Page 74

E lizabeth looked out of the window as the coach drew away. She felt unaccountably shy. William’s hand enclosed her own, and drew it to him.

“Take all the time you need, Elizabeth, to become accustomed to our new state.”

She turned to him. “I am not so weak as that, William, although I confess I am a little embarrassed at the thought of tonight.” She tried to stifle a giggle. “Aunt Cecilia — thankfully — asked Aunt Gardiner to speak to me, but even she was not very forthcoming.”

His arm tightened around her. “There is nothing to be afraid of. I will be very gentle.”

“I trust you, William.” She raised her other hand to draw her fingers through the short hair that curled over his collar. “You don’t know how often I have wanted to do this over the last weeks.”

He swallowed, and his hand tightened over hers.

She couldn’t explain to him that her aunt had warned her, very gently, that because of her delicate stature, she might suffer rather more discomfort in the early days than might normally be expected.

Now she could hardly enjoy the rest of today for the apprehension. Perhaps a kiss might draw her mind to the present.

She bit her lip; should she wait for him to make the first move? She did not have to wonder long. He drew her closer, and his finger under her chin tipped her face up to his.

He was very close, and the scent of sage, old leather books, and the wild hills and peaks swirled around her. She closed her eyes. Anything … any pain … would be worth the joy of knowing he was near, knowing that she would wake beside him each day. No other would be afforded that privilege.

A light feather-like touch on her lips, which parted under his, and she leaned against him, giving herself up to the pleasurable feelings that washed through her.

His hand tangled through her hair, drawing her closer into the kiss, and she murmured incoherently against his mouth, wishing this moment might never end.

“Where is this, William?” Elizabeth was puzzled as they drew into a large semi-circular driveway and a good-sized manor house appeared before them. “This isn’t an inn.”

“No.” Her husband’s arm was round her shoulders, and he leaned forward to look out.

“I felt an inn would be too crowded, too difficult to have the privacy and enjoyment we wish for, these first days.” He huffed a laugh.

“So, some friends of mine moved the date of their summer tour, so we may stay here while they are away.”

“Oh, that is so kind of them!” Elizabeth knew her eyes were shining. “It looks such a comfortable house, and the park is a good size.” She turned to him. “I think you will be glad of the privacy — and Father will be glad of the security.”

William laughed. “He did seem relieved when I told him this part of our itinerary.”

They walked through the peaceful rose gardens before dinner, and Elizabeth sighed. “This is wonderful. Much better than an inn, where there would be nowhere to go apart from the parlour or our chamber.”

William’s dark eyes rested on her thoughtfully. “I believe you are a little anxious about the rest of the evening, Elizabeth, and I would hope a peaceful evening would assist you to relax with me.”

She glanced up. “I had hoped I was hiding my feelings from you.”

“I pray you will never feel you have to hide anything from me. If you have any concerns you must tell me, dearest one.”

She turned her face away, knowing she must be scarlet with embarrassment, and he stopped and drew her into a close embrace.

“This is all new, Elizabeth. And I know it must be discomfiting to a gently-born maiden.” His voice was low and passionate.

“I will take the greatest of care of you, and I wondered if you feel the anticipation might be worse. Perhaps we will retire and take tea in our apartments immediately after dining, so we can be alone.”

She looked up at him. “It is a good idea, I think.”

They climbed the stairs, and Elizabeth’s hand rested lightly on her husband’s arm.

It was odd, she thought. He was still fully clothed.

The fabric of his tailcoat sleeve and his shirt were between them; yet even through both layers of fabric the heat of his body was spreading up her arm and through her body.

He stopped outside the sitting room door of the principal guest suite. “I have had the tea taken in, Elizabeth.”

His nearness was distracting as they sat on the sofa, and his thigh pressed, hard and lean, against her own. He knew how she felt, and kept a gentle stream of quiet conversation as they drank their tea.

But his arm around her shoulders, and his hand as he caressed her arm, the line of her neck and the side of her face, were unsettling.

Her breathing uneven, she turned to him. “I think you have done quite enough, William. I am going to my chamber and then, when I am ready, I will dismiss Emily and wait for you.”

“I will not keep you waiting.” His smile was wry. “Indeed, I have been enduring with even less patience than you.”

She laughed. “Perhaps you ought to have told me so!”

It was not long before she dismissed her maid and stood beside the open curtains, looking out into the late evening dusk, barely able to see the full extent of the park.

Soon the connecting door opened with his soft knock, and he was there.

William wore only an open-necked nightshirt under an open banyan. His muscled calves and bare feet were as new to her as the glimpse of dark hair on the small area of his chest that was visible.

She was unable to prevent her hand rising to her throat, and he crossed the room in an instant.

“Don’t be afraid of me, Elizabeth. I cannot bear it.”

She huffed a nervous laugh. “I am not afraid of you.” His arms were around her, and warmth was spreading through her. She raised her hands and twined her arms round his neck, pulling him down towards her.

“I want to be your wife in all ways. You must show me what to do,” she whispered in his ear, and, with a strangled groan, he lifted her into his arms, his lips meeting hers.