Page 68 of Courting Elizabeth

“You’ll have to be more specific.”

Even at this moment, she still found a way to provoke me. I loved her all the more for it.

“A pregnancy is possible as early as tonight.”

Her levity disappeared.

“I know.”

“I will do everything in my power to protect you and any child. But I cannot promise to prevent that risk.”

“I’m not asking you to prevent it.”

“The first time may be uncomfortable. I will stop if you ask me to, even after we’ve begun.”

“I know that too.”

“You have no obligation.”

She came to me.

“Fitzwilliam, if you list one more reason to send me away, I’m going to believe you no longer desire me.”

An incredulous laugh escaped me.

I took her hand and placed it on me, against the hardness my trousers did not conceal.

She drew in a sharp breath.

“Is that a sufficient answer?”

Her fingers curled around me with cautious curiosity. I had to grip the edge of the dresser.

“You’re…”

“Yes.”

“I hadn’t understood that…”

“Elizabeth.”

“Yes?”

“If you continue, my patience will reach its limit very quickly.”

A mischievous gleam flickered in her eyes.

“That would be regrettable after so much effort.”

I lifted her in my arms.

She gave a small cry and clung to my neck.

“You’re taking advantage of your strength again.”

“Entirely.”

I set her at the edge of the bed, then knelt to remove her slippers. Her feet were bare. I pressed my lips to her ankle.