Page 64 of The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth
20
Charlotte was not surprised by Elliot’s words, since she knew that was where they were headed, but she still hesitated. This was not an easy step to take. She’d only been to bed with one man in her entire life, and she’d been married to him. Although the thought of taking a lover had crossed her mind, she did not consider herself a strumpet or a doxy and did not want Elliot to view her as such.
“Don’t think too much.” Elliot covered her face with kisses. “Just say yes.”
“Yes.” The word was out before she realized she’d said it. But she did not regret it.
“I think you knew we would one day make love.” He kissed her on her nose. “It was inevitable, given the attraction between us almost from the very first.”
Yes. She’d felt the tingles and jolts whenever they touched. She was experienced enough to recognize the desire that sizzled between them, but innocent enough to question the suddenness of their attraction.
Elliot viewed her with chagrin. “I would love more than anything to scoop you into my arms and carry you upstairs in a most gallant manner, but alas, I only have one good arm.”
“It matters not. The servants would be scandalized if you did so.” She turned to leave the room, and he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her back. He kissed her first with his eyes, then very slowly, his head descended, and his mouth covered hers, gently, and thoughtfully.
He scattered small kisses over her face. “You go first, have Bridget prepare you for bed. I will join you when she comes down.”
Could she be so bold as to make herself ready for a lover?Yes!She was a woman grown, not a maiden, and had enjoyed her husband’s attentions, even though she’d always thought there should have been more.
She smiled. “I will see you upstairs.” With her head held high, she waltzed from the room, her heart thudding with every step she took up the stairs.
Once Bridget had helped her out of her clothes and into the prettiest nightgown and dressing gown she owned—with a smirk on her face which told Charlotte her maid knew what she was up to—she brushed her hair until it shone, then left her.
After the door closed, she began to have doubts. She was looking forward to following the natural course of events that came from the desire she’d been feeling for weeks. On the other hand, she was taking a risk, also. Certainly with her body, for she could become pregnant. But also with her heart. She was not the type of woman who could lie with a man and not have strong feelings.
She paced her room, waiting for Elliot to join her, vacillating between sending him away, or pulling him through the door by his necktie. Standing by the window, viewing the mist and darkness, her attention was drawn by a scratch at her bedchamber door. This was the moment. Either she would act on her desires like an adult or cower like a young maiden and tell him she’d changed her mind.
She crossed the room, still not sure what she would do. Elliot turned the latch and entered the room. He stopped and just stared at her. “I will never forget how you look at this moment.” He came toward her, the smile on his face making her blush. No one had ever looked at her that way.
Elliot brushed the hair back from her forehead. “You have not changed your mind, I hope.”
Had he seen the hesitation in her eyes? As if to be sure, he dipped his head to look into her downcast eyes. “Sweetheart? If you are unsure, just say so, and I will leave.”
“No, don’t leave.” She reached out and grabbed his arm. “It’s just that I’m a bit…”
He grinned and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Nervous? Truthfully, so am I.”
Her eyes grew wide. “Indeed? I thought men were never nervous about such things.”
“They are when it is the first time with a woman who is special.” His lips rested against her temple as he spoke.
“Am I special?”
“Oh, yes. Very special.”
He thought her special? Or was that something he said to every woman he’d bedded?
Elliot leaned back and smiled at her. “Stop thinking.”
“What?”
“Whatever it is you’re thinking, just stop.” He kissed her, gently at first, and then with more hunger, leaving her mouth burning, aching for more, as he sprinkled kisses over her neck, jaw, and the sensitive skin under her ear. “Climb into bed, and I will join you.”
Charlotte shrugged out of her dressing grown, then crawled onto the bed and tucked her feet under her bottom as she watched him. He continued to stare at her as he untied the sling holding his injured arm.
“Should you do that?”
“Yes. The injury is still a bit sore, but I don’t need the sling all the time. And for what I have planned for you, my sweet, I will need both hands.”
