A Necessary Deception Read Online Free PDF

TWELVE
     
     
     
    Relief filled Charles as powerfully as desire. The dream he’d carried in Spain and across the channel was at last in his embrace. She finally trusted him as much tonight as their last one together, except the sunrise wouldn’t see him bidding her goodbye, but melding his life with hers. He drew her deeper into the curve of his body as he savored her lips. She didn’t tug away but laced her fingers behind his neck, allowing him to guide them both towards surrender. He slipped the buttons of her dress through the tiny holes, eager to be one with her as they’d been before. She followed his lead, pulling his shirt over his head and moving them closer to one another.
    When they were at last free of breeches, boots and her chemise, he laid her on the small bed and covered her body with his. The light play of her fingertips along the line of his shoulders, the flicking of her tongue against his, evoked the young woman who’d captured him before. He swept her skin with his tongue, tasting her like he had the fine food and wine the officers had given him to celebrate his return to the regiment. This homecoming meant more to him than the one with his men for this was where he belonged. As he traced the curve of her hips up to her waist, the anxiety of the day and the long weeks before began to fade. The future wasn’t settled, but he’d see to it the stern Mary who’d greeted him this morning was banished for good, and the sensuous, tantalizing woman beneath him thrived once more. He’d never in his life given in to doubt or fear about himself or his situations and he wouldn’t now. Nor would he allow her to continue to be plagued by the oppression of worry. She didn’t deserve it. Despite her mistakes and the small lies, she was willing to fight for what she wanted which was the best for her son, their son. She hadn’t give up as her mother had but struggled on, doing so even today when it’d seemed there was no hope for her to succeed. He’d make sure she did, that they both did together.
    ~*~
     
    Mary clung to Charles as they moved together as one, no longer clashing but embracing. Alone with him, there was nothing but his breath in her ear, his stomach against hers, and the exhilaration of their lovemaking. She hadn’t thought of the consequences of their intimacy before and she didn’t tonight, losing herself in the steady pace of his movement. No matter what happened, he would be here for her. He’d help her take care of John and share her burdens in a way not even Aunt Emily had done. He would be a wall of strength for her to lean on and duck behind when threats arose. All would be well. She didn’t know how or in what way but as they cried out together in their mutual release, their bodies entangled, she believed in it as she did his determination to make her a true wife.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
     
     
     
    “Were you scared when you were in Spain?” Mary asked as she intertwined her fingers with his over his bare stomach. The light of the full moon fell in through the window and turned everything a glittering shade of silver. She lay next to Charles, resisting sleep and the arrival of the harsh morning light. Their last night together had ended with parting tears, and even though he would remain beside her come dawn, she wasn’t ready to end this special time together.
    “Every day,” he admitted with a long exhale.
    She squeezed him tight, wanting to banish the bad memories like he’d tried to banish hers. “How did you fight it?”
    He shrugged. “By always continuing on. There was no other choice.”
    She admired his steadfastness and wanted to share in it. “And how will we continue on?”
    He placed a kiss on the top of her undone hair then drew her deeper into the curve of his shoulders. “First, we’ll plan a wedding in secret so no one is the wiser about it. I assume your aunt will act as a witness?”
    He raised her hand and circled her ring finger with his.
    “Nothing