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Something had snapped. This was it. The point of no return. Lilly didn’t care. She barely recalled a time when her family hadn’t been scandalous, when there hadn’t been talks of her father’s behavior or her mother marrying below her rank. Or of their new money.

So why would it matter if she ruined herself in pursuit of this? Any arguments of August being inappropriate for her had washed away with the flood. What she’d witnessed today sealed her opinion of him. No scandal sheet could persuade her otherwise.

Here was a good, good man. Her equal in many ways. He understood her desires and her weaknesses, and he didn’t scold her or denigrate her. In a world where society ensured she could never truly be equal to a man, Lilly felt it for maybe the first time. They could battle life together, at each other’s sides, and he would never prevent her from rushing into danger or doing what was right.

And she wanted all of him.

∞∞∞

The rapid beat of August’s heart threatened to overwhelm. Just kissing her drove him wild. The thought of losing her pushed him to the edge of insanity.

He knew now. Knew he couldn’t let her go. Knew any vows he’d made were crumbling to pieces and washing away with the river. They didn’t even need to discuss the fact she might very well be made for him because he swore he saw that understanding in her eyes when he drew back.

“We need to get clean.”

Lilly nodded. Her lips were pink and swollen, her hair a tangled mess again. With the exception of looking thoroughly kissed, it reminded him of when he’d first seen her. She’d made his heart pound then—this wild woman who refused to fall to her knees for him.

Thank God, she hadn’t or else they might never have ended up here.

Looping an arm around her waist, he drew her close. She burrowed her head into the crook of his neck and the thud of his pulse grew impossibly strong. Lilly needed no one yet to be relied upon for comfort from this woman had to be his proudest moment.

He coaxed her head up and smoothed a thumb over her cheek.

Her lips parted, a slight crease appearing between her brows.

“What is it?”

“Nothing.”

“Lil?”

“Why are your fingers callused?”

“Why are yours?” he countered.

“It’s not very ladylike, is it?”

“My hands are not that of a gentleman either.” He paused. “I’m not really a gentleman at all.”

“I think all those you aided today would beg to differ.”

“Lil, I—”

“I don’t mind, and it doesn’t really matter.” She smiled so sweetly it threatened to shatter his heart. “I like the feel of your hands on me.”

When she leaned into his touch, he could only think of his fingers on other parts of her and the delicious taste of her skin. The hammering of his heart changed to a steady throb of desire, making him harder than ever before.

She tightened her grip on the back of his neck and brought her lips to his. They hovered there, an exchange of breaths and heat, and when they finally connected, the kiss was slow, as though they were savoring a fine wine. August found himself aware of every movement, every tiny touch of her mouth and body.

Before he could lose himself further, he drew back.

“We really must get you out of these clothes.”

She offered herself up to him. Damn, there was no chance she had any idea what she was doing to him. Delightfully muddy and messy and strong and sweet all at the same time. No wonder he didn’t have a chance of resisting her.

His hands shook as he worked at the buttons of her gown, and he knew he’d have to tell her the truth soon enough. His experience was limited and everything about him was a lie. But trying to find the words was like wading through those flood waters.

When he gripped her skirts and drew them up and up, he realized she had no stays on—only a chemise and her gown. He clenched his jaw, and she lifted her arms, enabling him to pull both garments off in one clean sweep.