Chapter 7
It seems Dawnton Hall is my home now, but I am uncertain whether I am free to explore its many rooms and halls. Nevertheless, I am very happy to be far away from my parents’ cruelty. I wonder if Ashden will allow me to have a cat. I would so like a companion.
The first time Anna felt desire she had been sixteen, and she read a book where a man pleased a woman with his body. She had yearned to have a man touch her, and when she saw Ashden at a ball, she created an image of what the man should look like. Now she had him.
Anna took hold of the lapels of his coat and moaned against his mouth. His lips were surprisingly soft, and their heat sent ripples of need down to her center where her legs joined. Her nipples hardened beneath her dress, aching to be fondled. Her fingers raked his sandy hair and he groaned, deepening the kiss and slipping his tongue to sensually dance with hers.
A sweet shiver raced down her back and her skin tingled. She did not care that he had several unusual conditions, because she was simply happy she had been freed from the cage that was her father’s house, and every intimate moment with Ashden would be filled with pleasure.
She could feel him growing hard beneath her, her excitement grew, and she wished they were not in a carriage. His hand stroked her back, from her nape down to the base of her posterior. Then he moved his hand lower and squeezed. Her fingers gripped his hair tighter and she arched her back, while he eased their kiss and deliciously ran his tongue over her lips.
“I suppose we are now properly engaged,” he murmured, slightly drawing back to look at her.
“Just so,” she breathed. “You may call me Anna now.”
“And you may call me Ashden,” he chuckled. She had been catching a glimpse of the humor beneath his hard exterior since the morning began.
“Why not Colin?” she countered as she was wont to do.
He kissed her again, gently biting her bottom lip and drawing another moan from her. Then he said, “I will only accept Ashden.”
“That is a trifle unfair, do you not think?”
“I will gladly address you as you want me to, and in return, I expect you to reciprocate.”
His argument was very clever, and she had no choice but to accept…for now.
“Now,” he pressed his lips to her neck, gliding his tongue along the base of her throat, “I will acquire a special license so we can marry soonest.”
“Yes.” Anna was eager to be his wife because she feared her family’s interference. “How soon?” she asked.
“Less than a week. Two or three days if I can obtain the license in that time.” His warm mouth inched lower toward her breasts and her breath caught. “Is that favorable?”
“Yes.” It was most favorable, and she did not want him to stop. “Please continue,” she urged.
Ashden raised his head. “Anna, of what do you think I speak?”
Heat flooded her cheeks. “Er…you were kissing me.”
“I was asking if the timing of our nuptials is favorable.”
“Oh.” She bit her lip. “It is.”
The corner of his lips slanted, and his eyes gleamed impishly. He knew what he was doing to her. His arm that was around her waist pulled her tighter against him, and the pain she had momentarily forgotten about seared her side and she winced.
“Did I hurt you?” he asked quickly.
“No,” she released a breath, “my father did.”
His expression immediately darkened, and he gently moved her onto the seat beside him. “He will never lay a hand on you again. I promise.”
Anna nodded, regretting that the intimate moment between them was gone. A strange urge to lean against him washed over her, but instead of indulging, she moved back to her seat.
“How long has your father been this way?” he asked.
“Too long,” she murmured. “He has been especially angry as of late because I refused to marry Lord Darpley,” she replied.
His brows knit. “Why is their desire for you to marry him so strong, given he is your sister’s brother-in-law?”
