Page 89 of Redemption

“You didn’t answer my question, Rhea.” The quiet resolve in his voice made her straighten her shoulders, and she slowly turned to face him.

“I don’t intend to, since it’s pointless to do so,” she said as she averted her gaze from his penetrating one. “I’ll be leaving for Green Hill House in a few days. I want to put as much distance between me and the past as I possibly can.”

“It’s not like you to run away.”

“I am not running away,” she snapped as she glared at him. “It has always been my plan to return to Green Hill House to tend to the health and welfare of the children.”

“Then I’ll come with you,” he said as if he’d just had an epiphany. “I’m good with children, and they’ll need a father figure to ensure you don’t mollycoddle them.”

“I beg your pardon,” she gasped as she stared at him with a mixture of disbelief and anger.

“Naturally, you’ll have to marry me. As my mistress you’d be setting a poor example for the children, and I know you wouldn’t want to do that.”

“You’re mad.”

“Madly in love with you, I’m afraid,” he said.

The smile of satisfaction on his face made her heart skip a beat. He wore the look of a man who’d just solved a difficult problem, and a small bud of hope began to flower inside her. Once again she struggled with the possibility he would be giving up far more than he realized if he were to follow through on this path of insanity. She shook her head in dismay as he slowly closed the distance between them.

“I know your family is renowned for being reckless, but I’m certain this path you’re proposing exceeds anything others in your family have done.”

“Perhaps,” he said as he pulled her close. “Although, I certain my brother would disagree with you.”

Unable to avoid it, she breathed in the familiar male scent of him. With each breath she drew in, her body and heart cried out with a need to accept the happiness he offered. She knew she should fight him, but what he was proposing was laying waste to any of her objections. Gossip might reach the ears of people in the countryside, but she knew it wouldn’t be of any real consequence. Still, a small part of her resisted. She was frightened for him and his family. By taking her into the fold, they would face a great deal of scorn and scandal.

“You mustn’t do this, Percy,”

“What? Love you? How could I not?” he said as he bent his head and nibbled at her ear. “However, I would appreciate it if you would put me out of my misery and tell me what I already know.”

“Please, Percy,” she gasped as warmth spread through her.

“Tell me what I want to hear, my love.”

His whisper blew across her skin like a hot breeze. Percy lifted his head and stared down at her. The determination in his expression was countered by the flash of concern she saw in his gaze.

“I…love you, but it’s impossible. You can’t—”

She didn’t have a chance to offer up any other objections as his mouth captured hers. The warmth of him and his kiss invaded every cell in her body, and she melted into him. Here, in his arms, was happiness—the chance to be greater than she was simply because he believed in her. His kiss was tender and filled with adoration. Its warmth healed her spirit and pulled her into a place where nothing could hurt her as long as he was at her side.

His tongue laced her lips until she opened her mouth to allow his tongue to tangle with hers in a dance of fire and seduction. Passion spiraled through her, and the depth of her love for him made her long to be with him completely and utterly. With a quick twist of her body she pulled free of his embrace and hurried to the salon door. The soft thud it made as she closed it and turned the key sent her heart racing as she realized where he was concerned she would always be unredeemable.

Slowly, Rhea turned to see him staring at her with surprise and the beginning of comprehension as to her intentions. Her steps measured and unhurried, she closed the distance between them all the while her fingers were opening the buttons on her shirt-waist. Disapproval and desire crossed his face as she moved toward him.

The fact that he stood stiffly in front of her, clearly riveted by her approach filled her with a sense of power. The force of it flooded through her as she realized she was in complete command of this moment. Happiness skimmed through her as she saw the desire in his gaze deepen. He shook his head with dismay.

“Christ Jesus, marrying me doesn’t mean you have to live up to the Rockwood tendency for recklessness.”

“Do you want me to say yes?”

She pulled her shirt-waist free of her skirt and quickly undid the hooks on the front of her corset. With each word, movement, breath, and beat of her heart, she realized being with him would set her free. There would be no more fear—only happiness and joy.

“God help me, Rhea, you’re not playing fair.”

His throat bobbed furiously as he clasped his hands behind his back in a clear effort to keep from reaching out for her as she came to a halt in front of him. A tortured groan escaped him as she dropped her corset onto the floor and ran her hands upward from the waistband of her skirt to caress her breasts.

“Bloody hell,” he choked out in a tight voice. “This isn’t just reckless, it’s madness. If someone were to—”

“Take off your jacket, Percy. Now.” Although it was a command, she kept her voice quiet and seductive.