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‘There’s no need to do that.’ Alex’s warm fingers arrested Elise as she would have stood up. ‘It’s no trouble for me to put him to bed.’
‘I’ll gladly give you a hand in getting him out of his clothes,’ Colin immediately offered. ‘Then might I ask for a ride with you back to St Albans? I fear it has come on to rain.’ A hiss of water splashing on to the embers in the grate proved the doctor’s suspicions correct, likewise a pattering against the windowpanes.
‘Of course, I’ll be happy to take you. You can tether your horse behind the carriage.’ Alex pushed back his chair and stood up.
As the gentlemen carefully eased their father from his seat Elise and Beatrice went to find Mr and Mrs Francis to thank them for the fine job they’d done of providing good, ample fare at such short notice. The pea soup had been wonderfully thick and tasty and the chicken and rabbit main courses, served up with plenty of dishes of vegetables and several spiced sauces, had been very well received. The puddings had consisted of a creamy syllabub and sweet tarts of dried fruit steeped in brandy. And, of course, their father had insisted that each course be accompanied by various bottles of wine.
* * *
‘Is he still fast asleep?’ Elise whispered.
‘Snoring,’ Alex confirmed on a chuckle as he descended with Colin close behind.
The sisters had waited at the bottom of the stairs for the gentlemen to come down after settling their father in his bed. Beatrice and the doctor diplomatically disappeared towards the back hall with a mention of fetching coats and hats, allowing the newly betrothed couple a little time alone.
‘Thank you,’ Elise said simply, raising herself on to tiptoes to kiss Alex. She suddenly curled her arms about his neck, slipping her soft lips from his cheek to his mouth. He tasted of sweet wine and musky masculinity and, remembering how earlier in the garden he had caressed her mouth with his tongue, she shyly returned the seductive salute.
Alex seized the delicate wrists gripping his shoulders. ‘God...don’t, Elise,’ he groaned, forcing her gently away. ‘It’s torture wanting you, yet knowing I must still wait some days and nights.’
Elise flicked up her lashes, her confusion at being rejected softening into an expression of wonderment. She hadn’t realised she wielded such power over him. She buried her head against his shoulder. ‘I can’t wait either,’ she said softly, although in truth she didn’t exactly know what it was Alex anticipated doing with her when they were alone in bed that caused such a self-composed aristocrat to be agonised by frustration.
‘What can’t you wait for?’ he teased, feathering a kiss on her soft brow. ‘Tell me...’
‘Whatever it is you want,’ she said sweetly. ‘I’ll do my best to please you, I promise.’
He backed her against the wall, lifting her till their faces were level and she was pinned in place by his long hard body. ‘And I’ll do my best to please you and cherish you and love you every day of your life. Don’t be scared about our wedding night, Elise, even a little bit. I’ll make it wonderful for you, I swear.’
Spontaneously she thanked him with a kiss, then remembered and jerked away. ‘Sorry...’
‘Don’t be,’ he growled. ‘Don’t ever be sorry for kissing me or loving me—’
A cough preceded Colin’s arrival in the hallway, Beatrice hovering just behind him.
Alex allowed Elise’s feet to touch the floor, sliding her body against his despite the torment it aroused.
‘Shall I help you put up the hood on your curricle?’ Colin blurted in a jolly tone.
‘I hired a carriage this evening and left the curricle and my tiger behind at the Red Lion as it looked like rain.’
‘Ah...’ Colin mumbled. ‘Goodnight, then, to both you ladies and please thank your father for a most pleasant evening.’
‘Goodnight, Elise...Beatrice,’ Alex said with teasing formality. ‘I shall call on you tomorrow.’
The sisters waved as the gentlemen went outside, closing the door quickly against a gust of wet wind that would have sent the panels crashing back against the wall.
‘I feel...quite content,’ Beatrice said softly, gazing at her sister through dusk illuminated by a wall sconce and a stumpy taper burning on the hall table.
‘So do I,’ Elise breathed dreamily. Lifting the candle, she lit the way to the stairs.
