Until You (35 page)

“I meant what I said before, when we first arrived at Thorn Hill.  Brendon
is
very fortunate to have
you
for a brother.”

“Fortunately, like you, my brother has a forgiving nature.”

“Like me?”

He looked at her intently, knowing he owed her an apology for the things he’d said to his brother, the things she had unwittingly overheard that day in his study.  In fact, it was an apology long overdue.  “That you would even deign to speak to me after some of the things I’ve said, things I didn’t mean,” he shook his head slightly.  “Clearly you are far more forgiving than I deserve.”  Though he might never be able to give her what she truly wanted, at least he could give her that.

Ashleigh saw the contrition in his eyes, and her own widened in surprise.  

“I
am
sorry Ashleigh.”

“Thank you,” she replied, her voice barely audible as she looked into his sapphire eyes.

When she looked at him like that, with her heart in her eyes, it was all he could do not to pull her into his arms.  “Well,” he said, intentionally breaking the mood.  “I think it’s time I get you back to the house.  I wouldn’t want you to catch a chill, especially as we are returning to
Sethe
tomorrow.  I assure you, I haven’t forgotten my grandmother’s threat about returning you safe and sound.”  He injected a deliberate lightness into his tone as he held out his arm.

“Yes, I suppose we should go back, for I would hate for you to have to suffer the fury of Madeline’s wrath,” she replied teasingly, keeping her own voice light.

When Ashleigh descended the stairs late the next morning, she saw that Nicholas awaited her below, ready to begin the trip back to
Sethe
.  Reaching his side, he immediately assisted her into her heavy winter cloak, and then turned as Mrs. Barrows bustled into the foyer carrying a large covered basket, filled no doubt with numerous sugar-covered confections to ease her newly acquired sweet tooth during the long carriage ride ahead.  They had eaten breakfast not more than two hours ago, but she eyed the basket covetously nonetheless.

Nicholas cast an amused glance in Ashleigh’s direction, but with Mrs. Barrows’ sharp eyes upon him, he wisely refrained from making any teasing comments.

After bidding farewell to Mrs. Barrows and several other members of the household, Ashleigh and Nicholas were quickly seated within the confines of the awaiting coach.  As the gently swaying vehicle began the journey down the long winding drive, she felt a bit sad that they were leaving Thorn Hill behind, for the time they had spent there had been much more pleasant than she could have imagined.  It wasn’t long however, before Ashleigh’s thoughts began to drift and her eyelids started to droop.  Dr.
Ainsley
had assured her that the unfamiliar lethargy that accompanied her advancing pregnancy would soon pass, and she hoped he was right.

Nicholas watched as Ashleigh’s eyes began to blink with more and more frequency, and then finally fluttered closed as her breathing became even and rhythmic.  He watched her for several moments as she slept, captivated as always by her striking beauty.  After a while, her head fell gently to the side, rousing her slightly as she sought to find a comfortable position against the velvet-covered seatback.  Knowing that she couldn’t possibly get any decent rest in such a position, he waited until her breathing once again grew steady, and then took matters into his own hands.   

Careful not to wake her, he reached out and gently lifted Ashleigh from her seat and onto his lap.  He adjusted her so that her head was cradled against his shoulder, while his back was pressed comfortably against the corner of the coach, his legs stretched out in front of him along the seat.  In her sleep, Ashleigh snuggled closer to the warm comfort of his body, her faint breath blowing softly against the base of his throat. 

Soon however, Nicholas realized the folly of his action.  He felt himself becoming aroused as he held her in his arms, her face only inches from his own, and had to fight back the urge to turn his head and press his lips against hers.  What the hell had he been thinking to invite such temptation?  He groaned internally, knowing that it was dangerous to leave her where she was, but she looked so peaceful that he didn't have the heart to move her back to the other side of the carriage. 

