Page 79 of The Danger of Desire

She tried, though. She really did.

“What did you think of the service?” he asked as he settled back against the squabs across from her.

“It was lovely. Didn’t you think so?”

“It was a wedding. What else is there to say?” When she glanced out the window, trying to hide how that answer disappointed her, he added, “But you made a beautiful bride in all that lace and silk.”

The words, huskily spoken, set her more at ease. “You didn’t look too bad yourself, my lord.”

In a coat of royal-blue superfine with black silk lapels and black breeches, he’d looked every inch the marquess he was. It was a little unsettling to realize that the magnificent fellow with the gold buttons and sapphire stickpin in his silk cravat belonged to her. She hardly knew what to do with such extravagance.

He acknowledged the compliment with a nod. “You must tell my valet as much. He was in a dither of worry about making sure I looked the part.”

Of course. “I still haven’t met this illustrious fellow. I begin to think he’s a ghost.” His valet had gone on ahead to the town house to unpack his lordship’s belongings and probably have a maid unpack hers as well.

“You’ll meet him tomorrow. I gave him tonight off. I don’t think I’ll need him for our wedding night.”

The hungry look in his eyes sent a delicious excitement down her spine. “Does that mean you’ll play lady’s maid for me?”

“I wouldn’t miss that for the world,” he said in that rough rasp that never failed to heighten her pulse. “I can’t wait to see what lies beneath that frothy gown.”

“But you’ve already seen what lies beneath my gowns.”

“Not enough of it, trust me. You have no idea how often I’ve imagined you in the altogether.”

Altogether? Did he meannaked? Somehow it hadn’t occurred to her that he might wish that. What if he didn’t like what he saw? Her breasts were awfully small and her derriere far too large. “Even my maid never saw me... without anything on. Are you sure that’s what you want?”

He eyed her as if she were mad. “Of course. You know perfectly well I desire you in every way. What I’ve seen so far has only fired my determination to see more.”

Now that she thought about it, his Roman costume hadn’t shown her near enough of his lean form, either. Perhaps seeing each other naked could work both ways.

“You’ll let me see you in the altogether, too, won’t you?” she asked.

His gaze smoldered. “To be sure. I can’t wait to feel your hands all over my naked body.”

That sounded perfectly marvelous, though she wasn’t sure she should admit it. “Oh.” She was sure her cheeks were quite rosy now.

“But if we keep talking like this, I’m going to take you right here and now, and to hell with waiting.”

“Why wait?” she blurted out.

Raw need flared in his face, and he shifted on the seat as if suddenly quite uncomfortable. “Because, dearling, this time I mean to do it right.”

“Did we do it wrong before?”

He gave a rueful laugh. “No. But the wedding night at least should be in a bed.”

“How very conventional of you,” she teased.

“Watch it, brat, or Iwillstrip you naked right here in the carriage—and then we’ll have a devil of a time getting you properly dressed again. Is that the condition you want to be in when you meet my servants?”

“I suppose not,” she said, sobering at the idea of facing his staff. “How much do they know about me, anyway?”

“They know you’re a respectable lady and my wife,” he said firmly, “which is all they need to know.”

Hmm. She wasn’t so sure about that. Servants could be a tricky lot.

“I should have asked before now,” he added, “but do you have a lady’s maid of your own back in Cheshire, whom you wish to have me bring to London?”