She shook her head, but he could feel how fast her heart was beating. It was nearly as fast as his own. He’d acted on pure instinct to save her. He’d never been so scared for another person in his life, not even in the war during an enemy charge. His hands cupped her face, and he couldn’t resist her any longer. He kissed her with all the passion he’d felt since the moment he’d met her.
The moment his lips touched hers, something inside him unfurled. She filled a void inside him that had been nothing but utter blackness for years. He’d kissed plenty of women before the war, but she was the first one he’d felt unbridled passion for since returning to England.
She snaked her arms around his neck and melted against him. When she moaned with pleasure, he deepened the kiss, using one hand to support her neck as he pulled her even closer, exploring every inch of her sweet mouth. Nothing had ever felt so right.
Harriet reached up to caress the scar on the side of his face, and he abruptly pulled away. “Don’t touch that.”
She didn’t flinch. “My lord, do not hide from me. This scar is a part of you, and I wouldn’t change anything about it. It doesn’t scare me.”
“You don’t know what you’re saying.”
“But I do. I knew from the moment I first saw you that you were magnificent. I’d never seen anyone look so fine in the saddle before.”
“If I recall, I didn’t greet you with pleasantries.”
Harriet chuckled. “No, you did not, but from that first, brief moment, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I thought you were an avenging angel atop his trusty steed, your hair flying outbehind you like a heavenly halo, and I wanted nothing more than to spend more time with you.”
It was Hartley’s turn to chuckle. “Lady Harriet, you don’t know what you’re saying. I’m the Beast of Bath. How could you possibly crave my company?”
“You’re rude, my lord, I’ll grant you that, but definitely not a beast. You’re the furthest thing from a beast, and like a hero, you saved me today. I must admit, I was quite frightened when Meribelle bolted. It caught me by surprise, and I couldn’t get her back under control.” She leaned forward and kissed the scar before placing little kisses along his jaw and finally on his lips.
He couldn’t resist her. She smelled like orange blossoms, and he inhaled deeply as he returned her kiss. He wanted to say so much—that she was the angel for trying to save a beast—but he was at a loss for how to express himself. What could he say?
You don’t understand what I am.
You can’t be with me.
You drive me to distraction.
I want nothing more than to kiss your sweet lips forever.
But all he said was, “Let’s find your horse.”
Harriet nodded and began to call for Meribelle. They found her mare down by the stream, drinking deeply.
Jon jumped off Zeus and reached up to help Harriet down. He purposely let her body slide against his, and his desire for her exploded. He couldn’t resist kissing her again, reluctant to let her go when her feet touched the ground.
When Meribelle whinnied, Harriet stepped out of his embrace and walked toward her horse, talking softly to the mare before grabbing the reins. “It’s okay, girl. You’re fine now.” She turned to him and gave him a brilliant smile. “Thank you for saving me, Lord Hartley. As you can see, Meribelle is fine now.”
She was so beautiful, and he’d dreamed of caressing her lush curves so many times, but this wasn’t the time or place. “You’re pretty magnificent yourself, my lady.”
And I want more time and more kisses with you. I want you to scream my name when I make love to you.
He saw a blush steal up her neck at his compliment. When was the last time he’d complimented a woman? It had been years, but he wasn’t giving Harriet mere platitudes. Without realizing it, he’d begun to care for the young woman, and it frightened him. Frightened him more than anything that had occurred in his life before this moment. How was it that he could face down French soldiers with their guns and swords aimed at his heart without an ounce of fear, but this young woman sent him into a panic and left him with a deep yearning for her that he couldn’t explain.
That wasn’t good.
He’d bottled up his feelings for so long that it unsettled him greatly to realize that this little slip of a woman was worming her way into his heart.
“I shall escort you home,” he said without any further commentary.
Harriet opened her mouth to speak but closed it without commenting and merely nodded.
Hartley lifted her onto Meribelle’s back before mounting Zeus. His emotions were in turmoil as they walked the horses back across the field. He should never have kissed her because now all he wanted was more kisses, more time with her, more everything.
When they got to the property line, Harriet said, “Thank you for the escort, my lord. Perhaps I’ll see you at the next Assembly Room dance.”
Jon tipped his hat and raced away without another word. If he didn’t leave now, he’d say more to her than he wanted toadmit even to himself. Could he be falling in love with the young lady?
