He remained hunched over as he said, “It's a male sort of pain, Victoria.”
“Ohhhh,” she breathed. “I had no idea.”
“I wouldn't have expected you to,” he muttered.
Another minute went by, and then Victoria suddenly got a horrible thought. “This isn't permanent, is it?”
He shook his head. “Don't make me laugh. Please.”
“I'm sorry.”
“Stop saying you're sorry.”
“But I am.”
“Cold, hunger, and then mortal injury,” Robert said under his breath. “Was ever a man as plagued as I?”
Victoria didn't see any reason to reply. She kept her gaze scrupulously on the window, watching as Kent rolled by. There was no sound out of Robert for at least ten minutes, and then, just when she was certain he must have fallen asleep, she felt a tap on her shoulder. “Yes?” she said, turning around.
He was smiling. “I'm feeling better now.”
“Oh. Well, I'm so happy for you,” she replied, not really certain what type of comment passed for appropriate in this situation.
Robert leaned closer, a hungry look in his eyes. “No, I meant that I'm feeling much better.”
Victoria wished he'd stop speaking so cryptically. “Well, then, she said, “I'm very happy for you.”
“I'm not certain you understand,” he murmured.
Victoria wanted to say that she was certain she didn't understand, but before she could get a word out, Robert had yanked her legs onto the seat, and she was lying on her back. She gasped his name, but he silenced her with a kiss.
“I'm much improved,” he said against her mouth. “Very”—kiss—“very”—kiss—“ much improved.” He raised his head and gifted her with the slowest and most languorous of smiles. “Would you care for a demonstration?”
Chapter 21
H ere?” Victoria croaked. “In the carriage?”“Why not?”
“Because…Because…It's indecent!” She tried to pull herself away, then muttered, “It must be.” Robert lifted his head a fraction of an inch. His blue eyes twinkled mischievously. “Is it? I don't recall your father ever delivering a sermon on the topic.”
“Robert, I am certain that this is most irregular.”
“Of course it is,” he said, nuzzling the underside of her chin. She was soft and warm and still smelled like his sandalwood soap. “Normally I would not indulge here in the carriage, but I did want to set your mind at rest.”
“Oh, so this is for my benefit?”
“You were so concerned about possible permanent effects of my injury…”
“Oh, no,” she said, trying to catch her breath. “I am confident of your recovery, I assure you.”
“Ah, but I want to make certain you have no lingering doubts.” His hands wrapped around her ankles and began to slide up her legs, leaving twin trails of fire that burned right through her stockings.
“None, I assure you.”
“Shhh, just kiss me.” He nibbled at her lips, his hands sliding up and over the soft curve of her hips. Then he rounded them behind her, cupping her soft backside.
“I thought—” She cleared her throat. “I thought you didn't want to do this again until we were married.”
“That,” he said, moving to the corner of her mouth, “was when I still thought we could be married this evening. I have discovered that there is a time and a place for scruples.”
“And this isn't one of them?”
“Most definitely not.” He found the bare skin of her upper thighs and squeezed, eliciting a gasp of delight. He groaned, loving the sounds of her desire. Nothing had the power to inflame his passion quite so much as the sights and sounds of her pleasure. He felt her arching beneath him, and his hands moved to her back, where they furiously worked at her buttons. He needed her…God, he needed her now.
He pushed down the bodice of her gown. She was still wearing the blue nightdress as a chemise. Too impatient to unfasten that as well, he instead captured her breast with his mouth, dampening the fabric around her peaking nipple with his tongue.
Victoria was thrashing beneath him, incoherent mumblings escaping her lips. He lifted his head for a moment to look at her. Her sable hair was wild and free on the bench cushions, and her dark blue eyes were nearly black with desire. Robert's throat filled with an incomprehensible choking sensation, and he was overcome by a feeling so strong that he couldn't possibly contain it. “I love you,” he whispered. “I will always love you.”