“You gave it up?”
Lily nodded. “I realized I must make a choice. I will no longer have the means to afford travel since I plan to spend my modest fortune on my new cause, helping needy women avoid a life of prostitution. In fact, I am thinking of starting a home for poor women and unwed mothers. I hope to better their lives if I can, and improve their sad conditions so they won’t be trapped in lives they abhor. Even if our boarders no longer need my help now, there are many destitute and desperate women who do.”
“I see,” Heath responded, regarding her solemnly. “But you needn’t give up your dream of adventure, Lily. As my wife, you can both see the world and help needy women. It is one of the prime advantages of wedding me.”
Lily’s laugh was strained. “But the disadvantages are rather significant. I would have to wed you first.”
Heath shook his head. “Wedding me is not a condition of accepting my gift. Naturally I would like to accompany you on your voyages, but that is your choice.”
She held up the deed. “What is this then, a bribe to persuade me to accept your proposal?”
“No. It is just as I said. I am offering you the means to fulfill your dream. Granted, I would also like you to see that our life together could be a grand adventure. And for you to realize that your fears about maintaining your independence after our marriage are unfounded. As my wife, you wouldn’t be under the thumb of a dictatorial husband. You could live your life very much as you choose.”
She hesitated a long moment, torn by conflicting emotions. “You know I cannot accept something so outrageously expensive. It would make me too indebted to you.”
Heath shrugged. “The decision is entirely up to you, sweeting. You can sell the
Lily swallowed, feeling that odd little ache in her throat again. She was greatly touched by his generosity. And dismayed as well.
Heath understood her yearning. Before becoming involved with the women at the boardinghouse, traveling the world had been her deepest desire. She still longed for adventure, even though an even greater desire had supplanted it in her heart. And his offer was so very tempting.
As if reading her thoughts, Heath took her hand and led her to the table where a map of the world was spread out. With a sweeping gesture, he indicated the various continents and oceans. “Where would you go first if you could?”
Reluctantly Lily glanced down at the map. France lay there beckoning. And Italy. And Spain. And the Alps. And countless other places she longed to see. During the many years of wars with Napoleon’s armies, those countries had been far too dangerous for visitors, but now the wars were over…
“I could take you there,” Heath murmured, his low tone all too beguiling.
Wistfully, Lily trailed her forefinger over the map, letting her touch linger on the Mediterranean. In her mind’s eye she could picture the splendid beauty she had only read about. Azure seas. Dazzling sunlight. Pristine beaches. Palm trees gently waving in the warm breeze.
“Thank you, but no,” she finally said with a regretful sigh.
When she handed the deed back to Heath, he merely laid it on the table. Then he reached up to untie the strings of her bonnet, removing it and her veil.
Lily gave him a quizzical look. “Heath…what are you doing?”
“I am undressing you.”
She froze. “I thought you said you wouldn’t make love to me again.”
He gave her a lazy smile as he made short work of the pins holding her coiffure in place. “I changed my mind.”
A small thrill ran through her. “But you don’t want to risk making me
“True.” From an inner pocket of his coat he withdrew a small pouch that Lily recognized. It held the sponges Peg had given her.
“I kept this from last night,” Heath informed her.
Her heart began racing. “Does this mean you have reconsidered allowing me to become your mistress?”
“No, but you are welcome to be my mistress as well as my wife. You can be as passionate and wild as you want-and respectable at the same time.”
“Heath…” she began in protest, but he took her face in his hands and kissed her once, slowly. The tender gesture left her spellbound.
“I mean to take you on a map of the world, Lily. Surely you can comprehend the symbolism.”
She couldn’t respond; her throat was suddenly too dry.
His fingers threaded in her hair, arranging the tresses to his satisfaction, so that they flowed over her shoulders.
“I intend to show you what our marriage could be like,” he murmured. “How pleasurable it could be.”
He stood there waiting for her decision, his golden gaze intimate, knowing, caring. The ache of longing spread to Lily’s chest. She had known Heath had an ulterior motive for bringing her here. She also knew she shouldn’t dare make love to him again. Fanny was right; she had to end their intimacy before she did something so foolish as fall in love. Heath was becoming more irresistible each day, and the danger had only increased the moment he brought her on board the ship to show her his amazing gift.
Fighting her desire, Lily took a step back. “I don’t think it would be wise of me to let you.”
He stepped closer. “When have you ever let wisdom dictate your actions? You want me, Lily. Just as I want you.”
That was certainly true. She needed only to look at Heath and her body responded. Already moisture had pooled between her thighs.
And then he kissed her and she forgot to breathe. Lily pressed her own hands against his chest, struggling for willpower, yet his arousal tempted her, vanquishing the voices of reason clamoring in the back of her mind.
Perhaps she could have him once more, Lily told herself. Just one last time. And then never again…
As if sensing her struggle, Heath tightened his embrace, his lips claiming and wooing. Giving a small sigh of defeat, Lily returned his kiss helplessly.
For a time, he seemed satisfied with her response, but after another few moments he broke off and began silently to undress her. His fingers expertly unfastened the hooks of her gown and removed it and her undergarments-her corset and chemise, her slippers and stockings-until she was bared completely to his gaze.
“It always amazes me, how beautiful you are,” he said, his voice low and husky.
Lily felt herself flushing with warmth at his intent perusal, and she was glad when Heath finally began to shed his own clothing.
When at last he was naked, she drank in the beauty of his finely honed, athletic body. His rigid manhood jutted out from his loins, the length of him proud and hard. Lily felt her own loins clench painfully.
When she met his wantonly beautiful gaze, a tangible desire shimmered between them, filling the very air.
Heath’s eyes had darkened, she saw as he moved toward her and stopped barely a few inches away. Her heart thudded erratically, beating a wild pulse in her throat. With his body so very close, she could feel the heat of him.
He drew a line down the silky hollow between her breasts, then feathered the tips with the backs of his fingers, making her gasp at the sparks he kindled in her so effortlessly.
“Feel how hard your nipples have grown.”
She couldn’t help but feel it. Her nipples had instantly tightened, betraying her arousal, while her breasts felt heavy and swollen.
But she wanted to touch him, too. Lily reached up to caress Heath’s chest. His skin was hot and smooth, the sinewed muscles rippling beneath her fingertips. Then he took over again, gathering her against him until her breasts nestled against the broad wall of his chest, her stomach against his hard flat one. The warm, velvet pressure of his erection sent a rush of hunger through her, kindling a heavy ache deep in her lower body.
Her breath faltering, Lily made no protest when Heath lifted her up and set her on the table facing him. And she yielded willingly when he laid her back upon the surface.
