Enough Is Enough

F or more than a year, Daisy hadn't once lost patience with Rowan himself. His refusal to see they belonged together was painful, but understandable given the ordeal he'd undergone.

Now, the wedding was less than a week away and she hadn't seen him since his heart-stopping proposal on the front steps of Ramsay House.

According to Willow, he was struggling to master the new leg, but why did he not see that she had a right to help him learn to walk again?

Her patience was nearing its end.

"Happiness is within your grasp," her mother reminded her. "Don't lose faith now."

"Easy for you to say," she retorted, immediately regretting the harsh words. "I apologize, Mama. Wedding nerves, I suppose."

"You've been a tower of strength and perseverance," her mother replied, patting her hand. "To be honest, I didn't think you had it in you to be so strong."

"I was a different person before Rowan came along. It's hard to explain."

"Not to me, silly girl. Remember, I was the lass who eloped from Glengeárr with your late father all those years ago. Who knew then Freddie would unexpectedly inherit a dukedom?"

Resolved to stifle her impatience, Daisy hugged her mother as they shared the humorous reminder. It was to be hoped she and Rowan were destined for the same happily married life her parents had enjoyed.

"There's no good reason to put yourself through this," Willow said when her brother gripped her shoulder after only a few steps across their father's study.

While Rowan appreciated his sister's help in mastering his new leg, she clearly didn't understand his burning desire to walk in and out of the church on two legs, albeit one of them wooden.

"With anything new, practice makes perfect," he replied, determined to ignore the fact that practice had resulted in painful chafing. His stump was redder and uglier than ever.

"Perhaps if you sat and flexed the ankle as Potts suggested," she countered. "Then you'll learn how to control the foot."

"But the ultimate goal is to master walking," he retorted, aware he was whining. Anglesey had warned him it would be difficult but he'd pooh-poohed the notion. He'd always mastered any new skill quickly. " Worst thing is, Daisy probably thinks I am avoiding her," he sighed.

"Which you are," Willow exclaimed. "I'm pleased you asked me to help, but Daisy would love to take my place."

"I can't ask her to…"

"Of course you can. She would do anything for you. Don't shut her out."

"How did you get to be so wise?" he asked, acknowledging he hadn't wanted Daisy to witness his struggles. "Tell her I need help."

As soon as Willow explained the reason for her visit, Daisy sent for Harrison to retrieve their coats, hats and gloves. Within five minutes, they were in the Withenshawe carriage headed for the townhouse. As the miles went by, Daisy realized she'd been a terrible hostess. "I should have offered you coffee after you came all this way to fetch me."

"Nonsense," Willow replied. "I sympathize with your hurry now Rowan has realized he needs you just as much as he loves you."

"Is he not getting the hang of the new leg?"

"He's too intense about it. If he relaxed, he might have more success."

"It's important to him that he get through the ceremony and escort me back down the aisle without his crutch. I can understand that. I'll think of a way to make the learning more fun for him."

Determined to look as though he'd mastered the leg when Daisy arrived, Rowan stood beside his father's desk, holding on tightly to the edge of the well-used piece of furniture.

His heart raced when he heard her voice in the foyer. Then she entered the study. The urge to take her in his arms was powerful but he dared not let go of the desk.

If he waited long enough, perhaps she would rush into his embrace like before at Ramsay House but, instead, she stopped a few feet away, eyed him curiously and held out both hands. "Come to me Rowan," she breathed, pursing her lips. "I want to kiss you."

Crafty , he thought, recognizing her game. "Feminine wiles," he teased. The problem was, the wiles included thrusting her breasts and licking her lips. It had been so long since he'd suckled those pouting nipples and nibbled those tempting lips. His manhood agreed—far too long.

He squared his shoulders and took a tentative step. Then another. So far so good, though it was akin to walking a tightrope. "Come closer," he begged, afraid he was about to break out in an ungentlemanly sweat.

Instead, she took a step backward and lifted her skirts to mid thigh.

"Minx," he exclaimed, surprised but delighted by this hitherto unknown side of Daisy. His cock saluted the playful twinkle in her eyes. She was goading him. The old, snobbish Rowan would have simply turned away in disgust. But the new Rowan wanted this teasing witch .

Heedless of the artificial leg, he lunged to catch her before she could move again.

Laughing, she fell into his arms. He had no trouble keeping his balance as he delved his tongue into her tempting mouth.

Relieved she evidently hadn't pushed Rowan too far, Daisy melted into his strength as he deepened the kiss. He may have lost a leg, but his male body was still as strong and responsive as she remembered. That gave her an audacious idea. When they broke apart for breath, she moved backwards five paces. "I'm so proud of you," she said, eyeing the bulge in his trousers. "Come to me and I'll ease the ache."

"Temptress," he growled, but he was smiling as he strode toward her. When he stopped inches away, she reached out and cradled the most intimate part of his body, warm beneath the fabric of his trousers.

Inhaling deeply, he looked to the ceiling as she gently massaged his need. "You'd better stop," he rasped after a minute or two. "Before I embarrass myself."

She complied, albeit reluctantly.

He gathered her into his embrace and whispered, "You're the best thing that ever happened to me, Daisy."

The welling tears of happiness overflowed, but she couldn't resist. "It's about time you recognized it, foolish man."