Once again, he trailed kisses down her neck until he came to her breast. As he took one perfect nipple into his mouth, his hand caressed the other. She moaned and let her head fall back.

  Regina had always been responsive, and he was glad to see that hadn’t changed. But this was also the first time she’d ever been naked before him. In the past he’d seen her breasts and at other times he’d been under her skirt, but she’d always been mostly fully clothed, as he had been when she’d touched and kissed him and brought him to release. Tonight, they’d both be naked, finally together.

  Alec stepped back. He wanted to look at her body. To feast on her beauty but he feared she’d shy away and reach for her night rail. Instead, he did not look anywhere but at her face as he loosened his cravat and tossed it aside. Next came his jacket, then waistcoat, then shirt. He was as naked as she from the waist up.

  Regina glanced at his chest, but he did not glance below her face. It wasn’t time. But how did he get his bloody boots off without breaking the spell that weaved about them?

  It was impossible, so he took a step back, and then another, then feasted his eyes on her glory, from the top of her head to the tips of her pink toes and everywhere in between, including the scars on her right side. Regina stood still and let him look, but her body grew tense under his scrutiny. He knew that it would be this way the first time, even if she didn’t have scars. Proper women were not used to standing naked before anyone but a maid, certainly never a man. Soon she would become comfortable doing so with him.

  ″Perfection,” he muttered without intending to speak aloud. “Everything about you is perfection.”

  Regina dropped her gaze, a blush on her cheek.

  ″Do not shy away from me.”

  ″I’m standing naked,” she whispered.

  ″I know.” He grinned. “I’ve waited so long for this, and I am not rushing my pleasure of seeing you and then being with you. But there is one thing I need to do.”

  She frowned.

  ″Remove these blasted boots.”

  For the first time, he saw the hint of a smile and Alec finally felt comfortable to step away and sit. As soon as he tossed his boots aside, Regina came to him and placed her hands upon the buttons of his trousers. She loosened them as quickly as she had in the past, and this time instead of just freeing him, she pushed them over his hips. Alec kicked them aside, now as naked as she.

  When her hand grasped his manhood, Alec’s knees nearly buckled. “Not yet.” He took her hand away or he’d be finished in moments and that was not how he wished for this night to end. He then scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed where he laid her down, then stood, admiring her again.

  A blush spread across her skin and Regina pulled the covers to hide her body.

  He’d imagined this moment when she would finally be his and until a few days ago, had thought it had been lost forever.

  His heart heavy with love and longing, Alec slipped into the bed beside her and pulled Regina close as she rested her head on his chest. This precious moment, the stillness and the quiet he took in and wanted to memorize every detail because this first would never again occur.

  He blinked at the realization that there were tears in his eyes.

  A flood of emotion, beyond passion and desire, released within. It washed away the pain of mourning that engulfed him this past year and filled him with hope for his future…their future.

  Her hand slid up his chest and a finger circled his nipple, as she tilted back and looked at him. Her eyes questioning and with a hint of worry. He couldn’t allow her to start slipping into doubt. They’d come too far.

  She then swiped a tear from the corner of his eye.

  ″I love you,” he whispered and prayed he didn’t turn into a water pot.

  Everything he’d buried this past year, the loneliness and pain of her loss threatened to erupt to the surface, but he couldn’t let it. Not now.

  Regina shifted, rose, and placed her lips against his. When she pulled away, not only were his cheeks wet from her tears, but hers were from his.

  She stared into his eyes, and he returned her gaze. Her breath hitched and his became heavy as need, desire and passion overcame the raw emotion that first engulfed him.

  Alec rolled onto his side and brought his lips to hers. Her arms snaked around his shoulders and fingers fanned through his hair and he pulled her body tightly against his as he plundered her mouth over and over, her tongue mating with his.

  His body heated further, and he fought the urge to roll her on her back and make her his. Instead, his hands caressed up and down her back. It was Regina who pressed against him and that was almost his undoing.

  Alec pulled back and brought his hands forward, lifting and weighing her breasts. Regina’s nipples tightened. As if to mimic his actions, her palms slid across his chest. Their eyes met and held while each gently caressed the other, content to simply explore at their leisure.

  ″I want you. I need you. But I don’t want to rush, but savor,” he whispered before he kissed her again.

  Her hands caressed from his chest to his abdomen, then further and Alec grasped her hand. “Savor,” he repeated. “If you touch me, I’ll finish before we begin.”

  A blush stained her cheeks as she smiled up at him.

  ″Oh, you are wicked,” he muttered before kissing her again. Regina knew exactly how to pleasure him and drive him to the brink before finally letting him find his release. Yet she didn’t touch him again, and for that he was grateful.

  Alec also believed she needed to know he was that close, and it was because of her and after tonight, she’d never have to question his desire for her again.

  A gasp hissed past her lips when he gently pinched each of her nipples. Alec bit back a grin as she squirmed. It was then that he rolled her onto her back and pulled the covers away. He wanted nothing obstructing his view of the woman he loved. Then, he took one of her nipples into his mouth and slowly circled it with his tongue before gently suckling and nipping it as he molded and caressed the other breast.

