She pouted. "Not fair. Men can't really-"
"Er, no. I suppose not. Not without disturbing the peace, in any event."
"Though I have to say, you look simply breathtaking in evening clothes."
He gave her a warm smile. "As do you."
Having finished his ablutions, he began to gather all of his garments.
She sat up, pulled the sheet off herself and came over to where he was standing. "Please, may I, one more time?"
He stood straight and enfolded her against his bare body. She could feel all of his muscles ripple under his soft skin and began to kiss her way across his chest.
"Arabella, your maid will be-"
She nibbled his nipples and kissed her way down to his stomach, nipping and teasing until he groaned. He nearly swooned as she licked her lips and ran her mouth along him before taking him inside in a sucking caress.
"My God, Arabella, no." He pulled her to stand upright and kissed her hard. He moved between her thighs once more and took her then and there right against the wall.
"Sorry. My curiosity got the better of me," she said when he had finally calmed.
"It was wonderful. But we can't keep on like this. I must go. If you get any more curious thoughts, save them for later and I'll be more than happy to satisfy every single one of them."
She frowned. "Do we dare risk meeting later?"
"I never want to spend another night without you again."
Blake kissed her, then took her arm and led her back to the bed. He made her get in, pulled the covers up over her and tucked them around her. He stroked her hair tenderly.
"Rest now, darling. Get some sleep. I'll see you at dinner. We can speak to Mr. Jerome about our plans afterwards."
She closed her eyes obediently for a short time, but as Blake washed and began to dress once more, she could not help but admire his awesome physique. She worshipped him; but she knew he was also a false god. That there would be a price to pay for the happiness they had shared.
They had sinned by not waiting for the church ceremony to give them leave to love each other as they had done last night. But they were meant to be together, she was sure of that. From the moment they had met, he had been all she could think about or delight in.
"You'd better keep your eyes down when we meet, darling. Any more looks like that I'm not going to be able to restrain myself." He stepped over to the bed for one last kiss and caress. "I love you so much."
"I know. I'll never get tired of hearing it. Feeling it."
"I'll see you later, love. I'll be counting the hours. Sleep now."
He strode over to the door, looked out in both directions, and with a last blown kiss, vanished, shutting the portal softly behind him.
She threw herself on her side and hugged a pillow to her, smelling his warm, woodsy fragrance, the smell of him on her flesh, his taste…
She felt as fevered as she had at the inn, more so, for now she did not have to imagine what it was like to be his lover. Now she knew. It was heaven on earth, and she couldn't wait to see Blake again.
She only hoped that everyone would understand… Their true friends would, at any rate. But what her rejected suitors would say, she had no idea.
She shrugged. It didn't matter now. They would marry no matter what anyone said. There was really nothing anyone could do about it except express disapproval.
She hoped the Jeromes would not be too upset, blame themselves or think they had been duped. She had never dreamt in all these weeks that Blake would have ever changed his mind about her, let alone that he had been nursing an unrequited passion. Still waters most certainly did run deep with him.
Would she ever really be able to know him intimately? There was so much still hidden from her, even though they had now shared the most private thing a man and woman could ever share.
But then, there was daily life too. The life built together, side by side, once they were married.
Any questions she had about Blake would be answered in the fullness of time. Now that his love had been revealed to her, all the rest would just fall into place, she was sure.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Arabella dressed with care for her interview with Mr. Jerome that day, choosing her rich sable gown with cream lace trim which she had bought in London.
She took a long time in the bath, making sure she was clean, soothing the mild ache she felt between her thighs. Ache, or a throb of need? Her skins still felt so sensitive all over, she had to press her hands together tightly to calm herself.
Arabella took Blake's advice and made the water colder, but the knobbled fabric of the towel as she dried herself was enough to make her pant and groan anew. What had he done to her?