Summoning every ounce of his willpower, Nicholas forced his thoughts to the upcoming renovations he was considering for
Sethe
Manor.  After putting so much thought into the improvements at Thorn Hill, it had started him thinking about potential enhancements he could make to his own home.  Unfortunately, just as he thought he might have succeeded in diverting his thoughts from the luscious creature sprawled across his body, Ashleigh moaned softly and readjusted her position.  The movement caused her thigh to brush lightly across Nicholas’ groin and he knew then that he had lost the internal battle.  The temptation to touch her was simply too strong to resist.  Hesitantly, he reached out to brush the back of his fingers across her petal-soft cheek.  Ashleigh responded instantly to the feather-light touch, turning her head toward the warmth of his hand, and suddenly he was helpless against his raging desire.

Ashleigh awoke to the feel of Nicholas’ lips moving gently against her own, his tongue lightly tracing the outline of her parted lips.  At first, assuming that she was lost to the glorious pleasures of a dream, she didn't think, she merely allowed herself to be carried along on the sensual journey of her fantasy.  Still half asleep, she turned her body and pressed her breasts against Nicholas’ muscled torso as his lips became more demanding, his tongue plunging into the warm recesses of her mouth.  She felt so wonderful; she wanted the dream to go on forever and ever.  Then she felt the unmistakable swaying and bouncing of the carriage and the dream instantly became a reality.  Nicholas was actually holding her in his arms, kissing her.  She could scarcely believe it.

Nicholas knew the exact moment that Ashleigh became fully awake and wondered if she would pull away from him, outraged by his boldness.  She didn’t.  Instead, she raised her arms and twined them around his neck.  Her fingers tightened in the thick, black waves at the base of his neck, holding him to her as she returned his passion with an intensity that nearly surpassed his own.  Slowly, his lips never leaving hers, he unfastened her cloak and brushed it aside, then moved his hand to cup the underside of one breast.  When Ashleigh moaned softly in response, his hand moved to the buttons of her bodice.  With deft fingers he worked the buttons, and soon he was able to slide the material from her shoulders, her glorious body now hidden only by the thin silk of her chemise. 

Nicholas’ lips moved to the base of her throat, where he pressed hot, lingering kisses that caused Ashleigh's head to reel in pleasure.  She clutched his shoulders as his hands pushed aside her chemise and his lips fastened upon an impudent coral-colored peak.  She writhed beneath him, wanting more.  When eventually he lifted his head, his gaze, sensual and seductive, locked with hers.

“Ashleigh…”

Suddenly, the carriage jolted sharply to the right and it was only Nicholas’ quick reflexes that kept them from being toppled onto the floorboards as the carriage slowed, and then lurched to a stop along the side of the road.  Cursing under his breath, Nicholas managed to untangle his limbs from Ashleigh's clinging skirts as they heard the coachman climb down from his perch.  With a rueful grin at his disheveled wife, Nicholas reached out and adjusted her bodice, covering the delightful charms that he himself had uncovered just moments ago.

Ashleigh blushed furiously and attempted to straighten her rumpled clothing as Nicholas stepped out of the carriage to discern the trouble.  He reappeared moments later, just as she finished securing the buttons on her bodice.

“I am afraid that you will have to step out for a moment Ashleigh.  It seems that we have damaged a wheel.”

As Nicholas extended his hand to assist her, Ashleigh self-consciously lifted a hand to her mussed hair.  As she stepped down, she noticed the two outriders knowing grins as they took in her disheveled appearance.  Her face flamed and she cast her eyes downward in mortification as she reached the ground.

Observing Ashleigh’s obvious embarrassment, Nicholas sent the outriders scurrying to assist the driver with one meaningful glance.   

While the wheel was being repaired, Nicholas took Ashleigh's hand and led her to the second carriage where Millie, one of the young scullery maids from Thorn Hill was seated with their luggage.  She was accompanying them on their return home to visit her mother, who worked in the kitchens at
Sethe
Manor.  “Why don't you sit with Millie until we are ready to get underway?  It is much too cold for you to be standing outside.”

“Don't be silly Nicholas; it is a marvelous day, besides I need to stretch my legs a bit.  I will wait outside with you.”

