Page 17 of An Impulsive Kiss (Captivating Kisses #2)

J udson awoke, immediately angry with himself.

Why had he made love to Lucy last night?

His bride had definitely surprised him, showing up in his bedchamber last night. Especially after he had told her to go to bed. Apparently, Lucy wasn’t the well-behaved girl she had told him she was. He liked how she had stood up to him. Asserted herself. For the first few minutes she was with him, Judson had let his desire for her take over. He thought back to those kisses, which caused his body to shudder.

Fortunately, he had come to his senses. He did not want to confuse his young wife. Despite the fact that she never mentioned seeking a love match, she had to have stars in her eyes after witnessing the relationship between her cousin and Aldridge. It would be natural for her to confuse passion with love. He could never have Lucy love him. He was unlovable. Unfeeling. His past had impacted his present—and the future.

He had done as she asked and made love to her in the most dull, unremarkable way possible. The wild kisses had turned sweet. Judson had kept his lips on her mouth and not anywhere on her body, which he yearned to taste. He had brought her to orgasm, though, before he entered her. He owed her a bit of pleasure and had known it would smooth the way for her when he took her virginity. For a bit, though, he had lost his head once again, being inside her, feeling the exquisite tightness of her, knowing he was the only one who had ever breached that wall.

She was his—but he didn’t want her.

No, that was a lie. He did want her. Desperately. But he could not become emotionally involved with her. He must keep his distance. Judson would do his husbandly duty. Perhaps last night they had created their first child together. But he could never give her anything of himself. He only hoped she hadn’t realized how he had held back. Lucy was smart, though. He wouldn’t put it past her to speak to Ariadne of last night’s experience. If the two women compared experiences, Lucy would know her husband had not fully given everything to her.

He threw back the bedclothes. It was a waste of time to worry about such matters. Judson had done his duty. He would continue to couple with her until she was with child. Then he would leave her be. A part of him hoped she would ask to go to the country. It would be easier on him if she did. He could remain in town and then go to see their babe once it had been born. Of course, that would mean a great deal of time would need to be spent in getting Huntsworth up to snuff. The house hadn’t been inhabited in years. Though he had a caretaker looking after it, it would need a thorough cleaning from top to bottom. The house’s interior would certainly need painting. Even new furniture might be required.

That thought eased his mind. If he could send Lucy to the country, she would be busy with refurbishing Huntsworth and seeing it brought back to its former glory. And hopefully, not miss him.

He rang for Tim and quickly picked up his clothes from where they lay on the ground, setting them in a chair.

Tim appeared, his mood jovial as usual. He shaved Judson and then helped him to dress. Not having a clue if Lucy had arisen, he made his way to the breakfast room.

She was already there.

“Good morning, Huntsberry,” she said brightly, buttering a toast point.

“Good morning, my lady,” he replied, taking the seat to her right. “I hope you slept well.”

“Yes. It is always difficult getting used to a new mattress, but I was quite comfortable. Thank you for asking.”

A footman poured coffee for him. Another one brought his breakfast, placing the plate on the table before him and lifting the cover. He glanced over and saw Lucy had poached eggs and bacon before her.

“What do you have planned today?” he asked.

“I will tour the house with Mrs. Clippman. Once I have seen every room and made notes of what I wish to be done, I would like to go over those with you.”

“I have told you to do as you wish,” he said lightly, not wanting to encourage her spending time with him.

Not backing down, his wife said, “And I have expressed how I wish you to discuss the changes with me.”

Judson saw a footman bite back a smile at their exchange.

“Yes. Whenever you would like, I am happy to discuss the matter with you.”

“I would like to go the garden party being hosted this afternoon.”

This came out of the blue. They had not talked about when they would begin attending events together.

“I am happy to escort you,” he said genially. “When does it start?”

“Two o’clock. We would need to leave here by a quarter past one.”

“Then I will make certain I have returned by then.”

Her brow furrowed. “Where are you going?”

He wasn’t used to having to explain his actions. He supposed this was as part of marriage, but he didn’t want to make a habit of it. Judson wanted to go his way and allow Lucy to go hers.

“I box several mornings a week.”

Her eyes lit up. “Oh. So that is where all those muscles come from,” she quipped.

This time, both footmen reacted. One coughed to cover his laugh, while the other turned his head to avoid being caught smiling by his employer.

He had no response to her comment and continued to eat his breakfast. When a footman tried to refill his cup with more coffee, Judson waved him away.

“Where do you box?” Lucy asked.

“A place called Gentleman Jack’s. It is next to a fencing academy. I participate in both sports.”

“I thought boxing was illegal.”

“Boxing matches are. This is merely a place owned and run by a former successful boxer where gentlemen might take some exercise.” He took a sip of his coffee.

“I think I would like to see you box, Huntsberry.”

Judson almost spewed what was in his mouth across the table. Recovering—and swallowing—he told her, “It is not a place for ladies.”

A smile played about her lips. “Then perhaps you might show me when we are in private.”

Tossing his napkin onto the table, he tried to ignore the servants. “That is enough,” he declared, standing and leaving the breakfast room. He had thought his new wife would be unassuming. She had always been polite and discreet. Their breakfast exchange, though, showed an entirely new side of her. One he was not going to tolerate.

