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or Anne could do would take that away.
    “If I never see you again after this night—” he said.
    She lifted a finger to his lips. “Shh. Just for tonight I would have what I want.”
    A sorrowful smile curved his lips, and she found herself staring at them. She longed to feel them on her skin again.
    “You are going to find a husband. It is prudent.”
    “Prudent?” She was disturbed by his statement.
    “Yes. I have no doubt a very lucky man who will care for you and provide for you will offer for your hand.”
    “I do not want it,” she murmured, her voice catching.
    “You must. There is no other way.” His voice was stern, though the softness in his eyes betrayed his true feelings.
    “I could remain here. Everything was fine before, when I could come here and meet with you and then paint Cromar by day.”
    He kissed her again, quickly. “Your life could be fulfilled with a husband and children.”
    “Perhaps. But…I would miss Cromar.” She reached up to caress his cheek with her palm. He was so warm, so full of life. “And more than anything I long to remain with you.”
    Admitting her feelings seemed natural, as if she had always had them for him.
    He smiled. “You do not waste time coming to the point.”
    “I rarely have.”
    He tightened his arms around her and looked deep into her eyes. “Know this, Elizabeth Albright. If ever you need me, if ever your husband treats you poorly, I shall be here.”
    Tears welled in her eyes, and she struggled to contain them. “Where might I send you a letter? I shall give you my aunt’s address in London.”
    “No.”
    The tears won out and spilled over her cheeks. “Why?”
    “I did not mean to make you cry, dear one.” He groaned and leaned over to kiss each eyelid, each cheek. “No one can send me letters.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “And I cannot explain.”
    She swallowed with effort. “How will I know you are well?”
    For a long moment he did not speak. When he did speak his words were strained. “I will always be well.”
    She cried without remorse now, the pain in her heart increasing. “Oh, Damian, I shall miss you.”
    He kissed her, and she could feel his desire in the way his lips moved over hers, in his tongue, in the way his hands caressed her. Without restraint she moved against him, seeking some way to get closer, her mouth clinging to his. She twined her arms about his neck. He reached under her cloak and slowly unbuttoned the front of her dress. Once again her fear escalated, temporarily blinding her to the pleasure of his hands and mouth.
    He gently caressed her neck, sending tremors of white heat through her, turning her unease to pure pleasure. His lips trailed down her neck once again.
    Under a haze of sensations she had never experienced, she jumped in surprise when his fingers cupped her bare breast, and she groaned at the tightness that made her nipple hard against his palm. Tracing his palms over her nipples, tantalizing her with his fingers, he pressed his hips against her. He moaned against her neck.
    “I must have you,” he gasped. She shivered at the delicious sensation as he kissed her flushed skin. “Just say the words, my sweet Elizabeth.” He peppered kisses along her jawline. “Tell me to leave before it is too late. Tell me you don’t want this.”
    Somewhat uncertain of all that happened between man and woman, she imagined that if it felt this wonderful, she wanted it with him and no other. “Love me, Damian. Love me as you would your wife.”
    He slowly unhooked her long cloak, and as he brushed it off her shoulders, it pooled at her feet. Slowly he peeled her dress down and helped her remove her arms from the sleeves. As the cool air shivered over her skin, goose bumps tingled. He caressed her arms, warming her. He pulled the chemise over her head, exposing her full breasts to his sight. Where she would have expected to feel some embarrassment, she felt none. His hands touched her, moved on her