Free Lady Harriet's Unusual Reward by Em Taylor Page A

Harriet shook her head.
    She began to pace.
    He loved watching ladies walk in their thin muslin gowns. Not much was left to the imagination—the way the fabric clung to their legs and hips. And Harriet was no exception. He could feel heat gathering under his cravat.
    Devil take it.
    Suddenly she stalked over to him and plonked herself down on his lap. He was so taken aback he could do nothing but wrap an arm around her waist to steady her.
    She tugged at the shoulder of her gown, exposing more creamy flesh. But when she met with resistance from the fabric, she glowered at it then sighed.
    “Harriet?”
    She pressed her lips to his, lifting his hand and placing it on her breast.
    He was a bit unsure how to respond, though he knew what he wanted to do. But want and should were two very different things and they were waging war within him. His mind told him it was wrong but his body was more than happy to let this take its course. He had an innocent throwing herself, rather ineptly, at him and he knew he had to tread very carefully.
    “Do I need to pull the drapes?” she said, pulling her mouth away from his. “I suppose this should be done in the dark. And you shall have to help with the buttons of my gown.”
    “Forget the drapes.” He tugged her against his chest, straightening her gown and pressing a kiss to her forehead. She snuggled against him.
    “I did it wrong,” she said, her voice defeated.
    “No, not wrong. Just at the wrong moment.”
    “You do not want to… tup… me?”
    “Is that what you want, Harriet? To be taken on a chair in the library? To be tupped like a kitchen maid? Is that what you think you are worth?”
    “I…I…”
    He fingered the top button of her gown then tweaked it open, then the next. She was still in his arms and he wondered if she was even breathing. Was she excited or fearful? He could not tell.
    “Harriet, is this what you want?”
    “You know what I want.”
    “For me to marry you.”
    “Yes.”
    “And all that entails.”
    She was silent for a moment and he thought she may be having second thoughts.
    “Is it very wanton of me to say that I enjoyed our kisses last night? And the way you touched me? And the hardness of your body against mine?”
    Stephen was embarrassed by the noise that came out of his throat as he moved Harriet forward to look into her eyes—to reassure her. It was half chuckle, half needy growl. God, he wanted her—badly.
    “Harriet, it is not at all wanton to enjoy kissing or exploring one another’s bodies. Even though we are not married. It is natural, especially for an innocent. Goodness, I am no innocent but I want to explore your body very much.” He pushed her fischu out of the way slightly and pressed his lips to the rise of her breast. “I want to know what shade of pink your nipples are. I want to know if they are big or small. I want to know whether you prefer me to kiss, suck or lick them. And it is in these moments I am tempted to capitulate and agree to marry you, Lady Harriet. I am led by my manhood and my desire to see your breasts. Does that not make me the most fickle creature on God’s green earth?”
    “I must admit to being rather curious about what you look like naked. Thus if you are fickle, I must be fickle also.”
    “Ah but you have other reasons for marrying me. Loftier reasons.”
    “But you would be fulfilling your promise to me if you marry me.”
    “Perhaps.”
    “Are you going to tup me today?”
    She was biting her lower lip, awaiting his reply, a mixture of excitement and fear in her gaze.
    He tugged a few more buttons of her gown open and pressed his lips to her shoulder.
    “No, my love, but I do want to see and feel a little more of you. Come.” He stood, moving Harriet to her feet and walked to the desk. Stephen urged her to set her bottom to the edge of the mahogany top then he pressed his lips to hers, kissing her softly, coaxing her to follow his lead.
    Soon, her arms were around his neck, her