Wonderful how the sensations absorbed one, so there soon were no thoughts or fears. The pleasure was too physical and the intimacy too spiritual to allow for distracting worries. A wave of sensual wonder crashed through her, soaking the parched areas of her soul.

She did not mind the embrace. She welcomed it. She did not object when he moved her to one of those benches and took her on his lap. His increased ardor and the consuming kisses and firm caresses did not frighten her this time. She even enjoyed the way his exploring tongue made all of her tingle and sent delicious spirals down her insides. Maybe . . .

A madness took hold of her, one that craved more of this pleasure that seemed to get better with each moment. She reveled in the amazing freedom delirium created. She did not want to control herself. She did not know how. She lost hold on the final tether to her normal self, and accepted the wildness of her senses.

His hand on her chest made her ache for more. His fingers working the buttons of her pelisse created an exquisite impatience. Only his touch on her breast made the wonder pause. For a moment old memories, tired and sad, tried to claim her. She refused to allow them. Not now. No. He caressed her breast and an incredible pleasure aided her, overwhelming the caution and fear.

Glorious then. So glorious that she almost laughed from the joy she experienced. He knew just what to do, how to touch her and caress her body so she lost herself. She opened her eyes to the beautiful sky and felt as if she flew up there. She turned her gaze to his taut expression, so hard and firm in his passion, and kissed his face in a dozen places. It surprised her, then, when his hand stilled and his kisses ended.

“We cannot continue like this here.”

She rested her forehead against his while the tightening spiral inside her slowly began to unwind. No, they could not. She rather wished they could.

He held here there for a long while. She did not want him to let her go. Eventually, however, she found the presence of mind to slip off his lap, so he would not have to ask her to. She rebuttoned her pelisse.

They stood and he took her hand. “Come with me.”

Down those stairs they went. Past the attic level where the servants lived. She wondered if they came up here at night, to enjoy the cool air in summer or to have assignations. Down again, past the door she had used to get to the stairs. Down one more level. He opened a door.