Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

T hree more days passed since Sarah and James became lovers, and he could not deny the pleasure and contentment found within her arms, laughter and smiles. Sarah was clever and highly creative with the plots of her short stories, and James was captivated by the tales she shared with him. They hunted and fished whenever they wanted food, and the simplicity of their activities brought him a sense of peace and happiness he had not felt in a long time. Each day was filled with laughter, conversation, and a deeper sense of intimacy. The manor, with its serene surroundings and rustic charm, became their sanctuary, a place where the outside world and its expectations felt distant and insignificant.

Yesterday morning, after a successful hunt, James taught Sarah how to roast a quail. She was a quick learner, her enthusiasm shining through in every task she undertook. They spent their days exploring the manor's acres of woodland, discovering hidden corners and forgotten paths. Sarah's curiosity and sense of adventure matched his own, and he found himself irresistibly drawn to her more and more. In the evenings, they engaged in fierce, yet playful chess matches in the library, their competitive spirits sparking entertaining banter and teasing.

The routine they had fallen into was natural and effortless, filled with moments of laughter, quiet companionship, and passion. By God, the passion between them was unlike anything he had ever experienced. It would only take a look or brush of a finger against her hip, a sensual smile from beneath her long lashes, and they would fall on each other with sensual greed. Sarah was a passionate woman and a giving lover.

James closed his eyes, stifling his groan when he recalled her kissing over the spot she bit on his chest, down his belly, and sucking his cock into her mouth. How curious and eager she had been to learn about his body. Her tentative exploration had almost driven him mad, and when he flipped her onto her knees, arched her hips and surged into her hard and deep, she had been ready and wet for him. James had never been with a lover that was just so … incredible.

James raked his fingers through his hair, anxiety gnawing at him. What would happen once they left this manor? They needed to have a conversation, but damn if he knew where to start. Entering the manor, he immediately began searching for Sarah. It had been at least five hours since he had last seen her. Earlier, James had penned a letter to his brother detailing the events of the past few days, including the attempted kidnapping and his intention to confront Mirabelle's father. He requested a carriage be sent as soon as possible and expressed his hope that Colin would escort Sarah to town with utmost discretion. He had walked for nearly two hours to his neighbor's estate to request their aid in sending the letters to the Earl of Celdon and was only just returning to his manor.

Not finding Sarah in the kitchen, James bounded up the stairs two at a time, his eagerness to see her growing with each step. It was surprising how much he had missed her presence after only a few hours apart. This realization had struck him as he walked through the woods, and he had paused to laugh at the absurdity of it all. How quickly she had become an essential part of his life, and how deeply he hungered to be near her again.

He walked down the hallway toward the library, for he learned she had an insatiable love for reading. The door was slightly ajar, and he eased it open and faltered. She sat on a sofa by the fire, her legs curled beneath her and a book in her hand. Her hair was tangled, and she only wore one of James's shirts, but she presented a beautiful picture. An ache went through his chest. There was nothing he wanted more than to walk over to Sarah, drag her into his arms, kiss her … and simply hold her.

A restless feeling pierced James, and he felt annoyed, for he hardly understood the needs driving him. As if she felt him, Sarah glanced up and smiled, her eyes softening. She adjusted the small, wire-rimmed spectacles perfectly perched on the bridge of her pert nose.

"Hullo, James."

I do not expect you to marry me because I seduced you. I would only anticipate an offer if I were assured that you are also in love with me.

Why were those words haunting him?

He cleared his throat. "Would you like to go for a swim?"

Her eyes lit up, and she immediately closed the book. "Yes!" she exclaimed, setting it down and launching herself off the sofa. Sarah ran toward him, and when she reached him, she jumped. James caught her in his arms, smiling as she grabbed his shoulders and hauled herself up, wrapping her legs around his waist.

"Did you send the letters?" she asked, her breath warm against his neck.

"Yes," he replied. "I met Mr. and Mrs. Patterson for the first time. They were very pleasant and could spare a footman to deliver our letters to town. It will take at least a couple of days before anyone arrives."

Her fingers trembled slightly as she touched the corner of his mouth. "So we have at most three days before ... before this ends?"

I do not want us to end, Sarah , James silently said. He froze, turning the thought over in his mind. The temptation was there to ask her to remain his lover, but he couldn't bring himself to do it, not when he knew she wanted so much more. An affair was not possible. Whatever they had now couldn't be sustained beyond this manor. He would be a damn fool if he did not acknowledge that Sarah made him feel things he had never experienced before. However, he needed time to break it apart and understand what it all meant.