“Ashleigh,” Nicholas began patiently, “Dr.
Ainsley
warned you about catching cold.  Do you wish to have a relapse?”

“Nicholas for heaven's sake, would you please stop treating me like a child,” she said, despite the very
unchildlike
behavior they had been engaged in just a few minutes earlier.  “I will be fine.”

“If you do not wish to be treated like a child, then perhaps you should stop acting like one,” Nicholas responded in exasperation.  “It is freezing out here.”  She was so damnably stubborn; didn't she realize he was only concerned for her health.

“Nicholas I…”

“Inside Ashleigh.”  He cut off whatever she had been about to say as he gripped her elbow and turned her in the direction of the second vehicle.  Without another word, he walked her to the carriage door, lowered the step, opened the door and then abruptly turned around and walked back toward where the men were repairing the wheel.

Ashleigh stamped her booted foot in anger, her ire increasing with every step Nicholas took away from her.  Before she had time to change her mind, she bent down and scooped up a handful of snow.

Nicholas stopped dead in his tracks as a small white missile flew past his right ear, and then smashed harmlessly against a nearby tree.

Incredulously, he turned back toward Ashleigh and saw that she stood facing him unabashed, hands on hips, one eyebrow cocked, an undeniable challenge evident in her taunting gaze.

Any anger he might have felt vanished in an instant as he gazed at the proud beauty before him.  God she was magnificent when she was riled. 

Ashleigh boldly stood her ground as she waited for Nicholas' reaction.  She was stunned when he threw back his head and laughed. 

“All right you little vixen, you asked for it,” Nicholas threatened, once he’d recovered himself.

As Ashleigh watched in surprised delight, Nicholas bent and reached toward the nearest snow bank.  She shrieked in feigned alarm as he lightly packed a handful of snow and then advanced in her direction.  She darted behind the carriage just as he released the snowball, which landed exactly where she had been standing the second before.  Quickly she grabbed a handful of snow and dashed around to the front of the carriage, lifting a finger to her lips as she passed the amused coachmen, who grinned and nodded in silence.

As she rounded the front of the vehicle, she saw Nicholas walking toward the rear.  With only a moment's hesitation, she threw the snowball, and then watched in satisfaction as it hit Nicholas in the dead center of his back.  When he whirled around, his black
garrick
whipping about his calves, his look of surprise was so genuine that Ashleigh couldn't contain her lighthearted laughter.

“Now you are really in trouble,” Nicholas said, his tone deceptively fierce as he stalked toward her once again.

After several more minutes of their lighthearted play, Ashleigh began to tire and Nicholas finally convinced her to rest in the second carriage.  Feeling happier than she could have ever dreamed, she gave Nicholas a dazzling smile as she brushed the last bits of snow from her cloak and then settled herself within the carriage, content now to chat with Millie.

As much as she tried, Ashleigh couldn't stifle a yawn as Nicholas led her back to their carriage roughly ten minutes later. 

“It has been a long morning,” Nicholas remarked, as he noted Ashleigh's fatigue.  “Perhaps you should try to sleep.”  

“I do not know what's wrong with me lately,” Ashleigh replied.  “It seems that I tire so easily these days.”

“I have heard that excess fatigue is quite common for women in your condition Ashleigh, it is nothing to be ashamed of,” he assured her.  “And I am afraid that it is entirely my fault that you did not get to rest earlier.”

“I didn’t mind,” Ashleigh replied, her voice whisper soft as she looked longingly into Nicholas’ eyes.

Nicholas read the open invitation in Ashleigh’s eyes, but when they entered the carriage, he merely settled her against him and ordered her to get the rest he had deprived her of earlier.  Although he wanted nothing more than to finish what he had so recklessly begun earlier, he chose to act the gentleman.  Besides, even though he and Ashleigh’s relationship had progressed a great deal in the past week, lingering doubts still lurked within the depths of his mind.  He had already allowed Ashleigh closer than he had ever intended and knew that if they were to become intimate, she might very well gain a power over him that he was loath to yield.