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"Laurel."

She startled when Julian took hold of her left hand.

She stared at her small, gloved hand enfolded inside his larger hand. He had removed his gloves, so there was only a thin layer of lace between their palms. It did nothing to prevent the heat of his touch from shooting through her veins.

He lifted her hand and touched the hem of her glove. "May I?" he said, his voice a husky whisper.

Laurel swallowed hard around the dryness in her throat and wished she had more champagne. She ought to say no. Pull her hand away. Change the subject.

"You ought never to shy away from your husband’s touch," Lady Katherine said. "Just as you will want to touch and caress his body, he will want to do the same with yours. Laurel stared at her, shocked at the notion of caressing a man’s body. Cassie leaned forward eager to learn more.

Instead, she said, "As you wish."

With surprising gentleness, he tugged the tip of each finger of the glove and loosened it, finishing with her thumb.

The lace slipped to the midpoint of her palm and his thumb moved over the delicate flesh of her wrist in the instant before he removed the glove completely and held her bare hand between both of his.

Laurel forced herself to meet his gaze. She was a married woman. She would not shy away.

"Often, it is the simplest, most mundane touches that will mean the most. A hand on his shoulder as you pass by him while he works at his desk, or a gentle squeeze of his leg during a meal when no one but the two of you are aware.

It is those seemingly small things which will build affection between a man and a woman. "

Lady Katherine’s words echoed in her head.

Julian brushed his thumb over the two rings she now wore on the third finger of her left hand, the diamond engagement ring and the slim gold band that accompanied it. "I did not give you these rings or take my vows without thought and without intention."

His voice was low and intense and it sounded even more reverent than it had in the church. Here, inside the carriage with just the two of them, well, it was … intimate. Her breath hitched again and she licked her lips. But no words came to her.

"It is my wish that we will both be pleased with the decision we have made.

I know that I can be surly and abrupt. Once my grandfather has signed the mine over to me, you will be free to travel to London or Paris or wherever you choose.

But rest assured, this marriage is forever and I shall do my best to be, if nothing else, a good friend to you. "

"In truth," Lady Katherine said, "it is friendship with your husband that will make all the other aspects of your marriage better. Deeper. Intimate."

"If I am being honest," Laurel said. "And it seems to me that we ought to do our best to be honest with each other, then I must tell you that… I have no idea what I am doing."

He smiled and squeezed her hand. Still holding her gaze with his one, intense eye. "Nor do I," he answered. "But I believe that we can work together and make the best of this situation."

Laurel gave him a small, relieved smile. "Thank you. I think so as well."

He returned her smile and returned her hand to her lap, laying the glove over top of it.

Laurel wished he hadn’t, but of course did not say so. Instead, she changed the subject. To something safe.

"Tell me about the mine. It must mean a great deal to you if you were willing to be shackled for life to a stranger in order to obtain ownership of it."

Julian appeared relieved at the change of subject.

"The copper mine has been in my mother's family for several generations.

It was a source of great pride to her. I do not have many memories of her, for she died when I was twelve years old, though I remember she wore a large copper pendant around her neck.

Looking back, I assume it represented her family, separate from the Ashford family. "

"Do you believe she wished to be separate from the Ashford family? It was not to her liking?"

"I cannot comment on my parents' marriage, but I will say that whenever we left my father behind and visited my grandfather, it was as though my mother lit up from the inside.

She was so happy to be with her father and back in the home where she'd grown up.

I suppose that is part of why I am determined to have those things for myself.

To preserve them for her memory. And, I have a younger sister.

Without my grandfather's backing, I would not be able to provide a proper season for her. "

"For flowers and flowery words?" Laurel teased.

"Just because it does not appeal to me, and apparently not to you, does not mean others do not wish for those things. I want my sister to have every advantage."

"Well, you have fulfilled your obligation to your grandfather, so all should be well," Laurel said.

"Yes, we just need to make it to my grandfather's birthday party."

"That sounds easy enough."

They made surprisingly good time thanks to the fine weather.

