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Her face turned scarlet. She held out her hand. “I can do it.”

“No, please. Let me take care of you.”

She huffed, but lay back down, her cheeks still aflame.

After rinsing the cloth, he continued. “I am, after all, your husband. ”

If he didn’t do something, he was going to lose her. Tossing the linen aside, Kit climbed onto the bed.

Mary slid across the bed, as if she’d flee. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to cuddle you.” He flopped down, pulled her close, and wrapped his arms around her. For several moments she lay rigid against him. Eventually, her body began to soften. “This isn’t too bad, is it?”

She nuzzled her head on his chest. “No, not at all.”

While Mary dozed, Kit tried to come up with what to do next.

She wasn’t the only one who required more information about their first time.

He should have asked some questions as well.

Such as, how long would he have to wait before they could make love again?

She was still skittish, and he must ensure she enjoyed herself before she’d want to engage in marital congress on a regular basis.

Other than bathing and eating again, what were they to do for the rest of the day and night? Play chess or cards? He heaved a sigh. It was time for reinforcements.

Theo smiled into her tea-cup as she waited for Titus to come break his fast. He’d been sleeping soundly when she’d left their bedchamber early this morning, ready to step in if the course of true love between Mr. Featherton and Lady Mary looked to be deviating from the proper course.

As soon as she’d arrived home last night, she’d written to the rector and hotel, ordering her footmen to await answers.

Lord and Lady Huntley had returned not long ago, and Theo encouraged them to return to bed, promising a full breakfast would be delivered when they wished it.

The other ladies ate with their children.

She didn’t expect to see Simon, Morna, and the children for another hour or so.

Theo was so pleased all was turning out well, she almost couldn’t contain herself.

All in all, this was turning into an extremely good day.

Her butler entered and bowed. “Here is the package you requested, my lady.”

She did not even try to keep the smile from her countenance. “Thank you, Reed.” The sound of Titus’s boots sounded in the hall as he turned down the corridor to the breakfast room. “You may bring his lordship’s coffee, and another pot of tea.”

She glanced at the door, and her husband filled it with his broad shoulders, the same ones that, as a younger woman, had made her want to swoon. Truth be told, she wasn’t unaffected now. A jaunty grin split his face.

Coming forward, he kissed her cheek. “Good morning, my dear.”

“Good morning, my love.”

The coffeepot arrived as he took the seat across from her. She poured and handed him his morning libation.

“Ah, thank you.” Titus reached for his newssheet, and stopped, staring at the velvet box atop the paper. “What is this?”

“The diamond necklace. I thought you’d want to give it to me yourself.”

His eyes narrowed. “Are you not being a bit precipitant?”

Theo took a sip of tea. “Not at all. Mr. Featherton and Lady Mary were wed this morning, and are now enjoying a room at the King’s Arms.”

Ignoring his coffee, Titus sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. “How the devil did you manage that?”

“You failed to account for young love.”

He shook his head, grinning again. “Apparently. What did happen to Munro?”

“Mr. Featherton knocked him over the rail into the holly bushes, just as I suspected. Did I fail to mention that he spars with Jackson?”

Titus handed her the box. “Congratulations, my love. Well played. When do we leave for England?”

“Thank you, my dear.” She took a bannock. “Simon is waiting for a ship he expects any day to dock. I sent a message to the port this morning. Now that Lady Mary and Mr. Featherton are married, I believe the rest of our guests will depart in the next day or two. Isn’t your paper due this week?”

“It is. I’m waiting for another piece or two of information. You’re worried about your brother.”

“I’m concerned Lord Freskin may attempt to stop them from leaving Scotland.”

Titus reached across the table, taking her hand. “He’ll have to get through us to do it. The old devil may be good at fooling young men, but he will have a difficult time with us.”

“I trust you are correct. In the event he discovers Morna and the children have left the town house she leased, I’ve made sure he is to be denied admittance here. ”

“He’ll discover she’s gone and he’ll try to track her, but I doubt if he’ll think of looking on a boat.”

“That is what I believe as well. Pray God he doesn’t either discover Simon is here or think of the port.”

Mary leaned back in the copper tub, thinking about what had happened between her and Kit earlier.

She was sore down there, but not inordinately so, and although it had hurt at first, all the parts before and after were quite nice.

Especially when he’d touched her breasts, and the way he’d kissed her was better than anything she’d ever expected or imagined.

Oh my, just thinking about it, her nipples ached, and she was getting that feeling between her legs where Kit had touched her. Her father had always told her to get back on the horse when she had fallen off. This might not be exactly the same, but the principle was.

Rising from the tub, she reached out for the towel, but it was too far. “Mathers?”

The door to the bedroom opened. Kit strolled around the screen dressed in his banyan. Only this time it was not pulled together at all. “She’s gone to fetch something.”

Mary couldn’t drag her eyes from him. He was beautiful.

This was what Lady Cooke must have been thinking of when she denigrated the Elgin Marbles as not being impressive specimens.

Mary didn’t know who her ladyship was comparing them to, but Kit certainly took the shine out of the statues.

Her mouth dried. His member, which had been sort of dangling, rose to greet her.

“My love, what did you need?”

Was that a hint of laughter in his voice? She glanced up, but he was not smiling at all.

“Mary?”

The apex of her thighs dampened and throbbed. “You.”

He shook his head. “I’m here.”

“No.” She wasn’t making any sense at all. “Help me out.”

When he gripped her waist, she swung her arms around his neck, breathing in his scent. He smelled of musk, and him. “I want to make love.”

Kit shifted her, placing his hand under her derrière, and what a delicious feeling that was. “You’ll be sore.”

“I need you now. ”

He stopped arguing. The screen toppled over as he strode to the door, locking it, then took her to the bed. He laid her down gently, before divesting himself of his robe.

This time she knew what was going on and where everything went, and planned to enjoy every bit of what he could give her.