Page 97 of The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth
“Better than I did at the jail.”
He hung his head and took her hands in his. The thought of her in that jail cut him to the quick. “Charlotte, I am so very, very sorry for what I did. Or, did not do. Believe me when I tell you I love you. I will never betray you again. If it takes the rest of my life, I swear you will one day believe me.”
He raised her hand to kiss her knuckles. “Give me another chance. Please?”
She pulled her hand from his. “I would like breakfast before we leave.”
He dipped his head. “As you wish.” He would not badger her. He understood her need to come to grips with what had happened, and how he had let her down.
“I will go downstairs and order breakfast sent up, which will give you time to prepare for the trip back.” He walked to the bowl of water on the dresser and gave himself a quick wash, cleaned his teeth, combed his hair, and left the room.
* * *
Charlotte threwthe covers off and stepped onto the soft carpet that covered the wooden floor. Her mind had been in a whirl since she’d awakened and found Elliot standing there, staring at her.
Oh, how she wished she no longer loved him. It would be so easy to just deny her feelings and tell him there would be no more chances. But deep down, she knew letting him go would be the worst decision of her life.
Elliot arrived back at the room at the same time their breakfast was brought in by the innkeeper’s wife. Once everything was placed onto the small table, the woman dipped a slight curtsy and left them alone.
“This looks good.” Elliot walked toward the table and drew back a chair. “Will you join me?”
Avoiding his eyes, she moved to the table and took the chair he held out. “Yes, it does look good.”
She doubted she would ever again take decent food for granted. Suddenly ravenous, she placed eggs, bacon, toast, and creamed trout on her plate. Elliot poured them both tea, and then he filled his plate.
They ate in silence, but there was no awkwardness between them. She glanced occasionally in his direction, but their eyes never met. This could be her life if she found it in her shattered heart to forgive him.
Or she could return to the one she had been quite happy with before she’d entered Elliot’s office and asked for his help. Would she find that existence happy once again?
Not likely. She loved the blasted man and still wanted a future with him.
He wiped his mouth on a napkin and placed it on the table. “We have about two hours before we leave for the train.” He pushed back his chair and stood. “I want to say something.”
Charlotte placed her hands in her lap and watched him. He walked in circles for a few minutes, then turned toward her. “Charlotte…”
He shook his head, and propping his hands on his hips, looked away. When he turned back, she was stunned to see tears in his eyes. “I will do anything, absolutely anything to return us to the way we were before I abandoned you.”
She closed her eyes, her heart pounding. She told herself she should say, “no” and prepare for her return to London, but her mouth was apparently not connected to her brain. “I want to do that as well. But I’m not sure…”
Dropping to his knees, he took her hands and squeezed. “Please give me another chance.”
She looked away and studied the wall as if a most interesting painting hung there. She took a deep breath and looked back at him. “Yes, I—I will give you another chance.” The whispered words escaped her lips before she could stop them.
* * *
Elliot’s heart stuttered;sure his ears had betrayed him. “Did you say yes?” He held his breath as he waited for her response.
A lone tear tracked down her cheek. “I said yes, which makes me the biggest fool ever.”
He climbed up off his knees and pulled her up, still not sure about taking her into his arms, which is what he wanted to do more than anything. She appeared skittish, and not at all sure she wanted anything to do with him, despite her words.
“No, it doesn’t make you a fool, my love. It makes me even more ashamed of myself, and certain that you are the finest woman in all of England. And I love you.”
Nervous at venturing into unknown territory, he placed his arm on her shoulder, and when she didn’t push him off, he pulled her against his chest. “I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
She looked up, her blue eyes shimmering with tears. The sight almost brought him to his knees and convinced him how very lucky he was to have found such a perfect woman. “Please don’t cry, sweetheart. It will only get better from here. I promise.”
“I doubt it could get worse.” Her slight smile warmed him, and all the tension eased from his body.
He lowered his head and joined his lips with hers, gently, tenderly, not with lust—although that was certainly there— but showing her how much she meant to him.
“Make love to me, Elliot. I need to feel warm again. I am so cold.” Her murmured request did not need to be repeated.
Elliot pulled her toward the bed, and within minutes, all their clothes sat in a pile on the floor, and they were in bed. He drew in a deep breath as he sat back and admired her. “You are so beautiful.” As if he was touching the finest porcelain glass, he ran his hands over her curves, noticing how lean she had grown.
He slid them both down until they were lying on their sides, facing each other. The warmth of her body, the floral scent from her skin, and the feel of her flesh under his hands urged him to bring to a hasty conclusion his attempt to love her slowly and tenderly.
Although the ancient male urge to possess his mate, to mark her as his, was strong, he drew back, wanting this experience to be about her pleasure, and make her understand through his touch, how very much she meant to him.
His lips pressed against her temple, his warm breath bathing her skin. “This time is all about you, and your pleasure. I want to make you come apart in my arms, cry out at your release. I want to love you as you’ve never been loved before.”
