After what happened in the carriage, where she was held in his arms and on his lap, Belle was finally let free and sent inside while Rohan said he had somewhere to be and that he would see her later.
He had refastened his trousers with such swiftness it made her pulse race, then threw open the carriage door and reached for her. His gloved hand was warm, firm, guiding her down the steps as if he couldn't bear to stop touching her.
At the entrance, he halted. His grip tightened ever so slightly, like he didn't want to let go. Then, without lifting his gaze, he lifted her hand slowly to his mouth. His lips brushed over her knuckles—soft at first, then lingering with a claiming hunger that made her knees weaken—before he finally let go.
