Free Embrace of the Enemy (Winds of Betrayal) by Jerri Hines

alone. In your thoughts only when you grow older to your friends. I remember the war. I had this girl. Pray, what was her name?” She tried to turn, but he wouldn’t let go of her.
    “It wouldn’t be such, Hannah, since I wouldn’t let you go.”
    She shook her head. “Stop! Stop! I don’t know why I allowed this conversation.”
    “Because you feel it, too.”
    His mouth c rushed hers evoking a need within her, causing her to drown out all thoughts but one. She slid her arms around his neck and returned his kiss.
    “Come with me now. Leave this house,” he whispered.
    Slowly, the reality of the mission crept back within her. She withdrew; shocked at her reaction. Her hand pulled to her mouth. “I can’t. I can’t.”
    Stumbling backwards to the door, her hand turned the handle of the door, opened it and ran. She didn’t stop until she was well within her room.
    * * * *
    The maid helped Hannah undress and readied for bed, but she knew it would be useless to try to sleep. She combed out her hair, taking her night robe, and eased out of her room. She climbed the stairs to the far room in which had been hers upon her first weeks at her grandfather’s.
    Her escape…her room where she wrote her secrets. She had found a perfect spot for her written messages, a loose plank of which the far table stood upon. Within the desk, she kept a journal of nonsense writing, which she was certain her grandfather had read often. She wrote as if she was Camilla.
    She would be doing no writing tonight. She had too much to contemplate. She had to decide her next move. Unconsciously, she made her way over to the window and stared out into the night. The snow had not ceased. The family would be returning soon if they could make it through the snow.
    Her mind raced with consuming thoughts. She wanted nothing more than to go home. She wanted her father…Mother Agnes. She wanted to be held and comforted, but there would be no comfort. Faces flashed before her, her father, Mother Agnes, William, Lydia, Jonathan and Gabriel. Betrayed, Gabriel had betrayed her! The betrayal cut deep.
    Hurt swelled within her. Tears began to fall silently down her cheeks. She could take no more. The secrets. She had done her part. She could hear Lydia calling her home. She had to go home where she was loved. She had never felt so alone.
    She didn’t hear the door open or his footsteps toward her, but immediately she knew he was within the room. He hadn’t left and must have followed her up the stairs. She didn’t turn when she heard the door clicked or when he came up behind her. She felt his arms wrap around her. She made no protest. She had none in her.
    “Your grandfather sent word that the weather isn’t going to allow their return this night. They are staying over the Shelton’s. He informed me to take a room and make myself comfortable until the weather clears.” Slowly he turned her to him. “I found the the only place I want to be…with you.”
    She faced him in the night. He reached out and lifted her face to his. She closed her eyes to his touch…his kiss. Gentle kisses trickled down her neck. Sensation after sensation swept through her diverting her attention to only one thought—the man who held her in his arms. Forgetting for the moment everything except him.
    The essence of her being compelled her. A shiver of heat flowed through her when his hands caressed her skin. She found herself unable to utter a protest. Her body was not going to deny him what her words had. She leaned into him and accepted what he offered.
    She felt his hand reach up and untie the string to her night robe. Boldly he exploded her body as if he owned it. He ran his hand down the opening of her gown and spread it open exposing her breasts to his view. She caught her breath. He lowered his head down and kissed the hard tip. He used his tongue to madden her. With his other hand he smoothed his palm over the other. She cried out in shock of the cascade of pleasure