The Bride Thief

He expelled a long, frustrated breath. No matter how he might try to engross himself in work, nothing would banish the memories of last night. The feel of her under him. Over him. Wrapped around him. The sound of his name on her lips as she climaxed in his arms. Discovering all the fascinating secrets of her body. Her wide-eyed, wondrous exploration of his. The white-hot intensity tempered by the laughter they'd shared.

None of his previous sexual encounters had prepared him for what he'd experienced with Samantha. Never before had he felt this overwhelming rush of fierce protectiveness. This chest-aching tenderness. This sharp-edged desire to know everything about her… her mind as well as her body. This raw need to please her in every way. To hold her to him and simply not let her go.

Draining his last sip of coffee, he set the china cup on his desk, then pressed his fingers to his temples in a vain attempt to relieve the unsettling emotions scraping at him. Damn it all, he felt edgy, yet at the same time, uncharacteristically vulnerable. And he didn't like it one bit. How had she-an innocent in the ways of love-managed to arouse and enchant him as no experienced woman ever had? Why wasn't last night proving to be like all the other nights he'd spent in a lover's arms-delightful while it lasted, yet eminently forgettable once the act was completed?

A dozen words to describe last night jumped into his mind, but forgettable was not one of them. A humorless laugh rumbled in his throat as he recalled how less than a fortnight ago he'd entertained the notion that he could see Samantha Briggeham one more time and then forget her. What a raging jest on him! He hadn't been able to push the woman from his thoughts before he'd made love to her. Now she occupied every corner of his brain.

Forget her? How could he hope to do so when the feel of her, the scent of her, was indelibly etched in his mind? And, he feared, more than his mind. It was as if she'd engraved her name across his heart. And soul. A disturbing development to be sure.

This desire, this need for her, sorely tested his control, a facet of himself he'd always prided himself on. It had required a Herculean effort keep from spilling his seed in her last night. In truth, he'd barely managed to withdraw in time.

His gut clenched, and he mentally cursed himself. How had he allowed their relationship to progress to this point? Why had he pursued something so utterly impossible? Because you're a selfish bastard and you couldn't keep your hands off her. As much as it shamed him, he couldn't deny the truth of his inner voice. And there was only one way to fix what his selfishness had wrought.

He would have to end their affair.

Everything in him cringed in protest, and he swore his heart screamed No! But damn it all, these… feelings, these soft and tender emotions she generated in him did more than unsettle him. They frightened him. He could not offer her the sort of future she deserved. Indeed, any long-term liaison with him might possibly place her in danger.

Their affair would have to end sooner or later. For both their sakes, he needed to make it sooner.

But God, not just yet.

He had to see her again. One more time. To memorize every look, every touch, every inch of her. Because he knew, in his suddenly heavy heart, that he would never meet another woman like Samantha Briggeham.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the study door.

'Come in.'

Eversley entered, his normally impassive butler's face showing unprecedented animation. 'You've a guest, my lord.'

His heart jumped. Had Samantha come to him? Forcing his voice to remain impassive, he asked, 'Who is here?'

An unmistakable sheen glinted in Eversley's eyes. ' 'Tis Lady Darvin, my lord.'

At that moment, his sister, Margaret, appeared behind Eversley. Perfectly coiffed dark hair surrounded her face, which in spite of showing signs of strain and fatigue, was still beautiful. Tears shimmered in her dark eyes that exactly matched his own. He searched her gaze, relieved that no suffering lingered in her eyes, although it was painfully obvious she remained haunted and pitifully unsure of herself.

Her bottom lip trembled. 'Hello, Eric. Thank you for-'

He reached her in three long strides, catching her against him in a fierce hug that cut off her words. Her arms slipped around his waist, and with her hands fisted against his back, she buried her face against his shirt. Long shudders racked her body, and he tightened his arms around her, prepared to stand there all day and absorb her tears if that's what she needed.

A lump lodged in his throat, and he cursed his inability to absorb her suffering as well. Damn, she felt so small and fragile in his arms, yet he knew she possessed an inner strength that defied her delicate appearance. He nodded to Eversley who discreetly withdrew. The instant the door closed behind the butler, Eric lowered his head, resting his cheek against her soft hair.

A smile touched his lips. She still smelled of roses. She always had, even as a little girl. Even at the age of ten, when she'd escaped the watchful eye of her governess and played in the mud. She'd returned to the house utterly filthy and bedraggled, but by damn, she'd still smelled like roses.

After several minutes, her shudders subsided. Lifting her head, she looked up at him through damp, spiky lashes. The bleak emptiness shadowing her eyes squeezed his heart like a fist. It was a look he vowed to erase.

'Are you all right?' he asked quietly.

She nodded slowly. 'I'm sorry I fell apart like that. I'm just so glad to see you. And to be here.'

He dropped a quick kiss on her forehead. 'You have no idea how good it is to have you here. This is your home, Margaret. You are welcome to live here as long as you wish.' He offered her a smile. 'It's been lonely here without you.'

She did not return his smile, and his gut clenched at the reminder that this was not the same bright-eyed, laughing girl from his youth. He inwardly cursed their father and the man he'd forced her to marry, for stealing her laughter and joy. By God, I'll do everything in my power to see that you are never sad again.

'Actually, this is your home, Eric,' she said, 'and I am grateful for your generosity.'

' 'Tis no hardship to enjoy the company of my favorite sister.'

She did not smile, but he thought he detected a tiny glint of amusement in her eyes. 'I am your only sister.'

'Ah, but even if I had a dozen others, I know you would still be my favorite.'

Instead of the laugh he'd hoped for, she stepped back from his embrace. Walking to the window, she looked out at the flowering garden. 'I'd forgotten how… beautiful it is here.'

His hands fisted. The catch in her voice broke his heart. Forcing his own voice to be cheery, he asked, 'Why don't we stroll through the gardens, and I'll bring you up to date on all the local news. Then, this afternoon, perhaps you'd care to accompany me on a visit.'

She turned to face him. 'Who are you visiting?'

'The Briggehams. Do you remember them?'

Pursing her lips, she considered for several seconds, then nodded. 'Yes. There are several daughters and a young son, I believe.'

'Four daughters, all married except the eldest. Actually, it's the son, Hubert, whom I'm calling upon. An incredibly intelligent lad. He's made a fascinating laboratory he calls the Chamber, in the old barn. I promised to look at an invention he's working on.' He joined her by the window and gently clasped her hands. 'Come with me. You'll enjoy meeting Hubert, and his sister and his parents as well, if they are home. I believe you'd quite like Miss Briggeham. The two of you are of similar ages and-'

'Thank you, Eric, but I do not feel up to answering questions about…' Her voice trailed off and her gaze dropped to the floor.

Placing his fingers under her chin, he lifted her face until their eyes met. 'I have no intention of subjecting you to pain, Margaret. Samantha… I mean, Miss Briggeham, is not prone to gossip. She's kind, and like you, she could use a friend.'

He suddenly froze as in a flash it occurred to him what he'd just done. He'd offered to introduce his sister to his