Chapter Twenty-Six

T he morning sun tickled Pippa's face, and she crinkled her nose as she stretched lazily in bed.

Ouch! She was sore.

Suddenly, the memories of the last night flashed before her inner eye. She'd…. Oh, and how she'd… was it a dream?

She turned and peeked under the fluffy down under the covers. What she saw left her agog. A muscular and very male leg was angled in the bedspread, and she followed it, leading to a large, equally muscular body.

It wasn't a dream.

She'd abducted the doctor and taken advantage of him.

She'd seduced the oculist.

No, she'd made love to Nick. Her Nick.

Pippa dove under the covers to examine her prey, for the way she'd feasted on his body couldn't be called anything else. There he was, lying in all his glory, fast asleep. His left leg was angled, but his right stretched out as he lay flat on his stomach, his head turned the other way. His gorgeous blond hair was disheveled, but Pippa was oddly proud of that. She'd done it, she'd mussed his golden strands—Pippa bit her cheek—she'd grabbed his head when she'd climaxed. Oh dear. It had been every bit as glorious as Violet had said.

A wave of emotions flooded her: pride to have been with the specimen of perfect manhood who lay naked in her bed but also shame for how brazen she'd been to seduce him.

Then she heard footsteps.

And the door.

Pippa cowered under the covers and pinched her eyes shut. Somebody gasped and Pippa had the sinking feeling that Mrs. George had caught her in a compromising position, enough to warrant scandal.

But she remained quiet and still in the doorframe by the sound of it. Even though she'd been like a grandmother to Pippa, she knew her place as a servant. Pippa was the mistress of the manor. It wasn't Mrs. George's place to speak.

Then Pippa realized that she'd pulled the covers over her head, and Nick had moved, stretching his leg so that his foot peeked out from under the sheets.

Pippa winced. There wasn't any chance Mrs. George didn't see a man's foot sticking out.

"Well, I'll be right along and take this cold tea down to the kitchen, I s'pose. And this—" a fabric swished—"stained shirt needs to be laundered and pressed."

Pippa cowered under the covers.

The door clicked shut.

She exhaled.

"We got caught." Nick lowered his head with the boyish, mischievous smile that had gotten her into this trouble and peeked out from under the covers. If she married him, his life was safe, his sister, and the reputation of his practice. If her father granted her this one wish, to marry Nick—for love… Which he wouldn't, she was sure. And yet, she'd promised Nick. How could she keep this promise?

"Oh, you're awake," Pippa said, trying to suppress the heat from rising to her head. But the sight of him took her breath away. Most people would not look so appetizing in the morning, but Nick beamed with freshness and brightness, his mussed golden hair pressed against his forehead by the covers.

"Who was that?"

"Mrs. George."

"I think she saw me."

"I am sure she did. Nothing escapes her."

"Should I climb out the window now and disappear?" He looked at peace, but Pippa's heart sank. She'd wanted to take the fears from him, to shoulder the burden of their liaison. They were engaged, and she wanted everything they'd spoken about. Pippa vowed to herself that she wouldn't let her father or anyone from the Ton stop her.

Pippa grabbed his head and frowned. She wouldn't let him go away for anything in the world. Nick laughed and climbed atop her.

"Your hair looks wild." She drove her hands through his gorgeous loose locks.

"You are wild." Amusement colored his voice, and he descended to nibble on her breasts.

Again.

Oh, so deliciously.

"It's your birthday, and after eleven."

"The best birthday I've ever had." Nick kissed a path down her middle.

*

Before long, the sun was past its zenith, and no shadows were outside.

Nick's stomach rumbled so loudly that Pippa stopped kissing him.

"It's your birthday, and I haven't even offered you breakfast." She paused. "Or luncheon." She drew her eyes open in alarm. "And you only had tea and shortbread yesterday. Oh, I'm the worst hostess the world has ever seen."

Nick laughed out loud, and she saw his big white teeth, perfect rows. A luscious mouth. There was that heat and hunger again. "I've had the feast of a lifetime," he mumbled and gave her nipple a lick.

Pippa twitched in response. Then he kissed the bottom of her breast and laid his palm flat on her belly. "Are you hungry?"

"I can smell food." Pippa crinkled her nose. Thinking of it, she smelled mushrooms and cheese, Mrs. George's signature dish. "Chanterelle pies!"

Nick brought his head to her face and propped himself up just so that his hard manhood laid flat on her stomach. "Are you hungry?"

"Insatiable," Pippa said and wrapped her hand around his shaft. "But I could use a bite to eat."

"They'll know when they see me, Pippa." A rueful expression washed over Nick as he sat in bed and pulled the covers over his erection. His gorgeous naked chest and muscular arms were even more appealing in the brightness of day.

"So what? They'll have to know about our engagement at some point."

He arched his brows and gave her a once-over. Pippa folded half the covers over her chest and climbed out of bed. They draped around her body like an evening gown.

It was a new morning, and it felt like a different life had begun.

She felt reborn.

As if the old clumsy Pippa had vanished, she was now Lady Penelope, mistress of the manor, and no longer alone.

"They work for me, and you are my guest." She pinched her eyes shut. "You'll be the lord of this manor soon."

Nick fell silent for a moment. As if he were making a host of decisions, his mien changed from surprise to something dark and finally, he spoke, "I won't take your riches, Pippa, only your love as far as you'll give freely. But I'll never let you go either, for as long as you want me."

She feigned shock and gave the covers one last tug, leaving him naked on the bed.

He jumped up and wrapped himself against her.

His tall, naked body felt glorious around her, and she dropped the white covers with a giggle.

Lady Penelope had blossomed.