Page 66 of The Earl Next Door
Suddenly they were holding hands tightly and making circle after circle, spinning around as fast as their feet would move. Her skirts swished and twirled about her legs, her hair fell from its bun and danced across her back.
“Don’t stop.”
And she didn’t. Swinging round after round, step after step, spinning until she was so dizzy she fell against his chest, out of breath and laughing. Lyon caught her in his strong embrace and kissed her hair just above her ear several times. She snuggled deeper. It felt so good to press her cheek into the soft padding of his quilted waistcoat, to rest her head and her heart, and to allow her inner balance to return to normal. She soaked up the comfort of his hands running soothingly up and down her back.
Her breathing was labored but she was calmer. Lifting her head and her arms, she clasped her hands together at his nape. He bent and kissed her tenderly,sweetly on the lips. His touch was delicate, enticing, and brief.
“You’re breathing heavy,” he said.
She smiled and murmured, “So are you.”
For a long time, he simply held her close. She lifted her head and placed her lips on his and kissed him the same way he’d kissed her. Slow and soft. Sensuous and enticing.
The longer they kissed, the more she wanted it to go on forever. She wanted to forget everything but her love for him. She opened her mouth, and his tongue explored inside with eager yet soothing strokes. His hands moved down her chest to palm and mold her breasts, lightly caressing. Her nipple stiffened beneath his gentle touch. Adeline moaned and leaned into his hand, enjoying the intense feeling. She ran her hands down the front of his trousers and moaned.
Yes, this is what she wanted. “I’ve missed being with you like this.”
“Adeline,” he whispered.
“Yes?” she answered, enjoying the ripples of sensation tightening in her stomach, sending waves of pleasure flowing down her body to settle into her most womanly part.
“We are back to where we were a month ago.”
She turned around and looked at the settee. “I know. It’s all I can offer.”
His eyes narrowed and his lips tightened. “I want more. I love you, Adeline. Marry me.”
She swallowed hard as she gazed into his eyes. “You know I wanted a child, too. I suppose that’s really the reason I drank every brew and endured every examination. I wanted a child to love. I married Wake because I thought he loved me. But I soon found out all he wanted was an heir. Not me to love. Not a child to love, but an heir to carry on his title. You’ll need an heir one day, too, Lyon. You will inherit your father’s title one day and you will give your son yours. The burden of not being able to do that is too heavy and I can’t go through that again.”
“Have you so little faith in me?” Lyon asked in an exasperated voice. “Don’t you know by now that I would never do to you or ask of you what Wake did?”
“Yes.” She tried to tell him with her eyes she meant that. “I do believe that. But I know you deserve a son. I won’t go through the pain of not being able to give you that.”
“I’m not asking you to. I’m only asking for your love and for you to marry me. No matter who I’d marry I might never have a child. Or I could have five daughters and no son.”
“But at least you would have a chance. With me there is no chance.”
“Having a child has never been a reason for me to marry, Adeline.” He stopped and ran his hand through his hair and inhaled deeply. “My father has been after me to marry and produce an heir since I was twenty. I have always told him love comes first. Then marriage. Having or not having a child with you would not change my love for you. I’ve waited to find the love of one woman sharing my bed, my mornings and my nights beside me in all things till death do we part. You are the lady I want. The only one I’ve ever wanted. I love you and want to marry you. I’ve never forced myattentions on any woman and I’ll not force my love for you on you. You must come to me as my wife willingly or not at all.”
“I love you, too. You must know that.”
“I do. That’s why it’s so hard to understand you not wanting to marry me. It’s time for you to trust that I won’t be like your first husband. I won’t demand anything from you but love.”
“You have my love,” she exclaimed. “You have my devotion. Why can’t that be enough? You are being stubborn for not understanding why I can’t marry you.”
“I am being fair to you and to me. A lover is not what I want and a lover is not what you deserve.” His voice softened. “I have had lovers, Adeline. They are very good at satisfying the body but they don’t satisfy the heart or the soul. Marriage is a shelter, security. It is love that will hold us together and keep us content. I want a wife who loves me for me, for who I am, not whether or not she can give me a child. Love is the only thing I am asking from you, and if you can’t trust me with your love then I agree, we can’t marry.”
Adeline backed away from him. “It’s settled then.”
He nodded. “Except for Nora. That’s her name. She’s only five years old. What happened is not her fault. Keep the child Wake’s mistress sent to you. You are a kind, tenderhearted lady. You are capable and you must take care of your husband’s child. In a way, by doing what his brother and mistress are failing to do, you are finally giving him the child he wanted.”
A sob rose in Adeline’s throat again. “You ask too much of me. She doesn’t belong here. She needs to be with her mother.”
“No, you’re making excuses. You don’t want to see her each day and be reminded of the past.”
“Why is that wrong?”
“Because you must put what he did to you behind you so you can forgive and start new. And trust me that your love will be enough for me after we marry.”
