The Countess's Groom by Emily Larkin Page B

inhaled a shuddering breath and forced the tears to stop. She wanted to cling to Will forever, to bury herself in his warmth, his strength. She made herself pull away from him.
    “I brought clothes for you,” Will said. “They’re on the steps. You can dress while I take out the rowboat.”
    Rose followed him to the lakeshore. She took the rubies and banknote from her pocket and threw the dressing gown and slippers into the little boat.
    Will stripped off his clothes. “I won’t be long,” he said, clambering into the rowboat.
    Rose nodded, but instead of dressing, she stayed on the pebbly lakeshore, watching the rowboat grow smaller, listening to the splash of the oars become fainter.
    Clouds drifted across the moon. She could no longer see the boat, no longer hear anything. Her tension grew as the minutes passed. How well could Will swim? She crept forward until water lapped around her ankles, straining to hear, to see.
    The moon reappeared, casting pale light, showing a swimmer in the water. Rose released the breath she’d been holding. There he is.
    Will was shivering when he emerged from the lake. His hair was plastered to his skull. It gleamed pearl-white in the moonlight.
    “You need to get dry!” Rose hurried to his pile of clothes. “Did you bring a towel?”
    “No.”
    Rose stripped off her nightgown. “Use this.”
    Will dried himself. He looked like a Norse god in the moonlight, his muscles flexing beneath skin the color of burnished silver.
    “How do you feel?” she asked anxiously, when he’d finished. “Still cold?”
    “Fine.” Will stroked his knuckles down her cheek. “Don’t worry about me.” He picked up his clothes. “Come, let’s dress. We’ve a long way to go tonight.”
    Rose followed him to the folly, clutching the rubies and the banknote. The night breeze was cool against her bare skin. “Where are we going?”
    “I’ve two horses tethered the other side of the woods. We’ll ride to Burdock’s Hatch. Twenty miles.” A small pile of clothes lay under the colonnade. “These are yours. Countess Malmstoke vanishes tonight. You’re a farmer’s wife for the next few days. I’ve a cartload of carrots waiting at Burdock’s Hatch.”
    “Carrots?” Rose uttered an involuntary laugh. “Are we taking them to Falmouth?”
    “Just to Wiltshire. From there we’ll go by post chaise.” Will bent his head and kissed her.
    Rose kissed him back. Fierce hunger blossomed inside her. She pressed more closely against him, moving her hips, rocking against him. Will hadn’t abandoned her. He’d waited for her. Her mind knew it, but her body wanted to know it too. Needed to know it.
    Will dragged his mouth from hers. “Rose, we can’t. We need to be in Burdock’s Hatch by dawn.”
    “Please, Will.” She rocked against him again.
    His breath caught in his throat. “Rose...”
    “I want you inside me.” I need it . It was something she didn’t understand—primitive, urgent. “Please.”
    Will expelled a shuddering breath. “It’ll have to be quick.”
    Satisfaction bloomed inside her, sharp and hot, exultant. “Quick’s fine.”
    Will lifted her, kissed her hungrily. “Put your legs around my waist.”
    Rose obeyed, but instead of carrying her into the folly, Will turned, pressing her back against one of the cool marble pillars. She gasped with astonishment.
    “Will—” Pleasure surged through her, choking her voice, as he slid deep inside her.
    Their coupling was fast, urgent, almost animal. Will set a rhythm that caught her and tossed her up, as if she rode the crest of a tidal wave. He’s here. He’s mine . Rose’s climax came sharply. She bit his shoulder to keep from crying out. A moment later, Will shuddered and groaned, his arms tightening around her, his muscles straining.
    The tension and urgency drained from him. His arms became gentle, cradling her.

    “Where did you sell the necklace?” Rose asked, tying the coarse apron around her waist. She placed