An Impossible Confession by Sandra Heath Read Free Book Online Page B

his eyes, and suddenly felt dreadful. She’d behaved apallingly, and now, in the cold light of dawn, she was only too conscious of the fact.
    ‘Mrs Brown, I promise you I don’t think anything ill of your conduct; indeed, it has been quite obvious to me that having to lodge here has been very difficult for you. As I said earlier, I can’t begin to guess what your secrets are, and it isn’t my place to guess anyway, but that doesn’t stop me wishing I did know everything about you. If it hadn’t been for the importance of my appointment in town, I’d have stayed here a little longer in the hope of furthering our acquaintance.’
    She stared at him. ‘You – you would?’
    ‘How can you really doubt it? Haven’t I made it plain enough that I find you devilishly attractive? Perhaps I should make it plainer.’ He put his hand to her waist, drawing her close to kiss her on the lips. It was no brief caress, but a leisurely arousal of her already susceptible body. She was enveloped by a sweet, beguiling ecstasy, his to do with as he pleased, and her lips parted willingly as her body melted against him. She surrendered to the wild feelings tumbling through her, returning the kiss with an unqualified honesty that hid nothing.
    Mary watched in the utmost dismay, unable to believe that her chaste, if a little impetuous, mistress was really behaving in this wanton way.
    His lips moved richly over Helen’s as for a long, long moment he dwelt on the kiss, but at last he drew slowly away. ‘I sincerely hope that this is to be au revoir and not good-bye,’ he said softly, his eyes very dark.
    She couldn’t say anything. Her heart was pounding so much it was unbearable, and the tumult of emotion throbbing through her was so wild and exciting that she was in danger of forgetting she was in this place under false pretenses, in danger of forgetting that he and Gregory viewed each other with a deep dislike.
    He saw the warm flush on her face. ‘You’re a sweet mystery to me, and it may be that you have no choice but to remain a mystery, so please believe me when I say that if this is the case, then you will never know a moment’s embarrassment because of me. If we should come face to face under circumstances that are an anxiety to you, and you need to forget we are acquainted, then I will bow to your wishes.’
    She wanted to say so much to him, but as she struggled to find the right words, Mary knew it was time to intervene. ‘Madam, you really should go back inside, it’s not right to stay out here in only your wrap.’
    The note of warning was timely, and in a cold wash of sanity Helen strove to collect herself. What would he think of her if he knew she’d told him nothing but lies since they met? And what would he say if he knew she was the sister-in-law of Colonel Gregory Bourne? She wanted to see him again, but everythingconspired to make that a very unwise decision indeed.
    He put his hand to her cheek. ‘If by any lucky chance you do wish to further our acquaintance, well, there are three addresses which will find me; Drummond House in Berkeley Square, Wintervale itself, and 5 King Henry Crescent, Windsor. I will not embarrass you by attempting to seek you out in Ascot, for I respect your right to every privacy. The ball is very firmly in your court, Mrs Brown.’ His thumb moved gently against her skin for a moment more, and then he turned and walked away toward the stables.
    A minute later, she heard the curricle. He drove across the courtyard, and she felt his warm glance upon her before he tooled the fresh bays beneath the archway and out onto the London road. The cool dawn air didn’t seem to touch her, she was still wrapped in his embrace. She gazed at the archway, listening until the sound of the curricle died away completely into the distance.
    Mary looked anxiously at her. ‘Miss Fairmead, you were very unwise to permit such intimate liberties.’
    ‘I know.’
    ‘And as for returning the kiss like