"I-Iapologizefordisturbingyourbout,"shestammered,tryinghardnottostareatthedefinitionoftheprince'shard,muscularform."Iawokeearlyanddecidedtotakeastroll."

Theprincedidnotseemtocarewhetherstaringwaspoliteornot.Withhisgazepinnedonher,he immediatelystalkedstraighttowardher.

Goodheavens,whathaveIdonenow?Elizabethinstinctivelyscuffledbackward.

Whenhereachedher,therewasnowaypossibleshecouldaverthergazefromhisbroadchest.He wa.s.simplybreathingtoohard,andthemovementwasfartoodistractingforhertomaintainaladylikedisinterest.

Hereachedouthishand,thenstoopedandretrievedhermantlefromtheground.

Lud,shehadn'tevenrealizedithadslippedfromhershoulders.Shesmiledashehandedittoher.

Heatseemedtowellupfromherbeneathherchemise,shootupoverherbosomandsettleinhercheeks.Horrified,sheglancedtothesky,andsawthat.i.tsearlierpinkishhuehadtransmogrifiedtoagloriousvibrantblue.

"Goodmorning,YourRoyalHighness."Whyhadhercourage,whichshehadpossessedinsuchgreatabundanceonlylasteve,suddenlyevaporatedmorequicklythanthemorningdew?"Suchfineformyoudisplay."

Heraisedanamusedeyebrow.

Das.h.i.tall."I-Imean...youradvance,ofcourse.Delightful."

"Youhadlostyourwrap,MissRoyle.Ionlysoughttoretrieveitforyou."

"What?Oh,no,no."Gads.Elizabethstoppedspeakinglongenoughtogatherherwitsabouther,alongwithhermantle."Iwasreferringtoyourforwardmovement-yourbalestra.But,yes,thankyousomuchforreturningmymantletome."Shedroppedanunsteadycurtsy.

"Itwasmypleasure,MissRoyle."Hebenttowardher.Instinctively,Elizabethchasedhimwithhermouthbeforerealizing,toolate,hewasonlybowingtoher,notanglingforakiss.

Shewasmortified,butwouldnotjustwalkaway.Anythingshedid,sheremindedherself,whethermeaningtoornot,wasfatedtohappen.Fated."WWouldyouliketojoinmeforawalk,YourRoyalHighness?"sheasked,pleasedwithhersuddensurgeofbravery.

"IdoregretthatIcannot,MissRoyle."

"Elizabeth.PleasecallmeElizabeth."

Hiseyesroundedmomentarily."Yes,Elizabeth.Iaminthemiddleofaboutjustnowwith..."Heturnedtogesturetohiscousin.Buthewasgone.Thelabyrinthwasdeserted.Hishandfelltohisside."Withnoone,itappears."

"So,shallwe?"Elizabethdidnotwaitforananswerbutbrushedpasthimandheadedforthecenterofthelabyrinth.Shescoopeduphisdiscardedshirtandbrought.i.tbacktohim."Itissuchafineday,isitnot?"Sheraisedhereyebrowswithexpectation."Butalittlecoolatthisearlyhour."

Theprincetookhisshirtfromher,chucklingsoftlyasheeaseditoverhishead,thenhefastenedtheswordatthesashathiship."ItwouldbemyhonortowalkwithyoubacktoCranbourneLodge,Miss-Elizabeth."

d.a.m.nyou,Leopold.Sumnerclenchedhisfistashiseyesscannedthetreelineforhiswretchedcousin.TheprinceknewhehadnodesiretobeleftalonewithMissRoyle...orrather,Elizabeth.

Actually,hehaddesire,thatwastheproblem.Hehadtoomuchofthat,whichwaswhyitwouldservehim,andLeopold,bestifhesimplystayedasfarfromElizabethaspossible.

Hewantedhertoomuch.Neededherevenmore.Andshewasb.l.o.o.d.ywelltoomuchofadistraction-onethatcouldveryeasilybecomeadeadlydiversionifhewasunabletocarryouthisdutyandprotecttheprince.

SumnerglancedatElizabeth,whostrolledtooslowlybesidehim.Atthisrateitwouldtaketenminutesatleasttoreturnhertothelodge.

Hercopperhairwasgildedwithsun,makingitgleaminthemorninglight.Hisgazefollowedacoiledlockfromhertempletowhereitsendpuddledinthecreaseofherdecolletage.WhathadshebeenthinkingwhenshedonnedaFrenchinspiredgownforamorningwalk?

Heswallowedhardandforcedhisgazetothepathbeforethem.Hecouldnotallowhimselftodwellonherbeauty,herallure.Orhowhewantedtoholdheragainsthim.Tofeelherfullb.r.e.a.s.t.spressed,warmandsoft,againsthischest.

b.l.o.o.d.yh.e.l.l.Hefelthimselfstiffen,andwasimmediatelygratefulthathehadnottakenthetimetotuckhislawnshirtintohisbreeches.

