Sebastian.
“I love you so much,” she whispered.
His lips brushed against hers, moist and hot like the summer evening. He enveloped her: his scent, his taste, the feel of his taut muscles beneath her palm. His hands made slow passes over her back, spreading fire through her veins. She strained into his kiss, and he lifted her onto his lap with ease; his fingers nestled into her hair. When he pulled back slightly, his mouth hovered over hers. They shared one breath, one heartbeat. His eyes glittered in the dim interior of the carriage.
“I love you too, sweetheart.”
Thirty
Sebastian woke before Helena. Sunlight streamed through her bedchamber windows, brightening the already cheerful yellow walls. She was half sprawled atop him in the bed, her soft hair covering his shoulder and arm like a luxurious blanket. Her bare breast was flattened against his chest. He hugged her and placed a featherlight kiss on her forehead, being careful not to wake her. He hoped she would remain in blissful unconsciousness a while longer.
The knot that had formed in his throat last night when they learned Helena’s past would be exposed had doubled in size. He had feigned bravado with her in the carriage. Not that he doubted their ability to persevere. They would. But the weeks ahead would be difficult.
The ladies who had befriended her would give her the cut direct in the streets. There would be no invitations. Lady Eldridge would be forced to disown Helena if she hoped to save face herself. And they were likely looking at months of hurtful lies being printed about Helena. About him. Possibly Eve.
His sister and mother had been amazing in their acceptance of Helena last night when he woke them. His mother had sat with Helena on the sofa, holding her hand and lending quiet strength.
And Eve… She had been classic Eve.
You love her, Sebastian James Edmund Thorne, and if you do not marry her, I will crown you with this—she grabbed a three-pronged candelabrum from the sideboard and shook it. This! You are happy. Do not muck it up.
He had laughed and ruffled her hair to hide his swell of emotion. I have no plans to break our betrothal, poppet, but your approval warms my heart.
He wouldn’t leave Eve’s future to chance, however. Her happiness was important too. Today he would seek out Sir Jonathan and double his sister’s dowry. The gentleman could take her far away, on one of his expeditions. If there were someplace safe enough Sebastian could agree to let her go.
He tried to swallow past the knot in his throat. He didn’t want to send away his sister. It would break Mother’s heart. And his.
They could all retreat to Aldmist Fell until the scandal died away. Sebastian would have to give up his work for the King’s former soldiers, but surely his father would have wanted him to take care of family first. Perhaps Ellis would agree to cosponsor the act in Sebastian’s stead.
Helena began to wake. She exhaled, her breath dancing across his skin and stirring the hair on his chest.
He stroked her soft cheek. “Good morning, love.”
“Morning,” she mumbled and stretched long like that worthless cat she had rescued.
Now that he wasn’t smarting from the feline’s vicious claws, the surprise attack was a bit humorous. He chuckled, jostling Helena.
She rose to her elbow. “Why are you laughing?”
“I was just wondering if that hellcat is going to pounce again while I am putting on my trousers.”
She rolled to her back, her sweet dimples winking up at him. “I put her out of the chamber last night. You are safe.”
“Thank you.” He gave her a sound kiss then crawled from bed. “I should go.”
“Where are you going? I thought you would stay long enough to break your fast.”
He grabbed the trousers he had discarded on a chair early that morning. She sat up in bed and the covers fell to her waist. Her pale pink nipples puckered in the cooler air. His morning cockstand returned. With a soft groan, he turned his back to her and shoved his leg into the trousers. “I need to call on Sir Jonathan. He should know what has happened.”
“Do you think he will break the betrothal?”
Sebastian shrugged and fastened the front fall of his trousers. “I intend to offer him more incentive to go through with the marriage.”