“I can’t,” she whispered.
“Why not?” Jamie licked the seam of her lips. “This is what I felt when you brought me off, little devil.”
“Was it?” Evie had loved playing with him, watching his face relax in pleasure.
“Oh, yes, my lass.”
Evie sucked in a breath as he slid yet another finger inside her. She was so wet that there was no resistance, just intensity as Jamie slid his fingers in and out, mimicking what a man did with a woman when they made love fully.
If that was anything like this … Evie groaned, the sound surprising her. Jamie’s thumb brushed the fiery place again. That coupled with his fingers inside her rocked her body, her hips moving in time with Jamie’s strokes.
Dark heat erased the world. Evie half rose, a wail tearing from her mouth. She needed what he was doing, yearned for it, dragging herself against Jamie’s hand in search of it. She’d gone mad, the passion that flooded her unlike anything she’d experienced in her life.
“Please,” she heard herself beg. “Please.”
“Love.” Jamie kissed her, but she wrenched her mouth from his.
Evie heard her cries fill the still spring air, rising into the vast sky. She couldn’t stifle them, had no idea she should.
She rocked into Jamie, he holding her safely while her world shattered into a million jagged pieces that fell away, leaving nothing but joy behind.
Jamie cradled Evie as she came down from the climax, easing his fingers from her as she quieted. She was shaking, clinging to him, her breath little sobs.
Jamie eased a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed his hand dry. She’d been so very wet, coming quickly after he’d started to pleasure her. Her first time, he realized. She’d never experienced this sweet release, not even at her own hand. She wouldn’t have been so surprised by it otherwise.
Evie wound herself around him, covering his face with kisses, her response so unhindered that Jamie was rock hard.
He’d love to lay her down on this blanket, rid them both of intervening clothes and take her fully. He’d drive into her, she’d rise to him, and they’d both be shouting their ecstasy.
But this was not the time, and he’d promised to leave her virtue intact. Jamie had a place in mind for her ultimate seduction—though he had a few details to work out. He’d wait until then. Well, he’d try anyway.
Evie gradually settled and Jamie stretched out beside her, holding her while she rested her head on his shoulder, her skirts bunched to her knees.
They lay quietly for a long time, the breeze softly touching them. Jamie nuzzled her hair, and she touched kisses to his chin, then they simply lay together, Jamie loving this uncomplicated time alone with her.
A train’s whistle sounded in the distance, mournful and low.
Jamie supposed he should suggest they start back. He had a carriage waiting in the nearest village to take them to Newmarket, part of his arrangements for the day. If he kept Evie away too long, it wouldn’t matter that she remained technically virtuous. She’d be ruined by speculation of what they’d been doing out here, and speculation wouldn’t be far from wrong.
Evie sat up, adjusting her skirts, and studied him. Jamie rose on his elbows, crossing his feet at the ankles while he regarded her in return.
“Jamie,” Evie said in a low voice. “Would you marry me?”
Chapter 26
Jamie went very still, his heart slowing to painful thuds. Had Evie just asked …
She had to be joking. Jamie peered up at her, finding her blue eyes watchful.
“Would I?” Jamie repeated slowly. “Is that a rhetorical question? As in, would I ever eat beetroot?”
“No, I mean, should we get married?”
“Ah.” Jamie sat up carefully, the lump in his throat nearly choking him. She offered on a plate what he wanted. He also knew she offered it for the wrong reasons.
“No,” he said, his voice so quiet he almost didn’t hear himself.
Evie blinked, then drew back. “No?”
Jamie reached for her hand. She didn’t resist, but her fingers lay stiffly in his palm. “No, love. Because you are thinking, He’s not so bad. I like his family. He gave me a fine gift—the scull, I mean. I need to marry someone, so why not?”
Evie’s face bloomed bright red. “Why do you presume to know the thoughts in my head?”
“I’m right, aren’t I? Or close to it. Very similar to what you told yourself before accepting Atherton’s offer.”
Evie’s flush deepened. As Jamie had observed before, her blushes always betrayed her.
“Well, why not?” she asked tightly. “All of what you say is true, and we do get on.” Her lips parted as hurt entered her eyes. “Unless you truly don’t want to. Unless this is all a brief diversion before you rush off to Africa, or someplace, to drive cars or fly aeroplanes or whatever you do there.”
Anger bubbled up through Jamie’s disappointment. “Diversion, is it? I told you I was in love with you, woman.”
“Then it makes no sense why you are refusing. Perhaps you fall in love with ladies left and right, wherever you go.”
“No, this is the first time for me.” Jamie touched his heart. “Making it wonderful, and terrifying. And that is why I am saying no.”
Evie regarded him in confusion then growing mortification. She sprang to her feet and snatched up the basket.
“Very well. Never mind.” She turned away and bent her head as though adjusting the basket’s fastenings. “When we return to Newmarket, please instruct the coachman to let me off at the train station. I will return to Bedfordshire at once.”
Jamie was up beside her in a heartbeat, prying the basket from her grip. “No, indeed, you won’t. I have more things to show you, McKnight.”
“Why not? Or have I given you a new and hilarious tale to relate to your cousins?”
Evie swung away, beginning a march down the path as though she’d storm all the way to Newmarket. Jamie snatched up the blanket and strode after her.
“The carriage is this way.” He pointed in the opposite direction.
Evie growled in her throat, turned around, and pushed past him. “You do not need to walk with me. I will meet you there.”
“There is only one path.” Jamie fell into step beside her. “As we go, I can explain why I refused your so very tempting offer.”
“Oh?” she asked in a chill voice. “Do tell.”
“Damnation,” Jamie said with feeling. “Because I don’t want to be only the man you turn to when you find your heart broken. You are trying to forget your humiliation at Atherton’s hands and your grief when your first love was taken from you. I don’t want to be your consolation.” He pulled her to a stop, dropping the basket and blanket to cup her shoulders. “I want you to marry me, because you look at me and love me. Love me. And see no one else.”
Evie’s eyes were too bright. “I understand.”
“I don’t think you do.” Jamie let out a breath, lowering his hands. “I love you, Evie McKnight. I want to win you over. I want your heart to yearn for me, and your head to stay out of its way.”