Sumnerraisedhisheadandlookedstraightforward,notdaringtolookdown.Hewa.s.surehislawnshirtwouldcoveranyevidenceofhisinterestinher,butifhelookeddowntobesure,hergazemightfollow,andhedidnotwishtoriskthatembarra.s.sment.

Whenhisattentionalightedonthepathoncemore,herealizedthathisinattentionhadleadtoafatalmistake.TheywerenotheadedinthedirectionofCranbourneLodgeatall.TherewereturningontotherivertrailalongtheThames-intheoppositedirection.Thiswasn'twise.

"ShouldyounotreturntoCranbourneLodge,Elizabeth?"Hestoppedandturnedawayfromher,pretendingtolookattheThamesintheneardistance."Willnottheprincessberisingsoonandwishforyoura.s.sistance?"

Shecameandstoodnexttohim,soclosethathecouldfeelthewarmthofherbody."Thelady'smaidinformedmethattheprincesswillnotriseforacouplehoursormore."Shelaidherhandonhisarmandturnedhimtofaceher.

Herinnocenttouchsearedhimlikeabrand,andhefelthisp.e.n.i.stwitchwithantic.i.p.ationinsidehisbreeches.

"Itseemssheandyourcousinwereraptinconversationuntilearlyintothemorninghours."Hereyelidswereheldlowoverherbrilliantemeraldeyesagainstthesun,andevenwhenshestoppedspeaking,hermouthremainedslightlyparted,asifinwantofakiss.

Akissliketheonehebarely,perhapsstupidly,avoidedattheedgeofthelabyrinthminutesago.

Heturnedhisheadfromtheseductivesightofherandstarteddowntherivertrailagain.Hehadtoclearhismind.Hadtofocusonhisduty.Nothingmore.

Hisstrideswerelongandquick,eachstepsendingbitsofgravelpoppingfrombeneaththeforceofhisbootsonthepath.

Blasthim.Whyishemakingthissodifficult?Elizabethhikedupherskirtsandtrottedafterhim.Shecaughtupwithhimwherethetrailroundedabendandtheriverrushedbyseveralfeetbelowthelipofthefootpath."Icannotkeepupwithyou,YourRoyalHighness.Please,won'tyouslowyourpacejustamite?"

Hewhirledaroundunexpectedly."w.i.l.l.youpleasestopreferringtomeasYourRoyalHighness?"hesnapped.

Elizabeth'smouthfellopen."Howthen...Imean,Ithought...howshallIrefertoyou?PrinceLeopold?Orsimply...Leopold?"

"No!"Hiseyeswidenedandhisoutburstseemedtoevenstartlehimself."Please...just...donotrefertomeatall."Hespunaroundandchargedupthetrailagain.

"Well,Ican'tverywelldothat,nowcanI?WearebothhereatWindsorandourpathswillcertainlycross."Elizabethscoopedupherskirtsagainandracedafterhim.

Hestilledhisstep,thenstoppedinthemiddleofthetrailandraisedhishandstohistemples.

"Sir...Ishouldnotwishtopresentmyselfasindecorousinyourpresence,"sheadded,awarethatshewasfrustratinghimbutunabletostopherownchatter.

Heloweredhishandsandstoodsilentlyforseveralmomentsbeforeslowlyturningaroundtofaceher.

"Sumner."Hiseyeswereflashing,butwithanger,frustration,orsomethingelse;shecouldnottell."Ifyoumustaddressmeprivately,Sumner.JustpleaseceasecallingmeYourRoyalHighnesswhilehereatWindsor.Ihaven'tgotacrownuponmyhead,doI?"Helookedawayfromher.

Elizabethblinkedseveraltimes."Sumner,"sherepeatedtohim.Shewatchedhisshoulderseasea.s.shespokethename."Sumner."

Hestaredathersilentlyforalongmomentbeforespeakingagain."It...isafamilyname-onethatonlythoseclosesttomeuse."Hepausedagain."Onlythosewhodonottrulyknowmewouldeverthinkofmeas'Leopold.'"

Thismadenosensetoheratall,butshewashonoredthatheconsideredhercloseenoughtouseaprivatefamilynameratherthanhist.i.tle.Asacommoner,shecouldnotunderstandwhybeingreferredtoas"YourRoyalHighness"wa.s.soirksometothisman.

TheonlyconclusionshecouldpossiblygiveanycredencewasthatLeopoldwasaminorprinceasfarastheworldwasconcerned.WhilePrincessCharlotte...well,shewasthetruedaughterofthePrinceofWales-hislegitimatedaughter-unlikeherselfandhersisters.WhethertheRoylesisters'n.o.blelineagewaseverprovenornot,Englandwouldneverseethemasanythingbut...royalbyblows.

