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“I’ve been told as much.”
It was all becoming too clear. Anna must have told Laura about future nuptials; Graham made it worse by making a cruel joke, and now Laura had lost all confidence in him. Edward’s heart was breaking. “You have been deceived.”
Laura shook her head. There was a pained expression on her face. “Even if I have, Your Grace, it’s inevitable that I’ll watch you marry. I thought I’d be strong enough. Become a governess to your children. But I guess I’m not as strong as I thought. I won’t be able to work under your roof when that happens.”
Edward willed himself to breathe. He felt tears coming to his eyes, and although Laura was the only person in the world that he wished to shed tears in front of, he refused to do so on that occasion. “I promise that won’t happen. You’re not leaving this estate.”
“Can you prevent it?”
“Yes. You belong to me.”
Laura stood up, indignantly. He could see that his words troubled her, and he instantly regretted them. “I belong to no one.”
Edward put up a hand to halt her from speaking further. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to say that.”
“But you did say that.”
“It was not my intention. I …”
“I feel as though I need to leave at once.” Laura made her way to the door, and Edward followed her, grabbing her by the arm. Her flesh felt soft to the touch.
“Laura, listen to me.”
“I’ve heard too much.”
“I will not marry Anna Rutley, no matter what she told you. And I don’t believe in the sentiment that Graham shared with you. You were deceived last night, and I want to make it right.”
“You wish to return to how we were before, but I don’t know that I can.”
Laura softened. A tear streamed down her cheek, and Edward brushed it away with his finger. “In truth, I don’t know that I can see myself with anyone but you.”
Laura’s eyes widened. She heaved a sigh. “How do I know whether to believe you?”
“Because I cannot tell you a lie. My feelings for you are real. And my intentions.” Edward wished to bear all to her. There was no more holding back.
“I …” Laura looked down towards the floor. Edward put a finger under her chin and tilted her face up. “I will never not have feelings for you.”
Edward smiled. “Then we can agree upon one thing.” He took her hand and clasped it. It was cool to the touch. If Laura were his, he’d make sure that her hands were never cold. He’d hold them all the time. “Did you truly believe Anna when she said those things to you?”
“I didn’t know what else to believe. She was adamant that you two were to marry.”
“She’s a conniving woman. I could never marry her.”
“But she is beautiful. And cultured.”
“I can say with utter certainty that she’s not as beautiful and cultured as you.”
Laura smiled for the first time, and Edward wished to take her face into his hands. He wanted to kiss her so badly he’d broken out into a sweat. But Edward would hold off for the time being. He didn’t want to give Laura the impression that there was one thing and one thing alone that he wanted from her. He wanted so much more.
That’s why it came as a surprise when Laura reached her lips up to his, claiming a kiss. Edward felt everything inside of him melt. Instinct took over, and Edward enveloped her in his arms, lifting her against his chest. He held her tight and heard her moan softly. What he had in his arms was everything he wished for in life. Before he could even think, he walked towards the bed, falling onto his back and taking Laura with him as she leaned on his chest. She was as light as a feather on top of him.
Instead of protesting, Laura kissed him hungrily, and Edward felt her breasts push into his chest. His manhood became erect, pushing into Laura’s hips. As he felt Laura run her hands through his hair, Edward was convinced that he was the luckiest man in the world, but not the most content. He wanted more from her at that moment, so much more. But Edward would never take that delicious step until Laura gave him word that she wished for the same.
Her body aligned with his. As they continued to kiss, Edward rolled her over so that he could be on top of her, pushing her body into the bed. He had her in the very place that he had been longing for. At night, having Laura beneath him was all that Edward could think of. He’d dream of her. And now she was underneath him, entirely his for the taking.
Edward pushed his hips into hers, longing to one day do so unclothed. They both moaned at the sensation of it. They continued to kiss, Edward using every last ounce of his strength not to bring a hand underneath her skirt.
