A Lady Betrayed Read Free

of warmth back into her limbs. But the air around them cooled even more as the sun dropped behind the horizon, and everything seemed to conspire against him. The breeze had picked up, and as the wind whipped through the trees, the mournful sound made the horse toss its head.
    Adrian pressed his lips together. Even he shivered, and he had not been soaked to the bone to start with. Whereas the woman on the ground…
    He would not give up! How could he improve her condition?
    Could he start a fire?
    The trees and bushes around them were drenched, and the rain still fell, rattling against the leaves. He saw no way to find any brush dry enough to use as tinder, and he had no time to waste wandering through the dark in search of kindling suitable for immediate burning. What else could he do?
    Try to ride with her in his arms as he sought help? He did not think he could balance her safely atop the fractious horse—he pushed the idea aside as wild and impractical.
    He had to do something. He would warm her if he had to strip off his own skin to do it!
    The madness of that notion made him smile grimly once more. Without thinking about the wisdom of his actions, he slid to the tile floor, wrapping his arms about the young woman, gathering her closer and pulling her naked body into his embrace.
    Her slight body offered no resistence. It seemed as light as an eggshell. Smooth and finely made, its softness and pleasing curves were as exquisite as God could ever have created.
    She was female in her essence. Her breasts were round and soft as they pressed against his chest, and he wanted badly to cradle them within his hands, knowing that they would fill his palms so sweetly. Her hips made a natural curve, and they would match his own body—he pulled his thoughts back with an effort.
    He could not take advantage of her in such a state. But dear God, it was hard to hold her so close, knowing that this delectable body was bare and lovely against the inadequate shelter of his own patchwork of clothing, and not pull her nearer, closer, mold her hips into his and—
    He could not think like this when she was unaware of their embrace. He had only meant to warm her, save her from illness or death. Feeling the sweat break out on his forehead, on his upper lip, Adrian tried to focus instead on the pale complexion of her face, the delicate blue veins that could be seen in her temples…
    â€œYou are so beautiful,” he said softly. “If only I could woo you properly. If only I had met you before I started this journey toward death…”
    Her eyelids lifted.
    Startled, he paused and stared into her eyes. They were as beautiful as the rest of her, green with the faintest specks of gold sprinkled across the iris. Her lashes were long and blinked now as if she did not believe what she saw.
    For one long moment, they stared at each other as Adrian held her close—held her naked body next to him, with only the barest layer of cloth to separate them. He was acutely aware of how it felt to be this intimate, this near to the unknown woman from the damp wood where mist now rose in foggy fingers—but how did it feel to her to wake thus, in the arms of a stranger?
    â€œDon’t leave me,” she murmured.
    â€œI won’t. Don’t be afraid,” he said quickly. “I was only—”
    And as quickly as she had come to herself, she fell limp once again.
    Adrian sighed.
    A few feet away, the gelding snorted.
    â€œI didn’t ask you,” he snapped. “At least she’s still alive. That is, if I haven’t scared her to death.”
    But her body was growing warmer, he was sure of it, and even though he might have caused her alarm, at this point he decided to remain close to the unconscious woman. Night was upon them, the air was colder than ever, and he dared not allow her to become chilled again. If she woke once more and railed again his ungentlemanly behavior, he would explain and, if