Lady Northam's Wicked Surrender Read Online Free PDF Page A

her maid, Molly, freed her from her gown and she could lay in bed in her chemise, unencumbered, that she began to feel better. Molly wet a towel and sprinkled lavender water on it and washed her neck and arms. Then she rinsed the towel again and washed Rowena’s face. The gentle ministrations eased the tension from her body.
    Her eyes opened and closed several times as she resisted the urge to drift into sleep. She needed to decide what to do about Simon. Should she rebuff him, which would be the sensible to do considering his previous abandonment? Or, should she give into the desire that had never dissipated, despite the six years of separation?
    Molly massaged her head and Rowena sighed and relaxed. The business with Simon could wait an hour. Her body wanted nothing more than to get the rest she’d been denied last night when Simon had roused her.
    ****
    Simon had to force himself not to laugh when Rowena lost her composure at breakfast. He knew quite well why she should wish to go up to rest. After their interlude of passion, he couldn’t wait to explore her body more thoroughly. He would have to think of clever ways to get her alone this week. Luckily, she’d been able to feign illness and retire. He could not depart so easily.
    After spending a requisite amount of time with his sister and Delphine, amusing them with exotic tales of India, Simon was able to make his escape. When Alice and Delphine suggested a walk to the old church for the afternoon, Simon excused himself, telling Alice that he suffered from exhaustion after the long journey.
    Now he had only to ensure that he and Rowena would truly be alone for an hour or two. First, he made sure Mrs. Pennyworth was well occupied and slipped a crown into the pocket of his valet to ensure that ladies’ maids would be kept away and that no one else would ‘disturb’ them.
    Feeling lighter than he had in months, he climbed the stairs two at a time, anxious to see Rowena again. He thought of her supple skin and imagined running his hands over it, letting his mouth kiss and lick every pore. Just the thought stirred his blood.
    He managed to calm himself by the time he opened the door to her room. She was abed, her dark tresses falling in satin waves over the pillow. Her long lashes and soft lips begged him to kiss them. It was as if he had stumbled upon the sleeping princess of a children’s tale.
    With reverence, he ran his fingers over the side of her face. “Rowena.”
    Her lids fluttered open. “Simon.” She looked around the room. “What are you doing here? Why are you not with the others?”
    “I am here to join you, my love. I only wish I could have come even sooner.” He smiled. “But do not worry, since the weather cleared up this morning, Alice has taken your sister on a walk and will not return for two or three hours.”
    She sat up and looked at him with wide eyes. “No. You should not be here. Do not think to distract me with charm.” She pulled the covers up over her chemise. “Anyone could come—”
    He leaned forward and pressed his lips over hers, coaxing her mouth open to accept him. He moved to trail kisses along her jaw and her delicate earlobe. “Everyone is gone. And the servants...are occupied.”
    She backed away. “And you naturally presumed that I would want to have an escapade with you in the afternoon.”
    “If that is what you should like to call it,” he said, holding her waist and letting his hands slowly run up her sides. “I would call it much more than that.” He planned to love her for as long as the afternoon permitted. Hell, as long as every day of her visit permitted.
    Since last night, his hope had blossomed from a tiny seedling into a tree. Rowena would not have kissed him and allowed him to make love to her if she did not still have feelings for him. He was angry with himself even now for waiting so long after Paul’s death to reunite with her.
    He still had no idea as to why she’d chosen Paul, but Simon