For Love and Honor Read Online Free PDF Page B

draw a decent breath until they were in the safety of the bedroom.
    Captain Duroy whirled her around to face him. “That was the most foolhardy stunt you have pulled yet. You should never have put yourself in such danger.”
    Taken aback, Pippa felt her temper ignite. He should be thanking her. “It worked, didn’t it?”
    He took her by both arms, as if he would shake her. “But it easily could have been a disaster. Miss Nelson, Pippa, if you ever do anything like that again, I shall—”
    “You shall what?” she dared him.
    The anger in his expression suddenly eased, and in its place was an emotion she couldn’t quite define, until he said, “I shall kiss you.”
    Before the meaning of his words formed in her brain, he was kissing her—and this time she didn’t hold her lips closed.
    She was wiser now. She opened her mouth and kissed him right back.
    And what a kiss it was! Who could have imagined a simple kiss could carry such meaning, such power? It was as if they breathed in each other’s souls . . . and she was lost.
    “Pippa,” he whispered. She adored hearing him say her name.
    He started to pull away. She threw her arms around his neck, holding him close, and answered, “Yes, William. Yes.”
    Some things were not the same in life as what she’d read in books. She now knew They kissed was tame in comparison with actually kissing, and she wondered what else she didn’t know.
    Her father had warned that men could be beasts. She now decided that could be a very good thing.
    Their kiss deepened. He was holding her, his hands at her waist.
    She found she wanted more. She wanted to be completely in his arms without any barriers between them. She began unbuttoning his uniform.
    His lips brushed her forehead. “Don’t, Pippa.”
    “Yes, William.” She found the buttons of his breeches, and his protests stopped.
    They made love.
    And Pippa thought this was the most beautiful thing she’d experienced in her life.
    Here was a man she could admire. A gallant man. One filled with courage.
    He took great care of her.
    The thought passed through her mind that if they had not just come so close to death, he might have considered twice about claiming her. She was glad he didn’t.
    Having him deep inside her body fulfilled her in a way she’d not believed possible. Years of self-doubt, fear, and insecurity were vanquished in her lover’s arms.
    He spoke to her. He said her name as if it was a blessing.
    Her body responded to him with a will all its own. But there was something else at work here. Pippa felt as if she was meant to meet this man, to be here in his arms. He was her fate, her destiny—and as their bodies worked together, as he initiated her into the rites of love, taking from her that which was only hers to give, she discovered the pure bliss of pleasure. And she learned pleasure’s depth as well. Two shall become one. She now understood what those words meant.
    For a long, long time, she could not speak. He didn’t move, either, except to ease his body off of hers and then gather her close. She laid her head on his chest, feeling his heartbeat return to normal.
    He spoke, his fingers playing with her curls. “I want you to return to England.” Before she could protest, he continued, “I must know you are safe, Pippa. I will send you to my mother. She’s very forward-thinking, and my father worships her. I adore her.”
    Pippa rested her hand on his chest. “Do you think you could adore me?”
    He pretended to consider the matter a moment and then confessed, “I already do.”
    No words could be sweeter to her. She swallowed and then took a risk. “I think I love you,” she answered.
    “I know I love you.”
    His words hadn’t been a mistake. He cared for her. Truly cared for her. This strong, noble, honorable man loved her. She finally found words to speak. “Is making love always like it was with us, William?”
    “It’s never been like that before,” he answered. “Only with