The Winter Wish by Jillian Eaton Page B

already
begun to go down. That would make going home in the morning all the more easier
– as long as the weather cooperated.
    Grasping
the edge of the blankets, Sarah tossed them aside and swung her legs over the
side of the bed. That was when she could not help but notice she was not wearing
the dress she had fallen asleep in.
    The
pale blue nightgown was made of the softest cotton she had ever felt against
her bare skin. It was quite beautiful, with delicate ivory lace along the
neckline, and very modest as well, just like Devlin had promised – although he
had not said anything about getting her changed in her sleep!
    A
piece of parchment on the nightstand caught her eye. The scrawl was unfamiliar,
but she instinctively knew it was Devlin’s handwriting even before she read his
signature at the bottom.
     
    If you are reading this, it means you are
    awake. Ring the bell, no matter the hour.
     If you require assistance. I will be
    there at once. Yours fondly,
    -           Devlin
     
    Sarah
reread the short note twice, then once more for good measure, seeking some
    hidden nuance
that would tell her the Viscount’s hidden thoughts. If she did not know any
better she would say he was attempting to woo her. The signs were certainly
there: whisking her away to his private residence, putting her in his very own bedroom,
caring for her every whim, speaking to her kindly – no, flirtatiously –
at every turn. She strummed her fingers against her chin as she considered the
small silver bell he had left beside the note. There was nothing she required ,
per say. She was a bit hungry, but could easily wait until breakfast. She had
no reason in the world to ring the bell. Except…
    Except
maybe want was reason enough.
    She
was not some wide eyed, blushing school girl. Well, perhaps she was rather prone to blushing, but she was definitely not a girl. She was a woman
full grown. A woman who had never known the touch of a man. The feel of a man’s
mouth sliding across her neck... The rough texture of a man’s hands as he
grasped her hips... The husky murmur of a man’s voice as he whispered all of
the decadent things he wanted to do to her…
    Before
she gave herself time to come to her senses, Sarah’s hand shot across the
nightstand and she rang the bell.

 
     
     
    CHAPTER NINE

     
     
    The
seconds that passed between the time she rang the bell and Devlin knocked at
the door were the longest of Sarah’s life. Uncertain whether she should be in
the bed or out, she hovered at the foot of it, her fingers twisting anxiously
behind her back while she fought to steady her breathing.
    At
the sound of a hand rapping softly against the door she jumped like a startled
doe and had to clear her throat twice before she managed to croak, “Come in.”
    Devlin
slipped into the room. The fire cast his profile into shadow, but there was
enough light for Sarah to see he had changed clothes as well. His white linen
shirt was unbuttoned at the collar and rolled up at the cuffs, as if he had
been working before she summoned him. A lock of dark hair curled over one eye,
giving him a rakish appearance, and as he stepped towards her he swept it back
with an impatient flick of his wrist.
    “You
are awake.” His gaze swept down her body, studying her as intimately as she had
just studied him, and Sarah fought the maidenly urge to cover herself. “How do
you feel?”
    “I…
Much b-better. I feel much better.” Sarah took a step back and bumped into the
mattress. Wrapping one hand around the carved mahogany bedpost to steady
herself, she managed what she hoped was an entrancing smile and said, “Thank
you for helping me. I do not know what would have h-happened if you had not
come along.”
    Devlin
shook his head. “There is no need to thank me. I hope you do not mind, but I
had one of the maids change you out of your dress. I did not want you to catch
a chill from sleeping in damp clothing. I can even give you my word I was