Author: Tammy Andresen
Category: Historical
Go to read content：https://readnovelfree.com/p/32823_13
“Dane, my brother, and Juliet, they rescued me. I think that Dane asked Juliet to marry him just after that. She risked her life to save mine.”
He stopped looking down at Charlie, her face gathered in pain. “I think you’re lucky to have such a wonderful sister-in-law join your family.”
“I am,” she answered. They’d reached the top of the bluffs, about to head down the path to the beach. “And yet, sometimes I think that I’ll lose everyone I love.”
Raithe squeezed her fingers in his. He was beginning to understand the origin of her restlessness. He ached for her. Someone as young and lovely as Charlie shouldn’t have to hurt so much. In that moment, he wished he could take away her pain. But there was nothing he could do. Was there?
Chapter Six
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Charlie wished she could kick herself, but she straightened her shoulders, determined to turn the conversation to something lighter, less personal. “Enough about me.”
They started down the step path, Ophelia and Chase easily made their way down the steep, rocky path. She lifted her skirts, watching her slippers as she picked her way down.
“I disagree. I am finding this conversation fascinating.”
His deep voice shivered through her. Why had she told such a man about her foolish escapade? “I’m sure my mistake will only affirm all the reasons you should never kiss me again.” She tilted her chin, looking into his near-black eyes.
Her foot slipped on a rock and he steadied her waist. The feel of his hand covering her midriff shot a wave of longing through her. He was so strong. Once more, Charlie really considered what it would be like to be sheltered by such a man.
“For the record. I have no intention of ever kissing you again. But not because of what you said.” He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “I am, as I know you know, a rogue. Unredeemable. And you are an innocent. I’ll tell you what you wish to know, but we can’t touch, especially kiss again. It isn’t safe for either of us.”
Her stomach flopped about. He’d never kiss her again? “Of course,” she said as they began moving again. Her head dipped. Even bringing up the kiss only highlighted how much she wanted another. Because that had quieted her head in the most satisfying of ways. Because he stole her breath, and her thoughts, and her reason.
“Which brings us to the topic at hand. I’ve issued my warning for you to stay away from rakes. Last night, I wanted to teach you how quickly and easily you can fall into one’s arms. But if I were truly acting the part of rake, I wouldn’t have stopped at a kiss.”
Those words should have frightened her. But instead, she ached between her thighs again. “What else would you have done?” The words popped out before she could stop them.
He looked over at her, letting out a deep groaning sigh. “I would have ruined you…completely.”
She gripped his arm. “How does a man ruin a woman…completely?”
He stopped again, his boots scuffing the dirt. “You don’t actually mean you want me to explain the act?”
She did mean that. Precisely. She had no mother, no sister. Dane certainly wasn’t going to tell her. And she didn’t know the Moorish sisters well enough to ask. “You promised to educate me.”
“Yes but…I thought you wanted me to demonstrate lines they might use or tell you about the parties men hold when women aren’t present.”
“Exactly,” she dropped her voice. It was almost ridiculous she asked this of him and her pulsed raced, blood rushing in her ears, but he was the only one she could think to go to for the information. And besides, somehow, she preferred him over any other man. There was an intimacy between them she didn’t know how to name. “What do you do with a woman at one of those parties? Kissing? Yes. What else?”
“No,” he answered the single word biting out.
“Please,” she begged, tugging on his arm. “My mother and father died when I was thirteen. I was too young then and I don’t know who else—”
“Thirteen?” He swallowed. “That’s a terrible age for such a loss.”
“I didn’t mean to talk of myself again.” She shook her head, a few strands of her hair coming loose. “The point is, I’ve no one else to ask and you are the only man that I dare.”
Chase and Ophelia were still in sight, but they moved further ahead, which was just as well.
“Balstead,” she whispered. “Please.”
He closed his eyes for a moment. “Call me Raithe.”
“Raithe?” she asked as her feet slipped again. This time, he just wrapped an arm about her waist. Funny, even that small gesture, while exciting, calmed some of the hectic racing in her mind. “It suits you.”
“This isn’t education on rakes. This is an education on relations.”
She shrugged. “Fair enough. Though I did warn you that my ultimate goal was to marry.”