Part 9 (1/2)
Christopher. He was asking her about Christopher. Her breathless answer was immediate. ”No . . . never . . . no.”
Drake spun from her, walking in long, angry strides toward the back of the house. Serena put her hands to her hot cheeks, tears welling up in her eyes. Christopher would never make her feel as Drake did. Christopher never made her feel anything very much at all. But what of all her mother said? What of her life as a Quaker and brown-cloaked knights? Yes, Drake promised her much-not the least of which was a lifetime of such kisses. She could have it. Have him, a life with him. She only had to do one thing.
Give up everything.
Chapter Eleven.
Standing in the moonlight alone, awash with feelings Drake had stirred to life, Serena found another new emotion coursing through her.
Anger. Pure, white-hot anger singed her heart.
How could Drake leave her like that? Alone with whirling emotions, with feelings that wanted to fly?
Whatever he was, whatever he proved to be. He would not get away with it!
With determined steps, Serena made her way to her old bedroom. She didn't stop to think-no more thinking-about anything. She turned the k.n.o.b and walked into his room, shutting the door behind her with a soft click. She leaned against the solidness, her heart thudding in her chest so that she knew he must be able to hear it.
A shaft of moonlight spilled across the bed outlining his movements as he sat up. ”Serena, is that you?”
She nodded, unable to move, and heard, more than saw, him get out of bed and slip into his pants.
”Come here.” Though a whisper, his gentle voice commanded her.
She walked to him, her eyes adjusting enough to make out his frown.
”What are you doing here, Serena?”
She lifted her hand to his face, touched his cheek, running her thumb on the rough stubble of his jaw-then dropped her hand to her side. ”Thou canst not just leave me like that.”
He caught her hand in his, his gaze searching her eyes in the moonlight. ”You cannot be here, love. Your parents are mere steps away.”
”And deep asleep.”
He chuckled deep and low. ”Temptress. What did I do to deserve this test?”
She knew he wasn't asking her, which was good. For she had no answer for him. ”I love thee, Drake.” It was the hardest-and yet the easiest-four words she had ever spoken.
He groaned, dragging her into his arms. His chest came up against the wool of her plain, gray dress. ”I fear I am forbidden fruit,” he sighed into her hair. Her hands grasped him in answer.
”I would know such fruit. For always.”
”Oh, sweetness, you know not what you are saying. It can be so dark here, with me.”
”I'm not afraid.”
Even as he gave up and kissed her, he murmured a warning. ”You should be. You should be.”
SHE WAS DRIVING him mad.
Drake pulled off the cap she always wore and threw it far into the darkness where it lay, glowing like a talisman. He unraveled her heavy hair from its knot. Long, more golden than red in the moonlight and to her waist, it swirled around them like a living thing, more glorious than he dared dream, silkier than he had imagined.
The light made the rose of her lips stand out, begging to be kissed. Drake could not resist the invitation. Just a few moments of this pa.s.sion and then he would stop it as the madness it was and send her back to the attic with her sisters. Where she belonged. Safe from him.
He could not, much as he might want to, take Serena to the completion of this folly, most a.s.suredly not in her parents' home. He would not betray Josiah's trust in him, even if, as he looked at this woman's ethereal beauty, it felt a slow death to deny them both.
But he knew she deserved so much more than an illicit affair. When the time was right, he would make it perfect for her. Somehow, he would make a perfect life for her.
He kissed her, letting his mouth linger over hers, then broke off the exquisite contact. ”Tell me what you want from me, Serena.”
She looked up at him, her gaze saying more than any string of words could.
”You love me?” He needed to know for certain that she understood what that would cost her. ”More than anything?”
She pounded her fist on his chest, angry now. ”Thou knowest I do!”
He cupped her head in his palms, running his fingers through the silky strands of hair. ”You would give up this life? For a bondservant's?”
”Yes!”
He stopped her from trying to kiss him again, intent that she fully understand. ”I have so little to offer.” His thumbs caressed her cheeks as if to ease the roughness of his tone. ”But I would freely give you what I have.”
”I only want thee.” Her breath was a soft whisper on his face. He allowed himself to be submersed in her, the feel of her skin so pliant under his searching fingertips, the soft sounds escaping her throat, the feel of her lips. His hands found the delicate bones at her collar, stroked the slim shoulders and then down her back.
He inhaled deeply, wanting to make this magical feeling last, so thoroughly did it chase away the blackness that engulfed him. His hands spanned her waist, outlining her ribs, feeling the rise and fall of her breath, feeling her delicacy and appreciating the form of a woman in a way he never had. So feminine and sweet.
”Like none other in all creation,” he murmured into the curve of her neck. He felt her smile.
His lips had just found the hollow in her throat when the door burst open and light intruded upon the room. A sinking sensation brought him cras.h.i.+ng back to the tiny bedroom. Serena was still too dazed to yet realize what had happened, but he knew the moment comprehension dawned. She stiffened and moved back from him, her hand to her mouth. He turned, ready to accept responsibility-and meet a father's righteous wrath.
At least he still had his pants on.
Her mother, mouth gaping, stared at the two of them. Her father looked like the grave.
”I see thou hast made thy choice.” He directed this at Serena, apparently knowing his daughter's heart and the part she'd played in this scene. Before she could reply, he turned to Drake. ”Thou wilt take responsibility in this.”
Drake nodded. ”Of course. We will be married.”
Serena stepped forward. ”It was my doing, Father. I came to him.”