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Scene #26
Arabella heard someone clear their throat behind her, and she
turned quickly. She could make out a tall form concealed by the
darkness by the door. Unconsciously, she clasped her hands to her
chest. As the figure moved closer, she could feel herself take a
step back. Matthew's face came into view and she sighed with
relief. "Lord Breckenridge, you startled me." Matthew continued
walking until he was within a step of her. "And you me, Miss
Denton. I didn't expect to find anyone out here." Arabella
waved her hand toward the sky. "It was such a beautiful night. I
just wanted to catch a glimpse of the moon." She turned to look at
the moon again. She felt Matthew step closer and could feel his
body brush against her as he looked up to the moon as well. "Yes,
it is a beautiful moon tonight". She felt him shift again. "You
know that you should not be out her alone, however." Turning to
face him, Arabella found herself inches from his chest. Looking up,
she found him looking at her in a peculiar way. In fact, she
couldn't remember anytime that a man had looked at her like that.
"But I am not alone now, am I?" Matthew chuckled, "I hardly
count, Miss Denton. I am, above all, just a man." Confused,
Arabella knitted her brows together. She wasn't exactly certain
what he meant by that ambiguous statement. "Well, I am under your
protection, am I not?" Leaning closer, Matthew continued to
look into her eyes. They were intoxicating. He felt as if he was
being drawn into a pool of sea water. ""But who will protect you
from me?" Slowly, he lowered his mouth to capture hers. God, she
was soft. He felt her stiffen at first in surprise, and then felt
her relax under his expertise. Arabella's senses were swimming.
She had never been kissed like this before. His mouth was warm and
soft, yet firm. She could feel control in his kiss. She felt
shivers go down her spine. As a natural inclination, she wrapped
her arms around his neck and pressed into his chest. Once
Arabella moved into his kiss, Matthew lost all sense of time and
place. The only thing he knew right now was that this was what he
wanted. He didn't care where they were; only that it felt so right
to hold her in his arms. He ran his tongue across her lips,
silently urging her to part for him. When she finally did, Matthew
slipped his tongue inside her and felt like he had touched heaven.
She tasted like berry wine and cream. Arabella couldn't
breathe. She felt like her very next breath had to come from him if
she was to survive. And she couldn't explain the strange feeling
that was spreading through her body. She felt his hand start to
explore her bodice and gasped when his hand rested on the flesh at
the top of her dress. Matthew was losing his mind. Never had he
felt like this, especially with a virgin. He had never in his
thirty-one years felt like losing his control. It was unnerving. He
could feel her soft skin under his hands. It was amazing how she
seemed made to be in his arms. Suddenly, Matthew recalled that he
was standing on the terrace of his parent's home assaulting his
ward. What was he thinking? He loosened his hold of her and
stepped away. Arabella's eyes were closed, and her face was
flushed. Noticing the her kiss-swollen lips, Matthew cursed
himself. How could he do this? His mother would have his hide if
she found out. He cleared his throat and watched as Arabella opened
her eyes in surprise. Arabella brought her hand to her lips
without thinking. Her mind was swirling with thoughts. What had
just happened? She was confused, but she was also giddy with joy.
This man was who she wanted. She just didn't know it until now. She
smiled timidly awaiting his reaction. "I'm sure you can see
that it is not advisable for you to be alone anywhere. Take this as
a lesson to you." Matthew turned his back to her. "Had I been
someone else, something far worse could have happened."
Arabella felt her heart drop. So, this had been a lesson. "A
lesson?" "Yes, your reaction should have been to slap me, not
act like a wanton lady of the night." As the words were leaving his
mouth, Matthew cringed inside. He didn't want to hurt her but he
had to teach her a lesson. And he had to ensure that this never
happened between them again. "Next time a man accosts you like
that, I want you to slap him. I wouldn't want to call someone out
because of his actions." "But what if I like it?" Arabella
asked innocently. Matthew turned around in fury. Just the
thought of someone else touching her was making him rage. He
stepped forward and grabbed her arms, shaking her gently. "You are
not to like it. Do you understand me? No one is to kiss you. The
only man to kiss you will be your husband. It just isn't done with
gently bred women." "But you just kissed me and you aren't my
husband." Matthew felt like he was going to lose his mind.
Releasing her, he stepped away again. "I apologize, Miss Denton. I
lost my head for a moment. It must be the wine I drank during
dinner. My behavior was reprehensible and I appoligize." He gave
her a deep bow. "Please go inside and find a suitable chaperone,
Miss Denton." He walked away from her without further word.
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