Remaining abed for so long should not be exhausting but apparently Lilith’s legs thought otherwise. Nearly three days of bedrest and her body seemed to have forgotten how to function. She fingered the back of her head and grimaced at the lumpy feel of it. Still tender to touch, the headache had finally lifted and if she spent another moment in bed, she would go truly mad.

Stepping out into the rear gardens, she took in the fragrance of scented flowers and fresh air. Far better than being confined to bed, all because of a silly, clumsy mistake. When Catherine had informed her they had sent out a search party made of nearly every man in the household, Lilith had almost wished Harry had never found her, and she would not have to live with the humiliation. What must he have thought when he found her knocked senseless amongst a pile of broken eggs? It could only ever happen to her.

She wished the gardener a good morning and headed around the back of the house toward the gardens. She only had a few memories of the evening she’d gone missing but there were some that lingered more strongly than others. The relief at seeing Harry, at feeling his strong arms cradling her, knowing nothing could hurt her now, burned bright. Before he’d arrived, she had kept waking and not managing to keep her eyes open. She’d tried to drag herself a little but the fogginess in her mind prevented her from getting far or fully succumbing to the horror of her situation. What a fine thing that was. She might have been even more terrified had she realized there had been a chance she could die out there.

Lilith paused when she came to the stables. What would she say? Thank you hardly seemed enough. She wanted to do something for Harry but knowing him, he wouldn’t accept anything. Her brother had already given him a bonus and Lilith was certain it had sealed Thorney’s decision to promote him to head groom once Mr. Johnson retired. That was something at least.

And thank goodness Thorney was not furious with her. He could be so overprotective at times, but he had acknowledged that it was a mistake that could happen to anyone. Although it was so very typical that it would happen to her.  But it was a sign of Catherine’s influence on him. Not long ago and he would never let her step outside the house again after such an incident.

Harry didn’t see her approach. It gave her a moment to study him so she was grateful for that. He brushed a hand over the chestnut colored horse and though she could not hear him, she could see his mouth move as he talked with the animal. The utter trust and care between both man and animal made her throat tight. She felt as though she were viewing some private moment that should not be witnessed as it was far too beautiful.

Just like Harry. She sighed. He did not have the refinement that so many other women would say was beautiful but his work-worn hands, his mussed hair, and the shoulders that stretched his thin linen shirt were more than beautiful to her.

He glanced in her direction. She started, feeling guilty at invading the moment. He waved her over and smiled broadly.

“You are up and about.”

She nodded. “I am feeling much recovered.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” He motioned to the horse. “I just need to put her away.”

“Do not let me stop you.”

She followed him to the stables as he led the animal into the stall and looped her reins through the metal hook on the wall. Most of the horses were out being exercised or were in the fields so only one other stall was taken up with a horse.

He looked at her, green eyes scanning over her person in a way that made her tingle from head to toe. The v of his shirt drew her attention to his chest where a little sweat glistened. She lifted her gaze to his and her breaths stuttered in her chest.

“I—” She drew in a breath. Why did he look at her like that? It made talking impossible. She wasn’t sure what it was but the intensity of his gaze, the way he looked at her as though he had not seen her in years and could not keep his gaze away from her muddled her thoughts.

Lilith gulped down air and tried again. “I wanted to thank you for rescuing me. I dread to think what might have occurred had you not happened upon me so quickly.”

Harry lifted a shoulder and twined the reins that he held in his hand around his knuckles. “I was not the only one searching.”

“You were the one who found me and brought me home, though. You were the one who headed straight out and new exactly where I would be. Anne told me as much.”

He shrugged again. “I knew you were either coming or going to the orphanage and I knew you took that route. I was lucky, my lady.”

She stepped forward and put a hand to his arm. “I heard you call me Lil that night. I have never been more appreciative to hear my name. I hope you will continue to call me that.”

His chest rose and fell. His throat worked. “Lil,” he said, the word cracking at the end. He shook his head. “When I thought I could lose you…”

Lilith forced a smile. “Well, you did not.”

Harry stepped back and cursed under his breath, pushing a hand through his hair.

“What is it?”

He lifted his head and eyed her. “I cannot do it anymore.”

“Cannot do what?”

He closed the gap again. “Resist you.”

The words rang in her mind, bouncing around and making her stomach swivel. She opened her mouth with little idea how to respond but she needn’t have worried. Harry put a hand to either side of her face and brought his mouth down upon hers, hard and fierce. He broke away quickly but kept her face in his hands, the leather from the reins touching her skin—a reminder of all he was. Too much of a reminder of the difference between them.

Gasping, Lilith searched his gaze. Her lips tingled, and heat ran up through every inch of her body.

“I shouldn’t.” His voice was gritty.

She nodded. But her hands would not listen to common sense and they found his arms, curling around the hard muscles there. Harry slipped a hand down her spine and settled her against his body. He let out a light groan.

“Why do you have to be so damned beautiful, Lil? Why do you occupy my every thought?”

Lilith hardly knew how to respond. The words, said like a stream of curse words, were the most wonderful thing she’d ever heard.

“I cannot stop thinking of you either.”

He closed his eyes briefly and shook his head. “Then we are both doomed,” he muttered as he brought his mouth to hers once more.

This was no delicate kiss. His lips moved roughly over hers, making them feel warm and plump. He coaxed open her mouth with his tongue and sought hers. She touched her tongue to his and delicious shimmers of sensation plunged through her. The hand to her face moved to her neck and held her tight to him. His fingers seared her back, feeling as though she would always have a brand of his touch there.

Lilith slid her hands up, looped them around his neck, and moved onto tiptoes to get more of the kiss. When she’d imagined being kissed, she’d never thought of it like this. It had been a tender moment perhaps, a gentle skim of lips across hers. She never knew bodies were so involved in it. She never thought she’d be aware of his every muscle, of his rough hand catching on the fabric of her gown and of the slight stubble on his chin grazing her skin.

A horse whinnied in the distance and Harry eased back, pressing a feather-light kiss to her mouth then her forehead before resting his own forehead to hers.

“What are you doing to me?” he asked between breaths.

“The same thing you are doing to me, I should imagine.”

“I don’t know how to deny this, Lil.”

“Then do not.”

He lifted his head. “It isn’t as easy as that.”

She nodded and tucked her bottom lip under her teeth. “I know. But I cannot seem to help myself, Harry. I want you. I want to be with you all the time.”

“You’re trying to kill me, lass, I am certain of it.”

“Never.”

The sound of the horse grew nearer, and Harry released her with seeming reluctance. “You had better go. It’s obvious I’ve been kissing you.” He pressed a thumb over her bottom lip. “Your mouth is swollen with my kisses.”

The idea that his kisses had left their mark on her had her cheeks heating and made her smile. Sweet Lord, she wanted more of them.

“This isn’t over,” she warned him.

His gaze was sorrowful when it met hers. “I know it isn’t.”