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He couldn’t keep his gaze fronet The straps of her chemise drew his attention to her shoulder blades As she co movement down her spine to a waist so slender his hands could easily span it Her rounded buttocks and hips tantalized him, fully outlined by the chemise

“This lady wasn’t an ordinary ih another wo from Benteen’s mind “I know she’s special She referred

to ‘the earl’” She coer “That’s a title, isn’t it? Like a duke?”

“I believe so” Benteen had an aversion to titled nobility His mother had run aith a remittanceDon’t be impressed by them, Lorna”

His abruptness with her brought renewed concentration to co her hair Lorna resented the way he’dfascinated by the woman she’d seen She didn’t see the harle in the back Her atte it free pulled at the roots

“Ouch!” It was an involuntary exclamation The snarl was in the back Lorna tried to twist around so she could see to comb it out, but it wasn’t possible

“I’ll get it for you,” Benteen volunteered

Lorna hesitated an instant at the thought of having him so close to her It hardly ht She handed hi her hands on the edge of the dresser with its pitcher of water and basin

There was soers on her hair as they tunneled under its da After he gently worked loose the tangle, he began slowly running the co hair Lorna half-closed her eyes in involuntary enjoy the comb to smooth her hair When he bent his head closer to hers, she took little notice of it

“Your hair sood,” Benteen murmured as the comb ceased its movement His hand settled onto the bare point of a shoulder, his callused skin pleasantly abrasive on sensitive flesh “You sood”

When his hand began a caressing rip on the edge of the dresser Benteen felt her silent protest and immediately took his hand away The comb was thrust in front of her The instant she took it, Benteenat it, her breath running shallow

“Thank you” It was an aardly polite expression of gratitude for his help with the snarl

“It’s no good, Lorna” His reflection in thenear histo have to reach so I can keep fro you”

She turned very slowly to face him, aware of the harsh reality of his stateoing to be very difficult to say these next words, because she kneas too soon

“I told you on our wedding night, Benteen, that I had no right to deny you the privileges of the e bed That’s still true” She tried to brace herself to endure as to come