SheonlyhopedthatnoonehereatWindsorwouldreducehercomplicatedcirc.u.mstanceofbirthtothathorriddescriptor.AtleastnotinSumner'spresence.

Blast.Sumnerwasoffdownthetrailagain."Waitforme!"

NotfaraheadanadjunctpaththatloopedbackinthedirectionofCranbourneLodgewouldadjointhetrailalongtheThames.Itwaswhereheheaded.

"Wait,Sumner."

d.a.m.nitall.Whytheh.e.l.lhadhegivenherhisChristianname?Becauseshehadasked?Nowthatwa.s.showingmasteryofcounterinterrogationskills,wasn't.i.t?

"Sumner.Slower,please."

G.o.d,whymustshekeepsayinghisname?Toremindhimthathehadcompletelyforgottenhismilitaryschooling-forgottenhisdutytotheprince?

"Please,donotleavemealoneouthereintheforest,"shecalledout."Idonotknowthewaybacktothelodge."

Hewasactingquitethefool,wasn'the?Hismindwasmuddledwithsomuchemotionthatnotonlyhadheforgottenhistrainingasasoldier,butasgentlemanaswell.Sumnerstilledabruptly."Iwillnotleaveyou,Elizabeth."Hewhirledaround.

Hehadnotrealizedthatshehadcomeupsofastuponhim.

Surprisefilledhereyesandshestumbledbackwarduntilsheteeteredonthelipofthetrail.Herarmsswungaroundinwildcirclesa.s.shetriedtoretainherfooting.

Helungedforwardtograbher,buthissuddenmovementseemedtostealthelastshredsofherconcentrationandshedisappeared,feetoverheadovertheside.

"Elizabeth!"Sumneryankedhisswordfromhiswaistanddoveoffthetrailedgeafterher.

WhenElizabethopenedhereyelids,shewaspeeringupintoSumner'sconcernedgrayeyes.Ittookheramomentmoretorealizethathecradledherinhisstrong,ablearms...andafewbreathsmoreforittodawnuponherthatbothheandsheweresoakedtotheskin.

Whatexactlyhadhappened?Sherememberedfalling,theriverwaterrushingoverher...thennothing.Untilnow.

"ThankG.o.d,youarebreathing."Hetippedhisheadbackandgazedthroughthetreecanopytotheblueskyabove.Waterrolleddownhisfaceanddrippedfromhisangularjaw,tosplashonherneckandtrickledownbetweenherb.r.e.a.s.t.s.

"Whatdoyoumean?Whywouldn'tIbe?"Elizabethsaid,butherwordsmetthecoolairinaraspygrate.Herthroatburneda.s.surelyasifshe'dswallowedanentiregobletofbrandy.Shebroughtherhandtoherthroat.Hereyebrowsinchedtowardthebridgeofhernoseinconfusion.Whathadhappened?

Helookeddownather,andshesawthathiseyesglistenedwithfeeling.Beforeshecouldsayanotherword,heliftedherheadandnuzzledherwetcheek,thenwithoutwarningmovedhislipsoverherstenderly,pa.s.sionately.

Shegroanedatthesensationofhishotmouth,ofhistongueslippingbetweenherlipsandwrithingagainstherown.

Thiswasnotakissofrelief.Itwasoneofneed.

Hecuppedherheadinhislargehandandturnedherdeeperintohiskiss,claimingeverypartofhermouth,plungingandretreatinginhisconquestofher.

Elizabethslidherhandaroundhisneckandheldhimtightly,notwishingthismomenttoeverend.

Hereyesremainedclosed,butshefeltherselfbeinglowered.Sheopenedherlidswhenherbacksettledonablanketofsoftmossandtheirmouthsreluctantlyparted.

Sumnertriedtoleanbackfromherthen,butshewouldnotreleaseherholdaroundthebackofhisneck.Shepulledhimtoheragain,andtoheramazement,hedidnotresist.

Instead,herestedhisweightbesideherandkissedhersoftly,pressingherdeeperintothebedofspongymoss.

Hislefthandbrushedafewdampstrandsofherhairfromwheretheyclungtoherface."Elizabeth...I...Iamsorry."

"Islipped.Thatisall."Shesmiled."Youbearnofaultformy...soggygownthistime."Hervoicewasbarelyawhisper,butwordswerenottrulynecessaryjustthen.Theirbodiesdidnotseemtofeeltheneedforthem.

Elizabethreachedup,peeledbackthesoakedlawnshirtfromSumner'sskin,theneasedherpalminsidetohiswarmmuscledchest.Rollingtowardhim,shedrapedherarmaroundhiswaistandpulledherbodyfirmlyagainsthis.

