Uncovering Love

Stepping Outside May bring Unexpected Riches

For six years, Maida Locke hid her scarred face from the world. But her aunt believes it’s time for her to come out of hiding. However, Maida chooses to lease a cottage on the edge of a wood far enough from Barnsley Cross village that she need not run into anyone. She can remain isolated.

Bartholomew de Courcy is a mapmaker and surveyor. He may be of age, but his mother tails him from job to job. However, since it is summer, she is off to her sister’s, leaving him to live on his own for the first time in Barnsley Cross. He enjoys time alone. But various young men help him with mapping the woods, though “Balbo’”(as his mother calls him) finds the young women’s attention at the famous assemblies overwhelming.

Then one day, while surveying the woods, he sees a naked figure rise from the brook, her hair tumbling in curling cascades down her back, and this innocent young man is instantly smitten.

In This Series...

Excerpt

Maida wrapped her skirts around the pot’s handle and poured boiling water into a teapot. Her bodice gaped, revealing the tops of her breasts. A sudden desire to nestle his face in her cleavage left him short of breath. He’d never seen her chest uncovered before. One side was mottled, but he thought of sun-warmed skin, not a blemish. Go slowly.
“Tea’s ready.” She set two cups next to the pot and poured out the tea.
He sipped the scalding liquid, acknowledging his pulsating loins. With a second sip, boldness ignited. When she put her cup on the table, he glided his fingers under hers, wrapped them around her delicate hand, and raised them to his lips for a kiss.
She straightened; her mouth fell open as hunger radiated from those hazel-green eyes. With a tug, she freed her hand and traced a delicate finger down his cheek to his lips. He inhaled. Maida didn’t stop; she traced his bottom lip, pushing into his mouth. He clamped down and sucked. Every stroke of his tongue on her fingertip had a corresponding effect on his cock.
Daring all, he mimicked her movements and rubbed his thumb against her lips. She opened for him. The roughness of her tongue scoured the calloused end. He panted as he stared at her, not wanting to break the spell. They licked and nuzzled at their digits as the space between them heated.
The sensation of her tongue drove him mad. He wanted to taste those lips. He withdrew his thumb and traced her red lower lip. “Can I kiss you?” Bracing his palms on the table, he leaned forward.
She nodded. He touched hers, gentle at first, breathing in her closeness, her sweetness. His hand rose and stroked her silky hair. He groaned as his body tightened. His lips crushed against her as a swelling broke when the tips of their tongues met, and he shifted to the side. The kiss eclipsed all others.
Once begun, however, he didn’t want to stop. His mouth ground against hers as they devoured each other in their hunger until she drew back in the chair, panting. “I need to catch my breath,” she gasped, looking away, out the nearest window.
Bartholomew stared at her unblemished cheek, colored pink with emotion. He ran a finger inside his collar. “I’m sorry. I got carried away.” With a heavy thump, he landed on the chair, his body and shoulders softening. I’ve ruined this.
“Kiss me again.”