Clippman followed him from the breakfast room. “Might I have your carriage readied, my lord?”

“Yes,” he barked, storming off and into his study. He sat, doing nothing, until the butler let him know the carriage awaited him outside.

The coachman drove him to Bond Street, and Judson hurried from the vehicle and inside, in such a hurry that he crashed into none other than the famous Gentleman Jack himself.

“My, you’re in a hurry, Huntsberry. Eager to spar today?”

He had already sparred verbally with his pretty new wife. Judson was now ready to take out his anger on someone else since he couldn’t on Lucy.

“I need a sparring partner at once, John.”

“Is your marriage not to your liking, my lord? I saw the notice in the newspaper.”

Being in town year-round, Judson frequently saw the former boxer. They had become friendly, and Judson even referred to him by his given name of John and not his nickname. He did not want to bite off the man’s head, much less reveal the state of his marriage, and merely said, “The marriage is fine. Lady Huntsberry is beautiful and cultured.”

“But you feel the need to soundly thrash someone this morning.”

“That is correct.”

“I’ll send Jones over after you change and warm up.”

He went to a room where gentlemen shed their cravats and coats. Judson stripped bare to the waist and returned to the main room. There, he attacked a heavy bag, punching it for several minutes until Jones came to him.

“Best try some of those punches on me, my lord.”

They moved into one of the makeshift rings. A few other gentlemen already present set aside their own training and came to watch them spar.

Judson reined in his anger. Anger was not a boxer’s friend. Boxing required a cool head and thinking several steps ahead in order to best an opponent.

Jones took several hard shots to his torso from Judson, as well as a sound punch to the nose. Despite the fact the other man was from the lower class, he did not hold back, giving as good as he got. Judson knew he would be sore tomorrow and have a few bruises to show for today’s efforts.

Gentleman Jack called a halt to their sparring just as Jones threw a final punch. Judson had already lowered his wrapped fists and realized too late he could not ward off the hit. Jones’ fist connected with Judson’s left eye, and he stumbled back.

“Bloody hell, Jones!” the owner shouted, cursing at his worker.

“No,” he said, stepping between the two men. “The shot was fair. I hold no ill will.”

“I am sorry, my lord,” his sparring partner said apologetically. “You’re going to have a shiner.”

“Get Lord Huntsberry some ice,” barked Gentleman Jack. He looked around. “Nothing to see here, gentlemen. Go back to what you were doing.”

The others began to move away. Judson raised a hand to his eye, touching it, finding the area tender.

“Guess you won’t be going to any fancy balls with that new wife for a few days.”

“I promised to take her to a garden party this afternoon.”

John grinned. “Perhaps she’ll change her mind when she sees you. Or leave your sorry arse at home.”

The thought of Lucy going to the party without him, flirting with other men, left a sour taste in Judson’s mouth.

“My apologies to Jones. I was rough on him.”

John snorted. “He’s a boxer. He can take whatever punishment you give.” Pausing, John added, “Perhaps you should stay away from boxing for a week or so, Huntsberry. Let your wife fuss over you a bit.”

That was the last thing he wished for. Still, he would respect the owner’s wishes. “I will see you once the bruises have faded, John.”

Returning to the dressing room, he put on the rest of his clothes. Jones showed up with some ice wrapped in a cloth, and Judson accepted it, apologizing to the boxer for the intensity of today’s punches.

“I didn’t mind at all, my lord. You always offer a challenge. Keep the ice on for another five minutes,” Jones advised as he left the room.

Judson sat for a few more minutes and then returned to his carriage, asking to be taken home. Once he arrived, he was glad to avoid seeing Lucy. He ordered a bath be brought up and retreated to the bathing chamber. Tim appeared, with the hot water following soon after, and Judson stripped and sank into the bathing tub, soaking his already sore muscles.

“Lady Huntsberry will be concerned about your eye, my lord,” Tim observed.

He shrugged. “It is a hazard of boxing.”

But he knew Lucy would want to fuss over him, which was why he was relieved he hadn’t run into her when he arrived home.

“Everyone likes her,” Tim told him.

“That is good to hear,” he said, impatience in his voice.

After that, Tim sat quietly, waiting until Judson nodded, and then the valet helped scrub away the sweat. He allowed Tim to dry and dress him and then went to his study. He wouldn’t say he was hiding from Lucy. He was merely enjoying time alone.

Without warning, the door flew open. Lucy rushed in and stopped in front of the desk, her expression pained.

“Oh, it looks bad, Judson,” she said, coming around the desk and bringing her fingers to his face. Tenderly, she touched the sore area. “It will bruise. Soon, you will be all shades of the rainbow.” Then she did the unthinkable.

She plopped into his lap.

Before he could protest, she took his face in her hands. Her gentle touch almost undid him. Moving toward him, Lucy gently kissed below his tender eye. The corner of it. His brow.

Her actions moved him, and Judson found himself taking her nape, pulling her mouth to his.

The kiss started gentle, but he increased the pressure. Suddenly, he wanted to kiss her the way she was meant to be kissed.

So, he did.