Page 48 (1/2)

Beth clung to Isabella’s hands "Are you certain you won’t come with us now? I’ll , but no You and Ian need to be alone together, and Kilan--" She broke off, pain in her eyes "Too ain Beth hadn’t realized how fond she’d grown of Isabella, the openhearted young wo and shown her a new and astonishing world

Isabella hugged Ian as well, expounding upon how happy she was for him

At last Ian and Beth made their way to the train station, with Curry and Katie and another carriage full of boxes and bags Beth quickly learned how uided her into the first-class coe, the tickets, and Katie For all Ian’s assertions that he didn’t fit anywhere, he was still a lord, a duke’s brother, rich and lofty enough to ignore the tiny details of life He had people to pay attention to those details for hirown fainter in the last days, and Beth heard it only weakly now You ‘vent well above yourself, el See that you don’t make a meal of it

She wondered what Thoone Tears blurred the ponderous station that slid past the s as the train began to move

Ian hadn’t even bothered to wonder whether Curryto her own departure fro, elderly butler trying to help but dropping everything he picked up, Katie convinced their luggage would be stolen and never seen again, and the lady’s n parts" and running off at the last minute

Of course, Curry had no such problems He appeared calh Paris to tell them he’d ordered tea and squared the tickets, and asked if they wanted anything else Very efficient, very cale and a journey of hundreds of miles on top of it Beth also discovered, as they left Paris behind and chugged across rain-soaked France, how restless Ian could be After only half an hour in their private co up and down, up and down When they reached Calais and boarded the boat for England, he paced the deck above while Beth slept alone in their private cabin

Finally, during the journey from Dover to Victoria Station, Beth stuck out her foot when Ian again rose to leave the co the matter?" she asked "Why don’t you want to sit?"

"I don’t like to be confined" Ian opened the door to the corridor as he spoke, fine beads of sweat on his upper lip "You don’t es stop whenever I like I can’t step off a train or boat whenever I please"

"True" She touched her lip "Perhaps we can find so to take your mind from it"

Ian abruptly closed the door "I also leave because keeping my hands off you is a strain"

"We’ll be on the train for a few more hours," Beth continued

"And I’m certain Curry will ensure we’re not disturbed" Ian pulled down the curtains and turned to her "What did you have in ht they could do very e, but Ian proved to be quite resourceful She found herself half-undressed with her legs wrapped around him as he knelt in front of her In that position they were face-to-face, and Beth studied his eyes, hoping he’d look at her fully again But this time, when climax hit him, Ian closed his eyes and turned his head