Hewasasharda.s.stonewherehisbodyab.u.t.tedhersattheapexofherthighs.Heatrippedthroughherattherealization.Insteadofshying,herbodydroveheronandshepushedagainsthim,wantingmore.

Wantinghimcloser.Wantingtotouchhim.Wantinghimtotouchher.

Sumnersworeunderhisbreath.Desirefiredwithinhimandhecouldnotrestrainhimselfanylonger.Hishandsslidupoverherhipandcuppedaheavybreast,easinghisthumboverherpertnipple,drivingittoahardpeak.

Shegroanedhuskilyandhiserectionjerked.Sumner'sbreathingsoundedlaboredeventohisownearsashepressedheruppermostshoulderbacktotheground.Hedidnotwasteaninstantincoaxinghersmoothb.r.e.a.s.t.sfromthedampnessofthelowcutFrenchbodiceandopeninghismouthtodrawinthepinktippedcabochon.Histeethpulledgentlyat.i.tashisslipperytongueflickedthepeakofherbreastinquick,dartinglicks.

Elizabetharchedherbackandthreadedherfingersthroughhishair,boldlymovinghimtoherotherbreasta.s.shegaspedwithpleasure.

Heleanedupandkissedher,harderthistime,dippinghistonguedeepintohermouth,thensuckinggentlybeforeslidingitout,anddoingitallagainandagain.

Shetwistedatherhipsandtried,withoutsuccess,topressagainsthisthrobbingerection.Hewasnearlymindlesswithneedofher,andhishandinstinctuallyslidupbeneathhersoddenskirts.

Elizabethgaspedinaraggedbreathashisfingersgrazedherthigh,andthenagainasheraisedhiskneeandnudgeditbetweenhers,liftingherchemise.

Hegazedintoherjewelgreeneyesashepartedherthighstohistouch.Hispalmpressedagainsttheredcurlsbetweenherlegsandheeasedonefingerbetweenherswollenfemalelipsandintotheheatofherwetness.

Hewastouchinghermostsensitiveofplaces,histonguelashingathers,thrillingher-allatonce.Elizabethcouldfeelhishardnessflinchingandthrobbingagainstherhipinamotionthatmadeherurgentlywanttopullhimagainsther,insideofher.

Hisfinger,wetwithherslickessence,slidupandcaressedtherosepearlbetweenherlipsinslow,rhythmiccircles.Shebuckedagainsthishandasherexcitementgrew.

Herfingersdugintohisshoulders."Iwanttofeelyouinsideofme,Sumner.Please."

"I-can't."Hisvoicewasdeep.Hismusclesweretightandhard,andsheknewhisclaimwasnaughtbutalie.Hewantedherasmucha.s.shewantedhim.Sheknewthis.

"Yes,youcan.I-want-you."Elizabethtriedtopullbackfromhisteasingfinger,wantinghiminsideofher.Him.Now.

Buthedidnotobligeher.Notexactly.

Hekissedheragain,andwithoutremovinghislipsfromher,pressedherlegswiderstill.Shebracedherself,holdingherbreatha.s.sheantic.i.p.atedhishardenedlengthenteringherandpiercingherashebreachedhermaidenhead.

Instead,shefeltwhatseemedliketwoorthreefingersslidingintoher,plungingintoherbeforeslippingoutofherheat,whilehisthumbmaddeninglyencircledhercore.

Thefeelingoffullness,broughtonbyhisteasingtouch,wasdizzying.Shegaspedagainsthismouth,archingherback,pressingherb.r.e.a.s.t.sagainsthim.

Amoanrodefromhermouthintohisasapoundingtideofecstasywashedthroughherbody.Sheclenchedherthighsclosed,tremblingwithpleasure,holdinghishandstilluntilshecouldthinkclearlyagain.

Hekissedhergently,andafterafewmomentsslidhisfingersfromher.Shefeltwetnessonherthighsasabreezestirredthehemoftheskirtsstillbunchedaroundherhips.

Sumnersatupandthenpulledherskirtsdowntocoverherthighs.Helookeddownathisfingersforalongmoment,thenatElizabeth.Sheglanceddown,too,andsawbloodonhisfingers.

"Elizabeth-"Theexpressioninhiseyeswasnothinglessthanhorror."Ididn'tmean-"

Sheknewwhathemeant,anddrewashadinghandtoherhead,closinghereyes."I-Ididn'tfeelanypain.Ihadalwaysheardthat.i.twouldhurt."

Sumnercaughtherwristanddrewitfromhereyes."Iamsorry,Elizabeth.IthoughtifIwascareful,gentle...ifIdidn't-"Itseemedthathiseyesweresearchinghersfortherightwords.