Page 19 of A Lady by Chance

Chapter Six

“I will no’ let you fall.”

Jessica almost laughed as Patrick took the last few stairs to the second floor, for he held her so tightly that she suspected he could carry her to the top of Ben Nevis and not drop her. She smiled up at him as he strode along a dimly-lit corridor, making for what she knew was the front of the house. A location that would look out over the river and the town. “I am already fallen,” she announced as he opened the door and entered a modestly furnished bedchamber lit by a low burning fire and one lamp.

The scent of freshly-washed linens mingled with the tantalizing aroma of roasted meat. Jessica caught sight of a table with covered silver dishes and an array of crystal bowls containing custards, a large cake, and a platter of shortbread.

When he set her on her feet near the hearth, she said, “I am not in need of any particular caution tonight—”

He paused in reaching for his cravat. His expression softened and he tugged the knot loose. “Nae bother, lass. In truth, I have never taken a maid’s innocence and I have no wish to hurt you.”

Jessica stared at him. “You think I meant…” She laughed. “Oh no, I am untouched.”

He blinked. “Aye, well. Then I misunderstood.” He tossed his cravat onto a chair. “Never fear, I will take extra care with you.”

“I am not worried.” She drew off her coat and dropped it beside his cravat. “You misunderstand.” She turned, giving an open invitation to undo her gown’s many teeny buttons. “I meant I am not in need of particular caution or even seduction.” He began unfastening the buttons. “I have already fallen in love with you. I believe I did so in the yew grove.”

He drew a sharp breath.

She quickly added, “I do not expect you to feel the same. But I am sure that is what happened to me. I know such things go on.”

“Is that right?” He shifted and warm lips pressed the side of her neck. “How do you know?” he murmured against her skin.

She shivered. “It is a family tradition. My parents fell in love the night they met. They attended a ball at a huge estate on the Firth of Forth outside of Edinburgh. My mother was hiding in the bushes, trying to avoid a suitor she considered pesky. Unfortunately, the shrubbery edged a pond and fountain.”

“So?” He neared the last buttons and his knuckles brushed the sensitive flesh alongside her spine.

“My father came along the path first and he spied my mother’s shoe peeking out of the bushes.” Jessica smiled to recall the tale. “When he parted the branches to see who hid there, my mother leapt backwards and toppled into the pond.”

Patrick laughed. “I suppose he rescued her?”

“He did.”

“And you take after her?”

“So some say. Indeed, there is a similar tale about an ancestress who lived several centuries ago. She—”

“She can wait till later, sweet.” He turned her to face him, then cupped her face in his hands and kissed her forehead. “This night is about you.”

Jessica caught sight of rose petals and sprigs of heather decorating the table. She clasped a hand to her breast. “Was it your idea to sprinkle rose petals and sprigs of heather on the tablecloth?”

To her surprise, color bloomed on his face. “Nae. That will have been Cobbs’ doing. Or perhaps Maggie’s idea. She’s the lass who brought the food from the Golden Hart, the nearest inn and tavern. I wouldn’t have—” He broke off, looking more embarrassed than before. “I mean, had I known I’d be marrying you…”

“And you did.” Jessica lifted onto her toes and kissed him. “Nothing else matters.”

“Shall we dine now? I would no’ want to rush you.”

Jessica shook her head. “I am not hungry.” Except for kisses.

Despite the tremble in her fingers, she pushed the sleeves of her gown down her arms and let the dress pool at her feet. She stood before him in her petticoat. His gaze heated and something stirred inside her. Perhaps this was the part of her that hurtled headlong into predicaments. She’d always wondered if she and her mother shared a voracious need that demanded attention, fulfillment.

She pulled two pins from her hair. “My braids are still woven with seed pearls and ribbons. Oh, dear, what shall I do?”

“This is a serious matter.” He grasped the braids and, in less than an eye-blink, her hair tumbled free, the resin-kissed curls spilling around her shoulders and down her back. “That is much better.” He scooped up handfuls of her hair, buried his face in the strands, and inhaled deeply. When he looked up again, he smiled. “Lady Jessica and a hint of yew. I will never gain enough of such headiness.”

He shrugged out of his coat, then shed his shirt and breeches so fast that Jessica almost grew dizzy watching him. She couldn’t tear her gaze from his manhood. Heaven help her, she had no idea that the male organ was so large. Jessica swallowed and forced her attention to his face. She startled to find he’d been watching her.

“Shall I take off my petticoat?” she asked.