‘Heavens! Harry, please...’
Slowly he lowered himself on to his back. ‘Sit astride me, Elena.’
Her eyes widened in brief astonishment but she moved to obey nonetheless. As she straddled him he slid into her. She caught her breath, her entire body resonating with him, wanting this, revelling in the feel of him inside her. Instinctively she moved with him, in a slow delicious rhythm. Gradually, the rhythm increased and he moved deeper, but there was no pain and no fear, only increasing delight.
Harry smiled and received an answering smile in return. He knew then he’d been right. This time she was with him, part of him. Her beautiful eyes were dark with passion, their expression not of terror now but ecstasy. His hold on her hips grew stronger and pulled her down, thrusting harder. He heard her gasp, felt her body arch and quiver. Then he let go of his restraint and joined her in a final shuddering climax. Breathless now he slumped back on the bed, his heart thumping against his ribs. He had expected to enjoy the experience but the intensity of it took him by surprise. She had possessed him body and soul.
‘That was incredible.’
She smiled and leaned down to kiss him. ‘Yes, it was. More than I ever imagined it could be. Thank you.’ She paused. ‘How did you know to do this?’
‘When you panicked before it was because I was pinning you down. It was a stupid mistake and one I didn’t want to repeat. I guessed that if you didn’t feel trapped you’d enjoy it a lot more.’
‘You were right, on both counts.’
‘I’m glad. I never want you to feel frightened of me again.’
‘I didn’t trust you enough and I’m sorry for it.’
‘How should you have trusted me? You had only nightmare experience to judge by, and I was thoughtless enough to remind you of it.’
‘I shall not be afraid now.’
‘Indeed I hope not.’ He paused, regarding her quizzically. ‘Do you mean to stay there, my sweet? I’m not complaining, of course, but I’d rather like to hold you.’
She grinned and came to lie down beside him. He drew the coverlet over them and pulled her close, sharing his warmth. Elena rested her head on his shoulder. It was reassuring and dependable like the steady rhythm of his heartbeat under her hand. With a small sigh of contentment she closed her eyes and smiled. She was truly his wife now and he had made her a woman again. While he hadn’t actually said that he loved her, his actions today showed that he did care. It was enough for now.
Chapter Eighteen
Later they rose and dressed. Elena donned one of her muslin gowns. It was a little creased from the saddlebag but, having been on one of the pack horses, it was at least dry. Then she combed her hair and arranged it in a simple knot. Scanning her reflection in the mirror she thought the result was a vast improvement on the bedraggled creature she had been only a few hours ago.
Harry appeared over her shoulder. He slid his arms around her waist and dropped a kiss in the hollow of her neck. The touch set her skin tingling. She smiled and turned round, twining her arms around his neck. Then she kissed him back.
He looked into her face. ‘Have you any idea what a bewitching creature you are?’
‘If you want to tell me I’m prepared to listen.’
‘I’d rather show you than tell you.’ A more lingering kiss followed this. Then he drew back again. ‘I wanted to do that the very first time I set eyes on you, but I didn’t dare. Of course, I was thinking of you as a would-be nun at the time.’
‘I hope you are over that misapprehension.’
‘The extent of the error is now clear to me.’
‘I’m glad of that.’
‘I was happy to be corrected.’ He glanced over her shoulder towards the window. ‘It seems to have stopped raining at last. Would you care for a walk? We should be in time to join the evening paseo.’
‘The paseo would be lovely.’
Just then he could have suggested that they clean all the muddy tack or muck out the stables. It wouldn’t have mattered as long as they were together. After so many years of independence the extent of her neediness now took her unawares, like the deep-seated emotion she felt for this man. She didn’t know when she had begun to love Harry, only that she did. It was no young girl’s infatuation this time, but a lifelong passion. To lose him would be to lose a part of herself.
They strolled in companionable silence for a while, enjoying the relative novelty of a dry evening. The air was clear, scrubbed clean of haze and smelling pleasantly of wet earth and vegetation and wood smoke. The light was fading now and, when they reached the local plaza, lanterns had already been lit. As Harry had predicted the cessation of the rain had brought others out of doors for the customary evening stroll. Above them the sinking sun laced the clouds with streaks of red and gold. Harry eyed it with increasing optimism.