"We have a couple more days," he said softly.

A shadow flashed in her eyes, but she quickly lowered her lashes, hiding her expression from him.

"Let's swim," she said, sliding down from his arms.

James let her go, walking with her through the side parlor door and taking the path that led toward the lake. There was so much he wanted to say to her, but he didn't know where to begin. James had always been a planner, a practical person at heart, and everything about their encounter—from her rescuing him to being his companion and lover these last several days—was entirely unexpected and required deep introspection.

Sarah canted her head, her brow furrowing. "What is that sound?"

James faltered, listening intently. "I hear a horse," he said.

The clatter of wheels on gravel grew louder, and James exchanged a puzzled glance with Sarah. They strolled toward the side of the manor, where they could see the long driveway. A carriage came into view, and as it drew closer, James recognized the crest.

Sarah made a choking sound. "That's my father's carriage!"

"There's a horseman behind the carriage," James said tightly. His heart jerked when he recognized the rider. "It's Colin."

"Good heavens, they found us!" Sarah cried, delighted. "But how?"

The carriage pulled into the forecourt, and a footman rushed from the driver's box to open the door. Sarah's brother, Frederick, stepped down, looking up at the manor.

Colin rode his stallion ahead of the carriage and dismounted. They were speaking, but James couldn't discern the conversation.

"I'll go and greet them," James said. "Make yourself presentable."

She glanced down at her bare legs and touched her tangled hair. "Oh, dear," she whispered, her expression stricken.

"Go," he urged. "Enter through the parlor and put on your clothes."

Sarah hesitated, then turned and sprinted away. James was confident no one would see her in such a state of dishevelment and deshabille. A knot of unease formed in his stomach as he walked toward his brother.

"James," Colin called out as he saw him rushing over, relief evident in his dark blue gaze.

They hugged, and his brother clapped him on the shoulder. "I'm glad to see you," Colin said gruffly. "Our mother won't forgive you anytime soon for the sleepless nights your disappearance caused."

"We are well," James said, stepping away from his brother.

"That is to say, Sarah is here?" Frederick demanded tightly.

"Of course she is. Did your footman relay that she snuck into the carriage, carting me away?"

Frederick fisted his hands at his sides. "Yes, he did."

"I would never have allowed harm to come to her," James said, holding the other man's gaze. "I hope comfort was taken from that knowledge in the days she was not with your family."

Colin slapped him on the shoulder and smiled. "I reassured the viscount and viscountess of the same."

James noticed Frederick's intense glower, and a sinking feeling told him this conversation would be complicated. Tension sliced through him as he saw the wariness in his brother's gaze.

"Let's head into the manor," James said, walking ahead.

"By God, man, this place does not look livable," Frederick said. "Are there no servants?"

"No."

A shocked sound echoed from behind, but James continued, wrestling with the twisting emotions knotting inside him. This rescue, which would undoubtedly return them to civilization, felt too sudden. He had not anticipated this, and somehow, James thought he would have the next few days to better understand who he was with Sarah and what their next step would be. His connection with her was profound and not something he could easily dismiss.

He opened the front door and allowed Colin and Frederick to proceed inside. Frederick made choking sounds as they walked down the hallway, passing empty rooms and walls that were in dire need of painting.

"Sarah stayed here ?"

James felt a prick of dark humor. "We both did."

"How … how was this possible? Who ran her bath and did her hair and clothes if there were no servants? How did she eat? I swear, if my sister is harmed or unhappy in any way, Fairbanks—"

"Sarah is more capable and resilient than you believe," James said, walking ahead to open the door to the barely furnished library.

Colin and Frederick entered, and James closed the door behind them.

"I do not care to know exactly how resilient my sister has been. I only want to know how you plan to render her respectable."

Colin sighed, and a cold knot formed in James's gut. "She has not lost her respectability."

"You must marry Sarah," Frederick demanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I will accept nothing else."

James felt a surge of anger at the presumption. "I will not be forced into marriage. I believe your sister will be of a like mind."

Frederick's expression hardened. "You compromised her, James. You both have been here alone for days. Do you not understand what that means for her reputation?"

James pinned Frederick with a glare. "Sarah deserves better than a marriage born out of obligation and idiocy. No one knows unforeseen circumstances trapped us together. Do not be foolish."

"You will marry her or, by God—"

"I will marry when I choose," James said with icy civility. "I do not ascribe to the ridiculous notions that seem to govern your lot. When I make an offer to a woman for her to be my wife, it will be because I want her in my life, and she wants me in hers. Not because you are presumptuous enough to believe you can dictate anything to me."