing desire and she surrendered to it, giving herself up to the moment.

Harry restrained the urge to crush her in his arms and let his own desire have free rein. He had no wish to frighten or, worse, repel her. What mattered was that she should enjoy this and want more. Eventually he drew back, looking into her face.

'I think we should go back inside.' He smiled wryly. 'Otherwise I may lose what little self-control I have left.'

'That might cause a few raised eyebrows.'

'I fear it would do a lot more than that.'

The implications brought a rosy blush to her cheeks. At the same time it caused a surge of hope that he really did want her, after all. If they'd been alone... Her blush deepened. She had no idea where so bold a thought had come from and was only glad he couldn't read her mind just then.

Harry surveyed her appreciatively. 'Do you know how very lovely you are when you blush like that?'

Her neck and face grew hotter. His smile did nothing for her composure at all. 'You are enjoying this, aren't you?'

'You have no idea.' The tone was both mischievous and provocative.

'It's no use, my lord. I shall not rise to this teasing.'

'What a shame. I shall have to try harder.'

With that he took her back to the ballroom. If she had imagined he'd relinquish her hand, then she was mistaken. He kept a firm hold of it until the next measure struck up. Then he led her onto the floor. As they moved through the steps every look and touch achieved heightened significance and there could be no mistaking the look in his eyes. Her pulse quickened in response. At that moment desire outweighed fear and she found herself anticipating the time when they would be alone together.

Eventually the company retired from the ballroom and sat down to supper. Elena made polite conversation with those around her but in reality only one person interested her. It seemed she was not alone. Several women vied for Harry's attention with smiling faces and inviting looks in their eyes but, although he was courteous, their blandishments seemed to make no impression on him. More than once Elena intercepted envious glances and experienced a little thrill of pride that he was her husband. She knew that most of these women had married at the behest of their families and it appeared that not all were entirely satisfied with their lot. If Harry had shown the least bit of interest she guessed it would have been followed up with alacrity. The thought sat ill with her and she realised then that she had no wish to share him.

It was late when they eventually took their leave. Their host bade them farewell with a charming smile. The previous incident might never have happened, save that he held Elena's hand a little longer than was strictly necessary. She ignored it. He didn't matter and after this evening the chances were they wouldn't meet again. She wasn't at all sorry to see the last of