twitching.
Mollified, Electra raised her eyes to his and flashed a smile that seemed to discompose him. William took a sharp breath and swallowed. He reached over, tilted her chin upwards, and tucked an errant curl behind her ear. Her skin burned where he had touched her and she could feel a tremble in her legs. His eyes continued to gaze into hers and she feared her legs would not hold her much longer.
“Well, Mrs. Radcliffe, are you going to stay put this time?” he asked quietly.
A flippant comment rose to her tongue, but she found it would come no further as she lost herself in his deep blue eyes.
“Hot water ready for Missee bath,” called Shi Liang, breaking the spell. Their eyes held as Electra sidled past William, an undercurrent of need swirling between them.
• • •
Steam curled languidly around her face as she repeatedly filled the sponge with hot, scented water and squeezed it in rivulets down her throat and between her breasts. The sensual feel of warm water caressing every part of her body led her thoughts back to William. How strangely her body had reacted to his touch earlier. One minute she hated him for, as it turned out, imagined insults, and wanted to put as much distance between them as possible. And the next, she was blushing and trembling like an innocent debutante.
Goosebumps rose on her arms, her breasts ached and her nipples hardened as she imagined his hands touching her body. She stopped and sat up in the bath, astonished at herself. Where had these feelings come from? She could not remember ever feeling such things, even with Edward. In fact, by the end of their sad affair, the only strong feelings left for Edward were disgust, anger, and pity. Shuddering, she submerged herself into the water, lathering her auburn curls as if to scrub him from her head.
• • •
As William poured a drink from the glass decanter, he pondered the paradox that was his wife. There was no doubt Electra was a convict. After all, she had been transported to New South Wales. However, she spoke like a lady, held herself like a lady and, he was sure, after seeing her dressed in her new gown, could never be mistaken for anything less. And there was something so compelling about her, despite her contrary nature. She had looked so vulnerable standing on the veranda in her drab smock with her dirty face and rioting curls. Long suppressed feelings had been aroused at the sight of her. He would have to be careful or he would lose himself.
A small sound at the door of the drawing room roused him from his contemplation. He looked over from where he stood to see his wife walk hesitantly toward him. The candlelight danced on the gold and red of her shining hair, which had been caught softly at the nape of her neck and draped over one shoulder. He clenched his jaw, unable to speak or move his gaze from her face. Her skin shone and her tawny-gold eyes blazed in pleasure as she reached him. She wore the green gown they had purchased in Sydney Town, and his eyes swept over her appreciatively. He had been right, she was every bit a lady. As she came closer, he caught the unmistakable scent of gardenias. It was tantalizing. His breathing accelerated.
“You look beautiful Electra. Amazing what one of Shi Liang’s hot baths can do. Although the prison garb had its novelties,” he said taking her hand and turning her around.
“Too much of a novelty for Mrs. Cameron, I suspect,” she answered, smiling at the compliment.
“Yes, well that story will be around Sydney Town in no time. I think you’re going to be quite famous.”
She groaned. “Infamous would be a better description. Your own reputation will probably drop a few notches thanks to me.” Her eyes flicked to their hands and, seeing this, he let go. “Can you tell me about your proposal?” she asked.
“You don’t need to hear about my troubles, let’s just enjoy dinner.”
“I mean it, William. If I am to be part of your life at Riverside then I
Mollified, Electra raised her eyes to his and flashed a smile that seemed to discompose him. William took a sharp breath and swallowed. He reached over, tilted her chin upwards, and tucked an errant curl behind her ear. Her skin burned where he had touched her and she could feel a tremble in her legs. His eyes continued to gaze into hers and she feared her legs would not hold her much longer.
“Well, Mrs. Radcliffe, are you going to stay put this time?” he asked quietly.
A flippant comment rose to her tongue, but she found it would come no further as she lost herself in his deep blue eyes.
“Hot water ready for Missee bath,” called Shi Liang, breaking the spell. Their eyes held as Electra sidled past William, an undercurrent of need swirling between them.
• • •
Steam curled languidly around her face as she repeatedly filled the sponge with hot, scented water and squeezed it in rivulets down her throat and between her breasts. The sensual feel of warm water caressing every part of her body led her thoughts back to William. How strangely her body had reacted to his touch earlier. One minute she hated him for, as it turned out, imagined insults, and wanted to put as much distance between them as possible. And the next, she was blushing and trembling like an innocent debutante.
Goosebumps rose on her arms, her breasts ached and her nipples hardened as she imagined his hands touching her body. She stopped and sat up in the bath, astonished at herself. Where had these feelings come from? She could not remember ever feeling such things, even with Edward. In fact, by the end of their sad affair, the only strong feelings left for Edward were disgust, anger, and pity. Shuddering, she submerged herself into the water, lathering her auburn curls as if to scrub him from her head.
• • •
As William poured a drink from the glass decanter, he pondered the paradox that was his wife. There was no doubt Electra was a convict. After all, she had been transported to New South Wales. However, she spoke like a lady, held herself like a lady and, he was sure, after seeing her dressed in her new gown, could never be mistaken for anything less. And there was something so compelling about her, despite her contrary nature. She had looked so vulnerable standing on the veranda in her drab smock with her dirty face and rioting curls. Long suppressed feelings had been aroused at the sight of her. He would have to be careful or he would lose himself.
A small sound at the door of the drawing room roused him from his contemplation. He looked over from where he stood to see his wife walk hesitantly toward him. The candlelight danced on the gold and red of her shining hair, which had been caught softly at the nape of her neck and draped over one shoulder. He clenched his jaw, unable to speak or move his gaze from her face. Her skin shone and her tawny-gold eyes blazed in pleasure as she reached him. She wore the green gown they had purchased in Sydney Town, and his eyes swept over her appreciatively. He had been right, she was every bit a lady. As she came closer, he caught the unmistakable scent of gardenias. It was tantalizing. His breathing accelerated.
“You look beautiful Electra. Amazing what one of Shi Liang’s hot baths can do. Although the prison garb had its novelties,” he said taking her hand and turning her around.
“Too much of a novelty for Mrs. Cameron, I suspect,” she answered, smiling at the compliment.
“Yes, well that story will be around Sydney Town in no time. I think you’re going to be quite famous.”
She groaned. “Infamous would be a better description. Your own reputation will probably drop a few notches thanks to me.” Her eyes flicked to their hands and, seeing this, he let go. “Can you tell me about your proposal?” she asked.
“You don’t need to hear about my troubles, let’s just enjoy dinner.”
“I mean it, William. If I am to be part of your life at Riverside then I
Similar Books
