“Oh, God.” Again, his hand was on her shoulder, comforting, stabilizing. “I’m so sorry. You needn’t go in if you can’t manage it. If it frightens you.”
“It does.” She glanced from the blue-green water where the sunlight twinkled on the rippled waves and then back to him but somehow she knew it wouldn’t as long as he stayed with her. “Will you be there?”
“Yes.” With mischief in his grin, he backed away, gaining the shore of the pond in short order. Then he toed off his boots, and as he winked, he stripped off his clothing until he stood clad only in his breeches.
Oh, merciful heavens!He was even more beautiful than her mind could imagine in her artwork. Ridged muscles. A mat of heavy blond-brown hair that spread over his wide upper chest with a thin line that tapered down over his abdomen to disappear into his breeches. Flat dusky rose nipples. Tanned skin that spoke of his days toiling on the boats he talked about with such pride. Her mouth watered, for the urge to explore that skin with her lips grew strong and she didn’t know why. She wanted to trace that stunning form with her fingers. Caroline rose to her feet as if he’d lured her beneath his spell.
“Should I… Should I also do that?” Weakly, she waved a hand to his semi-nakedness. A long, jagged scar snaked down his left side. Where had he gained that?
“Unless you wish to ruin your dress.” His smile had the power to weaken her knees. “But might I say you’re beautiful in yellow. Like a piece of sunshine personified. I especially like that your hair is loose today.”
Her husband was beyond charming. Confusion crept in. She didn’t know how to act around men; she barely understood how to interact with her male cousins. Were they always so perplexing yet endearing? But she wanted to feel the water on her skin, to perhaps confront one of her fears and be with John at the same time, so she removed her dress with shaking hands, as well as the pretty petticoat embroidered with vines on the hem. Once in her shift and stays, she hopped on first one foot and then the other while removing stockings and slippers.
“There’s something about seeing a woman in undress that’s quite wicked, don’t you think?” He closed the distance between them and took her hand.
“I’m… not sure.” Oh, it was embarrassing to be with him like this yet tingles of anticipation raced over her skin.
“The water will be refreshing. Then we can lounge on the blanket while our clothes dry, and we can have a picnic.” Gently, almost as if he were guiding a skittish colt, he tugged her into the pond, foot by foot. “It won’t hurt you and neither will I.”
With a nod, she kept her gaze on his. “Ah! It’s cooler looks than it!” Inch by inch, the water seeped up her body, quickly drenching her shift and stays just past her waist.
“That’s one reason why swimming is such fun.”
She couldn’t stop staring at him. He was beautiful. “I should go back. To sketch—”
“Not yet.” When he caught her into the strong circle of his arms and went deeper into the pond, she squealed. “Make friends with the water, sweeting.”
“John!” Her heartbeat quickened with fright, but as she clung to his shoulders and her body pressed against his, shivers of excitement went down her spine. Yet, with him there was no reason to fear. He was big and hard as his form moved with hers. Muscles played beneath her fingertips where she clutched at him. Being in this water wasn’t a punishment. “Oh.” With one hand, she explored his chest, rubbing her palm up and down over that golden skin, trailing her fingers through the coarse hair there. “Oh!” So different from her.
His eyes darkened to a tawny brown. “Explore as much as you’d like.”
“Why?” Without the support of his arms, she’d sink into the water, for her feet were no longer touching the bottom. She clung to him all the more.
“I’m your husband, Caroline. It’s expected, and I’m sure you’re curious. I can see it in your face.”
The soft words in his deep voice rumbled in her chest. That coupled with the coolness of the water hardened her nipples. Her breasts ached with a longing she didn’t understand but somehow knew he might have the answer. She caressed her fingers along the side of his strong neck, danced them over his broad shoulders, finding other scars in the process. “You are gorgeous.” She dared to push those fingers through the hair at his nape. Soft as a bird’s feather. The feel of his arms around her was both comforting and stimulating.
He snorted with laughter. “I’m average. Nothing special, especially if you ask my father.” The amusement quickly died in the face of bitterness. His mouth took on a hard line.
“Don’t be angry.” Caroline didn’t like it when he was in pain. In an effort to soothe him, she traced her fingertips along his eyebrows, the sweep of his cheekbone, his chin. The bit of stubble that shaded his chin and jaw made her itch to sketch that. Both hard and soft. “You are not him.”
“Just as you are not the Stormes.”
“Yes.” She grinned, thrilled that he understood. “I’m different, but not insane.” It was important he also recognize that fact.
“No, you aren’t.” He bussed her cheek. “Your mind is beautiful, Caroline. I’ll wager it’s a colorful, amazing place in there. You are beautiful. Never let anyone tell you otherwise.”
“Oh, John.” With him she was both protected and in danger, not from an outside threat, but from the way he made her feel, as if she’d burst from her skin unless he touched her, continued to hold her. In his company, she could so easily believe she was beautiful instead of broken. Trembles danced down her spine to lodge between her thighs, and that confused her. Could he explain it to her? But then that made her feel inadequate and stupid, so she took refuge in the familiar. “Do you enjoy fairy stools?” No, that wasn’t right! She tried again. “Stories. Fairy stories.”
His laughter rumbled around and through her to further tighten the ache in her breasts. “I’ve never had cause to think about them.”
“I do.” She smiled while she held his gaze. “I dream of being rescued.” It was too much of a risk to speak with long sentences. “Being rescued by a noble knight. He will carry me away to his kingdom.” With a nod, she continued. “We’ll live happily ever after.”
For the space of a few heartbeats, he grinned, held her a tad bit closer while the water lapped about them. “Keep believing, Mrs. Butler. There’s no shame in dreaming. Eventually, some of them might come true.”
Her silly heart skipped a beat. Did that mean he wanted to be that knight? Wanted the story book ending? With her? He had truly already carried her away. Gooseflesh raced over her skin. “John?”
“Hmm?” His gaze briefly dropped to her mouth.