His hands and his mouth moved possessively against her body.
Sebastian lifted his head. Pilar felt the slow breath he released, sighing out over the moisture his lips had left on her skin. She shivered again, uncontrollably, and his hand soothed across her back, holding her gently against his chest.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” he whispered, his mouth moving now against the thin, fragile skin of her temple. The words were as soft as the breath he had taken.
“I’m not afraid,” she said. “Not of you. Not of this.”
He held her a moment more. And then, putting his hands on her shoulders, he set her away from him so that he could look down into her face. In his eyes were promise and hunger. And she wanted them both.
Acclaim for RITA® Award winner Gayle Wilson
“Rich historical detail, intriguing mystery, romance that touches the heart. These are the elements that keep me waiting impatiently for Gayle Wilson’s next book.”
—USA Today bestselling author BJ James
Anne’s Perfect Husband
“The author excels in creating compelling characters who behave intelligently and honorably. Gayle Wilson never disappoints.”
—The Romance Reader (theromancereader.com)
My Lady’s Dare
“…three-dimensional characters and intriguing plot twists kept this reader glued to the pages.”
—Romantic Times
Lady Sarah’s Son
“…a moving tale of love overcoming great obstacles, of promises kept and trust restored.”
—Romantic Times
#608 NAVAJO SUNRISE
Elizabeth Lane
#609 BRIDE OF THE ISLE
Margo Maguire
#610 CHASE WHEELER’S WOMAN
Charlene Sands
Her Dearest Sin
Gayle Wilson
MILLS & BOON
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Available from Harlequin Historicals and
GAYLE WILSON
The Heart’s Desire #211
The Heart’s Wager #263
The Gambler’s Heart #299
Raven’s Vow #349
His Secret Duchess #393
Honor’s Bride #432
Lady Sarah’s Son #483
My Lady’s Dare #516
Anne’s Perfect Husband #552
Her Dearest Sin #607
Other works include:
Harlequin Intrigue
Echoes in the Dark #344
Only a Whisper #376
The Redemption of Deke Summers #414
Heart of the Night #442
*Ransom My Heart #461
*Whisper My Love #466
*Remember My Touch #469
Never Let Her Go #490
**The Bride’s Protector #509
**The Stranger She Knew #513
**Her Baby, His Secret #517
Each Precious Hour #541
†Her Private Bodyguard #561
†Renegade Heart #578
†Midnight Remembered #591
Dedication
To Melissa, with my admiration and affection
Acknowledgment
A multitude of thanks to Olivia Ouijano for answering innumerable questions concerning names and titles for this book. Any mistakes are mine or were deliberately written to be made by my English-speaking characters.
Olivia, I love you!
Contents
Prologue
Spain, 1813
“Did you say bathe?” Lord Wetherly drawled, never stirring from his comfortable occupancy of his host’s only chair. His booted feet, dusty of course, but elegantly crossed at the ankle, were propped on the edge of the cot, the other major furnishing of the tent.
“Bathe,” Captain the Honorable Sebastian Sinclair reiterated. “As in to become clean again.”
“I