ruthlessly lowered his head, plundering her mouth and feasting. It was a cold hard cynical kiss, one designed to punish her for refusing his invitation.
With only a token protest, she opened her mouth under his and allowed her body to tell him all the things she didn’t dare. The kiss that started harshly became softer and more seductive, seeking rather than demanding.
She moaned in the back of her throat and squirmed against his body, seeking relief from the desire which was now raging out of control in her body.
‘I want you,’ he rasped in her ear. ‘I want to enjoy you when I want to, not rushing around and hiding from prying eyes. That is the only reason I asked. Most of all I want you. Right here and right now.’
His lips trailed down her neck, making a fiery pathway. Pleasure rippled through her body as his hand roamed at will, sliding down her curves and caressing her over the heavy cloth. She silently wished that she hadn’t taken such pains at dressing this morning.
As if he could read her mind, he reached down and bunched the skirt. His hand slipped under her skirts and parted her drawers, finding her moist core. His finger slipped in, stroked and played.
‘I want you, too,’ she said between gasps. A delicious vista opened before her. He’d always taken the lead in their love-making, but this time she wanted to be the one to be in control and in charge. ‘I’m no longer a novice, but an expert. Allow me to ride you.’
Her hands slipped down his body and unbuttoned his trousers. His erection sprang free. She clasped it in her hand, feeling the velvet hardness. As he stroked her, she stroked him back, both of them using their hands to give each other pleasure.
‘I don’t know how much longer I can last.’ He eased her down amongst the high grass. ‘Ride me, Harriet. Ride me now.’
He lay back on the ground and she positioned herself above him, straddling his body. The moist tip of him nudged the apex of her thighs. She spread her leg wider.
Using her hand, she guided him to the very centre and slowly impaled herself. Rode him, controlling the movement. Up and down, going at her pace as he lay underneath her. She enjoyed the feeling of power, of bringing them to the brink and then slowing it down.
The weeks of riding had honed her muscles and she used them now to give him pleasure. Faster and faster until the wave crested, then crested again. Finally when she knew she could take no more, she clasped her arms around him and held him as he came to a shuddering climax deep within her, so deep it seemed like his seed was spilling directly into her womb. They were together, joined.
Much later when they lay entwined in each other’s arms, Kit smoothed her hair from her forehead. It amazed him that he once thought Harriet had no passion within her. His desire for her had grown rather than diminished. ‘You are definitely an expert rider, now.’
‘No longer in need of lessons? I think I have learnt lots about being wicked.’ She stretched her arms above her head. ‘It has been absolutely delicious.’
His heart gave an unexpected pang. Lessons in wickedness? Was that all she considered this? He knew they had agreed that it would be a summer’s affair, but he had discovered that he wanted it to continue into the autumn and beyond.
The thought shocked him. ‘No more lessons. The pupil has outshone the master.’
‘I shall take it as a compliment.’ She moved her arm and Kit heard a faint tear. She wrinkled her nose. ‘Oh, dear. More sewing.’
‘I fear our exertions have ruined your dress.’
She pulled away slightly. ‘It will mend and if Mrs Hampstead questions it, I will say that I acquired it riding. It is not less than the truth.’
A cold stab of fear went through Kit. ‘Has she questioned you before?’
‘No harm will come from today, I promise,’ she said, pulling her sleeve a bit and rearranging the material so the tear didn’t show as easily. ‘Mrs Hampstead will not enquire too closely. She never does. Discretion rules all. We are safe.’
Safety. He rolled over onto his back, moving away from her. His body protested at the sudden space. He wanted to linger and relax in her arms. He wanted her to go away with him, but she had refused and it still hurt. Staying here was the worst of all possible worlds.
‘There is always a chance of a slip. What then?’ He forced his voice to be cold. ‘A forced marriage? You know my feelings about marriage.’
‘There won’t be.’ Her cheeks stained bright red. ‘I’ve been careful.’
‘Soon autumn will be here. It will be too cold for such things.’
‘Are you really planning on travelling to the Continent so soon, then?’ she asked quickly. ‘I thought you might like to see Northumberland in the autumn. Stay a bit longer and stretch the summer out. Summer can sometimes last.’
He sighed and put his hands behind his head, staring up into the clear blue sky, rather than looking at her. Staying here with Harriet had its merits, but all it would do was to prolong the inevitable and increase the likelihood of discovery. Misery for all if he allowed it to continue.
‘After Rupert gives his lecture, I have to go to London. It can no longer be avoided. I do have business interests that I have to look after. I’ve neglected them for far too long. Like you, I have responsibilities and people depending on me to make the right choices.’
The words caused his insides to twist. Normally when the time came for a parting, he looked forward to it. This time, he hated it. It was better now, though, while they remained friends. Rules were made to be kept.
Hattie smoothed her skirt down and hugged her knees to her chest. The silence grew deafening. He willed her to ask to come with him and give him some sign that she wanted to be with him.
‘So soon?’ she whispered. ‘His lecture is tomorrow. Everyone is sure to want to fête him afterwards. He will be the toast of the Tyne for weeks to come. Surely you can stay to see your protégé shine?’
He stood absolutely still with a soft breeze blowing in his hair. Behind him, the swifts circled on the wind, getting ready to depart from Northumberland to go on their long journey back to Africa. Summer was drawing to a close as much as he might wish it to be otherwise. He’d ignored it for far too long.
‘I have stayed longer than I intended.’ His words sounded harsh, even to his own ears. ‘I’d planned to ask you to come to London with me, but you are busy. You have made that abundantly clear today.’
Hattie bit her lip. ‘But you will be back. The Lodge needs lots of work. Someone will have to supervise.’
He concentrated on doing up the buttons of his trousers and shrugging into his jacket. She wasn’t even willing to make the smallest concession. It was the right thing to end it swiftly. He had lingered far too long as it was. He did have another life, even if it was less than appealing at the moment. ‘Some day. It will depend on how my business goes, but we must stay in contact, Hattie.’
She picked a piece