  Regina was not one to simply lay still and be loved. Her hips lifted and turned toward him. Alec stoked the passion and let it build as her hands caressed his back until she clasped his buttocks in her eager hands.

  They couldn’t continue with these caresses much longer or he would explode before he had the opportunity to be inside of her.

  When his fingers slid into her curls, Regina’s head fell back, and she let out a moan. He knew how to bring her to pleasure, and he circled and stroked, and just as Regina shattered, Alec kissed her to muffle her cries of release.

  Alec shifted and settled between her thighs and pressed against her, then entered slowly.

  Chapter 12

  Regina wanted to tilt her hips and bring him in, but Alec was moving so slowly. She lifted and urged him forward, but he continue to move in and out, slowly, going a bit further each time. Was he intentionally torturing her?

  Alec pulled back and stopped. Regina wanted to cry in frustration.

  “Do not ever doubt my love for you. You have always been and always will be the most beautiful woman. You are mine and I am never letting you go.”

  Tears pricked her eyes as love washed over her and all the fears that she carried disappeared. “I love you.”

  He leaned forward, took her lips, and thrust deep. Tears stung her eyes from the sudden pain, but it was disappearing almost as quickly as it had come. Alec lifted his torso away and she looked up into his brown eyes, nearly black with passion.

  He filled her over and over and tension built inside. She had no control and grasped his shoulders and brought her legs about his hips.

  Alec lifted her bottom and kept plunging, no longer slow and careful, but quick, almost frenzied.

  The pressure and tightness built until it let loose, and pleasure washed over her. Alec stiffened, threw his head back, and groaned before he collapsed to the side and pulled her into an embrace. His breathing was ragged, as was hers, and Regina snuggled against him, enjoying the security of his arms, in awe of what had just occurred. But most of all, finding joy in the assurance of his love.

  Alec pulled Regina closer until her head rested on his chest again. He could remain here forever. “You have to marry me now. I’ve ruined you.”

  He could feel her smile against his chest. “You ruined me for other men a long time ago, Alec.”

  He hoped he had but was happy to hear her admit such.

  “I don’t want to wait for the calling of the bans or for a special license to wed.” Alec grasped her hands in his and gently squeezed. “I have waited a year already. Come away with me now. To Scotland. We can be married the moment we arrive.”

  Regina stared up at him. “It is nearly midnight.”

  “This is the normal time for young lovers to run north because it will be hours before they are discovered. Or so I have been told.”

  “Are you certain?” she asked.

  “More certain than I was a year ago.” He couldn’t believe she was still worried. Perhaps it would simply take time. “What is it? You don’t want to marry right away?” Worry etched his eyes as he studied her.

  “I do,” she insisted. Regina brought her hand to her mouth to cover the yawn she tried to fight.

  He leaned forward and kissed her. “Come with me now. My carriage is comfortable, and you can sleep.”

  Regina glanced to the window. “Can we use the front door?”

  Alec chuckled in her ear. “Of course.”

  Regina stifled another yawn behind her hand. “Give me a moment to dress.”

  Alec didn’t let go. “No.”

  She turned in his arms and looked up.

  “You are exhausted. I will stay and we will leave early.”

  “Are you certain?” she asked with worry.

  “We will sneak out before the sun rises and be on our way. But tonight, I will hold you while we slumber.”

  Chapter 13

  Alec gently kissed Regina’s eyelids. The sun would be up soon, and they needed to be gone or there would be hell to pay with Preston.

  “Regina, you need to wake up.”

  She slowly opened her eyes and stretched her arms above her head. When she saw him, a contented smile came to her face, like a cat that swallowed the cream, and she sighed. Clearly, his soon-to-be wife had no regrets. Regina snuggled closer to him, her eyes still drowsy with sleep. Alec pulled away and got out of bed. If he stayed there much longer, especially with Regina seductively pressing herself against him, he would never leave that bed.

  Her smile disappeared and her eyes opened wider, etched with worry. Alec leaned over and kissed her. “We need to leave before Preston or Althea finds us.”

  The bed dipped as she sat up and looked around the room. Regina was fully awake now.

  “Why don’t you wash while I gather my clothes? I will wash and dress after you are done.”

  Regina pulled the blanket tight around her body, got out of the bed, and padded her way to the pitcher and bowl of water. A lovely rose color blossomed in her cheeks and spread to the rest of her face as she tried to wash and remain covered at the same time. Alec turned his back to give her privacy. One day she would be comfortable enough to be around him unclothed.

  When she was finished, she disappeared into a dressing room, and he proceeded to dress. He was just pulling on his last boot when she came back out, wearing a modest dress of grey, prepared to travel, almost. Her hair was quite mussed, and he was the one who put it in such a state.

  A brush lay on the dressing table and Regina settled herself before it and began working the tangles from her hair as Alec tried to tie his cravat into something presentable. With quick fingers, Regina had her hair twisted, tied, and pinned behind her head. He had never watched a lady prepare for the day but assumed it took hours. Either he was wrong in his estimation or Regina was quicker than most. Of course, her hair wasn’t full of cascading curls. That probably would take hours.

