Lady Sarah's Sinful Desires by Sophie Barnes

Clearly, he was allowing himself to be led astray. It had to stop.
    â€œMy lord?”
    Her voice brought him out of his reverie, and he realized that his mouth had gone inexplicably dry. “Forgive me,” he muttered. “I was lost in thought.”
    â€œYou stopped very abruptly,” she said, “and I feared perhaps I’d upset you. In any case, we ought to hasten our progress if we are to keep up with your sisters. I believe they went that way.”
    It was then that Christopher realized how alone they were. Again. Indeed, if it weren’t for the occasional squeal of laughter sifting through the air, there would be no evidence of anyone else’s presence. Lowering his gaze, he looked down at Lady Sarah, who was staring toward the turn in the path with some measure of anxiety. There was a restlessness about her entire body that easily conveyed her eagerness to seek the company of others and avoid being left alone with him.
    â€œWhy are you so nervous?” he asked without making a move to follow the rest of their party.
    â€œBecause we ought not be alone together,” she said. “It isn’t proper.”
    He considered that for a moment before saying, “I’m hardly going to ravish you out here in public where anyone could happen upon us at any given time. Honestly, Lady Sarah, I do believe you’re overreacting.”
    Her eyes met his at that moment, bright and accusing and with the slightest hint of fear. “Am I?”
    Noticing that a lock of her hair had come undone and was trailing down the side of her neck, Christopher reached out, catching it between his fingers. Her breath caught, and it was as if her whole body shuddered in response. Christopher stilled, his eyes locked with hers. Then hesitantly and with utmost care so as not to startle her any further, he placed the tips of his fingers against the side of her neck and felt her pulse. It was leaping in a frantic rhythm, not from any passionate response, he wagered, judging from the look of panic she was presently bestowing upon him, but because she did not trust his motive.
    Damn. He scarcely knew his motive himself, other than that he’d succumbed to the urge to touch her—­had accepted the excuse her hair had offered. Retrieving his hand, he stepped back. “What on earth do you imagine I might do to you that you would be so thoroughly alarmed?”
    Her chin rose a notch as she stared back at him boldly, her composure seemingly restored by some miracle. “The worst, if you must know.”
    â€œGood God, I would never,” he blurted.
    She held his gaze. “You would not be the first man to make such a claim, my lord, but since you yourself have been blessed with sisters, I’m sure you can appreciate the value of a woman’s reputation.”
    Christopher flinched. She was absolutely right, and though he hadn’t done anything truly inappropriate, he’d certainly thought about it, and that was almost just as bad. “My apologies,” he said. “I’ve no desire to make you feel uncomfortable, and since I do not wish to marry at present, as you well know, then it goes without saying that I will try to avoid any compromising situations. Which is why I cannot help but wonder if it isn’t really me you fear but yourself?”
    Why the devil would he say something like that?
    Her jaw clenched and she grew rigid, as if she was struggling to remain calm. Christopher braced himself for the biting remark he knew would come, except it didn’t. Instead, Lady Sarah closed her eyes, no doubt eager to block him out. She took a deep, shuddering breath, then raised her chin. Her eyes opened and she looked to the sky. Christopher followed her gaze until he found himself admiring a ­couple of swallows who appeared to be caught in a playful chase.
    â€œThere’s something to be envied in the freedom of birds,” Lady Sarah said. She sounded detached,