“I do too. Sarla, I’m going to ask you tomorrow. Think about your answer tonight.”
“It’s already yes.”
William beamed, but it dimmed as they heard Surat and Chandra talking. He nodded and prepared to walk to the door.
“Will, wait.” Sarla drew closer. “You and I need to be caught together. Something more serious than Suni and Rob. Nita knows that has to happen with Theo. It’s the only way.”
“I know. Theo and I talked about it earlier. We don’t wish to ruin your reputations. We’ll make it private, but irrefutable. But I will not consummate our union without a proper marriage, Sarla. I care not if it’s Hindu or Anglican, but it won’t be a mere declaration. I want it unbreakable and uncontestable. Once you’re my wife, I will not let you go.”
Sarla nodded, unsure what to make of the unwavering insistence in Will’s voice.
“I don’t say that to be possessive. You are not an object I wish to keep from the world or to dictate to. But I want you to understand that I don’t take this lightly. You know I have to return to England in the future. When my father dies, I have no choice but to inherit. Think about whether you can live in England and make a life there with me. If you marry me, I won’t leave you behind, but neither can I ignore my duty.”
“Would your family accept me? Our children?”
“Yes. My cousin was a privateer. He married a woman from the West Indies. They have five children who look like his wife. The only children who could be more adorable will be ours. My family was uncertain at first, but they know they love each other.”
Sarla nodded. They were running out of time to talk. “My answer is still yes. And I’ll agree to a Brahma wedding, but we must make it the only option.”
“We will.”
“Goodnight, Will.”
“Goodnight, Sarla.”
Suniti turned to Sarla as Will walked away. Her sister nodded. Suniti shifted her attention to Vinita. It didn’t look like her conversation with Theo progressed as far. Chandra and Surat stood between them.
“Are you ready to retire, sweetling?” Rob’s warm breath caressed her neck and made her shiver.
“Very.”
Chapter Six
Suniti led Rob to the chamber that would be theirs until they moved into either the officers’ communal housing or a home of their own. She appreciated her mother choosing the one farthest from her parents’ suite. She didn’t want her parents to hear what she did with her husband. Rob locked the door before coming to stand behind Suniti.
“Suni, we can go as slowly as you want. No one will know what we have or haven’t done.”
“And if I want it all?”
Rob choked on his laughter, but his arm slipped around her waist, pulling her backside against his arousal. He pushed her hair aside and kissed the length of her nape. She reached back, gripping his hips to brace herself as each press of his lips to her skin made her lightheaded.
“I wish to undress you, Suni. I want to see my wife.”
“I enjoy hearing you say that. I want to see my husband.”
Rob spun her and brought her against his body. His kiss devoured her, and she loved it. She followed his lead at first, but she soon flicked his tongue with hers, drawing him into her mouth. She sucked with enough pressure to feel his cock straining against his breeches.
“Call me that again, sweetling. Please, let me hear it again.”
“My husband.”
Once more, his kiss threatened to swallow her whole. Her hands roamed over his body as she plucked at his uniform. She pushed off his waistcoat before she tugged at his cravat. He didn’t wear one every day, and she didn’t blame him for pushing the bounds of informality as the weather continued to get hotter. She wished he hadn’t worn one that day since it was one more layer to remove.
“Your clothing is far too fussy. I don’t want to wait every night to peel off every layer.” Suniti waggled her eyebrows before Rob pounced. He knocked Suniti backwards onto the bed, following her down. He drew the length of fabric from her shoulder, kissing the tops of her breasts. She’d changed from a kurta and churidar, her tunic and pants, into a sari for the evening meal. His hand glided along her belly’s smooth skin as his tongue flicked within her cleavage.
Suniti arched her back to bring her closer as she worked the buttons on Rob’s shirt. Once he was free of clothes from the waist up, they stood and finished undressing. Suniti discovered a book in her father’s library as a young adolescent that described the myriad ways a couple could pleasure one another. It resulted in a long talk with her mother and sisters. She and her sisters fought not to giggle, but now she appreciated her mother’s frankness and the book’s illustrations.
Perhaps they would act without haste the next time they undressed each other, but as each additional layer came off, their impatience grew until they were yanking the items left from each other. They only slowed once they stood before each other bare. Rob marveled at the perfection before him. Suniti’s caramel skin gleamed with whatever oil she’d used that morning. He wished to run his tongue over every inch, tantalizing and pleasuring her.