  She glanced up at him through the mirror. “Ready?”

  “I have been for quite some time now.” He grinned and bent down to kiss her on the top of the head.

  Regina rose from her seat, grabbed her satchel, and tossed her night rail, along with the brush. For a moment she glanced around the room before she glided to the armoire and pulled out her cloak, retrieved a second dress, packed it away then settled her bonnet on top of her head.

  “We are really running off to Scotland?” she asked as if the reality of their situation was settling in.

  “As we should have done last year.”

  The door creaked when Alec pulled it open. Preston needed to have his servants oil the hinges.

  He stuck his head into the corridor and looked both ways. Nobody was about at this hour, but if they dawdled much longer, servants would begin their day. Standing back, he allowed Regina to precede him into the hallway. The floorboards creaked at the top of the stairs and they both stopped and looked around. He’d never noticed that the floorboards squeaked before. Then again, this was the first time he’d sneaked around the manor. Hopefully, Preston was a sound sleeper.

  A few more steps creaked and the two hastened to be out of the house before anyone came to investigate.

  “Exactly where are you going with Miss Rutledge, Alec?”

  Alec stopped mid-step and turned. Preston stood at the top of the stairs wearing a silk dressing robe with a belt tied at the waist.

  “Miss Rutledge and I were going out for a drive.”

  Preston arched an eyebrow. “Exactly where to at this hour?”

  As if he couldn’t guess already. The man was just being difficult. “Scotland, of course.”

  “My wife now owes me ten pounds.” He grinned down at them.

  “We will be off now.”

  Alec could hear Preston laughing as he and Regina walked out the door, but he didn’t care. The man was as besotted with his wife as Alec was with Regina and would have done the exact same thing if he was in Alec’s shoes. Of that, he was certain.

  He turned to kiss her as they stepped outside. “I’ll only be a moment,” he assured her.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To retrieve my carriage. I hid it last night so that my cousin wouldn’t know that I hadn’t left.” He winked and sauntered off along the drive that turned toward the stables.

  Regina glanced out and around the estate and smiled as she recalled the evening before. No longer would she doubt his love and she would be forever grateful that Alec had found her. Now they would have a full life, together, and she couldn’t wait.

  “I can’t believe that my cousin left you standing here alone,” Lord Melcombe said as he came up from behind her. “I thought he had better manners.”

  Regina chuckled. “I don’t mind, Lord Melcombe.”

  “As we are to be family, you should call me Preston.”

  “Very well,” she said.

  “What are the two of you doing standing out here?” Lady Melcombe demanded. “Why didn’t you return upstairs?” she asked her husband.

  “You owe me ten pounds.” He grinned at her.

  “Is that so? Where is Alec?”

  “He’s gone to get the carriage.”

  “I’ll pay when I have proof,” she said. “The two of you come back inside.”

  Regina was just about to turn when the rising sunlight glinted off something at the edge of the drive. She turned and squinted to see it better. “Is that a carriage? What is it doing there at this time of day?”

  Preston stared and then frowned. “The two of you come inside. As soon as I dress, I’ll go investigate.”

  Regina didn’t have to be told twice. “Perhaps it was left because of something as simple as a broken wheel and the driver wished to have it off the road,” Lady Melcombe offered while the two of them paused before the window in the sitting room.

  There was that possibility, and it was too far away to see if there was anything wrong.

  “Or highwaymen robbed the carriage, and they are afraid to continue,” Regina offered as she began to invent unlikely scenarios to make herself feel better. What she truly feared was that Vickery had learned she was alive and had come after her.

  “It would certainly add excitement to Willanton,” Lady Melcombe chuckled.

  “Or lovers meeting secretly,” Regina offered.

  “Then they won’t appreciate my husband’s interruption.” She laughed.

  The carriage that she assumed Alec had gone to retrieve pulled before the entry just as Preston was coming down the stairs. “Stay inside,” he warned them, as if Regina would even consider leaving until they knew who was there.

  “No matter who is in that carriage, my husband and Alec will deal with them,” Lady Melcombe assured her.

  “You fear it is Vickery?” Regina asked. Even though she was inventing unlikely scenarios for why the carriage was there, the one name kept repeating in the back of her mind and she could no longer ignore it.

  Lady Melcombe grasped her hand. “If it is, he will be dealt with.”

  Regina just prayed that neither Alec nor Preston was harmed in the process.

  Chapter 14

  Preston was not the person Alec expected to find waiting for him on the steps leading to the manor. “What are you about?” Alec asked as he stepped from his carriage.

  “There’s a carriage at the end of the drive.”

  Alec turned back, noting it, and frowned. “It wasn’t there last night.”

  “Ambrose Hall is too far from the village for someone to have parked their carriage here, nor do I have any close neighbors.”

  “Regina and Althea are inside?” Alec questioned. The carriage could be innocent, or it could mean danger.

  What if Vickery learned Regina was alive and was bent on revenge? Except, he wouldn’t wait until a reasonable hour to call at the manor. Unless he thought to grab her the moment she was outside and alone.