He glanced back along the path. The girls were gone, and he did not like to see Sally in distress over something that could not be changed. He eased closer to her, wondering if he could take her hand and offer any comfort. “My only hope now is that they do not suffer nightmares from the telling.”
She was so close he could inhale the delicate perfume she wore, a hint of rose and spice that matched her personality to perfection, and see the fine lines of tiredness around her eyes. He caught her hand and squeezed. “The details of the battle were not meant for delicate ears.”
“You told them enough.” She wiped her cheek again with her free hand. “Not knowing and falling prey to imagination has been worse for them.”
“And for you too it seems,” he said as he caressed the back of her tiny hand with his thumb and let out a shuddering breath. They were finally touching, and he did not want to let her go. “I am glad to see you have not changed beyond the surface view.”
“Of course I am not changed,” she protested indignantly.
“I see a difference. You have lost your trust.” He shrugged. “But you still carry the worry for your family on your slender shoulders.”
She glared at that. “I love my family.”
“I remember.” He sighed and released her hand when she tugged on it. “There are worse people to love.”
She stiffened, eyes accusing. “Yes, there are.”
He looked deep into her eyes. The hurt he had inflicted when he had chosen to continue his career was still there in her exquisite green eyes. But he had chosen to accept the promotion and Rutherford’s offer of financial and political support, anything to have a chance to deserve her. He had not even been allowed to say good-bye, and now it was too late to do anything but that.
Before he considered the wisdom of his actions, he leaned down, pressed his lips to her cheek in a soft kiss, intending one last tender moment to hold dear for what remained of his life.
He would never forget her.
Sally turned her face toward his suddenly, and their lips brushed.
As they stood in the warmth of the sun, the scent of Sally’s perfume brought his desire rushing to the surface. He deepened the kiss immediately, running the tip of his tongue across the seam of her lips until she opened to accept him.
The next heady moments kissing Sally were everything he had held dear and dreamed of during the lonely nights of his command. He dragged her into his embrace and she came, unresisting, and eagerly wrapped her arms about his neck as she had done when they had been courting. She tasted sweet, of desire and of unbearable innocence. Her lips and body were warm and soft against him.
His bright star. The place he wanted to call home but could not claim now because she had given her heart to another.
He released her swiftly when it dawned on him the risk he had taken with her reputation. She was engaged, and he should not forget that. He had made a mistake in being with her despite that it felt so right. “Good-bye, Sally.”
He turned away before she could berate him, protest at the liberties he had taken. He should not have kissed her. She was not free. She was not his.
“Wait,” Sally called urgently.
He swung around and met her gaze. Desire had brightened her eyes. Hope rocked him. “Yes?”
“The duke will expect us to return to his study,” Sally said calmly, reminding him of the reason he was at Newberry Park. Even though her chest rose and fell from heightened desire, she would never forget that duty to her family always came first.
Felix took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Of course she would not want him to stay for selfish reasons. Why would she give up her perfect future for the man who she believed had taken advantage of her untutored desire all those years ago? “Yes, of course. The duke. After you, my lady.”
They strolled slowly toward the house, a new tension between them. Awareness of Sally strong and sharp, and painful. And still he wished to take her hand and press it over his thundering heart. He had done that the last night they had made love, tangled in the sheets of her bed and drunk on desire.
Sally cleared her throat. “Why are you here?”
Not to seduce you. Though he wanted that and more.
“You could have more of an idea than I know myself.” He shrugged. “Your father summoned me from London. The note said it was urgent and I came immediately. I still have no idea what is going on.”
“My father returned to London and the admiralty this morning,” Sally confessed, her expression puzzled. “He did not say when he would return.”
“I am sure it will be soon.” He winced, cursing the lost time and experiencing discomfort. The admiral would undoubt
edly return to marry off his eldest daughter. “You are to be married, and I do not believe your father would miss the occasion.”
“No, he would not.” Sally nibbled the tip of her glove as they stepped through the arch and proceeded down the wisteria-covered walk. The scent was sweet and the hum of bees droned in the air above his head. “Have you been accused of something untoward?”