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“My lord, if you hadn’t been here, I would have fallen from the parapet.”
“Perhaps you wouldn’t have. I wouldn’t have startled you, and you wouldn’t have lost your footing, and then you wouldn’t have leaned against the rail, and the rail wouldn’t have broken, and?—”
Tricia’s dander was rising. “For the love of all that is holy, Thomas, do you think any of that matters? A sequence of events unfolded, and I nearly lost my life. And even if I hadn’t, I would have suffered tremendous injury and trauma. I, for one, am very thankful you came by when you did.”
He turned from her, combed his fingers through his thick dark hair. “Tricia, you have no idea what you do to me. What your nearness does to my body. I am the host of this ball. I should be downstairs, doing my duties. I have responsibilities, but instead, I’m searching the mansion for you.”
Tricia narrowed her gaze coyly. “Well, you found me.”
“Do you have any idea what I want to do to you?”
Tricia’s heart raced against her sternum, and she was nearly convinced it would pop right out of her bodice. “I don’t know how to answer that.”
“I must find a wife, Tricia. I don’t want a wife, but it is my duty now that I’m the earl.”
Her heart hammered against her chest. Was this a proposal of marriage?
“I don’t know what to say, Thomas.”
“There is nothing more to say.” He laid a hand on her upper arm. “All I can tell you is that I hunger for you. I desire you, Tricia. I desire you as I’ve never desired another woman. I noticed you when we first met, when you were but a child of fifteen. I’m ashamed to admit that I had impure thoughts even then. You deserve someone worthy of you.”
Her heart was hammering so hard. “You are worthy of me. It is I, Thomas, who am not worthy of you.”
He didn’t reply, simply burned her with his gaze.
“I am not highborn, Thomas. Perhaps my blood is, but I was not. I was not brought up in your world.” She raised her arms to either side of her body. “But if you desire me, take me.”
Thomas averted his gaze. “Do not say such things. Please.”
“I’m offering myself to you.” Tricia should be shocked at the words coming from her body, in her voice, but she was not. Perhaps it was because she’d just brushed death. Or perhaps it was because of her love for this man. Or perhaps… Oh, who knew?
Thomas raked his fingers through his beautiful hair once more. “Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me? I’m ready to take your virginity right now, right up against this wall, and I wouldn’t feel a speck of guilt over it.”
“Did I ask you to feel guilty?”
“You’re nearly a child yourself, Tricia. You don’t have any idea what you’re saying. What you’re asking me for. You are not ready for this. And I am not ready to ruin a beautiful lady of the peerage.”
Tricia could barely breathe. She was so full of yearning, so full of want.
Boldly, she raised her hand and stroked his cheek through her gloved fingertips. He placed his own gloved hand over hers, and the warmth… The warmth from his own skin seeped into hers, even through the two layers of their gloves.
“Damn it,” Thomas growled. “I will regret this till my dying days. But I’m going to take you, Tricia. I’m going to take you right now.”
8
Thomas didn’t care.
He grabbed Tricia, turned her around so she was facing the wall.
“Stretch your arms out, love,” he said. “Brace yourself against the wall.”
Tricia did as he bid.
He removed his gloves and reached under her skirts, felt the cotton of her petticoats and then her bloomers. He slid his hands between the cheeks of her arse, and when a pool of wetness greeted him, his cock grew even larger.
“Oh, my sweet. You are slick like the stone walk after a spring rain. Dear Lord, forgive me.”
She said nothing. Did not turn to look over her shoulder.
