“Miss Evelyn, you look refreshed,” he said, his green eyes bright from the sunlight reflecting on them.
“I very much am, Mr. Shaw. And I look forward to riding with you today.”
His gaze dropped to her lips as his parted. Quickly masking his expression, her moved to the side and swept his arm to one large black horse and an exquisite mare with a dapple-gray coat. Truly, Evelyn had never seen such an ethereal creature.
Mr. Shaw led her to the horse and helped her onto the side-saddle. She grabbed the reins and shimmied her bottom until she was perfectly situated. He mounted then clicked his cheek to move the horse toward the road.
“Do you have anywhere in particular you would like to ride?” he asked.
Did every sentence need a double meaning?
“I will go wherever you take me,” she said with a light laugh. Two could play at that game.
He turned his head quickly toward her with raised brows. “Miss Evelyn.” he said in a quiet tone bring his horse alongsidehers as they trotted down the lane. “You are in very high spirits this morning. Perhaps I should find some place secluded.”
“Now, Mr. Shaw,” she said, “you know my father will be only a few paces behind us the entire time. We will not be permitted time alone.”
“Pity,” he said. “I was hoping to taste your sweet lips once more today.” His grin was infectious. His cloak was loosely draped around his shoulders so she could see the white shirt that lay beneath and the hint of a muscular chest she itched to touch.
“Then we shall have to improvise,” she said.
“How so?”
“You can tell me how you would kiss me. Describe it in detail.”
He shook his head. “That will not do. I will not be able to sit atop this horse if you react the way I hope you will.” As he said this he shifted in his seat as if he was already feeling the effects of their words.
From her dreams she already knew what he meant and the thought made her squirm too.
They trotted along the laneway toward a grove and stopped just before it. He turned toward her and said, “Miss Evelyn, do you prefer a long engagement?”
The answer was quite simple in her mind. “No, Mr. Shaw. In cases like ours, I do not think an extended engagement is required,” she said grinning at him.
“Very well, then. It is set.” With that he turned around and briefly spoke with her father whose brows shot upright as he passed a look of surprise between her and Mr. Shaw. A moment later the latter moved on toward the laneway and disappeared beyond the grove.
She turned her horse and clicked her cheek to encourage the horse forward to meet up with her father.
“Well then, daughter. It is set.”
“What is?”
“You will marry Mr. Shaw on the morrow.”
“Tomorrow!”
“Yes, yes, tomorrow. He claims your virtue is at risk otherwise and he would not see to your shame.”
Evelyn’s cheeks burned at her father’s words. She had no doubt Mr. Shaw had not said those exact words, but to even imply them was outrageous. As they made their way back to her house she mused, she was not at all disappointed. This time tomorrow, he would be hers.
*
The wedding waseverything she could have wished for and more. A rather small affair suited her just fine as it would keep the rumor mill from churning their spiteful words. Now in their chamber at his home in Mayfair she held her breath.
“Mrs. Shaw,” he said as he removed his waistcoat and vest, “will you assist me?”
She helped him lift his shirt from his breeches and then as he lifted the garment over his head. She splayed her hands across his chest like she’d done so many times before but not like this. His flesh quivered where she stroked.
He turned her around and unhooked her corset and let it fall to the floor. He untied her skirt and let that too fall to the floor. His hands were determined as they caressed her waist and then spread around her to cup her breasts, giving them a light squeeze. His breath was hot on her neck as he nibbled her ear.