Julian found himself a bit sad as the sights of home came into view.

Ironic considering how much he did not like being away from the area and his duties at the mine.

His thoughts were a complete muddle and as a man who always knew what he wanted and what was the right thing to do, this was most unsettling for Lord Julian Ashford.

His one-eyed gaze fell upon the likely source of his befuddlement. Laurel, his bride of only a few hours, had dozed off, probably due to the combination of champagne and the rolling movement of the carriage.

In repose, her face was even more lovely.

The worry that furrowed her brow had vanished and now she looked almost serene.

Her hair, which had undoubtedly caused her a lifetime of consternation, had come loose in a couple of places, with the curls resting on her shoulders.

All he could think about was running his fingers through the rich tresses, possibly fisting a handful while he held her mouth against his own, trapping her in a kiss that took her breath away.

Oh bloody hell. Where had that thought come from?

Julian shifted in his seat and turned his attention to the views outside the window, but he still could not stop thinking about his new, temporary, bride. In the privacy of the carriage, with a bit of food and drink to share, she had surprised him with her warmth and candor.

Intriguing and off-limits.

The hurt of a broken heart was quite familiar to him and he had no desire to have a repeat of that, which was a likely outcome if he became attached. Never mix business with pleasure, he reminded himself.

A soft moan escaped her pink lips as Laurel shifted in her seat.

More than anything, he appreciated she was more than game for the charade they were about to embark upon.

He ought to feel bad, perpetrating a ruse upon his grandfather, a man whom he loved and respected.

On the other hand, this beloved gentleman had essentially blackmailed him into getting married, so turnabout was fair play as far as Julian was concerned.

And since he and Laurel had full disclosure between them, no one would get hurt and they would both get what they wanted most.

As they rolled up the driveway toward Hazelden, Julian's heart swelled with the pleasure that came from returning home after an extended time away. The estate was filled with happy memories for him, as well as his beloved sister.

"Oh my!"

Julian turned to see Laurel had awoken and was gazing out the window. As he watched, she grew animated, her eyes widening and a smile spreading over her face. "Is this your home?" she asked.

"Yes," he said. "Hazelden has been in my mother's family for decades."

"It's beautiful," she replied.

"I hope you will be happy here and consider it your home," he said.

It was the polite thing to say, but he found he meant it sincerely.

She had endured a great deal of tragedy and as a person who had also been subjected to fate's capriciousness, he understood the toll such events could take and he did not wish to contribute any further to her distress.

"For as long as it lasts," she said, giving him a small smile.

The carriage slowed to a stop and the two of them shared a look. "Well," he said, blowing out a slow breath, "it's showtime."

A bit of worry flashed across Laurel's face and then she schooled her features. "Yes," she replied. "Good luck to us."

It was nearly teatime and the afternoon sun reflected off the windows of Hazelden House as Julian assisted Laurel from the carriage. He gazed upon his home and tried to view it through the eyes of someone like Laurel, seeing it for the first time.

Majestic. Stately. Three stories tall with a main building and an east and west wing, Hazelden House stood among the most esteemed estates in the country.

More than that, it was his home.

Laurel continued to stare at the building. "Oh my, it is magnificent." She moved her head from left to right. "Is that a topiary garden?" she asked, taking a step in that direction.

"Yes," he replied. "Would you like to look at it? Or perhaps you'd prefer to rest and freshen up and I will give you a full tour later?"

She laughed musically. "You make an excellent point. I would dearly love to rest and freshen up. Thank you."

He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and escorted her toward the front door which swung open before he could touch the handle. His sister Penny stood in the foyer.

"Julian!" she cried, rushing toward him with her arms out.

Penny threw herself at him and he swung her up in his arms. "I've missed you, brother," she said.

"I missed you as well, sister," he replied, setting her on her feet and tweaking her nose.

Julian's sister was a beauty. Delicate and fresh-faced, she made Laurel feel even more travel-worn.

Reaching up, she tried to re-pin some of her tresses which had come loose.