Page 78 of To Pleasure a Prince

“Good.”

But the whole conversation left a bad taste in his mouth that was not wiped away by the costly dishes provided at the breakfast. Regina was keeping something from him. He sensed it. He just couldn’t figure out what it was.

His unease lingered even after the breakfast ended and they climbed into his carriage. Both of them were somewhat tipsy from champagne, and she had changed her gossamer wedding gown for a rather formidable traveling costume. The peach-colored thing was fastened right up to her chin by an untold number of tassels and was finished off at the top with a many-pointed collar. It practically shouted, “Don’t touch!”

It might not bother him so much if she didn’t also take the seat opposite him, instead of next to him. That did not bode well for the evening.

Trying to settle her, he reached in his pocket and pulled out what Louisa had given him earlier. “Here,” he said, tossing the envelope into Regina’s lap as the coach rumbled off. “Louisa asked me to give this to you when we set out. I imagine it’s some female nonsense welcoming you to the family.”

But his gesture seemed to worry more than soothe her. With shaky hands, she tucked it inside her reticule. “Thank you.”

“Aren’t you going to read it?”

“I’ll read it later.”

“I don’t mind if you read it now.”

“I prefer privacy when I read my letters. Just so you’ll know.”

“I see.” But he did not see. Was this how she meant their marriage to be, stiff and formal and “private”? That didn’t sit well with him. But how could he change it?

They rode for some time in awkward silence before she asked, “Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.”

She swallowed. “One I will like?”

“I certainly hope so. It will give us the chance to be alone.”

“For how long?”

“However long we wish.”

She sucked in a breath, then stared down at her hands. “We’re not going anywhere…too remote, are we?”

That put him further on his guard. “What do you mean?”

“There will be servants who can send a message for me?”

“If you want. To whom will you be sending messages?”

“I’ll want Cicely to know my direction in case she needs to reach me.”

“Fine.” Her questions and strange reliance on her cousin exasperated him. “As long as you’re not planning to have her show up, send her all the messages you wish.” He eyed her closely. “Are you afraid of being alone with me?”

She shot him a guarded glance. “No, of course not.”

“Then what’s wrong? You were less prickly with me when we weren’t even betrothed than you are now as my wife.”

She forced a smile. “Every woman is nervous on her wedding day.”

“Then I have the perfect cure.” He reached across the carriage and hauled her over and onto his lap.

“Marcus!” She trying to wriggle free. “It’s broad daylight!”

“It’s nearly dusk. Besides, we’re married.” Before she could protest further, he kissed her deeply. At first she seemed oddly timid about returning the kiss, but it didn’t take long for her natural sensuality to assert itself.

When her arms crept about his neck, he growled his approval and kissed her with a week’s worth of longing. He wouldn’t deflower her in his carriage like some uncivilized beast, but he could damned well prepare her for the deflowering later. They would reach their destination in only a couple of hours, which left him plenty of time to rouse her hunger and ease her virginal misgivings.