REGENCY: Loved by the Duke (Historical Billionaire Military Romance) (19th Century Victorian Short Stories) Read Online Free PDF Page A

forgiveness.”
    He looked at her with a sincerity she was not used to, like he was seeing a beauty much more deeper than her looks.
    “I forgive you, Emma.”
    She nodded, relieved. “Thank you.” She busied herself yet again as she bandaged him up again.
    “I am grateful to you,” he blurted bluntly. “I understand you have barely left my side.”
    Emma looked away and breathed in shakily.
    “Forgive me, if I distress you.” Charles searched her face with concern and confusion.
    “You do not distress me, Charles,” she assured him. “I am more distressed at myself.”
    “Yourself?” he asked with confusion.
    Emma glanced at his eyes for but a split second but then had to look away again.
    “Emma?” his voice sent a giddy jolt through her.
    “Oh what it is to blind your whole life and finally now I am able to see.” She preached poetically.
    “What do you mean, Emma?” he beseeched her. “I beg you, Emma, I never once asked for you to speak your mind, but now I fear if you don’t, I shall go mad.”
    She smiled and bit her lip. Gathering up the courage to stare into his dark eyes, she spoke again.
    “Why speak? When I can say so much more through my deeds.” She whispered with an alluring smile.
    Emma watched his brow crease as she leaned over and pressed her lips to his. The warm moist of her plump lips dampened his dry coarse lips as they brushed against each other. A sigh escaped her throat but Emma was enthralled by it and the hungry desire taking over her. He had kissed her before and she had kissed him but there had been a lacking in passion and the eager lust for each other’s souls.
    Emma felt a warm eruption of want explode in the pit of her stomach as she kissed him with an ever increasing passion. His tongue sliding inside her mouth and hers in his. Excited at the mischievous passion exchanging between them, Emma was fearful of when they had to stop. But she could sense his strength was failing him and she felt sure she had to pull away.
    Emma giggled with embarrassment. “Forgive me,” she breathed.
    “I won’t,” laughed the Duke and she chuckled.
    He looked stunned and his face was aglow with a happier spirit.
    “I am only sorry, I am in this condition,” he smiled mischievously.
    Emma laughed heartily. “You should rest, Charles.”
    “I will rest,” he promised. “Now, I have more incentive to recover swiftly.”
    Emma laughed and kissed his brow. “There’s a part of me that loves you, Charles and it grows stronger with each passing moment.”
    Charles searched her eyes for the same sincerity in her speech. His hands grasped her.
    “I never wish to be parted with you,” she continued. “I won’t survive without you.” She admitted and only truly admitted it to herself as she spoke it aloud.
    “Emma,” his fingers stroked her face and her lips and his eyes bore into hers.
    She wondered what he was thinking but he said nothing. He just enjoyed the moment of peaceful clarity between them and the relief of finally bearing a small part of their souls to each other. Emma did not enjoy it for long; she was not accustomed to long silences even this one which she enjoyed immensely.
    “I will let you rest now,” she spoke and kissed his brow.
    “Emma,” he smiled warmly at her. “I don’t want you to leave.”
    Emma nodded, agreeing. “Charles, I wanted to say,” she paused, swallowing. “Thank you for saving me. I will never forget it, all my life.”
    “You do not think twice about giving your life for the one you love.” He proclaimed boldly in his breathless voice.
    Emma crawled over him and lay beside him. Charles put him arm around her and she cuddle up against him, watching the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest. He drifted in a slumber beside and she voiced the words she had been too cowardly to utter to his conscious self.
    “I am in love with you, Charles.” She whispered. “I could not know a better man and I have never been so plagued with fear in