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Eleanor opened her eyes, looking up at him with a burning displayed that had Nathan groaning.
“Nathan.”
It sounded good to hear that, but Nathan was frozen. He knew if he kissed her now, he wouldn’t be able to stop. There was something about Eleanor that made him want to throw the rules about society out of the window.
Instead, Eleanor took the initiative. She pressed her hand to his chest and rose up on tiptoe, pausing with her mouth inches from his. Then she kissed him, a soft, gentle kiss that had Nathan groaning again. Even with all the fire there, she was delicate. Sweet.
It was almost too much for him, but Nathan managed to hold himself back. He had to. Anyone could walk in. Even now, they were walking a fine line. Nathan would not have Eleanor embarrassed.
Eleanor pressed herself against him as she kissed him harder. Then she broke away with a gasp, almost falling back. Nathan grabbed her and held her close. Eleanor stared at him with wide eyes, her pupils so dilated they turned her eyes black. She swallowed.
“Nathan...you…”
Nathan didn’t need to guess. His arousal had built to a level that he couldn’t hide physically. Now Eleanor was practically up against his hardness, her belly pressed to his erection. It would be difficult to hide how he was really feeling right now.
Nathan swallowed. “I think we’d better stop.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I won’t ruin you by giving in to basic desires. But know that it’s for you.”
Eleanor was panting, her cheeks flushed. Her mouth opened and closed, her tongue snaking out to lick her lips. Then she cleared her throat and eased back, smoothing her hands down her skirts. She was now looking anywhere but at him, her face getting even redder.
“Would...would you like some tea, Captain? I’m sure Cook can rustle up something.”
She was remembering where they were. Nathan needed to do the same himself. Much as he didn’t want to. He swallowed and turned away.
“I’d like that, thank you.”
Hopefully, by the time the tea tray came in, he would be in a state that wouldn’t be embarrassing.
You need to make your excuses and get out of here before you do something stupid.
Too late.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“So, how is it?” Marion slipped her arm through Eleanor’s as they walked through the garden. “Is Captain Reynolds growing on you?”
Eleanor found herself smiling, warmth blossoming in her chest at the mention of Nathan.
“I’d say he is. He’s not like anyone I’ve met, certainly.”
“I can tell.” Marion grinned. “You go red and smile whenever he’s mentioned. And I swear you walk with a lighter step.”
Eleanor knew that much. It had been a change to her since first meeting Nathan. It had been ten days since their first meeting, and on seven of those days they had met and spent time together. They didn’t go out anywhere - Eleanor’s bruises were only just beginning to fade - choosing to meet either at Eleanor’s home or at Nathan’s house where they would walk in the gardens or simply sit on the terrace. The weather had been very accommodating for that. Each time they were together, Eleanor felt herself feeling warm, protected. Happy, even.
Nathan was not like anyone she had encountered before. He was a remarkable man, and even he seemed to be loosening up to the thought they were entering a convenient marriage. And those kisses...he certainly could kiss well. Eleanor had longed for another kiss, but they weren’t alone long enough for her to taste him again. They were closely monitored. But Eleanor could still remember those two kisses and how aroused Nathan had been. It made Eleanor shiver thinking about what could happen on their wedding night.
He’s certainly going to leave you shaking all over.
He was still urging her not to go to the orphanage, but Eleanor wasn’t going to stop because he told her to. She had already taken a week off after the attack - she didn’t want to scare the children or the nuns with her bruises - and as soon as she looked presentable enough to be outside, Eleanor was going back. Nothing was going to stop her looking after the orphans, not even the handsome man she was about to marry.
Marry. Eleanor hadn’t thought that would ever happen. She thought she would become a spinster and live alone for the rest of her life. The only way she would end up married would have been nothing short of a miracle at her age. Now that miracle had happened.
Eleanor was still concerned about how it had come about. Something shady was going on, she was sure of it. But she couldn’t argue with the man who had been chosen. Nathan was showing himself to be a good man, through and through. He was very interesting, and Eleanor was happy to listen to his stories about his time in France. Especially if it meant listening to his voice.
If only she could stop the desire building. She did find him desirable. Eleanor had to keep her hands to herself, otherwise she would be reaching out and touching him at any given opportunity. She hadn’t touched him since he held her hand in her drawing room that day, except for Nathan to kiss her hand as a parting farewell whenever they went their separate ways. Eleanor could still feel his lips on her knuckles even a day later. And from the way Nathan had looked at her when his guard lowered, he was thinking the same thing.
How many times had there been a moment when she thought Nathan was going to kiss her? Quite a few, and Eleanor shivered as she remembered each one. If only he would kiss her. She certainly wouldn’t be pushing him away if he did. A few times Eleanor had wondered what Nathan would do if she took the initiative to kiss him, but then she pushed it away. She didn’t want to be pushed away and Nathan emotionally pull back. He had done that a couple of times himself, and Eleanor didn’t want to go through that.
Where was her confidence when she needed it?
