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nbsp; In the warm glow of the firelight, Victoria thought her lonely little hideaway looked almost cozy. She went over and again opened the little chest, removing a stack of extra clothes and another blanket.
“Exactly how long have you been coming here?” he asked, poking at the little fire to shift a log.
“I found it about three years ago and started visiting whenever I could get away. No one has lived here for years, so I thought I might as well make use of it.”
“And you’ve maintained it yourself?”
“Mmm.” She spread out the blanket and tugged at a corner, straightening out the rumples. “I had a bit of trouble with the roof last summer after a storm, but most of the holes are now patched. The ones I could reach I covered with oilcloth, so we’ll be relatively dry if it rains, as long as we stay on this side of the room.”
His hands stilled. “You were out here in the middle of nowhere climbing around on an old, thatched roof. Alone. What if you’d fallen?”
“I’d have had Primero take me home,” she answered absently. “He knows the way back.”
“And what if someone had happened upon you out here all alone?” His voice had taken on an angry edge.
Victoria smiled as she removed her cloak. “I’ve a pistol. I know how to use it.”
He crossed the room in two strides. “You little fool! You could have been killed! What if a band of ruffians decided to use this place to hide? A single shot wouldn’t be enough, even if you managed to actually hit one of them! What if there were five, or ten of them?”
Arms akimbo, she faced him. “If I spent my entire life worrying about ‘what ifs,’ I’d never leave my chamber! I’m careful enough. I’ve been coming here for ages and I know the area. I also know enough to look for signs that people are about. No one has ridden this way in weeks, not since I was last here!”
He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “When we are wed, you will never do such a thing again.”
She raised her chin a fraction and fixed him with a glare.
“I mean it, Victoria. No more solitary journeys out here. It’s too dangerous. You’re damned lucky nothing has happened to you.”
“You think to forbid me riding where I please on my own lands?”
“No, never that,” he said with a sardonic laugh. “I know better than to forbid you anything, unless I want to ensure it occurs. But I will request that you not go alone to any place I deem unsafe.”
“I’ve been taking care of myself since my mother died,” she retorted. “I’m a grown woman, and I’ve no need to be coddled and protected.”
“You may not think so, but I must beg you to indulge me,” he said sternly. “As your husband, it’ll be my duty—nay, my privilege—to see to your happiness and safety. You would not deny me the right to protect my greatest treasure?”
He took a step forward and raised a hand to caress her cheek, but Victoria took a quick step back. “You should know that I detest being patronized,” she said. “Greatest treasure indeed! What rubbish! Do you think me a fool?”
His expression changed from cajoling to stern. “Victoria, I’m deadly serious. You cannot run about the countryside alone and unprotected. If anything happened to you I’d—”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I told you, these are my lands, I’ve a gun, and I’m not afraid—”
“And that’s the problem.” Her protest was cut off as he swept forward and crushed her in his arms, claiming her lips forcefully.
Victoria struggled, still angry, for a brief moment before the melting sensation turned her knees to water and the rest of her to fire. His kiss was harsh, demanding, and his arms were like bands of steel about her. Try as she might, she couldn’t budge, couldn’t push away. His strength was overwhelming. A thrill of fear mingled with the excitement running rampant through her.
He lifted her up off her feet and hauled her over to the blankets she’d so carefully laid out.
Again, Victoria fought for a moment, wanting to be released so that she could undress herself, but he was simply too strong.
Kneeling, he rolled her over onto her back, covering her with his huge body. While holding her down with one hand, he hitched up her skirt with the other.
His brief look of surprise upon encountering her breeches made Victoria giggle—until he took the flap in his fist and yanked down, rending the fabric. Her squawk of dismay was muffled by his mouth as he again kissed her hard. She tried to rise, but he held her down effortlessly.
“Those were my newest pair!” she scolded the instant her lips were released.
Grinning, he ignored her, jerking down on the breeches again. Growling, he ground his hardness into her pelvis until she gasped. His hand rose to her breasts, tightly constrained by her riding habit. His eyes gleamed mischievously as he took hold of her neckline.
She squealed in protest. “Julius, no! What on earth would everyone think if I returned looking as if I’d been ravished?”
