Romancing the Heiress(49)
Author: Darcy Burke
Leah couldn’t think of anything better. “It is on the way…”
He grinned. “So it is. Shall we race to the folly?”
“Phin, we are no longer seven years old. And I am wearing a very costly gown.” They’d purchased it when they’d gone to London to secure her inheritance.
Mr. Knott had been thrilled to meet Leah, having feared that she was lost and would never know of Lady Norcott’s kindness. They’d explained everything to Mr. Knott, who’d been horrified by Mrs. Selkirk’s behavior. He’d apologized profusely, but Leah had assured him that they did not fault him for what happened.
After much deliberation, Leah had decided not to seek prosecution for Mrs. Selkirk’s crimes. Genevieve had become betrothed to Mr. Fearnehough, and they were due to be wed in mid-June. Leah hadn’t wanted the poor girl to marry under a scandal. Anyway, there was no way Mrs. Selkirk could hurt Leah or affect her happiness in any way.
Leah had collected her inheritance, including a great deal of furniture and other household belongings, which were making their way to Marrywell. They’d brought some back with them and would fetch the rest, which were being stored by Mr. Knott, when they returned next month.
“If we can’t race, can we at least walk more quickly?” Phin asked, his voice turning husky.
“Yes.” Leah quickened her pace until it was almost a run. She was glad she’d swapped her slippers for walking boots after church.
When they reached the folly, she was breathing heavily, her body warm. But she suspected part of that was due to her growing arousal. They’d discussed using the folly for an illicit rendezvous, but the opportunity hadn’t yet presented itself. Today seemed the perfect time.
Phin swept her into his arms and carried her through the archway into the small faux courtyard. He set her down, and she immediately turned into him, clasping his neck and nape and pressing her mouth to his. The kiss was hot and fierce, a promise of what was to come.
“I wish we had a blanket,” she murmured between kisses.
“I may have stashed one or two in the chest I moved to the upstairs chamber.”
Leah pulled back. “You did what?”
“I brought a chest. It has candles, two blankets, if I’m being accurate, and two pillows.”
She laughed. “Did you plan for us to sleep here?”
“Well, I did also install a somewhat wide chaise. If we snuggle close, we can fit side by side.”
Narrowing her eyes at him, she indulged in all sorts of ideas. “Do we easily fit if one of us is on top of the other?”
“Most definitely.” He gave her a wicked grin. “Do you want to see?”
As answer, she turned and dashed into the tower, then raced up the stairs. She stood just past the top of the stairs, very near where they’d first kissed, and stared at what he’d done. There was a chaise and a chest, as well as a small table and two chairs. The space was filled.
“You did all this?”
“It’s just for the summer months. I thought we might like to spend some time here in our castle.” He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I take it you approve?”
“It’s everything I dreamed of and more. This is where I fell in love with you.”
“And I with you, though it took me a little longer.” He kissed her neck. “Hopefully, I have been making up for lost time.”
He was. Though they’d occupied different rooms on opposite sides of Radford Grange’s first floor, they’d never spent the night apart since she’d taken up residence. Tonight would be the first night she would be officially ensconced in his suite.
She turned in his arms and gripped the front of his coat. “I love you so, Phin. Thank you for making all my dreams come true.”
“And I love you. I have one other present for you, but I’ll have to show you later because it’s in the greenhouse.”
She gasped. “Is there a sprout?”
He’d harvested seeds from one of his roses when they’d returned from London and planted them. “The barest leaf. I had to pull out Grandpapa’s magnifying glass to be sure.”
“Oh, Phin, this is the most wonderful news! I know it will bloom just the way you hope with gorgeous silvery double pink blossoms.”
“And I plan to call it Princess Leah.” He kissed her. “The most beautiful flower in all the world.”
“I was thinking that we could introduce a flower show at the gardens. Perhaps the London Horticultural Society would come and select a winner? I confess, I’m not entirely sure of the specifics.”
Phin grinned at her. “Have I mentioned this hour how brilliant you are? That is the most splendid scheme. Indeed, I’m rather disappointed in myself for not thinking of it. But this is why you are the business mind of this operation.”
“You like the idea?”
“I love it.”
She kissed him and pulled him toward the chaise. “I think we need to make sure this is sturdy enough to hold us both.”
He picked her up once more and gently laid her on the chaise. Meeting her gaze with a sultry stare, he grasped the hem of her gown and slid it up her legs until it bunched at her waist. “Shall we go fast or slow?”
“Yes. I want it all, Phin.”
Spreading her legs, he moved between her thighs, his breath tickling her flesh as he stroked her sex. “Then I will give it you, my love, my princess.”
Leah gripped his hair while he lowered his head. “Rescue me from this torture, my knight. Only you can deliver me.”
And he did.
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